Chapter 124: The Real Narrative

"I am Cardinal Sebastion, and I am here to read the words of His Holiness." Father Sebastion, now Cardinal Sebastion, glanced toward Ricky, offering a brief, knowing wink before turning his attention to the jury.

"May I begin?" Cardinal Sebastion asked Judge Mason who nodded, giving his approval as the holy man before him smiled.

Ahem

"These past few days, many have looked towards Cardinal Ricky Luciano as a man of the devil and someone to be ashamed of, but that is not true. In fact, Ricky is not only a man of faith but a man of god, someone who has been recognized not for who he is but for the man he is, someone who bears the faith and fortitude needed for such a heavy position." Cardinal Sebastian read aloud, his voice steady as Hawkins' hawk-like gaze never left him, his mind working to find a way to counter this unexpected turn of events.

"Objection, relevance?" Hawkins finally objected once Cardinal Sebastion reached the end of his sentence, not wanting to interrupt a high ranking member of the church.

"Cardinal Sebastion, I apologize but you must show relevance to this case, keep that in mind." Judge Mason warned him politely, Cardinal Sebastion nodding and skipping the next paragraph.

"The claim that Ricky Luciano is a threat to the national interest of the United States can be interpreted as overdramatic but that is a view that belongs to the states." Cardinal Seabstion read, Hawkins not happy for a second and still raising his eyebrow.

"But to say that his actions go against God is something that I, Pope Pius, cannot let go any further for even a second longer." Cardinal Sebastinon's words made Hawkin's eyes shrink, knowing that this letter might actually make his next argument and appeal through the faiths of the Juror's almost completely null and void.

"God welcomes all his children into his kingdom." Cardinal Sebastion said, making Hawkins widen his eyes not believing what he would say.

"And as we are all God's children, so too are mutants, for the pearly gates of Heaven do not discriminate based on a gene. What matters is the soul of faith, and Ricky Luciano possesses that soul, Sincerely, Pope Pius." Cardinal Sebastian continued, reading aloud at the words made Hawkins freeze, leaving him searching for a rebuttal.

"Permission to call Cardinal Sensation to the stand." Hawkins grasped at straws, needing to discredit this holy man's words before a precedence could be set.

"Granted."

"Your honor-" Marshall began, but Judge Mason cut him off, raising his gavel.

"He is a valid witness. Don't make me put you in contempt, boy." Judge Mason warned sharply and with that, Cardinal Sebastian nodded at the Judge, his smile unwavering, before he calmly made his way to the stand. 

"Cardinal, does the power that Ricky Luciano possess, hold any threat to the church-"

"Your honor that is-"

BAM

BAM

"I warned you, boy. Do not make me repeat myself!" Judge Mason barked at Marshall, his voice booming across the courtroom. 

Marshall bit down on his lip, the frustration evident on his face, but he had no choice but to sit back down, his hands clenched tightly in his lap.

"Let me say that again. Cardinal, does the power that Ricky Luciano possess, hold any threat to the church-"

"Does prayer enlighten a man?" Cardinal Sebastion countered with his own question, his tone calm yet firm.

"I don't know father, does it?" Hawkins asked, squinting his eyes only for Cardinal Sebastion to shake his head.

"A man only knows enlightenment from within, only he himself knows." Cardinal Sebastion spoke his truth, trying to speak towards Hawkins only for the latter to turn towards the jury.

"So, are you saying that Ricky Luciano would be the only one who could know if he threatened the church?" Hawkins shot back, his voice laced with skepticism as his eyes narrowed as he tried to challenge the cardinal's assertions through twisting his words.

"Absolutely no-"

"And makes Ricky Luciano so special, what allowed for such concessions?" Hawkins interrupted Cardinal Sebastion, repainting the narrative to make Ricky seem entitled.

"I'm not privy to say-"

"That's convenient." Hawkins chuckled, his gaze flickering over to the jury as he turned up the pressure. 

"What makes Ricky Luciano more special than any of us? More special than any one of us?" Hawkin's voice dripped with contempt, each word carefully aimed at undermining the cardinal's influence.

"Objection, badgering-" 

"Overruled. Cardinal Sebastion, answer the question." Judge Mason interrupted Marshall who could only sit back down as Cardinal Sebastion opened his mouth.

"Nothing, he is a man who possesses power that might be acknowledged by God, but not our savior Jesus Christ." Hawkins spoke first, not even giving Cardinal Sebastion a chance to utter a single syllable.

"OBJECTION!" Marshall screamed out, finding it absurd to discredit God but use Jesus Christ which even made Judge Mason have to frown at this.

"Order in the court! Mr. Hawkins, please maintain focus on the matter at hand. Cardinal Sebastion, please answer the question directly." Judge Mason warned Hawkins, squinting his eyes as some juror's were not pleased with Hawkins choice of words.

"Your Honor, Ricky Luciano's powers are not a matter of spiritual significance in the way that our faith measures. His abilities may be remarkable, but they are not relevant to the Church's mission or doctrine." Cardinal Sebastion clarified, trying to tell them that it wasn't because he was a mutant but because of the hidden relevance which Hawkins clearly picked up on.

"So, Father, if Mr. Luciano's powers are not directly related to the Church, what about them could possibly justify the extraordinary measures taken to elevate him into a position never held by anyone before?" Hawkins turned his hawk-gaze to Cardinal Sebastion, ready to tear him piece by piece until he got the satisfying conclusion he desired.

