Author's note: Previously on A Tale of Two Brothers...

Maria:

James dashed out of there like the bad guy from a horror flick was on his heels.

Which in all actuality, could James's brother, Rush be considered a horror-movie type villain?

However, once my brain caught up with my reality, I started freaking out.

After a few seconds of silent shrieking, I decided to put a stop to it and act like the superheroes I idolized in comic books-brave.

James was not dealing with his homicidal assassin by himself if I could help it.

I put him in this mess by not letting him run away from GEAR so I had to do the right thing and not follow his direct orders to keep safe and hide.

It was the only logical thing to do at this point.

"You can't run from me, James.", I heard as I slowly crawled to where I presumed the two were.

"I know.", he replied back.

"What do you mean you know?", I asked as I popped out of the bush.

Oops, I thought as I saw a glaring James turn in my direction.

"Maria...What are you doing here? This is my fight. I've run away too long from it.", he postulated as Rush stared, trying to see me even though James was blocking his sight from me.

"I don't know what you mean.", I answered back.

"I know you'll be happier with this mess off your hands...and me gone as well.", he muttered.

"Hey! I am the only one that gets to decide what makes me happy and right now, I am going to try and broker a peace treaty between two brawling nations."

"Two brawling...what?", James asked. He definitely did not get my references.

Once this was over, I now knew I could cross him off the list of potential boyfriends.

Where was I? Right, talk Rush down from fratricide.

"Rush, can I call you Rush?"

Sidestepping James, I tried to move forward, but was held back by James.

Well, this would make things more difficult in the long run for Rush to think of me as a neutral party in this fight.

"Yes you can, Maria.", he replied.

I breathed in and spoke firmly, saying, "Rush, you are blaming your brother too much for your life instead of wondering if maybe both of you got the short straw on parents?"

Rush narrowed his eyes and barked, "That's not the only reason I hate his guts."

"See, we're making progress. Let's talk about that then."

Rush seemed to ponder for a minute before explaining, "I've always been the black sheep of the family. Ever since...I was not chosen to be the heir, mother has acted like I'm not there. If prompted, she responds that she has two children, a daughter and a son."

"I'm confused...", I interrupted, but was cut short.

"She's not talking about me. It's sad that for her my mentally unstable sister is more of a child to her than me."

"How does James factor into all of this though?", I pondered.

"Rush thinks James can answer.", he uttered.

Man, I was so close. James better not antagonize his brother.

"You're delusional, Marcus."

"That's not my name! Can you believe him, Maria? He is so full of himself-never thinking of others at all!", he screamed.

"He doesn't even deny it!", Rush hiccuped as tears ran down his face.

"Brother...I'm sorry for any harm that I have...", James started.

"Brother! Brother! What right have you to call Rush your brother when you have never been one? Who took care of our sister when she had her manic episodes or was depressed? Not you! Who followed the bidding of our father to the T? Who cleaned your wounds when you were a child? Who did everything he was supposed to and got blamed for everything you did wrong?"

He paused before whispering, "Who protected you from harm only for you to turn your back on him when he needed it the most?"

"Face it, James. You were always the star and Rush was the one who was put down. You never treated Rush like your sibling. Always preferring to be on mom's good side than defend him."

James interjected, "Marcus..."

"Rush is not Marcus! That small boy died the minute his uncle forced him to kill his grandparents and you just sat there and did nothing! Instead, you blamed and ostracized him! Rush suffered through hell at assassin school only to come back home and see you smile like nothing fazed you! Where were you when he needed a brother?", he yelled.

"Rush, I'm thinking that maybe James also suffered in his own way and would have liked to spend time with you...", I started to say only to be cut off.

"Now it's too late. Rush only needs James to be out of the way so that he can inherit the throne. Nobody will be able to stop me once I'm the Evil Hand, not even Rush's parents.", Rush blatantly stated.

"You are just like our parents! Have you even asked me if I want to be like Mockingbird? No! I ran away with Maria so I finally could leave AoE.", James cried out.

Was that true? Was I nothing but a way out for him this whole time?

"So you used her to your advantage just like you used Rush? You haven't changed a bit.", Rush taunted.

"I know I have been selfish, but I'm willing to change all that, Rush. Face me and leave Maria alone. You're right; she has nothing to do with this and does not to get hurt. If you want revenge on me and our parents, come and take it."

Being the interrupting cow that I was, I remarked, "Rush, this is a perfect time to forgive your brother and see that you were both used."

"Forgiveness? What are you, a believer?"

"A Catholic, actually.", I responded back.

"All you Christians...what and you also expect that I want James's forgiveness for trying to kill him?"

"Maybe...", I squeaked. At this point, James slapped himself on the forehead and cursed.

"Coming from an ex-Lutheran and current atheist, I can tell you assuredly that if there was a God, suffering wouldn't exist. So if you think I'll act like the Prodigal Son and ask for forgiveness, you're wrong. I'm more like the Elder brother in that scenario."

James moved me aside and said, "Rush, I already forgave you for our grandparents and have forgiven you for everything else. Could you please forgive me?"

"You can have your forgiveness when I give you my penance!", he yelled as he went to strike James.

Now, we have a Montecristo in our hands. What did I get myself into?