Hatter's Revenge (rewriting - read at own risk)

Ch. 26: A Trial

Mad knew something different was happening when he woke up and Rakta was the one standing in front of him. Mad rolled his neck, trying to work loose the knots and asked tiredly, "So what's next? Are we starting up again?"

For the past couple days, or what Mad thought were days, he hadn't been tortured. The only thing to happen was that Tamsus had kept his word and someone had attended to the stab wound in his side.

"Your trial was set for today. I'm to make certain you behave yourself." Rakta pulled a knife from his belt and Mad's cheek and side throbbed sympathetically as he remembered what had happened the last time he'd been in this room with an Ace with a knife. But all Rakta did was slice the ropes binding him and Mad tried to stand up.

He laughed at how weak he felt and said, "I'm honored that they think you're the only one who could take me on."

Rakta didn't answer, just pushed Mad back into the chair, then started cleaning the blood off of his face with a wet rag.

"Oh, I see," Mad said, wincing when Rakta brushed the cut on his face. "It's just that no one else was nice enough to volunteer to make me presentable for my court date."

Rakta's face stayed emotionless, giving away nothing and Mad shut his eyes, exhausted. He yelped when Rakta poured freezing water over him, washing sweat and blood from his body. Teeth chattering, Mad said, "So I guess Tam's not back yet huh?"

Rakta's only answer was another bucket of water poured slowly this time. Mad slapped Rakta's hand away when he started washing the blood from Mad's hair. He reached up, his shoulders aching fiercely and scrubbed at his head, waiting for the water to run clear.

Rakta disappeared out the door, only to return instantly with a towel and some fresh clothes. Still no shoes though.

"Get dressed," Rakta commanded. "Knock on the door when you're done. Someone will take you up."

"You're on the wrong side Diamond," Mad said, rubbing gingerly at his wet hair with the towel. He didn't really know why he said it. He just felt it needed to be said.

Mad looked up when Rakta actually paused at the door. He shook his head and said, "We don't always get to choose Hatter."

He left then, leaving Mad in shock. Slowly, careful of his battered body, Mad got dressed, thinking about what the Diamond Ace had said.

It hadn't been the answer Mad expected.

Mad finished dressing and knocked on the door like he'd been instructed. It wasn't worth it to fight just yet.

The guards clapped iron shackles onto his already chafed, bruised wrists and, with one on either side of him, they led Mad through the castle's underbelly, back into the real world.

Mad's eyes slammed shut of their own accord, the sunlight inflicting a great deal of pain after having been in the dark for so long. He had no choice but to let the guards guide him forward, doing his best to get his eyes to adjust.

He was able to open his eyes just in time to watch a pair of massive doors made of rosewood, carved with a pattern of hearts and roses open, letting them into the courtroom.

Mad heard the whispers and stood straight, hiding his pain as best he could, refusing to limp or curl his shoulders. His chin was up and he glared at anyone who dared to meet his gaze.

They reached the front of the room and the guards led him towards the left side of the room, opposite the jury box. Mad growled when they forced him to his knees, but he still didn't fight. It would only be a waste of precious energy.