Julia woke up very early on the morning of Ryan's trial to a sight she was horrified she would become all too familiar with: an empty side of their bed. She had gone to bed very early the night prior after tucking in both Arya and James for the night, but Michael was knee deep into a meeting with Cameron to go over their strategies to defend Ryan after Leonard had weaseled his way out of serving as the Champion's attorney. She had hoped against hope that his spat with Leonard would have made their situation slightly less awkward, but she was not surprised to find that her beloved husband was still avoiding the conversation they would have to have.

I don't blame him at all, Julia mourned to herself. For all the talk about transparency and depth of feeling she wanted in their relationship, she had kept a dark and damaging secret from the man she loved more than anything. If she had just told him when it happened, she might have been able to salvage something. But now, the life she had dreamed of was on the verge of completely collapsing. Fortunately, there was a singular lone thought that kept her from fearing the worst regarding this situation. And that was that her husband was more keen on protecting a boy they both thought of as their son than he was anything else at the moment. Ryan needed to come first, considering his fate could very likely be determined in the next few hours.

She rose from their bed and went to check on the baby monitor. James was still sleeping, but Arya was already bouncing up and down in her bed and chattering to nothing. She was about to throw on her bathrobe to go and check on her children, but paused when she heard a knock on the door.

"Yes?"

"It's Annie. Can I come in?"

"Of course, Annie."

Annie Tress, a young woman who had until recently been just Jon's kindhearted fiancé to her, was now as close to her as Piper and Amanda had been back in the day. And with her serving as a personal advisor to both Michael and her, Annie's stock could not be higher. She entered the room, already dressed and prepared for the day. "I take it we're getting a bit of a slower start today?"

"I don't want to distract Michael at the Courthouse today" Julia admitted. "I don't think it's right to be there."

"Well, you two would both be in agreement on that" Annie said sadly. "But the reasoning is opposite."

Julia gasped. "You know?"

"I don't gossip" Annie explained sweetly, "but Jenna Kingston has been one of my closest friends since I was betrothed to Jon. We don't keep secrets from each other. And she heard from Michael himself." She quickly waved off Julia as she was trying to get an explanation together. "But you don't need to explain it. That's between you and Michael." She was holding a piece of paper in her hands, nervously eyeing it as she made it closer to her friend' "This, on the other hand, is the reason Michael wants you elsewhere."

"What is it?"

"Someone called in the middle of the night. From the Shaded Oaks Retirement Home."

Julia went white. "Shaded Oaks? Abuela?"

"Michael said they were transferring her over into hospice care." Annie lowered her head. "I'm so sorry, Julia."

Julia took a moment to collect herself. "No. I should have expected this day to come. Abuela hasn't been healthy in years. Not since what she endured at the hands of Giselle's thugs. I'm just glad that she got to meet Arya and James." She wiped a stream of tears coming from each eye as she braced herself for the inevitable.

"Piper is with her right now" Annie assured Julia. "She and Michael both wanted you to take care of James and Arya before you make your way to the Hospice Center. Here's the address. It's in Craft Terrace. Tori should be able to clue you in if you can't find it." Annie handed her the paper before embracing the shaken Lady of Kingston Castle. "If you need me, Julia, you know where to find me."

Julia held the paper in her hands, trembling as Annie departed from the bedroom to give Julia some privacy. Julia slumped back onto the bed and looked at the paper as if it were written in another language. Her parents had died when she was very young. Piper's as well. Their Abuela was all they had known for most of their lives as a parent. It was why Big Mike was the one who walked her down the aisle at her and Michael's wedding. If their Abuela was finally reaching the end of her rope, more than thirty years after losing her husband and almost twenty two years since both of her sons died on the same plane accident, Julia was sure she would be content after such a long career of helping others. But Julia and Piper would then be the last of their family's line. The last of the Pines Family. And it terrified Julia to even consider such a possibility.

I barely remember Mom and Dad, Julia told herself. And Piper has no memory of her parents. Abuela is our Mom. We're just going to have to give her all of our strength to make sure she lives another few years. She couldn't lose her Abuela. Not now. Not when her life with Michael was teetering over the edge of oblivion thanks to her ignorance and there was more to do to bring their family and friends back from Mirage Island. She needed her wisdom. She needed her guidance. Even if it was one last time.

The baby monitor got her attention. Arya's chattering had finally woken James, who was fussing and crying for his mother in his blanket. Julia sighed. "I'm coming, my angels. Just give Mommy a second." She took a deep breath, gathered her thoughts and moved for the door, one last thought causing her to have a glimmer of hope for the future: Annie said that Michael didn't want me at the courthouse for this reason. Does that mean he might be ready to forgive me?

{}

As their Corviknight Cab finally began it's descent towards the streets of Taghwan City, the nerves deep inside that Ryan was clinging onto were now gathering to the surface. Everything that he had worked hard to reach was now at stake. His legacy as Champion, the way people thought of him, even the safety and wellbeing of the countless people being held captive on Mirage Island. All of it because he couldn't control himself when Claude mocked him. Even though he couldn't remember doing it, he knew he was certainly capable of it. And now, the Torchics were coming home to roost. If he was found guilty, he would lose his title and face either banishment like Michael or imprisonment.

Sensing his strife, Holly tried her best to keep him in good spirits and held his hand. "Hey, it's going to be okay."

"But what's gonna happen to everyone on the island?" Ryan jittered. "Or to my parents? Or to Matt and Kayleigh? Or to Addy? If anything happens-"

Holly leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. "Re-lax. If anything happens, we'll take it however we can. But you're going to have everyone by your side in this. You won't end up the same as Michael. I promise."

"I'm worried I'm gonna get worse" Ryan gulped.

The Corviknight Cab rocked as it landed on the ground, with the Flying Pokémon giving out a loud squawk to signal that they had arrived at their destination: Taghwan Courthouse. Ryan reluctantly opened the door and stepped out of the Cab. The crowd outside of the courthouse was enormous. People of all shapes and sizes were hollering at him. Some in support of him. Many deriding him. Ryan simply hung his head low as he and Holly made their way up the courthouse steps and into the safety of the building. Once the two were finally beyond their reproach, Holly hugged him. "I'm proud of you, Ryan."

"Right now, I'm not so much."

"Ryan!" a voice called out to him. Ryan turned and some of his anxiety melted away at the sight of the group that had been inside to greet him.

"Mom!" Ryan cried out as he raced over to his mother and hugged her more than he ever had before. His father, Matthew, Kayleigh, Addison and Tommy were there in the welcoming group. But all that mattered now was that he got to see his mother.

"You're gonna be okay, sweetie" Alison promised her son. "It's more of a hearing than a trial, when you really think about it."

"That's not really helping, Mom" Matt responded, eyeing the state his twin brother was in.

"What do you expect me to say?"

"Alright, alright" Robert intervened. "It's going to begin soon."

