[Dun Dun]

(If you were invited before go ahead and jump in or wish to jump in go ahead and ask)

November 16, a week before Thanksgiving and a week after Alex first met with his lawyers. From that point they had met nearly everyday drilling over the questions and getting him prepared to take the stand. Something that he was growing used to but still felt horribly uneasy about. There were other things, agreements on character witnesses and witnesses alike, for one. Not to mention their many, many attempts to get the trial to proceed without the use of the power inhibitor collar.

That request didn’t go through unfortunately. Given that the range and strength of adapteds varied greatly and one couldn’t be guaranteed for the duration of the trial. Not on such short notice and with only the mutant’s word on how such a power cut off would affect then, there was no reason to allow it. Not as far as the justice system saw anyway.

So after a guarded escort to the courthouse and entry via the back entrance, Alex found himself being fitted with an inhibitor collar. He wanted to yank the thing off, fight the officers who placed it on him, every instinct and construct begging him not to let this happen. But he didn’t fight, didn’t struggle, just closed his eyes and braced himself for the sensation of cut off.

As soon as the collar was activated it was like plunging into the water, deep, dark, and, most of all, muffled. It was definitely different from an adapted’s power, now that he was having another taste with more awareness than last time. There was more consistent pressure holding him under, an adapted at least felt like waves, a pulse, a living aura. The collar was cold and ruthless.

“How are you feeling?” Julia asked softly, probably noticing the grimace on his face. Her own face was worried and possibly a little guilty. Probably for being unable to prevent their client’s discomfort. Alex gave her a small, tired smile and shrugged, “Cotton-ear’d and underwater, but okay. I think I’ll survive.”

Jack sigh and smoothed a hand over what little hair he had left, “Let’s hope so, we wouldn’t like this case to get more complicated than it already is.” He stood from the wooden chair and gestured for them to go out to the courtroom, “C’mon, if that’s done, they should be ready by now.”

Julia gave Alex a gentle squeeze on the shoulder, “Don’t worry, we’ll win this one.”

In the courtroom the prosecutor was already preparing, sorting papers and the like. People had filed in and several METAbots were stationed along with regular guards. Given that Alex had already been attacked before the trial at the mansion they weren’t taking any chances with the trial being interrupted by those wishing to take justice into their own hands.

Today was going to be a long day. Not only did he have to look sober he also had to smell the part which meant he had showered twice and got a fresh suit for today. Today was not like any other day no, today was a day where he’d find out what kind of promise he had to keep to Alex. Either help him run away or bring him back to the mansion clear of all charges and free. Sam obviously wanted Alex to come home, which is why he had been doing as much as he could for the kid. Lawyers, pep talks and the occasional offer of a beer, the last of which was denied by the teen.

A flask however was tucked away in his suit jacket with some brandy it was sweet and with a little flavoring it almost smelled like apples. Sam took a sip as he exited the car he had rented for today and once he took a step out Sam immediately regretted not having another few sips before leaving. The protesters on both sides were loud and angry some wanted Alex to hang while others were calling for his immediate release.

A row of police officers kept both sides separate knowing that at any moment they might have to act. Some mutants were a little louder than some of the human protesters and probably a little more intimidating. Walking past the groups to the steps a few officers smiled and gave a slight nod to Sam as he passed while a few gave him a dirty look like they were glad a kid was on trial. Sam did not like those cops. The air in front of the courthouse went frigid and the rambling of the crowds seemed to die down for a second as Sam walked up the steps to the courthouse. Once he was inside however he ignored what was happening outside. Alex deserved Sam’s undivided attention and with the brown paper envelopes in Sam’s hand the kid was going to get it. Sam also hired Kaz and his crew to make sure nothing else happens outside. Along with Maya as a possible getaway Sam had himself and Alex covered.

Once he made it past the security gate Sam entered the courtroom and made his way past some other folks on both sides of the courtroom. It was clear there were more people to support the prosecutors at this point and a few grieving mothers could be seen giving Alex a dirty look but Sam made sure he was seen. ”Sorry I’m late buddy!” Sam said sitting behind the Alex and his team of lawyers. ”I had to get some things settled before I could make it. Paperwork and such. How you feeling? Collar looks good on you.” the last one was meant as a joke as he tried to lighten the mood.

Sam tried not to laugh but a nervous chuckle exited as he smiled to Julia and gave her a wink. ”Dinner after?” he didn’t get his answer other than a stern look from both Jack and Julia. The bailiff exited the backroom as people started to rise. “All rise for the honorable Judge Talbot.” Sam rose ignoring the metabots in the room doubting they’d be trouble.

