Chapter Twenty Eight: Satisfaction

Edmund Aster Bunnymund had accomplished much for only being thirty five years old. He'd become one of the youngest councilmen in the history of San Fransokyo, and was a proud spokesman for the movements in childcare and social work. He even was recognized for his work in cuffing the underage bot fighting issues and helping teens find jobs throughout the city. At work he was either Edmund or Bunnymund, but mostly, he just let his friends (and kids) call him bunny.

There weren't any meetings for the rest of the night, so Bunny opened his phone, scrolling to check a few emails. There was a message from North, confirming some new information he'd recently gotten. Bunny scrolled past, stopping on a reservation reminder.

It was technically dinner for three, as his intended date had her own responsibility. Bunny didn't mind, and had made sure the restaurant was kid friendly. He also knew that Babienne would love their chocolate cake. He was shaken out of his daydreams when his phone buzzed, signalling another email.

"Mr. Bunnymund? You have a visitor,"

"Thanks Rosetta," The councilman said. "You can head home now,"

His redheaded secretary smiled and opened the door for Bunny's visitor before heading back to her desk.

"Hey Bunny," The blonde woman smiled, sitting down across from the older man. "Haven't seen you for a while,"

"Technically I won't have seen you until your annual restaurant check, Punzel," Bunny smiled. "Considering you four are pulling vigilante bull now,"

"Bunny!" Rapunzel laughed. "You have a point, but this was important. Here,"

The blonde dropped her backpack at Bunny's feet. The contents clinked together and Bunny nudged it gently with his foot.

"Are these all of the stolen robots?"

"Ours," Rapunzel said. "But you didn't get them from me, you-"

"Found them during tonight's raid on Grimtech," Bunny said with the blonde. "Have a good night Punzel,"

"You too," Rapunzel said, standing up and leaving the office. "Thanks again,"

Bunny smiled and opened an email tab on his computer, copying both the head of the city council and his police contacts. Typing quickly, he laid out the 'tip' he had just received about shady dealings at a local robot company. Then, he turned back to his phone and smiled at the reservation email.

Good thing he'd scheduled the dinner for Friday.

Two Weeks Later:

"This is the case for the trials between Grimtech owners and the San Fransokyo robot fighting community. Please be aware that this trial may touch on several sensitive topics, and if this is not the case you're here for, then this is the time to leave. With this, we may continue,"

The trial went smoothly - or as smoothly as a very public trial could. The lawyers moved effortlessly, bringing in witness and evidence to either promote or discredit the story. The case was already very public, with the press getting involved almost immediately. The trial blew up even more when Pitchiner K. Black was arrested on accomplice charges.

The Cove Golems had watched it all from a very safe, protected distance.

Bunny's raid on Grimtech revealed stolen bots and the same information Hiccup had found, plus more. All of the stolen bots had to be turned over to the courts for use in the trial, but they were set to be returned after the verdict.

Rapunzel leaned into Jack's side as the couple watched the prosecution lawyer - a lovely but ruthless woman named Sally Carrera - told the story of Violet Parr and Wilbur Robinson. Both of the teens parents were in the stands, watching as first Wilbur, and then Violet were called to the witness stand.

"Miss Parr, do you see your attackers in this courtroom?" Sally Carrera asked. Violet nodded. "Can you point them out for the jury?"

"It was those two men. The red heads, one with the eyepatch," Violet croaked, her voice still rough from the days spent in the hospital. Even with the stitches across her hairline and the cast on her left wrist, she still looked determined.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Carrera said, turning towards the jury. "These two men are the Stabbington brothers, both under the employ of Viggo and Ryker Grimborn, and they have already confessed to multiple planned attacks to reduce their sentences,"

The jury and rest of the crowd murmured, and Carrera continued.

"Miss Parr, do you see your stolen bot here today?"

"Yes."

"Which one is it?"

"Invisi," Violet said. "That little red and black one,"

"And can you prove that this is indeed your robot?"

"Wil and I marked it - here," Violet said, taking the robot and pointing out a few names hiding under a plate. "And we have all the original plans,"

Closer to the front, Merida leaned back her seat, letting Hiccup's arm wind around her shoulders. There were several more witnesses before it would get to her, and the redhead was content to enjoy the show as Carrera tore Viggo Grimborn's carefully created story apart brick by brick.

Carrera moved on, adding how Viggo used young teenagers on the streets to move his stolen merchandise. Vex Varadaros took her seat and explained how she'd been paid to purchase bots from fighters in street fights before giving them to Ryker. She finished by saying that she didn't know who else was involved, but she knew that they hadn't noticed when she stopped showing up.

