Woah, I'm half done! Hmm. I don't know how I feel about this one, though... This is part 2 of my one-and-a-half shot, so yeah. There's a trial. Trials are kinda hard to do on fanfiction… I don't think this one is particularly terrible, but it's no suspenseful turnabout and it's somewhat vague. I still like the plot, though, (it's not focused on the trial, but on the brothers' reactions to it) and I hope you will too :)

(O)

Klavier's excitement couldn't be hidden. Even with the pained feelings surrounding his father's agreement, Klavier couldn't be happier.

"I can't believe we get to watch Daddy's trial!"

"Err… Klavier? When you say Daddy's trial, you make it sound like he's the defendant."

"Oh. Oops." The mistake didn't keep Klavier's attention for long as the large building came into view. It towered over them, almost menacingly, but the same raw power that caught the child's attention also demonstrated the strength found in the truth. Kristoph seemed to be admiring it in the same way.

"The court house is right over there. We're on time, too."

(O)

Kristoph and Klavier had found their seats in the gallery. Kristoph peered over the edge, his father in full view. An older man sat at the prosecutor's bench. He looked angry, to put it simply.

"You see the man over at the prosecutor's bench?"

"Yeah. He looks scary."

"His name is Prosecutor Von Karma."

"His first name is Prosecutor?!"

"What? No…! Never mind."

"Ok."

Kristoph watched as the judge took his place at the top of the courtroom. Despite the need to show him respect, Kristoph wondered why he had to tower over everyone- from such a distance, the old judges couldn't see anything very well, he assumed.

"Court is now in session for the trial of Lawrence Sedin."

"The defense is ready, Your Honor." The cool sound of his father's voice sent chills up his spine. He had to admit, he did seem kind of cool at the defense bench."

"And Prosecutor Von Karma? Is the prosecution ready?"

"I've been standing here waiting for a while. I do believe this points to the conclusion that I am prepared."

"O-of course. My apologies. Prosecutor Von Karma, your opening statement, please."

"Everything in this case is completely decisive. Lawrence Sedin murdered his wife when she got home from work. I call Detective Gumshoe to the stand."

"Of course, sir." The judge looked terrified.

Kristoph blinked. Von Karma was running the entire court! He might as well pass the verdict, too.

"Testify. Now," the prosecutor barked at the scraggly detective who was at the stand, shaking. What is the judge here for, anyways?

"Yessir! The defendant is clearly guilty," Whatever happened to stating your name and occupation?! "You see, the victim, Lucy Sedin, was found in her car, strangled! The key was left in the ignition, but it didn't have her prints- only her husband's! Lawrence must have strangled her, and put her in the car to make it look like a murder. Only he forgot to wipe his fingerprints!" The detective was shaking at the sight of the irritated prosecutor. "A-and I almost forgot about the motive. There were three witnesses to a fight that they had gotten into outside earlier that day. Talk about a solid motive, pal!"

"I believe we've heard enough. Your verdict please, Your Honor." The prosecutor grinned evilly.

"Objection! The defense wishes to cross-examine the witness."

"I'll allow that." The prosecutor smirked.

"Kristoph? Why isn't the judge doing anything?" He was surprised to see inquisitive blue eyes meeting his.

"I think he's scared."

"But doesn't he have more power than the Von Karma guy?"

"Yeah, but I don't think he realizes it."

"Huh." The brothers turned to watch the trial. In short, the cross-examination was unsuccessful. Every word their father said was quickly shot down, even if there was a significant amount of logic behind it.

"I see no need to prolong this trial, Your Honor. Please hand down your verdict. The prosecution has presented a motive, an opportunity, and decisive evidence, none of which the defense appears able to refute."

"But Kristoph! He's innocent! It's obviously the neighbor guy… Mr. Wiley."

"Wilett, not Wiley. I agree, but it doesn't seem like Dad has the evidence to back it up."

"Well, the motive's pretty obvious. He was her ex-husband, and she moved across the street just to show off her new husband. And he doesn't have an alibi, so there's the opportunity."

"But he just doesn't have evidence." Kristoph finished.

"Yeah he does! Why didn't they check the car door? There should be fingerprints on the handle, or at least traces of latex." Kristoph blinked. Had his brother just said what he thought he said? That makes perfect sense. The prosecution's just hiding the evidence! Kristoph watched his father squirm in discontent as he considered the idea that his eight-year-old brother had outsmarted his father in his own line of work. He smirked. He looked at his brother, who was writing on a piece of paper. Check the car door.

"Are you going to throw that at him? He'll be really mad."

"I think he'd be more mad if he lost."

"I dunno… You might as well. If he lost, he couldn't be mad at you for trying to help, especially if you were right." With that, a crumpled up ball of paper flew out of the gallery and under the defense bench. Kristoph's father looked up with a bitter glare, and redirected it back to Von Karma, crushing the ball under his foot. "Klavier, we should leave. Now."

"Ok." The brothers began to walk out of the room just as the verdict was being announced.

"This court finds the defendant, Lawrence Sedin…"

GUILTY

(O)

"Why on earth would you possibly throw a wad of paper at me during a trial?!" Their father was absolutely furious. Klavier mumbled something in quiet shame.

"You were losing, and Klavier thought of a lead you would have found quite valuable."

"An eight-year-old boy-"

"Is a prodigy." Klavier looked at his brother in shock. Kristoph wasn't one to give him much praise, and when he did, it felt valuable. These last two days had left Klavier in absolute shock. "You know, didn't it seem strange that Von Karma used the fingerprints on the keys as evidence?"

"Not in the least. It was decisive evidence."

"I wasn't finished. If the killer had left prints on the keys, wouldn't they have left prints on the car door as well? It seems like having your fingerprints on the scene of the crime is much more incriminating than having your fingerprints on a piece of evidence at the scene of the crime, yes?" Their father's expression was priceless. "Come on, Klavier. I'm going upstairs."

"I'm coming."

Kolton Gavin stared at the ground for a very long time.