Chapter 6

I’m here to make a proposal, Mr. Evan.

EVAN: Not interested.

You will once I finish.

EVAN: Sure.

You like your Friends, correct? Vivian, Jacklin, Felix and so forth.

EVAN: !

Don’t be surprised. I know more about you than perhaps even yourself.

*It has been 2 Days since Evan was arrested. Evan is in the Interrogation Room. Not too dissimilar to the one that Natasha had put him in. The Police has been trying to get him to talk, unsuccessfully. There is a Guard watching over them.

EVAN: They have nothing to do with this. They didn’t commit any crime.

We both know that isn’t the Truth. But we could pretend it is. So here is my proposal. You take the Fall. And your Friends will never have to worry about the Consequences of their Actions again.

EVAN: And how would you accomplish that?

I have “Friends” in high Places. Does the Quartet in the Higher Strata ring a Bell?

EVAN: Them??

*The Figure slides a Contract towards Evan. If he gives himself up to the Police and takes the Blame, his Cohorts will be left alone by the Boss and his Underlings for the Rest of their Lives.

EVAN: And why would I believe you?

*He snaps his Fingers. The Guard takes out his Gun and points it at his own head.

I have made a Contract with this Guard.

*He shows another Contract to Evan.

He has to do everything I tell him to. If I wanted to, I could make him shoot himself right here, right now. Would that be proof enough for you?

EVAN: …

I will be giving your Friends a similar Contract to ensure that they will stay out of Trouble.

Do we have a Deal?

*It has been a Week since Evan was arrested. Vivian, Zoey and Lucy are sitting around in a Hotel Room in Hinscheid (owned by Isaac).

VIVIAN: I don’t get it. Why doesn’t he want me to break him out? One Portal Key and he’s free.

LUCY: I think he just doesn’t want to be on the Run again.

VIVIAN: I know. He even did that stupid Deal with Felix to stay legally dead. And look how that turned out! I knew that Guy wasn’t reliable.

ZOEY: Don’t take it out on him. It wasn’t his Fault. He was in Nix during that, right?

ZOEY: Speaking of. Didn’t he need your help with something there?

VIVIAN: I can’t Focus on something like that when Evan is still in jail.

LUCY: I wonder what the others have been up to. I haven’t heard from them since last week.

ZOEY: Isaac and Rene are mostly at the Boss’s Place. I didn’t want to go there again…

LUCY: What about Jacklin?

VIVIAN: She’s just at home. She has been acting weird the past few days though. She refuses to talk about it.

VIVIAN: And Felix is being Questioned since he was handling Evan before.

ZOEY: Oh yeah. They said that they’ll hold his Trial soon.

LUCY: Does that mean he gets a Lawyer?

VIVIAN: I don’t envy the Guy that has to do that Job.

…

VIVIAN: Wait that’s it!!!

ZOEY: Huh??

VIVIAN: I can’t trust some Joe Schmoe to take care of this case. I’ll do it.

ZOEY: Wait. Can you do that?

VIVIAN: Not yet. But a Lawyer’s Badge is easy to get if you’re me.

*That Night she storms off into the Courts with only her Hands. She enters her name into the List of official Lawyers, retroactively gives herself Years of Experience and picks out a Lawyer’s Badge for herself. Conveniently filling out all the Years where she had been categorized as a “Missing Person”.

*She even went out of her way to give herself the College Degree that she originally dropped out of. For anyone not looking closely she had a successful life now.

*The next day, first thing in the Morning, she gets herself a nice, Olive-green Suit. She figured that her Frankenstein stitches wouldn’t make her seem trustworthy, so she also put on a spiky Collar and fishnets. Sadly no one else was there to tell her that that didn’t help much. She knocked out the Seller and didn’t pay after. And just like that she visited Evan at the Detention Center to ask him to let her Defend him.

EVAN: No.

VIVIAN: Oh, come ON man! It’s legal! This is completely above Board stuff. Why no?

EVAN: It’s… I don’t know.

VIVIAN: Well too bad then. If you don’t want it, I will just write myself in as your Lawyer. I am going to get your Name cleared whether you like it or not.

EVAN: I- You- I-

VIVIAN: What?

EVAN: …

EVAN: Fine.

VIVIAN: Really?!

EVAN: But I can’t help you. You’re on your own. Good Luck.

*Evan gets up and gets guided back to his Cell by a Guard.

VIVIAN: I guess that works?

*The Trial was only a few Days away. Almost like they were trying to get it over with as soon as possible. Vivian tried to get help from the others to make her case in favor of Evan, but all of them tried to change the subject immediately. Weird.

*Day of the Trial. 20 Minutes before Starting. Vivian is in the Defendant’s Lobby. Evan is not present. She is pouring over some old Case notes regarding Evan. She seems tired.

RENE: Yo.

*Rene stands next to her. She didn’t even notice him walking in.

RENE: You don’t have to do this, you know?

VIVIAN: I’m busy. Piss off.

RENE: I’m serious. He seems to WANT to go to Jail. Why not let him? Seems like it would benefit everyone involved.

VIVIAN: Ah yes. Because you have always been on his Side. I should definitely do what you say.

RENE: Vivian, I’m serious. I’m asking you to get Evan found Guilty of all Charges! Or-

VIVIAN: Or what? You better watch your next Words carefully, lest I rip out your Tongue with my own decaying Teeth.

*He swallows

RENE: Just… Trust me on this. Please.

VIVIAN: Are you kidding me?

*She starts laughing.

VIVIAN: Funniest Joke I’ve heard all week. I don’t think there’s a Person in the whole World I would trust less.

*She keeps laughing. Her laughter overlapping itself.

RENE: (uh oh.)

*Rene absconds.

*The Trial starts. Vivian on one side. Evan in the Defendant’s Chair. A Judge in the Judge’s Seat. And on the Prosecution’s-

VIVIAN: (Oh you have got to be kidding me.)

*On the Prosecutor’s Bench is Isaac. She’s wearing a Suit with one too many Buttons unbuttoned.

JUDGE: Trial is now in Session. Are the Defense and Prosecution ready?

VIVIAN: Uh. Yeah. Totally.

ISAAC: I was born ready.

JUDGE: … I believe I have not seen either of you in this Courthouse before.

VIVIAN: I guess we just somehow avoided each other, haha.

ISAAC: Why would I spend more Time in a Place like this than I needed to?

JUDGE: …I’m sorry but. Are you. Not an Attorney, Ms. Lope?

VIVIAN: No she isn’t- wait LOPE?!

JUDGE: That is what it says in her Documents. Isaac Lope.

ISAAC: I’m an honorary Attorney. I will only be practicing for today. But don’t think that this will be easy, Ms. Sidekick.

JUDGE: While on the Subject Matter. Your name is Vivian Dokuro, Correct?

VIVIAN: Yes, your Honor.

JUDGE: All that aside, we are here today for the Trial of “Evan”. The Man who has been harassing our Community for many Years now.

JUDGE: Ms. Dokuro. Your opening Statement?

VIVIAN: I plead innocent on all Charges, your Honor.

JUDGE: I-Innocent?!

*The Gallery starts murmuring. The Judge slams his Gavel.

JUDGE: You are aware of all the Evidence against him, correct? There are Videos, Pictures and Eyewitnesses. Are you sure about this?

VIVIAN: W-well. Ok. I may have gotten a bit carried away there. However, I humbly assert that the Charges against Mr. Evan have been blown way out of proportions.

JUDGE: I see. Ms. Lope? Your opening statement.

ISAAC: Evan is a rabid dog who should be beaten to death with a stick.

*The Gallery claps. Evan rolls his Eyes

JUDGE: Neither of those are opening Statements. However, I suggest we proceed regardless.

VIVIAN: (Not my best outing. But at least I’m still not the biggest Idiot in the Room.)

ISAAC: Why don’t we start with Evan’s latest Crime? His burning of the Holding Facility in St. Graff.

JUDGE: (That should be simple. It wasn’t even him. It was me.)

ISAAC: The Warden of the Facility gave us a pretty clear outline of the Events that Transpired. He broke into the Restricted Area, where he was then caught and Interrogated. During this a Breakout occurred which allowed Evan to escape and break into the Facilities Main Generator, which he Destroyed. Afterwards he stole one of the Facilities Vehicles to make his Escape but was caught before he could make it out.

