Jordan's p.o.v

"Defenders and the prosecutors, please stand before the court." Ianite stood from her podium, a stone cold expression on her face. I could already tell she was not picking sides.

I stood from the witness bench and Wag followed. He was one of the more important witnesses, since he had been there the whole time. Champ was Toms 'lawyer', standing by his wheelchair as he raised from his seat. Dec had suggested he use the wheelchair for awhile because he was so weak. Tom didn't want to, but I made him promise me he would. He was so tired all the time that it worried me. He wore his usual suit and sat hunched over in his chair. He was in a lot of pain. Seeing him get out of the bed at Champs house was the most saddening thing I'd ever seen. He had tried to hold in his pain, but winced and hissed a couple of times as we sat him in the chair for the first time. We offered him food, but once again he declined it. His lack of eating was worrying me. His neon blue hair was slowly fading, just like his spirit. Tears welled in my eyes as I stared at him.

Martha stood from the defense side, she was Guard Toms defense. She and Steve had come back this morning with exhausted faces and hunched backs. But something else seemed to be amiss between the two. They hardly talked, and when they did it was nothing more than civil conversation. It was really weird.
Martha had volunteered to be Guard Toms defense since no one else would. Guard Tom said nothing as we discussed the rules and the proper terms to use during the court section, he looks down at his shoes the entire time. I didn't care about him. Not anymore.

"I call this court to order, please read the charges to the court Mr. Declan." She motioned for Dec to begin reading off the list, and he flipped through pages on his clipboard when she did.

He finally stopped at one page, and cleared his throat. "Guard Tom has been charged with the offense of attempted murder. Tom Syndicate has pressed these charges, being the victim of the attempt."

Ianite nodded and turned back to the court, which was basically all of us crammed inside her house inside the end.

"The court is now in order. Tom Syndicate, please make your way to the stand for your statement." She looked to Tom, who was half asleep in his chair. I placed a hand on his shoulder and shook him gently, and he looked up to me with a tired questioning gaze.

"You have to go up and say what happened," I whispered in his ear. He nodded, and began to wheel himself from the small table. Dec walked to him and helped him stand up for a few moments, Tom wincing as he did. Dec sat him gently on the stand, and walked back over to his place beside Ianite.

"All may sit. Prosecutors, you may now make your case. Please speak loud and clearly so that the the court can hear you."
She sat down in her chair, the rest of the people in the court following her actions.

Champ began speaking. "Tom, would you please tell the court what happened yesterday afternoon?"

Tom shifted uncomfortable in his seat, he hated all of this attention I guess.
"Uh...so I was at my house. And he chased me, and then stabbed me." He looked down at his thumbs the whole time, avoiding anyone's gaze.

"Mr. Syndicate, I understand you aren't a very...descriptive man, but please try a little harder when talking about the incident. I can't make any decision with a lack of details." Ianite was kind in her words.

Silence filled the room for a bit as Tom remained quiet, and Wag looked to me questioningly.
Tom continued to look down, hiding his face from the court. What was wrong? Was he hurting?

"Mr. Syndicate, are you too ill to make a statement?" Ianite tried to read his emotions, but she was as clueless as the rest of us as to why Tom was being silent.

I heard a small sniffle, and my heart fell. He was crying. Why was he crying?!

"Tom, you don't have to make a statement if you're in pain. Someone can escort you back if that's what you wish," Champ said calmly.

Silence continued.

Tom started shaking. "I WAS SCARED!" He sobbed. He hid his face in his hands and shook his head as he cried.

"Mr. Syndicate-"

"I was so sc-scared! I just thought he was mad but-but he chased me! He chased me and no one would help...no one helped me..." His shoulders shook violently as he sobbed. I'd never seen him this broken down.

He was fine a couple of minutes ago! What happened?!

"Can the court take a five minute recess?" Champ asked Ianite hurriedly, and she nodded while still looking at Tom.

She banged the gavel, and I immediately ran to the stand and took him in my arms. He sobbed into my chest while I held him tightly. "I'm sorry...I can't do it. I wanted to tell you but I thought I could maybe try...I'm sorry Sparklez."

"It's okay...you should have told me. I wouldn't have taken you..." I petted his now faded out blue hair, comforting him.

"Sparklez, I'll get Nade to take him back. You'll have to stay here and make your statement. Can you do that?" Champ said from behind me.

"I don't want to leave him..." He was already upset enough, he would be even more upset of I didn't go with him.

"Jordan, I know this is tough for the both of you, but you must make a statement against the defense. If you do not, I cannot make a fair verdict. The session will only last an hour or two more, and then you can leave. Think about this, please." I knew Ianite didn't want guard Tom to be without punishment, but she would never let that cloud her judgement.

I had to stay, I wanted justice for what he did to Tom.

"Will you be alright? Just for a little while?" I whispered to Tom. He nodded and dried his runny nose with the hem of his shirt.

"I'll see you later then...I'll make sure he gets what he deserves."
Champ and I began to help him sit back in his wheelchair. Nade jogged from the back of the room and took the handle bars, ready to take Tom away.

