78. Trial of the L-Crew

At the L-Crew base, the Louds, Santiagos, Clyde, Sam, Soothsayer, Mr. Cuddles, Petty, Tongri and the pets were gathered around the flatscreen as Police Chief Haggar did a press conference.

"Citizens of Royal Woods, as you all are aware a few days ago our city was attacked and sadly the evidence point to a certain group of metas that we have grown to trust and admire. So with great reluctance I have warrants for the arrest of the following metas: Speed Queen, Multiple Girl, Amplifier, Ms. Appear, Parkour, Firecracker, Black Ice, Wildgirl, Crystal Princess, Prodigy and Greenthumb. L-Crew if you are watching, please turn yourselves in. Save us the trouble of trying to find you. That is all." The Louds stared at the TV in shock.

"There's a warrant for our arrest?" Lynn murmured.

"Seems like it." Lucy said in monotone.

"This is nuts!" Lori exclaimed. "It wasn't even us! It was Loki and his team that did all that and ruined the L-Crew's good name!"

"And if we turn ourselves in, if our enemies can be used as references we won't get a trial." Lisa says. "We'll be sent straight to the Dungeon."

"Well time to head to Canada." Lincoln groaned. "Anyone know how to make syrup?"

"Guys there's more!" Leni says. The Louds turn back to the screen to see Jenny Snart now on the screen.

"As you just the Police Department have issued warrants for the arrest of the L-Crew." Jenny was saying. "We will now take you to City Hall where Mayor Turner is giving his own address on the situation."

"The L-Crew have done nothing but good for this city since their arrival even after Firecracker's rampage that is still being investigated." Turner said. "Now because of these facts, I will give the L-Crew the chance to defend themselves and give them a fair trial."

"You hear that we got a fair trail." Luna said.

"That's great. But we have a bigger problem." Lori said. "We don't have a lawyer. We can't even afford a lawyer."

Suddenly Mr. Cuddles perked up and jumped on Lori, grabbed her shirt and got in her face. "You need a lawyer?" He asked excitedly.

"Uh yeah?" Lori answered slowly. A big smile forms on the bear's face before he runs off into Soothsayer's chambers where everyone hears clanging sounds and sees random stuff start flying out. Mr. Cuddles then comes out with a small card.

"I'm a lawyer!" He says. Everyone crowds around the card before they all turn to the teddy bear.

"How?" They all ask in unison.

"Quite simple I took a course online and passed with flying colors!" Mr. Cuddles replied. "I'm also a certified mechanic, diplomat, teacher, and psychologist. I have a lot of free time."

"So you're a certified lawyer?" Clyde asked.

"Oh course I am." Mr. Cuddles said. "Unless I'm in another state and have to take the test again."

"Well at least you're useful for a Teddy bear who wanted to kill us." Ronnie Anne pointed out as Mr. Cuddle have her a look. "Just saying."

"Alright so you have a lawyer now." Bobby said. "That was easy."

"Ok bear how much?" Lola asked. "No lawyer is free."

"Look, you guys let me live here for free." Mr. Cuddles said. "With a wizard, a rubber creature and a tiger."

"He talking about us?" Soothsayer whispers to Petty who shrugs.

"The only payment I ask is to let me continue living here." Mr. Cuddles told them. "Plus more cheese doodles." He pulls a bag of cheese doodles up and puts one in his mouth. "That is all I ask."

"We're gonna have a stuffed animal represent us in court?" Lynn asked. "No offense they won't even take you serious."

"Ok Lynn how about you pay us a good lawyer." Lincoln said with a glare as Lynn checked her pockets and found nothing in them.

"You got the job Mr. Cuddles." Lori said.

"Yes!" Mr. Cuddles cheers before running back into the chambers. They here more commotion coming from inside. A few seconds later Mr. Cuddles comes out wearing a suit with a briefcase. "Now go turn yourselves in."

"Say what?" The Louds say in unison.

"You gotta turn yourselves in for court to happen." Mr. Cuddles explained. "Now go do it." He turns to Bobby, Ronnie Anne and Sam. "You three see if you can something to help our case." He turns to Clyde. "Clyde, you try and find footage of the attack! We will prove the L-Crew's innocence!"

"You got it." Clyde said as he gets to the computer.

"So where do we start?" Bobby asked.

"To the city!" Sam said. "We might find something we missed earlier."

"Then let's go!" Ronnie Anne said before the three ran out of the base.

"And we know what we gotta do." Lori sighed.

At Royal Woods police station, Chief Haggar is sitting at his desk and he sighs. "Those kids did a lot for this city and next thing you know one bad apple made the whole batch go bad." Haggar said to himself. He then looks at an article framed on the wall with Roberto Santiago Sr on it. "I'm just glad you're not alive to see this."

"Chief!" A police officer exclaimed as she walked into the police office.

"What is it Montano?" Haggar asked.

"It's the L-Crew. They're at the front door of the station." Officer Montano replied.

"What?" Haggar gasped. Haggar quickly gets up and quickly walks to the entrance where he sees the eleven members of the original L-Crew standing outside the police station. "L-Crew. You're here. You're actually here."

"We're turning ourselves in." Speed Queen said. She holds her arms out to Haggar. "We aren't gonna resist."

"Glad you kids are making the right choice." said Haggar as he handcuffs Speed Queen. "Handcuff the rest of the team."

The L-Crew hold their hands out and allow the cops to put the handcuffs on the rest of the L-Crew. When a cop goes to put handcuffs on Greenthumb she hesitates. "Sir do we really have to arrest Greenthumb? She's just a baby." Haggar thinks about it and sighs.

"No we'll let her go." Haggar said. "But as for the rest of them, get them to the court house."

"Let me guess so we can say if guilty or not guilty and then arrange a trial?" Firecracker guessed.

"Yes." Haggar said. "Get the prison transport ready."

"Yes sir." A Officer said.

"If we lose the trail. I'm not ready to see Rubbor and Electron behind bars." Amplifier gulped.

"Same with Hydro." Firecracker added.

"You do realize that there are a bunch of guys in there that want to kill us?" Crystal Princess reminded them.

"Well I'm gonna think of some prison jokes on the way to the courthouse." Ms. Appear said. "Hope you guys are ready." The L-Crew sighed before groaning.

The van arrives at the courthouse, the two cops opened the back doors and escort the L-Crew to the courthouse. "It'll be a real riot!" Ms. Appear laughed as everyone groaned.

"Make her stop!" A cop begged.

"Twenty-seven prison jokes." Another cop said with an eye twitch. They head into the courthouse where there are reporters all over taking pictures and trying to get interviews but the L-Crew ignore them as they head to the courtroom where they see the judge who was an older African American man wearing a black robe. The L-Crew walk towards the defense bench and stop.

"Next case up: Royal Woods vs L-Crew. Charges include property damage, arson and disturbing the peace." The secretary listed.

"Now ain't this a surprise." The judge said as he looked over the charges. "Surprised you all here L-Crew."

"You ain't the only one Judge Matheson." Speed Queen said.

"Now do you kids have a lawyer?" Matheson asks. "We can't do a plea without your lawyer present."

"That would be me your honor." Matheson looked at the doors and sees Mr. Cuddles wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase.

"Am I seeing a teddy bear holding a briefcase and wearing a suit?" Matheson asked.

"Yes you are your honor." A guard said.

