April 19, 9:30 AM
District Court - Courtroom No. 4
Day 2
Court Is Now In Session
All Rise
"Court is back in session for the trial of Damian Tenma." The Judge said.
"The defense team is ready, Your Honor." David said.
"And the prosecution?" The Judge asked as Blackquill stood there, saying nothing. "Very well, then. By the way, I asked Detective Fulbright to provide sturdier shackles today. There will be no more of your funny business this time, Prosecutor Blackquill!"
"Hmph." Blackquill grunted.
"Now, your opening statement, if you would. I believe it's standard procedure for the prosecution to handle it." The Judge said.
"Wow, the judge is on fire today." 9S said from the gallery.
"After what happened yesterday with Blackquill breaking free on his watch and being made a total fool of by him? He' s gotta show he's the boss aroundhere." Akane said.
"Yeah, that was one mean game of Simon Says." Caspar said.
"His Honor has to fight to defend his honor today." Athena added from the defense team's stand.
"...Your Baldness... It's plain to see that you've always dreamed of delivering an epic opening statement." Blackquill said.
"I don't know if I'd say that." the judge said.
"Why, of course you have. I saw it in your eyes the last time you gave the opening statement. That was the look of one who yearns deeply for the thrill of an epic opening statement. For decades now, you have been watching opening statements from your bench. They were the crown jewels of the court - the one thing you could not possess!" Blackquill said. "Now, at long last, they are within your grasp. How could you possibly refuse?"
"Resist it, your Honor, resist it!" Constance called.
"So you don't mind if I do it then?" The Judge asked.
"So much for that." Shionne said.
"Here we go again." Athena said.
"It's hard to resist Blackquill's mind games. Fortunately, your friends don't seem to be affected much, David." Apollo said.
"Well, we're kind of used to people trying to mess with our heads, let's just say." David said.
"If I'm to get accustomed to this so long as Prosecutor Blackquill is presiding, I may as well." the Judge said clearing his throat. "In yesterday's session, we learned the shocking truth that...the victim Alderman Rex Kyubi was The Amazing Nine-Tails. We also learned that… The Amazing Nine-Tails was a key figure in the yokai craze and anti-merger protests. It was further revealed that upon learning Rex Kyubi's secret identity, Mayor Damian Tenma murdered him. The fact that the crime took place in a tightly locked room was also brought to light. And the only people in that tightly locked room were the defendant and victim. Mr. Ishihara proposed the existence of a hypothetical third party, but further investigation revealed no proof of a third party who had escaped the room."
"Ergo?" Blackquill asked.
"We must conclude that the evidence against the defendant is... well... conclusive." The judge said.
"Lionel must say, your honor. Though unorthodox, you have good talent for this." Lionel said.
"The Merchant has truth in his words, your baldness. You really outdid yourself." Blackquill added.
"Thank you both. Compliments aside, we do have a trial to finish. Prosecutor Blackquill, I believe you had information to share regarding the evidence planted at the crime Scene?"
"The feathers and tracks of Tenma Taro? Well, you would think the mayor laid them after that spectacle to conclude yesterdays events, but that was merely an act to protect his daughter." Blackquill said. "His daughter was the one who planted the yokai evidence. Ergo, the true identity of the yokai in the manor was the manor's maid, Jinxie Tenma."
OBJECTION!
"The prosecution is engaging in mere conjecture!" Apollo said.
"Hmph. Would you care for some witness testimony, then? For I am ready to prove that the little scamp is the one behind the Tenma Taro farce." Blackquill said.
"Here we go." Mai spoke in the stands to the others. "Filch will be coming out first. Thanks to Chatot's scouting, we know he and L'Belle will be covering each other's Alibis."
"Yes. But Filch is also quite fidgety. He'll squeal under the slightest pressure." Leopardmon said. "I'm actually surprised he managed to outrun five baliffs yesterday. That's quite impressive."
"Ah, Tenko and I coulda caught him easy." Akane said.
Like the group predicted, Filch was the first to take the stand.
"You made quite the hasty retreat yesterday, Mr. Filch. Please ensure it doesn't happen again." The Judge said.
"Sorry about that, Yer Honorship. Been known for my hasty retreats since I was a kid. Bit of a trademark o' mine." Filch said.
"Perhaps we should shackle you by the neck, then. That will keep you in place." Blackquill suggested.
"Yipe! No please, I'm liable to rip off my own head!" Filch cowered.
"Then if you don't want nothing to threaten your life, give your statement to the court about the Tenma Taro impersonator you saw after the crime…. And reveal the little scamp behind the costume." Blackquill said.
"Ah, Yes Sir!" Filch said.
Witness Testimony: Phineas Filch
- The Yokai Is Jinxie -
Tenma Taro's really that little maid gal. Ain't no doubt about it!
I mean, the Tenma Taro I saw was just a lil' thing 'bout her size!
But the little runt had a big ol' staff. I seen it when she came into the foyer!
Betcha she stole it from the Forbidden Chamber after stumbling on the crime scene.
She was gonna use it to wallop me on account o' my fierce reputation, I just know it!
→ The Forbidden Chamber ←
Present: Forbidden Chamber Key
OBJECTION!
