I read this while i was browsing on HM Farm forums. I found this story quite funny, great fic by the way!
Thanks! Mineral Town used to be such a happy, innocent little town before I showed up and twisted it all... ;D
Well, here's the second-to-last chapter; the Trial!
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Jack sighed and laid down on the bench, hoping to catch some sleep before his big court appearance. His mind was in absolute turmoil. The words “sexual assault” had him the most scared. As Harris had said it was a very, very serious charge.
“Umm... don’t be getting too comfortable, now.” Won said, nervously. Jack sat up and looked at him.
“Why? I want to be rested before the trial.”
Won scratched the back of his neck and offered Jack a weak smile.
“Well... after Zack hit you over the head you were out for quite some time.” Won replied. Jack groaned.
“How lo-”
“Alright, it’s time!” Zack shouted, opening the door loudly. Jack’s eyes widened in panic as he leaned in close to Won.
“It’s too soon!” Jack said, frightened. “We haven’t discussed what I’m supposed to say yet!”
Won put his hands on Jack’s shoulders and smiled in what he hoped was a reassuring manner.
“Don’t worry, kid! I told you... I have a foolproof plan to get you off!”
“But what is it?” Jack asked, pulling Won’s hands off of him. “What if the judge a-”
“The judge won’t ask you anything until I’ve had the chance to speak for you.” Won replied, cutting him off. ”Just trust in me and everything will be okay, I promise!”
Zack glared at them both as he fumbled with the keys to the cell.
“That’s enough! You’ve had plenty of time to talk things over. Now it’s time to face the judge.”
Jack’s face still spoke of fear but Won simply gave him a wink and a big ‘thumbs up’.
“I have a really bad feeling about this...” Jack thought to himself.
Zack shoved Won and Jack forward and gruffly instructed them to keep walking. Jack wasn’t sure where he was during his time in the cell but after leaving the room it was clear to him that the prison had been put up in the mayor’s house, since he immediately recognised the living room from previous visits.
“Where is the trial being held?” Jack asked. Zack grumbled deep in his throat.
“The town square. We don’t have a courthouse here in Mineral Town. You’re the first big criminal we’ve ever had.”
Jack started slightly at the word ‘criminal’. It was still hard to believe. Thank god his parents didn’t know... they would be crushed by the news.
Sure enough as they came to the town square a long row of benches had been hastily set up in the early hours of the morning and what looked to be the entire town was in attendance. A desk stood upon a tall platform and the mayor, presumedly the judge, sat at it.
The crowd, which had been chatting quietly, suddenly burst into excitement as Jack and Won were led to the front row of the benches. Popuri and an unfamiliar man sat to the left, and the former regarded Jack with unvieled malace.
“Take your seats.” Zack said gruffly, pointing to the benches to the right of Popuri. Jack sat down nervously and began fidgeting in his chair.
“Yoooohoooo! Jackkkkk!” Ann yelled, waving furiously. Jack turned around and was happy to see that she appeared to be feeling better. We waved back weakly and widened his eyes a bit in suprise as she mouthed the words "I love you."
“Alright, let’s get this thing started!” the mayor shouted. “Ummm... all rise?”
The audience stood obediently and the mayor suddenly began to look around in confusion.
“Uhh... what do I do next?” the mayor asked Harris, who was standing next to the witness box.
“Well, I think I was supposed to say ‘all rise’ when you entered the courtroom, but you’re already here. And you said it for me.” Harris replied, equally confused.
“Oh. Umm... all sit, then. I guess.”
The audience shrugged and sat down as they were told. To them this whole ordeal was terribly exciting, and the mere act of being told to stand and sit made them feel like they were actively participating.
“Nowww... Jack, you have been charged with the sexual assualt of miss Popuri. This is a serious felony, punishable by up to five years in prison!”
Jack’s heart sunk.
”Five years?” he thought to himself in dispair. “Who’s going to take care of Kero? And Madam Moo? And Cheeky Beaky... and Sir Clucksalot!”
“How do you plea?” the mayor demanded. Harris rushed over and whispered in his ear.
“You can’t ask him that, yet. You have to let Popuri’s lawyer tell you her story and then you have to listen to mr. Won’s version.”
