Chapter 53 - Court First, Spar After
The day after the wedding, Aizawa and Ms. Joke went on their honeymoon, leaving Eri in Togata's care until they returned. All Might took over Aizawa's teaching duties for the time being, as he considered that the happy couple should have some time to themselves. Everyone was really happy for Aizawa, and even more amazed that he actually found true love.
The day after that, the court date came up. The students of Class 1-A, Class 1-B, and the American students were all in attendance, as well as All Might, Principal Nezu, and the other important faculty of U.A. The judge was an older Japanese man who was kind, but also stern. Joshua was put up in the accused person stand, where he was to sit while be trialed.
The courtroom drama went like this: the prosecuting attorney, representing some of the innocent people that were caught in the crossfire, argued that Joshua was responsible for the whole mess. He said that Joshua was the son of a villain, and therefore didn't deserve the right to forgiveness, no matter if he helped fight the villains, as he could be using it as a cover.
The defending attorney, who was a huge fan of All Might's, defended that Joshua, despite his villain origins, wanted to change who he was. And that he fought bravely alongside his fellow U.A students, and did not run away when confronted with the police. Therefore, because of his redemptive actions, he deserved the right to be forgiven for what he had done.
The first witness was Principal Nezu, who admitted with honesty that they had no idea of Joshua's origins. He also told that they checked with Justice High, who didn't know about Joshua's origins either, and that they were planning on beefing up their background and social checks.
Unfortunately, the prosecuting attorney, who was a weasel (not a literal one, a figurative one), was twisting his words to make it sound like the Americans were the ones to blame, not just Joshua. When he mentioned the idea of ending the exchange program, the students of Class 1-A, Class 1-B, and the American students reacted rather negatively, and the judge had to call for 'order in the court'.
The next witness was All Might, who was filling in for Aizawa, due to him being on his honeymoon. All Might told that he witnessed the change in Joshua's behavior, how he had gone from an angry loner into a friendly person. He told that Joshua shouldn't be thrown in jail because of who he was born to, and who taught him a warped view of the world. The prosecuting attorney attempted an argument against this, but there was nothing he could say, and he had to let it pass.
The various students of U.A also came up onto the witness stand, in order to give their testimonies of what happened. Midoriya told about how they tried to prove Joshua's innocence, and how they had left the note on Principal Nezu's desk telling about the attack. Matthew told about Joshua's confession, and how they helped plan it out. Jiro told about how Joshua had fallen in love with her, that his feelings were genuine, and that in no way had he used her to gain information about the classes.
The court drama went on peacefully, aside from two incidents: Ralphie making court jokes, and Bakugo realizing how much of a weasel the prosecuting attorney was, to which he began going on a violent tirade about him. Finally, they were allowed to call up one last witness, which the defending attorney called up Joshua Rourke to speak.
Joshua got up on the stand and, after a few questions, Joshua asked the judge if he could speak freely. The judge allowed this, Joshua cleared his throat, and this is what he said.
"I know that I'm the son of a villain, and I know that I do not deserve mercy." said Joshua. "Had I been back home with the mindset of a villain, I wouldn't mind this one bit, as my father would've come to bust me out. But, I want you all to know that I've changed, and I don't want to be a villain anymore. I was born as a villain, and all my life my head was filled with nonsense of how I would never amount to anything. I was told that I would never become a hero, and I believed it. So I grew up doing what was wrong, because I thought that was all I was good enough for. But, then I became part of a plot to destroy U.A, and I was told nothing but bad things about these people that I have grown to cherish and love."
"Objection!" said the prosecuting attorney. "He's playing off emotions!"
"Objection rejected." The judge replied. "Continue, Mr. Rourke."
Joshua nodded, and continued, "When I came here, I began doing what I was required to do, and that was collecting information on the students. But, they all were so nice to me, and I got to spend time with people who accepted me, and told me that I could do what I liked. I wasn't getting beaten for when I made a mistake, or yelled at, or starved, or treated like an animal; I was accepted, and I felt loved. And I did fall in love with the prettiest girl have ever met in my life, and I love her."
Jiro smirked, and the students let out quiet chuckles and laughs at that. They were friendly, and not meant in a taunting way.
"So, whatever happens to me now, I'm fine with it." Joshua concluded. "I'm happy, I have friends, and God found me. I don't know if any of you will take my word for it, but I've changed. I'm no longer who I was before, and I will fight evil alongside my fellow heroes. My name is longer 'Death Wish II', but I'm now known as 'Feral Unleashed'. That's all I have to say, and I'll let you decide what is to happen to me."
The students erupted into cheers for Joshua, and once again, the judge had to call for 'order in the court'.
"You may step down, Mr. Rourke." said the judge, to which Joshua obeyed, and went back to the accused stand. The judge then said, "After weighing the evidence, I have come to the verdict. Joshua Rourke is guilty of his villainous crimes, but he has shown remorse for what he has done, and even attempted to prevent the stadium attack from happening. So, this is the sentence I give him… he will have special rehabilitation at U.A, where he will be put on the hero course in order to become a hero. And, for two months time, he will be required to check in with Principal Nezu at the beginning and end of each school day, and will perform two hours of community service on his off days. Court adjourned."
