I'm back for another installment of FFVI Law. It has been a long time but my laptop crashed with all of my stories on it (sniff). Well, here we go!

Terra jumps into view and flashes her professional grin as she introduces the case. "Hello everyone, we are back with a new case for Judge Gestal to decide on at the Vector Liberty Court Circuit. It is currently undergoing renovations due to last week's Ultros attack. However, this case will go on as scheduled. Today's case: the Espers vs. Professor Cid of the former Imperial Magitek Labs."

Terra and the cameraman enter the courtroom, ducking under the yellow construction tape. As they take their seats, the defense and prosecution team dust off their desks. A sign in front of Gestal's seat says, "Caution, all teams and witnesses must wear hard hats."

Suddenly, Locke comes out. "Here ye, here ye…"

He isn't heard over the loud hammering of the construction men repairing the balcony above. He glares at them slightly and tries again.

"Here ye, here ye…"

The hammering continues as Gestal steps in rubbing his temples. "Bailiff-

"I got it!" He interrupts pulling out his popper and shoots. POP! The construction crew goes down. Judge Gestal slaps his forehead.

"Bailiff! You popped the construction workers!" he barked.

Locke shrugged sheepishly. "Sorry sir."

Gestal sniffs and wipes a small tear from his eye. "Things are back to normal."

On the prosecution side, Sabin waves a hand back and forth in front of his face. "Ugh, what is that smell?"

Defense lawyer Gogo stands up to take a whiff. "Why it's…GAS!" He slumps over and Shadow pulls him back into his seat. "Gogo?" He pats his back, trying to wake him.

"Oh my word, is it safe to be here?" Cyan asks Judge Gestal.

Gestal nods. "We have the O.K. Besides, we have an APB on the weirdos who made this hole. We shall continue on as planned."

Locke reads out the case. "Today we bring Vector's top scientist Cid to the court. Cid is being charged with crimes against humanity and Espers. His tampering with human DNA and Espers, has been executed without any GDA approval. His experiments have led to hundreds of deaths. The world seeks to find justice swift and merciless."

Celes blushed. "You said that so professionally. I am proud of you Locke."

Locke grins.

"Perhaps this isn't the real Locke." Shadow wondered aloud.

More hammering arises in the back. Locke pulls out his popper and shoots. "I got it!"

"Locke you dolt, don't shoot the construction crew! For once Locke, let the noise go. Can we please get a move on?" Gestal begged.

Kefka stood up and bowed. "Very well, Cid whatever-his-name-is was no ordinary scientist. He was hired to tamper with human cells and manipulate them to whatever his desire. On top of that, Espers who are now gaining their own rights are also furious at the loss of many lives for a stint of power hungry fools… (ahem) Wewantjusticethankyou." He finished quickly.

Sabin murmured in Setzer's ear. "Boy he's got balls for sayin' that."

"Why is he even prosecuting when he's part of this?" he replies back.

Gestal nods and turns to the other side. "Defense?"

Cyan stands up and turns to the jury box. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we- wait! Where is the jury?"

"They…Where IS our jury?" Gestal realizes the box is empty. Locke taps his desk. "Um, from all of the past cases we would never get to the verdict, so they all left."

Gestal throws his hands up. "Oh, this is just great, so what do we do now?"

Shadow stands up. "Let's just skip that minor detail." Gestal nods and Cid tugs Shadow's arm and whispers, "Wait! I don't think that's right. After all, they are supposed to judge my case."

"Trust me, you want more leverage towards innocent, let it go." Shadow replied.

"Well, alright." Cid says pulling out his Will and signing it.

Cyan clears his voice. "As I was saying, Cid really should be rewarded for his efforts. He helped the world out quite a bit. If it wasn't for Cid, we would not have been able to escape the Magitek factory and save the world. He is going to stand up against the later court case against someone else in this room. The REAL culprits behind the tests."

There is suddenly a mysterious chime that echoes throughout the room. Everyone looks around to see where it came from.