JUDGE: But why would he do such a thing?

ISAAC: To unleash the Criminals held there of course.

VIVIAN: …

ISAAC: At a loss for Words Ms. Dokuro?

VIVIAN: Isaac… Do you have any actual Evidence too? Because so far that was just Hearsay.

JUDGE: Hmm. I say we make an Exception for this Case. There are many Crimes to get through, you see.

VIVIAN: (What kind of Kangaroo Court is this?!)

VIVIAN: (They also made it sound like Evan was there alone. Strange. Better not look a gift horse in the mouth though.)

VIVIAN: Fine. Even so there are some Problem with this Version of Events.

ISAAC: Such as?

VIVIAN: How did a Breakout occur before the Generator was destroyed? And how did Evan destroy it if it was Magic Powered?

ISAAC: Uhh…

VIVIAN: He came back with a missing Tooth, Broken Fingers and many more Bruises after all. He was barely conscious by the Time he was caught.

ISAAC: He did?

ISAAC: I mean! *She checks through her Notes.

VIVIAN: I believe someone else caused the Destruction and Evan simply used the ensuing Chaos to Escape.

JUDGE: But then. Who did it?

VIVIAN: (Crap. Who do I pin it on? Perhaps…)

VIVIAN: Your Honor. Have you heard of any Incidents of Magic Items breaking or disappearing?

JUDGE: …As a matter of Fact. I have. Rumors of such things have started popping up not long after Evan’s “Death” if I recall. It was hard to believe as Magic Items were thought to be Indestructible for the last 18 Years.

VIVIAN: I believe it to be the Work of a Devil. Or a Glitch if you will.

JUDGE: And this “Glitch” was in St. Graff?

VIVIAN: Indeed it was. (I will conveniently not mention that said Devil is me though.)

ISAAC: Hey! You can’t just blame everything on something that might not even exist.

VIVIAN: Isaac. I have a recording of YOU talking about it from a few days ago.

ISAAC: Shhh!

ISAAC: Alright. I concede the Existence of that strange Being.

JUDGE: Y- You do?!

*The Gallery starts murmuring.

JUDGE: So are you agreeing with the Defense’s Assertion? Evan is innocent?

ISAAC: IN THIS INSTANCE!

ISAAC: Let’s move on to the next one. Evan’s Murder of a Yakuza Leader in Kadava.

VIVIAN: (Guess they can’t really indict him for Trespassing in another Dimension. Wait wasn’t Isaac with Evan during that?)

ISAAC: We have decided to call a Witness for this particular Crime.

JUDGE: Alright. Call them to the Stand.

*The Witness walks up to the Stand as instructed. She is a Purple Dragon with-

VIVIAN: (Jacklin? I guess she was technically present.)

ISAAC: Witness. Your Name and Occupation please.

JACKLIN: My name is uhh. Jacklin Dracon. And my um Occupation is. I guess currently Unemployed.

JUDGE: There are not many non-humans in Hinscheid. I can’t imagine it’s easy to find work here.

JACKLIN: I didn’t always look like this you know. It’s actually the Fault of the idiot sitting over there that I ended up like this. *She points at Evan.

EVAN: Not this again. How many times do I-

ISAAC: OBJECTION! You do not get to speak unless ordered to.

EVAN: Tsk.

ISAAC: Now then Ms. Dracon. You have been called to testify about what happened 3 Weeks ago on the Ship of Jean, the Captain of Kadava’s Pirate Yakuza.

JACKLIN: Alright.

JACKLIN: My Memory is a bit Hazy, but I went there to Confront Jean after he attacked my sister. I challenged him in his Office but when we were about to start Evan hit me in the back of the Head and I fell over. After that I was unconscious for a couple Minutes. When I regained Consciousness Evan was beating Jean over the Head with his own Wheelchair until he bled to Death. It was gruesome. After that he just left, and I did too since I didn’t want anything to do with that. I don’t know why he went there either.

VIVIAN: J-Jacklin?! Why-

JUDGE: Is something wrong, Ms. Dokuro?

VIVIAN: (Why is Jacklin lying like that? I mean sure she was never on good Terms with Evan, but she always felt like she was on the Side of Justice.)

ISAAC: Thank you, Ms. Dracon.

VIVIAN: (Well that Testimony was completely fabricated. So there must be a contradiction with the Facts somewhere.)

VIVIAN: (Wait…)

VIVIAN: He “bled out?”

JACKLIN: Well. Yeah? That’s what happens when you die.

VIVIAN: To normal People, yes. However, Jean was not a normal Person like you and me.

JUDGE: What are you implying?

VIVIAN: I just find it strange, because there couldn’t have been Blood on the Scene.

ISAAC: The Witness is simply mistaken. Blunt Head Trauma can lead to internal Bleedings that could still result in Death.

VIVIAN: In that case let us see the Autopsy Report.

ISAAC: Uhh.

VIVIAN: Or something simpler. The Body itself. A picture would suffice. Should be easy enough, right?

ISAAC: Well. No. We did not receive anything like that.

VIVIAN: That’s what I thought. Because there is no Body!

*Chaos erupts in the Courtroom.

JUDGE: Order in the Court! How can you say such a Thing, Defense?

VIVIAN: It’s simple. Jean was not made of Flesh and Blood. He was a Soul given Form. I’m sure he doesn’t have a Birth Certificate either. And when he perished his Body simply turned to Dust.

JACKLIN: But… Wouldn’t that still be Murder? Jean was still a Person, right?

VIVIAN: Umm……

VIVIAN: (I don’t think that they will believe me that he is still around…)

VIVIAN: I guess?

JUDGE: Ms. Dokuro. Do you have a real Objection to this Witness?

VIVIAN: Of course I do! Umm.
What if there was someone else in the Room? After all Jacklin was unconscious for a while.

JACKLIN: That is impossible.

EVAN: Yes. It was only me, Jacklin and Jean.

ISAAC: OBJECTION!

ISAAC: …Wait what?

JUDGE: Does the Prosecution have a Problem?

ISAAC: Why are you agreeing with her, Evan?

VIVIAN: ?
(So it wasn’t her that is keeping him from defending himself.)

EVAN: …I’m just telling the truth.

VIVIAN: Perhaps the truth from your Perspective. But what if there was another Person present that you were unaware of?

JUDGE: Do you have someone in Mind, Ms. Dokuro?

VIVIAN: You remember the Glitch I was talking about earlier?

JUDGE: Are you implying that it was present during this Incident as well?

VIVIAN: Well… Yes.

JUDGE: I find that hard to believe. What is your Opinion Ms. Lope?

ISAAC: Well… I’m not saying it WASN’T there.

JUDGE: Really. What about you Mr. Evan?

EVAN: I did see something there now that you mention it.

JUDGE: Are you saying you lied to the Court?

EVAN: I would hardly describe what that thing was as a Person.

JUDGE: Hmm. Does this mean that this Entity is constantly following Evan around?

ISAAC: Wait… ARE YOU IN CAHOOTS WITH IT EVAN?! TELL ME RIGHT NOW!!!!

*The Judge slams his Gavel.

JUDGE: The Prosecution will refrain from shouting at the Defendant.

JUDGE: But what is this Entity’s Goal in all this?

ISAAC: Its Goal is to devour any Magic it comes across. It is exceedingly Dangerous.

JUDGE: And this Jean person was essentially made of it. What a terrifying Concept. But what was Evan’s Goal then?

VIVIAN: What if it was the other way around? What if Evan was following IT? To try and stop it.

JUDGE: That would paint him in an entirely different light.

ISAAC: As if.

JUDGE: Before that Evan was recorded breaking into a Sombica Bunker. Was this Entity also related to that?

VIVIAN: I… I don’t think so your Honor.

*Jacklin is told to leave the Stand.

VIVIAN: Wait. What Crime is he even accused of in Sombica? I don’t remember any Laws restricting Entry.

JUDGE: Indeed there are not. However I would like a Clarification on why he was there in the first Place.

ISAAC: The only Thing still there are Weapons of Mass Destruction. Perhaps he wanted to steal some?

*Vivian slams her Hands on the Desk.

VIVIAN: Do you have any Proof that he did such a Thing?

ISAAC: Well. No. But what if he simply hid it? Can you prove that he DIDN’T?

