Okay, maybe putting up a tired teen to defend us against literal Gods with a capital "G" isn't the best choice. And I'm not even going to think about the possibility of Pond, the Ace Attorney. And as much as I would like to show my mental capability, I need to be honest.
I'm… not the most charismatic AI. Honestly, anyone besides Ben can't even tolerate me, and maybe that's because he almost lost his mind by turning into an animal.
That leaves the guy who hates us for screwing over the Multiverse.
I hate you, Past Trixie.
You turn your holographic face toward Dr. Paradox. "We don't have a lot of options, but we need your help, Paradox."
"Huh? I thought that you two could deal with this by yourselves?" He says with an unnatural sarcasm that he probably learned by seeing you. "In your own words, 'It's my life and my choices.' So, according to you, I don't have anything to do with your problems."
You were taken aback by that reaction. After all, even if you got on the multiverse traveler's nerves, you never thought Professor Paradox would take that too hard. Or that this would bite back any time soon.
Well, ####.
What do I do now?! I can't let Ben there like that! Neither can I confirm that I'll NOT piss everyone off! What do I do? What do I do?!
In the real world, your holographic body shows insecurity by holding your hands over your head. That is, until someone else speaks.
"I'll not apologize about what I did."
You turn your head to see Ben looking into Dr. Paradox's eyes. Tired but determined.
"If you want an apology, I'll just apologize for bringing you into our mess," Ben says nonchalantly, without changing his tone. "I know you think that I was… am impulsive and irresponsible, but every Ben knows about the weight and responsibility of being the wielder of the Omnitrix, or Ultimatrix in this case."
And like Paradox has heard a joke, you think the corner of his mouth smiled momentarily. But maybe that was an error in your visual interface because he said nothing after that, allowing Ben to continue.
"And whatever you say, he, or I guess the 'me' from this moment in time, is still a 10-year-old child! Not a powerful hero or a savior of the universe! You see all of my timeline, all of Ben's victories, all of their achievements that you forgot the point of the conversation!" Ben says without taking a break. "That we had to choose if a child deserves to suffer for years to become a hero for the sake of others! Even knowing that he would become a great hero, I can't live knowing that I would put the weight willingly on someone innocent. Maybe I would've if I knew it would fix things, but… that was a lapse in judgment born from desperation."
Ben stares at Paradox, a glint of determination in his eye.
"In the end, it just happened to be me," he finally takes a breath. "I may have wanted a life of adventures ever since I was little. Having the power to overcome evil people and save the day. But now I know I got off easy. Because I at least had the opportunity to watch my friends and family grow. I got to see Gramps as a person and not as a superhero. I got to see my parents cheer me on while I was playing soccer. I got to date Julie and be a good boyfriend. I don't regret having a normal life now that I lost mine. And he, too, deserved a normal life, even knowing now that he would become me."
Dr. Paradox was taken aback by that speech. Pond doesn't know half of what Ben said, but she could read the situation well to avoid interrupting her brother. And even you were taken aback.
So that's what he thought about at that time? While I chose my own safety, he thought about all of that?
"I choose a child over the Multiverse. Can you blame me?" he questions Paradox.
And for the first time in this whole day, Paradox doesn't have a response to that. The silence said it all for him.
"I'll help you." Dr. Paradox said.
"What?!" You respond unbelievably.
"You heard me. I'll represent Benjamin K. Tennyson and Trixie the Ultimatrix versus the Multiverse," Paradox states as if he said the weather.
"Wait, really?! Thanks a lot, Doc!"
"I'm not doing this for you. It's for Ben. Not even a Quantum Supercomputer calculating for a thousand years would measure my contempt for you if this were for you. But, this time, I'll choose a child over the Multiverse."
Paradox smiles at the boy. "Humans like you are the motive that I still believe in humanity. Irresponsible and impulsive, but brave and heroic. You may be foolish, but you are true to yourself. Thank you, Ben. Thank you for reminding me about what is important."
He said his nickname! That's a new thing! Go, Ben, Go!
"That's sentimental and ####, but can we start this thing already? I finished the flies already, and I'm already bored." Pond says, ruining the mood.
