Turnabout Checkmate
Author's Note: So far, my story has been getting… less popular. My hope is that most fans who didn't read on are trying to learn the storyline of Ace Attorney first. But to those of you who have read every chapter thus far, thank you. I was worried this story wouldn't turn out as well as my first few, but I'm not giving up hope just yet. I've still got a long way to go before completion. I pray I can make it there. You may now proceed.
December 21st Wayside school center, 6:30 A.M.
(Deedee is running around looking for clues)
Deedee: *I can't just let Caroline die and leave the mystery unsolved. I need to avenge her.*
Luke: *Steps in* You should not be here this early young lady. *She faces him* It's not safe when there aren't more people at your side.
Deedee: What am I supposed to do? Leave Caroline's death to the unknown?
Luke: You should rely on the adults such as myself to solve the crime for you.
Deedee: Well it's been almost a week now and I haven't found any leads. No one has! If you can't work any faster, then maybe I can! *Runs out of the room*
Luke: *Facepalm* Oy vey.
Principal's office 8:30 A.M.
(Todd and Sebastian enter the office)
Sebastian: So, this is the room where the murder took place?
Todd: Yes, this is the principal's office. *Someone yawns* Was that you?
Sebastian: *Pauses* No. *A man rolls over and starts standing up*
Alba: Oh hello young children. Are you here for school?
Todd: Yes and no. I'm here to investigate a crime scene, and hopefully accompany my girlfriend in class today.
Sebastian: Wait, who are you?
Alba: *Holds out hand* The name's Quercus Alba. Former ambassador of Allebahst. It's so nice to see such young students so determined to coming to school early.
Sebastian: *Shakes his hand* Interesting sir, but I finished my school last year. Me and my friend Todd are here to figure out the truth about the principal's death.
Alba: Oh dear. *Sits on a nearby chair* I'm sorry I slept in here. I don't want to cover any traces.
Todd: It's okay. But why were you sleeping here?
Alba: They gave me the office key and a sleeping bag. It's not much for an ambassador, but it'll do. I'm sleeping here as a vacation spot along with my friends. *Points at the desk* Why don't you have a look around?
Todd: … Sir, can you please be more concise?
Alba: Whatever do you mean?
Todd: Tell us what you know about the crime.
Alba: I don't know anything young man.
Todd: Really? Sebastian, continue looking around. I'll search for information.
Sebastian: *Humble bow* As you wish.
Alba: Information? What for?
Todd: *Time to apply Edgeworth's signature skill. If Mr. Alba knows anything, he must share it with me.* Mr. Alba, I find it a little strange that you're in here at this early hour.
Alba: *Pawn, Rook, and Queen appear next to him* Is that so? Might I ask why?
Todd: I'll be the one asking questions if you don't mind.
Begin Logic Chess
-What are you doing here? – [A]
-Get out of my principal's office!
Todd: Might I please understand your reason for being inside my principal's office?
Alba: I don't understand. I thought your principal was dead.
-Do you want to run that by me again?
-You knew he was dead? – [A]
-Wait and see.
Todd: *Summons pawn* You knew he was dead? Interesting, I don't think I mentioned that before you chose to sleep here. *Throws pawn at his pawn*
Alba: *Flinches as his pawn rotates* To tell you the truth, my best friend offered me this room.
Todd: And who was your best friend?
Alba: Damon Gant.
Todd: Mr. Gant gave you this room huh?
Alba: Indeed.
-You didn't see anything suspicious? –[A]
-Wait and see.
Todd: *Summons pawn* I doubt Mr. Gant would offer you this room without telling you there was a murder first. You didn't report anything suspicious? *Throws pawn at his pawn*
Alba: *Pawn rotates* Ha! *Chuckles* I'm not used to corpses. But I've been quiet about my findings.
-You definitely found something sir. – [A]
-Wait and see.
Todd: *Summons knight* Did you say findings? That must mean you've found something, perhaps something Sebastian and I haven't found yet. *Throws knight at pawn*
Alba: *Pawn breaks* Whoa! *Sustains his balance* Quite a bit of knowledge you have young man. It's a real beauty for a man like me. *Makes eye contact and smiles* You're correct, I do have some additional findings.
Todd: *He may be hesitant to speak of these findings, but I need to learn of them.*
-What did you find? – [A]
-How'd you find things I haven't?
