"Wright-dono, you should still asleep! Go back to sleep, Wright-dono. I'm going to chase these cockroaches away from bothering you."
"Yes, Doctor Blackquill is right! My dad is sick and I think it's better if you all of get out of here!" Trucy exclaimed irritably.
Nick shook his head. "It's okay, Doctor, Trucy. I'm fine. Please, just ask your questions. Sit down," Nick said kindly, making Apollo, Athena, Trucy, Doctor Blackquill, and Detective Gumshoe dumbfounded.
The Chief of Police then took a small chair and sat down beside Nick's bed.
"Okay, Mr. Wright, we'll just ask you a few questions. Reporter, please write everything that Mr. Wright said."
"Okay, Chief of Police."
"First, do you remember clearly how the chronology when you were shot? Can you tell us about it? As detailed as possible?" Chief of Police asked as he looks at Nick.
"WHAT?!" Apollo yelled suddenly. "Listen, Chief of Police, are you deaf? Mr. Wright just finished surgery, and how could you ask that traumatic incident to him?" Apollo cried again, his fist raised.
"Apollo," Nick said softly. "Never mind, it's okay."
Apollo stepped back, and looked at the Chief of Police in disgust.
"Yeah ...I still remember it very well ...Like that incident happened just yesterday... At that time, me and Maya were about to return to my office after Engarde's trial was adjourned ... When we were walking, suddenly there are men using black mask stop us ... Then he pointed his gun at Maya ... And he said, want to teach me a lesson ... 'A cowardly lawyer who will not even try to defend his client .. You will feel what I feel ... Losing someone important to you ..' So he said. Then he pulled the trigger of his gun .. I immediately pushed Maya to the edge ... And ... after that I can't remember anything else .. When I woke up, I was in the hospital," Nick muttered, then took a deep breath.
Chief of Police frowned. "A man, you say? Are you sure, Mr. Wright?"
"100 percent. He speaks, and his voice is very heavy, which is clearly belongs to a man's voice."
"But this does not make sense! How is it possible that the one who shot you was a man, while Pearl's fingerprint and hair were in a gun and a shirt that was found in a crime scene! Mr. Wright, try to remember clearly again!"
"WHAT? PEARL'S FINGERPRINT AND HAIR WERE ON THE EVIDENCE?" Nick shouted, then tried to sit up.
"Look, Chief of Police! You must have made a mistake! I remember very clearly that the one who shot me was a man, and he was tall enough! And the gun he used to shoot me was heavy, how could you possibly think a small child like Pearl could use a gun with that size?! And, the shooter had been targeting Maya! Do you think Pearl wants to kill her own cousin?!" cried Nick as he slapped his blanket.
"I'm sorry. Wright, but lab analyst never lies! Pearl Fey's fingerprints were the only ones we found in the gun!"
"If human beings often make mistakes, it might be with lab analyst as well! You can ask Maya Fey, she was with me, her testimony must be the same as me, Chief of Po ... gaaaah !" Nick exclaimed suddenly while clutching his back.
"Daddy!" cried Trucy. "What's wrong? Your back hurts?"
"You asked us to ask Maya Fey? She's Pearl Fey's cousin, of course she'll defend her!" Said the Chief of Police again, half shouting.
"Maya will never lie ... gaaaahhhh!" Nick gripped his back even harder, his former surgery was very painful.
"ENOUGH!" Shouted Doctor Blackquill, his patience was completely gone now. "Sorry, Chief of Police, I can't let you pressure my patient like this! You've heard Wright's explanation. The one who shot him was a man, not Pearl Fey! Now, get out!"
"But we're not done yet, Doctor Blackquill!" Said the Chief of Police, insisting.
"Mr. Wright is my patient and he is under my responsibility. This is the hospital, Chief of Police! Now, get out. OUT!" Dr. Blackquill shouted again, his whole body shaking with anger.
Chief of Police with the reporters finally came out, followed by Detective Gumshoe who looked very embarrassed and annoyed.
"Are you all right, Wright-dono?" Asked Dr. Blackquill.
"Y-yes I-I'm f-fine ... gaaaah !"
"Wait a minute. I'll get you a pain killer." Doctor Blackquill then stepped out.
"They're very annoying!" Athena said irritably. "Clearly Mr. Wright has told the truth!"
"But what I don't understand, how could Pearl's fingerprints and hair was found on the evidence?" Apollo muttered, as if he was talking to himself.
"As I said, there must be a mistake ... Therefore I have to go to the Detention Center to talk to her ... Doctor Blackquill must allow me ...aaahhh!" Nick moaned again in pain.
"Don't be stupid, Mr. Wright. Me and Athena will go to the Detention Center later and ask Pearl. Now, lie down!" Apollo commanded as pushing Nick's chest roughly.
