(AN: Well, a little late than I preferred, but the fact I got all this done in two weeks is AMAZING. Turns out this new schedule is doing me wonders! Anyway, here we are, the longest chapter since the Vector and Connery fight, just by a few thousand words. I'm not gonna keep you any longer, make sure you absolutely set some time aside for this chapter, because Transfer will (for one time only), become a courtroom drama! I'm coming for your job, Law and Order writers, watch out.

Plus, this chapter will begin one of the BIGGEST domino chains in terms of story events. How so? Well, time to read ahead!)


It was the next day, Tuesday, at 5 am when Espio had been woken up.

The chameleon grunted as he slowly turned his body in bed, wondering who had just shaken him awake. Espio opened his eyes to see Vector's amber eyes staring back at him.

"Mornin', Espio!" he whispered, smiling at him as he had on his light blue and white sweater and running pants. "Since it's still football season, I gotta get back to early mornin' trainin'! Gonna join me like yeh did back in December?"

Espio had slowly raised himself up off the bed, groggy as he rubbed his eyes. His mind, despite its slow awakening, started to replay what Vector just told him. The chameleon turned towards Vector, ready to say yes on a whim…

Until he stopped himself.

With everything now going on, his dream from last night… he knew his body couldn't handle seeing Vector being active at a time like this. The chameleon could see it now, the moment he saw Vector in the I building, seeing the crocodile work himself to train for the coming days, his body would be flushed, his heart would race, and his mind would just create scenarios for him to flash in his mind. It made the chameleon feel bad to think of the idea of saying no, but… Espio felt distant from Vector at that moment. It made him feel like he couldn't see Vector train out of fear of his secret being exposed.

Espio frowned, shaking his head.

"No? Are ya sure bud?..." Vector's face had slightly fallen. "Yeh used to train with me all the time last month."

That was because Espio had no idea about the concept of same gender love. Now that he did, it brought pang to even look at the crocodile at the current moment.

"I… I am sorry…" Espio softly said, looking down at his sheets. Vector continued to look at his friend.

"Are… are yeh okay, man? Yeh seem really out of it today. Not just that but… yesterday too."

Espio simply turned away from the crocodile, not wanting to look him in the eye.

"Well… if ya change yer mind, I'm gonna be in the I buildin' in an hour."

With that, Vector started to climb down the bunk bed's ladder as he walked out of the room, leaving Espio curled up in his bed. It hurt the chameleon to just let Vector on his own, but… he couldn't bear to be around the crocodile as long as all this happened to him. He couldn't bear to be around the friends he lied to, all of them clueless as to Espio's turmoil.

As he lay his head on his pillow, the chameleon felt hollow on the inside. At that moment, he realized that everything that happened to him since he first arrived to the Outside World was becoming for naught. He was regressing back to his old, antisocial ways…


After parting with Vector after breakfast, Espio arrived at a room in the A building across from where the art studios were. He looked around at his public speaking classmates, not seeing anyone familiar except for one person. Sitting in the second seat in the fourth row, dressed in a green zipped up turtleneck was Buck, who had looked over and smiled when he saw his friend.

"Oh, there you are, Espio!" he said, the chameleon walking over and sitting down in the seat to his right. "Mornin', how are you?"

Espio didn't really know what to say. He still hadn't been feeling well, and he even felt awkward just talking to Buck. He simply looked back at the deer, a look of confliction on his face.

"G-good…" he said, hoping that the cervine wouldn't suspect anything just like Alan did yesterday.

"Are you sure? When we were having breakfast earlier, Alan mentioned that you seemed to be on edge when you were practicin' with him. I just want yeh to know that if you're ever having trouble, we're all absolutely willing to listen to you."

If the world around him didn't shatter, it did now. What was Alan THINKING?! Now he and the rest of his friends were realizing that something was going on, and pretty soon, it won't be long before the others start to pick up on it just like Vector. He felt his voice catch in his throat, getting drier as he looked at the smiling Buck.

"A… Ah… o… okay…" Espio replied, turning around in his seat. Sure enough, he felt his desire to be social lowering more and more, wondering what could be next?

That's when he suddenly heard out a nasally voice, a voice he recognized all too well.

"Is that you, Espio-sama?!"

Espio turned to the front of the row to see Norris, the giraffe's eyes lighting up.

"I didn't think you'd be here, what are you doing here?" he asked. "Oh, I know where I'm sitting!"

Norris took the seat behind Espio, sitting down as he grinned. "He he, now I get to know what it's like to be Mark! We finally get to be closer after so long! Let's see… ooh, nice Sakura-san keychain!" he pointed at the keychain figure of Shinguji Sakura that Mark had gifted the chameleon hanging from the anchor of the top zipper. "Now you're really becoming one of us!"

Espio didn't know what to make of it. He was happy to have another friend in his class, but with everything going on, the chameleon didn't want to have ANOTHER person expressing concern over him. And as it turns out, there was someone else who expressed similar feelings of uncertainty.

"Ah, is this another friend of yours, Espio?" asked Buck, turning towards the two. The transfer student turned to see Norris looking at the deer.

"And… who are you?" he questioned.

"Oh, pardon my manners. Buck Deer, I'm also a friend of Espio's. Very pleased to meet you."

Buck extended out a hand to the giraffe, Norris looking down at the cervine.

"Norris…" he said, slowly shaking his hand with a look of uncertainty to his face. Just then, the door to the classroom closed as the professor walked in. Everyone quieted down soon.

"Okay, seems to be a full class…" a light gray rodent said, holding various sheets of paper as he adjusted his gold plated glasses. "Alright! Good morning, everyone. For those of you new to this course, my name is Professor Cluckins, your public speaking professor for this semester. Now, I understand that public speaking, in and of itself, is a very scary thing to do. After all, being in front of so many people casts a very bright spotlight onto you, especially when all their eyes are on you. But, this course will help you overcome any and all fears you have about being an effective speaker, especially in front of an audience. But first, I think the best way to practice your public speaking ability is with introductions. So, I'm going to first hand out the syllabus for this course which we're going to read out together, then I'm going to have each of you introduce yourself to your peers."

With that, Professor Cluckins began to hand out sheets down each row of seats as suddenly, Espio felt someone tapping behind his shoulder.

"Psst! Espio-sama!"

The chameleon turned around to see Norris holding his phone at him, a picture of an Overlander woman wearing not much clothing, a brown cat tail clearly evident with her large pink cap. Espio almost gasped seeing this.

"Since you really liked Needlemouse-chan, I spent all of last night finding just as based ecchi for you to read! This one is one of my favorites, it's ' My Girlfriend is the President's Cat-Girl Daughter'!" the giraffe said, a wide grin on his face. "Ooh ooh, and how about this one!"

Norris scrolled down to yet another image of… what appeared to be much of the same. The chameleon didn't even know why he was being asked to look at this, only nodding his head and-

"Hey, take this!"

The person in front of Espio rapidly shook the syllabus sheets as the transfer student turned around, grabbing the sheets as he took one for himself. He tried to calm down, unaware of how much more eventful this day would become. At first, it seemed like a slow start. For the first thirty minutes, Professor Cluckins had different students read out passages from the syllabus, where Espio would learn that Gadget from Creative Drawing was also in this class. But then, after they were done signing the sheets…

"Okay, so we have about another hour left," the rodent said. "So, let's use this time to introduce ourselves. Let's start from this row."

He pointed to the final row on the right, where Espio and Norris sat. The chameleon felt his tail jolt up, realizing that he was going second. After the person in front of the chameleon finished and everyone clapped, Professor Cluckins looked down at his attendance sheet, finishing writing down the name of the previous person.

"You, sir," he said to Espio. "Please, stand up, tell us your name, what you're majoring in, and a fun fact about yourself."

The chameleon turned towards everyone, realizing they had all faced him. Espio slowly got up from his chair, hands in front of his torso.

"I… ma-my name is… is Espio. I am me… mej… majoring in…" he tried to remember what it was at that moment. "J… General S-Studies! And… I…"

He knew what he was going to say, he was going to reveal that he liked men so that it would save Norris and Buck the pain of suspecting something going on with the chameleon, so that they could go ahead and shun him for his indecency, so that he could finally stop lying like he was taught all his life to not do.

But…

"I am… I… I-I… am… I… la-like…"

…he couldn't say it.

Every time he tried to say that he liked men, his voice got caught in his throat. How hard was it to say?!

"Is everything okay, Mr. Espio?" Professor Cluckins asked. Espio looked at the professor, and then back at everyone. The fuschia reptile could feel every single eye in the room staring at him, wondering what was going on. Some of them turned towards each other, watching as the chameleon tried to grab at his throat to find something, ANYTHING to say.

"I… I am from Yurashia!"

The chameleon came up with the best thing he could say, lowering himself in his seat as the class clapped.

"Don't worry, Espio. Everyone has some degree of anxiety speaking in front of others. I promise this class will help you," the rodent professor said, smiling as he asked Norris to go next. The chameleon felt a ringing in his ears, scales growing pinker as he couldn't say it. He didn't know how long this turmoil would last, but it felt like life couldn't mock him more than it already did…


After class, Espio walked out with his head hung and a demeanor that said, "Gaia, please strike me now". Even though it had been almost an hour since he introduced himself to his peers, the chameleon thought back to how he had made an utter fool of himself. It was just three words: 'I like men', WHY was that so hard to just say?! And now, he was back to where he once was, back to lying to everyone in his life…

And as if on cue-

"Ah, good to see you, Espio-kun,"

It was Valdez, walking over with his tablet in his hand. Espio turned to face his family's friend, wondering what happened.

"I know you have some time before lunch, but I need you in my office. Mrs. Prower is here and wishes to question you as well as update you about your trial next week. Come, we need to leave quickly," he said, motioning at the chameleon. He turned around to see the majority of the class already left, Buck, Norris, or Gadget nowhere in sight.

"Yes…" Espio said, following the blue chameleon to his office in the B building. As he did, the fuschia chameleon kept his head hung down the entire time, ignoring the world around him as Valdez looked down at him.

"Are you okay, Espio-kun?" he asked. "You seem out of it."

The two exited the A building and carefully walked on the icy path to the B building, Espio not giving an answer to Valdez…


As they arrived, Espio could see a familiar orange-brown fox woman sitting in one of the seats in the blue chameleon's office. She looked up at Espio, a smile on her face.

"Well, good afternoon, Espio. Sorry if I'm interrupting any of your class time," she said. "Come, we need to talk a bit about what's going to happen next week regarding your trial as well as some good news."

"Well? Sit down, Espio-kun," Valdez said, the transfer student doing as he was told. Espio got himself comfortable, hoping that Mrs. Prower would have all the keys she needed.

"First, in regards to your case, I've managed to get into contact with a few people who would be willing to testify in defense of you," Rosemary began. "Namely, a few students from this university who saw you on that day. Due to procedures, I can't talk more about it besides what I can tell you. I've also found out that you're going to be given a six person jury, primarily due to the nature of your charges."

Rosemary proceeded to explain how the trial would go: after Espio picked his jury, there would be the opening statement from both sides, then both her and Prosecutor Fink would bring in witnesses and evidence, then make their closing statements for the jury and judge to reach a verdict.

"This process will take quite some time. It won't be over in a day. Myself and Prosecutor Fink need to work together to bring to light every truth in a case, no matter the situation. There may even come a point where we would need to ask for your testimony of the events, so make sure you're aware of what's going on at all times," the female fox said.

"And for the good news?" Valdez asked.

"I've been retrieving evidence for the case all around this campus during class times, and doing so, I decided to question those boys from Crisis City that you allegedly assaulted while they were on bail. Sexually charged comments from them aside… I think the testimony they provided is the key needed to get your charges dropped."

"Really?" Espio asked.

"I have a feeling that Prosecutor Fink will definitely be using those boys as his witnesses, and that's when we can use their testimony against them. I say that because they testified that they brandished weapons after you threw your knife to the ground. Was that the first thing you did?"

Valdez translated what Rosemary said to the chameleon, who nodded.

"And your testimony told me you followed them after seeing them commit sexual harrasment as well as public littering, which is illegal in Central City… By all accounts, warning shots fired by guns are illegal, as you can still kill. But by knife… and thrown to the ground…"

"Could he still be charged?"

"In all likelihood, yes. He could be charged with brandishing for that…"

"But you heard him! That brown dog attacked him with a knife and was the first to make the first hit, clearly giving Espio a reason for self-defense-"

"It's not as simple as that, Mr. Valdez. The law might not see this as Espio defending himself, rather committing a crime just like the Crisis boys."

Valdez bit his lip, looking down at his lap as the fox continued.

"Don't worry, I'm still going to do everything I can to make sure you're acquitted on the grounds of self-defense. And this testimony should be my final nail in the coffin. I just need you to work together with me on this, okay, Espio?"

The chameleon looked down at the floor, then at the woman. "Yes."

"Thank you. As for your court date and time, the 11th of January at 10:30 A.M. is when your trial begins. I also sent in a request to allow you to be Espio's translator, Mr. Valdez, and I'm going to call to verify later today if my request got in."

With that, Rosemary started to gather her belongings. "We'll meet again next Monday, Espio. And remember… be calm. I promise I'm going to help you."

With that, the fox woman took her leave as she shut the door behind the two chameleons. Espio could only look down at the floor below, even more worried for the coming days.

"Espio-kun… I know you're anxious, but you cannot give up hope now," Valdez said. "Mrs. Prower is doing her best that she can."

But while Espio knew Valdez meant well… what did it mean at this point… when he knew that he would be stuck in the Outside World regardless?


The days passed by, and as they did, Espio only became more and more distant from not just his peers but from society as a whole. While he had a good first ESOL lesson on Thursday, the rest of the week had him with his head down, silent just like he used to be. People who knew him were very quick to notice the change. Mark in Algebra 101, Alan when he came by every other day throughout the week in the evening to help Espio practice the Appalachian dulcimer, Knuckles and Mighty during meals or during downtime when he was with Vector, among the rest of his friends, they all noticed a substantial change in Espio.

But it wasn't just the trial that caused Espio to revert to his old ways, it was Espio's feelings towards Vector. Feelings that only got stronger when Espio, who pretended to be asleep, would see the crocodile come back all sweaty yet bundled up. He would watch as the crocodile would undress in front of him, feeling both dirty and yet… more in love when he saw how Vector looked, when he heard and saw how the crocodile was when he showed concern for him.

This and so many other reasons were why the chameleon continued to write in his dream journal about Vector every morning after waking up. Each of his dreams all had one thing in common: no matter what seemed to happen in them, they all had to do with the quarterback. In one dream, he would protect Vector from a sea of shadow Shinobi Clan guards, the crocodile awarding him with an embrace just like he had seen in the manga and anime he's seen in his time in the Outside World. In another, he wondered what it was like to sit under a large sakura tree with Vector, seeing how the pink pedals would highlight all of Vector's most attractive features as the two's faces would inch closer and closer…

Eventually, Espio realized that writing so much about Vector was a bad idea when on Friday in Psychology I, someone had asked if everything in their dream journals would be read, to which Professor Starline reminded them, "I told you this on the first day back, remember?"

After being translated by Valdez and remembering that he had to keep his lie, Espio wondered what he could do until he realized a way he could make sure his journal didn't get read. This led to him purchasing the same notebook as his dream journal from the school store, so that if he had to read it out, he had a false journal ready to go. It did, however, help him to write his dreams about Vector, as the chameleon could read it back and imagine doing all of them with him. Each time he saw the crocodile leave and come back for practice, it would make Espio's heart wail until he came back, feeling at home despite how embarrassed he still was.

