by

Eric Metcalf

The gray-haired Washington reporter nodded as the cue came over his earpiece. "Right, Dan. This is Fox Starker live at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. As you can see behind me, a crowd is already starting to gather here for the most anticipated wedding of the year, the whirlwind marriage of Mindstar and Powergirl of the Guardians. The Secret Service is handling all security arrangements and has established a security perimeter around the building, and no one is being permitted in the Cathedral now. However, some of the earliest spectators report that they saw two dark Lincoln Navigator sport-utility vehicles pull around to a rear entrance just after dawn. This would only be speculation, but it possible that the Guardians have already arrived at the Cathedral. World News Now will continue to provide live coverage, with the ceremony itself scheduled to start at two p.m., eastern time. Now, back to the studio."

The male Guardians were gathered in one of the cathedral’s side room. All were dressed in tuxedos with their masks in place except Crimson Knight. While he appeared at first glance to be wearing a tuxedo with his helmet, a closer look showed that the tuxedo was actually paint on his armor.

"You know what one problem is with this job?" Strongarm groused as he stretched the tux, trying to make it comfortable around his neck. "We can’t throw a decent bachelor party."

"Oh, give it up," Wraith moaned. "You’ve been griping about that since Friday. And leave that collar alone, I just got it fixed."

Strongarm ignored him, and kept working his collar loose. "I mean, a best man has got to do better than a couple of cases of beer for a bachelor party. You really need a stripper, or at least some pornos. What did we get? Nothing."

Mindstar snorted. "Listen to you talking big. You’d have been too embarrassed to get a striper or go rent some porn, even if I had let you."

"That’s not the point," Strongarm protested. "You know why there’s the superstition about the bride not seeing the groom on the day of the wedding? So he can have a decent bachelor party, that’s why. But no, the girls are still at the base, so we can’t do diddly."

Crimson Knight shook his head. "You heard the man, Strongarm, can it. We’ve heard this all before."

"Hey," Techno said, grabbing Crimson Knight’s helmet, "quit movin’ your head. I still don’t have your tie done." He pulled out a stencil of a bow tie and held it against Crimson Knight’s neck as he brought up a can of black spray paint.

Crimson Knight sighed. "You know this is going to look ridiculous," he said to Mindstar.

Mindstar shrugged. "You’re the one who wanted to be in your armor. If we’re all wearing tuxes, you’re not getting out of it. Now hold still so the tie will be dry by showtime. Strongarm, turn loose of that collar, or I’ll lock your arms by your sides."

Meanwhile, the female Guardians were carrying on in much the same fashion, although Powergirl was in a separate room. "Quit wiggling, Firemane" Aria chided. "That’s how the dress is supposed to fit."

"I know," Firemane said as she looked over her dark blue bridesmaid’s dress. The dress did fit quite well, but it just felt confining. "I’m just nervous, that’s all."

"You’re nervous?" Wind Shear said. "I can’t tell."

Firemane laughed weakly, along with the others. "How do you think Powergirl’s doing?" she asked.

Aria glanced up at the large clock on the wall. "They’re probably still just getting the dress on her. If you think this is bad, wait until you see what she’s in. She won’t know what to do."

"Mindstar and Powergirl were the first two to come forward under the name Guardians. While later information revealed that a team under that name had been operating for three years prior to the that, Mindstar and Powergirl became instantly associated with the name Guardians. In fact, we knew their names before we knew their faces. They were almost urban legends in Dallas for six months before one Jacob Chambers, now of this station, was able to interview Mindstar. Although Mindstar was evasive on some issues, including his true identity, the information he did provide was enough to shock the world. It seemed that people with strange new abilities, called metahumans by the scientific world, were among us. While some of these metahumans were criminals and terrorists, the Guardians made it clear that some of them were champions of law and order as well." Images flashed on the screen. Mindstar glaring at the camera, backlit by a blazing warehouse, the flames making his dark blue costume look black. Another one appeared, showing Mindstar and Powergirl flying onto a busy street during the day. Strongarm and Firemane also appeared in the second sequence.

"Their numbers steadily increased until they were six strong. By this time, crime in most of the nation was spiraling out of control. Gangs battled with police for control of almost every major city, and the Guardians were in the middle of it. Although we didn’t know at the time, the Guardians were actually undertaking strategic strikes, designed to slow down to timetable to apocalypse. Finally, even they could do no more." More images appeared, showing the Guardians fighting gang members, effortlessly shrugging off bullets and saving the lives of harried police officers. Golden Guardian and Sifu now appear in the shots.