Ryan looked up to his father. "What does this mean? A hearing?"

"I thought it was going to be a trial?" Holly added.

"Not exactly" Ryan's father pointed out. "Arcanan Law states that a trial cannot take place until it can be determined that a crime took place. One of the many fail-safes that even Claude couldn't get around. When Michael was arrested, they forced a confession out of him and thus pushed it towards a trial. Without Claude or any of those Syndicate thugs around, the hearing has to take place first. If there isn't a crime that was committed, Ryan goes off free. If there was, Ryan will be going into police custody."

"Gee, thanks for that reassurance, Dad" Ryan grumbled. "Now I feel loads better."

"Relax, Ry" Tommy told his friend. "I say you're in really good hands."

Ryan's eyes found Addison. The two stared at each other for a long moment while everyone else began to debate among themselves over the likelihood of the trial. They moved closer until they were face to face. "Addy."

"Ryan" she replied, doing her best to remain calm for him. "Listen, I just want to say-"

"CLEAR THE WAY!" a loud and bombastic voice shouted. The group was pushed back by Robert as Byron Kingston stormed onto the scene in full uniform, a radio in his hand. "Where did you find him?"

"Near the Gym" the radio echoed. "He had a clear shot at him."

"Apprehend him and make sure you know who hired him!" Byron lowered the radio and turned to address the family, chiefly his little brother and his nephew. "We were right, Robert. They were going after him."

Ryan was shocked. "What? Who?"

"It's nothing, sweetie" Alison told her son gently.

"I want to know" Ryan demanded. "I think I've earned that much. Right?"

Byron sighed. "Ryan. Remember what I said about Claude having powerful friends? Well, one of them might have saw fit to make sure there wasn't even a hearing for this. We just apprehended someone who was going to kill you."

"Kill him?" Holly gasped.

Ryan's face went white. "Kill me?"

"What matters is Ryan is here" Robert concluded. "But we'd rather not take anymore chances. Come on, son. We've got to get you into the courtroom."

Ryan looked to Addison, but she smiled faintly and shook her head. "We'll talk later. Good luck."

Without his consent, Ryan was whisked away by his father down several winding halls until they finally reached the Grand Courtroom of the Taghwan Courthouse. Ryan was shaking as they approached the room. Robert gave his son a reaffirming pat on the shoulder. "Relax, Ry. You've done nothing wrong."

"I've done plenty wrong, Dad" Ryan countered. "I just hope things don't get out of control."

"Aunt Janine has given your team all the coaching they could give. And with some good old fashioned Kingston Luck, we might make it out of this scot-free. Just make sure you listen to them and don't take anything into your own hands. We don't need to give your enemies any ammunition, especially after that whole fiasco outside." He made to go back towards the others, but Ryan stopped him.

"Where are you going?" Ryan cried out. "You're not going to be in there?"

Robert smiled sadly. "Don't worry, son. We'll be there. But we need to give you some time with your counselors. Just trust them like you always would." With that, his father went back down the hallway towards the entrance. Alone in front of the courtroom, Ryan took a deep breath and pushed the doors open. The courtroom looked like any other courtroom. Plenty of seating, a bench area for the jury and a tall podium from which the judge would oversee the situation. The table for the prosecution was empty, but Ryan's fears began to slide away when he saw who had come to his aid to defend him.

"It's about time you showed up, squirt" Cameron laughed as she gestured for him to come over to their table. "Come on down."

Ryan slowly made his way over to the table where his two closest cousins now sat. For the first time since Lady Bonnie's Funeral, Cameron was wearing something other than her Elite Four Jumpsuit and had taken on a woman's suit with some slight shades of purple. Michael looked as professional as ever in his suit, but his face wore deep lines of fatigue and worry. It was as if Michael could read his mind and sense his fears. But when Ryan made it in front of him, Michael let the worry melt from his face and he cracked a warm and friendly smile.

"How you feeling?" he asked his protégé.

"I'm nervous" Ryan admitted. "Really, really nervous."

"Don't worry" Cameron coached him. "We've got this in the bag. We got some top of the line coaching from Aunt Janine and I promise you we will get you out of this."

"Why isn't she here?" Ryan asked. Though Michael and Cameron being here alleviated some of his nerves, if he had an actual lawyer backing him up, he might have been a bit more calm.

"Hard for her to be here considering she's still petrified over her son being a fossilized statue" Michael responded bluntly. "She admitted she hasn't been in the best state mentally for this and feared she would only be a liability. But you can count on us to help you get through this, kid. And once this is all over, we can get back to doing the stuff we're good at. Namely, figuring out how to beat Mewtwo and getting things back to normal."

Ryan shook his head sadly. "There is no going back. Too much has changed."

"I told you to stop making him so mopey" Michael chided Cameron.

"I haven't seen the kid in weeks" Cameron snapped back. "Don't blame me."

"I killed someone!" Ryan hissed, doing his best not to have it used for any record.

"You didn't have any control of yourself."

"That's a weak excuse. I took someone's life and I almost hurt Holly and her Pokémon in our one on one match. And now I find out some nut wanted to have me killed because of what happened to Claude. I can't do this anymore!" Ryan slumped on the table, squeezing his eyes shut. "As Arceus as my witness, I'm never going to battle again."

Cameron and Michael were stunned into silence by this revelation. Both looked at each other, trying to find the right words to say, but were utterly speechless. After taking a moment to collect themselves, Cameron did her best to console her cousin while Michael instead tried to focus on other things. "Look, Ryan. Things happen. Things we'd rather didn't. But if you give up on your dreams now-"

"I DON'T CARE!" Ryan lashed out. "I don't care anymore. You can be Champion if you want, Cam. I'm never battling again."

"Don't just sit there!" Cameron cried to Michael. "Tell him something! Give him something! Make him reconsider!"

Michael shook his head. "Not here. Not now."

"You're honestly going to-"

"We're going to table this discussion for later" Michael told the two of them. "The future is in the future. What matters now is the present. And if there is a crown he can even pass down. We'll worry about how it's transferred later." The three's attention was caught by the arrival of the prosecution team. Two lawyers, one man and one woman, entered with their briefcases and slammed them down on the table. Michael glared at the two as they got their own paperwork together. Cameron echoed his glance almost perfectly. Ryan was feeling too miserable to join in.

The woman was shorter and one of the slimmest girls Ryan had ever seen. She had a sleek pair of glasses on her head and her hair tied tightly into a bun that made her look like she was just made to be in the court of law, or even in a parliament or congress somewhere. The man looked like a used car salesman, wearing a cheap suit and every time he smiled, the light from the window reflected off of his teeth, showing that he had a gold tooth in place of another one.

"Betsy Seissuon" Cameron spat out. "And Donnie Novren."

"It's Beth Seissuon" the woman growled.

"That anyway to speak to family?" Donnie smirked.

"Count your blessings that your aunt isn't alive to see the snake you became" Michael snarled.

