Part 7
“I cannot believe that guy is taking me to court. His gang was harassing a town. But with Rain's help, we got some justice for the creatures that live there. If anything, they should be in jail or getting sued by Aster for their crimes”. That is what I thought as I waited for our turn outside of the courtroom in Lupin. Despite it being Sunday and their kingdom going through a transitional period. The courtrooms were still running like normal.
Toka was still here to support me and Rain, that came as a little bit of a shock to me. I just met him recently and It sounds like he has a lot on his plate. In my opinion, he should have left for the next big city last night. While I look like I’m trying to solve a rubix box; Rain is currently filling in the blanks for Toka, Saphyre and Shadow on who is Mighty V.
I'm confused why Victor would try something like this. Last night I told him, he got the whooping he deserves. But he countered with a smug look “Let's see what a judge says about that. I scheduled it for tomorrow at Cross Street and Slip Avenue.” He then walked out of the hotel, like he had owned the place. I don't know what annoys me more, his arrogance or how much he is being a jerk. I don't hate Victor, because what he did was business. But he does not have to be so happy about it.
Five minutes later, I looked at a nearby by clock.I was wonder when Marco is going to get here. Rain said she sent him a message last night to get here. She even promised he would be here before the trial started. We need him, since he has evidences of all of Victor’s actions towards the town's ponies and photos of her inn destroyed. After Rain was done summarizing, Saphyre pull out a book from a dull looking saddle bag she was carrying and started reading. Shadow and Toka started talking about how Toka's hoodie worked. Rain started tapping the floor impatiently. I guess she doesn't want to be here or Marco was taking way too long. But it's better to do this legally, rather than under the table.
Then a guard came out of a nearby pair of double doors. He called me and Rain into the room. The courtroom kind of smaller than I imagined but it still looked like a courtroom, I have seen on T.V. The guard brought us to the defendant podium then guided my friends to the stands. Next, Victor and the guards came from the other side being escorted by the the same guard.The guard brought in 30 to 40 more creatures to the stands.Some of them looked familiar but most of them I have never seen before in my life.Two of them went up to the plaintiff's podium. One of the guys I had tackled to the ground.He had one leg of front legs in a sling.
Okay, I'm sure I didn't cause that much damage to him.In fact, I remember all of the member of Mighty V was walking to the police station afterward. Well all of them except Victor, he was still out cold after our brawl.Some of the police officers had to haul him in a stretcher to the station.Then the guard announced andl rise for the honorable judge Morai.” While a cow with green eyes, with a white coat wearing a judge's robe.She told us we maybe all seated.
She continues saying after glancing at our testimony “Let’s see, Mister Filer and Ms. Bolt is being sued for medical bills by Mister Victor Propane. Mister Propane, can you tell me about your relationship with Mister Filer and Ms. Bolt.” Victor said “I have never met Mr. Filer before this unfortunate event. Me and my associates were cleaning up our newly bought building.When, Ms.Bolt and Mr.Filer bust through our brand new doors. Next, Miss Bolt told us to stop doing our jobs.I told her no, since jobs are hard to come by these days.That's what lead to our brawl and our door getting ripped off its hinges.”
The judge asked if this true? I said “Yes but Mr.Propane is leaving out some details. He was stealing money and harassing everyone in town.” Morai then looked to Victor, he said ” We weren't stealing anything. We doing our jobs; If we ‘took’ anything, it was a part of agreements we had with the town's resident creatures. Me and my companions are bill collectors for Lupin's government.” Rain looked like she was about to blow but somehow said calmly “Objection! Your honor, If that were true. Then why were they destroying my hotel.” Morai asked for pictures of the damages and a police report. Rain told the court she had taken the pictures.But she did not have the time to get them.While she didn’t a police report from when she reported the incident to the police. In confusion Morai said “So you two came to court with no witnesses, evidence or a police report? That is the worst defense I have ever heard.Do you two do realize how grave these charges are right. Breaking and entering, assault charges and destruction property all of these charges can land you in jail for 20 years at maximum a piece.”
As she said that I could feel the color leave face.I knew the charges were bad but 20 years each? Why did Marco have to be late today!
She sighed and continued “The lowest can be 5 years.Tell me Mister Filer, what do you do for a living? I’m asking out of curious.”I told her, I was a hero for hire.I would help and save others from large problems.She nodded asked if I had heroes license. I had no idea there was something like that. Morai sighed saying “listen you're going to need a license if your going to be a legitimate hero in the eyes of the law.In special situations you can act as a cop and get paid for it.But until then, you have the same rights as a normal civilian.That means when you think something is going on and you think it's illegal. Don't run into the crossfire playing hero, call the cops.”
