Unthinkable Turnabout

A Phoenix Wright Fan Fiction

Rated: T for Violence and Some Language

Summary: When the Wright and Co. Law Offices go up and flames and Phoenix is seemingly killed, his friends must seek the truth as well as defend an old foe who is wrongfully accused.

Part 10: All Hope Lost?

December 26th, 2019
10:15 AM
District Courthouse No. 3

Samuel Youngblood took the stand, marching like a soldier the entire way. Maya and Ema watched him nervously, the events of the previous night still fresh in their mind. Once he arrived at the witness stand he saluted before sitting down. Edgeworth sighed, internally wondering what he had gotten himself into bringing this witness in.

"Witness state your name and..."

"LOWER YOUR TONE WITH ME BOY!"

Edgeworth flinched, he had never heard such an intimidating voice apart from perhaps his old teacher Von Karma.

"YOU WILL TREAT ME WITH RESPECT! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?!"

Edgeworth clenched his fists.

"Sir yes sir..."

"I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"

Edgeworth clenched his teeth and tried desperately to keep his cool.

"SIR, YES SIR!"

The Judge looked at the witness agape.

"Witness could you please refrain from..."

"HEY BALDY! DON'T TALK UNLESS TALKED TO! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?!"

The Judge, as easily rattled as he was stood up with his arms at his side.

"SIR, YES SIR!"

Maya sighed.

"Well this has gotten off to a great start..."

Youngblood cleared his throat.

"Listen up and listen good! My name is Samuel Youngblood! I am a former United States Marine retired after 25 years of service! I now run a Grocery Store across the street from the offices of Wright and Co.! If you want the best prices available shop at Youngbloods or I'll kill you! EVERYONE GOT THAT?!"

This time the entire courtroom save for both the Prosecution and the Defense stood at attention.

"SIR, YES SIR!"

Edgeworth rubbed his temples in aggrivation.

"Now that we have that out of the way sir and I use that honorific very lightly...I would like you to testify about what you saw the night of the crime."

Youngblood nodded.

"Let's see, it was about 9 pm at night. I was about to close the shop for the evening when I looked across the street and saw the Wright & Co. Law offices set ablaze...that's when I saw her the defendant leaving the scene of the crime. I called the police there on the spot and waited until they arrested her before going home."

The Judge nodded.

"It seems like a very airtight testimony."

Maya scoffed, rolled her eyes and muttered to herself.

"Yeah sure airtight...that testimony had so many holes in it it might as well be called swiss cheese."

The Judge looked at Mia.

"Miss Fey you may begin your cross-examination."

Mia nodded.

"Yes your honor."

She looked at Youngblood.

"Mr. Youngblood, you say you saw the fire at 9 pm and yet according to the police they didn't recieve your call until 11 pm. Care to elaborate on this 2 hour time gap?"

Youngblood was a bit taken aback.

"Well I..."

"Objection!"

Mia was suprised as once again Edgeworth threw out an early objection, why was he so obsessed with wanting to win this one? Edgeworth pulled out a white envelope.

"Your honor if it pleases the court I here have a record of calls that were recieved on the night of the crime by both the fire and police departments."

Maya smiled.

"That's good isn't it? I mean it would say that Mr. Youngblood didn't call until 11."

Mia wasn't so sure, she had a feeling Edgeworth was up to something.

"There were in fact 2 calls that came from Mr. Youngblood one was at 9 pm the other at 11."

Mia's eyes widened.

"What?..."

Edgeworth cleared his throat.

"At 9 pm Mr. Youngblood called the fire department, however due to the unfortunate distance between the fire department and the office as well as a short of hands that night they were unable to arrive at the scene of the crime until sometime after 11. At 11 pm that night Youngblood called the poloce."

The Judge nodded.

"That's when Miss Von Karma was seen at the scene of the cr..."

"Objection!"

Mia pointed her finger at Youngblood.

"If this is true don't you think it is a little strange that Miss Von Karma would wait 2 hours to leave the crime scnene?!"

Youngblood growled.

"Watch your tone young lady! I SAW WHAT I SAW!"

Mia shook her head.

"Miss Von Karma is a smart woman she wouldn't be dumb enough to stay at the scene of the crime for long after she committed it let alone 2 hours!"

"Objection!"

Edgeworth was starting to get a headache, regardless he threw another objection.

"Perhaps she wanted to make sure she got the job done."

"Objection!"

Mia slammed her hands down on the desk.

"Why are you doing this Edgeworth?! This is all a lie and you know it!"

Edgeworth banged his fist down on his desk.

"Why should I take this from a dead woman?!"

The crowd was speaking loudly amongst themselves. The Judge banged his gavel several times very loudly.

"ORDER! I WILL HAVE ORDER! MR. EDGEWORTH! MISS FEY! BOTH OF YOU CALM DOWN THIS INSTANT!"

Miles and Mia never took their eyes off each other. The Judge cleared his throat.

"At any rate even though his testimony is vague Mr. Youngblood seems quite sure of himself that he saw Miss Von Karma at the scene of the crime. And since the Defense cannot provide any solid evidence to the contrary or come up with a "real" culprit I am just about ready to hand down a verdict right now."

Mia clenched her fists, in spite of everything they did all the evidence they gathered all the info they had they were up the creek without a paddle, or a raft for that matter.

"Damn it...damn him..."

The Judge raised his gavel.

"I find the defendant Miss Franziska Von Karma..."

"HOLD IT!"

Everyone in the courtroom's attention turned to the entrance where there stood Phoenix Wright, his hair was a mess, his clothes were dirty and sweaty but other than that he appeared to be unharmed. Maya nearly squealed with happiness as she leapt over the Defense's bench and tackle hugged Nick, tears of happiness pouring down her cheeks.

"Nick...oh Nick! Thank god you're alright!"

Nick hugged her back. Everyone else in the courtroom was in pure shock save for Mia and Ema. The Judge's eyes nearly popped out of his head.

"Mr. Wright?! You're alive?!"

Nick nodded.

"Tired and hungry but yes quite alive your honor."

Though he was shocked Edgeworth couldn't help but crack a smile.

To Be Continued

Next Time: Part 11: The Devil Went To The Courthouse