Lap 3

Rick and Tinsel split up to cover more ground and the RVSPs were being sent out. He first visited Planet Cryton to deliver the invitations to Goroh and his family; fortunately he held his band of thieves at bay as they wanted to steal his advanced machine.

"I'm warning you, sensei, that the Galaxy Platoon would be watching your every move and I would highly suggest you arrive discreetly using your F-Zero machines instead of your spacecrafts." He was referring to the Fire Needle and Excellent Queen, otherwise they'd be shot down; so it was best to never mess around.

The Japanese warrior nodded with a smile, "I honor your union, kid. You'd best make sure you would have the Federation's permission; you and me both best not stir up any tension."

While the savior was heading back to Earth just an hour later, the King Meteor unexpectedly followed beside him. Super Arrow couldn't stop begging to be a part of this oncoming wedding. To shut him up, Rick reluctantly gave three of the packages to him, as he'd deliver them to his wife and kid immediately. Zukk squawked next to him.

Tinsel had to follow her GPS in her Silver Comet as she had forgotten the way to Domino City; the bustling streets made it more of a challenge to find Yugi's and Solomon's home, though. She gave them eight invitations, and only six of those were for his best friends Joey, Mokuba, Serenity, Tristan, Téa, and Mai.

While she was heading back to Mute City, Rick stopped by the Falcon House and offered Clank to deliver three invitations to Alias' home as well as their friendly rival, Digi-Boy; he beamed and accepted them with glee. Though he had to ride in his dad's Red Gazelle in order to get to these places.

Finally, they rendezvoused back at the Mobile Task Force base and Dr. Stewart offered to deliver the fancy invitations to his kids; Jack would bring one to the high-flying medico's grandson. Still, something was beginning to trouble the bright mind; as he was anxious to hear from someone he hadn't seen in years. Someone very distant, elusive, or possibly forever gone from his life...

In addition, food preparations had to be requested by the invites, so Burt, Lucy, Alias' mom, Luna and Stody decided to prepare them by the month before the occasion.

To cut cost, Stewart suggested to make a buffet utilizing a variety of dishes. And to avoid chaos and skyrocketing payments, Jody volunteered it could be a dry wedding rather than have it served with any alcohol. Although a professional was hired to bake the cake, the couple wasn't sure exactly what flavor it should be, nor did they want any of the festive décor. After a couple weeks, Tinsel eventually decided on something basic, as to have the top layer chocolate, the second layer vanilla, and the third layer strawberry; Rick admired the simplicity and the deliciousness of her choice.

Only the majority of guests accepted, around 97% have returned within a month. As the packages were sent back, Tinsel made a spreadsheet highlighting some of the cells, while others had yet to be answered were left blanch.

Rick and Tinsel were both surprised that Kate and her midget manager, Gordon, offered to come along and put on a show for the special occasion.

In fact, Rick's key fob began to chirp as Tinsel was looking over the digital repertoire. He picked up the call and there was a cheery voice at the other end.

"Rick, is that you?"

"Yeah." He then recognized the voice and smiled, "Kate! What a surprise! I-I never thought you of all people would be calling me."

"I never want to miss the chance on performing for you and Tinsel's wedding. Congratulations!"

He became bashful, "Um, yeah, thanks." His eyes widened like saucers, "Hey, wait! How did you know we were getting married!?"

She simply replied, "Who else would've broken the news. EAD did!"

"Oh, that star struck android!" He really was aghast by this.

"You don't mind if Gordon and I should participate, would you? I've already gotten the invitations mailed to us already!"

"Not at all, Kate. I-hope it won't be too much of a burden for you." He could never forget how stern she was when he and his colleagues had to give her 24-hour protection from Zoda after she won the prize money over him. And also how her fans used to pressure her so much. It was thanks to the friendship and valiance from Mr. EAD, as well as his temporary sacrifice, that changed his ways. They were still so astounded that Clash was able to restore him, albeit not his memories of Kate.

"Course not. Besides, EAD and I would be doing some shopping for our nifty outfits. And we could use some alone time before the big day; y'know, just to relax for awhile."

Although having the possibility of a human mating with an android can be pretty weird, for his stomach was tangled in knots. Still, he replied with a straight face, "Sure, ok."

"Great! I'll see you...in October..." she sing songed at the end before she hung up and left Rick speechless.

Even more shocking was that Jack offered his own former band, Thunderbolt, to join in! Rick immediately said yes, as did Luna, and the punk would never mind how much it'll cost him, as brash as he was. Since he was his best man he would be willing to do anything to make Rick's matrimony a memorable one, even to defend him in a brawl.

Rick soon asked Tinsel and she thought that their wedding could take place at the first track from the original F-Zero; the Mute City track! He figured it was unusual, but since it was an old circuit, there wouldn't be any racers to run anything nor anyone over! The latter event would just take place at the other side of the track.

