Ruby had been lying frustrated and still starving when the four old guards came to escort her around 4 o'clock. She experienced a new fear, now knowing that she was attending her trial this time, now not knowing what to expect from that. They transported her by car to the upper town city hall, one of the biggest buildings in Vale with as much majesty to it as Beacon had, where the council held it's court rulings and public hearings. On the way there, the young girl got a good look at the people bustling in the streets heading to the courts to protest and wave signs around. The sky was still cloudy, a faint shower wetting the air. No one cared.
The guards lifted her up the many white stairs and pass the grooved columns inside, decorated earth tone marble floors reflecting back the golden lights of chandeliers several stories above them like mirrors. Through some too hot hallways they waded through reporters and upset people shoving at the prisoners as they took them past the actual court, isolating them in separate holding cells of plain white plaster walls for pending defendants. They made sure potential partners in crime kept from getting a straight story before trial. The room was cramped with the five of them leaning against the walls, and Ruby sweated profusely by one part terrified anxiety, second part lack of air-conditioning, and third part suffocating metal jacket that was pressing on all of her hurt parts. As cheap as the room was however, in the solid metal door was a small slit of reinforced glass that let them see into the corridor. Ruby caught a glance of Coco pass by with her own vanguard of four noticeably less intense security personnel towards the big black doors of judgment. The younger huntress didn't recognize Coco at first, her iconic beret missing, her left lens of her sunglasses cracked but intact and her right lens shattered with the middle portion gone entirely, and completely frizzled hair wrapping around her head in a mess.
The court doors opened up and the humbled Coco watched a first year faunus girl she recognized, sobbing and in cuffs, get escorted past while a violent mob of people attacked her for her heritage and guilty verdict. The heavy gunner cringed. Inside the courtroom was regal and intimidating, tall walls decorated in banners of the richest colors and fabrics complimented the ten foot tall judge's bench stretching from wall to wall at a slim curved length of thirty feet, upon its elaborate geometrically patterned woodworkings sat nine judges, the Vale councilmen, all robed in black. A jury box of two dozen people sat on either side of the room adjacent to the ends of the judge's bench, and on either side of the entrance aisle was a crowded spectator area. Dimmed hanging lights provided enough illumination to make out these details, but the spots of focus were the high hanging spotlights that highlighted the councilmen and the defendant. Coco quickly discovered how hot these spotlights were, probably by design to unease guilty defendants, when her metal jacket was replaced after a quick warning by heavy cuffs and promptly locked to a solid block of dull gray-brown metal a foot thick in both directions and three feet high. It, of course, put her, the defendant, in the direct center of the courtroom as the true center of attention.
"Ms. Coco Adel, fourth year student of Beacon Academy, former leader of team CFVY, of Vale birth and now defendant in court," spoke the middle judge rapidly, his hands shuffling his massive stack of papers as he did so, "is this, in fact, your identity?" It wasn't a true question, but a formality to ensure they were trying the correct person. Then again, with the number of defendants they had to produce a verdict for counting up into the triple digits, it became less a formality and more of a legitimate concern.
Despite her abundance of ill will, she stood tall, chin level, eyes steady, and hands together at hip level in front of her. "Yes, I am Coco Adel, and what do you mean former?" she spoke steadily.
"From this day forth, Vale does not recognize team CFVY as a legitimate team on the grounds of a dead member and two fugitives. Also, you do not ask questions." He continued, "due to today's chaotic nature, we will require you to answer statements that will be recorded, and while you are kept in custody all statements and claims will be crosschecked with witnesses, artifacts of evidence, and any investigative organizations in the near future. Coco Adel, you stand suspect of the following crimes; harboring of a potential White Fang agent, Fox Altair, now deceased, harboring of two potential White Fang agents, Yatsuhashi Daichi and Velvet Scarlatina, and assisting in their escape, being a White Fang member, acting accomplice to Ozpin, and property damage. Out of these charges, do you outright confess to any?"
