Lady Justice: A Time Lady Reborn

"Oh you know how temperamental pets can be, wrecking the furniture, shedding, and the constant mating. It got to be too much. Had to have them put down," Justice joked.

"Oh! I'm glad you're having fun! Would you like to have some more fun, Time Bitch? I have lots of fun things planned. You can laugh and joke, as I dissect every cell in your body. Then, after I'm through, I will let you die. Just not before the big finale. That will prove to be very fun indeed! We'll talk soon, my love. Guards!" Aryess ordered.

A dozen more guards descended on Lady Justice, beating her into near unconsciousness. As her body crumbled to the floor, they dragged her off to a specially designed cell. Her last thoughts were of Alanah and Daniel before she was swallowed into darkness.

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Chapter Nineteen

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It only took two days for Daniel to attempt contact with the TARDIS. He had arrived back at his apartment, amidst the shitty life he had left behind, and immediately regretted his decision. He had witnessed impossible things, he had saved thousands of lives, and he had met the woman he loved. Now, Daniel felt the crushing of mediocrity. He resisted the urge to contact them at once, because he felt obligated to try and work through his emotions and heal the scars on his psyche. He had mistakenly believed ordinary life would be therapeutic, but quickly remembered all the reasons he had run away from home in the first place.

After a day of real life, Daniel began to sort through the trials he had been through. It had been months and months of isolation and torture; first at the hands of the Tarot, and then with the Academy. He had the power now to shape his life however he wanted, which made him realize that this life, on Earth, was not the life that he wanted.

By the second day, Daniel reached out to the TARDIS, just as he had practiced. He called to the ancient computer, beckoning it to meet him. He waited patiently, but felt nothing. He tried again and again. He searched the rooms of his apartment, hoping each door would lead through a portal into the starship, and into the waiting arms of the woman he desperately loved. He continued for several more days, before coming to the realization that it wasn't going to work. His mind raced with the possibilities. Justice had ensured that psychic commands to the TARDIS computer would work while he was at the Academy, but maybe something was wrong.

Day after day Daniel attempted to reach them. He was so desperate to leave, he began to let things slide. He had stopped thinking about school, about money. He was set on running away to the stars. It was the only option in his life that he wanted to consider. Every day that he waited, he pushed his mind as far as he could. He focused on Alanah, on Justice, the ship. Anyone that could hear him, or feel him. Weeks began passing quickly. There was never any sign from them; that they could even hear him. Eventually, his money did run out. Daniel had put his entire focus into leaving. Now he found himself broke. Bills piled up daily, and a letter of eviction found itself taped to his door.

Daniel had never thought about the world continuing after they left. Time travel was a strange concept. He had always been under the impression that if they left and reappeared, even after weeks of traveling, nothing would have changed in their absence. They would have only been away for a second. Now, he realized that the world moved on without them. Everything continued to change until they returned; essentially rewriting the history that had taken place between take-off and landing. When she and Justice finally returned, would everything happening now be rewritten? Could they come back for him weeks ago, before things began turning ugly? What would happen to him if they rewrote his history? Would he remember anything? Were there consequences for his actions? What if they had returned already? Was he living in an alternate history?

The anxiety of having these questions unanswered only drove Daniel harder to make contact with his friends. He was drowning in his abandonment. The tortures of Aryess and the Academy were nothing compared to the uncertainty he was feeling now. If something had happened to them, how would he ever know?

Daniel thought about Alanah. Soon, people would start asking questions about her. He was the last one that had seen her. People would assume he was responsible for her sudden disappearance. Daniel quickly came to the realization that he would need to move on. If he stayed any longer, people might start asking too many question. He packed up his things and found a place closer to campus. It was not as large as Alanah's loft, but it was spacious and expensive. Through some clever negotiations, Daniel convinced his new landlord to allow him to stay there for free until he could start paying. He felt guilty about using his powers like that, but was still under the impression that at any minute Justice and Alanah would return to rescue him from ordinary life. It also helped keep his identity anonymous, for now.

