Judgment Day

Reina compiled evidence: success rates, safety protocols, testimonials. Akira gathered statements from his consultation clients. Other progressive covens contributed data. Everything organized, indexed, prepared.

The pressure was crushing.

Two days before the hearing, Akira said:

"Can vampires actually transform into bats?"

Everyone stopped. Stared at him.

"What?" Mio asked.

"Transform. Into bats. Can you do that?"

Silence.

"Why are you asking this NOW?" Reina said carefully.

"Because I've been thinking about it for months." Akira gestured enthusiastically. "Ren phases through walls. Mio does psychic screams. Momo has supernatural acrobatics. But TRANSFORMATION? I haven't seen anyone actually turn into a bat. And during the trial…" He looked at Mio. "...you sent me a mental image. A tiny bat. I NEED to know if that's real."

Through the bond: his desperate curiosity, his genuine need to know.

"We can," Mio admitted. "But we don't."

"Why not?!"

"Because it's embarrassing," Momo said. "We're TINY. Cute tiny. Not intimidating."

"That sounds AMAZING."

"It's undignified," Reina added. "We're ancient predators. Not squeaky flying mice."

"Please." Akira clasped his hands. "For science. Just once."

Through the bond: his excitement. His joy.

Mio sighed. "Fine. But only if EVERYONE does it."

"What?!" Reina protested.

"If I'm being humiliated, we're ALL being humiliated." Mio looked around. "Momo?"

"I'm in! Transformation is fun!"

"Reina?"

"...Fine. Under protest."

"Ren?" Mio called to the empty room.

He phased through the wall. "Yes?"

"Transform. Akira wants to see. For science."

Ren stared at Akira. "...I'm adding a consultation fee to your invoice."

"Worth it."

----------------------------------------------------------

Ren went first.

No warning. Just…POOF.

Tiny black bat. Sleek. Professional even as a bat.

He flew in a perfect circle. Landed on the bookshelf. Stared with judgmental tiny bat eyes.

"Oh my god," Akira whispered. "You're so SMALL."

Ren transformed back. "Invoice updated." He phased out.

----------------------------------------------------------

"MY TURN!" Momo bounced.

POOF.

Tiny brown bat. Energetic. Immediately doing loop-de-loops.

She dive-bombed Akira's head. Landed on his shoulder. Did a little bat dance.

"You're ADORABLE," Akira said.

Momo-bat chittered proudly. Transformed back mid-flight, landing dramatically.

"Bats are COOL!"

"Bats are cute," Akira corrected.

"CUTE AND COOL!"

----------------------------------------------------------

Reina sighed. "I cannot believe I'm doing this."

She stood. Composed herself.

POOF.

Tiny gray bat. Elegant. Dignified even as a flying mammal.

She flew gracefully to the bookshelf. Perched. Folded her wings precisely.

Transformed back. "Satisfied?"

"You made being a bat look classy," Akira said in awe.

"I make everything look classy."

----------------------------------------------------------

"Your turn," Akira said to Mio.

"I hate this so much."

"Please? I've been so patient."

Through the bond: his genuine excitement. His love for every part of her.

"Fine. But you're NEVER telling anyone about this."

She stood. Took a breath.

POOF.

Tiny black and white bat. Patches. Round. Objectively adorable.

She flew, slightly wobbly, and landed on Akira's head.

Tiny angry bat perched on boyfriend's head. Squeaking indignantly.

"You're PERFECT," Akira said reverently.

Angry squeaking intensified.

"Can I hold you?"

She flew down to his hands, landed in his palms. So small, warm, soft fur.

He gently petted her tiny head with one finger.

She squeaked, not angry but resigned contentment.

"I love you," he whispered. "Tiny angry bat girlfriend."

She transformed back, suddenly full-size vampire, both stumbling.

"That was humiliating," she said.

"That was INCREDIBLE." He kissed her. "Thank you."

"You're never mentioning this again."

"I'm thinking about it every day for the rest of my life."

Through the bond: her love. Despite the embarrassment.

----------------------------------------------------------

The laughter helped. Broke the tension. Reminded them that despite everything—Council judgments, political pressure, the weight of a movement—they were still just people.

Tomorrow was judgment day.

But tonight, they'd been tiny bats.

And somehow that was exactly what they'd needed.

----------------------------------------------------------

The Council chamber was different this time.

Not an arena. A formal hearing room. Presentation setup. Thirteen Elders on their platform. Gallery seating for other progressive coven representatives. Media area for official documentation.

More bureaucratic. Somehow more intimidating.

Mio stood at the podium. Akira beside her. Reina and Momo in the gallery. Ren somewhere invisible.

Everything they'd built depended on this.

Elder Sato spoke first. "Coven Lord Mio. You've requested formal recognition of progressive methods. Present your evidence."

