April 18, 1:20 PM

Wright Anything Agency

"Okay…we got ourselves more time. But…that Tenma. He pretended to get possessed by Tenma Taro…and Blackquill is going along with it." Sunset said.

"If we don't find another suspect, we're going to get railroaded in court tomorrow." Athena said.

"Hmm…you know…if our killer did use the vents…maybe they left something inside." Sunset said.

"Could be worth a look." David said.

"Yes…let's go." Lionel said as they disposed of any unneeded evidence and headed off.

"Hmm… That air duct has to be the key to this whole thing somehow." David said.

"It may just be." Apollo noted. "With your quick thinking, we did provide an option as to how the real culprit used it to escape the fox chamber."

Kyubi Manor - Fox Chamber

The group returned to the Fox Chamber at the Manor as Fulbright was also there.

"We figured you'd be here, Fulbright." David said.

"Of course. I'm here to make sure you crooked lawyers don't try messing with the crime scene." Fulbright said. "After all, in justice we trust!"

"So were you not paying attention in court today, or what? The Defense took on Blackquill fair and square." Scorpia said.

"Sure you did…and nearly lost too." Fulbright said.

"Look…we just wanna see if anyone's used the vent recently." Rainbow said as she crawled into it. "Ack! Ugh…" she groaned before coming out covered in dust.

"Well?" Ruby asked.

"Uh…you know that thing about how dust gathers in places that hasn't been used in a long time?" Rainbow asked.

"So that rules out the air duct if there's dust." 9S said.

"Not even a trail in it. This is not good. Tenma's gonna get fingered as the killer." Rainbow said.

"Sorry kids. But it seems your justice is not the most just after all." Fulbright said.

"Cut the crap, Fulbright. Kicking people while they're down is what bad guys do." David said.

"What? You are wrong boy! I am no bad guy! I'll tell you anything you want as long as you never call me that again." Fulbright said.

"Alright then… So, what was the deal about the whole yokai thing? Blackquill seems determined to get a conviction, by any means he deems necessary." David said.

"He doesn't have any direct evidence. However…we did find this at the base of the cliff outside." Fulbright said showing off a staff.

"Wait, that's… Could this staff be the same one that Tenma Taro was carrying?" Ezana asked.

"One in the same. The young lady likely threw it off the cliff after she was done." Fulbright said. "No fingerprints on it but if she were in costume, there wouldn't be any."

"Still… Rex Kyubi was the Amazing Nine-Tails all along. Some of us had our suspicions, but how did Blackquill know?" David asked.

"Through investigation. He's a clever one. And with the merger and the victims past, it was easy to put together. Heck, those fans of his tried to storm the detention center." Fulbright said.

"Don't blame them. Their hero got murdered." Hope said.

"(Oh man, Ihope they don't get mad at me because I'm stashin' his mask….)" Peacock thought.

"Well, given talks of Mayor Tenma as of late, everything seems to be working out a little too perfectly." David said. "Still, any other developments as of late?"

"Hmm…actually. Our suspect did suffer some partial memory loss. However…he did remember something but he didn't want to talk with us. He said, 'I have nothing to say to the likes of you mortals.'" Fulbright said.

"Yep, sounds like his Tenma Taro persona taking over." David said.

"Hmm…he may not talk to the cops…but he might with his legal team." Sunset said.

"Sunset's right. Blackquill might've almost beat us today, but we're gonna bounce back. We'll start by going back to the detention center and talking to Mayor Tenma, yokai or not." Glimmer said.

"He'll likely keep up his Tenma Taro act. Well, guess it's time to look death in the face, literally." David said.

Detention Center - Visitor's Room

"Caw caw-caw-caw! So, my minions have returned!" Tenma greeted them with his Tenma Taro act.

"Mr. Taro, we wanted to talk to you about something." 9S said.

"Caw-shaaaaaaaaw!" Tenma cawed.

"He's really set on this. Is this really an act, or is Tenma Taro really in there?" Weisz asked.

"Either way, we need his testimony. If we have to talk to him in this state, so be it!" David said.

"If you can clear me of these charges, I shall help in whatever manner I may. Now, ask of me what you will!" Tenma said.

"The feathers and tracks at the scene of the crime… Those are yours, correct?" David asked.

"Indeed. They are the result of my return to the mortal plain! However…you should know, neither me nor Damian killed anyone. If I did, he would have been set ablaze til nothing but ash remained." Tenma said.

"I see… So someone else really was in that chamber." David said. "Now, Detective Fulbright said you have something new for us."

"Indeed. Behold!" Tenma said showing them a new key. "The key to the forbidden chamber, the very room I was sealed in!"

"Whoa. Where did you find it?" Glimmer asked.