Her heartbeat picked up considerably, and she started sweating. Her eyes scanned the room for a moment, her brain scrambling to form an answer. It was now that she noticed that there was no prosecutor or defense attorney, just her as the defendant versus the council of Vale. She also noticed that, by way of her acute Huntress senses, the judges had air conditioning underneath their bench. The bastards. Still speaking calmly, she said, "I confess to the charge of property damage, committed during the event, the Breach of Vale, where me and my team assisted in combating the Grimm, though all property damage was immediately repaired by Huntress Goodwitch." She let herself catch her breath. "I was not aware of Fox Altair's allegiance until his death, I ordered my teammates to leave Vale, though they and I are not in allegiance with the White Fang."
Several of the council people looked surprised to the confession of two crimes, but the middle speaker remained focused. "And what of your charge of acting accomplice to Ozpin?"
Coco paused. "No. I acted always under my own volition your honors." The middle justice stared at her, and her at him.
"As you are aware, your say so alone is not enough to prove anything, so we will need proof for any claims of innocence. Firstly," he raised the glasses from around his neck to his eyes, "do you have proof of non-cooperation with the White Fang?"
"Yes. I've killed a couple. The raid on a White Fang base last spring in tandem with the Vale military. My two teammates assisted me. It's in the reports." The already loud murmur of the spectators, never not chatting angrily then ascended into shocked reactions to important news the public was never informed on.
"So it would seem," commented the speaker, reading his papers. "And any proof that you did not assist Ozpin knowingly?"
"No your honor."
"And what are the reasons for your orders to your teammates?"
"I didn't wish for my faunus teammate, whom I believe to be innocent, to be wrongfully imprisoned." Coco knew she was in trouble, but hoped that telling the truth, at least mostly, would turns things out for the best.
"I see" the speaker hummed, still looking over his papers. "Does the jury wish to give any input?" He received none. "Very well. Because we are in a rush here, you shall receive a incomplete sentence, which may or may not change in a future court. Coco Adel," he stood up, his neutral demeanor suddenly turned into one of commanding presence, and stated "you are hereby declared guilty of treason on accounts of acting against the wishes of the council and letting flee an enemy of the state. For that, you shall serve ten years in maximum security confinement unless called upon for services prior to release. Investigations into your actions, your teammates, and interactions with Ozpin will possibly alter your sentence. Mind you, anything that works against your case will increase your term. You are dismissed, bring in defendant Ruby Rose." He sat down.
The third year lost the confidence, and grip on reality for that matter that she held a moment before, her jaw agape and her eyes dilated, and didn't notice as she was un-cuffed and put into her old metal jacket. They lead her like a slow cow out of the courtroom when Ruby took her place.
The four old guards, dressed as if they belonged there, dragged the bloodied, muddied and mangled girl in. A key unlocked the constricting jacket and heavy cuffs took it's place. The hot spotlight made her dizzy for a second.
"The Council of Vale recognizes your abilities and will inform you that any attempt to escape or un-orderly conduct will be met with force. Ms. Ruby Rose, second year student of Beacon Academy, leader of team RWBY, of Vale birth, past and now present defendant in court" the middle judge repeated with haste, stacking a new sheet of paper on the front of his wad, "is this in fact your identity?"
Ruby forgot how dry her mouth and tongue was, and the heat wasn't helping. "Uh, yeah." She leaned into the metal block for support, her whole body weak still. There was no sleep last night, and the dark rings under her eyes proved it.
"Because of today's chaotic nature, a speedy trial is required. We will require you to answer statements that will be recorded, and while you are kept in custody all statements and claims will be crosschecked with witnesses, artifacts of evidence, and any investigative organizations in the near future. Ruby Rose, you stand suspect of the following crimes; assistance to the White Fang during the Breach of Vale, attempted murder on a fellow competitor, Jack Vorst, bouts of insanity, murder of a possibly innocent schoolmate, Fox Altair, lack of morals, espionage on foreign grounds, Atlas, yesterday's murder of a fellow schoolmate, Conner Gardner, acting accomplice to Ozpin, treason by resisting arrest, and property damage. Out of these charges, do you outright confess to any? Mind you, with such serious charges, you may be sentenced to immediate death by execution."