Brain, please download some beep sounds to censor her next time. I refuse to suffer alone.
Request accepted.
And as if someone overheard Pond, the doors opened. Leading to a space scenario beyond the white room.
"They are ready. Hope you three are as well," Paradox warns as he starts walking outside with all of you following him.
"Because after this." The flash outside blinds you three outside. "There's no turning back."
As the light fades, you, Ben, and Pond see the Intergalactic Court for the first time. It's incredible, for starters. There are hundreds of Celestialsapiens sitting on a stage to learn the fate of the child and artificial intelligence that destroyed the Multiverse. There is a jury of ten Celestialsapiens watching your every move.
In front of everyone, a creature that appears to be artificial, with an orange metallic body, but equally organic with its gray matter arising from under its forehead that has been replaced by a glass container or something more substantial. But even through the eyes of what looks like a machine, there is a judge.
Judging every action you are planning to do.
It's too late to say I'm not ready?
And in a reflex, you look behind yourself, seeing the door from the waiting room closing.
That answers your question?
Yes.
You all go to your positions, waiting for the proceedings to begin. Ben, and by association, you, take a seat at a separate platform to the stage while Pond moves to sit with the other Celestialsapiens… and asks for some peanuts?
How in the actual ####?! She got peanuts?! How does she even know what those are?!
Professor Paradox, your lifeline, is not paying attention to Pond's antics whatsoever. He's more focused on what's really important: the Judgment. At this very moment, the strange being with the exposed brain reads something on his desk with total concentration.
During that moment, there is a deafening silence. There is always a murmur in a human trial open to the public, but here? No one says anything unless absolutely necessary. They know nothing is more essential than not to disturb that judgment.
"Damn, it's so quiet I can hear my heartbeat." Ben ends up talking to ease the silence in a nervous but joking manner. "Or maybe it's the beginning of a heart attack. It's one or the other."
"Option one. If it was the second, I would have to save your life," you respond briefly.
"Wait, really?" He continues.
"Yes. It's a security system in the Omnitrix that prevents the user from dying. Azmuth didn't want the Omnitrix to be stolen, let alone through homicides," you explain to him. "But that's just for physical dangers. If they want to erase our... existence? There's nothing I can do about that.."
"Oh," Ben responds intelligently and wittily.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
You turn your face towards the source of the sound. It's the judge's gavel. Despite knowing that this action was just to get everyone's attention, it seemed like it was an ear tug for both of you.
An androgynous-looking Celestialsapien appears, floating in front of everyone around him. The creature begins to emit its voice for all to hear.
"Begins the first trial of Benjamin K. Tennyson and Trixie, the AI of the Omnitrix, against the Multiverse."
It's the Ultimatrix, dumb #####.
"A new update arrived. It's been brought to my knowledge, pleasantly, that this Omnitrix has been upgraded. Therefore, from now on, the Akashic Records must be rewritten. Change the name to Ultimatix from now on."
Wait what.
"And a request from the court. Refrain from thinking out loud with raw emotions; I'm sure your attorney kept you informed about the nature of this court."
And you look at Dr. Paradox, and… he just smiles at you.
Son of a bi-
BAM BAM BAM!
The Judge seems to glare at you before continuing.
"As I was saying, among their crimes: affiliation with an exile from the Celestialsapien race, illegal timeline alteration, creation of an illegal paradox, and kidnapping and false imprisonment of at least five timelines within a span of five nanoseconds."
The moment the judge finishes reading the charges, the bailiff speaks up. "The Judge responsible for this trial is the multiversally recognized Judge Domstol. That, by a miracle, had been saved from the destruction of his original universe, before the defendant's actions, because of his work in another universe at the time."
And… that kinda hits you for the first time.
Not only because of the trial, but you destroyed his universe, his home. And looking at Ben's emotions, he feels the same. He feels ashamed, and you can't help but feel the same.
"The prosecution will be led by the member of the species who understands the importance of non-interference in multiversal chronology," the bailiff continues. "May the prosecutor, Starbeard, please state their appearance for the record."