Doctor Blackquill returned shortly afterwards, with pain killer and more tranquilizers. Het then injected Nick's back three times.
"Relax, the pain will gone in a few minutes. You better go back to sleep, Wright-dono. If anything happens, quickly call my cell phone. Take care of him well. Don't let journalists or police come in again. Understand, Justice-dono, Cykes-dono, Trucy-dono?"
Apollo, Athena, and Trucy nodded their heads, then Doctor Blackquill left the room.
"Sleep, Daddy. Don't think about it. This must be a misunderstanding. Calm down, tomorrow Apollo and Athena will visit Pearl," Trucy said, sounding very worried.
The influence of tranquilizers and pain killers made Nick feel very sleepy. Slowly, he closed his eyes.
An hour after Nick fell asleep again, Maya and Edgeworth arrived.
"Nick is sleeping?" Maya asked as she stepped inside. "Nice. Listen, everyone, I have to tell you, about Pearl, and ..."
"We already know," Athena replied grimly. "And Mr. Wright also knew. Pearl was arrested by police on charges of attempted murder of Mr. Wright. They accused Pearl of shooting Mr. Wright because Pearl's fingerprints and hair are in the gun and shirt found on the scene."
Maya choked. "How can you know ?! How did Nick know? Nick shouldn't know!"
"We know from television that Pearl and her mother were arrested. Mr. Wright wants to watch a football game and I can't stop him, Maya." Apollo replied.
"And, you know, Miss. Fey, Uncle Miles ? Earlier, Chief of Police, along with several reporters, came here to interrogate Daddy about what happened when he was shot!" said Trucy, her face flushed, her shoulders up and down in anger.
"They ...what?!" shouted Edgeworth. "You said the police interrogated Wright? Didn't they know that Wright just finished surgery a few hours ago ?!"
"Yes, Doctor Blackquill was very angry. But they pressed Daddy, they didn't believe that the one who shot Daddy was a man. They forced Daddy to say that Pearl was the one who shot Daddy. Those who say Pearl's fingerprints and hair are found on the evidence."
"Outrageous!" Maya whispered, shaking her head.
"Look, Maya, can you tell us more? Actually, where are you going with Mr. Edgeworth? On TV say, Morgan was trying to kill you both?" asked Apollo.
Maya sighed, and began to tell everything in a whisper. Starting from when she was investigated the scene, found a gun and shirt at the scene, carrying the evidence she found to be analyzed into Detective Gumshoe, finding photos and letters Pearl left in Trucy's room, until when she and Edgeworth went to Kurain.
Trucy, Apollo, and Athena closed their mouths as Maya finished her story.
"I can't believe this," Apollo murmured, shaking his head. "This is really crazy! This has gone too far! Morgan uses her own daughter as a tool for revenge to Mr. Wright, and she threatened to kill her if Pearl refused? What kind of devil is she?"
"Here it is, the letter that we found. I…. I can't believe it either, Apollo. My own aunt, wanted to kill me ..." Maya said in a choked voice as she handed Morgan's letter to Apollo's hand. Apollo, Athena, Trucy read it simultaneously and after done reading the letter, they looked very disgusted and angry.
"Take it easy, Maya. Tomorrow me and Athena will go to the Detention Center. We will defend Pearl. Although Pearl was the one who shot Mr. Wright indirectly, and she was cooperated with Morgan, but she did it because she was under threat and forced! Moreover, Pearl is still under age, they can't pass a severe punishment to her!"
"What did you say, Apollo?" asked Nick. All of them jumped, completely unaware that Nick was already awake.
"Mr. Wright, go back to sleep! You must have a lot of rest to get better!"Apollo exclaimed nervously.
Nick did not answer. "What's that in your hands, Apollo?" Nick asked suspiciously as staring at Morgan's letter in Apollo's hand.
Apollo awkwardly trying to hide the letter, but Nick was faster. He grabbed the letter from Apollo's hand and read it. His eyes glared as he finished reading Morgan's letter.
"Demon," Nick whispered. "I must defend Pearl!"
"We will defend Pearl, Mr. Wright. Me and Athena. Don't worry. You just concentrate in getting better!" said Apollo.
"Who will be the prosecutor at Pearl's trial later?" Nick asked again.
"Of course I am," Edgeworth replied stiffly.
"Then, let me be a witness at the trial! Please!" Exclaimed Nick.
Edgeworth, Maya, Apollo, and Athena exchanged glances of resignation. "All right, all right! We will allow you to be a witness at Pearl's trial. With two terms: Doctor Blackquill allows you, and Doctor Blackquill should go to court with us. If Doctor Blackquill does not allow it, then we will not allow you too, Wright," Edgeworth replied threateningly as he wagging his finger.
"All right, all right," Nick muttered.