Despite everything…

It still felt unfair to Espio. It felt unfair that he would never be able to tell Vector, cursed with these feelings forever, cursed to continue hiding his dark secret.

…blissfully unaware of Vector's inner turmoil too.

It was now the 11th of January, a week after the return to Mobius U…

And the first day of Espio's trial.


Espio was awoken just some time after Vector left for morning training, rolling over to see the blue chameleon dressed in a fancy dress shirt and pants.

"There you are, good morning, Espio-kun. Quickly, we don't have time. Today is the day of your trial," he said, shifting everything he has in his hands on the desk, including a pair of clothes. "We have to leave here now so we have enough time to get to court and pass by all the traffic. Espio-kun, get up NOW!"

Espio rubbed his eyes, raising himself from the bunk as he slowly crawled off the bed.

"There you go, come on, Espio. I got you a pair of clothes for the trial," Valdez continued. "Your clothes from Yurashia aren't appropriate enough for a court setting I'm afraid, so you'll have to deal with clothes from the Outside World. I'm sorry, I know you don't like how they feel on you but please try to wear this until your trial is over. And please hurry, we need to make sure we don't waste any time!"

Now climbing down the ladder, Espio looked over at the blue chameleon before rubbing his eyes and yawning, disrobing as he was left down to his fundoshi. He grabbed the white dress shirt Valdez left for him, seeing that it was just like the ones Buck would wear prior to winter. Espio looked over at Valdez.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"I know you don't like it, and trust me, if they let you wear haori and hakama, I'd let you. But unfortunately, that's not the way it is," Valdez replied.

Espio frowned, but of course remember the golden rule of the Shinobi Clan; "Do what you're told, no matter how much you don't want to do it". As such, he grabbed the dress shirt and…

Didn't know how to put it on. From all his time seeing Vector as well as with his very small pool of shirts and sweaters from the Outside World, they would just put their head through the bottom and fit it through. But this shirt was different…

"Valdez-san… I don't know how to put this on," Espio said. The blue chameleon sighed.

"Good grief…"" he said. "Okay, I'll help you."

With that, Valdez helped Espio put the shirt over his scarred arms and back, buttoning up his shirt and putting on the pair of black pants for the transfer student, Espio looking at himself with a discombobulated look when they were done.

"Valdez-san, I really don't like this… I feel very uncomfortable," Espio said.

"Remember what I told you. This is your outfit until your case is over," Valdez replied. "Now come, we need to quickly leave campus. But first, take your laptop and charger with you. I've talked with Mrs. Prower and the court has allowed you permission to work on school assignments during recess as well as for testimony."

Espio looked over to his right, seeing his laptop on the desk. As he grabbed them, he noticed Vector's laptop on the left side of the desk.

"Are we going to tell Vector?" the fuschia chameleon asked.

"Vector knows what today is. Besides, he's going to be busy since isn't there another football tournament today? I heard Augustus and George talking about it."

Espio felt his face fall. He was going to miss more of Vector's playing, this time out of his control due to his trial. Though he knew his body would react heavily to seeing the crocodile in his uniform after some time, seeing him win with that expression of pure joy and ecstasy, this time hopefully in person… he didn't want to miss it.

But unfortunately, he had this to go through. As such, with Espio grabbing the laptop and charger, he made his way out of the dorm as he and Valdez walked down West Hall. Passing by the doors into the A building, the blue chameleon used this time to explain court etiquette to Espio, explaining that he needed to be respectful and to treat the judge like it was the Brides talking to him in Genshu. It was then that when the two reached the bottom steps, they ran into someone familiar.

Jewel bumped into Valdez with an "Oof!", shaking her head as she looked up. The jewel beetle's face changed as she gasped.

"Oh, oh Mr. Valdez, I'm so sorry!" she said. "I didn't see you the… wha… "

Jewel looked over to Espio, looking up and down at the chameleon.

"You're… you're wearing something besides your Yurashian clothing," she said. "Espio… what's going on?"

"Ah, Jewel. My apologies, Espio has to go to court today," Valdez said. "We have to head out now."

"O-oh…"

Jewel hung her head as the idea of Espio being on trial sunk into her mind. As such, the beetle stayed in place as the two chameleons walked past her. Suddenly…

"Wait!"

Espio and Valdez turned around to see Jewel flying towards them, holding her hands to her chest.

"This… this is about what happened in November, right? I… I know that the law has to work the way it does…" she said. "But… please, Espio. I don't want to lose you after you forgave me and became my friend. Please… come back acquitted… I don't want to see you in prison…"

Espio looked down at the insect, who had a look of intense worry on her face. He didn't want to lose Jewel nor the rest of his friends. He didn't want to lose Vector either, not before the right time to tell him about everything.

Valdez walked forward. "Espio's attorney is doing her best to make sure he doesn't get a harsh punishment. I know you're worried, Jewel, but only the courts can decide on a final result."

"I know… I know, but…"

The blue chameleon crouched down to the jewel beetle's height, hand on her shoulder. "The most we can do is pray that everything will be okay, no? Besides, we need to start heading out now."

With that, Espio watched as Jewel shook her head, making eye contact with her as she sadly watched the two walk away. The chameleon could only close his eyes, hoping that she would understand.

But, when the two walked out of the A building and to where Valdez's car was parked, Espio could see the glimpse of a very familiar green tail running off from his field of vision. The chameleon ran forward, almost slipping on the icy steps had it not been for Valdez grabbing him at the last second.

"Espio-kun, what are you doing?!" he questioned.

"I… I saw Vector! I wanted to say goodbye…"

The chameleon's face fell, feeling guilty that he was about to leave without Vector knowing that this would be the last time he would see him. It pained him to leave him like this…

"Before we go, there's something I need to discuss with you…" Valdez continued, turning Espio to face his serious expression. "Espio-kun, what has gotten into you lately?! Ever since we got back from Gojo, you've become much quieter and your overall demeanor and motivation has fallen! So many of your friends have been asking me about you as you've been very antisocial lately and have been distant from them. Tell me, WHAT is going on with you?!"

Espio's lips dried as he watched mist exhale from his mouth, his worst fear coming true. "I… I…"

"I know we've been lying to your mother since we first got here, but this is starting to become VERY worrying for me, Espio-kun. Do not make me talk to the Bride about this!"

Espio could hear the clear sound of glass shattering in his mind, his brain trying to process so many different things before reaching a pit of despair. No… no not his mother, ANYTHING but that!

"Valdez-san… please!" Espio bowed. "N-Nothing's wrong with me! Please! Don't tell mother!"

He could feel his body grow hotter even standing in the snowy, cold morning. Not only was it seeming that Valdez and all his friends now suspected Espio's same gender love, NOW his family's friend was threatening to get his mother involved. It felt like his nightmares coming true, only this time with no Vector to save him...

"Espio-kun… I'm starting to feel like you're hiding something from me. What are you hiding?" Valdez continued to ask, arms crossed. Espio hung his head, refusing to answer as the blue chameleon sighed. "Look, we don't have time to argue. We need to leave now. But we will talk about this in due time. Now, remember to watch your step."

With that, Valdez led the way as Espio was now in the deepest circle of hellish despair. Everyone in his life was now atop of him, and now, it seems like he would no longer see the same people who wondered about his distance from them. At that moment, Espio wanted to be safe in the dorm back with Vector, who he knew would have his back just like he had Vector's during his time at Mobius U. But he knew that even Vector wasn't enough, and how could it, considering he had grown distant with Vector. Considering that Vector had been asking why Espio seemed more out of it, considering that Espio's feelings for Vector grew the more the days passed.

He wasn't sure how, but things seemed to be looking even worse for him with each passing second…


Through the entire car ride, Espio stayed silent as he looked out of the window, occasionally picking at the collar of his shirt. This dress felt beyond uncomfortable to wear, nothing like the soft silk and cotton of his clothes from Gojo. But each time he did so, Valdez reprimanded him.

"Espio-kun, stop that. I told you that you need to look your best."

But the more his collar rubbed against his chest, the more it itched and the more Espio had to suppress his desire to mess with it. He just hoped that whoever was in charge would see his innocence and spare him, glad that the judge from what Valdez and Mrs. Prower described her as wasn't like how his mother judged criminals in Gojo.

Soon, after a drive into the city and into a parking garage, it was close to 7:30 when the two chameleons exited the car and soon made their way to the Central City District Court, where Espio saw a large, towering marble building in front of him. With steps similar to that of Mobius U and a building that reminded him of the Museum of Arty Art, Espio realized that his fate awaited in this one building. What was the inside going to be like? Was it going to be a series of chambers with no chairs, only the judge sitting down with the culprit like it was back home?

"Espio-kun, we have quite a bit to do. Come," Valdez said, his tail bouncing as he walked up the steps. Espio slowly followed behind, reaching the top a minute later as the two reptiles walked through a large glass door. The chameleon stared up at the high ceiling, reflections of the shine from the glassy, polished floor beaming onto the ceiling. It was a beauty to look at as hushed voices and footsteps filled the sounds of the courtroom.

"Welcome to the Central City District Courthouse, how can we help you today?" an armored guard asked, Espio turning to face the men as Valdez walked forward.

"Yes, I'm here because the boy I'm with today starts his trial at 10:30," he said. "I figured we could be here early."

"Who are you sir? Are you his guardian?"

"Personal translator. My attorney should have referred to me as his translator via the court."

Another guard to the other side of the one Valdez was talking to raised a brow as he looked at his partner. "Well… do you know where your attorney is?"

"I just got a message from her saying to meet her in the main lobby and that she would pick me and the boy up."

"If you're going to be let through first, we're going to need to first let you through the metal detector. This court also does allow cell phone usage during court sessions, but remember to always silence it during."

"But of course."

With that, Valdez passed by the metal detectors, which didn't go off. He turned to face Espio.

" Now, Espio-kun, it's your turn," he said. But Espio didn't move, looking at it strangely.

"Don't you know how a metal detector works?! You just go through it!" one of the guards yelled, ready to grab at the chameleon before Valdez stopped him.

"Wait! Wait wait wait, that's exactly it. He HASN'T seen one of these before. He doesn't know what it is!" he said.

"How does he not know what a metal detector is?!"

"He's from Yurashia."

"And? They have metal detectors in Yurashia!"

"Not where he's from. Look, please just let me show him how it's done."

With intense stares from the two guards, Valdez guided Espio through the metal detector, which also didn't go off. Now that the two were inside, Espio could see more in depth the inside of the courthouse, which looked scarily like Mobius U. In fact, had he not known he would be going to trial, the fuschia chameleon would have assumed he was back in the A building.

"Mr. Espio! Mr. Valdez!"

Espio turned his attention to the person who just called out his name. It was Mrs. Prower, who was dressed in a very fancy blue and red suit, a pearl necklace hanging from her collar as she held multiple files and documents in hand.

"Good morning, were you able to find adequate parking?" she asked.

"Of course Mrs. Prower," Valdez replied.

"How are you feeling this morning, Espio?"

Espio rubbed his eyes, looking down at his reflection on the shiny floor. "O… okay…"

"I know you're very anxious, but you're going to be okay. This is just the first day, and if you remember what I told you, this first day is dedicated to opening statements. We likely won't get to witnesses until tomorrow. Now, we're going to be in Courtroom 8, and since your hearing won't be for another few hours, we'll use this time to review all the evidence I've gathered. Come, there's a few seats for us there."

With that, Rosemary guided Espio and Valdez to the second hallway on the right, the sound of her heels clicking on the floor as Espio could only wonder about his fate. The Shinobi Clan's teachings about being calm were all but futile at this point now that he was on enemy territory.

"Father… what would you do if you were in my shoes?" he thought to himself. Just then, Espio collided into Valdez's back as he and Mrs. Prower stopped. The fuschia chameleon wondered why they stopped when he came from behind Valdez, realizing who they were looking at.

From afar, walking in their direction was a group of two female Overlander bailiffs and five mobians right behind them. However, they were five mobians that Espio was BEYOND familiar with.

It was Drago, Sleuth, Jun, Sarge, and Diesel, the five boys from Crisis City U that the chameleon had fought two months ago.

Espio could see the white wolf staring at him with murder in his eyes, the chameleon only staring back as they were led into Courtroom 8. However, Sleuth, who had begun to growl, stopped where he was.

"You… you little BASTARD!" he barked, suddenly running towards the group. Rosemary gasped and Valdez put his arm in front of her, Espio only getting into position as he waited for the dog to strike for him to block whatever attack he'd throw. But just then, he was tackled to the ground by one of the bailiffs.

"Oh, no you don't! Stay right there, buddy!" she yelled, beginning to handcuff the brown dog. Sleuth tried his best to raise his body up, his blue eyes hot with anger.

"LISTEN TO ME, YOU LITTLE NORTHERN MOBIUS PUNKASS! I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS, I'LL FUCKING GET YOU FOR THIS!" he yelled at Espio, fangs bearing as the reptile only stood firmly still at the sight of his threat, eyes lowering. The bailiff woman turned around, seeing her partner looking at the others as she was on the radio.

"Topaz, get your ass here and help me with this one!" she said.

"On it, Madonna! Backup's on the way to make sure none of these guys escape!"

The woman named Topaz soon rushed up and grabbed Sleuth off the ground, the two women holding the dog back as he struggled against his restraints.

"Get yer little whore hands offa me!" he said. "I gotta bone to pick with THIS little-"

"Shut your damn ass up and get in there, mutt! NOW!" the blonde bailiff yelled, the two dragging Sleuth into the room as Drago and the others followed behind, Espio's expression unchanging as Rosemary put her hand over her mouth.

"Well… I never…" she said. "Are… those the boys that Espio supposedly assaulted?"

Valdez nodded. "I hadn't met them until today. Goodness, the lack of respect and manners from them is beyond shocking…"

But Espio still continued to look at the door to the courtroom, not wanting to keep his guard down. Even if he was on trial today, if Drago and the others wanted to fight again, he would finish what he started and defeat evil, even if it cost him his life…


Espio's Trial

Day 1

10:27 A.M.

It was finally time for everything to begin.

Now inside Courtroom 8, Espio's sat in the defendant's chair next to Rosemary, Valdez right next to him. As the room began to fill with people from the court system, Prosecutor Pluribus Fink entered the room, files and papers filled in his hand as he stopped by the defendant's table. The round gray mouse brushed his mustache and looked over to his right, looking down right at Espio with a sly smile.

"Well, you must be Espio," he said. "I can't say in all my time of prosecuting, I've been in a trial involving someone from Yurashia. This should be a well-meaning trial, shouldn't it, Rosemary?"

The fox woman turned to the mouse, looking him in the eye. "I'm sure it will, Pluribus. But I ask that you not make judgment of my client so fast."

"Oh, but of course, Mrs. Prower, first impressions matter, no?"

With that, Prosecutor Fink took his seat in the prosecutor's side, placing down all his files and papers on the table as more people filled the room. Not only did the jury that Espio selected with the help from Valdez and Rosemary enter, but so did the two bailiffs that handled Drago and his cronies, as well as a brand new woman he hadn't seen before, an Overlander dressed in a silky black cloak. As Espio watched her walk in, her sleek green and black hair shined in the lights of the courtroom, her green lipstick matching her overall demeanor, one that Espio couldn't read very well. Was this a good person? Or was this a bad person?

