Author's Note: This story follows the general themes of the games as you know them, but have several changes through out. This is also the first fanfic I've ever made, so please, tell me your thoughts on it. Thankyou.
May 12, 9: 43 AM
District Court, Defendant Lobby No. 9
"Time of death: May 10, 2:10 PM. Bled to death due to impalement through the cervical spinal cord section..." Iris whispered to herself, staring at her own reflection through the mirror.
Today was the day, her very first case. She spent more than four years earning her defense attorney's badge and she knew she had to be ready for the upcoming trial.
She tried to muster up whatever confidence she had for the trial, but still felt nervous. Sweat came down from her forehead and covered the palms of her hands.
Sweat wasn't a good thing right now, Iris thought to herself. You have to make yourself presentable. And professional too...
She took a handkerchief from her bag and quickly wiped the sweat off her hands and brow before adjusting the newly bought purple suit that was somehow more expensive than the apartment she currently lived in.
"Spinal cord was broken...May 10, 2:10 PM," she repeated once again, making sure she memorized every single detail. "Bled to death due to impalement ..."
"Ah, Flower, thank goodness," a charismatic voice said behind her. "Sorry if I showed up a little late, you know how traffic can be..."
Iris turned and saw a tall tan-skinned man with dark hair. He wore a black tie with a striped vest over a red shirt, along with black sleeve garters. The man gave Iris a sly grin that oozed warmth and charisma, and the young lady couldn't help but smile back at Diego Armando, the man who taught her everything she knew on how to be a defense attorney.
"It's no problem, sir," Iris said, politely bowing to her mentor. "I'm just glad you're here."
"Ha! I wouldn't miss your first trial for the world, my little Flower," Diego said. "You have to make sure you're completely prepared for this trial. Did you read the autopsy report I sent you?"
"Read every single detail of it, sir," Iris said, chuckling nervously. Memorizing the autopsy report was the only thing she was confident about at this point.
"Good. Gotta hand it to you, though, most attorneys fresh from the bar don't start their careers with a murder trial," Diego complimented. "You must really have the guts to pull it off."
Iris laughed nervously. No she did not. "T-thank you, sir, but I have to be honest, I chose this case because I owe the client so much..."
Diego raised a brow in interest. "Oh, you know the client before the case?"
Iris nodded. "She's one of the people who made me who I am today. She—"
"IRIS!"
Iris yelped in shock while Diego stared in both confusion and bemusement. Before they knew it, a red curly haired woman wearing a white beret, orange sweater, and long brown dress rushed and hugged Iris tightly as she bawled her eyes out.
"I-Ini, how are you?" Iris stammered, struggling to breathe as her best friend crushed her with the hug.
"I-I didn't do it!" Ini shouted, trembling in fear. "I, like, TOTALLY DIDN'T DO IT! You have to believe me!"
Ini Miney, a college student studying parapsychology and a childhood friend of Iris. Iris lived in a secluded mountain for most of her life, so it was a breath of fresh air when her friend Ini showed up to visit. As Ini had an interest with the paranormal, Ini would go to Hazakura to study spirit channeling and how it worked. While Ini did usually go to the temple for the sake of researching about spirits, the ditzy girl always made it a point to check on Iris and hang out with her whenever the two crossed paths. The two ate lunch together, played games together, had occasional arguments but always got back together...in a way, Ini was a sister that Iris never had.
"Care to introduce me to this lovely lady, Flower?" Diego asked and suddenly, Ini shoved Iris out of the way and approached him.
"I'm Ini Miney, sir," Ini said, blushing. "I, like, study parapsychology."
Diego chuckled and flashed a sly grin. "Parapsychology, eh? I've had some experience involving that subject."
Ini swooned. "Oh, like, please tell me more, Mr. Lawyer..."
"Er, I'm sorry, Ini, but can you tell us anything about what happened to cause this?" Iris stepped in, knowing Ini would get distracted if she didn't. "It could help us win the case."
Ini paused. "I...I don't know. All I did was just go there with Sis to get research for my thesis but, t-then...this..."
Tears began streaming down Ini's cheeks as she gazed at Iris pleadfully. "I-I didn't kill her, I really didn't..."
Iris gently hugged Ini and gave her an assuring glance. "We know you didn't do it, Ini,"
"And Flower here's gonna prove it to the court," Diego added with a reassuring smirk.
