Chapter 52 Confessions

After breakfast, I sat down on the couch and Joe and Marvelous sat on either side of me.

The others gathered around, sitting on the other couch and pulling up chairs. They looked at me expectantly, ready to hear what had happened to me, why my mobirates was turned off and why I didn't return after so long.

I gulped and found it difficult to talk.

Joe took my hand as an encouragement, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Amanda-sama?" Ahim asked. "What is it that had made you so watchful and anxious?"

"Yesterday, when you went to fight that monster," I began, having to pause to let my throat stop constricting, "I went for a walk. Marvelous warned me to be careful who I talked to, since I had no memory of who were good guys and who were bad guys other than you all. Well, just my luck, I ran into Basco, and he knew my situation, my problem."

"Basco?" whispered Grace, going to pull her chair just a little bit closer, but a look from the captain told her to not do that.

I nodded. "Yes, Basco," I said. I used my free hand to wipe my tears away.

"Here," Gai said, offering my tissues.

It confused everyone why I jumped as soon as I saw movement and seemed to move away, and it made them wonder what had actually happened to me.

Joe took them and gave them to me. "Just continue at your own pace," he said. "No one here is rushing you."

I nodded and wiped the tears from my eyes. Now that I was telling the crew, I wanted to get it out, to get it over with, but the event was still too fresh in my heart for me not to get emotional about.

"Since I had no memory of him, and he just walked out in front of me, I asked for his name," I said. "Simple enough. Just a name. Plus, I had to see if it triggered a memory of you guys, since I had seen the pictures to show that I was a Gokaiger. But no, Basco wanted more. Before telling me his name, he ran the back of his hand along my cheek. After he told me his name, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me close to him."

I had to pause, not only to let the others whisper comments, but to also recover myself enough to talk. My throat was dry, and it was making it difficult to talk. "Ahim," I looked up at her. "Could you make all of us tea, please?"

Ahim nodded. "Yes, Amanda-sama," she said, going to get the tea started.

I let myself recompose myself while Ahim was gone, getting comfort from both Joe and Marvelous while the others waited patiently for Ahim to return.

"What did Basco do after grabbing your wrist?" Luka said as Ahim sat down.

"He said that I was his, and since I knew from the night before in a picture I saw that I was with Joe, I said that," I said. "He took no notice, saying that me fighting to escape was only making it worse. Then," I paused, trying to bring myself to say the next four words, "he kissed my neck."

The gasp from the others gave me a quick break.

"I got out after that, morphed, and tried to fight," I said. "But, since I wasn't use to GokaiPurple, I was easily getting hurt." I told them about my fight, how I was unfamiliar with using the weapons and then begin taken down because of that. "He had me against a tree and I was using my saber to block his overhead attack, but it still cut my shoulder." I rested a gentle hand over it. "After fighting for about a minute more, he caused me to unmorph. My shoulder, it was cut open, and bleeding greatly. I reached for my mobirates, since I knew I had to call someone, but he kicked it away, making sure it was turned off. I knew I had to get to the Galleon. It was my only hope to let my shoulder get better. But, he had other plans."

Remembering what had happened, I paused, wiping a few more tears from my eyes.

"I couldn't move," I said. "I was just in too much pain. And, Basco saw that. He came to me, saying that he told me I was just making it hard on myself, and pulled me to my feet. He pinned me to a tree and got into my personal space again." I closed my eyes and shivered, feeling Basco pulling me to my feet again and practically throwing me into the tree. "I begged him to not do anything, to let me return to the Galleon so that I could get my shoulder looked at. He didn't listen, instead placing a hand on the side of my face and turning my head to look at him, since I had moved my head away. As soon as he did that, you guys had defeated the monster, and I got my memories back."

The kettle for the tea started to steam and Ahim went to get the cups of tea while I was trying to get over a severe shake that overcame me as I remembered everything Basco did to me.

When Ahim came, she passed out the cups of tea and set the tray down on the table in front of her.

"What happened next?" Gai said.