"No one who is alive will ever forget the Night of Fire, the night when the Vice President and several leaders of Congress were slain and the President was believed killed. The man now known as the Black King assumed control and began remaking America in his own, fascist image. Unknown to the public, the Guardians had actually rescued the President and taken him to a Navy task force offshore, but through Powergirl’s heroic sacrifice, allowing herself to be captured by the Shadow Empire. Mindstar, Firemane and Strongarm later infiltrated back into Washington and rescued her, going underground to assist in their war against the Shadow Empire." The pictures now showed military bases with buildings destroyed in quick snippets as Blue Guard personnel quickly covered over the camera lenses.

"The Guardians returned to the limelight as the President returned in triumph. Even as a national broadcast showed us that he still lived, the Guardians fought the Shadow Empire’s own metahuman troops on the White House lawn." More images rolled, showing the battle. "Sadly, Golden Guardian and Sifu, two of the Guardians from the secret years, fell in that battle. Finally, rather than be captured, the Black King committed suicide in his battle armor." Mindstar appeared, striding out of the White House, carrying the Black King’s body in its armor. "Their triumph restored freedom and democracy to America."

"In the two years since this battle, the Guardians have worked tirelessly, first rebuilding America and then building their own strength." The pictures showed the Guardians working on rebuilding sites. Powergirl holding and carrying massive girders, Strongarm lifting steel and concrete up three stories, Mindstar and Firemane flying loads up to the tops of buildings. More images showed Crimson Knight, Mind Mistress, Wraith, Aria, Wind Shear and Techno as they were introduced to the media as part of the team. "Through it all, they have carried themselves with a grace and class that few superstars can manage. Refusing to merchandise themselves, they have remained in the spotlight with their good works and crime fighting. Threats new and old have appeared to harry the Guardians. The remnants of the Shadow Empire have gone underground, and new, criminal metahumans appear with increasing regularity. We can only hope that the marriage of Mindstar and Powergirl gives the Guardians new reserves of strength to combat these menaces. And now for a look at the weather."

Mindstar was resisting the urge to tug at the tuxedo neck when he saw Crimson Knight stiffen. Techno, Wraith and Strongarm were trying to get a poker game going, but no one had brought any money and Wraith was resisting the thought of playing without anything on the line.

"What’s up?" Mindstar asked mentally.

"Trouble," Jake replied in his mind. "Evidently, that gang of mutant punks we busted a few days ago broke out while in transport back to Boston for a hearing. It happened about an hour ago. Mass State Police just notified the Foundation now; they relayed on to me. According to Carpenter, it’s for our ears only." The sense of the last phrase told Mindstar what Carpenter had intended.

Mindstar nodded slightly. "He’s right. It’s better if we keep this to ourselves. Has he notified the security detail?"

"It came in on the security channel," Jake thought. He was monitoring the radio frequency that the Secret Service security detachment was using as their tactical channel. Kasslebrook wasn’t happy about it, but Carpenter hadn’t left him any choice. "For what it’s worth."

"Agreed," Mindstar sent. Even if that gang was no match for the Guardians, they were easily more than the Secret Service team could handle, even if they brought in their tactical unit. "Keep an ear open, and let me know if anything else comes in."

"Wilco," Jake replied.

"Hey, Mike," Strongarm said. "Get in here."

Mindstar was tempted to opt out, but he knew that would just arouse suspicion. Better to act as if everything was normal. "Oh, all right," he said, moving over to the dressing table the group had commandeered as a card table. "Deal me in."

Rampage scowled out the windshield of the minivan Metalite had boosted. Some of his gang assumed that he was worried about recapture. They had managed to dump the prison van that they had taken over after a few miles, but they were still in their Paramax issue day-glo orange jumpsuits. Rampage’s jumpsuit was almost shredded across the chest from his muscles before they split, and he’d completed the job shortly after ripping the handcuffs out of the floor of the van. However, he wasn’t worried about being captured again; he was anxious to splatter a few more troopers. Instead, he was worrying about being late for his revenge.

"Hurry up," Rampage snarled at Metalite. "We’ve gotta get to DC today."

"Relax," Metalite said calmly. "We’re making good time. We’ll be there before its over, trust me."

No one asked where the van was going; they all knew. In fact, when Rampage had learned that they would be arraigned the same day as the wedding of those Guardian fogies, he knew that they would break out, and he knew that revenge would be his. He ground his teeth together at the thought of crushing Mindstar into powder and showing Powergirl what real power was. Rampage could almost get off on the scene in his mind. But, he held himself back; he needed every ounce of power to take it to the Guardians. When it was over, then the fun could begin.

"This is Fox Starker, live at the National Cathedral. As you can see behind me, limousines bearing most of Congress and the Cabinet are arriving, less than thirty minutes before the start of the wedding. The Secret Service is moving quickly to get the invited guests inside, but they have already removed three people who did not have invitations and were trying to sneak in during the rush. The Secret Service had already begun allowing camera crews in to set up before the wedding starts, but no transmissions are allowed until the ceremony starts. It is very obvious that the Secret Service is taking all possible security precautions. Also, an unconfirmed report places the President inside the Cathedral already. It is certainly possible that the Secret Service has already moved the President inside, but we have not been able to confirm this report. Now, back to the studio."