Daniel found himself using his powers more frequently in those first few months on Earth. He rationalized it at first. He felt wounded and abandoned. Getting what he wanted seemed like a trade-off for losing everything. His apartment was furnished nicely. All gratis. Then he started making some new female friends. He hadn't been masturbating as much as he used to, so his cock was leading him along. He met two gorgeous brunettes at a bar one night. He invited them back to his apartment for a long night of intense sex. They stayed for several months. Soon after, he invited a few more to stay.

Daniel wasn't manipulating them from what he could tell, or at least he wouldn't admit it to himself. He was simply allowing his natural skills their freedom to work. Eight months later, and Daniel had over fifteen women sharing his bed at any given time. They would take turns with each other throughout the day, before joining him in an endless orgy at night. Rather than drown his depression with drugs or drinking, he got drunk on flesh. He had gotten a taste of it at the Academy. Lines of women begging and pleading to taste him. He had fought with himself at first. His guilt would cause him to stop, but soon the power was too great to resist.

It had been going on like this for over a year. The memories of Daniel's time spent abroad began to fade. His adventure through space and time began to seem like a delusional fantasy. Whenever regret appeared, or he began dreaming of the possibility of Justice and Alanah's return, he would drown himself in women. The passion and excitement would mask his loneliness for a few minutes, before the crushing disappointments of his life would envelop him.

Daniel had spent his entire life consumed with fantasies about endless orgies and pleasure. Now that it had become a reality, his fantasies revolved only around Alanah. He imagined her coming back to him and forgiving him for his selfish actions. They would reunite and spend their lives traveling the stars, saving planets full of people, and holding onto one another dearly. Months and years passed, and Daniel eventually succumbed to the hopeless realization that, despite his limitless powers, he could not make his fantasies come true.

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End of Part Two

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Lady Justice: A Time Lady Reborn, Part Three

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Chapter Twenty

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A tall, muscular man slowly marched through the cellblock beneath the High Court of Gallifrey. The young Time Lord had only recently been chosen to the Time Lord Council. He was the youngest member to be appointed in the history of Gallifrey. As the Arbiter, he was now in charge of an inquisition that would determine the fate of an entire race. He took care not to allow his pride to hasten his decision.

The other members of the Council were skeptical. Many of the Arbiter's fellow magistrates had been overseeing the laws of time and space for over a thousand years. Without restraint or decency, they had scoffed openly at his appointment amongst their noble order. His father had been their previous leader, but after his recent passing, it was determined that his son would take his place. The Arbiter had been groomed from an early age for a lifetime of service governing the laws of their people.

The Time Lord approached two armed guards as he entered the subterranean jail. The Arbiter was cloaked in the heavy, crimson robes that identified him as a member of the Council, but the guards knew the Arbiter from previous visits to the inmate currently residing on their block.

"Lord Arbiter, a pleasure to have you with us again. I fear with the hearings concluding, we may not have the honor of your visits for much longer," the guard stated with a proud salute.

"Thank you, sir. How is our prisoner today?" the Arbiter asked.

"She's awake. She's been asking for you. I think she knows that her sentencing grows near," he responded.

"Thank you for your service. I would appreciate a moment alone with the prisoner," the Arbiter bowed.

"Of course, my Lord."

The two guards abandoned their posts, leaving the Arbiter alone in the cellblock, but for the prisoner held within. He approached the occupied cell with his head held low. This was to be his final visit before sentencing commenced. The decision had been inevitable. The crimes committed by the accused were heinous, and she had provided no defense for her actions. The Arbiter withdrew his sonic probe, and with a flick of a button on the silver device, the lock on the door opened.

"Aryess, it's me," he offered quietly.

The room was dark, but the Arbiter sensed motion in the corner. Soon, a ghostly visage emerged into the light to greet him. She was wrapped in a delicate silver robe which still revealed much of her supple body beneath.

"Hello, my love," Aryess greeted him.

The Arbiter took her gently into his arms and held her tightly. They were both aware that the events of today would finally bring an end to the affair that had consumed their lives from the moment they had met. The Arbiter leaned in, and met his lover's mouth with a series of tender kisses.

