October 7th, 7:45 a.m.
District Court
Defendant Lobby #2
Phoenix sat in deep concentration, looking over what little information he had in regards to the case. He'd come early, hoping that maybe—rejuvenated by the night's restless sleep—he could pierce any holes in the case against Shego. The case was solid, impersonating a person like Shego wasn't easy. Whoever the real killer was—he was sure that it wasn't Shego—they had gone above and beyond the usual bells and whistles to hide their trail. The only real clues he had was the mysterious door, and his doubts about the claw markings.
"Mr. Wright!" Phoenix looked up and smiled—forced, but as confident as he could muster—as Kim and Ron approached him, the former vastly more concerned than her companion. "Did you find anything else?" Kim looked stressed, slight bags under her eyes and her usual appearance in slight disarray. She sighed and slouched when Phoenix shook his head and returned his attention to the Court Record. "I was afraid of that...I stayed up almost all night thinking about this but...it's no use! There's no way anyone else could have done this!" Ron was about to comment, when a snarky voice silenced any response.
"Gee, thanks Pumpkin. Glad to hear your vote of confidence," The defense team turned as the suspect stepped inside. Her arms were crossed and a scowl was set on her lips, but...she seemed twitchy and distracted.
"Shego, I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to speak with you again yesterday," Phoenix apologized, rising to greet his client. Shego snorted and looked away, trying to hold up a strong front.
"Whatever..." There was a slight pause, Shego's lip twitching and her grip on her arms tightening, "...Is Princess right? Is it really that hopeless?" Kim frowned and put a hand on Shego's shoulder, unfortunately the villainess bitterly shook it off and turned away, only turning back to see Phoenix's reply. The lawyer rubbed his chin, but then shook his head and put his hand in his pocket.
"It's pretty bad," He paused sensing Shego tensing, "but I've had worse," The teens smiled respectfully at Phoenix's humor, but Shego just seemed darker.
"Great, just great! AH!" Shego's hands burst into green flames and her eyes seemed steaming as she paced the room dangerously, clenching her fists. "Of all the crimes I've done, I'm going to get put away for something I didn't do!" Phoenix backed away, sweating and hoping his suit wasn't exceptionally flammable.
"Relax Firefly, everything is going to turn out just fine!" Shego, in a rare display of fear, came to an abrupt halt, refusing to turn around and face the source of the voice. Her defense team had no qualms over investigating the mysterious woman.
"Woah! She looks like an older, even scarier Shego!" The woman did bear many resemblances to the nefarious mercenary, including her long black hair and pale skin—though she lacked the greenish tone. True to Ron's second adjective, she did look quite a deal more menacing than even Shego herself. Slowly Shego turned around and faced the woman, wincing and quickly replacing her fearful grimace with a snarl.
"...Hi Mommy,"
"Mommy?!" Kim and Ron both looked at Shego in disbelief, then slowly let their gaze fall back on the newcomer. The woman wasted no more time and approached Phoenix, crossing her arms and staring him down. Phoenix was sweating and grinding his teeth—the trial hadn't even started and already he was under fire.
"You must be my little Firefly's defense attorney?" Phoenix nodded and stiffly held out his hand, swallowing the lump in his throat.
"Ph...Ph...Phoenix Wright m-m-ma'am..." The woman ignored the offered appendage and narrowed her eyes, becoming if possible even more vicious looking.
"I'm Isabel Go," Phoenix took several steps flying backward, grimacing and wishing he could crawl into a hole in the ground.
"I-I-Isab-b-bel G-Go?! You're Shego's mother?!" Isabel smirked and nodded, while Shego merely steamed and growled. Kim, realizing someone needed to save Shego's lawyer, stepped forward and offered her hand to Isabel.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Go, I'm Kim-" Isabel turned to Kim quickly and a wry smile replaced her previously devious smirk.
"Kim Possible, I've heard a lot about you," Her expression darkened, "You're the little girl that keeps throwing my little Firefly in prison," Kim winced, but hid her fear much better than her male companions were. Phoenix was still keeping out of arm's reach while Ron was cowering behind Kim herself.
