This is a fic that revolves around the upcoming union of Rick and Tinsel, as well as their 8-month preparations for it.
Lap 1[]
To Be Married and Loved (Lap 1)
This first took place during a flashback to Valentine's Day in Port Town's Queen League course in 2576. Rick proposed to Tinsel there as it was a nostalgic place and he thanked her for helping him heal his wounds and let Haruka find peace after 150 years. Tinsel gladly accepted. Now, it's March 2577, and her mind picked a lot of ideas in rapid succession. For instance, she decided their wedding date shall be in October 9, the same date she first met Rick 2 years ago as they chased after Samurai Goroh; which turned out to be Vidion stealing his identity as he devastated a space transport and stole medicine for terminally ill kids. They made it officially, and they discussed with their friends in the Task Force. Jody queried what type of wedding it'd be, a white one they decided. She said everyone must choose/spend carefully for the upcoming ceremony, and Stewart stated that he had some help picking out HIS wedding for his wife, Katherine.
It was actually Burt Lemming!! So, Rick and Tinsel visited the Falcon House and he'd be honored to be the marriage officiant, as he was just that for Jack and Luna, as well as Stewart and Katherine. Then, he queried in order to prepare themselves and design/measure their gowns and tuxes, they must decide on how many people shall be invited.
Lap 2[]
To Be Married and Loved (Lap 2)
While Rick and Tinsel started brainstorming, they called Yugi at Domino City to see if he and his friends shall attend. He was excited of the news, and he'd be happy to attend along with Solomon, Joey, his sis Serenity, Tristan, Tea, Mokuba, and Mai. She noticed he left out Yami and wondered if there'd be a way for him to watch over the event. But sadly...Yugi informed he can't make it; he passed on after the duel with Diva several months ago. The Millennium Puzzle was reassembled to summon the pharaoh as they failed to save Joey, Bakura, and Kaiba from the Virtual World. Yami appeared and defeated Diva seamlessly, then his spirit was finally rested as Yugi disassembled the Puzzle and hid away the pieces at the Millennium shrine. With a galaxy cab, Yugi visited the duo, and together they paid their respects.
Moments later, he informed that Tea pursued her ballerina career as she took a jet from his home to Mute City. Rick and Tinsel were astonished they never noticed her, and Tinsel hasn't seen her since before she began her odyssey with Yugi and Joey. The young adult took them there, though they needed to wait till her session was done. Tea was happy to see him again after so long, and she advised the couple on making/using invitations!
Lap 3[]
To Be Married and Loved (Lap 3)
Rick and Tinsel continued to gather more invitees for their upcoming union, and they gave each recipient till the end of summer. So far, they were able to enlist the Duelists and their friends. Super Arrow was desperate to attend as he met up with Rick. He reluctantly gave 3 invitations to him: 1 for him, his wife, and their kid. Sadly, others were unable to show up and give back their RVSPs. Although Kate was exhilarated to attend, especially if she wishes to perform there! EAD had been spending more time at Kate's mansion too, more than being at base. Even Gordon was accepted as well as her crew! Jack also wanted his band, Thunderbolt, to perform as well; even be the best man since Rick was his during the union with Luna. The Task Force also wished to attend, even the Commissioner and Tanaka as part of security. Clank requested for Alias, his mom, Digi-Boy, and his dad to come along too! Even use his new robot assistant, Tek, to record/file the footage! Another unexpected guest, Samurai Goroh, wished to see his student thrive. Rick was hesitant as Goroh would cause some chaos; he, Lisa, and Daigoroh must be discreet and take their machines instead of the Fire Needle/Excellent Queen to avoid a warzone.
The flower girl was cut, as was Lewis Legend, even Katherine Wilson as well as Beat. There was also another problem. Since Tinsel's parents passed on long ago, who'd be there to walk her down the aisle?