"I suppose you know what today is," the Arbiter admitted.

"Yes. Final sentencing. I was a bit surprised it took this long," Aryess replied.

"I tried to delay, but the Council was quite convinced there was no sense in waiting."

"What about you, darling? Are you convinced?"

The Arbiter recited the answer he had been using to convince himself for weeks. "I see no reason to punish one woman to death for the crimes of an entire race. The crimes against your own people were atrocious, but one woman cannot commit genocide alone."

Aryess offered an apologetic smile. "Believe me, darling. This is far from over. Once I am condemned, it is only a matter of time before your people execute mine one by one. If genocide is the crime; how can it also be the punishment for the crime?"

"You're right. I'm afraid the old regime is used to carrying out justice by barbaric means, as was done in ancient times. We should not be interfering in the laws governing sovereign people. One people's laws cannot infringe on the laws of another. That is the way the system should be set up," the Arbiter explained.

"Are you sure you're not biased in this instance, my dear Arbiter," Aryess asked flirtatiously.

"Perhaps." He smiled.

***

They had met long before the events of that day. The Time Lords and the Tarot had a lengthy association. The extended lifespans of both species made them appropriate friends and allies. The families of Aryess and the Arbiter went back many generations. He had met her several times as a young girl. He had been captivated immediately by the beauty of her kind; her ghostly white skin, and breathtaking birthmarks. Her hidden powers had taken a hold of him, even as a young boy. After many years, the two clans had become estranged. There was no great cataclysm. It was simply the great expanse of the universe. It caused a natural isolation between worlds. Many years passed, and the Arbiter had forgotten about his Tarot friend. Suddenly, he found her thrust back into his life. He would be overseeing a trial that would lead to an order of execution. The gory details of her crimes had not been completely uncovered at first, so the Arbiter found himself enamored with the glorious beauty of the accused once again.

The Arbiter had made a point to meet with Aryess nearly every day. After several trips, the guards began allowing him private visits. Once they were alone, the Arbiter finally gave into the needs he had been fighting with since he had first laid eyes on Aryess many years earlier.

"May I see them?" the Arbiter had asked timidly. Adult Tarot proudly displayed their markings and magnificent forms, but as a child, the Tarot girl had been required to keep her body covered. The Arbiter had dreamt for many years about what Aryess would look like after she had developed. Now that he had reunited with his lost love, he could not escape the thoughts.

"Yes, you may." Aryess had remained covered with her cloak until that moment. She allowed the gown to slowly part, revealing her muscular white body beneath. The pale light from the hall outside the cell sparkled brightly against the silver accents of her markings. The radiant blues and greens across her shoulders burst out, even in the blackness of the cell.

The Arbiter had sat mesmerized as he slowly reached out to touch Aryess's sparkling skin. He ran his strong fingers along her upper arm, down to her hands. Their fingers twisted gently together, as Aryess pulled him close to her. He stared deeply into her flashing, silver eyes. Her small antennae began to twitch.

This is what you want, my love. Aryess urged. Take it.

In a flash, their bodies fought and tangled in a passionate embrace. Aryess tore through the Arbiter's thick robes to reveal his young, toned body. She scratched at his back, while the young Time Lord ravaged her. It had been a hundred years of waiting, but finally they had been able to satisfy the craving that had haunted them both. Within minutes, the young Time Lord exploded his pent up passion into his Tarot lover.

They began their affair that night. Even after her atrocities became public, the Arbiter continued to see Aryess, and lust after her. They had managed to keep their affair quiet. It was not uncommon for a prosecutor to visit the accused. It was long believed by the Time Lords that in order to comprehend the gravity of a sentence, one should have to look deeply into the eyes of the condemned and understand the consequences of that punishment.

The trial continued for weeks. As the accusations piled up, the Arbiter found himself struggling harder to justify a visit to his captive lover. His visits became less frequent. Now that the trial had nearly closed, sentencing would come soon. Tonight would be the last time he would see Aryess like this. He stayed late into the night, wrapped tightly around her glowing body. The Arbiter had left her with a final kiss, before returning home. The trial would commence early the next morning, and sentencing would be a long day of discussion. He struggled with restless sleep, until dawn broke through his window.