She walked to the chair in the middle of the room, and that's when Espio remembered. Valdez told him the most important person in the court was the judge, saibanchou was the word he used in Japanese to explain it better to him. It was one that he was unfamiliar with, but he realized why this woman felt powerful just from afar.

It was the same aura his mother gave when she sentenced criminals.

The blonde bailiff who tackled Sleuth earlier walked in the middle of the room, hands behind her back.

"All rise!" she said. Everyone, sans the judge, got up as Valdez tapped Espio's arm to do the same. "The Criminal Division of the Central City District Court is now in session! Presiding today's case is Judge Regina Ferrum."

The judge, who Espio now identified as this Regina Ferrum, sat still as she began to speak, a fierce yet calm voice to her. "At this time, I ask that all except the jury sit down."

Valdez once again tapped Espio's shoulder as the jury continued to stay seated, the chameleon wondering what was going on.

"Ms. Topaz, at this time, please swear in the jury," Judge Regina continued. The sandy blonde bailiff turned to the jury.

"We ask that all in the jury raise their right hand. Do you solemnly swear and affirm that you will listen to this case and render a true verdict and fair sentence to the defendant without bias of any kind?" Topaz asked.

The jury, made up of more mobians than Overlanders, all said, "I do."

"Then you may be seated."

With that, Judge Regina began. "Members of the jury, your task over the coming days regarding this case is to determine whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty based on only facts and evidence provided in this case. The prosecution's job is to prove that all crimes the defendant has been charged with occured and that they are the true perpetrator. However, if you are not satisfied with the defendant's guilt, then reasonable doubt must exist and the defendant must be found not guilty. Ms. Madonna Garnet, what is today's case?"

The blonde woman turned to the judge, walking up to her stand. "Your Honor, today's case is The City of Central City versus Espio Chameleon."

Judge Regina nodded her head. "Very well. Is the prosecution and defense ready?"

Prosecutor Fink and Mrs. Prower both stood up.

"Pluribus Fink, the prosecution for this case, is ready, your honor," he said.

"Rosemary Prower, the defense for this case, is ready, your honor," she added.

The two sat down as Judge Regina turned towards the mouse. "Very well. With this, we can begin with opening statements. Prosecutor Fink, your opening statement?"

Prosecutor Fink bowed. "Why, of course, your honor. Your honor, and members of the jury, your honor herself has introduced me as Prosecutor Pluribus Fink. On the seventh of November of last year, the defendant of this case, one Mr. Espio Chameleon, was charged on five counts of assault as well as escape from police on foot. We intend to prove through all evidence and statements gathered that Mr. Espio committed all assaults without remorse and ran from police even in spite of being warned to stop. We also intend to prove that Mr. Espio is a dangerous individual based on various factors that lead up to the assault in question, which include stalking and brandishing weaponry. As such, the evidence I am providing today will not only prove the defendant's guilt, it will also prove that more charges should be added on, if need be. Your honor, I ask that you find Mr. Espio Chameleon guilty of the charges I've mentioned. Thank you."

With that, Prosecutor Fink took a seat as the chameleon stared at the mouse. A foul scoundrel that mouse… How dare he say that about him?!

"Espio-kun, stop staring," Valdez whispered as Judge Regina said, "Defense Attorney Prower, your opening statement?"

With that, Rosemary stood up and bowed as she turned to the jury. "Yes, your honor. For your honor, the jury, and the court record, my name is Rosemary Prower of Prower Law Co, representing Mr. Espio Chameleon in this case. We intend to prove on the seventh of November that my client is presumed innocent until proven guilty and that no real evidence will be provided against my client. That the truth and nothing but the truth will be revealed: that the supposed assault against my client was an action of self-defense from five men with clear intentions to attack and kill my client first, and that escape from police was a result of miscommunication due to my client's improficiency with English. As such, I ask your honor that you find Mr. Espio Chameleon not guilty of assault and escape from police on foot. Thank you."

With that, the fox woman sat down as Judge Regina shook her head.

"Very well. With that, we may begin with today's case. Prosecutor Fink, you may begin with your first witness," she said.

"I didn't think we'd get to witnesses so fast…" Valdez whispered to himself in Japanese. The mouse on the other side nodded his head.

"Very well, your honor. And thank you very much. The prosecution would like to call Officer Thomas Wachowski, head campus police officer of Mobius University, where the defendant is currently studying and where last year's incident occurred, to the stand, please."

Espio froze. Officer Wachowski was here?! Oh boy, he knew things were off to a bad start. He knew full well how he and the officer didn't have the BEST relationship since the incident…

"Very well. Will the witness please be brought in to be sworn in by the bailiff?"

Sure enough, a minute later, Bailiffs Madonna and Topaz brought the brown haired officer into the courtroom, the objects on his waist dangling as his boots clacked on the tiled floor. Espio, Valdez, and Rosemary all turned as they watched Officer Wachowski enter the room, taking the stand. Topaz walked in front of the Overlander officer.

"Please, raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" she asked. Officer Wachowski nodded.

"I do."

"Then please, for the court record, name and occupation," Judge Regina said.

"My name, your honor, is Thomas Wachowski of the Central City Zone Police Department. My current occupation is head of campus security, as well as the head campus police officer for Mobius University."

"You may begin your testimony."

"Yes, your honor. At 1:28 P.M., I had received word from security at the university that a fight was occuring at the parking lot just outside of the Mobius U Stadium. I had gone by myself at the time, where I saw not only much of the student body recording video of the event, I saw the defendant holding up a white wolf mobian with some sort of knife. As such, I brought out my taser and demanded that they both put their hands up. The wolf complied, but the defendant did not. And eventually, he ran away after I demanded that he put his hands up. My shot from my taser gun missed, but I was able to call in for backup very quickly as various members of the zone police were already on campus that day. I would eventually help in the search for the defendant, where he would appear just in front of the main entrance of the university and be subdued by police and taken into custody."

Judge Regina shook her head. "A solid testimony, Mrs. Prower, your cross examination?"

With that, Rosemary stood up as she turned towards the officer.

"Of course, your honor. Officer Wachowski, may you explain why my client would be holding up someone with a knife?" she asked.

"Unfortunately, what started between them is completely unknown to me," Officer Wachowski replied. "When I arrived at the scene, that's what I saw, alongside four other mobians who were on the ground heavily beaten up or passed out. They were all still alive and from what I was told later on, ambulances were called once we found them to be students from Crisis City University."

"Your honor, I ask that we add this to Officer Wachowski's statement. I believe this to be important testimony-"

"Objection!" yelled out Prosecutor Fink. "What matters is not where the victims are from, but the crime committed by the defendant."

"Objection! I believe this to be very important, in fact!"

"And why do you, Mrs. Prower?" asked Judge Regina.

"On the day of the defendant's supposed crime, an incident of vandalism occurred early in the morning at Mobius University's stadium. My client testified that the men that he supposedly assaulted were the perpetrators behind the incident. In fact, your honor, I believe that they were the men who appeared in this courtroom prior to this session."

"Yes," the woman nodded. "We placed them on recess but moved them to a different court, as many of them were being rude and dismissive."

"Objection!" raised Prosecutor Fink once again. "Your honor, Mrs. Prower claims that the defendant testified this, but how can she without any sort of evidence?!"

"Prosecutor Fink does bring up a good point. Do you have evidence of this testimony, Mrs. Prower?"

Rosemary nodded. "The defense would like to submit evidence to the courtroom, your honor."

With that, Rosemary brought out a flash drive and a piece of paper.

"The day after the incident, after Mr. Espio was released on bail, he was questioned by Commissioner Tom Walters of the Central City Zone Police Department where he testified this fact to him. The evidence I am providing is video of my client's questioning with Commissioner Walters, as well as a transcript of the questioning session. Specifically, I'd like to bring your attention to this line right here, if I may read it out to the court. Around two minutes and twenty one seconds in, the blue individual in the video says, "If I may speak on Espio's behalf, and as a staff member of Mobius University, commissioner… Yesterday, a vandalism incident occurred on campus at Mobius University committed by five boys from the Crisis City University football team. I was told by the officer yesterday that the five boys were taken back to their retrospective city after their car was searched and evidence was found pointing to them as the culprits of the incident." To which Commissioner Walters responds with, "Ah, that. We were also called by the Commissioner of the Crisis City County Jail regarding that earlier this morning. Not only were we told by a school official that Mr's. Drago Wolf, Sleuth Dawg, Jun Kun, Sarge Simian, and Diesel Bear were all expelled from the school and kicked off their sports team, but that they've been arrested and taken into custody for vandalism. If we can, may we play the video of this in court to prove that this is what was testified, your honor?"

"Do you have a device that can play this?"

With that, Valdez brought out Espio's laptop. He opened it up, placing the flash drive inside and turning up the volume to 100% as he started up the video. He turned the laptop around, showing everyone the video as the same quote was said.

"To the one presenting the laptop, is that… you with the defendant?" asked Judge Regina.

"Yes, your honor," Valdez nodded his head.

"In this case, I believe that the court will accept your evidence, Mrs. Prower. Officer Wachowski, we will add this to your testimony."

The officer nodded.

"Will you continue your cross examination then, Mrs. Prower?"

"No further questions at this point, your honor. However, I believe that we should examine what happened prior to Officer Wachowski's arrival on the scene. I believe that should provide more context to the scene."

"It seems that the vandalism incident that occured on campus seems to be relevant to what occured in this case. Very well. You are dismissed, Officer Wachowski."

With that, the officer left the stand and was led out of the courtroom by Topaz as Rosemary turned to the judge.

"I am very inclined to agree, your honor. As such, the defense would like to bring in the next witness: the man sitting next to me, Mr. Valdez Chameleon."

Valdez gawked as he stared at the fox woman. "Rosemary, what are you DOING?!" he whispered.

"It's okay, Mr. Valdez. You know what to say."

"I didn't expect to be testifying! Rosemary-"

Espio could see that Valdez was very unsure about this, but he quieted down and slowly got up from his chair and to the defendant's stand. Gulping and looking nervous, Bailiff Madonna did the same thing she did with Officer Wachowski with Valdez. And after Judge Regina asked for his name…

"My name is Valdez Chameleon, your honor, head of the Department of Foreign Language and Study at Mobius University."

"Mr. Valdez… judging from the evidence provided by the defense as well as where you've been during this trial, it seems that you have a very close connection to the defendant. May you please first testify to the court your relation to the defendant?"

"Of course, your honor," Valdez then began. "My relation to the defendant began with his birth. Both his and my family have known each other for years, and we were both raised in the same living space and village. It is also because of me that the defendant is currently standing in Central Mobius right now, as he is a part of my yearly Foreign Exchange Student program. Due to Japanese being the only language he spoke, I became a mentor and translator for him throughout his first semester at Mobius University as he started to learn English."

"And, pray tell, where is this village?"

"It is Gojo, a village within the hidden Historic District of the zone of Yurashia in Northern Mobius-"

"Objection!" yelled Prosecutor Fink. "Your honor, surely you cannot believe this? The existence of the Historic District of Yurashia is very much debated by scholars and anthropologists, with not a single person being able to find them! It most surely cannot exist!"

"Your honor, I would like to counteract Prosecutor Fink's claim with evidence I've left with the defense," Valdez replied. The mouse looked shocked until Rosemary stood up, pulling something out from her folder.

"Mr. Valdez has graciously provided me with a copy of his birth certificate issued by the Central City Vital Office. On this, it lists Gojo, Yurashia as his birthplace," she said. "Mr. Fink, surely you can't have forgotten? After all, isn't all evidence is submitted to the court before a trial occurs?"

"I... I saw! I just... just forgot temporarily, that's all!" the mouse replied. "A-Anyway, Mr. Valdez?"

The blue chameleon nodded. "In the video provided by Mrs. Prower, one of the things I testified to Commissioner Walters and Mr. Lau Kahn, a consul from the Yurashian Consulate of Central City, was that when I moved from Yurashia to Central City for work, I had to apply for a birth certificate due to no such thing existing in Gojo. However, because not a single person has ever left Gojo, I had to fight for months with the Yurashian Government to recognize my birthplace as Gojo."

"Does record keeping not exist in this… Gojo?" asked Judge Regina.

Valdez shook his head. "None at all, which I also testify in the video, your honor. There are no IDs, no criminal records, birth certificates, medical records, nothing. The only time the Yurashian Government does any work involving the Historic District is with yearly vaccinations for the villagers of the Historic District, but that's it. It is virtually a sealed off area from the rest of modern society, as many of the laws and ways of life are virtually the same of that of the prior to and during the Shogunate era from about five to one hundred and thirty one years ago in Yurashia's history, as well as prior to the formation of the Yurashian Imperial Court which did away with majority of ancient Yurashia's laws and society for one that matched other locations on Mobius."

"Prosecutor Fink, do you see any issue with his statement?"

"If you were to ask me, your honor, I do believe that Mr. Valdez, while being honest with the court and very much more knowledgeable on his history of the Historic District and Yurashia than most people in this courthouse, is forgetting one thing. His connection to the defendant. I'm worried that by him being on the stand, he has implicit bias. Therefore, I feel it is best that we call a more reliable, less biased witness."

Espio could see Valdez's tail stiffen, a sort of angry demeanor to the chameleon.

"Does the defense agree to the prosecution's request?"

Rosemary spoke up. "I believe that Mr. Valdez should, at the very least, testify about what occurred on that day in his own words."

With that, Valdez was allowed to testify with the begrudgingly Prosecutor Fink allowing him to do so. Valdez testified that he was first informed about what occurred from Mobius University staff, but that because he was not involved with the athletics department, he continued his normal work until being contacted by Headmaster Robotnik that Espio had been arrested, leading to him posting his bail the next day.

"Does this answer the defense's question?" asked Judge Regina.

"Yes, your honor," Rosemary replied.

"And does the prosecution wish to cross examine, or have any questions at this time?"

"I do believe that Mr. Valdez had no holes in his testimony, but that we would like to call a recess at this hour for more witnesses."

Judge Regina nodded. "Very well. We've been here for quite some time. We shall take this time to adjourn for a lunch recess, during which, we will allow either the prosecution or defense to call the final witness for the day before adjourning for tomorrow."

With that, the overlander woman banged her gavel.

"Court is adjourned temporarily for the next hour!"


"霧の中

向側の闇

日並川

-エスピオ"

Espio looked down at the notepad Rosemary provided him, his half eaten lunch in front of him. The chameleon found himself in the courthouse's cafeteria during the lunch recess, the fox woman looking after Espio as Valdez had to make a call to Mobius U. However, the chameleon found little to do, and with a very small appetite after the opening statements and witness testimony, he simply sat in his seat bored out of his mind waiting for the trial to resume.

"And now look at me…" Espio thought to himself. "I'm so bored I'm writing haiku…" he proceeded to put his hands on his head in shame. "And I'm not even good at it either… What is this even supposed to mean?..."

"Espio, you really should eat. Valdez was telling me you haven't had anything at all today," Rosemary said. "I know you're incredibly nervous, but things seem to be looking up. I think Mr. Valdez's testimony may have helped you, although we still have yet to reach what happened during the fight between you and those boys from Crisis City. Plus… I have a feeling I know who Prosecutor Fink will call for his next witness."

