Chapter 42: The Return of the General

The sound of cooing Doves woke Freddie up. He was lying in a bed in a bedroom he didn't know, and his wrist was wrapped in bandages. It was then that everything came back to him regarding The Bomb and Mumble. But just as he was about to get up, a door on the other side of the room opened, and a few familiar faces emerged. First, it was Gerald, followed by Mickey and Patten. They were so excited to see Freddie awake that they rushed over to his bed and cried for joy. Then Gavin, Matthias, and Aonghus came in wearing new clothes and their faces lit up as soon as they saw Freddie. After that, the last one to step through the door was Steve, who gave Freddie a sheepish grin before joining Mickey and Patten by the bed.

Later, Freddie learned that Gerald had sent the Doves to look for him and Steve and they found them lying several miles from the Moving Fortress in an unconscious state. Fortunately, neither of them were severely injured except for Freddie who had pieces of the Invis Watch in his wrist, but after some surgery and using the Medi Gun at Bigrock Gerald was able to heal it. Gerald also used the Medi Gun to remove traces of Australium that were inside the Mercenaries' bodies as a result of the explosion that destroyed the Moving Fortress, which would've killed them otherwise.

"Uh, were there any traces of Mumble?" Freddie asked.

Gerald shook his head. "If he was inside the Moving Fortress, then he's nothing more that burned ashes now."

Freddie sighed with relief and told Aonghus and the others about his journey after he left them at Hydro. In turn, they told him what happened to them from the battle of DeGroot Keep to the Headless Horsemenn's siege on Hightower to Eyeaduct to Bigrock and then the battle outside Coal Town. Afterwards, the eight Mercenaries silently looked at one another.

"Well, with the exception of Benjamin, I'd say the Mercenaries of the Bomb held up pretty well in the end," Gavin said. "Though I had my doubts."

"Aye, same here," Aonghus replied. "Maybe we were meant to go our separate ways in order to reunite at a later time."

"No, Kamerad, the Mercenaries of the Bomb were never separated to begin with." When everyone gave Gerald an odd look, he explained. "We may have been in different places, but in spirit we were always together."

"Yeah, I guess you could say that," Matthias said scratching the back of his head.

"Oh, man, I can't wait to get back home," Mickey said.

Patten nodded. "There will be so many stories to tell that I won't know where to start."

"Hey, wait a minute," Steve said abruptly. "We should at least stay for the ceremony before we go."

"What ceremony?" Freddie asked.

"The coronation of General Aonghus, of course," Gerald said. "After all, he is the rightful heir to Bigrock."

A few days later, the coronation was held on the balcony of the second floor of Bigrock. All the Mercenaries were there including a few high-ranking Soldiers and their wives. As Aonghus sat on a metal throne decorated by old Rocket Launcher shells and Eyelander swords, Gerald walked up an aisle made of red carpeting that depicted the Soldier and Demoman insignias carrying a golden crown. He was then accompanied by the sound of Bugles blown by a few young Soldiers, and then he knelt before the throne. Aonghus in turn bowed his head, and Gerald placed the crown on Aonghus' head.

"With this crown on your brow, do you solemnly swear to protect this realm and all its people?" Gerald asked.

"I do," Aonghus replied.

Next, Gerald picked up a golden scepter with a single red jewel on it that matched the ones on the crown. "With this scepter, will you rule over Bigrock with justice and compassion?"

"I will."

"Then from this day forth," Gerald said as he gave the scepter to Aonghus. "You shall be known as General Aonghus, the Valiant."

The crowd cheered as Aonghus rose to his feet. Gerald got up as well, and then he stood next to the throne. Matthias and Gavin were stationed on the other side, and they cheered along with the crowd. Then Aonghus raised his right hand, and everyone went silent.

"I thank you all for this great honor," Aonghus said. "But we would not be here today if it weren't for the bravery of four Scouts. You may come forward, my friends."

At that, Freddie, Steve, Mickey, and Patten approached the throne. They kneeled before Aonghus as he walked up to them. But to their surprise, he knelt and looked at each of them with his one eye.

"I owe each of you a great debt," Aonghus said quietly. "If there's anything I can do, just name it."

"Uh, maybe a few provisions and a van to get home with would be nice," Freddie said as he noticed the crowd and the other Mercenaries kneel after Aonghus did.

In response, Aonghus chuckled. "Aye, and so it shall be done."

Then as Aonghus rose, so did the rest of the crowd. Down the aisle, Saxton Hale suddenly appeared accompanied by a group of Snipers. Surprised, Aonghus strode over to meet with Saxton while the crowd of Soldiers watched with intrigue.

"Saxton," Aonghus said in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"

"You'd think I'd miss your coronation?" Saxton replied. "Though, I've only just arrived."

"That's all right. I'm sure it took you hours to get here."

"Indeed, but what I really came here for was to bring you a gift."

"A gift?"

Saxton stepped aside, and behind him stood a woman wearing a white wedding dress with her face veiled. Curious, Aonghus approached the woman. She said nothing, and didn't react as Aonghus lifted her veil.

"Ava," Aonghus said, recognizing the woman.

"Hello, love," Ava whispered.

"I take it you like her?" Saxton asked, looking over his shoulder.

"Aye, I do." Aonghus replied. Then he took Ava's hand and walked up the aisle to Gerald. "Medic, will you marry us?"

"Well, I'm not sure if I'm qualified," Gerald said nervously. "But I'll do my best."

While Aonghus and Ava held hands, Gerald asked Gavin to find him a Bible and Matthias to find a pair of rings. They went off in a hurry, and then came back a few minutes later. Gavin found a Bible in Donathan's office, and while Matthias couldn't find any rings, he did obtain a pair of bolts that were ring-sized. With these things, Gerald recited the sacred words to Aonghus and Gavin, while they in turn made their vows.

"With this ring, I thee wed," Aonghus said, putting his bolt on Ava's ring-finger.

Ava smiled, and did the same to Aonghus. "With this ring, I thee wed."

Gerald adjusted his glasses and said, "Now if anyone objects to the marriage of Aonghus son of Aonghas or Ava-Ebony Hale, speak now or forever hold your peace."

No one said a word.

Satisfied, Gerald looked at both Aonghus and Ava. "All right, I now pronounce you both as man and wife. Aonghus, you may kiss the bride."

Aonghus didn't hesitate, and kissed Ava full on the lips. She in turn embraced him, and the crowd cheered. While Gerald wiped his eyes suddenly, Gavin made a hollering whoop which made Matthias briefly flinch. The Scouts on the other hand were the loudest, clapping and cheering like nobody's business, as the sun moved past its zenith above them.

End of Chapter 42