Final Round

Cassie was currently adjusting my collar as we stood outside the restaurant before the rehearsal dinner. Her engagement ring sparkled in the sunlight. She noticed me looking at it.

"It's perfect," she said. "Honestly, I don't even care how much you spent on it. It tells all the other boys that I'm taken by the cute aeromancer." I smiled.

"Ready?" I asked and held out my hand for her to take.

"You know it," I said. The two of us walked inside the brightly lit restaurant. There was a sign near the hostess stand that read "Briggs and Takahashi Wedding Rehersal Dinner" along with an arrow pointing off to the right. The hostess looked up at Cassie and I.

"Wedding party?" she asked politely. Cassie nodded. We followed the arrows down the hallway.

"You know that it's Jacqui's big day right?" I asked Cassie in a joking tone. She scoffed.

"Yes you dingus," she answered. "You still haven't told me about what you're about to show my dad."

"That is a surprise," I said. Cassie gave me the…kitty cat eyes. Curses! My one weakness!

"You won't get it," I stated.

"Try me," she retorted.

"Ever hear of the band Austrian Death Machine?" I asked.

"Yeah. My dad talks about that band a lot….wait a minute…did you actually?!" she asked excitedly. I patted my phone pocket.

"Work in progress," I said. We turned into the dining area where most of the wedding party was already there. Including Takeda's father. A man named Kenshi. Cassie was right. He looked just like the guy from the Matrix movies. What she didn't tell me was that the guy had a blindfold over his eyes. Must be blind…but he was moving around as if he could actually see. Whatever. I'm not going to be a dick and ask. Jacqui's father, Jax, looked up at me and Cassie. He got up out of his chair and walked over. Jax held out his metal hand to me. Uh…right…I shook it.

"You hurt her in any way, and I will kick your ass," he threatened.

"Don't worry Uncle Jax," Cassie said and squeezed my hand.

"I better not have to," he muttered and looked at his daughter's back. I found who I was looking for after greeting some other people, including Kenshi. Johnny.

"Oi Johnny," I said. "I've been meaning to show you this riff I was working on."

"Mmkay Daughter Stealer, show me," he answered. I pulled out my phone and a pair of earbuds from my jacket. He stuck one into his ear while I adjusted the volume so that I wouldn't blow out his eardrum. I located where I had stored the file entitled "SpecEffDemo" and pressed play on it. Johnny (and I guess Cassie cause she put the other bud in) was subjected to a short clip of him saying "I AM the Special Effects" followed by the intro riff. I did have to use fake drums for that one but it was still a work in progress. I saw Johnny's face go from puzzlement to excitement in about 0.5 seconds. I could hear my muffled voice coming through the earbuds. Here, this is the first verse or at least, what I recorded as the first verse and chorus.

"YEEEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH! LET'S GO!

You thought it was movie magic,

Just wire work and stunts

Well let me tell you a secret

IT'S ALL ME!

I AM THE SPECIAL EFFECTS!

NO CGI IS NEEDED!

I AM THE SPECIAL EFFECTS!

I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE, BUT IT HAS GONE UNHEEDED!"

"No way!" Johnny exclaimed as Sonya walked over. "Hon, listen to what Vic made!" Sonya, puzzled, put the earbud in her ear.

"Johnny, is that…holy…" Sonya said as the guitar riff kicked in again. She looked at me resuming her puzzled expression. Might know why. I tended to not resort to heavy metal style singing in her presence. Cassie was. I think she liked it but I know she totally preferred my normal singing voice. Speaking of Cassie, she was smiling at me.

"When did you do that?" Johnny asked me, still excited.

"Mainly whenever Cassie wasn't home," I answered. "It's only a demo. I gotta remember what key I wrote that in so I can do the solo. Most likely E minor."

"Reminds me of Austrian Death Machine," Johnny said, pressing play on the file again.

"I think that was the idea daddy," Cassie told him.

"You got any more?" Johnny asked as Sonya grinned at how happy Johnny was at this moment.

"As a matter of fact, yes," I said and pointed to a file called "DontCall" This one was much shorter. Like not even 20 seconds. Johnny didn't need to know that becaaaasue his face said it all. All that file contained was a really basic thrash riff followed by me yelling "DON'T CALL ME JOHNNY PEE PANTS!" Sonya had heard that I guessed and she held back a laugh.

"Hilarious. You're marrying a comedian Cass," Johnny said and gave me a small shove. "You told him didn't you?" Cassie shrugged.

"Here Vic, another winner for ya. When Cass was about 4, she asked me what animal her chicken nugget used to be," Johnny said and smiled at his daughter. Cassie turned red.

"Annnnd, new song idea!" I said and pretended to write that down. Cassie grabbed for my phone but I held it out of reach.

"I'm kidding," I said and showed Cassie the blank screen. "C'mon, I think we need to take our seats." The rest of the dinner went pretty much as planned. Toasts exchanged, food eaten. Future father in law pleased with my side project that involved taking lighthearted jabs at his career. Future wife holding onto my arm and looking at me with nothing but admiration in her face. What a time to be Vic Harris.

The Next Day. Wedding Reception.