VIVIAN: OBJECTION!
That is not how a Trial works, Isaac! You proposed the Hypothesis, so YOU have to present the Proof!

ISAAC: I-is that true your Honor?

JUDGE: I’m afraid it is.

ISAAC: Ok. Let’s just move on then.

ISAAC: The Day before he was recorded in Sombica he was seen here in Hinscheid breaking into the local Police Headquarters during some Festivities. We actually have the Testimony of a Police Officer that followed after him through a Portal he created.

JUDGE: I see. Let’s get them on the Stand.

*A Meager Police Officer walks on the Stand. His Hat hides his Eyes.

POLICE: My Name is.

ISAAC: Yeah yeah whatever. Let’s get a Move on. Tell us about how Evan threatened you.

VIVIAN: OBJECTION!
Isaac is leading the Witness!

JUDGE: The Defense will refrain from accusing the Prosecution with Baseless claims.

VIVIAN: Wh- But- She-

POLICE: Well I only became aware of his Presence there after we I was told that our Safe with out Magic Items was broken into.

JUDGE: I have a feeling I know what the Defense’s Argument will be.

*Vivian just gives an awkward smile.

POLICE: As he was making his getaway, he almost crashed into a Blockade we set up, but as we were about to arrest him, he opened a Portal and jumped through it. I was the only one who followed him through it. And sure enough it led directly to Sombica.

JUDGE: So, he only went there as an Escape Route?

POLICE: Possibly.

VIVIAN: What then?

POLICE: Well. The Portal closed after me and I was held at Gunpoint.

VIVIAN: Hold it!
Held at Gunpoint by who?

ISAAC: Isn’t it obvious? Evan.

VIVIAN: Let’s confirm. Mr. Policeman?

POLICE: Embarrassingly it was a Group of Bandits that grabbed me as I was running away from Evan.

VIVIAN: And what did Evan do in response?

POLICE: …I’d rather not say.

VIVIAN: Then let me phrase it like this. How did you escape the Bandits?

POLICE: …

VIVIAN: And how did you come back to Hinscheid?

POLICE: I-It was Evan.

*The Gallery starts murmuring.

POLICE: He saved me from the Bandits and let me go back here. On the Condition that I didn’t tell anyone that he was still alive.

ISAAC: W-was he blackmailing you?

POLICE: No… He was pretty nice about it all things considered. It was a bit hard to believe that he was the Guy we were having Trouble with for Years.

ISAAC: What a load of Bullcrap!

JUDGE: Ms. Lope please-

ISAAC: I know you were blackmailing him, Evan! You may trick others, but I know what you really are!

JUDGE: Ms. Lope! One more Outburst like this and I will be forced to hold you in Contempt of Court.

VIVIAN: (Ooh! That might be good for me.)

ISAAC: I apologize your Honor. However, this does not clear Evan of all Crimes that night.

VIVIAN: You’re accusing him of breaking into the Police HQ, correct?

ISAAC: Exactly. To cause Mayhem to the People that have been trying to rightfully put him behind Bars for so long.

VIVIAN: No. I feel like the Entity was at play again. It broke into the Safe and destroyed the Magic Items held there before Evan arrived, leaving only some of them alive.

JUDGE: Alive? One Second Ms. Dokuro. Are you saying the Magic Items are alive?

VIVIAN: Well. As Items they are in a sort of stasis. There are Spirits sealed in the Items you see.

JUDGE: That… that is Preposterous!

*The Gallery is in uproar at this.

JUDGE: D-do you have any kind of Proof of this? No Scientist in the World was able to come to such a conclusion.

VIVIAN: Well, where else could the other Intruders in the Police HQ that day have come from? One of them was a giant Cyclops that didn’t even fit through the Doors after all.

JUDGE: Hmm. Ms. Lope?

ISAAC: What?

JUDGE: Your opinion on the Matter?

ISAAC: What do you mean “opinion”? This is obviously true. Are you stupid or something?

JUDGE: This has some horrific Implications.

ISAAC: This is not what this Trial is about your Honor. It’s about Evan’s Crimes.

JUDGE: If I may say. You have not been successful in proving Evan’s Crimes so far.

ISAAC: W-what about the Trespassing! He-

VIVIAN: Hold it! (The Judge almost forgot about that.)

VIVIAN: Evan and the Entity were not the only People that broke into the HQ that day.

JUDGE: What’s this?

EVAN: Huh?

JUDGE: But who else could have been there?

EVAN: There was no one else.

VIVIAN: The other Person is Isaac Lope!

JUDGE: Isaac Lope?! The Person standing right there?!

VIVIAN: The very same.

ISAAC: Ok. So even if I was, what would it matter?

VIVIAN: If you would look at this Report. There were Blood Stains in the Hallway before the Safe, along with a Knife.

ISAAC: How does that relate to me though?

VIVIAN: The only Person in the Hallway at that time (since we are ignoring Felix, Jacklin and Zoey) that could Bleed, was Evan. And none of the Spirits had any kind of Weaponry that they could leave behind. And simply speaking from Experience this Knife is very similar to the ones Isaac uses.

JUDGE: Is this true Isaac- I Mean Ms. Lope?

ISAAC: Umm…

EVAN: Isaac was not present!

ISAAC: BULLCRAP!

EVAN: Huh?

ISAAC: Don’t you lie to me.

EVAN: I’m just saying what I saw.

ISAAC: No, you goddamn aren’t!

JUDGE: Ms. Lope. I have warned you-

*Isaac jumps over the Bench and grabs Evan by the Collar.

ISAAC: WHY ARE YOU HELPING ME!

ISAAC: WE! ARE! ENEMIES!

EVAN: I’m not-

ISAAC: DID THEY SET YOU UP TO THIS! WAS THAT LITTLE RAT CORRECT AFTER ALL!?

JUDGE: Bailiff! Grab Ms. Lope and remove her from Evan. I am suspending this Trial until further notice!

*The Bailiffs grab Isaac and take her outside the Room. Evan and Vivian go to the Defendant’s Lobby.

VIVIAN: The Heck was that, Evan? Why are you lying?

EVAN: I’m no-

VIVIAN: Evan. I was there.

EVAN: Right. I can’t talk about it. Sorry.

VIVIAN: Is it seriously important enough to throw your Life away for?

EVAN: It’s not just about me.

VIVIAN: What?

EVAN: Look. I gave you as much wiggle Room as I could reasonably get away with.

*A Guard walks up to them.

GUARD: Evan. You are wanted in the Prosecutor’s Lobby.

EVAN: Again?

VIVIAN: (So that’s where he was earlier.)

*Evan walks off with the Guard. In the same Second Felix walks in.

VIVIAN: What now?

FELIX: I just wanted to congratulate you on getting him off the Hook as much as you did.

VIVIAN: I wouldn’t have to if you kept your Side of the Bargain.

FELIX: Ouch… I already got chewed out by my Boss all Week. I don’t need you to rub salt in the Wound.

VIVIAN: Well, what are you here for then?

FELIX: I think you should hedge your Bets and stop here. You helped Evan as much as you could, but the Rest are crimes he y’know. Actually committed. I can’t support that.

VIVIAN: You don’t know that. Wait. The Trial is still going? When Isaac is held in contempt of Court?

FELIX: Someone else is in Charge now. Someone more Competent than her.

VIVIAN: That’s not hard. Anyway, I’m not stopping here.

FELIX: Ok then. Follow me to the Bathroom. We need to discuss something private.

*He walks towards a Unisex Bathroom.

VIVIAN: Huh?

*Vivian follows. Once inside she locks the Door behind her. Suddenly Felix starts choking her.

VIVIAN: Dude. You know that won’t work on me.

*Felix grabs tighter. Vivian Headbutts Felix and pushes him to the Ground, knocking him out.

VIVIAN: The Hell was that about?

*She notices some Papers sticking out of Felix’s Coat in a suspicious way. One is a Note that says “Can’t taLk Con tRAcT.”. Every Letter looks like it was written by a different Person.

*The other Paper looks like a Handmade recreation of a Contract seemingly made by Felix. It details Felix getting Info on the Moon Explosion and being protected from any Consequences in Relation to Evan. The only Stipulation is that Evan has to be arrested, and Felix is not allowed to interfere with it in any way.

