((Well, this is in the Roleplaying section, but I thought I'd put it here. I've handled Freddy becoming a hero as best I can, and I'd love feedback. Contact me in game. @Synthet.))
Frederick, have you anything you would like to say?
Freddy shifted in his reinforced chair and nodded before standing up, the people behind him in the courtroom staring at his broad shoulders. He was a large man - a huge man in fact. There was no pretending that Freddy was just a big man who worked out, a second glance at his size was all it would take to confirm that he was a metahuman. A mutant in fact, and one who was at one time considered an Omega level threat by Longbow agents in the field.
But now here he stood in a courtroom in Paragon City, accompanied by Vanguard operatives ranging from the uniformed agents to enlisted heroes. They werent there to protect the citizens in the courtroom though, they were showing support for Freddy. He had been working with Vanguard almost non stop since the second Rikti war started and had quickly become a trusted operative. With his incredible strength and resistance to harm he was usually the first into battle, and the last one still fighting when things got bad. He would probably have been considered a war hero if it werent for his past.
Before becoming involved in Vanguard, Freddy Jones had been anything but a model citizen. He had been better known as the super criminal Laugh Riot, easily recognisable by his ghastly grinning mask. A long list of crimes were attributed to him, mainly in the Rogue Isles, but there were enough in Paragon that he was a wanted man there.
Since joining Vanguard though he had kept his record as clean as a whistle, he seemed to have become a model citizen so far as the law was concerned. He had cut a deal with Vanguard when the war started. He would work for them for free, carrying out whatever missions against the Rikti they had for him pro bono, and in return they would help him get his record cleaned up. They had already tried with the Paragon courts for him once before in return for the work he was doing for them, but his appeal had been rejected. A month later and he was back again, granted temporary free passage in and out of the city so long as he stayed with his Vanguard escorts.
Id like to say, first of all, that Im glad for this second chance at getting my second chance. He smiled. I think it was the right decision not to grant me a pardon before, it helped me to learn a lot about myself. But I think that Im ready now, if the city feels that I am.
Thank you Frederick. The judge nodded. Have you anything you would like to say to the people you have wronged? I believe some of them and their families are here today.
Freddy slowly turned around to face the rows of witnesses. Hatred was plain on a lot of faces, hatred so clear he could almost feel it radiating off of them. There were friendly faces as well, Ben Big Lunk Campbel and his fiancé Becky Summoness Saunders. They had both been character witnesses for him, although Bens testimony might have done more harm than good. And at the back of the room sat a thin woman in a white coat and hat, with a tall red haired woman beside her. His sister Sarah Afterlight Jones and her partner Tina Onders.
Im sorry. Freddy said in his deep voice. I know its a cliché, but I dont have much else. Im sorry to the people Ive hurt. I know there are some of you who will never be able to forgive me, and you should never have to. I feel guilt for the things Ive done. I even feel guilt for asking for forgiveness, because I know that I dont deserve it. I never will. But but I have to try and make up for the things Ive done. Its the only way I can live with myself. He paused, as if about to say something else, but then turned back to the judge and nodded.
That sounded very heartfelt Frederick. You can sit down.
Freddy exhaled and sat back in his reinforced chair, specially built to seat the larger people who passed through the courts of Paragon City.
Frederick your case is unusual. You have done things which, quite frankly, frighten me. And Ive been a judge in this city for almost twenty six years now, so there isnt much that rattles me anymore. The judge pushed his glasses up and watched Freddy for a reaction. You are a young man capable of incredible feats of strength, and you are almost entirely impervious to harm. You are what every man wishes to be - unbreakable. Your use of these gifts, except for your work with Vanguard, has quite frankly been disgusting.
Freddy nodded and looked down. This is what he had been expecting, but he would come back again. And again, and again if he had to. He wasnt about to give up his chance for redemption no matter how long it took or how hard he had to work for it.
Your appeal was rejected the first time due to your psychological evaluation. It was shown that you had a slight anger problem. So I am slightly surprised that your psychological evaluation this time is so much more positive, there seems to have been a vast improvement. And your defence of the Overbrook Dam against Rikti forces is certainly impressive. Although I have been informed you were only shipped in due to a shortage of other available operatives at the time, the fact that you put yourself in harms way for the city is still a mark in your favour. However, based purely upon the reports I have in front of me, and the extensive file that has been compiled upon you, I could not in good conscience grant you a pardon at this time.