But before Tom could get far, he grabbed my sleeve and turned to me with tears in his eyes.
"I don't...I don't want him dead." I nodded like I understood, but I really didn't. Why wouldn't he want guard Tom to be dead? He tried to kill us.
Tom turned back in his seat and let Nade wheel him away. I watched as they left the room, staring sadly at my fading Fiancé.

A gavel banged, and I knew it was time for me to sit back down. I took my seat next to Wag.

"Is he okay?" He whispered as Dec read off the charges again.

"He's just emotionally unstable. He didn't want to come, but he didn't tell me that..."
His hooded face nodded and he turned back to Ianite and Dec.
He sighed, like he was in distress. I wondered what it could be.

"Something wrong?" I whispered so that only we could hear it.

"It's time for me to get grilled by Martha. I am not looking forward to it." He shook his head.

Martha was definitely about to grill us, since she was looking for any flaws in our testimony. And Tom breaking down and leaving was probably an advantage to their side of the case. And since Wag was so upset about his mixed feelings toward Martha, that probably wasn't gonna help our case with good testimony.

"Martha, you may now make your case while the prosecution rests. Please call your first witness."

"James Waglington, please take the stand." Martha's mono tone voice ordered Wag, and he flinched as she did.

He hesitantly stood from the bench, walking and taking his seat on the stand.
Martha stood, adjusting her hair and grey sweater dress as she did. She had light grey circles under her eyes, like she'd been stressing about something. Something was definitely wrong with her. She looked over her papers for a moment, then cleared her throat.

"You say you were a witness in seeing this incident that my client has been accused of?" She spoke fast, her tone stern and demanding.

Wag didn't stand a chance.

"Uh...yes." His voice cracked, and he cleared it quickly.

"And you were the only one to witness the full scene of this so called attempt at murder?" Her eyes were narrowed, never leaving Wags dark hood.

"Y-yes. That would be correct." His voice was slightly shaky. Poor Wag, this was an onslaught.

"So, you were the only one to witness this? The only person who saw Mr. Syndicate hurt himself?" Her words were spitting out like venom, fast and vicious.

"Yes, wait...he did not-" Wag was too slow in replying.

"So you admit Mr. Syndicate hurt himself, and that guard Tom is an innocent man?"

"I-I did n-"

"Mr. Syndicate was undergoing depression, was he not? A recent breakup with his boyfriend, am I correct?"

She might win this. She actually might win this.

"He did have a breakup, but he would not just-"

"From what my sources have told me, he is a very unstable man. Emotionally and physically. How do we not know he was just hurting himself, trying to receive attention? And James, a loyal friend, covered for his unstable and heartbroken friend? And his guilt ridden ex-boyfriend decided to feel sorry for him also?" She had been pacing before, but was now staring directly at Wag.

Wag stayed silent for a moment and did what I assumed was also staring at Martha. I could never see his eyes, but I could see the direction in which his face was.

"You try to say, no...you dare say he attempted suicide? You dare say I lied about seeing a rapier plunge through his stomach while guard Toms face smiled with corruption and revenge? You dare say his lover, not his lover, his fiancé would lie about someone hurting the only thing he loves? If that is what you are implying then I suggest my dear Martha, that you kindly step back from the ignorant and idiotic tactic that has formed in your small brain. The guard attempted to murder Tom in cold blood, no question about it. Lying and deceiving is an even worse way to present yourself in court, Mr and Mrs Innocent." Wag was seething with anger. His grey fists were clenched together on the stand, his face directly staring into Martha's eyes.

Wait, did Wag just say what I think he said?

He told everyone I was engaged to Tom.

"Mr. Waglington, did you just admit that Mr. Sparklez and Mr. Syndicate are soon to be in marriage?" Dec was taken back.

Martha stared at Wag in shock, not only because he had stood up for himself, but because he'd just told everyone my biggest secret.

Wags fists unclenched and I'm pretty sure if I could've seen his face, it would have showed regret.
"Uh...y-yes." He sat back down, staring at his hands.

I guess the secrets out.

Martha was still standing there, her face placid. She turned back and headed to her seat as she murmured something about a recess, and Ianite banged the gavel and called for a twenty minute recess. As soon as Ianite made the call, Martha ran from the court house, her long lavender hair trailing behind her fleeing form. As she ran past me, I could swear I saw tears in her eyes. Something was clearly up, and Wag calling her dumb hadn't helped whatever was troubling her.

"Martha dear, wait! I did not mean it!"Wag jumped up from his stand and went after her, pushing past an angry looking Steve. But Steve wasn't gonna let him go that easily.

"I didn't hear ye call my woman dumb, you lil' wanger!" He swung at Wag with a balled fist, but Wag dodged and ran out of the courthouse after Martha. Steve ran after him, and once again the court room was silent.

Well, was silent.

"YOU TWO ARE GETTING FREAKING MARRIED AND YOU DIDNT TELL US?!" Tucker's voice shouted from behind me.

