Rei Ryghts: Ace Attorney

The High School Turnabout

By Derald Snyder

Investigation, Day 2 (Part 1)

Court Record:

-Ghost Article

-Byleth's Sword

February 15

Samson & Co. Law Offices

Front Desk

"Alright, let's go over this from the beginning," Bartholomew J. Samson began, sitting with Rei and John Smith. "So, Rei here was helping you and Miss Nagato investigating rumors of a ghost, possibly linked with a substitute history teacher. Is that right so far?" Getting an affirmative response, he then continued, "So then, last night, this same substitute teacher was stabbed, and Miss Nagato was found standing over his body?"

"Yessir," John nodded. "I heard she actually accompanied Professor Eisner to the hospital, but once the detectives arrived on the scene, she was promptly arrested and charged with attempted murder."

"Attempted murder? S-so he's still alive?" Rei cut in.

"Yeah, but in serious condition... lost a lot of blood on the way to the hospital," John affirmed. "I don't know much more than that, though... but I DO know that Nagato-san would never do something like this! Ever!"

"You're right, she doesn't seem like the type," Rei nodded. "S-so first, we should g-go to the d-detention center and hear Miss Nagato's s-side of th-the story..."

"I assume she'll be tried as an adult, due to the nature of the offense," Bartholomew noted grimly.

"That's what I heard, yeah," Kyon nodded in response. "Oh, by the way, I also got a hold of Nagato's family... they said they'd be willing to cover any and all legal expenses, so don't worry about not getting paid."

"I would gladly take on this case pro bono, but that's a nice gesture," Rei asserted.

"Just keep in mind, Rei," Bartholomew advised, "that despite your little 'ghost hunt' yesterday, there probably isn't anything supernatural involved here... you need to stick to logic and facts, alright?"

"Yes, sir," Rei agreed. (Finally... it's about time I got back to work!) she smiled internally.

February 15

Detention Center

Visitor's Room

Rei and John Smith watched as Yuki came into the room, sitting down on the other side of the glass. "Good morning, Nagato-san," John greeted politely.

"Hello, John-kun," Yuki replied, looking absolutely miserable. "I can't believe this is happening... all I did was find the body... why did I get arrested?!"

"C-could you p-please t-tell us what happened, f-from your perspective?" Rei inquired. "F-for starters, why w-were you at the school so late at night t-to b-begin with?"

"Well, I was thinking about the professor's advice," Yuki began, "so I thought I would walk the school grounds at midnight to try and conquer my fear... but then I saw that one of the doors was open, so I decided to go inside... while I was feeling my way through the halls, I suddenly heard a scream! I ran toward where I thought I heard it, and nearly tripped over a body! I realized it was Professor Eisner, but before I could do anything, the security guard showed up! Things get a little fuzzy after that... I remember riding with the professor in the ambulance, and the d-detectives g-grilling me..." She suddenly broke down into tears. "(sob) Wh-why did I get arrested?! I've never hurt anyone in my life...!"

"Nagato-san..." Kyon felt his heart twisting helplessly.

"P-please, try and k-keep it together, Miss Nagato," Rei spoke up. "D-do you know what th-the detectives said your motive was?"

"I think they said something about Nagato-san and the Professor not getting along very well," John Smith tried to recall.

"(sniff) Y-yes, I admit I called him a slave driver... b-but that's nothing to murder a person over! I would never do such a thing!" Yuki insisted.

"Don't you worry," Rei shook her head, "I'll find the maggot responsible, and make them rue the day they tried to frame a sweet girl like you!"

"J-just d-don't go final boss on them, please," Yuki requested.

"Only if they try to attack or kill me," the lawyer CPU deadpanned. (Which seems to be happening a bit more often these days,) she added internally.

"You said you heard a scream," Kyon recalled. "Was it the professor, or someone else?"

"It was a girl, I'm sure of that," Yuki replied. "B-but they must have escaped another way, because I didn't see anyone before I found the professor's body..."

"Well, that's weird," John Smith pondered. "I mean, did they scream upon seeing the professor's body? Or did she stab him, and something scared her off, stopped her from finishing the job?"

"Maybe it was th-the g-ghost?" Rei suggested.

"Eep!" Yuki shrank into herself in fear.

"O-oh no, I'm so very sorry! I-I shouldn't have said that!" Rei apologized profusely.

