[Ryou's tail twitches nervously. Why is Atem focusing on that? Why would he ask that? Something about it makes Ryou feel uncomfortable, in a way he can't quite put his finger on.

But he won't lie.]

I would if I could have...but my powers, they...they didn't all come over with me. I could share pain, I could traverse shadows, and I had my claws and tail but...that's it. Nothing else.

I couldn't put my wounds on him. A-and I tried to get out, but in there...th-there's no way out.

[He doesn't want to talk about this. Why are they talking about this? Ryou's still not entirely separated from what had happened inside AM, and he might not be, for a while. It's evident in the way he speaks.

...Shouldn't Atem understand?

Ryou can feel his heartbeat quickening, he can hear it in his ears, like drums he can't block out, and there's white fire at the tip of his tail. No, no. He can't...he can't react like this!

He can't!

He can't...

...help it.]

I would have fought if I could, Atem. I didn't have all of my powers.

Do you think I'd just stay if I had a choice...? I...I wouldn't! I don't want to be hurt. That's why I went to E+L, after...