April 18, 9:15 AM
District Court - Defendant Lobby No. 3
"Oh man… My first court case back, and it's something like this?" David asked himself, sweating a bit.
"You okay, David?" Apollo asked. "You and Athena have been really antsy ever since we got here."
"Gah! I-I'm fine! It's just… I haven't been on a case like this in a while, so I might get a little rusty." David said.
"(He's a ball of excitement all right.) ISHIHARA! ATHENA!" Apollo called out.
"Ah! Dude, keep your voice down." David said.
"Just showing you the best way to relieve your pre-trial jitters. Shouting out I'm fine. It's part of my Chords of Steel exercises." Apollo said.
"Geez Apollo…tone it down a bit." Phoenix said as he walked in.
"Sorry. Hmm…what's with the suit?" Apollo asked.
"Was just thinking of getting my badge back. Nothing big." Phoenix said.
"That's a huge deal, Phoenix! But…why now of all times?" David asked.
"I got a feeling I'll be needed in the courts again soon. But today, it's all on you guys." Phoenix said.
"Thanks…we're gonna need it." Sunset said.
"Yeah. Nothing to it. We'll be… We'll be just fine!" David said. "Hmm… I think that actually worked. Might have helped get some of that rust off."
"Let's go." 9S said as they all entered the courtroom.
April 18, 9:30 AM
District Court - Courtroom No. 4
The judge banged his gavel.
"All rise. Court is now in session for the trial of Damian Tenma!" the Judge said.
"The defense is ready to rock, Your Honor." David said.
"Ah, there's a face I haven't seen in ages." the Judge said. "It's good to see you again, Mr. Ishihara. I hear you have been making quite a few strides in the sports scene."
"Ah, it's nothing. Your Honor. Just glad to be back here. Don't be surprised if I get a little rusty." David said.
"Well, working with Mr. Justice should be able to help get that rust off, then." the judge said. "And the…oh my…seems the prosecution is not yet here."
"I can explain, your honor. The prosecutor is being escorted from the prison even as we speak." Fulbright said.
"Hmm? Oh yes. That's right. He's still serving time." the Judge said.
At that same time, a man in black was unleashed from his cell as he was being escorted off.
"Yep. Prosecutor Blackquill is an inmate. But even a convicted murderer's still got a job to do and duties to perform." Fulbright said, as not too long after, that same man was standing with his back towards the defense and everyone else.
"(So that's Prosecutor Blackquill… I can feel his intensity from here…)" David thought.
The said figure turned around, revealing black hair with a small patch of white, sharp looking gray eyes as he had falcon eye streaks underneath them, as well as his hands bound in handcuffs and a quill on his outfit.
"Is the prosecution…" the Judge said.
"Enough with your prattling. Get on with it." Blackquill said.
"Yes. Of course. My apologies." the Judge said.
*Skree*
A hawk slowly descended as it landed onto Blackquill's right shoulder.
"Uh…sir? What of your opening statement?" the Judge asked. "We can't start without one."
"Must we continue to fritter time away like this? Well, your baldness, if it is so important, you can give it." Blackquill said.
"(Not two minutes after he walks in, and he thinks he can just change the rules?)" Hope thought from the stands. "(Who's gonna argue with him though?)"
"My…I always thought the opening statement was the prosecutor's job but guess I could give it a try." the Judge said. "The victim is one Rex Kyubi, the alderman of Nine Tails Vale. Damian Tenma has been suspected of his murder."
"And pray tell why?" Blackquill asked.
"Because his fingerprints were on the murder weapon. Plus his motive of a merger between that town and Tenma Town. Many servants have alibi's and his daughter, who saw the scene, has no motive. So…the case seems incontrovertible." the Judge said.
"Bravo, your baldness. Your years of experience shine brighter than your head." Blackquill said.
"Oh…flattery will get you nowhere." the Judge said.
"He's got the judge dancing at the palm of his hands. I guess he really is that good." David said. "This has got to be his psychology at work."
"Are all Prosecutors like this?" 9S whispered from the stands.
"Some have their…eccentricities." Leopardmon whispered back.
"Now then, let's move along, shall we? Let us first hear from Detective Bobby Fulbright." the Judge said as Fulbright took the stand.
"Already present and ready, Your Honor!" Fulbright saluted. "Not only am I here to give testimony on the crime, I'll also be keeping tabs on Blackquill."
"If it ever comes to a point where Prosecutor Blackquill will turn hostile, I hear you will provide protection." the Judge said.
"Hmph. It seems I've been sorely underestimated." Blackquill smiled a bit.
"I do believe though, that anyone is capable of being rehabilitated. Even ol' Blackquill." Fulbright said.
"Fool Bright! Save your platitudes for funerals and get on with your statement." Blackquill urged.