Todd: What sort of evidence did you manage to find?
Alba: Nothing really, I doubt they have any relevance.
-They probably do have relevance.
-Wait and see. – [A]
Todd: …
Alba: I really don't mean to elude the truth, but I don't think you need to know what the evidence is.
Todd: Interesting. What evidence would you be speaking of?
Alba: Something people like to shoot.
-Oh my god! You're the shooter!
-Of course they like shooting, it's fun. – [A]
-Wait and see.
Todd: *Summons knight* Shooting is fun I'm sure, but you're referring to evidence as something shootable? *Throws knight at rook*
Alba: *Rook rotates* Ha, ha! That's a keen observation young man. *Pulls out some orange disks* These clay pigeons are those items a man loves to shoot. They were in the man's desk drawer.
-A gun was the murder weapon. – [A]
-Clay pigeons? Kidswatter? Ha!
-Wait and see.
Todd: *Summons bishop* Clay pigeons are an interesting clue good sir. But the truth of the matter is, a gun was the murder weapon! *Throws bishop at his rook*
Alba: *Rook breaks* Whoa! … Well then. *Throws cane on the ground and stands tall* Time to get serious.
Todd: You don't need that cane?
Alba: It's a mere staff I use to direct people who oppose me. At this point in time I must convey the knowledge of my senile mind to a determined child such as yourself!
Todd: *I think he's finally on my side. Now if I can get him to reveal the details, this case is as good as closed!*
-What do you know about the victim? – [A]
-What's your affiliation to the attorneys?
Todd: To your best ability. What do you know about Kidswatter?
Alba: I unfortunately know nothing about the victim. All I know is that he was your principal.
Todd: *Damn, I don't have enough clues to proceed with this line of questioning. I better change my attack strategy.*
-What do you know about the victim?
-What's your affiliation to the attorneys? – [A]
Todd: Are you familiar with the name Phoenix Wright?
Alba: *Shakes head* No son I'm not. Who's he?
-Are you sure you don't know him?
-How about Miles Edgeworth? – [A]
-Wait and see.
Todd: *Summons pawn* How about that other attorney, Miles Edgeworth? Does his name ring a bell? *Throws pawn at his queen*
Alba: *Queen rotates* Arg! *Makes fist* Miles Edgeworth is a very known name! And I've met with that evil bastard face-to-face before!
-Was he your client?
-Wait and see. – [A]
Todd: …
Alba: Miles Edgeworth broke my entire crew down! He arrested all my henchmen!
-You're a con man?
-What henchmen? – [A]
-Wait and see.
Todd: *Summons pawn* You had henchmen? What for? *Throws pawn at his queen*
Alba: *Queen rotates* I was a leader to an international alliance. I met Cammy from Borginia and Ernest from Zheng Fa. They, along with my English allies Jacques Portsman and Calisto Yew were thrown in jail under his jurisdiction!
Todd: I doubt they were all innocent of crimes or they'd all be given parole.
Alba: Edgeworth is my nemesis! I hold no intention on ever meeting with him again.
Todd: *Edgeworth was in this very room on the day of the murder. Maybe that's a useful clue.*
-What do you know about the victim? – [A]
-What's your affiliation with the attorneys?
Todd: I ask once more. What's your knowledge of principal Kidswatter?
Alba: Once again, I deny knowing him as more than your former principal.
Todd: *Now to apply that clue.*
-Edgeworth was present during his assassination. – [A]
-Wait and see.
Todd: *Summons knight* Are you aware Mr. Edgeworth was in this office during the murder? *Throws knight at his queen*
Alba: *Queen rotates* Absolutely not. If that's the case, why didn't they murder him instead?
-The Killer didn't know Edgeworth.
-They wanted to create a suspect. – [A]
-Wait and see.
Todd: *Summons pawn* Wouldn't any killer spare one person in order to create a suspect to frame? *Throws pawn at his queen*
Alba: Hm. *Queen rotates* Perhaps you're right. They probably were trying to create a suspect.
Todd: It's only logical.
Alba: *Frowns and shakes head* Actually son, it's not logical at all. If I were a killer, I'd make it my priority to ensure no witnesses were left alive to testify for the murder. If the killer knew Edgeworth was in the room, then why didn't they shoot him too?
-Edgeworth had the gun.
-The killer's face was hidden. – [A]
-Wait and see.
