"We will now start back up where we left off," said the judge. She turned to Kellindil who sat in the witness chair. "Ambassador Kellindil, you understand that you are still under oath?" The elf nodded. Satisfied, the judge glanced back over to the public defender. "Defense, you have the floor."

"Ambassador Kellindil, you are from Moonwood, is that correct?"

"Yes, I have been chosen to represent them when dealing with Sunnydale," the blond elf replied.

"And you mentioned observing the aftermath of the Drow attack there some twenty years ago, am I right?"

"Yes."

"Now who was responsible for that attack?"

"Objection! Relevancy!"

"I can assure you and the court that this is relevant if you just let me continue," the public defender argued. The judge didn't look totally convinced.

"I'll allow it, but it had better be cleared up soon."

"Oh, it will," the attorney assured her. He turned back to Kellindil. "Answer the question please." Kellindil paused a moment before answering.

"Drow from Menzoberranzan."

"And how do you know that?"

"…"

"Answer the question," the judge cautioned. The Moonwood ambassador looked like he just had a tooth pulled without anesthesia.

"Because the one survivor identified someone who was there."

"And who was that someone?" asked the defender. Kellindil almost growled in anger, but he didn't reply. The public defender leaned forward and grinned menacingly in the Ambassador's face. "Answer the question."

"…Drizzt Do'Urden, but-"

"No further use for this witness." The defense attorney said, sauntering back to his desk. The crowd was shocked at the announcement. There was a sense of fear at the announcement, and coming from someone who held such respect in the diplomatic community of Sunnydale people believed what the defense had implied. The DA stood up.

"Your Honor? Permission to examine the witness?"

"Granted."

The DA looked right at the ambassador. Kellindil looked like he had just betrayed a friend's trust forever. "Ambassador Kellindil, do you know why Drizzt Do'Urden was there?"

"Not exactly, but I do know he protected Ellifaine from being killed," the elf answered.

"And how do you know this?"

"Two reasons: one is because Ellifaine is still alive. She wouldn't be if someone hadn't protected her. The second is that Drizzt explained the situation."

"And you believe him?"

"Yes. More than that, I trust him. I consider him a friend now," Kellindil replied, his confidence returning.

"Thank you Ambassador." The DA sat down just as the defense was standing back up.

"Your Honor?"

"Go ahead council," she replied with a sigh. The public defender sauntered up to the witness seat and gave the elf a smarmy smile.

"And did little Ellifaine tell you Drizzt saved her?" There was an audible grinding of elven teeth before the question was answered.

"No."

"Who told you he protected her?"

"Drizzt. Drizzt Do'Urden told me."

"So you have no evidence other than his word?"

"No, but-"

"No further questions, your Honor."

The judge looked to the rather angry Kellindil. "Ambassador, you may sit down. The prosecution may call their next witness."

"Your honor, as my next witness is currently unavailable because of the situation. I have to ask for a recess."

"You've got it. We'll reconvene tomorrow 4 pm."

The next morning the DA (who was really just an public defender-turned-Assistant District Attorney back home, but was promoted since he was the only actual prosecutor in Sunnydale, even if he had only prosecuted one case) held a meeting with his staff. They were frazzled and did not know exactly what they were going with the case. All they knew was that the Mayor wanted a conviction. But this case was a media circus. The press was advertising everything they could about the Scoobies and Drizzt was of particular interest since he had such a dark background.

"So, anyone want to give suggestions?" he asked his staff.

"Buffy Summers. She's a well known figure, but she's also a character witness for Drizzt," said one of his assistants, Sara Baxter, a woman right out of law school. Before the Shift she hadn't passed the Bar, but here, they needed all the help they could. Until they could later set up a bar exam, she was doing all the work save for actually prosecuting crimes.

"The problem with that is the large number of Housecraft's people on the Jury," his other assistant said. "They already call her a witch, even if they claim that it won't affect their judgment."

"That is a problem," the DA agreed grimly. "If only we had someone who knew exactly what happened in the Moonwood.

"I already talked to Kellindil, and Ellifaine is in no shape to discuss it," Sara said. "Apparently some demon took the opportunity to mess with her mind about it and it made the whole thing worse. We need someone else who was there."