She look over to Victor “So where is the license? Since you’ll are working as a Bill collectors. Also can I see your documents for the building.I'm just curious.” Victor had a cocky smile on his face. “Would you look at that, your license expired a week ago. That property is under the name of the city of Lupin. Meaning you had no right to be there and legally shouldn't have been doing that job at all.”
The cocky look on Victor's face vanished and he began sweating. In a calm tone Morai says “You should only be using that place when all your paperwork is right and up to date. Your license expired 5 months ago. Also, I'm dropping the counter suit of destruction of property from lack of evidence.Now let's move on to the medical bills.”
Victor's smile renewed for a vengeance.While oddly Rain has bearly talked and hasn't really move much.Morai asked for the Medical Bills from Victor.She raised an eyebrow saying “This happened 4 or 5 days ago but this says you should be in a wheelchair for at least another week or two.”Victor says casually “I would be but Minotaurs naturally have faster healing then most.But If I fell the wrong way and wasn't a Minotaur. I could have been permanently in that wheelchair.” Morai nodded looked at their bills again.
She said “Miss Bolt and Mr.Filer you're going to pay for their Medical expenses. From your written testimony, you two were not under the influence of any form of drugs during the act. So, you two were fully aware of your actions at the time. But since you are in Lupin, you have an options for repayment but Mr. Propane prefers cash instead.Your first option is to serve your time in jail, Next is community service.The last two choices are spend time with Mr. Propane or paying back your debt to Mr.Propane.”
My throat suddenly went dry from the way this is going. It makes sense from what the judge was saying. But we have no way to fix this without more evidence and our along with an witness from Aster that could aid us, but he’s not here yet.
I look over to Rain and she had a nervous look on her face and she was sweating bullets. Then she look over at me with lots of anger. I’m glad we were in court right now or she would be choke slamming me into the wall.
“I’m glad, you two came to court. Most creatures who don’t show up, have to be sent to her majesty for at least a week. It’s never a pretty sight. The choice is your but I suggest community service or payback your debt.If your paying back the debt, get a hero license and apply to Savers Resurge. They pay pretty well and they are always looking for new members.”
I said paying back the debt and Morai declared the case was over.The guard escorted out my group first to the waiting room. On the way out I asked the guard where and what Saver Resurge was. She told me It’s an organization for wannabe heroes. They aid in organizing, supporting major cities in a crisis.Also, they pay the aid creatures trying to pay off their debts.
They are funded by the 8 kingdoms of the land. Lupin use to be one of them before ten years, until it fell under new management.Before then heroes, would frequently come here to make their debut and earn fast money. But the Queen discontinued their services from worry, they would find out about her ‘pet’ and ‘playroom’.So the closest place to get a hero license is next kingdom over in the town of Iris to the west of Lupin.I thanked her and went to the waiting room.
I walked into the waiting room and saw Marco run into the room.He looked like he was exhausting and was breathing heavily.Marco said “I’mmm….here...haha….you...won't believe….why….I'm late.” Rain walked up to Macro and gave him a horrific glare, he recoiled like a cobra just bit his nose.She turned around, walked to the nearby seats, sat down looking away from Marco with a pouting expression.
He had a confused look in his face and went over to Saphyre and Shadow.He said “I'm not sure what I did to deserve that but I'm glad you two are safe. So, how is the damage?” Shadow said “I am glad to see you too, and things could be better.Rain just lost her inn and was sued for fighting back.If you got here sooner, then she wouldn't have to pay off the debts.
Saphyre padded him on the back saying “good luck.”He sighed and trotted to her to explain, he was late from the barricade around the city. He said some rebels tried to take over the city yesterday. The barricade just went down a few minutes ago. I thought “We really shot our chances in making this better.”
Toka went over to me and told me he was going to the next town now.After wishing us good luck on getting our hero licenses, he started walking to the exit. I said “thank you, but why don't we go with you? We could be your bodyguards.” Toka decline said “I would like that but I barely have the money to fund my own business trip.I can't pay you guys.Besides I'm going to make two stops before going to the next big kingdom. How about when you guys get your licenses, I will be your first customer.” I agreed and went our separate ways.