Disclaimer: Lost Girl belongs to Showcase or SYFY and I am only playing in their universe.
A/N: I can't thank you enough for the reads, reviews, favorites and follows on this story. The trial continues…
The Wanderer scoffed under his breath at the people as they showed their support for the filthy mutant. He stood with a pasted on smile. "I bow to the people's decisions." He waved the crowd a salute. Turning a truly sinister face towards the opposite table he glared in the direction of Vex and Trick. Snapping a paper in his hand he refocused on the doctor with cruel eyes, "Lauren Lewis, You are charged with knowingly and willfully experimented on a human to give them fae abilities to harm the fae community." He grabbed Lauren by the arm and yanked her towards the crowd. Bo was standing and moving to intercept him when Thoth appeared from out of nowhere and slapped the dark mage's hand away Lauren.
"You will not touch the defendant again. She is in my care until the final judgment." The small fae's eyes flashed white. He gently touched Lauren's hand and led her back to the middle of the floor. "My apologies for his handling of you, it will not happen again on my watch." Thoth gave her a small bow then turned to place his body between the Wanderer and Lauren to make his point.
"Please excuse my passionate feelings, but I am a victim of this… woman." He forced the word out like it was somehow the wrong term for who he was addressing. In a hurt tone he continued, "This charge is personal to me." The Wanderer bowed to the little fae, who rolled his eyes and walked away in disgust.
The Wanderer stood before the crowd and said, "The woman's current state of being acts as damning evidence. She was a human and is now a fae. Her powers unrefined and grotesque, this is true. But they are up to the level of an under… excuse me a lower powered fae." the Wanderer bowed to Hilde. Turning he caught Bo's eye, she growled and he laughed. In a dramatic move the man ripped open his shirt showing the white scars of claw marks on his neck and down his chest. There was a gasp from the crowd and then a mumbling chorus as he paraded around to show the impressive amount of damage Lauren had done to his body. He sighed dramatically and spoke to fixated group, "She shows the abilities of a succubus and then shifts to a mutation of cat. This woman kidnaps my precious daughter and then attacks me as I tried to bring that damaged girl back under my protection. Look at the scars on my body as evidence of this freak's intent to kill me. The charges are met, she experimented on herself and I am the victim of her violence with scars to prove her harmful intent. I call for the …"
Vex let out a loud snort, "Oh I am the victim, I have scars…" the Mesmer mimicked the man. Hilde cleared her throat and Vex gave her a little bow, "Sorry, my Lady." Vex could have sworn he saw the royal smile for a moment. "Anyway, just to be clear she is the human she experimented on right?
The Wanderer looked from the goth to the crowd, "You all knew her as human servant before." The crowd responded with the acknowledgement that Lauren had once been human. "So, yes Morrigan, she experimented on herself."
"Right," said Vex, "Just checking, Okay, I looked into this medical thing while I was recovering from an attack on my person." He looked at the Wanderer with cold eyes. "And I have it on the best authority of these doctors." Vex made a motion and a large group of people stood up. He motioned and they sat down. "That this hybrid stuff can only happen with an injection directly into the spinal cord." Vex made a face like the thought of that was unpleasant then continued, "You, doctors. Would that leave a scar?" They all nodded that it would. "Ya, you see you have to use this big ass needle." The Morrigan held his hands out about a foot apart.
Vex walked to Lauren and gave her a cheeky grin. "Going to need to see a bit of skin Doc." There was a muffled sound and Vex leaned back and yelled. "Only looking at her back Bo, pipe down." Vex raised an eyebrow and Lauren turned around he pulled her shirt up. The goth ran a finger down her back and stopped just below the shoulder blades. "Found it. The needles are big enough to make scars." He motioned for Thoth to walk forward and verify the marks.
The Wanderer stood, "I call for the question. The Morrigan of the Dark Fae had just provided evidence of the injection mark…"
"Shut it!" yelled Vex. "You on the end, bring me the syringe." A man from the doctor group left the stands and walked to Vex. The Morrigan motioned him to hand Lauren the device. As the doctor left, Vex said loudly, "Go on now Dr. Lewis, press the needle into your back." Lauren stared at him.
The Wanderer scoffed, "Really, of course she won't be able to do that. She won't even try. She is not stupid enough to incriminate herself in front of…."