Freddy sighed and nodded his head slowly. At the back of the room Tina almost stood up, stopped only by Sarahs small hand on her arm.
But. Having met you Frederick and hearing what you have to say for yourself, as well as the testimony of those who know you best, I have been persuaded that you are truly a changed man. No amount of paperwork could convince me that you are truly repentant. Only you could do that, and I believe you. Therefore I am, on a trial basis, granting you a probationary pardon and freedom to walk the streets of Paragon City. You will have a parole officer who you -
The judge was drowned out by the Vanguard operatives with Frederick cheering and breaking into applause, with Tina at the back of the room yelling an energetic YES!. Freddy was grinning broadly at everyone around him. It was all he could do not to jump up and start cheering himself, but it probably wouldnt look good. He could celebrate later, because this good feeling certainly didnt feel like it was going to go away anytime soon.
***
In todays news, the criminal previously known as Laugh Riot was granted a pardon for his crimes
RIOT GETS LAST LAUGH!
Once again public officials mishandle a vital case and jeopardise our citizens
Making headlines today is Freddy Jones, who proves that anyone can redeem themselves
the scene was one of celebration as Mr. Jones embraced his younger sister
The headline of almost every paper seems to be about Laugh Riots pardon.
MY SECOND CHANCE, SAYS CRIMINAL.
Did you see the news today?
eastern time today, the judge announced what Mr. Jones has been waiting for
Certainly making headlines isnt he?
A CHANGED MAN!
The media has apparently given him a new alias
In an interview, he stated that he hopes to prove himself
The young headliner
Can we really trust him?
Freddy Headliner Jones applied for a hero license
CAPE OR FAKE?
Did you hear that Headliner Jones wants to be a hero now?
Freddy Headliner Jones made an announcement to the press this afternoon. I will never wear a mask again. I will not hide who I am from people or pretend that my past never happened. I just want it to be legal for me to help someone if I see them in trouble. Ive been given these gifts and I feel that I should use them for the good of the city now, not my own good. Paragon officials have yet to make a statement
((Well, this is in the Roleplaying section, but I thought I'd put it here. I've handled Freddy becoming a hero as best I can, and I'd love feedback. Contact me in game. @Synthet.))
Frederick, have you anything you would like to say?
Freddy shifted in his reinforced chair and nodded before standing up, the people behind him in the courtroom staring at his broad shoulders. He was a large man - a huge man in fact. There was no pretending that Freddy was just a big man who worked out, a second glance at his size was all it would take to confirm that he was a metahuman. A mutant in fact, and one who was at one time considered an Omega level threat by Longbow agents in the field.
But now here he stood in a courtroom in Paragon City, accompanied by Vanguard operatives ranging from the uniformed agents to enlisted heroes. They werent there to protect the citizens in the courtroom though, they were showing support for Freddy. He had been working with Vanguard almost non stop since the second Rikti war started and had quickly become a trusted operative. With his incredible strength and resistance to harm he was usually the first into battle, and the last one still fighting when things got bad. He would probably have been considered a war hero if it werent for his past.
Before becoming involved in Vanguard, Freddy Jones had been anything but a model citizen. He had been better known as the super criminal Laugh Riot, easily recognisable by his ghastly grinning mask. A long list of crimes were attributed to him, mainly in the Rogue Isles, but there were enough in Paragon that he was a wanted man there.
Since joining Vanguard though he had kept his record as clean as a whistle, he seemed to have become a model citizen so far as the law was concerned. He had cut a deal with Vanguard when the war started. He would work for them for free, carrying out whatever missions against the Rikti they had for him pro bono, and in return they would help him get his record cleaned up. They had already tried with the Paragon courts for him once before in return for the work he was doing for them, but his appeal had been rejected. A month later and he was back again, granted temporary free passage in and out of the city so long as he stayed with his Vanguard escorts.
Id like to say, first of all, that Im glad for this second chance at getting my second chance. He smiled. I think it was the right decision not to grant me a pardon before, it helped me to learn a lot about myself. But I think that Im ready now, if the city feels that I am.
Thank you Frederick. The judge nodded. Have you anything you would like to say to the people you have wronged? I believe some of them and their families are here today.