"Is this some kind of joke?" Matheson asked.

"No your honor I am a certified lawyer." Mr. Cuddles said holding out his card. "Passed with flying colors."

The guard looks at the card and presents it the judge. "You are a certified lawyer." Matheson said. "So you're going to defend the L-Crew?"

"You bet." Mr. Cuddles said.

"Well alright then." Matheson said. "How do your clients plead?"

"Not guilty." Speed Queen said.

"My clients have served Royal Woods as it's protectors." Mr. Cuddles said. "These accusations are insane. Also who's the prosecutor?"

"That'll be me." said a voice. It was a Asian man with short dark hair, wearing a grey suit and black tie, as he walked to the prosecutor bench. "The name's Thomas Lang."

"Uh oh." Mr. Cuddles gulped.

"Who's that?" Multiple Girl whispers.

"Thomas Lang." Mr. Cuddles whispers back. "He's one of the top prosecutors in Royal Woods. Hell he's one of the top prosecutors in Michigan."

"So we're boned?" Parkour asked.

"I guess so." Firecracker said.

"As long we have a jury of our peers, we'll be fine." Prodigy said

"Now Mr. Lang, what is your request for bail?" Matheson asked.

"I request remand your honor." Lang replied. "The L-Crew attacked the city and as a whole are considered a level ten threat. Plus they have a jet which could allow them to flee the country."

"Your honor the L-Crew have no intention of fleeing." Mr. Cuddles said. "Might I remind you that the L-Crew turned themselves in. They could've easily ran away if they wanted to but they didn't. I can assure you that the L-Crew are not a flight risk."

"Then they came to prove their innocence. You don't see a lot of the people doing this. But what's the point? There is evidence that the L-Crew are have done more harm than good." Lang stated.

"Your honor the L-Crew have defended this city from attacks by meta humans and criminals with big time technology." Mr. Cuddles said. "I can assure you the L-Crew won't be going anywhere. Just put them under my supervision and I'll make sure they don't go anywhere."

"Very well." Matheson said. "I'll release them under your supervision. Just make sure that they come to court."

"Will do." Mr. Cuddles said.

"Now due to the uniqueness of this trial, I have decided that I will be working the trial myself." Matheson continued. "We will reconvene in two days." He bangs his gavel on the desk.

Meanwhile at the warehouse, Clyde is trying to find some footage of the attack. "Hey Clyde. Find anything yet?" Ronnie Anne asked on a commlink.

"Found footage but Loki's team was smart and stayed out of view." Clyde said. "The only time someone comes into view is when Lief is an animal. And I think male Lynn hides behind the large animals."

"Well we've found nothing out here so far." Ronnie Anne said. "They cleaned up the majority of the mess so that isn't making things any easier."

"How about I come out and help find some stuff." Charles offered. "My nose could sniff some stuff out."

"That can work. Can Soothsayer teleport you to our location?" Ronnie Anne asked.

"I'm on it." Soothsayer said and snapped his fingers and Charles disappeared with a puff of smoke.

"We need to find evidence to help the L-Crew." Clyde groaned. "But we're running out of time."

"Two days is not much time." Cliff said. "And Mr. Cuddles is trying to gather witnesses to help paint the L-Crew in the right light."

"Who has he gotten?" Soothsayer asked.

"Police Chief Haggar." Cliff replied. "He was gonna get Warden Brock but Thomas Lang beat him to it."

"Dang it. I doubt Roadhazard would help us, no way he can make it to the trial in two days, where ever he is." said Clyde.

"What about Replicate?" Cliff asked.

"No way that guy will help the Louds." said Walt.

"If it comes down to it we might need to try and convince him to assist us." Soothsayer said. "Is there anyone that the L-Crew have saved that could serve as witnesses?"

"There are the scientists at the institute." Geo offers. "One of them could help out. The L-Crew did save them from Dr. X."

"Oh yeah those guys! I'm sure we can get them as witnesses." Clyde said.

"What about Tabby? Luna saved her from that burning building." Walt pointed out.

"We can try." said Clyde.

"Ok now we're making progress." Clyde said. "Go let Mr. Cuddles know about our possible witnesses."

"On it!" Hops says before he goes to find Mr. Cuddles.

"I'll call Tabby." Clyde said. "Let's hope Lang doesn't have to much against us."

"So what do you have so far?" Tetherby asked. He was sitting in his office chair twirling a pencil between his fingers. "Hopefully enough to put the L-Crew away."

"Of course I do Mr. Tetherby." Tomas Lang replied. "Enough witnesses, enough evidence. Everything that we need is in hand. But will you help provide the particular witness I need?"

"Of course. Who is this witness you need in mind?" Tetherby asked.

"A person who has witnessed first hand the recklessness of the L-Crew." Tomas replied.

The day of the trial began and the L-Crew and Mr. Cuddles all walked up towards the courthouse while ignoring interviewers again. "Whatever happens we'll get through this together." said Speed Queen.

"I haven't slept at all last night." Ms. Appear said. "Plus I'm too nervous to say a joke."

"Don't worry with all the witnesses we got, I'm sure nothing will go wrong." Mr. Cuddles said.

"Guys. There's a prison transport here." Firecracker said.

"Weird." Parkour said. "Trial hasn't even started and they already got a prison bus here."

"Try not to think about it dudes." Amplifier said. "Just stay calm and try to relax."

They entered the courthouse and walked towards the defense bench. They look and see Thomas Lang at the prosecution bench. "Nice to see you kids here." Lang said. "Along with your Teddy attorney at law." He chuckles.

"Really that's all you got?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

"Oh I have much more." Thomas says. Mr. Cuddles let's out a growl as the L-Crew take a glance at the jury.

"Check out the jury." Wildgirl whispered.

The super powered kids and Mr. Cuddles look at the jury bench and see Coach Pacowski, Maria Santiago, Mr. Spokes, Stanley Chang, Molly Wetta, Bumper Yates Sr, Howard McBride, Maggie's mother, Mrs. Jelinsky, Wilbur Huggins, Sarah Sharp and Rita Loud.

"Looks like some faces we know." Multiple Girl said.

"Worst, mom's part of the jury." Parkour whispered.

"If we're lucky she won't recognize us." Crystal Princess whispers.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury I'd like to thank you for coming here." Matheson says. "As you can see we have a very unique trial here. Now because of the defendants's lines of work you all have possibly been rescued or know someone who has been rescued by the L-Crew at some point. Now I must ask the jury to remain impartial and unbias. Now with that out of the way, let's begin with opening statements."

"Your honor, my clients the L-Crew have defended Royal Woods even since they showed up." Mr. Cuddles began. "They fought thugs, other meta humans, villains with serious tech and even some monsters. Sure they may have caused some damaged, but keep in mind most of the damage can be caused by the foe they are fighting. Like the lava meta human caused fire damaged to Royal Woods elementary school." Mr. Cuddles said, but he lost his footing and fell off the table. "Whoa!"

The people in the courtroom bursted in laughter from Mr. Cuddles' fall. The Teddy bear got up and dusted himself. "As I was saying. There was even Tremor the rock monster who destroyed the playground, those cyborgs attacking the mall and other things, we don't want to be here all day. My clients at least care about the citizens of Royal Woods." Mr. Cuddles said.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, while I'll agree that the L-Crew have done good for Royal Woods there came at the cost of thousands of dollars in property damage." Thomas said. "Destroyed vehicles, broken store windows, damaged streets. And what do the L-Crew do about this? Nothing. They leave us to pick up the pieces of our city. They leave us to pay for the damages. Ladies and gentlemen make sure that the L-Crew take accountability for their actions."

