Dahlia twirled a strand of hair around her finger absentmindedly, her brain focused on the other side of the courtroom doors and what was to come. Larry, how did you manage to get yourself in so much trouble? And how did you manage to get me wrapped up in it?

The stressed attorney looked Phoenix, who was pacing. Oh yeah, for whatever reason Nick adores you. What's up with that anyway?

"When does the trial start?" Phoenix said.

"20 minutes," Dahlia said.

"Do we know what we're doing here?" Phoenix said.

"Winging it," Dahlia said. It was then that she noticed Larry, who didn't look happy.

For a few minutes, the room was dead silent.

"Is this how all trials start out for you?" Larry said, his expression neutral, but his tone annoyed.

"Hey I've beat you twice with my methods," Dahlia said irritably.

"Speaking of which," Phoenix said, probably sensing the enevitable argument. "You're the only prosecutor I've seen Dahlia go up against Larry. Who's the prosecution this time?"

"I overheard some of the guards talking about it," Larry said. "Her name is Lisa, or something like that."

"I have the documents with me," Dahlia said, flourishing said papers. "Looks like the prosecution is... Chief Prosecutor Lana Skye. I know her, she and Mia went to law school together. Wait, you seriously didn't recognize the name of the chief prosecutor?"

Another silence ensued, this one longer and more awkward.

"So, did you do it?" Dahlia said.

"Huh?" Larry said.

"I need to ask, did you kill Manfred Von Karma?" Dahlia said.

"No, I didn't," Larry said acidicly.

No Psyche-Locks, I guess that means he's innocent. Dahlia sighed. Which means now I have to prove it. Against 3 witnesses and a chief prosecutor. What was that phrase Nick told me about? When something...

"When something... Erm..." Dahlia bit the inside of her cheek.

"When what?" Larry said.

"Remember that saying we all had in fourth grade?" Phoenix said.

"Saying?" Larry said.

"Yeah, something about you being a trouble magnet," Dahlia said, racking her brain. "It's bugging me now."

"When something smells it's usually the Butz," Phoenix said.

"That's right," Dahlia said.

"Uh..." Larry paled.

"Do you remember much about fourth grade?" Phoenix said.

"Why would I?" Larry said.

"Well you seemed to remember that code pretty well so I thought you might," Phoenix said.

"Not really," Larry said.

Just then, Mia came in. "Dahlia, Phoenix, there you are."

"What's up Mia?" Dahlia said.

"I just wanted to wish you guys good luck with the trial," Mia said. "You are going against Lana after all. It's been a while since I've seen her."

"Got any tips?" Dahlia said.

"Stay on your game," Mia said. "And try to keep calm. Lana can be very… harsh sometimes. She absolutely does not tolerate silliness. She's not as lenient or easily distracted as Prosecutor Butz."

"I'm right here!" Larry said irritably.

"In the defendant's lobby about to be put on trial of murder," Mia said.

Larry scoffed.

A court bailiff poked his head into the room. "The trial is about to begin."

"Well, best of luck to you guys," Mia said. "Diego and I have to take care of something, so I won't be able to watch the trial."

"Uh-huh, have fun you two," Dahlia said suggestively.

Mia rolled her eyes as Dahlia, Phoenix and Larry started for the door.

"Oh wait, you should probably here this from me," Mia said, making them stop.

"What?" Dahlia said.

"Lana thinks Pokémon is… childish," Mia said hesitantly.

"What's wrong with her?" Dahlia yelled.

"Calm down Dahlia," Phoenix said. "It doesn't matter right now."

"Yeah," Larry said. "Besides, isn't it intended for 10 year olds or something like that?"

Dahlia grabbed the two men by the ear and dragged out the door. "Come on boys, sharpen up so we can take this buzzkill down!"

"EAR! EAR! EAR!" Larry and Phoenix said, barely managing to stay on their feet.

"I think she's motivated enough now," Mia commented to herself as she walked out of the lobby and closed the door behind her.

A few minutes later, Dahlia and Nick stood behind the defense bench ready for action.

The judge cleared his throat. "Are both sides ready to begin?"

"The defense is ready Your Honor," Dahlia said.

"The prosecution is also ready Your Honor," Chief Prosecutor Lana Skye said. She looked at Dahlia. "Dahlia Fey? You've grown since I last saw you. Though based on your courtroom attire I can assume that you are still the same child."

"Lanny, you haven't changed a bit," Dahlia said dryly.

"That's Ms. Skye, Ms. Fey," Lana said.

Why does Mia like her again? Dahlia leaned on the desk.