The courtroom exploded into conversation, the speaker actually using a gavel he had to quell the chaos this time. Ruby however, could only hear the ringing in her ears. Overwhelming frustration and confusion flooded her. How could they accuse her of all those things? It passed ludicrous and straight into insanity as far as she could tell. The moment she could hear again she pressed forward, her chains ringing as she shouted in disbelief "are you freakin' serious!?"
The woman guard on her right whipped out a steel baton and batted Ruby in the right shoulder. Silence broke out in the courtroom along with Ruby's agonized scream as she crumpled onto the metal pedestal. As enraged as the spectators may have been, seeing the petite girl, visible beaten and battered, suffer further abuse irked them.
"That is not helping your case" the councilman adjacent to the speaker advised, a disturbing lack of mercy in his tone.
The middle man continued. "With so many charges we will work down the list one by one, and you shall have a chance to explain yourself. We expect you to direct us to proof to any claims you make. First, how were you involved in the Breach of Vale? Our reports show that you were on the train that allowed Grimm to attack us."
With wobbly knees, Ruby propped herself against the metal column, and in her now husky voice, said "you assholes should keep reading. I was the one who discovered the White Fang train, but was too injured to prevent it from crashing." She glared at the woman at her side.
"How do we know you aren't lying, and allowed the train to run? Also, any further misconduct will result in discipline."
She had moment where she was stumped, then promptly felt stupid. In her own way, she was grateful to Roman for what he did. "Yeah, the commanding White Fang agent, Roman Torchwick, forcibly removed my eye, that should be in your report too. Maybe it also includes the number of White Fang I've killed." The defiance in her attitude never left. Nor the anger. She needed to know why they wanted her imprisoned so badly if they were picking apart everything she might've ever done. Was it because of Ozpin? But why.
"Fine." He sounded angry. Good, she thought. "Next, last year's Vytal Tournament, you injured your competitor Jack Vorst, almost killing him. What say you?"
"Ironwood is his uncle and parent guardian. He forgave me in his office, the conversation probably was recorded. If not, ask him. Also, his younger brother told me Jack forgave me."
"That is their opinions, what of your actions?"
"I was threatened. Ironwood said he understood. I didn't mean to hurt him, but it turned out that way."
"Fine. Your previous statement will also be taken into consideration when we question them on a later date. Next, the murder of Fox Altair."
"I was already acquitted of this charge" she half shouted.
"On the graces of a detective and Ozpin, both of which are not in this room right now, and the latter with irrefutable evidence of treason" the speaker barked back. "Besides, the results of Mr. Altair's investigation were inconclusive, meaning your actions are highly suspect. You could easily have been the real serial killer and laid the blame on your last victim, Mr. Altair."
Somewhere in the back, a man spoke just loud enough so Ruby could hear, "disgusting. They keep changing their tune so that they can make these poor girls look as guilty as possible. They don't really care at-"
"Ms. Rose, if you would please respond to the question!" he ordered, pulling her from her eavesdropping.
Ruby shook her head, responding "wasn't there recordings of him killing that couple before I got there?"
The judges all scowled, intimidating Ruby. "There was a recording of you breaking into the building and destroying the doorway to the room where the latest victims died. And there was three dozen eyewitnesses describing how you held Mr. Altair's face to the subway train as it ran by. And let's not forget all the gunshots people heard you fire-"
"My partner Weiss Schnee was almost killed by Fox," interjected the defendant, "and I don't think I have to explain what it would mean for a possible agent of the White Fang to have attacked a well known Schnee, or the implications of my actions to defend such a Schnee." Ruby felt smart, but the middle judge scowled even harder than before.