VIVIAN: Huh…

*She props up Felix, making it look like he fell asleep while pooping and leaves. She sits down on the Couch in the Lobby and looks over the Contract more. There are notes made by Felix like “Physically Incapable” and “Magic”.

VIVIAN: (But who would Benefit from this?)

*Isaac rushes into the Room.

ISAAC: YOU!!!!!!

VIVIAN: (Her. Of course.)

VIVIAN: Do you need something?

ISAAC: Why did Evan act like that?

VIVIAN: You’re asking me?

ISAAC: Aren’t you like his Lackey?

VIVIAN: What? No. Anyway I’m busy.

ISAAC: The heck are you-

VIVIAN: Shh! *Vivian puts her Finger on Isaac’s Lips.

ISAAC: Don’t you Shush me! I will slit your Throat!

VIVIAN: Then do. Just stay quiet while you do it.

ISAAC: …

*Isaac is not used to that kind of response.

ISAAC: So… you did not tell him to do that?

VIVIAN: No. But I do have a Lead. Take a look at this.

*Vivian shows Isaac the Contract.

ISAAC: The Heck?

VIVIAN: It seems like everyone was Bribed or Blackmailed into getting Evan declared guilty.

ISAAC: That’s not true. I never saw anything like this.

VIVIAN: Looking at what you did earlier I’m inclined to believe you. It was probably the Guy with the other Signature here. “Ed”.

ISAAC: I see… So everything was rigged in my favor. _{I can’t believe this.}

VIVIAN: Be happy you aren’t on my Side. The entire Trial is rigged against me.

ISAAC: Hmm…

ISAAC: In that case I have great News for you…uhh…

VIVIAN: Vivian.

ISAAC: VIVIAN! For I am going to assist you from now on!

…

VIVIAN: Whadda hell?

ISAAC: I’ll show them. I don’t need things rigged in my favor. I’ll help you beat this Ed Guy. They’ll regret ever getting involved.

VIVIAN: (Well. Beggars can’t be choosers.) Alright. But aren’t you in Contempt of Court?

ISAAC: Oh, they just told me to not do that again and let me go with a Warning.

VIVIAN: Must be nice…

GUARD: The Trial is restarting in 5 Minutes.

VIVIAN: Damnit. That was like no time at all.

ISAAC: Come on let’s go!

*Back in the Courtroom, everyone is staring at Isaac who is looking Confidently in the middle distance. If Vivian was capable, she would be breaking out in a Cold Sweat.

VIVIAN: (Are you sure you’re allowed in here?)

JUDGE: If I may ask… What is the previous Prosecutor doing on the Defense’s Bench?

ISAAC: I’m sorry for my Actions earlier and would like to make up for it by helping the Defendant.

JUDGE: That is… Defendant. Your thoughts?

EVAN: The fuck are you asking me for? I never asked for this.

?: Let the Young Lady do what she wants. I have no Objections.

*On the Prosecutor’s Bench stands an older Man with Gray Skin and a Grey Suit. He is wearing a Fedora with an Orange Feather that covers his Eyes completely.

VIVIAN: Mr. Ed, I presume?

ED: You did your Homework, I see.

ISAAC: (So that’s the Guy that rigged things?)

ED: Isaac is simply trying to Play both Teams, you know. She is secretly still working for me, you know.

ISAAC: N-no I’m not!

VIVIAN: Very convincing…

JUDGE: Are you familiar with the Case at Hand Mr. Ed?

ED: Of course, your Highness. I gave Ms. Isaac all the Info she had in Fact.

VIVIAN: (He did?)

ISAAC: (I thought he just worked here!)

ED: And while Ms. Dokuro might have managed to prove some of the Accusations against Evan to be false, I suspect that her Winning Streak will end here.

VIVIAN: (Confident. Are we?)

ED: After Evan’s Death and subsequent Revival there is one more Crime that hasn’t been discussed yet. The Destruction of the local Church.

VIVIAN: You mean the Cultist Hideout? I’d argue that destroying it was a public service.

ED: While the Investigation of the Rubble revealed that it had been used for some… unsavory activities. The Fact remains that it was a wanton act of Property Damage that severely endangered and Injured many People. Not to mention the People that he simply Beat within an Inch of their Lives.

VIVIAN: (He did it to bring me back to life. Watch your tone.)

ISAAC: (So how did the Entity interfere here?)

VIVIAN: (I was dead when it happened so I can’t be sure, but this one was completely Evan’s Idea.)

ISAAC: (Can we spin it maybe that it WAS there?)

ED: And before you attempt to imply that it was “The Entity’s” Fault again, I will have to ask you to provide some Proof as to how it caused a Massive Explosion. It has no physical Form after all.

ISAAC: (There goes that Idea…)

ED: Now before we continue, I suggest we ask ourselves, “why did he do such a thing?”. And I believe the correct way to go about that is by starting from the Beginning.

ED: Roughly 8 Years ago Evan committed his first Act of Petty Theft, where-

*Ed begins listing off Evan’s Crimes. Robberies, Break ins, Thefts, Vandalism, Jaywalking, Resisting Arrest and Jaywalking. He had perfect Evidence against Evan in the Form of Video Recordings, Photos, Witness Testimony and some GPS tracking Data from a Bug they planted on him for a Week or so. It goes on for 2 Hours. Evan does not react to these Accusations in the slightest.

*Vivian was unable to Refute any of these. Whenever she thought she caught a Loophole Ed cut it down immediately. She was only able to lessen the Sentence by some of them due to mitigating Circumstances.

*It was then that the Topic turned to Evan being accused of a Kidnapping 6 Years ago.

JUDGE: Ah yes. I remember that Incident. The Girl was never found, correct?

ED: Indeed. She was briefly spotted walking around with Evan after her Parents reported her Missing. And just like that she was never heard from again.

JUDGE: What was her Name again?

ED: Why, it’s Vivian Dokuro.

JUDGE: Ah yes. It’s a shame that-
Wait a Minute.

*The Gallery whispers to each other.

ISAAC: Wait, isn’t that?

VIVIAN: My Name. Yes.

ISAAC: He kidnapped you?

VIVIAN: No. (Ed must have dug deep to find that Connection.)

*Evan is visibly uncomfortable at hearing this Topic.

JUDGE: The Kidnapping of Vivian Dokuro 6 Years ago.

JUDGE: But why would a kidnapping Victim decide to Defend their own Kidnapper?

ED: Perhaps a severe Case of Stockholm Syndrome?

VIVIAN: Oh please. We both know that isn’t real.

ED: Then perhaps the Defense can elucidate us on this Matter? What have you been up to these past 6 Years.

VIVIAN: I was working as a Defense Attorney, obviously.

ED: So you say… When did you pass the Bar Exam?

VIVIAN: …5 Years ago.

ED: And you never told your Parents about this? Or that you are still alive for that matter?

VIVIAN: That is none of your Business, Punk! *She grits her teeth.

ISAAC: Whoa! Calm down, Girl.

VIVIAN: …I apologize. But I will not tolerate Slander of my Profession to this Level.

ED: But it is still strange, isn’t it?

VIVIAN: Why don’t you try this on for Size then? Evan NEVER kidnapped me!

*The Audience gasps.

VIVIAN: I simply met him during a Bad Moment in my Life. He was not as well known back then as he is now.

ED: Are you admitting to being an Acquaintance of a Criminal? Who’s to say that you aren’t an Accomplice? And just look at the Way you are dressed.
Your Honor! Can we truly believe a Word out of the Mouth of a filthy Woman like this?

VIVIAN: OK THAT DOES IT! I’m killing you!

*Vivian’s Spirit reaches out of her Body and gets ready to Strangle Ed across the Courtroom.

*Evan kicks the Witness Stand.

EVAN: HOW DARE YOU!

*The Judge bangs his Gavel.

JUDGE: The Defendant does not Talk unless-

EVAN: SHUT THE FUCK UP! I’M TALKING NOW!

EVAN: You do not get to talk to my Defense Lawyer like this. She has been working her Butt off for me over there. She is NOT! a Criminal. *He kicks the Stand again.

JUDGE: So she is not an Accomplice of yours?

EVAN: Yes. In fact. I have never met her before in my Life until she visited me in the Detention Center.

VIVIAN: What? ISAAC: What?