I was in trouble.

"Tucker...please don't yell, we were gonna tell you guys...but then all of this happened." I turned to the faces of my furious and mostly confused friends.

"I knew Tom was whipped, but marriage?" Tony shook his head, and Josh thumped him in the back for his words.

Sonja butted in. "When are you guys getting married? I want in on the cake, that cake was like eating sugar clouds at the last wedding."

"Guys, please shut up. I really don't want to talk about this right now. Can we talk about weddings and stuff later?" I looked towards the doors of the house, wondering about Wag and Martha and Steve.

"We'll leave you alone, for now. But later we're discussing who's gonna be the flower girl," Sonja laughed.

"Great, thanks." I ran past my friends and towards the doors of the house.

Minutes later, I was in the small forest beside Ianites house. The owls watched me from the trees as I tried to find my friends. I just hope Steve hadn't hurt Wag, that would tear our friendships apart.

I started to hear voices coming from the north direction of the forest, and I followed the sounds.
Now I could hear them clearly, it was Wag and Martha talking quietly. Martha sounded like she was in tears, and Wags was small and smooth.

"I just couldn't do it anymore...he does not respect my wishes or my dreams...he is never there when I need him emotionally...I just don't love him anymore, Waggles. I do not know what to tell him..."

"Martha, you deserve a lover who will respect you and your wishes. Steve may love you, but he does not respect you in the least. You need not cry for him, he is a fool for not trying to love you properly."

Wag sounded odd, like he was trying to be...romantic.
Wait, Martha didn't love Steve anymore? They had just gotten married!

"Waggles...do you think me foolish for these silly thoughts?"
I felt like I was watching a Shakes Spear movie.

Wag gently held her chin, looking into her tear filled eyes. Wow, what a Romeo.

"You will never be thought of as foolish to me, my dear Martha. You are a smart and mystical woman, so witty and beautiful. I must admit a dirty secret to you as well...I am deeply in love with you, Martha the Mystic. So deep that...it breaks my heart to the very core to know that you are with another man. Please, consider these feelings with your own. I long for your love and attention," he kissed her cheek.

Okay, Wag was a serious romantic. I'd never heard him speak any of this love junk before.

"Oh Waggles...you give me little butterflies in my tummy and chest. Do you really mean those things?" She giggled nervously, her eyes staring into his dark hood.

"Every. One." He kissed her forehead, and she blushed.
I'd never seen Martha blush.

"Waggles...my Waggles..." She whispered as his lips kissed between her eyebrows, then her nose. He was dangerously close to her lips.
She was married...I couldn't believe all of this.

"Kiss me, my mystic angel." Wag whispered to her, his hands caressing her hair and cheek.

Their lips connected, and they kissed with passion. It wasn't a make out session and it wasn't sexual...it was love.

They were in love.

Oh my god, she was cheating on Steve.

'I know my daughters decisions aren't in the nearest of right, but I beg of you Jordan, to keep this secret. Steve will surely kill your wizard friend if he finds out, and I don't wish to see him on the stand.' Ianite whispered in my head.

'Who cares if it's right? They're in love, leave em' be.'

Dianite? I haven't heard from you in awhile.

'Yeah well, I've been busy Sparkle lap. Been trying to find out why the sword that assassin used was so affective...but anyway, I wouldn't say anything to anyone about this incident. It would surely put Steve in a fit of rage.'

I won't, I just can't believe this...

I continued to watch as they kiss, and I saw something else I probably shouldn't have seen.
Martha's hand drug down on Wags hood, and Wags face showed.

He did have a face, and he looked...sorta normal. His eyes were a little creepy, but he looked overall pretty much like a normal human. His skin was a dull grey, and his eyes a rust colored red. I saw markings down his face that seemed to start from his eyes and do down his neck. They looked like red tears, but they were tattooed ones. He had dark brownish hair that stuck out on all places, looking like he hadn't combed it in decades.

They pulled away from each other, and Martha sighed.
"Why do you wear that silly hood? You are so handsome..." She brushed her fingers through his hair. She had seen him without a hood before, I guess.

He chuckled, and I actually saw his full facial expression for the first time.
"My face just isn't meant to be shown around. I prefer my hood, it is nice and dark." He pulled his dark grey hood over his face, and his eyes showed no more.

"Waggles...what do I do? I believe I have feelings for you but...Stevie, what would I tell him?"

"The truth. Tell him the way you feel, he must understand."

"But he will be heart broken...I mustn't tell him so soon. We should depart, the trial will continue soon." She turned to leave, but Wag caught her hand.

"One last kiss, for my goddess." He bowed down to her and gently kissed her hand, she giggled while blushing furiously.

"You certainly are my little Romeo. My strong wizard." She walked away from the love struck Wag.

I quietly made my way back to the house, my shoulders heavy from the weight of secrets.

I hated lying, and now I would have to do even more of it.

~~~~~~~
Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Leave a favorite or a comment if you did, thanks!
- Lee