"The Church's concern is not about the individual but about maintaining order and adherence to divine principles." Cardinal Sebastion avoided the topic, knowing that Ricky being the Black Knight was still a secret.

"Your Honor, if I may interject, this line of questioning is leading us away from the central issue of the case. The relevance of Mr. Luciano's powers and his position to the Church is being overstated and is not a valid justification for the illegal search and seizure conducted by Mr. Dewey." Marshall immediately interjected, knowing that this was his only chance to shoot down Hawkins after seeing Judge Mason even reprimand him.

Sigh

"Sustained. Mr. Hawkins, please return to the matter of the case and the legality of the actions taken." Judge Mason actually agreed with Marshall, leaving Hawkins with a frown but nevertheless continued his clear badgering.

"Of course, Your Honor. The matter at hand is whether Mr. Dewey's actions were legally justified. Mr. Luciano's powers, whether perceived as extraordinary or not, do not override the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution." Hawkins stated, walking around the courtroom and drawing all eyes onto him.

"With that in mind, I would like to emphasize that while Mr. Luciano's abilities may be noteworthy, they do not provide carte blanche for the circumvention of constitutional protections. The law must apply equally to all, regardless of their personal attributes or power." Hawkins spoke as if Ricky's powers were not guaranteed freedom, in fact, he was arguing that because he wasn't normal that he wasn't equal in that sense.

"That in mind, should suspicion not be given to Ricky Luciano if he holds powers that go against the average citizen-"

"Objection, what defines an average american." Marshall objected only for Hawkins to laugh at it, pointing at the Juror's.

"Your honor, the everyday people of America do not wield powers beyond human comprehension, the average American is someone who walks and talks like anyone else, not floating and deflecting bullets." Hawkins had to hold back his laughter, signaling towards everyone except Ricky who couldn't use any powers.

"Your honor, it should be stricken from the record-"

"I'll allow it." Judge Mason skipped over Marshall's words, leaving the man almost helpless as Hawkins waltzed back to his table.

"I rest."

It was then that Marshall stood up, ready to absolutely destroy Hawkins as he walked toward the stand, all eyes on him.

"Cardinal Sebastion, how long have you known Ricky Luciano?" Marshall asked, gesturing toward him as he unbuttoned the lower half of his suit.

"Three years now."

"And in these three years, what has changed within you?" Marshall suddenly asked, catching Cardinal Sebastin off guard.

"Pardon me?"

"I mean to ask, how has your outlook on people changed?" Marshall clarified, seeing that Cardinal Sebastion was confused at how the question was presented.

"Well, from an early age, I entered the church when I was sixteen and worked as a missionary in Europe for ten years, traveling to multiple different countries and meeting various types of people," Cardinal Sebastion clarified, showcasing his experience and impartiality as he grew up surrounded by different cultures.

"In those years, what was your opinion about mutants?" Marshall asked, continuing his line of thought as Cardinal Sebastion thoughtfully pondered it.

"Before Ricky, I'd never truly met a mutant; I'd only heard brief accounts or seen them in those wicked stories," Cardinal Sebastion began, his voice steady.

"And after meeting him, getting to know him, how did your view change?" Marshall pressed, his eyes narrowing.

"In my eyes, Ricky is and always will be a child of God, just like any other person," Cardinal Sebastion replied with unwavering certainty.

"How much has your view on Mr. Luciano's changed in these last three years?" Marshall finally got to his conclusion, his voice loud enough so that everyone in the courtroom could hear him loud and clear.

"When we first met, he was a troubled boy who was sent away for being different from others." Cardinal Sebastion looked proudly at Ricky who felt uncomfortable at the warmth of his gaze, no trace of hostility within his eyes that reflected him.

"Coming to the church, he struggled at first, as most do," Cardinal Sebastion continued, his voice filled with compassion. 

"But God loves all His children, and I truly believe that Ricky found his place within the world through God's guidance." Cardinal Sebastion paused for a moment, his eyes glancing toward Ricky, who sat quietly, absorbing the weight of the Cardinal's words. 

"In the end, it is not our powers that define us, but our faith and our actions, and Ricky's actions were towards his pure faith." Cardinal Sebastion's gross misinterpretation of Ricky's actions were on full display as it even caught him off guard.

"So, you're suggesting that Mr. Luciano's transformation was largely influenced by his time at the church and his connection with God?" Marshall continued, not leaving anytime for Ricky to pull himself together.

"I do, I think the church provided Ricky with a sense of belonging and purpose, allowing him to embrace his faith and find peace within himself while becoming the man he is now." Cardinal Sebastion looked on with a proud smile, happy about the person he saw Ricky becoming instead of the abomination festering within him.

"And in your view, did Ricky's mutant abilities play a role in his personal growth or his acceptance within the church?" Marshall then creeped towards his second point, pacing around in place.

"Not directly, the church's mission is to guide all individuals, regardless of their abilities or differences. Ricky's abilities were never a barrier to his spiritual journey. Instead, his personal struggles and eventual acceptance were what truly mattered and that came from within." Cardinal Sebastion voiced his own observations, placing a hand on his heart.

"You've also stated that Ricky is a child of God, just like anyone else. Does this imply that the church, not just you, has made accommodations for mutants or those with special abilities?" Marshall asked, looking at the Cardinal who was thoughtful for a moment before nodding.

"We are making efforts, extending our love and support to all individuals. While our doctrine remains consistent, we strive to meet people where they are and provide guidance and care to anyone seeking it." Cardinal Sebastion words rang truthful, knowing that he was even making an effort to shed warmth onto the homeless ones he distributes food too.