"Basco knew I got my memories back by the way I looked at him," I said after getting a drink. "He called me weak because of my failed attempts to get out and kissed the side of my face. He said that I couldn't protect myself from all danger and to know my enemies and kissed my cheek, keeping his lips close to mine now. I still tried to find my space, trying to keep from letting him kiss me. I turned my head to the side, but he forced me to look back at him. I told him that I was with Joe, that I would marry him soon, but he could care less. He said that I was at his mercy and then kissed me."

"I'm hating him more right now," Luka said.

"Luka-sama, do not interrupt," Ahim scolded. "Amanda-sama, please continue."

"He told me to give in," I said. "I refused to. He put pressure on my shoulder, causing me pain. He threatened that if I didn't do what he said, he would continue that. Well, I just had to open my mouth and say that I had been through worse, because he slammed his fist into my arm, the cuts. He knew that I had those cuts, probably because Ackdos told him about it."

"Oh dear," Don said as I set the cup down, having to stop for a moment as I felt pain overcome me from my cut, as if Basco punched it again.

"That took me to my knees, it being easy to see how much pain I was in," I said, having to wipe the tears that sprung into my eyes again as if the pain had returned. "Basco kneeled in front of me, saying that if I don't give in, he'll just do that again, and asked me if I wanted that. To prove a point, he placed his hand over the cuts. I was now shaking at that point, and I said that I didn't want that. He told me that I would have to do as he said as he pulled me to the ground. I tried to wrestle my way out, but as soon as he placed a hand over my cut, I knew better than to do anything. He saw the fear in my eyes. He teased me by asking what I was going to do, again running his hand along my face, causing me to growl. Well, he just squeezed my shoulder, saying to be careful of my actions, or they would cause me pain. He loved seeing me in pain."

I took another drink of tea, trying to get my emotions in check.

"Take your time," Marvelous said, placing a hand on my knee, but the team saw how I shrank from the comforting gesture, finding a new hatred for Basco.

"He loved seeing me squirm," I said. "When he did something like running a hand down my face, I would twist away as best I could while trapped under him. A few times, if I was moving too much, he would just slap me. He knew that having me pinned to the ground was a superior place for him. I hated how I felt helpless and weak. And he made sure I didn't forget it. Teasing me, kissing my face, using pain to control me. He forced me to kiss him. He was using my injuries against me. If I refused, it was first my should he would hit, but if I ignored it, he hit my arm, and we all know that I can't recover so easily from that pain. After he got tired of kissing my lips, he would then move to my forehead, cheeks, and neck. If I tried to stop him, I would simply be entered into a world of pain. I pleaded with him to stop before he kissed me again. While he kissed me, a tear came from my eye, but he ignored it. Pulling away, he said that it didn't work like that."

My voice choked up and I had to get over a small round of sobs that came, Joe being able to get me back to normal. I took a drink of the tea again.

"He kissed me again," I said. "He went to kiss my neck and I tried to get him to stop, but he actually dug his hand into my shoulder. Not only did it make me scream, but it also made me throw my head back, and Basco was sure pleased to tend to the newly exposed skin." I rubbed my neck, as if I could feel his lips again. It made me shiver. "I let more tears fall. I asked him to stop but he said not until he said so, and when I said when that would be, he said it would be when he's 'satisfied'."

"I don't like the sound of that," Grace said, looking down.

"Shh, Grace," AkaRed said.

"Before I could continue the conversation to try and buy more time to get out, he was kissing me again, and he knew that I wasn't going to give up that easily, so he elbowed my arm again," I said. "This was probably the only time I wanted to pass out. After all, the pain was intense enough to let me, especially since he still had his hand jammed into my shoulder. But, he somehow knew that and removed his hand from my shoulder, for a minute, but it was enough for the feeling of passing out leave. Then he put his hand on my cut again. That caused me to tense up again."

Joe and Marvelous took over the story, seeing as that was when they came in to save me.

I remained silent, drinking my tea and staring at the ground.