ED: But that goes directly against the Evidence that you two were seen together! The Defense even admitted to it.

EVAN: That’s YOUR Job to figure out Hornboy. Not mine.

ED: Hmpf. Watch your tongue. _{EVAN: Watch my Dick.}

*Vivian composes herself again.

ISAAC: Wait. I’m confused. You met him, but he never met you?

VIVIAN: (Let’s just go along with it for now.)

ISAAC: (Wait so… the Person you met back then was a fake Evan?)

VIVIAN: (That wouldn’t make sense. Nobody would pretend to be him.)

ISAAC: (So the Evan in Court now is the Fake one?)

VIVIAN: (What? No, that-)

VIVIAN: (Hold on.)

ED: Would the Defense please stop whispering to each other? The Defendant is clearly lying to protect-

VIVIAN: No! He is not lying!

JUDGE: But that would imply that YOU are lying then…

VIVIAN: Nope! I am also telling the truth.

ED: Oh please. Have you gone mad?

VIVIAN: No. I just had a huge Realization.

JUDGE: Yes? Continue.

VIVIAN: The Person on the Stand right now. Is NOT Evan!

JUDGE: W-
Whaaat?!

EVAN: What?

ED: That is ridiculous! Where did you pull that Harebrained Idea out of?!

VIVIAN: It’s quite simple if you think about it. The real Evan is dead after all.

ISAAC: Wait. Are you implying-

VIVIAN: Yes. We were all under a big misunderstanding. Evan never got revived at all! After all I’m not aware of any kind of reviving Magic.

ISAAC: (Wait. But Lucy-)

VIVIAN: (Shh.)

JUDGE: Continue.

VIVIAN: Evan really did die that day a Month ago. He was shot by a Detective.

ED: Then where did Evan’s Body disappear to?

VIVIAN: (Argh. Details.)

VIVIAN: Well, it would have to be stolen by somebody, correct?

ED: Impossible. Evan was a large Man. If someone was carrying a Person like that around they would have been spotted in the Hospital.

VIVIAN: Well… We already accepted the Fact that “Evan” after the Original’s Death had access to Teleportation Magic. He could have just used that.

JUDGE: Are you saying that the Person in front of us stole Evan’s Body and disposed of it to take his Place?

VIVIAN: Umm… I assure you he had a good reason to do that.

ED: As if. What possible Reason could he have to do such a thing.

ISAAC: How about this? The original Evan was a wanted Criminal and died a Month ago. This was the perfect opportunity for the Defendant to use him as a Disguise. And for that Reason, he had to hide the Body. With this Disguise he could go wherever he pleased without drawing unwanted attention to his real Identity and his real Goal.

VIVIAN: To Hunt the Entity!

JUDGE: I… assume this makes some sense indeed.

ISAAC: It just ended up backfiring when he was imprisoned in St. Graff. Which is how he ended up here.

VIVIAN: Our Defendant is no Criminal! He is a Hero!

ED: Would a Hero steal a Body from a Hospital?

ISAAC: Antihero then. Those are Popular.

ED: And where is Evan’s Body then?

EVAN: How about you check the Bottom of the Mariana Trench?

ED: …Your Honor don’t be fooled by such obvious Lies… There is no Grounds to believe any of it.

EVAN: Except it is all true. *Evan smiles.

^{ED: …Don’t forget we had a Deal Evan.}

EVAN: Were you not listening? That isn’t my Name.

JUDGE: Then who is this Person standing in front of us today?

VIVIAN: (This is an Answer only I know in the entire World.)

VIVIAN: His Name. Is Stefan Stahl Jr.

JUDGE: Hmm… That name rings some distant Bells.

ED: I request the Police to hand over all Information regarding “Stefan Stahl Jr.”! If that is even a real Name.

ISAAC: Look at that. He’s mad now.

VIVIAN: (Finally.)

ED: In the meantime, there is still one unresolved Crime that happened after Evan’s Death. The Destruction of the Church I mentioned earlier.

ISAAC: Oh yeah. That.

ED: To that Effect I would like to call a Witness. One of the Priests of that Church that was present during the Attack.

*A Cultist walks to the Stand. His Hood is off. Eyes are Bloodshot.

CULTIST: Your Honor, I would like to confess to-

*Ed slams his Fist on the Desk.

ED: This is not a confessional Booth, Witness. You are here to testify on the Matter of Evan’s Break in to the Church and nothing else.

CULTIST: M-my mistake.

CULTIST: H-he stormed into our Church after stealing a precious Artefact the Day before. He was rabid. He beat up anyone that was there and even Punched through the Walls to get access to the… The uhh…

VIVIAN: The What? Spit it out.

CULTIST: …I don’t think I’m allowed to say…

VIVIAN: Then I’ll say it for you. The sacrificial Chamber.

*The Gallery freaks out.

JUDGE: Sacrifices? In our Country?

CULTIST: I-it is true. There was one.

ED: Witness!

CULTIST: However we did nothing Illegal! There was no reason for Evan to attack us! We are I-innocent. Some of us only escaped with our Lives after he attacked. Put him in Jail! N-now!

VIVIAN: (It’s almost like it’s hurting him to say this stuff. Hold on.)

*Vivian looks at Felix’s Contract.

VIVIAN: You are being coerced, is that correct? By something like this perhaps?

*She shows the Cultist the Contract. His eyes widen.

VIVIAN: (Bullseye.)

CULTIST: N-n-n-no. Of course not.

*He’s avoiding eye contact now.

VIVIAN: There is a certain Fact you should be aware of regarding this. It only mentions the Fact that you can’t interfere with the Arrest of “Evan”.

VIVIAN: However. The Person in the Defendant’s Chair is not Evan.

CULTIST: What?

EVAN: The Name’s …Stefan. Sup.

CULTIST: R-really?

*Ed pulls down his Hat to hide his Face better.

JUDGE: That is something that was declared earlier in this Trial. Correct.

VIVIAN: So feel free to tell the Truth here. No Contract will hold you back.

CULTIST: A-alright. We needed Souls to appease our Lord. And the only way to get Souls was by… Killing the Body. One of those Sacrifices was happening when Evan broke in.

JUDGE: You… You are admitting to Murder?

CULTIST: Yes, your Honor. Stefan was entirely in the Right to Destroy it. We would like to retract all Charges against him.

JUDGE: But then. That would mean that the Defendant would be cleared of all Charges!

VIVIAN: Entirely correct, your Honor.

*The Gallery murmurs for a long time.

?: Mr. Ed? Here are those Documents you ordered.

ED: Ah yes. Thank you. Your Honor. I would like to call a Recess while I look through these Files.

VIVIAN: What for? Isn’t the Trial over?

ED: Objection. We can’t be sure of that until we look into Stefan’s Life BEFORE a Month ago. It is entirely possible that he is hiding something.

JUDGE: Hmm. That is true. I call for a 30 Minute Recess.

*In the Defendant’s Lobby. Vivian, Evan and Isaac are talking to each other.

ISAAC: Where did you get the Name “Stefan Stahl Jr.” from?

EVAN: That is actually my name. Evan is one I made up.

ISAAC: Wait, seriously?

EVAN: But don’t start calling me Stefan cause of this. There’s a Reason I don’t use it.

ISAAC: What about the Kidnapping?

VIVIAN: It wasn’t a Kidnapping. I followed Evan by my own Volition.

EVAN: I didn’t want her to at first but…

VIVIAN: I’d rather not get into it.

ISAAC: Oh come ooonnnnnnn. Please?

VIVIAN: No.

ISAAC: Fine. Anyway, that Guy is going to look into your Past, right Evan? Anything special we should know about?

*Evan looks to the Side. Uncomfortable.

EVAN: There is one thing, yes. But I’d rather not get into it.

ISAAC: Geez. You Guys are a Well of Information. A Dried up useless one that is!

EVAN: Let’s just hope he doesn’t find it.

…

VIVIAN: Crap! I forgot about Felix. I wonder if he’s awake yet.

*She walks off into the Toilet.

EVAN: So you’re on our Side now?

ISAAC: Don’t think anything of it. This doesn’t make us friends.

EVAN: I still appreciate it.

ISAAC: Yeah, yeah whatever.

…

EVAN: I met Vivian when she was hanging from a Noose.

