Tsuki dragged herself into the police station against Fumiko's wishes. The others were out celebrating their victory, but something was bothering Tsukiko.

The chief welcomed her in with little issue. It was the first time she'd entered through the front doors.

Her body was still burning. It didn't hurt as much as she thought it would, but she still felt tired. Her limbs stung, as they struggled to keep her standing.

"Has he said anything yet?" Tsukiko asked.

"No."

"What?" Tsuki narrowed her eyes. "Why not?"

"He's not interested in talking to us." The Chief looked down and sighed. "He says he's only going to talk to… Himura Tsukiko."

"Then let me talk to him."

"No way!" The Chief shook his head.

"Why not?"

"You're barely able to walk, let alone interrogate." The Chief hissed. "Not to mention the legality of it."

"When has the law ever stopped you before?" Tsukiko replied.

"Tsukiko, this is different. There are courts and--"

"Yeah, and you completely avoided them time and time again!" Tsuki raised her voice. "Are you planning on setting this one free too?"

The Chief spoke quietly. "This kind of work is a lot more complicated than you think it is."

"Just give me ten fucking minutes."

"I can't just give you everything you want." The Chief scolded her. "Besides, what could he even tell you that's worth hearing? It's done, Miss Himura."

"You're not the least bit curious?"

"Motive doesn't matter." The Chief shook his head. "What matters to me is what he did and what he gets in court."

"I can't just… forget!" Tsuki looked him in the eye. "I need to know why he did it. I need to know what this was all about."

"It's just a gang war, Tsuki." The Chief sighed.

"Haruka and Fumi both got stabbed. Lily got lit on fire!" Tsukiko shouted. "How the hell are you gonna motive doesn't matter?"

"He's gonna get what he deserves, Tsuki." The Chief sighed. "Nothing else matters now."

"Then why was I so important?" Tsuki countered. "Why did he need to fight me? This was between me and him, not him and Sylvie."

The Chief sighed. "Miss Himura. I've been an officer for longer than you've been alive. Trust me. If he had something worth saying, you've already heard it."

"Please." Tsukiko pleaded. "I need answers. Just this one thing, alright?"

"...you really want it that bad?"

"Yeah." Tsuki didn't look at him.

The Chief paused to think about it. His eyes closed as he gave his final answer.

"...you're the boss."

The Chief turned around. He started walking through the station slowly and Tsukiko did her best to follow.

Tsukiko was tired. Pain radiated throughout her entire body. She walked behind him with a limp, holding her right arm.

Every few steps, the Chief would turn back to make sure she hadn't collapsed. The other officers in the station watched in awe and remorse. None of them dared approach.

They entered the jail and approached Morgan's cell. He sat on a bench at the opposite end. He had his head down, waiting for his time to come.

The cell was dark, only illuminated by a weak overhead light. A filter over it diffused the light, only making it harder to make things out. Morgan was practically a silhouette.

"There he is." The Chief motioned. "All yours."

Tsuki turned and looked the Chief in the eye. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it. Shout if you need me."

The old Chief turned and started walking, stopping at the door. He watched quietly, just far enough to give them some privacy.

"Morgan." Tsuki called out.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Morgan looked up and his eyes widened a little. He got to his feet and approached the bars. A small smile appeared on his face.

His face was still bruised and marked red from the fight. He had a slight limp as he edged closer and closer to the bars. His clothes had been replaced by a simple uniform.

Tsukiko wanted to ask something but her mind drew a blank. She thought and thought, but nothing made any sense. A single world came out of her mouth.

"Why?"

"Why what?" Morgan cocked his head.

"Why… Why'd you ask for me?"

"Because I'm not interested in talking to another cop." Morgan sighed. "They're all useless idiots anyway."

"Why me? There's nothing I can do for you." Tsukiko asked.

"I'm already screwed." Morgan sighed. "They're gonna throw the book at me, so I'm not gonna keep any more secrets."

"...why was I so important?"

"Because you're the new one." Morgan shrugged. "A new Knight's a big deal. Had to know more about you."

"That's it?"

"No." Morgan shook his head and looked away. "I had to make sure you were strong."

"Why?" Tsuki narrowed her eyes.

"Because you're cool." Morgan laughed weakly.

"Seriously?"

Morgan still had a little smile. Tsukiko was deathly serious. The smile on his face faded when he realized the true tone of the conversation.

"...it's because I wanted to make sure the Knights were back for real." Morgan spoke bluntly.

"Why's it matter to you?"

"...the police in this city is corrupt and incompetent."