"Ha ha ha! That's the spirit! Justice must be swift and true. I see it in your eyes! There IS hope for your rehabilitation and return to society! I will never give up on you!" Fulbright declared.
"Sheesh, those two could not be more opposite to each other." Peacock noticed.
"Well, they do say ignorance is bliss." Law said.
"So that's why they're together. Fulbright is so oblivious!" Frosta smacked her palm.
"Not sure if that's supposed to be a compliment." Shionne said.
"Now, if you would give your first statement, Detective Fulbright." the judge said.
"You got it! But first, I'd like to say to the defense that justice will ultimately prevail!" Fulbright declared.
Witness Testimony: Bobby Fulbright
- About the Murder -
Alderman Kyubi was murdered with a spear that had been on the wall.
The fingerprints of the defendant, Damian Tenma, were found on the murder weapon.
At the time, Alderman Kyubi was asleep from a drug he unwittingly ingested.
Mayor Tenma attacked his helpless victim, impaling him like a human shish kebob!
But the sudden pain jolted the victim awake, and he grabbed a statue and struck back!
→ He grabbed a statue ←
Objection!
"Hold on a minute. I don't think the Alderman really struck the mayor." David said.
"Are you questioning my sense of justice?" Fulbright asked.
"I… just wished justice wasn't so flimsy." David said.
"Try to remember the state of the statue when we were in the chamber." Ezana said. "There were no fingerprints on it and he wasn't wearing any gloves. Did you take that into account?"
"Ah! You're right! Could I have arrested the wrong man?!" Fulbright said.
"Then that leaves to a conclusion. Someone else attacked the alderman. Who? Well… Not even we are sure as of now." Lionel said.
Although Fulbrights testimony was busted open in that one instant, Blackquill wasn't sweating it at all. In fact, he didnt even bat an eye at their counterargument as he had his back to them again.
"Hmm…your minds are as dull as an unhoned blade." Blackquill said.
"What are you talking about?" Sunset asked.
"If you recall, there was a bloodstained cloth in that room. The blood belongs to the mayor. So tell me, why was there blood on it?" Blackquill asked.
"The cloth may have been to wrap the statue to not leave fingerprints." David said. "However, this train of thought also goes both ways."
"Presciley, Ishihara-dono." Blackquill said. "So tell me, who did strike the mayor? Go on. Enlighten us."
"Obviously, the killer." David said.
"David, don't let him get to you!" Athena said. "We don't know for sure who really killed the alderman yet. Blackquill's manipulating us into closing up our contradiction!"
"I know. Just making sure not to make any sudden moves. It is a battle of wits, after all." David said.
"So, you have sharpness to your mind, after all." Blackquill noticed. "I can see why the Chief Prosecutor holds you in such high regard."
"(Chief Prosecutor? Does he mean Edgeworth?)" David thought.
"Yeah…and it was that big bird monster who did it. I mean, you all saw the feathers and tracks!" Athena called out.
"Athena, no!" Apollo said too late.
"Are you suggesting a monster was behind this?" the Judge asked.
"Uh…Yokai, actually. But it may not have been an actual one. Just someone in disguise." Sunset said.
"Hmph. You all seem relatively new to this." Blackquill said. "Hoy, Fool Bright, explain to His Baldness what these brats are missing. You know, the who and why behind those feathers and tracks."
"Of course! Leave it to me!" Fulbright said.
Witness Testimony: Bobby Fulbright
–Feathers and Tracks–
This entire case centers on one man's attempt to crush opposition to the municipal merger!
Mayor Tenma panicked when The Amazing Nine-Tails helped embolden the protestors.
So he stoked the villagers' fears by fabricating a monster!
The strange feathers and tracks he planted made it look like a yokai was the killer.
HOLD IT!
"That doesn't add up." Apollo said. "You claim that our client planted the yokai evidence to stoke the villagers' fears. If so, then why not stop there? Why murder Alderman Kyubi? From the sound of it, there wasn't a reason for the murder!"
OBJECTION!
"The minds of dullards at work. This is a mere red herring, to make you all think the killer was the man in the suit." Blackquill said. "There is in fact a reason for the defendant to commit this crime. It's because he had made a shocking discovery." he then presented the patch of golden fur found. "This patch of fur was found at the crime scene, from the mask of the Amazing nine Tails. Therefore, the mask itself was at the crime scene."
"But why would it be there?" the Judge asked.
"The victim was a former pro wrestler and a member of the anti-merger movement. Need I say more?" Blackquill asked.
"Then… could it really be?!" The Judge put it together.
"Hmph. Your Baldness has had an epiphany I see." Blakquill said before slamming his hand on the table. "Our victim, Rex Kyubi, was The Amazing Nine-Tails! And the mayor's discovery of such was his motive for murder!"
"(No way… How did he figure that out…?)" David thought.
