New chapter, new section, new trial! Yes, here we see the first elements of trial sequences in the story, as well as meeting a character we've been building up to for a long time. I won't say too much now, but I can ask you to PLEASE REVIEW, as always. See you soon, all!

Feenie

X

Athena Cykes entered the courthouse on that day, feeling glum.

Glum. Trucy didn't bother to show up, because it was Sunday, so that meant she spent the day with her boyfriend. She had got little sleep in the night. Luke would toss and turn frequently. The Professor and Flora were out investigating the park or somewhere. And somehow, with no support whatsoever, she would go up against Prosecutor Arbor, whoever that was.

The bailiff held the door for her as she walked into the defendant's lobby. It was bright, and there were a few couches and pot plants to make it seem friendlier. A picture of the Judge sat up on the wall, ever so slightly off balance. Fitting, Athena thought.

Bree was sitting on one of the sofas, flicking through a small pocket book. How she got hold of it in the detention centre, Athena would never know. When she saw Athena come in, she shut the book, placed into her pocket and stood up, a mischievous smile on her face.

"You're going to lose." She exclaimed.

Athena was hurt by this comment, "You can't say that yet."

"Yes I can." Bree said confidently, "You're going up against Arbor. No one leaves an Arbor trial victorious."

"There's a first for everything." Athena retorted. Bree's smile faded.

"Well, good luck, anyway. It's of no relevance to me, anyway."

She sat back down. Athena's mind screamed furiously at how relaxed this girl was, as if this trial had no effect on her.

"Um… Thena…" said a timid voice. Athena spun round. She recognised the black hair and sunflowers instantly.

"Junie!" She exclaimed, perhaps too loudly. "How are you?"

"I'm okay. I heard about your case, and I'd thought I'd come down to cheer you on." Juniper exclaimed, smiling. "Um… Here."

She produced a green, bumpy fruit from her bag. It had rough skin, looking a bit like an artichoke.

"It's a cherimoya," She explained, handing it to her friend. "It's really delicious, it tastes tropical, and it's really smooth."

Athena took a large bite and almost dropped it out of her mouth. "Oh wow!" She called, her mouth full. "It's like pineapple custard! Thank you, Junie!"

"N-no problem, Thena." She replied. "When does the trial start?"

"Pretty much now, but I doubt this is a trial I can win."

Juniper looked upset for her friend. "Oh? Why?" She asked.

Athena sighed. "Because there is this weird new prosecutor woman, and I've got no one up there to support me."

They both shared a moment of solace, before Juniper's mind clicked. "Hey, I'll come up with you."

"You would?" Athena asked, relieved.

"Sure! It'll be fun!" Juniper claimed.

At that moment, the bailiff called them for the trial. Bree stood and left for the defendant's chair.

"Come on then, Thena. Big trial." Juniper said.

Athena was feeling a bit better now. A friend had come to her aid. Juniper had only ever judged one trial, but this would give her a chance at defending.

Athena followed after her friend, into the awaiting courtroom.

The gallery was buzzing more than any case Athena had done before. The Judge was ambling slowly from his chambers to the stand presiding over the court. The prosecutor's bench remains empty.

Juniper was very excited and very nervous at the same time. She sat next to Athena and fiddle with her braids.

Meanwhile, Athena was ambivalent. Where was this prosecutor and how could they be so difficult to defeat?

Finally, the judge called order.

"Court is now in session for the trial of Brianna Atlas. Is the defence ready?"

Athena tried to be cheerful. "As always, your honor."

"And the prosecution… is not here?" The judge exclaimed. "Bailiff, where is Ms. Arbor?" The bailiff shrugged.

"Well," The Judge said. "I suppose under these circumstances, I should declare a-"

"That won't be needed, your honor."

Athena jumped at this. It was a floating, lilting voice, almost like birdsong. The entire court turned to the origin of it.

Standing at the doors was an average sized, brown haired woman, wearing a long purple dress and perfect red shoes. In her hair, she wore a perfect red rose. Athena could tell that Athena was already not a fan of this woman.

