Nick Wilde: Ace Attorney
Chapter 1: The Wilde Guess
Written by Berserker88
Edited by Mind Jack
Cover art by Quirky Middle-child
"Okay, it's official. I hate lawyers."
Nick stormed out of the chief's office in a huff, quickly followed by Judy. Neither of them were in a particularly good mood after what just happened, so it was a good thing they had been given the rest of the day off to cool down. "We work our tails off chasing down 'Rosco the Rascal', then some suit comes in and gets him off on a technicality! How's that for making the world a better place, Fluff?"
Not very good. She hadn't felt this useless at her job since getting out of parking duty, but at least traffic citations tended to stick. "He'll slip up again. Guys like that don't stay out of trouble for long." It was a pitiful attempt to cheer herself up.
It didn't work on Nick either. "Sure, if he doesn't go off the grid like any smart criminal would do. But maybe you're right. Maybe he'll go burn down a few more homes, ruin a few more lives, to give us another crack at him. Any way you look at it, we lost this one."
She couldn't argue that. Judy just sighed as they exited the precinct. "I'm really glad to be on this side of the legal system sometimes."
"I hear ya, Carrots. If you came to me at that press conference with an application to law school, I would have thrown it back in your face long before your sordid little speech."
This was too good of an opportunity to pass up. "I'm surprised to hear that," she said, smirking up at him. "With all that slyness and charisma, I think you'd make a great lawyer."
She'd once said something similar about him being a cop. But he didn't even dignify this with words, just pointed a finger to his throat and made a loud, gagging sound. Poking fun at Nick, as it turned out, did a much better job of brightening her mood. "Come on, there are good lawyers too, you know," the rabbit giggled.
"Like dead ones?"
"Like ones who defend those who can't defend themselves, fight to overturn false accusations and protect the innocent." She got that old starstruck look in her eyes, the same kind she always got when she talked about her ideals. "That's the kind of lawyer I would want to be."
Nick snorted. "No way. I've seen you in the interrogation room, Hopps. You'd be a prosecutor for sure."
The look vanished. Though she had to admit, with a passion for justice and desire to punish the guilty, she could go either way. "Hmm, maybe. What about you, Nick? Defense or prosecution?"
"Yeah, I'm still in the 'better off dead' camp actually."
"Oh, really?" With a speed befitting of her species, she was suddenly standing right in front of him, grinning deviously. "Maybe we should see what PIXAR has to say about that?"
His eyes widened as Judy took off, the fox quickly chasing after her in pursuit. "Carrots, no! I am putting my foot down on this one! No lawyers! Carrots!"
"Hopps!"
"JUDY!"
The Mystic Spring Oasis had always been one of Zootopia's most unusual attractions. Tonight, it would become the site of an equally unusual crime.
Under the dark, cloudy sky, the large form of Nangi the elephant lumbered towards the center of the Oasis, where the famous Pleasure Pool resided. Taking a moment to find her center, she slipped into the water and closed her eyes in relaxation. She was at peace.
And thus completely unaware of the sinister shape that slowly crept up behind her. The figure raised a long weapon above its head...and brought it down onto hers.
THWACK!
"No...how could this happen? I can't be caught like this! I have no choice.I...I have to hide it…"
July 14th, 10: 17 AM
Zootopian Central Courthouse - Defendant Lobby No. 3
It was a new day and a new trial. That sentiment could be felt all around the courthouse, from clerks rushing back and forth to make sure all the necessary paperwork was in order, to members of the gallery slowly flooding in to watch the day's events like the spectacle it was. But even among this crowd, no one missed the arrival of one particular mammal, for he himself could be considered a spectacle.
Dressed in a sharp blue suit and indigo tie, clashing greatly with the tacky shades on his face, one of the greatest oddities known to mammalkind walked through the front doors. He was a fox lawyer, a hybrid of stereotypes so maligned and distasteful it was a wonder he ever made it through law school, let alone passed the bar exam, let alone strolled right into court as the picture of perfect confidence.
But of course, that was only the picture he wanted them to see. The truth of the matter was a bit more complicated.
My name is Nick Wilde. I'm still not sure exactly how it happened, but I'm a defense attorney. Not the easiest job for a guy like me, but nothing about my life has been easy. This trial certainly won't be.
Ignoring the distrustful glances from every side, Nick adjusted his grip on the large briefcase he was lugging in and kept his eyes peeled for the one mammal he actually wanted to see.
Though that mammal didn't particularly want to see him. A fennec fox in a dark brown suit paced back and forth across the floor, not noticing him just yet. Smirking a little, Nick snuck up beside the inattentive fox and dropped the case to the floor with a loud thud. "Hey there, Finn."
