Mei Hatsume was always used to working by herself. She practically claimed the Support Lab for herself given how much time she spent in there surrounded by tools and prototype inventions. Day in and day out, she gave her time to her tools and idea's, and every moment was always spent alone. People only ever came by when they needed something from her, and they never stuck around once they got what they wanted.

The cycle had to break eventually.

She entered the lab once more during the lunch period and found that he had already beat her here. A student from class 1-A now spent almost as much time here as she did. It wasn't something that she was used to, and rumors had already started in her Support Class. 'Mei has a boyfriend now!' They would say, 'About time she got away from her tools!'

Jokes on them, he wasn't her type.

Peter was sitting in his usual spot, working on the same suit from yesterday. He was screwing bolts into the plates of the suit, connecting wires under the material before covering them. He was focused, so much so that nothing could interrupt him.

Of course, that wouldn't stop her.

In her hand was a tray with food on it, two burgers and one set of fries. She placed the tray down before grabbing one of the paper-wrapped burgers and chucking it at him like a baseball. Peter didn't need to look up to lift his hand and catch it head on, his other hand still screwing bolts in. A full second after he caught it did he finally register what was in his hand, and look up to greet Hatsume, "Afternoon to you too, Mei."

"I figured you skipped lunch, so I thought ahead. Now you owe me!" She exclaimed.

"And what do I owe you?" He asked.

"I wanna know what your baby does!" She pointed to his suit, approaching quickly and nearly putting her hands all over it, "I've seen you doing a lot of wiring and coding, so I know this is more than a fashion statement! Come on! Gimme the goods!"

He placed the burger down next to the computer, not bothering to even unwrap it before he addressed her question, "I'm trying to program refractors that I've been attaching to the suit, which will feed information into the circuit boards and turn the material I've chosen into a two way reflective surface, bending light waves and creating a transparent illusion."

She gasped, "You're making a stealth suit?!"

He stared at her in surprised, his mouth half open from preparing a simpler explanation, "Yes …I'm making a stealth suit."

"Bending light waves is no easy feat. How'd you figure it out?"

"My mentor has a stealth armor, actually. I've been studying it every time I saw it on the news, I'm only now putting it into effect."

"You add a HUD yet?"

He raised an eyebrow at her, "A HUD?"

"Yeah! You know, a digital mapping software so you can know where you gotta swing too? A 'Main Menu' to control all of your suits features?"

"Mei, where would I even put that?"

"In your mask's lenses, duh!" She twirled her finger in a circular motion pointed at her temples, "I doubt you know this city very well, plus a HUD would make things easier anyway!"

"…Yeah, but …why would I NEED a HUD?"

She stood straight, over exaggerating her reaction, "OOOooh right! This suit is just for fun! My mistake, carry on!" Almost smug-like, she walked away and continued to work on her other inventions. Peter was left there to wonder what that was all about.

Whether it came out of nowhere or not, a HUD wasn't a bad idea.

…

School came and went with only less than a week until the Festival. Finally, it was the weekend, giving the students more time in the day to train and focus their quirks. Many of them worked alone, either in their backyard or an area at the school they had booked for the hour. Most left the school grounds alone, all except for two of the Hero Classes students, whom left together.

People filled the courtroom once again, almost sitting in the same spots as they had the day prior. Peter had been fidgeting as they brought up one witness after another, most of which were students present for the attack. Kendo sat by Peter's side and did her best to comfort him, knowing how stressful this situation was for him. And yet, it wasn't as bad as the day before, this time. Norman's vibe still bothered him, but it was easier this time. He hadn't even given Peter a dagger filled glare yet. What had changed?

"Your honor," Rei said as he stood from his desk with Norman, "I would like to call Itsuka Kendo to the stand."

Peter looked to her with sympathy, "Good luck," he said.

With a nod in return, Kendo stood from her seat and carefully made her way to the front of the courtroom. After being sworn in, she adjusted herself in the seat and prepared for whatever came her way.
"Itsuka Kendo," Rei addressed her casually, "From your perspective, when did you first see these villains?"