Ini sniffled, wiping her tears away. "Oh, thank you, Iris. I thought everyone left me after this..."
"You're my best friend, Ini. I'll side with you no matter what."
"Will the defendant and her lawyer please step to the courtroom immediately!" the Bailiff shouted.
"Like, right now?!" Ini asked.
"YES RIGHT NOW!" the Bailiff roared out, causing Ini to jump.
Diego laughed. "Looks like it's show time, Flower!"
Iris gulped and walked to the courtroom, only for Ini to grab her by the shoulder.
"I'm counting on you, Iris," she said pleadingly. "Win please. For me..."
Iris nodded, giving a face of courage and determination; but when she turned around and stepped inside the courtroom, she was screaming internally. She had to win this case...for Ini's sake.
. . .
May 12, 10:00 AM
District Court~ Court Room No. 3
The judge slammed the gavel to signify the trial was about to begin. Opposing Iris was the prosecutor, an older looking man with a green suit and a pompadour. From what Diego told to Iris days ago, this was Winston "The Rookie Killer" Payne, who was infamous for humiliating defense attorneys during their first trials.
Iris gulped at the thought. Of all the people I had to go against with on my first trial...
Still though, he didn't look as intimidating as Iris expected him to be. In fact, he looked ridiculous with that pompadour he seemed to be proud of, given his tendency to stroke it.
"The court is now in session for the trial of Ini Miney," the Judge said, "Is the prosecution ready?"
"The prosecution is ready, Your Honor," Payne said with an arrogant grin.
"Is the defense ready?"
"The d-defense is...r-ready, Your Honor..." Iris stuttered quietly, nervous as everyone at the trial staring at her.
"Hmm? What's that?"
"The defense is...um..."
"I'm sorry, miss, but I'm afraid you have to speak up."
Sweat poured down at Iris' head as the feeling of embarrassment crept up to her spine. This was her first trial and she couldn't even utter a simple sentence!
"The defense is ready to start her trial, Your Honor," Diego said, noticing her nervousness.
Iris turned to her mentor in surprise before smiling gratefully. "Thank you, sir."
"Happy to help out, Flower," Diego replied before his expression turned serious. "But remember, I won't be around forever. You need to stand on the trial with your own two feet."
"Ah, Ms. Hawthorne, this is your first trial, isn't it?" the Judge asked.
"Y-Yes, Your Honor..." Iris answered.
"Ms. Hawthorne, given the circumstances and your apparent state, I will say this: the conduct during this trial will determine the fate of your client. Murder is a serious charge and I hope for your client's sake, you boost your confidence."
"O-of course, Your Honor."
The Judge then turned to the prosecutor. "Mr. Payne, your opening statement?"
Payne gave a smug, confident grin. "Of course, Your Honor. A murder occurred in Hazakura Temple, a retreat resort for spirit mediums located in Eagle Mountain. The victim of the case is Mimi Miney, a nurse working in the Hotti Clinic. This is a photo of the crime scene when it was founded by the police."
"The court accepts this photo into evidence," the Judge stated.
Observing the photo, Iris saw that it was the entire storage room for Hazakura Temple. She remembered all of the items that were stored there from ancient relics, to old furniture, to the old telephone the nuns set up in case one of them got trapped inside (the door had a tendency to keep itself shut no matter how hard one tried to open it...).
Payne continued. "It is the prosecution's role to prove to the court that this heinous murder was committed by none other than her own sister Ini Miney."
"W-What?!" Ini exclaimed. "But I wouldn't do that! Mimi's my sister! I'd never hurt family!"
"Ms. Miney, do not interrupt this trial or I will hold you in contempt of court!" the Judge proclaimed loudly, scaring Ini for a moment.
"HOLD IT!" Iris shouted. "My client has a point, Your Honor. Why on earth would she murder her own sister? There is no established motive as to why she would commit this murder!"
"OBJECTION!" Payne shouted. "During the investigation, we've dug into several files involving the defendant. She is a student in Ivy University, studying parapsychology."
"Parapsychology?" the Judge asked, raising a brow.
"A fancy term for 'the occult', Your Honor," Payne explained. "During our investigation, we found out from the university's business office that Ms. Miney has had trouble paying for her tuition fees. She and the victim had frequent arguments involving this as the latter had shown disdain towards her sister's fascination for the supernatural."
"So you're saying my client murdered her own sister over a difference of opinion?" Iris scoffed, crossing her arms. "That's barely incriminating, Mr. Payne."
Payne smiled smugly, as if waiting for that response. "That's not the only reason why she was accused of murder. There's more to this motive and I have a witness who has seen the defendant commit the crime."
Iris grimaced, the confidence she gained waning a bit. "Y-You do...?"
"Yes, but I would first like to call my first witness to the stand."
Judge nodded. "Very well."
A scruffy-looking detective in a big green trench coat stood behind the witness stand. He was the largest man in the court and despite his gruff exterior, he didn't look all that threatening.
"Witness, please state your name and occupation," Payne requested.
"My name is Dick Gumshoe, sir!" the witness proclaimed loudly. "I'm the detective who works on homicides down at the precinct!"
"Detective, please describe your investigation in detail," the Judge requested.
Gumshoe nodded as he began to explain. "Yes sir, Your Honor. Like what Mr. Payne said, it happened at Hazakura Temple and the victim was Mimi Miney. The time of the murder was about 2:10 PM. The body was found in the temple's storage room."
"Storage room, you say?" the Judge asked.
"Yes, sir. Here's the diagram of it. It's a large, dimly lit room that contains all sorts of antiques and knick knacks belonging to the temple. The only way to get in and out of the room is through the entrance door. At the center is a display case used to hold the Shichi-shich...shi...?"
"Shichishito?" Iris answered for him.
Gumshoe nodded. "What she said, sir!"
"And what would the Shichi...shichi...?" the Judge began to trail off.
Iris sighed, a little annoyed. "Shichishito."
"Yes, the Shichi...one of those be, detective?"
"It's the Temple's most sacred treasure and the murder weapon, Your Honor," Gumshoe answered. "It's an emerald sword that was used to stab the victim right in the back. She bled out for five minutes before losing consciousness and well...y'know..."
Ini struggled not to cry in front of the courtroom, recounting the dark memory of seeing her sister's dead body. "Mimi..."
"The details are listed in the report that was distributed yesterday," Payne pointed out.
"Ah, yes, the autopsy report," the Judge said.
"If I may, Your Honor, but there is further evidence that my witness would like to present," Pane added.
Judge raised a brow in interest. "Is that so?"
"Yes, and it is very decisive."
"Very well, let's here from this witness about this evidence."
TESTIMONY
"Aside from the sword, we discovered some things that further connected Ini Miney to her sister's murder, sir.
"We found a pair of hairpins that belonged to the defendant stuck in the lock of the entrance.
"We've had past cases where people used hairpins to pick locks, so we thought the defendant used them to break in and steal something from the temple.
"But not only that, we also found that even though the victim was stabbed through the back, the victim managed use what's left of her strength to write her killer's name on the floor with her own blood.
"It's clearly the defendant's name 'Ini', sir."
"Here are the hairpins and the photo of the writing, Your Honor," Payne said, handing the aforementioned items to the Judge.
Judge observed the photo. "Why, this is-can see the name clearly here!"
"The prosecution would submit these as evidence," Payne requested and the Judge quickly allowed it.
Diego couldn't help but chuckle. "Ha! The 'write the killer's name' trick...if I had a cup of coffee every time I saw that in court..."
Iris raised a brow. "Did you figured something out, sir?"
Diego shrugged as he grabbed his coffee mug and took a sip of delicious coffee. "Maybe, maybe not...that, my little Flower, is your job. Find the hole in his testimony. There's something in there that'll bring the spread the sweet fragrance of truth in the air."
The Judge then turned to Iris. "Ms. Hawthorne, you may now begin your cross examination."
Iris took a deep breath. Alright, Iris, you can do this...
CROSS EXAMINATION
"Aside from the sword, we discovered some things that further connected Ini Miney to her sister's murder, sir."
"HOLD IT! Aside from it being the murder weapon, I fail to see how the Shichishito connects my client to the crime. Last time I checked, there were no signs of her finger prints on it."
Payne smiled in arrogant confidence. "Like any culprit trying to hide their guilt, Ms. Miney wore a pair of gloves when committing the crime."
Iris grinned. Ini doesn't have gloves with her! This'll be helpful!
"Oh, yeah, now that you mentioned, we actually found a pair of gloves in the defendant's purse!" Gumshoe added, revealing a pair of white, flower-themed gloves.
"W-what?!" Iris exclaimed, giving a quick glare to Ini.
Ini giggled nervously, raising her arms in defense. "D-don't look at me, those gloves are, like, totally this season!"
"The court accepts these gloves into the evidence," the Judge said.
Iris groaned in irritation. "Uuugh..."
Dick Gumshoe chuckled to himself, observing the gloves. "Say, these things do look kinda cute! It even has tiny little flowers sewed on them!"
"Detective Gumshoe, can you please focus on the trial at hand," Payne said.
"Oh, sure, pal, now where was I?"
"We found a pair of hairpins that belonged to the defendant stuck in the lock of one of the chamber doors."
"HOLD IT! How can you be sure that those hairpins belong to my client?"
Payne smiled cockily before explaining. "We gave those hairpins to the forensics lab yesterday. The DNA found in them confirm it to be Ini Miney's."
Iris cringed at that statement. Oh dear! This is-wait a minute...
Diego raised a brow as he noticed Iris rubbing her chin, a sign her mind was pondering. "You thinking something's up, Flower?"
"I've got an idea about those hairpins...but I think I'll just keep it to myself for now. I don't think it's relevant at the moment."
"We've had past cases where people used hairpins to pick locks, so we thought the defendant used them to break in and steal something from the temple."
"HOLD IT! You 'thought' the defendant tried to steal from the temple? Detective Gumshoe, what we need are facts. Why would my client even try to steal something from the temple?"
Payne showed that arrogant, shit-eating grin once more and Iris was already getting tired of seeing it. "Actually, Ms. Hawthorne, it gives a good reasoning for the defendant's motive."
Iris grimaced. "H-How so...?"
"As I've stated before, the defendant has had trouble paying her tuition fees for college. As she was in the treasure room during the time, it is without doubt she came in to steal the Shichi...shichi-the sword with the intention of selling it to make money for her tuition fees. Her sister caught her in the act, and out of desperation, she committed the brutal murder."
Iris gulped. "T-That...has a lot of ground..."
"Iris, how could you!" Ini shouted accusingly. "I thought you believed in me!"
"I-I'm not saying you're guilty, Ini-I mean, Ms. Miney," Iris stammered. "I'm just observing the testimony."
It seems airtight. There's no possible contradiction here...wait...!
"But not only that, we also found that even though the victim was stabbed in the back, the victim managed use what's left of her strength to write her killer's name on the floor with her own blood."
"OBJECTION! Detective Gumshoe, how certain are you with your investigation?"
"As sure as I can be, pal!" Gumshoe shouted, giving Iris a stern glare. "You got a problem with it?!"
"Look at the autopsy report! It clearly states here that the victim was stabbed in the back, but it also states that when she was struck by the blade, her spinal cord was shattered!"
Iris then turned to the opposing prosecutor. "Tell me, Mr. Payne, what happens when someone's spinal cord is broken?"
Payne grinned arrogantly. "They'd likely be paralyzed and be unable to move their body of course-GAH!" he cried out in horror, his smug grin fading as the realization sank in.
"If that was the case..." Iris muttered before dramatically pointing at Payne, "how could the victim write the name of her murderer?!"
"OBJECTION!" Payne shouted feebly. "T-there have been reports where people still moved when they're spine was shattered...!"
"That may be, Mr. Payne, but I believe you should look at the photo of the victim's body! It's shown that she was because the part that was shattered was in the higher cervical section of the spinal cord!"
The Judge looked confused. "T-The...what?"
Iris sighed. "The neck area, Your Honor. With that part shattered, she would lose mobility of trunk, legs, arms, and hands...so tell me, Mr. Payne, how exactly would the victim be able to write Ini's name?"
"I...um...well," Payne stammered until a thought came into his mind. "It was already established that the victim bled to death, yes?"
Iris raised a brow, unsure where this was going. "Um...yes, why?"
Payne chuckled pompously. "Well it appears we've found our explanation. The when she was struck, blood came out of her and as she bled, she used her remaining strength to write the Ini Miney's name. Seeing this, Ini snapped her own sister's neck and fled the scene!"
"Hmm...that does make sense..." the Judge said, stroking his beard.