When the two finished, the others became asking me tons of questions, which I answered calmly.

Seeing a hand come into my vision, I immediately moved away, expecting a strike, but I saw that it was AkaRed, offering me his hand. He nodded to the crow's nest to talk, one-on-one.

I nodded, taking his hand, meaning that all questions were done.

AkaRed led me to the crow's nest and had me sit down, seeing as I had turned pale during the story. He sat down next to me. "Amanda," he said after a moment of silence. "How long has Basco had these feelings for you?"

"I know it started the same day I joined the team," I said. "A monster had taken my soul, so I sat out of the battle to get it back, which was after dinner. I walked on the deck and he came, kissing me and easily defeating me after I got my soul back."

"Did the others know of this before now?" AkaRed said.

"I always told Joe, since we were together at that time," I said. "And when Basco captured me, Ahim, and Gai after school one day, the next morning on the Free Joker he said that Marvelous had abandoned us. Well, we said that wasn't true and my comment meant the most, so he kissed me then in front of the two. When Grace first joined the team, I told her about it when she joined me on a run after dinner. Then, there was the time where Basco had struck me with a poisoned bullet that would slowly turn me evil and the only cure was to kiss him. Everyone knew about that one. They never assumed that it was because he had feelings for me."

The ship was suddenly hit in the side and I was thrown into AkaRed, who caught me.

We raced down the stairs and saw Don at the computer, Marvelous behind him.

Don looked at all of us. "Basco," he said.

The others looked at me, and I unconsciously balled my hands into fists. "He's going to pay," I growled. "Let's do this."

The others nodded and we went to where Basco was waiting for us on the ground.

"Come back for another round?" I asked as I landed in front of the others, showing that this time, it was my battle to fight.

"Don't act like you didn't like it," Basco said.

"You're right: I didn't like it," I replied. "I hated it. Let's go!"

"Gokai Change!" we said.

"Gokaiger!" our mobirates exclaimed.

"GokaiRed!" Marvelous said.

"GokaiRed, AkaRed!" Grace said.

"AkaRed!" AkaRed said.

"GokaiBlue!" Joe said.

"GokaiYellow!" Luka said.

"GokaiGreen!" Don said.

"GokaiPink!" Ahim said.

"GokaiSilver!" Gai said.

"GokaiPurple!" I said.

"Kaizoku Sentai, Gokaiger!" we said, striking our poses.

"Everyone," I said, stepping forward. "Let's make this showy!"

"Right!" the others said as we charged at Basco.

While we fought, we were able to back Basco off, slowly but surely.

But, when we thought that he found flee, he threw all his force at us, throwing us back and a few of us unmorphing.

"Gai!" Don cried.

"Ahim!" Luka exclaimed.

"Father!" Grace said as AkaRed was motionless.

"Come on, we've got to keep fighting!" Marvelous said.

Marvelous, Joe, Luka, Don, Grace, and I went at Basco and were able to hold him off for a minute before he threw Luka, Don, and Grace back, them unmorphing.

"We've got to keep trying," Joe growled.

"If not, who knows what he'll do to us," I added. "But I'm going to invite another person to the party." I held up the GokaiCamo ranger key. "Gokai Summon!"

"GokaiCamo!" Grizza said, coming in front of me.

"All together, now!" Marvelous said.

We went at Basco, but Marvelous and Joe were forced to unmorph, leaving me and Grizza left.

"I'll make quick work of this," Basco said, his eyes glowing red.

"Oh no, you don't!" I said. "Gokai Change!"

"Gokaiger!" my mobirates said.

"GokaiVeteran!" I said, using my speed to stop Basco from a charge, but the force of his attack threw me off balance and he was able to throw me back.

Grizza fought while I recovered.

I got to my feet. "GokaiSpear," I said, getting the spear in my hands.

"Wait!" Gai cried, but I couldn't hear him over the others as they let loose a cry of disapproval as Grizza was thrown down and didn't get up.

