THE SECOND TRIAL

[strangerpeople]

THE SECOND TRIAL


[Soon enough, once the final clues have been uncovered, the telltale DING echoes through the Mall. The elevator in the food court has opened once more, and it will not close until all of the remaining Titled have gotten in it. And, as before, a thought comes to them, the realization that they needed to get on the roof, and get to the bottom of this.

Soon enough, everyone is back on the roof, and they will find that their platform arrangement has changed to reflect those who had died since last week. The podiums of Dio, Torri, and Yuuri are each all lowered and covered with white cloths. Otherwise, everyone else's platforms also have food and drinks, just like last week.

It's probably still not much comfort, especially with what everyone knows must happen. They must look at the evidence they have gathered, and once more, they will have to figure out the truth, putting their lives on the line to do so. Hopefully, their luck will hold.

So, get ready.

The trial for the murders of Torri Feiji, The Bliss, and Yuuri Katsuki, The Future, has begun.]

Comments

[beguiledcard]

[ shut up goro you knew what you were getting into with this guy

And he's going to be holding that damn vortex as long as he can, trying his damnest to will Goro away from that spot on the floor??

He's been wanting to yell this for a while now... guess he can just loudly think it for now but...

Fuck this mall in particular. ]

[byanyother_name]

[It only takes a split second for Kurama to register that yes, what Akira did is working for now. That realization translates to almost immediate action.

His hand dives into his clothes and emerges holding the end of a whip. He lashes out with precise, expert skill to tangle it around Goro's waist.

He wraps his end around his arms and pulls as hard as he can.]

[strangerpeople]

[Oh. Oh.

The creature finally turns and stares at the action going on outside. Blink. Blink.]

M r r??

[This is definitely new...]

[foolishjustice]

[...He might have accepted the vote, but he did say he was going to fight. So he grabs onto that whip to make sure it doesn't come loose, ready to land on his feet if Kurama's effort is enough to get him out of range of the tube.]

[beguiledcard]

[ yeah you just keep staring you ugly bastard

Alas, he... doesn't exactly have much time to continue holding.

So better hope that grip is tight, ol' buddy, ol' pal. ]

Damn it...

[strangerpeople]

[um she's a girl???

Akechi does land on his feet.

And no sooner does he land, that whip nice and tight around him so he can't easily break free, that the floor under Kurama and Akira also disappears as well, without warning.]

[foolishjustice]

No-!

[Why does Kurama have to be between him and Akira? If he goes that way, he'll be dragged down before he can reach him. He hisses a curse, before grabbing onto his podium and clinging with his full rock climber upper body strength.]

Akira!

[strangerpeople]

[It won't be enough. Indeed, the suction only seems to get stronger as the moments pass.

Akira, Akechi, and Kurama will all end up in that container, no matter their efforts.]

[byanyother_name]

[Kurama tucks into a roll as he comes out in the container, smoothly ending up back on his feet. He's quick to disentangle his whip; he's fairly sure he's going to need it.]

That did not quite go as we'd hoped.

[beguiledcard]

[ He's going to be rolling with some level of grace as well... granted it's not quite the grace one might gain over... over... 1000 years.

There's a tense exhale.

Damn good thing he bought that short this week (and equip it thanks to what day it is). He's not hesitating to draw that weapon now, eyes narrowed.

No way in hell is he letting Miss Monstrosity stomp his friend and boyfriend... or himself obviously. Bring it. ]

You know... when I said you'd make a good Phantom Thief... this wasn't how I imagined us fighting together, Kurama.

[foolishjustice]

[Akechi - Crow, in this moment - mirrors Kurama and Akira's movements, flicking his switchblade back open as he stands.]

You're both idiots, I hope you know that.

[strangerpeople]

[Well, if they are planning on fighting the creature, there's just one problem.

It's not in front of them now.]

[byanyother_name]

Really? Us against the minions of our captors... I'd assumed it was almost inevitable, Joker.

And yes, Crow, you're welcome.

[Kurama is going to turn quickly, whip at the ready, scanning the container for any sign of the golem. His body is coiled like a spring and most of the people watching them through the glass have never seen him look like this.

Like someone dangerous.]

[lifecoach]

[And completely ruining the mood, the Coach is popping out of the tube, hummingbird flitting around at the top of it as soon as her body is free. And doing a tryhard pose. Of course.]

Diiiid someone call for an adorable chaperone? Hiya!

[She doesn't seem concerned about the golem's disappearance, of course.]

Just so you all know, this will totally be nicer for everyone if you, like, let the first shot get you. But that's probably out of the question, right?

[beguiledcard]

[ His gaze is set... hardened. The look he gives Crow is one entirely unapologetic, though it's very temporary.