"W-Well...um...I g-guess that would be me," Kim laughed nervously and rubbed her arm. Isabel finally broke character and laughed.
"I can't blame you, someone has to keep her in line when I'm not around," Isabel moved passed Kim to Shego, who stiffened and looked away. "Sharona, I can't believe you've gotten yourself into this mess," Shego—formerly Sharona Go—growled and glared at her mother.
"Mommy I didn't do it! Someone set me up!" Isabel nodded and looked at Phoenix again, noting the serious streak that had returned to him once Isabel was out of attacking distance—or at least he thought she was.
"But apparently, whoever framed you really did a good job," Shego frowned and nodded, slouching and glaring at the wall opposite the entrance, trying to hide her despair but not doing very well.
"Yeah...I'm so screwed, there's no way out of this!" Shego grit her teeth and her hands caught on fire again. At about that same time, the door opened and the bailiff came in.
"It's time, please report to Courtroom #3," Everyone turned to Phoenix, who stood up and took a deep breath. He turned to Kim and Ron and smiled apologetically.
"I can only have one other person on the defense bench, sorry you both can't come," Kim nodded and pumped her arm, ready to prove Shego's innocence.
"I'll do it, we can win this one Mr. Wright," Ron nodded and Rufus scurried up to his shoulder.
"Yeah, you got the girl who can do anything on your side! This is as good as solved!" Ron put an arm around Kim's shoulders and gave a thumbs up, like a salesman pitching a product. Phoenix shook his head and turned to Shego and Isabel, the former specifically.
"There's no possible way I can get a 'Not Guilty' verdict today...but I promise you, I will get another day to investigate," Shego nodded and headed out with Ron and Kim. As they were leaving, Isabel stopped Phoenix with a fierce hand on his shoulder.
"Mr. Wright," Phoenix stopped and looked over at Isabel, a different look in his eyes. Isabel stifled her previously intended comment seeing that look. She smiled and nodded, heading to the courtroom. Phoenix took a deep breath and slowly let it out before he, too, went into the belly of the beast.
October 7th, 8:30 a.m.
District Court
Courtroom #3
The audience was restless as the defense took its seat on the right side of the room. The prosecutor had long since been at his station, his papers neatly arranged, standing stiffly while waiting for the trial to begin. Phoenix looked over at Shego in the defendant's seat and gave her a brief, but confident smile. She only lowered her head, having made eye contact with the prosecutor. Kim held her breath, staring at the imposing man across from them. The man in question was dressed in a wine red suit with a frilly collar, with silver hair and an imposing, almost royal, demeanor. The auburn-haired heroine turned to Phoenix, clearing her throat and gesturing subtly to the prosecutor.
"That's the guy we're up against today?" Phoenix put his hand in his pocket and looked across the courtroom, making eye contact with the prosecutor. Kim could feel a degree of intensity, rivalry, a familiar situation. It only took a moment for her to realize that it must have been what Ron saw when she and Shego faced off. She glanced at the thief in question, who was also watching the silent exchange, more than likely coming to a similar understanding.
"Miles Edgeworth, the best prosecutor there is," Kim gulps and watched Edgeworth and Phoenix nod to one another. The judge entered and took his seat at the head of the courtroom. Too late to turn back now.
Kim rubbed her arm and took a deep breath, finding the atmosphere strangely, and terrifyingly imposing. Before, the prosecutor had been a far less intimidating man: Winston Payne. The air hadn't held even a fraction of the tension it held now. This man, Miles Edgeworth, was serious business. The judge banged his gavel once and the courtroom fell silent.
"The trial for the murder of Dan Falkner, also known as Aviarius, will now commence. Is the defense ready?" Kim took a deep breath and traded a look with Phoenix. Smiling, she nodded and turned back to the judge. Phoenix nodded, keeping his expression neutral.
"The defense is ready Your Honor," The judge nodded and turned to Edgeworth.