But Espio tuned out the fox woman as he stayed in his thoughts. It felt so lonely being in this courthouse with none of his friends nearby, it felt lonely without someone being at least warm and welcoming just like at Mobius U. It felt so lonely… without Vector being here to assure him that everything was going to be okay. Rosemary could see that Espio wasn't listening to him and sighed.

"Tell you what, I'll find you something that's easier for you to eat so you have some sort of energy. I suppose you're not used to food from outside Yurashia, right?" she asked. Espio put his hand in his arms, turning away as the fox woman stood up.

"Stay right here. The Bailiffs are all watching, but promise me you won't do anything bad, okay?"

With that, Rosemary stood up and started walking to the canteens as Espio's ears filled with the sound of a few people talking and eating. The TV in front of him blared a commercial as he sighed, wondering when this was all over as he picked up his fork and played with his cold mashed potatoes. As he put the side of his face in his hand, elbow on the table, something on the TV in front of him began to play. Something… that made him stop and look up.

"A long long time ago,

A young lad from the wild west learned the horrors of the world,

And found that not even being a gunslinger could save his family and fiancee.

So, he traveled from his home to a friend of his father's, a mysterious master from the land up north,

In the land of the wish that goes across the white earth, and learned his secrets of espionage.

Years later, he'd finally return home as a gunslinger with a big heart, with the soul of a ninja."

Suddenly, a song began to play from the TV, something that sounded both… from the Outside World and from… Yurashia?... On the screen, there was an Overlander dressed in a way Espio hadn't seen before, only with weapons that Espio was VERY familiar with hanging from his waist.

" Billy spent his days on horse, solvin' crime day and day

Catchin' crooks, robbers, and the daily thug with his gun,

But then one day Billy lost it all and life turned around,

So he changed his name and learned the ninja way of life from the land of the whiteeeee earth! "

Espio was beyond captivated with whatever this was. And as the chorus began to sing, it was… it was amazing what he was seeing! It was an Overlander who could fight, use weapons just like the Shinobi Clan did. But… he did so dressed so strangely, all while using a device he hadn't seen before that seemed to fire something out from it. Much of the imagery depicted areas that seemed so familiar to him; kabuki theaters, pagodas just like the Temple of Meetings in Genshu, even the way some people were dressed were just… just like back home! Espio dropped the pen he held as all his attention was on the TV, the song coming to a close as whatever this was, a movie or something, displayed its title.

"SETSU: THE NINJA COWBOY" it read. The scene then showed some sort of field, except instead of greenery like Espio was used to all his life, it was yellow and without any sort of fauna. Suddenly, something began to appear on screen as some sort of moving vehicle that looked different from a car was moving wildly, the person driving it ducking as the sound of something sharp filled the speakers. Espio could then see two figures on some sort of metal… thing, which he didn't know what it was, but from the way it looked, it reminded him strangely of Connery. What he did know was that the way they looked, they… were oni?

"YOU GOT THE BALLS TO RUN, EH BOY?!" one of them yelled, pointing their weapon at the other metal Connery like machine and firing. The machine fell to the ground as the vehicle completely flipped, crashing into the field as the Overlander in it slowly crawled out.

"No… no please… I… I need to get this medicine to the town…" he said. "So many children are suffering… from scarlet fever!"

"Ya shouldda thought about that when you wanted to ride through our turf all willy nilly!" one of the oni said, holding up their weapon as the Overlander man screamed. As another fierce sound was heard, the shot cut to the man from the opening, rugged and blonde as a large hat covered most of his head-

"Espio, Espio, I'm back…" Rosemary said, holding up a container of yogurt and applesauce. "Here, I got you something that should soothe your stomach. Now eat fast, we don't have much time before recess is over."

The chameleon shook his head, turning his attention away from the TV screen, made an inaudible noise as he grabbed the food and utensils the fox woman provided him. However, as he began to eat, he would occasionally look back at the TV screen, watching the show in question. Whatever this was… he wanted to see more of it. It felt like it was calling him, never seeing anything as incredible and relatable as this before…!

Soon, Valdez had come back, and he eventually had to hurry Espio up as court was soon set to begin again. Unfortunately for Espio, he soon had to get up after a few minutes, upset that he had to leave watching the show for another day. One thing was for sure though, when he returned back to Mobius U, he wanted more…


It was finally after recess, and soon, the final witness was called for the day: and sure enough, it was exactly who Valdez and Rosemary expected it to be.

"My name is Lau Kahn, a consul at the Yurashian Consulate of Central City," the monkey man said after the judge asked for his name.

"On November eighth, you appeared at the Central City Zone Police Department during the defendant's questioning by Commissioner Tom Walters, correct?" Prosecutor Fink asked.

"I did, yes."

"May you testify to the court what you discussed and why you were summoned there?"

"Of course, Mr… Fink, was it?" Mr. Kahn cleared his throat. "That morning, I was called by Commissioner Walters as they had recently had a young man from Yurashia in custody. They wanted to bring me as a translator for him, but of course, Mr. Valdez had been there that day for him. As such, my job was helping provide context to Commissioner Walters."

"We watched the entirety of the questioning earlier today," Judge Regina said. "Tell us, as a consul to Yurashia, what is your knowledge of the Historic District of Yurashia?"

The monkey's eyes widened a bit before looking around.

"Your honor, though I am a consul to Yurashia, very little is known about the Historic District within our ranks. The secrets of that area are kept to some of the highest branches within the Yurashian government, including the prime minister. My only exposure with them is seeing their leaders within the palace of the prime minister years ago."

"Your honor, I do not believe this testimony is of much help to us. As Consul Kahn testified, even he has very little knowledge of the Historic District," Rosemary said. "Is there anything you think might be of noteworthy use, Mr. Kahn?"

"Well, in terms of society, the Historic Districts are behind by a very long time. They still adhere to very old structures of government and rule. Likely, I believe the defendant is primarily only used to how things were done in his hometown."

"Behind by a very long time? Mr. Valdez testified that it was from over five hundred to one hundred and thirty years ago. And unlike Mr. Valdez, the defendant has only been here since the start of the semester, correct?" asked Judge Regina.

"From what I was informed, yes. Vigilantism like what he committed is common where he lives."

"Very well. We shall add that to Mr. Valdez's testimony, as well as yours. Rosemary, your cross examination?"

The fox woman stood up and looked at the monkey. "Mr. Kahn, judging from the testimony you received from Espio the day after the incident, do you believe that Espio would be a violent individual?"

"Objection!" Prosecutor Fink snapped his finger. "That has no bearing on this case!"

"On the contrary, Prosecutor Fink, I believe it does, as it was you that said that Mr. Valdez should stop testifying due to implicit bias."

"If you were to ask me… I believe that the defendant committed his own form of vigilantism believing he was doing the right thing, starting from where his testimony began. Though, he was very unaware of how crimes were solved here as a result. Concepts such as police officers, laws that got him his charges, they're foreign to him."

"And his testimony begins where?"

"It was in the video, Mrs. Prower. From where his connection to those boys he assaulted starts."

"I think we need to discuss that posthaste, as that's where the entire thing begins!" Prosecutor Fink said. "After all, it did end with the defendant following the victims, clearly evidence as proof of stalking!"

"In the testimony video," began Rosemary. "The defendant mentioned how at around noon, he had his first encounter with the victims from Crisis City University at the Sub Station II restaurant just outside of Mobius U. In his testimony translated by Mr. Valdez, he details how he encountered the men and learned they were responsible for that day's earlier vandalism after they had admitted it in the open."

"Was there anyone in the restaurant at the time?" asked Judge Regina.

"In his testimony, yes. The reason he followed the victims was because one of the men had touched the buttocks of a female server at the restaurant and they had been kicked out."

"And when did they admit to being the ones responsible?"

"According to the transcript and testimony, this occurred after they had been kicked out."

"So then, I wonder why Mr. Espio would not testify why he followed them? How would he know to follow them?"

"Unfortunately, this was not testified here, and it's likely something only the defendant would know."

The judge nodded. "Very well… it appears there's much more to this case than we previously thought. What started as a simple assault and police escape seems to have many layers that led to such a thing. We shall adjourn for tomorrow at the same time, and when we do, I think we should start with testimony from a server at the Sub Station II restaurant to prove the defendant's honesty. I expect both the defense and prosecution to provide well testimony as they did today."

"Of course, your honor," said the mouse and fox.

"Well, if there are no more comments or objections, the court will now adjourn for tomorrow!"

With silence in the room, Judge Regina's gavel slammed as court finished for the day.


Back at the dorm after returning to the courthouse, Espio stared at the gift left by Valdez before he left the dorm back at Mobius U. It was in a small box, a note from the blue chameleon attached.

"I know you had a hard day today. The nanny gave this to me before we left Gojo. It'll make you feel better."

As Espio opened the box, he slowly revealed two pieces of mochi, one small one stacked atop a larger piece with a persimmon on top. It was kagami mochi, one of the final new year's meals from back home. While he was happy to receive this from Valdez, it didn't change how hollow the chameleon felt from the day's events. As such, Espio sighed as he had to perform his own kagami biraki ceremony, breaking the brittle mochi with his hands (in one of the very few things he would eat with his hands) piece by piece before placing it in his mouth. Despite there being a clear taste, it registered as tasteless to the chameleon's mouth, one more thing to add to the pile of resentment he had been feeling towards the bundle of lies he had been fed all of his life.

"Happy new year to me…" he said to himself, in turmoil over how awful his new year had begun.


LATER

It was after his final class for the day when Vector walked back to West Hall, excitedly holding this month's issue of Mobius Men's Sports Weekly. The Badniks' front page issue finally just released, and he was happy to not only read how his interview and his modeling pictures went, but he was excited for Espio to read it too. He knew the chameleon would love to see it, especially after the hard day.

Espio…

He knew that the chameleon's trial began today, and all day, it made him worried sick. He knew trials didn't last a day if he remembered his Judicial Process I class last year during freshman year, but for him to be gone all day… it made the crocodile's day more gloomy. He only hoped that things looked up for Espio, he didn't want to see him thrown into the slammer, not before the truth came out anyway, not before whatever… weird was going on with the chameleon stopped.

Over the past couple of days, Vector had been noticing that Espio had become VERY distant, no longer wanting to train with the crocodile, looking and sounding more and more embarrassed and unwilling to talk about whatever was going on whenever Vector spoke to him. It was like the old Espio from when he first arrived to Mobius U, completely clueless about EVERYTHING and not understanding a single thing. He thought it had been about the trial, after all, while the crocodile knew a bit about criminal justice thanks to his interest in detective work as well as the few criminal justice classes he took in that major, court as a concept still made him nervous.

But…

It felt like there was something different. Something the chameleon didn't want to reveal, something that he was hiding. Which, to be fair, he had already hid a lot, but this seemed even more different. Was… was it him? Did Espio notice Vector's crush? No… it couldn't have been, as Thorn in Advanced English Literature had asked about Espio that morning because he too had been distant from her, Bow, and their friends. In fact, Alan seemed to be the only one that had any direct contact with him, and all he said was that he gets quieter and quieter with each dulcimer practice session. Mark even awkwardly came by the table the Badniks all sat at to ask about him too, even if he left rather quickly.

So then, why was Espio becoming more distant? And why did Vector's heart ache more… the more Espio drifted away?

Vector sighed, his face falling as he finally entered West Hall. He didn't know what was going on anymore, but it felt like Espio was slowly disappearing from sight, wanting nothing to do but to grab him and hug to protect him.

However. this created one new issue.

Vector continued to think about the chameleon so much that this was now starting to bleed into his everyday life. The crocodile found himself, time to time, thinking about the chameleon during lectures, during lunch, during downtime, even during practice, which got him yelled at by Coach Augustus and hounded by Monk and Axel the previous night. And to think that the College Bowl for the Badniks began tonight, and yet all his thoughts were being dominated by that small yet firm, powerful chameleon. It was like he threw one of his kunai at the crocodile, using his chest as target practice with his heart being the bullseye's, striking at the first hit.

He didn't know how the chameleon did it either. Espio still was so painfully unaware of so much from outside Gojo, and yet… and yet, he made Vector feel this way. He invaded all of his daydreams, all of his fantasies. No longer were they filled with the thoughts of becoming a football star, becoming the best private detective the world had ever seen, becoming an athletic trainer like he was studying for his major should his time being drafted in the CMFL end or if he didn't make it at all, being with his friends and family, no... it was all Espio…

As Vector stood in front of the door to the dorm, he sighed as he got out his ID, scanning it as he entered inside. As he did, the room was entirely dark as a pair of fancy clothes sat strung over the chair. From above, the quarterback could see someone in the top bunk, a very familiar shade of fuschia in spite of the darkness. Vector's face fell, realizing that Espio must have been tired from his very long day.

"I'm so sorry this is happenin' to yeh, bud…" he said to himself, looking down at the issue of Mobius Men's Sports Weekly. He walked over to the desk, grabbed a sticky note, and began to write.

"I know you had a hard day, I hope this makes you feel better. Your favorite crocodile is in it :)

-Vector"

Sticking it to the front of the magazine, he walked over and placed it next to the sleeping Espio, watching as the transfer student's chest fell up and down.

"If only yeh know how much I love ya…" Vector said to himself. "And how much I'm worried 'boutcha… If only yeh knew… how yer invadin' mah mind…"

Knowing he soon had to get ready for tonight's game in a couple of hours, Vector grabbed his duffle bag and decided to leave Espio to himself for the rest of the day, not wanting to interrupt his sleep. But before he left, Vector looked back one more time.

"...how do I deal with this… I can't keep thinkin' 'bout Espio like this more and more… besides… I ain't ever done this with a guy despite bein' bi…" he thought to himself. "He just… makes it so hard fer me to see him as just a friend…"

With that, Vector took his leave, feeling like he was going through a breakup despite being single.


Espio's Trial

Day 2

10:45 A.M.

It was the next morning, and Espio's trial had continued immediately after Madonna and Topaz had gotten everyone into Courtroom 8 once again. After asking if the prosecution and defense was ready, Rosemary began with her opening statement for the day after Prosecutor Fink's opening statement seemed to just continue mischaracterizing the chameleon.

"Your honor," began Rosemary. "The defense was able to prove yesterday that there is much to this case than meets the eye. Our biggest question was wondering what had occurred prior to the supposed assault the prosecution claims my client committed, as it would provide the context necessary to prove that what my client did was an action of self defense. As your honor has seen yesterday, evidence showed that Espio had testified under oath to a zone police commissioner that his relation to the five men from Crisis City began prior to what had occurred on Mobius University campus. The defense would like to call it's first witness of the day, a server at the Sub Station II restaurant where my client first met the five men."

"Very well. Will the witness please stand to be sworn in by the bailiff?" asked Judge Regina, Madonna and Topaz walking away and coming back a minute later with a white and black koala girl, dressed in a winter coat and black pants. Espio squinted his eyes, wondering why she felt so familiar. After she was sworn in just like the others…

"Now, for the court record, will the witness please state their name and occupation?" asked the Overlander judge. The koala mobian nodded.

"Of course, your honor," she said, Espio now realizing who this was. "My name is Barby Koala, a server at the Sub Station II restaurant as well as a major in Zoology at Mobius University."

"And how long have you worked at Sub Station II?"

"Since the twenty-first of August of last year, your honor."

"Very well. You may begin your testimony."