Lap 4[]
To Be Married and Loved (Lap 4)
Rick and Tinsel were discussing it with Leon, as he too knew how it felt to be an orphan. Tinsel brainstormed on who it should be, then her mind began to fog. Rick suggested her to head upstairs and concentrate alone for a while. None of her choices worked, not even Burt since he's the marriage officiant, and Stewart since he's already a dad. Leon growled at Rick, and he thought it was jealousy or disapproval. But--there was a cry from upstairs and Rick hurriedly ran! He found her hyperventilating on the bed. He urged her to look into his eyes and explain slowly what frightened her. She said she just remembered of her father and how he treated her several years ago; her brain snapped as she remembered him, even though the memos never bothered her. She said she was forced to live in the southern Asian colonies, specifically the Philippines, against her will. As her father abandoned her and left her for dead while he was obsessed with a succubus from a comp dating site. He became infatuated with her and her body as Tinsel recalled being traumatized by their sexual acts! Soon, Tinsel refused to leave the advancements of Mute City behind! Thus, she was actually taken in by Burt! She feared he'd be arrested for harboring her, but it never happened.
Rick immediately called Robert, Luna, and Rodney Stewart and tend to her till she recovered. It was unveiled she suffered from Trauma-Induced Amnesia as her brain finally cracked and recalled her troubled past. Sallie, as well as Tinsel's dad, were involved in a tsunami which decimated the southern Colonies. Tinsel was grateful she wasn't involved, and doc said every man's responsible for their own destiny just like Rick and Falcon! He also assured her that he'll be the father of the bride, albeit temporarily. Rick wondered that since she had a grudge with men and how obsessive they can be thru infatuation, if whether or not Tinsel may cancel the wedding.
Lap 5[]
To Be Married and Loved (Lap 5)
Rick went off on another bounty-hunting mission while Tinsel was still attending therapy from the Stewarts. Even Luna and Jack's son, Phoenix Levin, wanted to visit and cheer her up. Moments later, they found out that Tinsel had a premature birth due to the placenta being ruptured; either by alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or going in just a little too far. It was astonishing Tinsel was always turned off by people's genitals as she was never breastfed. She believed that her old man was the culprit, and she had an icy heart for trusting someone, even men in general. Tinsel soon had a nightmare during her father's funeral, and she never cried. Then she saw his phantasm and wanted to attack it for all the chaos he pulled!! She woke up, and Rick felt apologetic to her.
Hours later, Rodney and Dr. Stewart announced that Rick returned with four successful bounties, though he lost one. Each bounty involved a brothel being shut down and invaded by the Federation. One of them was at Planet Magica at the Desert Kingdom, where Princia Ramode attempted to seduce Rick as she did it once with the late Falcon. Fortunately, she was unsuccessful as Haruka and Tinsel entered his mind and screamed for him to halt! He confessed his love belonged to another and shall always remain loyal to her, and Haruka's ring proved it!! The Stewarts orchestrated a DNA test, and Rick was clean! He passed with flying colors, and he already decimated four intergalactic brothels within the Colonies! Tinsel was ecstatic to hear the news, and she tearfully apologized she ever doubted him!
Lap 6[]
To Be Married and Loved (Lap 6)
Rick and Tinsel finished writing their wedding vows. And Jody and Lucy made plans for their own bachelorette/bachelor parties in Port Town!! The Rainy Day Spa and Salon shall be given to the women, and the Rolling Rocket World would be presented to the guys! The women attended all the activities including mud spas, massages, makeovers, and relaxing saunas. While the men participated in bowling and eateries, as the baby, Archer, played in the ballpen! It was there where Joey and Tristan discussed with Rick on the former's feelings for his estranged dad; Joey's old man was an alcoholic gambler after the divorce, and he had to stay with him while Serenity stayed with his mom! Ever since he was 10, he wanted to run away, so he stayed with his best friend, Tristan, who protected him from bullies. Joey assured Rick that Tinsel's not the only one.
Jack reunited with his mentor, Silver Neelsen, as well as Jack and Rick being with their indirect ally, Beat! Heck to avoid the stimuli, Dr. Stewart just took in the scenery outside and a certain someone approached him, his missing wife, Katherine Wilson!