"Is the prosecution ready?" Edgeworth, arms at his sides and his eyes forward nodded.
"The prosecution has been waiting for this day for a long time, Your Honor," Phoenix and Kim both gulp. The judge nodded and looked through his papers.
"Your opening statement, Mr. Edgeworth?" Edgeworth nodded and held out his hands, presenting his statement with such authority, he may have easily been stating that the sky was blue.
"Your Honor, Shego is an internationally notorious criminal and mercenary. She's been dubbed the 'Most Dangerous Woman in the World' and has eluded the law for far too long. The prosecution aims to prove that she is responsible for the murder of Mr. Falkner, and fully intends to see her receive justice to the fullest extent of the law she's mocked for so long," Phoenix tensed, but managed to keep his cool. Kim on the other hand, clenched her fists and glared at Edgeworth. She fully intended to comment on his statement, but Phoenix put a hand on her shoulder to stop her.
"Relax...things are just getting started. Edgeworth...really hates criminals. And whether she's innocent or not, I have a feeling he won't lose any love on Shego," Kim backed down and exhaled slowly. The judge nodded and gave Edgeworth permission to call his first witness.
"First, the prosecution would like to call—as always—the detective in charge of this investigation, Dick Gumshoe," The door opened and Gumshoe walked up to the witness stand. "Detective, please tell the court the details regarding the murder," Gumshoe nodded and stood up straight, clearing his throat and putting his hands in his pockets.
—Basics of the Murder—
"The murder took place on October 6th early in the morning. The killer infiltrated the victim's house by kicking in the door and knocking it off its hinges. The victim suffered several third degree burns and broken bones. He was thrown from the 5th floor to the ground floor, breaking his neck. The estimated time of death is about 3:45 a.m.,"
The judge nodded and stroked his chin, looking at the autopsy report Edgeworth had submitted. Edgeworth sighed and rested his hand on his desk, pointing at Gumshoe.
"As you can see, Your Honor, it's very clear that Shego was the murderer. It's common knowledge that due to a genetic mutation she possesses the ability to generate searing plasma from practically anywhere on her body, primarily her hands," The judge nodded, still looking at the report.
"That would explain the third degree burns," The judge cleared his throat and turned to Phoenix. "Very well, Mr. Wright you may begin your cross-examination,"Phoenix's eyes narrowed as he leaned on his desk, staring Gumshoe down. Kim leaned in a similar fashion, though appeared much more nervous.
"What do you do now? That's not a lot of information to go on," Phoenix nodded and began scanning the Court Record.
"Now, I have to find contradictions in his testimony, and hopefully provide doubt that Shego was the culprit," Phoenix coughed and stood up straight, speaking clearly now, addressing Gumshoe. "Detective, this crime took place very early in the morning, correct?" Gumshoe nodded and gestured to the autopsy report.
"That's right, pal. The time of death is estimated around 3:45 a.m. So maybe give or take ten minutes before that, somewhere in that time range," Phoenix nods and rubs his chin, casting a sideways glance at Gumshoe.
"That's what I thought...Detective, that is very early in the morning," Phoenix put his hand down and slipped it back into his pocket, "How can you even prove my client was in Go City at that time? Her current place of residence is in Middleton, nearly an hour from Go City by car-"
Objection!
The entire courtroom turned to Edgeworth, who slammed his hand on his desk and frowned.
"I'm afraid that argument isn't going to work, Wright," Edgeworth held up a photograph, "I have in my possession a photograph taken by a civilian that shows Shego's custom jet within the Go City airspace on the night of the crime. There is no doubt that Shego was, indeed, in Go City," The bailiff came over and took the photo, handing it to the judge. Phoenix cringed and began to sweat, grinding his teeth.
'Great, just great. Leave it to Edgeworth to make things more complicated than they should be,' Kim frowned and crossed her arms, glaring at Edgeworth.
"Why didn't he submit that before? If we had seen that then," Phoenix shook his head and cleared his throat. The judge nodded and accepted the photo into the Court Record.