"Still sore about how Claude proved you to be an overly emotional murderer?"

"I'm amazed you remembered to tie your shoes considering Claude isn't around to show you" Cameron countered.

"Thanks to your little hero there" Beth sneered. "But he won't be a hero soon, will he?" She eyed Ryan, who looked down in misery and shame.

"You're going to have to perform some magic if you think you're going to put another Kingston at the mercy of the law" Michael warned. "Especially since it's because of Claude's friends that we're even here in the first place."

"I don't know what women see in that arrogant smarm, Michael."

"And I don't know why Claude welcomed such trash into his law firm" Cameron taunted. "But you'll always be Big Betsy to me!"

Beth made to charge at Cameron, but Donnie stopped her. "We don't need to stoop to their level, Beth. We've got enough of our energy geared towards the trial." He eyed Michael and Cameron as Beth sat down and composed herself. "As it happens, because the four of us are family here, I'm going to make a deal for you. We can skip the trial and the hearing. All of it. All Ryan has to do is confess. We give Ryan a sentence for murdering a respected visionary, probably the same as his idol since that accident happened to Klefki Prison, and we all go home without anyone being scuffed or harmed. I'll even settle for a twenty year exile instead of life. What do you say? Michael? Cameron?"

"Donnie?" Cameron winked. "Blow it out your ass."

"I differ to my actual family on this" Michael answered. "Let's see if there's any snake oil you can still sell when we're finished here."

Donnie smirked. "Don't say I didn't give you a way out of this." He then went over to sit by his legal partner.

Ryan looked over to Michael and Cameron in confusion. "Am I supposed to know them? Especially that Donnie guy. He said we were family?"

"Beth Seissuon used to be a friend of Deidre's" Michael explained. "She, Tori, Dee, Rebecca Eighern and Donnie's sister Olivia were a part of a dream team of Queen of Arcana contestants when we were younger. They called them all the Class of Queens. Tori and Dee were at least decent human beings. The same can't be said for the other three. They used to torment Julia and call her names like 'street trash'. And all of them-well, apart from Tori since she is one of us, always used to dream about one day being married to a Kingston."

"But isn't Olivia our cousin? Like Donnie?"

Michael shuddered at the thought. "Don't remind me. My mother used to think we would have made a nice couple."

"That's gross."

"Back to what matters before I throw up" Cameron interjected before whispering to Ryan. "Betsy used to have a serious crush on my brother. But Chris, well you know how subtle he could be whether he likes or dislikes someone. And after Betsy had teased and mocked Julia for trying to 'wiggle in on her territory', Chris came up with that brilliant nickname for a portly little girl that fancied herself a goddess." Cameron giggled to herself. "The best was when he turned her down for a date offer, because he said that he wouldn't date fat chicks."

"That's not nice" Ryan answered.

"It's nicer than she deserved for all that tormenting of Julia she got up to" Michael responded. "As for Donnie, he and Olivia are the grandchildren of Grandma's brother Arnold. But Grandma and Arnold had a falling out a long time ago about something and since then, we haven't even spoken to any of that side of the Novren Family. Donnie is the only one who worms his way into the conversation, mostly because we know he's Claude's water boy. I don't think I've even spoken to Olivia in almost twenty years. At least since my our mothers made Chris and I socialize with her at Grandma and Grandpa's anniversary."

"So, they're like the Matt's of the Novren family?" Ryan asked.

Michael rolled his eyes while Cameron snickered. "You could say that."

{}

Once they began to let people into the courtroom, Addison and the others filed in to seats as quickly as possible. But considering how many people were eager to see this kind of event transpire, the seats were few and far between. So much so that the group was split off from one another. Robert, Alison and Kayleigh were forced to sit far from the front with a strange looking old lady Addison could swear had some kind of weird aura about her. Cynthia, Dawn and Lucas filed in alongside them on the furthest back bench while the rest of the entire courtroom was packed. Addison, Tommy, Matthew and Holly were seated much closer to Ryan, but were still unable to grab his attention as he seemed to be completely out of it. Michael and Cameron were giving him tons of what Addison could only assume was useful advice, but she couldn't tell if Ryan was listening or if he was as shaken by all of this as Galatea and she feared he was.

"I wish I had gotten to talk to him" Addison groaned.

"We all do" Matthew spoke up. "But, there's not much we can do now but wait."

"They're going to call you up as a witness, right?" Holly asked Matthew.

Ryan's bulkier twin nodded. "Because me and that secretary guy were the only ones who witnessed anything. And considering how much is on the line, I have to be honest with what I saw."

"Why?" Tommy asked. "You could just as easily lie. You're so good at it."

Matthew glared at Tommy before continuing. "No. I got explicit orders to tell it exactly how I saw it."

"From who?" Addison asked.

"Michael and Cameron."

This surprised Addison. "Why would they be so hellbent on showing that Ryan did do it?"

"It has to be a part of their plan" Tommy thought aloud. "Like maybe there's some kind of angle we're missing."

Matthew nodded. "For once, you're right Tommy. They're going to try and prove that Ryan was under the influence of the Crimson Fury when it happened."

"Easier said than done" Addison cautioned. "It's going to be another twelve years before the next Crimson Moon."

"You saw for yourself that the Fury isn't gone within those who were branded" Matthew reminded her. "Remember when Michael and I battled on Mirage Island? The same happened again when Ryan and I battled. Their eyes got all red and they became much more aggressive. Ryan even slugged me." He rubbed his cheek as if the wound was still there. "I have to get him back for that."

"But Addy and I haven't had it" Holly added. "And we were branded too."

"Maybe no one has gotten under your skin" Matthew suggested.

"And you're super good at that" Tommy teased, before shuffling down the bench when Matthew made to punch him.

Addison looked back towards Ryan. "Oh Ryan. Please just hold it together. Just a bit longer." She looked towards Holly. "How was he when you two were in hiding?"

Holly was filled with worry for her close friend. "Addy. He's a mess. I just wanted him to smile again. But I think he's been taking all of this so hard since what you guys ran into on Mirage Island." She shook her head. "There was nothing I could do for him. He needs you, Addy."

"I know he does" Addison responded, but Holly grabbed her wrist to affirm her point.

"No, Addy" Holly reiterated. "He needs you. More than you could imagine. He told me about a dream he had. I could feel his pain with every word he said." She held her friend's hand as she continued. "I don't know what you guys are going through, but if you don't get through this rough patch in your relationship, we may not have him for the future."

Addison nodded. "I promise that I am going to give as much time as I possibly can to Ryan when all this is over." The group sat in silence as those who would be present at the hearing finally began to file into the room. She tightly held Holly's hand as her heart feared the worst for Ryan. Please, Ryan. Please just be safe.