She said she was glad for raising their daughter, Luna, to be the best she can be, as well as a promising physician and mom. She assured him she's been alright as a recluse, hiding from Zoda. He tended to her that the monster's gone forever, as is Dark Million, and she'll be safe. She declined the offer on being a family again, and it'll be too overwhelming for Luna to handle. Instead, she accepted Stewart's love for Jody, and there'd be nothing sweeter than that. They said farewell, and all too soon the parties were over, with the animals having their stomachs full.
Lap 7[]
To Be Married and Loved (Lap 7)
It was getting closer to Rick and Tinsel's wedding, and Kate and EAD decided to do some shopping for their gowns! They came across a sleek, silvery gown with a matching headband, and an XXXL suit for the android! Then, they had a picnic, and she confessed her feelings to him, even when everyone pressured her while she was an F-Zero racer and soul singer! Even the fans abused the hell out of her chasing her around and never leaving her sight! Heck, preserving the legacy of her family (her parents were recording artists, and her brothers belonged to a singing group) was never easy! Though she was glad to have friends like Gordon, Rick, Tinsel and EAD most of all. They went to her mansion and... she started to educate him of the birds and the bees...
"You mean this machine wants to physically join with a human? Is that possible?"
"Let's find out."
Meanwhile, at Falcon's Fortress, Tinsel, Clank, Alias, and Rick were watching a docu-film set in the 23rd century; Admiral Kirk was involved in a mission investigating a dark cloud and a computer known as V'Ger. Capt. Decker started the merging sequence with it and even Ilia as she stepped in. The maglet chirped and Tinsel was too nervous to answer it. Rick picked it up, and there was a call saying, "I am Groot!" It was their distant friends, the Guardians of the Galaxy!
Awhile back, they crossed paths on a bounty-hunting mission involving an aggressor. Drax saved Tinsel who was held hostage, and Star-Lord offered the bounty for the Dilithium Crystal the Flyer needed to head home. It was a fair bargain, and since Tinsel was also an oldie fan, they became fast friends, even Groot and Rocket! It was sad they can't make it on account on bounty-farming in the Andromeda galaxy, although Quill requested to have the wedding downloaded; Clank volunteered to help with Tek!
By the time the movie was over, the kids left via the Red Gazelle. While Rick and Tinsel rehearsed their dance! Ever since Rick was heading home from his 4 bounties, which was just enough to pay the mortgage of the Fortress, he had this idea; to use the theme song from one of his birthday gifts, the movie, The Last American Hero. The perfect tune to symbolize each other and their relationship.
Lap 8[]
To Be Married and Loved (Lap 8)
With only a fortnight to go, Rick and Tinsel received their wedding gifts at the Falcon House! For starters they received some shugi-bukuro, Japanese money envelopes with untie-able strings. Most of them were from their friends, even Yugi, and even Goroh! He and his band of thieves stole some of Princia's gems away, done by Sasuke on account she's female who wouldn't be manipulated! That was very surprising!! In total, the couple has more than enough to pay the Fortress twice!! A few hundred thousand space credits!!
But it was nothing compared to their gowns finally done, enveloped in plastic and hanged! The cerulean tux and tie were callbacks to the late Falcon, as well as the golden bird pin! And copying from Tinsel's small bank she painted, she received her silvery, flowing gown with comets descending along with seven-foot flat shoes with tiny bows!
But that wasn't all; as they arrived at the Fortress, Goroh already gifted them with a large taiko, and a small gong attached to it! They wheeled it in, and there was a pile of ancient flypaper. It all came from Planet Giant; the same location Rick achieved his 51st bounty! The letter the Elder wrote apologizes to them for taking so long, as technology wasn't advanced yet and he was researching the four Asian gods! He knew that Rick has the embodiment of the Vermillion (Dragon) Bird and Tinsel was the Black Tortoise! Like fire and ice, opposites attract! Heck, there were also a couple of thin packages with their own tribal outfits representing them! Even a set of those exotic drums they'd encountered! Both Rick and Tinsel wanted to try them and the outfits out, even the extra war paint with the Suzaku. He even tapped the taiko and the gong, while Tinsel played the other drums, then soon danced for him. They began to swoon as the effects took hold. Then, they succumbed to their urges, with protection of course.