"I see, this does show that Shego was in town at the time of the murder. Please continue your cross-examination, Mr. Wright," Phoenix nodded and rubs his chin, recalling Gumshoe's testimony.
'The door...might as well get it out of the way and see where it leads us,' Phoenix nodded and put his hand in his pocket, the other resting on the Court Record.
"Detective, you said that the door had been kicked in to allow the killer to enter the apartment?" Gumshoe chuckled and nodded.
"Of course, pal! Why else would someone kick a door in?"
Hold it!
Gumshoe paused while Phoenix held up the photo, still wearing a neutral expression.
"Detective, there is something wrong with that statement," Phoenix smirked and put his hands on his hips, "It's impossible," Gumshoe blinked and looked over at Edgeworth, who simply shrugged, then looked back at Phoenix.
"Uh...how do you figure, pal?" Phoenix held up the Court Record, which contained a picture of the door and door frame, smirking and hitting it mockingly.
"If you look closely at the door, Detective, what side has the hinges?" Gumshoe was handed a photo of the door and rubbed his chin.
"Um...well that would be the right side, I guess," Phoenix nodded and set down the Court Record, putting his hands on his hips again.
"Tell me Detective, which side of the door frame do the hinges connect to, according to this picture?" Gumshoe narrowed his eyes and looked closer at the picture, then flinched back.
"Ah! The left side!" Phoenix nodded and put his hand back in his pocket.
"That's correct, judging this, we can reason that this door wasn't kicked in to allow entry, it was kicked out so that the killer could get out. Then it was placed inside so that it would appear to have been kicked in!" Gumshoe gasped and flinched back again, looking over at Edgeworth. The prosecutor merely smirked and shrugged, giving Phoenix a smarmy leer.
"What exactly is your point, Mr. Wright? Whether the door was kicked in or kicked out, it was still torn off its hinges by a single blow, which the defendant is more than strong enough to accomplish," Phoenix rubbed his chin and averted his eyes, trying to figure out where he could go with this. He looked back at Edgeworth, still rubbing his chin.
"Still, this proves that the killer didn't need to force their way into the apartment. How, then, would Shego have been able to enter if not by force?" Kim winced and touched Phoenix's arm, getting his attention.
"Mr. Wright, Shego is an internationally wanted thief, there's very few places she can't sneak into," Phoenix began sweating and ground his teeth while Edgeworth smirked and tapped his temple, then rested his hand on his desk.
"Mr. Wright, Shego is a globally wanted thief. A very common talent needed in that line of work is knowing how to get somewhere she isn't supposed to. Ergo, it would be relatively simple for her to sneak in without using extreme methods," Phoenix growled and leaned forward on his desk, staring Edgeworth down.
"But why then did she kick the door out? Surely if she could get in without force she could leave without force!" Edgeworth crossed his arms, tapping one of his fingers.
"It is confusing; however, we have irrefutable evidence that proves Shego was in Mr. Falkner' home, and proves that she tried to attack him," Phoenix cringed and Gumshoe nodded, beaming proudly.
"That's right pal!" The judge nodded and motioned for Gumshoe to amend his testimony.
"There was a set of claw marks found at the scene that proves Shego was the killer,"
Kim bit her thumbnail and looked at Phoenix, amazed that he could stay so calm despite the evidence against Shego. In fact, Phoenix actually looked pleased by this recent development.
"Mr. Wright? What's going on? How can you look so..." Phoenix put his hands on his hips and smirked, nearly overflowing with a new fountain of confidence.
"Just leave this to me, Kim. I think I'm starting to see through the prosecution's claims. We might get out of this alive yet!" Phoenix removed a page from the Court Record which contained an image of the claw marks found at the scene of the crime, "Detective, you're referring to these claw marks, correct?" Gumshoe looked at the picture and nodded, smirking.
"Those are the ones, pal! Proof that Shego did-" Kim froze in shock, her breath catching in her throat, when out of nowhere, Phoenix came alive, thrusting his finger out and bellowing powerfully:
Objection!
