A/N: And yet another chapter! Longest one yet, too! Onward!

…

Chapter Ten – Trial Day Three

July 11, 9:48am

District Court

Defendant Lobby 3

Phoenix watched as Apollo paced the lobby, reading over papers. He was a little frustrated that the man wouldn't give up defending him, but as he knew, the younger defense attorney could be just as stubborn as himself.

"Court starts in ten minutes, Apollo," Athena said in a subdued voice. She could hear all of the emotions coming from Phoenix's heart, and it was more then just a little overwhelming.

Especially since he refused to let her psychoanalyze him.

"Mhm," Apollo said distractedly, his pointy eyebrows drawing together as he frowned. He was more then positive that Phoenix was innocent, but without enough evidence to contradict the man's confession, he couldn't do anything about it.

"Mr. Justice," a voice said from the doorway. Apollo looked up to find Edgeworth standing there. The Chief Prosecutor waved him over, and handed him a disc.

"You're going to need this," he said.

"What is it?"

"A recording. Wright called me the night of the murder, and I recorded the call," Edgeworth explained.

"Alright. Um, thanks, Mr. Edgeworth," Apollo said, surprised. Edgeworth smiled.

"No problem. Phoenix saved me once when I believed I murdered someone. I say it's high time I returned the favor, even if it's just with this," he explained, tapping the disc before walking out. Apollo glanced at his watch, seeing he had a few minutes, before moving quickly over to a CD player with a set of headphones, listening to the disc.

"Yeah, this'll help," he said softly to himself, returning the disc to his pocket.

July 11, 10:00pm

District Court

Courtroom 3

"Court will now reconvene for the case of Phoenix Wright. Is the prosecution ready?" the Judge said.

"Ja, your honor," Gavin replied.

"Is the defense ready?"

"Yes, your honor," Apollo answered, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves.

"It has come to my attention that Mr. Wright was found and questioned last night. What was the results of the questioning?" The Judge asked, looking at Klavier.

"Mr. Wright confessed to killing Dylan Done," he replied, glancing down at his notes.

"What!?" the Judge gasped.

"Your honor, the defense has reason to believe that Mr. Wright doesn't know exactly what happened that night," Apollo quickly said, cutting off Gavin's response. The prosecutor glanced curiously at the man across the room. "If you recall the end of the trial yesterday, I raised the possibility of Mr. Wright being drugged that night."

"That's true!" The Judge said, looking thoughtful. Apollo stood up straight, crossing his arms.

"At this time, the defense would like to exercise its right to cross-examine the defendant," he said. Phoenix shook his head, knowing this was pointless, but still feeling proud at how strong an attorney Apollo had become.

"Are you sure that's smart, Polly? If the boss is claiming he did it…" Athena asked softly. Apollo smiled at her.

"Don't worry, Athena. It's like Mr. Wright said yesterday. The truth will come out in court today."

"Do you have any objections, Mr. Gavin?" the judge asked.

"Not at all, Herr Judge. I just hope Herr Forehead is prepared."

"Prepared?" Apollo asked, his confidence dropping slightly.

"Ja. If this cross-examination proves fruitless, then you will concede that your client is guilty, like he says he is. Agreed?" Gavin said. Apollo hesitated a moment longer, but knew he didn't have another choice.

"Agreed."

"Alright," the Judge said, looking to the defendant's chair. "Mr. Wright, if you please?"

Phoenix moved from the chair to the Witness Stand, running his hand along the top. Every other time he stood in this spot, he knew he was innocent. This time was different.

"Name and occupation, please," Gavin said.

"Phoenix Wright, Defense Attorney at Law," Phoenix responded.

"Please tell us what happened, Mr. Wright," Apollo said. Phoenix nodded.

"I was looking for a lost city for an old friend of mine," he began.

"Hold it!" Apollo started, before getting cut off.

"A lost city, Mr. Wright? Do you mean like Atlantis?" the judge asked, wonder in his eyes. Phoenix chuckled softly.

"Not quite, your honor, but something like that," he said, before looking at Apollo. He was the one that had first interrupted the testimony, meaning he was the one who had a question. Apollo nodded slightly.

"Why did this friend of yours call you? You're not a historian or an archeologist. You're a lawyer."

"I helped him twice before, and his other friend that lives in the area is currently away on another job," Phoenix explained.