The charges against the Grimborns were harsh - assault, extortion, and illegal deals with a city councilmen. The brothers were putting up a good fight. They had the best lawyers, did their best to cover any wrongdoing, but the sheer amount of witnesses was overpowering.

It turned out to be Merida's testimony that officially ended the trial.

"Miss Dunbroch, do you see your robot here?"

"Yes ma'am,"

"Can you point it out?"

"It's tha' blue one. It's mah Will O'Wisp," Merida said calmly, eyes barely glancing over to where Viggo and Ryker sat in shock. "Ah built her three years ago,"

"And you filed an ownership claim then too," Carrera confirmed. "Like so many before her, Miss Dunbroch was violently assaulted for her robot. However, her attack went differently. Miss Dunbroch fought long and hard, and it took both Sabbingtons and Mr Ryker Grimborn to incapacitate her,"

During the cross examination, the prosecution lawyer tried to implicate her on Viggo and Ryker's tazing injuries, but Merida easily explained how she'd used her bot in self defense. Hiccup smirked a little as the crowd behind him murmured. A few voices - scientists or other robotic CEOs - seemed interested in more self defense and anti-theft programs.

As Merida stepped down from the witness stand, there was no question that the Stabbington brothers and Ryker would get convicted on their assault charges. The hospital records confirmed the witnesses' stories, and Sally Carrera had already said she felt confident that Grimtech would be paying for any bills in fines.

The rest of the trial discussed specifics, bad excuses from the Grimborn brothers, and general attempt by their lawyer - who was even a little disgusted by this point - to get them lighter sentences. Then, the jury left to confer, and the Cove Golems and their friends were left to wait for the final verdict of the almost three day long trial.

The courtroom held their breath as the jury reentered and took their places. The foreman stood at the end, waiting his turn to speak. At the judge's motion, the man told the waiting courtroom the decision.

"In the matter of Grimtech versus the bot fighting community of San Fransokyo, we find Viggo Grimborn guilty of extortion, theft and bribery of a councilman. We find Ryker Grimborn guilty of assault, extortion and theft. We find the Stabbington brothers guilty of assault, and we find Pitchiner Black guilty of bribery and illegal activity related to bot fighting,"

The courtroom erupted into cheers. The loudest roars came from the Parrs and Robinsons, but Jack and Merida were close behind. Rapunzel shrieked in delight, pumping her fist as the lawyers and jury finished, the Grimborns, Stabbingtons and Pitch soon being handcuffed for their transport to prison.

"Your robot will be returned to you by the end of the day, sheila," Bunny whispered to Merida. "But first, I wanna give that younga' sheilas back,"

Hiccup put an arm around Merida's waist and pulled her closer, watching as Bunny retrieved Invisi to return to Violet. The teenager - despite still being injured - hugged the councilmen tightly as thanks.

"Feels good, doesn't it?" Hiccup asked. "And now, all of these robots, they're getting returned."

"Feels great," Merida answered.

"I've seen so many of these people fight - helped get so many of these bots built!" Hiccup continued. "This is actually kinda cool,"

"Excuse me, you helped build a lot of these bots?" An older man asked. "This is some of the most advanced tech I've ever seen,"

"Uhhh… thanks," Hiccup stuttered. "Y-you're Robert Callaghan - one of the greatest robotic minds in the last fifty years!"

"I am," The professor said. "I'd love to talk with you about your designs - I've seen your own bot, in the revealed footage - but a mind like yours, they are few and far between. I'm sure there's a spot for you at SFIT,"

"R-really?" Hiccup balked. "You're offering me a job?"

"This trial revealed a good many things Mr…"

"Haddock,"

"Mr Haddock. One of those things is that you clearly have a mind for robotics,"

Merida smiled and let Hiccup and Callaghan talk, and made her way over to Jack and Rapunzel. The couple smiled and Rapunzel hugged Merida tightly.

"We won!" The blonde cheered.

"We won," Merida echoed. "We won,"

Authors Notes: One chapter left! It's the epilogue, and I'll be posting the bonus chapter with it.

Not much to report about anything else. It's been a busy week for life stuff but a slow week for writing. The most I did was outline a few oneshots for Soulmate Stories, but I intend to keep trucking along with Omega Project.

I hope you all enjoyed today's chapter, and remember - reviews fuel the author, so don't hesitate to leave one if you liked it!