Joshua came down from the accused person stand. Once again, the students erupted into loud cheers for Joshua, and they all came forward to shake hands, hug, and congratulate him! Even the crowd was clapping for him and his courtroom victory!
And Joshua, he smiled all through it, and couldn't have been happier. He had done it! He had gone from bad to good! No longer was he the son of a villain, destined to go down the dark path of evil! Now, he was to be a hero!
A couple days had passed, and it was Sunday. Joshua woke up early, got dressed in his red t-shirt and black gym shorts, went out of his room, and outside to sit on the steps and watch the sunrise. It was a warm, spring morning, and he couldn't have been happier. He was free, truly free of being the son of a villain.
He thought about everything while watching the sun: when he first came to U.A, the surprise attack that Aizawa planned, meeting Class 1-A, meeting Class 1-B, the classes he took, meeting Jiro's parents, singing songs, kissing Jiro for the first time, dancing with his fellow students, going to church, and all the other good events that happened since he had been at U.A.
The door opened behind him, and he turned to see Jiro, who was rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. She was wearing her casual attire:
her gym uniform top, black sweatpants, and was barefoot.
"I had a feeling I would find you out here." said Jiro, a smile on her face as she sat down beside Joshua.
"Yeah, I thought I would come out and watch the sunrise." Joshua replied. "Today's a new start for me, after all…"
"You did it; you beat the evil in you."
"I did, and it still amazes me."
Jiro then leaned over and kissed Joshua on the cheek.
"Aw, thanks." Joshua replied, a smile on his face as he placed his arm around Jiro and hugged her. "You know, life is good. I've been redeemed physically, mentally, spiritually, I have friends who love and support me, I have a pretty girl as my girlfriend, and it couldn't get any better than this."
"You're right, life is good." Jiro added.
Jiro then leaned her head against Joshua's shoulder and rested on him, as Joshua watched the sunrise. But as he watched the sun rise, he thought of his father, and the smile faded from his face. He imagined his father hidden in the cargo area of a plane, a look of pure anger on his face. Joshua knew that he would probably never see his father again, and if he did… they would be enemies.
Joshua let out a sad sigh and said, "Goodbye… Father…"
"What's that?" Jiro mumbled, her eyes closed.
"Oh, nothing." Joshua replied. "You want to go to church today?"
"Sure, why not?"
The smile returned on his face, and he gently leaned his head on Jiro's. They would get up in a little while, but right now, they were going to enjoy the warmth of the sun, and the comfort of each other.
Joshua Rourke, also known as 'Feral Unleashed', and once known as 'Death Wish II', was redeemed. And there was nothing that any of the villains could do about it…
Later that day, after lunch, Matthew and Bakugo walked into Gym Gamma together. It was only the two of them, and they were both wearing their U.A gym uniforms. Their reason for being there was a score to settle.
"Okay, All Might said we could use the gym, provided we don't damage it too much." said Matthew, before taking a joking tone and adding, "I think he was talking to you in this case, Kacchan."
"Oh don't worry, I'll make sure to be gentle!" Bakugo replied, his tone sarcastic. "Just make sure you bring your all, quirkless!"
"Oh, I will, you can bet on that! You want to start close quarters, and go from there?"
"Whatever, let's just get to fighting!"
"Close quarters it is then."
The two walked out into the open area of Gym Gamma, and moved about a couple of feet away from each other. The two students then began stretching and loosening up, preparing themselves for their anything goes, no-holds barred, knock down, drag out fight.
"You ready?" Matthew asked, after he was done stretching.
"I'm all warmed up!" Bakugo replied.
The two then began circling, waiting to see who was going to attack first. Despite that they were sparring to see who was the better fighter, there was an air of playfulness between the two. They were fighting as if they were friends who like to spar with each other, not mortal enemies fighting to the death.
"You going to attack or what?!" Bakugo asked, a hint of playfulness in his voice.
"Just planning out my strategy, that's all." Matthew replied, his tone equally playful. "Maybe I don't stand a chance at this point."
"Stop putting yourself down! You're one of the most powerful fighters I've fought against, for somebody that's a quirkless!"
"Is that a compliment? I'm quite flattered."
"You're going to be 'flatter' after this fight!"
Matthew laughed at that, and then said, "I'm attacking now! You ready?!"
"Bring it on!" Bakugo yelled.
Matthew jumped forward, as did Bakugo! The two collided, and the sparring match was on!
THE END… FOR NOW.
Author's Notes: I did it! I DID IT! After fifty-three chapters, the story is completed! Special thanks to you all for your support and your reviews! Oh yeah, and don't think that this is the last you'll see of the American Students; their story is just beginning. In fact, head to the next chapter for a preview for the next story.
R&R,
Heroboy005