Todd: *Summons queen* There's only one plausible scenario. The killer was masked the whole time to avoid being identified. *Throws queen at his queen*
Alba: *Queen shatters* Well then, you've done a great job. *Grins* You've earned my respect and help on this case going forward.
Todd: *And with that, checkmate!*
Logic Chess: Complete!
Alba: *Picks up cane* It looks like you've got quite a bit of skill for a young rookie.
Todd: Thank you.
Alba: Now in terms of the murder, ask yourself a few major questions. Who was in the building at the time?
Todd: Hm… Well there were a lot of people here that it could've been.
Alba: Then start by eliminating possible suspects. Who wasn't here at the time of the murder?
Todd: Well you weren't, were you?
Alba: In fairness, I came here only very recently. I know my friends will say the same.
Todd: Okay… I don't remember seeing Mr. von Karma that day.
Alba: Then perhaps it wasn't him either.
Todd: … I don't know who else it could've been.
Alba: Well if you want to know one critical reason I'm here, my old pal Jacques Portsman was killed recently. I'm here to pay my respects.
Todd: He was only killed two days ago. I wouldn't imagine an Ambassador would find time to make it here in only two days.
Alba: My friend Manfred von Karma referred me. *Taps chin* Oddly enough, I thought someone told me he was dead.
Todd: I think Stephen revived him. He's revived a lot of students lately.
Alba: That cannot be possible. Resurrection is the most impossible thing in human existence. *Sebastian steps forward*
Sebastian: Todd! Look what I found in Kidswatter's drawer. *Holds up a journal* Your principal's journal!
Todd: Did you read from it? *He nods*
Alba: Shame on you kid! That's someone else's private property! Did he write in his will that he wanted his journal to be opened up?
Sebastian: *Rolls eyes* When someone's dead, someone's dead. It's the prosecution's job to capture the man or woman responsible for their death if the victim was murdered. *Opens journal to a bookmarked page* Look what he wrote about you!
Todd: *Reads journal*
Kidswatter: "Ha, ha, ha! Today is our lad's most successful day yet. Taking success to a higher level every single schoolyear! Todd is quite the student every parent wishes they had!"
Todd: *Smiles lightly* That's such a nice thing to say.
Sebastian: But I think I solved the mystery of the ceramic clay.
Kidswatter: "As a celebration, I've purchased a large package of clay pigeons I will skeet shoot over Christmas break. Each one represents another successful thing my prized lad has done. His achievement must be celebrated!"
Sebastian: *Closes journal* So not only were you his favorite student, but he bought clay pigeons in an attempt to celebrate your accomplishment.
Todd: I think we better keep this. *Kidswatter's journal has been added to the court record*
Alba: *Looks out the window* Oh good lord!
Todd: What is it sir? *He looks out the window and sees a dead girl lying in the snow* Oh my god!
Sebastian: Who is that girl?!
Todd: That's Deedee! She was our school's fastest runner! Did she slip on ice or get impaled by an icicle?!
Sebastian: We'd better report this right away! *They dash out of the room*
Alba: *Sigh* Kids these days. Self-harm is too easy to inflict.
10:00 A.M. Gym
(Joy and Sue are standing at their respective side of the table, Gant is on the stage chair, the rest of them are in the crowd)
Gant: It's time for day two of the trial of Mr. Sahwit. *Frank shivers nervously*
Sue: I'm afraid this time we've got him where we want him.
Joy: Actually, today we have a new witness.
Gant: Interesting, would the defense please call this witness in?
Maya: *Steps up to Joy's side* The defense would like to call Mr. Horace Knightley to the stand.
Horace: *Shrugs* What do you want from me? *Steps to the witness stand*
Maya: We want the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. *Luke Atmey dashes in*
Luke: Hold on one second! *Everyone faces him*
Gant: Detective Atmey? What's going on? *Todd and Sebastian enter*
Todd: We'd like to report another death. Our good friend Deedee was found laying down in the snow with a wound in her heart. *Everyone gasps*
Mrs. Jewls: *Begins crying* No, please tell me that isn't so. I don't need to lose any more of my children!
Sebastian: *Sigh* Unfortunately there's nothing we can do about it.
Luke: Just to clarify one thing, her wound matches the exact same of the late Miss Caroline. *Audience chatters*
Gant: *Bangs gavel* Order! *Faces Luke* Detective Atmey, describe the fatal wound.