Phoenix removed a second photograph, one he had taken and holds it up, smirking and holding it out for the bailiff.
"I'm afraid I don't believe that Detective. Yesterday I visited the home of Shego's employer, Dr. Drakken, to try to establish an alibi for my client. I was unable to do so...but I believe I stumbled across evidence that will prove Shego could not have left those claw marks," The judge took the photo Phoenix had submitted and looked it over, comparing it to the claw marks found at the crime scene.
"Hm...they seem very similar, but something is a little different...Mr. Edgeworth, your opinion?" The bailiff handed the photo over to Edgeworth, who cringed and flinched back, his lips pulling back into a startled snarl. He could instantly see what Phoenix was referring to.
"This is...that's not possible!" Phoenix put his hands on his hips and smirked.
"Mr. Edgeworth can see what I'm referring to. This is a photograph of a door Shego hit prior to her arrest. The claw marks on the door look almost exactly like the ones found on the table but with one very clear difference," The judge perked up, leaning forward with wide eyes.
"Oh! Tell me! I can't see it!" Phoenix nodded and pointed to the photograph, namely the indentation on the door.
"As you can see from this photograph, when Shego struck this door—with enough force to knock it from its hinges, I might add—she left these claw prints...and this very deep indentation!" Edgeworth flinched again, and leaned forward on his desk, growling angrily. Phoenix held up the photo of the claws at the scene of the crime and set it down sharply. "No such indentation is present in this photograph!" His voice got a little louder, and Kim actually felt her blood begin to race, "There is no possible way Shego could have left these marks!"
Objection!
Edgeworth stood straight, glaring but obviously trying to keep his cool, "Perhaps the table was made of a much harder substance than the door! Or perhaps she simply didn't hit it as hard!"
Objection!
Phoenix shook his head and slammed his hands down on his desk, "That's not possible! This door was designed to protect the control room of a mad scientist's lair! There's no way a table was stronger than this door!"
Objection!
Edgeworth slammed his hand down, glaring at Phoenix, "My second statement still stands! It could have been a glancing blow rather than a direct hit!"
Objection!
Phoenix thrust his finger out again, glaring back, "That's purely conjecture! And furthermore, you're arguing that Shego would attack a door out of frustration with more strength than she would someone she intended to kill? That's ridiculous!" Edgeworth flinched back again, leaning on his desk and growling.
Objection!
"...There's no one else who could have made these marks!" The judge lowered his head in thought, humming out loud.
"It would seem we've come to an impasse. While Mr. Edgeworth is right, there doesn't appear to be anyone else capable of leaving behind these markings, Mr. Wright's point stands. Comparing the two photos, one proven to have been caused by Shego, there is a severe difference between the two. Does the prosecution have anything to say?" Edgeworth took a deep breath to calm himself and crossed his arms, his expression becoming neutral again.
"The prosecution would like to call its next witness, a man who saw Shego in the act of killing Mr. Falkner," Phoenix balked and Kim gasped.
"Oh no! He actually saw her do it?!" Phoenix began sweating and ground his teeth. Frying pan into the fire, every single time. Edgeworth, noticing the defense's outburst, smirked and tapped his head, pointing to the stand, where the new witness had taken his place.
"Witness, please state your name and occupation," Ito snorted and pulled down his sunglasses, glaring at Edgeworth, who was unmoved by the action. He whipped his gaze around on Phoenix and Kim, the elder flinching back and grimacing while the younger only crossed her arms and glared back. Ito jumped and swallowed the lump in his throat, pushing his glasses back up and clearing his throat.
"Right, name's Ito Brute, eh? I'm kinda unemployed right now, wanna make somethin' of it?" The judge jumped and gulped, smiling sheepishly at the witness.
"Um...no sir...just...please give your testimony," Ito snorted and crossed his arms, turning to Edgeworth. The prosecutor glared harshly back at him. Gulping and taking a step away, he nodded and lowered his head, scratching his messy brown hair.
