Rei Ryghts: Ace Attorney

The Mech-Suit's Turnabout

by Derald Snyder

Trial- Final Day (Part 2)

Court Record:

-Drugged Pudding

-Mech Remote

-Crime Scene Diagram

-Mech Suit Helmet

-Security Staff Roster

-NepCarFax Report

-Abnes Testimony

-Bullock Bros. Robbery Article

-Lab Security Door

-Security Access Log

July 10, 10:57 AM

District Court

Judge's Chambers

"You're a fool, IF!" ranted Judge Kintobor. "What the hell were you thinking?!"

IF responded, "With all due respect, Your Honor, I didn't think she'd pull a stunt like this!"

"Then what did you expect her to do?!" the judge retorted. Their argument was interrupted as the door opened, Neptune slipping inside. "This does not concern you, CPU Neptune! Leave!"

The goddess just narrowed her eyes, before being engulfed in a pillar of light, Judge Kintobor taking a step back in surprise as the light faded, revealing Neptune's HDD form, Purple Heart. "I hereby invoke my authority as CPU to sit in on this meeting. ...Your Honor."

Kintobor swiftly recovered his composure, grumbling. "Fine, then. As you wish, Lady Purple Heart. But don't think your presence will sway my decision in this matter..."

"Anyway, Your Honor," IF continued, "You and I both know it's too late to change attorneys at this point in the trial. And I would think it obvious why Rei Ryghts disguised herself to begin with..."

"Both you and Ms. Ryghts engaged in willful deception of this court!" the judge pointed out. "Such a slight cannot be allowed to just slide...!"

"If I may, Your Honor," Purple Heart cut in, "It was I who disguised Rei Ryghts to begin with, though my initial intention was to simply protect her from potential abuse and violence from my citizens, not for her to act as Nepgear's lawyer. She just happened to be in the right place at the right time."

"What Neptune said," IF concurred. "Due to the trial date being set the day after the incident, she was the only competent attorney we could find on such short notice... Though, Neptune probably would have wanted Rei to act in Nepgear's defense anyway."

Kintobor turned to Purple Heart. "Is this true? You would really be willing to trust this woman after what she nearly did to your nation, and all of Gamindustri?"

"As I stated a few days ago," she responded, "Rei Ryghts was not in her right mind when she engaged in the destruction of my country. And I testified as such at her trial some time back. You can check the transcripts if you wish. Moreover, she has since shown an honest willingness to repent for actions, even if she has no recollection of what she did..."

"Also, Your Honor," IF interposed, "It was I who modified her case files so her identity would not be discovered. I am willing to take full responsibility for what happened."

"Oh really?" the judge turned back to IF, looking her in the eye.

"Yes, Your Honor," the agent stated firmly.

Kintobor stared.

IF stared back.

Kintobor narrowed his eyes.

IF did not waver.

"...I see," the judge finally conceded. "You must really have some *faith* in this attorney to stick your neck out for her like this. So be it." Walking to the door, he opened it slightly. "Bailiff!" he called.

Said bailiff entered not a minute later. "Yes, Your Honor?"

"Agent IF is hereby in contempt of court," stated Kintobor. "She is to be arrested and placed in a holding cell until further notice."

"Understood, Your Honor," the bailiff acknowledged as he walked over to IF, the woman putting out her arms to be cuffed, which they promptly were.

"I've done all I can," said Iffy as she was escorted out, "It's up to you and Rei now. Good luck." With that, she was gone.

The judge then turned back to Purple Heart. "Now then, Lady Purple Heart, do you think you can convince your *ahem* lawyer to not cause another ruckus in my courtroom?"

"Yes, Your Honor," the goddess answered firmly.

The judge nodded. "Then let us return to the courtroom."

July 10, 11:19 AM

District Court

Courtroom No. 3

Rei had not bothered to leave the courtroom during the recess, instead sitting down at her bench to take a short nap. The combination of Purple Heart tapping her on the shoulder and the noise of the judge's gavel was enough to rouse her, however.

"Court is now back in session," stated the judge. "Ms. Rei Ryghts?"

"Y-yes, Your Honor?" the former goddess stood straight, trying not to look like she'd just woken up.