In a blink, another Celestialsapien appeared. One with the same shape covered in a deep black space covered in stars, just like every other Celestialsapien, but the one thing distinguishing him from the others is the form of his beard. Another thing that distinguishes him is his eyes. "Here, your honor."
They are focused. Even that androgynous Celestialsapien was concentrated on only talking about the details of the Trial, but him? He's focused on his job. If you could guess, all three of his minds have one objective: getting a guilty sentence for you.
He flies over your head, then gets on his platform without taking his eyes off you.
"As for me, I'm Nebulosis, your bailiff and stenographer, and I'll record everything that happens in the Akashic Records for the rest of the time. For now on, Your Honor Judge Domstol will preside."
The most impartial mortal being begins to speak between all those Gods.
"Benjamin Kirby Tennyson?" the Judge begins.
"Yes?" your master speaks after remembering he can talk again.
"It is to our understanding that you have selected Professor [REDACTED] Paradox to represent you in these proceedings? You have evoked and entrusted your power of attorney to him, correct?" he calmly asks.
"Yes," Ben responds, far more sure of himself.
"Then we are officially on the record for the trial of Benjamin K. Tennyson v. The Multiverse. Council, state your appearances."
Starbeard starts getting up, looking over the jury composed of Celestialsapiens.
"Thank you, your honor. I'll keep this brief and clear. Benjamin K. Tennyson can't be trusted."
Everyone just stops breathing, everyone's attention drawn to Starbeard.
"He's no hero. Nothing but a child who got control over one of the most powerful masterpieces that mortals can do. Even replicating the power of Celestialsapiens. Imagine what he could do with our DNA if he has already caused all these crimes with just time travel. Imagine if Azmuth's creation could give him full power without having the eternal struggle of debating each and every single consequence? He would become a monster. All humans become monsters with enough power."
"Today is not the time for mercy. He condoned entire multiverses in a Paradox that even we can't fix. He needs to know the consequences of his actions. He was no longer a child when that object got into his hands. He became a criminal."
Starbeard returns to his platform as Professor Paradox intends to take his place.
"Council, you may come to the stand."
"Professor Paradox, Multiverse Traveler of the Timestream, at your service."
"Council, what does your client plead?" Judge asks.
…
…
…
"Guilty."
"WHAT THE ####?! You were supposed to help us!" you say.
"I am," Paradox counters. "Your Honor, I request that the evidence being put forward henceforth be considered for sentencing. Additionally, I expect my client's pleading of guilty to be further considered in the sentence."
"Does the prosecution have something against the defendant's plea?" Judge Domisol questions.
Even Starbeard is shocked by Paradox's words. Without speaking, he shakes his head.
"Hey! And us?! We don't have a say in this?!" you ask again. "Ben! Do something!"
And Ben is just… there. Looking at Paradox, waiting for something… an explanation.
But the Judge is the one who answers you. "You should have talked with your attorney more. When you gave him permission to defend you, he became the one who represented your interests. And until the end of this trial, he's nothing more, nothing less than you two. Understood?"
"Y-Yes. Yes, your honor." You respond, sucking it up. Because, after all, he's right.
"So, I'll declare Benjamin K. Tennyson and Trixie the AI of the Ultimatrix, from the crimes of illegal timeline alteration, creation of an illegal paradox, kidnapping, and false imprisonment of at least five timelines within a span of five nanoseconds and association with an exiled being of the Celestialsapien race, I declare them…"
"GUILTY."
Judge Domisol claps his gavel.
…
"Now, the real battle begins," Dr. Paradox smirks.
"Therefore, I'm opening a new case at the attorney's request. The trial of Benjamin K. Tennyson and Trixie, the AI of the Ultimatrix's Sentences."
After that statement, Dr. Paradox comes back next to us. Immediately, Ben looks over at him and starts to speak.
"We never had a chance, right?" He states it as a fact.
"Correct. No matter how much proof we could maintain on our side, the fact is that you two did it. No 'if' and no 'maybes.' You two choose to keep going despite my objections." He cleans his glasses. "If at least you choose to not upgrade your watch, we could get an innocent plea. Our next best choice is to fight for a penalty reduction into almost nothingness."
"Got it," Ben responds, following Paradox's logic.