Vex turned to the man and raised his arm. Power laced his voice. "Hit yourself in the face." The Wanderer hit himself hard. Thoth cleared his throat. Vex said coldly, "You didn't want to do that did you, Wanderer. So you will understand that she will have no choice but to inject herself as I command." Turning to Lauren, he raised his hand and said in the same power laced voice. "Press the syringe into this spot on your back." the Goth touched the scar. Lauren flexed and tried to the point of pain before Vex released her. It was clearly impossible for Lauren to have injected herself.
"She had someone else do it, a human doctor who helped her." The Wanderer squealed in protest.
"Hey doctors what is the chance of survival for this DNA replacement procedure anyway?" yelled Vex.
One woman stood up, "There is a one in two hundred sixty four million chance of surviving this procedure."
"Awww yes," rolled Vex, "With odds of survival like that I would bet the words 'A human doctor who helped' were wrong. The good doctor here survived a murder attempt as I see it. Worse than being shot up with the vilest kind of poison that hybrid junk. No one in their right mind thinks that they are going to survive those odds."
The Wanderer stood but he had nothing to say then shouted, "Taft, what about Taft?"
"What about Taft?" said Vex.
"The fae that escaped the compound say that the doctor promised to make him fae." The Wanderer smiled.
Vex yelled, "Dyson, have the police found a hybrid fae named Dr. Taft running amok?"
Dyson smiled, "After a thorough search by the police, there is not living soul that fits that description."
"I call for the question." barked Vex. The Wanderer was helpless to object. With the okay from Hilde, Thoth called out, "How say you good fae? Stand and face …" he didn't even get the words out before the whole place was standing and looking straight at Lauren in support.
"The wisdom of the fae rule the accused innocent of the charge." Said Hilde. There was a smattering of applause.
The Wanderer growled and spat out the last of the charges, "You knowingly and willfully turned against the fae breaking your vow of servitude to the fae." The wanderer never got another word out.
"I invoke the law of three to nullify the charge." said Trick loudly. Hilde nodded for the Ash to continue. Standing and walking to the doctor's side, Trick spoke clearly for all to hear, "Lauren Lewis, as a servant of the fae, performed at least three acts of protection earning her freedom from her pact with the fae." There was silence in the court. The generosity and kindness of the doctor was well known. There were few that doubted that she should have been freed long ago. Those of the audience that knew she had been trapped by a former Ash with the illness of a loved one were more than sure the sentence of servitude was null and void.
Trick spoke clearly, "One, Lauren Lewis developed a vaccine to protect all fae from a vicious form of plague that killed thousands and would have threatened us all." Trick smiled as people were already standing. Applause had started, he continued, "Two, she found a way to stop the Garuda and honored the sacrifice of Lachlan, Ash of the Light." More people were standing, the ovation was louder and cheering had started. "Lastly Lauren Lewis refused to help a murderer of fae by denying him access to our secrets and her medical procedures that would be used against us. She kept the fae safe even when she was not treated with respect. The price she paid was her humanity. How many of us would be willing to give up our fae nature to assist another? She has earned her freedom." The rest of the fae stood and the crowd was in full salute. Lauren bowed her head. She was truly free.
There was a scream of fury from the Wanderer. "I CHALLENGE!" The room fell silent. The Wanderer frothed at the mouth as he spoke, "They invoke the law of three, I claim challenge." The dark mage turned to Hilde, "and since you have already granted their motion I cannot be denied."
Hilde smiled and said, "I agree. You are within your rights to challenge. Thoth I call you to hear the challenge."
Thoth said to the Wanderer, "What are your grounds?"
The Wanderer smiled and then said flatly, "Undue influence by the Ash and Morrigan over their constituents. Really who would expect the lower fae to go against their lord and master. Of course they stand and cheer, but in support of the ones doing the defending not the accused herself."
The fae of the chamber sighed, "The challenge is weak my Lady but has been used before. I say it stands due to precedence and nothing more."
Hilde looked down at the man, "Choose the form of your challenge test."
The Wanderer turned to Lauren, "Combat," he spit the word at her.
"I was hoping you would say that," said Hilde, "Thoth."
The little fae stepped forward, "Call forth the champion."