"I thought you should know, that Agent IF has been cited for contempt and arrested for deceiving this court," Kintobor stated. "Don't think I won't hesitate to do the same to you if you cause another panic in this courtroom!"

"Ahh! I'm so very sorry, Your Honor!" Rei apologized, sweating. "I-I got a little c-carried away! I-it won't happen again, I promise!"

"See that it doesn't," the judge nodded, frowning. "So, you have chosen to remain in HDD form, Lady Purple Heart?"

"Yes, Your Honor," the goddess affirmed. "I thought it might set the minds of the people in the gallery a bit more at ease... those that remain, anyway." Indeed, a good number of seats were now empty in the audience.

"Very good. Professor Paragan, if you would please re-take the stand." The headmaster promptly complied. "Now then, before that little outburst, we were discussing the fact that you were once a member of the Citizen's Group..."

"I stand by my claim that he was," said Rei. "After all, seeing as I *was* the leader of the Citizen's Group, of course I would be knowledgeable of its membership..."

"...Rei. It's been a while." Professor Paragan once again locked eyes with the lawyer. "I see you've come a long way from that stuttering, nervous wreck of a student I taught years ago... even if your grades were exemplary."

"I always admired your iron discipline, as Mr. Sanshiro put it, and your ability to remain cool under pressure," Rei admitted. "Although, looking back, I wonder if maybe I learned the wrong lessons from you. After all, even if you didn't give me the idea directly, you were a major inspiration for me forming the Citizen's Group in the first place..."

"The wrong lessons... Feh," the professor snorted slightly. "I taught you no differently than any other student in my classes back then..."

Segata Sanshiro then faux-chopped his bench. "Enough with the reminiscing, professor, and answer the question!"

"Yes, yes..." Paragan sighed. "I suppose it would be foolish to try and deny it now. Yes, I was indeed a member of her Citizen's Group. Briefly, anyway..."

"What do you mean by that?" the prosecutor pressed.

"Well, at first it didn't seem Rei was making any headway with her efforts," the headmaster began, "However, when it looked like she was starting to grow a spine, I went ahead and discreetly joined the group to assist with her efforts against the CPUs. But it soon dawned on me that Ms. Ryghts was actually going insane, so I quietly left and returned to my position here at the Institute. Given what happened later, I clearly made the right decision." Looking back over at Rei, he continued, "Honestly, I'm shocked that you haven't been incarcerated for the chaos you wrought..."

"Well, like you said, professor, I went insane," the lawyer pointed out. "And when I returned to my senses, I didn't remember anything that had happened. I was honestly quite horrified to learn what I had nearly done, once proof was presented to me. Thankfully, both the goddesses and the judge at my trial decided to have pity on me, and I was merely exiled to Lowee instead."

The crowd started chattering at this, prompting the judge to bang his gavel.

"Yes, Lady Purple Heart said to me during the recess that she had testified at your trial," Kintobor said.

"Ah, so that was the personal debt to which you were referring earlier," muttered Paragan as pushed his glasses back up his nose. "I might have guessed..."

"Anyway, Professor Paragan," Rei said, "I believe I've established your motive for masterminding such a heinous act."

"Indeed," Segata nodded. "However, can you prove it?"

Rei thought for a moment. "Well, before we got into taking about Paragan's motive, we were discussing the mysterious access number..."

"Yes, the one that did not match any of the names on the list provided for us," Purple Heart added. She then pulled out the piece of paper she'd jotted the number on. "12119-20914... that's the number."

"And the defense was arguing that this number belonged to the headmaster himself..." the judo master recalled.

"Yes, I remember," said the judge. "So, professor, is this your access number or not?"

Austin Paragan remained silent for a moment. "...I will concede this one thing. That access number... is indeed mine." The crowd started muttering at this. "However! I did not enter the laboratory to procure Senyak-13 for that felon, but for another reason entirely."

Judge Kintobor banged his gavel once, to quiet the crowd. "Then, why did you enter that laboratory?"