Mindstar looked up at the knock on the door. He started to call out, but the door swung inward of its own accord. A quick mental scan told him who was coming, and he started to get to his feet.

A Secret Service agent stepped into the room just ahead of the President. "Ten hut," Crimson Knight barked, sliding back from the table and snapping to attention in one fluid motion, the effect broken only by the clang as his armored hands hit his hips. The others rose quickly, even Techno in awe of seeing the President this close.

"How are you holding up?" he asked Mindstar, shaking his hand firmly.

"Just fine, sir," Mindstar replied. "How’s the crowd out front?"

The President shook his head. "I wished they were that crazy at my inauguration. You’ve really taken this town by storm. Well, I just wanted to stop in and say good luck. I hope I wasn’t intruding."

Mindstar chuckled. "Oh no, sir. We were just killing time. It’s great to see you again."

The President laughed in response. "Considering the circumstances, I just hope this meeting is easier than our last. Except for the awards ceremony, I always seem to get shot at when I’m around you."

Mindstar laughed. "We do seem to attract trouble, or else show up just as its starting. Your Secret Service team has done their best to stop any trouble, though. Here’s hoping this is a quiet day."

"I instructed Kasslebrook to take every legal precaution, and he’s very good at his job. Well, I need to put in an appearance at the front door, so I’ll leave you." He glanced at Crimson Knight, who was still locked at attention. He walked over to him, looking intently at the "tuxedo," and raised a hand as if to knock on the chestplate.

"It’s the armor, Mister President," Crimson Knight said.

The President smiled. "How long can you stay in that thing?"

"The engineers were very thorough," Crimson Knight replied.

The President nodded. "Nice trick, it looks real enough at a distance. Who was your tailor?"

Techno cleared his throat. "That would me, uh, sir."

The President nodded, and walked over to shake his hand. "I’m afraid I haven’t had the pleasure, Techno."

"Yes, sir. It’s a real honor to meet you, sir."

"The honor is mine," the President said sincerely. "You all put your lives on the line daily to protect others. I just wish I could have that level of personal involvement in helping people. However, I do have to leave, so I’ll meet the rest of you at the reception." The President left quickly, followed by his Secret Service escorts.

"Uh, Mindstar," Wraith said as the group sat down again, "what did he mean by being shot at?"

Mindstar laughed. "The first time I met the President was just before the Black King tried to kill him. You know what they say about the bonds formed under fire."

Crimson Knight nodded. "They don’t come any stronger."

Powergirl stood easily at the knock on her door, even in her bridal dress. While the long train was somewhat confining, she actually had to be careful not to overuse her strength. While she wore her uniform under the dress, she didn’t want to reveal that by inadvertently tearing the weak, white fabric.

A Secret Service agent walked in first, followed by the regal form of the First Lady. "I hope I’m not interrupting," she said. "I just wanted to come by before the big event."

"I’m doing fine," Powergirl said, accepting the phantom kisses from the older woman. "I’m a little nervous, but a telepathic groom makes things go so much easier. You don’t have to worry about anyone forgetting a line or cue."

The first lady laughed. "Yes, I guess that would help out a lot, as long as you don’t mind the intrusion."

Powergirl shook her head. "I don’t mind at all. In fact, I’m a little addicted to it, actually. I miss it without his touch in my mind if he doesn’t link with me for several days. It’s not an intrusion to me; it’s like the ultimate sharing, because he opens his mind to me at the same time. When he does that, he doesn’t need to tell me that he loves me; I can feel it like a warm embrace in my mind."

"I’m sure you’ve heard the criticism that you’re weakening yourself by doing this, by buying into this old tradition. Well, I just wanted to tell you that I don’t believe a word of that. A strong woman makes a marriage stronger, not weaker."

Powergirl laughed. "Thank you. I haven’t paid that talk any mind. I’m kind of old fashioned myself, so I really like the thought of a big wedding, even if I am wearing a mask under my veil. It’s just always felt right."

The first lady nodded. "Good. Just don’t let him stick you with all of the housework."

Powergirl smiled. "Oh, I won’t. Mindstar’s a good sport about it; with his telekinesis, he can do a lot of stuff really easily, so he doesn’t look on it as a bore. He thinks of it as fine control training."

The first lady laughed. "I just wished my husband was that easygoing." She looked down at her shoes for a second then looked back up, her expression serious. "I’ve never really thanked you enough for what you did that night." Neither of them had to say which night she meant.