"What is this? I called a challenge on this mutant not some champion," said the Wanderer
Vex snorted, "Forgot about that part didn't you asshole. If the person challenged is killed in combat then they cannot be punished by the court. You get to battle because you are dumb enough to question the will of the people, so you have to battle the champion …blah, blah, blah something about King Author." He waved a hand as if the rest everyone knew anyway.
Lauren felt Bo right behind her and almost didn't turn. Bo watched the doctor's body language and knew the pain she was in. Placing a hand on Lauren's shoulder, she turned her so they were facing. Slowing Lauren reached out and cupped Bo's face. Tears were running down her face, "I have put you in danger again. I am so, so sorry." Lauren sobbed.
"What? You're the champion?" the Wanderer broke up laughing, "My Lady I withdraw any objections. I welcome challenge combat against the champion."
The look that crossed Bo's face was one of total hatred towards the man. Shaking it off, she pulled Lauren into a hug, "This is who I am, I am a big, badass succubus and I am your champion." Lauren let out a tear filled laugh, "Okay you were much more eloquent when you described yourself, but truly Lauren I am a protector. This is what I do for those who need it, and most especially for you." Bo leaned in and kissed the doctor lightly and then leaned forward so they were touching foreheads.
"This is exactly what I was trying to avoid," Lauren pulled Bo closer, "I love you and …"
"Lauren," Bo's blood was singing. Standing up for Lauren meant the world to her and she was feeling it through her whole body. "Kiss me." Lauren didn't have to be asked twice. The emotion filled exchange was a surprise to Lauren. She pulled back and then touched her lips. Bo raised an eyebrow, "Think Hilde showed me how to get in touch with my inner child." She whispered into Lauren's ear. "I love you too." Bo turned to move on to the floor as Thoth directed Lauren away.
Kenzi yelled, "Bo Bo!" and ran up to her. The little druid threw her arms up like she was going to embrace her friend but instead she stuck her fingers in her ears. Bo jumped back.
"What the hell? Now is the time for a wet willy fight?" said Bo all confused but smiling.
"Yay tension breaker, right?" Kenzi laughed then leaned in and whispered, "No, just thought you could use a little druid help."
"Clear the floor," said Thoth. Everyone was forced to move up to the stands except the two involved in the battle.
The dark mage removed his cloak and stood to one side, flexing his arms the man looked powerful. He grinned at Bo, "Daughter you never fail to disappoint me."
"What not covering up the nasty little comments anymore? Everyone will hear what a heartless bastard you are. Oh and buddy you are not and never have been my Father." said Bo flatly. She moved to the far side of the floor. They both turned to look a Hilde.
"Wanderer as the challenger you pick the weapons." said Hilde.
"What we hold inside us." The man snapped.
Thoth raised his hand, Hilde added one more thing, "Remember who and what you fight for." Checking that the Lady had finished with her comments, the small fae just started to drop his hand, when the Wanderer attacked. Technically he did not break the rules but it was damn close.
Two smoky hexes smashed into Bo and she flew across the room. She was just able to catch her breath as she forced her body to move. The bastard had cut her arm and the blood was flowing. Bo rolled and moved avoiding the next series of strikes. "Daughter," boomed his voice the eerie Mesmer quality, "stop breathing now." It had been rumored that he lost that ability when Lauren attacked him. The rumors were very wrong.
Lauren let out a strangled scream but watched as Bo began to laugh. The echoing voice was there but Bo found she was not forced to obey it. Reaching to touch her ears, Bo heard Kenzi yell, "Super powered druid spit baby. Now kick his ass!" She smiled.
"Yes, well you should take your own advice about the breathing," Bo ducked low and then charged the man slamming into his midsection and knocking him back. He jumped up holding his side. Bo knew she had struck a rib as he struggled to pull in a breath. The man tried again, "Succubus," the voice rolled with power. "Pluck out your eyes." Again Bo just laughed in his face.
"Really, pluck out my eyes? You are even more twisted than I thought." Roared Bo and she leapt at the man. He scrambled around her, but didn't get far tripping on one of the uneven spots of the broken floor. As he stood Bo kicked him viciously in the jaw and throat. He rolled shooting hexes in her direction driving Bo back but the damage was done.
Spitting out teeth he gathered himself. "Succubus," the man rasped out. "Drop to your knees." But the Mesmer ability was gone. The hold chamber could hear the change in the voice. The damage that the Lauren had done to his throat had been reinjured by Bo's kick. He had lost a big part of his arsenal, but the dark mage did have other powers. With fury in his eyes, he called on his other weapons.