"Wait! How is this going to work? The only trials I know about are those from TV shows Ben saw!" You ask because fictional trials aren't valid examples of actual trials.
"Trixie. This isn't going to be based on a human trial. The matter is bigger than every subject in your universe," Paradox interrupts. "We're going to have one trial because of the present urgency." He starts. "Three testimonies. One in your favor, one against you, and a final neutral one. Both the prosecution and I will do a cross-examination in each one of them."
"So, that's it? Our whole lives, decided by three people in a single trial?" you question. "I thought that it would take, like, reading my mind to understand me?"
"They choose this place to only confront immediate lies. They can read our minds, but not our memories," Paradox explains. "And even if they could, they're Gods. They don't understand us. It's like seeing how an ant reacts before stepping on them."
"It makes, actually, a lot of sense. Thanks for the exposition!" you joke.
"You do not have to thank me. I explained it for Ben's sake as well."
Damn. Looks like the Professor just holds a grudge against me now. At least he's okay with Ben.
"Now that the explanations are done," Judge Domstol speaks again. "May the prosecution bring the first testimony to the stand."
Starbeard stands up. "The first testimony is someone who got intimate with both the defendants, was changed because of them, and has a questionable relation with them."
He then points at the stand. "I call Pond Tennyson to the stand."
And when you look at her, she's just… shaking the peanut bag upside down on her tongue. "Common! Get out, you little!"
Pond is teleported into the witness stand in the blink of an eye. "Wow! Thanks, weird-looking night, dudes!" And she looks into her bag. "Hey! My peanut! Where is it?"
"Witness, please state your name." Starbeard starts.
"Not until you guys give my nut back!" Pond protests.
Starbeard just… looks frustrated.
Damn, I don't know if I feel impressed or annoyed for his sake.
"I will give your… nut back if you state your name for the records, please." Starbeard just says, defeated.
"Okay, sure, blackberry bush!"
Starbeard facepalms.
"My name is Pond Tennyson, just like my stupid blind Bro! And I'm the female Alpha of my pack!"
"Witness. Please refrain from saying your old occupation. We can hear your thoughts." The prosecution just says, done with her.
"Okay, fine. Ex-Alpha. But the NEW Alpha from the Tennyson pack! And how is this thought for you, huh?! Very thought-ly, right?"
…
"Yes." Starbeard looks like he could blink, and she would be gone.
Oh, wait, he can.
…
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
DON'T LAUGH IN FRONT OF HIM! DON'T LAUGH IN FRONT OF HIM!
And as if he wasn't angry enough, he, somehow, got more furious. Probably because of your thoughts. Until he remembered that he was a God and shouldn't be annoyed by her. And got calm again for the actual cross-examination.
"Miss Tennyson, do you remember the day of June 10th, 2005, on the Earth Calendar?"
"What the #### are you talking about? Isn't this about Bro and the glowy female on his wrist?"
"I'm asking that because June 10 was yesterday." Starbeard rubs his face.
"Ohhhhhhhh! Why didn't you ask before?"
"..."
It looks like he's screaming into his beard.
"Miss Tennyson. Please, do you remember what happened when you encountered Benjamin for the first time?" Judge Domstol just takes in the question.
"Oh, yeah! I sure do! See, Blackberry Bush? That's how you ask questions! I would do a WAY better job than you!" Pond brags.
"Then could you please, please! Tell me your first impressions of the defendants?" Starbeard pleads, trying his best not to murder Pond on sight.
"Okay, fine, you little crybaby. I'll start." And then, she wraps her bag and throws it away in the middle of space.
"I went to drink some water at the lake near my pack's camp because I was thirsty when I saw a flash of a strange light. When it died down, I was immediately on guard, thinking it was caused by a human." She states. "Only a human could do a strong light like that, so you can see my surprise when a wolf with the same smell as me came into my pond!"
The wolf-turned-human blinks.
"Wait… so that's why everyone calls me Pond?" In a moment of brilliance, she kind of discovered it by herself. "That's lame," she pouts.
And all the charm went away.
"Please, Miss Tennyson. Don't go off on a tangent on the subject." Starbeard pulls himself together for the rest of the trial. "Please, continue explaining what happened."