Alex glanced over when Sam arrived, ignoring the people on the other side of the isle that were glaring at him. He smiled and gave the man a small wave. Sam had been good to him the last couple of weeks, protective even. The guy seemed to have an uncanny sense of when he was too stressed or in need of reassurance or whatever. It was strange, even the really good adults in his life usually left him to his own devices. He had to wonder what was in it for the older man.

"Sorry I’m late buddy! I had to get some things settled before I could make it. Paperwork and such. How you feeling? Collar looks good on you."

He turned in his seat to answer, "It's alright, not like you missed anything yet. I think I'll be okay. Though, I hope I don't have to wear it for too long. The collar feels weird." He wouldn't concern Sam with the details, it was probably temporary, nothing that would cause permanent damage. After all, hundreds, if not thousands of mutants wore these everyday to no negative effect. At least not life threatening as far as he knew.

He looked over when the judge entered, ignoring what Sam said to one of his lawyers. He hesitated a moment before standing.

“All rise for the honorable Judge Talbot.”

The judge entered, old wrinkled face set in a stern stare with wire rimmed glasses perched on his nose. "You may sit."he ordered as he took his own seat, his eyes focused solely on Alex for a moment before swinging to the lawyers and prosecutors. "Now then...I believe we're here to day to hear the prosecution of, Alex...Maurell?"The judge glanced down at the papers in front of him before looking at the teen, "Am I saying that right, son?"

"Yes sir..."Alex answered quietly, nodding just in case the old judge couldn't hear him. "And you've been charge with a serious crime. First degree murder of one Arthur Brown. Do you understand what you're being charged with?" Again Alex nodded, clearly nervous on hearing the full charge. First degree murder could mean life in prison or, worst, a death sentence. But given he was a minor his sentence might be lighter even if convicted. That was a big might though.

"Good, prosecution, you may do your opening statements."Talbot said, motioning for the prosecutor to proceed with the trial.

A chill ran down Sam’s spine when the judge opened the curtain for the prosecution to take the stage the lead prosecutor stood and walked out into the center of the courtroom and looked at everyone in the audience then focused on Alex for a moment. His eyes were cold and the smile on his face made it look like Alex was the main course. It was clear that the prosecutor didn’t eat much he was tall and skinny his appearance to Sam mimicked the grim reaper. “Ladies and gentlemen of the court…. I stand before you a servant of justice and today I am here to make sure that there is justice for an innocent life that was taken far to early by this… mutant.”

The prosecutor looked from Alex to the jury and then gave a serious look on his face like he was the real victim. Sam got the impression he was enjoying this a bit too much. Sam did some research on him and his team to find out what he could about them and they were all anti-mutant rights to some degree. The man talking now was the worst offender in Sam’s book. The jury seemed to be listening intently as he rambled on about why they were here today and how they were there to set the bar and make sure no one suffers at a monsters hand. As the man wrapped up his speech he pointed to Alex and said, “This man needs to be locked up for the safety of everyone.”

The room got a bit colder around the prosecutor who looked for an open window for a moment before Sam realized that Julia was staring back to him. Sam smirked and gave her a slight nod then gave a little cold in the direction of Alex letting the kid know that Sam was right behind him making sure that the kid wouldn’t be taken away.

Alex didn't like this prosecutor guy any more than Sam. Everything about him read vulture, a carrion bird just waiting for him to die a slow, agonizing death before picking at his bones. Where there were vultures, there was fresh meat. As the man talked it was like a stab in the heart. Mutant to take away his humanity, man to take away his youth and thus his innocence. To this man, he was a monster, a full grown one with claws and all.

And the jury was eating it up. They believed him, they couldn't fathom that this man could be wrong and why would they. He was human, like them...

Alex slumped in his seat, hand pressed over the freshly health wound where he had been stabbed. That night still haunted him and from past experience he knew it would take forever for that memory to go away. It would take a life time for him to even think of getting on a bus again or to go out at night or alone. He was a target now, not just in his head, where paranoia seeped in but in real life. The attack at the school gym while he was still under house arrest proved that.

He shivered at the chill and glanced back at Sam, knowing that it was him. A comfort perhaps, a reminder that he was here. Whatever it was, he was grateful.

"Thank you prosecutor, you maybe seated. Is the defense ready to make their opening statement?" The judge spoke, looking from the prosecution to the defense. Julia stood, placing one last reassuring hand on Alex's shoulder, "We are your honor."