She walked slowly to the prosecution bench. The room was filled with people chatting with each other, in and out, about the woman.

"Hello, all. My name is Astrid Arbor. A pleasure to meet you all." She exclaimed. She bore the same perfect smile, but her words didn't seem genuine. "Of course, the prosecution is ready." She did a little curtsy at this.

Athena and Juniper both secretly decided that they really did not like her.

"Ahem… Prosecution, perhaps you would like to give your opening statement?"

"Your honor, maybe you are being favouritist," She explained. "Perhaps you could let the defence do it for once?"

She smiled over to the defence bench.

Athena frowned back at her. Somehow, her voice sounded like she was singing, yet she had no emotion at all.

"Oh, yes, of course." The Judge exclaimed, flustered. "Ms. Cykes, would you like give us an opening statement?"

Athena wanted to say no, but somehow, she didn't think that would go down too well. "Err, fine."

Arbor beamed at her, as if she was the ray of sunshine the world needed.

"Ah-hem." Athena called, flicking roughly through the court record. "The case occurred two days ago, at night, following a party between friends. At 1:00 in the morning, the police received a phone call from Ms. Atlas, saying that her friend had been murdered. When they arrived at the scene, they discovered the scene. The victim was a Mr Liam Hart, aged 24. Bree Atlas stayed with him, holding the knife as she sat next to him. Evidence found a-"

"The rest is irrelevant." Arbor interrupted. "I know you haven't done many opening statements before, but please make sure you don't waste the court's time."

The Judge felt this was a moment to regain power over the court. Unfortunately, it was only at the expense of Athena. "Yes, Ms Cykes. I'm afraid I'm going to have to penalize you."

What? That was completely unfair! Somehow, she had just been penalized for doing her first opening statement. This was not good.

"However, you raised a good point, Ms. Cykes." Arbor continued. "The victim remained at the crime scene. There was no one else there. I ordered a personal investigation of the area, and there was absolutely no possibility of any intruder in or around the crime scene, as all of the leaves were perfectly arranged on the ground, with no scuff marks. The only way this hypothetical intruder could ever come to murder this man is on the path. And, only two people walked down that path that night, the only possible perpetrator is the one Mr Hart travelled with. This is the conclusion I have come to."

The gallery murmured a little. Of course, most of them were already on the side of the prosecution, but now there was not a soul supporting Athena. She turned to Juniper, who smiled at her weakly.

"Ah, right. That is very clever, Ms. Arbor." The Judge added. "Ms Cykes, do you have a rebuttal to this?"

Athena jumped when she heard her name. She had been in a daze. "Erm, no… your honor."

"Oh, well, in that case, I am prepared to hand my verdict down now." The Judge exclaimed.

Athena was completely unprepared for this. How could Arbor manipulate everyone like that? This could not be happening. There wasn't anyone here who could get her out of this now!

"WAIT A MINUTE!" came an objection.

It was Arbor. She held up her forefinger. "Wait a minute, your honor. Let's be sporting. I haven't quite finished my final argument yet, after all, I have yet to call my witness."

"Oh, right." The Judge sighed and frowned at Athena. It was clear what side he was on here. He turned back to Arbor. "Please, call your first witness, Ms. Arbor."

She curtseyed. "With pleasure, your honor. I call Chief Inspector Dick Gumshoe to the witness stand."

There were a few moments of hustle, before Gumshoe presented himself at the witness stand. He looked down, but that was just his normal face. Arbor would have prepared his testimony a lot.

"My name is Dick-"

"No need for that, Mr Gumshoe." Arbor explained. "I already said it just a moment ago. Please pay more attention to detail in future, Mr Gumshoe."

"Yes, sir, but I am Chief Inspector Gumshoe. Can you call me that?" He asked hopefully.

Suddenly, for the first time, Arbor's smile faded. "Don't tell me what to do, Gumshoe."

Her look was so stern and so cross, Gumshoe clammed up immediately.

So this was the real Astrid Arbor.