"At last we've reached my real point: why did the alderman have to forge a secret identity? Does it not pique your interest, Your Baldness?" Blackquill asked.
"I admit it does... It IS odd that he had to create this other persona...just to secretly participate in the anti-merger movement." The Judge admitted.
"Very astute of you, Your Baldness." Blackquill said.
"Right, now take a look at this!" Fulbright spoke up, revealing a letter. "If you value your dearest's life, you will merge Nine-Tails Vale with Tenma Town. This blackmail letter was found in Alderman Kyubi's pocket!"
"Hey! That's…!" Frosta realized.
"Mayor Tenma's Blackmail letter?!" Double D gasped.
"Didn't Tenma say that the blackmail letter went missing after the murder?" David asked.
"Do you believe that the killer planted the letter in the alderman's pocket after the murder?" Ezana asked.
"It's possible, but we don't really have anything that supports that claim." David said.
"(Talk about being up creek without a paddle.)" Apollo thought as the letter was submitted to the record.
"Mayor Tenma would've made a clean getaway if he'd just left after planting the yokai things. But he was knocked out cold by his sudden decision to kill The Amazing Nine-Tails!" Fulbright explained.
"Detective… May we ask you add that statement to your testimony?" Lionel asked.
"Sure thing. Mayor Tenma killed the sleeping alderman after planting the feathers and tracks. Why do you ask?" Fulbright said.
"Because we have something that goes against that claim. Take a look at this photo." Ezana said.
"But, Ms. Ezana, this is the crime scene photo." the judge said. "What does this prove?"
"It proves when the feathers and tracks were planted." Ezana said.
"Ah, I see… Some of the feathers are on top of the trail of blood!" David said.
"In other words, the yokai evidence could have only resulted after the murder." Apollo said.
"Th-then the mayor must have planted the evidence after killing the alderman!" Fulbright retorted.
"But you said it yourself, the mayor had been knocked unconscious thereafter. There would've been no time for him to plant any evidence at all! Therefore!" Apollo declared before pointing straight at Fulbright. "There must've been someone else besides the mayor and the alderman at the crime scene!"
"Arrrrgh! There must be some mistake!" Fulbright lurched back.
The jury was buzzing for a bit until the Judge called for order.
"And in case we don't make sense at first, Lionel will now present as evidence, the eyewitness account of one Jinxie Tenma." Lionel said. "She claimed to have seen the demon Tenma Taro. After she discovered the crime scene and informed the police, she turned a corner in the hall. It was around that point that she saw Tenma Taro fly across the foyer. The defense asserts that whoever was impersonating the demon was the one who left the feathers and tracks, be it intentionally or otherwise."
"Whaaaaat?!" The Judge asked.
"How incredibly unjust! Why didn't I hear of this before?!" Fulbright asked.
"Alright! They got the momentum back in their favor!" Akane said from the stands.
"And before you ask, Blackquill. Yes, we are aware that there were people in the foyer at the time. However… That just gave us some more eyewitness accounts." David said. "The defense would like to request…Phineas Filch to the stand."
"Hmm…luckily, he's already in our custody. I never expected when we captured him that he'd end up a witness." Blackquill said.
It didn't take long before the man in question appeared on the stand.
"Witness, please state your name and occupation." the judge said.
"The name's Filch, Phineas Filch, caretaker of Kyubi Manor." Phineas introduced before looking to the defense. "Never thought I'd be called up to testify by you guys. Need anythin' as a gift?"
"There's something we need to ask you about, Mr. Filch. We want to know whether or not you saw Tenma Taro in the foyer after the murder." David said.
"Sure thing, pal. I'll tell ya exactly what went down at that time." Phineas assured.
Witness Testimony: Phineas Filch
–Guarding the Foyer–
At the time of the murder I was on guard duty in the foyer, just like Mr. Kyubi's asked.
I was making sure no one - fair, foul, fishy, or otherwise - could get to our guest.
I was still in my office keeping a good watch when the murder happened after 3 PM.
But I didn't see nothing outta the ordinary, no siree!
→ After 3 PM ←
OBJECTION!
"Mr. Filch, I'm afraid a lie like this won't slide in this court." David said.
"Yes… Some of us may not be used to modern customs, but… According to the TV Listings… There was a wrestling match at the time of the murder." Ezana said.
"Ack! I didn't watch that one, no siree! I was doing my job, just like I was s'pposed to!" Filch protested.
"Oh really? It appears that the match in question is circled. You did that deed, didnt you?" Lionel asked.
"And I believe you even said "It was a complete disaster."" Sunser said.
"You can't trick me. I can do two things at once." Filch said.
"Sorry, but in this instance, you couldn't." Sunset said as the diagram was on display.
"Yes, take a look at the direction the TV is facing. Unless Filch has an eye where his right ear should be…which would be kind of gross to imagine…we doubt he could've watched the TV and the foyer at the same time." David said.