Edgeworth then got up and stepped outside to speak to Dr. Blackquill. He stepped slowly and then knocked on Doctor Blackquill's office door.
"Come in."
Edgeworth stepped inside, and shook hands with Doctor Blackquill.
"Please, please sit down, Mr. Edgeworth. Can I help you?" Dr. Backquill asked kindly.
"I want to talk about Wright, Doctor Blackquill. He is determined to be a witness at Pearl Fey trial later. Will you allow it?"
Doctor Blackquill raised his eyebrows. "What a stubborn man he is. Of course not, Mr. Edgeworth. I'm sorry. He has just passed a major surgery and may not move too much, or have a lot of thoughts. The trial will put him in a stress, and that is not good for his condition."
"All right, Doctor Blackquill. We told him, if you don't allow it, then he can't be a witness." Edgeworth then got up from his chair and walked back to Nick's room.
"We won. Dr. Blackquill didn't allowed you be a witness, Wright. Let Apollo and Athena do the task. We will do our best to get Pearl out of punishment." Edgeworth said triumphantly when go back to Nick's room. Nick grunted in disgust.
The next day, at the Detention Center ...
"W-what are you doing here? Mr. Justice, Miss Athena?" Pearl asked nervously as Apollo and Athena came to visit her.
"Of course to visit you. When your trial will be conducted, Pearl?" Asked Apollo.
"T-t-tomorrow, Mr. Justice."
"Okay. You don't need to worry, Pearls. We will defend you. We have strong evidence. You're underage, and you're doing this under your mother's threat. No one can blame on you, Pearls. No one." Whispered Athena.
"NO! NO, NO!" Pearl shouted suddenly, and slapped the table in front of her. "Y-you don't have to defend me! I don't need it! I'm a bad girl! I am guilty! Guilty! I made Mr. Nick sick and disabled!"
"Pearls!" interrupted Apollo and Athena. "We will defend you, no matter what happens!"
"B-but I'm not worthy of y-you guys! I a-al-almost killed Mr. Nick!" Exclaimed Pearl again, now half sobbing. "I-i-if Mr. Nick k-know I was the one who caused him becomes paralyzed, h-he-w-will never forgive me and will never talk to me again!"
"Pearls," Apollo murmured patiently, "Mr. Wright had known everything. You know, Pearls? As soon as he hears that you are arrested by the police, he immediately unplug his IV and tries to get out of bed to visit you here! He even wants to defend you! He also wants to be a witness to defend you, unfortunately Doctor Blackquill doesn't allow him, because he isn't well enough yet. Mr. Wright doesn't blame you at all, Pearls. And if you don't allow us to defend you, you will be automatically declared guilty by the judge, and of course it will make Mr. Wright became very sad. If he is sad, it will affect his healing process. You won't that to happen, do you?"
Pearl raised her head, blinked, and stunned.
"A-alright, Mr. Justice, Miss Athena. I-I want you to defend me. I don't want to make Mr. Nick became sad." She replied stammered.
Athena and Apollo smiled with relief.
"All right, Pearls, see you in your trial tomorrow. You need a break, Pearls. Now we have to go. Don't worry, Pearls, you'll be free." Said Athena, then she and Apollo stood up and headed back to the hospital.
In the hospital…
"Everything's fine, Mr. Wright. We will defend Pearl at her trial tomorrow," said Apollo as he put the fruit he bought with Athena on their way back to the hospital.
"Do your best, Apollo, Athena. That poor girl must be free."
"You know, Mr. Wright. At first, Pearls won't us to defend her. She said that she deserves punishment. But we explain to her that you're not blaming her, and if she does not allow us to defend her, then you will be very sad," said Athena.
Nick snorted a laugh. "You guys are really my students. Ugh, very boring here ... I wish I could go with you to the trial tomorrow. I don't understand why Dr. Blackquill doesn't allow me to be a witness. I'm well enough," Nick muttered.
Maya chuckled. "Well enough, you say? This morning you threw up twice, and you kept complaining about your back and your chest hurting. You say you're well enough? Nick, my dear, you're really stubborn, harder than Trucy's sponge cake."
All of them laughed out loud, while Nick frowned.
"Maya, can I ask for the photo and the letter you showed me yesterday? We have to bring it in the trial tomorrow. It's a very vital evidence, to free Pearl," said Apollo.
"Sure, Apollo. This is it. Keep it well." Maya replied while handing the photo and Morgan's letters into Apollo's hands.
"You will testify at the trial tomorrow, will you, Miss Fey?" asked Athena.
"Of course."
"That means I will be alone here? While all of you gathered in the courtroom?" Nick muttered.
"Of course you won't be alone, Daddy. I'll take care of you from the chicken crows until the chicken is asleep." Trucy snapped.