"OBJECTION!" Iris shouted. "Mr. Payne, that is the most nonsensical thing I've ever heard!"
"Ms. Hawthorne, what is the meaning of this?" the Judge asked.
"What Mr. Payne is saying is that the defendant snapped the victim's neck and fled the scene AFTER the latter wrote her name!" Iris shouted. "If that's the case, why didn't she remove such damning evidence before fleeing the crime scene?"
"W-well maybe it's an admission out of guilt from the defendant!" Payne answered.
"Now you're just making things up, you pompous jackass!" Iris shouted in anger, her patience running thin with this prosecutor and his ridiculous accusations.
As the crowd began loudly discussing amongst themselves, the Judge began pounding his gavel. "Order! Order in the court! Ms. Hawthorne, I will not allow vile language in my courtroom!"
Iris' face flushed red as she bowed down. "Er...I'm sorry, Your Honor..."
"However, what you said about the evidence is true. This cast serious doubt in the Ms. Miney's guilt."
"Oh...thankyou..." Iris sighed, relieved.
"OBJECTION!" Payne suddenly shouted.
Iris grumbled in annoyance.You don't go down easy, do you, Mr. Payne?
"But the hairpins, Your Honor!" he pointed out in a feeble attempt to save face. "They belong to the defendant! Clearly, proof of her guilt!"
The Judge thought about it. "Hmm...yes, the forensics did confirm the DNA in the hairpins to be the defendant's..."
Oh, right, there's that...oh, well, I guess it's time to risk it...
"OBJECTION! That may seem to be the case, but there is one thing you've failed to check!"
"And that is...?" Payne asked, sweating nervously.
"Ini and Mimi Miney are twins," Iris answered, gesturing to Ini. "While it might seem the contrary, Ini Miney dyed and changed her hairstyle because of how much people kept confusing her for her sister."
Payne gritted his teeth in anger. "Now you're the one who's spouting nonsense, Ms. Hawthorne!"
Iris narrowed her eyes at the prosecutor. "Why don't you check my client's and her sister's profiles then. Read it and say I was spouting nonsense."
Payne quickly scanned through Ini and Mimi's profiles and flinched as Iris was correct. Ini and Mimi were identical twins. "Even if they are twins, how does that even prove anything?!"
Iris took a deep breath. Alright, here goes nothing.
"It's simple. Since they're identical twins, it means they have a similar pattern of DNA! Forensics would have trouble telling the two apart!"
The spectators of the court began to uproar in surprise.
The Judge pounded his gavel. "Order! Order! Ms. Hawthorne, are you saying that the hairpins actually belong to the victim?"
"Without a doubt, Your Honor," Iris answered, putting up a face of confidence to hide her nervousness.
"Then can you explain how they were stuck on the entrance lock in the first place?"
Iris flinched, she didn't think about that. "I...I...It's because the real murderer put them there! He knew that the defendant and the victim were identical twins and placed them there to pin the former to the crime!"
The entire courtroom went silent and just stared at Iris incredulously, causing her to shrink under her desk in embarrassment. I can't believe I said that!
The Judge stroked his beard before looking down at Iris. "Ms. Hawthorne..."
"Y-yes...?" Iris asked hesitantly.
"Your theory..."
Iris sweated nervously. Oh god, oh god, oh god, I'm done for!
"There is weight to it. This casts serious doubt in the defendant's guilt."
Iris' eyes widened in surprise before chuckling in relief. "Oh...thank-!"
"HOLD IT!"
Oh, you've gotta be kidding me!
"Just because the police made an error in the investigation doesn't mean that the defendant is innocent!" Payne shouted feebly. "Besides, the trial's only just begun and there is still one more witness who would like to shed more light in this case!"
"Another witness, you say?" the Judge asked before thinking about it. "Very well. But first, we will have a ten minute recess. During that time, I expect the prosecution to prepare their next witness and for the defense to prepare for the next part of the trial."
Court Record:
Evidence:
1. Iris' Attorney Badge
2. Magatama
3. Mimi Miney's Autopsy Report
4. Iris' iPhone
5. Shichishito
6. Hairpins
7. Crime Photo
8. Gloves
Profiles:
1. Diego Armando
2. Ini Miney
3. Winston Payne
4. Detective Gumshoe
5. The Judge
6. Mimi Miney