An Entangled Life
Chapter 2: Back in Time a.k.a. The Trial
(2 ½ years ago)
Cosmo floated in a brown suit and shackles. He was about to be sentenced for committing an offensive crime.
The crime being destroying half of Fairy World and making the great wand almost inoperable for six days.
Invasions by enemy magic creatures were barely staved off. Ten fairies died. But since it was an accident, the jury of twelve fairies judged him non-accountable for the death toll and most of the damage.
But his consistent carelessness and pricey errors demanded recompense. The outcry in Fairy World demanded punishment of some form. Community service and a public apology wasn't enough. Plus the prosecution used past indiscretions to appeal for more trails. If this was done Fairy World would be spending devastating amounts of money prosecuting him since risking another single trial with him getting of lightly was a definite riot waiting to happen against those who ruled fairy world. It was simple. He had to be punished and harshly. A deal was struck. Cosmo would take one lump sentence with the maximum of five punishments. With imprisonment being limited. Cosmo's lawyers considered this better than years in courts and risk of horrible punishments like execution and permanent exile.
It was ordered by higher ups that a harsh punishment be handed down whether it be the maximum allowed imprisonment, an extended period of being without fairy powers, or both. Imprisonment had a limit. The amount of time Cosmo could be without his powers was not.
And for the handing down of Cosmo's sentence, the perfect judge was chosen.
"Cosmo," Judge Hard-on-Yee said formally, "I sentence you to a year without your powers," he announced.
There were audible gasps. Cosmo's eyes filled with tears.
Suddenly there was a hard rap on the prosecutor's table.
"That punishment's not harsh enough," Jorgen Von Strangle protested, "think of the grieving families, what he did to Fairy World," he pressed, "remember what he did to Atlantis!"
"Jorgen," Judge Hard-on-Yee said softly, "I'm not done with his punishment yet!" he roared, his angry purple eyes now blood red and bulging.
It was no secret that Judge Hard-on-Yee was also a vampire. And that only made Fairy World residents fear the judge even more. Even Jorgen.
"Um, I…I…I… I'm sorry," Jorgen stuttered and sat down shaking.
The Judge fairy who was barely a head taller than Cosmo slowly calmed down. His eyes turning back to their deep mauve. The white English Judge wig covering his scraggly black hair.
"Cosmo," Judge Hard-on-Yee said, "you've proven to be a dangerous menace, unintentional criminal, and an idiot," he said frankly, "while not all are illegal," he continued, "you've proven them to be exponentially dangerous and in some cases deadly," he said and his eyes drifted over to relations of the deceased and almost all were giving a fearful Cosmo hateful looks and death glares, "while others suffer you rise from your indiscretions and crimes unscathed," he said with a hint of incredulousness, "a serious punishment has to be imposed because of this, whether or not it's (Cosmo's actions) considered illegal by authorities' law," he said seriously.
Cosmo stood tearful and begging the judge leniency with pleading green eyes.
Judge Hard-on-Yee sighed and closed his eyes. When he opened them they looked harder than they were before.
Cosmo gulped.
"For one year," Judge Hard-on-Yee said officially, "for your moral trespasses against others," he continued, "you will go without any memories of your life," he announced.
"NOOO!" Wanda shrieked and had to be held back.
Cosmo's eyes swelled a thousand times their size.
My memory? – Cosmo
Timmy stared forward from a corner pew devastated.
"And for the sake of safety and in coinciding with his punishment," Judge Hard-on-Yee said ominously, "he will not do his punishment on Fairy World," he revealed.
Everyone else's mouth fell to the floor. Except for Cosmo who was too devastated to even speak. He only softly whimpered.
"His punishment will take place in a different world," Judge Hard-on-Yee stated, "I think that is best for both justifiable and safety reasons," he said.
"Safety!" Wanda exploded, "what's safe about him being completely powerless and helpless!" she ranted being held back by even more guards as her hair blazed on fire.
"He will not be easily harmed," Judge Hard-on-Yee announced, "a portion of fairy type resilience to bodily harm will remain," he added.
"Excuse me," Timmy spoke his voice barely audible across the courtroom.
"Yes?" Judge Hard-on-Yee asked.
"Why Cosmo?" Timmy asked looking at the judge desperately with puppy eyes.
Timmy's blue eyes could've melted any cold man's heart at that moment. But Judge Hard-on-Yee wasn't a cold man. He was a hard and yes often times outwardly a very cold fairy.
"Because he broke the law, stupidly, caused the loss of innocent life, stupidly, and made life a whole big mess and complicated everything, stupidly," Judge Hard-on-Yee listed.
"But stupidly isn't a crime!" Timmy shouted.
"It ought to be in his case," Judge Hard-on-Yee said frankly, "and little boy," he said, "never, shout, at, me," he said slowly pausing at each word to make his point.
Timmy gulped. He knew as a specially allowed guest to the sentencing that he could easily be kicked out at anytime. Angering Judge Hard-on-Yee was the last thing he intended.
"Yes sir," Timmy said nodding.