"Yiiipes! The bag's outta the cat! Er, I mean, other way 'round!" Filch lurched, as he held his scarf over his head.
"So then, if our dear friend here didn't see anything while he was distracted… a Tenma Taro impersonator could have been seen in the foyer!" Lionel said.
OBJECTION!
"Don't quit your day job, sir. While the tanuki was lax in his duties, he still had the foyer covered. Even if he couldn't see…he definitely could have heard this supposed Tenma Taro." Blackquill said.
"Ah… Right… I heard about this before. Something called auditory sense." David said.
"And that's exactly what I got!" Filch said, behind Blackquill's claim. "I'll prove to ya there wasn't no Tenma Taro in the foyer, what with the hearin' I've got."
Witness Testimony: Phineas Filch
–Ears Working Overtime–
It's true, I was watching a pro wrestling match on the office TV.
My eyes mighta been slacking off, but my ears? They were working overtime.
The floor there's all creaky squeaky-like. No way I woulda missed someone walking by.
So ya see, there weren't no Tenma Taro in the foyer.
HOLD IT!
"So, you really do have good ears, huh Mr. Filch?" David asked.
"As good as they come, I'd say. Ain't nothin' to hear a creaky floor. Plus, that Tenma Taro makes a sound when he goes by. It's like a jingle jangle." Filch said. "Tenma Taro's got a staff that makes that noise, y'see."
"Hmm… That could be considered vital information. Please add it to your testimony." David said.
"No need…cause our little friend just made an admission." Sunset said as she held a scroll.
"Whaddya mean, missy?" Filch asked.
"You said he held a staff. But in his only known documentation…he was holding no such thing!" Sunset said. "So how did you know he had one? Simple…cause you actually saw him!"
"Agh! Busted again!" Filch lurched.
"Bloody hell! You duplicitous little…" Blackquill growled.
"But there's no way you would actually admit it, would you? After all, if you look directly at him, he'll claim your soul if you squeal." David said.
"The killer took advantage of the town superstitions. No one would talk about him if he wore that costume. Therefore, we hold that the Tenma Taro impersonator is the killer!" Sunset said.
OBJECTION!
"Hmph! Superstitions, you say? What kind of a fool would actually believe such rubbish? And would that using some silly fairy tale so easily expose the culprit. You'll need to come up with a more rational, common-sense explanation than that!" Blackquill retorted.
"What's wrong, Blackquill? You seem a little on edge." David asked.
"I have every right to be. You'd know if you lived in my world of narrow cells, mortal danger and sleepless nights! There is no lack of superstitions in the clink, but few are those who truly believe in them!" Blackquill retorted.
"Well, the village superstitions are real enough to the people of Nine-Tails Vale! A life or death superstition might even make you a believer!" Apollo pointed right at Blackquill.
"Grrr….. Rawwwwwwwwwrrrrrr!" Blackquill reacted to that retort as if he'd had been cut across the chest by a blade, holding himself on the desk with one hand and clenching his chest.
"Yes! We got a hit." David said. "(Though, I probably would not want to be Filch right now…)"
"Twice now you've cost me, Tanuki…Taka! Dinner!" Blackquill said as his hawk went and chased off Filch.
"Man, that guy runs fast!" Jesse said from the gallery.
"That's certainly not something you see every day…" Athena sweated.
"Bailiff! Don't just stand there! After him, and with your fastest men!" the judge declared. "Well now, it would seem a new and important fact has come to light. A third party disguised as the yokai Tenma Taro was at the scene. And now we have two witnesses who can attest to that fact. Are there any objections, Prosecutor Blackquill?"
"Uh oh… Guys… His aura is reaching a very dangerous level." David said.
Blackquill merely stayed silent for what seemed like awhile. He then raised both his arms with his shackles outstretched to their max length…before slamming both his fists on the ground so hard, the chains holding his cuffs together snapped right off!
"Gah! His shackles, they shattered!" David said.
"Ishihara-dono, long has it been since I've been forced to draw my blade. You and your companions had best say your prayers." Blackquill said menacingly.
In the stands, some of the heroes were reacting in various ways.
"Aaaaah! He broke free of his restraints! He's gonna kill us!" Bernadetta cried.
"What are you waiting for, detective? Do your job and arrest the maniac before he kills someone important!" Usopp said.
"But his sense of justice…his true justice has set him free!" Fulbright said.
"You have a very twisted sense of justice, you know!" David said.
"Okay, on the count of three, we dogpile the man." Mark said neutrally.
"Mark, no! Do you wanna get arrested?!" Adora asked.
"This is still a trial. I think this is just Blackquill's way of saying he's finally getting serious." Catra said.
"So. The defense's assertion is this." Blackquill said. "Tenma Taro is the real killer, not Mayor Tenma. According to him, there was a yokai at the scene of the crime."
