Ryan Montrose

## Aliases/nicknames

Sir Ryan (nickname given by Pablo)
Montrose (nickname given by Lebron Jones)

— - Season 9, finding his resolve
**Ryan "Zachariah" Montrose** is the main protagonist of **Season 9***, The Rudmerge Murders*.

He is a student at Rudmerge High School who transferred from **York** city. He resides with his uncle Richard Montrose in the quiet town of **Rudmerge**. He comes from a wealthy household, though his parents are often at work overseas, which he laments. He, along with his friends, is forcefully swept into bizarre incidents involving **Darkium**.

## Appearance

Most of the time, Ryan wears a black cap with three white stripes lining the back of it, and a silver star pinned near the front. Underneath the cap, he has short dark blue hair. He has very pale skin and a slim figure. His eyes are gambogeish grey (though orangish at times), with thick eyelashes.

His casual outfit consists of a blazer-style casual uniform with jacket, pants and a striped blue necktie. The collar on the shirt is large, making him look more professional. He never lets go of the cap that blocks his sight, regardless of whether or not it goes well with his uniform.

Ryan's school outfit is double-breasted and pinstripe, thin, grey stripes over a black uniform. His pants match his uniforms design, black with a pinstripe design to accentuate his long legs. His school's emblem is on the breast pocket of his uniform, the pocket accentuated with a dull golden color to stand out from his generally dark, monotone uniform. His shoes are dark and fashionable.

When injured, his hair is seemingly longer and his eyes have an occasional glow to them. He wears a dark armored outfit with a white belt that holds his sword. He occasionally wears a long black cloak with armored pads that hang off his shoulders.

## Personality

Ryan appears to have quite a serious and mysterious personality. He often has negative remarks, frequently leans on walls to emphasize his broodiness, and suffers from a cold sweat. With his unsure demeanor, he has a tendency to assume that other people can do things better than him, and he comes across as quite pessimistic at first glance. Among the other students, he is a boy who stands out for his mysteriousness but also for his level-headedness.

However, Ryan can also have a stronger attitude at times when the situation calls for it. He is the first to take action and suggest keeping watch at the Darkium tower. He seems to prefer outsmarting his enemies, going to great lengths to trap them, showing an affinity towards proactivity. Despite this, he is reluctant to be called leader, not wanting to disappoint those around him.

Ryan will at times put on a façade to stop those around him from asking unnecessary questions. He puts on a collected and suave persona hoping to look cool to his fellow classmates, successfully hiding the fact that he's an emotional mess deep down. Despite how he typically presents himself, Ryan was once a soft and kindhearted individual. With a unique personality and being the son of an actor, he was admired by his peers and was made the leader of York's school gang. Ryan often made big decisions regarding the group, and wasn't afraid of being the group's leader. However, his softness made him different than the rest of his peers, and this sometimes got in the way of the group's rebellious acts. As time went on leading up to Ryan's departure from York, Ryan was slowly seen unfit for being leader due to his kindhearted nature. Around the same time, Ryan was forced to move to Rudmerge for a significant amount of time due to his parents being away for work overseas. His friends saw this as an act of betrayal and chose to avoid all contact with him. Ryan grew to avoid relationships all together and felt resentful of his parents. He began to believe that by making connections, you'll ultimately feel bitter when those relationships and memories inevitably come to an end.

This belief comes from the fact that his friends from York changed greatly after he left them, which hurt Ryan greatly, even though he doesn't want to show it. Much of Ryan's life revolved around him being carefree and the center of attention. These sudden chain of events, along with Ryan's soft personality, caused him to break down and change dramatically. Rather than showing his emotions upfront, he decided to keep it all to himself and slowly became a cold, mysterious individual. The incidents regarding Darkium only made this worse, as he was forced to play the role of leader in an emotional state of mind and was constantly reminded by family how happy he was in the past.

Whenever Ryan feels depressed, he tends to lament and instinctively light a cigar. He doesn't socialize nor complain about his problems, and prefers to deal with his problems alone if possible. However, he can get moving with his friends' support. Jesse tells him that only he can solve the mysteries regarding Darkium and that he should be more confident in himself. Ryan promises he will try although he's not sure if he can. In addition, Ryan seems to have a fear of the future. He asks Chad what it's like to be an adult, who then gives Ryan advice on how to look at the future rather than the past.