He jumped almost high enough to reach his waist (not including ears). Whirling around on him, he snarled angrily. "There you are! How many times are you going to be late to your own trial?! I'm warning ya, Nick, one of these days they'll mistake me for you and I'm just gonna roll with it!"
This cheerful fellow is Finnick, my legal sidekick, also known as a co-counsel. Despite his rough demeanor, he's got a good head on his shoulders. He just has trouble getting it above the defense's bench sometimes.
"And will you stop swiping my shades?!" Finnick yanked Nick down by his tie and snatched the glasses from his face, sticking them into his front pocket. Grunting in annoyance, he pulled the case over to him and flipped it open, rifling through the unnervingly-thin contents. "I hope you've at least studied the court record. We don't need you forgetting the defendant's name again."
"That was one time," Nick protested. "Besides, I don't think it's going to be a problem today. Right, Mr…?" He frowned, looking back and forth. "Where's our client?"
"Currently getting fitted for a suit after the deputies decided his current state of dress wasn't appropriate for the courtroom," Finnick growled, snapping the case shut again. "A problem I had to deal with myself, by the way."
"And I'm very grateful that you did that-"
"Bite me."
"-but what I really want to know is if you found out anything about who we're up against today."
It was as if his anger had suddenly drained away, and been replaced with pessimism. "It ain't looking good. Our opponent is a rising prodigy from out in the sticks. From what I hear, they've been undefeated in Bunnyburrow for about five years now, with a reputation for being cold and ruthless to criminals and defense attorneys alike. Not only that, but apparently they have a special talent for getting into the mind of any species, thinking like they would. Some crazy kind of empathy."
"Ooooooooh, beware the killer rabbit!" Nick chuckled, wiggling his fingers with a scary voice.
"And you wonder why no one takes us seriously."
He waved off the remark. "Come on, Finn, you worry too much. We'll be fine, even if we have to wing it in there."
"You mean like we always do?"
"Exactly!"
"Hey, man, I believe in you." From behind the two foxes came another voice, though more noticeable was his smell. Their client had arrived, dressed in a bead necklace and what looked like an incredibly uncomfortable suit. Underneath the suit was a veritable mop of fur, including a mane so thick it completely covered his eyes, only allowing his nose, mouth, and a pair of curved horns to escape. Not to mention the whole gaggle of flies above his head, emphasis on gag.
"You see?" Nick asked, pointing to the mammal. "Yax believes in us."
"How reassuring," Finnick said dryly, watching him scratch and bite at his new wardrobe.
"You gotta lighten up, little guy," Yax smiled at him. "Life's too short to get so worked up."
"What did you just call me?!"
"Repeat after me," he said, taking up lotus position right there in the middle of the lobby and slipping into a trance. "Ohhhhhhhm...ohhhhhhhhm...ohhhhhhhhm…"
"Grrrrrrrrrrr...grrrrrrrrrrrrr...grrrrrrrrrrrrrr…!"
Nick quickly stepped in before this turned into another incident. "Look, if the guy on trial here can be this chill, you can too. Let's dial it down a bit, Finn."
All this really accomplished was focusing Finnick's ire back on the taller fox. "That zen naturalist bunk might be good enough for him, but the two of us need to actually come up with a plan here!"
"Mr. Wilde," a bailiff announced. "The trial is about to begin. Please enter the courtroom."
Finnick muttered a few choice words unfit for a court of law, causing Yax to shake his head. "Sounds like someone hasn't found his center."
"That's it!"
"Okay, I think it's time to get going now!" Nick scooped up his briefcase in one arm and his furious co-counsel in the other, then swept through the double doors into the courtroom.
Today, I'm taking on a murder trial, one which I have barely investigated and am completely unprepared for. Believe it or not, that's just business as usual at the Wilde Crimes Law Offices. Makes you wonder why anyone would ever hire me, huh?
You're about to find out.
10: 31 AM
Zootopian Central Courthouse - Courtroom No. 2
Nick found himself the center of attention as soon as he stepped inside, eager onlookers from the gallery staring down at him from every angle. It was a sensation that might unnerve a rookie, especially when most of them were expecting to see him fail as with any defense lawyer, but he had always taken it in stride. It wasn't that different from just being a fox after all.
Or maybe they were staring because of the small, yet feisty fennec currently biting at his arm. In any case, Nick just smiled and waved as he padded across the tile floors and took his spot behind the defense's bench. A small flick to the head was all it took to remind Finnick that he had a job to do, after which he hopped off of Nick's arm, straightened out his suit, and stood beside him on a prepared milk crate.