"Good," Judge Hard-on-Yee stated, "Cosmo your punishment will start in a week," he said to the condemned fairy, "speak again and it's tomorrow," he said looking Wanda squarely in the eye.
Wanda who was ready to rant again immediately became still.
The guards holding her quickly attached anti-magic handcuffs to both her hands and left them behind her.
Wanda carefully sat down.
"Is there anything the prosecution would like to say?" Judge Hard-on-Yee asked.
Jorgen nearly jumped.
"Um," Jorgen said looking around nervously, "no, justice has been served by Cosmo being held accountable for his actions," he said quickly and sat back down.
Judge Hard-on-Yee chuckled.
"Coward," Judge Hard-on-Yee muttered.
"May I speak?" Cosmo asked.
Judge Hard-on-Yee looked at Cosmo.
Tears were flowing down his face ruining his expensive suit.
"Your mother got you that suit?" Judge Hard-on-Yee asked.
Cosmo nodded.
"She has good taste," Judge Hard-on-Yee noted, "go ahead and speak," he allowed.
"I think you're a big doo-doo head," Cosmo said pointing at Judge Hard-on-Yee.
The courtroom gasped in horror.
Judge Hard-on-Yee glared. His skin red as a tomato then dark purple as his red eyes bulged and he started steaming. His wig flew off as steam tooted through his ears revealing the scraggly black hair he so often opted to hide. His vampire fangs and claws (where there once was fingernails) were very evident. His tiny black wings now larger furious bat wings that flapped angrily as he gripped the podium.
"You listen to me," Judge Hard-on-Yee snarled, "no one gets away with disrespecting me in my courtroom," he said darkly, "nobody!" his voice boomed causing several ladies and one man screaming like a girl to flee the courtroom.
Cosmo hugged himself closer to his shackles.
Oh Broccoli. – Cosmo
"I will ensure that everyday without your memory is fully spent," Judge Hard-on-Yee snarled, "trust me, you'll get no time off for good behaviour."
Cosmo fearfully gulped. He was scared before but Judge Hard-on-Yee was really, really, really, really, really, really mad right now.
"Oh and no one in this courtroom or from Fairy World can interact with him if they find him within the period of his punishment," Judge Hard-on-Yee revealed, "unintentional is fine, but do it on purpose," he said, "and you'll experience a season of unhappiness that only equals the fact that you'll have your powers blocked for two months," he said shocking those gathered. "and Timmy," he said, "disobey me," he said knowing the boy well, "and I will order the removal of Wanda."
"What!" Timmy shouted, "but that's unfair!"
"Life is such and so is punishment," Judge Hard-on-Yee said simply, "and you shouted at me again," he added.
"I don't care," Timmy said panting as his known short temper took effect.
With a flash of Judge Hard-on-Yee's hand a fairy guard poofed over Timmy and disappeared with him.
"Timmy!" Cosmo shouted.
"He's been taken to a private area," Judge Hard-on-Yee said dismissively, "I'm not going to hurt him," he said seriously.
Cosmo broke down in tears.
Several courtroom attendees glared at Judge Hard-on-Yee.
He victoriously glared back.
"I'm sorry that this punishment pains you," Judge Hard-on-Yee said formally as he turned his attention to Cosmo, "but you've gotten yourself into too many bad messes," he told Cosmo, "you have to pay the price," he said calmly.
Cosmo took out his nickel and kissed it.
"You can take Philip on your journey," Judge Hard-on-Yee offered.
"Philip!" Cosmo cried happily and hugged his 'girl' nickel.
"May you help each other in this great life quest." Judge Hard-on-Yee muttered sarcastically as he made a notation.
Idiot. - Judge Hard-on-Yee
"The sentence has been handed down and court is adjourned," Judge Hard-on-Yee said and slammed the gavel, "please leave orderly," he said poofed out the courtroom.
"Cosmo!" Wanda cried not able to hold in her anguish any longer.
The bailiff allowed Cosmo to be taken over to her.
Cosmo hugged Wanda who couldn't hug him herself.
"Oh Cosmo!" Wanda shouted crying.
"Don't worry Wanda," Cosmo said brightly, "Philip will…"
"He's a stupid coin!" Wanda exploded moving back, "when will you grow up?" she demanded angrily.
A hurt Cosmo stepped back.
"I guess right now," Cosmo said in a cracked voice, "goodbye Wanda, Timmy," he said then realized Timmy was gone, "see you in a year," he said and turned to the bailiff.
The bailiff sighed and took him away.
That was the last time Cosmo saw either his wife or godchild before the commencement of his punishment.
----
(One Week Later)
Green eyes opened to look at the shining sky. A green haired adult rose to his feet and brushed worn black pants. He pushed aside the boxes he slept on and started walking up the car-infested street. Honking, exhaust fumes, shouting, everything was in the air.
But all this green haired man wearing a beige overcoat, a dirtied white shirt with two tears in it, and black faded pants with several patches and red flip-flops, could think was one thing.
Who was he?
Chapter 2I hope this chapter was satisfactory. Thank you to all those who've reviewed so far.