"Starting with The Prince."

Wilson growled, narrowing his eyes.

I have to move. I have to get out of this. He struggled trying to find a way to move.

"Blast it all."

Cato snickered.

"You want a fight too? If you insist." Cato charged, whistling as Wilson was just barely able to dodge his sword, his side being slightly knicked by the blade.

"Ngh! You little..." He growled, summoning shadow flames to create a shield that the sword bounced off of. "Show your face, you demon!"

Cato backed off.

"Hm… Should I?" Cato hummed in thought. "I'm not sure you'd want me to. I mean, I'm known to scare even grown men with my looks."

Wilson snarled, summoning his sword.

"If you're going to kill me I deserve to know the face of my murderer."

Cato was silent before grinning.

"Very well. If you insist, oh Great Prince." Cato grabbed at his cloak, throwing it off entirely to show his whole body.

Underneath it all was a man dressed in an outfit suited for a count. It was a deep red and black suit with a ruffled tie.

Wilson froze as he saw the man's face.

He had wild black hair with silver streaks in it and his eyes were amber in color. The most shocking thing of all… the man's facial structure. It was a perfect match to Wilson.

"Surprise." Cato smiled. "Remember me, Wilson?"

Wilson's breath hitched as he tried to force down the flurry of memories that came through. Most of them the worst he could remember.

"Father, Father, look what I-"

"WILSON STOP BOTHERING ME WITH YOUR NONSENSE! SCIENCE IS A HOPELESS PROFESSION SO LEAVE ME ALONE!"

"Father…?"

Wilson took a step back, horror in his eyes as he stared at Cato.

"Father?"

Cato took his shock as a chance to lunge at him, Wilson barely having a chance to respond, their swords clashing.

"Missed me?"

"NO!"

"Aww… I'm hurt, Son." Cato grinned. "I thought you would miss your old man. But then again, I guess you have every right to hate me. I mean, I don't like you much either, so, it only makes sense."

"SHUT UP!" Wilson slashed at him, Cato jumping back.

"Now, now, Son, let's not be too violent."

Wilson was growling now, his shadow form starting to take form.

"You're not him… You can't be him!"

"Oh, but I am." Cato grinned. "Just as you remember."

Wilson's shadow form took over as he forced Cato back, moving to jab him with his sword.

"LIAR! My mother would never love YOU!"

"Oh but she loved me enough to keep me around. Enough that it broke you. I bet she did it on purpose. You're just a runt."

"Cecelia, when is that boy going to grow?"

"What are you going to do, Cousin, cry for your father? He's not here anymore!"

"He's just a runt. Nothing special."

"Shut up… SHUT UP!" Wilson tried to jab again, only for Cato to knock him back, sending the man rolling to the ground.

"Heh, once a runt, always a runt." Cato stepped onto Wilson's chest, bringing his sword close to his throat. "I should put you out of your misery before you make a bigger fool of yourself."

Wilson struggled to get up, unable to tear his eyes away from Cato.

"Father… Come back… Please come back!"

Tears stung Wilson's eyes.

"Father…"

Cato went to bring the sword down, only to be stopped by a burst of shadow flames.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE, CATO!"

Cato rolled to the side, snarling towards where the flames came from.

Wilson looked to the side, eyes widening at the sight of William in his shadow form, a determined look on his face.

"William!"

William hurried over to Wilson, helping him up.

"Sorry for being late. Took quite a bit of time to make my way back here and then I had to figure out where you were and you get the idea."

Wilson wiped at his eyes quickly.

"Thank you, my friend." Wilson growled. "Shall we?"

"We shall." William summoned his flames around himself. "Let's finish him!"

Cato snarled at the two, nightmare monsters coming to his aid.

"I'll end both of you!" He hissed, letting out an animalistic shriek.

"We'll see about that!"

William set his flames towards the nightmare monsters, sending them flying as Wilson charged for Cato, the two getting locked in battle again with their swords.

I have to stop him. This isn't the man my mother fell in love with. This… This isn't my father. Not all of my memories are bad. There were good ones too!

Cato sneered at him.

"For a runt, you just don't go down easily, do you?"

"No, I don't. I'm just stubborn like that. Helps that I have friends to pull me up too." Wilson knocked him off balance. "After all, I never imagined myself doing everything alone."

Cato quickly blocked his advance, snarling.

"Then what would you do if you were alone?"

"Let's not talk like that now." Wilson grinned, showing his own pointed teeth. "I'm never alone. Even when you think I am… I'm not."

Wilson moved quickly, knocking Cato down, holding his sword close to his face.

"And I'm not going to kill my father to kill you. You've done enough."

"Then what will you do?" Cato sneered. "You let me go I'm just going to cause more damage and there's no saving the man you seek. He's dead!"

Instead of getting mad, Wilson started laughing a cold cruel laugh, one that William recognized as he suppressed a shudder.

"That's what… Hahaha! That's what Maxwell said too!" He grinned. "And I managed that just fine!"

Cato's fierce demeanor faltered for once, fear showing briefly in is eyes.

"Ah, there's your fear." Wilson grinned. "I may not have the Codex with me this time but thing is… I have someone here who once relied on it who has the whole thing memorized." He looked to William. "William, if you please?"

William stepped forward, raising his hands as shadow hands came out of the ground, grabbing Cato away from Wilson.

William took a deep breath before speaking in an unknown tongue. Something he hadn't done in years. Cato tried to struggle his way out but to no avail as the the hands consumed him as he screamed.

The hands soon came apart, Cato in one, in an unstable human form and the other holding Wilson's father who was now unconscious. They were dropped to the ground, Edward on his side and Cato on his knees.