She stepped around the table, hands behind her back looking as serious and solemn as the prosecution had. But there was far more fire in her eyes, "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the prosecution paints a rather familiar picture don't they. The one of the monstrous mutant seeking to destroy humanity one innocent soul at a time. To say it is a trite and overused stereotype would be generous. No different than saying a Latino is lazy or an African American is dangerous by virtue of being born as such." She gestured to those jurors who'd fit those outdated and ugly stereotypes.

"Well, dear jurors, I would beg you not to let them blind you with sensationalism and to see the whole picture. One, where this young man, who at ripe old age of sixteen, has seen far more hardships than any average citizen could imagine. One, where he was brutally attacked, threatened, and nearly killed by three older men, just as he was starting to make a better life for himself. One, where in self-defense he used the nearest weapon he had, his god given gift..."

She paused to let her words sink in, "And I would like to remind you all to keep an open mind to that gift, to the young life whose future is in your hands, and possibly the future of other young lives to come after this one. Thank you." She returned to her seat, still a little stiff and tense but no worse for wear.

Julia finished her opening statement Sam clapped his hands together loudly once then realized it wasn’t the time for an applause he looked around and realized that no one else was clapping so he used it as an opportunity to get Julia’s attention and give her a smirk before he looked to Alex and nodded his head. It also inadvertently got the attention of the prosecutor who stared at Sam for a moment before looking back to his papers and started to jot something down nervously.

Sam was focused on Alex now while the juries either nodded in agreement or had a look or three of discord. The jury seemed pretty split at the moment in Sam’s eye but he was sure that the defense team would sway them all. “Prosecutor you have the floor.” The judge said as he looked over some of the papers on his desk.

“Thank you, your honor…” the grim reaper said as he slowly rose and waved someone one on from the back of the room. A projection cart was being pushed along the main aisle the wheels squeaked and creaked as it made it way up to the front of the room. “Now I’d warn you that these pictures can be a little graphic but it is imperative I show you what was at the scene of the crime the day of the brutal slaying.” The prosecutor said trying to hold back a smile. The equipment took a minute to set up but once it was and powered up the first image of the crime scene was shown causing some of the jury to turn away with looks of disgust. “As you can see this wasn’t self defense. This was a brutal slaying and anyone who has capabilities such as this should not be apart of todays civilized society. They are a danger to everyone around them. I mean, if it wasn’t for the collar now, who’s to say he wouldn’t try killing me now? Hmmm? I mean all he has to do is wave a hand and then I’m gone right? Isn’t that all it takes?” he looked to Alex as if he wanted him to respond but continued showing the rest of the photos of the crime scene. Each click revealed more and more looks of disgust from the jury.

After a few minutes he finally added, “This man is far more dangerous than anything on the streets and for the safety of the great City of New York all who reside in it we should lock this monster away!”

Alex winced as the pictures were pulled up for the whole courtroom to see. The gruesome scene that haunted his nightmares somehow far worse in reality. The whole thing made his stomach clench in disgust, making it hard to keep down what little he ate that day. He wanted nothing more then to sink into the floor, disappear forever. At the question of his powers he wanted to deny it, deny that, that's all it was. His powers were not pure destruction.

But Julia was on top of it, standing and looking furious, "Objection your honor, inflammatory and assumes facts not in evidence!" The judge looked taken a back by her biting tone but not opposed to what she had to say. "Clarify, if you could please."he said.

"The prosecution is attempting to paint my client as the very monster the media does to all mutants and assuming he knows how my clients power works."
Julia stated with confidence and righteous anger, sparing a glare at the prosecutor.

The judge paused a moment before nodding and looking to the prosecutor, "I'll allow it, prosecutor, if you could please refrain from inciting prejudice and misleading the jury." The vulture like man didn't look too pleased with that but nodded along as well, "As you wish your honor."

Julia sat again, looking rather pleased and giving Alex a look of confidence. They could do this, the prosecutor had nothing but stereotypes and lies. If they could catch him in the act, then they'd definitely win in the end. Alex relaxed marginally, but it did nothing to sway his anxiety. The collar didn't help, the under water feeling was starting to overwhelm him.

Sam’s nose twitched the way a dogs did before it bit something. He stared at the prosecutor with disgust and threw another couple chills down his spine the front of the room should be far colder where the prosecutor was. Alex should have been able to feel it as well but Sam wasn’t sending the same message to Alex as he was the prosecutor.

The grim reaper looked from Julia back to the jury with a crooked smile. “I think the photos speak for themselves. That’s all for now, your honor.” The grim reaper looked to Alex then shivered and looked behind him as if he was to find an open fridge. With nothing behind him he sat down in his chair and waited for the judge.

