Chapter Eight: A puzzling cross examination.

WN: Like in my other fic, I have just realised that I never put in a disclaimer, so here it is. I don't own the characters of the ace attorney games or professor Layton, if I did, I would be one rich college student, lol. The only ones I own are the likes of Summer Skye; purely fan made by me, anyway, on with the story. Thanks to nazo-nin for the review, I was beginning to feel like this fic had been abandoned, so more reviews are so appreciated. Anyhow.. on with the tale…

"Cross-examination: Phoenix Wright vs Franziska Von Karma"

"I was doing my usual rounds of cleaning, when I saw a man come out of the room of Miss Stone"

"HOLD IT!.. what were you doing outside her room?" Nick questioned.

"HOLD IT! Phoenix Wright.. the woman is a CLEANER who was CLEANING the rooms; did it not occur to that foolish brain of yours that she was on her way to clean the room of Miss Stone?" she snapped.

"Urk… that's a point.."

"Hold it!... witness, surely you would have heard the crime taking place?" Luke piped up and stared directly at Summer, now that he had found a box to stand up on.

"OBJECTION; your honour, the prosecution objects to the presence of children in this court and I demand that that boy be removed from this courtroom at once!" she snapped.

"Objection overruled; Franziska there is no reason for this child to leave the courtroom and there is no rule stating he can't be here; after all, you were a child yourself when you started prosecuting-YOWCH! I'm sorry but the law stands!" the judge yelped and recoiled away from the wrath of Franziska's whip.

"Well witness, can you come up with an argument to counteract the one of my young assistant here?" Nick asked.

"Well.. I heard something… shouting.. but people who stay at hotels have rows with who they are staying with all the time right?" She uttered.

"Ah, but you knew she stayed alone!"

"OBJECTION; the witness is a mere cleaner at the hotel, how could she have possibly of known who was staying there with Miss stone… wait… ack!" Franziska raged, suddenly realising what Summer had said.

"Witness, please amend your testimony with an explanation!" the judge ordered.

"Yes your honour!". She smiled, and added:

"Being a famous actress, she had a bodyguard stay with her at the hotel at all times; how I know this?; I saw her coming in with him when she checked in at reception the day before!" she smirked.

"Ah… can someone please verify this?" the judge asked, and ordered Franziska to have the presence of a bodyguard confirmed. It took her around twenty minutes, and she stormed right back into the courtroom, while whipping everyone on the defence's side for good measure as she walked past.

"It has been confirmed that Miss Stone did have a bodyguard with her at the time of checking in. His name is Ash Burns; however it would seem that aside from the day she checked in, he was sent away for an unknown reason", Franziska explained.

"And did anyone see him hanging around her room before the murder occurred or after the murder took place?" Nick asked her.

"No… they did not.. but that still doesn't make the defendant not guilty!" she declared with a lash of her whip.

"Ah, but even you have to admit it raises the possibility of another suspect!" Nick countered.

"Only a foolish fool could cling on to such a foolishly slim remote possibility; and besides, what motive would Mr Burns have for murdering the woman that he was hired to protect? Answer me that Phoenix Wright!" Franziska demanded.

"Ah, but what reason would my client have for murdering the victim?; answer ME that Franziska Von Karma!" Nick retaliated.

"Hmph… as of yet that is unproven, but as this trial comes out I can assure you that the truth will be proven; that truth of which your client is the guilty party!" she roared.

"Anyway, on with the testimony"… the judge pleaded.

"I didn't really take notice of him, aside from the top hat he wore"

"HOLD IT, if you didn't notice him, then what was so odd about that hat?" he asked.

"Well, how many Americans do you know that go around wearing hats like that?" Summer exclaimed.

"A valid point.. but surely my client isn't the only person ever to wear a hat like that"… Nick replied.

"Foolishness will get you nowhere Phoenix Wright.. continue with your testimony witness"…

"I went into the room, and saw Miss Sapphire lying there in a pool of her own blood"

"Her room was in complete disarray, and I screamed!"

"That moment will haunt me for the rest of my life"…

"HOLD IT!... witness, what did you do after you screamed

"I ran out for some air…. What did you expect me to do?" Summer snapped.

"Well, call the police would have been a fine start, don't you think?" Nick retaliated.

"Urk!.. help me Miss Prosecutor!" Summer pleaded.

"Phoenix Wright, it is irrelevant what time the witness called the police, as she saw Mr Layton come out of the room after Miss Stone had been murdered?, as it happens, she did call the police; but it was at a later time due to the shock of finding the body, now why didn't the defendant call the police if he was innocent then; it is because he is guilty!" she declared.

"Objection!... the defense has a witness they would like to call that can easily verify the whereabouts of Professor Hershel Layton!" Nick cried.

"Ah, I like you're thinking Nick!" Maya grinned, having guessed who Nick was going to call.

"The defence actually requests calling two witnesses at the same time!" Nick added.

"Okay, that I didn't see coming"… Maya muttered.

"I demand an explanation!" Franziska demanded.

"The defence calls Luke Triton; the young apprentice of Hershel Layton who was with him at the time of his arrest and the murder; and of course the person whom he had spoken with to arrange a meeting; Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth; I figured the court wouldn't find the testimony of a child 100% reliable in their eyes, so to back him up, I will call the one other person who spoke to him that day, and that is Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth!"…

"The court has no objections at this time, Phoenix Wright, please summon your witnesses to the stand, the court will have a twenty minute recess while this is happening" The judge ordered and slammed his gavel down on the desk to bring the session to a close.

Meanwhile, Franziska was absolutely furious.. How did she not see it coming?.. still, if Wright wanted a fight… he'd get one.. She would see to it personally…."