Two weeks later, the day finally arrived, and Lucy put the finishing touches on Rick's wedding tux! She even escorted him from the Falcon House to Mute City's Knight League circuit!
Lap 9[]
To Be Married and Loved (Lap 9)
Canon D played as everyone walked down the aisle and seated, while Burt and Rick awaited Dr. Stewart walking Tinsel. Burt announced they're here to celebrate their union, and if anyone shall speak out on why they shouldn't wed--Daigoroh raised his hand, but Goroh lowered it, much to his dismay! Everyone chuckled, and Burt shall announce the festivities. Following his Japanese tradition, Rick decided on a sake-sipping ceremony, to which his sensei mentioned it symbolized overcoming bitter trials. Goroh and Lisa beat the distant taiko as they did that. Burt then told the couple to read from their wedding vows next to the union candle. Rick read his heartfelt words, as did Tinsel, and everyone was touched; they were co-written by the best man, Jack, and the maid of honor, Luna. Phoenix was the ring bearer and Rick offered Haruka's to Tinsel while she did the same with hers.
Burt congratulated them on their successful union and Rick kissed the bride!
During the reception, Joey was the first to notice the delicious aromas! As the food nut that he was! Everyone picked thru the buffet and seated with their assigned groups, while they witnessed the cutting of the wedding cake. By the time everyone was finished eating, Kate announced the festivities starting with Rick and Tinsel Wheeler's dance! I Got a Name by Jim Croce played as they stepped and spun to the number! They kissed passionately when it ended, and everyone applauded. Then, Kate requested for Tinsel to go on stage to perform their duet, Ebony and Ivory. Then, Kate sang her number dedicated to EAD, Betcha by Golly Wow. Jack and Thunderbolt sang I Won't Back Down, one of his older numbers. There were other songs such as You Are the Girl, Tonight She Comes, and I Just Called to Say I Love You which was a number requested by Rick as Tinsel was anxious for him during one bounty-hunting mission. Then, there was Kate's signature tune, If Love Ruled the Universe, and the big finale, as Tinsel sang out her rage during the number, Someone Saved My Life Tonight, dedicated to Burt, Haruka, and Rick saving her from an inevitable fate.
Everyone gave her a standing ovation, and Rick never felt prouder! There was still one thing they must do in order to attain total bliss...
Final Lap![]
To Be Married and Loved (Final Lap!)
Kate announced the rally contest, created by the Mighty Gazelle. Jody won first, Gomar & Shioh won second, and Digi-Boy was third! Tinsel also tossed the bouquet, and it parachuted down from the track into Dr. Stewart's hands! The Wheelers ran to their chauffeur, PJ and his Groovy Taxi, as cherry blossom pedals were thrown at them. Everyone wished them bon voyage!!
As they settled, the taxi drove from Earth to a Warp Gate leading to Port Town's space harbor. They approached a small yacht with other interplanetary couples; didn't matter what finesse it had. So, they took in the scenery as it sailed below a vermillion and violet starry sky. Rick flashed back to the time when he and Haruka took a cruise, and he was happy sharing the moment with Tinsel! An hour later, they headed below decks, and did the unexpected: to go all the way, unprotected.
To Be Married and Loved Marathon
They did just that as they set up the mood by dressing up in their tribal outfits and lowered the lights to a dark fuchsia. Several drum numbers played as they got intimate, following the rhythm and enticement of the exotic percussion. It was the most exhilarating thing they'd experienced. As the fire and ice, or the Suzaku/Genbu, began to merge and form water, the element which brings life. They started slow, then they sped up and drove hard like they would in an F-Zero race! Then, as they caved in, it felt as if they crossed all possible finish lines in first place! They were now one, and their souls had merged within the stars and in their hearts.
Trivia[]
- This was a fic that was supposed to be originally done by one of Ikran's former friends, Berrywatterson. But she requested her to take up the slack, and so she gave her an outline to follow. Up to 10 Laps.
- Much like in Father of the Bride, preparations had to be made including how many guests, preparing the food entries for each recipient, picking the venues, and a few trials in between.