"Thank you, Cardinal Sebastion. Your testimony underscores the importance of evaluating Mr. Luciano's case based on legal principles and ensuring that justice is served impartially rather than relying on God's and Jesus' will to determine whether he deserves to be treated like any other man." Marshall sent a subtle jab to Hawkins, leaning back in his seat with a pensive smile as if waiting for this to be over.

"Thank you, Cardinal. Mr. Hawkins, if you have any further questions for the witness, please proceed." Judge Mason gestured towards Hawkins, giving him the floor but the man held up his hand.

"No further questions, Your Honor." Hawkins seemed resolute in this but Ricky chuckled at the side, knowing what he was up to almost immediately.

"Very well. We will now adjourn for the day. Court is recessed until tomorrow-"

"Actually, I do have just one." Hawkins suddenly stood up, looking at Cardinal Sebastion.

"Cardinal Sebastion, would you be able to say those same things, everything you said word for word, if Ricky Luciano wasn't a man of god." Hawkin's pointed a metaphorical gun at Cardinal Sebastion, using all those sincere words that praised Ricky against him in a split second.

"Pardon-"

"I'll rephrase. Could you keep that same sentiment of Ricky Luciano, your faith in him and all if he didn't follow god's doctrines-"

"Objection, hearsay-"

"I'll allow it."

"YOUR HONOR-"

"BOY, DON'T YOU DARE RAISE YOUR VOICE TO ME!" Judge Mason yelled at Marshall, his voice booming and forcing the man to shrink in his seat.

"Cardinal Sebasiton, please answer the question." Judge Mason looked at Cardinal Sebastion who tried to talk but Hawkins walked forward.

"I-"

"Would you let Ricky into the confines of your church if you never knew him but knew of his powers?" Hawkins challenged, his eyes narrowing as he leaned forward, clearly intent on discrediting the Cardinal.

"Would you let Ricky Luciano into your church if he stood so adamantly against you, as he does my client Mr. Dewey?" Hawkins pressed, his voice filled with challenge as he eyed Cardinal Sebastion with intensity.

"Would you be able to sit against Ricky Luciano, powers and all, and not even think for a mere second that he could be a threat if he had all the powers to do it and none of the faith holding him back!" Hawkins' voice towered over everything Marshall conveyed, wondering out loud if Cardinal Sebastion could say the same exact things if in Dewey's shoes.

"That-I-you-"

"Actually, your honor, I don't need an answer, I rest." Hawkins said, stepping back with a smug look on his face.

His voice dripped with finality as he gestured to the jury, silently challenging Marshall to counter as Marshall, unfazed, straightened his suit and turned to the judge while ready to retort.

Bang

"Court is adjourned for the day." Judge Mason banged his gavel, cutting off any words Marshall had been about to speak.

"Let it go, it's fine." Ricky whispered to Marshall, his voice calm but firm as he bit his lip, frustration boiling beneath his composed exterior. 

His nails dug into his palm, the pressure grounding him in the moment, but the simmering anger in his chest refused to subside.

RIP

At the side, Shadow Broker tore up his last piece of paper, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle into his user's body as the strain from using his ability wasn't a joke. 

He needed a day to recharge, as throughout the entire exchange, Ricky had been manipulating everything from the shadows. 

Hawkins may have started playing dirty, but Ricky had been playing dirty from the very beginning, unwilling to let things simply unfold without his intervention.

Hawkins stood up, a smirk playing on his lips, but Ricky only laughed in his face, the sound cold and mocking as Hawkins faltered, his smirk fading as Ricky turned away, a knowing look in his eyes.

It was then that he finally saw it, the jurors didn't wear expressions of certainty that he would've thought, but rather those of unease, even pity, as they gazed at Cardinal Sebastion. 

Their discomfort was palpable, their eyes flickering from the cardinal to each other, unsure how to process the clash of faith and law playing out before them.

"After all of that, after you put everything on the line to spin it your way, they don't even look like they're trying to be convinced." Ricky showed his pearly whites to Hawkins, receiving a frown from the man.

"You know, crushing Dewey's gonna be fun, but seeing you flail out there like a fish out of water, day after day, even with that crazy bias on your side, is gonna make everything worth it." Ricky chuckled, turning away from Hawkins while subtly mocking him, a sly smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. 

"Father, or should I say, Cardinal Sebastion." Ricky walked up to Cardinal Sebastion, still reeling in from being questioned on the stand in such a way.

"Child, I am sorry-"

"Hey, woah, don't apologize." Ricky chuckled, holding up his hands to stop Cardinal Sebastion who he took to the side.

Sigh

"It is just-"

SIGH

"It felt even more suffocating than fighting an undead creature of the night." Cardinal Sebastion lamented, Ricky patting his shoulder as they walked towards a nearby bench to sit.

"But seriously, congrats on the promotion or however it works in the Vatican." Ricky nudged Cardinal Sebastion, the holy man smiling softly before looking forward.

Although he was always addressed as 'Father' and adorned in priestly vestments, the Father Sebastian that Ricky had always known was, in truth, a bishop.

Yet, despite his lofty title, Sebastion had never fully embraced the weight of his ordained role within the Church.

His heart was too restless, drawn more to the open road and the call of adventure of God than to the stillness of a cathedral.

That changed with Abraham's death, the loss was a turning point, shaking something deep within him.