The ceremony the following day also went as planned. Here's the bad news, well for me. Remember how I got stabbed in the side? Yeah, that was starting to twinge a little while I stood next to Tadeka at the ceremony. Currently, I was sitting down and being attended to by Cassie. She was holding her cold hand against that area as we watched the bride and groom have their first dance.

"Better?" Cassie whispered. I nodded. Then I caught the DJ's eye and gave him a slight nod. He returned it. Fantastic, he had my song queued! Cassie's gonna love this!

"You can still stand, right?" she whispered. Again I nodded.

"I'll dance with you. I promise. Just give me until a slow one comes on ok," I whispered back. Jacqui proceeded to share a short dance with her father while Takeda conversed with his father. The DJ then pulled up some dance songs from back in the day and the rest of the guests got on the dance floor. Cassie wanted to join them but I think her need to make sure I was alright was stronger. I glanced at the DJ again who held up his finger and mouthed "Next." Perfect. I listened to the end of the song and then the beginning to "Before It's Too Late." Guy had even looped it a little bit so people could choose partners. I looked toward Cassie and held out my hand to her.

"May I have this dance," I asked. Cassie, almost overcome with happiness, took my hand and led me onto the dance floor. We wrapped our arms around each other and started swaying just as Johnny Rezenik sang "I wandered through fiction to look for the truth, buried beneath all the lies." I saw that us two were pretty much the only ones on the dance floor. Over Cassie's shoulder I could see Jacqui standing with Takeda near Johnny and Sonya. Sonya was holding onto Johnny's arm as they watched me dance with their daughter. Honestly, it was like I was transported back to high school. It was like no time had passed at all. Cassie Cage was still the same girl that I had fallen in love with. Cassie leaned her head against my chest as we continued to sway. Man, this was simply amazing. I really did have Cassie back. She had even agreed to marry me. Thanks Elder Gods.

"You set this up with the DJ didn't you?" Cassie asked. I shrugged.

"Ya got me," I said. Cassie kissed my cheek.

"Good puppy," she whispered. "You called your mom this morning right?"

"Yes," I answered. "Already taking bets against me?"

"NO!"

"Yeah ok, liar. What happens when I lose?"

"Nothing! I swear!"

"Alright kitty, I believe you," I said and kissed the top of her forehead. The song ended shortly after that and was replaced with some more dance hits. Cassie and I stayed on the dance floor for a few of the following songs. I even pulled off my ultimate dance move of the moonwalk. Eventually Cassie told me she needed a drink and went off to the bar to get one for me and herself. I noticed someone standing near my chair and table. Don't worry, it was someone I knew, but he was standing with someone I did not know. Fujin was there with…oh wait, I know this person by name only. Amaterasu. The only word I could use to describe her was radiant. Like it was scary how beautiful she was. She had features of a young Asian woman with long flowing black hair. She was wearing clothing similar to Fujin's but her's sported more samurai armor pieces and the colors of white and red. She was holding onto Fujin's arm much like how Cassie does to me whenever we go out in public. Speaking of Cassie, she had just arrived with a cosmo for herself and a Captain and coke for me. Cassie flinched slightly upon seeing Fujin and Amaterasu. Amaterasu did have a small smile on her face so that was good. I figured it was time for formalities so I gave her a small bow. Cassie did too. Amaterasu inclined her head gracefully.

"This is your student?" she asked Fujin. Her voice had a slight Japanese accent as well. Fujin nodded.

"Lauren's son," he answered. "Victor. Named after her brother. The woman next to him is Cassandra."

"I could tell by his eyes. You young lady must be Jonathan Carlton's daughter," Amaterasu said to Cassie. Cassie nodded.

"Oh and you will be wed to this man?" she continued. Cassie again nodded. Fujin was currently looking at the ceiling while Amaterasu giggled behind her hand.

"He is rather funny isn't he?" Amaterasu asked the pair of us.

"You crashing the party Fujin?" I asked him and took a sip of my drink.

"We were just passing through. Gave Jacqulin Briggs and Takahashi Takeda our congratulations already," Fujin explained.

"Have you seen Raiden recently?" Cassie asked.

"I believe he was either at the Sky Temple or with Uzume," Amaterasu answered. Cassie choked on her drink.

"Fujin, please tell me Uzume is Raiden's plus one," she said excitedly. Fujin nodded.

"Indeed she is. I believe she was the one that assisted my brother in coming to his senses after his corruption," he said.

"Cassandra, have you heard Victor sing?" Amaterasu asked Cassie. "I have before. I recall him singing the very song you just danced to once."

"Oh yes I have!" Cassie answered excitedly and grabbed my arm. Amaterasu giggled again. I saw Fujin flash a smirk whenever she did that. My man.

"I have constantly stated that he and Fujin should do a duet," she said. Both Cassie and I choked on drinks. I'm sorry. Fujin had pipes?! Judging by the red color he was turning, yes. Yes he did. It was even my turn to flash my mentor a smirk.

"Well, I know what's happening when you lose in a few days!" I said to him and held out my hand.

"You are on," Fujin answered and shook my hand, sealing the deal. Amaterasu smiled again and grabbed onto Fujin's arm.