"Fine," he hissed, face red, "she will be questioned later. Though doctor reports mentioned you being apathetic to your teammates injury in the hospital. Which brings us to the lack of morals..."
"I had comforted her with confidence because I have experienced a similar level of injury," Ruby bit back, turning her head so her head band eye patch was more prominent. "Keeping a cool head is apart of being a huntress in training."
"And the espionage in Atlas? We have reports of you wondering out on the night of the masquerade when a battle took place in the elevator shaft of the Council Tower and a gunfight involving a military grade aircraft and unknown parties. Any snark to explain that?" A malicious grin appeared on his wrinkled face.
"I was nervous, wanted to walk outside to cool my head, didn't go anywhere though." She wished she could take it back. Her hesitation was a dead give away, and while the security system to the tower was down that night, other buildings could've picked her up. Also her immediate callback to keeping a cool head made her previous statement ring hollow. Having your partner almost die should rate higher on a scale of anxiety than an accident in one of the elevators. The thought alone of messing up her defense raised her fear dramatically. Her words were the only thing keeping her from dying. "What gave you the impression that anything I did had anything in the world to do with espionage though?"
"No one and nothing is above suspicion. Any proof that we may look into to show your innocence?"
"No" she quietly answered.
"What was that?"
"No" Ruby repeated. Death by making a stupid mistake is one thing, as it can happen anytime anywhere. Death by combat is another, as it's up to the combatants skills and odds to come out on top or get out. Death by legal system... it had its own oppressive fear. If they arbitrarily decided that one person is to die, then the entire will of the country's government will come together to commit the deed, and if by some miracle that one person escapes, then they will be hunted for the rest of their life. And how it was done just brought more dread to Ruby. The thought of being walked, blindfolded and gagged, hands and feet bound, to one's death with no hope of escape made her sick again. A hunter's death was not pleasant in any manner, barbaric in fact. To overcome any potential strengths of the one in question, the criminal is encased in a steel coffin in such a way where there is no way to break it open by brute force, and then the coffin is flooded with one of two possible liquids. If they are to be cremated, the fluid is kerosene; If they are to be buried, then they are drowned in liquid preservative. You are bound and gagged with no way to struggle in a claustrophobic squeeze where no light shines, and you experience the slow fill of volatile liquid as it soaks your skin and burns, then fills in your ears then your nose, then with no air, no reprieve, you try and squirm for any air left in the coffin but soon discover that the coffin is completely devoid of mercy or life to give, and it's just a matter of giving up as the pain of suffocating crushes your insides. A hunter's death by law is a thing to be feared, and is a serious charge for a serious matter. After all, an insane person is dangerous, an insane, rogue huntsmen is downright catastrophic. Ruby couldn't let herself die like that.
"Well then, with no further evidence on the matter, we will resume this matter on a later date when the recordings from Atlas are delivered to us. You won't need to be here for that trial..." the man smiled. "And then what about the boy you shot yesterday? Hmm? Conner Gardner? What reason did you have to do that? Momentary insanity?" The judge folded his hands, pleased with himself.
"I am not insane!" Ruby shouted defensively.
"Don't you talk back at me!" he roared back, spit flinging from his mouth. The same woman beat her in the ribs this time, then when Ruby was on the ground, she was whacked again on the the shoulder.
"Agh!" the rose screamed, hugging the steel prism for protection and comfort, though she got none. "He was already dead! He was cut in half, he was already dead!"
"Then why did you shoot him!?" a council woman on the end shouted back.
"He was cut in half, but he was still awake, it was an act of Mercy! He was already dead!"
There was a stillness in the courtroom where everyone waited for Ruby to stop crying, for her to stand up for her trial, but for a minute the spectators watched, disturbed, as Ruby sat there broken. Eventually, the sounds of a croaking throat stopped, and she stumbled to her feet.
"Two matters left. Your resisting arrest. What say you." The speaker was undoubtedly calmer. He needed the favor of the people, and reveling in the pain of a little girl is not one way of getting it.
