"Remove your coat, please," said the guard. I complied and they began to list the possessions they found in it.
"One yoyo, one packet of in-ear defenders, one pencil (broken), half an apple, a box of ammunition and a revolver. Other personal effects: one necklace with two pendants - probably soulstones - one ring, silver, one gold watch."
"Now, if you could resume your normal form, please?" he continued.
"I... I'd... rather not," I replied.
"Come now," he sighed. "Please don't make this any harder than it already is. We have spells that can force you to revert, although the process is quite painful. In addition, the fact that you refused to cooperate may also be used against you in your hearing. So please, revert to your base form."
Screwing up my eyes, I placed my wrist in my mouth and made the reversion, letting out a scream of agony as the tattered, broken headwing reappeared.
"Oh gods," said the guard, as the blood began to splatter on the floor. "Can we get him fixed up?"
A few minutes later I was sat in a chair, the pain having reverted to a fierce ache that stung each time I moved my head. The healers had done a good job, but it still hurt like hell. Nonetheless I had other things to worry about as the hearing was about to begin.
"Is your name Johan Cross?" asked the Angel.
"No, sir, it is not." I replied. "I am Jakob Pettersohn by birth."
"Very well. There was a period some centuries ago, when a shadowed figure who called himself 'Johan Cross' took control of the city of Ha'Khun. While no-one knows for sure what he looked like, there are persistent rumours that he favoured the appearance of a grey canid incubus. He was often said to have worn a dark leather trenchcoat, much like the one you are wearing now. Would you care to explain that?"
"It is a Hallows Eve costume," I replied. "I usually wear it then, as Cross still brings a shiver to the spines of furrekind."
"But it is spring. Why did you choose to wear it today?"
"Because it is intimidating, sir." I replied. "My brother and I set off to film some rare wildlife, which unfortunately took us to a Being-controlled area where 'Cubi are not considered welcome. In addition to its unnerving appearance, the lining contains a thin layer of bulletproofing."
"To be frank, I find this hard to believe," said the Angel. "I will state my case. I believe that you are Johan Cross, the crime lord of legend who slew countless thousands of Beings."
"May I ask why this would be your concern if I was?" I queried. "Although I am personally fond of Beings, Creature rampages are hardly uncommon. Why should the council be concerned?"
"Because Johan Cross killed Creatures too," the Angel smiled unpleasantly. "And I shall endeavour to prove that you are he. First, the firearm you were carrying."
"It's an airgun," I replied. "A prop for the costume. I swore never again to carry a lethal firearm and I have kept myself true to that word. The mechanism has even been adjusted so that it will only discharge at about one-third power."
"Do you expect us to believe that?" he replied.
"It shouldn't be a question of belief, sir," I said irritably. "Firstly, the ammunition. You did check the ammunition, didn't you?"
"Er," he stuttered.
"Fetch the ammunition," called the 'Cubi delegate, passing a contemptuous glance at the Angel.
"Now," I said. "Open the box."
"It's a trap," whined the Angel, casting a protective barrier around himself as he gingerly opened the carton. Three colourful spheres fell out and rolled around the table. He looked at me questioningly.
"Paintballs." I said, as the green one rolled off the table and burst. "Real ammunition contains an explosive charge, these do not and if you care to put the right kind of ball-bearing in the gun that should work too. Heck, feel free to shoot me in the hand if you still need to see it proven," I added.
"I shall ask you directly," he snarled. "Are you the Johan Cross of yore?"
"Very well," I sighed. "Yes. In times gone past I took the name of Johan Cross, and did many wicked things. I am not proud of that point in my life and have been trying to forget it."
"He may be lying to gain notoriety," pointed out the Succubus delegate. "He would not be the first, either." The Angel grunted skeptically in reply.
"I don't see why it matters," I pointed out. "I didn't do that much, all things considered."
"Lies!" cried the Being delegate. "You slew tens of thousands, and ate countless souls!"
"Do you deny this?" added the succubus.
"Indeed I do. In my wicked reign I killed, let me see, twelve? Twelve people. If you wish I can list them and will admit to being guilty of their deaths. I have never eaten anyone's soul, although I admit I did serious damage to the souls of two demons. These souls are still encased within the pendant that I was wearing when I was arrested. I am not proud of this deed."