Barby nodded as she began. "At about noon-ish… I think… The restaurant was practically almost dead, with the only workers in the building being myself and my co-worker. My manager was out back taking her break, leaving myself and my co-worker to attend to the defendant sitting right there, who had taken a seat by himself. I offered him a water cup free of charge because he seemed very distressed. As I was getting it, I heard the door open and a large quantity of voices enter. My co-worker was the one who took their order while I was the one who served them. As I did so, one of them slapped… my butt. They tried to argue back, but I threatened to call the police after telling them all to leave, where I would report what happened to my manager as they took one of our trays. After that… I didn't see them or the defendant for the rest of the day."

"So… it seems like this all began when those five boys entered the restaurant… as per the evidence from Mrs. Prower, we know that the defendant followed after them upon hearing them mention what they had done. Mr. Fink, your cross examination?"

The mouse nodded, adjusting his suit. "Of course, your honor. Ms. Barby, I first wish to know, are you sure you and your co-worker were the only ones in the building?"

"We were at the time, yes," Barby nodded.

"And, who is this co-worker you don't seem comfortable naming?"

"Maria Robotnik, a fellow student at Mobius University as well."

"Hmm… I believe that we should possibly entertain the idea of allowing Ms. Robotnik to testify, your honor. After all, she was also present at the scene alongside Ms. Barby here."

The judge nodded. "If you feel she should testify, I would recommend you make arrangements, Mr. Fink."

"But of course, your honor. Continuing onwards, you said you served the defendant a cup of water because he 'seemed distressed'. Why?"

"I asked him about it, but he didn't seem to give a response. Normally, I don't do such a thing, but he has come into the restaurant with one of his friends a few times every few Saturday afternoons.

""Now, and I apologize for making you recount this, what exactly happened when you say one of the victims from Crisis City, 'touched your buttocks'?"

"It's exactly as I said it, Mr… Fink, was it? As I attended to five men, one of them closest to me, a brown dog in a black tank top, was the one who did such a thing. I questioned what he was doing, to which he claimed he didn't do such a thing but I knew it was clearly a lie-"

"Does the restaurant have cameras?"

"Cameras?"

"Yes, cameras, Ms. Barby."

"Erm… only on the outside of the premises but not on the inside."

"Then how do we know that's what really occurred? Do you have evidence that proves that the brown dog you mention was the one responsible?"

Espio stared down at the mouse. What was he doing?

"I… I don't have any physical proof, only knowing that he was sitting closest to me to allow himself to do such a thing."

"Ahh… I see…"

Then, Prosecutor Fink turned towards Judge Regina. "Your honor, I do believe that we must bring some reasonable doubt to this statement. The witness here does not have proof regarding what occurred to her to accuse one of the victims of sexual harassment."

"Objection! That man is currently on trial for that, something that has nothing to do with this case!" Rosemary said. "Your honor, we believe the prosecution is trying to sow doubt onto the witness by portraying them as a liar."

"Ah, but wasn't it you who said that what happened before the assault was going to prove your client's innocence?"

Judge Regina nodded. "That is true. Objection overruled, Mrs. Prower."

The fox woman seethed to herself.

"Well, do you have any more questions, Mr. Fink?"

"Since this witness has no physical proof of this incident of sexual harassment occurring to her, the court, your honor, and the jury should not accept this testimony as accurate. I suggest we move onto another witness, your honor. And the one I am suggesting… may be the one needed to prove the defendant's guilt."

"Who were you thinking?"

"One of the men in this exact courthouse right now: Mr. Drago Wolf!"

Espio and Valdez quickly turned their heads to the mouse, a "Of course..." coming from Rosemary's mouth.

"Isn't it obvious why we should gather testimony? He IS the victim of this case anyway."

The judge looked down at Prosecutor Fink before nodding. "Very well… we shall locate Mr. Drago Wolf himself and allow him to testify. Bailiff, do you know the location of this man?"

"They're in courtroom 14, and if I'm not mistaken, they're ready to go into recess as they started at 8 A.M," replied Madonna.

"Well, bring them in quickly!"

"Right away."

With that, Madonna and Topaz soon left the courtroom, leaving everyone in their seats.

"I'm starting to get concerned, Espio-kun… it seems like the prosecutor is starting to get the upper hand…" Valdez whispered to the fuschia chameleon.

"Will I be sentenced fully?" asked Espio.

"Let's pray not."

It was about five minutes when the two Overlander women returned with the familiar white wolf mobian, who gave Espio the stink eye as he turned around. Now the transfer student felt futile to the wolf for the first time, watching as the bailiff did their usual introduction.

"Now, I personally know exactly who you are, but for the court record and the jury, name and occupation, sir…" Judge Regina asked, a fierce look on her lips. Drago, who tried his best to look tough, looked up at the woman without care.

"You said that we already know…" he said.

"Name. And. Occupation…"

Drago sucked his teeth in. "Drago Wolf… and occupation? Former quarterback…"

"Please, don't get an attitude with me and listen. Mr. Fink here believes that you have the testimony to prove the guilt of the defendant. Are you willing to share it?"

"And what do I get out of it? Is this gonna help my charges?"

"Well, it'll help this trial."

Prosecutor Fink walked up to the stand, Drago staring him down.

"If anything, testifying could help your case. So Mr. Drago, what'll it be?"

The wolf looked at the mouse then at the Overlander judge. "Fine… My friends on the Crisis City U football team and I were visiting Central City for the weekend and we went into a place for a bite to eat. We couldn't even eat before the lady there starting accusing my friend of "sexual harassment" and forced us all out, which I was pissed about! We also went by the Mobius U campus after we ate lunch, and before we were ready to head back," Drago pointed at Espio. "That guy right there attacked us! He threw a knife at the floor to make us stop and even grabbed at it when we laughed at him to go away! You think that's self defense?!"

"While I don't appreciate NOT being called your honor…" Judge Regina said. "You're saying that the defendant is the one attacked first?"

"I said what I said, didn't I?"

"As you can see, your honor… this should be all the proof this courtroom should need to prove that the defendant is guilty of assault. The witness testified that a weapon was both thrown and brandished at them as a threat, and while it wasn't a gun, a knife is just as dangerous as one, no?" Prosecutor Fink said. Rosemary grit her teeth, Espio realizing that the prosecutor was turning this around.

"Well, Mrs. Prower, your cross-examination?"

"Your honor, there are so many holes in this testimony that I don't know where to begin! First of all, Mr. Drago, what were you doing in Central City on the seventh of November?"

"Just vistin'."

"JUST visiting, as if we haven't established that you and your friends from the Crisis City football team were the perpetrators of the vandalism on Mobius U campus? The same vandalism you're CURRENTLY on trial for?!"

"Witness, I ask that you not omit details like this from your testimony, least of all before obstruction of justice is added to your list of charges…" threatened Judge Regina.

"Furthermore, may you tell us more about this friend who supposedly sexually harassed the previous witness."

"Who? Sleuth? Yeah, the dude is super horny but he didn't do that! Just the bimbo accusing us of something dumb!"

"Are you sure about that?" Rosemary turned to the judge. "Your honor… I'd like to submit a piece of evidence to the court. About a week ago, I had personally traveled to Crisis City to interview Mr. Sleuth Dawg himself, and he testified to me that he did slap Ms. Barby's buttocks without remorse! Specifically, he said this from my transcript, and I quote: "Yeah, I did smack that bitch's ass. She had a nice one, so what?' Your honor, I rest my case. Not only was this an admission of guilt, this proves that Ms. Barby's testimony was the truth!"

Drago looked shocked, gritting his fangs. "Sl-Sleuth, you fucking idiot…!" he muttered through gritted teeth.

"Objection!" Prosecutor Fink snapped. "While this seems to be the case, that still has nothing to do with the defendant! It doesn't change how he threw a knife at this man and his friends and then grabbed it afterwards!"

"That is true," Regina looked cross towards the fox woman. "Please, don't change the subject, Mrs. Prower."

"Your honor, as you clearly heard, my client attempted to stop Mr. Drago, Sleuth, and their friends and did so in a way that would get them to stop. You heard how they laughed at him, it's clear that without a way to get them to stop, they wouldn't have been charged with vandalism and be standing in this court today! Not to mention, the prosecution attempted earlier to discredit Ms. Barby's testimony by claiming she faked her sexual harassment claim, yet we have a victim called by him specifically lying under oath?!"

"But isn't that you saying that the defendant DID strike first?"

Rosemary froze, realizing she had thrown herself into a corner.

"It seems we've come into an impasse, one that has to make us decide… Did the defendant attack first and use weaponry to threaten and harm, or was justified in using weapons that are legal to carry on city limits?" Judge Regina said. "Mr. Drago, while you are needed back in Courtroom 14 for your trial, we will call you back to this courtroom if need be. When we return from recess, we will continue hearing testimony from others. Court adjourned!"


In the courthouse cafeteria, Valdez and Rosemary were having a heated argument as Espio sipped on a red drink, the issue of Mobius Men's Sports Weekly that Vector left on his bed in front of him.

"Rosemary, what are we doing?!" Valdez questioned. "You're putting more and more of a reason to see Espio as guilty in the minds of the judge and jury!"

"You think that I expected him to use Drago as some sort of nail in the coffin?! Had I known that, I would have easily refuted everything he said, but clearly Prosecutor Fink had him specifically to sow doubt. I read up on every witness and yet it seems the jury is being swayed... something that only a miracle can stop."

"Then clearly we need one of our own if we're going to get Espio off the hook. You said it yourself, whoever attacked first should be the key to Espio's acquittal. Why can't we have him testify?"

"You think Prosecutor Fink and the judge would allow that?!"

As they continued to squabble, Espio looked over to the side where the magazine Vector left him was. He grabbed it, putting down his drink as he once again read the note.

"I know you had a hard day, I hope this makes you feel better. Your favorite crocodile is in it :)

-Vector"

Espio opened up the magazine, flipping past the pages until he saw a picture of the Badniks all together, holding a large trophy as everyone but Connery, Monk, and that water buffalo he didn't know the name of had huge smiles on their faces. Next to it, the text read, "FOUR YEARS AGO, the Mobius University Badniks had it all: a new coach, a restructure to its football team, and the honor of calling themselves champions. Now, the same is true after four past seasons of failures, with the Mobius University Badniks winning their first Winter Playoffs against the undefeated Empire City University Dingoes. Here's how a team managed to persevere through so much and come out as champions…"

As Espio flipped through the pages, there were different members of the team modeling in black and white pictures, showing their name, position, number, as well as other details such as weight, height, etc. There was a page for Thrash, Rotor, Connery, Brawny, Knuckles, and-

"VECTOR CROCODILE, QUARTERBACK"

"Arguably one of the most important positions for any football team is the quarterback, and one of the most talked about in the world of college football is Vector, who went from receiver last year to quarterback-"

Espio looked at the pictures of the crocodile in awe, the sharp picture showing his scales under all the fancy clothes he wore as well as in uniform. He wore a dress shirt similar to the one Espio was wearing, another image showing Vector in a chair, legs spread as he had his fingers against his head allowing them to relax against it.

"This…" Espio thought to himself. It was possibly… the most stunning the chameleon had seen the crocodile dress. And the way Vector had been sitting with that suit…He suddenly felt something fall from his mouth. Espio raised his hand to his mouth, realizing that it was…

"Drool?" he said to himself. He looked down at the magazine, seeing that part of it was wet. The chameleon shuddered, throwing the magazine onto the table as he felt ashamed once again. He couldn't even idolize the crocodile for how cool he looked or how he was able to get such a reward for winning the playoffs without feeling this way towards Vector? Why did his body and mind want to do this to him?!

"A long long time ago,

A young lad from the wild west learned the horror's of the world,

And found that not even being a gunslinger could save his family and fiancee,"

Espio looked up, realizing that something sounded familiar. VERY familiar. On the TV was that show from yesterday, the one that caught his attention and idealization during this time. What was it called again? He wasn't sure, but his eyes now stay glued to the TV, happy that at LEAST the show that caught his eye could take his mind off Vector for even the smallest , unbeknownst to him, Valdez and Rosemary still continued their argument, the fox woman walking back and forth, biting her nails.

"Rosemary, during your time finding evidence, did you talk to EVERY witness?" Valdez asked. "There has to be someone, ANYONE, that can prove Espio's innocence so that Prosecutor Fink would be willing to hear Espio out!"

"If I knew, I would know, Mr. Valdez!" the fox woman yelled back. "But I've talked to everyone I know who has a slight connection to this case! Do you not know anyone?"

"You heard my testimony, I wasn't around for what occurred that day!"

"Then surely someone ELSE at the school would have been around during what occurred?"

The blue chameleon's face changed as he turned around, finger on his lip. It was only then that he stared at Espio watching the TV, then at the open magazine. His eyes widened, realizing who was displayed out in the open.

"Rosemary… I think we might be saved…"


Vector knew what his next class was: Japanese I with Professor Cinder in the B building. However, instead of heading to the building, the crocodile walked past the building entirely, begrudgingly continuing to walk in the cold as he turned up the loud rock music playing on his headphones.

After last night's game, despite the Badniks' victory in the first round, the only thing that filled Vector's thoughts was Espio. He was still worried for him, afraid for the chameleon's future in regards to his trial. But this extended even more than that. Throughout all his classes today, despite trying his best to focus as hard as he could, the crocodile would slowly tune out the lecturing professor in the class he was at as he began to daydream scenarios with Espio. He imagined one where he was carrying the chameleon bridal style, one where he was with his fellow Badniks all with their significant others before the final game of the College Bowl, Vector's being Espio. And despite how much he would shake his head and try to force himself to write something, his stomach would twist into knots as he thought back to the chameleon, imagining him slowly taking off his top. It would slowly fall as he continued to wear his skirt thing, the scars all over his body showing off how tough his body was in its own way compared to the bodies of Vector and his fellow Badniks.

"Yer gettin' horny over yer roommate, yer now DAYDREAMIN' 'bout him, people are suspectin' yer banging yer roommate, and now here's the final base of longin': yer gonna dream 'bout puttin' a ring on this guy," Vector thought to himself, walking… Well, he didn't know where he was going. He was just wandering aimlessly, skipping class, wondering… what should he do?

"I need to talk to someone…" Vector said to himself. "But… who?"

Considering everything that was going on, he COULD talk to Knuckles or Mighty, but despite them knowing his sexuality, he felt awkward talking about his crush on Espio with them. Maybe there was another person on the team… but he knew that the news of that talk would likely reach back to Connery or Monk, and THEN all hell would be raised. There was also Coach or maybe even AD Sommersby- no, what was he thinking getting LOVE advice from his coaches?!

There was only one person Vector could think of, one person who could give him direction as someone with more life experience yet more in common with the crocodile. He looked up the stairs in the A building through the windowed door, bracing himself for what was going to happen.


Vector knocked on a door in West Hall, a very familiar door that he passed by in the mornings and sometimes in the afternoon, a very familiar door that no one dared to enter, least to incur the anger of whoever was inside. He took a deep breath, knowing he was likely about to get the yelling of the century.

"Who is-" the voice cut off before coughing. "...it?"

"It's me. Vector. I… I wanna talk."

There was silence before the voice spoke up. "What kind of talk are we talking about? If it's a complaint, I'll likely tune you out before you even name a person."

"It's… a real personal talk. I'm lookin' fer advice, and I figured since ya gotta lot of time bein' in college, well…"

There was more silence before the door opened ajar, a sigh from the other side. "Fine. I suppose I'll humor you with my sage advice."

