It was the morning of Dennis' funeral. All the Vigilants were in their normal crime-fighting suits. All the firefighters there were in their normal formal blue uniforms.
A priest was saying prayers as everyone had their eyes closed to honor Dennis. The Vigilants were with the same fire department they were with yesterday.
"May he rest in peace…" The priest continued.
A command was then given to have every firefighter salute. The Vigilantes also saluted.
City flags, American flags, and the city's Fire Department flags were all displayed to honor Dennis.
A firefighter then came up to Ray as he approached with his brother's helmet. He stood in front of Ray as he handed over Dennis' helmet. The only thing that remained after the fire. Ray shedded a tear as he took the helmet. He then saluted along with the firefighter.
Ray took a look at the burnt and smoldered helmet. His brother… now gone. Gerald felt this as a reflection back when he lost his brother.
One thing that stood out was Rhonda. While she also saluted, she couldn't help but look at Arnold in concern. While they didn't have the same dangers as firefighters, they had bigger dangers. But all she could think about was, what if she had to be put in this position with Olivia? What if Arnold's time came too soon and she had to attend his funeral? All she could do was hope he'd come out alive from every battle they faced. She also remembered the near scares she had to face. Rhonda grew concerned as kept looking at Arnold.
Minutes Later
Everyone was leaving the funeral. Ray was in disbelief knowing that his brother was gone.
Rhonda overlooked the scene as the Hyperjet soon took off. Not much was said ever since last night's scuffle.
At the Lair
The Hyperjet had landed and nobody said a word to each other. Arnold had headed upstairs as Rhonda didn't even know how to feel anymore. The lair was quieter than a mouse.
Rhonda went upstairs to check on Arnold. She soon found him outside in the backyard.
"Hey, Arnold…" She slowly approached him. He didn't bother to answer as he looked at the sky.
"Arnold…? Aren't you gonna say anything…?" Rhonda asked, worryingly. "Arnold, please answer me!" She wrapped her arms around Arnold. "Please don't be mad at me! I wasn't who started the argument!" She pleaded. Arnold looked back at her. He saw her puppy eyes flashing toward him.
Arnold merely smiled as he gave her a tight hug. He then kissed her cheek. "It's alright, sweetheart. I'm not mad at you. I just feel a little under the weather."
"Oh, thank goodness! I love you! I love you! I love you, Arnold!" Rhonda tightly hugged Arnold. He only smiled as he kissed her forehead.
"Don't worry, sweetie. I'm always here for you." Arnold kissed Rhonda's cheek once more.
Soon, the two heard the doorbell. "That must be Ariel!" Arnold said. "Who?"
The two went to the front door. Arnold opened the door as he greeted Ariel.
"Ariel! Awesome to see you here!" The two gave a friendly hug. "I'm honored to be here, Arnold!"
"Arnold, who is this?" Rhonda raised an eyebrow. "Sweetheart. Meet Ariel."
Ariel offered her hand. "The name's Ariel. Ariel Flyer." Rhonda shook her hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Ariel." Rhonda soon smiled.
The three were soon seated in the living room.
"So, you said you wanted to talk about my piloting skills?" Ariel asked. "Indeed. I also know how brave you are. You risked yourself to save a fellow firefighter from falling into that pit of fire."
Ariel lightly giggled. "Oh, it was nothing." She played with her hair. Her hair was similar to Rhonda's hair when they were teenagers, only a little shorter and pointy. "I believe you also know Spanish, am I correct?" Arnold asked.
"Yup! My parents come from Spain. I moved to the U.S. when I was a teenager with my parents. All my life I grew up wanting to be a brave helicopter pilot and firefighter. I found that chance in the Hillwood Fire Department. I was a former airplane pilot. I also piloted helicopters and jets."
"I think you just might have the necessary skills we need on this team." Arnold smirked. "How so?"
"You're the best helicopter pilot known across the country!"
"But that was years ago… Now, I'm just your ordinary female firefighter."
"Not exactly. Ariel, how would you like to join this team, and be our expert pilot?"
Ariel was surprised by that question. She blushed. "Well… Gee I- I don't know what to say… It would be an honor." Ariel shined a smile. Arnold and Rhonda smiled back. "Great! We look forward to how you do behind the controls of our jets." Arnold smiled.
"I promise you. I won't let you down." Ariel smiled back. Arnold smiled wholeheartedly.
Thirty Minutes Later
Ariel was down in the lair as she had her suit ready.
"This should fit you." Phoebe said. Ariel soon put her suit on. It was a dark purple that had yellow running down the sides of her pants. She had on boots similar to Rhonda's boots. Her knee pads were black and she had a radio on her chest. She had the usual utility belt, but the front was red. Yellow stripes ran down her sleeves as she had purple gloves on.
"I think I'm gonna love this." Ariel smirked as she looked over herself.
"Hey, uh, Phoebe? Don't mind me asking here but, what's this thing covered with the tarp?" Ariel asked. "Oh, nothing. Well, a little surprise."
"Mind If I take a look? I won't tell anyone."
Phoebe thought for a moment. "Well, since you're gonna be piloting it, I suppose why not."
Impulse took the tarp off the helicopter. Ariel was in awe. She had never seen such an amazing helicopter before.
"If I would've known that Arnold had a helicopter like this in production, I would've joined sooner!" Ariel looked over the helicopter. All she could think about now was giving a thankful kiss to Arnold. "Mind if I help out to get this out into the skies faster?" Ariel suggested.
"Not a problem!" Phoebe said, chirpily.
"We'll soon have this bird in the air." Ariel smiled as she kept looking at the chopper.
While all that was happening, clashing and clanging were heard as the memories briefly faded away…
Why do Mondays always turn out like shit for me...