"It would seem Tenma Taro was not this innocent girl." David said. "She wouldn't be able to grab a hold of one of those staves."
"Care to elaborate, Mr. Ishihara?" The Judge asked.
"As…disgusting as it would be to imagine, Mayor Tenma actually swallowed the key shortly after the murder. He intended to keep the killer out of the Forbidden Chamber." David said.
"What's this?" Blackquill asked.
"Under those circumstances, she wouldn't have been able to get into the Forbidden Chamber. In other words, Jinxie is not Tenma Taro!" David said.
Blackquill felt like he got hit in the chest again as Filch screamed in panic, his hat flying upward as he held his red cloth over his head as the hat landed.
"We have a few suspicions on who Tenma Taro might be." Ezana said.
"Then who does the defense believe was impersonating Tenma Taro?!" The Judge asked.
"Our Tenma Taro impersonator is none other than Mayor Tenma's aide-" Apollo started.
OBJECTION!
"Such accusations beg evidence. Aside from his ghastly appearance, can you prove he is the yokai we seek?" Blackquill asked.
"Yes. Without a shadow of a doubt." Lionel said.
"During our investigation inside the Forbidden Chamber, we found this lying inside." Sunset said, presenting the tube of hand cream. "Whoever had possession of this hand cream is Tenma Taro."
"Your Honor, we request an analysis for fingerprints." Ezana said.
"Fortunately, we've gathered prints from everyone who was at the manor." Blackquill said before looking to Fulbright, who was in attendance nearby. "Fool Bright! Analyze this evidence for prints. You have three minutes."
"Your wish is my command, Blackquill!" Fulbright saluted before taking the hand cream and heading off.
"Hopefully we'll figure out who Tenma Taro is. Although, Blackquill has a point. Knowing L'Belle, would he even dress up as a yokai?" Bow said.
"No, I don't think so. I mean, have you seen all those feathers?" BA Petra asked. "That would be a nightmare for someone like him."
"So… would that make Filch the impostor?" Frosta asked curiously.
"Most likely. And given his short stature, it would make sense." Mayumi said. "Oh man… Filch just can't stop unintentionally getting under Blackquill's skin, can he?"
"C'mon you guys! Quit it with the assumptions!" Hiyoko said. "There's no way that dirty raccoon was impersonating Tenma Taro!"
"Were gonna dind out soon enough." Catra said.
Three minutes later, the analysis was complete, as Blackquill reviewed the results.
"The results of the analysis are in." Blackquill said as he read them before coming across something that really hit him. "What in the world? This is absurd!"
"Whatever is the matter, Prosecutor Blackquill?" Lionel asked.
"Analysis confirms that the fingerprints on the hand cream belong to…. Phineas Filch." Blackquill revealed.
"Told you, Hiyoko." Mayumi said.
"So L'Belle wasn't in the Forbidden Chamber, after all." Ezana said.
"So that means not only was Filch the one in the Forbidden Chamber…he might actually be the real killer?!" Apollo exclaimed.
"I don't know about the real killer, but… Wait, then Filch… You were Tenma Taro in that special reenactment the day before!" David said.
"Yep. And after the event, I went to watch that pro wrestling program... but it bored me to tears on account o' the wrestlers being complete jobbers." Filch said.
"So he admits to not watching the whole thing." Ezana said.
"That's when I looked at the Tenma Taro costume and got a great idea!" Filch continued. "Nobody can tell it's me while I'm wearing it...and 'cause o' them superstitions, no matter what I do, the villagers won't say a word!"
"Ah, right. The Village superstitions." David said..
"Why did you want to enter the Forbidden Chamber?" Apollo asked.
"What other reason is there? I wanted to get in there and snag me the treasure locked inside!" Filch said. "You guys were in the chamber investigatin, right? You musta caught a clue about it."
"(Yeah, but there wasn't really much to steal there.)" David thought. "(He went in without knowing what he was looking for was already stolen?)"
"He doesn't know his grandfather already stole it." Athena noted.
"Yeah, Trish was really paying attention to that detail." David said.
"But that begs the question. How did Filch get into the Forbidden Chamber?" Apollo asked. "There was a meeting in the Fox Chamber that day. Plus, the mayor swallowed the only key that could open the Forbidden Chamber's door. He couldn't have possibly gotten in."
"I could through the air vent in the foyer! The vent's left o' the alderman's picture. I went on in and made a nice little hole. Used that to get into the air duct that leads to the Forbidden Chamber, I did!" Filch said.
"So! There was a way to connect the air vents in both chambers and the foyer this whole time." Lionel said.
"Tell us, Mr. Filch. Where were you after fleeing the foyer?" Ezana asked.
"After I high tailed it out, I decided to ditch the costume. Would've caused me a lotta trouble." Filch said.
"Of course…. Now it makes clear sense to Lionel." Lionel said. "Recall the special edition paper we presented yesterday?"
"Yeah. So that was Filch tossing the costume out the window." David said.
"Aw, I can't keep any o' them cats bagged! Can I still file a claim for the lost costume?" Filch asked.