"Bailiff, that sound…so mysterious." Gestal says with wonder.

Locke nods and gets up. "I got it." He leaves to pursue the sound. They all snap out of their moment of awe and Gestal turns to the prosecution team.

"Alright, your witness, and be careful." Gestal warns.

Kefka is already calling out. "Your Honor, we call up Stray to the stand."

The big grey cat bounds into the room. He starts confusing construction workers and people in the pews.

"MEOW!"

The defense and prosecution teams duck under their desks and Gestal slams his gavel down. "Get that Esper outta here! He's confusing the court! D'ah!" He ducks as Stray flies overhead.

Locke comes in locked and loaded. "I got it!"

He tries to pop the Esper but misses. Instead Stray lands a right and Locke goes sailing across the room. "Aiyeee hee hee hee!" He hits a pile of wood.

Celes cries out. "Locke!"

Locke stumbles out. "Lemme talk a buttermush?" He pops himself and he collapses.

It takes both teams to open the doors to the court and Stray bounces away. Murmurs run through the court.

"Order! Order in the court! Bailiff stop- ugh! Forget it! Order in the court! Somebody get me a new bailiff. Now, Prosecution please approach the bench."

Setzer, Sabin, and Kefka walk slowly up to the cross judge. He leaned over to them. "I am going to let this one go. Call next witness, but with caution… One more stunt like that and I'll throw all of you out of this courtroom."

Setzer snorts. "Hah, you wish! You can't even hit your gavel hard enough to stop the ruckus."

Gestal leans over and hits Setzer over the head with his gavel. "Consider the ruckus stopped! Don't take me lightly today. All this mess and no raise, has me in a foul mood."

The team walks back, Sabin whispers to his colleagues. "He is foul."

"What was that?" Gestal barks.

"I said next witness." Sabin yells out.

"No you didn't." Shadow retorts.

"I said next witness." Sabin grins. Setzer continues. "We call Old Strago to the stand."

Strago stands up and shuffles up to the stand. "I'm not old! I mean, well don't call me-

"Just get up there you old fart! We only have a limited amount of time before we lose our temper."

He grumbles up the rest of the way.

Sabin tries to begin. "Alright now-

"Now answer me this, "Strago interrupts, "why is it that I am always paired up with you bozos when it comes to this."

Setzer stands up. "Uh, we ask the questions here, but just to let you know the poll you took before the case puts you as a prosecuting kind of guy."

"And a winter color for your skin." Kefka adds. They all snicker.

Strago pounds his fist on the stand. "I won't tolerate this kind of treatment!"

"Then we will throw you in the bouncy castle." Sabin threatens.

Strago lets out a sigh of defeat. Sabin continues. "You are friends with a few people who were abducted and experimented on. Who were they and can you describe your emotions when you first saw them after their return?"

"Yes, my neighbor Mr. Bucklebrook right there," he points to the lizard man with orange scales, "was the first one I saw. I was horrified."

The audience gasps. "Then there's Mrs. Mora. She came back…in a plastic pouch."

There's another gasp. "Order please." Gestal says gravely.

Sabin nods. "And did Mr. Bucklebrook tell you who did this to them?"

Strago shook his head. "No, but Mrs. Mora did."

Sabin looks at him perplexed. "The one in the plastic pouch?"

"Yes, the one in the plastic pouch, before she disintegrated."

"Oh the horror!" Sabin turns to the crowd in mock horror. "Who was this vile individual behind this monstrosity?"

"It was Professor Cid of the Magitek Factory, that man right there." Strago pointed to the man in the yellow radioactive protection suit.

"No more questions, Your Honor." Sabin sat down.

Shadow walked over to the old man. "Mr. Magus you pointed to this man here as the culprit responsible for Mr. Bucklebrook and Mrs. Mora unfortunate outcome. Are you absolutely certain it was this Cid?"

"I trust Mr. Bucklebrook and Mrs. Mora's honesty." Strago folded his arms.

