by

Eric Metcalf

The Guardians’ base was a scene of organized chaos. A calendar nailed to the wall of the den has October 15^th circled heavily in red, with the days leading up to it crossed out until October 12^th. A stream of people, both Guardians and others, flowed through the downstairs, getting the women fitted with their bridesmaid’s dresses and the men fitted for tuxedos. In Rich’s case, this was quite a task.

Mike and Jake sat on the couch and tried to stay out of the way. "I’m surprised you’re getting off so easy," Jake said, pulling his legs out of the way quickly.

"I’ve already done my part," Mike said. "Luckily, this line of work keeps you in shape, so the tux fitting went easily. The only reason they’re having trouble with Rich is that they make them wide, not broad."

Jake laughed. "Talk about a bear in a tux. Still, I figured Terry would have you directing traffic like she is."

It was Mike’s turn to laugh. "Are you kidding? She acts harried, but she’s loving this. She’s really getting off on being married on national TV, with most of Congress in the chapel."

"Not to mention the wedding presents," Jake said.

Mike shook his head. "Don’t start. Half of the lab is covered in boxes because there wasn't anymore room in our bedroom. We’re going to spend most of our honeymoon writing thank you cards. Not my idea of a good time."

Jake laughed. "Don’t sweat it. Not like you two need much of a honeymoon."

Mike glared at him. "Do not bring that up in public. That’s the last thing we want the press asking about."

Jake nodded. "You know me; most of my life is Top Secret."

Mike nodded. "Yeah, your wedding to Lindsey will be real interesting if they start digging in your background."

Jake shook his head. "Don’t remind me. Lindsey may be in the mood after all of this excitement, but I think we need to stretch out the marriages."

Mike nodded. "You’re right; too much of this at once could kill us all. Who do you think is next?"

Jake shrugged. "You know them better than I do. I’d say Ray and Melissa if he ever gets up the courage to ask, but I wouldn’t bet against Rich and Kat."

Mike shook his head. "If it were up to her, you’d be right. Unfortunately, it’s not."

"What do you mean, you won’t marry me?" Firemane’s outraged shriek stung Rich’s ears.

"Not so loud," Rich said. "The fitters are still here."

"Forget about them," she replied, still outraged. "I want to know why you won’t marry me?"

"Because of who you really are," he replied. "You’re not sixteen yet, much less eighteen."

"Do I look fifteen?" she replied as she set her hips and chest in a sexy pose, hips cocked and breasts thrust out.

"Not as Firemane," he said, steeling himself against her advance, "but you’re really Kat, who is fifteen."

"No one else has to know that. Mike and Terry are getting married in costume."

"And the press has spent five and a half weeks trying to probe their backgrounds. If they try and probe yours, they’d find you out. Besides, you don’t sound twenty."

"What do you mean, my voice?"

Rich shook his head. "Not your voice, but what you say."

Firemane snorted. "Oh, as if."

"Exactly," Rich said. "You just made my point for me."

Firemane turned around. "Fine, be that way. I’m going to see if Terry needs any help. You can just keep watch like a good boy." Rich just shook his head as she stormed out. He knew she’d be over it in a few weeks, but those would be some very difficult few weeks.

"Well, Todd," the blonde-talking head reporter said, "things are really getting busy here in Washington. Only three days remain until the most anticipated wedding of the year, and preparations are in full swing. Just today, the Foundation released a statement on behalf of Mindstar and Powergirl, announcing that Strongarm would be the best man and Firemane the maid of honor at the wedding. Also, the head of the Foundation, Brian Carpenter, will give away the bride."

The studio talking head responded. "I wonder how the newer members of the team are taking the announcement of the two most senior members as the best man and maid of honor?"

"The Guardians themselves have been very quiet on most subjects," the blonde replied, "but I get the feeling that this was expected. Strongarm and Firemane have been with the Guardians almost since their first appearance in Dallas, so I think they all expected them to have the positions of honor. Besides, with Strongarm as the best man, all of the height issues are solved." The blonde giggled at her wit.

