EPILOGUE

Roanapur, Thailand

A few weeks later

It's been a long time since Rock wore a tuxedo, but he still remembers how to tie an intricate bow. As both Dutch and Benny are struggling with their bowties, Rock helped them finish up. Dutch actually looks good in a tuxedo, he resembles a hiphop mogul with shades, what the culture calls "pimpin". Benny is another story, he resembles a high school geek going to prom.

Rock had to admit he missed formal events like this. He never thought something like this would happen in Roanapur, but he is thankful he is still alive to experience it.

And it wasn't everyday to see a spectacle like Revy Two Hands, the badass fighter of Roanapur, wearing a dress.

It wasn't easy, but eventually she gave in, a sacrifice for friends.

Balalaika stepped out of Revy's room. "Hey guys," the Russian mob madam said. "She's ready."

Rock, Dutch and Benny anticipated this moment their whole lives.

Revy stepped out of the room. She's wearing an elegant white dress, showing off her tanned arms and tattoos. Her hair is glamorously tied up. Her face is colored with make up.

Rock was transfixed by the scene.

"Don't fucking stare at me like that!" Revy snaps.

"Wow…you look beautiful Revy," Benny commented.

"Fuck off."

"Its true," Dutch agreed. "Thank you for the help, Balalaika."

Balalaika smiled. "Anything for a friend."

"We better go," Rock said. "We will be late for the ceremony."

It took just a few minutes by car to reach the small Catholic chapel of St Peter on the outskirts of Roanapur. In a country of mostly Buddhist belief, Christians, particularly Catholics, are rare. The church is small, the size of a small house. But when the Lagoon Team arrived, the parking lot was full of vehicles.

Dutch, Revy, Rock and Benny dismounted their car. The who's who of the Roanapur underworld is here. Friends and rivals respectfully greeted each other as they unite on this special occasion.

"Rock!" a voice called out.

Rock turned a saw Lotton, wearing an immaculate tuxedo and grinning ear to ear. "My best man is her!" he declared, hugging Rock tight.

"Congratulations, Lotton," Rock said. "You dream will finally come true."

"Yeah. You know, until now I still find it hard to believe that this is happening. I'm a bit nervous."

Rock tapped his shoulders. "We got your back."

"Let's go in. The ceremony is about to start."

A few minutes later, all the guests are sitting inside the church. Father Rico is officiating the ceremonies. The groom Lotton is standing on his left of the large cross altar, best man Rock is a few steps back. On the right is maid of honor Revy. The Lagoon Amazon felt really awkward, but she hid her displeasure.

The door opened as the wedding march started playing on the piano. With Mr. Chang on her arms, Shenhua entered the church. She looks so beautiful on her off-shoulder wedding gown, see-through veil covering her face and her hands clutching a bouquet of flowers. Mr. Chang, dressed in usual head to toe Versace, slowly walked Shenhua down the aisle towards the altar. Lotton smiled as Shen comes his way.

Rico looked at Mr. Chang. "And who is this giving away the bride?" he asked.

"Father, it is my honor to give away the bride," Chang replied. He took Shen's hand and gave it to Lotton.

Chang went closer and whispered to Lotton. "You take care of her, you make her cry and I'll kill you," he said with a smile.

"I think Shen would kill me first," Lotton joked.

Chang walked away from the altar and took his seat as Lotton and Shen stood before the eyes of everyone. Rico made a very short sermon about love and togetherness.

"And the most important thing," Rico concluded. "Whatever happens, you will stay together. Now, Lotton, please put the ring on Shenhua's finger and repeat my words."

Lotton took Shen's right hand and inserted the wedding ring on her ring finger.

"I, Lotton McCarter, take Li Shenhua as my duly beloved wife, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, may we always be joined in mutual love, as the sun rises and falls, from now until eternity, till death do us part. With this ring, I pledge my love to thee."

Rico looked at Shen. "Shenhua, please put the ring on Lotton's finger and repeat my words."

Shen did the same thing.

"I, Li Shenhua, take Lotton McCarter as my duly beloved husband, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, may we always be joined in mutual love, as the sun rises and falls, from now until eternity, till death do us part. With this ring, I pledge my love to thee."

Rico nodded. "And with the power bested upon me by the law and the church, I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Lotton slowly lifted Shen's veil. And with everyone there watching, he gave her a kiss on the lips, sealing their union of love. Bells rang and the guests cheered with glee.

Flower petals rained on the newlyweds as they exited the church. Well-wishes were poured as they walked the garden towards their waiting car. Shen turned towards the guests. "Okay girls, its time for the bouquet to fly," she said.

Women quickly lined up, Balalaika in the front row. Revy stayed in the back, sneering.

Shen was getting ready to throw the bouquet but then she stops. She walks straight to Revy. "I think my maid of honor deserves this," she said, tossing the flowers to Revy.

"What?" Revy asked as she caught the bouquet. "Why the hell me?"

"You and Rock should get married next," Shen teased.

Revy and Rock blushed as they screamed "NO WAY!" at the same time.

"We'll see you guys after the honeymoon," Lotton said, taking Shen's hand. "Goodbye, everyone! Thank you so much!"

With the guests waving their goodbyes, the newlyweds entered their wedding car.

"Okay guys," Dutch began. "I think its time for us to-."

Without warning, a massive explosion erupted in front of the church. The guests hit the deck as hands drew pistols and submachine guns. A car was reduced to a ball of fire on the street.

Revy's blood turned to ice. "Lotton! Shen!" she screamed as she ran towards the conflagration. She confirmed her worst fears, the burning vehicle was indeed the wedding car.

The bouquet of flowers fell from her hand as Revy's knees hit dirt. She hadn't realized it, but tears are flowing from her eyes.

"They will pay…" she swore in gritted teeth as her fingers dug on the earth. "I will track them down to the ends of the earth. They will pay."

On the final chapter of the Sukandar Trilogy, Revy is out for blood for the murder of her friends. From the streets of Jakarta to the glitzy high-rise buildings of Hong Kong, she goes alone to track and destroy an elusive killer with a high-tech army and a score to settle. She will be entangled in a web of intrigue and betrayal. The gloves are off, this time it's personal.

Black Lagoon: Final Judgement coming soon.

Black Lagoon: Bangkok Bloodbath

Written by Gene Akizuki

Based on Black Lagoon created by Rei Hiroe

All characters here are fictional

Special thanks to:

Thai friends Natthar Janjarhatsin and Charnon Porgarunatikul for the inspiration

The readers and the reviewers, thank you all for the love.

THE END