“Defense, opening?” the judge asked as he turned to Alex and the three defense attorneys.

Julia nodded to the judge and stood once more to address the jury. Her confidence was palatable. She had all the evidence in the world to prove that Alex was not at fault for defending himself. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the prosecution calls for justice but only served you the cherry picked version in hopes you'd swallow it without question. He gave you only that which would convince you that my client is a monster. However, the truth does not start with that gory end but a vicious attack on a young boy who did nothing to gain the target that placed him on the bus that night."

While she spoke the court assistants set up a monitor for the video footage she would be showing. "So here's the whole story: Alex was sleep on the bus when Arthur Brown and his friends happened upon him. To which the video evidence can attest. Now I warn you that this footage is graphic but it's necessary to show just how brutal this attack on Alex had been."

She stepped back to let the video speak for itself. As it played, Alex closed his eyes and blocked it out. He already knew the scene far to well to be able to watch it. Thank god there wasn't audio, he was sure he would be able to handle the sound of his own screaming. His heart thrummed horribly in his chest and the drowning sensation the collar created only got worse.

He didn't hear Julia when she spoke up again, the video ending with Alex and the three men being forced off the bus, "As you can see, Alex didn't provoke the attack but was the victim. Stabbed and bleeding he was forced to leave the bus with his attackers in tow. He gave them ample time and warning to back off, but as you'll see next, the men continued to attack and attempt to murder Alex Maurell."

The next video played, this time from a phone capturing it from a passing car. This time Alex could hear his own voice, warning them loudly to back off, then the muffled jeers from the men, the fighting, the yelling. His side throbbed, the newly healed wound pulsing with his thundering heart. God, he couldn't breath, he breath, the collar was suffocating him.

Julia continued talking, speaking on his behalf, while he silently felt like he was dying. He reached up, tugging anxiously at the collar, unaware of his own labored breathing, the slight rocking of his body, or the way he slumped forward. Why couldn't this all just stop? He wanted this to stop.

Sam recognized the look on Alex’s face well enough. It looked like he was having a panic attack. Sam looked around to see if there were any adapted that he knew who could help by removing the collar. Sam frowned slightly; some idiot must have stationed them outside. Sam looked to the defense and then sent a cold chill in their direction. Sam then sent another cold front towards Alex reminding him to relax and not focus on the collar.

Connor seemed to take the hint and looked to Alex. Once Julia was finished talking Connor stood and looked past Julia to the judge. ”Excuse me your honor. If it is allowed we’d like to take off the collar that is currently on our defendant. It is causing him pain and it’s clear he can’t even focus on what’s going on…”

Before anyone could get a word in the prosecutor shot up his boney fingers and countered, “Objection your honor it is the mutant who is on trial due to his abilities I’d rather not put the people of the court in danger by allowing him to have access to his power.” Connor quickly countered, ”The defense is the closest to the boy, not only that but there are officers here to prevent anything from happening isn’t that correct. So the Collar is just an expendable precaution yes?” The judge looked from one side of the court room to the other then to Alex.

The judge looked over to the plaintiff and waved him over, “We have some police officers here whom have the ability to nullify mutations. We will post them near the boy if the collar is becoming an issue. I won’t sentence anyone to anything unless they have an idea of what’s going on. Do you both find this agreeable?” The judge asked the crypt keeper and the defense.

Sam smirked as a few of the officers he knew walked towards the center of the room. His ability to throw cold waves though was now impossible.

Alex didn't hear them arguing, he just focused on getting a proper breath in and not completely freaking out. He wanted to get this collar off and he wanted to hide. It frightened him, this whole this was terrifying and he was two steps away from acting on his better instincts, consequences be damned. Thankfully, it didn't come to that. Instead, he felt hands grasp the collar and with a click it was deactivated and off. He shivered, blinking and swallowing breaths.

He still couldn't feel his power, couldn't really touch those parts of his brain but he pressure was somewhat off. It was that familiar ebb and flow he had felt from the guidance counselor before. A pulse or vibration, rather than the steady force of the collar. Looking up he realized two of the officers were standing nearby, stoic as statues, one of them holding on to the collar. Perhaps at the ready, should it be needed again.

He looked around the room, realizing that eyes were on him. Some skeptical, but most worried. The prosecutor looked particularly outraged but said nothing further about the removal of the collar. Julia, leaning close, whispered, "Are you alright? We can attempt to call for a break if need be?"

