Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Cult Characteristic ❯ Chapter 24 ( Chapter 24 )

Title: Cult Characteristic 24/?

Author: Lethanon

Archive: www.geocities.com/lethanon and mediaminer.org

Email: Sansillion@hotmail.com

Warnings: oocult, angst, psychological,. Post ew, preventers, general weirdness…and a loooooong speech by Wufei. lol

TWENTY-FOUR

Wufei rolled his shoulder testily and winced at the flair of pain that wormed its way down his arm. It was better than it had been, but it was still not healed, which annoyed him. Fiona was watching him curiously as he moved, as if he were some sort of strange animal. Wufei didn't mind; he was getting used to it.

What he did mind, however, was his location. He was back at the court house. Again. It felt like he never left these days. First they had dealt with the Devourjac case, where they had given testimony, and the dark truth of L2's sudden rise in good fortune was unveiled. As the trial was on L2, it did not exactly go down well. Rose Devourjac would get her just desserts, just as Heero had predicted. She would never see Sunlight again, artificial or otherwise.

Relena's trial had come next; on earth. She was under house arrest for the next ten years, with parol a very real option after five. Wufei was not a happy man that day, Heero even less so, but each recognised the need to keep Relena's role in the whole affair to a minimum, even if Duo had not seen it.

Duo…Wufei steeled himself to this last trip inside the L2 courthouse. The trial had lasted three weeks. The evidence was huge; the destruction caused by a Gundam insurmountable. But the analysis by the earth sphere's most revered psychiatrists was also extreme, a fact Wufei was not sure wether to be pleased or devastated with. Duo had been, even if only for a brief moment in time, insane, or so they were trying to prove. And Wufei had to admit it was a very real possibility. The thought that truly frightened Wufei, however, was that Duo might not be sane right now. That he might never be sane again.

All had been fine for the first few days. Une had allowed them to return to their house and rest, heal as much as they could and basically try, once again, to come to grips with everything that had happened. It was an anti-shock period for all of them. Then, on the fourth morning, the police had arrived; a team of Preventers none of them really knew, with a warrant for Duo's arrest. They had expected it, certainly, but it was still a shock to the system. Wufei felt he had been living in some kind of bubble for those three days, and when it burst…

Duo had been the worst, of that there were no doubts. He turned that pale shade of white he had been when they first found him in the pit and just fainted his way out of it. When he woke, alone in a cell his mind had kicked into action, supplying him with what, at the time, Wufei was sure had been the only logical explanation. Duo had believed they had abandoned him; that they were not even going to come after him. Again. Duo believed he would never again see the sun. Again.

They put him in a straight jacket after that, which did a lot for their case but not much at all for Wufei's belief that this might one day all be over. It only served to make Duo recede into himself, the light vanishing from his eyes, back to the dull blankness he had seen when that head, smothered in blood, had first raised to meet his in the pit. Wufei had not slept more than four hours a night in all the weeks that followed as they endured day after day of following the police van that took Duo to court case after court case until finally they had dragged him to his own. Wufei was only thankful no chains had been involved.

There was one thing Wufei would be eternally grateful for, as would the others. Wufei had himself intended to work as Duo's lawyer, or at least to work with a lawyer on the case. However, Une had forbidden it, reasoning he was too closely involved in the case and it would work against Duo. She had made the right decision and the council she had got to replace him…Wufei shuddered to imagine what that mind did behind the scenes.

Dorothy Catalonia was a powerful woman. She had always been intimidating, and had honed that skill to an art form during the war. She had worked with the best of the best and he mind was the sharpest sword Wufei knew of. When she strolled into the courtroom like she owned the place Wufei had at first thought she was there to testify on behalf of Relena, perhaps to even condemn Duo. But Duo had almost smiled as she took her place at his side, and their heads had moved together in inaudible whispers. It had become quite clear that Dorothy intended to take the case. Wufei had been terrified.

Three weeks later and Wufei was beginning to think even an L2 judge and jury would be lenient; would see the truth for what it was. Dorothy had laid out a case unlike anything Wufei had ever seen, matching the prosecution at every turn and in some cases walking all over them. She had the resources of the world sphere at her fingertips, that much was obvious, but she had something else. Something Wufei would never have suspected. She had justice in her fist.

A small hand tugged on his shirt sleeve and Wufei smiled down at Fiona. The small girl had come to L2 with them for the trial. Her parents had stayed on earth. Something very strange was going on in that family, but Wufei was too tired to really consider what it was. He would think about it after today. If there wasa day after today that he cared to think about.