"I don't doubt their honesty; however, did you see him commit the crimes? Did she show a picture of this man?"

"Well, no."

Shadow nodded. "Then how do you know it was this very Cid?"

"How many Cids could there be?" Strago replied.

"Well, how about this?" Shadow snapped his fingers. Cid Highwind pops out. "Hey, I am Cid Highwind but I never did nuthin' like that 'cuz I flunked Bio. Anybody who accuses me of (bleep) like that is a (bleepin') lyin' son of a (bleep). Yeah! Zzzzz…" He falls asleep.

Gestal bangs his gavel. "Get him out of here! I will not tolerate that kind of language here!"

Cyan and Gogo pick him up and dump him out the window.

"How about this?" Shadow snaps his fingers again. This time, Chief Engineer Cid from Baron pops out. "I'm Cid and I touch nobody unless that body is a fine piece of machinery of Mother Nature heh, heh." He looks over to Celes who turns away disgusted. "Sorry, I'm not natural."

Gestal frowns deeper. "Out!"

Again, they toss the man out the window. "Hey- AAAaaaahh.."

"Perhaps it was this Cid." Shadow snaps and out pops Professor Cid from Balamb Garden. "My name is Cid too."

Gestal sighs and bites into a pastrami sandwhich. Gogo sniffs the new Cid. "I smell strawberries."

He nods and smiles. "Yes you do, and that's because I have this!" He pulls a soda from a vest pocket.

"STRAWBERRY CID!" He begins passing out his fundraiser soda. "The much needed sweetness to fill this courtroom with the dainty berries and fresh fizzy smell."

"Hey!" Gestal tries to protest, but everyone crowds around Cid.

"I want one!"

"I'm thirsty!"

"Ooh, so sweet!"

Gogo squeals. "Gimme one too!"

Gestal is handed one. "Oh alright…(slurp) ahh! That's good…NOW GET OUT!"

Out goes the last Cid and Gestal bangs his gavel. "That's enough of that. Let me remind the court that this courtroom is not a promotion stand."

"Then why are you wearing a Dollet T-shirt?" Kefka pointed to the shirt with the phrase, 'Just Dol-let' on the front.

Gestal shakes his head. "Nevermind that, please continue Defense."

"No further questions your Honor." Shadow sits down.

Kefka stands. "Your Honor, we call Bannon up to the stand."

The entire room groans. Even Sabin throws his pen down. "Aw, man."

Shadow shakes his head. "Their secret weapon."

The fury bearded man sits down. "Now where shall I begin?"

"Exactly were it is that I begin to ask you questions." Kefka retorts.

Bannon gives him a puzzled look but nods. Kefka continues. "You were formerly the leader of a secret organization hidden within the mountains called the Returners. Describe them."

"It's a secret." He replies.

"In this courtroom, there are no secrets. Spill it!" Kefka grins.

"Very well, we reside in the caves near the Figaro Desert. Our mission…"

Three hours later, the courtroom was barely alive when Bannon finished. "This is what we strive for."

Setzer was banging his head on the desk. "Make him stop! PLEASE!"

"I can't take this, I'll assassinate him." Shadow growled.

"Somebody shut him up!" Gestal ordered.

Cyan stood up. "Bannon! Tell us what angers you the most."

"Why its monsters like that." He points to Kefka.

Kefka's eyes widened. "What!"

"Low-life scum like that is an abomination." Bannon continued.

"Hey, you're our witness!" Kefka jumped up and down in frustration.

"Better let him go on, he's really getting into Cid's bad side." Sabin joked.

"Talk about his face." Setzer shouts out.

"And his hair." Gogo adds.

"That's a face you would only see in a B movie from the Circus from Hell channel." Bannon went on.

"STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP IT! GET HIM OUT OF HERE!" Kefka shrieked.

Gestal chuckles. "Heheh, defense?"

Gogo jumps up. "That's ok, I think Bannon did a wonderful job. That's Kefka alright, but we must ask one more question."