Freddy slowly turned around to face the rows of witnesses. Hatred was plain on a lot of faces, hatred so clear he could almost feel it radiating off of them. There were friendly faces as well, Ben Big Lunk Campbel and his fiancé Becky Summoness Saunders. They had both been character witnesses for him, although Bens testimony might have done more harm than good. And at the back of the room sat a thin woman in a white coat and hat, with a tall red haired woman beside her. His sister Sarah Afterlight Jones and her partner Tina Onders.
Im sorry. Freddy said in his deep voice. I know its a cliché, but I dont have much else. Im sorry to the people Ive hurt. I know there are some of you who will never be able to forgive me, and you should never have to. I feel guilt for the things Ive done. I even feel guilt for asking for forgiveness, because I know that I dont deserve it. I never will. But but I have to try and make up for the things Ive done. Its the only way I can live with myself. He paused, as if about to say something else, but then turned back to the judge and nodded.
That sounded very heartfelt Frederick. You can sit down.
Freddy exhaled and sat back in his reinforced chair, specially built to seat the larger people who passed through the courts of Paragon City.
Frederick your case is unusual. You have done things which, quite frankly, frighten me. And Ive been a judge in this city for almost twenty six years now, so there isnt much that rattles me anymore. The judge pushed his glasses up and watched Freddy for a reaction. You are a young man capable of incredible feats of strength, and you are almost entirely impervious to harm. You are what every man wishes to be - unbreakable. Your use of these gifts, except for your work with Vanguard, has quite frankly been disgusting.
Freddy nodded and looked down. This is what he had been expecting, but he would come back again. And again, and again if he had to. He wasnt about to give up his chance for redemption no matter how long it took or how hard he had to work for it.
Your appeal was rejected the first time due to your psychological evaluation. It was shown that you had a slight anger problem. So I am slightly surprised that your psychological evaluation this time is so much more positive, there seems to have been a vast improvement. And your defence of the Overbrook Dam against Rikti forces is certainly impressive. Although I have been informed you were only shipped in due to a shortage of other available operatives at the time, the fact that you put yourself in harms way for the city is still a mark in your favour. However, based purely upon the reports I have in front of me, and the extensive file that has been compiled upon you, I could not in good conscience grant you a pardon at this time.
Freddy sighed and nodded his head slowly. At the back of the room Tina almost stood up, stopped only by Sarahs small hand on her arm.
But. Having met you Frederick and hearing what you have to say for yourself, as well as the testimony of those who know you best, I have been persuaded that you are truly a changed man. No amount of paperwork could convince me that you are truly repentant. Only you could do that, and I believe you. Therefore I am, on a trial basis, granting you a probationary pardon and freedom to walk the streets of Paragon City. You will have a parole officer who you -
The judge was drowned out by the Vanguard operatives with Frederick cheering and breaking into applause, with Tina at the back of the room yelling an energetic YES!. Freddy was grinning broadly at everyone around him. It was all he could do not to jump up and start cheering himself, but it probably wouldnt look good. He could celebrate later, because this good feeling certainly didnt feel like it was going to go away anytime soon.
***
In todays news, the criminal previously known as Laugh Riot was granted a pardon for his crimes
RIOT GETS LAST LAUGH!
Once again public officials mishandle a vital case and jeopardise our citizens
Making headlines today is Freddy Jones, who proves that anyone can redeem themselves
the scene was one of celebration as Mr. Jones embraced his younger sister
The headline of almost every paper seems to be about Laugh Riots pardon.
MY SECOND CHANCE, SAYS CRIMINAL.
Did you see the news today?
eastern time today, the judge announced what Mr. Jones has been waiting for
Certainly making headlines isnt he?
A CHANGED MAN!
The media has apparently given him a new alias
In an interview, he stated that he hopes to prove himself
The young headliner
Can we really trust him?
Freddy Headliner Jones applied for a hero license
CAPE OR FAKE?
Did you hear that Headliner Jones wants to be a hero now?
Freddy Headliner Jones made an announcement to the press this afternoon. I will never wear a mask again. I will not hide who I am from people or pretend that my past never happened. I just want it to be legal for me to help someone if I see them in trouble. Ive been given these gifts and I feel that I should use them for the good of the city now, not my own good. Paragon officials have yet to make a statement
HEADLINER - HERO!