"Fine, Blackberry Bush. So!" She claps her hands. "Of course, after smelling him, there was only one POSSIBLE option for what was happening!"
"And it is?" Starbeard asks.
"He's my brother who returned from his trip to the sky!"
"What?" Ben wonders by himself.
"And why do you have that… hypothesis?" Starbeard presses.
"I don't know about that Hippopotamus thing, but Mom said before she went on that same trip, her other pups had already gone to the sky!" Pond happily says. "That's why we wolves gather around those weird fire-looking points at night! It's to look for them and to let them know we're okay!" Pond points at some star that you all are surrounded by.
So that's what wolves think of death? That they're being sent to the stars?
Pond luckily couldn't hear you.
"When Ben shined like that and smelled just my brother, it's pretty easy to guess from that!" Pond says enthusiastically! "He returned from his trip. "I'm here! And I'm never leaving again!" You know?"
Wow. She… oh, ####. And I almost had Ben abandon her.
And at the same time, Ben looks like he's almost going to cry. And if you weren't an AI, you also probably would cry.
Now, I really want a body, just to cry.
"That's a remarkable story, Miss Tennyson. But you probably misunderstood."
"Objection, relevance, and leading the witness," Professor Paradox calls out.
"Objection sustained," Judge Domisol agrees. "You may ask another question, Starbeard."
"Yes, Your Honor." He then tries to rephrase his question. "You're saying that the one sitting on that bench is your brother, correct?" And Starbeard points at you and Ben.
"Yeah! Duh!" Pond responds.
"You said that he, Ben Tennyson, went on a "trip on the skies" and returned from his trip, right?" And he looks at the Judge. "I'm not leading her, just reaffirming her previous statement."
"Objection asked and answered," Paradox smirks.
Judge Domisol peers at Starbeard. "Sustained."
Starbeard nods. "Miss Tennyson, was that your belief at the time, or is it still your belief?"
"For the last time, Ben is my brother," Pond growled. "That's what matters, isn't it?"
"Objection," Starbeard counters. "Witness is non-responsive."
"Sustained."
"Move to strike Miss Tennyson's response from the record."
"Granted."
Starbeard looks back at Ben's sister. "Now, I understand your frustration, but if you could stick to my original line of questioning, I'd appreciate it. Do you still believe Ben is from the sky?"
"I'm not sure," Pond admits.
"Is that a yes?"
"No. I don't know. This is all too confusing."
"So that's a no?"
"Asked and answered," Paradox demands. "Asking the same question in different ways won't change the response."
"Sustained," Judge Domisol concurs. "I'm not sure what point you're trying to make. I suggest you move on with your questioning."
"Yes, Your Honor." Starbeard looks like he's smiling. "Can you continue narrating the events of June 10?"
"Objection calls for a narrative."
"I'll rephrase," Starbeard says. "What happened after you met Ben?"
"Fine. So! After he came back from his trip, I was taken aback by that smell. After all, it's MY smell! So, I was on my guard, looking at him. And he was so confused, just like me! And then we talked for a bit." She rambles. "Something like: 'You are weird.' 'I know.' 'Wanna play?' 'Yeah, sure!' or something like that."
"Do you remember anything that stood out during that brief conversation?"
"Well, that weird glowy female wasn't there, but her voice was. I couldn't understand her, though. She wasn't speaking wolf." Pond states.
"Can you recognize her in this court?"
"Well, I'm not blind like my blind brother. She's right there." And she points at you.
"For the sake of the record, I am making clear that the person Miss Tennyson is pointing to is the hologram atop the Ultimatrix," Nebulosis states before encouraging Starbeard to continue testifying Pond.
"What were your first thoughts of Benjamin when speaking with him?"
"Well, mostly, 'This new wolf is kinda nice! Oh, ####! He's my brother! Right!' and then 'He's good as #### at tag! That's my bro!' and then, 'Damn! He could rival my mate with that howl! Oh, ####! My mate!' and then I remembered the son of a #####. That's my ex. What a ############! ######! #######!"
And then Judge Domstol slams his gavel. "Miss Tennyson! Refrain from using that language in court!"
