Chapter 9. Funerals and Apologies
A few days after the explosion, a funeral was held for Trey. There was a funeral on Earth, for the rangers that he fought alongside with, and others. Those that spoke during the funeral were the Zeo Rangers, Billy Crantson, Treys wife, and lastly Moran. Moran got halfway through her speech before she broke down in tears.
Moran "My father was a great man, King, father, and Ranger. He taught me how to be the person I am today. I remember the time we went out on the palace walk ways that were over a pond, and I fell in. He went and pulled me out and we both laughed. A few days ago, I got the chance to finally fight alongside him as not just his daughter, but as a fellow Ranger…."
It took a few minutes for her to calm down before she finished.
"….I will always remember fighting along side him. I don't think I will ever be as good of a ranger or ruler as he was, but I will try. Thank you all."
After that, Commander Hoot went to the podium and began to speak. Moran drowned it out as she sobbed into Tarants shoulder, while her mother rubbed her back. Roger looked over at Moran and felt guilty. He had received minor wounds and burns from the explosion, yet her father, and Brill had died in it. Soon, the audience went up to say their last respects. The group moved rather slowly. Tommy Oliver, and his wife Katharine were the first to say goodbye, followed by Adam and Tanya Park, Rocky and Aisha DeSantos, Jason and Emily Scott Lee, Billy Crantson, Dr. Dana, and her fiancé Carter Greyson, Commander Hoot, A-Squad, Connor was the first B-Squad member, followed by Tarant, then Allison. Then it was Roger's turn.
ROGER "I'm sorry I didn't get there in time to pull you out. You were a great Ranger, and I am lucky to have fought by your side, and am lucky to have your daughter as one of my greatest rangers."
He then went over to Moran and Treys wife. He shook Queen Bida's hand and hugged Moran. He then walked away, feeling horrible.
Later that day, Roger was eating when Allison came and sat next to him. She noticed he looked really depressed.
ALLISON "What's wrong Rog?"
ROGER " In one night, I had two of my teammates captured, led a team of superiors, and in the process lost one of them and made a perfectly good Princess lose her father. Later today I'm turning in my morpher and asking to be demoted to D-Squad."
ALLISON "Stop right there. Yes we were kidnapped, but as everyone said before, no one blames you. You led my parents team, Moran's father, and A-Squad in a rescue mission, something B-Squad has never done, and Trey knew what he was doing. None of this is your fault."
Suddenly, Moran sat down next to them. She turned Roger's head so he would be looking at her. He then saw her puffy eyes. Yet she spoke with a strong voice.
MORAN "I overheard your guys conversation. It was my fathers choice to do what he did. It isn't your fault. Us being abducted wasn't your fault. Please don't blame yourself for this."
ROGER "I'm sorry."
MORAN "Don't be. My mother and I don't blame you. Allison and I don't blame you. It's all good."
She then left. Allison then turned Roger's head towards hers, and saw that he had a tear running down his face. She hugged him. Once they pulled away, she asked.
ALLISON "Are you really going to turn in your morpher? "
ROGER "I don't know."
ALLISON "You know, I don't think we ever got a chance to get to know you because you were busy trying to be a good leader while my brother was being a jackass."
ROGER "It's simple. I am a sensitive, sentimental person."
ALLISON "I like that in a person. I've never really have been one for idiots. I guess that's what I really like about you. You know me, Tarant, and Moran very well, yet we didn't know a lot about you."
ROGER "Well now you know."
ALLISON "I think when Moran gets back from Triforia, you should let the team know how you feel sometimes and tell us a bit more about you."
ROGER "Why, so they can think their leader is a wimp?"
ALLISON "No, so we know that you take things harder than most. Today was Moran's father's funeral. She feels horrible, yet you sit here and act like its your own fault. Yes, I will admit that you trying to go back in and get him was a noble act, but then it would be your funeral as well. I want for our team to know about their leader, and I want our children to know their father is a good man!"
That saying nearly gave Roger a heart attack.
ROGER "Our children?"
ALLISON "One day yes. I don't think there is another person I would want to spend the rest of my life with besides you."