Joker's gaze is quickly scanning the area, hand tightened on the weapon. ]

...

[ There's a light frown of surprise at LC. ]

We're leaving together. All four of us.

[1/2]

[strangerpeople]

[As Akira, Kurama, and Akechi ready their stances, something peculiar happens. In particular, Akira and Kurama start to glow in light.

Akira had extended his hand, and Kurama has accepted his place on the Phantom Thieves. In that momen they had become partners. And in that second, when Akira made his vow, that partnership solidified into something more.

They could feel it. The power, coursing between the two of them. Meshing together and becoming stronger than it had been when they were alone. Yes. This power really could do some damage. Whatever challenge was thrown their way, they could overcome it.

Just in time to feel a tap, then a sting, on their shoulders.

Both Akira and Kurama turn to face the one who had done that. It was the golem, head tilted to the side... and needles for claws shining in the light. And they begin to feel very, very tired all of a sudden, as the powerful tranquilizing drug take hold in their systems. They will be flat on their backs in seconds unless someone catches them.

Which the Life Coach, thankfully, does.]

[2/2] [TW: exsanguination]

[strangerpeople]

RUNNING EXECUTION PROTOCOL...

[Which leaves only a stunned, angry Akechi.

The golem’s eyes focus on him.]

EXECUTION ACTIVATED.

[Quick as lightning, one of the creature's hands shoots out, and a dart barrels towards Akechi. Akechi, however, already anticipating this, easily dodges the dart, a slightly unhinged grin forming on his face as he sees the the creature react, just like last time, as the dart bounces off the ceiling and clatters to the floor.]

`ERROR! EXECUTION FAIL...SECONDARY PROTOCOL SHUTDOWN ACTIVATED--

[And, just like before, the monster shuts down, and wisps of shadow begin forming around the floor. Moving back, Akechi takes out his switchblade, and readies himself. He isn't going down without a fight.

On everyone's phone, the following text suddenly flashes:]

Coffee Secondary Protocol Activated. This will be fun.

[Two dozen very large cat-like shadows, all with stenciled claws and tails, form around Akechi, stalking him. Of course, the detective wasn't going to let them make the first move; he lunges forward, slashing at the underbelly of the nearest shadow.

He is slashed across the face in response, his attack doing nothing. Stagging back, he quickly drinks a coffee, which heals his face, somewhat. It's clear the claws of these beasts are too deep to fully heal, even with his power. But the smile doesn't leave his face. He tries again. This time, he gets hit in the arm.

He only manages to drink one last sip of his next summoned coffee, before another tiger slashes him in the back.

The Coffee falls, and is unable to summon another drink, before the tigers pounce on him. Blood splatters onto the glass as another chomps right onto Akechi's neck.

The golem’s eyes come to life at this, and it shakes its head. Almost immediately the cats stop, this time, and their forms dissipate into black shadow and smoke as Akechi claws, fruitlessly, at his own throat with weakening movements, his blood mingling with the blackness in a sludge-like pool. Just as The Coffee finally stills, the cylinder is plunged into black, leaving only the blood splatter from Akechi's fatal wound visible.

It is then, and only then, that the suction on the feet of the remaining Titled finally dissipates. The elevator opens up once more witha DING It is once more time to return to the Mall - and to whatever awaits them all next.]

[incrediblystressedout]

[Meanwhile, back in the tubes, Joey can't get out of here and has no useful abilities for this situation.]

[Almost none. There's always shouting.]

LC! LC! Get Akira and Kurama out of there! THEY DIDN'T BREAK ANY RULES!

[She'll brandish her phone, as much as she's able in her position, to try and emphasize her point.]

[lifecoach]

[LC is practically circling like the world's sparkliest vulture, but she will pause to cup her hands around her mouth and yell down.]

Don't worry! They're totally just there cause they were stopping him... it won't, like, hurt them!

[eyesofdespair]

Yeah, right. Like we really believe you. Get them out now.

[theirmagic]

Yes, please!

[ Guess who snapped out of it and IS PANICKING? Ursula is! ]

Coach, you have to do SOMETHING! You're our COACH!

[incrediblystressedout]

[Could it work that way? The execution last week was clearly fucking majyyyk or something so Joey can't be sure, but.]

LC, if those two die it's on you now! Don't let us down, Coach! This is supposed to be about justice!

[lifecoach]

B-But, there isn't, like, a back door into that place... I promise I'm totally not lying!

[She frowns, rubbing her head.]

Will you believe me if I go too?

[eyesofdespair]

I'll believe you when they are out here with us, still alive.

[incrediblystressedout]

...yes. Go in there, please protect them if stuff goes all weird like last week! I'm sorry to ask you to risk yourself, but...I want to believe you're really looking out for us.