"Court is now in session for the trial of Yaxley Matton," announced a portly cheetah sitting on the judge's bench overhead. He wore the typical black robes of the profession, but this judge was anything but typical. For one, he went the extra step of sporting a powdered wig, and his fur was speckled with the crumbs of many donuts. Honorable Judge Clawhauser had long struggled to combine his love of pastries with his legal obligations, but it seemed he had finally found a way, a half-eaten donut stuck on the handle of his gavel for convenient snackage between testimonies.
Below him stood the significantly more imposing figure of Bailiff Bogo, arms behind his back and eyes solidly forward. The water buffalo perhaps took his lowly position just a bit too seriously. In another world, it was easy to imagine their roles reversed, and Bogo gave off the distinct impression that he wished they were.
But Nick wasn't paying much attention to either of them, because on the other end of the room stood his opposition. A rabbit, a female rabbit, stared back at him coldly, purple eyes boring into him. Her ears stood up rigidly straight, as did the rest of her, enough that it took Nick a second to remember that she must have been standing on some kind of support as well. Her suit was a dark lavender with a carrot-shaped brooch, cleaned and pressed to perfection. Squinting a bit, he could just spot three faint scars on her left cheek.
(Won't be expecting any jokes out of this one.) Now Finnick had to remind him to do his job, with a not-so-gentle elbow to the side. "T-The defense is ready, Your Honor!"
"The prosecution has been ready, Your Honor," the rabbit said, her expression unwavering.
Clawhauser was quick to acknowledge her. "D'awwwwwww, aren't you just the cutest little-" The glare she shot at him could melt steel. "You are Prosecutor Judy Hopps, correct? What a pleasure it is to have you serving our fair city."
Either she was quick to forgive or respected the authority of a judge too much to care. "Thank you, Your Honor. I must admit, the crowds here are a lot bigger than the ones I'm used to in Bunnyburrow. Nevertheless, I will fulfill my duty to its fullest."
Nick couldn't resist. "You know, if you get too intimidated, there's no shame in calling it quits."
"I appreciate the concern, but I'll be just fine," she shot back. "Especially against you, Mr. Wilde."
He blinked in surprise. "You know my name?"
"Of course." She smiled calmly. "In preparation for my move to Zootopia, I studied up on all active defense attorneys operating in this city. You were one of the more...memorable examples."
"Really?" he smirked, leaning over the bench. "They call me charming, witty, irresistible?"
"More like sneaky, underhanded, phony. A charlatan who bluffs his way to victory," she said distastefully. "Some have even taken to calling you 'The Wilde Guess'."
"Heeeeey, that's kinda catchy!" He rubbed his chin, turning to Finnick. "Think we can put that on our business card?"
"I don't think it was intended as a compliment."
"Regardless," said Judy, "I won't let your trickery stop me from making the world a better place. And today, that starts with putting a killer behind bars."
"Well said, Prosecutor Hopps," Clawhauser agreed, trying hard to stay professional. That was undermined slightly by his high-pitched giggle afterward. "You can go on ahead and deliver your opening statement now."
"Gladly." She reached under the desk and pulled out a manila file, which she opened with one paw. "The murder occurred at the Mystic Spring Oasis in Sahara Square. It's a...natural health resort, with a focus on...recreational activities." She frowned in clear discomfort.
(Guess they don't have naturalist clubs in Bunnyburrow.)
She was quick to shake it off. "The victim was an elephant known only as Nangi, a yoga instructor for the residents. She was found dead in the resort's Pleasure Pool early yesterday morning by another employee, a large gash on the top of her head from a blunt weapon."
Clawhauser gasped loudly, his paws clapped on his cheeks. "Murdering someone while they're taking a bath? Heinous!"
"Indeed. However, blunt force trauma was not the cause of death. The blow merely rendered the victim unconscious, afterwhich her head slipped under the water and she drowned." She shook her head in disgust. "A cowardly method to kill a mammal you can't beat in a fair fight."
(Murder typically doesn't involve a fair fight, no.) But there were bigger issues with what she just said.
"Hey, what gives?!" Finnick suddenly shouted. "That bit about the cause of death wasn't in our autopsy report!"
Judy put a paw to her chest in what looked like surprise. "My apologies. You must not have gotten the latest update. I shall rectify that posthaste." She signaled Bailiff Bogo over to her bench, where she just so happened to have an extra copy of the report, then sent it over to the defense.
Finnick snatched it up with a scowl. "Gee, thanks."
Autopsy Report added to the Court Record
Nick watched this exchange with clear interest. "Looks like someone isn't above playing dirty herself."
"Glad you find it so funny."
"Estimated time of death is between 10 and 12 PM," Judy continued as if nothing happened. "I have here a photo taken of the crime scene." She pulled out a small photograph and passed it to Bogo, who then passed it to Clawhauser. Only after the cheetah hemmed and hawed over it did Nick finally get a look.
The Pleasure Pool looked the same as it normally did, a paradise for nude mammals wanting a dip. It was surrounded by lush grass and small rocks used for decorative purposes, with larger rocks at the back forming a small waterfall. And slumped against it, head bowed, was Nangi. She almost could have passed for asleep if not for the gaping wound on her head and the blood still soaking the water around her, along with a copious amount of mud. He couldn't help but shudder. To think that such a tranquil place as Mystic Spring had been home to this grisly sight. Where the killer had struck from was obvious, as there was a considerable lip where the rocks jutted out directly behind her head. On that lip was a few hard splotches of gray he couldn't quite identify.
Oh, and on top of all that, there was the fact that Yax was laying right next to her, unconscious. Another detail he would have really liked to know about beforehand. "Yax...were you seriously found like that?"
"Uh-huh. Why, is it important?"
Sighing, Nick quickly pulled out his phone and snapped a picture of the picture for reference before returning it to the prosecution.
Crime Scene Photo added to the Court Record
And Judy still wasn't finished yet. "I would also like to present this diagram of the Mystic Spring Oasis." This time she had a large, folded up sheet to share with the court.
The diagram was simple, but telling. It showed an overhead view of the resort's front lobby, with a single entrance into the lounge through a pair of double doors. The lounge itself had an open roof, but was surrounded by thirty foot walls on each side. The Pleasure Pool was positioned square in the center, facing the doors. At the opposite end was another room, labeled as the storeroom, and an office positioned in the upper-left corner. Also labeled on the diagram were minor attractions like the volleyball court and mud pit.
Oasis Diagram added to the Court Record
Finally done showing off the fruits of her investigation, Judy was quick to vocalize what he was already thinking. "The only plausible entrance into the lounge was through its front doors, and the only other mammal there at the time of the murder was the defendant, serving as a night guard in the lobby."
(Okay, this is bad already.) "Then what does the prosecution believe his motive to be?" Nick challenged. "Yax had no reason to kill his own co-worker."
"Co-worker? It seems you aren't as informed about this case as you should be." She almost sounded sympathetic. Or was that pity? "Nangi was not merely the defendant's co-worker, but the official owner of Mystic Spring Oasis."
"Wait, WHAT?!" Nick reeled back, gaping.
From the defendant's chair, Yax nodded eagerly. "Eeyup, Nangi used to run the place. And I was right under her, so now that she's gone, I guess that would make me the new boss. So it's a good thing I'm not the killer, huh?"
(Well I know who we're NOT putting on the stand.) More troubling was the fact that this prosecutor had conveniently left that fact out of her opening statement. Was she testing his knowledge of the case or just setting him up to make a fool of himself? Either way, he knew then and there this was not going to be an easy opponent.
"I have to admit, that sure sounds convincing," Clawhauser agreed, taking a bite out of his gavel donut. "But not much in the way of real evidence. Can't go giving it to you that easily, Ms. Hopps, no matter how adorable you are."
"I understand," she said through gritted teeth. "Then as my first witness, I call the detective in charge of the scene. He should clear up any doubts you may have, Your Honor."
"Oh yes, that should do nicely," he nodded, still chewing.
"You don't think it's him again, do you?" Finnick half-asked, half-groaned.
"Going by our luck so far, I'd say our odds are about 1 in...1."
Sure enough, the sound of clopping hooves began to approach. Both foxes looked on with a mix of horror and exasperation as a tall, auburn horse came to the stand. He wore a white detective's coat, tie, and a badge that hung from his neck. He seemed completely oblivious to their displeasure as he turned his head and shot them a friendly smile, swiveling a piece of hay around in his teeth.
Nick remained deadpan. "Look, everyone, it's the famous Mister Fed."
"Witness, please state your name and occupation," Judy requested.
The horse bowed his head with a neigh of greeting, and probably would have tipped a hat if he were wearing one. "Detective Bailey Oates, at your service, ma'am."
Both Nick and Finnick groaned loudly in unison.
"What is your problem?" Judy snapped at them. "Detective Oates is a respected member of the Zootopia Police Department and I will not have you two disparaging him!"
"No worries," Oates said. "The dark horse is always underestimated before he crosses the finish line."