"Shoot I forgot about the property damage." Mr. Cuddles whispered to the L-Crew.

"Let me ask you this. How many cars has Parkour ripped in half so can use them as boxing gloves? How many times has Prodigy thrown cars and city property at the villains attacking Royal Woods. They don't even care for the citizen's other problems. What if they were late for work? What if an excepting mother needs to go the hospital or anyone with a medical emergency? I have enough evidence and witnesses to put the L-Crew to the Dungeon for the remainder of their days." Lang said.

"Crap." Parkour whispers. "That might be our nail in the coffin."

"Don't worry." Speed Queen assured them. "Mr. Cuddles has this in the bag."

"Alright now that the opening statements are done, defense call your first witness." Matheson ordered.

"I call Police Chief Haggar to the stand." Mr. Cuddles called.

Chief Haggar walks up to the stand and sees the bailiff as he places his hand on the bible. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" The bailiff asked.

"I do." Chief Haggar replied and than proceeded to sit in the witness booth.

"Now Chief Haggar. You've known the L-Crew for awhile now how you?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

"Yes." Haggar said. "I've known them since they arrived on the scene."

"Now Haggar how long have you been with the police department?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

"I've been a police officer for about 27 years." said Haggar.

"Interesting." Mr. Cuddles said as he walked up to the witness stand. "Now tell me." However he stops when he sees how high the witness stand is. "Damn it. A little help here please?" A bailiff walks up and places Mr. Cuddles on the stand do he can see Haggar. "Thank you. Now how high would you say the crime rate was back when you started?"

"Well it was around low to average when I started." Haggar stated.

"Did the crime rate increased during your time on the force?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

"Yes." Haggar said. "The crime rate rose drastically and we were overwhelmed."

"Now did you lose cops during this whole time?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

"Yes." Haggar answered sadly before looking at Maria Santiago in the jury who wiped a tear from her eyes while Rita patted her hand. "Since I took over as Police Chief I lost a half a dozen cops. Those were phone calls I had to make."

"Now since the L-Crew arrived how many cops have you lost?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

"When the L-Crew arrived, I haven't lost a single officer in the line of duty. Without them, I would be putting men and women in their graves if the L-Crew wasn't around." Haggar said. "Without them we wouldn't have the man power to take down the freaks in our city. That'll be like taking away our star player in a football game."

"Thank you." Mr. Cuddles said. "No further questions." He goes to walk off but falls off the witness stand and faceplants on the ground. "Ow." Prodigy then levitates him over to the defense desk and Thomas Lang steps up.

"Chief Haggar you said that the L-Crew have helped the police, is that right?" Thomas asked.

"Yes that is correct." Haggar answered.

"Yet there have been reports that the L-Crew have used your police cars as weapons." Thomas points out. "Is that correct?"

"Another nail in the coffin." Parkour whispered.

"Well that depends." Haggar said as he hesitated to answer.

"May I remind you chief that you are under oath." Thomas said.

"Fine." Haggar sighed. "Both Parkour and Prodigy have used the police cars as weapons."

"Now those cost thousands of dollars, am I correct?" Thomas pressed.

"Yes." Haggar replied.

"And you've had to replace several of them, correct?" Thomas asked.

"Correct." Haggar answered with a sigh.

"Now there was another report that there was an incident where the L-Crew fought a group of your police officers, is that true?" Thomas asked.

"That is true." Haggar replied. "But they were under the influence of Aroma."

"And yet you let your men get beaten up by children." Thomas stated. "You could ordered them to stand and not let a man to go after Aroma."

"It was the heat of the moment." Haggar admitted. "I had thought that the L-Crew had subdued Aroma but I was wrong. But in the end, the L-Crew took my officers to the hospital afterwards."

"Even after they committed a felony? What kind of police chief allows heroes who they trust to walk away from their misdeeds?" Thomas asked.

"My question my position." Haggar growled. "From what I was told by my officers, the L-Crew were acting in self-defense. They were defending themselves so we chose not to press charges."

"If you say so, then self-defense would count but they had superpowers." Thomas pointed out.

"My men we're under control of a woman who can control men with her scent. They weren't themselves, Aroma had them under her command and you blame the L-Crew for self-defense!" Haggar responded.

"I only speak the truth." Thomas said. "No further questions." He heads back to his bench.

"Police Chief Haggar you may he seated." Matheson said. Haggar nods and stands to sit with the crowd. "Prosecution witness please."

"I call Hector Casagrande to the stand." Thomas said.

"Well go figure that he would get Bobby and Ronnie Anne's grandfather here." Firecracker whispered.

Hector walked from the crowd to the witness stand as he placed his right hand on the bible. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" The bailiff asked.

"I do." Hector said as took a seat in the witness stand.

"Mr. Casagrande where are you from?" Thomas asked.

"I came from Great Lakes City where I used to run my old bodega down there. I wanted to have my daughter and her children move to there to protect them from the crime rate. But that couldn't happen due to these alley cats." Hector explained. "Every time we leave the apartment, one of us had to throw a can of sardines to get the cats away from us."

"I see you couldn't try and call animal control?" Thomas suggested.

"We tried but those cats scared them away." Hector replied.

"The cats are the reason you moved correct?" Thomas asked.

"Yes that is correct." Hector replied. "I also wanted to be closer to my daughter and grandchildren. So because our whole family lived together, we all moved together to live in my daughter's house."

"Now you were aware of your son-in-law's murder?" Thomas asked.

"Yes." Hector answered sadly. "We came up for the funeral and stayed for two weeks. My granddaughter was traumatized by that event and because of this I begged my daughter to come to the city with my grandchildren but they couldn't sell the house due to the crime rate raising the prices."

"Is your daughter here today?" Thomas asked.

"Yes she's in the jury wearing a pale pink sweater." Hector said pointing at Maria sitting in between Rita and Bumper Sr.

"Now despite Royal Woods having a higher crime rate than Great Lake City, did you truly believe that Royal Woods was better to live in?" Thomas asked.

"I had my doubts yes, but I heard that Royal Woods had protectors so I thought it'd be safe." Hector replied.

"You thought? Can you tell me what happened?" Thomas asked.

"I was in my shop one day, it was a slow day and I saw Firecracker outside. So I figured I would have a picture of him to get more customers. He said the lighting was off and he set my store on fire." Hector explained and the jury gasped.

"I really hate Irate." Firecracker groaned.

"He blasted your store?" Thomas asked.

"Yes." Hector replied. "Set it completely on fire."

"This is coming from a hero. Who's job is to protect the innocent." Thomas said to the people of the court. "Instead he burned set fire to a store and proceeded to burn down the whole city."

"Objection!" Mr. Cuddles shouted. "The city was only on fire it was burnt to the ground!"

"Agreed." Matheson said. "Mr. Lang please keep with the facts."

"Very well your honor." Thomas said. "Now Mr. Casagrande did it take long for your store to be rebuilt?"

"Actually all of a sudden the whole city was back to normal within seconds like the fire never happened." Hector stated.