- This was another fic involving cameos from the original Yugioh, set after the events of Dark Side of Dimensions. Little did the lucky couple knew that Atem passed away, and Tea's already attending her ballerina career in Mute City, instead of New York, while Mokuba became Seto's successor.
- There was a revenge plot involving TheIncredibleIntruder's oneshot, The Mandala Dance. In which Princia tries to manipulate Rick during one of his bounty-hunting missions. Unlike Falcon, he resisted, and the Desert Kingdom of Magica was demolished by a meteor shower! As if a higher calling had done the job, rumor has it been actually Atem!
- This also had a brief appearance of Beat from Jet Set Radio Future; a game liked by Buttscottchpiie, although Ikran wasn't familiar with the material. Thus, she had to make some complications such as her OC, Katherine Wilson (Dr. Stewart's wife who went into hiding on account of Zoda), as well as Lewis Legend from Lollipop Chainsaw.
- Because it was the main theme of The Last American Hero, and since it suited the couple well, Ikran decided for Rick and Tinsel's wedding dance song to be I Got a Name by Jim Croce.
- The idea for the three-layered cake was a concept for a wedding to a family friend; her backyard was used for her wedding ceremony, as well as Ikran's father and stepmom.
- Since the first F-Zero started at the Mute City Knight League course, Ikran decided for it to be a unique venue for the wedding and reception!
- There was a traumatic event, as Tinsel got her repressed memories open as she was thinking of someone to walk her down the aisle. It was revealed she lost her parents years ago, but her dad died as a southern Asian colony was destroyed. That event was from Ikran's trauma as she was going to leave the US against her will, but thankfully it never happened. As he was getting involved with an Oriental from online, but she gave birth to someone else's kin; as she was nefarious to be a sort of lustful succubus to many others, including him.
- The wedding date was set on Oct 9, 2577. The said date, back in 2004, was the airdate of Lap 4 of GP Legend in the FoxBox, the first Lap Ikran saw. This was of course the same date Tinsel met Rick and embarked on a mission to retrieve stolen medicine for terminally ill kids by Samurai Goroh, who turned out to be Vidion. 2 years later, they made it as their official wedding date!
- Phoenix Levin, Archer Arrow and Luna Stewart are OCs created by Buttscottchpiie
- The retrieval of the money envelopes/shugi-bokuro was inspired by a scene from Goodfellas.
- The design of Tinsel's wedding gown was actually from a painting of a bank Ikran has as a random gift from one birthday. Even though she's not a fan of Frozen. The descending comets were added digitally. Rick's attire is a cerulean tux embedded with a golden falcon pin symbolizing the late Capt. Falcon.
- The wedding vows were roughly inspired by Buttscottch's oneshot, An Unexpected Turn of Events; it was actually the role reversal as Jack was married to Luna (aside from Phoenix's birth) and Rick and Tinsel were the best man/maid of honor. In this case, Jack and Luna were the best man/maid of honor!
- The wedding had a few Japanese ceremonies honoring Rick's/Goroh's heritage, including receiving shugi-bokuro and taiko drums as wedding gifts, and a sake-sipping ritual symbolizing overcoming bitter trials. Even the track having a cherry blossom display and having them thrown at the couple as they head to their honeymoon at the space harbor in Port Town!
- At one point, Berry wanted EAD and Kate to consummate; since it was outside Ikran's comfort zone, she cut off with the mergence of V'Ger from Star Trek, as well as cameos from the Guardians of the Galaxy!
- The mission in which the duo encountered them was based on a Star Trek episode involving an attacker, and the crew must escape with a new Dilithium crystal, but she forgot what it was.
- It was never shown in the games/anime, but Clank's robot, Ikran named Tek, played a role recording the wedding. The concept was from Juny's spider from Spy Kids 2. In Climax, it was stated that Clank had an assistant controlling the Dragon Bird EX, but it wasn't shown.
- During the Final Lap, Rick and Tinsel Wheeler had put together an enticing series of numbers featuring the exotic drums from Planet Giant. Musically speaking, these were the songs that were turn-ons for Ikran. They're listed in the OST below.