"I was in class," She answered, "Suddenly the wall came down and this electric based villain attacked our teacher. We all ran for the exits as fast as we could."

"Except for you," He stated, "You were fighting against the villains with Peter Parker, is that correct?"

"That is …correct."

"And was this before or after Kamui gave you his blessing?"

Kendo paused, looking at Kamui who sat with the public defender, Tamika, "What do you mean?"

"Kamui stated that he gave you and Peter Parker permission to use your Quirks against the villains. However, did you start fighting them before or after he did?"

She knew exactly what he was trying to do, and she didn't like where it was going, "Technically-"

"Did you or did you not fight villains before he gave permission?"

"No, but-"

"So you fought them illegally," Rei interrupted violently, "Which means you're the one who really needs to be on trial for your crimes."

Rei stood, "Objection! Attacking the witness!"

"We had no choice!" Kendo shouted, "My friend was in trouble! I couldn't just stand by and-!"

Kendo covered her mouth in a gasp. Something had just clicked with her, something she didn't fully grasp until now. Her eyes darted to Peter, sitting in the back with a look of worry. She was thinking the way he had when he fought Hydro Man for her. The next words to come out of her mouth would only be siding with him fully for what he did. She can't act like she's on the right side of the law when her mindset has changed so drastically.

"…I couldn't stand around and do nothing," Kendo said as she slowly removed her hands from her face, "People were getting hurt and there weren't enough heroes around. If I did nothing, my friend would have been hurt or worse."

"Do you regret breaking the law?"

"...I…"

"Nothing further, your honor," Rei backed off and left Kendo in her emotionally confused state.

The transition between Rei and Tamika felt like it had lasted forever for her. She knew that she understood Peter's actions and motives, but now it was as if she could feel them as her own. Thinking back to that moment, when she jumped through the class window and cut her hand up just to save him, how she rationalized her actions, she had become him. Once scolding him, now her mind stood at his side, and that scared her. What did this mean for what's between them? Could she support him if he went out there again? Or would fear hold her back?

Was that all that restrained her? Fear?

Tamika approached the stand with welcoming eyes, knowing that Kendo was likely in a bit of turmoil, "Kendo, you're training to be a Pro Hero, correct?"

"Correct."

"So, should we not be glad that your instinct was to jump into action? It's one thing when you go out and search for danger, but it is another when that danger comes knocking at your door. Whether you struck first or were even given permission, you fought to protect yourself and your friends. Should we really see her as a criminal for protecting those she cares about as well as herself?" She turns to the Jury, "Why should we punish her and others for defending their lives and the lives of others when they had no other choice?" Tamika turned back to Kendo, "Would you agree you were pushed into a corner?"

Kendo nodded.

"Nothing further," Tamika backed off, sitting back down next to Kamui who gave Kendo a thumbs up.

Rei, however, stood back up, "I'd like to take a rebuttal," He said as he approached Kendo once again, "You said you had no choice, but camera footage shows you heading for the exit with the other students. This was right before you jumped to a window, punched it open causing property damage, and jumping out to fight a villain. They say we can't charge you for self-defense, but you actively searched for the threat and caused harm to the villain. My client's knee was broken thanks to your reckless behavior. I ask again, should it be you on trial instead of him?" He backed off, "Nothing further."

As Rei returned to his desk, the judge waited to see if either side would call any other witnesses. After a moment of waiting, Tamika stood up to call her next move, "I'd like to inquire a piece of evidence to the case."

"You may proceed," The Judge allowed.

A few minutes later, a cart was rolled into the courtroom and pushed down the main isle. The object resting on the top was covered in a thin blanket and seemed to resonate and almost hum as it passed the seats. Reaching the front of the room, Tamika approached it and placed a hand on the blanket, "I'd like to show everyone the weapon used by Norman Osborn during the attack on the school."

When she removed the blanket, laying on the cart was the Infinity Gauntlet, glistening in the light of the courtroom. The stone was still attached to its preferred slot on the knuckle as no one had dared try to remove it. Peter nearly stood in awe, thinking about how stupid they were to bring the gauntlet here in public.
"Kendo," Tamika addressed, "Is this the weapon used by Norman Osborn during the attack?"