Powergirl looked down. She had to force back a shudder at the memories of what she’d gone through after her capture. She looked back up, smiling. "My thanks came the day we took down the Black King and your husband took his office back. What happened, that’s the risk we all take when we put on these costumes and go into battle. Sometimes you get hurt, but if you get back up and continue the fight, then you’re never really beaten. I guess that’s when I really knew how much Mindstar loved me. He went against his adopted father to come rescue me; that was something I’d have never thought he would do for anything. I still remember him bringing me back, just feeling the joy in his mind over seeing me alive. That was worth more than a garden of red roses."

The first lady nodded. "Well, thank you anyway. I need to be going, we have to put in an appearance out front. Good luck."

The background behind Fox is now a stone wall, and the deep tones of organ music come in over the microphone. "One last report before the ceremony starts. Just before we were allowed inside, the Secret Service picked out a number of the spectators outside, primarily those who had been here the longest, and allowed them inside to fill up the remaining seats. Apparently, this happened at the personal order of Mindstar. A Foundation public relations officer promised a full release after the ceremony concludes. Now, let’s go to live coverage." The camera zoomed out and panned over, showing the front of the National Cathedral. The organ music changed, becoming a processional march.

"See," Metalite said, pointing to the van’s clock, "right on time. We’re about five minutes out."

"Whose worried?" Rampage snarled. "I just wanna get down to kickin’ some ass."

"You know they’re going to have police lines," Optica said, blinking her bulging eyes.

Rampage cracked his knuckles, a sound like rocks grating against each other. "Bring ‘em on. I’m in the mood for a little blood." Lioness purred her agreement. Rampage glanced behind him. "You ready, Banzai?"

The short, stocky Japanese man looked up from his meditative squat and nodded. "Yes, I am ready to avenge my dishonor in their blood."

"My thoughts exactly," Rampage said.

Mindstar tried to relax as he stood at the front of the cathedral. While he had initially opposed the idea of having the wedding here, he had to admit that it made a very impressive sight. The long aisle flanked by the scores of pews, every space filled with a dignitary made for a vast array of suits and dresses. The high arched ceiling above gave the space a sanctity that only a true cathedral evoked. The massive pillars holding up the ceiling obstructed some views, but less than Mindstar would have thought. All in all, it was an architectural triumph for a church, and the ultimate place for a wedding.

Strongarm was fighting the urge to fidget with his tie at Mindstar’s side, and the comic thought was enough to settle any nerves. Crimson Knight was fighting the urge to snap to attention, with the inevitable clanking of the armor that resulted. Some of the audience had given Crimson Knight a second look, so Mindstar guessed that he’d get asked about the suit afterwards.

The bridesmaids were processing in now, moving into position opposite the groomsmen. Aria held her head high, as if she was the one getting married. Firemane was just as nervous as her beau, Mindstar thought. Those two really do make a good pair.

The organ music died down as Firemane took her position then resumed a beat later with "Here Comes the Bride." He could see Powergirl and Carpenter moving out into the aisle, but only because of his view straight back. Any other view would be blocked as the entire congregation stood up at once to get a look.

The van pulled up outside of the church. The crowd flowed back, but the paid little heed. Two Secret Service agents, however, were more alert, and started moving through the crowd.

"Let’s dance," Rampage said. "Lioness, take the one on the right."

"My pleasure," she purred as she swung open the long door. She jumped out, Rampage right behind her.

Someone caught a glimpse of Rampage’s inhuman physique and screamed. The two Secret Service agents began drawing guns and yelling into the radio as Rampage and Lioness rounded the van. Rampage and Lioness both charged forward. Rampage grabbed his target by the skull and snapped his neck, while Lioness bared her claws and slashed out the throat of her target. The rest of the team was spilling in behind them as they charged up towards the doors of the church.

"Metal man, get ‘em open," Rampage snarled.

"It’s Metalite," the black man said. "One moment." He reached out to the lines of magnetic force, drawing them around the copper in the door and pushing.

"If any man has cause why these two should not be joined," the priest intoned, "let him speak now or forever hold his peace." A groan of warping metal filled the nave. The Guardians all turned to face the main entry, as the groaning became a shriek as the great bronze doors flew inward.

A massive man strode into the opening. He appeared to be hunch-backed, but only because of his massive shoulders and arms. A pale girl with long claws and feral eyes moved up to his left, and a stocky Japanese man moved to his right. Behind them, Mindstar could see three more figures.

"Rampage," the bulky man roared, and he began charging down the aisle. The others roared and charged with him. Two figures, a black woman covered in flames and a black man in an orange jumpsuit, took off over the heads of the front three. The audience began to shriek and yell, with people diving under the pews and away from the coming battle.

"Guardians, engage," Mindstar called. Wraith was in motion almost before he said it, charging down the aisle. "Get them outside if you can," Mindstar continued. "Powergirl, Mind Mistress, you’re the backstop. Everybody else, engage."