***

It was early evening before the final phase of the trial neared conclusion. Aryess was charged with counts of genocide, genetic tampering, criminal conspiracy, and fraud. The defendant had sat silently throughout the entire trial. The only reason the examination had proceeded for so long was in hopes that Aryess would take a bargain to turn over her co-conspirators.

The Arbiter led the closing statements, and offered Aryess a final opportunity to make a statement. She silently declined. Before giving a final verdict, a disruption at the back of the courtroom caused proceedings to halt. A chorus of voices rose up, and the Arbiter called the courtroom to order. Suddenly, he saw the witnesses in the back of the room begin taking a low bow, welcoming a large contingent of Time Lords into the court.

"What is the meaning of this?" the Arbiter exclaimed. Suddenly, he recognized the face of the man leading the convoy. "Lord President Pandak!" The members of the Council rose to greet him.

"My Lords of the Council. I have urgent matters that must be discussed before the verdict is issued," the President explained.

"Of course, my Lord. We shall issue a recess until further notice," the Arbiter commanded.

The Council and the President, along with several of his guards, filled the large deliberation room. Lord President Pandak III had been president of Time Lord society for centuries. His sudden appearance at this point in the trial was worrisome. The Arbiter fretted in his seat, as the President rose to speak.

"My Lords, I must be brief. It has come to my attention that the trial against Madame Aryess of the Tarot has been compromised from within the Time Lord High Council. There is evidence of serious mismanagement of the proceedings by the Arbiter, himself. I have no other choice, but to enact an executive order to dissolve the current Council immediately."

The room roared with angry disapproval. The President rose his hands to silence the mob, but the frustration had boiled over. The Arbiter sat frozen in his seat. The President glared at him with disappointment. Finally, the rage of his fellow councilors moved to the Arbiter. He leapt from his seat to defend himself. The Present's men jumped to attention to separate the boy from his accusers.

The President finally brought order to the fractured room. "Silence! I have it in my power to allow each of you to be nominated again, and let the good people of Gallifrey decide your fate. As for the Arbiter, I'm sorry, son. You are to be removed from your position immediately. You are lucky that I no longer have a Council to put you on trial for criminal conspiracy." The words of the President hung heavy in the room. The loss of the Arbiter's father had affected them all deeply, but none more than the President. It was at his behest that the Arbiter be given his father's former position, despite protest from nearly every governing body in Time Lord society.

The councilors were escorted from the court by the President's guards, but the Arbiter was ordered to stay. The President put a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder. The Arbiter was on the verge of emotional collapse.

"I'm so sorry, Lord President. I have made a grievous error in judgment. I have disappointed you, and the memory of my father. Thank you for showing mercy," the Arbiter groveled, while he struggled to stifle his tears.

"It was my error in judgment, Lord Arbiter. I knew the consequences of appointing a young and inexperienced Lord to the Council. I had hoped that your youth would have provided for much needed invigoration to the rule of our people. You are intelligent and dedicated, but you are still just a boy. I hope that you have learned something from this experience, son. Your actions affect us all. The power of a Time Lord is not something to be taken for granted. We have a responsibility to the entire universe. Our restraint and sacrifice is what gives us true power." The President left solemnly, allowing his words to settle into the boy's broken heart.

***

The President had returned to the courtroom to hand out the verdict, once the Council had been disbanded. Aryess was acquitted of all charges, and released. The courtroom was in an uproar, and a dispatch of security personnel were required to escort the witnesses, as well as the accused, from the court.

The Arbiter lost himself in grief and desolation once he returned home. He had ruined his reputation, and destroyed the memory of his great father. He had known that his affair with Aryess had the potential to compromise the trial, but he had been blinded by her beauty and his own lust. Now he had to find a way to rebuild his life. Who would he become now? It was improper to continue to live under the lie of the Arbiter. Fairness and equality; distinguishing right from wrong. He had turned his father's name, and mission, into a joke. He wrapped himself in solitude, and prayed for the blackness of night to swallow him.