"Are you completely nuts?" the other assistant accused. He leaned back in his chair. "You're talking about bringing in one of the attackers! That's insane! The jury would never go for that. And how would we even find one of them anyway?"

"A friend in the Initiative says that the guy who lead the raid is in there right now," Sara said. "Drizzt's own brother."

"It's been done before in Mafia cases, bring in someone who is so despicable, but knows the information, and because of it, the jury eats it up," The DA mused. "It worked with John Gotti. They brought in his second and that was the damning testimony."

"All we have to do is present everything that person has done so it's out in the open," Sara said. "Then we present the evidence. We know the truth, but we don't have much evidence. We need to stop the character assassination and get the case back on track. McGristle is the one on trial here, not Drizzt, we need to remind them of that."

"But in order to do that we need to establish enough evidence that this is a hate crime," the other assistant said. "And in order to do that, we need to clear Drizzt's name. Bringing in a drow could jeopardize that goal because it could justify everything the defense is saying about dark elves."

"I think it's a risk we need to take," The DA said grimly. "No matter what anybody says, it's still racism. Just because some might have done something horrendous, doesn't mean we can paint them all with the same brush. We're calling Buffy up this afternoon. Take her aside before we start and we'll go over our questions."

In the Initiative holding cells, the other Drizzt was speaking most out of character to his human guard. The Guard was not really paying attention.

"The human Xander thought he was being compassionate when he gave me these papers and I must say they were quite enlightening," Bad Drizzt said, seemingly to the guard outside his cell. "What did he call them? 'comic' books. That was an odd choice of title because 'comic' implies a humorous story. The greater majority of these are quite serious. I am most interested in the Fantastic Four. Rather interesting bunch, even for group of humans." He held up an image of Susan Richards throwing a series of invisible daggers at people who had come to apprehend her brother, Johnny Storm. "Now, according to how this is told, Johnny Storm is not at fault, having tried to save a human and as a result burned down the collegiums. However, according to the laws, he was at fault. There is a discrepancy between the law and what is morally correct for the society. Fascinating read. Now Susan Richards, the Invisible Woman, is willing to do whatever she can to protect her brother from the law. But the real irony in it all, they all assume she is the least powerful."

The guard rolled his eyes and kept watch, not glancing at the comic opened for his viewing pleasure.

"She is, in fact, the most powerful of them all," Bad Drizzt explained. "First of all, she has the capability to turn herself invisible at will, which is a very impressive skill alone. Then, she can create force fields to protect herself, but also into specific shapes and items, such as daggers, ladders and keys. More importantly, she can turn other things invisible."

"She is capable of destroying the other three alone, but they stick together," the Drow continued to explain. "If she had simply joined with one of their enemies, like Mysterio (Granted, he is of Spider-Man's rogues gallery and not one of the Fantastic Four's usual adversaries) there would be nothing they could not do. A mistress of invisibility teamed with a master of illusion."

The guard just slapped on the button, shutting off the speaker. The next thing he felt was his own gun going off in his stomach. It sounded strangely muffled. Bad Drizzt let the illusion fall. "The one thing that almost always happens is that her enemies underestimate her. It took me three days to research the spell that deafens sounds in a very small radius. It was a simple matter of reduction from a greater spell to a smaller one. Smaller spells are easier to cast without people noticing. The other spell I needed to research was an improved illusion. Your precious little Xander never closed the door the last time he came for a visit. He thought he did; so did everyone watching on the monitors. But there's no sense in hanging around. You're little friends will notice your lifeless body soon enough. Or perhaps they won't." He cast another spell, turning the guard into a sleeping copy of himself. "Let's see if they remember that elves don't need to sleep. I'll be off. I have to go critique a man about his legal system. He really should reinstate the death penalty for assault and attempted murder of foreign diplomats."

Taking the man's security key card, the extra planar Drow wandered away from his cell, winking at a protesting ogre across the hall. Without the speaker activated, there was no sound from the creature and therefore no way for him to call for help. Bad Drizzt only paused a moment to release a highly pregnant basilisk from it's holding cell. Whispering another spell, he was gone without a trace.

"I don't think we're going about this the right way," said one of the DA's assistants.

"How so?" Sara Baxter asked.