After the death of several friends and arrival back to York, Ryan's depressive veil breaks and he even stops smoking, feeling that it was "a part of the old him". He begins to show more profound confidence in his abilities and when interacting with other people. He openly goes out of his way to assist his classmates both at Rudmerge and York. He always takes an assisting role in finding the truth of every incident after the first few killings, choosing not to live in the past anymore and keep both Rudmerge and York safe. However, he still has aggressive tendencies, displaying immense outrage during the explosion of **Charlestown**.

After awakening to his Darkium powers, Ryan becomes more confident, sometimes bordering on cocky, and he actively engages with his enemies. He isn't afraid to verbally humiliate his opponent if necessary and has a tendency to show off in battle. This newfound self-assuredness can be seen as a return to his old self.

## Early Life

Ryan described himself as the "star of the show." As a child, he was portrayed as a kind-hearted individual, helping those around him when possible. These qualities made him charismatic, making him popular amongst his peers. Ryan also showed signs of hot-bloodedness, stealing Richard Montrose's lawnmower and driving around Rudmerge with **Burgh Omens**, though these instances were never too extreme, and were mostly out of fun.

Ryan was a part of York's group of rebellious teens and acted as their leader. Despite being admired amongst his peers for his levelheadedness and coolness, Ryan was significantly soft compared to his friends. During one of the group's usual nighttime hangouts, a nearby store was demolished by Ryan's friends. Ryan felt bad for its owner and suggested that they stop, though the group ignored him and claimed he was too emotional and soft, unfit for a leader. This, amongst other things, acted as a cause for his dramatic shift in personality. Ryan felt that he was weak and soft, and strove to be a more cold and isolated individual. He was successful in doing so, as he later adapted this lone wolf persona entirely.

His relationship with his family was positive; despite not knowing more than half of the Montrose family, Ryan respected them and had a neutral stance on them. He had a strong relationship with his parents and often commented on how proud he was to be their son. He and his father **Zack Montrose** shared a special relationship. The two of them frequently bonded over their liking to motorcycles and city life, with Zack seeing parts of his younger self in Ryan. At the first family reunion, he was shown to be rather outgoing, and even promised **Oswald Montrose** he would bring him to York one day despite just meeting him. The promise did eventually come into fruition though the circumstances were very different than expected.

After being forced to move to Rudmerge, Ryan's friends saw his leave as an act of betrayal. Ryan already had trouble coming to terms with the fact that he had to move away, and with his friends seeing his move as a supposed act of betrayal, he grew to avoid relationships entirely.

## Relationships

### Family

#### **Zack Montrose**

Ryan's father Zack is often away from home due to his job as an actor. While this was the case in the past, Zack would often find time to spend with Ryan, though this is seemingly not the case anymore. Ryan and his father shared a special relationship. The two of them frequently bonded over their liking to motorcycles and city life, with Zack seeing parts of his younger self in Ryan. Their relationship was hurt after Ryan found out that he'd be living in Rudmerge for a month. Ryan was upset at the fact that he was constantly moving around, and that Zack was hiding something from him.

The two did meet again after a while at the Christmas family reunion. While tension did exist between the two of them, they were able to crack a joke or two.

After Zack brings Ryan home in the Spring of 2023, Ryan gets over his conflict with his father and respects him again. He claims that he's "proud to be his son", and apologizes to him for being standoffish. After Ryan was injured at the Chomski building, Zack was concerned for his son's well being and wanted to help in any way he could.

Zack eventually reveals that the reason why he left Ryan in Rudmerge was to prevent him from being involved in the mess regarding Darkium. While this plan did fail as Ryan did ultimately get involved, it's clear he loves his son very much.

#### **Ryana Montrose**

Ryan and his mother are seemingly alike in personality, as both have a tendency to say similar things and instinctively light a cigar. While Ryan dislikes the fact that she left him for work, he's quick to make amends and respects her greatly. Ryana gave Ryan a special cigar at the Christmas family reunion, much to Ryan's liking, proving she understands her son.