"Firemane power, transform," Firemane called. A blur of flames surrounded her, replacing her bridesmaid’s dress with her costume. Mindstar, Aria, Wind Shear and Crimson Knight took to the air, flying down the long aisle. Techno and Strongarm charged after them on foot.

Wraith charged into the oncoming wave, angling first for a shot at the female as he ran by. She easily dodged his outstretched arm as he went by, but she didn’t turn. Her eyes were on the front of the church.

The flaming girl flew at Wind Shear. Wind Shear tried to stop her flight and dodge, but with no effect. The girl slammed an arm into Wind Shear’s stomach, driving the air out of her lungs and throwing her back past Aria. Wraith barely had time to look up as the sixth attacker, a bug-eyed Hispanic girl, fired beams of light at him from her eyes. He ducked to one side, allowing the beams to go by as he ran around behind the Japanese man.

"Nobody does that to my friends," Aria said as she dropped to the ground and sang a piercing note at the fiery girl. The girl easily dodged the worst of the blast, although the range had attenuated the blast as well.

The black man dropped to the carpet as Wraith ran by, and loosed a bolt of energy at him. The bolt was mistimed, and hit the carpet with no effect. The Japanese man swung around and reached up, wrapping Wraith’s neck in a judo choke-hold.

"You, don’t, wanna, do that," Wraith gasped out. When the man didn’t let go, Wraith phased out, allowing the man to pass through him, draining the man’s energy and strength.

"What kind of oni are you?" the man cursed, using the Japanese word for demon.

Firemane flew at the fiery girl. "We’ll see how you like getting rammed," she said as she threw out an arm in an imitation of the move the girl had used on Wind Shear.

"No thanks," she said, dodging the arm. "I like this better." She turned and fired a blast at Firemane, hitting her and throwing her down the aisle, farther away from her allies.

Mindstar floated down to the carpet, directly in front of the two still charging, the man with the shoulders and the girl with claws. Erecting his force field with a thought, he stared them down, waiting for him to get closer. He remembered Crimson Knight’s report on them, from their previous action (guard20). The big one’s name was Rampage, the girl’s was Lioness. Rampage was strong and fast, but he didn’t have much in the way of defenses to energy attacks. Mindstar was counting on that.

As Rampage drew back to strike, Mindstar’s eyes flared orange as he hit the berserker with a full power telekinetic punch. The blast slammed Rampage backwards over fifteen yards as he flew back down the aisle.

"Oh no you don’t," Wind Shear said as she got back to her feet and loosed a burst of wind at the fiery girl. The blast staggered her, but didn’t do any significant damage. Techno had ran to her side when she fell, and he now raised his right arm and cocked his wrist. A portion of his cuff rose up, exposing a small barrel. With a flick of his wrist, he fired a brilliant laser beam at the girl, but the bolt missed.

Crimson Knight lowered his head and dove at the Japanese man fighting Wraith. He needed to start getting these guys outside before any of the guests got injured from stray shots. The Japanese man looked up at the armored form flying at him and spun away like a matador dodging a bull.

"Metalite, it you please," he said.

"Way ahead of you, Banzai," the black man said. He loosed another bolt of energy, this time at Crimson Knight. The bolt slammed into the armor as if drawn to it. Jake shrieked as the bolt tore through the armor, slamming him back towards the doors. The Hispanic girl with the bug-eyes had to dodge as Crimson Knight’s bulk came flying at her.

Banzai threw himself at Wraith, grabbing him and dropping them both to the ground. The blow drove the breath from Wraith’s lungs, giving the smaller man a chance to deliver a sharp crack to the jaw. Wraith just groaned in pain, his eyes unfocused.

"Bastard," Lioness roared as she slashed at Mindstar with her claws. The razor-sharp points dove at him until they stopped in mid-air less than an inch from his skin. She stepped back and tried again, but the claws again couldn’t penetrate Mindstar’s force field.

Mindstar shook his finger at her. "Bad kitty," he said as his eyes flared orange again. Lioness flew backwards under the impact of the blast, slumping at the base of one of the pews.

Wraith’s eyes snapped back into focus as Banzai drew back for another punch. "I’m getting sick of this," Wraith said, dropping out of phase and passing through Banzai as he stood up. Banzai staggered as Wraith drew out more of his energy and strength.

"I’ll get the scorcher," Strongarm called as he charged at the fiery girl, who had now landed.

"That’s my name," she said, turning to him and loosing a blast of fire. "Don’t wear it out." The blast threw Strongarm back, scorching off much of his tuxedo shirt, revealing his costume underneath.