In ragged murmurs Ruby said, eye closed and gripping her chains, "to enact treason is to disobey the orders and will of the council, and to obey orders is a citizen's job, but my job is also to hunt Grimm, and to hunt Grimm as a huntress is the will of the council, and there were still Grimm to hunt, so I chose the will that allowed me to save whatever people I could..." The judges remained unmoved.
"Final charge that actually matters. Ruby Rose, do you obey the will of Ozpin?"
"I follow orders that fall in line with my job."
"And your job is?"
"To hunt Grimm and those who wish death upon Vale."
"Have you ever followed an order of Ozpin's that did not directly relate to hunting Grimm or the White Fang?"
"No." It sounded as though she might've been whispering under her breath, but her breaths were just becoming that thin.
"Has Ozpin ever ordered you to do something not related to said groupings?"
"No."
"In the charges brought up previously, were you acting under orders of Ozpin?"
"I have only acted under my own volition." The speaker cringed rather loudly.
"Do you have proof?"
A pause. "No."
The air in the room seemed as still as death, and Ruby remained curled up against the post and chain, chest heaving and eye closed. The speaker took his time to think. "With so many matters to investigate outside of this court, Ruby Rose is charged guilty of questionable ethics, and will be held under extreme scrutiny. Until evidence is clarified, she will be contained in a medium security jail cell. Her death sentence remains on the table. Remove her from the courtroom and bring in Glynda Goodwitch."
Out far to the west, a councilman of Vacuo strutted along a raised walkway to the city hall. He was fixing his cloak sized scarf over his paisley vest when his secretary caught up to him. "Sir" she exclaimed, "Atlas has declared full support to Vale's cause!"
"I'm aware" he growled. "This is turning to a shit storm real fast." He towered over the dark skinned and bright haired girl. For every large, lumbering step of his she had to take two, and he was making haste.
"What are we going to do sir?"
"We aren't doing anything, I'm going to make sure we support the faunus." The wind blasted back and forth around them, carrying sand in it's wake and lit gold by the blazing midday sun. The secretary got smacked in the face with his billowing scarf cloak.
"But sir, that's almost the same as declaring war on Vale and Atlas! Even if people wanted to fight, the armed forces are in a deteriorating state! Working it back up to acceptable-"
The rugged man growled. "For my secretary you are really behind the times. You know how we largely ignore the White Fang correct?"
"Can't not know sir!"
"They have been feeding us dust for a while now as gratitude for sanctuary. As both weaponry and a form of currency, we've gotten a little better in the state of military might. For the past few months, we've had foreign private contractors approach our military suppliers with prototype mechs and new arms. I got a call from a friend just yesterday about a batch of... well, mechs that he got from this ginger asshole. We can afford this because of the dust the White Fang gifted us."
"But sir, what about the supposed massacre?"
He frowned. "Radicals. Besides, one of the other councilmen contacted me when the news first came out. He said the numbers were greatly exaggerated. In fact, I've heard more faunus have died in the reaction then the actual incident. Bottom line is though, we as the voice of Vacuo have prided ourselves on our informalities and freedom of being..."
"Sir I just feel going to war for the White Fang is an overreaction-"
He raised a hand to gesture silence. "Vale and Atlas are going to go full hog. The Second Faunus War is upon us and as I was saying, bottom line, Vacuo works because we make of point of equal opportunity. This kingdom would collapse in moments if we don't give full support to the sizable faunus population that lives here and works here. I know the others are aware of this."
"But sir-" he cringed at her repeated statement, "if Mistral doesn't side with us, it's a three versus one war, we'll be doomed!"
"No, the White Fang is a force of it's own. And I get a feeling Mistral will side with us, making it three versus two. Anyways," they stopped at the doors leading to the open roofed meeting hall, "thanks for being so non-understanding, I got a little time to justify things out loud before I make a fool out of myself."
"But sir!"