Luke: It's another arcane injury, your honor. The wound is too big to be a bullet but too small to be a knife. The injury is the exact same size and shape of Miss Caroline's. Meaning it's highly likely they were both killed by the same person.
Myron: *And that evil spirit is still in hiding!*
Gant: Can we put Deedee aside for now please? As of now, Mr. Knightley is about to give us a testimony.
Luke: *Closes his eyes and tilts his head forward* If that's how it has to be, then I concede my findings. *Enters the crowd*
Gant: Now, will the current suspect make his case?
Horace: If I must.
Sue: I'm prepared to counter anything they may have on you.
Joy: *We'll see about that.*
Witness Testimony: Patricia's death
Horace: "-Honestly, I'm quite surprised she's dead.
-Having held onto a young dog and many other animals.
-But none the less, she was my target, and I failed to defeat her first.
-That being said, if Frank's guilty, I grant him my pity and impotent rage!"
Gant: That was a rather short testimony.
Horace: Well those are my thoughts your honor.
Gant: Well Joy, your cross-examination.
Cross-Examination: Patricia's death
Horace: "-Honestly, I'm quite surprised she's dead.
-Having held onto a young dog and many other animals." HOLD IT!
Joy: You're aware of her owning many pets because?
Horace: I'd just met her in prison at the time. I didn't think she'd be dangerous.
Joy: Why's she so dangerous? OBJECTION!
Sue: You're missing the point, Joy. I think he'll speak of it when the time comes.
Joy: *You think?*
Horace: "-But none the less, she was my target, and I failed to defeat her first." HOLD IT!
Joy: Your purpose was to assassinate her?
Horace: As sad as it may seem, yes. But I wasn't aware of that until after she was dead.
Joy: And who told you Patricia was your killer?
Horace: *Faces Kay* That young lady right there.
Kay: *Shrug* This resurrection thing is all new to me. I can't even tell if you're the bad guy anymore.
Gant: Though that does seem vague, I think that's an important detail. Will you please add that to your testimony?
Horace: If I must.
Joy: *Yeah you must.*
Horace: "-Up until Kay spoke to me, I had no idea Patricia was my former killer." OBJECTION!
Joy: *Slams desk* I got you this time you wild stallion! Andy!
Andy: ARF! *Jumps out from the crowd*
Joy: If you don't recall to what you said yesterday, this puppy was the last thing you saw before you were killed, is that correct?
Horace: ! *Dammit!* OBJECTION!
Sue: If Mr. Knightley was killed at night, how would he be able to see the puppy? OBJECTION!
Joy: It doesn't really matter if he could or not, what matters is the dog saw him, and he made that obvious yesterday! *Faces Horace* Well crazy colt, you have an answer for that? *Audience chatter*
Gant: *Bangs gavel* Order, order!
Sue: You're going in the wrong direction Joy. If your argument is Mr. Knightley recognized a dog or vise versa, it doesn't change what happened to Ms. Roland on the night or her death.
Joy: Now that's where you're wrong Sue. I'm stating he knew Ms. Roland and he wanted to take revenge on her that night.
Horace: That doesn't explain my location. I was sleeping in the freshman building that night. Wouldn't the door be locked?
Joy: … My only conclusion is you were in the sophomore building before the time of the murder.
Horace: How are you going to prove that?
Joy: *Shakes head* I don't need to, all I need is a witness. *Points at Andy* And this collie dog is an eyewitness.
Horace: *Chuckle* Pathetic, you don't have any human witnesses?
Joy: Actually, there is one person who can prove it was you. *Faces Stephen and Maya* Are you two ready?
Stephen: Heck yeah!
Maya: *Bows head* I hope this works. *Stephen reveals his holy sanctuary and flashes Maya with it, a couple seconds later, Patricia's face appears over Maya's*
Audience: Whoa!
Gant: That's the power of spirit channeling?
Stephen: *Sanctuary vanishes* Indeed. Hello Ms. Roland.
Patricia: *Looks around* Where am I?
Frank: Patty! *Stands up* Baby, please come give me a hug! *Manfred pulls him back down* Whoa!
Manfred: Stay in your seat!
Patricia: How is this happening? Why am I here?
Joy: You're the only person who can clear this up. *Andy runs to her*
Andy: Arf! *Licks her face*
Patricia: Oh Andy, mommy missed you! *Hugs him*
Audience: Awe.