"Twelve?" Asked the Angel in open disbelief. "This is outrageous! It is a documented fact that thousands of so-called 'dissidents' were slain!"
"Indeed, this is a matter of record. What say you, Mr. Cross?" prompted the 'Cubi.
"Mr. Pettersohn, and I deny it. I slew twelve people, as I have stated. I feel it is more than likely that your records are at fault. May I ask where your figures come from?"
"'The Disappeared' by Markuz DeTrulen. A respected historian of Ha'Khunn."
"I thought so. But if you read it more carefully, you will note that it does not say what happened to them. It is true that many thousands of malcontents disappeared during my reign, but I did not kill them."
"So, they simply vanished into thin air, did they?" said the Angel sarcastically.
"Pretty much. I used an intradimensional portal. They were deposited in a secret location out of harm's way."
"Do you believe this fairy-tale?" scoffed the Angel, facing his fellows.
"I will grant you it seems unlikely," said the succubus. "But I will give him the benefit of the doubt. Anything less would be an affront to justice."
"Thank you, madam," I said. "Of course, I do not expect any of you to take me at my word. The legends of my excesses have become mythical and the true facts are known only to a select few. Indeed, it is likely that I am the only living witness to the entire tale. I therefore offer proof. If there is one among you skilled at teleportation, I will be happy to provide the location where my enemies were sent."
"I have a warp-aci. How do you propose to provide her with the location?"
"If I lower my mind-shield you should be able to read it from my thoughts. If you can then insert the memories into her mind, she should be able to take you there. Alternatively I can take you there myself, although I get the feeling you would hesitate before extending that much trust."
Eventually a compromise was reached whereby I was handcuffed to the succubus while wearing an amulet that suppressed my shapeshifting ability. About fifteen minutes later we reappeared by Warp-Aci, accompanied by a Demon whom I had personally banished all those centuries ago. He was willing to act as a witness if in return the court would teleport him to his family on the mainland, thus ending his exile.
Questioned by the Demon delegate and cross-examined by the Angel and the succubus, the story he told matched my description almost exactly, which left the Angel fuming.
"I submit that Johan Cross slew the leader of his own clan, and ate his soul, in a foul bid to increase his own evil powers and take command of his own clan!" he said loudly. There was total silence, except for a gasp of pure astonishment from me.
"This is a grave accusation," said the succubus. "The soul-murder of another incubus is a most serious matter, let alone the assassination of a clan founder, no matter how obscure. What say you, Mr. Cr- Pettersohn?"
"I deny it of course," I said indignantly, waving at the Angel. "This fool has no idea what he is talking about. May I ask where such a ridiculous notion came from?"
"It is a sworn statement from one Noram Yoaks, a resident of Ha'Khunn.", said the Angel proudly. He clicked his fingers and a rather subdued looking feline Being entered.
"A Being?" I said, incredulous. "May I ask how many generations before his birth this alleged event was supposed to have taken place?" The Angel looked extremely irritable.
"He has a point," noted the succubus. "Well, Mr. Yoaks. What say you?"
"It was told to me by my grandfather, who heard it from his mother," admitted the feline. The Angel, having a short muzzle, covered his face.
"Does he even know who my clan leader is... I mean 'was'?" I asked pointedly. The succubus glanced at him in askance. The Being looked at his feet and did not reply.
"I do not think he does," I replied. "May I call a witness, mi'lady?"
"I do not see why not," she admitted.
"Good. Then I call upon Daryil, leader and founder of Clan Daryil," I said. The succubus looked positively alarmed, the Angel nonplussed. I could see that the succubus knew of my leader's reputation and would rather not have called upon such a volatile personality, but on the other hand she could not sensibly deny what could be the ultimate proof of my innocence or guilt. In any case she quickly decided that it was worth the inconvenience to show the Angel delegate up for a fool.
With an expression of foreboding, she sent a message and a few minutes later, Daryil appeared, a flowery hat balanced precariously upon his headwings. He gave me an affectionate look. I waved back uncomfortably.
"My illustrious leader," I began, kneeling before him completely straight-faced, "I am accused of murdering you and devouring your soul in order to assume control of Clan Daryil. Your murder allegedly took place somewhere between one and four hundred years ago. Do you recall this event in any way?"
The Mythos delegate began to giggle uncontrollably.
"No, my child," he replied, equally seriously. "I do believe that I would remember being murdered." I thought could hear the Angel crying softly. The Being had slipped away.
