An elderly man walked down a grey hallway illuminated with a cool light. His purple regal robes draped around him. His grey hair was parted to one side ad his
monicole was attached to a golden chain. As the man appeared to glide down the hallway he stumbled upon a woman. She appeared to be just as old and had red
hair done up i a tight bun. Her long silver robes differentiating her from her male counterpart. "Councilwoman Jenova of Atlas." The man greeted. " Councilman Vars
of Minstral." The woman returned the courtesy and the two continued to walk down the hallway, in perfect step with one another. "So, Today is quite the important
day." Vars observed. "Yes. Yes it is. We will finally got to put that… the demon on trial for his crimes. I can assure you his head will not be leaving this building."
Jenova answered harshly. "Now now. I don't believe that this is necessarily the way we show be going about this." Vars voiced. Jenova looked back at him in complete
surprise. "What do you mean by that?" Jenova inquired. "I'm just saying that there may be more benefits to this child than we currently realize." Vars answered.
Jenova shook her head in disappointment. "Have you been talking with Ozpin again?" Jeova questioned. "Ozpin is a good friend of mine. He has rarely ever led me
astray and I believe he is correct with this boy to. He may be a bit of a handful at times but his power is nearly unparalleled in the current generation. I personally
would rather have him with his current good intentions rather than pushing him away and allowing him to fall to darkness." Vars explained. Jenova scoffed. "If we
have him briefly executed wouldn't that solve everyone's problems." She argued. "Not necessarily. I'd much rather keep the military powerhouse as close to the chest
as possible." Vars responded. "Well regardless of what you may believe it is ultimately the results of this hearing that will decide who's correct… I believe this is your
stop." Jenova motioned to a door that had opened to their left. Vars nodded politely and stepped through. Vars was in a small tower that was part of a large
sculpture. Vars could see the entire courtroom from his position. To his right was an equally tall tower that housed jenova and to his left and even taller tower that
was meant for the grand councilman. Vars took the seat provided and began sifting through the building in monitor to make final preparations for the hearing.
Team's ENDD and RWBY sat barely able to mask their nervousness as the proceeding begun. Allister perked up slightly as he heard Blake whisper, seemingly to
herself. "Please be ok." Allister reached out and gently rubbed Blake's back, comforting her. However he couldn't hide the fact that the arm which was wrapped
around Yang's waist was tightening in nervousness. Sure Allister had talked big outside but when it came to put his money where his mouth was he wasn't so sure.
Allister suddenly realized he was silently praying to a god he hadn't prayed to since he was back at the monastery. Allister ceased his worshiped but continued to
hope for his leaders safety.
Back in the courtroom, the viewers of the trial were begging to get restless, some had even attempted to start chants proclaiming their desire to see Darron executed.
However, the entire room fell silent as death as a large booming sound resounded throughout the room. "Welcome citizens of remnant." Announced a booming voice
from the center judges tower. There sat an old man with a white beard, some hair still on his head, and round spectacles adorning his face. "I am grand councilman
exarch and I declare this high court of remnant open. Bring in the prisoner"
Just outside the room Darron stood, handcuffed, with Ozpin on his left and Ironwood on his right. Ironwood was also flanked with 2 more well dressed obviously
professional lawyers. The entire entourage was backed by a 15x2 squad of soldiers. "Are you ready?" Ozpin asked Darron. "Hell yeah. I always wondered how I would
die but this is definitely one of my top 5." Darron responded sarcastically, earning him a swift smack to the head from Ozpin. "Oh let him be as negative as he wants
Ozpin. He certainly is at least accepting the situation." Ironwood said, laughing to himself. Darron flipped Ironwood the bird before leaning over towards Ozpin. "This
plan of yours better work." Darron whispered. "Why are you actually scared of dying." Ozpin respond. "No… I just can't wait to see the look on this fuckers face when
I just saunter the fuck out of that courtroom." Darron answered. Ozpin chuckled. "We'll do our best." Darron was about to return with another sarcastic remark when
a loud voice demanding he brought in resounded. "Show time." Ironwood said. The two large iron doors in front of Darron opened, revealing the courtroom. Darron
walked through the doors to cameras flashing and people booing at basically his very existence. Darron calmly made his way through the room, even managing to
restrain himself from decapitating the mother fucker who threw a piece of gum which got caught at the bottom of his hair, and boy did Darron want to kill that guy.