Smiling Bo charged but had to change course rapidly as a thick smoky tendril snaked from the man and headed her way. There was no telling what he could do with that smoke demon power. More and more smoke formed. It struck out at Bo as if it were a snake. The succubus dodged and dove out of the way fighting to find some way to get within the range of the smoke appendages and charge the dark mage. Not fast enough one time, Bo was caught by the edge of a tendril and a gash split open across her back. Lauren let out a yell but Bo could not afford to lose focus. The wound burned and pulsed. It took all the succubus had to overcome the hurt.
Hexes and slashes from the smoke seemed to gain from the injury. The strikes came faster and faster. They were tiring Bo out, she needed some type of defense or weapon. Her blood was not singing any more. "Getting tired little Bo?" called the dark mage. A barrage of hexes flew at her and the smoke followed catching her as she jumped. Slashing blows surrounded her and she felt her skin being sliced. The smoke felt like flowing masses of broken glass.
Through the pain, Bo thought of Lauren and not being there to protect her. There was a flash of blue and Bo found that the smoke was forced to back off. Rolling quickly, she was able to get away. The Wanderer forced the brittle smoke and hexes at her again. Was it really that easy? She thought of protecting Lauren and her blood sang with power. The new wave of smoke was forced back and as she threw her hands up she blocked the hexes. Bo saw the shimmer of blue as the magic hit her hands and then watched it fade when the threat was gone. Remembering the sensation, Bo pulse a little, the shimmer extended taking shape.
As if struck by lightning a stinging mass slammed into Bo knocking her to the ground. A hex had hit her full in the side. An arrogant voice shouted "Mustn't lose focus in a battle little daughter, it will get you killed." Bo knew she had a cracked rib and there was more blood pooling from somewhere. Her head hurt and she fought to stay focused.
"Oh my, the beast is hurt," snarled the Wanderer as he shot a lethal hex her direction follows by a whip like smoke tendril.
Bo rolled and snarled back, "I am no beast," her chi flared and she blocked the man's attack.
"Just give up, you have nothing in this life worth living for. You've hurt everyone you ever have come in contact with." The hexes and smoke came at her from every direction. "You are unworthy of happiness and…"
Screaming in anger, "I am loved and fight for Lauren." Bo did not have to look down as she felt herself charge with power. She charged into the smoke and fought it back. Startled by the sudden retaliation of his enemy, the Wanderer blasted a set of hexes at the woman. Bo was sent diving to the side but rolling to her feet she was still ready to fight him.
Seeing the succubus in pain but still fighting back, the man laughed out loud then thought to himself, "How about a little something to break that spirit little Bo." With a dramatic flourish the Wanderer seemed to be oozing smoke from his entire being. "Time to meet an old friend," sneered the Wanderer and he held his hands out in front. Bo watched the man as she struggled to find a way to attack him. The smoke retreated into the dark mage and then poured from the man's hands taking the shape of a creature. The man was calling his familiar to his side. The giant sized Enfield, the foxlike creature that was the man's companion, took shape directly in front of his body. The snapping white eyes focused on Bo. "Yes, your little dog friend. You were never smart enough to realize that it was a beast and nothing more. I guess now you will see his true nature." The animal began to pace back and forth awaiting his master's command.
"Enfield?" said Bo "Hi baby." The smoky beast stopped moving and pricked up it's ears. "It is you?" She asked and the massive smoke creature tilted its head to the side at the sound of her voice. Bo smiled, the small fox she knew had been a source of joy and solace during her years of torture. Bo liked to think that the little animal had enjoyed her company too. "Hi puppy." Bo said with all the feeling of seeing an old friend. The creature took two steps forward. The distorted features looking anything but puppy like.
"Enfield, kill her. End this charade." The Wanderer said coldly. The white of the animals eyes snapped and it ran at Bo.
"Who's a good dog?" said Bo and she knelt down and held her arms out. The enfield slammed into the succubus and she offered no defense.