"Right! And that yokai, or rather, whoever was impersonating him, killed Alderman Kyubi!" Apollo confirmed.
SILENCE!
Blackquill then quickly swiped his left arm straight towards the defense, almost like he was drawing a sword. Everyone on the defense instantly evaded the slash that sliced through the air, even though the source of it was only Blackquill's own fingers.
"Whoa! Did you see that?!" Frosta asked. "I know it was only just his fingers, but…it actually felt like he was swinging a sword!"
"(Did Blackquill visit the Grand Line or something?)" Mark wondered sarcastically.
"Care to explain why Jinxie, being the first to discover the murder...did not see your alleged killer yokai there in the Fox Chamber?" Blackquill asked.
"Hmm… the man does beg a point." Lionel said. "Ms. Jinxie didn't say anything about Tenma Taro being in the Fox Chamber."
"So why didn't she see Tenma Taro inside the chamber?" Apollo asked.
"Lionel believes we should ask her that question in person." Lionel suggested.
"Guess we don't really have much of a choice." David said.
"I concur with the Merchant's suggestion. Let us bring Jinxie Tenma forward to testify about her discovery." Blackquill said.
"Yes. Both parties need time to regroup. I propose a brief recess." the judge said.
"Three minutes." Blackquill put forward. "That should be plenty of time."
Back in the Lobby…
"I must say, Blackquill is certainly an imposing man." Rime said.
"As soon as Filch earned his ire, we can sense that something bad was going to happen." Jesse said.
"Yeah, he literally broke his shackles. He's really strong." Scott said.
"Not to mention his use of iaijutsu with his fingers." Spade said. "That's what that slicing effect was in the courtroom earlier."
"It was pretty easy to tell. He is a samurai at heart, after all." David said. "It's not gonna be easy from this point on. Especially with Jinxie taking the stand when the trial resumes."
"Yeah, considering what happened and given her age. Her emotions might end up being all over the place."
"We'll just have to see what we can decipher from her testimony." David said.
10:43 AM
The group returned to the courtroom as Jinxie was called to the stand. She was a young girl with black hair in a ponytail as she wore a pink colored maid outfit and on her forehead was two warding charms which were actually bandages in the shape of an x that had a kanji and a dog print on both of them as she beared a scowl.
"As we now resume proceedings, I would like to introduce to the court Ms. Jinxie Tenma, the maid of Kyubi Manor." The Judge said. "If the witness is ready, we can begin at any time."
No sooner did the judge speak up that Jinxie ducked down low behind the witness stand with her tray raised up to reflect her face.
"N-N-Nurarihyon! Leader of the One Hundred Demons! He really does exist!" Jinxie panicked.
"Wow... That is one well-polished tray…" Athena said.
"The witness will show her face while in court, or her testimony will be inadmissible." the judge spike up.
"Eek!" Jinxie screamed, before slapping a warding charm nearby. "Begone, Nurarihyon, Leader of the One Hundred Demons!"
"Um… Your Honor, I think she's confusing you for a Yokai." David said.
"Hohoho, she is? Well, I WAS once known as a judicial monster of sorts. The beast of the bar, the demon of due process, if you will." the judge said.
"Eek! My charm has no effect…" Jinxie said.
"Now, I trust you know why you're here, you little scamp." Blackquill spoke up.
"B-Bags?" Jinxie asked.
"Bags? You mean that tricky tanuki?" Blackquill chuckled. " Try the noodle stand. And go enjoy a big bowl of tanuki tail noodles while you're at it."
"Was he actually trying to be funny?" Rinwell asked in disbelief.
"If he is, he needs to work on it." Hapi added.
"Yeah, he's got a pretty dark sense of humor." Sachiko said.
"No... I meant YOUR bags. The ones under your eyes. You must have trouble sleeping. Here. This charm will keep Azukiarai away." Jinxie said.
"The yokai that washes Azuki beans?" Blackquill asked before stancing. "The only thing needing washing will be your father's beak before I take his head clean off!"
"Azukiarai often keeps people up at night with the noise he makes washing beans." Jinxie said before showing another charm. "But if you stick this charm on your forehead, you won't hear him anymore."
"...I-Is that so? Well, thank you." Blackquill said.
"Okay, this is way too creepy even for me." Hapi said.
"Well, these two certainly are an… interesting pair." Lionel said.
"And they were bad enough alone already. Trust me, I know what Jinxie's like." Apollo said. "She slapped me with so many warding charms because she actually thought I was a demon at first."
"Now then, Ms. Jinxie, your testimony if you would." the Judge said. "Specifically, whether or not you saw Tenma Taro when you discovered the crime scene."