Coupled with the scandal of Dracula's influence, a dark chapter where even members of the Church fell prey to his temptations, Sebastion could no longer stand on the sidelines.

It was then, with a renewed sense of purpose, that he finally stepped into the leadership the Church desperately needed.

In truth, the Vatican had been trying to draw him into such a prestigious role for years.

Father Sebastian's reputation, both as a scholar and a spiritual guide, had long caught the attention of Rome.

So when news of his intentions to embrace leadership finally reached them, it was no surprise that Pope Pius himself chose to preside over the appointment ceremony, making the moment all the more extraordinary.

The Pope can ususally appoint cardinals at his discretion as there is no formal application process; the Pope simply may choose bishops or archbishops from around the world to serve as cardinals.

Sometimes, priests who are not yet bishops can be appointed cardinals, but they must first be consecrated as bishops which Father Sebastion perfectly fell under as he was consecrated but never took on the title.

"Well, it is has been a honor to recieve such a grand postion that even now, don't know if I wholly deserve." Cardinal Sebastion lamented, thinking the Vatican was putting him into to grand of a role too early.

"Oh come on, you'll be fine." Ricky assured Cardinal Sebastion, who heaved out another sigh, before they started laughing.

Being in the courthouse, it was werid for both of them to see how far they have come since in no way could they have anticapted where they are at this exact moment.

"So, how is Carla and my little bugger?" Ricky asked, watching Cardinal Sebastion smile at this statement.

It was then that Cardinal Sebastian began to fill him in on how Augustine had taken to feeding all the animals around the church, ever since Garfield had made such an impression on him.

Carla, on the other hand, was visibly overwhelmed as the shift had been more difficult than she had anticipated, especially when the luxury goods arrived and being pampered in such a way left Ricky unable to suppress his laughter at the description.

"Actually, child, I had another reason for coming here," Cardinal Sebastian informed him, his tone shifting as Ricky stopped laughing to listen closely.

"It concerns your inheritance, more specifically, what you are set to receive now that you've become the sole heir to the Black Knight family."

Five days later,

The next five days unfolded in a blur of relentless questioning, as each lawyer took their turn drilling the witnesses, dissecting every word with precision.

Marshall's strategy was methodical, each inquiry designed to peel back layers of deception as he made sure to establish inconsistencies, no matter how small, in every statement. 

His voice was calm but carried an undercurrent of intensity, forcing even the most confident witnesses to squirm under the pressure. 

With every objection he raised, his presence became more commanding even if he was shut down time after time, making his presence seem more undeniable. 

Meanwhile, Hawkins pushed his own agenda with equal fervor, his tone sharp and unyielding. 

He expertly maneuvered the witnesses to make his case seem unassailable, his pointed questions aimed at painting Ricky in the darkest light possible. 

Trying to rattle any and all witnesses used against him, showing how relentless he was while working tirelessly to ensure that doubt was planted in the minds of the jury.

But a realization had stricken him though it wasn't immediate, in fact, the notion that he was starting to discover was slow, insidious.

At first, Hawkins was completely confident, specializing in these types of cases while even being in his home territory, the stars seemingly aligned just for him.

His questions were calculated, his moves sharp, all designed to subtly steer any train of thought into his favor. 

But it seemed the more he tried to maneuver the flow of the trial, the more he realized something was off. 

It wasn't just the questions that were being answered, but the thoughts in the minds of the jurors. 

They were starting to shift in subtle ways, as if seeds of doubt were being planted, ones he hadn't sowed himself.

It irked him, this frustration gnawed at his heart as he watched, almost helplessly, as the control he had taken for granted was slowly slipping through his fingers. 

What should have been a straightforward, cut-and-dry civil case was actually starting to appear to unravel before his eyes.

It was then that a sudden shift occurred within Hawkins, having this thought that appeared in his mind that if he didn't act right now, then this trial would be done for, all while Ricky smiled at the side.

"I'd like to call Ricky Luciano to the stand," Hawkins suddenly said, gesturing toward Judge Mason as the judge glanced over at Ricky, watching him stand up with a confident smile.

Ricky walked over to the stand, casting a side-eye at Dewey, who returned his gaze with palpable hatred and Ricky, unfazed, turned to the jury, offering them a warm smile as he settled into position.

"Mr. Luciano, are you a mutant?" Hawkins asked, his voice sharp as Ricky turned to him, giving a dumbfounded look before shifting his gaze to the jury and laughing.

"Really, it just depends on the day," Ricky replied casually, causing a few of the jurors to smile but Hawkins, however, shot them a glare, silencing the moment.

"Mr. Luciano, answer the question," Judge Mason nearly ordered, his tone firm towards Ricky who shrugged.

"I mean, if that's what you want to call it then yeah, I am a mutant." Ricky gestured, knowing that there were other names for people like him and it was really up to the beholder on how it was spoken.

"Then, Mr. Luciano, is it true that you can stop a bullet with your mind?" Hawkins asked again, pacing around the courtroom, his voice rising as he tried to regain control of the situation.

Ricky leaned back in his chair, maintaining a calm demeanor despite the prosecutor's pointed question. 

He glanced at the jury, sensing their anticipation, before shifting his gaze back to Hawkins.

"Yeah."

"I can stop a bullet with my mind, pretty cool right?" Ricky asked Hawkins who disregarded the last part of his statement.

A murmur rippled through the courtroom, and Hawkins seized the moment, turning toward the jury with an almost theatrical flair. 