#### **Richard Montrose**

Ryan is very grateful for his uncle for taking him in and taking care of him after his parents went to go work overseas. However, he's reluctant to show any form of gratitude. He calls Richard "old man", and often asks him to mind his own business. Richard can very easily see through Ryan's cold exterior, and while Ryan realizes this, he refuses to ask for help regarding his problems. After Richard's apparent death, Ryan showed little physical emotion, yet it's clear he was too shook to fully grasp the situation. After Richard was revived through the Darkium tower, Ryan was relieved at the fact that his uncle came back to life. Despite Ryan's attitude towards him, Richard showed Ryan respect and took him in with care. Ryan began to realize that his uncle was a good man, earning his respect. The two eventually bond throughout the months and even work together to solve the mystery regarding Mrs. Montrose's revival. By Spring, Ryan drops the "old man" nickname and simply calls him uncle.

#### **Mrs. Montrose**

While the two never fully interacted in the past or the present, Mrs. Montrose often made food for the whole family, Ryan included. Similar to her husband Richard, Ryan slowly gained respect for her and was concerned for her well being after she miraculously came back to life through a Darkium gem.

#### **Oswald Montrose**

Oswald Montrose is Ryan's cousin and closest relative due to their similar age. Oswald and Ryan first met at the first family reunion, where Oswald claimed Ryan had a mischievous look to him. The two got along quite well and became close with one another. While the two never really met that often, they did go camping at one point (much to Ryan's distaste as he was so used to city life).

When Ryan came to Rudmerge for a month due to his parents being overseas, their relationship was hurt by the fact that Ryan had changed drastically. Ryan was no longer the cheerful and upbeat person he was when they first met. Oswald claimed that Ryan looked "dead inside", and while Ryan might have refused to properly talk to Oswald, Oswald continuously tried his best to cheer Ryan up despite not knowing what his problems were and was upset at not being able to understand Ryan's emotions. The two often spent time together at the Rudmerge shopping district when free, and Oswald didn't hesitate to invite Ryan to events, such as a boxing competition with Chad.

However, Ryan has shown signs of being annoyed at Oswald's occasional strange behavior. After the trip to Charlestown, Ryan unhesitantly smacked Oswald in the face. Ryan claimed he didn't want anyone else to get hurt, and that Oswald's behavior was only making the situation worse. Some of Ryan's internal monologues suggest that he thinks Oswald is strange and even nonsensical. Despite this, it's clear he cares for Oswald and wishes nothing but the best for him.

After Ryan was attacked at the Chomski building, Oswald was visually upset and concerned about his cousin's situation. It's clear that the two understand each other very well, as Ryan quickly deduced that Oswald had a crush on Pepsi Fan, and spoke well about Oswald in front of her.

#### **Maria Montrose**

Ryan and Maria haven't had many interactions, but it's clear they respect each other. Maria brought Ryan a Christmas gift on the day of the Christmas family reunion, which he appreciated. Ryan felt bad at the fact that he had nothing to give in return, though Maria said it wasn't a problem. Maria also asked Ryan if he wanted to go dance with the rest of the family as he was seemingly alone, and while he declined, he respected the fact that she asked.

#### **Jeffery Montrose**

Jeffery's over-the-top personality greatly contrasts Ryan's rather mysterious and brooding aura. Jeffery seemingly cares about Ryan and the rest of the cousins, and while Ryan somewhat respects him, he finds him extremely strange and prefers to not communicate with him at all if possible. Ryan can also be a bit uncomfortable with the way Jeffery dances claiming he "never wants to see him dance ever again".

Ryan showed no emotion at the fact that Jeffery was killed by the Lotus. While it can be assumed that Ryan simply didn't care, the situation regarding the Lotus was becoming increasingly intense, meaning Ryan might simply not have had the time to grieve.

#### **Jona Montrose**

Jona dislikes Ryan for unknown reasons, though Ryan ultimately doesn't care or think much of it. Ryan doesn't understand Spanish, meaning he can't speak to Jona or understand what she's trying to say. Ryan's internal monologues imply he thinks she's very bizarre, which in all fairness is a fair assumption to make.