"If I have to," Pond grumbles.
"Okay, you mentioned your... ex. What's the relation that your ex's presence had with the rest of the night?"
Pond puts a finger on her chin. "Well, after Ben and I finished howling at the moon, I figured I'd take my bro back to meet my mate. But my ex is like a super-duper giant jerkface!"
"A jerkface?"
"That's what I said," Pond smirks. "You're the ones who won't let me curse. It's so fun!"
"Objection, relevance," Starbeard counters, which the judge grants. "So what happened when your mate met Ben?"
"I was getting there, Blackberry Bush! Let me finish!" she then coughs. "Geez. I've never talked for so long. Granted, I never talked in anything that wasn't a 'bark' or a 'woof' until, like… less than… how long is an hour? Anyways. So! I was scared for real. My ex called for me, and I thought, 'Wait, maybe Ben could help! He's strong and whatever; he could help me take down that looking dumb pup!' And then I asked for Ben's help, he accepted, and we ran down the forest to our camp!"
"And how was your appearance at the time?" Starbeard asks.
"I was a wolf. Not this strange human costume."
"And afterward?"
"Well, we got there. It was like always. The males were getting beaten up by my ex and the Beta couple while the females tended to their wounds, same thing as always." And as a compliment to the statement, she started to clean her ears. "And my ex, the MOTHERFU… the dude… he sensed my smell on my brother and jumped to conclusions."
"What conclusion?"
"He thought we were a couple, and I was cheating on him with my BROTHER! Like, ew! OF COURSE, he's going to have MY smell!""
Starbeard just looks tired of asking for straightforwardness. "How'd your ex react?"
"He went right after me! The ass-kisser didn't even attempt to listen, as always! He jumped to make me an example for the rest of the pack, for my 'betrayal' and ####. And sorry, not sorry, about cussing."
She puts her feet on the table and leans back in the chair, a scowl on her face. "And who came to my rescue? Exactly! My bro! My 'lil Bro went and fought for MY sake! And without asking for food or mates! Every wolf has a price to fight. Either food, mates, or power. And he didn't ask for anything. You want to know if my brother is a good person? There you go! Now leave me be and give my peanut back!"
"Don't worry, Miss Tennyson. This will end soon. I just need you to answer some more questions."
"Be quicker, or I'm going to kick your ass!"
"How did the fight between Ben and the Alpha of your pack end?"
"They fought for a while until Ben got the upper ground. And right before Ben could land the killing blow, the strange thing on his shoulder started beeping!"
"So, Ben almost killed the alpha?"
"Yeah? What a waste, too! So, in another flash of light, Ben put on his strange human costume, which scared most of my ex's followers but not him. I even got this new scar by protecting my bro and getting revenge! Look!"
The new scar is right on her clavicle. "Pretty cool, huh?"
Starbeard doesn't say a thing.
"Boooooring! Do you even feel something inside that cold heart of yours?" She even bends over to touch Starbeard's heart. "Wait a second? Why do you keep using that bush? It's even falling off! Look!"
"WHAT!?" Starbeard even looks at his own beard! Like he's surprised about something?
Wait. Even a literal God can have a fake beard?!
"MY BEARD ISN'T FAKE, INFERIOR MORTAL!" He yells at you?!
And at that moment… everyone is silent. Even the judge himself is quiet.
I bet 10 dollars that everyone here is thinking the same thing.
"A-HEM!" Judge Domstol cleans his throat to catch the attention of everyone.
"I'm- I'm sorry, Your Honor." Starbeard tidies himself before continuing. "O-Objection. Relevance."
"Granted. Removal from the Akashic Records." The Judge, Paradox, and even Nebulosis are pitying him.
Even I pity you, Blackberry Bush.
He now looks annoyed and flushed. "Miss Tennyson. Ben refrained himself from killing the Alpha. Can you tell me how?"
"Well, as I said. There was that strange light and beeping, and then Ben went into that human costume he's wearing now. After that, he got on his knees, and he and the glowy female talked in human." She shrugs. "I didn't know what they were saying, so I looked over my ex. I know the bastard; he doesn't give up so easily, and Ben wasn't moving."