The man panted, trying to keep his form stable but was quickly failing. Pieces of him were made of shadow and resembled that of a nightmare monster. He looked at Wilson, using whatever strength he had left to lunge at him, claws raised.

Wilson thrust his sword right into his chest, giving him a cold look.

"Checkmate."

Cato let out an agonized shriek as his form broke up completely, dissipating into nothing but smoke. Gone for good.

Is it over…?

The remaining nightmare monsters retreated and those of them around were set free of Cato's spell.

"Oh, finally." Winona sighed in relief before hugging her sister. "I thought we were done for."

"Thank goodness for Wilson and that other guy." Jenny hugged her sister tightly.

Wilson grinned sheepishly, looking to William who wore a similar look. Both turned their attention to where Maxwell's body was, frowns crossing their faces as Scarlet was holding the upper part of his body in her arms, their family gathered around him.

"Max…" Scarlet sniffled, pressing her forehead against his. "Please, wake up… Please…" She pleaded, tears streaking her face.

"Father…?" Maggie sniffled. "Father, wake up, please…"

"Don't do this to us. You didn't even get to see us one more time. Not without fighting."

William walked over to them, kneeling down in front of Scarlet, looking at Maxwell's body. It was chilling to see him like this.

"Please…" Scarlet looked to him. "Do something. You were bonded to him. You have to know something. Please. I'm begging you. Bring him back." Tears were streaking her face. "I know you and him didn't get along but… I… He wants to make it right. He even started with just trying to get rid of Cato. Please… just please, revive him!"

William winced, looking down at Maxwell's body, seeing the lifeless eyes looking back at him.

… I have to try. I may not like him… but he has a life. He has people who need him.

William closed his eyes, placing his hand over the injury, focusing as he summoned his shadow magic.

"I'm not sure if this will work… but it's worth a shot."

He searched his mind for anything to fix this, then something came. He raised his hand up, a strangely shaped heart appeared in the palm of his hand. He winced a bit, feeling some of his energy being drained from him but he kept his focus before placing the heart inside Maxwell's body, his wounds healing instantly.

Color returned to Maxwell's face as well as life to his eyes before a gasp escaped his mouth, coughing a bit.

"Ngh… What happened…?"

"Max!" Scarlet gave a relieved look, kissing his head. "Oh, thank shadows. I thought… I thought I lost you."

"Scarlet…?" Maxwell had a confused look. "I thought… that snake…"

"He did but…" Scarlet looked to William. "He… He brought you back."

Maxwell looked to William, surprise in his eyes.

"You…?"

William smiled sheepishly.

"You helped us. It only seemed right." William rubbed the back of his neck. "Plus, wouldn't be right to leave your family here in tears."

Maxwell nodded, not quite sure what to say to him.

His mind however… did.

OH, GREAT, NOW I OWE HIM TOO!

"W-Well…" He cleared his throat a little. "Thank you… Thank you very much."

"Y-You're welcome." William smiled a little. "You didn't deserve to die so… I don't see why you should've had to pass."

"Please pardon me if I'm still stunned."

Scarlet hugged him tightly, kissing his head.

"Oh, you hush."

Maxwell chuckled, kissing her cheek.

"Scarlet…"

"Father!"

The giants gathered around, hugging Maxwell carefully.

"You're okay!" Maggie said, nuzzling him, purring a bit. "You're really okay!"

"Father…" Wynter sighed in relief, resting his head against him.

Maxwell brought his arms around them.

"Look at all of you. So different now… I like it."

Gael grinned, nuzzling him.

"Mother fixed us up along with the Queen. They made us like this."

"I can tell. You got your mother's smile my dear."

"What'd I get, what'd I get?" Maggie asked.

Maxwell smiled.

"Definitely her energy - and her nose."

Maggie giggled, huddling closer.

Maxwell brought his family together, sighing in relief. They were all here and Cato was gone. All was well now. He looked to William again, nodding to him.

"Thank you, again."

"You're welcome."

Maxwell smiled a bit before focusing back on his family, relaxing entirely.

William smiled before he looked over to where Wilson was, seeing the man looking at his father, shock still present in his eyes. William walked over to him, kneeling next to him.

"You going to be okay?" he asked.

Wilson nodded before shaking his head.

"Yes… No… Maybe? This is all just a shock… And some bad memories." He sighed, looking at Edward carefully, seeing the marks Cato had left on him were gone for the most part. "Not to mention… I don't know what he really thinks."

"Wilson…"

Wilson shook his head.

"I guess we'll find out when he wakes up but right now I think we need to get him some medical attention."

"Maybe we can help?" Winona offered. "I mean, I know he tried to kill us but I know that wasn't really the guy here, some other mumbo jumbo but hey, we owe it to ya for helping so much."

Jenny and Walter nodded.

"Just tell us what do and lead the way."

Wilson took a deep breath.

"Alright, for the injuries, we're going to need spider glands. I'll need something to supplement for bandages as well. Also, Winona, you're good with your hands, I'll need a stretcher so we transport him without being jostled."

Winona saluted.

"You got it." She looked to Jenny. "My sis and I can make one easy peasy."

"M-hm! Let's get to work, Sis!"

The two took off without another word.

"I'll take care of the glands." Walter said, hurrying off as well.

William hummed in thought.

"I'll see what I can do for bandages."

"And… we'll help however we can too." Scarlet said.

Wilson sighed in relief.

"Thank you." He looked to Edward his gaze softening a bit.

Don't worry. We'll have you well in no time… and oh wait until Mother sees you. She'll be so happy.

Even if you're not happy to see me when you wake up…

I'm happy to see you.