Vector looked down as he moved his hand, pushing the door open as the smell of cigarettes filled his nostrils. From the distance, he could see just the person he needed to talk to in all her glory: RA Sally Acorn, sitting at her desk as she put out her cigarette in an ashtray.

"Well, never thought the star quarterback himself would come to me for advice. You know we have therapists in Student Services, right?" Sally asked.

"I dun need a therapist, I just… need advice. That's all," Vector replied as he walked inside. "Also, Gaia it smells here… how can yeh handle it?"

"Are you here to criticize my coping mechanism and the only thing that brings me joy, or are you here for advice?"

"Jeez, and yeh said I need a therapist."

"NOW."

"Fine, fine…" Vector grumbled, shutting the door behind him. He walked into the room as he sat on Sally's bed, the mattress flattening under Vector's weight.

"So, what advice are you looking for? If it'll help me write my Human Resource paper, then please tell me, but if not, I guess I'm just gonna procrastinate on it more."

"Sorry, dunno anythin' 'bout that… But… I figured since yeh've been in college fer so long… Tell me…"

Vector looked down at the floor, then around the room, then at Sally. "Sal… i-in yer time bein' at Mobius U… have… have yeh done… anythin'..." The crocodile twiddled his thumbs. It shouldn't have been hard to say!

"Have I done?..." Sally continued. Vector realized he was in too deep, and at this point, there was no going back.

"Haveyadoneanythin'gay?"

Saying this as quickly as he could, the crocodile closed his eyes, realizing that for the first time… he actually said this outloud. It felt liberating to say, but… it felt like something that needed to be hush-hush. What didn't help was Sally's silence, the chipmunk girl continuing to look away from Vector before slowly turning around.

"...that…" she said, a look of disbelief on her face.

"Are… are ya surprised I'm askin' that? Ya look surprised."

"As a matter of fact. I am. I'm surprised that someone is asking such a dumb question, and I already want another smoke after my last one."

"What?..."

"You heard me! You're… you're really asking such a dumb question, Vector?! THIS is what you're talking to me about?!"

"Can ya maybe drop the asshole thing fer a bit, Sally? I actually need advice from yeh!"

"I mean, what the hell do you want me to say, Vector? 'Oh, the big man on campus wants to fit dicks in his ass all night, everyone point and laugh at him!' No! I frankly already have to deal with enough shit in my life, this frankly DOESN'T help."

Vector looked to the left and right. "So… is that a yes 'er no…?"

"I mean, you ask me. At this point, I'll take anything that kills me faster, and maybe smokes aren't just the only thing I do to achieve that goal."

"Yeh ain't answerin' the question."

Sally groaned as she motioned her hand. "Come on, get in closer, Vector."

The crocodile complied as the chipmunk stared at him in the eyes. "So, even though you denied it, it looks like I was right. You ARE curious about how it's like being with a guy, right? And in fact, I could take about three guesses about WHY you're feeling that way with guys. It's always the same with athletes like you. They come to college thinking they're about as straight as the picket white fences they'll think they have with their spouse and five thousand kids, and then they do something with someone of the same gender, and cry themselves to sleep every night thinking that their life is over. Trust me, you think you're the only one, Vector? It's almost COMICAL how it seems to happen at least every year."

"Well, I ain't reached that point yet. I've known I've been bi fer years now… I just… I've just done things with girls all mah life…"

"Lemme guess, parents? Community?"

"Not really… just… never really done it…"

"Well, here's some advice from yours truly. Though you've been in college for two years, you need to learn that here, you're free to do whatever. This isn't fucking public school, Vector. Your professors are not your babysitters, your parents aren't around to tell you whatever, and it's here where you learn what the real world is like. It's where you make your destiny, your life from here on. And sure enough, it's where people like you learn to experiment. Trust me, it isn't JUST sexuality, it's everything. Drugs, sex, all that is done here. Even though this is college, it's like people never left high school, the same as in the working world! You think cliques and all that stop existing once you leave high school? Hell no! People pass blunts with their friends and smoke a shit ton of weed, they drink their fucking ass off for some kind of feeling, and guys like you think that having sex with girls gets stale so you start fucking every guy you see. Don't you see, Vector? It's all about learning who you really are!"

"Learnin'...who I really am?"

"Razor, one of the heads of the LGBTQ League here, tells me a lot about how he notes that a lot of people in that club never really got to experience a lot of the stuff people in high school did. They never got to have stuff like a cute high school romance, having dates and all that, and as a result, many people there learn about themselves in college and soon go running to that place. Hell, I'd frankly tell you the same thing too, go there! I dunno why you're asking me for advice!"

"Cause yeh would know 'bout how it's like missin' so much in life."

Sally shut her mouth, seething as she stared at Vector. "Unfortunately, I'm inclined to agree. The most important thing I can tell you is this: Since I know you feel that way about your little chameleon roommate, maybe offer that to him. Who knows? Come tomorrow, I'll get noise complaints about how he's screaming your name while you bang his brains out after 4:30."

"Already cynical, Gaia…"

"I'm just being realistic. I know how many people want to sleep with you, manwhore…"

"Sounds to me like yer jealous."

"Please, I could probably find better dick than you could."

Vector couldn't help but stifle a laugh. "Okay, yeh got me there. Weird… yeh pretty much chastised me this entire time… and yet I feel like it helped. Thanks, Sal."

"Good, glad it did. Now fuck off, I'm going to procrastinate more on this paper and I'd like to do it by myself, please."

Grinning, Vector got off the bed and started to head out of the room. But before he did, he turned back around as the red headed chipmunk called his name.

"Remember: after college, you don't get this experience again. Making relationships like this is hard once you leave. So don't blow it, okay?" she said. Vector gave a thumbs up as he shut the door behind him, feeling… feeling relieved that he had someone he could talk to. It felt good to finally get it off his chest, even if he wasn't sure about the idea of talking to Espio about this.

"But… she said… it's okay…" he said to himself, walking back to the dorm.

"Yeah… it's okay to feel like this… after all, I am curious…" he walked past a door.

"Curious 'bout… how it's like bein' with a guy…"

He walked at the intersection, turning right. "How it's like bein' with a guy like Espio…"

Then another door… "Maybe… maybe Espio too… feels the same and I just dun know it."

And now, he stood in front of the dorm."Maybe… maybe Espio… wants to experiment. Experiment… with me… 'Cause… ninjas really can fall in love…"

He looked at the door and sighed, a new found feeling entering his body. He would slowly build up the courage to ask the chameleon this question once he got back from his trial, hoping that it wasn't too late, hoping that-

His phone would ring.

"What the?" Vector asked himself. Who was calling him at this time, interrupting his inner monologue? The crocodile reached into the pocket of his letterman jacket, seeing that the caller ID was for a number he… didn't recognize.

"Ugh, fuckin' robocaller…" Vector said as he swiped his finger left, ending the call. But just as he was about to bring out his ID to enter the dorm… his phone rang again. Once again, the quarterback looked at the caller ID and saw that it was for the SAME number.

"Who the hell is this?"

Vector decided he would humor whoever this was, bringing the phone to his ear.

"Hullo?" he asked, seconds from saying his usual line to robocallers: 'This is Joe's Steak Shop'. But before he could say it, a voice spoke up.

"Hello, is this Mr. Vector Crocodile?"

The voice was feminine, but it was one that Vector didn't recognize. But… she knew him. Vector's blood grew cold… who… was this?

"H-How d'ya know mah name?... And how didja get this number?"

"My apologies. My name is Rosemary Prower, a defense attorney at Prower Law Co. I'm calling you because I would like you to testify tomorrow in the trial of your friend and my client, Mr. Espio Chameleon, about what happened and what you saw on the seventh of November last year. Please, I implore you to testify… your testimony may be the only thing that could get him off the hook."

Vector's eyes widened as he almost dropped his phone, mouth dry as he tried to find words.


It was after practice when Vector quickly ran back to the dorm, carrying his duffle bag in his hands as Brawny and Bull wondered why Vector was in such a hurry. What they didn't know was that back at the dorm in Vector's backpack was a mountain of books that the crocodile had borrowed from the library, something that was much more important to him at that moment. As such, skipping a late dinner, the crocodile quickly scanned his ID upon returning to West Hall. Once he was inside the dorm, Vector slid his body into the chair of the desk, grabbing his backpack and opening it up.

"It's gotta be this semester that I dun have any criminal justice classes…" he said to himself, pulling out three books and stacking them on the desk. He grabbed the first one, "Courtroom Strategies: A how-to guide to preparing for court as a witness" by Betty Butterfly. He flipped to the first page, turning on the lamp at the desk as he grabbed his nighttime reading glasses from his bag. Vector made sure to read each page twice to sink in his mind, the time on his phone going from 10:54 to 12:02 to 1:37. He would yawn throughout the night, trying his best to keep himself awake as he read through the books meant for criminal justice and law majors.

"C'mon… I can't get sleepy now…" he thought to himself. "I have to make sure Espio doesn't get found guilty… I promised I would protect him. I can't let him go to jail without him knowin' the truth…"

But unfortunately, sleepiness and his tired physical state from practice that day overcame the crocodile and before 2, he would find himself in bed.

"I just hope this is enough…" he thought to himself as Vector sighed, the quarterback wondering why he didn't look into the public defense portion of wanting to become a private detective more. Still, he maintained a bunch of what he learned from reading and dreaded the morning. Whatever came tomorrow… he was leaving it to whatever force above.


Espio's Trial

Day 3

11:01 A.M.

"...so your honor, I believe that today should be some of the last bit of testimony the defense will show to prove my client's innocence," Rosemary began with her opening statement for the day. "Yesterday, we discussed the defendant's connection to the victims that he supposedly assaulted, how he first met them and how he followed them upon testifying that he overheard them confessing to what occurred after they got kicked out from Sub Station II. Now, the defense feels that the testimony from Mr. Drago Wolf was inaccurate, filled with many holes that should be discredited, essentially lying under oath."

"Then, what do you suppose we should do, Mrs. Prower?" asked Judge Regina.

"Your honor, it's clear we don't need to do anything," Prosecutor Fink replied. "Mrs. Prower is attempting to discredit the victim and make them out to be a liar! I say we move to closing statements."

"May I remind you that the very same victim is in this court, currently right now declaring himself not guilty alongside the rest of his friends?! If you think that they're truthful, perhaps you'd like it if we asked another one of Mr. Drago's friends to testify. But if not, then the defense would like to call one of its very final witnesses, a man with a close connection to the defendant and who was there on the scene alongside Officer Wachowski. The defense calls forth Mr. Vector Crocodile to the stand!"

Espio felt his scales grow cold as he gripped onto the seat. He knew this was going to happen since yesterday, and yet… he felt like he was strapped into a fast car without control. The chameleon didn't know what to expect, only that Vector was his last hope. He had to save him from whatever the court and prosecutor wanted him to do, no matter the cost. It felt like his fantasies of the quarterback were coming true, just not in the way he intended…


It was already a busy morning, from emailing all his professors about not being in class today, to telling Coach that if he didn't make it to practice, that was why, to spending almost thirty minutes getting lost finding the District Court, but Vector found himself being called by two bailiffs to the courtroom. He breathed in, then sighed, hoping that his nerves would calm down. As he entered the court, Vector walked past the defense and prosecution's table, turning around to look at Espio with a saddened look on his face.

"Excuse me, turn around right now!" Madonna snapped, the crocodile quickly following suit as she held up her hand. "Please, raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" she said.

Vector nodded, complying."I do, yeah."

"Now, please state name and occupation and or major for the court record," said Judge Regina, Vector swallowing before sighing. All he needed to do was remember everything he read last night in the books he borrowed…

"Mah name is Vector Crocodile, I'm a major in Athletic Trainin' as well as quarterback fer the Mobius University Badniks."

"Ah, so you're Vector… My eldest son is a big fan of your team. Pleased to meet you."

Vector nodded, glad that his fame at LEAST helped with a first impression with a judge.

"Now Mr. Vector," Rosemary began. "The reason we've called you up to the stand today to testify is that I was informed that you have much intel on my client, including what happened on the day of the incident and before. Please, for your honor and the jury, I would like you to please testify first about your relationship with Mr. Espio, then proceed to relay the events of November seventh how you experienced it."

"And remember, the truth and nothing but the truth!" added Prosecutor Fink. "I know you football players aren't exactly the most attentive listeners or even thinkers, but I'm willing to give you the opportunity of hearing your testimony out before I debunk it all…"

Vector looked over at the mouse, feeling patronized about his intelligence before staring back at the judge.

"Mah relationship to Espio begins on the first day of last school semester, yer honor," he began. "The headmaster of Mobius U asked me to be his guide and mentor since he didn't know English. I've been teachin' him since but even still, he hasn't fully grasped everythin' 'bout English. Other than that, we pretty much spend a lot of our time together back on campus."

"Well, any holes, Mr. Fink?"

"There's a few I can expose already right away!" the prosecutor replied. "If you're supposedly the defendant's English instructor, why would you not tell him what to do should a police officer stop you?"

"Keep in mind, he's only been learnin' English fer about four months. He does take ESOL lessons at Mobius U, but I dunno what they teach there. Even I've just begun Japanese lessons, and they haven't said anythin' 'bout that. There's only so much yeh can learn and remember in that span of time."

"Not even explaining what the job of an officer to our society does?"

"Fer Gaia's sake, get offa mah dick…" Vector thought to himself, starting to get VERY frustrated with this prosecutor.

"Sure I could explain it to him, but if he'll remember it is another story. Like I said… uh, sir, Espio's only been learnin' English fer four months."

"Does that tie into what happened when Mr. Espio held up Mr. Drago?" asked the judge. Now Vector shuddered, realizing he got to the part he was dreading the most.

"...yes."

"Then please testify, what happened that day."

Vector nodded, hoping that he'd pick the right wording as he tried to hide how much he was panicking.

"I was woken up at 5 that mornin' by one of mah fellow Badniks teammates tellin' me that the stadium on campus was completely vandalized. Espio went with me at the time, and at some point, he musta walked off 'cause I was debatin' what occurred with mah other teammates and he was just gone. I didn't see him 'til later that day, when I got word while helpin' out clean up the stadium that a fight was occurrin' and that Espio was involved. I got there quickly and asked him what he was doin', and while Officer Wachowski held him up at taser gun point, I tried to tell him to just let that Drago guy go, to which he did and ran…"

By the end, Vector hung his head, remembering that awful day so clearly.

"It seems like this case only becomes more and more complex with each testimony. Well, Mr. Fink?"

The mouse walked up to Vector.

"First of all, Vector, why did you let him go instead of letting him stay with you?" he asked, the quarterback knowing this man was back to his usual unnecessary questions.

"Again, I didn't know he left. One thing 'bout Espio is that the dude is super quiet. Besides, as I said, I was arguin' with mah team 'bout the vandalism. If anythin', he was the last thing I had on mah mind."

"And you didn't bother to search for him after?"

"He has his own life, sir. Besides, by this point in the semester, Espio could traverse by himself."

"Hm… very well… next, Officer Wachowski claimed that the defendant didn't understand him when he asked to put his hands up. Yet YOU'RE saying that he ran when you said to let him go. Does that mean you basically told him to run?"

"I never explained to him what that means! When I said to let him go, it meant to let him go."

Prosecutor Fink smiled. "Your honor… it's clear to me that this witness here has some guilt in letting the defendant run from the police. He misunderstood that as to run away from the scene rather than comply with police. That's the misunderstanding the defense wants us to believe…"

Vector stared at the mouse, completely dumbfounded at whatever this joke of an explanation was. And now he was trying to blame him?!