The mayor blushed in imbarrassment. He was all ready to bang his gavel...
“Okay then! Miss Popuri, lets hear your story!”
Popuri’s lawyer stood up and faced the crowd gravely.
“Ladies and gentlemen... do not be confused by what you ‘think’ you know about this young man. He may have helped you out in the past. He may be your friend. He may seem like a fine, upstanding member of society... but in truth he is a devious pervert of the worst kind!”
Jack opened his mouth and began to stand up in protest, but Won quickly grabbed him and forced him to his seat.
”You’ll get the chance to speak for yourself soon enough!” he whispered. “Don’t let her lawyer get to you!”
Jack frowned but sat back down as he was told. Popuri’s lawyer continued.
“Young miss Popuri, as virtuous and respectable a girl as you’re ever likely to find,”
Popuri ducked her head and blushed for added effect. The audience gave an appropriate “awww” in response.
”...was violated by this young man. Completely without provocation, and certainly against her will.” the lawyer continued. “Picture if you will; it is a cold, dark night and the young miss Popuri is having a perfectly normal quarrel with her older brother over how long she was spending in the shower,”
Popuri’s face turned beat red at the lie and looked down to the ground. Rick’s face, by comparison, was beeming at the memory.
“...when out from the shadows came Jack, his mind full of lust! He stalked down his young, innocent prey and in one fell swoop tore the towel from her, running off with it to add to his horrible collection of ‘trophies’.”
“...But not before getting a good look at the nude miss Popuri, the object of his sick desires." the man continued. "It is likely that Jack has been planning this nefarious crime for some time now, since he showed up at such an opportune time. If he had gotten away with this crime, who knows who might have been next?” he asked, looking around at the audience.
”Jack should be locked away from society, because if he is free to continue to live his disgusting lifestyle nobody in this town will be safe!”
The mayor scratched his chin thoughtfully.
“Sooo... you’re saying that Jack attacked Popuri, took away her towel, and then ran away with it?”
”Yes, your honor.” the lawyer replied, somehwhat annoyed.
“And Popuri was nude?” the mayor asked. Popuri’s face reddened.
“Yes, your honor. He got a very good look at her before running off. Enough to satisfy his sick desires.”
The mayor nodded his head and raised his gavel excitedly. This was what he was waiting for...
“Then I declare him Guilty, as cha-!”
Harris ran over and stopped his gavel, once again whispering in his ear.
“You have to listen to Won’s version of the story before you declare anything. Besides, it’s up to the jury to decide that.”
The mayor’s face fell noticably, and he waved his hand.
“Very well. Won, lets hear your story. “
Jack’s face began to bead with sweat as Won stood and approached the audience. Once again, Won winked and gave him a thumbs up sign.
“Ladies and gentlemen.” Won started. “I intend to prove to you that mr. Jack is not in fact a pervert, but simply a confused and unlucky young man.”
The audience stirred and began muttering to each other in dissaproval.
“Silence! Order in the court!” the mayor shouted, banging his gavel. He looked to Harris questioningly and recieved a warm nod. Won paused a moment, and then continued.
“Jack did not steal miss Popuri’s towel out of desire to see her naked. You see... Jack is a gender-confused male.”
“WHAT?!?” Jack shouted, standing up in horror. Zack ran to him and forced Jack to his seat. Won ran to him as well and whispered to him quietly.
“Shhhhh...” Won said. “I’m telling you, this is going to work!”
“THIS is your ‘foolproof plan’?!?” Jack screamed, enraged. “Are you insane?”
“You have to wait your turn to speak!” Won said pleadingly. “Just trust me... this is golden!”
Won ran back to face the audience as Jack stared daggers at him.
“Kill.....you..........” Jack growled, his fists clenched tight.
“Poor, confused mr. Jack has been living a secret life for as long as you have known him. He is fearful of what everyone else might think. Fearful of persecution... of rejection from all the people he loves!” Won continued. The audience was thoroughly confused. They didn’t know what to think now.
“You see, for as long as Jack can remember he had wished that he was a girl, and the stealing of Popuri’s towel, as well as several of her dresses, was simply a means to live out this dream.”