"Senyak-13 is not the only thing being tested in there," stated the professor. "There is also an ongoing experiment involving a potentially dangerous chemical reaction. I won't bore you with the details, except to say, if said reaction went out of control, it would cause an explosion that would not only destroy the lab, but a chunk of the school as well. As you can imagine, such a possibility preyed on this old man's mind, to the point I started losing sleep over it. So, in order to set my mind at ease, I accessed the lab late at might, to ensure the reaction was going smoothly, which it was, thankfully."

"How convenient that you decided to do this the night before the Robotics Expo," Purple Heart pointed out.

"Indeed, quite a coincidence," assented Segata.

"I concede it does look suspicious," muttered Austin, "but it isn't proof..." He shook his head. "Unless you have evidence proving otherwise, I stand by my claim."

"This doesn't look good," said Purple Heart. "After all, we had no way of entering that laboratory ourselves, so we don't have anything to refute his claim..."

"Surely you understand, Rei..." Paragan pushed his glasses back up his nose. "Evidence is everything in a court of law... especially a bench trial such as this one. Without proof, your claim that I masterminded a conspiracy against CPU Candidate Nepgear is nothing but mere conjecture. I may not teach law, but even I understand this basic tenet. Perhaps you should have studied law better, my old student..."

Rei Ryghts just shook her head... before smirking sinisterly. "No, professor, I believe it is *you* who should have done more research. It seems you haven't realized... that this is actually a jury trial!"

"What?" blinked the professor in surprise. "A jury trial? But I see no jury here in this courtroom..."

"The jury is in a separate room, watching the trial on camera," Segata explained. "Clearly, you have not stepped into a courtroom in quite some time... if at all."

"...!" Paragan's eyes widened slightly, a few beads of sweat visible.

"I concede," Rei began in a slightly mocking tone, "that I can't directly prove your involvement in this crime with evidence... but I don't have to. Your Honor!"

"Y-yes, Ms. Ryghts?"

"At this time, the defense would like to give its closing statement," the lawyer stated.

"Now?" Kintobor blinked. "Well, very well then. Professor Paragan, you may step down." This the headmaster did, stiffly marching back to the gallery. "Whenever you're ready, defense." Rei then stepped out from behind the bench, taking a dramatic pause before beginning...

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury," she said, "I'll bet at least some of you are thankful you're in a separate room from me right now. I can't say I blame you, given what I've done... not to mention what I just did a little bit ago. I guess my HDD personality has a tendency to come out when I'm on a roll." She shrugged. "But all of that... is beside the point. I am *not* the one on trial here today. The only one whose fate you are considering... is her!" She pointed at the defendant's chair. "CPU Candidate Nepgear! Now, the prosecution's argument is that the simplest explanation, is usually the correct one. In this case, they argue that Nepgear willingly and knowingly hijacked Mortez Doez's prototype mech suit, armed with military-grade weaponry, and wreaked havoc on the Planeptune Higher Learning Institute Robotics Expo."

"But ask yourself, does that make any sense? That Nepgear, who works her butt off for the good of her nation, at least compared to her sister, would maliciously attack her own people? Let me tell you of an event that happened, just before everything went to hell in a hand-basket. The three of us were checking out the exhibits at the expo, and Neptune ended up wrecking one of the projects." She shook her head. "You should have heard Nepgear, she raked her dear sister over the coals for that. And I'm sure there are several witnesses from the expo who can back me up on that. So ask yourselves, does it make *any* sense that she would suddenly turn around and wreck all the rest of the exhibits at the expo, after yelling at Neptune for destroying one?"

"Now, let me remind the jury of what I have proven in this trial. I have proven that because of the prototype's mouth guard, Nepgear was unable to speak... I have proven that Neptune was *not* taking a nap, but instead was drugged by an old adversary of hers... I have proven that the security guards on-duty that day were in fact, bank robbers on the run from the law, who purchased their own car instead of using one provided by the institute, and that they were stationed right beside the Robotics Garage when Nepgear flew out of there wearing her mech suit. I have proven that the sleeping drug used by Underling could only have been obtained at a chemistry lab in the Institute itself, which she had no way of accessing on her own, meaning someone must have procured it for her... I have proven that the headmaster himself entered this very laboratory the night before the expo... and I have proven that this very man was a former member of my old Citizen's Group," she finished. "Now, I ask you, are all these things unconnected? All they all just coincidence? Do they have no relation to each other whatsoever?" Rei shook her head. "Or, do they paint a picture of a sinister conspiracy, to frame Nepgear and have Planeptune's citizens lose all faith in her, as well as Neptune to a lesser extent?"