Mio opened the first folder. Took a breath.

"Seventeen progressive covens in Japan have documented 127 vampire-human relationships over six months. Success rate: 94%. Zero fatalities. Three dissolutions due to incompatibility, not coercion."

Data appeared on screens. Charts. Statistics. Numbers.

"Internationally, eight additional covens report similar results. Over 300 relationships. 91% success rate. Documented consent prevents compulsion-based bonds."

Elder Amaya leaned forward. "Before we continue, there's another matter we must address publicly."

The chamber tensed.

"The attacks on progressive coven leaders. Three killed in eight months. Most recently, the Osaka coven lord and their human partner."

Mio's chest tightened.

"Seven individuals have been identified as responsible," Elder Sato said. "Traditional faction extremists. All apprehended. They await trial."

Relief flooded through Mio.

"However," Amaya continued, "we must acknowledge the uncomfortable truth. These seven acted on beliefs some Elders share. Not the violence…those are crimes. But the ideology that progressive methods threaten our survival." She looked at Kurogane. "We created an environment where such violence felt justified."

Kurogane said nothing. But his expression was thunderous.

"Progressive covens will receive Council protection," Sato said. "Attacks will be prosecuted as hate crimes. But protection requires oversight. We cannot safeguard what we don't monitor."

So that was it. Protection in exchange for compliance.

"Do you understand?" Amaya asked. "Documentation and regular check-ins aren't merely control. They're safety measures."

Through the bond: Akira's support. His certainty that this was survivable.

"I understand," Mio said.

----------------------------------------------------------

The hearing continued. Testimonials were presented. Akira spoke about consultation work, human perspective, and safety protocols.

Kurogane challenged. "Anecdotes aren't data. Months don't prove sustainability."

"Then give us time to prove it," Mio countered. "Provisional recognition. Trial period. Judge us on the results."

The Elders conferred quietly.

Elder Sato stood. The chamber went silent.

"The Council has deliberated. We have reviewed evidence. Heard testimonials. Considered implications."

Pause. Political. Calculated.

"Progressive vampire-human relationship methodologies are hereby recognized as acceptable alternative practices…"

Relief…

"...WITH CONDITIONS."

Of course.

"Condition One: All blood pacts must be documented with signed consent forms. Witnessed. Notarized."

"Condition Two: Monthly check-ins for the first year. Quarterly thereafter. Conducted by assigned Council liaisons."

"Condition Three: Any evidence of compulsion triggers immediate investigation. Consequences include bond dissolution or criminal charges."

"Condition Four: Detailed records. Annual reports. Demonstrated continued safety."

"Condition Five: Traditional covens may opt out. No coven is required to adopt progressive practices."

Sato looked at Mio. "This is provisional recognition. Pending continued evidence of safety. The Council reserves the right to revise based on future data."

"Do you accept these terms?"

She looked at Akira. Through the bond: encouragement. Pride.

Not perfect. Heavy restrictions. But legal recognition. Protection. The right to exist.

"Yes," Mio said. "We accept."

"Then this hearing is concluded. Progressive methods are officially recognized. Provisionally."

The gavel struck.

The chamber erupted—celebration, protest, documentation.

Mio sat down. Exhausted.

They'd won.

Sort of.

Bittersweet victory.

----------------------------------------------------------

Other progressive coven representatives approached. Thanking her. Grateful. Relieved.

"You saved us," one said.

"With restrictions," Mio reminded them.

"But we can exist. That's more than we had yesterday."

As they left, Elder Sato approached quietly.

"Well done. You gave us enough evidence to justify change without demanding revolution." He smiled slightly. "Progress is incremental. You planted seeds. Now they grow."

He walked away.

----------------------------------------------------------

Outside. Sunlight. Mid-afternoon.

Mio stood in it. Let it warm her face.

"We did it," Akira said.

"We survived it," Mio corrected. "The real work starts now."

"But we're allowed to exist."

"Provisionally."

"It's still something." He squeezed her hand. "Together?"

"Together."

Found family waited. Reina driving. Momo already editing footage. Ren materializing in the backseat.

"Monthly compliance reports filed," Ren announced. "Council response: satisfactory. Also, seven extremists are in custody. Trials proceeding. Your trial visibility forced Council accountability. Threat level: reduced."

"So we're safe?" Mio asked.

"Safer. Cell dismantled. Ideology persists. Ongoing security recommended." He pulled out his tablet. "The Council now funds progressive coven security. I bill them directly. You're no longer personally responsible for my fees."

"Wait…you're not charging ME anymore?!"

"Incorrect. The Council pays for security. You pay for wedding planning consultation. Invoice attached."

"We're not engaged!!!"

"Statistical probability: 88%. Advance planning is prudent."

He phased out.

They drove home. Processing. Exhausted.

Won. Not perfectly. But won.

Together.