"Well, I’m sure they’ll be busy in these last few days. Thank you, Suzy," the studio man said.

Arcanus clicked the remote control, silencing the television. A stirring from his loins reminded him of his servant, servicing him even now. "Perhaps that blonde would be willing to serve me," he said. "A member of the press would be a valuable asset, but I’m afraid she wouldn’t be the same. No, not this time," he said to himself. "I have other tasks to accomplish with my old adversaries distracted. Yes, now may be the opportune time to call in a favor." His course decided, he released his control and erupted into the willing wench between his legs.

"Come now," he said as he rose. She rose as well, wiping the last of his spending from her full lips. "We must prepare the ceremony."

"Let me go on record as saying I don’t like this," Jake said. The Guardians were on the Protector One in costume for a short flight to Washington.

"Which, me taking the team back like this or me dragging the entire team down to DC to check out the security arrangements?" Mike replied

Jake snorted. "The latter. They’re your team anyway, but I don’t like bringing the entire team to Washington and leaving the base unguarded."

"It’s hardly unguarded," Rich said. "I set the defenses to automatic. That should give anyone who comes sneaking around something to think about."

"That’s not it," Jake snarled. "If something comes up, we’re all essentially out of contact. That’s not good."

"We’re hardly out of contact," Mike replied. "Carpenter knows where we are, and almost all of our requests come through him. Besides, if something does come up, we’re already kited out and ready for action. All of us."

"You don’t need to be hustling away," Melissa said. "This is more important than answering the call of someone who thought they saw a mutant or one of Arcanus’s demons."

"Now, wait a minute," Jake turned around in his seat.

"Hold on," Mike said, raising his voice and backing his words with a telepathic command. "Melissa actually has a valid point,"

"Thank you," she interrupted.

Mike ignored it, "To the point where we have a mission here. We are going to be ground zero at a major security risk operation, and we need to be aware of all the security preparations and issues."

"Why?" Melissa asked. "I mean, isn’t the Secret Service going to be there in full force? The President’s going to be there."

Mike nodded with the tired air of a teacher explaining something to a slow pupil. "Yes, but the Secret Service don’t have our kind of firepower. If we were just talking about regular terrorists, then I wouldn’t be worried. However, some of the potential threats are way above their level. We may have to go from wedding party to security force very quickly."

Melissa shook her head. "Why couldn’t you two just get married like normal people?"

"Because we’re not," Terry said. "We gave up most of our normal lives the day we donned these costumes and stood up to fight the good fight. Personally, I wouldn’t trade all of the experiences that have led up to this for a little peace and security on my wedding day. Now, let’s just do this and go home."

The incense smoke over the pentagram swirled into an oval as Arcanus finished the last words of the summoning. The smoke began changing colors, as if it was floating over a thunderstorm. Arcanus felt the presence approach the portal from the other side. This was not a summoning so much as an invitation; the demon would have to provide the rest of the power.

"Who calls to me?" an impossibly deep voice roared from the smoke.

"It is I, Arcanus, great Prince," Arcanus replied, bowing before the smoke.

"Why do you call to me, Arcanus?"

"To set you free, great Prince. However, I am weak, and can only open a small gateway."

The voice chuckled. "You are hardly weak, human. You have called many of my kind to your world to do your bidding. Why do you not call another?"

"Because, great Prince, the foes in this world are formidable, and it will take cunning, as well as power, to enjoy much time in this world."

"What is it you wish of me, Arcanus?"

Arcanus smiled. "Merely for you to enjoy yourself by destroying anything you will. My foes will come for you, and when you defeat them, you will clear the way for me to return to great power."

"I fight your foes for you," the voice rumbled. "Very well. It has been too long since I last visited your world. I shall come."

Mindstar looked up at the two towers dominating the front of the National Cathedral. "It certainly is impressive," he said.

"Way cool," Firemane added.

"Looks like our welcoming committee is coming," Crimson Knight said. Mindstar glanced down at the three dark-suited men coming towards them. He spotted the earpiece radios almost immediately.