- So far, aside from the tragic oneshot, the series of deleted Laps/oneshots, and the oneshot involving the Guardians and their future, this is the latest event in Ikran's F-Zero timeline! The rest of them were just filler. Thus, finally ending the GP Legend/Climax saga!
- In a way, the title keeps reminding Ikran of the oldie song, To Sir, with Love.
- Ikran's podfic marathon for this story is now available.
Soundtrack[]
- Mute City (F-Zero Jazz album)
- Rodney Stewart's Theme-Top Gear 2 Title Theme (Top Gear 2)
- Nobody Father Come Back (Hardball OST)
- Lost Woods (MajorLink)
- Bolero of Fire (Brock Hewitt: Stories in Sound)
- Facing a Huge Reaction (Metroid Fusion)
- Kaebora Gaebora (Ocarina of Time)
- Red Canyon (F-Zero GP Legend)
- Super Arrow's Theme (F-Zero GX)
- Dream Chaser (F-Zero X)
- Caged Queen Cutscene (Starfox Adventures)
- Jody Summer's Theme (F-Zero GX)
- Kate Alen's Theme (F-Zero GX)
- Mute City (F-Zero)
- T-T (Diddy Kong Racing)
- Luna Stewart's Theme-Lonely Nights (Space Dandy)
- King Kai's Theme (DBZ)
- Surprise! (F-Zero GP Legend)
- Wintery Winds (Bambi)
- Lorraine's Bedroom (Back to the Future)
- Environmental Intrigue (Metroid Fusion)
- Princia Ramode's Theme (F-Zero GX)
- Mission Start (F-Zero GX)
- Arrow Crab/Ewa Blenny/Sea Urchin/Squid (Undersea Adventure; start at 8:41)
- Clock Tower (Majora's Mask)
- Jade's Theme Song (MK: Deception)
- My Final Race (F-Zero Overdrive)
- The Falcon Soars (F-Zero Overdrive)
- Reunion (Bambi; start at 2:11-3:10)
- Dr. Stewart's Theme (F-Zero GX)
- Fishing (Disturbia OST)
- Port Town (F-Zero Jazz Album)
- Beat's Theme-Concept of Love (Jet Set Radio Future)
- Bond of Friendship (Yugioh)
- Respect to "Result Theme of F-Zero" (Staff Roll) (F-Zero GX)
- The Meld (Star Trek: The Motion Picture)
- Main Theme (Guardians of the Galaxy OST)
- Life is but a Dream (Goodfellas; The Harptones)
- Home Sweet Home (DBZ)
- Primal Rave (Diddy's Kong Quest)
- Tidus and Yuna's Theme (FFX)
- Like a Snake - Port Town (F-Zero GX)
- Christmas Canon Instrumental (Trans-Siberian Orchestra)
- I Got a Name (Jim Croce)
- Ebony and Ivory (Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder)
- Betcha By Golly Wow (The Stylistics)
- I Won't Back Down (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)
- I Just Called to Say I Love You (Stevie Wonder)
- The Warmth of the Sun (Beach Boys)
- You are the Girl (The Cars)
- Tonight She Comes (The Cars)
- Someone Saved My Life Tonight (Elton John)
- Total Rank (F-Zero GP Legend/Climax)
- Credits Theme (F-Zero Climax)
- Unwavering Emotions (Pokémon Black & White)
- Montana Indian drums (Sesame Street, 26:50-27:38)
- African Dance in the Park, Part 2 (Sesame Street, Episode 3304; start at 15:48, end at 16:38)
- Fast & Slow (Sesame Street) (ignore the vocals))
- Taikos (Sesame Street; start at 11:18, end at 15:38)
- African Dance in the Park (start at 16:38 end at 17:28)
- Epilogue, Part 1 (Metroid Fusion), and * **
- Epilogue, Part 2 (Metroid Fusion)
Bonus Tracks[]
- Phoenix Levin's Theme-Awoken - TIF Remix (Wooden Toaster & H8 Seed)
- Archer Arrow's Theme-Red Sun (Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance)