Author's Notes:

Hello, everyone, Shadowsleuth here! Some of you may know me from Ace Attorney Online. Or maybe not...
Anyways, this is my first fan-fiction ever, and it's based on a series that I am creating over on AAO.
If you want to know more, check out my thread there, which has illustrations and sprites I've made thus far.
I'm a total grammar freak, so please alert me if there's anything I missed.
Also, there may be some slight spoilers for all Ace Attorney games.
Thank you!

Disclaimer: Arthur Frost and co. are mine, but all the other characters and Ace Attorney in general is property
of the geniuses at Capcom.

Arthur Frost: Ace Attorney

By Shadowsleuth

Episode 1: Turnabout Storm

Mia Fey... Phoenix Wright... Apollo Justice...

Three defense attorneys who fought for change and evolution in court. They faced many trials and tribulations in order to achieve justice for all.

With the help of Phoenix Wright, and the addition of the juror system, the courts have been completely turned about. However, is this really such a good thing...?

South Bridge
4:55 PM

The pouring rain showered the gray city, scattering its clear drops onto the streets, sidewalks, and swallowing up whatever dryness it could find. She found it fascinating, staring at the monochrome world, as wet footsteps alerted her to an approaching figure. She turned to look and found two men, deep in conversation.
Perhaps, she thought, they were old friends, or perhaps merely passersby conversing about the weather. She turned her attention for a way and continued to quietly observe the falling rain. And then...

BANG!

District Court, Courtroom No. 5
Prosecutor Lobby
10:00 AM

(It's time... My first trial...)

How many times had other prosecutors stood in this lobby, anticipating their first case? Though the court system had been thrown about by Phoenix Wright and his young protege, Apollo Justice, the lobby had barely changed at all. The portrait hanging above the maroon couch had switched from the Judge's balding image into that of a bright red flower, and some new pottery had been added near the windows. However, for the most part, the rooms were the same as ever, like a faithful dog waiting for its master.

A young attorney quietly fiddled with the Prosecutor's badge in his pocket as he sat upon the couch. It had taken him many years to earn it, and now he finally had it. It seemed so small, so delicate, as if the lightest touch would crush it into dust, but what it stood for was so much more. He took it out once more, as if to verify that he really had it, then put it away just as quickly. While his outward appearance was totally relaxed, a slight twitch on his right index finger betrayed his true emotions.

(I must stay cool, he thought, cool, calm, and collected...)

He shifted through the evidence once more, making sure he had everything. So absorbed was he in thought that he didn't notice the man approaching him.

"Hello, there, Arthur!" he said, causing the new prosecutor to leap out of his skin with a yelp of surprise.

"M-Mr. Jonathan," Arthur replied, cursing himself for being so nervous.

Jonathan Vyra was a tall young man, not a day over 28, with a cheerful grin permanently plastered to his face. His blond hair covered his left eye, and his other eye was a dazzling gold iris. He wore a dark purple suit with matching pants and a yellow tie. Most notably, and upon his lapel sat a shiny golden badge.

Arthur Frost was 21, fresh out of law school. He wore a plain white suit, matching pants, and a blue tie. His hair was raven-black, and cascaded over his right eye, similar to Jonathan, and his visible eye was dark blue.

Looking at them, you would probably never guess that they were student and mentor.

"Well, this is it," said Jonathan. "I hope you keep in mind everything I taught you."

"Of course," Frost said, regaining his composure. "I don't plan on losing."

Jonathan started to chuckle. "Ah, you're starting to act like a real prosecutor! Just don't forget what's important, okay?"

"Protecting the innocent and giving the guilty their due," Arthur replied. "However, I trust the police to find the true killer the first time around."

"Well, it is true that with the Era of Defense Attorneys here that detectives have been cracking down a bit more," Jonathan said with a chuckle. He picked up a file from the evidence.

"Ed Smithers, a suspected drug dealer and con man. Sounds like you may have reeled in a big one, Arthur!"

"I hope so," Arthur replied, taking the file back from his mentor and carefully placing it into the court record.

Jonathan looked around and noted that no one else was in the room.

"Where is your witness, Arthur?"

Arthur instantly froze up. "She's... Well..."

"Is there a problem?"

"Well, she doesn't want to testify," Arthur said sheepishly. "I can't seem to get her to talk."

"That does seem like a problem."

(Then why are you smiling like that?) Arthur thought.

"Well, why don't you show her something to help her?"

"Show her something?" Arthur flipped through the court record. He didn't see anything that would convince her to talk. "I don't see anything in here that would convince her to talk..."

Jonathan winked at the white-clad rookie with his visible eye. "I'm sure you'll think of something!"

Arthur sighed and slouched slightly, causing his long black hair to completely mask his face. He quickly pushed it out of the way and turned to the door.

He opened it slowly and looked into the hallway, where a young woman sat nervously on the bench outside the lobby's entrance.

She was rather young, about 18, and clutched a notebook tightly as if it was a shield. Her short hair was an elegant shade of royal blue, like the flag of a powerful kingdom. According to his files, Arthur knew that she was an art student at a local college, and had a few oddities about her. Currently, she was staring at the opposite wall intently, as if her gaze could change it into a vibrant swirl of color. She looked so tranquil, not moving or speaking, that Arthur was afraid that any noise or movement would cause her to shatter like a glass statue.

"Um, Ms. Alise Reevers?" He said, as quietly as he could while still being audible.

She slowly turned to face him, seemingly snapped out of her trance. "You are Prosecutor Frost, correct?"

"Y-yes, I am," Arthur responded, somewhat unnerved by his witness's tone. "Um, I would like to ask you to reconsider your request earlier."

She slowly shook her head in response, clenching her sketchbook tighter. "I... I can't. If I do, then he'll..."

She flinched away, and Arthur instantly felt terrible. He sat next to her rather awkwardly and tried to think of a way to reassure her somehow. His hand instinctively went to his pocket and began to fiddle with his badge. Suddenly, an idea struck him.

"Ms. Reevers," he said as gently as possible, trying to erase all traces of doubt or uncertainty from his voice. He opened his palm out to her, showing his shiny new badge to her.

"Your... badge?" Alise stared at it with the same intensity that she had the wall. "It's very nice, but..."

"Ms. Reevers, this badge is proof that I am a capable lawyer," Arthur said as professionally as he could. "As long as I wear this badge, I promise that nothing will happen to you. If you work with me, I will make sure that he never hurts anyone again."

Alise was silent for a moment, then her grip on her sketchbook loosened, and she gave a small smile. "Thank you, Mr. Frost. I understand. I shouldn't have been so cowardly."

"It's alright," Arthur said, relieved that it had worked. "It's only natural to be a little worried."

Alise nodded and followed him into the lobby.

"You sure have a way with women, Arthur," Jonathan said with a grin.

Arthur reddened slightly and cleared his throat. "A-anyway, let's prepare your testimony..."

Well, that's all so far! This was really more like a prologue than a first chapter. If you haven't guessed, I based the character of Alise Reevers on Vera Misham from Apollo Justice, since that's her sprite in the game version. The next part will introduce some new characters, including a new Judge, the defense attorney, and the defendant.

I hope you liked it, and thanks for reading! Please review!