The Academy[A loki x OC fanfiction}

*2 weeks later*

The cold, sterile walls of the courtroom seemed to echo with the quiet buzz of anticipation. The air was thick with tension, every eye in the room trained on the figure seated in a wheelchair at the front. Ashlynn, once a fighter, once a woman of incredible power, now sat fragile and scarred, her body marked by the years of unlawful confinement, suppression, and sedation. She had been treated as a weapon by the very people who were supposed to protect her, but today, the Avengers had come together to rectify that wrong.

At her side were Steve, Natasha, and Jennifer Walters—the formidable She-Hulk—who, together with Matt Murdock, would be her legal representation. Jennifer and Matt had taken on the monumental task of fighting for Ashlynn's rights, a battle that was both personal and political. Their combined skills in law and tenacity made them the perfect team to bring this case to court.

The courtroom was silent as the judge entered, taking her seat at the bench. The tension in the air was suffocating, thick with unspoken accusations and unyielding defenses. The moment had come.

Jennifer was the first to rise. As She-Hulk, she commanded attention, but today, it was her legal expertise, not her strength, that would be Ashlynn's greatest weapon. She stepped forward confidently, her voice clear and unwavering.

"Your Honor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury," she began. "We stand here today not just to argue a case, but to correct a grievous injustice. Ashlynn was taken against her will, imprisoned without trial, and subjected to inhumane treatment. She was denied the most basic of human rights under the guise of 'public safety,' but the truth is far more sinister. Ashlynn was treated not as a person, but as a problem to be solved. A power to be contained. And today, we will prove that what happened to her was not just unlawful—it was cruel, dehumanizing, and fundamentally wrong."

She let the weight of her words settle before continuing.

"She was held at the Raft for 8 months, a facility meant for criminals. But Ashlynn was never charged with a crime. She was never given the chance to defend herself. Instead, she was locked away, her abilities forcibly suppressed, her body subjected to sedatives that have left her permanently damaged. This case is not just about her release. It's about making sure that no one else is ever treated the way Ashlynn was. It's about ensuring that justice applies to everyone, even those with extraordinary abilities."

Jennifer turned slightly, gesturing toward Matt Murdock. "My co-counsel, Matthew Murdock, will outline the specific violations of Ashlynn's rights. We ask that you listen carefully because what you hear today will paint a very different picture from the one Mr. Stark and his defense have tried to present."

She stepped back, and Matt, his expression unreadable behind his red-tinted glasses, stood. He adjusted his tie, taking a deep breath before beginning.

"Good morning, your Honor, members of the jury." His voice was smooth, but there was an underlying intensity to it. "The law is built on principles of justice. We do not imprison people without due process. We do not restrain individuals without cause. And yet, that is exactly what happened to Ashlynn."

He turned slightly, facing the jury. "The opposing side will try to convince you that Ashlynn was dangerous, that extraordinary circumstances justified her detention. But I ask you this: if we start deciding that one person's rights can be ignored because of what they 'might' do, where does it end? If we allow fear to dictate who is free and who is imprisoned, we are no longer upholding justice—we are enforcing tyranny."

Matt stepped toward the bench, placing a steady hand on the table in front of him. "The evidence will show that Ashlynn's confinement was not only unlawful but also unnecessary. You will hear from experts, including Dr. Bruce Banner, who will testify to the irreversible damage caused by her time at the Raft. You will hear about the physical toll, the psychological trauma, and the complete disregard for her autonomy."

He turned toward Ashlynn, his expression softening for a moment before returning to the jury. "This case is not just about Ashlynn's freedom. It is about holding those responsible accountable. It is about sending a message that no one—no matter how powerful, no matter how well-intentioned—is above the law."

He gave a small nod and sat back down, the weight of his words lingering in the air.

On the opposing side, Tony Stark shifted uncomfortably in his seat. His own lawyer rose, smoothing down the lapels of his expensive suit.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let's not lose sight of the bigger picture," the man began. "Ashlynn possesses abilities that, if left unchecked, could cause catastrophic harm. Mr. Stark made a difficult decision—one that he believed was in the best interest of global safety. Was it a perfect decision? No. But was it necessary? That's what we're here to determine."

Tony didn't look up as his lawyer spoke. Instead, he stared at the table in front of him, his fingers drumming an uneasy rhythm against the wood.

The first witness called to the stand was Bruce Banner.

He took his seat, adjusting his glasses before looking up at the judge. "Your Honor," he began, his voice calm but firm. "I was not involved in Ashlynn's confinement at the Raft. I didn't see what happened to her firsthand. But I saw what was left."

He turned to face the courtroom, his expression heavy with guilt. "I was called in after the fact to assess her condition. What I found was... horrifying."

Bruce took a deep breath. "Her muscles had deteriorated due to prolonged immobilization. The inhibitors used to suppress her powers disrupted her body's natural chemistry, causing long-term neurological damage. The sedatives administered to her were never meant to be used for extended periods, and yet, she was kept under their influence for months on end."

He hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "The truth is, Ashlynn will never fully recover. The damage done to her nervous system is permanent. She will never be able to live without mobility aids. And that is a direct result of the way she was treated during her time at the Raft."

A heavy silence fell over the courtroom. Even those who had come to argue against Ashlynn's case looked visibly unsettled.

Bruce turned his gaze to the judge. "This wasn't just about containment. It was about control. She was treated like a test subject, not a person. And no matter what justifications are given, that is something we cannot allow to happen again."

The courtroom was silent for a long moment before the judge finally spoke.

"After reviewing the testimonies, the medical records, and the actions taken by Mr. Stark and his associates, this court finds that Ashlynn's confinement at the Raft was unlawful. The measures taken to suppress her powers and sedate her were excessive, unnecessary, and harmful. She was treated as a prisoner, not a person, and her rights were flagrantly violated."

The judge's voice carried the weight of finality. "This court hereby orders Ashlynn's immediate release from confinement. All further detention or medical procedures that interfere with her autonomy will be prohibited. The charges against her are to be dropped."

The words hit like a wave. Ashlynn blinked, as though the realization hadn't quite sunk in yet.

Loki, who had been quietly waiting in the back of the courtroom, approached her first. His presence, usually so enigmatic, now seemed like a steady anchor in the storm. He knelt beside her, his voice soft, a rare warmth in his words.

"You did it, Ashlynn," Loki said, his hand gently resting on her shoulder. "This is your victory."

Ashlynn's eyes met his, and for a moment, she allowed herself to lean into the comfort he offered. "But at what cost?" she whispered. "I'm still broken."

"No," Loki replied, his tone unwavering. "You're not. You're just healing. And you'll have us with you, every step of the way."

The Avengers gathered around her, their faces filled with a mix of triumph and concern. They knew the battle for Ashlynn's freedom had been won, but her true recovery would be a far longer road—one that would require more than just legal victory. It would require healing, physically and emotionally, and the love of those who stood beside her.

And Ashlynn, as much as she was scarred, felt a flicker of hope for the first time in years. It wasn't just the victory that mattered. It was the fact that, for the first time in a long while, she felt like a person again.