Judy nodded, smiling at him. "Yes, I can relate."
(Why am I not surprised that she's fluent in crazy?) "How about we hear his testimony before we make any judgment calls one way or the other?"
Clawhauser looked just a bit too interested himself. "Detective Oates, please tell us about what you found on your investigation."
Oates didn't even look at him, too busy polishing his badge. "Of course. You folks pay attention now."
"This outta be good," Finnick muttered.
Witness Testimony - Murder at Mystic Spring
The sun set on the Oasis as it did on our victim, between the hours of 10 and 12.
It was only her and the defendant there under the light of the moon, no one else.
Yet the next morning, she was gone to pasture and he was just gone with the wind.
As we looked upon the scene, we found the weapon that done the deed.
Finnick let out a loud, irritated sigh. "Yep. Another classic Oates testimony..."
Nick shut his eyes and pinched his brow. "If he spent half as long investigating as he did waxing poetry, this case would already be solved."
Even Judy seemed to be quickly reevaluating her opinion on the detective. "Well...that was...sure something."
But Oates couldn't look more proud of himself. "What do you think? A good testimony is like a good sugar cube: short and sweet."
Judge Clawhauser managed a polite clap. "...Mr. Wilde, you may begin your cross-examination."
(Why me?)
"Good luck, buddy," said Finnick, genuinely sympathetic.
"I'll be fine." Nick tried to convince himself as much as his co-counsel. "Just gotta dig through the manure until I find that lost nickel of truth."
"Not you too!"
Cross-Examination - Murder at Mystic Spring
The sun set on the Oasis as it did on our victim, between the hours of 10 and 12.
Hold it!
"Ignoring the fact that sunset was way before 10 PM, why exactly was the victim there after hours in the first place?"
Oates smiled at him, completely ignoring the thinly-veiled insult. "It seems this was a normal routine for her. One of the perks of owning a health resort is the privilege of getting to use it after hours. I have to admit, bathing in that serene atmosphere alone at night, it sounds pretty romantic."
(Sounds more like something out of a horror movie, and it ended like one too.) "So she was completely alone out there?"
"For most of the night anyway. You see…"
It was only her and the defendant there under the light of the moon, no one else.
Hold it!
"I distinctly remember it being cloudy that night, but how do you know there was nobody else there? Mystic Spring is too old-fashioned to have security cameras."
"From the defendant himself actually. He was on watch that night and he made it clear that no one else entered the lounge but Nangi." Oates stroked a hoof through his mane. "Sometimes the biggest hurdle in the race is your own loose shoes, and that boy is as loose as you can get."
Nick slammed his paw down on the desk. "But you still can't prove there was nobody else there!"
The horse bit his lip. "W-Well…"
"The prosecution concedes that we can't prove it," Judy admitted. "But the burden of proof is on you, Mr. Wilde. Either prove that another mammal was there or stop wasting everyone's time."
Oates looked pretty smug for someone who just got bailed out. "Before you go throwing all your money in the pot, you best make sure you're betting on the right horse."
(I'm not betting anything on YOU, that's for sure.)
Yet the next morning, she was gone to pasture and he was just gone with the wind.
Hold it!
"What are you talking about? The defendant can be seen right there in the photo!" (As much as I wish he wasn't.)
"Allow me to clarify," he said slowly. "I didn't say he left, I said he was gone."
Nick stared at him blankly. "...Could you clarify a little more?"
Oates sighed, clearly not understanding the need. "The boy was passed out on the scene, i.e. gone. Guilty conscience, or just too tired from hammerin' folks, you decide. Anything else you got a problem with?"
At least this part he could comment on. "Yes, actually. If Yax really had tried to kill Nangi during the night, wouldn't she have seen him?"
Clawhauser titled his head. "What do you mean, Mr. Wilde?"
"Just think back to the diagram. If Nangi was where the police eventually found her, she would have been on a direct line of sight with the entrance to the lounge. If Yax had come in at any point, she would have spotted him!"
"So what if she did?" asked Oates. "The defendant was a trusted employee after all. You don't know there's a saboteur until he rigs the race."
"But he's got those big, cloppy hooves! I'd think she would have at least noticed him coming up behind her on those rocks!"
Yax was quick to chime in. "Nah, Nangi goes into a total trance when she's bathing like that. I could yell right in her ear and it still takes her a second sometimes."
Judy smirked. "Normally, I would object to the defendant speaking out of turn, but I think I can live with this."
(Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, Fluffbutt.) Though it didn't change the fact that he was quickly running out of straws to grasp.