She winced at the sight of it, remembering the damage the little object had caused, "Yes."

"Objection," Said Rei, "What relevance does a glove have? There is no power in a glove."

"No, but there is power in the stone it holds," Tamika continued, "The stone attached to the gauntlet holds tremendous power which Norman used against the children at the school. Its also not the first time he has used it to harm others, the first time being when he attacked Peter Parker at the police station, where Peter was turning in a witness report of villains in the city," he turned to face Rei, "He's been accused of criminal acts, yet he obeyed the law and reported a villain sighting rather than chase it himself."

"That-" Rei tried to interrupt, but Tamika continued to speak.

"These children are not criminals, they didn't attack innocent people using powerful weapons, with the intent to take someone's life. Norman Osborn is. Nothing further," Placing the blanket back on the Gauntlet, the cart was wheeled out of the courtroom, out of sight but not out of mind.

Kendo returned to her seat next to Peter, leaning on his shoulder after the exhausting experience. It was clear that there was an unspoken thing they needed to discuss after the trial. Rei and Tamika prepared to give their final statements before the Jury makes their decisions. Rei, of course, tried to criminalize Kendo and Peter by pointing out how they illegally harmed the villains during the attack. He explained his belief that a simple Gauntlet couldn't possibly have so much power, and Norman's abilities had driven him mad with anger.

Tamika came up next, doing everything she could to rebuttal what Rei had stated. She explained how Kendo and Peter fought because its who they are as heroes. They didn't seek the danger, they fought to protect their school when it was invaded. Norman's actions were his own choice and should not be cast aside so easily. This case was about Norman, not a couple of upcoming heroes doing exactly what they were taught to do.

Taking their seats, the Jury left the room and headed for the back. Everyone was given permission to roam about until the verdict was called in. Kendo was the first of their row to get up and head out the door, rather quickly in fact. Her sudden removal from the room worried Peter, and he followed her soon after.

"Kendo?" Peter called to her as they exited the courtroom, "Are you ok?"

"Yeah," Kendo rubbed the back of her neck, taking deep breaths to calm herself, "Yeah, I'm ok. It was just rough in there."

"I know what you mean," Peter scratched the back of his head, just barely avoiding eye contact with her, "So, are we going to talk about …what you said up on the stand?"

Kendo sighed, nodding her head, "I know the law is there for a reason. I know that I wasn't supposed to do anything to help, and just run away like the rest of the school. But you were in trouble, and I knew I had to act in order to save you. Today …I realized that I agreed with you. Everything you were doing and why, I thought you were right. Despite that, though, the law is still the law and should be followed," her voice went quiet, feeling embarrassed to speak more, "Even if I think it's unfair."

Peter wanted to ask her more questions, but as the halls filled with more people from the courtroom, their voices became silenced in the chatter. They barely made eye contact, looking down at the ground as not to raise suspicion, knowing how many of the courtroom's inhabitants could have seen them now as criminals.

Kamui came out soon after, ignoring any of the people who asked him questions and directly approached Kendo and Peter, "How are you two holding up?" He asked.

"We're ok, thanks," said Peter, "How do you think it looks?"

"Well, both Rei and Tamika did their best in there. It's about half n' half I'd say. Be thankful no reporters came charging in to twist all the witness stories for the public, or it would be a lot worse for us. They thrive off controversy."

"Why haven't they come in here?"

"Mt. Lady is out there, keeping them busy. She's good at crowd control, or at least keeping all eyes on her."

"Gee, I wonder why," Kendo said sarcastically.

Peter looked out the front window to check the situation of the front door. No doubt, Mt. Lady was outside posing for the press, talking to them and keeping anyone from getting by. Even though this was her job to control the crowd, it was obvious that she was loving the attention, basking in how the men fell for her, and the women became jealous of her beauty.
"Like I said before," Mt. Lady spoke to the press, "The trial is still underway and can't be interrupted. There are so many other important things you could be covering. Oh! Did any of you see me on the Hellen show last night? They picked me as a candidate for most beautiful female superhero!"