"Y-You're asking me if I saw tenma taro in the Fox chamber? Well, when I opened the door to the chamber…" she shivered. "I saw…I saw… Yes! Now I remember! Y-Y-Yokai! Yokai! Right there in that room!"
"There really was a Yokai in the room?" David asked.
"Uh-huh, lots…and lots of them!" Jinxie said.
"More than one? Did Tenma Taro happen to be among them?" Apollo asked.
"I don't know! I just don't know! All I know is the room was swimming in yokai! Kasha, Nurikabe, Setotaisho! Eeek! They were all there!" Jinxie cowered in complete fear.
"Hmm… She seems very frantic. We might have to calm her down somehow before we can get some viable testimony out of her." Ezana said.
"I believe her memory is simply clouded by fear! But a quick therapy session should ease her mind. With the court's permission, of course." Athena piped in.
"An excellent idea! Proceed, Ms. Cykes." the judge said.
"Will your approach truly work?" Lionel said.
"She's obviously not herself. The trauma of discovering that crime scene...and fear of testifying have her dazed and confused. A regular ball of confusion!" Athena explained, everyone noticing how completely she believed her words.
"She's right. Right now, she's more out of it than Bernadetta can get." Caspar said.
"Uh…am I really that bad?" Bernadetta asked.
"...We'll talk about it later." Mark replied.
"However, my analytical psychology-based approach should be able to help." Athena said.
"If you're sure, then I say go for it." David said.
"...Hmph. It makes no difference to me. Do as you will, but I doubt we shall get any viable testimony. She'd be better served by bearing witness to the sword skills I forged in a distant land!" Blackquill said.
"Hmph. I'll show you!" Athena said, tapping the pendant around her neck. As soon as the screen popped up, there was a siren as the fear emotion was about to burst.
"Just as I thought. What were dealing with here is…" Athena said as the blue color of the Sadness marker spread like mad before completely overriding the screen. "...An out of control emotion!"
"So, this is the extent of your special ability. What is happening here?" Lionel asked.
"Well, normally, using the Mood Matrix, I can compare a person's testimony with their emotions and look for contradicting facts via unexpected emotions appearing." Athena explained. "But in some cases, there are times when one or more emotions completely overwhelm a testimony entirely. In Jinxie's case, its Sadness and Fear. the sheer terror she experienced has made her a confused mess."
"So all the yokai she thinks she saw are a product of that rampant fear?" Apollo asked.
"Yes, that's right. Her fear has instilled in her hallucinations and false memories. She's seeing normal everyday objects as monsters in her mind. It's a form of schizophrenic hallucination brought on by emotional trauma." Athena said. "What we have to do now is find the souce of her out of control fear and probe it. Once we do, I should be able to start treating it."
"Understood. We'll see what we can find." Ezana said.
Did I see Tenma Taro in the Fox Chamber?
Well, when I opened the door... *shiver* I saw... I saw... Yes! Now I remember!
Y-Y-Yokai! Yokai! Right there in that room!
Probe: Cat Monster on a Wheel of Fire
GOT IT!
"Hmm… She seems particularly frightened by that cat on that fire wheel." Ezana said.
"I think that one is called…Kasha?" David asked.
"Y-Yes, I saw Kasha, the yokai that steals the bodies of the recently deceased!" Jixnie said. "I bet it was there to steal the alderman's!"
"It's almost creepy how it fits the actual description." David said.
"Exactly! It's a form of hallucination where the patient can't see things for what they are! There must be something at the scene of the crime that she's mistaking for a Kasha! Guys, you need to point out what she thought was a yokai on a wheel of fire!" Athena said.
"Perhaps she could be referring to the fixture in the ceiling. The one with the flame design." Ezana said.
"The light fixture?" Jinxie asked.
"That's right, Jinxie. This one." Apollo said, pointing to said fixture in the Crime Scene Photo. "There was never a yokai on a wheel of fire. The Kasha you saw was just a light fixture!"
"Eeeek!" Jinxie flinched back.
"That's one memory back to normal! Nice job! Now that you've got the hang of it, it should be a cinch to point out the rest!" Athena said.
"Okay, next is… That white-wall monster over there." David said.
"That's Nurikabe! The wall-like Yokai that blocks your path or leads you astray!" Jinxie said.
"That's not a yokai. That is a folding screen." David said.
"And that tanuki isn't the real monster, merely the statue of one." Lionel said. "What you're seeing before you aren't yokai, merely things you misconceived as them!"
"Eeeeeeeeeeeek! I don't know what I was thinking!" Jinxie cried as that had some effect on her noise level.
NOISE LEVEL
50%
"Alright. The out of control fear should be much more manageable now." David said. "However, that poses another problem."
"Right you are, Ishihara-dono." Blackquill said having his back turned to them before looking over his shoulder to them. "What you're now asserting is the exact opposite of your original assertion."
"Ngh… I should've seen that coming." David said.