"I’m Special Agent William Kasslebrook," the lead one said, without offering to shake hands. "I’ll be handling security for the site."

Mindstar decided to follow his posture. "I know you usually handle security without any interference from the packages, but we tend to attract unusual threat."

"I know, the Foundation made that clear," Kasslebrook said. He glanced up and over Mindstar’s shoulder. Mindstar had heard the gasps of the gathering crowd for several seconds, but he wasn’t going to let them affect him. Kasslebrook was also nonplussed, but he wasn’t going to create a scene. "I think we might want to start the tour. You’re attracting a crowd."

"Occupational hazard," Mindstar replied. "Lead the way."

Once inside, Kasslebrook began lecturing. "Primary axis runs west to east, with secondary entrances on the north and south. Three towers, two on the west and one on the east. Normally closed, so we’ve got sniper stations set up in all three. Primary entrance will be the west, we’ll close off the secondary entrances except for special guests."

"Who do you mean?" Aria asked.

"President, Vice Pres, you, a couple of others," Kasslebrook answered, sounding annoyed at the interruption. "Four visible agents out front, plus six more plain-clothes in the crowd, and a full tactical team standing by in another part of the building."

As they walked into the nave, Rich looked up at the vaulted ceiling. "This’ll help," he said.

Kasslebrook looked back at him. "Strongarm’s a one-man roadblock if he can get big," Mindstar said. "He can soak up a lot of firepower."

Kasslebrook nodded. "That’s why I’m showing you around. Now, the main walk is going to be pretty long, so we’ll be especially alert while that’s going on. The building has been closed to the public since yesterday, so we’ve already done one security sweep and we’re going to do two more before Sunday, including one Sunday morning before anyone else gets here."

Mindstar nodded. Carpenter had briefed him on the standard procedures. "All right. If that’s all, then we just need some time to get familiar with the building. That way, we’ll know where the entrances and exits are ourselves, rather than relying on your team in a battle."

Kasslebrook nodded. "Go right ahead. As long as you stay inside, we can keep the press off your back. Go wandering around outside, though, and you’re fair game."

Mindstar nodded. "Understood. Okay, split up and walk this place. Go anywhere and everywhere. I want everyone familiar with the layout." The team split up and moved off, all except Strongarm. He stayed back, close to Mindstar. Kasslebrook took his cue and walked off.

"What’s on your mind?" Mindstar asked.

"Us," Strongarm answered. "I mean, looking at a place like this, it makes me think about where we started. Just four young toughs with these powers and a mission."

Mindstar chuckled. "Yeah, working out of my apartment." His thoughts drifted back to Dallas, what seemed like so many years ago. He had just met Terry and they were so very much in love. He remembered Rich and Kat squabbling; Rich not wanting Kat on the team because she was too young, Kat following Rich around everywhere like a puppy.

Rich remembered something different. He remembered the battle at the warehouse as Mindstar emerged from the flames after taking Mister Pain’s Death Touch, or Mindstar emerging from his coma to turn back the Black Queen and her team inside their old base.

"Those were good times," Mindstar said.

"Yep," Rich agreed. "You and me and Terry and Kat, even Ken and Janet got to be okay." They both paused for a moment, remembering their fallen teammates. "Things just haven’t been the same."

Mindstar put his hand on Rich’s shoulder. "Things never stay the same. All we can do is look out for those we care about and try to do our job."

Powergirl glanced back as she walked along the outside of the row of pews. Sure enough, Firemane was following her, not really looking at anything. She slowed down, letting Firemane’s pace bring them closer.

"What’s on your mind?" Powergirl asked.

"Oh, it’s," Firemane said, not able to get it out.

"Wondering why this isn’t you and Strongarm?" Powergirl said playfully.

Firemane nodded. "Yeah, pretty much. I just don’t understand why he’s so hung up on this age thing."

Powergirl shook her head. "He’s been that way since you met him. He had to get over it to admit he loved you, he’s just got to do it again."

"But how long will it take this time?" Firemane whined.