"I’ll teach you to mess with Optica," the Hispanic girl said, loosing a blast into the stunned Crimson Knight at her feet. The blast pierced his armor, slamming him into the ground. Jake didn’t have time to scream before he passed out.

"Lay off the man," Metalite said, turning on Wraith. "You’ve done that trick for the last time." He fired another energy bolt. This one caught Wraith full in the chest. Wraith roared in pain and dropped to one knee. He would have collapsed except for the energy he’d taken from Banzai.

"Ave Maria, spiritus sanctus," the priest muttered, crossing himself.

"Say one of those for us," Powergirl said as she watched Techno, Aria and Wind Shear miss Scorcher with a salvo of attacks. "This is getting ugly." She brought her arms up, as if to join in the battle.

"Hang on, sister," Mind Mistress said. "Mindstar’s right, you’re too slow in that dress to be effective. You need to be here as a backstop if they try for the Padre. Me, on the other hand," she said, looking down at the girl standing over Crimson Knight. "I don’t have to move to be effective."

Wraith glanced around. Crimson Knight was getting to his feet, but that still left him with Banzai and Metalite close, and he in no shape for a fight. Some of his strength had returned, but the energy he’d stolen from Banzai was fading as well. He needed more time, even a few seconds would be enough. Turning quickly, he sprinted back towards and past Mindstar, pulling up just behind his leader. He glanced back in time to see Banzai charging forward, but Wraith knew he had gained his seconds.

Firemane glanced over at Lioness, who was regaining her feet. "Fire Bolt," Firemane called as she loosed a tongue of flame from her outstretched hand. Lioness shrieked as the bolt washed over her, and she collapsed. "Stay down," Firemane muttered.

Mindstar smiled as Wraith ran behind him. He knew Wraith had taken some significant punishment in his battle with Banzai, and pulling back was the smart play. He just hoped Crimson Knight would see the same thing. His vision was obscured as Rampage rose to his feet, his eyes glowing with a feral intensity. Rampage bellowed in rage and ran forward. Mindstar kept his force field up, but Rampage hit with enough force to knock Mindstar down, knocking his tie askew at the same time. Rampage snarled in pain from the impact with the force field, but he stayed on his feet.

"Why don’t you stay down?" Mindstar snarled, firing a blast of mental force at Rampage. The bolt hit the berserker full on, crumpling him where he stood.

Scorcher saw Wraith retreat and knew a good play when she saw one. The battle last turn had all but exhausted her body’s energy reserves, so she used most of what she had left to turn around and fly back beyond Metalite, hoping for a few seconds to regroup and recharge.

"Scorcher’s retreating," Techno called. "Wind Shear, catch your breath. Aria, let’s go."

"Way ahead of you, Tech," Aria said, singing a note that carried her into the air. She flew up and landed a few feet beside Mindstar as Techno tried to catch up on the ground. Strongarm was also pounding forward, now only a few yards from Mindstar.

"Getting up?" Optica taunted as Crimson Knight pushed himself to his feet. "I don’t think so." She fired a blast, but Crimson Knight swayed out of the way just before he kicked in his jets and flew back towards Mindstar and Wraith and barely passing Metalite. Metalite turned and loosed another magnetic force bolt, but this one passed behind the flying armor. Mind Mistress reached out with her mind, trying to hit Metalite with a telepathic attack, to stun him and buy Crimson Knight a chance to retreat, but she couldn’t make contact in the heat of battle.

"Kii-yaah," Banzai yelled as he threw himself at Mindstar in a judo sacrifice throw. Mindstar saw the move coming and ducked under Banzai’s swinging arm, leaving the attacker prone just in front of his intended prey.

Firemane turned her attention to Metalite, who was loading up for another shot at Crimson Knight. "Oh no you don’t," she called, "Fire bolt." Metalite was turned the wrong way and took the blast full in the back. He yelled in pain as the shot drove him to his knees, ruining his shot at Crimson Knight.

"This is where you fall down," Wraith called as he threw a punch at Rampage, who was now behind Mindstar. Even though the blow connected, Rampage didn’t appear to feel anything.

Mindstar ignored Rampage and turned his attention to Banzai. With Banzai prone, Mindstar knew this would be his best chance to hit the lightning-quick fighter. Mindstar loosed a full-power blast into him, slamming Banzai into the floor and driving the breath from his lungs. Aria followed up with a sonic scream, but she couldn’t focus the sound waves properly. Techno was able to follow up with a blast from his laser, knocking the tough Japanese out for good.

Wind Shear decided that she had recovered enough and flew towards Firemane, hoping to get another shot at Scorcher.

Metalite looked up into the barrels of Crimson Knight’s blaster. Just as Crimson Knight fired, Mind Mistress was able to make contact with Metalite’s mind and launch her mental attack. The combined energies knocked Metalite unconscious.