"But that doesn't change the fact that it was destroyed am I correct?" Thomas asked.

"Yes." Hector answered.

"No further questions." Thomas said before sitting down.

Can you float me over to stand again?" Mr. Cuddles asked Prodigy. Prodigy uses her telekinesis to float Mr. Cuddles over to the stand. "Now Mr. Casagrande. You said that my client, Firecracker set your store on fire is that correct?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

"Yes I did, do you have a point?" Hector asked.

"Can you describe his appearance for me?" Mr. Cuddles requested. "Just a general description will work."

"Well his outfit looked the same but the colour was a bit dark. He had spiked up hair, red eyes and even his skin was red like a lobster." Hector explained. "He even had fire on his hands."

"Your Honor if I may, can I have my client Firecracker stand up and approach Mr. Casagrande?" Mr. Cuddles requested.

"I'll allow it." Matheson said. "Firecracker please stand in front of Mr. Casagrande."

Firecracker stands up and walks towards the witness stand to approach Hector. "Now Mr. Casagrande is the same Firecracker who set your store on fire?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

Hector looked at Firecracker, he looked at the keys elements he described, no red skin, the hair wasn't sticking up and no fire on his wrists. "He's different from the last time I saw him." Hector said.

"Now was certain tone he spoke with at all?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

"Well his tone had a lot of malice to it." Hector responded. "He sounded pure evil."

"Firecracker, I want you to say something, anything from the top of your head." Mr. Cuddles said.

"The lighting seems off." Firecracker said. "Do I need to say it louder?"

"No, you don't. The quote's the same but not the tone." Hector said. "Which means you didn't set my store on fire."

The crowd gasps and they start whispering to each other. "Order! ORDER! Order in the court!" Matheson commands as he bangs his gavel on his desk.

"See this proves my client is not guilty." Mr. Cuddles said. "The defense rest. Um Firecracker can you take me back to the desk?"

Firecracker grabs Mr. Cuddles and takes him back to the defense desk. Hector stood up from the witness stand and walked back to his normal seat. "Defense, you're next witness." Matheson said.

"Oh. Right." Mr. Cuddles said.

"You have another witness right?" Crystal Princess whispered.

"Tabby said she couldn't make it because of a family reunion." Mr. Cuddles whispered back. Suddenly the court doors open and an old man with a gray beard and hair wearing a suit comes in.

"I'm here." The man said. "I'm here." However the L-Crew and Mr. Cuddles stared at the man with jaws dropped. The man was Soothsayer. Soothsayer walked up and stopped next to Mr. Cuddles.

"What are you doing Soothsayer?" Mr. Cuddles asked through gritted teeth.

"I'm here to help." Soothsayer replied. "Also, call me Dr. Caine Sayer, meta psychologist."

"But you're not their therapist." Mr. Cuddles told him. "Clyde is."

"Who do you think is in my ear?" Soothsayer said.

"Mr. Cuddles is this your witness?" Matheson asked.

"Yes, he is. This is Dr. Caine Sayer, meta psychologist." Mr. Cuddles said. "He was just running late that's all, please take the stand Doctor."

"Objection! He was suppose to arrive when the trail began." Thomas stated.

"Overruled." Matheson said. "Dr. Sayer please walk towards the witness stand."

Soothsayer walked towards the stand as he placed his hand on the bible. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" The bailiff asked.

"I do." Soothsayer replied as he sat down in the witness bench.

"Now Dr. Sayer." Mr. Cuddles began as he got down from the table and walked towards the stand, he even gave the bailiff the signal pick him up and the bailiff lifted the teddy bear onto the stand. "You've been the L-Crew's therapist for how long?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

"Several months now." Soothsayer replied. "They reached out to me when they felt like they were having issues."

"What kind of issues?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

At the base, Clyde had a headset on listening to Mr. Cuddles's questions. As soon as he heard the question, Clyde went through his notes. "Issues issues issues." He muttered as he flipped through the pages. "Ah ha! Soothsayer repeat after me."

"The L-Crew had emotional issues connected to their powers." Soothsayer answered. "Firecracker temper was shorter, Wildgirl would have trouble dealing with her instincts. Stuff like that."

"So did you have any methods of dealing with these types of problem?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

"Yes I did." Soothsayer said.

"Would you kindly explain it to the court." Mr. Cuddles said.

"Well we did certain exercises that would help deal with their troubled behaviors." Soothsayer responded.

"Did it work?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

"Well they passed with flying colours, but Firecracker took a lot longer than usual." Soothsayer said.

"Would you care to explain to the court what went wrong?" Mr. Cuddles requested.

"If you insist. Firecracker took longer due to something waking up inside or someone. The first time this happened when Squatch, Nuke and Johnny Speed we're at the pier with a kidnapped child, he was violent towards the trio, but when he was knocked out, Firecracker had no memory of his violent nature, it happened a few times during a battle with Hydro's team and stopping a magma metahuman named Vesuvius, who tried to destroy the town." Soothsayer explained. "Later on he would remember his episodes and sudden someone woken up."

"Someone?" Me. Cuddles asked.

"His anger had taken on a personality of it's own." Soothsayer explained. "We believe it started with an incident where the L-Crew confronted a meta by the name of Isaac Mercer."

"Now can you tell me why you believe Mercer might have been a cause of this awakening as you call it?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

"Correct, he has the ability to Hypnotize people by their anger. Firecracker and his younger siblings minus Greenthumb were under his control. But he is unaware that he has awoken his anger." Soothsayer explained.

"Now in your personal opinion doctor, do you believe that Firecracker would attack the city?" Mr. Cuddles questioned. "Do you believe the L-Crew would go on a rampage and cause as much damage as they did?"

"Of course not." Soothsayer said. "I believe they're still our heroes for Royal Woods. I doubt they would destroy their own city. Some of you see them as destroyers, but I still see them as saviours."

"Thank you doctor." Mr. Cuddles said. He then motioned for the bailiff to take lift him off the stand. Once he's on the ground he heads back to the defense bench and Lang stood up.

"Dr. Sayer is it?" Thomas asked.

"That's correct sir." Soothsayer replied.

"How come I never heard of you?" Thomas asked.

"Uh oh." Mr. Cuddles and the L-Crew say in unison.

"I'm not as well known." Soothsayer responded. "Meta humans like their privacy."

"I see. Now when you found out Firecracker's other personality, did you try and stopped this or did you sit back and watched him lose control?" Thomas asked.

"I did everything in my power to stop him." Soothsayer responded. "I worked tirelessly to try to keep his other half from getting loose."

"Well judging by the results of Firecracker's rampage, you were too late to put it to rest." Thomas replied.

"I'm a Doctor, not a miracle worker. Results is what I'm looking for!" Soothsayer exclaimed.

"And this is a result that you could've prevented!" Thomas responded. "What if Firecracker had killed someone? Then that would be on you!"

"But no one died did they?" Soothsayer fired back.

"No more questions." Lang growled.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the court we will adjourn court til tomorrow where we will pick up where we left off." Matheson said. "Court is adjourned." He bangs his gavel on the desk.

Back home the Loud siblings are in Lori and Leni's room. "Well that went well." Lynn groaned.

"Pretty soon we'll be thrown in the dungeon where we'll be killed by the people we put in." Lola said.