As we looked upon the scene, we found the weapon that done the deed.
Hold it!
"Care to enlighten us on what that weapon is?" Even the autopsy report had only said a blunt weapon, but that was probably just something else waiting to be "updated".
"The weapon was a sledgehammer," Oates answered. "Big, powerful, just like my granddad used to have on the farm. And just like my granddad himself, come to think of it."
Now that was unexpected. "A sledgehammer? At a naturalist club? Seems a bit out of place, don't you think?"
"I wouldn't be so sure," Judy said, looking through another file. "You see, the day of the incident, Mystic Spring suffered from a burst pipe in the lounge area. A construction crew has been making renovations to fix it."
"You mean to say that Mystic Spring sprung a leak?" Nick grinned.
"I'm going to pretend you didn't say that. In any case, that is where the sledgehammer came from. Detective, can you tell us where the weapon was found?"
"It was dredged up from the pool itself, soaked like a newborn calf."
"And covered in blood like one?" Nick asked.
Oates looked horrified.
"To answer the defense's question," Judy replied, "the hammer still held significant blood splatter on one side of the head, consistent with an overhead strike. It's likely the culprit only intended to hide the weapon, or remove any of their own traces left on it. How unfortunate for him that he happened to pass out right next to it."
Sledgehammer added to the Court Record
Autopsy Report updated in the Court Record
"Does that explanation satisfy you, Mr. Wilde?"
(If it does, that's it for me. I gotta find something…) "Not so fast! You've told us where the weapon was found, but not where it was originally. Let's hear more about these renovations you mentioned."
Judy looked back at him...and slowly smiled.
(Crap.)
"If you insist. Detective, you may show it now."
"It would be my pleasure." And indeed, he looked absolutely thrilled to get one up on Nick. "This right here is a photograph we took of the renovations."
That didn't sound so bad at first. Not until Nick actually saw the picture.
The workers had left quite a mess to be sure. Sectioned off by yellow tape was a large pipe dug up from underground, a significant hole in its surface that was undergoing reconstruction and still appeared to be flowing. To that end, a large pool of wet concrete filled the area. And that was where the problem lay, for he could see two clear hoofprints embedded into the surface. "...Oh."
Renovations Photo added to the Court Record
"And before you ask, the police have confirmed these prints to be an approximate match with the defendant," Judy said quickly. "Now why would someone not on the construction crew be stepping around in wet concrete?"
"Oh! Oh!" Clawhauser waved his arm excitedly. "Because they're the killer?"
"Yes, Your Honor. I should also mention where exactly these renovations were taking place." She calmly circled a spot on the diagram in red pen, then showed it.
Nick blanched. The spot she had circled was directly behind the Pleasure Pool...and its solid rock wall. He didn't find his voice again before she continued. "As you can see, the victim could not see anything being done back there. This allowed the defendant to easily walk right past her, retrieve the weapon without her knowledge, and then bring it down on her head."
Oasis Diagram updated in the Court Record
"Then...those grey splotches on the crime scene photo are…" He didn't want to look.
"That's right," Judy answered anyway. "Concrete residue."
Crime Scene Photo updated in the Court Record
Nick gulped, sweating bullets as he tried to come up with something, anything else. "Did you find any residue on Yax's hooves?"
"You ask that like it matters. As it was still wet at the time, it could have come off at any point between there and the Pleasure Pool just by walking through the grass. There was enough splotched around to support that claim. As for what was left at the scene, it could have flaked off of the hammer itself from prior use."
"T-That doesn't prove...uh…"
It was by sheer luck that the trial didn't end right there, and only because Oates went and opened his big mouth again. "Shame that hammer was the most convenient weapon around. Don't go branding yourself unless you want to leave a mark."
Nick's ears perked up, always attuned to the sound of a contradiction. "Detective Oates, could you add that to your testimony?"
Don't go branding-
"The first part!"
Shame that hammer was the most convenient weapon around.
Objection!
Finnick sighed loudly in relief. "Finally. I almost wanted this trial to end just to shut him up."
Nick kept his focus on Oates, unable to keep down a smug grin. "The hammer was the most convenient weapon? Are you sure about that?"
Taken aback a bit, the horse glared at him. "Why go lookin' for a needle in a haystack when the pitchfork's right there?"
"I'll do you one better. Your Honor, can you tell me what Mystic Spring is most known for?"
Judge Clawhauser was flushed, trying his best to avoid looking at him. "W-Well, not that I would know or anything, but the mammals there have a great fondness for all things...natural. Just a guess, of course."
(Be thankful you're not the one on trial here.)