"Now then," Lana said. "A murder occurred in the middle of Gourd Lake. A gun, held in the hands of the defendant, took the life of a well-known defense attorney by the name of Manfred von Karma. Unfortunately, said defendant happens to be a rather well known lawyer himself, Prosecutor Larry Butz. But murder is murder, no matter who the perpetrator is. And to prove it was indeed the defendant, the prosecution requests that the first witness be brought to the stand. The detective in charge of the investigation."

"Very well, may he come to the stand," the judge said, pounding his gavel.

Moments later, a familiar detective stood stoically behind the witness stand.

"State you name and occupation," Lana said.

"Miles Edgeworth, Homicide Detective," Edgeworth said.

"Detective, please testify about the details if the murder," the judge said.

"Yes Your Honor," Edgeworth said.

Testimony

The victim, Manfred von Karma, died around midnight from a bullet from this gun to the heart.

Found on this gun were the defendant's fingerprints, pal.

The defendant and the victim were in a boat in the middle of Gourd Lake. That's where the victim died.

Thus it is more than likely that the defendant shot the victim while they were in the boat together.

"This does sound rather conclusive," the judge said.

"Yes Your Honor," Edgeworth said, his bleak tone the only sign of his emotions.

Dahlia glanced at Larry, who naturally was sitting in the defendant's chair. He stared down at his shoes, fidgeting with his jacket sleeve. Wow, I've never seen him so depressed.

Larry looked up at the defense bench, but then quickly averted his gaze. Dahlia looked next to her and saw Phoenix watching Larry grimly.

"The defense may now cross-examine the witness' testimony," the judge said.

"Yes Your Honor," Dahlia said.

Cross-Examination

The victim, Manfred von Karma, died around midnight from a bullet from this gun to the heart.

"Hold it!" Dahlia said. "Can you explain in more detail how the victim died?"

"Everything is written in the autopsy report, pal," Edgeworth said. "The victim died at some point between 11:30 and 12:30 from a distance. He was shot in the heart, once, by this gun."

"The court accepts this into evidence," the judge said.

"How do they know the bullet came from that gun?" Phoenix said.

"Ballistic markings," Lana said.

"Uh, really crazy markings?" Phoenix said.

"Not quite Nick," Dahlia said patronizingly.

"Ballistic markings are the special markings a barrel leaves on a bullet when it is fired," the judge said. "It's a very accurate way to confirm a murder weapon; ballistic markings are like the fingerprints of a gun."

"Fingerprints of a gun, funny you should say it like that," Edgeworth said.

Found on this gun were the defendant's fingerprints, pal.

"Hold it!" Dahlia said. "How were the fingerprints positioned?"

"They were from his right hand, and he was grasping the handle," Edgeworth said.

The defendant and the victim were in a boat in the middle of Gourd Lake. That's where the victim died.

"Hold it!" Dahlia said. "So, what's this boat like?"

"It's just an old, wooden dinghy," Edgeworth said. "Nothing special, pal. Except for it being the vessel that carried the victim to his death."

"The victim died in the boat?" Dahlia said.

"Yes," Edgeworth said. "The body was found when it washed onto the shore. But all the witnesses say that the victim died in the boat, and there were traces of the victim's blood found in the boat to support this claim."

Thus it is more than likely that the defendant shot the victim while they were in the boat together.

"Objection!" Dahlia said. "The exact opposite is true!"

"Objection!" Lana said. "That statement was perfectly logical, Ms. Fey. While you may not want to admit that your client is the most probable killer, it is the inevitable truth. How could the perpetrator be anyone else? The defendant was the only one in the boat with the victim."

Dahlia nodded her head. "And that's what proves his innocence."

"Pardon me?" Lana said, put her hand to her chest in surprise.

"According to the autopsy," Dahlia said, bringing out said autopsy report. "The victim was shot from a distance. So how could the defendant have been the one to fire that shot? What with him being in a small boat, it's not as if he could get very far away!"

Lana bit her nail, and the gallery went into an uproar. The judge pounded his gavel, eventually silencing the courtroom.

"Ms. Skye, what do you have to say to this?" the judge said.

"Objection!" Lana smacked her palm against the desk, looking nervous. "That was not sufficient nor definitive proof of the defendant's innocence. Perhaps the victim backed away enough when the defendant took out the gun to make the autopsy officials believe the gunshot came from a distance! Also, the body fell into the water! It's possible that caused an inaccuracy in the autopsy report!"

"Objection!" Dahlia said. "That's so wishy-washy! How can you back-up a claim like that?"

"All I need to prove it that the defendant is guilty!" Lana said. "And to do that, I'd like to call my next witness!"

The judge dipped his head down, considering the request. "Very well. We will take a 20 minute recess in order for the prosecution to prepare this witness."