"Maybe Mr. Cuddles will be able to pull this off." Leni said optimistically. After she said that, Soothsayer and Mr. Cuddles appeared in the room.

"We're boned!" Mr. Cuddles said immediately. "We're screwed I tell ya. Screwed! Lang has two more witnesses and all my witnesses either can't make it or are too scared! We're so screwed! I need a hug." Lily walks over to the bear and gives him a hug. "Thanks."

"I must apologize for everything." Soothsayer said. "Clyde and I felt you needed an expert witness so I disguised myself as a doctor while Clyde fed me words. I can't help but feel that this is my fault."

"No, it's not your fault. You did your best Soothsayer, you were just caught off guard." Lincoln said.

"Lincoln's right. Thomas Lang is pro and unpredictable when it comes to cases like these." Lisa said.

"Ok but what do we do now?" Lana asked. "Did Ronnie Anne and the others find anything?"

"Sadly no." Soothsayer responded. "Even with Charles sniffing they found nothing."

"Dang it! We're running out of time. There's no evidence to clear our names! We barley have any witnesses, this could mean the end for the L-Crew." Lynn groaned.

"But we gotta think of something dudes." Luna said. "Anything!"

"Hmm, we need evidence that Irate and Firecracker are two different people." Mr. Cuddles said from where he was being cuddled by Lily. "If we can prove Firecracker's innocence, then we can prove that the rest of you are innocent because let's face it, this trial is basically the town trying to arrest Firecracker."

"Ok but where would we get evidence?" Lucy asked. "Who would have this kind of evidence?"

"Well, there's one person who seems to constantly watching you." Soothsayer said.

"Replicate. Of course!" Lori exclaimed. "Replicate is always watching us because he like fighting us so he studies us to see if we're worth it. There's no doubt he watched the fight with Irate."

"But there's a problem." Lincoln pointed out. "Convincing Replicate to help us. While we interest him, he doesn't seem to really like us."

"Which is why we need a someone who can convince him otherwise." Lori said before turning to Luna. "Maybe Sam could convince her dad to stop being selfish and help us."

"I can try and ask Sam to get her father on our side, but it's not going to be easy on both ends." Luna said.

"It's the only option we got Luna." said Mr. Cuddles.

"He doesn't necessarily need to go on the stand, just give us something to prove the innocence of the L-Crew." Soothsayer pointed out.

"Right." Luna said. "I'll talk to Sam tomorrow."

"But we're gonna need to do something to buy us some time." Lisa pointed out. Everyone thinks about it when Mr. Cuddles gets an idea.

"Guys, I just thought of one more witness." He said. "I can assure you that he will be perfect for our case."

"Who is it?" Lori asked.

"Is it Road Hazard?" Leni asked.

"Don't worry kids, he'll be the perfect witness." Mr. Cuddles said. "If he agrees. I gotta go." He walks to the center of the room but nothing happens. "Um, Soothsayer? Your my ride."

"Oh right." Soothsayer said before joining his companion. The two then teleport away.

"Let's hope all goes right tomorrow." Lori said.

"Same here." Lincoln nodded.

The next day, the L-Crew and Mr. Cuddles sat in the courtroom as the trial continued. "Court is back in session." Matheson said as he slammed his gavel.

"Your honour while I do have a witness, he requested that he go after the two remaining prosecution witnesses so he can see how this plays out." Mr. Cuddles said.

"I'll allow it." Matheson said. "Prosecution please send up your witness."

"I call upon Warden William Brock to the stand." Thomas said. Warden Brock stood up from the crowd and walked towards the stand, as he placed his hand on the bible.

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" The bailiff asked.

"I do." Warden Brock said as he sat down on the witness bench.

"Now Warden Brock how long have you worked at the Dungeon?" Thomas asked.

"Thirty years." Brock answered.

"And how long have you been Warden?" Thomas asked.

"Fifteen years." Brock replied. "I started as a guard and worked my way to Warden."

"Now did anyone escape the Dungeon?" Thomas asked.

"Only a few prisoners escaped in the past, we keep upgrading our security. Now since we beefed up security, prisoners escaping have been reduced, but keeping meta humans in was the problem." Brock said.

"Now how did you originally keep meta humans in the Dungeon?" Thomas asked.

"Well when Squatch was brought in we had to keep him sedated and chained." Brock said. "It wasn't the best solution but it was the only one we had. After Hydro escaped we realized that we needed a better way to keep metas in. That was when Andrew Tetherby donated a power neutralizer generator. Everytime we arrest a meta we take their DNA and put it in the system. So as long as they're in the prison they have no powers."

"That sounds like it should keep prisoners from escaping." Thomas said. "Yet you've had metas break out before. Three of which were some of the most dangerous criminals in Royal Woods: Squatch, Johnny Speed and Nuke. Is that correct?"

"Yes that is correct." Brock sighed. "To this day we have no clue have they managed to escape the dungeon and managed to use their powers with the power neutralizer generator on."

"Have they've been captured and thrown back in prison?" Thomas asked.

"No." Brock answered. "All three remain at large and from I've been told they've been causing quite a bit of trouble by taking over several illegal businesses. Weapons, drugs, black market dealing. I've heard they control quite a bit of it."

"Would you say that the L-Crew have failed at their job?" Thomas asked. "I mean they're supposed to bring in criminals right?"

"Yes." Brock responded.

"Now I'm gonna read a list of criminals in your prison." Thomas said. "Hydro, Rubbor, Electron, Payback, Aroma, Stretcher, Camo, Climate."

"That sounds about right." Brock said.

"Now I'm gonna read a list of criminals still out there." Thomas continued. "Johnny Speed, Squatch, Nuke, Candyman, Xander, Vesuvius, Dr. Mercer, Rampage, Honeybee, Industrial Princess, Sound Diva, Tremor. There seems to be more names on this list than the other one."

The Jury began. murmuring among themselves about the list of villains still at large. "Oh come on, some of those guys like Rampage just walked out of the Dungeon because of someone let them out without parole!" Parkour shouted.

"Oh really? Do you have any evidence to back out your claim?" Thomas asked.

"We don't have it." Parkour said.

"Order in the court!" Matheson shouted as he banged his gavel.

"But I will say this. These are our heroes, they spend more time causing destruction while the villains walk among and cause chaos?" Thomas stated. "That's not what heroes do."

"Who are you to judge?" Firecracker growled.

"Mr. Cuddles get your clients under control!" Matheson ordered.

"Yes your honour." Mr. Cuddles said before smacking Firecracker and Parkour in the back of their heads. "Behave!"

"Sorry." The two say in unison.

"Now Mr. Lang do you have any more questions for witness at this time?" Matheson asked.

"No further questions your honour." Thomas said as he walked back to his bench.

Mr. Cuddles is about to ask someone to take him to the witness stand, but Prodigy says. "I got this." Prodigy said as she uses her telekinesis to lift Mr. Cuddles and float him towards the witness stand.

"Thank you." Mr. Cuddles said. "Now Mr. Brock, you mentioned that the three metas Johnny Speed, Squatch, and Nuke escaped from the Dungeon but months afterwards there were two more breakouts correct? One of which was one of the most dangerous prisoners in the Dungeon am I right?"

Yes, Rubbor. He escaped when the door opened up when a technician was trying to fix the cell door, when the door malfunctioned and leading him to escape." Brock explained.