"Now it’s time for the big guy to do something," Strongarm said as he charged up to Rampage and reached out. Rampage ducked Strongarm’s reach and came up swinging. However, he didn’t have enough energy to put anything behind the punch. Strongarm felt the impact, but it was about as harmful as a playful shove.

"I thought the reason for all the groomsmen was so that the groom didn’t have to do all the work," Mindstar quipped as he caught his breath.

All of the male Guardians responded as one, "Shut up, Mindstar."

"Give it up," Firemane called, as she launched another fire bolt at Scorcher. The bolt hit Scorch, but Scorcher’s force shield soaked up most of the energy.

"I’m not giving up," Scorcher called as she threw a fire blast at Wind Shear. Wind Shear shrieked as the blast scorched her, burning away most of what remained of her dress, exposing her costume underneath. Wind Shear dropped to the ground, woozy and barely conscious.

"You witch," Aria called, screaming a sonic blast at Scorcher. However, she was too far away; the blast attenuated too much to be effective. Crimson Knight’s blaster, again combined with Mind Mistress’s mental attack, proved more effective. Scorcher crumpled to the ground, unconscious and exhausted.

"Come here, you," Strongarm snarled as he grabbed the panting Rampage. This time, he was able to wrap his arms around his prey. The shock of the grab was enough to knock out the weakened Rampage.

Mindstar looked at Optica, the lone member of Rampage still standing. "Give it up. You’ll never get out of here intact." Optica turned around to see six Secret Service tactical agents crowded in the door, M16s leveled at her. Optica reluctantly put her hands into the air.

Mindstar motioned the Secret Service team in with a toss of his head. "The big one and the girl with the claws need medical attention, the rest are just out cold. Keep ‘em secure."

"They won’t get away this time," one said. "We’re handling this one personally."

Mindstar wasn’t sure who started clapping, although he suspected either Carpenter or the President, but soon the whole congregation was standing and applauding. Strongarm took a deep bow, as did Wraith and Aria. Mindstar was too tired, and he was more concerned about Wind Shear.

Firemane was tending to her, channeling her magic into repairing Jinn’s burns. Jinn opened her eyes. "I guess I didn’t do so well," she said, looking down at the scorched remnants of her dress.

Firemane smiled. "Don’t let it go to your head. Come on, let’s get back in position." Firemane and Techno helped her up, Techno insisting she hold on to him as they walked back to the front of the nave.

Mindstar straightened his rumpled tux and held up his hands for quiet. "We appreciate the applause, but I think most of us will appreciate the wet bar at the reception more, so let’s get this done." That brought another short round of applause as the guests sat down.

"Show off," Powergirl whispered as he walked up.

"Wasn’t the same without you," he said then looked at the priest. "Please continue, Father."

"Oh, oh yes," the priest stuttered. "Well, do you, Mindstar, take Powergirl to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," he replied.

"And you, Powergirl, do you take Mindstar to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," she replied.

"I hereby pronounce you man and wife."

As Mindstar turned around to process out with Powergirl on his arm, he saw Alyina and Alexander Hawke, the Chosen One, sitting on the bride’s side of the aisle.

"What are you doing here?" he asked telepathically.

"Did you think I would miss this consummation of your love?" Alyina said. "I did not nurse you two back to health for nothing."

"Besides," Alex added, "Lady Alyina thought I could help. While you were fighting, I put up force barriers between you and the congregation. That way, your stray shots didn’t hurt anybody."

"My thanks, both of you," he replied, then they seemed to vanish into the crowd. Probably another of Alex’s powers, Mindstar thought. The glare of light through the battered doors wiped the thought from his mind.

The reception was a complete blur for Mindstar. Terry insisted on trying to straighten his rumpled tux in the limousine on the way to the country club, which was a pretty useless effort. The reception itself was a swirl of congratulations, more on the fight than on the marriage, but two events stood out.

The first was fairly early on after the guests arrived. The food line was seeing some moderate attention, but the wet bar was getting raided heavily as shaken Congressmen and Senators tried to steady weak nerves. A few combat veterans were standing in one corner, reminiscing about their experiences and how different this battle was. A very liberal Democrat, already with three or four shots of whiskey in him, started holding court near the bar.

"That was completely irresponsible," he said, his voice just barely slurred by the drink, "for Mindstar to start that fight inside the church. It’s a miracle that no one was injured or killed. He should have realized how many lives he was endangering by that showboating stunt. He should have negotiated."

"Says who," one of the veterans said, stalking over towards the first speaker. "He didn’t have a choice. You can’t negotiate with those animals. You’d better be damn glad Mindstar and his team is as good as it is or you’d be in a lot worse shape than sweaty armpits and soiled shorts."