"Right, because there's no way the detectives will believe any ghost stories," Kyon snarked.

"Right, we have to stick to facts, like Mr. Samson said," Rei concurred. "And on that note, we probably should head to the school and touch base with said detectives..."

"Okay," Yuki nodded. "I think they said my trial begins tomorrow..."

"Wait, seriously?! That's not enough time to run a proper investigation!" Kyon protested.

"Par for the course for me," Rei sighed. "B-but I do my b-best work under p-pressure, so it'll p-probably work out..."

"...I sure hope you're right," Kyon sighed resignedly.

February 15

Lowee North High School

Crime Scene Hallway

Rei had once again donned her 'Yuu Kobayashi' disguise as she and Kyon entered the school... despite the fact that it was Sunday, severals students had shown up to get a look at what all the fuss was about.

"Please back up! Do not contaminate the crime scene!" An NPC detective ordered, to no apparent avail.

"Honestly, how are we supposed to conduct an investigation like this?!" grumbled an old man with a white receding hairline, a blue business suit, and glasses that hid his eyes. "Back in my day, kids respected their elders' wishes!"

"How much do you wanna bet old men said the exact same thing when HE was a kid?" Kyon deadpanned, 'Yuu' just shaking her head in response.

"Heys, it's that independent journalists from yesterdays!" Tsuruya's voice called out. "Guess you've got something reals to report on nows, nyoro!"

"A journalist? I'm sorry, we're not taking questions at this time," the NPC detective said coldly. "You can wait for an official press release from the Prosecutor's Office. Now please leave!"

"A-actually, I have a c-confession t-to make," 'Yuu' looked over at Tsuruya. "I'm not a journalist... I'm an attorney." With that, she unzipped her hoodie and threw it off, revealing her blue business suit and skirt, before swapping her shades with her normal sunglasses. "Long time no see, Mr. Badd."

Even without her horn, the old man recognized her immediately. "R-Rei Ryghts?! What are you doing here?!" Badd recoiled in disbelief.

"My job, obviously. You got a problem with that, worm?" Rei said with an arrogant smirk.

The students gasped in awe and disbelief, crowding around the ex-final boss CPU. 'I don't believe it! It's really her!' 'Oh my goddess! Rei Ryghts the lawyer CPU!' 'She's really here, on our campus!' 'Is she acting as Nagato's lawyer?! Too cool!'

"Alright, BACK OFF, MAGGOTS!" Rei shouted loudly, the students immediately backing away in fear. "Now, if none of you have anything useful to contribute to this case, then clear out and let these fools do their damn jobs! NOW!" Most of the teenagers promptly scattered, only Tsuruya and a few others sticking around. "See? That's how you do it. Take note."

"Well, pardon me for not being an ex-final boss like yourself," Badd snorted. "But I do thank you for clearing out the peanut gallery, for what it's worth."

"Well, in return, perhaps you could tell me what you've found out so far?" Rei proposed.

"Well, it's pretty straightforward," the NPC detective stated. "The victim is a professor of a military academy to the south. He was subbing for a history teacher who suddenly took ill. The 'X' right there is where he was stabbed," he pointed. "We also marked out the blood trail from when the security guard helped him out to the front entrance, so the ambulance could pick him up."

"Nagato-san helped too," John Smith asserted.

"Likely only because she was caught red-handed!" Mr. Badd harrumphed. "Our prime suspect took issue with the professor's teaching methods... and she was found standing over his body!"

"There could be any number of reasons for that, Mr. Badd," Rei countered. "I'd ask for an autopsy report, except the victim isn't dead."

"Yet," the detective appended. "Though I'm sure the charge will upped to first-degree murder if and when Mr. Eisner expires..."

"Haven't you checked to see if anyone else was in the building?" John inquired.

"We're pulling the security footage as we speak," the detective answered. "Though the cameras only watch the entrances, teacher's lounge, and administrative offices... as you can obviously see, the crime took place near none of these places."

"Yes, clearly the assailant knew where to strike so she wouldn't be found, save for the security guard!" Badd stated.

"Or it could have just been coincidence," Kyon ventured.

"Highly unlikely!" the prosecutor snorted. "And what's your excuse for your friend carrying a knife onto school grounds late at night?!"