"We're playing their game," He said. "They're making this all about Drizzt when the focus should really be on McGristle."

"He's right," Sara agreed. "McGristle's the one on trial. For most people it looks like Drizzt is the criminal."

"So what do you suggest?"

"I think we need to establish the basis for a hate crime," said the second assistant. "We need to prove without a doubt that dark elves are a persecuted minority on the surface. We need to prove that beyond a shadow of a doubt. We've got some minorities on the jury, that could work in our favor."

"We need the rest of the adventuring party here to make it clear that murder was the intent," Sara added. "I can make the call. I'm sure the Mayor would be willing to help."

"Do it," the DA said. He turned to his other assistant. "Get witnesses, get as many as you can from around the area. Locals, and make sure that they know what this is about. I want it as clear as day that this was a hate crime. You're both right, we've let them rule this for far too long. We're in it to win."

"Buffy Summers, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, so help you god?"

"I do."

"Go ahead," the judge instructed the prosecutor. He got up from his desk and walked towards the stand.

"Buffy Summers, could you please tell the court why you were witness to the events that occurred on the day in question?"

"I was out there trying to save Team 3's lives," Buffy said. "I ran out there to provide support while the other teams raced to their location. When I got there I started kicking orc butt."

"And why did you do that?"

"Because they were attacking Riley Forest and Graham," Buffy explained. "After that came the giants and that ended up being a major misunderstanding, but we didn't really get anything back then."

"Is there anyone here today that you know for a fact was there?"

"Yep, him," Buffy answered, pointing directly at McGristle. "And Drizzt and Kellindil too. But Drizzt had a broke leg by that point."

"Now, could you please tell the court what happened between Mr. McGristle and Drizzt?"

"Yes."

"…and what was it?"

"Oh, I just thought you wanted to know if I could, but yeah," Buffy said. "There was a whole lot of fighting. When it was all over Drizzt was up with a broke leg thinking Graham was trying to cut him and then Stinky McGristle over there tried to kill him with an axe. Drizzt couldn't see it coming and he wouldn't have been able to do much anyways in that situation."

"And what did you do after that?"

"I knocked him out with a club," Buffy said. "And then I passed out. I don't really remember passing out, but everyone who was there tells me it happened. I usually don't pass out from things like that."

"And what did it look like before you passed out?"

"McGristle wanted Drizzt dead, there's really no other explanation."

Thank you Buffy, no further questions your honor."

"Council, your witness."

"Miss Summers, what do you classify yourself as?"

"Human. Female. High School Student."

"But aren't you a demon?"

"OBJECTION! This is base slandering! There is no reason for this kind of questioning except character assassination."

"Sustained. Council, you are approaching another contempt of court right about now."

"No further questions, your honor."

The trial continued on. After long deliberations, it was decided that Dinin Do'Urden would be a witness to the prosecution. Drizzt was absolutely mortified.

"Please state your name for the record."

"Dinin of the Bregan D'arth formerly of House Do'Urden."

"Your Honor, we would like to treat Mr. Do'Urden as an expert in Menzoberranzan society and politics," the DA announced.

"Council? What do you say?"

"I'd like to ask a few questions, if I may?"

"Go ahead."

"Mr. Do'Urden-"

"Dinin, House Do'Urden is no more and therefore I cannot use that name," Dinin corrected.

"Dinin then, what qualifies you as an expert?"

"I was the head of staff at the Academy for over fifty years before House Baenre slaughtered House Do'Urden, I have lived there nearly my entire life and have been raised in the political scene since I was born. I assisted in the raid that raised House Do'Urden from the 10th house to the 9th and into the ranks of the nobility. The only person on the surface better versed in Menzoberranzan politics and culture is Jarlaxle and he isn't likely to volunteer."

"I uh-I'll allow him."

"Dinin, to show the court that you are telling the truth, we need to establish a level of trust between us and the Jury," the prosecutor explained. "We need to you to admit to all crimes you have committed during your life time."