The Chief stepped out and closed the door. It was as if he was purposefully ignoring the subject. Either way, their talk continued.

"And you're a gang leader. Why're you suddenly so concerned about the city's well being?" Tsuki asked again. "It'd just make things easier for you."

"I never wanted things to get violent." Morgan paused. "I just wanted to run a gang of thieves, like the Damascenes used to be. I lost control, though. Just like Sylvie did."

"...and then Fumiko got stabbed for no reason." Tsuki glared.

"I'm sorry." Morgan hid his face. "I'm really really sorry. She didn't deserve it. Neither did Lily."

"It's too late." Tsuki shook her head. "That's not something you just… apologize for."

"No. It isn't." Morgan nodded slowly. "When it happened, I knew we were screwed. You don't do something like that without getting everyone in the city on your ass."

"So why'd you keep going?" Tsuki cocked her head.

"I knew the First Knight as a kid. I always admired her. You and the Second Knight too." Morgan shrugged. "They've always done whatever it took to protect the people of Tokyo."

"You want me to be a Knight." Tsuki confirmed.

"You're probably the best pick for the part." Morgan's fingers wrapped around one of the bars. "You brought the other two back from retirement. This city needs you guys."

"If you care so much about the Knights, why'd your men stab one while helping you escape?" Tsukiko hissed.

"They… stabbed her?"

"Yeah." Tsuki quieted down. "She's fine now, but…"

"Those motherfuckers." Morgan grit his teeth. "I wanted him to slow her down, not stab her!"

"Hmm."

"This town's going to the dogs and the cops aren't helping." Morgan sounded serious. "They let out the man that burned poor Lily Guillemot. How the fuck are you gonna let a guy like that go free?"

"So you know everything the cops are doing, but you can't figure out your own men?" Tsuki asked.

Morgan sighed. "It wasn't just the one cop in our gang, y'know."

"Son of a bitch." Tsuki made a fist. "Did you plan all this out?"

"I didn't even know you existed for the longest time. Not till you started fist fighting every Shakudo you met." Morgan admitted. "I knew you were a real Knight when you walked into our meeting and started making demands. That was some cool shit you did."

"...was the Chief in on it?"

"Nah." Morgan shook his head. "But he might as well have been."

"What do you mean?"

"His men mishandled the hospital, the bombings, the fire…" Morgan muttered. "If you weren't there, everything would've gone to shit every single time."

"Hmm."

"He knows it too. How many times did he have to pull you out of jail? His own didn't follow orders either!" Morgan asked rhetorically. "These cops couldn't find their own asses with a map. This city needs you, Tsukiko."

"How the hell am I supposed to listen to this?" Tsuki raised her voice. "You put innocent people's lives at risk. You're not any better yourself."

"That was never my intent. My men got… overzealous." Morgan looked her in the eye. "Look. I'm gonna rot in a cell for… who knows how long. If that's what you wanted, that's what you've got."

Tsukiko paused before speaking. "What makes you think you get to decide what's best for Tokyo? Or for me?"

"You're the one wearing the jacket. I didn't put it on you" Morgan said. "Besides, you've seen it. The streets are safer with you guys around. People are hopeful again."

The two of them went quiet. Neither of them knew what to say to each other. Morgan's eyes darted around while he tried to figure out what to say.

"You're no joke, y'know." Morgan chuckled a little. "You've got a mean punch."

"Huh?"

"You really kicked my ass, probably the best fight of my life." Morgan bowed his head. "Don't worry, I didn't pull any punches."

"...no kidding." Tsuki smiled a little.

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

"I wasn't gonna let you win."

"Shame we won't be able to fight it out again." Morgan scratched his head. "Maybe if you're still kickin' ass in like… twenty years."

"Was this all just a game to you?" Tsuki asked.

"...I have to keep myself happy somehow." Morgan sighed. "You start to think crazy shit when you realize you've already lost it all."

The door to the jail suddenly swung open. The Chief's booming voice was loud, only made louder by the echo of the concrete.

"Ten minutes is up!" The old man practically screamed. "Come on out!"

"...later." Tsuki bowed her head a little.

"Sorry about everything. Sorry about Fumiko and Lily and you sister." Morgan had a regretful look. "I'm sorry it all had to play out this way."

Tsukiko didn't want to say it out loud, but she did. "Thanks."

"Huh?"

"Thanks for apologizing." Tsuki didn't want to look at him. "I thought I didn't need to hear it, but… I guess I did."

Morgan had a defeated look on his face. "...yeah. No problem."