Judy noticeably flinched at the word "natural". "You'd better have a point, Wilde."
"But of course. See, in order to create the natural feel, the Oasis is made with natural grass, natural water, natural trees...and natural rocks."
Her eye twitched.
"Rocks…?" Oates started to sweat a little.
"Naturally," Nick smirked, crossing his arms. "In fact, I believe we've all seen a good number of rocks just recently. Where was that again? Oh yeah, the crime scene photo!"
Clawhauser nodded in understanding, relieved for the change in topic. "That's right! There were decorative rocks all around the Pleasure Pool!"
"Decorative, yes, but very real. If the killer was in the market for a blunt weapon, there was a whole bargain bin sale right in front of them." He looked back at the eccentric equine. "So answer me this, Detective. Why settle for a pitchfork…" He pointed sharply at him. "...when you've got the keys to the tractor!"
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Oates staggered back, eyes wide and mouth hanging open. The strand of hay once held there slowly drifted to the floor.
"Why the long face, Detective?"
Finnick glared at him. "Wasn't funny the first time."
The gallery was abuzz with chatter. Clawhauser almost choked on a piece of donut trying to calm them down. "Order! Order!" He swallowed. "The defense has a point. But Mr. Wilde, why would the killer choose the sledgehammer instead?"
"This contradiction doesn't mean squat unless you can answer that," Finnick warned. "You better have something good, Nick."
His smile didn't waver. "Of course I do…" (...as of right now.) "This evidence shows why they used the hammer!"
Take that!
"The answer is simple, Your Honor. And it lies in that very same picture of the renovations we just saw." Clawhauser quickly took back the picture and stared at it closely, fully enraptured. "The hoofprints you see there do not show the killer retrieving the weapon, but rather their attempt to make it seem like they did. For a simple rock doesn't allow you to leave behind evidence so easily."
The cheetah scratched his head, dislodging a few crumbs. "They...wanted to leave behind evidence?"
"As long as it doesn't point to them, sure. The killer ignored the easiest method to commit the murder and instead chose one that was both obvious and left telling clues behind. The only reason they would do that is to frame my client!"
Objection!
Judy sighed, slowly shaking her head. "I knew I should have stepped in earlier. How like a fox to think only of himself."
He tilted his head. "Wha...What does that have to do with-"
Judy slammed her paw down. It was surprisingly loud. "Maybe you would kill someone with a rock, but not everyone could do the same."
(Glad to know you think so highly of me.)
"Whatever do you mean, Prosecutor Hoops?" Clawhauser's attention had left Nick as quickly as it came.
"Let's do an experiment." Judy lifted her right paw, keeping it flat as she split her fingers apart in the middle, two on each side. She kept her joints stiff and inflexible. "All of you imitate this pose with both paws."
(I knew rabbits were weird, but this takes the carrot cake.) He did so anyway, feeling only slightly ridiculous after seeing Finnick reluctantly doing it too.
"I think the prosecutor has officially snapped," the smaller fox muttered, too confused to be angry.
"This is fun!" Clawhauser giggled, proudly displaying both paws. "It's like we're making our own secret pawshake!"
Nick rolled his eyes. "I'm sure we're all wondering what this is about, so mind filling us in, Carrots?"
"Don't call me that!" she snapped, quickly regaining her calm. "Now, with your paws still in this position, imagine trying to pick up a large, smooth rock, like you see around the pool."
(I've already ridden the crazy train this far, might as well get to the station.) Nick pantomimed lifting a rock with his new, stiffer paws whilst making robot noises. He had to admit, this did seem a little tricky. And now that he was starting to see what the point of this was, a little unnerving as well.
There was a loud thunk. "Oops! Bailiff, can you pick up my gavel? My chocolate deluxe didn't fall off, did it?"
Judy mercifully put this charade to an end. "What you have just experienced is a sensitivity test designed to give you a feel for what it is like to have hooves. Without the aid of pads, claws, and opposable digits, even the simple task of lifting a rock becomes much more difficult Especially if you need the control to murder someone with it." She looked down at her own paws, almost sadly. "Mammals like us take much for granted."
Detective Oates nodded sadly, placing a hoof to his chest and closing his eyes.
(Oh, you poor ungulates. We get it!)
"This must be that empathy of hers in action," Finnick noted. "Frankly, I'm not impressed."
"Maybe you would be if it was your contradiction she just flattened."
Just to pour a little more salt in the wound, Yax offered his insight too. "Thanks for understanding, Ms. Prosecutor. With how slippery those rocks around the pool get, I have trouble just moving them around."