"But Mt. Lady!" Said a reporter, "Are the rumors true that two of U.A High's students could be convicted criminals? Witnesses say they saw them fighting villains without a license? Will they be going on trial as well?"

Mt. Lady suddenly stopped posing, her entire demeanor taking a sharp turn into ice, "Those 'students' saved a lot of lives that day. I suggest writing about the real criminals, and not discriminate against those with good hearts, sir."
Her sour attitude caused the man to back off into the crowd, and everything resumed as it was.

Peter smiled while looking at her through the window. He knew that despite her love for the fame and attention, she still had a good heart that cared for doing what was right. She was a hero who fought because she loved doing good for others, she just so happened to love the attention at the same time.

His eyes darted around the area outside, most of it occupied by reporters and journalists. In the corner, however, just out of sight was a black sleek car parked just across the street. The hood had a painted symbol on the top, one Peter vaguely recognized. The symbol was a silver cross, a crack going down the middle and splitting it in half. Around it was a house shape, concealing the cross within.

No, it wasn't a house. It was a tomb.

While Kendo and Kamui were busy talking to one another, Peter snuck his way upstairs where fewer people had resided. The balcony had thankfully been left unlocked, and he walked over to the edge for an aerial look at the car. The man inside appeared to be watching the courthouse carefully, his hand hanging out the window casually. The windows of the car were tinted, an immediate sign for suspicion. Though the symbol was different, there was no doubt the car belonged to Tombstone. His original symbol was just the cross alone. Despite the changes, he still stuck with the same theme, in fact it was almost more obvious now.

Tombstones men hanging out by the courtroom was no coincidence. There was a good chance he was behind the assassination attempt yesterday, the only question being why. What would Tombstone want Norman dead for? There weren't ever really partners, this is true. However, Norman and Tombstone weren't enemies either; they never had a reason to cross paths with one another. The only thing he could think of was either competition, or information. Norman still knew a good amount about Lonnie and his business, if he talked to the police about it or even let it slip, it would be bad news for him.

"See something?" Kamui put a hand on Peter's shoulder, grabbing his attention away from the car, "You're a smart kid, you don't just disappear unless you have a reason. Talk to me."

Peter's first instinct was to lie his way out of the confrontation. However, Kamui was a hero as well, and he wanted Tombstone off the streets just as badly as any hero would, "That car down there. Silver cross painted on the hood, tinted windows."

Kamui looked down at the street, raising his eyebrows in surprise, "What're you thinking?"

"I'm thinking whoever wanted to kill Norman yesterday has someone watching the courthouse, just waiting for him to come out."

"Why wait? He was pretty straightforward before."

"Because we're on edge, we have you and Mt. Lady keeping guard."

He nodded, grabbing the rail of the balcony, "I'll check it out."

"Kamui!" Peter grabbed his arm just before he could leap off the edge, "This is likely a case of organized crime, you can't just make a direct move like that. This is something that needs to be handled delicately."

He sighed, backing off the rail, "Good point. Depending on how the trial goes, we may end up transporting Norman to the prison. If it comes to that, I could tail behind the transport truck just to be sure."
"Not too close. If you scare him off, he'll either retreat or call a full assault."

"You seem to know a lot about this stuff."

Peter leaned on the rail, brushing his bangs to the side, "Yeah, well, that lawyer may accuse me of being reckless but that doesn't make it true. Even if sometimes it is …"

"I don't think anything he said was true. You're no criminal, kid. You care about people, and that causes you to act quickly. License exams aren't far in the future. If you take them and pass, I bet all this will blow over."

"I'll probably be back home by then," Peter groaned, "So it doesn't really matter."

"Right … you've had quite the eventful semester, huh? First, you're attacked at the police station, then the school, now here at the courthouse. Anyone would be on edge and stressed, especially with your history with Norman," he patted him on the back, "Leave Norman to us, yeah? It's our jobs, Afterall."