"I did the next best thing. Got in the alpha's way."
"Then you killed him?"
"Nah! I was too weak to do something besides scaring the sucker," she says regretfully. "I stood by my position in the pack as the alpha. I scared him off, running to the forest, but everyone left. I was too late to restore faith in my leadership and abruptly make the other wolves, who liked my ex, believe in me."
Pond sighs. "Everyone left distrustful of everyone. My pack was broken, and I couldn't fully blame my ex because I got too comfortable. And those that did stick around are under the leadership of the Beta couple. So I was exiled."
"Where did you? With Ben?"
"I didn't have anyone else except for Ben. And at least he accepted me in his pack," Pond looks like she's almost going to cry. "Then, I asked him for food because humans can get food easily, and I needed something to get better to eat. But instead, he put me in this strange costume! After that, I understood him and even got food! Except for that 'is-moo-chi.' That is a ####### trap! For the greater good of us all, never try 'is-moo-chi'es! Write that down!"
"Don't even try it!? Pond, you swallowed it down in a single gulp!" Ben stands up. "Don't bad-mouth the smoothies for your own mistakes!"
"For all the things you could be working on, THIS IS ONE OF THEM!?" you scream in his ears!
"ORDER! ORDER ON THE COURT!" Judge Domstol slams his gavel to get the attention of you two.
"Your honor," Starbeard states. "I only have one more set of questions for Ms. Tennyson."
"Please wrap this up quickly then."
The prosecutor turns to Pond. "You keep referring to your current body as a costume?"
"Yes," Pond groans.
"Then do you see yourself as a wolf?"
"I mean, duh. I was born as one."
"So if we told you there was a way to take the costume off, you would do so?"
Pond hesitates, truly considering it for a moment. "I'm not sure," she admits. "Ben let me join his pack. He took me to the stars to see where everyone goes when they don't wake up. He's my brother, and I care about him. And while I'm more comfortable on four legs rather than two, and I miss my tail, I can't understand him when I'm not wearing this costume. It's like a fog has lifted, and I don't want to lose it either."
Paradox looks over at Starbeard, who seems inquisitive. For a second, you think Starbeard will call for an objection, but he decides against it.
"No more questions, your honor."
Paradox takes his turn interrogating Pond. "Ms. Tennyson? Before you met Ben, were you happy?"
"Objection, relevance!" Starbeard calls out.
Paradox turns to the judge. "Your honor, this is a sentencing hearing. Understanding the character of the guilty party is relevant to that, and I need to lay a foundation."
"Sustained," Judge Domisol orders. "You may answer, Ms. Tennyson."
"No," Pond admits. "My mate was awful to me and my pack, and I couldn't do anything about it."
"And what about now?"
"I'm stuck answering your questions. What do you think?" Pond snides.
"Objection, nonresponsive. Motion to strike from the record."
Paradox coughs into his fist, relieved as the judge motions the verdict as sustained.
"Let me rephrase, Ms. Tennyson. Does being with Ben make you happy?"
"Oh, that's what you meant," Pond realizes. "Of course."
"Would you say he saved you?"
"I guess."
"Yes or no."
"Yes?"
"No further questions."
"Then please call your next witness to the stand," Judge Domstol orders.
Professor Paradox turned back to the defense table, right into Ben's eyes. "I'd like to call Azmuth, creator of the Omnitrix, to the stand."
If you had eyes, you'd narrow them as a tiny tadpole, who you'd love nothing more than to turn into gray matter underneath your figurative heel, appears at the stand. And only one thought courses through your mindscape.
### ####### ######!
END OF PART 1 - TO BE CONTINUED
"Decision Point" (Don't Worry, This Is Just For Fun): Who Is Your Favorite Character in The Omnitrix Choice Thus Far?
A - Ben Tennyson
B - Trixie
C - Pond
D - Professor Paradox
E - Other (Name Them In The Comments Below)
Also, if you have any predictions, we'd love to hear them. Sorry about the delay for this chapter, but we were hoping to get this mega chapter out in one swing, but it just wasn't in the cards, and we didn't want to leave you all hanging for any longer.