"Thank you Mr. Daryil," the succubus said primly, evidently wishing that he was somewhere far, far away.
"Objection," said the Demon delegate. "We accept that Daryil is the leader of his Clan, but we have not had any proof that the accused is of that clan also."
Reluctantly I dropped my trousers, exposing the mark of Clan Daryil to the court. They nodded in agreement as Daryil revealed his own marking.
"Are there any further charges?" asked the succubus, as Daryil left.
"Yes!" shrieked the Angel. "I accuse him of the murders of the Angels Zarach and Page, latterly known as Azrael."
So, it all becomes clear, I thought, chiding myself that I hadn't seen it coming.
"Zarach was one of the twelve I slew," I said. The Angel looked triumphant for a moment. "I submit that this was a lawful execution as patron of Ha'Khunn. He sent many men to assassinate me and even killed some of those who failed, deluding the others into believing that they had died by my hand."
"Interesting," murmured the succubus. "Have you proof?"
"Ashley Daryil and Fa'Lina would testify to this," I said, "As would a certain incubus by name of Tarit, the sole survivor of Zarach's killing spree. I brought him back to the Academy where Fa'Lina's staff were able to revive him."
"Fa'Lina was not available to attend this hearing owing to her workload," said the succubus. "But she is able to accept vistors briefly." She vanished, presumably to the Academy and returned about twenty minutes later.
"It is as you said," she stated, to the Angel's dismay. "I have here a sworn written statement from Headmistress Fa'Lina to that effect."
"That leaves the question of Page," he resumed coolly. "I submit that you murdered him in order to assume control of the city of Ha'Khunn."
"How dare you," I snarled, my voice cracking. I was grasping the table hard, my face twisted into a mask of hatred, my hackles raised and my hands trembling.
"Calm yourself, Mr. Pettersohn." said the succubus. "Do you deny the charge?"
"In the strongest possible terms do I deny it," I said with a supreme effort of self-control. "He was my dearest friend and mentor. His murder plunged me into insanity for three hundred years during which I left no stone unturned in my quest to bring justice to his killers. It was during this madness that I killed my twelve victims, steeped the city in terror, exiled thousands and invaded the neighbouring realms when diplomacy failed. Page was my best friend and I will not have his memory stained by this evil accusation."
The Angel stepped back a pace or two.
"Do you have witnesses?" asked the succubus, noting that I was clearly overcome with emotion.
"There were no witnesses to the murder," I said, calming down somewhat. "Only the demons who perpetrated it and they died by my hand. It took three hundred years to claim them all. After their executions I was ashamed by what I had become and fled the city. The wounded souls of these demons reside still within the chain I usually wear.
"Ashley Daryil can testify to my feelings afterwards, though, and Daryil himself believed that Page and I were lovers. This was untrue," I added quickly.
The succubus was clearly unnerved at the prospect of having Daryil back in the hearing, but she came to attention as I spoke again.
"I do not think a witness will be needed," I said dully. "If you have a scrying crystal I can show you the event itself."
The succubus looked at me curiously for a moment before clicking her fingers. A crystal was brought forth, although with a projector, since only about three people at once could look into the crystal itself.
Within minutes the last minutes of Page's life appeared upon the wall, forcing me to relive that terrible event once again.
Great, said Page, with his head in his hands. Look what you've done! I'm dead and you've turned the ruler of my city into a psychopath. You realise that he won't rest until the others are dead too?
I'm sorry.. said the weasel, unable to take his eyes off the staring, mutilated body on the floor. I'm so, so, sorry..
You're lucky he wasn't thinking clearly. He could quite easily have destroyed your soul. We can only pray he doesn't think of that when he manages to catch your companions.
Can we go now? asked the polecat. His corpse is making me feel ill.
I ended the spell. The silence was total.
"Mr. Pettersohn, we hereby acquit you of all charges of murder, both bodily and spiritual," announced the succubus, after a brief consultation with her peers.
"There is one remaining issue, however." she added. "According to your earlier statement, you left Ha'Khunn once you slew the last of Azrael's murderers, is this correct?"
I nodded.
"Then we find you guilty of abandoning your realm without filing the appropriate paperwork," she continued.
"The fine will be two million gold dollars to be paid up-front or in installments, as you prefer."