Won looked briefly at Rick, who gave him a sly wink. Ann was stunned.
”Jack? I... I had no idea!” she whispered. Karen put her arm around Ann and did her best to console her.
“Uhhh... are you serious?” the mayor said suspiciously. “I thought he liked girls...”
“He does indeed!” Won said, giving Jack another thumbs up. Jack’s vision was begining to turn red as he briefly considered running past Zack and choking the life out of Won.
“However... he has also felt confused about his own identity. The supposed ‘attack’ on Popuri was simply to obtain her towel, since all of his are blue and he felt that a pink towel would be more feminine.” Won said.
The mayor stroked his chin again, and then shook his head.
“Sorry, I find this hard to believe. What proof do you have?”
Won grinned and began rubbing his hands in anticipation.
“Who would know better... than Jack’s own parents!”
The audience gasped in shock as Jack’s mom and dad appeared from the back of the square and walked up to the bench.
”I call to the stand... ummm..... Jack’s mom and dad!” Won said, triumphantly.
“Suprise witnesses!” the mayor said, delighted. “This is becoming rather exciting, isn’t it?” he said to Harris, who nodded.
“Mr and Mrs... ummm..... Jack. Is what I said true?”
”Yes!” Jack’s mom cried, dabbing her eyes. “It’s all my fault for not seeing the warning signs. It all began with Halloween, when Jack insisted on dressing up as a witch!”
“I was four years old, for god’s sake!” Jack shouted, standing. His mother burst into tears.
“You don’t have to deny it anymore, sweetie!” she sobbed. “It’s okay! I love you all the same!”
The audience began to shift it’s tone at the emotional outburst, now regarding Jack with pity and shame for not supporting him all this time.
“No... it’s my fault.” Jack’s dad replied, himself getting teary-eyed. “I was always away on business while Jack was young. Without a strong male role-model it’s no suprise that this would happen. Oh Jack! Can you ever forgive me?” he cried, bursting into tears.
Jack was speechless. Would this crazy plan actually work?!?
“I love you, son... errr, daughter?” Jack’s dad said, wiping away tears.
”I love you too, Jackie!” his mom sobbed. Now the entire audience was in tears. Even Popuri was crying now, stunned that she was accusing Jack when she should be supporting him.
The mayor removed his glasses and dabbed at his eyes with a hankerchief as Won fought to keep the grin off his face.
“You see... Jack is not a criminal or a pervert." Won continued. ""He just wants to be loved, and accepted for who he is!”
The mayor blew his nose and looked at Jack tearfully.
“Is this true, Jack? Have you been forced to keep this bitter secret from us all this time?”
Jack’s mouth was hanging open as he looked from his mom, to his dad, and then to Won, who was nodding vigorously. Jack swallowed hard and said the most difficult thing of his life.
“I.... I just want to be pretty!” he shouted, bursting into tears.
“Awwwww!!!” the audience cried out, deeply moved. Popuri stood and faced the mayor, her face stained with tears.
“I wish to drop all charges!” she shouted. “Oh Jack, can you ever forgive me?!?”
“I love you Jack!” Ann cried, standing up. “I don’t care how you want to live your life! I’ll stand by you no matter what!”
The mayor stood up and banged his gavel on the desk in triumph.
“Very well!” he sobbed. “The charges are dropped! Case dismissed!”
“Hurray!!!” the audience screamed with joy. This was even better than they could have hoped for... this was a day that would be talked of for years to come.
“You won, my boy!” Won whooped, running to Jack and clapping him on the shoulder.
Jack’s parents rushed to his side and hugged him tenderly as Ann ran through the crowd to meet him.
“Jack, I love you!” she cried, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him passionately. “I promise, first thing tomorrow we’re going to go shopping for new shoes!”
The audience, now crying for sheer joy, embraced friend and foe and vowed to never fight again. Shouts of "We're sorry, Jack!" and "Can you ever forgive us?" rang out as Jack held Ann in his arms and laughter began to escape his lips.
His fear and confusion slowly turned to joy as he realized that, against all odds, Won’s plan had worked. Finally, the nightmare was over. He could go back to the farm and continue on with his life.
He was free.
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Don't forget... still one final chapter to go!
