Disclaimer: I do not Own FF VIII

"Did you hear that Rumor?"
"The one about the fugitive in Garden? Yeah!"

"Do you think it's true?"

"I donno but if the Rumors are true then I want to help…"

"Yeah I know what you mean, but they tried to take over the world!"

"Hello? Sorceress? Mind controlled them all, that is why!"

"maybe…"

The side conversation was one repeated and reintroduced all across garden. The story retold and embellished, but at it's center there was that Tiny Grain of Truth, that little sparkle of a hidden agenda that the Headmaster now looked at from across a curved table in a secured area of Galbania Garden. He was solemn and intense A slightly tense head instructor and a distraught looking Garden Master. The Combined group of Galbania and Balamb Gardens sat across the curved smooth wood speaking quietly, after the War a new Headmaster was appointed to Galbania Garden, a Stern, and heavy-handed man by the name of Triston. Beside him were his Associates head instructor Jameson, a small wire of a man who looked rather shifty in his personal opinion but nothing could be done for that, then there was Garden master Gravis. A Testament to steely-eyed businessmen everywhere he was donning a white suit where the others wore the colors of their respective gardens, what a stick-up-the-ass. He had had a few run ins with the man and couldn't help but consider him a scumbag. Nothing said nothing gained I suppose, I shuffle the papers before me trying to gather myself to open up things. I clear my throat and begin slowly, trying to maintain an even tone; I can't help but hardly recognize my own voice for a moment.

"This Counsel is herby convened to assess the case of Fujin Lascota, on Trial for one count of Treason, one count of war crimes, and one count of mass collateral destruction and one count of dereliction of duty, one count of insubordination, and multiple counts of first second and third degree murder in the attacks on Balamb Garden." He sounded so eloquent and sighed he needed to get over himself eventually. "Bring forth the defendant." He watched as Fujin was brought forward by one gabanian and one balamb faculty member she was again handcuffed and in shackles he sighed seeing the state of affairs and reflected on the impossibility of the situation. He had to not only prove she was not worth execution but that she was a good enough person to free… he inwardly sighed and looked up wiping all doubt and trepidation from his face, slowly his mind came back to him and he settled and looked to his peer to his right, and then at the Criminal in question.

"Miss Fujin, I want you to recount the happenings between the joining of Siefer Almsly and the Sorceress Ultamecia."

"Edea you mean." The other headmaster stated, and squall cast a glance in his direction and clarified.

"No, it was determined that Sorceress Edea was under the direct manipulation by the Sorceress Ultamecia in a previous trial, Headmaster." He blanched and became silent as Fujin recounted her story word for word what she had told me, very slowly, very monotonously, rather hoarsely. I watched them, all three of the gentlemen beside me I could see the understanding of the Head instructor though he looked stern his facial expression spoke volumes, the Headmaster too was nodding in belief by the end of the Story occasionally blotting down notes on a Legal pad he had brought with him. It was the Garden Master who I was concerned about. He just sat, looking completely disinterested and bored while half listening to her story, he had the look of someone who had already made up his mind, and somewhere deep down that expression made me want to strange the man.

I knew that I needed to listen again, and pulled back into her story as she was discussing the final attack upon Lunatic Pandora and recounting the battle that had ensued and resulted in the death of her friends she occasionally glanced at me with a mixture of anger and regret. I couldn't tell what she was regretting though, but I had an idea.

&8&

That was the story the whole story. Nothing left out, not a word. I think…. I said about Galbania garden… the attack on Balamb… the intra continental and the rise of Pandora… the revival of Adel and the crash, then the move through FH, and the entrance to Balamb. Heh… I think I embarrassed Puberty boy a little with that, I could see his ego take the hit, almost makes this all worth it… well I'm going to die soon, might as well have something fun rise out of it. Still… That Galbanian in the Suit… what a scumbag, he's supposed to be part of a judge's council and he hardly listened to a word I said…. Speaking of talking I wish I had a glass of water… This Trial is still in session and that bastard looks like he already has the Verdict in mind! Rage! It makes me want to strangle him… am I staring, oh who cares.

Deep breaths. In. Out. In. Out. It's been probably three hours of deliberation so far… I should probably stop pacing. And sit down… this cell is small. and the mattress is lumpy…. I should probably get used to it…. Since this will probably be my home for the next lifetime… or maybe they'll give me a cozy home in D District…. I wonder if they remember me… That is a really negative thought, Squall did say he would get me off light, he has plenty of sway. Right?

&8&

The Deliberation had taken five hours, but again the small albino woman was brought before the group and even the galbanian gardenmaster looked serious now. All they eyes of the group were focused on her as Squall stood and cleared his throat, looking across the bench as his colleages looked back at him. And he looked to Fujin and began.

"Fujin Lascota, on the Charges of insubordination, dereliction of duty, and collateral damage, we find you guilty as charged. On the Charges of Treason, manslaughter, first second and third degree murder, we find you not Guilty, as you were under the coercive effects of the socress, we also exonerate the charges on both Seifer Almsly and Raijin Kamigara, as under the influence of a sorceress." He saw a mote, deep in her eyes, relief. But still she stayed steely and focused awaiting the final verdict. "In atonement for these actions you are hereby placed in custody of the Balamb Garden Headmaster to perform restitution as he sees fit, with an additional punishment of twenty lashes, and a sum fine of six million Gil for the reconstruction of Balamb garden to be paid in hours service. That is the final decision of this Tribunal." Fujin nearly fainted where she sat, she was lead out of the room but she could hardly walk of her own accord

A/N: sorry it has taken me so long to get a handle on this, but here is the Trial, I had to think about it for a while, and I'm still not happy with it but this is takeing me Far too long. so I might redo this chapter later, or even go back and remake it and a dd another chap in there splitting it in two... well I'll get to work on the next chaop soon, R&R. Shout out to Mare-Mare, and Varient skies, and all my dedicated Reviewers, EARN A SHOUT OUT TODAY AND REVIEW! I WILL TAKE ANY SORT OF COMMENT EVEN ONE WORD ONES!