Horace: *Frown* I'm going to puke.
Joy: Ms. Roland, we have one question for you; did Mr. Knightley kill you that night?
Patricia: *Faces Horace and the two of them glare at one another* Yes. *Audience chatters*
Gant: *Bangs gavel* Order!
Horace: Of course, you're going to blame me for your death. You hated me so much that you stabbed me before I even got a chance to learn about you.
Patricia: And the other night you killed me before I could explain myself.
Horace: Oh really? Prove it? How did I kill you?
Patricia: You hit me on the forehead with a heavy wooden object!
Sue and Joy: WHAT?!
Horace: *Chuckle* I'm afraid you're mistaken, you bestiality lover. The murder weapon was a thinker statue.
Patricia: That's not possible, all I heard was a little rattling within the second I was struck.
Horace: Rattling? You can't be serious.
Patricia: I heard what sounded like a bunch of small wooden pieces rolling around and bouncing inside another wooden box.
Myron: *Flinches* What the heck? *Stares at Horace's hip*
Horace: *Touches his side* That's weird. I don't believe I have anything wooden with me.
Myron: *Is he trying to hide something?*
Horace: Are to suggesting I dropped a bookshelf on you or something? *Chuckle* Just like your stupid dog, you're just seeing black and white.
Myron: *Eye's widen, Black and white?! But…*
Horace: Well? If you can't prove had such thing, you've been put in checkmate, and I believe you're out of moves.
Myron: *Checkmate?* EUREKA! *Stands up* Mr. Knightley, I suggest you show everyone what you're holding inside your pocket.
Horace: My pocket? Why?
Myron: I think everyone will be satisfied to know you're holding a vital piece of evidence.
Horace: *Begins sweating* Mr. Gant, this isn't legal right? It's violation of my privacy to show everyone what's in my pocket.
Gant: … Actually Horace, I think it sounds relevant to the case. If not, you're only showing us your phone, your wallet, your car keys, etc. But if there's nothing weird in your pocket, just show us.
Horace: *Evil glare* Alright, alright. *Withdraws a pistol*
Audience: WHOA! *Everyone's eyes widen*
Gant: Mr. Knightley! Why do you have a pistol?!
Horace: *Dark chuckle* Don't worry, I don't have any plans on shooting anyone… for now.
Joy: *I can't believe this! What should I do?*
-Be brave and continue questioning. –[A]
-Back off, he means business!
Joy: *I can feel my heart pounding. I might pass out if this doesn't fade… but I need to do what's right.* Mr. Knightley, why did you reveal a gun?
Horace: *Smarmy shrug* Isn't it obvious? I've had this gun for almost a week now, but I'm only now showing it to everyone. What's wrong with bringing a gun into a school?
Sue: Because it's dangerous! *He aims at her* Ah! *She ducks*
Horace: *Chuckle* Of course, it's dangerous. That's my objective point. If I've had a gun with me for so long, then why wouldn't I just shoot Ms. Roland? That seems way easier than trying to use a statue. *Aims at Patricia* Well you stupid bitch, speak up!
Patricia: Ah! *Covers her face*
Stephen: *Steps in front of her* Please don't shoot her! You'll kill Maya if you do that!
Gant: Please Mr. Knightley, put that gun down!
Horace: … *Sets gun in front of him* If I must. *Glares around him* However, if anyone comes near me in attempt to take the pistol, I will go to prison with actual blood on my hands. So, no one make any sudden movements, okay?
Joy: *Gulp* Okay.
Horace: Now please answer my question, why wouldn't I just shoot Ms. Roland when I had the chance?
Sue: Wouldn't the gunshot wake up the whole building?
Horace: Maybe, but considering I've died before, I'm not scared to die again, and since I was supposed to be in jail, I'd have nothing to lose. So why isn't my pistol the murder weapon?
Joy: Wouldn't a gun be too easy to find?
Horace: *Chuckle* That's a good one little filly. Up until that black rook over there suspected this, I had no reason to show it.
Myron: What do you mean; 'black rook'? Are you trying to be racist?
Horace: *Smarmy headshake* Not at all, I'm implying you're a little stronger than the average player here. Especially these two little fillies who want me arrested with no real proof.
Joy: We've shown proof already, and you've been denying it.