Sensing that the tide was quickly turning against them, Nick struggled to counter her point. "Even if you're right, that only means the killer is of the hooved persuasion. You can't prove it was Yax specifically!" (Maybe it'll sound less desperate if I shout it real loud.)
But Judy was not moved. "Do I need to? As we have already discussed, Mr. Wilde, you still can't prove that anyone else was even at the scene while we have clear evidence that Mr. Matton was." She lifted her arm and pointed harshly at the fox. "As long as those facts remain true, your conjecture is meaningless!"
"AGGGGGGGGGGH!" Nick was pushed back by the force of her logic, only just digging his claws into the bench to steady himself.
"Alright, I admit it. She's good," said Finnick. "We might be screwed here."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."
Judy cleared her throat. "Now that that's settled, I would like to call my next witness."
"Huh?" asked Oates, eyes wide. "B-But I thought you wanted me to go over the rest of our investigation..."
Judy casually looked over her claws. "That was before you made a fool of yourself in the name of justice. I don't need any more testimony from an addle-brained detective. We will discuss this further during your next salary review."
For the first time, Nick saw Detective Oates bow his head in shame. "Yes, ma'am…" Then he turned around and skulked off, not exactly the picture of riding into the sunset as he would've liked. (I guess her empathy is selective.)
Brushing it aside, Judy raised her voice once more. "The prosecution calls to the stand...Ms. Dawn Bellwether!"
Berserker88 here. Thank you all for reading the start of my Ace Attorney What If. As you can probably tell, I'm a HUGE fan of the games and intentionally structured this story as if you were watching gameplay footage more than reading fanfiction. So if you're visualizing everyone as sprites or 3D models and hearing epic music at every turn, you are getting the most out of this experience. For those who aren't as familiar with the series, I still tried to make it clear what's going on so you don't get too lost.
On the Zootopia side of things, I'm guessing that what stands out to you most is Prosecutor Hopps. Her personality is a blend of several Ace Attorney prosecutors, particularly Miles Edgeworth, which is probably a bit off-putting for some of you. Rest assured, there is an in-story explanation for why she is the way she is (which is hinted at even in this part if you've eagle-eyed enough), but for now, I hope you can at least love to hate her.
Since I am trying to make this like the games, listed below is the Court Record for (relatively) easy reference. It will be updated with every new part, so be sure to keep an eye on it if you want to try solving this case along with Nick. :)
Court Record:
Attorney's Badge
The symbol of my profession, icon of my status, yadda yadda. It's not exactly pretty, but it does let me keep my job.
Nangi's Autopsy Report
Death caused by drowning after being struck with a sledgehammer. Estimated time of death is between 10 and 12 PM on July 12th.
Crime Scene Photo
Shows the victim slumped over in the Pleasure Pool, small and large rocks surrounding her on each side. The victim's blood can be seen mixed into the water along with a large amount of mud. Hardened concrete residue can be seen behind the victim. Yax is lying nearby, unconscious.
Oasis Diagram
A simple diagram showing the lobby and the main lounge, with the doors connecting them. The Pleasure Pool is shown in the middle of the lounge. The storeroom is at the back and Nangi's office in the upper-left corner. The renovations area is directly behind the pool, obscured from view. Other attractions like the volleyball court and mud pit are also labeled.
Sledgehammer
Used to render the victim unconscious. Blood splatter and location of the wound shows that it was swung from overhead. Was found submerged in the Pleasure Pool.
Renovations Photo
Shows the area the workers were reconstructing after the pipe burst, the pipe itself with a giant hole left in it. A pool of wet concrete shows clear hoofprints. Water is still flowing through.
Profiles:
Nick Wilde
Age: 32
Me, myself, and I. I've been a defense attorney for a long time now, but I'm still not exactly what you'd call a professional. Good thing I'm not asking you.
Finnick
Age: 35
The ray of sunshine who serves as my co-counsel. He may not be very confident in the job, but he knows how to keep me going in his own special way.
Yaxley Matton
Age: 28
A long-time member of the Mystic Spring Oasis, and a firm believer in all things natural. He's a nice guy, but could do a better job keeping his mouth shut. Was found konked out at the crime scene, which is how he got himself arrested.
Judy Hopps
Age: 24
The prosecutor on this case. Apparently a big deal out in the sticks, and not exactly the sweet, cuddly bunny I would expect. Seems to have some weird knack for being able to empathize with any species, but clearly not me.
Bailey Oates
Age: 46
A veteran detective on the ZPD, but that doesn't mean he's wise with experience. I'd say his old age is getting to him, but it sounds like he's always been kind of a kook.