"Why couldn't he investigate this himself?" Gavin asked.

"He lives and works as a professor in London, and his University wouldn't grant him a Sabbatical."

"Ah."

"Okay, Mr. Wright. Please continue," Apollo said.

"While I was following a lead in the mountains, I was kidnapped by a group who were also searching for the city. They forced me to help them," Phoenix explained.

"Hold it! What would have happened if you refused?" Apollo asked.

"They…" Phoenix hesitated, glancing out to where Maya sat in the gallery. He was happy that Trucy and the twins weren't here to hear this part. "They would have killed me."

"Oh my!" the judge gasped. "How frightening!" Phoenix nodded in agreement.

"So what happened the night of the murder?" Gavin asked.

"My captives took me to Vitamin Park that night."

"Hold it! Why?" Apollo asked. Phoenix frowned slightly, looking confused and thoughtful at the same time.

"I… honestly don't know. But, despite being in town, I wasn't able to contact anyone to help me," Phoenix replied.

"OBJECTION!" Apollo yelled, surprise at this oversight by contradiction-finding king himself. "That is a downright lie, Mr. Wright. You did contact someone that night. The Chief Prosecutor himself, Mr. Edgeworth!"

"I-I did?" Phoenix gasped, looking genuinely surprised.

"Yes," Apollo said, pulling the disc out. "In fact, I have the recording right here!"

"Well, let's hear it!" the judge said. The bailiff nodded, stepping forward and taking the disc, popping it into the player. A few minutes later, the recording started.

"Wright, where are you? What's wrong?" the first voice started.

"That would be Mr. Edgeworth," Apollo said.

"I don't… I don't… I don't want to… don't want to don't want to…" Phoenix's voice responded to Edgeworth's question, although he didn't even seem like he was talking to Miles. Phoenix's brow furrowed as he tried to remember this conversation and make out the soft sounds of other voices in the background.

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" Recorded Phoenix suddenly yelled, causing everyone in the courtroom to jump.

"Phoenix, where the hell are you?"

"Don't make me make me…"

"Phoenix!"

"No! Don't don't don't don't!"

There was a pause between the two men talking, filled with the sounds of struggling.

"Nononono… You can't make me make me make me, don't want to don't want to, no…" Recorded Phoenix seemed to whimper.

"Phoenix, where are you? What's going on?" Edgeworth's voice was desperate.

"BANG!" The entire court jumped once again at the sound.

"A gunshot," Gavin observed, just as Recorded Phoenix screamed "NO!"

The recording shut off.

"That was… enlightening…" the Judge muttered. Phoenix unconsciously reached up, touching the same spot on his neck that he did yesterday.

"That's… that's when I killed Mr. Done…" he muttered, looking down. His hand dropped back to his side. "But they took my phone away… I didn't make that call…"

Apollo grabbed his arm, just below his bracelet. It was squeezing his wrist tightly, and Apollo's eyes turned red, his focus sharpening in on Phoenix as his perceive abilities activated.

"What do you mean, Mr. Wright?" Apollo asked.

Phoenix turned to look at Apollo, seeing how his eyes were, but not realizing what it meant. He was wrapped up in his own confusion as he tried to figure out how that call was made, and what was going on. He didn't remember anything on that recording at all.

Except the gunshot.

"I… I picked up the murder weapon, the gun…" he started, before his hand reached up for his neck again. "And shot Mr. Done in the forehead."

Apollo's eyes locked on to where Phoenix was gingerly touching that same spot on his neck. "Gotcha!" he gasped. "Mr. Wright, you may not be aware of this, but every time you talk about killing the victim, you touch a very specific spot on your neck," Apollo pointed out. Phoenix looked at the younger man, realizing what happened, that Apollo just used his abilities on him. Phoenix then took his hand away from his neck and looked at it before letting it drop to his side.

"I do?"

"Yes," Apollo said, his eyes reverting back to their normal dark brown color. "But not when you talk about picking up the murder weapon, or any other time. I believe you picked up the gun, but you didn't actually shoot anyone." Apollo slammed his fists on the desk before pointing at Mr. Wright. "Something, having to do with that spot on your neck, is making you believe you killed Mr. Done!"

Surprised gasps filled the courtroom, only to grow into more noise when the door slammed open.

Ema Skye, looking like she ran all the way here from the Police Department, stood in the doorway.