"Do you have a special cell for Rubbor?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

"Of course, it's a clear glass cell, Rubbor would go right through the bars and we have the same type of cell for Electron." Brock said.

"Where is Rubbor now?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

"In the Dungeon." Brock replied. "He was brought after his attack on the city."

"And who took him down?" Mr. Cuddles asked. "The cops? The army? Who?"

"The L-Crew." Brock answered with a sigh.

"The L-Crew." Mr. Cuddles exclaimed. "And might I remind everyone that Rubbor is the most dangerous monster the L-Crew have battled. Much more dangerous than the Terror Crew." The jury whispered among themselves about Rubbor being more dangerous than the Terror Crew along with everyone else in the courtroom. "Now not too long ago you had another break out. The meta known as Aroma correct? Now can you give me details?"

"Of course. Aroma has the ability to control men by a scent of her's. Aroma couldn't use her powers in the Dungeon, she faked a medical emergency and the guards rushed in to check in on her. But then she managed to take down the guards with hand to hand combat." Brock explained.

"Interesting, and who brought her back to the Dungeon?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

"The L-Crew." Brock replied with a sigh.

"So the L-Crew haven't completely failed in bringing back prisoners." Mr. Cuddles said. "Now when the Terror Crew broke out by way of blowing up the wall, how soon did Speed Queen and Amplifier arrive after the fact?"

"They arrived the next morning." Brock replied.

"They were investigating the escape scene right?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

"Yes they were investigating the Terror Crew's escape from the Dungeon." Brock replied.

"So you can't say they didn't take this seriously." Mr. Cuddles said.

"No I can't." Brock said.

"Especially since they immediately start looking for the escaped criminals." Mr. Cuddles said. "Because of them Rubbor is not on the street hurting people. Because of them Aroma is not controlling men. Those two are behind bars where they can't cause trouble. No further questions." Prodigy then levitates him over. After Brock leaves the stand the jury talk among themselves Mr. Cuddles let's out a sigh of relief. He feels something touch his shoulder and he looks to see Speed Queen.

"You're doing great." Speed Queen said.

"Thank you." Me. Cuddles smiled.

"I mean it." Speed Queen said. "You're much calmer up there than you were yesterday. Your giving us hope that we can win this."

"I just hope that Sam can get that evidence." Mr. Cuddles said.

In a alleyway in downtown Royal Woods, Sam stood there with baited breath as she waited for her father to show. "Where are you?" She muttered.

"This is unlike you to call me." Sam turned around and sees her father, Replicate.

"Hey dad." Sam said.

"Care to explain why did you call me?" Replicate asked.

"We know you watch the L-Crew." Sam said. "And we know that you watched the fight between Irate and the L-Crew where Firecracker showed up."

"So?" Replicate prompted.

"So we know that you possibly swiped video evidence in case it came back to bite us in the butt!" Sam told him.

"I heard about the trial. You need the video evidence to clear Firecracker's name?" Replicate asked.

"Yes or else the L-Crew will be placed in the Dungeon." said Sam.

"And why should I help the L-Crew?" Replicate asked.

"Simple: you want a rematch with the L-Crew." Sam said. "If the L-Crew are in the Dungeon, you don't get your rematch." She then flashes a smirk as she knew she had her father where she wanted him.

"I figured you'd say that." Replicate said before pulling out a disc. "Your lucky I was able to swipe it before it was too late."

"I'm actually amazed that you managed to get the disc." Sam said.

"I have my ways Samantha." said Replicate as he handed the disc to his daughter. "Now get this evidence to court, and when the L-Crew's names are cleared, I'll let them enjoy their freedom, for now."

"Thanks dad." Sam said and ran off.

Back in court, Thomas Lang prepared to call his final witness. "I'd like to call to the stand, Hydro." He announced much to the surprise of everyone.

"Hydro?" Firecracker questions.

"How did he managed to get that guy?!" Crystal Princess asked.

The doors to the courtroom open and everyone look to see Hydro in his prison jumpsuit with chains on his wrists and legs being escorted by two armed guards. On his neck was collar. As Hydro walks past the two tables, he flashes a glare at Firecracker who returns it. "Firecracker." Hydro sneered.

"Hydro." Firecracker growled. "Surprised to see you out of your cell."

"They needed me as a witness to put the L-Crew behind bars and who am I to say no?" Hydro replied.

"Your honor, this person right here is a dangerous criminal." Mr. Cuddles said. "He is known for his brutal battles with Firecracker."

"Mr. Cuddles I understand that." Matheson said. "That is why Hydro is wearing that collar to nullify his powers. If he gets out of control it will be dealt with."

"Besides even if this collar wasn't around my neck, I would of finished you all off." Hydro said and then he walked towards the witness stand where he places his hand on the bible.

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" The bailiff asked.

"I do." Hydro said as he took a seat in the witness stand.

"Now Hydro, please address the court your real name." Thomas said.

"Chandler McCann." Hydro responded.

"Now please in great detail on how you went from being a normal kid to what you are now." Thomas said.

"Well my father ran a toxic waste plant." Hydro began. "While it wasn't necessarily legal it brought in a lot of money. Now because it wasn't 'legal' the L-Crew showed up and ruined everything!" He then points at Firecracker. "And it's all his fault!"

"You want to throw down?" Firecracker fired back.

"Order! Order!" Matheson shouted as he bangs his gavel. "Mr. Cuddles control your client and Mr. Lang keep your witness in check!"

"Yes your honor." Mr. Cuddles said as he smacked Firecracker on the back on the head.

"May I remind you that you are in court not some wrestling ring." Thomas pointed out.

"Yes sir." Hydro replied. "Now I wanted to escape until Firecracker threw a fireball at barrel of toxic waste and the toxic waste not ruined my face, but made me bald. Not only that but my father disowned me because I was a freak." The jury couldn't believe what they were hearing and glared at the L-Crew.

"Would you say that they were reckless?" Thomas asked.

"Very." Hydro sneered.

"No more questions." Thomas said. Mr. Cuddles then steps up and walks to the stand with a purpose. He motioned for the bailiff to lift him up so he could look Hydro in the eye.

"You really like to paint yourself as the victim in this don't you Chandler?" Mr. Cuddles growled. "Why don't you tell everyone in the courtroom what you've done with your powers? Why don't you tell the court what you did to your father? Chandler McCann murdered his own father!"

Everyone in courtroom gasped at that statement minus the L-Crew and Thomas Lang. "That's a lie!" Hydro shouted.

"Oh really, my clients told me about this. Don't deny the truth Chandler. You killed your father by drowning him." Mr. Cuddles exclaimed.

"Objection!" Thomas shouted.

"Sustained." Matheson said.

"You killed your own father after he disowned you. Admit it Chandler!" Mr. Cuddles shouted.

"I don't have to admit anything!" Hydro shouted. "I'm not on trial!"

"Your right." Mr. Cuddles said. "You aren't but you have everything to gain with the L-Crew getting thrown in jail! Your honor, permission to treat this witness as hostile?"

"Granted." Matheson said.

"I'm gonna get scolded by Teddy bear. Oh I'm so scared." Hydro said sarcastically and laughed.

"Oh boy." Firecracker said. "You shouldn't have done that."

