fifth trial

[airlockedmods]

[Ricky and Kurumi are dead, bringing the list of surviving Champions down to the single digits from their original twenty. When CECE's announcement sounds, it's with heavy hearts that the Champions file to the teleporter to get to the courtroom. It only takes one trip this time.

When they get to the courtroom the podiums have once again been updated for the recently deceased. Rukia, Kurimi, Ricky- their portraits await their friends where they stood just several days ago. It's a mite chilling now to see the twelve empty podiums and realize nearly everyone has a dead Champion on at least one side of them.

Jamie and Bolton are there waiting as usual, suited up and ready to oversee the trial. In a depressing repeat of the first trial, Jamie looks like hell. His tie is knotted wrong, his hair is haphazardly pulled back into a messy ponytail and, though it's hard to tell from a distance, but his face is red and splotchy like he's been crying. Bolton doesn't look much better - his clothes, at least, are impeccable, but his beard is scruffier than usual and there's something lacking from his usual extravagant personality.]

Welcome, Champions, to the courtroom. Eight of you have entered, but - in the best case scenario - only seven of you will leave. You all know the drill by now: compile your evidence and figure out who the killer is. If you vote correctly, the culprit will be executed and the rest of you will be allowed to go back upstairs.

Remember, there is no time limit but I'd advise you to keep things interesting.

Comments

[ratherdoweddings]

Lightning-san, I know you couldn't have wanted to kill anyone. Everything you've done was to save people. But... Wait. Bringing the truth to light -- exposing the secrets, right? Like that motive was hanging over everyone's heads.

[bylight]

[There's a soft laugh from her.]

Would you like to know my secret? It's... It's not worth killing for. It's a piece of my past I threw away.

[ratherdoweddings]

Something you threw away in the past? What do you mean?

[bylight]

[She actually looks embarrassed.]

My real name. The one I threw away after my mother died... so I could become stronger.

[ratherdoweddings]

You mean you became "Lightning" to give off a stronger image and help you protect people, right? That's why you're the Champion Sister. You've always been devoted to that.

[bylight]

Serah was the only family I had left. I had to get stronger for her.

[ratherdoweddings]

I'm sorry, Lightning-san. Thank you for telling us the truth.

[bylight]

You're not curious?

[ratherdoweddings]

Only if you want to tell. Lightning-san is Lightning-san, no matter what.

[bylight]

[She may as well.]

My name is Claire. It means 'light'.

[ratherdoweddings]

...so that's why they call you Light, isn't it?

[bylight]

I told them they could. Only important people to me are allowed to. I was going to tell Kurumi she could...

[ratherdoweddings]

[Yurika sniffles. She nods sadly.]

Lightning-san, even if Kurumi-chan killed someone precious to her, she seems to have had enough reason to act, and you did your best to protect us too. I... I don't know where we're going from here or what's going to happen, but I promise. I won't ever let more of us kill each other if I can help it.

[bylight]

[That earns Yurika a smile.]

All I ask is that you keep being everyone's heart. Keep up their morale. You're damn good at it.

[ratherdoweddings]

[what is this, a theme music override?]

Don't worry, Lightning-san. I'll never be just a figurehead like they wanted. For everyone in here I couldn't protect, I'll do everything I can for everyone who's left!

[bylight]

[WOW THAT'S RUDE]

Good. Else I'd have to haunt you.

[ratherdoweddings]

[THIS WHOLE CASE WAS RUDE]

Things will get better. Even you said you believed in hope. I do, too.

[bylight]

Hope creates miracles. That's why I hold onto it.

[ratherdoweddings]

We'll be okay. I'll do everything I can.