"HOLD IT!" Rei shouted. "Given how dark it was, there could have easily been another party at the crime scene that escaped undetected! Might I remind you, that the reason the guard found the body was because he heard a scream? It was likely due to my client finding the body and screaming in horror!"

"Hey, yeah! Thats makes perfect sense, nyoro!" Tsuruya agreed.

"Hmph, well, we'll see if your theory stands up at trial," Badd grunted as he pushed his glasses back up his nose. "Now would you kindly leave?"

"Wha- can't we look around?!" Kyon protested.

"Absolutely not. We can't have the defense damaging the chain of custody!" the detective asserted. "I know you're used to working with that incompetent Snooper, but I take care to do my job properly! Now bugger off!"

"HOLD IT!" another voice suddenly shouted, the group turning to see Koizumi standing with a few adults dressed in business suits. "I'm afraid it's you that needs to 'bugger off', detective."

"Koizumi-san?" John said, nonplussed.

"Excuse me, but you have no authority to order me around, kid!" the NPC shot back defiantly.

"Actually, I do," the student refuted, pulling out something like a wallet and opening it. "Take a look at this, if you would please."

The detective did so... "...Itsuki Koizumi... Special Agent, Lowee Guild?! Whaaaaaaat?!"

"EHHHH?! Koizumi-kun's a guild agent?! No ways!" Tsuruya gasped in shock.

"It's not something I advertise around here, for obvious reasons," Koizumi deadpanned. "Anyway, we'll be taking over this investigation..."

"Now just a minute!" Mr. Badd protested. "Guild agent or not, you're still a student here, which constitutes a massive conflict of interest!"

"That's why I'm here," a calm female voice spoke up, the other agents parting to reveal a young woman with brown hair put up into low twin tails, wearing a standard maid's outfit. "Special Agent Mori Sonou, Lowee Guild. Apologies for my appearance, but I was just pulled from an undercover op. Other than Itsuki-kun being my coworker, I have no association with this establishment whatsoever... so I'll be taking lead on this case."

"On whose authority?!" the detective challenged.

"Straight from the top," Koizumi produced a letter which he handed over to the detective, who looked it over before handing it to Badd.

"...I'll be damned. This is Lady Blanc's signature, no doubt," the old man grumbled. "Sorry, detective, it looks like you're off this case."

"Seriously?! What is that CPU thinking?!" the NPC gritted his teeth, seething.

"Obviously, she believes that we are more qualified than you are to handle this case," Koizumi said smugly. "Gentlemen, would you kindly escort this man from the premises?" The two NPC agents agreed, walking toward the detective...

"Don't treat me like a prisoner!" the detective jerked away from them, turning and storming off with the agents walking briskly after him.

"W-well, I c-can safely say I d-didn't see that c-coming," Rei stuttered in mild shock.

"Me neithers!" Tsuruya concurred.

"There's good reason for it," Koizumi stated. "You see, we have reason to believe that this is far deeper than just a simple student-teacher dispute... So the Guild will handle this investigation."

"...Well, we'll be counting on you, Koizumi-san," John nodded. "And Mori-san as well."

"I'm sure you will, Kyon-kun," Koizumi replied with a smug smirk.

"Please don't call me that..." Kyon ducked his head as Tsuruya burst into laughter.

"Do you think I don't have ears?!" Badd protested. "This is blatantly stacking the deck in the defense's favor!"

"Oh no, good sir," Mori shook her head, "I promise to conduct my investigation in a completely fair and impartial manner, as it should be. Now then, Miss Ryghts, if you could please leave so I can do my job. However, you may look around Professor Eisner's classroom, or the teacher's lounge. But I request that you immediately share any relevant evidence you find with me. Understood?" Though her tone was light, it had an undertone of authority to it.

"As you wish," Koizumi bowed slightly in deference. "Shall we head to the classroom, then?" Without another word, Rei and John Smith followed him out of the hallway.

February 15

Lowee North High School

Byleth's Classroom

"Do you really think we'll find any clues in here?" John asked Koizumi as they entered.

"It wouldn't hurt to look around," Koizumi replied.

"Right... l-let's spread out and search th-then," Rei asserted. "I'll look b-by the t-teacher's desk."

"And I shall search the rear closet. John-kun, you check around the student's desks," Koizumi instructed.

"Alright... doubt I'll find anything, though," Kyon sighed as he began his search.