"I'm more than just a teddy bear. I'm your worst nightmare, you are nothing but an unfunny Deadpool with an even uglier face, you killed your dad because he found you ugly, an outcast, a freak of nature, an abomination! Did killing your own father made you feel normal? Did trying to kill the L-Crew make you normal? No, it didn't help you be normal again! You will always be a anger sad child with no satisfaction in life." said Mr. Cuddles.

Hydro blinked a couple times before looking at the judge. "Um, can I go back to the Dungeon now?" He asked but Matheson shook his head. "Fine I killed my dad! There I said it. Happy?"

"Guard get this guy back to the Dungeon." Mr. Cuddles said.

The guard began to take Hydro out of the witness stand and began to escort him to the transport van. "See you later Hydro." Parkour smirked.

"Try to avoid mirrors in prison!" Firecracker shouts.

"Now Mr. Cuddles you said you had a witness?" Matheson asked.

"Yes your honor." Mr. Cuddles said. "I call to the stand, Mayor Turner." This caused everyone in the courtroom to let out a collective gasp.

"The mayor?" Crystal Princess questioned.

"Trust me. I know what I'm doing." Mr. Cuddles said.

The mayor enters the room with two men in suits on either side of him as walked towards the witness stand. Once he got there, a bailiff walks up with a bible and Turner places his hand on it.

"Do swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?" The bailiff asked.

"I swear." Turner responded before sitting at the witness stand.

"Now Mayor Turner. You are the one gave the L-Crew a fair trial is that correct?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

"Yes, that is correct." Turner replied.

"Would you explain why?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

"Yes." Turner answered. "I've been mayor of this city for three years and over those three years I've seen crime get worse and worse. Now several months ago a robbery was stopped at the museum. There were no witnesses except the robbers who claimed to be hit by several unnatural attacks. Then not long after, a meta stops a robbery by moving at super speed."

"Is that meta here today?" Mr. Cuddles asked.

"Yes she is. Her name is Speed Queen." Mayor Turner pointed at Speed Queen. I was impressed that she was able to take down those robbers, she even managed to catch the bullets that we're fired from the robbers' guns."

"Now we all know that in that same day Wildgirl lost control of her t-rex form." Mr. Cuddles admitted. "Was anyone hurt?"

"No." Turner said.

"Now I brought you to the stand for a particular reason and that is you were once saved by the L-Crew." Mr. Cuddles said. "Is that story correct?"

"Yes, that is true. Stretcher and some henchmen invaded my home during a party in honor of the L-Crew. Stretcher held me hostage. Luckily the L-Crew defeated Stretcher, and if it wasn't for the L-Crew well I wouldn't be alive today." Turner explained.

"Now Haggar said that crime has gone down quite a bit since the L-Crew arrived on the scene." Mr. Cuddles told him. "And as Haggar also pointed out, more cops are going home to their families in one piece. Now do you believe that the L-Crew would attack the city like they supposedly did?"

"I wouldn't believe it for a second. The L-Crew have done so much for us, they made our city safe again, reducing crimes and such. I offered this fair trial to hear from the L-Crew's point of view, their side of the story. I would never believe that they would destroy the city to which they call their home." Turner said.

"No further questions." Mr. Cuddles said before he fell off the stand and faceplanted on the floor. "Damn it." Prodigy then levitates Mr. Cuddles over to the defense bench.

Thomas gets up from his bench and walks up to the witness. "Mayor Turner, I must admit you have good reasons for why you find the L-Crew innocent." said Thomas.

"What is he up too?" Crystal Princess pondered.

"Of course I do." Turner said. "They've saved the city countless times."

"Even those they're damaging your city in the progress." Thomas said. "Won't this cost you the election?"

However much to everyone's surprise, Turner chuckled. "I'm not afraid that this will cost me the election." He said. "I'm not gonna deny the fact that the Terror Crew are running amok in my city. But that's the difference between you and me Lang, I don't lie about the little things. You know you got nothing on me Lang. So where do you go from here?" Everyone in the courtroom's jaws dropped and stared in silence.

"Dudes, our mayor is awesome." Amplifier said.

"Yeah Lang's got nothing on him." Firecracker whispered.

"I think Thomas Lang has nothing more to say." said Parkour.

"Ok Turner but why haven't you done anything about Firecracker." Thomas said. "Evidence is heavy on him. Witnesses are heavy. You should've had him locked up months ago but you didn't. Why?"

"Like I said before there is still a investigation." Turner said. "It still needs to be confirmed."

"You're only stalling to protect a kid who's clearly guilty." Thomas said. "You don't have proof to clear his name."

"I'm not stalling at all." Turner replied calmly. "But you're right. There is no evidence. However that doesn't mean Firecracker or any of the L-Crew are guilty."

All of a sudden Genarocker bursted into the courtroom holding a disc in her hand. "Your honor!" She shouted.

"Who are you and what are you doing in my courtroom!" Matheson asked.

"My name is Genarocker. I'm new to the L-Crew. I have proof to clear the L-Crew and Firecracker's name." Genarocker said while holding a disc.

"You're saying you have evidence of the L-Crew's innocence?" Matheson inquired.

"Yes your honor." Genarocker replied. "On this disc is the day Firecracker supposedly attacked the city. But this disc has proof that it wasn't him!"

"If you say so." Matheson said. "Bailiff bring in the tv."

The bailiff walks to the side and brings in a tv with a DVD player. "Your honor, this could be a fake." Thomas pointed out.

"It's not fake." Genarocker said.

"Play it." Matheson ordered. The bailiff puts the disc in and the video starts with the whole city on fire. The L-Crew then appeared on the video facing off against what appeared to be Firecracker. Suddenly Firecracker prepared a giant fireball and prepared to fire it at the girls but another fireball hit the giant one causing it to disappear. The court then see a second Firecracker appear on the screen. "My God. There were two Firecrackers."

Everyone in the courtroom gasped at the second Firecracker. "I knew Sam wouldn't let us down." Amplifier whispered.

The rest of the court kept watching the footage of the two Firecrackers fighting until an ultra nova destroyed the feedback.

"Firecracker didn't attack the city!" A person shouted.

"It was an impostor!" Another person shouted.

"Of course it wasn't me." Firecracker said as he stood up. "Your honor permission to explain what everyone just saw?"

"Granted." Matheson replied.

"You see, that other me you saw in that video was an evil version of me that called himself Irate." Firecracker explained. "He is a physical manifestation of my anger that built up over the years that developed a mind of it's own. For a short period of time, Irate took over my body and would brutally fight our opponents at the time. Those opponents included the Terror Crew, the Revenants, Rubbor and Vesuvius. However Irate would only be in control until I was knocked out. But when I came too, I had no memory of what transpired. Soon Irate became strong enough to take full control of my body and would try to cause mayhem. However, he learned that I was still fighting for control of my body so he used a spell book to split us. Sadly the result was Irate being at full power while I was left weak and mentally damaged. After we separated, Irate went on a rampage and set out to burn Royal Woods to the ground. My sisters went out to stop him, but he was stronger than we thought. He overpowered them and would've destroyed them if I hadn't showed up. And you all saw the rest. I didn't attack your city because I have no reason to. I love this city and I have no reason to destroy it. Thank you." Firecracker then sits down while everyone in the courtroom talked quietly to themselves.

"You have all the evidence you need Thomas?" Turner asked.

"So I guess he didn't destroy the city because of some look alike? There's a bunch of look alike everyday." Thomas said.