The stands were going crazy. Lauren had to be restrained by Dyson and Kenzi about three seconds after the challenge started. The first sight of blood on Bo, had Lauren shifting forms and diving towards the floor. Thoth had stopped her and with all the gentleness of before got her back to her seat. After that it had been painful to watch but no one dared look way. Now the whole group screamed as they watched the smoke creature smashed into Bo. Lauren, who had seen first-hand the damage that beast could do, was beside herself with fear.
The Wanderer let out a roar of delight as he saw the smoke envelop his enemy. He waited like everyone else for the screams of pain and soft dripping sounds out chunks of flesh being removed by the strong smoky jaws of his powerful servant. The laughing from the clouds of darkness was disappointing to say the least.
"Enough, okay you got me, enough," giggled Bo. She rolled out of the smoke with the now small and furry enfield jumping and wiggling around her legs and body. She was not wiping blood but enfield drool from her face. "Thoth, fae of the chamber, I call a time out." gasped Bo between playful attacks of furry happiness. "You need to remove an innocent from the field." There was silence in the hall as everyone looked on in disbelief. There was a loud huff of exasperation and the little fae Thoth appeared near Bo's side.
The small fae said as if his career had just hit an all-time low point, "In the history of challenges of the fae courts, there has never been a "time out" called." That in itself set Bo laughing again and the enfield, who was enchanted by the sound, started yipping and jumping to give more kisses to the succubus.
"Look I don't want him hurt, just get him to my friends and we will continue." said Bo.
"He is part of my magic he cannot be taken." growled the Wanderer who had just recovered from his thousand year old familiar's betrayal and he shot a hex at Thoth.
The hex froze then turned and slammed into the ground at the Wanderer's feet. "I would not do that again if I were you." said Hilde. "Call the animal to you if he is yours to command."
"Enfield return," snapped the dark mage. After a moment he added, "Now." It didn't help. The little creature flatly refused to budge from the succubus.
Hilde let out a humph and said, "The animal is no longer part of you so technically it is out of bounds. Thoth remove the enfield and then continue the challenge." The fae of the chamber walked the enfield out and the little guy ran into the stands to sit by Bruce as if they were long lost buddies.
Bo smiled and turned back to the Wanderer, "So let's see you can't use your voice trick, your dog likes me better than you so….. you are left with," she smiled, "your succubus powers and magic tricks. I think I can deal with that." Bo looked deep within herself and thought of Lauren and why she was fighting. Her blood sang.
"You are nothing more than a worthless whore, unloved trash, beast." The Wanderer yelled and started to hurl hexes at her.
Bo dodged the hexes with ease. She thought of her friends and family and wanting to be more for them. The blood sang louder and she tapped the energy deep inside herself. Standing still Bo focused on all she had in her life and let her power grow.
"I will drain you and put you out of your misery, ridding the world of a dangerous pest," The Wanderer went on full attack and ran at Bo with death magic flying from his hands and pulling at her chi with his succubus powers.
Bo eyes flashed open burning blue. She raised her fists, chi shaped energy extended from her hands in the shape of sericon swords. They were like weapons she had held in Trick's office long ago. The real sericons would hurt any fae and allowed the wearer to remain free of corruption. The swords formed from Bo's chi were no less powerful. The Wanderer's battle cry sounded as he gave his all to end the woman before him.
He never even got close. Slashing away the hexes with easy motions, Bo countered every one of his attacks. The dark mage watched as his chi attack bounced away like it was nothing and for the first time doubt crossed his mind. Shaking his head in disbelief, "No, you will not live!" The man shrieked unwilling to believe he could ever be defeated and dove at Bo. She spun and dropped to one knee. The motion crossed the blue blades through the Wanderer's midsection. He gasped and crumpled to the ground behind her. The smoke, blood, and chi seeping from too many places to count on the dying man's body.
The succubus stood eyes still glowing and arms encased in blue chi blades. She said in a growling whisper, "I do this because this is who I am. I protect the people I love. You are not my father, You…" she leaned over him, "You are no one." Crossing the thick chi blades across his neck Bo pull her arms out hard. She severed the man head and then watched as the body deflated with belches of thick black smoke. "You will never hurt me or anyone else ever again." Bo growled the last comment at the man who had tortured her for so long. The chi from his body escaped into the blades, which grew in brightness and character, becoming etched with ruins of white hot energy. The Wanderer was dead and the room was quiet as no one moved waiting for what had to come next.