"Certainly," Dinin said with a shocking smile. He proceeded to tell every shocking detail of every murder, every raid, every house burning, every destructive thing from the time he was Blooded to the time he killed his older brother to the time he and his elder sister tried to kill Drizzt. This was everything right up until he joined Bregan D'arth. It took hours to tell and the faces of the crowd was rapt at the horror this one man had committed and how honest he was about the details. He even told where the evidence was stashed and what had happened to their families. His raw charisma and good looks kept the cameras trained on him. It was explicit; it was shocking; and it was news. He intrigued his viewers like few others as he told them of a world so completely unlike their own, and yet the horror of it was the parts so strangely familiar in politics and corporate maneuvering. "I might have forgotten a few, but I don't think so."

"So you have not committed any crimes since you joined Bregan D'arth," the prosecution asked.

"Not exactly. Bregan D'arth is considered to be the closest thing to a standing army in Menzoberranzan that we have aside from House armies. Since they are under the command of House Baenre, which is essentially the true power of the government, anything they do is sanctioned by the government. Ergo, nothing I have done since then could be construed as a crime in Menzoberranzan, perhaps unethical, but not criminal."

The prosecutor stammered a bit before continuing. "Do you remember the raid in the Moonwood some fifteen years ago?"

"Oh, quite clearly."

"Would you please explain what happened?"

"Certainly," Dinin replied with that same horrifying smile. "It is an interesting thing, a first raid. A Blooding, we call it. We bring a young class for their official first raid. In this instance it was to be a surface raid. It was still night, but surface elves, much like the Drow, do not sleep at night. There was a party and it became a slaughter."

"What was Drizzt's part in all of this?"

"He was supposed to be killing with everyone else," Dinin said, glancing at his brother in the crowd. "Instead he was pretending to kill while he protected a child. At first even I was fooled. He swung his blades around, pieces of elf flew all over the place, but they never pierced living flesh. He half buried the child in the gore. Granted she lived, but I doubt she's very sane. She was at a very impressionable age."

From the audience, Ambassador Kellindil was almost steaming with pent up rage. That last comment forced him to leave rather than have to listen to more.

"How did you find out the truth?"

"Oh, Matron Malice, that would be our mother, was spying on Drizzt and her consort after it happened since House Do'Urden had lost Lloth's Favor," Dinin replied. "When Matron Malice heard Drizzt admit he had never killed anyone she gave her consort, Drizzt's father a choice. Either he could be a sacrifice or Drizzt could. The consort chose himself."

"Why would Drizzt try and protect the girl?"

"That's the kind of person he is," Dinin said. "He has never killed in anything but self preservation. He could no more take an innocent life for pleasure than you could live in lava. He is a completely anathema to the Drow. He eschews the expected lifestyle for what he thinks is right. He is something that terrifies us all, though most would never admit it."

There was a long moment as that was allowed to sink in.

"How are Drow viewed on the surface?"

"I imagine we are hated."

"You imagine?"

"I don't spend enough time up here to truly answer the question. Anything I say would be supposition."

"Thank you Dinin, no further questions your honor."

"Council?"

"Thank you, your honor," the defense attorney said as he stood up.

"So you admit to being a murder, a traitor, a mercenary and a thief?"

"No."

"What?"

"I have never been a thief."

"But you said you took things from the bodies of those you killed!"

"Those who die with the most toys still dies. A dead body owns nothing. Murder yes, but not thievery." Dinin said, his white teeth flashing. "I intended to murder them. The fact that those opponents had things I could use was a totally secondary matter."

"But you took them! You said you did!"

"I was told I had to admit my crimes, there was nothing requiring me to admit to crimes I never committed. In fact I do believe that was explicitly stated as something not to do." He said with a near perfect grin. "Something about that being a crime in and of itself."

It took a moment for the defense council to get things under control again. "Drizzt was there at the raid?"

"Yes."

"And he knew what was going to take place?"

"No, he thought it was a training exercise."

"What?"

"We never told him what would happen."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"So-uh-um, so in your opinion, why didn't Drizzt attack the other raiders?"

"We would have killed him and then killed those he protected. Drizzt is incredibly smart. He is the greatest swords man of his generation or the one before and probably the next as well. But he also knows his own power is useless against massive numbers all at once. He saved those he could."

"…Uh, no further questions your honor."