"Relax, young one. Athena's gadget is still picking up noise. We could still be missing something." Ezana said..
"From her updated testimony, it doesn't really look like Jinxie saw any yokai, including Tenma Taro, true." Athena said. "But looking for contradictions in emotions doesn't always mean finding ones out of place. You also have to look for how intense the emotion is between segments of it."
"Ah, Lionel sees your point. Let us go back to Jinxie's testimony and review the levels of fear she experienced, now that her emotions are stable." Lionel said.
Did I see Tenma Taro in the Fox Chamber? Sadness (High), Surprise (High)
I was so scared when I entered the room... Sadness (High), Surprise (High)
... my legs gave out and I fell to the floor. Sadness (Low), Surprise (High)
There in the Fox Chamber I saw... *shiver* Sadness (High), Surprise (High)
...the alderman dead on a table and papa collapsed in a chair. Sadness (High), Surprise (High)
Nobody else was there! And that includes Tenma Taro!
GOT IT!
"Jinxie, despite your claim that your legs gave out from fright, you didn't seem all that scared." David said.
"She must've saw something that gave her courage." Apollo said with thought on his mind. "Come to think of it, she did tell me something about a thing that gives her courage. In fact, she gave me it when I first met her! Jinxie, did you see a Nine-Tails flower like the one you showed me at the crime scene?"
"Ah! The demon lawyer strikes again. I can't hide anything from you. I found a small case with a picture of a Nine-Tails Flower on it. I liked it so much, I kept it!" Jinxie admitted.
"Young lady, Removing evidence is a big no-no. Now, the witness will produce said evidence this instant!" The Judge said.
"S-Sorry!" Jinxie said, pulling the case in question out and handing it over.
"Hmm... It does seem to be some sort of case." the Judge said as he inspected it before a key slid out. "Oh, look, something slid out. It... appears to be a key!"
"May I, Your Baldness?" Blackquill asked as Taka retrieved the key for his master to inspect. "Ah…. why, this is the Master Key to Kyubi Manor. Our little scamp here has stumbled upon an article of unimaginable consequence."
"Oh, this does not bode well." Constance said.
"Hmph. Heed these words, for I shall say them but once." Blackquill began. "The sole key to the Fox Chamber has been in this little scamp's constant possession. Ergo, she was the sole person who could use it before, during, and after the murder. Which leaves the master key as the only other key that could have opened the chamber. But this master key...was found in a room that had been locked by this girl."
"Yes, your point? The room was locked…with the master key…inside…" Apollo trailed off. "...Oh."
"Yes. Until Jinxie Tenma opened the Fox Chamber with her key...the room had been locked tight from the outside world. And there was no one else in there, save the victim and his killer." Blackquill said. "Meaning the only person who could have killed the alderman at the time was none other than Damian Tenma."
"Dammit! Now Blackquill's back in control again!" Law said.
"This is not good. We need to come up with something fast or we're gonna lose." Sunset said.
"(It's a very dire situation. But I have to keep calm and collected. If I dive deep into my mind, and explore all possible avenues, somehow, someway, I would get us back on our feet.)" David thought.
"Defense, do you have any objections to Prosecutor Blackquill's case?" the judge asked. "As it stands now ...I'll be forced to declare your client guilty."
"Ishihara-dono, let me put you and your comrades out of your misery. Abandon your client and your misplaced faith in him. Let the relief of a clear head and a clean conscience come rushing in. That will make the inevitable guilty verdict far easier to accept." Blackquill advised.
"(Great… Now Blackquill is trying to lure me into his trap. I won't let it end like this. I have to focus, concentrate…)" David thought as he closed his eyes and dove into his mind.
"Uh… what's David doing?" Athena asked.
"He is deep in thought. At this point, Logic is all that is left to save us." Lionel said. "Lionel thinks that his leader is searching for answers to this predicament… like a hunter searching for his prey within the deepest recesses of his mind."
"I hope he knows what he's doing, because if he can't come up with answers fast enough, Mayor Tenma will be declared Guilty." Apollo said.
Logic Hunter: Start!
David's mind takes on the form of a Predator as he starts going up the treetops.
"(Okay… Let's see what I can get out of this cluttered mess.)" David thought. "(The most glaring point is that the Chamber is locked from the outside. So, I need to figure out how the killer could have escaped.)"
How did the Killer escape the Fox Chamber?
The Predator lunged for the guard that corresponds to the chamber door, using the eye scan to open the door at the base.
"(The Chamber door. It's the only way out, so that has to be it! But… Only Jinxie has the key. And there was a good reason that door was locked.)" David thought.
How was the Chamber door locked?
The Predator came at the guard corresponding to the door being locked from the outside, doing the same thing as before.
"(Yeah, the door had to have been locked from the outside. But the key was found inside the Fox Chamber. This is quite the conundrum.)"