ISAAC: Oh.

EVAN: Yeah. Her Parents were pretty strict. Made her study all kinds of Things, including Law. When she started failing Classes they basically kicked her out. And that’s when she decided to. Y’know.

ISAAC: That’s. I see.

EVAN: I was just there by Chance. Held her up until we started talking. Eventually I convinced her to get down and we got something to eat. That’s when we were seen together, I guess.

EVAN: And well… She just decided to follow me after that. I didn’t really want her to, but it was better than the alternative. Eventually we started running out of Money, which is when we started stealing. Vivian came up with the Plans, while I did the dirty work. It was fun all things considered.

ISAAC: …

EVAN: Don’t let her know I told you by the way. She doesn’t like thinking about it.

ISAAC: …Alright.

*Vivian comes back from the Toilet.

VIVIAN: He’s gone.

EVAN: ?

VIVIAN: A Guard said that he walked to the Prosecutor’s Lobby. I hope he doesn’t get in Trouble for leaking info…

EVAN: He was the one that gave you the Contract, huh?

VIVIAN: Yep. I assume you got one too?

EVAN: Sure did. Figured I’d be able to just ignore it if I wanted to, but I did actually feel a Pull when I tried.

ISAAC: But those Contracts are now Null, right? Cause Evan isn’t his real name?

EVAN: …But what if I decided to go to Jail? Everyone else would be fine, right? You wouldn’t have to be worried about being hunted by those “Gods” or whatever for the Rest of your Lives.

VIVIAN: Come on. You know we never leave each other behind.

EVAN: But what if… Never mind.

*The Trial continues. Ed is looking composed again. Felix is on the Witness stand already.

JUDGE: Did you find anything in your Research Mr. Ed?

ED: I did, yes. 8 Years ago, shortly before Incidents involving Evan started happening, there was a Crime. In short, Mr. Stefan Stahl was Murdered by a Robber in a Break In. In the same day his Wife committed Suicide out of Shock and his Son, Stefan Stahl Jr. went missing and was never heard from again. Until today that is.

ISAAC: So his Parents died, and he ran away. I don’t see how that’s Important.

ED: That would be true. If that WAS the whole story.

VIVIAN: What do you mean?

ED: The Existence of a Robber was never proven. And there were no Signs of a Break In either. It was simply used as an Explanation by the Local Police after one of their own was killed.

ISAAC: He was a Police Officer?

ED: A Detective to be precise. I asked the Detective responsible for Evan over the last few Years, Felix Reiz, to tell us more

FELIX: He was a successful Detective with many Years of Service. He never caused any Problems, so it was hard to find anyone with a grudge against him. A Criminal Out for Revenge was the most likely Scenario. However, it is true that there were no signs of a Break In. All the Doors and Windows were locked.

*Evan rolls his Eyes.

VIVIAN: How did he die though?

FELIX: He was stabbed in the Back with a Kitchen Knife. It happened in the Kitchen of his own House as well.

ISAAC: (I usually go for the front.)

VIVIAN: (Don’t say that too loudly.)

ED: Which means that the only People capable of this Murder were the other People in the House

FELIX: The People in Question are Stefan’s Wife and Son. Neera and Stefan Jr.

VIVIAN: Felix, you’re not under Control of a Contract. You don’t have to do this!

FELIX: This isn’t about a Contract. This is about the Truth!

VIVIAN: (Grr. Stupid Detectives and their Truths…)

ISAAC: And you are saying that “Stefan Jr.” killed his father?

FELIX: Precisely.

VIVIAN: But what about the mother? She could have done it.

ED: Of course you’d say that. However, Stefan was still in his Work clothes that day. Except for when he was found his Detective’s Coat was missing.

FELIX: And Neera was locked in her own Room after a Drug Overdose.

JUDGE: The Wife of a Police Officer doing Drugs? How strange.

EVAN: Can you all stop treating this Guy like the Paragon of Law or something? He was an Asshole!

VIVIAN: (Evan! Don’t establish a Motive for yourself!)

FELIX: Now here is something I noticed when I met Evan. Please turn around.

*Evan turns his Back to the Judge. A Bullet Hole and a shoddily sewn up Tear in the Middle are clearly visible.

ISAAC: Wait…

VIVIAN: Yeah…

FELIX: THIS! Your Honor. Is the Detective’s Coat of Stefan Stahl.

ISAAC: (Did he… actually do it? Did he kill his Dad?)

VIVIAN: …

JUDGE: But wasn’t that the Coat that Evan wore?

ED: Precisely. Because they are one and the same. And the very Idea that they were different People was completely Baseless in the first Place.

FELIX: The Defendant is Guilty!

*The Courtroom falls silent.

…

JUDGE: Any Comments by the Defense.

VIVIAN: Yes. Many. First off-

EVAN: I did it.

JUDGE: What?

EVAN: I did it! I killed him!

VIVIAN: E-Evan!

VIVIAN: (No! All this Work! Why-)

ED: Give it up. Even the Defendant himself has had enough of your Tricks.

*Vivian puts her Head in her Hands.

ISAAC: No… This isn’t right.

VIVIAN: Hm?

ISAAC: If the Court would please look at this.

*She is holding up a Fingerprint Analysis.

ISAAC: You said that it could have only been our Defendant, but if you would look at this there were Fingerprints of an unknown Person on the Knife that killed Stefan.

FELIX: What? No. I read this File multiple times and-

ISAAC: Then read it again.

*She winks at Vivian.

*Indeed it says that there were ONLY Prints of an unknown Person.

EVAN: What? No that-

ISAAC: Stefan Jr.’s Prints were left behind on many different Objects in that House. The Mystery Prints were only on that Knife. Who did they belong to? Easy. Evan! I’m sure if we compare them they will be a Match.

*She holds up some Fingerprint Data clearly showing Evan and “Stefan Jr.” to have different Prints.

ED: That is impossible. They are the same.

FELIX: But why would Evan kill an ordinary Detective?

ISAAC: Because he was a Criminal and saw Stefan as a threat? It wouldn’t be out of the Question.

EVAN: That. No! He was a Fat, Lazy Drunkard! It was easy! He shot me in the Head, so I stabbed him in his Back! It’s only Fair! Let me pay for my Crime!

ISAAC: I already told you. I am not doing this for your Sake. And if you don’t have any Proof, you might as well be pulling this Story from you know where.

ED: This- This Analysis is a Fake! It just changed before our very Eyes! I mean. How did he get in the House?

VIVIAN: Perhaps the Wife let him in. You couldn’t really call the Cops on a Detective after all. It would be the only way to stop him, besides doing so herself.

EVAN: And now you are accusing my mother of it?!

ISAAC: You were very clear about what kind of Man your Father was. Lazy, Alcoholic, Abusive, etc. Your Mother must have been aware as well. But when it actually happened, she couldn’t take it anymore and, well-

JUDGE: But then why did Evan take his Coat?

VIVIAN: As a Reminder of what happened? Or perhaps to taunt the remaining Son.

FELIX: So that’s why the Defendant took Evan’s Possessions?

ED: No… NO!

ISAAC: The only Reason Evan confessed to it is to Protect the Memory of his Late Mother!

EVAN: She- she isn’t- She was a Good Woman! She did her Best! But He-

*He starts crying.

JUDGE: Then… that settles it, right?

FELIX: Well. There are still a couple Minor Crimes like stealing a Body and Tampering with a Crime Scene.

VIVIAN: WITH GOOD REASON!

FELIX: I have a Proposal.

JUDGE: Hm?

FELIX: The Defense asserted that Evan’s Goal was to capture this “Entity”, correct? I propose that we count that as Community Service.

ED: B-but there is no Proof that he actually ever did such a Thing.

FELIX: Then I suggest that I watch over him to make sure he actually does.

JUDGE: As long as I never have to hear about “Evan” committing a Crime again.

ED: Objection! I- uh-

VIVIAN: Oh yeah. While we are here why don’t we talk about Ed and his Contracts? I feel like these can’t be legal, correct?

…

*Ed runs away.

ISAAC: After him!

*The Bailiff, Vivian, Isaac and Felix run after him. Outside Ed is lying prone against a Wall. His Hat was knocked off. He has a giant Bald Spot under the Hat. Jacklin is right in front of him.