"You may step down, Dinin." She looked over to the DA who was now fiddling through the papers. "Your next witness?"
"Yes, I would like to call Fret of Silverymoon. He is a sage of considerable repute in the north and I would like to use him as an expert in the social field, specifically in the subject of prejudices of the North."

"Any objections Council?"

"I'll allow him."

Fret was brought to the stand and was given a seat appropriate to his size. He was, without a doubt, the cleanest dwarf anyone there had seen. After taking the oath the DA walked right up to him and established his qualifications to the jury, making sure they knew how knowledgeable the dwarf was.

"Fret could you explain to the Jury how the Drow are viewed in the North, especially around the area that McGristle grew up in?"

"Certainly. South and west of Sundabar, as in most of the North, Drow are reviled. However, the vast majority of them have never encountered a Drow and most have never encountered someone who has encountered a Drow. There are not many entrances to the Underdark in that particular region compared to other regions and the encounters are rare and exceedingly so."

"Now, in your expert opinion, do all Drow live up to the beliefs of these rural people?"

"No, not all, but there are instances where the hate is justified."

"Such as the massacre in the Moonwood?"

"Yes, but there are many cases where that is not true. For example, Lady Dove and Lady Alustriel's sister is a Drow, but she is not at all like the accounts would pigeonhole her."

"Wait, isn't Dove Falconhand human?"

"Yes, her sister's birth was complicated as well as being an issue of the youngest in the family. But not entirely unexpected considering their mother is Mystra, the Goddess of Magic. One of their mothers at least."

"Godde-what?"

"It is complicated."

The DA shook his head to get his mind back on the subject at hand. "How would you categorize their reactions to Drow?"

"The vast majority of it is prejudice."

"And what is your professional opinion of McGristle's actions?"

"As a witness to the incident and being personally acquainted with Mr. McGristle I can tell you with complete honestly and seriousness that he is beyond prejudiced. It may have started that way, but his actions at the incident in question and before was pure hate towards the 'Drow.'"

"Thank you, Fret," the DA said. He went back over to the table and picked up a large red leather-bound tome. He held it up for everyone to see. "This is a copy of the Sunnydale Law Code adapted from the California code and others." The public defender nodded that he agreed on what it was. Handing it to the dwarf, he asked: "Would you please read this section here?"

Fret put on his glasses (they were a special kind that helped him translate and decipher script of both mundane and magical nature). "'A Hate Crime is a criminal act specifically targeting and persecuting a group or individual based on race, religion, age, gender or sexual preference. A Hate Crime is considered a more egregious crime than one such normally committed.'"

"Thank you," the DA said, taking the book back. "And what does that describe to you?"

"It perfectly describes McGristle's actions towards Mr. Drizzt Do'Urden, specifically in regards to race."

"Thank you Fret." The DA glanced up at the judge. "No further questions, Your Honor. The prosecution rests."

"I would like to request a recess," the public defended said. "I think the jury and everyone else could use a rest."

"That sounds fine to me. Nine o'clock Thursday morning we'll recommence."

"I think we really turned it around in that last one," the DA said as he looked out at the setting sun.

"I think the defense is throwing the case," Sara argued. Both DA and the other assistant looked at her.

"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth," cautioned the other assistant.

"I'm not, I just think this means more is coming our way later on," Sara said. "Think about it. I would have objected to ninety percent of what you asked them but he didn't say a word."

"But you aren't him," cautioned the DA. "But I think you might be right. We should be prepared for anything."

"As well you should," said the Mayor from the doorway. "I just wanted to congratulate you on such a good day."

"Mayor Wilkins!" Sara said, standing up in surprise.

"Don't worry Miss Baxter, I'm just here to give words of encouragement," the Mayor said with a winning politician's smile. "It's been tough running the first felony trial in the new Sunnydale, but I think you're doing a good job. Just keep up the good work!"

"Thank you Mr. Mayor," the DA said. "I'll try."

"Good man!"

There was a feeling of relaxation as the man stepped out the door.

"Your honor, I would like to call Mr. McGristle to the stand," the public defender said. The judge nodded and the hulking human lumbered up into the stand. He was somewhat comical with his illfitting prison uniform and chained hands. He stood in the stand like the others and glared at the crowd.

"McGristle, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?"

"I do."

"You may be seated." He sat and the defense attorney stood up and glanced around the room.