And so Rei began searching Byleth's desk, first looking at the calendar spread over the surface... (Hmm, it seems he had an appointment the day of the attack, but it doesn't say when...) Nothing else stuck out on the desktop, so Rei moved to checking the drawers... "Ugh, one of these drawers is locked!"

"Ah, fortunately for you, I have located the keys," Koizumi said as he emerged from the back closet, holding a lanyard with said keys in hand. Swinging the lanyard like a bola, he hurled the keys through the air in Rei's direction, which landed right on the desk. "A good shot, if I do say so myself!"

"Too bad there's no 'key-swinging' sports in gym class," Kyon snarked.

"Th-thank you," Rei said politely as she took the keys and unlocked the drawer, revealing... "A planner?" She took it out, unsnapping the button to open it... (Alright, let's look at the day of the attack... Huh?!) "W-what the...?!"

"Did you find something?" John Smith asked.

"He... marked off a meeting here on the day of the murder... at around midnight! The v-very t-time of the attack!" Rei gasped. "A-and it's marked, 'very important'!"

*Byleth's Planner has been added to the Court Record.*

"But... why would he be meeting with somebody in the school at midnight?! That doesn't make any sense!" Kyon asserted.

"Hmm..." Koizumi's brow furrowed. "Whatever the reason, we can safely assume that the good professor walked into a trap. Clearly whoever was meeting with him had no intention of giving him what he wanted..."

"B-but who would he b-be meeting with? And why?" Rei pondered.

"Shouldn't that be your job to figure out? Honestly! A stuttering mess like YOU is what passes for an ace lawyer these days?!"

"Huh?! Wh-who said that?!" Rei said, looking around.

"Who said what?" Kyon asked.

"I-I th-thought I heard a girl j-just now..." the lawyer stammered.

"I heard nothing," Koizumi shrugged. "What did they say?"

"Th-they called me a s-stuttering mess of an ace lawyer..."

"Hmm, I'm surprised you can hear me so clearly. Must be the fact that you're a CPU... alright, come to the teacher's lounge. Alone, preferably. Don't keep me waiting!"

"You sure it wasn't somebody throwing their voice from the door?" Kyon pointed at said door, which was partially open.

"Oh, right..." Rei promptly marched to said door and threw it open- but no one was there! She stepped out into the hallway to be sure, but there was nobody conceivably close enough to have been the perpetrator. "There's nobody here..."

"Must've run off then," John shrugged indifferently. "Forget them, we gotta focus on finding clues to save Nagato-san!"

"I know... I d-don't think th-there's anything else at the p-professor's desk, though... I'm g-going t-to the t-teacher's lounge, you two k-keep searching the c-classroom. Okay?"

"Certainly, Ryghts-san," Koizumi bowed his head in deference.

"Good luck," Kyon called after her as she left.

February 15

Lowee North High School

Teacher's Lounge

The lounge was as empty as could have typically been on a Sunday like today... "Okay, I'm here..." Rei called out.

"And you haven't noticed that I've been beside you this whole time?" the snobby voice from before spoke up.

"A-are you... th-the g-g-ghost...?!" Rei stammered nervously.

"Yes, I suppose you could say that. But I can't spirit anyone away to the underworld or anything like that! So stop acting like I'll drag you to hell!"

"E-easier said than d-done..." the lawyer sighed. "I-I wish I c-could see you..."

"Well, Byleth can see me when he concentrates, and he's not even a goddess! It should be child's play for someone like yourself, am I right?" the voice retorted. "Here, I'll make it easy. I'm right in front of you right now. And if I wasn't a ghost, I would definitely stand out!"

"Um, okay... hold on..." Rei grunted, narrowing her eyes... Said eyes suddenly showed the trademark danger-symbols of her HDD transformation as she called upon her internal Share Energy, though she stopped short of transforming outright... (Wait... I see something!) A distortion became visible... a humanoid shape with two long-thick, wild twin tails... then she saw a young face with green eyes and tapered ears, a golden crown of sorts on her head, her body clothed in elaborate robes, though the long navy-blue skirt split open in the middle, showing bare feet with golden anklets. "Ah! There you are!"

"See? What did I tell you?" the girl, who couldn't have been more than 11-12 years of age, smirked as she put her hands on her hips, floating a few inches off the ground.

"B-but... who are you...?" Rei inquired.

"You can call me Sothis... But I am also known as... The Beginning."

*To be continued...*