{}

As the entire courtroom rose for the judge as he entered, Michael studied him carefully. He was old, perhaps around the same age as Claude or his grandparents, but whether or not this one was on Claude's payroll could only be determined over the course of the hearing and the impending trial should he and Cameron prove unable to defend their cousin properly. But that thought was well beyond him at this point. He had failed so many people, from allowing Claude to invade Arcana to failing to rescue Chris and Giselle after all this time. He would not and could not possibly fail Ryan. Because deep down, the nominally fearless and invincible Michael Kingston did have one crucial fear: the fear of failing the ones he loves. If he failed someone else...

"All rise!" the bailiff demanded. "The honorable Judge Freeland presiding." The old and studious judge hobbled his way over to his position and sat down, prompting the rest of the courtroom to do the same. The bailiff proceeded to continue the announcements. "This hearing will determine the illegality of the actions of Ryan James Kingston on the 39th Day of Autumn of this year. The accused has been charged with the murder of Claude Jacques and the subsequent charges that have been added including murdering a prisoner of war and assassinating a man of the law, regardless of his own crimes. Should the charges bear fruit in this hearing, the accused will be placed in the custody of the Arcana Police Force and held in the confines of the temporary prison in Titanio City until such a time that his trial should come to pass." He unraveled a piece of paper and looked to the prosecution. "Representing the deceased and accusatory party?"

"Donald Novren and Betsy-uh I mean Elizabeth Seissuon" Donnie spoke eloquently, no doubt trying to mask his own allegiance to Claude from the public.

"And those representing the party of the accused?"

Cameron rose to speak. "Cameron Kingston and Michael Kingston."

"Ah, so it's a nepotistic trial, is it?" Beth snickered, prompting a laugh to come from the judge.

Michael frowned. That didn't take too long. The judge was certainly on Claude's payroll. As Cameron sat back down beside him, he whispered into her ear. "Guess this just got harder."

"What matters is proving Ryan's innocence to the jury" Cameron answered quietly. "Proving this rat is still on Claude's payroll can come later."

"I do find it odd that Ryan is being charged as an adult of this crime" Michael replied. "I mean, he's still just a boy."

"Guess we'll point it out. I'll take the lead. Keep an eye on Ryan."

The Judge coughed before cleaning his glasses with a handkerchief. "The Courtroom will now hear from the prosecution."

Beth rose after gently patting Donnie on his tacky suit. She stepped into the center of the room to address everyone present. She made a clear distinction not to eye the defense until the end of her speech. "Ladies and gentlemen of the court. It's not a happy task that has been appointed to us, today. After all, death and murder is never something one should relish and delight in causing. And there have been many deaths in Arcana's recent memory that we would all like to wish wouldn't have happened or could have been undone. James Kingston, Balthazar Aced, Lady Bonnie Kingston, as well as countless others who will never receive the recognition and respect they deserved. Say what you will about Claude Jacques. I know and expect the defense to do their duty and dismiss Claude as a charlatan and a fiend. But even fiends deserve their day in the sun, do they not? We are not a people who punish without proper course. Wouldn't those who perished in the Taghwan Hall burnings a few years ago deserve justice from those who set the bombs? Wouldn't someone even as vicious as Cassius Sinclair deserve some kind of punishment fitting for his actions besides his life being taken from him?" Beth made no move to make eye contact with Michael, but she had a smirk on her face all the same as she knew she had gotten under her opponent's skin.

"Claude Jacques deserved a trial" Beth continued. "Just as much as any who are arrested for crimes do. Because we do not live in an absolute monarchy anymore, where one man makes the laws and decisions. All Thirteen Families of Arcana sit down and write and dictate the laws that all of Arcana must follow and abide by. No one, not the highest born noble or the lowest born commoner is immune from these laws." She pointed a finger at Ryan. "Not even a Champion of the Pokémon League. We proved this much when Giselle Odelia was arrested and sentenced to prison for her actions. And Ryan Kingston's actions are no different. He murdered a man who not only was one of the standing members of the Thirteen Families, but also a prisoner of war. If we allow this crime to go unpunished, we might as well devolve back into the times when we lived in caves and Pokémon were our mortal enemies. In this hearing, we will prove without a shadow of a doubt that Ryan Kingston murdered Claude Jacques and must be punished. This is not without precedence, as noted by the previous case of Giselle Odelia or in another case with one of the defense's key members. Michael Kingston paid the penance for his crimes and the Thirteen Families believed his time in exile, combined with his expulsion of Giselle had granted his banishment to be lifted. Even Claude voted on this. But if we allow this murder to go unanswered and unpunished, it will set a bad precedence for any who would break the laws we live under and plunge our region into anarchy or worse." Having made her point, Beth sat down.

Michael could tell Ryan was already beginning to lose it. He patted his cousin on the shoulder. "Relax."

"Easy to say" Ryan whispered. "Harder to do."

Cameron rose to speak next. She cleared her throat and did as Beth did and addressed those in the room. "Those who wish to prosecute Ryan Kingston are indeed correct when they say that the rule of law must be upheld above all else. Which is exactly what we intend to do with our case. They are incorrect in assuming that we were going to use the majority of our case damning Claude Jacques to you. Not only would it be character assassination of a man who is not in the court to defend himself right now, but it would also be steering things away from the meat of the argument. And that argument is not whether or not Claude Jacques was killed. That cannot be deemed opinion, but undeniable fact. Claude Jacques is dead, as the Arcana Police Force's forensics unit declared a few days ago when investigating the ruins of the Grand Titanio Hotel. The argument must be made however, if Ryan Kingston was in complete control of his actions at this time. Which we intend to prove was not the case. For you see, we intend to prove that Ryan Kingston was not acting of his own accord at that moment in time, but under the influence of a dangerous affliction we're all too familiar with: the Crimson Fury."

There were murmurs in the courtroom, but the Judge banged his gavel to quiet them. "Settle down! Councilor Cameron, please continue."

"Thank you, Your Honor" Cameron curtsied, doing her best to be as proper and respectful, though Michael could tell it was killing her inside. "Yes, the Crimson Fury is said to only afflict those who gaze into the ominous red glow of the moon one night every fifteen years. But as we will show, there are several cases in which one who has been under it's influence before, or the artificial brandings given to them by Cassius Sinclair and the Syndicate, can in fact fall into it's influence once more if they are under certain emotional or physical conditions. Ryan is not alone in this case. But he is the only one being charged for it, because we know who truly bankrolled Cassius Sinclair's mad experimentation for years here in Arcana. Elezar Aced and one Claude Jacques. Yet, as one who follows the rule of law to it's letter will know, a bill was ratified by the Thirteen Families, including Claude himself, almost eleven years ago that stipulates that no being afflicted by the power of the Crimson Fury can be charged with a crime as they had no control over their actions while committing it. This bill was signed by Bonnie Kingston, Elmont Queensbury, Claude Jacques, Amos Tenton, Nicholas Novren, Winston Eighern, Heather Setenn, Geraldine Seissuon, Brian Fiveroux, Timothy Fouritz, Wendell Tress and Philip Duon, with all families save for the Aceds signing off on it. That is the last law that was passed by the Thirteen Families, which have not needed to be gathered in some time as Arcana entered an era of peace. Perhaps that will change soon, but for the moment, it stands as law. The prosecution has no case so long as Ryan Kingston was under the influence of the Crimson Fury, which our case will no doubt prove." Cameron then sat down, looking quite pleased with herself.