"It's going to be alright," Fiona said softly, pulling him through the courtroom doors toward the seat the front where Heero was already waiting, Duo and Dorothy uncharacteristically silent at their desk.

Wufei smiled in spite of the sombre mood. Fiona had a way of making them all smile; even Duo. She only had to walk into the room to have their heads turn toward her, and she had an endless well of hope.

The judge and jury entered, taking their seats. The hammer lifted, almost fell, and then a loud yell came through the open window. Then another yell. And another. Then so many Wufei could not count them all. Looking out the window Wufei realised a crowd had gathered; a crowd of the most bedraggled, filthy, unkept vagabonds imaginable. They held signs and handfuls of rotten food, and they were shouting…

Wufei looked from the sight out the window to Duo, who looked ready to cry, to Fiona who looked satisfied. Dorothy just looked triumphant. They were shouting for justice; shouting for the release of Shinigami; of one of their own.

The windows were shut, but the damage, Wufei knew, had been done. The jury were shifting strangely in their seats, sharing glances with one another, sneaking peeks out of the glass. They could see what the people wanted; could hear it in their ears.

The prosecution stood and gave the closing address to the jury. They had meant to close the case late yesterday afternoon, but Dorothy had asked for the case to reconvene in the morning. Wufei was beginning to suspect he knew why.

He listened to the man drone on, less lively than he had been at the beginning of the case. Wufei suspected he had never wanted the job in the first place, and despite putting in his best effort it seemed the man still wished it had never been his job to attempt to condemn one of L2's own.

The man eventually finished. He had not said anything that had not been said before. Duo had attempted to destroy their colony; had undone all the wonderful work of the past year and nearly killed them all. Insane or not, he should never see daylight again…Nothing new.

Wufei waited patiently in the break, fingers brushing over his hip where he suddenly wished he had a sword. He felt isolated, apart from life, unable to do anything to change what was to come. He itched for purpose; for what was right.

Dorothy stood, addressed the judge, and did the unthinkable.

"Your honour, I would like to request that another be permitted to make the closing statement for my case."

The judge was clearly surprised. Wufei hissed in alarm. He was confident Dorothy could win their case. He was not confident anyone else could do it. What was the onna thinking?

"This other is aware no new material may be included? And they are familiar with the court?"

"They are as qualified as I, your honor."

"Very well."

Dorothy turned, grinned at Quatre and Trowa, winked at Fiona and lay a reasurring hand on Heero's shoulder as she turned to Wufei and cocked her head to the side.

"Don't disappoint me. Just tell them what you believe."

Wufei sat in shock, staring from Dorothy to the judge in alarm. She should have told him she wanted to do this. He had nothing prepared!

"Wufei!" The snap of command was in her voice and his mind stilled. "It has to be natural It ahs to be real. It has to be what you believe; nothing but the truth of your very soul. Just tell them."

Wufei locked gazes with Duo, who appeared as stumped by Dororthy's actions as he felt. There was something there though; something Wufei had not sent since the police turned up at their door.

Faith. The same faith Dorothy had…and Dorothy knew something about him no one else knew. Dorothy knew, and understood, what he believed, because she believed it too.

Wufei nodded to Dorothy, stood, and walked to the centre of the room. He then motioned for the men by the windows to open them, and waited until he was obeyed. Those outside fell silent as they saw the man within, standing in the centre of a silent courtroom. Wufei had the attention of all of L2, and he intended to keep it. He turned to face the jury and judge; this was, after all, for them. And then he began.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. My name is Chang Wufei. I am the last survivor of the Dragon Clan; the only living survivor of the L5 colony. I have been asked here today, to close the case of a friend, but there is only one way I can do that. I must explain to you what most people will never know. The fantasie of peace.

"Peace, by definition, is a state of non-conflict. Conflict is created by differences in opinions and belief. Opinions and beliefs are the core of our humanity; they define us as a race above others. Opinions and beliefs reveal our ability to think individually; to look at cause and effect in our world and make decisions based on our understanding of these things to affect change. It is our humanity, subsequently, that creates the idea of peace, struggles to obtain it in the belief we are or will be capable of maintaining it.

"However, as peace is a state of non-conflict; a state wherin opinions and beliefs are neutralised to create a state of peace and complacency, we must, in order to obtain it, neutralise our individuality, that which is core to our humanity. Neutralisation of our individuality would destroy our ability to ascertain cause and effect and make choices conscious of singular, individual conscience. Neutralisation of our ability to consciously make decisions that promote quality of life would destroy our humanity, and destruction of our humanity subsequently destroys that which creates and aspires to the ideal of peace in the first place. Hence, in obtaining peace you destroy that which created it. Peace does not exist; it cannot because nothing exists to aspire toward peace, to dream of its acquisition, to obtain and maintain the idealistic world it would create. Peace is a paradox. A fantasy.