"No need for the question Thoth. The challenge had been defeated." said Hilde. The small fae smiled and bowed in agreement. Turning to the stands, Thoth moved to Lauren's side then accompanied her to the middle of the floor to stand by her champion, Bo. Dropping the doctor's hand gently, Thoth smiled and then moved to the side of the room leaning back he melded into the dark worn wood, his job complete. Hilde said loudly, "All charges are dropped, Dr. Lewis you are found innocent of all charges and are free to go." There was a sizzle to the air and a blazing arrow shot out of the room officially ending the trial.
There should have been cheering. There should have been hugs of congratulation, maybe even drinks at the Dahl. Instead at that very instant, Tamsin stumbled into the room, bloodied and barely conscious. Her appearance stunned the crowd. "They are coming." She wheezed dropping to her knees. "Protect the royal…" but it was too late.
Black forms stepped through voids in space, seeming to appear out of nowhere. The fae in the chamber gawked as the very air they breathed opened to pour out evil. Cloaked forms filled the floor of the chamber and four had surrounded Hilde. The iron spears had rocketed from the voids before their owners had made themselves present in the space of the chamber. It was the fae equivalent of being shot in the back. Hilde's attackers struck at the old fae's body at odd angles. She had moved quick enough to avoid three major hits. Adjusting herself, Hilde had taken only slight injury to her thigh, shoulder and hip. The fourth spear had struck home in the middle of her body. She fell to the ground without a word; there was just a gurgling sound as she made to draw her labored shallow breaths.
The chamber erupted in violence and chaos after the attack began. The spectators rushed the exits. The defense area ran to Hilde and towards the floor. The four attackers around the hag jumped to the chamber floor to join the fight. Vex was trying to get to Tamsin, Dyson was trying to get to Lauren and Bo. Kenzi, Bruce and Trick were running to Hilde's side. The two women in the middle saw none of this. They were too busy trying to stay alive.
"NO!" Lauren had screamed as she watched her little mother fall to the brutal attack. She had been smiling at the pleased look in the old woman's face as the first spear hit. Bo, who had been watching Lauren, caught the distortion of the air directly to the doctor's side and was in full defensive mode immediately. She did not wait for Lauren to join her. Instead she whirled and spun around her lover blocking the killing blows that were directed the twosome. She caught a lucky strike and slammed a long glowing sword through a tall woman that had run at Lauren's back with two daggers. As she swung the dead body to the ground the hood fell back revealing the face of a shunned elder. One of the group that Vex had sent from the trial in disgrace.
As if a signal had been sent, the attacking fae now all lowered their hoods to show the sixteen remaining council members. The slimy man that had been working with Evony spoke. "We are the elders of the fae. A footnote in our law will not keep us from our rightful ruling place and making our final judgment. Hildagard the Sorrow had no place in this world of modern fae politics. She interfered and paid the price. We are here to finish the judgment from the earlier trial. We the elder fae find Lauren Lewis guilty of crimes again the fae. We the rightful rulers of fae order her to pay for her crimes with her life.
"Bo," screamed Kenzi. "Trick can get Hilde back to the shack but it has to be now. I love you guys." There was a flash and the druid, ogre, ash and hag were gone.
"I think that is a good idea. Orson some privacy if you please." The slimy man cooed. A second man stepped up, a warlock by the looks of it. He slammed a wooden shaft on the ground and everyone disappeared but Lauren, Bo and the council. The slimy man tilted his head as he looked at Bo in surprise. The spell had been intended to leave Lauren alone with the council. "Succubus, you should not be here. We give you the chance to leave now. Think of it as a thank you for ridding us of that buffoon, the Wanderer." Three of the council members slammed the handle end of their spears into Lauren knocking her to the ground, then pointed the business ends of the weapons in Bo's direction.
Stepping over Lauren, Bo let the blue chi blades flow to full form on the ends of her hands. She rumbled a low growl, "I am by Lauren's side forever. I am her champion." The succubus swung the blades fast and the council members jumped back. Extinguishing the blade on one hand, Bo grabbed Lauren by the back of her shirt and pulled the doctor to her feet. The awkward yank on Lauren's clothing caused two of the bags Kenzi had placed in her pockets to fall to the ground. Lauren watched as they hit the hard surface and burst open. Seeds bounced along the cracked concrete and then fell through the thin openings landing on the much neglected Earth below.