"Here's what I think happened. The headmaster of the Institute, Professor Austin Paragan, happened to briefly meet Nepgear and Mortez Doez at the Institute one day. Knowing of the prototype mech suit Mr. Doez was constructing, and also of the upcoming Robotics Expo, he began to concoct a sinister plan to portray Nepgear as a terrorist and murderer. He hired the two Bullock brothers as security guards, promising to hide them from the police if they went along with his plan, to perform the actual hijacking... He also brought in Underling, luring her with promises of revenge against the goddesses that had caused her so much trouble in the past... The night before the expo, he went into the lab containing the sleeping drug Senyak-13 and gave it to Underling so she could mix it into her pudding in order to serve it to Neptune, to get her out of the way. Finally, he called Abnes from a pay phone in the main hallway, promising her a big scoop if she came to the expo at exactly the time he prescribed." Rei gave a shrug of her shoulders. "I have to hand it to the professor, it was a well-thought out plan, and it nearly went off without a hitch... but he didn't plan for another person with Neptune and Nepgear, who had the capability of putting a stop to the mech suit themselves, i.e. yours truly. Although, that was just a minor hiccup, as he still got what he wanted in the end. He even used his position as headmaster to feign mock outrage at what had occurred, in order to get the trial date moved up, before a proper investigation could be performed in order to ensure Nepgear's fate. Against a less-competent attorney, it might have worked. Not to toot my own horn here, but clearly I was a grain of sand in his gears he failed to notice. But there is another grain of sand as well... this one capable of bringing his grand plan to a grinding halt... and that is *you*, the jury!"

The lawyer paused for a moment, to gather her thoughts. "The other day, Neptune and I were discussing this case with Lady Vert and Lady Blanc, and Vert said something worth noting... that she believed that 'anyone in Planeptune with common sense would think it strange that little Nepgear would just go off the deep end and attack her own people,' end quote. I'm hoping that Lady Vert is right... that despite your goddess lacking in such, that *you*, the common people, possess common sense, and apply it accordingly in your deliberations." Rei then took a formal bow. "And with that... I rest my case."

"Nicely done, Rei," Purple Heart whispered to the lawyer as she returned to the bench.

Segata Sanshiro nodded. "I rest my case as well. Finally, it is time for this case to be sent to deliberations..."

"Very good," the judge nodded, before banging his gavel. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, it is time for you to render your decision in this case. But before you do, I hereby instruct you: you may NOT consider the true identity of the defense attorney, Ms. Rei Ryghts, or her actions during the incident in your deliberations. As Ms. Ryghts herself has stated, you are only to consider the fate of the defendant, and weigh the facts, evidence and testimony to that effect. Did miss Nepgear willingly use a mech suit to destroy the Robotics Expo? Or was she unwittingly manipulated into it by sinister forces? This court now awaits your ruling in this matter!"

With that, the camera feed was cut off, and the jurists began their deliberations...

July 10, 1:58 PM

District Court

Courtroom No. 3

Judge Kintobor looked at a virtual screen suspended in the air, showing a black-shadowed male NPC. "Mr. Foreman, I understand the jury has reached a unanimous verdict?"

"We have, Your Honor," the NPC affirmed.

The judge nodded. "Will the defendant please rise." Nepgear promptly stood to her feet, as did Rei and Neptune (who had reverted to normal), the latter discreetly crossing her fingers and toes. "Go ahead, foreman."

"We the jury, on the charges of domestic terrorism, attempted murder, and property damage, hereby find the defendant, CPU Candidate Nepgear..."

NOT GUILTY

Neptune leaped up, letting out a whoop of joy, causing the gallery to follow suit, cheering and applauding as confetti rained down from the ceiling.

Nepgear closed her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief as she put her hand to her chest, trying to get her heart rate to calm down. (Thank goodness... It's finally over...) she thought.