"Grandpa!" I exclaimed, going to his side.

"I tried to fight," Grizza said. "I cannot continue. I have helped you as much as I could. Good luck in the future. Win." His body glowed white and then it was gone, not even the ranger key being left behind.

"No," I whispered, unable to believe that Basco had just killed the man I would always call my grandpa and who held more fighting skills than all of the Gokaigers put together.

Still in shock, I didn't notice Basco walk up to me until he was already pulling me to my feet.

"So sad," he mocked, digging his fingers into the pressure point on my neck. He kneed me and then elbowed me to the ground, hammering his foot onto my back as I tried to recover, making me lose my GokaiVeteran form and going back to GokaiPurple.

I was struggling to keep myself together to continue this fight. Memories from the day before flashed into my mind, and I found it hard to push them away.

I rolled to the side and fired my GokaiGun at Basco, slowly getting to my feet while firing.

Basco returned fire and I had to take the blast, or else the others behind me would've been hurt.

As I fell forward, unmorphing, Marvelous was on this feet, in front of me and keeping himself between me and Basco. "Do anything to my sister," he growled, "and you will quickly be taken down."

Joe managed to come up next to me and helped me to my knees, although I had to stay on all fours while I was recovering from the open fire.

"Marvelous," I said.

"Stay back," Marvelous said without looking back at me. "I'll make sure you aren't taken advantage of like yesterday."

"So, the others know?" Basco asked, somewhat amused. He met my eye but I looked down.

"We know the awful things you did to her," Luka said as they tried to get up, but they couldn't even stay on their knees.

"And we're not giving you the chance to try again," Marvelous said, charging at Basco.

"Marvelous!" we exclaimed as Basco slashed his stomach and threw him back next to AkaRed.

Basco came at me, kicking Joe in the face as he tried to get in front of me, leaving me not only unable to fight back again, but also in a weak position. He grabbed the back of my neck and pulled me up. "Now the others have a chance of seeing what happened yesterday," he said.

"Leave me alone," I said, using the strength I had to keep him away.

"What did I say before?" Basco asked, pressing his hand against my shoulder.

I winced from the pain, but it still didn't get me to back down. "Not this time," I said, throwing my elbow into his stomach and jumping back, ready to continue to defend myself.

"Really?" Basco said. "I've defeated you in battle countless times before. I guess I'll just need to make this one quick." His eyes glowed red and he came at me with super speed again.

I was sent to the ground, only to be scooped up into Basco's arms again.

"Now, where were we?" Basco said, placing a hand under my chin.

"Amanda!" the others said.

"Let me go!" I yelled, a sudden huge drainage of energy coming as some kind of purple wave sent Basco flying back. I saw everything go dark as I fell back, landing in Joe's arms and hitting the ground.

When I woke, I was on the couch in the Galleon. Everyone was outside, talking.

I felt weak and sick, and I remembered what Basco tried to do to me, making me ball my hands into fists and slam one into the cushion under me.

I saw Joe turn back and see me awake, leaving the others to come into the room. "Careful," he said, seeing me trying to sit up.

"What happened?" I asked. I fell back and put a hand on my forehead. "I feel weak, and sick, and I have this huge headache."

"It was that power you used," Joe said.

"What was it from?" I said.

Joe refused to meet my eyes as I looked at him. "You won't like the answer," he said.

"Joe," I said, placing a feeble hand on his shoulder. "Just tell me."

"Zangyack," Joe said. "If you get a strong enough emotion while in battle, then you'll summon a wave like what happened with Basco. You can't control if it comes or not. All you can do is to keep your emotions under control. And if a wave comes, then you'll be completely drained of energy and feel like how you are right now."

"How long until I get better?" I said.

"Give it a few hours," Joe said. "You'll be back to your normal self by then."

The others came in and went to sit down.

Joe had me sit up and then let me lay against him for a pillow.

Marvelous met my eye and I nodded slightly.

"There's something I have to tell you guys," Marvelous said.

Everyone looked over at him.

