Zach Bandicoot, Lydia Bandicoot, the plot-filler below, and this image are (c) Kimberly C.

::WIP::

[[Continuation of a previous picture done ages ago titled "+.Facing.My.Demon.+", where Zach faces his father after a thirteen year absence. You can read the plot-filler in the description of that image.]]

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A fight between father and son erupts as the girl shrinks into the shadows of the alley. Blow after blow is struck, but both men stand tall. The older Bandicoot finally stops, taking a moment to observe his long forgotten son, a smirk playing across his lips as he murmurs, "Hmph, you're still as stupid now as when you were a child. Haven't you ever figured it out, that you can't fight everyone's battles?"

"But I can fight for my sister. I'm giving you the chance now; turn around and leave Lydia alone, and I won't ever be your problem again."

Zach fumes at his father for a moment before hearing a squeek behind him, "Z-Zach?..."

He wants to answer to her, but his father snarls a retortion, "You stupid boy! You've yet to realize who the alpha is in this family!" It's then that he siezes Zach's shirt, drawing him forward in a blind rage, "You don't call the shots around here. I do."

The young man pushes himself away, and swings his weapon against his father's skull, the sickening crack filling the alley as he slumps to the groud. Panic overwhelms him as he glances at the figure, one that is quickly resolved as he views the rising and falling of the monster's ribcage. Zach manages a weak sigh before turning to where the girl still sat in dismay.

"Lyds." He takes catious steps towards her, knealing to meet his younger sibling's bewildered eyes. "That monster won't hurt you anymore." No other words pass between the two as Zach places his hand against her face, taking in the person that he hasn't seen since his childhood. She does the same, observing how her brother had grown into an adult much different than the example teir father had placed before them. Thirteen years had went by since the two had seen each other, and both are without words...

Until Lydia manages to break the stiffening silence when she meets Zach's eyes, "It really is you."