Peter had told Matt the full tale, and of course in all truth. Matt had detected no lie and conveyed as such. There'd been no doubts; but they couldn't be too sure. The court, a special tribunal, would be made up of senior shield officials. It wouldn't be a jury trial in that sense. Peter was enhanced and a serving agent in the field at the time the charges occurred.

The charges were many and serious. Top among them was treason gross insubordination and conducting unauthorized covert actions both on domestic and foreign soil, which indirectly led to the mass destruction of life and property. Indirect as it hadn't been malicious, as Matt explained; but it wouldn't matter.

Matt kept reminding him that this was not a typical court. Peter got it.

Peter "tell me the worst case scenario counselor." It was strange to call him that. They'd been through many life death situations together. They alone had saved New York many times. But now here they were in this latest mess.

"Well, as I hinted at earlier, you'll lose your powers. You'll never be Spider-Man ever again. That's what they're really pushing for. Likely a deal of some kind to keep you out of prison. They know it wasn't malicious and that your mind is one of the best on earth. They don't wanna lose that. But Spider-Man's mantle will be ended."

It was now that Peter understood what Mephisto's real end game had been. It had been to end Spider-Man as a hero and symbol. He'd never wanted Peter dead; but ending his heroic alter ego, and then forcing Peter to live with that failure, was another matter altogether.

That was totally sadistic. That was Mephisto. No doubts there.

"There's more." "More?" "You and Romanoff will likely be forbidden from ever associating ever again." Peter was stunned. "If you violate this likely agreement I see coming then one charge above all, treason, will be kept on hold for you both for good. That alone will lock you up for life without parole."

Peter felt his head spin.

"They need to make it stick agent Parker. This is how they will do it."

Peter had already entered his plea. Not guilty. He'd done what he thought was right. That's all anyone could do.

"Get some sleep. Trial is tomorrow."

Xxx

"This special tribunal is hereby called to order." The judges were three, and had come straight from the triskelion in dc to see this job done. They apparently had strong legal expertise. The prosecution was also from shield legal.

The trial very much went the way Matt said it would.

"My client followed the dictates of his conscience. He is the legendary Spider-Man. He's saved countless lives in his heroic service to New York and beyond..."

"No one is disputing his past record mister Murdock" said the prosecutor. "It's what he did on the dates in question. That's alone why we are here."

"But his entire record should be taken into account..." "objection your honors. The defense is digressing." Judges "sustained. Defense counsel will stick to the case at hand. Nothing more." Matt tapped his cane lightly on the floor. "Counselor? Do you understand this?"

Matt smiled and focused on the judges. "I do your honors. But I also feel as if this case cannot be totally appreciated in its proper fuller context without taking into account my client's complete record."

"All noted. But this is also not a typical trial either. You and your client were made very clear about this." "Yes your honors. But it only impresses the importance of making sure that my client's fair trial and due process rights are all honored to the fullest extent possible." "That is not in dispute counselor. But your client is not just anyone either. And his alleged crimes are great and many. And they led to the deaths of many others. Even if indirectly so. It doesn't matter."

It almost seemed to Peter they were out to throw him under the school bus. Many institutions did that to save their own necks. Maybe shield had done things too; and were scapegoating Tasha and him for it.

That's all speculative and you know it Pete. You can't prove jack along those lines. That's a dead end and nothing more.

Prosecutor "it could also be supplied that because of the defendant's history of acting in a well known and proven times over vigilante capacity that this only supports a record of insubordination and willful disregard of the law. In this context it is very much applicable to the case here; which in turn led to the defendant's actions on trial now."

The judges seemed to agree with that. Their expressions suggested as much. And as it was a special trial only their unanimous vote was needed to change Peter's life forever. Although he'd dare say ruin.

The prosecution had been clever with its sudden delivery there. Matt hadn't objected. Peter wondered why. Maybe he thinks this whole trial is crap like I do and that their mind is already made up...

Matt's verdict anticipation made sense. Removing Spider-Man was the real winner for all opposed. Peter was controllable. The spectacle wearing nerd who could threaten no one. But then again Peter had never wanted to threaten anyone. People had threatened him. Gotten into his business where they didn't belong. Taken his uncle. He'd never apologize for fighting that.

Not now. Not ever. And no matter what they do to me here I'll still be dangerous. I'll still have my knowledge. Even they can't stop that. I promise you all: Spider-Man will live on somehow. No matter what happens here at this farce of a trial.

Prosecutor "may I pose a simple question to the defendant your honors?" "You may." He looked at Peter directly. "Mister Parker..." it's still agent dickhead. "Do you regret, at all, the lives that were lost as a result of your actions? No matter how indirect those actions might have been."

Peter looked to Matt. Matt nodded. "Of course I do. That's been true from day one over ten years ago." Prosecutor "that doesn't sound very convincing mister Parker..." "it is. You're gonna believe what you want. You've already made up your minds as to how this is gonna go."

Matt faced the judges and said "the defense rests your honor." Peter frowned at that. Matt took his seat beside him. "Matt..." "not here Pete." What the hell?