The Judge looked to Donnie Novren. "It would seem then that the case would fall on whether or not the Crimson Fury was involved in this case. Prosecutor, please call your first witness."

"As you wish, Your Honor" Donnie Novren answered coyly. "We would like to call Matthew Kingston to the stand as our first witness."

The Bailiff stood at attention. "Mr. Matthew Kingston."

Michael looked behind him as Matthew nervously scooted his way out of one of the benches and up towards the podium to speak his case. Both Addison and Holly, who were sitting nearby, seemed to be whispering something at him, but Matthew didn't seem to be listening. Ryan's brother made his way up to the podium, looking at no one before the bailiff came before him.

"Mr. Kingston, do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth in the name of Arceus?"

Matthew nodded. "I do."

Donnie Novren strutted himself up to Matthew and grinned with his used car salesman smile. "Matthew Arturius Kingston. What is your relationship to the defendant?"

Matthew cleared his throat. "I'm his twin brother."

"So you are. Tell me, Matthew, what were you doing when this crime was said to be taking place?"

"I was helping Ryan in attempting to apprehend Claude and bring him into custody."

Donnie nodded. "So there was no plan for you both to kill him?"

"The plan was to apprehend Claude and bring him to the Arcana Police for justice. No one even brought up the idea of killing him."

"Excellent. Now, where did this event take place?"

"On the roof of the Grand Titanio Hotel" Matthew answered.

Michael nodded. Good. Make him think he's winning, Matt. Don't let him think he's being played yet.

"Describe for everyone not present, what the scene was like."

Matthew eyed the defense and nodded. "Okay. We took on some of Claude's thugs who were buying him time to escape on the helicopter that's now charred ruins in the city streets. We caught up to him and Claude engaged us in a Pokémon Battle. While I was trying to aid Ryan, his Pokémon struck me in the head and I fell to the ground in a daze."

"So you weren't conscious of the events?" the Judge asked.

"When I recovered from my blow, I saw Ryan running up to Claude and cried out for him to wait a minute, but Ryan kicked Claude over the edge and he died. When I went to check on Ryan, he stumbled about for a minute before fainting. Later, when we asked him about it, he claimed to have no memory of the situation."

"Do you believe that your brother has no memory of this?" Donnie inquired.

"I see no reason to doubt him" Matthew answered honestly.

Donnie nodded. "I have no further questions."

Matthew made to move off the podium, but the judge stopped him. "Hold on there, son. The Defense has some questions to ask of you."

Michael rose to his feet and looked at his clearly frightened cousin. "Don't worry, Matt. I don't have much to ask since Mr. Novren did the most of it." He made his way over to Matthew's side. "Tell us, Matt. Would someone who knowingly committed a crime simply pass out against their own volition?"

"Not to my knowledge."

"Some in this courtroom would say that you have a checkered past yourself" Michael said, tugging at his collar as he did. With Matthew seriously uncomfortable with the current makeup of the conversation, Michael winked at him to ease his worry. "This isn't a cross examination of you, Matt. Don't worry. But I do have to ask, when you were under the thumb of Elezar Aced and the Syndicate, did you ever pass out when you committed any actions in their name?"

Matthew went white as his eyes seemed to be finding those he had wronged all around him. "Uh..."

"Objection!" Beth shouted. "The Defense Attorney needs to keep it focused on the case at hand and not intimidating our witness!"

"Sustained" the Judge spoke. "Lord Kingston, please keep it more civil."

"Allow me to rephrase the question, Matt" Michael said more urgently. "Matthew, did any member of the Syndicate, who might I add were responsible for why the Crimson Fury became so rampant and dangerous, show any signs of fainting after committing crimes?"

Matthew took a deep breath of relief and shook his head. "No. They didn't."

"Now, you saw what your brother did on the roof of the Grand Titanio Hotel. You also know that he was targeted for and ultimately successfully branded by the Syndicate, or more specifically Mewtwo. Do you believe that your brother was under the influence of the Crimson Fury?"

"I do" Matthew answered. "Ryan would never do something like this of his own accord."

"Not even with the pressures of war on him?"

"Ryan always likes to keep things easygoing" his brother continued. "Besides, I've seen the Crimson Fury in action twice before in people. The lack of control of one's actions can definitely be seen in them as well."

"Who were these people who were under the influence of the Fury?"

"Ryan and you, Michael."

The crowds began to murmur at Matthew's assertions, but the Judge again banged his gavel. "ORDER!"

Michael then turned his back to Matthew and walked back to the table. "Interesting. What do you recall about these events specifically, beyond the lack of control?"

"Well, when you and I battled, I was getting angry at losing because I was losing and began to taunt you. I said one that must have gone too far, because your Dragonite attacked my Charizard and would have killed it if I didn't cry out that I surrendered. Thankfully, you broke free of whatever was controlling you. When it came to Ryan, we were deadlocked in a match when my Charizard suddenly stopped obeying my orders and went to attack his friends. It was part of Mewtwo's plan to provoke Ryan into using the Crimson Fury. And when Ryan thought I unleashed my Charizard on his friends, he lost it and began to wail on me. The last thing I remember before I blacked out was being kicked off the platform we were battling on and fainting. That's where Jocelyn Aced found me and helped me back up."

Michael eyed Donnie and Beth whispering to one another, but Michael knew to step over them again. "Now, before the Prosecution thinks this whole argument can come through, Matt. Tell me, you are aware that Professor Krane from the Orre Region successfully removed the brands that Cassius Sinclair and Mewtwo gave to all of us who were abducted by them, yes?"

"I was told by Jocelyn Aced, yes."

"And you believe her?"

"I've also had it confirmed by others, including our parents and Professor-uh, I mean Lady Julia."

"One last line of questioning" Michael said quickly. "What kind of relationship did Claude Jacques have with Mewtwo?"

"Mewtwo hated him" Matthew answered. "He doesn't like many humans to begin with, but he found Claude too self-important and intended on having his other flunkies double cross Claude at anytime."

"So, considering Mewtwo provoked Ryan into an attack once before, do you think it's possible that he did so again to either prevent Claude from revealing any information or to simply remove a troublesome piece from his game board of annihilation?"

"I do."

"No further questions, Your Honor" Michael concluded. Matthew scampered off from the podium and back to sitting by his friends. As Michael sat back down, the Judge looked angrily towards the prosecution.

"Mr. Novren, your next witness?!"

Michael found this troubling. Why would the Judge be angry at Matthew's testimony? Something seems fishy about this.