Darron reached the front of the room and took a seat behind a nice wooden desk. Ozpin too the seat next to Darron and Ironwood and his lawyers to the desk that
was off to their right. A loud Gaval sounded returning the courtroom back to its quiet state. "Prisoner rise." Exarch proclaimed and Darron in turn obeyed. "Prisoner.
This is not a hearing to determine your guilt, but rather your sentencing. This court has agreed that we will honor your request. All members of team ENDD will be
entirely acquitted and the guilt or all those crimes be placed upon you their leader. AS a result you stand before us with 17925 counts of murder, 2367 accounts of
attempted murder, 7487 accounts of assault with a deadly weapon, 4295 accounts of trespassing, 759 accounts of torture, 21382 counts of mercenary action, and 1.8
billion lien in property damages." The entire room erupted in whispers, obviously in disdain, at the large total racked up by Darron and team ENDD in the last 6 years.
Darron simply smiled and continued looking towards the judge.
Back at the Xiao Long residence the rest of team ENDD and team RWBY started freaking out. "What the hell is he thinking. Taking the rap for all of those crimes which
we had just as much a part in." Max exclaimed. "I thought he may have been able to do some smooth convincing but with numbers like this... I'm surprised they
haven't shot him already." Weiss said. Zade looked over towards Allister. "Well, Fuck." Zade announced. Allister just shrugged back, both of them knowing exactly
what was going on and still not particularly liking it. Yang had moved herself off of Allister's lap and was currently comforting and extremely stressed cat faunus who
had tightened herself up into a ball. "Piece of shit thinks he can put all of our guilt on his shoulders." Zade directed at Allister. "Well... Would you expect anything less
of our leader. At least we will always have a constant reminder of that which he did for us." Allister responded gesturing over to Weiss. All of team ENDD knew that
they couldn't be with Team RWBY especially with the fact that they were all international fugitives and Darron was offering them a free wayout. The two teams
returned to watching the event to learn the fat of the remaining member.
The grand councilman began to speak once again, after the crowd had been settled down. "However, We have reviewed each of your cases and have come to a
consensus within the council. In a 4-1 decision it has been ruled that all crimes which were committed against high felons are to be hereby annulled. This(somewhat
miraculously) lowers the full scope of your charges 856 counts of murder, 4 counts of trespassing, and 633 million lien in property damages. Darron sighed like you
would never believe. 'Ok Ozpin. That's step one. Now let's hope step 2 goes on just as smoothly.' Darron thought to himself. Everyone, from the crowd, to the teams
back home, all the way to Ironwood himself, nearly fell out of their chair at the decree of the Grand councilman. Darron couldn't see but snickered when imaging the
face that adorned Ironwoods face at the current moment. "Furthermore we are now open to the sentencing recommendation from the Prosecution. General Ironwood
would you please step forward, Prisoner you may be seated." The grand councilman announced. Darron turned and made his way back to his desk, but not before
discreetly slipping ironwood the bird as they walked past each other. Darron took his seat next to Ozpin and readied himself for the demonizing speech Ironwood
would no doubt be more than ready to give. Ironwood walked up to the position where Darron was and cleared his throat. At the nod of the council Ironwood began.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the council, ladies and gentlemen of this court, ladies and gentlemen of Remnant. Today I stand before you with a heavy heart. Why do I
stand so? Well, as it is obvious that is is today prisoner it may be for a reason that has not particularly been addressed. My heart his heavy but for the fact that this
man before us holds a dark place in all our hearts, but that place is weighed down by the souls of the 856 innocent families that were wrongly slaughtered by this
individual. Today council, when faced with this important decision I must humbly, yet sternly request that only the most captial of punishments be instituted for
today's prisoner. The first reason why he must be executed is because that this is an event with which we cannot risk occurring again. Darron is... a disturbed
individual. As it can be easily derived Darron was not in his right state of mind when he went on the merciless rampage where he murdered all of those people and