JACKLIN: Man, that felt good. That’s what you get for Blackmailing you Jerk.

ED: Oww…

*His Suitcase is lying next to him with several Contracts having fallen out. Zoey, Lucy and Rene Walk up after.

*Vivian picks some up and looks through them. She notices Evan’s Contract. She looks through it and immediately rips it up. Some Energy sparks out of it as she does, and it disappears.

VIVIAN: There. No more Contract.

ED: You… you can do that? But my Contracts are indestructible.

VIVIAN: Not to me.

*He rifles through his Contracts on the Floor and picks one with only his Name and the God’s.

ED: Destroy this one. Please!

*It describes that Ed has to follow every Command by the God’s and can never talk back, nor demand compensation. For all eternity.

ED: Free me and I will never bother you ever again. I will even tell them that everything went according to plan. They won’t know a Thing. I can write a Contract of it if you want.

*The Confident Persona is now completely gone, revealing a cowering old man. Vivian decides to rip it up.

ED: T-thank you.

*Everyone looks through the remaining Contracts. Vivian rips up the Trial Contracts of her Friends just to be sure. Lucy, Zoey, Jacklin, Felix.

*When she gets to Rene she pauses. His Contract is completely different. It outlines that Rene has to help Isaac until she reaches her “full Potential”. If she fails, he will be disposed of. Betrayal is not an option. She takes a look at Rene who is looking straight at her with an uncharacteristically serious expression. She tears it up too. He doesn’t react.

*Zoey finds the Contract she signed to God, detailing how she had to follow Isaac in Exchange for that Book. Vivian shreds it. It’s like a Weight was lifted off her heart.

*Isaac finds the Contract she signed to God as well and pockets it.

VIVIAN: Now get out of here. I don’t ever want to see you again.

*He runs off, hastily stuffing the remaining Contracts into his Suitcase.

*After some legal Paperwork Evan is finally released from Court, having calmed down. They walk outside. Evan looks to the Sky.

Chapter 6B

VIVIAN: Now all of you better apologize to Evan for selling him out!

EVAN: Nah it’s fine. I signed one of those as well after all.

ISAAC: I didn’t!

FELIX: You were the Prosecutor for the first half…

ISAAC: I changed my mind!

VIVIAN: For what it’s worth. I am glad that you decided to help out. I’m not sure if it would have gone well if you hadn’t done… you know.

ISAAC: Oh! Uhh… Any time Vivian.

*Isaac blushes.

EVAN: Yeah uh… Thanks.

ISAAC: ANYWAY! How’s that Freedom taste, huh?

EVAN: I… I don’t know.

ZOEY: You didn’t… ACTUALLY do it, right?

*Evan just looks at her. Then at his Coat.

EVAN: I guess it doesn’t really matter anymore.

FELIX: Even if they wanted to. They can’t put him on trial for the same Crime again.

LUCY: At least you don’t have to worry about hiding anymore, right?

EVAN: Yeah…

…

EVAN: I’m hungry.

JACKLIN: Yeah, that was a long Trial. Burgers?

EVAN: Mmm. Can we go to that one Diner on third Street?

JACKLIN: Why?

EVAN: I never dared going there cause I was scared of getting recognized, but I was always thought the Food looked good. Now is like my first Chance of going there.

FELIX: Sure.

VIVIAN: This better be your Treat, Felix. You almost messed this whole thing up.

ZOEY: The Rest of us also don’t have Jobs, so…

FELIX: …Can I object to this?

No.

*At the Restaurant, they’re eating various Dishes. With Exception of Vivian and Rene. It’s a nice Place. Evan gets some strange looks but doesn’t mind.

FELIX: What are you going to do now, Evan?

EVAN: I guess I’m going to have to hunt that Cannibal, right? That was the agreement.

FELIX: Yeah but. After that.

EVAN: I don’t know. I have no House, no Job, no Education and no Family. Vivian at least practiced Law now, but me?

VIVIAN: I’m not sure if I want to do that yet. By the way can we still stay at your Place, Jacklin?

JACKLIN: Well about that… I don’t think I can pay Rent this Month so I might have to move back in with my Parents.

ZOEY: Guess we’ll be Roommates again then, haha…

JACKLIN: Y-yeah. If that’s ok with you.

ZOEY: I think I will keep studying once this is done. And this Time I won’t do it online.

VIVIAN: Wait. You’re not going home now?

ZOEY: I’d feel bad leaving you guys in the Rain, even if I’m not that useful.

LUCY: Don’t say that. You’re plenty useful.

FELIX: I will probably get demoted soon. Not looking forward to that.

EVAN: And about the Moon thing?

FELIX: We all know that one of the Gods did it, right? But not which one. Or why.

EVAN: And even if we did, what would we even do?

FELIX: Yeah… That’s the Rub.

VIVIAN: What about you, Lope Sisters?

ISAAC: Well, I can’t stop doing what I’m doing now. *She pulls out the Contract.

ISAAC: I now have this to Hold over the Boss at least. Now he HAS to tell me.

EVAN: Tell you what?

ISAAC: Oh right. I never told you.

EVAN: We were Enemies before so…

ISAAC: Well. The Reason why I’m doing what that Jerk says is because he knows where our mom is. And this Contract says that he has to tell me as soon as I can defeat one of those Things.

EVAN: So, we basically have to work together. Again.

LUCY: I’m glad we are getting along now.

*Rene has been sitting in the Corner, not saying anything the whole Time.

VIVIAN: What about you, Rene?

RENE: Hm?

VIVIAN: You don’t have to work for them anymore. You can go wherever you want. Ed could just tell them you died or something.

RENE: I… I guess so. But even then, I’m in the same Boat as Evan. I don’t even have Citizenship.

FELIX: …You could always stay with me. I have some spare Space.

VIVIAN: And you’re not going to offer it to me?

FELIX: No offense but you seem like a terrible Roommate.

JACKLIN: She is.

ZOEY: I don’t even know WHY you stay with those Guys. You’re not like them at all. They’re evil!

RENE: And I’m not?

EVAN: Not in the slightest.

RENE: …

RENE: I would like to take you up on that offer then. Sounds nice.

*He gives a slight smile.

VIVIAN: Eyy. We got him.

ISAAC: (So that’s why you invited him?)

EVAN: (Hope he doesn’t change his mind…)

*Later. Nickel grabs Rene after everybody went to Bed and drags him back to the Mansion.

G: Good morning, or whatever time it was for you. How did it go?

RENE: Weren’t you going to ask Ed about it? Or Isaac?

NICKEL: We did. He told us that everything went as planned. Evan is in Jail and Isaac did the Deed. However, he was acting strangely. And things haven’t exactly been going to plan lately. So we would like to double check.

G: After all. You would never betray us.

G: Right?

*Rene swallows.

*The next Day. The Giant Black dome around Nix disappears, letting its Resident see Sunlight for the first time in 18 Years.

*The 8 Protagonists are in the Nix Clocktower, standing in front of the Crystal that Vivian has just destroyed.

ZOEY: This will probably cause some huge economic Shift.

EVAN: Wouldn’t be the first time.

ISAAC: Not our Problem.

?: Incredible! It actually worked!

*A Man runs into the Throne Room very excited. Felix recognizes him as the Queen’s former Right-Hand man.

Man: You got rid of the Tyrant that took over our Country and even freed us from eternal Night! How could we ever repay you?

ISAAC: Hmm. I think I remember there being a Large Collection of Magic here?

MAN: Yes there is. Magnolia made us lock any Magic Items away to prevent an uprising.

LUCY: Why do we need so many Magic Items?

ISAAC: It’s simple. Bait.

*They are led to a Run down Shack on the Outskirts of Nix. Many People are celebrating. Where the Edges of the Dome once were, People are exploring the Outside.

JACKLIN: Feels nice to do something good for once, right?

RENE: I guess so.

ISAAC: God. Stop trying to act cool. Nobody is buying it.

RENE: As far as you know!

*They look inside the Shack. Sure enough there are Magic Items stacked to the Roof. It is essentially a Storage.

ZOEY: Ooooohh. I would love to test these all out.

VIVIAN: You’d probably do more than just test them.

ZOEY: Don’t just… say that in front of everyone!

FELIX: Hey Isaac? What’s your Plan on getting the Entity to come here anyhow?