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we are not just dealing with an ordinary man here. We are dealing with someone who possesses extraordinary, potentially dangerous abilities." Hawkins pointed his finger at Ricky, making sure all of their eyes were directed at him.

"Mr. Luciano, have you ever used this ability to harm anyone?" Hawkins suddenly asked, his voice sharp and accusatory as Marshall stood up almost immediately, his hand raised to object.

"Objection, your honor. The question is irrelevant and speculative-"

"Overruled, Mr. Luicnao answer the question." Judge Mason pointed his gavel at Ricky, clearly wanting to see where Hawkins was going with this line of thinking as Ricky's eyes narrowed slightly, the first hint of irritation crossing his features. 

"No," Ricky answered firmly, perjuring himself as Hawkins suddenly slapped his hand on the table, holding up a file.

"Mr. Luciano, when did these powers awaken?" Hawkins asked Ricky, seemingly unaware of this fact and needing clarification. 

"When I was thirteen," Ricky replied, already knowing where this was headed, as Dewey let out an audible scoff at his words.

"Eight years ago, a police report was filed about a kidnapping," Hawkins persisted, with Shadow Broker at the side, shredding through paper as if they were about to get raided by the FBI at any moment.

"Yes, I was almost abducted in the middle of the night-"

"How many others were abducted in your orphanage?' Hawkins wondered out loud and Ricky shrugged at these words.

"I don't know-"

"The answer is zero, Ricky was the only one." Hawkins finished his words for him, looking towards the Juror's who all raised an eyebrow.

"Mr. Luciano, it says in this police report that you escaped, and the one who saved you was your future adopted father, Thomas Luciano." Hawkins showed the report to the jury, who glanced back at Ricky, who remained calm.

"Yes, my pops saved my life that day-"

"But did he?" Hawkins asked, walking over to Ricky and stopping just in front of him. 

"It was said in the report that a faulty explosive went off in the radius, killing your abductors, correct?" Hawkins once again asked, highlighting this clearly fabricated story on his part.

"Yes."

Hawkins paused, letting the tension build in the room as he stared at Ricky while the prosecutor's voice dropped, becoming almost accusatory. 

"And yet, you stand here claiming that your powers never harmed anyone. How do you explain the deaths of those abductors, Mr. Luciano?" Hawkins pressed, his voice sharp as he paced slightly.

"It was the explosive that killed them, not me." Ricky's response was steady, though his jaw tightened, a flicker of annoyance in his eyes as he was clearly irritated and Hawkin's eyes lit up at this reaction.

"But what if it wasn't just the explosive? What if, in the heat of the moment, your powers, powers that had just awakened, reacted instinctively? Perhaps you didn't even know what you were capable of at the time." Hawkins leaned in, locking eyes with Ricky, who stood unwavering, refusing to give any ground.

"That's not how it works-"

"Are you sure? Are you saying that your powers can never hurt anyone or be used in any way to hurt the common people?" Hawkins raised the intensity of the moment, his voice growing louder, as he leaned in closer, trying to provoke a reaction.

"Objection-"

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH, BOY! ONE MORE WORD AND I'LL HAVE YOU IN CONTEMPT!" Judge Mason lashed out at Marshall, his voice booming through the courtroom.

"Mr. Luciano, this is your final warning, answer Mr. Hawkins' question."Judge Mason ordered, also seeing how this courtroom was playing out and needed Hawkins to have a win for him to be able to sleep at night.

"It depends," Ricky shrugged nonchalantly, his eyes flickering with amusement as the annoyance simmered away at where he was going with this.

Hawkins shook his head, disbelief evident on his face as he walked closer to the stand, his posture stiffening with growing frustration. 

"Mr. Luciano, that is not what I was asking-"

"But that's not how abilities work, they aren't cut and dry but complicated and trying to paint it like it's black and white is idiotic-"

"Your honor, this is evasion!" Hawkins quickly pointed at Ricky, his voice rising with frustration.

"Mr. Luciano, answer the question in its intended form, yes or no." Judge Mason ordered, Ricky laughing at how they weren't even trying to hide their bias.

"Then yes, if-"

"Then I'd like to present this as circumstantial evidence." Hawkins held up a paper, handing it to the judge who put on his reading glasses.

"That is the autopsy report that was recovered that described the scene as a 'gruesome explosion' but if you actually read the report, the way those five dead doesn't really match the explosion, it is to gruesome for such-" Hawkins, seeing this opportunity to slander Ricky only for the man sitting on the stand to smile.

"Objection, hearsay-" Ricky objected, knowing Marshall would be held in contempt as Judge Mason waved his hand.

"Overruled, Hawkins please continue." Judge Mason gestured to Hawkins, eyes glued to the report and not even realizing it was Ricky who said the statement.

Truthfully, Ricky didn't mind Hawkins bringing up those reports as they were all hearsay anyway, meticulously fabricated by Lucky, who ensured every word was bleached clean of anything incriminating and written completely in his favor.

But the reports weren't the point, it was that Ricky had walked into this trap with a purpose, and this move tethered to Shadow Broker. 

The Broker's presence was crucial to the side, a quiet force that tore a slip of paper in his hands, releasing a wave of energy that swirled through the courtroom like an invisible storm.

The target wasn't logic or reason; it was something far more potent; sympathy, the kind of raw emotion that could turn tides and win battles without a single argument.

Ricky turned to the jury, a disarming smile softening his sharp features as their faces knit with uncertainty, brows furrowed as if caught in the gravitational pull of the moment and the thoughts of sympathy furrowed in their minds at that traumatic experience being revealed in such a way, instinctively painting Hawkin's in a negative light. 