"Right...what I saw,"
—I Saw 'er Do It—
"Right, so you know I was in the area so I stopped to pay my ol' buddy Falkner a visit, right? Well I get inside and it's quiet. Way too quiet, yeah? So I get in the elevator and hit the fi't floor button. I get there and I saw her do it! Right when the doors open, eh?"
The judge nodded and immediately turned it over to Phoenix for his cross-examination. Kim glared at the man, hoping that she could scare him into telling the truth. Having figured this out, Ito stopped looking at Kim once he started talking and now still refused to.
"I didn't...hear anything wrong, did you? Well except one thing..." Phoenix nodded and looked through the Court Record.
"Right...and I intend to get the truth out of that," Phoenix cleared his throat and addressed Ito in as friendly a tone as he could muster. "Mr. Brute," Ito snapped up and glared, peering over his sunglasses and sneering.
"Whatdya want Blue Suit!? I ain't got time for no questions!" Phoenix cringed and stepped back, but Kim put a hand on his arm and pushed him back into play.
"Don't worry...I've got your back Mr. Wright," Phoenix nodded, wincing when he realized he most often depended on teenage girls to defend him.
"Right, Mr. Brute, you say you were just in the area and went to visit Mr. Falkner? That doesn't sound very likely," Ito scoffed and crossed his arms, glaring at Phoenix.
"Yeah? Who says?" Phoenix scratched his head and chuckled nervously.
"Well Mr. Brute, it was nearly four in the morning, not many people just drop in for a visit at that time," Ito hesitated, then snarled and leaned forward over the podium, his sunglasses falling down his nose.
"I knew the nut job would be awake!! What're ya tryin' to say Blue Suit?!" Phoenix cleared his throat and glanced at Kim, who was now leaning over the defense desk at Ito, glaring. The witness backed off, and glanced at Edgeworth, who seemed unconcerned.
"Mr. Brute I don't believe anyone would just drop in unexpectedly...nor do I think you'd simply visit Mr. Falkner on a whim, after all...you'd just quit working for him!" Ito snapped and jumped back, jarring his sunglasses and causing the left lens to fall out. He quickly crossed his arms and huffed, trying to maintain his dignity.
"Well right...I was going to get a check...but that's it! That's all I was doin'! I didn't kill the nut job!" Phoenix put his hand in his pocket and set a neutral expression on his face.
"No one accused you of killing him," Ito backpedaled and the other lens fell out of his glasses. Snarling he threw the broken glasses away and glared at Phoenix.
"Well...well good! Because I didn't kill him!" Edgeworth tapped his arm and looked across the room at Phoenix.
"Now that that's out of the way...please continue with the cross-examination rather than waste the court's time on trifling details," Phoenix flinched and glared at Edgeworth, but managed to fix his gaze on Ito.
"Mr. Brute, you say you saw the murder, correct? Could you describe it more clearly for us?" Ito snorted and wiped his nose, glaring at Phoenix. He leaned across the witness stand and looked ready to say something, but a sound cut him off. Edgeworth slammed his hand against his desk and glared at the witness.
"Witness! Testify to the court about the time of the murder," Ito gulped and held up his hands defensively.
"Yeah sure...whatever you say sir..." He chuckled nervously then quickly regained his hardened exterior.
—The Murder—
"So the elevator door opens and I see the two come outta the apartment. His door was pretty close to the elevator, so I got a good look at 'im. The lady shoves him out the door and they start to tussle! I...uh...well don't remember what else happened. But I know she killed him!"
The judge blinked and the crowd began to murmur around them. Quickly becoming annoyed by the sudden noise, the judge knit his brow and banged his gavel.
"Order! Mr. Brute, that is quite a story. What is your opinion Mr. Edgeworth?" Edgeworth crossed his arms, tapping one finger and stared straight ahead, right at Phoenix.
"It is my belief that this testimony proves Shego's guilt. However, I'm sure the defense has an objection?" Phoenix rubbed his chin and stared at Ito, who was flinching and looking around nervously. This guy couldn't be more obviously lying if he tried. Phoenix nodded and rested his hands on his desk.