and ended up in fierce combat with his own friends. In said combat Darron showed no remorse in paralyzing one and leaving the rest in critical condition. If we allow
him to remain in the world of the living we don't just endanger the lives of ourselves, our sons, and our daughters, but the lives of his friends, who fought so valiantly
to protect us from him the first time. Furthermore Darron is prone to such violent outburst. I spent 2 years on an international task force assigned to track down
Darron and his team when they were all mercenaries. As such i've learned many things about those whom i've tracked. As such I regretfully inform this council that
this is not the first time that events similar to this had happened. 4 years ago a small town on the western coast of Vacuo was attacked. official reports initially
claimed that it was a breach in the cities grimm defenses. this, however, was just a cover up. The real story is that Darron, for unknown circumstances, went into a
blind rage and nearly slaughtered the entire townsfolk. Fortunately his team was able to stop him before anybody was truly hurt, yet the town has been trying to
rebuild ever since. What can be learned from this is not just that Darron has done this before but that he is also growing stronger far faster than the rest of his team.
In this last incursion they nearly gave their very lives, as well as an entire other team of hunters in order to subjugate him. If Darron is left alive today then there is
no telling how powerful he will become, if he even uses his full power. Thus we must move to swift and unrelenting execution of the accused." As Ironwood wrapped
up his speech the crowd fucking erupted. Cheers of agreement roared throughout the room. Darron gave Ironwood the most menacing death glare, obviously pissed
by that last comment about his full power. Ironwood just smiled back cockily and took his seat.
Back in patch The team's worries were only increasing. "Well... uh... Fuck." Allister stated. "That's gonna be a tough one to beat." Max agreed. "Does Darron have any
chance left though?" Weiss asked. "Honestly I wouldn't know." Zade answered. "Of course he does." The grouped turned to look at Ruby. "He has professor Ozpin
with him. And Ozpin is a genius. If anyone can get Darron out of this it is Ozpin." The group felt relieved at Ruby's confidence. Especially Blake, who hadn't even
notice that she was already clenching her fists as tightly as she was. "Hey, How are you holding up?" Yang asked. "I'm fine... I think." Blake answered as she slunk
deeper into her spot on the couch and continued watching the proceedings.
After much groveling, and loud yelling the courtroom had managed to regain its silent composition. "As this is a fair trial we will now receive a recommendation from
the defense. Professor Ozpin please step forward." As Ozpin rose from his chair Darron lead over and whispered to him. "Please don't screw this up." Darron said.
"Wouldn't think about it." Ozpin responded. Ozpin stepped forwards towards the council and began. "I know General ironwood has just given a... very compelling
speech and Now I must come up here and speak against what he said. Unfortunately though, I have to agree with him on some terms. I harbor the same desire to
help and protect the people of remnant. However, I do firmly believe that ironwood has the wrong idea about how this goal is achieved. Ironwood leads you to believe
that through violence we can do this. However merely killing one man is insignificant in looking to protect the whole world. Darron is indeed an extraordinary power,
Look at all of the corrupt hunters and the fact that he has managed to become the top ranked student in his class at Beacon academy in just a matter of weeks. But
we shouldn't be so rash and just hurry to throw this power away. Instead, we should nourish this power. Train it, help Darron learn to control it, and we may just
create the most powerful anti grimm force that remnant has ever known. Therefore. I recommend that you don't have Darron executed. Instead allow me to take him
under my wing and sentence him to service under the council of remnant for the protection of everyone. Ironwood may make a point that Darron has, in the past
shown us his destructive tendencies, but Ironwood, like the rest of us, really has know knowledge of the cause, nor does Darron himself. If we allow Darron to remain
alive and to train, while under supervision, he might just be capable of learning what triggers his power and we can all work with him to increase his control.