Powergirl laughed. "Girl, what are you in a hurry for? It’s not like your biological clock is ticking or anything."

Firemane blushed at the suggestion. "I know, it’s just, well,"

"You want what I have," Powergirl said. "You want the diamond, the dress, the whole thing." She turned around, facing Firemane, and put her hands on her shoulders. "Wait for it. When the time is right, he’ll know. Strongarm’s stubborn. If you push too hard, you’ll just push him away. Let him come to you. Now, relax, okay?"

Firemane smiled at her. "Okay. I’ll relax, I promise. Come on, let’s check this place out."

They had taken two strides when Firemane felt an evil presence nearby. The feeling hit her so strongly that she stopped in her tracks and almost doubled over in shock. "Powergirl, something’s wrong."

Powergirl’s first thought was obvious. "Are you," she started, unwilling to say the word pregnant.

Firemane shook her head. "No, it’s not me, it’s evil. Something, big, evil and close."

Mindstar’s voice popped into their minds. "Everybody, rendezvous back at the main door. We’ve got a problem."

The team reassembled in seconds, since none had gone very far. "Carpenter just called in. Something tall, ugly, and inhuman appeared in Southeast DC a few minutes ago and is tearing through everything in its path. The cops are mobilizing, but you know as well as I do what will happen then."

"We can stop it," Firemane said. "Come on, Strongarm, we’re the best demon-fighting team around." Before he could protest she was dragging him out towards the main doors.

Crimson Knight started after them. "We’ll go," he said.

Mindstar put a hand on his shoulder. "No," he said, shaking his head, "it’s been too long since I got dirty." He glanced over at Powergirl. "Would you join me?"

She smiled, both radiant and fearsome at the same time. "I’d love to," she replied, walking in front of him.

"Continue the mission," he said to Crimson Knight as he followed Powergirl out the main doors.

Crimson Knight shook his head as the doors slammed shut behind them. For a faint instant, he could hear the cheers of the gathering crowd as the Guardians lifted off over them. He glanced up to see Techno and Wind Shear looking at the doors, twitching like race horses at the gate.

"Back them up," he said, "but don’t jump in unless they need the help."

"You got it, bossman," Techno said as he and Wind Shear rushed out the door.

"What about us?" Wraith asked.

"We continue the security sweep," Crimson Knight said, his voice betraying his resignation. He turned to Mind Mistress. "Stay in contact with them. If it looks bad, we’ll move out."

Firemane laughed at the freedom of flight. She had always loved this power the best, even if she couldn’t fly as fast or as freely with Rich dangling below her. She remembered all of the nights when she first gained her powers that she would spend just flying over Dallas and Fort Worth, reveling in the freedom of flight.

"Heads up," Rich interrupted. "Demon at twelve o’clock." Firemane almost looked for her watch before she realized that Strongarm was talking about dead ahead of her. Glancing up, she saw the demon. It was thirty feet tall, with four massive arms and two huge legs with hoofed feet. Its head looked like some sort of bull with two horns curving over the top of its head, although it was hairless and the same dark, angry red as the rest of the body.

"Going down," she said, releasing Rich. Strongarm began growing quickly, reaching his own twenty-six foot maximum height in seconds, his feet dropping only inches to the ground. Firemane flew up above the demon.

"Fire bolt," she called, launching her fire blast from one outstretched hand. The blast impacted, but the demon didn’t even acknowledge the hit.

"Strongarm, it’s immune to my fire bolts," she called.

"Get set up for your dispel," he yelled, "I’ll keep him occupied." Strongarm looked up at the demon, which still had four feet of height on him. "Let’s dance, ugly." Strongarm charged forward, slamming his shoulder into the demon’s massive torso.

The demon stumbled back from the mighty impact, but it was unfazed. As its head recoiled down, it spat a ball of fire at Strongarm. The ball exploded as it hit, slamming Strongarm back onto the road. If he hadn’t pulled in his arms, they would have smashed the surrounding buildings flat.

"That’s new," Strongarm grumbled as he got his arms under him, pushing himself back upright.

