Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney characters are © of Capcom.

This story and most of the characters are © of me.

Zack Cline is © of LuckyTsunade

Russell Smythe is © of Martial Arts Master

Minna Puppet and Ryo Astome are © The Dark Attorney

Mr. Chess is © of Mr. Chess

Please read, enjoy, and review : P

Case 2: Turnabout Triple Threat

September 29, 8:30 PM

Triple Threat Arena

The Arena

"It fires!" Yelled an energetic female announcer as a cannon ball was shot out of a heavy looking cannon that was carried around on the performer's back.

"It soars!" Shouted the announcer as the cannon ball flew across the arena towards a very muscular performer.

Then, miraculously, the muscular performer caught the cannon ball with only one fist.

"And he catches it! This was no smoke and mirrors folks! Just pure skill!" The announcer concluded. The crowd roared as loud as they could.

"The performers are going to have a break, we will reconvene in 30 minutes with our specialty: You Tell It, We Do It!"

The crowd had dispersed and Phoenix had joined the rest of the gang.

"Hey, Nick! Sorry you ended up sitting by yourself…" Maya said. Yes…If it wasn't for Neko jumping me, I would've had that seat…

"You better not be blaming me in your mind, Phoenix!" Neko yelled out loud. She had to yell louder than usual because of the noise level.

"Ah…Neko, did you enjoy your seat?" Phoenix said, in a somewhat moody tone. Neko just grinned and said, "Jealous are we?"

Phoenix gave out a puppy-pout like look and said, "No, Neko, I'm not jealous…"

Neko and Maya just busted out laughing. Then Gumshoe, Pearl, and Ema joined them.

"It was so nice of you to invite us, pal." Gumshoe smiled. Pearl, who was on Gumshoe's shoulder, said, "Hi, Mr. Nick!"

"Hey, guys…" Phoenix said. We invited everyone to this performance because Neko and Maya won tickets… Phoenix recalled.

"Impossible! That couldn't have happened! It's not scientifically possible!!!" Ema yelled on the top of her lungs.

Maya gave Ema a funny look and said, "Why are you complaining? You enjoyed the show, right?" Ema returned the same look and replied, "Sort of…But it's not possible!"

Poor Ema…Can't really enjoy something that you intently disbelieve. Phoenix thought.

25 minutes had passed, and the gang was getting ready to go back to the show.

"Where's Neko?" Maya asked as she looked around. Everybody was here except Neko.

"Where was she last? I'll go find her." Phoenix volunteered, because no one else really seemed to care. Maya thought for a moment and then said, "She was last seen at the arcade."

"Knowing Neko, she's probably still there…I'll be right back." Phoenix stated as he dashed towards the arcade.

Phoenix had finally arrived at the arcade. He didn't bother looking at the arcade in detail.

"Neko, where are you!?" Phoenix yelled as he looked for her. This place looks deserted! Where's the cashier? Phoenix noticed as he looked.

All of a sudden, he heard a muffled scream coming from inside the claw machine. He cautiously approached the machine, and when he got close enough he saw Neko inside of the machine.

"Neko? What are you doing there!? How did you get in there!?" Phoenix wondered in alarm. Neko's face turned red in embarrassment as she replied, "Um…I…Kind of…Got stuck…"

"I can see that!" Phoenix pointed out. Neko was cramped inside the machine, and there seemed no way to get her out.

Just then, Zack and some guy approached Phoenix. Zack was the one who spoke, "Hehehe…Maybe you should put a quarter in and try to win her."

Phoenix just glared at Zack. Phoenix wasn't really interested in Zack at the moment, he seemed more interested in the other guy.

He was wearing a formal red suit and had orange spiky hair. He seemed to be glaring at Phoenix with hatred in his eyes.

"Zack, who is this?" Phoenix said as he pointed at the other guy. Zack looked at him and responded, "This is my apprentice, Ryo Astome. Say hi, Ryo."

"…Hi." Ryo seemed to force out. Phoenix was about to venture on the subject, but heard Neko yelling behind him, "Phoenix! Get me out of here!"

Phoenix turned around and analyzed the machine, but everywhere he looked it seemed that it was impossible to get her out without breaking the machine.

Suddenly, Ryo grabbed a pipe and smashed the machine. Neko fell out of the machine and winced in pain.

"YEOW!!! I got hurt!! Thanks for worrying about my well-being!" Neko yelled as she revealed her hand, which had a long cut that was bleeding a lot. Ryo just scoffed, "Whatever…I mean, you could've lived the rest of your life there…"

"Why you disrespectful, lit--" Neko stopped abruptly and her eyes widened as if in horror or pain.

Then Neko slumped onto the floor, coughing out blood. Phoenix quickly began to panic, "Neko, what's wrong!? Zack, call 911!"

Zack and Ryo checked their phones, but they had no signal. Zack suddenly became serious and said, "We'll look for a phone!" They then ran off.

Phoenix picked up Neko and saw a huge gash--no! A huge hole in her stomach. It was bleeding immensely. Phoenix didn't know what to do, and Neko seemed to be running out of time.

"K-K-Kura…My st-string are no long-er controlled by ei--" Neko moaned hoarsely. Phoenix looked at her with confusion in his eyes. He removed his hand from the back of Neko's hand and saw his hand covered in blood.

Then, suddenly, Neko sat up straight. Her wounds slowly disappeared and she began to cry uncontrollably.

"What just happened…?" Phoenix asked. Neko turned to him and sobbed, "I don't know…"

Then the group along with Zack and Ryo ran in, but all they could see was a pool of blood and Neko perfectly fine.

"Where did all this blood come from?" Ema wondered. Gumshoe was covering Pearl's eyes from the horrible sight.

"What happened to Neko's wound!?" Zack yelled curiously, he was beginning to lose his seriousness.

"I don't know…" Neko repeated. Obviously, she was in shock.

Maya looked around. She was about to say something, when a announcement interrupted her by saying, "Please, everyone remain where they are. The show has been canceled due to an unplanned event. This is a notice from the police."

"The police?" Gumshoe wondered. Then, the pager on his belt began to rang. He picked it up and read it, his eyes widened in horror.

"I have to go…urgent business." Gumshoe said as he left. Ema grabbed her phone and called someone.

"Mr. Chess? Yeah, it's me, Ema. Come to the Triple Threat immediately!" Ema said on the phone. She hung up and left without another word.

Maya was staring at Neko in horror and asked, "Neko, what happened?"

Neko shoved herself away from Phoenix and cried, "I don't know! I don't know! I don't know!"

Phoenix tried to get close to Neko but she just shrieked, "Get away from me!"

"I'm here, Maya! I came as soon as possible!" a guy said as he ran in. The guy was wearing a white t-shirt with navy-blue sweatpants and his hair was slicked-back, and down to his shoulders.

"Great, thank you, Russell. Can you take Pearly back to Kurain Village?" Maya asked. Russell nodded and said, "Of course, anything for Pearl!"

He grabbed Pearl's hand and walked off. The look on Pearl's face showed fear and sadness.

What's up with all of these people. First, Ryo who seems to hate me! Second, some random person named Mr. Chess. And finally, a friend of Maya's named Russell!

"We should get rid of all this blood and move away." Maya said, breaking a huge gap of silence.

"Why?" Phoenix wondered aloud. Maya shook her head and said, "Well, the police are here so don't you think it might be a little bit suspicious that there is a pool of blood?"

"Hmmm…True." Phoenix said as he began to clean the blood. After they cleaned the blood and managed to move Neko, they overheard a police officer.

"This was one nasty, not to mention gruesome, murder…"

End of Chapter 1...