furthermore, and I would like to address General Ironwood directly with this. One Cannot simply be evaluated by his past actions. Take it from someone who has
actually had a conversation with Darron. Someone who has seen him as the person he is. Darron is a truly soft and kind person at heart, a passionate fighter, and
loyal to his family far beyond a fault of it. He harbors no ill to anybody who doesn't threaten his friends. Council when looking to consider your sentencing for today's
matter I ask you most sincerely. do not waste the power at your fingertips. Wield it, master it, perfect it, and not only protect the lives of people in the future but
nurture this young life which has so much left to live for and so much left to offer." As Ozpin finished his speech the room remained deadly quiet. ozpin bowed to the
council and returned to his seat next to each other. Darron and Ozpin looked at each other and shrugged. "So... I'm gonna die." Darron said. "Yep. "Ozpin agreed.
"Fuck." Darron said. The two just sat there literally doing absolutely nothing as the council members came together to deliberate their decision.
Nearly an hour had passed and everybody, from Darron, to Ironwood, to the group back in patch, and even to Taiyang, was feeling the suspense. Everyone all across
Remnant snapped to attention as the councilmen return to their seat " A decision has been reached. After much debate we as a council have voted in a 4-1 decision
that the prisoner will not be executed." Murmurs burst through the crowd as the verdict was delivered. Darron immediately turned to Ozpin. "Oh hell yeah!" Darron
high-fived Ozpin, who looked rather pleased with himself. Ironwood clenched his fist in rage. Back in Patch, The group nearly exploded with joy. Allister jumped off
the couch, sending Yang flying, as he Zade and Max began basically jumping in excitement. Ruby and Weiss hugged each other happily, and Blake was crying tears of
joy. "He's going to be fine." Blake whispered to herself, as she slowly managed to stop her own tears.
Suddenly, the court became quiet again as the grand councilman spoke up again. "However, This freedom is not without condition. Ozpin, you seem to have an
unwavering faith in this boy and his strength. As such to prove that power Darron will face a trial by the blade tomorrow. He will single handedly face four opponents
of General Ironwoods choosing simultaneously. We will evaluate his performance and make our assessment there. Furthermore, should Darron manage to succeed in
the trial and you at anytime believe he is to lose control again, it will be your personal responsibility to end his life swiftly." The council man finished. "I understand."
Opin replied. "Then this court is dismissed." The grand councilman declared. Ozpin reached down, grabbed Darron by the collar, and dragged him out of the
courtroom. The group in patch slowly stopped and stared at the monitor. Suddenly Allister let out a sigh of relief and fell back on the couch. "how the hell can you be
so calm right now!" Blake yelled. "Look, I know Darron and you are close and that you don't want to see him hurt but quite frankly this is the only way that Darron is
going to get out of this. Besides Darron is like on of the greatest fighters ever. We have nothing to worry about." Allister responded cooly. "You don't get it!" Blake
yelled again. "you are basically saying that it's ok for Darron to just gamble his life away. IT"S NOT! Of course i don't want to see him get hurt but even less than that
I want to see him gamble with his life like it was some kind of poker chip." Blake finished yelling and stormed out of the room and up the stairs. Allister just sat there
totally unmoving. "Wow, That was rough." Ruby stated. "It's fine. She's really upset and i can understand that. Let's just give her some space." Allister suggested.
The rest of team RWBY looked down sorrowfully. "Come on guys. It's late and we have to head back to Beacon tomorrow." Zade stated. the rest of the two teams
slowly resigned themselves to their rooms for the night.