"…Sure. Jobs," Peter almost seemed cold with that final statement. His entire vibe seemed to suddenly scream 'go away'. Kamui just assumed it was a teenager thing, not thinking much more behind the motives of it. He stuck around for a little while, waiting to see if Peter wanted to talk further before he finally exited back into the building, leaving the young man alone with the fresh air.
Peter could have easily told him his theory that the car belonged to Tombstone's men. However, recent experience tells him that informing the wrong people about his enemies only gets them hurt. Had he not gone to the station, none of those officers would have ended up in the hospital. This was a fight he needed to take care of himself, laws or not.

Almost an hour had gone by before everyone was called back into the courtroom. The sun had just nearly finished setting as the sky became a dark, cool color. Finally, the Jury had come to their decision based on everything that was provided to them. Both lawyers were confident in everything they brought to the court, though they also had their doubts. Tamika worried that the Jury would focus on Peter and Kendo as the real criminals, urging the people to want them on trial and even sent to prison, while Rei worried that all his points flew over their heads, and Norman would spend ample time in a cell.

The Jury entered the room and sat in their seats, all except for one who held a piece of paper in his hands. The judge asked everyone to rise, and everyone naturally obeyed. Peters heart was beating so fast that he could feel it in his fingers as they twitched. His throat became tight and his breathing quickened through his nose. After everything they've been through these last few days, he just wanted this to be over. He wanted Norman to be in a cell where he couldn't hurt anyone else that he cared about.

At the same time, he wanted to give him a second chance.

Kendo suddenly took Peter's hand in hers, sensing the anxiety coming off his body. He rubbed the skin of his palm gently, massaging his nerves to calm him down. Having her there allowed him to let his heartrate slow down, though in return it almost made him cry.

The single member of the Jury cleared his throat.

"On the charges of Assault, attempted murder, and property damage, the Jury finds the defendant, Norman Osborn, guilty."

A wave of sighs rushed across the room as people's shoulder's relaxed from anticipation. Peter nearly fell back into his seat had it not been for Kendo still holding his hand. The two hugged one another in relief and victory, as tears rolled down Peter's face. Kendo laughed, the moment still hitting her with shock. She could tell how happy Peter was by how tightly she was gripping her, likely because he still couldn't register the verdict as reality.

Security slapped a pair of cuffs behind Normans back, who tried his best to keep a straight face. His only hope that day was being found innocent and continuing to search for the stones. However, going to prison would most surely set him back on that plan. He knew not to struggle, so he didn't bother to fight the security guards pushing and dragging him through the courtroom.

Norman glared at Peter once more as he passed by. Whatever respect he may have gained for the hero, the guilty verdict had washed it away. All that was left behind was the same hate he's felt for some time, directed entirely at Peter Parker.

Heaven forbid anything be Norman's fault.

…

Lumina tightened her helmet onto her head, then clipped the straps of her shoulder capes. With the moon now rising and the night beginning its lifespan, she felt her fingers stretch within her gloves with temptation. This was there only chance, the only opening they had to get back on track before it was too late. They couldn't screw this up, they just couldn't.

"Lumina," Otto approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder, "It's going to be fine. We're going to do this, I promise."

"And if Peter gets in the way?" She asked.

"Quinten said he has a plan for that. We go in, take out any Pro Heroes, grab the Gauntlet, and get out. Simple."

"Simple is the way we say goodbye," She stated, "I don't want to screw this up, Otto. Not a second time."

Otto massaged the side of her arm, trying to comfort her and ease her worry and sense of misery, "You are so very powerful, Lumina. Not just in strength, but also in wits. I know that if we stand together, the Gauntlet will be ours soon, I promise."

She didn't want to cry as she was wearing her helmet, instead she let her head rest on his chest, her hands leaning against him. He held her in an embrace and rocked her body back and forth in a rhythmic motion. For a moment, they rested in a place of bliss as Lumina's shoulders relaxed in his grasp.

Quinten entered with his signature costume, all but his helmet attached, "The trial just ended. It's time to move."

Quickly releasing from the grip in embarrassment, Lumina cleared her throat and addressed him, "Ok, let's move before it's too late."