Just as their curiosity teetered on empathy, Hawkins moved, stepping squarely into their line of sight, blocking Ricky's calculated charm.

"Mr. Luciano, is it possible for your powers to kill another?" Hawkins asked, his voice sharp with accusation and with that question Ricky chuckled, leaning back in his chair, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"If you were an idiot and you tried really hard, then I guess a mental barrier could kill someone," Ricky admitted, his tone steady but condescending, catching Hawkins off guard since he was sure that he poked at a soft spot.

The room fell silent for a moment as Hawkins turned towards the jury, expecting a shift in their expressions.

However, instead of the hate or disapproval he had anticipated, the jury's eyes were filled with something entirely different. 

The jury's eyes lingered on Ricky, their expressions caught in a strange mix of confusion and pity. 

Each of them wrestled silently with the inexplicable pull of pity, of sympathy, that had bloomed in their hearts.

Then their gaze shifted to Hawkins as the lawyer flinched under the weight of their stares, his polished demeanor cracking for a fleeting moment. 

He couldn't fathom why he was suddenly cast as the villain, painted in such an unflattering light. 

But from the very beginning, Hawkins had been blind, ignorant of the unseen forces weaving through the courtroom, manipulating emotions and perception with effortless precision.

But even this realization was beyond his grasp since as an ordinary American, a powerless human bound by the limitations of his existence, he clung to the tried-and-true certainties of the world he understood.

After all, how could anyone begin to fathom something they had never truly comprehended?

RIP

Shadowbroker ripped another piece of paper, his gaze fixed on the final juror, who squinted at Hawkins, falling victim to this unforeseen force guiding his very thoughts and perceptions.

Hawkins, however, maintained his confident smile, trying to hold onto the narrative he was constructing.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury." Hawkins began, his voice steady, though tinged with desperation. 

"Ricky Luciano is fully aware of what he has done, and he is someone who will continue to commit such heinous acts. Do not let this 'accident' serve as a justification for his actions. Do not let this man continue to flaunt his powers, his position, and his influence over others. He is a threat to society." Hawkins continued to connect Ricky to this crime, but the more he did the more reactions he seemed to get making him bite his lip.

Judge Mason raised his gaze at this turn of events, his pupils becoming cold and distant as the thought of taking matters into his own hands lingered within his mind.

"Accused, it is your turn to approach the witness." Judge Mason pointed sharply to Marshall, who stood up, taking a deep breath while suppressing a smile.

"Mr. Luciano, what was it like growing up as a mutant?" Marshall asked, his tone sharp and Ricky paused for a moment, his expression unreadable, before shrugging nonchalantly.

"I mean, I never told anyone I was a mutant growing up but I had an alright childhood." Ricky confessed, only having it revealed to the streets after the commission leaked it all around the tri-state area.

"Let's focus on that for a moment. Why did you never openly tell people you were a mutant?" Marshall asked, his gaze fixed on Ricky as he leaned back in the chair, his expression casual.

"There was a certain astigmatism around it. My pops advised me to keep it hidden." Ricky answered truthfully and as his words ended, Marshall raised a finger, signaling for further elaboration.

"Is it because you were a threat, is it because you are dangerous?" Marshall wondered not towards him, but at the jury.

"No, it was because the Italian community hated mutants. They were painted as devils," Ricky explained, his tone steady while Hawkins squinted at Marshall, who turned towards him.

"How did that feel, hiding yourself from everyone and having to lie to others about who you were at heart, lying to those who actually cared about you as you carried on as normal?" Marshall leaned in, placing his hands on the stand. 

Ricky's frown deepened, even Hawkins and Dewey exchanged uneasy glances, sensing the weight of the question.

"I didn't lie and-"

"But you didn't tell anyone who was close to you outside your family, right?" Marshall pressed, watching Ricky as he opened his mouth to respond but hesitated, his lips pressing into a thin line.

In fact, he remembered that the only reason Maria and Alina even found out about it was because the rumor surfaced. 

He hadn't planned on telling them, but once the whispers started circulating, it became impossible to keep it hidden any longer.

"No." Ricky was a little shocked at this statement, looking at Marshall who had a serious gaze.

"And when they found out who you were, what you were born with, the only difference between you and another Italian being a single gene, what did they do?" Marshall asked him, his voice cold as Ricky fell into a brief silence. 

He could feel the weight of the question pressing on him, the memory of their reactions still fresh in his mind.

Raven, having been in disguise throughout every single day, sat in the stands, her eyes fixed on the proceedings before her. 

She watched with an intense, almost painful focus, her emotions shifting between anger, empathy, and a quiet sadness. 

This was all too familiar to her, she'd seen the discrimination, the fear, the way people turned their backs on those who were different. 

But even as her chest tightened with every word, every accusation, and every dirty trick thrown at Ricky, she couldn't look away.

"They forced me out." Ricky's voice almost broke, the weight of the memory almost too much to bear as he spoke. 

His eyes darkened, remembering the night he had to leave his home, how he ran away after his own community rejected him after everything he did to be like one of them.

That ostracization, that pain, that feeling of being cast aside, of being forced to walk away from everything he had ever known, hung heavy in the air. 

But those thoughts quickly dissolved, overtaken by the real reason he despised that memory. 

It wasn't just the event itself, it was the shame of remembering how he had turned tail and fled, abandoning everything he knew the moment the situation became too overwhelming.