"The defense would like to cross-examine the witness at this time," The judge nodded and banged his gavel, silencing what was left of the murmuring. Phoenix, still rubbing his chin, stared the witness down.
"Mr. Brute, you saw the two come out of the apartment? What did the killer look like?" Ito snorted and jumped up on his podium, pointing at Shego with a snarl.
"It was her! I saw the crazy green lady! She's the one who killed him!" The crowd began to murmur again, louder this time, but the low roar was quickly stifled by the judge's gavel.
"Order! Order! Order! Mr. Wright, please continue," Phoenix nodded and looked over at Shego, who looked terribly grim. Phoenix traded a glance with Kim, who didn't look much more confident. They needed more information if they were going to prove he was lying.
"Tell me about the tussle you saw," Ito smirked and crossed his arms, lifting his nose in the air.
"Well the green lady throws the nut job out the door see? And she socks him one! His face is all smoking and burnt, and then she grabs his head and rams it against the banister!"
Objection!
Phoenix slammed his hands down on his desk and held out a photo for the bailiff. "Mr. Brute, has anyone ever told you, you're a horrible liar?" Ito winced and took a step back, but quickly jumped up and leaned over the podium, snarling at Phoenix.
"What?! You don't believe me Blue Suit!?" Phoenix calmly shook his head while the judge examined the photo he had submitted.
"What is this Mr. Wright? It appears to be a cracked banister?" Phoenix nodded and put his hands on his hips.
"It is, Your Honor. The banister just outside Mr. Falkner's door is severely damaged, even the slightest weight could cause it to break,"
Objection!
Edgeworth pointed at Phoenix, a sarcastic look on his face, "Mr. Wright, doesn't this just prove what the witness saw?" Phoenix shook his head and calmly met Edgeworth's gaze.
"No, in fact this proves that he couldn't have seen it. That banister has been broken...for many years now. Everyone in the apartment building knows it," Edgeworth flinched and leaned forward on his desk, glaring at the witness who stepped back fearfully.
"Woah! Man don't glare at me like that!" Edgeworth stood up and cleared his throat, slamming his hand on his desk.
"Well...perhaps she didn't hit his head against that spot? The witness clearly says it was a tussle, which would mean there was some movement involved. She could have hit his head against a different part of the banister!"
OBJECTION!
Edgeworth flinched, Phoenix ground his teeth and the judge blinked. Kim thrust out her finger, pointing at Edgeworth with a defensive glare in her eyes. "That's impossible! Shego is too strong for that to work!" Edgeworth blinked and calmly pointed at Kim, wearing the same sarcastic expression from before.
"How does the defendant's strength play a roll in this?" Phoenix stared at Kim, then slowly began to understand where she was coming from. Kim slammed her hands on the desk and met Edgeworth's stare.
"I've fought Shego hundreds of times and I know that isn't right, she's too strong!" Edgeworth was about to reply but-
Hold it!
Everyone turned to Phoenix, who was rubbing his chin in thought. "I think Kim might be right, even if she is phrasing her thoughts very vaguely," Phoenix motioned to the Court Record, holding it up and hitting it suggestively. "If we look through the evidence submitted, we'll find something that does prove that Mr. Edgeworth's claim is impossible," Edgeworth flinched back and glared.
"W-Well then, Mr. Wright, where is this magical piece of evidence?" Phoenix set the court record down and stared at Edgeworth with a neutral expression.
Take That!
"The door from Dr. Drakken's lair," He responded cooly. The judge looked at the picture, staring at it carefully.
"This door? But how does that prove anything?" Edgeworth took one look at the picture and growled, leaning over on his desk angrily.
"What?! But..." Phoenix smirked and put his hands on his hips.
"As you can see...in a fit of frustration, Shego struck a giant metal door. Badly burning it, denting it and tearing it from it's hinges. Now according to our witness," Ito backs up a step, gulping and grabbing onto his scraggly hair. "While she was attempting to murder someone, Shego viciously slammed their head against a wooden banister...now at the scene of the crime, Mr. Edgeworth, was there any evidence of a damage to the banister other than that crack?" Edgeworth, still leaning over and glaring, slowly shook his head.