Horace: You can't prove I touched the thinker statue. *Faces Patricia* And you Ms. She-beast. You can't even prove there was a thinker statue. All you claim is I hit you with a wooden box, yet you have no basis.
Myron: *Glare* Mr. Knightley, I asked you to show the court what was in your pocket! I demand you do so!
Horace: *Picks up gun* I thought I did. Isn't this the evidence you were looking for?
Myron: The other pocket! Crazy Horse!
Horace: … Is that your statement? A gun isn't flashy enough for you sophomores?
Joy: We want to see your other pocket.
Horace: *Sighs deeply* Alright. *Withdraws a small portable chessboard* Here you go. *Audience chatters*
Gant: *Bangs gavel* Order, order!
Horace: Is this the damn box you were hit by?
Patricia: *Nods* That looks accurate sweetie. It'd be helpful if you showed that to us a little sooner next time.
Horace: *Grabs gun and aims it at her* You want me to put you back in hell again you ugly dogfish! *Audience gasps loudly*
Stephen: *Standing in front of her* NO! Don't shoot her!
Horace: Out of my way little elf! Or it'll be you first!
Joy: Hold it, Horace! You used the word 'again' when you threatened her right now. Ergo! *Points finger at him* You're the murderer of Patricia Roland!
Horace: *Glares darkly* Okay. Let's try a new line of attack. *Aims gun at Joy*
Joy: *Flinches* Ah!
Horace: You're accusing me of being the killer, and you want to put your life on the line to prove it?
Sue: Mr. Knightley, please calm down!
Horace: I'm not asking you, I'm asking the little filly over there.
Joy: *I'm going to die. What should I do now?*
-Continue convicting Horace.
-Surrender. –[A]
Joy: *This is too deep of a hole to climb out of, I can't do anything else.* Mr. Knightley. *Begins crying lightly* Why are you trying to scare me. *Everyone stares at him*
Horace: That's your response? You're just going to stand there and cry?
Myron: In fairness, you're not going very easy on her right now.
Joy: *Voice breaking* I just want to know the truth. Please Mr. Knightley, if you're going to shoot me right now, all I ask is you tell everyone the truth. Please don't make me bring this memory to my grave.
Horace: …
Sue: *Begins crying quietly*
Horace: …
Frank: *Begins crying*
Horace: … *Many students and adults are all crying silently*
Gant: *Depressed sigh*
Myron: *Please Horace, don't do this.*
Horace: *Flips the gun upwards and all the bullets fall out* I concede. *Everyone opens their eyes*
Joy: What?
Horace: I'm not going to kill anyone else… I don't deserve to kill anyone else.
Sue: *Frowns* You know killing isn't exactly a privilege, right?
Horace: *Dark, depressed voice* No, it isn't. But the time of my death, it was.
Joy: What do you mean?
Horace: *Closes eyes and tilts his head forward* On the night that I died, I was chained to a desk with very limited movement.
Flashback
Patricia: How do you know him?!
Horace: Know who? I have no clue who you're talking about! "At that time, I couldn't understand her motive. She thought of me, as a monster."
Patricia: *Grabs knife* You're one of his henchmen aren't you!
Horace: *Scared* What?! "She thought I was some sort of assassin. I'd entered the prison to murder her on account of another prisoner. And at that point, it was too late."
Patricia: If you won't tell me who he is, then I have no use for you! *Stabs his throat*
Reality
Horace: *Tears splash against the witness stand* She stabbed me in the throat. I couldn't move, I couldn't scream, and a couple seconds later… I couldn't breathe.
Joy: *Shedding tears* All of this happened?
Horace: Yes. When I finally got revived by a spirit medium, I promised I'd kill whoever it was that brought me that pain from before. *Lifts his head up* And so I waited till Mr. Sahwit was out of the room, and I struck her with my chessboard to knock her out. After that, I dropped the thinker statue on her from the table.
Sue: *Crying* You did this for revenge?
Horace: Indeed. I wasn't trying to hurt anyone else. But I couldn't hold back once I found my target. And I regret killing my coworker.
Myron: Your coworker?
Horace: *Faces him* Yeah, Ethan Rooke.
Myron: *Flinches* Rooke?
Horace: *Nods* He was another highly trained bodyguard. I killed him in attempt to gain power and control the president of Zheng Fa. But he's not here anymore, so my position as a bodyguard will be forever retired. If I hadn't killed him, none of this would've happened. *Faces Frank* I'm really sorry Frank. I never wanted to hurt you.