The Democrat’s redness spread from his nose to his whole face, "You, you babykiller," he barked, evoking one of the oaths that were his legacy as a protestor of the Vietnam war, "how dare you?" They edged closer together, each one seemingly waiting for the other to take the first swing.

They shot apart as Powergirl grabbed them both and shoved them apart, holding them off of the floor at arm’s length. "Now, you can either shut up or take this outside. If you don’t, I can and will toss you out the nearest window. This train may slow me down, but this dress doesn’t interfere with my throwing motion." The two paled at the pure fury in her icy blue eyes.

"To settle this issue once and for all, Mindstar didn’t want that fight. Rampage forced the issue. Mindstar wanted to get the fight outside, away from the guests in the church, but Rampage was too tough. The team had to fight them where they stood or get beaten. We both wanted a wedding without being reminded of what comes with wearing the mask, but that didn’t happen. Now, if you would all please start acting like adults instead of drunk teenagers, we can go back to having fun."

Both of the pugilists bubbled apologies, so Powergirl released them. She turned around to find Mindstar standing behind her, smiling.

"Couldn’t have done it better myself," he said, bowing deeply. "You just reminded me why I love you so much," he said as he straightened up.

"And here I thought it was my chest you loved so much," she whispered as she took his proffered arm.

The second memorable event took place just a few minutes later. Carpenter had arranged for a short press conference in one of the club rooms, and Mindstar and Powergirl had been on the way when the ruckus at the bar caught their attention. After Carpenter and Mindstar deflected the obligatory questions about the honeymoon and the fight, one of the reporters asked the question they had been waiting for.

"Powergirl, now that you’re married, are you going to change your name?"

Powergirl smiled broadly. "Yes, in fact, I am. I realize Power Woman may be a mouthful, but I believe that marriage is such a fundamental change that it’s the perfect time to make my name mature as I have matured." Mindstar led the applause. He’d been hoping Terry would change her name for several months now, since the recruiting drive began, but he hadn’t wanted to breach the subject himself. When she’d mentioned it after the engagement, he’d gone along whole-heartedly.

After a few more questions, which were deflected, the party repaired to the ballroom for the dances. Mindstar was certainly no accomplished dancer, but his natural dexterity and his ability to read what Terry wanted him to do on the dance floor made him look more skilled than he really was. After a few hours of dancing that threatened to drain even Mindstar’s energy reserves, the bouquet toss was held. Mindstar was tempted to give the bouquet a mental push, but Powergirl had threatened dire punishment if she suspected he’d manipulated the tradition. It didn’t matter, Aria caught the bouquet anyway. She gave Wraith a long look after making the catch over Firemane. Wraith tried to look away to Techno’s ribbing and Strongarm’s relief.

Mindstar took care of the garter toss himself. He saw Wraith trying to hide in the back, but none of the guys was stepping up to make the catch, so it was a simple matter to make a frisbee throw and land the garter on Wraith’s hand. Mindstar winked at Wraith as the later looked quite ill.

"Time for our departure," Power Woman said. "You ready?"

"Been ready for three hours," Mindstar said, "but probably not as ready as you are to get out of that dress."

"You have no idea," Power Woman replied. They disappeared into the back for a few minutes and returned in their uniforms. A long line had formed out the front steps with rice for the ceremonial shower. Mindstar kept a shield over both of them so that the rice didn’t find any seams to get caught in the costumes, but the shower still looked impressive.

"Where’s the car?" one of the august personages noticed.

"Car? What car?" Mindstar said, looking up. "Our ride’s right on time." At that moment, the Protector Two swooped down with a roar, dropping into vertical flight and hover about thirty feet above the assembled crowd.

"Ready?" Mindstar asked as he stood behind Power Woman, looping his arms around hers.

"Just like old times," she said. "Let’s go." Mindstar took off as Powergirl pushed off, covering the thirty-foot height easily. Mindstar closed the door behind them and tapped on the cockpit door. He felt the plane transition into level flight and power up.

"A whole month off," Terry said as she sat down. "I can’t believe you agreed to that."

"As much as I hate to admit it," Mike said, "I need the time off as much as you want a real honeymoon. Besides, we need to catch up on some old tricks."

Terry smiled saucily. "And make up some new ones. I thought I wasn’t going to get fired up after you made me stay behind in the fight, but I got to stretch my muscles with those two drunk bozos, and you know how I get when I get to exercise."

Mike smiled back. Nothing got Terry’s libido going like a good fight. "You can’t get enough of a different kind of exercise."

She leaned over and pressed her lips to his. The kiss was hungry and fierce. "You better believe it," she said before kissing him again.

If anyone had checked the marriage records of the state of Texas, they would have seen a marriage certificate entered for Michael Longstreet and Theresea Josephson Longstreet of Dallas. According to the document, a Dallas Justice of the Peace administered the oaths. Such is the life of a secret identity.