Three days later Wildwing's funeral was held at Anaheim's Memorial Park. Many fans stood outside to grieve the goaltender's death, while the guest went inside. The chapel was filled with people from all walks of life. Every NHL player, coach, CEO, scout, agent and training staff were present to pay their last respects. Many other professional athletes were intertwined among the hockey mob. Thrash and Mookie sat in the front row ready to help Dive through the service. They knew how hard it was to loose a friend or family member. They knew how Dive and the other ducks were feeling. Nosedive came walking in with the others and sat down next to the human teenagers. The past three days had been hard on him and it was evident in his features. Somehow he looked as if he had aged twenty years.

The service began with a song of praise to the Lord on high. Nosedive sat staring blankly at the stain glass windows. The way that the light danced among the colors intrigued him. He smiled when the colors tickled his light receptors of his optic nerve. Thrash and Mookie were amazed at how well he was controlling his emotions. The pastor finished his sermon and many of the gathered sports stars stood to tell how great Wing had been and how he had touched their lives. When everyone was finished the guest slowly made his or her way to the open casket to say goodbye. After viewing the body, they gave their condolences to Nosedive and the other ducks. Once the chapel was cleared each of the ducks approached the casket individually to say goodbye to their beloved leader. Who knew that they would loose two team captains on this mission? When they were finished Thrash and Mookie stood beside Dive and gave him moral support. He was terrified to approach the casket. If he did then this entire ordeal would be real and he would loose his greatest asset. If he didn't go up there then maybe it would be a bad dream and he'd wake up to find Wing asleep on his lower bunk. Of course that would never happen. He had told that to himself that for the last three days. It did happen and Wing was gone.

"Are you ready?"

Dive turned to find Mallory next to him. "I think so."

"I'll come with you," she offered.

"No. No I have to do this on my own."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I have to do this by myself."

Dive sucked in an exaggerated breath and slowly made his way to the open casket. He inched his way up the three steps to the altar. When he reached the casket he looked in at his brother's peaceful face. It looked like he was sleeping and at any moment he would wake up and say boo'. Dive smile at the image of the horrible practical joke. What he would give to have that be true. But Wing would never have been that cruel and Wing hated practical jokes. He would have never pulled one.

Dive noticed that Wing was dressed in his hockey equipment and jersey. His hands were laid across his chest and he was holding his goalie stick. Dive closed his eyes and fought back the tears. *Not now. You told yourself that you were not going to do that. Get a grip buddy. He's gone and no amount of wishful thinking is going to bring him back. You blew your chance when you told him to die. So he did just that. Be happy he finally listened to you. Stop that! Stop feeling sorry for yourself. You have to be strong. Wing would have wanted you to keep strong for the others,* he thought to himself. He swallowed hard and opened his eyes. "Well, I guess this is goodbye bro. I'll make you proud. And I'm sorry. I now understand how hard this was for you. You'll always be my hero." Dive leaned over and kissed Wildwing's brow. A tear fell from his eye, rolled off his cheek and landed on Wildwing's face. Dive stood up and gave Wing one last look. He saw the tear and gently wiped it from his brother's face. "I love you Wing. I know you'll be watching over me."

Dive turned around, put on the mask, and walked away. He did not look back. He couldn't. If he did, he would have broken down. He left the chapel and met the others outside in the lobby.

"You okay kid?" Duke asked.

"Yeah. I'm fine. Let's go home."

As the ducks headed to the migrator Nosedive placed an arm around Mallory's shoulder. She returned the gesture by wrapping her arm around his waist. "Thanks for everything Mal."

She nodded her acknowledgment.

Everyone was silent on the trip back. They even kept the radio off. Dive inspected each of his teammates in silence. When he got to Mallory he noticed that she let a lone tear fall from her eye and roll down her cheek. She ignored it. Even though she wasn't driving she concentrated on the road ahead. Dive leaned over and wiped the tear away.

"Thanks."

"No problem Mal. Don't worry, he's not in any more pain."

"I know, but it still hurts."

"It will always hurt, but we need to grow past it and learn to deal with the pain. Someday, I don't know when, this will turn into something good. Maybe he'll help us get home."

Mal smiled at Dive and held his hand. That was the first mature thing she had ever heard him say. He may not have known it, but someday was today.