Frank: *In tears* But you killed my girlfriend. You've scarred me.
Horace: *Closes eyes* I'm sorry. *Faces Lance* Well Mr. Amano?
Lance: What?
Horace: *Withdraws a pair of handcuffs* I need a ride to the prison. I think you should make the arrest.
Lance: I'm not going to be a cop.
Horace: As a trained bodyguard, I can see some large potential in you doing so, but I need a ride.
Manfred: *Steps forward* I'll make the arrest.
Horace: *Turns to him with fury* How about no old man! *Everyone flinches* I asked Lance because I know he won't hurt me! You can go back to seclusion you old bastard!
Gant: *Slams gavel* Order!
A few minutes later
Gant: Well I think with that, it's time for the verdict.
Joy: I agree Mr. Gant.
Sue: As do I.
Gant: The court finds Mr. Frank Sahwit.
NOT GUILTY
Everyone: YAY! *Confetti is thrown*
Gant: That is all for today. Court is adjourned.
11:06 A.M. Wayside hallway
(Joy, Myron, Stephen, Maya, and Kay are talking)
Maya: So how'd it go?
Joy: *Nervous chuckle* I thought I was going to die for a couple minutes.
Stephen: No kidding, that wasn't a comfortable situation to be in.
Kay: I always knew Horace wasn't innocent. He's a total warmonger.
Joy: *Faces Myron* What are your thoughts?
Myron: … Did you hear him say his victim's name was Ethan Rooke?
Kay: Yeah, he was a great bodyguard. *Myron sighs* Do you know him?
Myron: Not really, but Rooke is my last name. Do you think he was my uncle?
Stephen: I was afraid you were going to say father. But did your dad have any brothers?
Myron: I really have no idea. I knew I had a stepdad, but he married my mom before I was born. So he's technically been my dad my whole life.
Joy: If you want to join the daddy issue's club, you should speak with Mac. I'm pretty sure he's the leader. *Frank walks out* Mr. Sahwit, congrats on your not guilty verdict.
Frank: *Smiles meekly* Thank you. I really couldn't have done that without you. *Sad sigh* But still, my lovable Patricia is gone forever. I don't know what to do now.
Kay: You did say you were a former killer didn't you?
Frank: Yes, I feel like this was karma for what I did to Larry.
Maya: *Flinches* As in Larry Butz?
Frank: Yeah, I took away his girlfriend's life. *Myron and Stephen start laughing* What's so funny about that?
Myron: *Hysterical laughter* Butz? Harry Butz?
Maya: No, Larry Butz.
Stephen: *Hysterical laughter* That's hilarious!
Joy: *Rolls eyes* Teenage boys lack integrity. If only you two were more like Todd.
Stephen: *Frowns* If I were more like him, I wouldn't have my supernatural powers now would I?
Frank: *Looks away* Well, I don't really think I have anything to live for anymore now, so I might as well go back to prison. HOLD IT! *Sharie steps in*
Stephen: *I've never heard Sharie yell before*
Sharie: You just got out of prison, and now you want to go back? You have potential Mr. Sahwit, now you need to use it!
Frank: What potential? Can you give me a reason to stay here?
Sharie: *Whistles* Come here boy! *Andy runs out and tackles him playfully*
Frank: Whoa!
Andy: Arf! *Licks his face and wags his tail*
Frank: *Laughing* Okay, down boy! *Andy continues* You're going to knock my toupee off again!
Sharie: This little fellow loves you. Do you really want to leave the memento of Patricia behind, or do you want to apply your skills and take care of this cutie?
Frank: *Stands up and stares at Andy*
Andy: *Smiles and wags his tail*
Frank: *Smiles widely* I choose the puppy!
Everyone: YAY!
Stephen: Well, take good care of that creature.
Nearby
Simon: *Angerly* That stupid dog got Horace canned. Doing dirty work from here on out will be hard. *Evil smirk* Don't worry Horace, your sacrifice is not in vain. Now that Ms. Roland is dead, my fun is only truly just beginning.
Author's note: And done with that. Hopefully, no one has lost interest yet, because things are going to accelerate in the next couple chapters.
Deceased Characters:
Deedee
Arrested:
Horace Knightley