"Defense, do you agree with this statement?" asked Judge Regina.

"Of course not, your honor! The prosecution is attempting to shift blame onto the witness when he was trying to do the right thing!" Rosemary replied. "Besides, you forgot one thing, Mr. Fink! The witness himself testified that the defendant had only been learning English for four months! In that time, you would likely be confused if you had virtually no knowledge of English!"

"Does this mean that the defense has a new theory as to why he ran?"

"Yes, your honor. And it's because I feel the defense is ready to prove its final point. We would like to bring in one final witness, one that will finally give us the full story: the defendant himself: Mr. Espio Chameleon!"

"Objection!" yelled out Prosecutor Fink. "Your honor, you cannot expect an actual, truthful testimony from the defendant! Overrule the defense's blatant bluff!"

"Oh, but Mr. Fink…" Rosemary smiled. "Did you forget that we have no else at this point. Not to mention, if even the victims of this alleged crime aren't being truthful, what about asking the one who supposedly committed it? All this time we've been one sided. We need to explore every possibility we can, no matter what."

"Mrs. Prower has a point. We must give all witnesses and such an ear and determine whether they are being truthful or lying under oath," Judge Regina replied. "Objection overruled. We will allow this final testimony before your closing statements."

"Thank you, your honor. Before we let Mr. Espio testify, the defense has some concern. As we've heard in this trial, the defendant's first language is not English, but instead, Japanese. As such, we would like to allow Mr. Espio to testify in Japanese, with Mr. Valdez filling in the role as translator."

"I see no problem with this. However, I will ask Mr. Valdez to be truthful during this testimony. If you are found to be lying under oath and not producing accurate translation, you too will be prosecuted. Do you understand?"

"I understand, your honor. Esupio-kun, kite."

"Err… yer honor…" Vector asked. "Do I have permission to sit in the courtroom?"

"You should know that court cases are open to the public, Mr. Vector. You don't need to ask me."

"T-Thank yeh…"

With that, Vector left the stand as Espio and Valdez walked towards it. The crocodile looked down at Vector, the two locking eyes before Bailiff Madonna asked for Espio sternly. The quarterback walked away to the side, sitting in for the trial.


"Remember what we said, Mr. Valdez. Only truthful translations," Judge Regina said after Espio was sworn in. "Now, for the court record, name and occupation."

Valdez translated this for Espio, who was confused at the second part.

"I don't have a job, Valdez-san," he replied. "Will she accept the son of the Bride as one?"

"Just say university student. It's easier," the blue chameleon said. Espio looked up at the Overlander judge.

"My name is Espio Chameleon, and I'm a university student."

Valdez responded back with his translation.

"Now, as you are the defendant of this case, you only know what occurred between you and the victims. Please, testify everything from that day, do not leave a single thing out, do not lie under oath, and if you have proof to back up his statements, Mrs. Prower, I recommend you tell the court now."

"Very well," the fox woman said. "Espio, begin your testimony."

With Valdez translating, Espio recounted the entire day to the court from beginning to end. Starting from when Vector woke up that day all the way until his arrest and Valdez posting his bail, he left no detail out and even went further when questioned about certain details.

"That's quite the memory you have, Mr. Espio," Regina said. "And it seems that your entire statement backs up what you told Commissioner Walters."

"That's Espio's story, your honor. And he's sticking by it," Valdez replied.

"Well, Prosecutor Fink? Your cross examination?"

The mouse walked by the chameleon, Espio turning to face him.

"I don't even know where I could begin with this! I'll skip everything we've asked previous witnesses and ask you: why on earth are you carrying knives and… and shuriken?!"

"You seem to be familiar with the Historic District, Mr. Fink," Valdez replied. "Tell me, what is most known about the area?"

"Easy. That they're one of the only known societies that haven't adapted to the modern age."

"True. But what else?"

"What do you mean?"

"Gojo, and by extent, the Historic District of Yurashia, is one of the last locations on this planet that deals with the teachings of ninjutsu. And it's not stuff you'd see in fiction, this is very real, actual genuine ninjutsu. Besides, if I recall, weapons like what Espio was carrying IS legal in this city, no?"

Prosecutor Fink snorted. "Your honor, you actually cannot… cannot believe THIS, can you?! The defendant's translator is actually trying to claim that the defendant is a ninja! The prosecution requests a mental health check for the defendant!"

"I would be willing to give the benefit of the doubt when it comes to most cases…" Judge Regina said. "But even I find it hard to believe such a thing. Ninja aren't a real thing."

"Unless he were to show you first hand?" asked Mrs. Prower.

"Bah! The defense is clearly bluffing, your honor!" Prosecutor Fink replied. "I ask that you hold Mr. Valdez here in contempt of court!"

"Then why don't we prove it? Mr. Valdez, can you ask Espio to do genuine ninjutsu, as you put it, to clear both of your names?"

Valdez translated this for Espio, who nodded. Holding his hands together, he recited the incantation for Chroma Camo and proceeded to vanish into a cloud of smoke. Suddenly, Prosecutor Fink's face fell as did everyone else's sans Vector and Valdez.

"Wh-where did the defendant go?!" the judge asked as Espio suddenly reappeared. "Y-You! How dare you?!"

"That, your honor, was the Art of Hiding, better known to myself and the defendant as Chroma Camo. Taught in our village," Valdez said. "Does this court see now that our testimony is not a lie?"

The jury all looked at each other as the others took some time to process what just occurred.

"Well... while that's certainly not what I expected, I ask that you not do that again… I worry that you'll use that to escape!"

"Not to worry, your honor. Espio would not use moves like that unless he has genuine reason to do so. But I think you see now Espio's reason for carrying weapons such as that. However, you heard his testimony too. He only used very little weapons in his fight and majority of it was hand to hand combat."

"But what about throwing a ninja star at one of the victim's arms?!" Prosecutor Fink shot back.

"To prevent him from grabbing a knife with intentions to kill? He said multiple times throughout this that Mr. Sleuth Dawg's knife was grabbed by the victims."

There was silence as Prosecutor Fink continued. "Well, what about all the injuries you left with the victims? Remember, though no one died at the scene, medical records showed signs of broken bones and major injuries done to the five. You even made two people pass out as well! How do you justify this?"

"The same as Espio continues to maintain: self-defense."

"And yet, you couldn't explain this once you were taken into custody by Officer Wachowski, instead choosing to run away?"

This shut up Valdez as the Prosecutor turned around. "No more questions, your honor. The prosecution rests."

Espio wondered what the mouse was doing, but it wasn't a good sign.

"Very well. People of the jury, I am now going to read to you the law that you must follow in deciding this case," Judge Regina began. "To prove the crime charged against the defendant, the prosecution must prove three things to you: First, that the defendant was not in the right to stop the victims via using weaponry; Second, that the defendant assaulted the victims with intentions to harm and kill; and Third, that the defendant ran away from an officer with clear orders to stop with intentions to escape liability. If each of you believes that the prosecution proved all three of these things beyond a reasonable doubt, then you should find the defendant guilty. But if you believe the prosecution did not prove any one of these things beyond a reasonable doubt, then you must find the defendant not guilty. You must consider all of the evidence and that you are very sure that the charge is true. Defense, Prosecution, are you ready with final arguments?"

The mouse nodded. "Yes, your honor. To the jury, your honor, and everyone in this court now, your honor herself has listed three things we must prove. The first, the defendant, Mr. Espio Chameleon, used Yurashian style weapons to threaten five boys to stop under the guise of vigilantism, which he did testify to. The second was that, despite not attacking first, the defendant's threat gave the victims reason to attack in self-defense rather than the other way around, and finally, despite being ordered by Officer Wachowski to put his hands up, the defendant did not comply and ran away. He even admitted in his testimony that he did not understand the officer's request. Furthermore, his testimony has shown that the defendant has deluded himself into believing that he is a genuine ninja instead of someone a part of normal society. As such, based on this evidence, you must find the defendant guilty on all charges. I would also like to use this time to read a note too, if I may have a minute. Originally, I was going to have someone testify against the defendant, but found they couldn't because they were not present at the scene. However, this person, who asked to stay anonymous, provided me this note to read during the closing statement:"

Prosecutor Fink stood up, grabbing a note from his pocket as cleared his throat. "Having seen this trial from the very start, it's beyond clear that the defendant is guilty and should the defense lie her way to getting him found not guilty, we could be facing a very great crisis at our university. Not only will corrupt people be allowed to walk free, this campus will be incredibly unsafe going forward should we allow criminals on this campus, not just ones like the defendant but worse. I ask your honor and the jury to not accept whatever leftist metaphysics come from the defense and to declare the defendant guilty on all charges. Thank you."

With that, the mouse sat down as Judge Regina turned to the fox woman.

"And the defense?"

Rosemary nodded as she walked forward. "Your honor, jury, and the remainder of this courtroom. Based on the defendant's testimony, it's clear that his intentions were to bring justice to five criminals who had already commited crimes such as vandalism and sexual harassment earlier that day. As these were five boys who were already armed, the defendant could only get them to stop by standing his ground with clear intention to, as he put it earlier, not use weapons like kunai as toys. Second, because one of the victims attacked first, the defendant was justified in fighting back the moment he ran towards him with a knife, clearly having his life threatened multiple times by these five men. Third, because the defendant's English is still a work in progress and because the concept of police are still foreign to him due to the nature of how he was raised in a society far different than ours, him running away from Officer Wachowski was of fear and confusion for what to do since his mind clearly couldn't process how to handle a police situation. You've heard Mr. Espio's testimony, which has not changed from the one he gave to Commissioner Walters, and he has gone into great detail to not hide anything from this court under oath. This means that there is reasonable doubt he is not guilty on all charges, and I ask your honor to declare him as such."

The fox woman sat down as the judge nodded.

"Very well. As it is time for recess, we shall reconvene in an hour to allow the defendant to consider how they shall plead."

With that, the judge slammed her gavel.


It was during recess when Vector, Espio, Valdez, and Rosemary all sat in the courtroom cafeteria for the third day in the row, discussing where to go from here.

"You heard the judge. Now that we let Espio testify and give our closing statements, it's time for him to plead guilty or not. I think we're good on his assault charge but… if we plead not guilty on the evasion charge, it won't go well… I doubt the judge will accept, 'I couldn't understand him' as an excuse," said Rosemary.

"So he's gonna have to go guilty?" added Vector.

"I a-am…" Espio said, looking down at the table. "I did it…"

The other three looked at the fuschia chameleon, sad looks on their faces.

"It seems that Espio doesn't want to go for not guilty either. He knows what he did and wants to accept punishment," Valdez said.

"The Yurashian way, no?" asked the fox woman

."More like the Gojo way."

Just then, someone cleared their throat. The four looked up to see-

"Pluribus…" Rosemary said, lowering her eyes.

"I couldn't help but overhear you all…" the mouse said, holding up a lunch tray. "You seem like you want Espio to plead guilty, is that it?"

Vector growled, curling his fists. "Hey, I ain't gonna letcha bully Espio anymore! Yeh've done that enough back there in that courtroom!"

"Oh, but au contraire, Mr. Vector! I simply want to ask you if you'd be willing to, as they say, consider an idea."

"Idea?" asked Rosemary.

"Since you know you can't escape your fate, and because I know you want what's best for the defendant, might I suggest… a plea deal?"

And so, the mouse prosecutor sat down with the four laid out his deal: if Espio took the plea deal for all charges, he would get five years in prison for all assault charges with parole after two years of good behavior, three months of probation for the evasion charge since it was a misdemeanor, on foot and without incident, a set amount of community service, as well as a one thousand mobium fine.

"Mr. Valdez translated for me," Rosemary said after the blue chameleon translated everything for Espio. "We'll take the deal on the evasion charge. Espio fully admits to his guilt there. But we'll still be pleading not guilty to the assault."

"Y-You can't do that! I made this deal for you to accept ALL of the charges, not just whichever you want!"

"And if Espio is declared not guilty of evasion? What would you do then?"

The mouse shut his mouth, staring at Rosemary's eyes. "You aren't going to let this go, are you, Rosemary?"

"That's the only part my client is agreeing to. Take it or leave it."

Espio wasn't sure what was going to happen, but he stared at Rosemary and Prosecutor Fink back and forth, the two staring at one another.

"Fine."

The others looked surprised.

"Yer okay with this?" asked Vector.

"Don't get me wrong, Mr. Vector…" Prosecutor Fink replied. "I would have preferred he take the whole deal on everything, but if he's found guilty for all five counts of assault, that's fifteen years of prison he's looking at with the possibility of parole in ten. Frankly, whatever the case may be, your friend could very well be landing himself in prison by tonight. I suggest you say your final goodbyes, if you can…"

Espio turned towards the crocodile, seeing him secretly try to hide his intense anger.

"Well, if you're done staring at me like you want to eat me…" Prosecutor Fink stood up from his chair. "...I'll be taking my leave. I'll be seeing you all back in the courtroom."

With that, he walked away from the table. Espio looked down at his barely eaten meal, a wave of anxiety coming down on him. Would… he really be kept in the Outside World for so long? He didn't know quite how he would escape this situation, in fact, he almost wanted to use his ninja abilities to escape and return back to Gojo, but he knew this was too risky.

Even as he could hear the intro of Setsu: The Ninja Cowboy playing, Espio didn't even want to watch. His mind raced as he came up with every possible idea as to what would happen.


It was finally time to reconvene, and as Espio stood at the stand with Valdez next to him, they looked up at the judge.

"Now that we've returned from recess," Judge Regina said. "Has the defendant decided how they'll plead?"

"Your honor, if I may," Prosecutor Fink said. "Myself and the defense have decided on a plea deal for the evasion charge."

"But the assault charge?"

"If I may," Valdez said. "Your honor, Espio has agreed to Prosecutor Fink's plea deal for his evasion charge, but will plead not guilty on all five charges of assault on the grounds of self-defense."

"Why is that?"

Rosemary stood up. "The defense continues to maintain that Espio acted in self-defense against the boys from Crisis City and did not want to attack until his life was being threatened by Mr. Sleuth Dawg, who had a knife on him. Not to mention, Mr. Jun Kun threw the knife at him with intentions to hurt him, whereas Espio did so as a way to get a band of hooligans to stop without doing so to hurt."

The judge shook her head. "Very well, I understand. Court will be adjourned for today as both myself and the jury will debate the verdict for the next two days in this court at the very same hour. We will ask the defense and jury, as well the defendant, to appear in this court when we're ready for the defendant's final verdict. Until then, Mobius University staff have asked the court to not allow you back on campus until everything between the university and the court is finalized."

And that's what happened. Two days later after staying at Valdez's apartment again, Espio appeared in the same stand with the blue chameleon by his side. His heart beat intensely as he stared at everyone: at Rosemary, who bore an emotionless look on her face as she tried to not look scared, at Prosecutor Fink, who had a smug look on his face, at Vector, who stood by the stands as he bit his nails nervously, at Officer Wachowski, who sat next to Vector as he stared back as well, at the jury of mobians and Overlanders, who simply looked forward, at Bailiffs Madonna and Topaz, as well as members of the Central City Zone Police Department, who did the same, at Judge Regina, who looked down at the chameleon, and finally, at Valdez, who shared Espio's expression of horror.