"Is that wise?" Shadow asked.

"Bannon, who would you say is at fault here, Cid…or the man who controlled him. Emperor Gestal!"

"Wha-whaat?" Gestal's head snapped up in alarm.

"Boy, there's another freak of nature."

Gestal became furious. "Get him out of here!"

"That hair…" Bannon didn't finish as he was tossed out of the window.

"Alright! Defense, it is your turn. Let me stress this, anymore hooligans or uncontrollable Espers and all of you will be sentenced along with Cid. Is that clear?"

Gogo nods and stands up. "We call Terra Branford to the stand."

Terra blinks for a moment as she realizes her name has been called. "Me? Okay."

She gets up to the stand and sits down after being sworn in. Shadow walks up to her.

"Ms. Branford, you are part Esper and part human. You met Cid after you found your father in the labs. Yet, you still consider him a friend. Why?"

"Well," Terra takes a moment to take in the question, "it was at the most crucial and dangerous hour at hand. The shock of seeing my father and my own kind suffering was overwhelming. Yet, I found solace in Cid's words and wisdom. When he told me he regretted everything he did and would never continue working in the field of science, I believed him. He didn't even realize that they were killing the Espers. His research was simply taking some of the power from Espers and studying it. He never worked on the actual extraction of Esper spirit. It was…" She looked at Kefka and Gestal for a moment before proceeding, "some other people doing that."

Terra stopped as she saw a familiar figure holding her microphone and using her cameraman. "This could be the turning point for the defense's side. With Ms. Fizzywig on the stand-

"Hey!" Terra stands up and points at Yuffie accusingly. "What do you think you are doing here?"

Yuffie fluffs her hair. "Hey, this is my calling, courtroom drama. You think they can stick me on the suicide show forever? Besides, it's not like you were doing your job anyway. You're up there." She giggles.

"How dare you!" Terra gasps getting off the stand.

Shadow tries to stop her. "Miss Branford." She shakes off his grip and storms down the aisle.

"I can't stand you!"

Yuffie smiles a frosty smile. "Honey, get used to it. I'm going primetime."

"Terra, please come back here." Cyan begs.

"Get lost toothpick princess!" She shouts at the thin girl. Yuffie becomes furious.

"Bring it on!"

"I've got pom poms!" Gogo shouts out. Cyan shakes his head. "Please Gogo, I think we've done enough."

Gestal stands up fuming. "That's it! I have had enough of this nonsense. Prosecution and defense, do you have anything to say about your poor excuse for a case?"

"I'VE GOT POM POMS!" Gogo shouts at the top of his lungs.

Setzer just smiles. "I think that about sums us up too."

Gestal bangs his gavel and throws it down. "Fine! I sentence this entire court to fix this courthouse! Everyone pick up a hammer and boards and start right now!"

Cid stands up and points to Gestal. "That's right, it was you who forced me to do those experiments. You said no one would get hurt!"

"Now what am I telling you to do?" He shouted back.

Cyan picks up a hammer shaking his head. "This is a disgrace."

Gogo stood up on the desk, shaking some pom poms. "Rah, rah, fix the court! Rah! Rah! Be a sport!" Shadow yanks him off the desk forcefully.

The two news reporters are still at it. "That all you got, Fizzywig?"

Terra turns helplessly to Maduin. "Daddy!" She whines.

Maduin shakes his head. "Sorry, I gotta work."

Yuffie gets away and goes up to Shadow. "How would you sum up the sentence?"

Shadow looks to the camera. "Well, I would like to say that once again there was no final ruling. As always, justice still needs to be served and this is ridiculous. I'm losing money." He walks away, grabbing several boards and a saw.

Yuffie turns and smiles into the camera. "Well, this is Yuffie Kisingari reporting from Vector Liberty Courts saying, BYE!"

End.

Well, I don't know if there will ever be a perfect sentencing for any of these cases. Still, who would want that? Well, Shadow does…Oh well. R and R please.