"I call upon Emanuel Davis as my next witness" Novren spoke up. Before Claude's squirrely secretary even made it to the podium, Donnie was shoved back down into his chair and Beth decided to take up this round of questioning. The secretary was quickly sworn in and sat by as his own testimony was to be given. Michael studied the situation carefully as the woman formerly known as Big Betsy now walked delicately towards Claude's former secretary.

"Mr. Davis" Beth spoke directly and with a harsh tone, "how would you describe the relationship between Claude and the Kingston Family?"

"Very bad" Davis said nervously, fidgeting on the podium. "He and James had a bitter falling out many years ago and he and Bonnie had a very icy relationship for years after James's death. As for the younger generation, they and he never got along at all. He found them all to be repugnant power grabbers and malicious malcontents."

"Objection!" Cameron snapped. "Character assassinations!"

"Overruled!" the Judge fired back.

Overruled? Michael clenched his fists. This guy is definitely up to something. Why else would he allow this little rat to besmirch us so readily?

"Did Claude ever do anything about his feelings with regards to the Kingstons?" Beth asked.

"There wasn't much he could do" Davis continued. "Outside of breaking the law, which he found obscene. He simply sat aside and did nothing while others did the lawbreaking for him. This included the mercenaries who destroyed Klefki Prison as well as those in the Syndicate he served with and recruited. Yet it didn't stop the Kingstons from framing this war about his grab for political power, when they were the ones hogging it in the first place."

"So you suspect that it was a murder attempt all along?"

"The Kingstons have given me no reason to think otherwise. I doubt that Matthew was in on it. He seemed sincere with his testimony and was as shocked as I was when Ryan killed Claude. But this could have been the plan from the very beginning. After all, why have Ryan put into the Witness Protection Program immediately after the event? This could have come from all the way up. Or it could have been Ryan arrogantly thinking the law didn't apply to him. I'm not sure. But Ryan did murder Claude. I saw it with my own eyes."

"Tell us in your words what happened."

"As Matthew previously stated, they were engaged in a battle and Matthew was struck by a blast from Claude's Pokémon. Ryan grew angry at him and attacked him ferociously before his Pokémon fainted. Claude attempted to use his helicopter to escape, but Ryan's Pokemon destroyed it, not to mention causing thousands in property damage."

"Objection!" Cameron shouted. "Relevancy to the case?"

"Overruled!" the judge barked again. "Hold your tongue, Miss Kingston!"

Cameron was shocked and sat back down. She looked to Michael and mouthed the words: Is this guy serious?

"As I was saying" Davis continued, his confidence growing, "Ryan then demanded Claude answer questions he had no answers to. At least none that would please him. He seemed to think Lord Jacques was behind the Pokémon abandoning their trainers, when it was Mewtwo's doing. He also seemed to think that Claude was the one who had abducted Alison Frost and Victoria Kingston, but that was those ruffians doing. Claude did rile Ryan up by mocking him for thinking Claude had any answers for him and Ryan seethed with anger before kicking him. I didn't see if Ryan fainted or not, because I was stunned at seeing my boss and faithful friend die at the hands of this child."

Betsy smirked wickedly. "Did Ryan's actions indicate he was without control of his actions?"

"They did not" Davis concluded.

"No further questions" Beth spat out before sitting down.

With Cameron beginning to steam in anger, Michael realized it was up to him to continue their own questioning of the witness. He rose to his feet and walked over to Davis. "Mr. Davis, Claude was Arcana's most renowned lawyer, wasn't he?"

"Yes he was, Lord Kingston."

"And he was one of Arcana's staunchest and most faithful keepers of law and order?"

"Most certainly."

"He led the prosecution against me and my Crimson Fury induced attacks on Cassius Sinclair's lab" Michael recalled. "He did so unflinchingly. He also did everything in his power to defend Cassius Sinclair when he was put on trial for his mad experimentation, correct?"

Seeming to know where Michael would be going with this, Davis began to shrink. "Um, yes?"

"Yet, if I recall correctly, he flat out refused a request from Lady Bonnie to prosecute Giselle Odelia, the woman who had been a dictator in Arcana and caused starvation, death and skyrocketing crimes. Forgive me if I'm coming as a non-believer of your words, but isn't it odd that Claude would rush to prosecute a child of crimes he had no control of and not only defend the criminal scientist behind this boy's suffering, but also refuse to prosecute the woman who had ruled Arcana with an iron fist on said mad scientist's behalf?"

"Objection!" Donnie snapped. "What does this have to do with our case? I thought the Kingstons said they wouldn't use their time to try and slander a dead man?"

"We said that we wouldn't spend the entire case on it" Michael snidely replied. "But if you're going to pamper up Claude as if he was some benevolent deity, I have no choice."

"I'll allow it" Judge Freeland spoke, but he returned an icy glare at Michael. "If this doesn't go anywhere, Lord Kingston, I'll be throwing you and the loudmouthed cousin of yours out of here."

Michael eyed the Judge for a moment and did not answer him, instead going back to his questioning. "So Mr. Davis, you claim that we Kingstons wanted Claude dead?"

"He didn't act in accordance with your wishes" the secretary concluded. "How could I think otherwise?"

"Do you have any substantial evidence pointing to this?"

"Well, I-"

"So you don't?"

"No."

The crowds began to chat among themselves. Even the men and women of the jury whispered to one another. The Judge had seen enough and slammed his gavel down. "ENOUGH! I've heard enough! We will take a half hour recess before the Defense will be allowed to present their witness. If the Prosecution would be so kind as to meet me in my office!"

"Your Honor" Michael spoke up. "All attorneys should be present for any side bar meetings."

"But you're not an attorney, are you?" Donnie grinned. Donnie and Beth followed Judge Freeland into his chambers as the rest of the court exited for their break. All except for Michael, Cameron and Ryan.

Ryan was deeply confused by what was going on, but could tell something was about to set his two cousins off. "What's going on? Why did the judge call for a recess?"

"I think there's an Arbok in this nest" Cameron concluded. "The judge has to have been on Claude's payroll."

"That's not fair" Ryan cried out. "If that's true, this whole thing is rigged. How can we win in a rigged trial?"

"We can't" Michael answered. "So we have to rig it in our favor. Prove that the Judge is indeed linked to Claude in someway." He lowered his head. "I was hoping we wouldn't have to resort to this, but I think we have to bring her in first, Cam."

"I was thinking the same thing" Cameron agreed. "If they want to have a rigged judge, I think the Countess will certainly tip the scales back to being more even at least."

"The Countess?" Ryan asked in confusion. "Who's the Countess?"

"You'll find out soon enough" Michael assured his cousin, patting him on the shoulder. "This will all be over soon, kiddo. Just trust us." Michael laid back in his chair and eyed the remainder of the now relatively empty chamber. To his surprise, Countess Rosemary was still in her seat. Whether she was in a trance of had fallen asleep was unclear, but she was still and silent as she sat. Pinning all of his hopes on someone whom many believed to be a witch was definitely asking for trouble, but they had no other choice. If Claude's cronies would play dirty, so would they. There was too much riding on this for them to risk playing things by their rules.