"Myself and the jury have now deliberated for the past few days…" Judge Regina began. "The verdict has returned to me from the jury foreperson, as well as my own judgment. We, the jury and judge, in the case of The City of Central City versus Espio Chameleon, find you, Mr. Espio Chameleon, on the charge of evasion of police on foot, guilty."

Espio stared at the floor, intense shame filling him. If his mother saw how dishonorable he was now, she likely would have disowned him. And father… only the gods knew how he felt seeing this from beyond Yomi…

"However, we have accepted your plea deal with Prosecutor Fink. As such, and because this charge is a misdemeanor in the city of Central City and due to no one being hurt, you have been sentenced to three months of probation as outlined in your plea deal. Alongside that, we ask that Officer Thomas Wachowski report to this court every week with updates on your behavior. Should you return to Mobius University campus causing disruptions, the probability of verdict extensions, up to possibly new charges, will be added."

Officer Wachowski stood up from where he sat, looking at Judge Regina. "Yes, your honor."

"Alongside this, you will not be allowed to leave Mobius University campus unless given explicit permission by this court. You will also be monitored by Central City Zone Police officials to ensure you do not break this rule, and as such, you will have an ankle brace that will monitor your location to ensure you follow your probation as you return back to campus the coming Tuesday. Added to this, your deal for community service as well as a fine have been accepted, and the jury and myself have decided on one hundred and thirty hours of weekend community service and a one thousand mobium fine. Do you understand?"

Espio felt hollow, only nodding before Valdez tapped his shoulder.

"Yes, your honor," he whispered.

"Y-Yes, yi-your… ho-honor…" the fuschia chameleon replied. From the corner of his eye, he could see Prosecutor Fink smile wider.

"Next, on all five charges of assault against Mr's. Drago Wolf, Sleuth Dawg, Jun Kun, Sarge Simian, and Diesel Bear, the jury and myself have decided, in the case of The City of Central City versus Espio Chameleon, we find you…"

Espio closed his eyes, bracing himself for what was about to happen. He held his breath, wishing he could just commit seppuku on the spot rather than have to deal with whatever dishonor was coming his way.

"...not guilty on the grounds of self-defense."

Espio could hear Valdez gasp loudly as to his left, Prosecutor Fink shouted, 'WHAT?!', slamming his hands on his table. The chameleon let go of his breath, breathing heavily as he turned to the crocodile, who had a look of pure relief on his face.

"Your honor, what are you thinking?!" Prosecutor Fink yelled. "I won't stand for this! It's beyond clear that the defendant had all intents to kill based on him throwing the knife first!"

"The jury had decided almost unanimously based on the behavior of the boys that the defendant wanted to stop any future crimes committed by the five, especially since Mr. Diesel Bear testified to Mrs. Prower that Mr. Drago wanted to do more to the campus in the future. Though I did have qualms about this, this was the decision made by the jury."

"I refuse to accept this, your honor! It's very clear that the jury is biased due to the defendant's non-English speaking origin and manner of how he was raised! He HAS to be treated the same under the law, no matter what kind of ninja mumbo-jumbo he grew up with!"

"If you're seeking an appeal, Mr. Fink, he has been declared not guilty. Even if he isn't a native of this country, wouldn't you agree that doing what you're suggesting would violate the law regarding double jeopardy?"

The mouse seethed as Espio smiled for the first time in days. He looked up at the judge.

"As for you, defendant…" she said. "I understand that your manner of life is far different from myself and others in this courtroom. But how things worked in the village of Gojo is not the same here. You may have thought you were doing a good thing, but we have laws in place for this reason. I hope you understand what you've done."

"Yes, yo-your honor," Espio replied, nodding. "I am… ve-very sorry…"

"Speaking of apologies, the Central City Zone Police Department has also provided a note saying that they would like a personal apology from you for what happened that day. Please, if you may."

Espio turned towards the group of officers, staring at them.

"Valdez-san, may I speak in Japanese?" he asked the blue chameleon.

"Espio is asking if he may offer his apology in Japanese and for me to translate, if that's okay with you," Valdez replied. There was some deliberation, but ultimately, the officers gave their okay.

"To the… p… Valdez, what were they called?"

"Keisatsu, that's police."

"Right. To the police standing in front of me… I fully understand that I have committed grave error to you all. As someone of virtue and honor, I've disobeyed order and caused great chaos. I will accept the punishment I have received due to what I have done fully in the hopes that I may atone for my actions," Espio said, Valdez translating the entire thing afterwards. When he was done…

"I ask of you, please…" he then bowed in a perfect 90 degree angle. "I ask for your forgiveness!"

With the final bit of translation, Officer Wachowski nodded. "I think that he's fully understood what he's done, your honor. I'll accept it."

The judge nodded. "If that is all, and if there are no more comments from the jury or anyone in this courtroom…"

Judge Regina grabbed her gavel, slamming it down for the last time. "This court is now adjourned!"


Vector, Espio, Valdez, and Rosemary walked out of the courthouse, Espio's sentence procedure already finished. Attached to his leg was an ankle monitor, a red light flashing on it. In his hands, he held the court order for his weekend community service as well as the bill for his fine. The chameleon seemed glad that he wasn't sent to jail like last time, but this…

"Well hey, on the bright side, at least yeh ain't in the slammer!" Vector said, shrugging. "Then that means yeh'll be able to go back to campus soon, no?"

But Espio's face still hadn't changed, turned away from the crocodile. Why did it seem like he truly wasn't happy with what happened?

"Well Espio, I'm confident that you'll do the right thing and carry out your sentence," Rosemary said. "You very much are apologetic for what you've done, and I have full confidence that you shouldn't run into any more trouble. After all, you wouldn't want to go to jail, right?"

"Rosemary, I know we've had a stressful week, but thank you SO much for the help you've given Espio and I," Valdez said, bowing before shaking the fox woman's hand. "Without you, we likely would have had a botched case."

"No problem at all, Mr. Valdez. I'm happy to help out my clients. Now, since the trial is now over, I'll begin billing you weekly for the remainder of my rate."

"Of course… as if I haven't gotten into crippling debt yet…"

"Attorneys aren't cheap, you know this, Mr. Valdez. Well, I'm hoping you well in the future, Espio. Make sure you continue to study and keep up with your community service, okay?" Rosemary held out her hand, Espio slowly grabbing it as she shook it.

"And as for you, sir," she turned towards Vector. "You said you wanted to be… what was it, a private detective?"

"If mah career in sports fails, yeah," he replied.

"Well, make sure you study hard too. For an athlete, you're one of the most intelligent I've met," Rosemary then smiled. "I think you'd make a great detective."

Vector was confused. Was she nonchalantly insulting him? "Er… thanks… I'll take that as a compliment, I suppose?"

"If that's everything for the most part, if you need me, you still have my number, Mr. Valdez. So, if you excuse me…"

With that, the fox woman walked down the steps off the District court, the three reptiles watching as she did so.

"Saa, apaato e to kaerimashou, Esupio-kun," Valdez said in Japanese. "Rejiina-saibanchou ga itta koto o kikoetandeshou."

Espio nodded, a sad look on his face due to not being able to return to Mobius U yet."Yer goin' back to yer apartment, Mr. Valdez?" asked Vector.

"You know what the court said, Espio isn't allowed back on campus until Tuesday to run everything through with the staff."

Vector then turned towards Espio, crouching down to his height. "Hey, dun look sad, bud! Just two more days and we'll be back at the dorm! And I'll let the others know yer back!" he smiled as he slapped Espio's shoulder. The chameleon looked surprised, but smiled back at Vector's usual self.


In his mind however, Espio's brain was in a massive rush. He knew Vector was happy that he had gotten a light sentence, but Espio truly understood the error of what he's done. This just felt like more and more punishment. The transfer student didn't know what the future would bring, but he was happy to be free just for a little bit. Until reality sunk in that he was being watched by everyone around him, that he was back to still holding feelings for Vector as he kept his hand on Espio's shoulder.

Still feeling like he had to wear a mask, Espio felt the world around him go dark. He thought the future would be bright, but… perhaps it too would shroud in darkness. Perhaps it too… would continue to stay dark as it was just before his trial.


THE NEXT MORNING, IN EAST HALL

It was a very early start to the day, the sun only starting to rise from the horizon. While many students were still asleep, one such person found themselves in a good mood surprisngly.

Connery had gotten done with most of his self care for the day, dressed in only pants as he was halfway done brushing his mane. The horse felt like today was going to be a great day and was in high spirits, as not only would today be the day of the third round of the College Bowl, today would also be the day that he would happily find out about Vector's criminal friend FINALLY being served justice. He couldn't wait to read out the sentence and prove to his fellow Badniks wrong, showing them once and for all that the dangerous man they called a "friend" was a two faced invader who arrived to this great country to enact havoc and commit acts of hooliganism to destroy the United Federation. It was always the case with people like him instead of committing to working hard to move here like actual immigrants who deserve it...

The horse hummed to himself, something he only did in private, knowing that all was going to be well with the world. Soon, Vector was going to see he was wrong, and hopefully, admit to the error of his ways-

*ding!*

In the middle of his brushing, his phone on his desk went off. The horse looked over, wondering who was texting him early this morning. He put his brush aside, walked over and grabbed his phone. As he unlocked it, he could already see a preview for what the text he just got said.

"CCOCC

I'm so sorry Connery"

It was from the CCOCC group chat. What was going on? Did something happen last night while he was asleep? The horse's smile started to fall slowly as he checked what happened in the chat. As he did, he could see there were two other messages, both saying almost the same thing.

"I just saw the news. I'm sorry Connery"

"I hope you take the news well."

Now the horse was only more confused. What news? He began to type quickly.

"What's going on here? What did I miss? Was there an argument?"

There were three dots that appeared at the bottom of the screen, the horse now starting to become more worried that something happened without his knowledge. Eventually, someone responded with only one thing: a link. Connery clicked on the link, which took him to a news article from a local news station. What he read, however, made his eyes widen.

"MOBIUS UNIVERSITY STUDENT CHARGED WITH EVASION OF POLICE ON FOOT, DROPPED CHARGES" Connery could feel goosebumps on his skin as he scrolled down, seeing the thumbnail with a picture of that wench, the oh so familiar fuschia chameleon standing in court in something besides his usual unnatural garb. Soon, the article began.

"A Mobius University student who was arrested on November 7 last year for evasion of police on foot without injury as well as 5 counts of assault, who posted bail the very next day, has struck a plea deal with prosecutors for his evasion charge while being declared not guilty for all assault charges.

Espio Chameleon, 19, a Yurashian transfer student studying at Mobius University, appeared in Central City District Court today after a week of daily court procedures after his trial started on the eleventh of January. He had been arrested for an alleged assault against five football players from Crisis City University, then running away from campus officer Thomas Wachowski as well as the Central City Zone Police.

His lawyer, Rosemary Prower, was able to prove in court that Espio had acted in self-defense, bringing to light that the men from Crisis City University, who had been arrested that day and also brought from Crisis City to the Central City District Court on the charges of vandalism and sexual harassment, had attacked first after Espio had grabbed a knife on the ground as a warning to the men. All men on the scene had their weapons seized after police closed the crime scene, which included various Yurashian style weapons as well.

While Judge Regina Ferrum and the jury deliberated for three days on Espio's charge, declaring him not-guilty for his assault charge., he struck a plea deal with Prosecutor Pluribus Fink for his evasion charge alongside a confession that he was 'ready to accept any punishment', as well as offering an apology to Officer Wachowski and the Central City Zone Police department. As such, he has been charged with three months of probation, which include wearing a tracking device at all times, weekly police meetings with the district court to ensure his good behavior, and not being allowed to leave Mobius University campus unless given explicit permission by the court, 130 hours of weekend community service, and has to pay a 1,000 mobium fine. Prosecutor Fink agreed with the plea deal, but pushed back against the dropped assault charge, believing that Espio had intended to kill and accused the court and jury of sympathy for the defendant due to him being of non-English speaking origin.

The five men from Crisis City University's trial is still currently ongoing. Defense Attorney Prower, when asked, was happy to see that Espio's case was fairly judged and that her client had done much to improve since that day."

Connery's blood only boiled as he scrolled down, his smile completely gone as his mustache followed his lips as he grit his teeth. He started to see red as he strongly gripped onto his phone, right hand shaking.

"Wh… What… WHAT?!" he yelled. "He commits a violent assault, obstructs justice, and the worst charge that he gets… is PROBATION?!"

The horse threw his phone at the wall as strongly as he could, which bounced off the wall after striking it hard. He turned around, veins popping in his arms as he balled his fists.

"Has our criminal justice system become such a joke that the left now feels the need to invade EVERY single thing it touches, letting such dangerous people go?!" he continued to rant. However, there was suddenly a pounding at the door, the horse looking over at the door with an annoyed look.

"HEY!" RA Blaze called out in an angry tone. "I don't give a damn about what the radical left did this time, if you're gonna be angry this early, do it quieter! It's not even seven in the morning, people are still trying to sleep!"

Connery snorted as he heard the cat RA walk away, too angered to even think straight. He had to take his mind off this, he was NOT going to let this overtake his mind the entire day. He quickly walked to his drawer, sharply pulling on the handle and got a shirt, ready to head out to find a way to destress himself...

When suddenly, his phone started to buzz.

Connery turned around, staring daggers at the phone as he threw his shirt on the desk, grabbing his phone from the ground and seeing that his throw had completely shattered the screen. Cracks were everywhere and there were even pink horizontal bars at some parts of the screen. However, in spite of how ruined his phone was, he could see that he was getting a call from someone, a very familiar someone.

He swiped left, bringing the phone to his ear.

"Morning, Connery,"

"Ah, Monk. Apologies, you caught me at the worst possible time," Connery replied, sitting on his bed as his tail swished on its own.

"Is everything alright?" Monk replied.

"Oh of course not! I've just been informed that roommate of Vector's got off basically scott free from his trial! Can you believe this; three months probation is the worst he's getting?! Could there not be any more profound bias coming from that sham of a court? That's all that trial reads to me! Even with my letter to the prosecutor, it wasn't enough! It's one giant sham I tell you!"

"Tch, I can't believe it either. That's why I'm calling, to ask if you saw the news. That… and one other thing."

"That being?"

"What we've been talking about ever since your fight with Vector last month."

Connery got off his bed, his tail and mane swooshing as he did. "Does this mean you've made your decision?"

"I've been debating it mentally a lot over these past couple of weeks. Many prominent alpha men say to be a strong man, you shouldn't get involved in politics, as it destroys your spirit. But… At the same time, I can't stand to see such an evil period, where agendas are being pushed at an all time high and degeneracy isn't being discouraged. You think I'm going to accept whatever attention seeking word salad the degenerate community wants to shove down our throats, ESPECIALLY in the world of football where there's such a rancid push for that shit? You've seen what they've been doing at the CMFL, forcing their players to wear those ridiculous rainbow laces on their cleats. Pretty soon, they'll force us all to make statements accepting sodomy as rule of the game, and heaven KNOWS where from there!"

"Yes, I truly understand your concern. Don't worry, that's one of the many things we tackle, I've told you this. Even people such as yourself can only take so much before you have to do something. Some of them become commentators, others even try to run for office."

"Then from the sound of that, I think that's certified my choice even more."

"So? What'll it be, Monk?"

There was a bit of silence as Connery stood in the middle of his room before the gorilla spoke up again.

"I'll do it. I'll join CCOCC."


END OF CHAPTER 26