"I regurgitated it from Damian's stomach but a short while ago." Tenma said.

"Urk… forget I asked…" Glimmer said, close to vomiting.

"How vulgar!" Constance added.

"Well… Lionel supposes that he did what he had to in order to prevent entry to the Forbidden Chamber" Lionel said. "Though how does one enter? We saw no keyhole."

"Guess we'll have to ask Jinxie about it later." Apollo said. "Right…one other matter." he said showing a certain letter.

"Hmm…caw! This is…" Tenma said. "This is that accursed blackmail letter that was sent to Damian."

"Yes. Someone slipped it into the Alderman's pocket after the murder. We have suspicions that the killer have stolen it from Lord Tenma." Ezana said. "Do you know anything about this?"

"Not many knew of….wait…could it have been…" Tenma said. "There is one other who knew of the briefcase's contents…that aide, Florent L'Belle."

"Then that settles it. L'Belle is the killer!" David said.

"That is preposterous! He's a most trusted advisor. He would never betray Damian!" Tenma said.

"Hey, I've met the guy in person, he makes Constance look tame." Peacock said. "I wouldn't trust a guy like that if i first saw em."

"How interesting." Yuri said. "An individual even shadier than the Shady Lady."

"Shady Lady?" Blake asked.

"It's what Yuri calls Constance a lotta the time." Balthus said.

"But one thing still doesn't add up. If L'Belle really is the killer, why would he want to open the Forbidden Chamber?" Crusadermon asked.

"That's right. Without a motive, it'll be difficult to finger him in court as the killer." Shuichi said. "We're gonna have to talk with him."

"Knowing him, he might be at the Manor. I know what he looks like, follow me guys!" Peacock said, leading them out of the detention center.

"Wait, shouldn't we find Jinxie and ask her some questions too?" Scorpia asked.

"Fulbright probably has the same idea and is taking her in for questioning now, we'll catch up with her later." Catra said.

"Besides, she'll likely be kept away from us. For now though, let's visit this fop." Yang said.

Kyubi Manor - Garden

When the group arrived outside Kyubi Manor, they spotted a man wearing a really expensive purple suit with gold shoulder pads that looked like flip cellphones. His face suggested he overdoes it on makeup, and his hair was dyed blue.

"Oh, what an absolutely FABULOUS scent! I'm SO glad I had these carnations imported from England. Nothing but the FINEST will do. Perhaps I should place one aside for our DEARLY departed alderman." he said.

"Yep… I think that's him." David said.

"Yup." Peacock said. "Like I told ya. Constance outta the sun cranked up to 11."

"Oh…the mayor's little lawyers and their pet freak. What could YOU possible want with ME?" L'Belle said.

"We want to ask you some questions." David said. "First off, about Tenma Taro… Did you see him?"

*RING* *RING*

"Sorry…more important people than you." he said as the pads on his shoulders flipped open, revealing them as cellphones.

"Wait, those pads are actually phones?" UlforceVeedramon asked.

"It's the ultimate in functional beauty." he said as he answered them. "Hello, L'Belle speaking! ...Really? You wish to carry MY new product at YOUR store? Oh, but I'm afraid it's my own PRIVATE brand. It's NOT available to the public. ...What? Then I shouldn't advertise it on TV? But I DON'T understand. As THE embodiment of beauty, it is my duty to announce my good looks to the world!" he said.

"(Yep. Definitely one of those people.)" David thought.

"Okay, even Coco isn't as vain as this guy." Hapi said.

"Ah ha ha ha! EVERYONE wants my EXCLUSIVE "Je suis L'Belle!" brand products! It's the crown jewel of MY collection, born of my LONG, RELENTLESS pursuit of beauty! But now that it's become SO popular, it's been an ABSOLUTE nightmare! But it's all for ME! None of you PEASANTS can have it." he said.

"So, it's a private brand, hm?" Mayumi asked. "Must cost a lot."

"Yes, it is a little pricy. Especially when running ads for it on TV and magazines." L'Belle said.

"I would bet they would come in a wide array of hues, then." Sectonia said.

"This is my LATEST product! I'm calling it "Couleur Me L'Belle!" A DAZZLING hair color that you can wash out with just water!" L'Belle said showing it off. "Take one for yourself, darling. Maybe one day you'll be…slightly better."

"Wouldn't that be nice?" Mark said sarcastically, rolling his eyes

"Sectonia, I think you should take it, before he decides to spray it on us." David said.

"Thanks, I guess." Sectonia said.

"So…you wouldn't know anything about this." Sunset said, showing the blackmail letter.

"Hmm…what about it? Wait…are you accusing me of the alderman's murder?" L'Belle said.

"Well you were the only other person who knew of this so…" Sunset said as he took it.