{}

After the half hour recess had passed, the courtroom began to fill to the brim again. Ryan could tell that there were even more people on his side than usual now, perhaps due to the increasing curiosity over the biases of Judge Freeland. If he was indeed solely focused on getting revenge for Claude and was intentionally sabotaging Michael and Cameron's efforts, he could be in serious trouble.

Freeland himself made his way up to his position and slammed his gavel down to quiet any further side discussions. "Order! I shall have order!"

The two prosecutors were sitting with folded hands, as if the verdict had already been brought down, only making Ryan more nervous. What if Michael's plan didn't pan out? What if he was found a criminal? Would he be forced into exile like he had been? Could he survive out there on his own? Would his fear or anger eat away at him while he was on his own? Would he ever see Addison or Holly or his family ever again?

Sensing his turmoil, Cameron put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Relax, Ryan. Don't let them get any kind of edge. We're going to protect you."

"I don't feel that optimistic, Cam" Ryan admitted. "Maybe we should just give up and accept Donnie's offer."

Cameron eyed Ryan as if he were speaking a foreign language. "Ryan, when this is over, we seriously need to talk about this self-esteem issue of yours. Michael isn't happy about it, either."

Ryan looked to his older cousin, but Michael wasn't even acknowledging him. His gaze was squarely focused on the Judge as he planned out what he hoped would be the crescendo to the finale of the hearing. But Michael's aura shined with anger and frustration, with even a small sliver of it being geared directly at himself and Ryan. Ryan could only slump in his chair as Freeland finally spoke to the Defense.

"Now then, I suppose you would like to present your witnesses?"

Cameron nodded. "Our first witness will be Countess Rosemary."

The Bailiff stood forward to speak. "Will Countess Rosemary please come up to the podium?"

The entire courtroom went silent as the elderly woman hobbled her way up the aisle and towards the podium that Davis and Matthew had both testified on. She didn't look at anyone in the room until she had brought herself to a seat. The Judge, despite being around the same age, seemed to be impatiently waiting for her to get on with her testimony. Nevertheless, Rosemary took her time and sat down eloquently and gracefully as Cameron rose to give her a line of questioning.

"Now, Countess" Cameron began, "please identify yourself to those in this courtroom who may not know you."

"I am Countess Rosemary of Magenta Grove, Matriarch of the White Guardians" Rosemary responded.

"As the Matriarch of the White Guardians, can you explain to us here what some of your gifts are?"

"I am more mentally in tune with my thoughts and those of the people around me" she explained. "I can read people's minds, even if they attempt to block me out as Bonnie's nephew Donnie is currently doing."

Donnie froze in position. "How in the-"

"He also is thinking about how he feels his partner Beth Seissuon is holding him back from being allowed to ask more egregious questions in this trial. " She eyed the growing tension at the table where both Beth and Donnie were glaring at one another. "I can also sense that Beth has always felt that Donnie is a buffoon who only got his law degree because Claude Jacques had always fancied Bonnie. So it would seem that there is a great deal of tension and anger in this room, even among friends and loved ones."

"What is the relevancy to the case at hand?" Judge Freeland demanded.

"If I may, Your Honor, I can also sense that there is an almost equal bit of fear and tension sprouting from the defense. Chiefly from my great nephews, one of whom is not too pleased with the other for a proclamation that I do not believe is viable at this time."

Ryan peered up at Michael, who was continuing to avoid making eye contact with him. "Michael?"

"I told you we will deal with it later" Michael replied bluntly.

"Countess" Cameron went on, "you can sense thoughts, but can you also sense auras?"

"Of course I can" Rosemary answered. "In fact, you possess an aura of uncertainty in yourself, Cameron. You doubt that you and your loved ones have the means to do right by those who are lost on Mirage Island. You also are uncertain regarding your feelings for a certain Blonde-Haired trainer from the Sinnoh Region."

Cameron flushed. "Can we just focus on the defendant?"

"Forgive me. As I was saying, within Ryan James, I can sense even more uncertainty and doubt. Yet deep down, as if he is trying to suppress it both from himself and me, is a swell of fury the likes of which I haven't seen since before Michael had found Celebi in Orre. That fury was awakened by the Brand he received from the Pokémon Mewtwo during the Battle of Mt. Heatmor. It only awakens when he battles. And Ryan is downright petrified of it."

Ryan and Rosemary locked eyes for a moment, until Ryan looked away, too petrified to think that she was reading his mind to say anything.

"As it happens, though" Rosemary continued, "this was all foretold by the Twelve Truths Prophecy."

"Objection!" Beth stood up and addressed the judge. "Relevancy?"

"If you would allow me to continue, Ms. Seissuon" Rosemary hissed, "The Twelve Truths Prophecy is one of Three Prophecies that I as a leading member of the White Guardians must protect and ensure comes to pass. The other two are the Arcane Crown Prophecy and that of the White Mage. The Twelve Truths Prophecy is the most disturbing to recount, as it's events have been coming to pass at an alarmingly quick rate over the past twenty or so years."

"Could you explain the Twelve Truths to those of us who are only hearing about this for the first time?" Cameron asked.

"Gladly. These Prophecies were first written down by Rupert the White, one of the chief councilors and advisors to the last King of Arcana, Arturius Kingston. As we all know, Arturius laid down his crown to allow for more of a representative democracy to take over. He knew that the people would be good enough and wise enough to govern themselves, which is why all laws still pass down from the Thirteen Families after consultation with the people of Arcana. But Rupert the White feared that Arturius Kingston was putting his own desires to protect his family over the needs of the region, especially after receiving a vision in the night of Arceus revealing to him of twelve future events and how they were to unfold. He would also learn from Arceus in these visions that the only way for the world to be safeguarded from darkness was for all of the events to unfold as they were meant to. The Twelve Truths Prophecy, the one with the most relevancy to Ryan's case, explains events in detail that I am certain no one in hear would argue."

"Please reveal to us what these truths are."

"The first speaks of an angel's twin being born of fire and darkness. Though the means of which the funding and other secrets remain about it, this speaks of the creation of Mewtwo. As many have written, including Balthazar Aced, Mewtwo was created in an attempt to splice the genes of Pokémon to see if one could be cloned accurately and properly. Mewtwo was to be a clone of Mew, but he developed a consciousness of his own and instead of having a more tranquil disposition, used his rage to try and obliterate mankind on several occasions. Even as I speak these words to you, Mewtwo is busy scheming on Mirage Island in the hopes of destroying us all."

Ryan shuddered at the thought of Mewtwo becoming even more powerful, more doubt beginning to crawl into his head about the possibility of even defeating such a deadly opponent.

