~ Ryu

*November 25th, 2553

*30 minutes before Lucarus's Execution

(*Mild talk about disorders and twisted societal views. If this subject makes you uncomfortable skip reading this chapter.)

I was already starting to regret coming here. Why did I want to speak to this maniac?

Oh right it was about my sister and him.

"Hello. Ryu was it? Nice to meet you."

"Lucarus."

Time to handle this like a f*king Lucario.

"You look like shit. My wife really gave you a good one didn't she?"

"Your wife? You mean you two were really married?"

"Yes. I proposed after dating for a 1 or so. She accepted. And we got married in a private ceremony via judge. Afterwards we killed him once we got our marriage certificate. We were going to be 6 months married. But now's she gone."

Is he actually trying to make me feel sympathetic? This guy is just as crazy as her.

My supposed brother in law.

"We had a baby soon after. Our baby. Where is our egg?"

"I'll tell you after I ask you some questions first."

"I see. What's your first question?"

"How did you end up at the asylum? I assume that's how you first got involved with her?"

"My parents gave up on me after 12 years of dealing with my disorder. I have DID, or dissociative identity disorder, it gives me multiple personalities with no cure but can be treated. Anyways, I didn't meet Rial until she broke the patients out 2 years later. Myself included."

"Why join her cause? What does it benefit you?"

"Although I was a bit skeptical of her and conflicted with my personalities at first. They all agreed, why not? She gave me freedom from the prison and I helped because I could. Her actions impressed me so I simply joined her and her cause."

"You're crazy! You aided a homicidal maniac just for that?!"

"Thank you. Now I assume you have more questions?"

This was one was unbelievable and he was pissing me off. If I wasn't incapacitated some of his teeth would already be missing.

But he was right I did have more questions and not much time left to get them answered.

"With your disorder in mind how did you keep yourself with her? And did you actually love her?"

"She gave me medications to keep me mostly sane in exchange for my loyal services. Illegally of course. The rest just fell into place. She was one in a million. I jumped off a building with her because I trusted her. I'm sure you remember that. I killed for her because I enjoyed it and it had to be done. It was such bliss."

I shivered as he smiled back at me as if those were fond memories. Lucarus made my skin crawl and his answers were making me sick.

I guess they really were made for each other.

"She was a maniac. But she was my maniac."

"Enough."

"Sorry. Next question?"

I sighed deeply as I asked the question that has been plaguing my mind since I arrived here.

"Do you ever wonder why she did all the things she did? The little I know just makes me see her as a selfish brat."

"She was in no doubt a selfish brat. I was simply there for her and helped her. I didn't care what she wanted to do to this region. I wanted to create a kingdom with her. Now she's dead it makes you wonder, whose to say there won't be another like her? This region is pretty messed up from what I see. The so called justice is pretty corrupt for the children of this region. Even though they are supposedly the jewels of the nation. Nobody stopped Rial from being the monster she became. Either things change or it's just going to happen again. And I'm disappointed I won't get to see it when it does-"

"SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP!"

He looked up at me with an cold expressionless face as I yelled from my chair straining slightly to breathe but I continued.

"YOU KNOW NOTHING YOU LUNATIC! AND EVEN IF IT'S TRUE I WILL NEVER ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN! I'M GOING TO ENSURE IT NEVER DOES! THINGS ARE GOING TO CHANGE YOU F*CK!"

Even though he was the one tied up he simply shrugged his shoulders and chuckled a little.

"We'll see Ryu. We'll see."

"Time's up. Let's go."

I went quiet as the guards came in to take Lucarus away for good. His reaction was nonchalant as they started dragging him away. But he was still looking me dead in the eye as he said his final words to me.

"Ryu you said you would tell me where our egg is. Where is it?"

"She's with her family."

That was all I could say not wanting to say anymore. Lucarus gave me a ghost of a smile that honestly looked like regret.

"It's a girl? Take care of her then! Don't let me catch you f*cking with her! Take care of our daughter!"

I looked away as the door shut behind him with a loud thud.

That was the first and last time I ever saw him.

I headed home, my dad pushing my wheelchair, my mind finally feeling clearer and at peace in such a long time.

I couldn't shake the resentment I had for my twin sister. Especially her husband.

As for their child. I will love my niece with all my heart. What I told Lucarus, ensuring another Rial never happens again starts with her.

Never again.

I heard a faint voice that sounded like Rial as I left the station. A voice so faint all I heard was:

'Her name is Renata.'

"Renata. Dad what do you think of naming the baby Renata?"

"Renata means rebirth. I like it. But we'll have to discuss it with the rest of the family first."

"If they do I can call her Renee as a nickname."

They liked it as well. She's already named before she's even born. Her name already suits her.

After the encounter I had with Lucarus in prison I went straight to Evelyn and told her everything. I didn't tell my family because I didn't want to dishearten them anymore with Rial.

I just wanted to tell someone.

When I finished she said nothing but ushered me closer. I rolled the wheels of my wheelchair getting as close as possible.

She simply scooted over in bed and rested her head on my chest.

"Evelyn?"

"I know we agreed on nothing more romantic than holding paws and hugging, it's just that kind of day Ryu."

"No that's not what I was going to say-"

She stopped me from talking and continued.

"You look like you need this. And honestly I need it too."

I swallowed my throat as my emotions threatened to overwhelm me. Why did she have to hit so close to the truth and comfort me at the same time? It's too much...

I sniffed as I put my arm around her shoulder my paw trembling slightly.

"Let me finish damnit. Why do you always get to say such harsh yet beautiful things?"

We stayed like that for hours as I cried quiet but powerful tears. Evelyn said nothing as she wrapped her arms around me and I crumbled under her touch.