ISAAC: Well, it’s a huge amount of Magic. I’m sure it will show up eventually.

FELIX: …And when it comes? What do we do?

ISAAC: Evan can take care of it.

EVAN: I can what?

ISAAC: I mean come on. It’s way too dangerous for anyone else to get close to it.
Also. You owe me.

EVAN: For presenting false Evidence in a Courtroom? I don’t think so.

VIVIAN: Heyeyeyeyey. I thought we were all good now.

EVAN: Doesn’t mean I have to listen to listen to her stupid Ideas.

FELIX: She is right about one thing though. If anyone can take care of it, it’s you.

EVAN: I guess.
Last time it ran away from me though.

LUCY: What if it starts attacking us instead?

FELIX: True. We will need to establish Escape Routes.

*They spend an hour looking through the building for useful Magic Items. Nothing especially, though Vivian finds out that through the Mass of Magic Items that every Wall has become magic too, which in turn makes it Impassable for her. They use this to create a Dead End inside.

*Outside they set up Camp and Rene fires off a Light Beam into the Sky to (hopefully) catch Attention.

JACKLIN: Wouldn’t a giant Dome disappearing already draw attention?

RENE: We never know. I’d rather not sit here waiting around all night.

JACKLIN: I’m sure it won’t take that long.

*2 Nights later.

*They kept track of any activity around the Shack via the GPS during that time and only went there if the black Dot representing the Cannibal got close. They also checked the News in case it appeared somewhere else. (Or at least that’s what Vivian said as an excuse to watch TV.)

*It got close that Night, so they camped nearby. Some of them are roasting Marshmallows on a Fire. Evan was told to hide inside.

*Isaac was on GPS Duty. It seemed to circle around them for what felt like Hours until the Black Dot suddenly appears on top of them.

*She looks above her, trying to avoid making loud noises or movements. The Sky is dark and full of Stars. Lucy points up next to her. There is a small splotch where the Stars are hidden. It quickly comes down and crashes into the building. After circling around it shortly it flies into the open Main Entrance. Vivian quickly shut the Door behind it and locks it.

LUCY: Will he really be fine?

JACKLIN: As long as there’s nothing dangerous in there. Y’all did check for that right?

*Inside the House the Cannibal sees all the Magic Objects around it and is weighing its Options. Evan comes up behind it through a Doorway with a Portal key ready, blocking the Way out.

EVAN: Alright, Asshole. Let’s do this.

*It looks directly at Evan. Unlike last time he actually feels strange, like Zoey and Isaac did.

*He sees himself from its Perspective. Then darkness. He feels all of his Memories double. Then he sees Vivian being grabbed by a Cannibal. He rushes in to save her and gets grabbed himself.

EVAN: What? Wait.

*He manages to get a look at it again. He knows it. Better than anyone ever could. It was him. HIS Soul.

*He was fully ready to cut it to shreds only Moments ago. But now?

…

*They simply look at each other for a while.

EVAN: What will it be?

*Evan, almost without thinking stretches out his Hand. He didn’t know why but it felt correct.

*Evan does the same.

*When they touch they wait what the fuck is going on this isn’t normal at a ################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################# #########################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################

*Evan wakes up in the building. He feels awful. His Head is ready to explode. He knows everything now.

*He gets up and walks outside. Everyone runs up to him.

JACKLIN: What happened in there?

ZOEY: Oh no. You don’t look good at all.

LUCY: Why are your Eyes like that? They look like Vivian’s.

*Nothing looks right. He can see through the Floor. He can see every Molecule of his Friends. He can smell the Colors. It’s nauseating.

*Is any of this even real? Was he Hallucinating? Dreaming? Was it eating his Soul?

*His “Friends” come closer to him. He was panicking. He was never so sure as he was now that if they touched him that he would die. Or they would die. Maybe he wasn’t sure after all-

*He starts running. He didn’t know where to. He couldn’t even see the Ground properly. It almost felt like he was floating above it.

*He just kept running, running, running, running, running, running, running, running, running, running, running, running running, running, running, running, running, running, running, running running, running, running, running, running, running, running, run-

VIVIAN: EVAN! STOP!

*Evan stops. Vivian’s Voice is as clear as it ever was.

VIVIAN: What’s gotten into you?

*He looks behind himself. Vivian is right there. She looks him in the Eyes.

VIVIAN: Oh… Oh no.

*Evan feels like he is on Fire.

VIVIAN: Ok. Evan. Focus on me!

*He does.

VIVIAN: Do you feel something weird in front of your Eyes?

*He nods.

VIVIAN: Close your eyes. Focus it away. Move it somewhere else on you. Do the same with your Ears and stuff. And uh…

*Evan is sweating and breathing rapidly.

VIVIAN: Just like…sit down for a Minute, Ok? See if you can smell anything. Feel the Ground below you.

*He sits down. Vivian does the same. After a few Minutes he starts feeling better. He looks around. There are still traces of what he saw before. He turns around. There is a Cliff.

VIVIAN: Yeah, you uh... Almost ran off that Cliff.

EVAN: Lovely… *He’s still slightly out of Breath.

VIVIAN: You ran for like half an hour. I almost didn’t catch up to you.

EVAN: Half an hour?! Felt like only a Minute.

VIVIAN: Oh yeah you will want to keep track of time. It’s easy to get distracted.

EVAN: Is this how you have been feeling the entire Time?

VIVIAN: Yeah… Kinda.

EVAN: God I’m. So sorry.

VIVIAN: Focus on yourself right now. You still have to eat and sleep and stuff, unlike me.

EVAN: Yeah. Guess you saved me…. Again…

VIVIAN: That’s what we do, right? Always bailing each other out. No matter what.

EVAN: Except you have been saving me way more than the other way around lately.

VIVIAN: You better get your Butt back to the others. They are worried.

*They walk back. The journey back takes a little longer than the way there. Evan apparently ran through a Forest and a River.

EVAN: So that’s why my Pants were wet.

*They meet up with the others and Vivian gives a quick Explanation of what happened to Evan.

ZOEY: So, Evan’s Soul got corrupted. That’s… probably bad.

ISAAC: But where’s the Thing?

*Evan just kinda points to himself.

EVAN: I think it’s in me?

RENE: That must suck.

ISAAC: Great. So now we have to kill Evan.

EVAN: Again?

FELIX: Why?

ISAAC: I need to get rid of that Entity, remember? So that the Boss can finally tell me the truth.

LUCY: Can’t we just. Tell them that we did? I don’t think they have a way to check.

FELIX: As long as he stays close to Vivian even the GPS can’t differentiate.

FELIX: WAIT!

ISAAC: Hm?

FELIX: This might be an opportunity. We might be able to use the Fact that Evan has that Thing inside of him to take down the Gods.

RENE: Really?

VIVIAN: I tried that and it didn’t really work. I wasn’t strong enough.

ISAAC: No offense, but Evan’s Dot on the GPS is like. Way bigger than yours.

JACKLIN: They were probably afraid. That must be why they were so set on you taking care of it.

VIVIAN: They wouldn’t even see it coming after Isaac tells them she killed it.

ISAAC: Yeah. Unless SOMEONE- *She looks directly at Rene.

ISAAC: starts snitching.

RENE: Dude. I already said I’m on your side.

ISAAC: So you won’t have a Problem with us killing those Guys?

RENE: N-no. Well. Are we really ok with killing? I mean we just had a whole Trial about Evan NOT being a Murderer.

ZOEY: That is a good Point. Are you ok with this, Evan?

FELIX: Need I remind you that they killed an entire Billion People?

JACKLIN: It’s in the Name of Justice. I’ve seen how they act. They might be already planning another Apocalypse.

ISAAC: As long as you do it after I get my mother back, I don’t care.

VIVIAN: I would be down to kill those Clowns whenever, but I don’t think Evan is in the State to do something like that right now.

LUCY: Mmmmm. I don’t want to decide this. Can we not debate over if someone should live or die?

FELIX: Lucy. I’m sorry but this is really important. This could-

EVAN: I’ll do it.

Huh?

*He scratches himself. As if there was an Itch deep under his Skin.

EVAN: The sooner I can get this thing out of me the better.

FELIX: Great! Then we need to talk strategy. And how we best catch them by surprise.

RENE: (This can only go poorly…)

End of Chapter 6