He clenched his jaw, trying to steady himself, but the rawness of the moment was impossible to deny.

"You were born in New York, raised in New York, and because of a small difference, you were sent away." Marshall's words hung in the air as he turned towards the jury, his gaze steady and compelling.

"What did you do next, Mr. Luciano? Did you run away and hide like others of your kind?" Marshall's words were laced with a sharp edge, his gaze not on Ricky but directed towards the jury, as if to plant the seed of doubt in their minds.

"Of course not, I set sail towards the Vatican."

"Why."

"Because it was bullsh*t, that the reason that I had to leave everything behind was because I was painted as a devil, so I went to the holiest place on earth." Ricky laughed while playing along with Marshall's line of questioning, finding his own actions back then ironic as he literally went to the one place he shouldn't have.

"Then what did you do?"

"I worked my ass off and became recognized by the Vatican," Ricky revealed, his voice tinged with a mix of pride and defiance as he glanced briefly at the jury, his eyes meeting theirs, daring them to question his worth. 

"It's hard for me to stand before you, as a black man, in a place where those with pigmentation are still lynched from oak tree's, I cannot lie," Marshall said, pointing to himself, his voice filled with emotion as he addressed the jury, feeling the emotions uttered with every syllable.

"All I ever hear about down south is how black men and women are treated like nothing but objects," Marshall said, his gaze falling while also voicing his own pain.

"When I was a boy, a couple of white kids threw rocks at me whenever I walked to high school, and instead of confronting them, I always just changed my route," Marshall continued, his voice tinged with a mix of bitterness and reflection.

"Seventy-three times, from elementary to high school, did I change the way I got to school," Marshall bared his heart, his voice heavy with the weight of experience as he faced the jury with one of his deepest insecurities.

"I ran away, at every chance, and told myself that 'I had to endure' because that's what all of us are told to do." Marshall bolstered every word, every syllable as his tone riled upwards.

"But I regret not standing up for myself, I regret not asking them why they threw those rocks at me, and facing the problem head on instead wasting my seventy three chances." Marshall spoke out towards them, then gestured to Ricky on the bench.

"But Mr. Luciano did that!" Marshall exclaimed, struggling to hold back tears as he shared a story he'd never told before. 

"He was kicked out of his own home, by his own community, and instead of just enduring and finding somewhere else to go, he went straight to the source of the problem!" Marshall spread his hands wide, his voice rising. 

Raven looked away in that moment, unable to fully relate to Ricky's experience as the weight of Marshall's words, however, hung heavily in the air.

Even at her age, Raven was still running from everything, trying to shape a future she couldn't even be sure would come to pass.

"Mr. Luciano went to the Vatican, he worked until he bled, and he was rewarded with an honorary position because the Church saw him as a child of God." Marshall hands gestured wildly, his tone ramping up as his passion seeped into his words.

"Now I ask you, as the jury, to look at Ricky Luciano and then at me." Marshall spoke out towards all twelve of them, pointing to Ricky then at himself.

"I am not like him, I can't just put myself between the scope of a rifle and smile, I'm scared." Marshall put a hand on his heart, showing while telling them how afraid he was even now.

"But Ricky did and is doing so, so I ask you members of the jury to look at Ricky Luciano's situation as one in a million." Marshall paced around, stating the barebones of his speech.

"Because there might be another person like Ricky Luciano, someone brave enough to take on the hate of a nation and fight for the rights he was given, not ordered, at birth. He might be a mutant, you might not like him, you might not even respect him, but he's an American citizen, and you can't take that away from him, just like you can't take away his status of being a mutant." Marshall gestured, as Shadow Broker ripped the last of his paper, and the jury steeled their resolve.

"So I ask you, the jury, to see Ricky for the man he was born as; a man entitled to the same rights as anyone else born within our great land. And I implore you to grant him the same due process that every citizen deserves." Marshall preached out, raising his words to their highest point before slowly simmering his tone.

"I rest my case." Marshall poured out everything, knowing that if this wasn't enough, then nothing would be as he walked back to his chair.

"Mr. Luciano, please take your seat."

"We'll reconvene tomorrow, where the last of the cross-examinations will take place before the jury vote proceeds." Judge Mason announced, banging his gavel as the courtroom emptied and Ricky patted Marshall on the shoulder.

"I know I'm a little late, but you're gonna be a damn fine lawyer." Ricky slung his shoulder around Marshall, walking out of the room as Hawkins looked at Dewey.

It was impossible, it should be impossible and yet, from his experience and the way the jury reacted, there was no denying what he saw. 

At that moment, there was only one thing he could say to the defendant, to the man who he had once promised victory.

"We're going to lose." Hawkins whispered to Dewey who looked absolutely shocked.

"But-"

"Don't worry, I have a plan." Hawkins then side-eyed Judge Mason who gave him a subtle nod.

"GO BACK TO HELL YOU DEMON SPAWN!" 

"NO ONE WANTS YOU HERE!"

"Ah, it's like music to my ears~" Ricky chuckled, walking alongside Marshall as they made their way out of the courthouse. 

A car was waiting for them, with Jake behind the wheel, ready to take them to their next destination.

"How do you even get used to this?" Marshall genuinely asked, getting into the backseat with Ricky. 

He glanced to the side, noticing people banging on the windows, their faces pressed against the glass in a desperate attempt to get his attention.

"I honestly think it's hilarious," Ricky chuckled, leaning back in his seat. 