"N-No...that crack was the only damage the banister had received," Phoenix nodded and slammed his hands down.
"Merely frustrated, Shego could tear a metal door out of the wall and leave a dent in it, but while trying to kill someone, she couldn't break a wooden banister?" Phoenix stood up straight and pointed at Ito, "I don't believe it! This witness it lying!" Ito tugged on his hair, pulling some of it out and screamed, leaning over the podium.
"No!!" Kim blinked and grinned up at Phoenix, who was still smirking. Edgeworth stood up straight and cleared his throat, crossing his arms. "I swear to God! I saw the crazy green lady! I saw here there! Green skin, black hair, kinda green tint, I saw her!!"
Hold it!
Phoenix put his hand in his pocket and stared closely at Ito, who seemed almost frantic.
"Did you really see Shego?" The witness nodded and gulped, now being glared at by most of the people in the courtroom.
"I saw her! I saw a green lady! And she's the only green lady there is!" Phoenix shook his head and put his hands on his hips.
"Mr. Brute...you say you didn't really see what else happened, why is that?" Ito gulped and began sweating, tugging at his hair.
"W-Well...I saw them come out, but I got scared and hit one of the buttons...it was dark too...and then the doors shut and the elevator started moving again..." Edgeworth slammed his hand down on the desk and grit his teeth. The judge, seeing nothing further to come to light, slammed down his gavel and shook his head.
"Well...it would appear the prosecution's witness wasn't as decisive as it would have hoped," Edgeworth paused, glaring at Ito as he was led out by the bailiff.
"It would appear so, Your Honor," The judge nodded and addressed the courtroom.
"Shego is still the primary suspect; however, there isn't enough evidence to prove completely that she was the culprit. The prosecution and defense will investigate this case further. Proceedings will be held tomorrow morning. Court dismissed!" The judge slammed his gavel down one final time.
October 7th, 11:30 a.m.
District Court
Defendant's Lobby #2
"Nice work in there Mr. Wright! Way to object KP!" Rufus hopped out of Ron's pocket and onto Kim's shoulder.
"Yeah! Objection!" Kim smirked and rubbed her head, looking up at Phoenix who was waiting for Shego.
"Yeah...now we have more time to find out what really happened," Phoenix nodded and stepped forward to meet Shego as she and Isabel came in. Isabel smirked and finally held out her hand, shaking Phoenix's as they met.
"Now I can see why Firefly's nemesis picked you, you are good," Phoenix smiled and gave her hand a quick pump before turning to Shego, who had her arms crossed but a bit more passive look on her face.
"...Good work in there, can't say I've ever seen anyone get on Edgeworth's nerves like that..." She looked passed Phoenix and grinned at Kim, "Hey Princess! Nice work! You really stole the show," Kim smiled, and went over to Shego. Though she was trying to still be her sarcastic, confident self...it was obvious Shego was still worried.
"Don't worry about a thing, we'll figure this out," Phoenix put his hands in his pockets and glanced to the side. They survived the initial hearing. Things only ever got harder from here. Isabel caught his attention, which he returned to her as they began discussing the hearing. Shego, seeing that her mother was distracted, gave Kim a shockingly sincere look, reaching out and placing her hand on Kim's shoulder.
"Princess...thanks a lot in there," Kim was shocked, but smiled and nodded. Shego shook her head and frowned when Kim began to respond, "No it...is big. It takes a lot to take on the Demon Prosecutor...so thanks again. I think maybe you and this guy might be able to pull this off," Kim smirked and clenched her fist, pumping her arm.
"Well I can do anything," Shego grinned and the two shared a brief laugh before a guard arrived to take Shego away. Isabel went with her, ignoring the guard's objections. Phoenix watched them lead her out. The life of the most dangerous woman in the world was in his hands. For better or worse...it was his job to save her.