"New evidence has come to light!" she gasped.

July 11, 11:43pm

District Court

Defendant Lobby 3

The Judge was unable to get order, so instead, he called for a twenty minute recess. Phoenix sat on the couch in the lobby, deep in thought, while Apollo tried to figure out what Ema had been talking about.

"How are you holding up, boss?" Athena asked, sitting next to Phoenix. Phoenix started slightly, looking up at her.

"I'm okay. I just… don't understand."

"What do you mean?" Athena asked.

"Well, I can't remember that night exactly, but… I am… was... convinced that I killed that man. But Apollo pointed out some really good points, like my own unconscious tells." Phoenix reached up, putting a hand on his neck, this time consciously. "And I didn't make that call to Edgeworth. Talbot took my phone when they first captured me. So… why would he call Edgeworth?"

"Maybe he killed Done, and wanted the police to find the body?" Athena asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, maybe he was trying to fame Mr. Drake. Those two were competing to find this city, and apparently he had Mr. Drake's gun stolen, and used the same type of gun to murder Mr. Done, while leaving Mr. Drake's gun there. It all adds up, doesn't it?"

"It does," Phoenix agreed thoughtfully. "But why leave my phone and the second gun there?"

"Insurance. Just in case Mr. Drake got an innocent verdict. If the phone and second gun, with your fingerprints, were found, suspicion would fall on you," Athena said.

"And… it did."

"Exactly."

"Talbot's a lot smarter then he seems," Phoenix mumbled.

Just then, Ema burst into the lobby, looked around, and darted over, grabbing Apollo's shoulders.

"You need to call me as a witness," she said.

"Whoa, hey, huh?"

"That evidence I found. It helps your case, which mean you need to call me as the witness," Ema explained.

"Are you sure about this?" Apollo asked. Ema smirked, letting go of the man's shoulders and putting one hand on her hip, adjusting the glasses on top of her head with her other hand.

"Positive."

"Alright then. Just don't let me down, Ema," Apollo said seriously.

"I won't. Promise."

July 11, 12:03pm

District Court

Courtroom 3

"We will now continue the trail of Phoenix Wright. Apparently, there is new evidence?" the judge asked. Apollo nodded.

"Yes, your honor. The um… the defense would like to call Dr. Ema Skye to the witness stand," Apollo said, not used to being the one to call a witness to the stand, let alone two in one day.

"Any objections from the prosecution?" the judge asked.

"Nope," Gavin said. The judge nodded and motioned for Ema to step up to the stand.

"Name and occupation, Fraulein Detective," Gavin asked with a grin.

"I'm not a detective anymore, you Glimmerous Fop!" she snapped before taking a deep breath. "Ema Skye, and I'm a Forensic Scientist," Ema said, enunciating the job title.

"Dr. Skye, why don't you tell us about this new evidence?" Apollo asked before Klavier could respond.

"With pleasure," Ema said with a smile at the defense attorney. "After Mr. Wright confessed to the murder last night during questioning, I decided to go investigate the crime scene myself," Ema began.

"Hold it! Why?" Apollo asked.

"Because I know Mr. Wright is no killer. I thought there might still be evidence at the crime scene that was overlooked by the unscientific eye!" Ema explained.

"And what did you find, Fraulein Detective?" Gavin asked.

"He just loves to antagonize her, doesn't he?" Athena asked softly in disbelief while Ema glared at the ex-rock star.

"Like you wouldn't believe," Apollo mumbled back.

"Anyways," Ema sighed, before pulling a small evidence bag from her satchel. It contained what looked like a small tranquilizing dart. "I found this empty dart!"

"Hold it! What so important about that dart?" Apollo asked, although an idea was already starting to form in his mind. Phoenix's behavior the night of the murder, how he touched that one spot on his neck… it was all coming together.

"Well, inside contains traces of a drug, and the needle part has traces of Mr. Wright's DNA on it," she explained brightly.

"What does this drug do?" Apollo asked calmly, although inside he was jumping for joy.

"Scientifically speaking, it is a neurohallucint. It makes one hallucinate, very hysteric, paranoid, and highly susceptible to suggestion," Ema explained,

"So what you're saying is that Mr. Wright was drugged into killing Mr. Done?" Gavin asked, crossing his arms.

