The Cycle of War.

Chapter One: Prologue.

What is considered irredeemable?
How horrific must an act be for any attempts of restoration go unforgivable under the eyes of those you have made your victim?

How far can one man's luck be pushed?

June 19th, 20XX. Metro City Prison.

"He can't be reasoned with, why are you so persistent?"

"I know him. Please, let me do all whatever I can."

The sounds of boots clacking against the iron flooring was an ambience Albert was all too familiar with.  This made.. what, the second time he's been captured? It's a shame he thought that Robot World Tournament plan would've been fool-proof. If he hadn't been blinded by arrogance, maybe an escape capsule would've prevented him from landing in this dump.

Before he knew it, a stout and hefty man in a white coat, tan-textured vest and brown khakis came up against the bars that kept the senile doctor from the outside world. Albert heard his voice before he came into the cell block, not even bothering to lift his head from the slouched position he had taken on the edge of his stained and torn matress. This was a visitor he started to despise seeing.

"...Have you heard? They're thinking about the Death Sentence for me. Makes sense, I am a war criminal, after all." A cold chuckle of fake nonchalance exited the senile man's lips. They both knew. If he didn't fear death, he would've met his end a long time ago.

"I can only come here so may times, Albert. They're getting tired of my visits, and your time's running out." In contrast with his ex-co-workers behavior of shrugging off serious matters, Thomas sighed with a shakey breath. "Albert. Tell me; why did we partner all those years ago?"

"-I'm going to start asking those guards to keep you from coming. I'm tired of going through the same conversation EVERY MONTH with you, Thomas! If you're going to bore me to death, write some new material." Wily's head jerked up, staring up at his far more successful rival in vein and disgust. Light's ugly mug was the last thing he wanted to see before execution.

".. We saw eye-to-eye in the field of robotics, had we not? We believed that with our combined prowess, we could've brought upon the world a new age of artificial intelligence. In what say does your goal align with this.. life of crime you're pursuing? When did fame mean anything?"

"It meaned everything from the start, you bloated-oaf! Oh, but I wouldn't expect you to understand. Standing high and mighty on a podium with a shiny trophy in your grubby hands. Winning is second-nature for you." With a scoff, the old man closed his eyes and crossed his arms behind hid head, leaning against the wall his matress was mounted to. In the process, he had one leg propped over the over, allowing the elevated on to swing callously.

His acts were always so childish and dismissive. Light knew he'd do anything to evade responsibolity. Thomas knew that in Wily's mind, he was always right. No. Matter. What. "How about what we tiringly researched and manufactured day in and day out? Does our dream mean nothing to you anymore?" Thomas' face scrunched up with boiling irritation. It wasn't hatred for towards ex-best friend, but frustration. Nothing could be drilled into his thick skull.

And, as usual, Wily retorts with a cocky remark to avoid the question. However, this one had been fueled with pure spite. "I dug up your first-born from the grave and PUT A GUN IN HIS HAND. I USED him. I USED his resentment against YOU to get one step closer to my goal, and you still think I give a damn about the advancements of artificial intelligence!?"

A low blow from Wily nearly made Thomas loss his cool. The thought of Albert finding Blues just to turn him into a child soldier irked him beyond relief. He would've caused a fit of cursing and yelling at Wily if he didn't know better. However, Light played it safe, deciding to cut the visit short."

"... I think it's time I take my leave."

"Get to steppin', chubby! Go play House with your dolls and that dumb dog. The only thing that can fill the void Blues' departure left in your heart.."

Without another word, Light would turn around and exit the cell block from where he came. A bright light illuminated from the exit, contrasting with the growing shade of malicd and evil that shrouded Wily's cellar.

The iron door closed.

Envy.