How could the master key be at the crime scene, despite the room being locked tight?
"(Maybe he threw it from the outside?)" David thought as he went for the guard that corresponds to the answer. "(That could be the way to do it. There are two possible ways to do this. Through the window, and through the air vent. It has to be one of those.)"
The predator came to the final security gate that led to the main structure of the base with the final question set.
The Master Key was thrown into the Fox Chamber from Where?
"(Throwing it from the window would be a bit ludicrous, which means…)" David thought as he went for the guard corresponding to the air vent.
At this, the Predator dispatched the guard, scanning his retinas over the main facilities scanners and….. Gained access to the inside as it clicked in victory.
"It's all coming together!"
"I've got it! I think I know how the killer was able to bring the key inside the locked room!" David said.
"Then please…enlighten us." Blackquill said.
"First of all, the Chamber Door was locked from the outside, so they wouldn't have been able to break out." David said. "So, they had to find an alternative way to escape."
"So then how would they get out? Definitely not through the window." Athena mentioned.
"Of course not. That would be too ludicrous, there was a cliff on the other side." David said. "Which leaves one possible avenue. The air vents."
"But during our investigation, we concluded it was impossible for any means of escape through the vent. Unless…." Apollo said. "David, I know what you're thinking. The real killer entered the air duct from the vent outside the Fox Chamber...then dropped the key into the room through the vent inside the chamber!" Apollo declared, pointing at Blackquill
"Hrgh!" Blackquill was cut by the blade of declaration crically yet again. "That's preposterous!"
"That's right. It explains how the key ended up at the Fox Chamber." David said. "First, the real killer, disguised as Tenma Taro murdered the alderman in the Fox Chamber. Then, they fled the room through the hallway door and locked it. Next, they entered the air duct from the vent outside in the hallway. Finally, the killer tossed the key into the room through the air vent in the ceiling." he explained.
"And all that was left to do after that was go back through the duct and flee the manor!" Apollo declared. "That explains everything! The real killer was someone dressed up like Tenma Taro. And there WAS someone else other than the mayor and the alderman in that room!"
"Alright! Way to go, David!" Law cheered from the stands.
"That's our ace investigator for you! There's no way Mayor Tenma will be declared guilty now!" Frosta pumped.
SILENCE!
"A valiant effort on your part, Ishihara-dono." Blackquill said. "However, your final thrust was just too short. The tanuki and the girl saw the yokai…but then what? Did it happen to waltz out the front door?" he pointed out. "There is a security camera at the entrance and no sign of any Yokai were caught on it."
"Well…maybe he flew." Sunset said, showing the special edition newspaper. "This was taken shortly after the murder."
"Nothing but photographic trickery." Blackquill said. "The tanuki never saw the monster reach the exit. He….or rather she… turned back before reaching the electric eye."
"Oh no… I know where this is going." David said.
"I see you understand the gravity of the situation, Ishihara-dono. The falsified yokai remnants... ...and the appearance of "Tenma Taro" were the work of one individual." Blackquill said as he slammed his hand on the desk. "And that individual is none other than Jinxie Tenma!"
"No…not good." Sunset said.
"Bailiff…seize the girl. We'll interrogate her like a samurai of yore." Blackquill ordered.
HOLD IT!
The court looked in shock as Tenma took to the stand.
"Mayor Tenma? What's he doing?!" Kaibara asked.
"Oh no… now that Blackquill has accused Jinxie, I think he's going to confess to committing the crime so he can save his daughter." Kendo said.
"C'mon guys, do something!" Mark pleaded.
But just before anyone could say anything, Mayor Tenmas' necktie suddenly spread open like a fan.
"Hahahahahaha!" Tenma laughed. "You fools! You now gaze upon the very Yokai you have all sought! I am Tenma Taro!"
"What's this? What is our client doing?" Lionel asked.
"He's pretending to be Tenma Taro to protect his daughter." Sunset said.
"Foolish girl! And you claim to know the Yokai world. This is no mere act! I am the one who committed the crime most foul!" Tenma said.
"Your honor, you can clearly see things are getting out of hand! We even proved there could have been a third party. Ending this now would be a catastrophic mistake." Ezana said.
"Hmm…you raise a valid point. We have no choice but to postpone the trial until tomorrow. With both sides doing more investigating." the Judge said as he banged his gavel.
"You fool! This is just a chance for them to forge evidence. We have true evidence and a confession. More than enough for…agh!" Blackquill said as he was being shocked.
"We will have no more of your hijinks here, Prosecutor Backquill!" Fulbright said as he arrived on the scene. "The foundation of justice is fair play, and you are in serious violation of that!"
"Oh sure. Now he steps in and does his job." Vector said.
"Well…looks like we bought ourselves another day. But…could all this…really be the work of Yokai?" Sunset pondered.