Rick then asked where she wants the honeymoon, and she immediately answered it'd be in Port Town's space harbor, no question since it was the largest and most advanced in the entire galaxy. At first Rick was disappointed it won't be at Memory Park, where he has taken Haruka once while he reminisced her enjoying the scenery with a flock of gulls and laughed heartedly the whole way through.

When they went to the Falcon House for their usual beverage, Rick then asked what Burt's role would be, he said it could be the marriage officiant. Even the server was impressed on Tinsel's unique choice of their union and reception since it'd be inexpensive, as the circuit remained inactive for years; it was actually better than going to any formal church, even occupying it for a reception. And in order to cut costs more, photography would have to be done professionally by a friend, and who knows technology well, say Clank and Mighty Gazelle? They both unanimously volunteered to take on the task; or better yet, the young tech geek would want to use a little friend of his to do the job proficiently and hands free. His bot he invented, Tek. And he retorted he would NEVER be willing to invite any of the self-centered children from the Forno orphanage!

Rick and Tinsel extended the time limit for any last-minute invitees by giving them all of summer to hear from them, despite retrieving the packages within 30 days; unfortunately, Beat, Catherine Grey, Lewis Legend, and Katherine Wilson didn't give them back. So much for Cat being the flower girl; Dr. Stewart said Kat's address is unknown and is very elusive, though he thought he shouldn't alert his daughter of her whereabouts just yet.

With every RVSP retrieved, Stody created a list of each food preference (though kids would have their choices monitored closely):

Jody: Fondue (wine had to be cut)
Stewart: Healthy choices, well-balanced
Tanaka: None
Commissioner: None
Chris: Gator? Exotic meat and Mediterranean veggies.
Octoman: No calamari or seafood!

To be politically correct, the couple accepted to eliminate seafood; Tinsel wasn't too disappointed, and it'll also cut down on costs since fish is highly expensive.

PJ: Exotic mangos
Gordon (Kate's manager): Ramen noodles with small meatballs
Gomar & Shioh: Artichoke, cooked chestnuts
Jack: Anything spicy!

They decided a variety of sauces would be put aside such as hot sauce, buffalo, teriyaki, soy, and barbecue.

Luna: Butterscotch pie
Rodney: Same as his dad
Lucy: Carrot cake
Leon: Tender meat; medium (No rare meats!)
EAD: Spaghetti, eggplant parm
Kate: Coffee, sherbet, veal
Yugi: Hibachi (chicken, beef), fried ice cream (choc, vanilla, banana)
Solomon: Miso (either tofu/seaweed) and dashi soup (sea vegetables/mushrooms)
Joey: Spaghetti and meatballs/lasagna, steak, turkey, sushi, hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, soda, baked ice cream, filet mignon

As a person who loves to eat, he listed a plethora of entrees being written off the invitation! Tinsel was surprised, but Rick was more somber as he questioned if he remembered Burt's limitations of up to 3 entrees per person; while Dr. Stewart and his family would make the acceptations/exceptions.

Serenity: Fruit slushies, soufflé
Mai: Coconut cake
Téa: Tossed salad, fruit salad, Jell-O
Tristan: Nachos, hibachi
Mokuba: Ramen, tenderloin (favorite of Kaiba)
Roy: Curry

As a robot, Roy can't eat, but rather has to be refueled; he did decide on curry with his son. though.

Clank: Curry, Chili
Terry "Digi-Boy" Getter: Chili (preferably spicy), rice pudding (either w/ cinnamon, raisins, vanilla)
Alias and his mom: Exotic mangos

Tinsel complained since the mangos are interplanetary, they could be pricey; Rick stated that maybe Roger and Draq can help.

Goroh: Rice Balls and Oriental vegetables (he'd make them personally; translated from his native language via Falcon's computer program)
Lisa: Snake, seaweed (They decided on kale)
The Arrows: Mr. Arrow preferred crazy ideas involving Angel Food or strawberry shortcake. Mrs. Arrow argued they must choose wisely for Archer, like non-chewable ideas.
Zukk (pet owl): Birdseed or pumpkin seeds? Berries?

Roger and Draq would offer to help for deliveries of food/supplies. A cooler loaded with ice would be set aside for cold beverages, even soda, a variety of juices, seltzer, and iced coffee.

A/N: Several years back, my family and I had to make some arrangements for a former acquaintance's wedding, who was Indian (the ones that had a red dot on their heads), specifically the bride. And the cake itself was actually made by my ex-stepmom herself! She always had a thing for culinary arts, and each layer was both baked and covered with layers of icing of the corresponding flavor! There was chocolate, then vanilla, and strawberry on that! Ironically...it wasn't celebrated in a church, but rather at our own backyard; as was my parents' wedding as well back in mid-August 2003! At the yard, there was this small arching, and flowers were decorated over it, hence the inspiration of the décor
.

The little robot I was referring to, Tek (despite the fact it was the geek's name in the English dubs), was his assistant as he would pilot the Dragon Bird EX, like he did in Climax.

But, that's only the beginning!