"But I guess I could see it as serious if I couldn't just, you know, murder everyone here." Ricky shrugged, his light heartedness leaving Marshall almost speechless.

"Please don't do that," Marshall urged, his tone serious as Ricky just laughed.

"Ricky, I'm serious, don't do that," Marshall repeated, trying to keep his composure, but Ricky only laughed harder, clearly finding the situation amusing.

Later that night,

COUGH

COUGH

"PUSSY!" Ricky laughed, watching as Marshall coughed up his shot, then stuck up his middle finger in response.

"Screw you-"

COUGH

COUGH

Ricky laughed, though he wasn't drinking as he'd promised not only Agatha but also Raven that he'd be more careful. 

Over time, he'd cut back significantly on his drinking and even though his body could easily tolerate more, he didn't want the unnecessary nagging or constant worry from others. 

Cutting back to just one or two glasses a day seemed like a small enough compromise, but it kept the peace.

"Things I do for women," Ricky sighed, looking at the glass but setting it aside as he suddenly looked back. 

"Thank you, it worries me when you drink so much." Raven kissed his cheek, and Ricky kissed her back as he stood up.

"Where were you?" Ricky asked, his eyes narrowing slightly. Raven looked to the side, rubbing her arm.

"Thinking, for a long time." Raven confessed, her voice soft as she recalled having been walking and lost in thought for the last couple of hours.

"Boys, I'll be right back." Ricky waved at them as Asterion, currently asleep, was sprawled on the side with three barrels of Texas whiskey scattered around him.

"I shall hold down the fort!" Alexander declared, raising his paw into the air with enthusiasm as Chester shook his head but then nodded in agreement.

Grabbing Raven's hand, Ricky led her out of the house, his smile wide and his gaze locked on her with a mix of mischief and warmth.

"What-"

"What's wrong?" Ricky asked with a smile, gently parting some of her hair as he looked at her, his expression playful as she chuckled softly in response.

"It's just-"

Sigh

"Aren't you afraid of ruining your chances?" Raven asked again, her voice tinged with the weight of her own experiences. 

She'd gone through the same thing as Ricky countless times, always failing and when she did fail, everything around her always seemed to implode, shattering into pieces.

"Of course not, I'm actually really relaxed now." Ricky shrugged, a hint of amusement in his voice as Raven caught up to him, walking beside him as she glanced over with a raised brow. 

"Shouldn't you be taking this more seriously, if this fails-"

"Raven, baby, don't take life too seriously, you'll never get out of it alive," Ricky said with a grin, offering his two cents and Raven couldn't help but laugh, the sound light and freeing.

"How can you know it will all work out?" Raven asked seriously, pulling Ricky's hand back as he paused, then gently took her hands in his, slowly starting to dance under the moonlight.

"No one can prepare you for what you go through, Raven. There's no way that even now I'm not fully prepared," Ricky said, his voice steady, yet tinged with a hint of vulnerability as he twirled Raven around, and as she spun back into his arms, she looked up at him, her eyes meeting his green ones

"And if I lose, if it was all for nothing, I'm not going to simply stay down and accept my fate," Ricky said, his voice raw, but determined as he knew Raven would see right through him if he didn't speak from the heart. 

"Because no matter what the outcome, I'll still find a way to show my arrogance, my sleazy smile, and when I end up getting knocked down, then I'll just get back up." Ricky pulled Raven closer, his arms encircling her as she laid her head gently on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart.

"I've failed so much, Raven. My failures feel endless in my mind, but my successes, hell, I can count them on one hand." Ricky said, even showing his hand that had his fingers locked on hers.

"But it's because of those failures that I reached all those successes that changed my life forever. But don't get me wrong, failure f*cking hurts, it sets you back into this state of hopelessness that makes you want to give up, but it's not how you fail that defines your success, it's always how you get back up." Ricky gazed up at the moon, lost in thought as memories of everything he had been through flooded his mind.

"And I did. It took a while, but I finally won and was able to take a couple steps forward on a journey where I always seemed to be walking backwards." Ricky then turned his gaze back to Raven seemingly lost in thought while looking at him.

"So no, Raven, I'm not afraid, nor am I prepared for failure. Why would I be? If I do something, I do it because I believe I can win, even when the cards are stacked against me. I want to win." Ricky assured Raven, knowing that if you think you'll fail then you'll never win.

"So, I'm gonna win. It's as simple as that." Ricky looked down at Raven, who slowly met his gaze, caressing his cheek before gently kissing him.

Ricky scooped Raven up into a princess carry, carrying her back to the bed with a gentle smile. 

He carefully placed her down, but Raven refused to let go, her hands pulling him closer, their lips met again, this time more tenderly, before they slowly broke the kiss, lingering in the moment.

"What if I'm a failure?" Raven couldn't help but ask, her voice tinged with uncertainty as Ricky simply laughed.

"Baby, if anyone between the two of us is a failure, it isn't you." Ricky rolled onto the bed, putting Raven on top of him as she sat on his stomach with a frown.

"And why is that?"

"Because I'm telling you you're not, and I'd just hope you would believe my words," Ricky spoke, his voice firm with conviction. 

Raven paused, gazing into his eyes before leaning in and kissing him once again, the warmth of the moment overwhelming.

"Oh, Tiger, you've got such a way with words," Raven smiled, her voice soft and teasing as she slowly removed her shirt and Ricky sat below her with smile widening as only one word escaped his rising lips.

"Nice."

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