"Harmony, by comparison, is by definition a state wherin forces, either opposing or agreeing, work within a given frame to create a state of balance. Individuality, rather than being suppressed, is encouraged to move with other, possibly opposing opinions and/or beliefs to create outcomes or balance that better our humanity. Far from destroying itself, harmony only grows stronger with use and implementation. Harmony is not a fantasy, it is merely a harder challenge, yet we seek out peace rather than harmony. Why?

"Harmony lacks structure. It lacks the ability to control human conscience. It lacks the focus of a singular ideal; the conscience to control humankind. It is not absolute, and hence, in the face of that which is, namely peace, harmony is obsolete. It is an ironic circumstance that finds human conscience seeking a state of peace. The ultimate farce, peace is the newest and oldest form of greed; the desire to see the world run as you see fit, in accordance with one's own desires, shrouded by what, in most cases, is an honest desire to do well by others. We would do better to leave one another alone, as you all know.

"After all, true understanding is acceptance; the ability to see suffering and accept it is not for you to change; that it is the individual's choice to be where the individual is and that it is up to them to initiate the process of change; to alter the course of the individual. You can lead the horse to water; you cannot make it drink! Some might say this attitude would create a state of convalescence, in which it may at first appear humanity has died; that we are absorbed wholly in the self and exist in a state of unawareness of others. You see suffering in the world and you want to change it. But are you the only one who can change it? It is after the convalescence that harmony takes route. Only after you accept that life is as it is can you find balance within it, see cause and effect, and make choices that may effect change.

"Harmony is the ability to accept and exist in balance with life. Peace is the desire to control and manipulate to a state which pleases the self. So why this struggle for peace; this desire to attain our own destruction? Why not harmony?

"Because a little girl knew and understood the power of the word. Peace. It has a lovely ring to it, doesn't it? It has a certain power…All of creation exists within a hierarchy in which man has been placed beneath only God himself. It says so in a book of words. This hierarchy is defined by our humanity; our ability to discern cause and effect and make conscious decisions based on this. Proof of humanity, however, is expression. Communication. Words like those I speak to you now, like those that have already been spoken and will be spoken. Words are the expression of our conscious decision to effect change; they have power. Words are actions, actions are words. To speak out is to take action; to take action is to speak. The word is proof that wether your God exists or not we have earnt the metaphorical place at his feet. It matters not what form your words take; speak, and you will be heard.

"It is a sad truth, however, that some words speak louder than others. When you give a speech, the weight of your words can be measured by the number of ears that listen. When you paint a picture, its weight is measured by the number of eyes that view it. You write a poem and its weight is measured by the length of time the mind lingers on each carefully selected word…You wage a war…and its weight is measured by the number of lives you steal.

"I have a voice, but it is not a strong voice. I know not the words that will make people listen. This truth does not keep me from the attempt; it does not see me stray among the wiles of complacency and contrition. I am an individual. It is my opinion that no voice can go unheard forever; that at some point all words are heard, and in the hearing answered, given purpose. But I wonder, as only a true individual can, who will hear my words.

"I know a man whose voice was small. For years he pleaded, longed, begged, and was unheard. Then one day, he heard a voice calling…and he chose to answer. He took a Gundam, and he made his reply. For this, he sits before you, awaiting judgement. But I do not believe you understand why he, or you yourselves are here.

"You are here because justice was answered in a way that did not conform with the concept of peace you have been forced to believe is the only way to keep from war. But look around. This is L2; this is a world of crime that goes unnoticed every day, and yet you survive. Why? It is not because of a girl stood on a television and spoke to you of her dream! It is not because people answered that call and sought that dream for her. You survived before that dream, and you have survived its destruction. The reason for this is very simple. Like me, you are individuals. Like me your souls know peace is a farce; a fantasy!

"So how, I ask you, can you condemn a man for breaking something that did not, cannot, exist? Duo Maxwell spoke in the only language people would listen to, and this court gathered today is proof he was heard. But he did not seek to destroy peace. Rather, he sought to destroy oppression; he spoke out against the destruction for something far more precious. Duo Maxwell used a Gundam to destroy that which would have ended your survival. He gave you back your harmony.

"I have a small voice…I can only hope that today I had the right words, that justice might be served."

Wufei bowed low to a silent colony and returned to his seat.