"Mr. McGristle, would you please tell the court how you became involved with Mr. Do'Urden?"

"I was a tracker, hunting furs and skins with me dogs. I heard the town was lookin' fer trackers, so I went into town. They said they had drow, that one had attacked a kid, so I went looking for 'em."

"Did you find any?"

"Yeah, that one," he said, pointing to Drizzt sitting in the crowd.

"What happened then?"

"He killed me dog and dropped a tree on me face. He was laughin' when he do it, too," the hulking man said. Drizzt was not pleased. His fists were clenched, the blood running from them. "He left me fer dead. That's cruel way to die."

"You said he was laughing?"

"He wore this smirk, like it won it all," McGristle said.

"So what happened then?"

"I joined up with them adventurers," he relayed. "I was all fer huntin' him down and they were all about to quit. I knew we couldn't let him get away. He wuz too dangerous."

"So what happened when you joined the adventurers?"

"I tracked him and we prepared to hunt him down."

"And where did that take you?"

"Right out to where we fought them orcs and giants."

"Now, do you deny that you attacked Mr. Do'Urden that day?"

"No I do not."

"And why did you attack him."

"He couldn't be trusted. He was the one who scarred me and attacked the Thistledowns."

"Thank you Mr. McGristle, no further questions your Honor."

"Prosecution?"

"Thank you, your Honor," the DA said. He glanced at his notes and looked up the defendant. "So you say he killed your dog and then he dropped a tree on you, is that correct?"

"Yes and I-"

"Please just answer yes or no," the DA said. You could almost see the steam shoot from McGristle's ears.

"Yes," the hulking man hissed through clenched teeth.

"Are you sure you didn't command your dogs to attack first?"

"I didn't."

"Mr. McGristle, are you aware what perjury is? It's lying while under oath. Now tell the truth, did you or did you not command your dogs to attack Drizzt Do'Urden?"

"ACOURSE I COMMANDED THEM!" the hulking tracker bellowed, having lost all control. "ACOURSE I DID! You think I'm gonna let a stinkin' Drow get away? We all know what they're like! Their souls are as black as their hides! Ye can't trust one a them! He attacked me an then he killed them Thistledowns! He killed me dog!" McGristle pointed to his deeply lined face. "Look what he did to me eye! I's scarred fer life!"

"So, it's safe to say you hate him?"

"Acourse it's safe! It's true! Him an' all his kind!"

"So you hate all Drow?"

"Yes!"

"Why?"

"They're no good murderers and thieves. They're the scum of the earth! Living underground, killing us goodly folk!"

"So you attacked him because of his race?"

"Yes!"

"So, when you attacked him, after his leg was broken, unable to maneuver or otherwise avoid your attack, you were doing so because he is a Drow, am I right?"

"YES!"

"No further questions, your honor."

The prosecution sat down. McGristle's face was as red as his beard and the arms of the chair creaked in his grasp. The raw fury evident on his face was enough to scare some people in the crowd and the Jury, much closer than the rest of them, had more than a few members scared for their lives.

The defense attorney leaned back in his chair. He was careful to keep the smile from his face. He could honestly say that this case was successfully lost. Now he just had to bluff his way through the closing and get to the verdict. Oh, he might have badmouthed people a little, but when it came down to it, the entire thing was lost right then and there. It only helped that McGristle had a stunning resemblance to Charles Manson. But what the Mayor wants, the Mayor gets.

"Would the defendant please rise?"

McGristle and his lawyer stood. McGristle glowered at the crowd, his eyes scanning over them. More than a few of the jurors shivered perceptibly under that gaze.

"Has the jury made a verdict?"

"We have your honor."

"On the count of Aggravated Assault we find the defendant guilty. We find that it is sufficient to count as a Hate Crime under Sunnydale law."

"Thank you Jurors," she said. The judge looked down on the grimy man. He glared back up at her, completely unrepentant. "Mr Roddy McGristle. You are hereby sentenced to two years hard labor. Your work will be directed by the Sunnydale Department of Corrections. You may appeal this decision and you will have full access to your lawyer during this time. He can inform you of the specifics." She nodded tiredly to the bailiff before she stood up and walked out of the court room.