"Of course not, Prosecutor Gavin," Ema said with a frown. "This drug also affects the body in such a way that the limbs, especially the hands, tremble violently. To make a shot directly between the eyes and cleanly sever the Corpus Callosum in half, which was the cause of death, would take a master marksman who isn't drugged. Under the influence of this, however," Ema held up the evidence bag with the dart, "the shot would be impossible."

"Um, Corpus Collosum?" Apollo asked, unfamiliar with the term.

"The longitudinal fissure that seperates the brain into two hemispheres is spanned by a band of tissue called the Corpus Collosum," Ema explained.

"Oh," Athena mumbled, although it took Apollo a few minutes longer to grasp what Ema was saying, thanks to the scientific jargon.

"As interesting as this biology lesson is," Gavin started, "there's one little issue. There is absolutely no evidence to prove that Mr. Wright was under the influence of that drug the night of the murder!"

"OBJECTION! Actually, Mr. Gavin, there is," Apollo said, crossing his arms with a smirk.

"Oh? And what would this evidence be, Herr Forehead?" Gavin asked, his tone slightly condescending. Apollo's smirk grew, happy for a chance to stick it to this prosecutor for once. He uncrossed his arms and slammed his fists down on the desk.

"The recorded phone call!" he said. "After all, I'd say Mr. Wright sounds quite hysteric, wouldn't you?" Apollo crossed his arms again with a smirk. Unable to refute that, Mr. Gavin shrugged with a smile.

"I'd say this clears up any doubt about Mr. Wright's innocence. Not the question is… what happened that night?"

"The defense has a theory based on the evidence and testimony presented so far," Apollo said. "Mr. Done was reporting to the Mr. Drake's competitors his movements, and this was the same group that kidnapped Mr. Wright. That group went to Tres Bien, probably to stop Mr. Drake, taking Mr. Wright with them. However, Mr. Drake was already gone by the time they made it to the restaurant."

"Mr. Done knew too much about this lost city though, so someone from the group killed him and planted Mr. Drake's gun at the scene in an attempt to frame him to get him out of the way, which almost worked. As insurance, they drugged Mr. Wright, using a dart full of the stuff to his neck," Apollo indicated on himself the same spot that Mr. Wright kept touching unconsciously, "and had him hold the real murder weapon, thus his fingerprints."

"They then hid the gun and Mr. Wright's phone at the scene of the crime and left, telling Mr. Wright that he was the one who killed Mr. Done. Mr. Wright, who was highly susceptible to suggestion thanks to the drug, believed them."

"And the phone call to Mr. Edgeworth?" Gavin asked.

"The defense believes that the real murderer called Mr. Edgeworth in an attempt to alert the police to the crime so that they would arrest Mr. Drake faster," Athena said, repeating her theory that she had told Phoenix during the recess. The Judge nodded thoughtfully.

"Is this lost city really worth all of this?" he asked thoughtfully.

"Well, most lost cities contain legends of unimaginable wealth, and we all know what certain types of men would do for money," Gavin said.

"Sad, but true," the Judge sighed. He nodded.

"Well, it's time to hand down my verdict. I find the defendant, Mr. Phoenix Wright, innocent of all charges!" he slammed his gavel down.

July 11, 2:18pm

District Court

Defendant's Lobby 3

"So, Mr. Wright," Apollo said with a smirk, walking next to the man. "Still think you're guilty?"

"No," Phoenix said with a chuckle, draping an arm over the younger man's shoulders. "Thank you, Apollo," he said sincerely. Apollo smiled with a small shrug.

"It was nothing."

"Congrats," a voice said from the door. Phoenix dropped his arm and looked up. Standing in the doorway were Nate and Sully.

"What are you doing here?" Phoenix asked.

"Watching the trial," Nate said with a grin. "Didn't know if we'd have to put our two cents in or not."

"Thankfully not," Sully added.

"Well, now what?" Phoenix asked the two.

"We're going after the city. I know the location," Drake said.

"I'm coming with you," Phoenix said without a moment's hesitation.

"Whoa, I don't know about that, Wright. It's going to be dangerous," Sully warned. Phoenix smiled slightly.

Phoenix smirked thinking back to his brushes with multiple mobs, burning bridges, witches, and most recently, hostile treasure hunters. "Mr. Sullivan, I've faced more danger then you'd probably believe."

…

A/N: Tada! Two more chapters to this story. I'll post again tomorrow!