"Alright that's enough." Matheson said. "Now let's hear closing statements. Prosecution, you may go first."

"Very well. After the recent new evidence that I have witness. The L-Crew is still accounted for property damage, not catching villains who are still at large and so on. They think that being a superhero is like what we see in the comics and movies, they stop crime and walk away from the mess they leave. The more we let the L-Crew walk around, the more our insurance rates go up. I urge you ladies and gentlemen of the jury to find the L-Crew guilty of their misdeeds." Thomas said and after that walked back to his seat.

"A good point Mr. Lang. Defense, your closing statement." Matheson said.

"I understand why everyone is afraid." Mr. Cuddles began. "Metas are things that nobody can understand and it's scary. And I understand that the L-Crew leave damage after battles and don't clean up. But the L-Crew have done so much good for this city. They've kept criminals at bay, and metas in check. Without them, this city would be a warzone and nobody wants that. So I urge all of you to find my clients not guilty and if they're innocent, I can promise that they will clean up any damages they cause in the city. Thank you." Mr. Cuddles goes and sits down.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury." Matheson said. "You have heard both sides and now you all must make a unanimous decision. The bailiff will now escort you to the room to deliberate."

The members of the jury all got off of their seats and the bailiff escorted everyone to another room so decided of the L-Crew are guilty or innocent.

"Now we wait." Mr. Cuddles said.

"That's the tough part." Speed Queen said. "Juries are known to deliberate for hours, sometimes even days."

"That is correct. We don't know if the jury will make up their minds on the verdict." Prodigy said. "How did you know that fact anyway?"

"I did a little bit of research before the trial." said Speed Queen.

"This is so stressful." Multiple Girl said. "If we get sent to the Dungeon maybe Aroma and I can exchange beauty tips."

"Yeah after she's done maiming you." Parkour said sarcastically.

"Same with seeing Electron and Rubbor." Amplifier gulped.

"Same with Stretcher, Payback and other villains that hate me." Firecracker said.

"Actually Stretcher has it out for more me than anything." Black Ice said.

"Why you say that?" Firecracker asked.

"I gave him a bad case of frostbite." Black Ice responded.

"Ouch." Ms. Appear cringed. "We really pissed off a lot of people."

"Yeah and no matter what happens we'll stick together, no matter what." Speed Queen said.

"Actually we'll probably be placed in different cells and get unsatisfying cellmates." Prodigy said.

"I don't want to get stuck with someone like Climate!" Crystal Princess cried.

"Kids relax." Mr. Cuddles said. "I'll make sure you guys are safe."

"You better or else, our personal lives are ruined!" Crystal shouted.

"Crystal Princess that's enough." Speed Queen said. "Mr. Cuddles has done a lot for us these past two days. Don't turn on him now."

"Right. I'm sorry." Crystal Princess said. They hear a door open and they see the jury returning to the courtroom. The bailiff takes a piece of paper from Principal Huggins and brings it to Matheson who looks it over before handing it back to the bailiff who hands it to Huggins.

"All rise." Matheson commands and the prosecution side and defense side stand up. "Mr. Foreman, have you reached a verdict?"

"Yes your honor." Principal Huggins began. "We the jury find the L-Crew." Each member of the L-Crew began sweating and had nervous looks on their faces, Thomas Lang on the other hand remained calm.

"Innocent." Principal Huggins finished.

"Yes!" The L-Crew cheered in unison before doing a group hug. Mr. Cuddles watched with a smile on his face when he's suddenly grabbed by Speed Queen and pulled into the hug. Everyone in the courtroom were on their feet applauding the L-Crew while Lang sat with a shocked look on his face. The cheering was then interrupted by Matheson banging his gavel.

"Order in the court." Matheson ordered. After everyone went silent, he continued. "Now before we adjourn I would like to say something. For the past few months we've lived in fear of Firecracker because of what we thought he did while ignoring the good he has done. And because of this, we as a city did all we could to show him he wasn't welcome which in turn made his job harder. Now on behalf of Royal Woods, I would like to formally apologize to Firecracker for the mistreatment that we showed you. And we hope that this whole ordeal doesn't change your view on us as a city."

"Apology accepted." Firecracker said. "But no it doesn't change on how I Royal Woods. I'm not leaving and I'm going to defend this city, no matter the threat."

"And with being. L-Crew, you're free to go." Matheson then bangs his gavel. "Jury I would like to thank you for your service. Court is adjourned."

The L-Crew walk out of the courthouse where they are met several reporters and cameras. Each trying to interview the L-Crew.

"Firecracker, how it feel to not to responsible for the rampage months ago?" A reporter asked.

"Genarocker! Where did you find that disc?!" Another reporter asked.

"Will you do everything in your power to stop the Terror Crew!?" A 3rd reporter asked.

"Well it feels great to not be blamed for the attack on the city months ago and I hope we can all get along as time goes by." Firecracker responded.

"I cannot answer that question because my source wishes to stay anonymous." Genarocker answered.

"And as for the Terror Crew, we promise that we will do everything in our power to bring them in." Speed Queen answered. More reporters tried to as questions but Mr. Cuddles stepped.

"Sorry folks but my clients will not be answering any more questions at this time." Mr. Cuddles said. "We need to go home and celebrate this victory."

The L-Crew and Mr. Cuddles began to walk away from the interviewers and reports, however one reporter Jenny Snarts wasn't too thrilled about the trial. "My fiancé is not gonna like this one bit." She said.

Later at Tetherby Industries, Thomas Lang was kneeling in front Andrew Tetherby with Adamborg and Xander standing on either side of him. "You failed." Tetherby growled.

"I'm sorry sir." Thomas said. "I thought I could win. Their lawyer was a teddy bear!"

"And because of that teddy bear, the city now knows Firecracker is innocent which makes our footage of Irate's rampage useless! You have ruined so much that a punishment is in order. Xander. Adamborg. What should we do to our friend here?"

"Kill him?" Adamborg asked.

"Use him as lab rat?" Xander suggested.

"All good decisions." Tetherby said. "But this is quite a big failure so it needs something appropriate." He thinks about it and gets an idea. "Xander, why don't you and Adamborg take Mr. Lang down to our little friend that you've been keeping an eye on. I'm sure he'd like to play with Mr. Lang."

Xander smiles and grabs Thomas. "With pleasure mate." He says before he and Adamborg drag Thomas away.

"No! Please don't do this!" Thomas begged as the doors shut behind them.

"There's another failure taken care of." Tetherby said. He then presses the button on his intercom. "Stuart, once Xander is finished disposing Mr. Lang, give him the device you've been working on and tell him to meet me at the exit. We're going to the Dungeon."

"Yes sir." Stuart replied and the call ended.

"Luckily I always have a back up plan for those who fail me." Tetherby said.

Zachlor16: Hey guys. So first I want to apologize for the lack of action in this chapter. I promise that there will be action next chapter because we're bringing back a villain and it's a chapter that I personally have been waiting for. Now I'm gonna get down to business. Heroes Central, you need to calm down! We will reveal Tetherby when we feel like revealing Tetherby. So calm down. Final warning. Also, if anyone can do Ted 2 themed OMAKES that'd be cool. Alright see you next time.

Smoke: Hey guys Smoke here. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. This one had lack of action, but fear not we'll be back with some action in the next chapter, I promise. Don't forget to read and review.