"Strongarm," Firemane cried, distracting her for a second. The demon took advantage of her distraction to grab her in a massive, clawed fist. Firemane struggled, but the demon had her securely.

"Oh no you don’t," Mindstar called as he flew in, Powergirl dangling below him. "Time for a dive-bomb."

"Gotcha," Powergirl replied. "Aim for his wrist."

"Way ahead of you," Mindstar replied, pushing his flight as hard as he could. He and Powergirl covered the distance in seconds, Mindstar flying straight at the demon’s wrist holding Firemane. The demon reached out for them with his other arms, but they flew too fast for him to grab.

"Now," Mindstar yelled at the last second and pulled up, releasing Powergirl. She pushed her density to its maximum as she was released and slammed into the demon’s wrist with the force of a wrecking ball. The impact jarred the demon enough that it released Firemane. Powergirl dropped off the wrist, allowing Firemane to catch her.

"Thanks," Firemane said as she flew Powergirl to the top of a nearby apartment complex.

"Feeling’s mutual," Powergirl replied. "That was a long drop."

"Standoff," Strongarm snarled as he got back to his feet. "We can keep away, and his breath doesn’t hurt that much, but we’ve got to by Firemane time to dispel him."

"Time you need, time we give," Mindstar said, flying over. "Strongarm and I will keep him busy. Firemane, set up for your spell and stay out of range. Powergirl, you’re our backup."

A fireball interrupted their conference. Mindstar and Firemane flew above the explosion, while the others shielded their faces and soaked up the flames. Mindstar retaliated with a telekinetic strike that the creature ignored.

"This guy is tough," he thought. "Keep it up," he called, loosing another bolt that also failed to make an impression.

"Let’s see you shrug this off," Strongarm said, thumping into range and delivering a straight right to the demon’s stomach. The creature roared in pain and staggered back, but it didn’t fall. It responded with a straight right that Strongarm stopped by catching the demon’s fist in his left hand. The demon tried to other side, with the same results.

"Any time now," Strongarm called as the demon brought its lower arms into play, savagely pounding Strongarm’s ribs. Strongarm gritted his teeth and took the punishment, but he knew he couldn’t hold on for long. The demon was already forcing his arms back as the blows to his body sapped his strength.

Mindstar tried to launch a telepathic attack on the creature’s mind, but the demon’s mind was just too alien, he couldn’t make contact. "How long?" he called.

"Almost there," Firemane replied. "A few more seconds." She had her eyes closed, concentrating on gathering the magic for her spell.

"Strongarm doesn’t have a few more seconds," Powergirl said. She took several steps back from the edge of the apartment complex’s roof then turned and charged. She flew into the demon’s body at full density, but the demon just twisted slightly and deflected most of the force. Powergirl fell to the street below, smashing the concrete with her density.

"We need more firepower," Mindstar said, almost to himself.

The clear sky above suddenly disgorged a massive lightning bolt that slammed into the creature. The demon roared in pain and released Strongarm’s fists as the bolt sizzled through it. A bolt of white-hot plasma impacted a second later, scorching a fist-sized patch of the demon’s torso.

Mindstar swung around to see Techno and Wind Shear flying up. "Nice timing," he called.

Techno pointed down. "Ugly’s trying to leave the party."

"Oh no he’s not," Mindstar replied. Turning around, he wrapped the demon in his telekinetic force. The demon roared in frustration as it fought against bonds it couldn’t see.

Firemane opened her eyes. "Demon, begone," she called, unleashing her spell. The demon roared as its bonds to this dimension were sundered, and it was cast back to its home dimension. It vanished as if it had never existed in a brilliant white flash. Thunder roared as air flew into the space where the demon had been a second before.

"Strongarm, are you okay?" Firemane asked, flying down to him.

He nodded. "A few ribs are protesting some cruel and unusual punishment, but I’ll be okay." He looked up at Firemane and Mindstar flying overhead and Powergirl walking up. "Just like old times."

"Nah," Firemane replied, looking at Techno and Wind Shear hovering a few yards away. "Better than old times."