"N-no, I'm okay."Alex murmured to her, then glanced back at Sam, knowing that the man probably was concerned too. "Alright, if you're sure, the trial will continue as planned. Don't worry I think we have this one in the bag."she smiled at him as she took a seat, having wrapped up her evidence presentation.

"Now then, without further interruptions, would the prosecution like to call any witnesses to the stand?"the judge asked, taking the lull in the court proceedings to look over his notes before looking at the grim reaper of a man.

Skeletor smiled and nodded, “Prosecution calls a mother of one of the victims.” Sam watched as the mother told some sob story of how her son was a good boy and would never do anything to harm a fly. Between her tears Sam could see that she was afraid of being on the stand she was nervous and it was clear she was stressed out. Sam watched as the Grim Reaper asked a round of questions to make one of the kids sound like an angel often going back to volunteer work he did when he was a child and such.

Sam’s stomach turned when he caught a glance from the reaper, he was smiling towards the defense but Sam made sure to stare the man down. The prosecutor stopped smiling when he showed some recognition of Sam and he looked around the room as if something was wrong. Clearing his throat he looked back to the jury. “As you can see, this was just one of the mothers who lost a son. I pray you can do right by them and get this monster locked up.

The thin man was talking and while Alex could hear and understand him, he didn't believe a word coming out of the man's mouth. He could believe the mother, partly because he knew that parents were instinctively protective, that usually they would look out for their kid. But they way they talked about his attacker...they made it sound like Alex had killed a saint.

That was far, far from the truth, and his lawyers knew it too. They whispered for a moment before Julia stood once more to proceed to cross-examination. Julia was quick and kind of brutally to the point, making note that the characterization of the man in question was focused on when he was a child. That children grow up, make bad decisions, and might associate with bad people. She asked what the mother knew of her son's friends, of the people he hung out with, his work status or lack thereof. She worked through the rap-sheet this man had, the criminal charges he had faced and gotten off with a slap on the wrist.

She asked about the Bird Hunters, the mutant hate group that targeted mutants like Alex. He almost felt bad for the mother, the facade of a good child being torn away like that. Of course the mother attempted to blame mutants for her son's problems, that it wasn't his fault, that he didn't deserve to die like he had. And Alex felt the guilt of it, the weight of a life he had taken, but it had been a fight for survival, he had to remind himself of that. He would be the dead one otherwise.

Julia finished her cross-examination without addressing the jury, there was no need to appeal to them. They heard everything she had and she knew they were going to make judgements for themselves. "Your honor, I would like to call a character witness to the stand, Sam Johnson."she glanced back at Sam, hoping he was ready and hopefully not too drunk to pull this off. They needed someone who knew Alex, to show the real side of the kid.

Another slow clap was debated and another thought of buying Julia a fancy car to woo her. The woman was incredible and the way she said his name, man Sam had to be in love or something else. Maybe the reason why… she called his name. Sam jumped up to his feet and raised a hand to the judge and jury. ”Yo.” was his only response. Sam looked to the defense team and saw an eye-roll a smirk and a mental head desk from his response. Sam smiled and then walked up to the gate waiting for approval.

The Judge looked to Sam and smiled, Sam recognized him from somewhere. He wasn’t going to ask though, if the judge remembered Sam then he was going to remember the judge. Alex’s safety might depend on it. ”Your honor.” Sam turned his attention to Julia and smiled and he mouthed the words, ‘dinner after?’ a few might have picked it up but Julia pretended she didn’t see it. Sitting down in the chair the ice mancer leaned back uncomfortably glad he didn’t have to sit up there often.

Sam looked Alex and gave him wink that could be confused as a blink, ”So…” Sam asked Julia who was clearly letting a dramatic pause set it. Some people knew who he was and some didn’t some for good reasons and some for not so good reasons.

Alex with some fear as Sam took the stand, even though he knew beforehand that the man would be his character witness, a lot rode on what Sam said. They had rehearsed of course, but there was no telling if Sam would go off script and make things worse. The ice-mancer had already been acting oddly, well not oddly for Sam, but oddly for this setting. He just hoped that the jury would believe him.

He barely caught the wink and saw Julia's face sour a little at the man's mouthed question. "So Mr. Johnson, how long have you known Alex? How would describe him?"she started off, establishing a base to build off of, letting the jury get the full picture.

Alex resisted the urge to squirm, listening to someone talk about him was uncomfortable, but at least he wasn't up there himself. Not yet at least. They were saving that for later, something to leave a lasting impact. If all went to plan, he'd be demonstrating his power at some point or at the very least giving a thorough description.