Rei Ryghts looked over at Segata Sanshiro, the judo master giving her a curt nod of respect. Rei nodded back, the unspoken message clear. They had both done their jobs as officers of the court, and the truth had won out in the end.

Judge Kintobor patiently waited for the cheers and confetti to settle down before speaking. "Ladies and gentleman of the jury, I thank you for your time. You are hereby excused." The holo-display screen winked out. "CPU Candidate Nepgear."

"Y-yes, Your Honor?" Nepgear stood straight.

"Having been cleared of all charges by the jury, you are released from confinement forthwith," the judge proclaimed with a smile. "Please return to your function as goddess of Planeptune... and do your best to regain the faith and trust that the people put in you."

"Y-yes... Yes, I will! Thank you, Your Honor!" exclaimed Nepgear happily. "And thank you too, Rei and Neptune!"

"HOLD IT!"

The courtroom fell deathly silent at the proclamation. Everyone turned their heads to the courtroom doors, to see none other than Mortez Doez himself, his eye twitching, his teeth gritted and his fists clenched.

"Not guilty...? *Not guilty*?! After all the trouble we went through, she gets *acquitted*?!"

"M-Morty?" Nepgear gasped in surprise.

"Mr. Doez?!" Kintobor exclaimed in slight shock. "Is something the matter...?"

Mortez ignored him, instead pointing at Professor Paragan, who was still sitting in the gallery. "You stupid old man! This is all your fault! I told you I coulda programmed the suit to wreak havoc all on its own, and have it auto-delete afterwards, and no-one would've been the wiser! But noooooo! You just had to go and hedge your bet, by hiring those stupid incompetent bank robbers!"

"W...what?" Nepgear gasped.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Paragan said evenly.

"AH-HA!" yelled Neptune. "So, Morty, you *were* in on it from the start! I knew you couldn't be trusted!"

Her sister's eyes went wide in shock. "N...no... Morty, say it isn't so!"

"Shut up, you bimbo!" Mortez screamed at her. "I mighta had some respect for you if you had just grown a spine and overthrown your sister, and become sole goddess yourself! But nooooo! You cave in to her every single time! You got what you deserved, as far as I'm concerned!"

"Nooooooo!" wailed Nepgear, as she collapsed to the ground in despair.

"OBJECTION!" cried Neptune. "That's enough, Morty!"

"[censored] you, you loony bitch!" Mortez yelled back. "It's 'cause of you this nation's in such a sorry state! At least Lastation was halfway decent! But my stupid brother...!" He let out a small cry of anger, before continuing, "I thought this was our chance... our chance to get rid of you two idiots and make a new government for Planeptune... one ruled by rational, sane people!" He then pointed at Rei. "And I can't believe YOU of all people threw your lot in with them! Everything woulda gone perfectly if you hadn't stuck your nose in! Damn you, Rei Ryghts! Damn you to hellllll!"

Rei just crossed her arms, a frown on her face. "With all due respect, Mr. Doez... I am the *least* of your worries right now. Isn't that right... Mr. Segata Sanshiro?"

"Indeed," a voice spoke up from behind Mortez, as a hand came down on his shoulder causing all the blood to drain from his face.

"Oh, fu- AAAAAAAAHHH!" the boy screamed as he was brutally judo-flipped, before being put in a tight chokehold by the Savior of Saturn. In an instant, Segata stood over the fallen college student.

"S...Segata Sanshiro..." Mortez groaned.

"Mortez Doez, you are under arrest!" declared the prosecutor. "Bailiff, take him away!" The bailiff promptly complied, cuffing Mortez's hands behind his back before lifting him up and hauling him out.

"I completely disavow any and all statements from that insane student," Professor Paragan stated firmly. "Clearly admitting him to the Institute was a mistake..."

"Like you expect anyone here to seriously believe that..." Neptune growled under her breath.

Judge Kintobor shook his head. "You know what... I'm just going to go ahead and clear this courtroom before any other crazy antics ensue... Court is adjourned effective immediately!"

With that, he banged his gavel one final time, bringing an official end to the trial.

To be concluded...