"I look forward to hearing it. It was an honor to meet you Victor and Cassandra," she said and gave both of us a small bow. We returned it.

"I must be off. I will see you soon Vic," Fujin said before he and Amaterasu vanished. I turned to Cassie who had a wide smile on her face.

"I know right?! He never told me that!" I said. Cassie wrapped her hands around my neck.

"Not what I'm smiling about. I just thought of what I want you to do if you lose," she said. Uh oh.

"It better not be anything naughty," I answered. Cassie shook her head.

"Nope," she said. "You have to write a song for me and sing it when I walk down the aisle to you." I frowned.

"I need to lose to do that?" I asked. Cassie's smile turned into a look of surprise.

"Wait a minute…no…no…don't, I'm gonna start bawling if you already planned to do that," she said. I kissed her forehead again.

"I better get the tissues then."

A Few Days Later. Fujin's Temple

Cassie and I walked into my old base of operations one overcast evening. Hmm, odd. It was sunny all day but…oh come on Fujin. Don't tell me you screwed up again! Fuckin bonehead!

"Feels weird coming back here," I said. "Even after calling it home for 8 years." I took a look around to see that things haven't changed much…except…there was another person immortalized on the mural where my uncles were. Cassie and I walked over to examine it.

"Vic…" Cassie began. "It's you." She was right. It was a carving of me on a rooftop dressed in the old Thrash attire with 2 wind currents circling me. Under it was a plaque that read "Victor 'Thrash' Harris. Hero. Protector. Son." I smiled at the portrait while Cassie laid her head against my shoulder.

"You like it sweet boy?" my mom's voice asked. I turned around to see her standing there along with Fujin. She walked over and hugged me and yet again I nearly lost it. You don't understand what it's like to lose someone like her only to get her back after a long time.

"I heard my sweet boy is writing a song to sing to his bride," she said. Dammit Fujin! You're supposed to be a homie!

"What song are we dancing to?" my mom continued.

"Sailing probably," I answered immediately. I was gifted with a kiss on the cheek.

"That's one of my favorites!" she exclaimed. "I still love him more than you Cassie."

"I know you do Lauren," Cassie answered. "Now who's kicking his butt, you or Fujin?"

"Funny you should mention that Cassandra. How about a little tag-team match?" Fujin inquired. Cassie gulped and then looked at me.

"Good, I get to take some aggression out on the girl that thinks she can take my sweet boy away from me," my mom said. WHOA, WHAT?! Cassie stammered out something that sounded like "but…I…you…wha?"

"I'm kidding honey," she said. "I want to see what Fujin taught my sweet boy." AGAIN. WHAT?! It was my turn to stammer.

"I…I don't…I don't wanna hurt you…" I stammered like a kid. My mom smiled.

"You think I want to hurt the little boy that used to say 'sing to me mommy!' whenever he was feeling sad?" my mom said. I saw Cassie smile warmly.

"It will be just a friendly match. You and Cassandra versus myself and Lauren. The new versus the old," Fujin stated and struck a pose next to my mom. Cassie and I exchanged glances and then smirked.

"Tease him about his girlfriend, he usually hesitates," I told Cassie who squared off against Fujin.

"Call him the names you used to when he was small Lauren. I remember some you might have forgotten. A favorite of mine was Chubby Cheeks," Fujin countered. I turned red.

"She means my face," I exclaimed without thinking. Cassie still sniggered. My mom struck that elegant fighting pose that she had done when she was still a spirit. One arm crossed across her chest and the other up out in front of her with the palm facing the sky. I struck my own pose just as my mom moved forward. I could immediately tell that she wasn't aiming to hurt, just like Fujin used to do. I ducked out of the way and countered with a gentle wind push. My mom flashed me a smile and I took that as her saying that she trusted me to not hurt her either. My mom and I exchanged friendly blows for several minutes. She was definitely more based on precision strikes and flowing movement as opposed to me. I even tried using a few air constructs to aid me but my mom was well versed in making her own too. Like a teddy bear. Something inside me told me to catch the teddy bear flying through the air and I did…only to get shoved back by a powerful wind gust from my mom. I fell over onto my back with a thud. Within seconds, my mom was aiding me to my feet as Fujin was to Cassie.

"I believe that is one for us, yes?" Fujin asked Lauren. Cassie brushed herself off and turned to me.

"He cheated," she said.

"Yeah ok, like you're one to talk. Remember when we sparred?" I retorted. Cassie smirked.

"You still liked it," she whispered.

"Excuse me, what do you think you're doing kissing my sweet boy?" my mom said and squared up against Cassie. Fujin went to do the same to me but I held up my hand. I heard something. Running. Snarling.

"I hear it too," Fujin said. "Cassandra, Lauren, are you ready?" Both my mom and Cassie nodded and joined Fujin and I. Suddenly, the door to Fujin's temple burst open and a small group of demons poured in. One of them, the guy who looked like the leader, stepped forward and addressed us.

"You weak pathetic fools! I've come for your souls!" he said in a low snarling voice.

"I don't think so," Fujin said back.

The four of us charged. Those Netherrealm bastards didn't even stand a chance.