"My only crime is being born too beautiful. Let me help you lighten your load." L'Belle said before ripping it up.

"Destroying evidence is still a crime, you know." David said.

"Well…I just did it. Bet you all feel a little lighter now. Well…tata…" L'Belle said as he walked off.

"Oh…he is going down." Sunset said.

"Yeah, I'm gonna enjoy watching him squirm tomorrow." David said. "But first… We should probably head to the Fox Chamber. There might be some sort of hidden mechanism for opening the Forbidden Chamber."

Kyubi Manor - Fox Chamber

"Hmm…there's gotta be a secret to…" Sunset said as she looked at the fox statues. "And these must play a part. Wonder what would happen if we faced them against each other."

The fox statues were then turned towards each other, revealing a keyhole. Putting the key inside and turning it, the door to the forbidden chamber soon opened up.

"It worked! The Forbidden Chamber is open!" Mayumi said.

"Well, Tenma Taro is out, so it should be safe to go in… I think." David said.

"Whoa…check this out." Caspar said as they saw a number of staves and a large statue of Tenma Taro.

"Well, this is something unexpected." 9S said, holding up a tube of hand cream that had L'Belle's brand symbol on it.

"This hand cream… It's got the same mark as L'Belle's hair gel!" Sectonia said.

"Which means it really is one of his products." Lionel said.

"Which also means he was in here." Sunset said.

"He must have been the impersonator. He took a staff from here and ran off as Tenma Taro." Kazuichi said.

"Hmm." 9S said as he examined the base of the statue and found a hidden drawer as he found a statue inside it and dusted it off. "This statue looks just like Filch."

"Like Filch? Let me take a closer look." Ezana said.

"Sure." 9S said, handing it to Ezana.

"Huh…actually…" Sunset said as she looked. "That's not Filch. It…looks like Azukiarai!"

"Azukiarai? Which one is that?" Sachiko asked.

"It's the yokai that washes azuki beans." Sunset said.

"Ah, right. Jinxie mentioned that in court earlier today." David said.

"Hmm…you know…I'm getting a good idea about what Filch was after." Sunset said, seeing a small amount of something in the hidden drawer.

"Let me…" Trish said as she looked closer. "Yep…this is a chip…of gold."

"Of gold? So, does that mean Filch really was a thief?" Sachiko asked.

"Or a descendant of one, anyway." David said.

"Or an accomplice to one." Kaede said as she let out a whistle as Chatot flew in through the window.

"Chatot? Have you picked up something?" Zacian asked.

"Okay! Now, let's PRACTICE that AGAIN, Filchy! From the top!" Chatot spoke on L'Belle's voice. "Errr... Mr. L'Belle was in the foyer at the time of the crime... ...and when we, uhh... heard a scream, uhh... Aw, heck! What was the next part again? Aaaargh!" it said in Filch's voice. "You have the memory capacity of a FLEA! This is the THIRTIETH TIME, you know! Now, a hundred times more and we're done!" it said in L'Belle's voice once more.

"I told Chatot to keep an eye on Filch and repeat any time he spoke with L'Belle after we found out about him at the center." Kaede said.

"But… What was that about practicing?" Jesmon asked.

"What else? They're practicing their alibis." Trish said.

"I get it… L'Belle is working with Filch to make sure that he doesnt get called up to testify in court. Filch is his human shield!" Peacock deduced.

"How repulsively sickening, treating his own associate like that…" David said.

"Still…he had to have been in the room when Jinxie opened the doors. So…how did he avoid getting caught?" Sunset said.

"Look up there in the ceiling." 9S said, pointing to an air vent.

"A good try, but you couldn't even reach it from in here." Sunset said.

"Maybe those lanterns could be the key. They must have been kept off to give off the illusion of being in the dark." David said.

"Well, this chamber is really dark and spooky. But lanterns? That seems a little far-fetched. Not with the costume's frame." Rinwell said.

"Something we'll have to figure out in court tomorrow." Sunset said.

"What about Jinxie? I mean…" Athena said.

"It's fine. I actually spoke with her after the trial." Shuichi said. "Seems she was in a bit of a trance earlier."

"Somnablism…she's suffering from sleepwalking. So…she probably didn't see Tenma Taro." Chopper said.

"Yeah…but…she said…Tenma confessed to being the killer." Shuichi said. "At the crime scene."

"Something about this just doesn't add up. Tenma Taro said that he didn't kill the alderman. Which means either someone is lying…or this is just another one of the real killer's traps." David said. "For a narcissistic prick, L'Belle really thought this one through."

"Well tomorrow…we'll be performing an exorcism…a legal exorcism." Sunset said.

"Yep. Tomorrow, we'll bring an end to this whole affair, once and for all." David said.