"The second speaks of a betrayal that haunts heroes of virtue and honor. The betrayal also stemmed from Mewtwo, as the journals of Balthazar Aced revealed to all of us two years ago when Julia Pines and Amanda Fouritz released them to us all. Mewtwo used Balthazar's research in an attempt to have the Crimson Fury wipe out all life in Arcana. But James, the Hero of Honor, and Balthazar, the Hero of Virtue, managed to defeat him, with Balthazar's reputation taking a hit as he took responsibility for the destruction Mewtwo intended to cause with him to the grave and James was left without his closest friend in the world, ultimately leaving his own final word and verdict in the final entry of Balthazar's journals."

"The third tells us of the rise of the Crimson Fury, claiming that it would guide the hearts of men through both artificial and natural means. I should believe this would go without saying. Elezar Aced and Cassius Sinclair hijacked Balthazar's research under the guise of completing his work and used the Crimson Fury to torment the people of Arcana for fifteen years. Their victims included, but were not limited to, many of the people in this same room. Michael Kingston, Ryan Kingston, Holly Queensbury, Addison Tenton and many others."

"The fourth calls on the gathering of the Mythical Pokémon" Rosemary revealed. "Again, considering that the Mythical Pokémon have all recently resurfaced around the world, I think this one goes largely without itemizing it all. Pokémon that haven't been seen for centuries or were only in hushed whispers have been seen in the last decade and some of which were vital to the protection of all of Arcana and the rest of the world. The Mythical Pokémon of the Rainbow alone have all been in Arcana at some point in the last year."

"The fifth is perhaps a little more vague to those of you who do not fully comprehend what has unfolded in the last year or so. It speaks that memory shall be given life. I was unsure of this one and it's meaning for some time, but it has since been confirmed through my visions and word from one who has witnessed it that a certain child long thought to be dead was suddenly given life not too long ago in an attempt to lure the heroes of the world into a trap on Mirage Island. She used the memories of her most beloved person to trick him and many others into falling under the influence of Mewtwo and his wicked ambitions."

"Now hold on a minute" Judge Freeland angrily retorted. "Now, you're expecting us to believe that someone just rose from the dead like that? It's impossible!"

"Avery Frost" Cameron grinned.

Ryan gasped. Avery? His former good friend and a girl who was emphatically in love with him? The girl who had indeed lured him into Mewtwo's clutches, only to aid in their escape and suffer whatever consequences were laid at her feet? The girl who had vanished back from the world of the living right in front of him after he made it back to Arcana? These prophecies predicted her being brought back?

"Who's this Frost person?" the Judge demanded.

"Avery Frost was the shadow of a little girl who once lived in this world like you or I" Cameron explained. "She had been friends with one Ryan Kingston and used their close ties to lure all of us into the grand Syndicate Trap of Mirage Island. But she betrayed Mewtwo when she realized that she could never win the love of Ryan through these shady means and aided in our escape from the island."

"And what does this have to do with the crime of Claude's murder?" Beth grumpily asked.

"If you all would allow me to continue" Rosemary sharply insisted. "The sixth truth is one as obvious as it comes. It speaks of supposedly unbreakable bonds fracturing. This clearly speaks of Mewtwo severing the bonds between Pokémon and their trainers. I can assure you that not even the skeptics of the Prosecution can argue that."

Donnie and Beth were silent. The two seemed now genuinely curious at where Rosemary was going with this.

"The seventh truth is the one that has most recently come to pass. A traitor's end by a falling star. Whether the prosecution will admit it or not, Claude Jacques is a traitor to our region. He threw his lot in with Elezar Aced on multiple occasions and served as one of the Syndicate's chief bankrollers. When he was revealed to be a part of the Syndicate as one of it's administrators, rather than defend himself, he fled into hiding, only choosing to resurface at the head of an invading group of criminals and mercenaries. And he met his end at the hands of a falling star." She sadly looked to Ryan. "Ryan's once meteoric rise has been brought down significantly since his defeat of Mewtwo two years ago. He feels lost, alone, frustrated and as if he's failed everyone he knows and loves. All of them being harbingers for the Crimson Fury. A drive to do right and protect the ones you love, ultimately being unintentionally scrapped by the rage and lust for battle that the Crimson Fury supplies him with." She took a deep breath. "The remaining Truths will be revealed in time, though I do fear that their coming to pass will signal the end of an age in Arcana. Whether that means destruction of all life is on the horizon, I cannot be sure."

"So you believe that the Crimson Fury was what guided Ryan's actions and not a desire for revenge?" Cameron prodded.

"Without a shadow of a doubt."

"No further questions" Cameron grinned as she went and sat back down at the table.

When neither of Beth nor Donnie made to ask her anything, the moment Michael and Cameron had been waiting for finally came to pass. Judge Freeland took the bait. "This is ridiculous. We're going to take the hearsay of some reclusive witch over common sense? A man has died, and here we are acting as if some woman with magic powers knows more than she has revealed! How do we not know if this whole thing has been her machination from the start?!"

"So much for being an impartial judge" Michael declared.

"Excuse me?"

Michael rose to challenge Freeland. "Judge Freeland, from the beginning of this hearing, you have been intentionally feeding information to the Prosecution and denying our appeals. You refused to hold a legal sidebar with both sets of attorneys and constantly attempted to sabotage our lines of questioning of the witnesses. I have no confidence in your ability to interpret the law as it stands in this case. Until such a time that a more impartial judge can be found, I move for this case to be immediately dismissed by the jury."

The crowds exploded in agreement with Michael's assertion.

"I WILL HAVE ORDER IN THIS COURT!"

Cameron made her way over to the jurors and pulled out an article she had found while skimming the internet. "And to prove our point, I reveal to the Jury right now that the chief financier of Judge Freeland's campaign to be named a member of the High Courts of Arcana was none other than the man who's shadow has loomed over this entire process: Claude Jacques." She allowed the jurors to read the article and pass along her Poké Gear until it made it back to Cameron. After deliberating among themselves for a moment, the jurors got up and departed from the Court room. One of the jurors, a woman, stood at the ready to address the Judge directly.

"Your Honor" she concluded, "we agree with the assertions of the defense that this hearing has been uncomfortably biased in favor of the prosecution. We are dismissing all charges against Ryan Kingston until such a time that a more impartial judge can be found." With that, she cocked her head and followed the jurors out of the room.

Ryan let out a huge sigh of relief. Within minutes, he was swarmed by people who were eager to cheer and celebrate his acquittal. But his eyes looked for Michael, who was nowhere to be found. While his father brought him into a backbreaking embrace and both Dawn and Lucas eagerly shook his hands to congratulate him, he finally found his cousin departing from the courthouse on his own. Realizing the depths of how upset Michael had become with his revelation that he intended on resigning from the Pokémon League made Ryan's celebrations all the more damp. When someone brought up that they should head out and celebrate, all Ryan could answer was that the only thing he wanted right now was to go home.