"This morning before breakfast, when I talked with Joe and Amanda in the crow's nest, I got a call," Marvelous said. "It was from mine and Amanda's mom. She told me of a tradition that is on our home planet if a brother and sister are born into the same family." He sighed and looked at the ground. "The tradition is that the two siblings must marry and have kids."

Silence enveloped the Galleon.

"And I want to marry Joe," I said quietly, looking up at Joe while he took my hand.

"Marvelous-san, are you sure that is a true tradition?" Ahim asked as she got to her feet and walked to Marvelous. "I have been to all these worlds when I was younger with my mother and father, and not one of these planets has a ritual that calls for the brother and sister in the family to marry and make a family. And I have been to every single one of your worlds besides Earth." She turned to us, looking at each of us squarely.

"It's what our mom said," Marvelous said.

"And if you don't follow it?" Luka said.

"Punishment and we'll be forced to marry again and again until we stop resisting," I said, looking down. "I belong with Joe."

"And, I guess it's time to make this official," Marvelous said, taking the box out of his pocket. He got up and walked to Grace. "We've kept our relationship a secret long enough, Grace. I want to be your husband." He got down to a knee and opened the box to show Grace the ring. "Will you marry me?"

"Yes, Marvelous, I will," Grace said, breathless, as she kissed Marvelous and hugged him.

"I always knew it, even in the Red Pirate Gang," AkaRed said, the smile in his voice.

Ahim smiled. "Amanda-sama, Marvelous-san, I believe that I can help situation," she said, looking at both of us. "Even though I am not a princess anymore, I am very well educated with the cultures of different planets, and if I have a diplomatic talk with your mother, then I am positive I can get you two to wed who you want."

"I'll join you, Ahim," AkaRed said. "Because I'm also from their home planet and this was never spoken of, even when I had two sisters and a brother."

"Maybe we can talk to her now," Ahim said, turning to Marvelous, who moved across the table from Grace, hands connected over the table, the ring shining brightly in the afternoon light.

Marvelous nodded. "Do you want to meet her here or someplace else?" he asked, getting his mobirates.

"Which do you think would be most beneficial to our cause, AkaRed-san?" Ahim said, turning to AkaRed.

"I think that meeting here, at the table, where she can see how Joe and Amanda get along and Marvelous and Grace get along will be best," AkaRed said. "The most I can do if she doesn't agree, since I'm Grace's father, is to bypass that tradition and give my blessing to Grace and Marvelous for their wedding, which would then lead to Joe and Amanda's wedding."

"So we may have to change the date for our wedding," I said.

"That'll be fine," Joe said.

"How long from now do you want to talk to her?" Marvelous said.

"The sooner the better," AkaRed said. "Right now, if she can."

"At least let me change into my diplomatic dress," Ahim said. "The right attire can be the tipping point for us."

By the time, Marissa came, Marvelous and Grace were settled talking on one couch while me and Joe were talking on the other.

Ahim and AkaRed met her at the door and brought her to the table, where Luka, Don, and Gai brought out some tea and crackers to snack on.

Marvelous, Joe, Grace, and I were listening more closely than Luka, Don, and Gai to the conversation that Marissa, Ahim, and AkaRed had.

Marissa was claiming that the tradition was put into effect a day before the world was taken over by Zangyack.

Ahim was saying that if it was put into effect, Famille, the ally of our home planet, would be the first to know, within a few hours, but they had never gotten news from them.

AkaRed added that it takes a week for something like this to take hold on the planet, and if it didn't catch on in that time, then it was taken out, meaning that the ritual wouldn't have had enough time to spread.

"I signed the bill putting it into place," Marissa said. "I should know if it stays or not."

"Yes, but as AkaRed-san just stated, as in all civilizations, it takes time for a culture to pass to the world, and if it does not got to everyone, then it is not considered an actual culture of the planet," Ahim said.

"You don't know our ways, Ahim," Marissa said.

"But I do," AkaRed said. His next word shocked us all. "Sister."