"Right, Nick. Trucy, you have to take good care of your father. Watch him carefully. Don't let him move a bit from the bed." Maya threatened while wagging her index finger until she became very similar to Edgeworth, making all of them laughing out loud once again, while Nick frowned.
The next day, the day of Pearl's trial...
Looks like today is an unlucky day for Apollo and Athena. They arranged files for Pearl's trials until midnight, as the result, they woke up at half past nine in the morning, while Pearl's trial would be held at 10 o'clock. With a riot and a rush, they ordered a taxi, unfortunately again, the taxi driver take the wrong road, made all of them stuck in traffic jam. Apollo and Athena repeatedly glanced at their watch with great annoyance. If they come late to the trial, the judge will think Pearl has no defense, and the little girl will be declared guilty immediately!
Meanwhile, at the hospital ...
Nick turned on the radio because he wanted to know the trial goes. He was very upset to be left alone with Trucy at the hospital.
"Yes, and Pearl's Fey trial, the little girl who was arrested on charges of Mr. Phoenix Wright's attempted murder. will start soon, viewers. The courtroom was very full, dozens of journalists also have came. Of course, this trial were attracted attention throughout the country, considering that this a trial of 9-year-old little girl, and the victim in this case is a famous lawyer Mr. Phoenix Wright. Too bad Mr. Wright can't present here, because he just finished backbone surgery. Get wel soon, Mr. Wright! We're still waiting for the defense team of Pearl Fey to come."
Nick frowned, and looked up at the clock. In about thirty minutes' the trial will begin, and why did Apollo and Athena not yet come? It's unusual for them to come late.
"Hmmm…. It's weird, why Mr. Justice and Miss. Cykes has not arrived yet? If they don't come soon, then the judge will immediately declare Pearl Fey as guilty, viewers!"
Nick sat up. "Trucy," he murmured. "Book a taxi. Take Daddy to the District Courtroom."
"Daddy!" Trucy exclaimed. "What the hell? Lie back!"
"Don't argue with Daddy, Trucy. Book a taxi, and get Daddy to District Courtroom. Daddy must defend Pearls."
"Daddy! How could it be! Apollo and Athena who will defend Pearl! Moreover, Doctor Blackquill doesn't allow you get out of bed!"
"TRUCY!" Nick shouted, his patience ran out. "Daddy beg you, book a cab now! Apollo and Athena have not come to the court yet, and if they don't come soon, the judge will declare guilty verdict! Daddy has to defend Pearl!"
"Oh, alright, Daddy." Trucy finally booked a taxi with her cell phone. Not until 10 minutes, the taxi come. Hastily, Trucy helped Nick sit in his wheelchair and push him toward the taxi.
"District Courtroom. As soon as possible, okay sir," said Nick when they were in the taxi.
"Okay, Mr. Wright," the driver replied, then drove very quickly.
The driver drove like a fly, so the journey to the District Courtroom lasted only about 15 minutes. Trucy then pushes Nick very quickly toward inside.
District Courtroom No 4
"Where's Pearl Fey's defense team? Did they forget their client was waiting?" Asked the Judge who seemed very upset and angry. Edgeworth did not answer, only stay in his bench, his arms folded. Apollo and Athena, where are you, you idiot! He cried silently. Edgeworth glanced toward the defendant chair, and Pearl looked almost in tears. Then he threw asking look at Maya, who also seemed confused, and shrugged.
"This is outrageous. The defense team did not come, so I had to pass my verdict to Pearl Fey. This trial, decided, that Pearl Fey ... "
"OBJECTION!" Cried Nick who had just entered the courtroom, with Trucy panting behind him. All eyes in the courtroom turned to Nick.
"Mr. Wright?! What are you doing here? Didn't you just finished surgery yesterday?" Asked the Judge, gaping.
"Sorry I am late, Your Honor," Nick replied, then took his place in the defense bench by being pushed by Trucy. "The defense is ready, Your Honor."
"Nick! What the hell are you doing ? You should be lying in a hospital!" shouted Maya.
"Defense? Isn't Pearl Fey's defense team is Mr. Apollo Justice and Miss. Athena Cykes?" Asked the Judge again.
"Well, it was, Your Honor, but, there's a bit of a problem, so, erm, I'm the one who replaced them."
"Mr. Wright, are you sure? Are you really healthy enough to defend? You just finished surgery yesterday ... Don't force yourself, Mr. Wright." The Judge said again as he looking at Nick from head to toe. Nick nodded steadily.
"Sure, Your Honor. It's okay, I'm healthy."
"All right, if you insist and really ready ... It's just .. Tell me if you didn't feel well, okay, Mr. Wright? I won't to see you collapse in the courtroom. Well, then, Pearl Fey's trial, for Mr. Phoenix Wright's attempted murder, begins!" The Judge banged his gavel.