"This more than proves the defense's position. Jinxie Tenma had nothing to do with staging the yokai sighting." Apollo said.
"Care to raise any objections, Prosecutor Blackquill?" The Judge asked.
"...None whatsoever. I'll deal with that tricksy tanuki after I've dealt with this case." Blackquill said.
"We did it, you guys! Now all that's left is to make Florent L'Belle take the stand!" Athena cheered.
OBJECTION!
"Sheathing your sword a bit early, aren't we?" Blackquill asked. "Nothing has been proved beyond a doubt. Take this tricksy little tanuki for instance. How do you suppose he was able to exit the Forbidden Chamber?"
"Well, certainly not the way he got in. However, if that is the case, then the Fox Chamber would have to be opened to let him out. Which means… A certain someone's alibi is called into question." David said.
"Very well, Mr. Ishihara. Please, tell us. Whose alibi no longer adds up?" The judge asked.
Target: Florent L'Belle
"It has to be you!"
"Florent L'Belle. He claimed to be in the foyer at the time of the murder, isn't that right?" David asked.
"That's right, David. He also claimed Mr. Filch was in the foyer, too. However, as we all know now, Mr. Filch was NOT there with Mr. L'Belle at that time." Apollo said. "In short, Mr. L'Belle's alibi has disappeared!"
"Argh!" Blackquill took another big hit.
"And we can back this claim up, as well. Our good friend Ms. Akamatsu has a very chatty friend who listened in on a conversation with Mr. Filch and Mr. L'Belle." Apollo said.
"Yes. The two of them were covering for each other's alibis." Ezana said.
"Talk about a twist." Hapi said.
"Shame on you Mr. Filch! Perjury is a serious crime!" the Judge said.
"Mercy, your honorship!" Filch pleaded before he was swarmed by Taka.
"The defense also asserts that the person who opened the Forbidden Chamber for Mr. Filch...was none other than Florent L'Belle! After all, his alibi has just been proven to be a complete fabrication!" Apollo said.
"...I see. We will take a twenty-minute recess...after which time we will see what Mr. L'Belle has to say for himself." The Judge said. "During this time, the prosecution will question Mr. L'Belle about these new allegations."
10:25 AM
District Court - Defendant Lobby No. 3
"Nice work, you guys. L'Belle's finally gonna be out in the open." Hope said.
"Yep. We have reached the final stretch of this trial, I can feel it." David said.
"Although, we must also be wary. Prosecutor Blackquill might have one last trick up his sleeve." Lionel said.
"Hey, guys." Peacock said, walking up before pulling out the Mask of The Amazing Nine Tails. "Take this back in there with you. It's probably gonna come in handy."
"The Nine Tails Mask? Wait a second… Ezana, didn't you say this mask had a crucial piece of evidence in there before?" David asked.
"I did. Remember that we found a piece of white hair inside. This lead us all to believe the Amazing Nine Tails was Mr. Kyubi." Ezana said.
"Yeah. Cause he has white hair." Sunset said.
"But what if it's actually L'Belle's Hair? Since he uses his own hair products, he might be hiding his actual hair color." 9S said.
"There's no way it can be that… Actually, you know what? I think you might be onto something there." David said.
"That means you guys have a lot to ask that bastard about." Fuyuhiko said.
"Sectonia, maybe the Hair dye L'Belle forced on us could help too." Mahiru suggested.
"Of course. It might just be the final nail in the coffin." Sectonia said.
"Oh, the ultimate irony. L'Belle's own hair products ended up being the catalyst of his own undoing." David said.
"Then take the mask, and his dye in and take 'em down!" Peacock said. "I can't wait to see the look on his face when he finally bites it!"
"Don't worry. That's what we plan to do." David said.
11:00 AM
District Court - Courtroom No. 4
"Court is back in session." The Judge called. "Our next witness is -"
"...Yes. I'm ACTING on behalf of the mayor in this VERY important matter." L'Belle said. He was on the witness stand, looking through his notebook and answering many a call via his cell phone shoulder pads. His hair was now green in color as well. Blackquill got his attention as L'Belle hung up. "Let's speed this up. I am a VERY busy man after all."
"Oh, we'll keep it brief, alright." David said.
"Your Baldness." Blackquill attended.
"A hole was made in your alibi. You are being accused of perjury, which is a very serious crime." the Judge said.
"Fine. The truth is I faked my alibi for a VERY good reason. The mayor was OBVIOUSLY the killer, so I created a fake alibi to confuse the matter. You see, as his PERSONAL aide, I felt I HAD to protect him. SORRY! Ah ha ha ha!" L'Belle said.
"You really think this is a laughing matter? Without your alibi, you're a suspect too. I hope you realize that." David said.
"Pfft. Peasant. How dare someone as homely as you, accuse me, one of the BEAUTIFUL people of…" L'Belle said.
"Just get on with it." Sunset said.
"She's right, stop stalling and tell the court what you were really doing at the time of the crime!" Athena added.
SILENCE!
"Uh oh… Blackquill broke out the S word, you know what that means." Scorpia said.
"Damn it, not again…" David said. "So much for sturdier shackles."
"Enough jabbering. Swords have been drawn. The time for talk is past." Blackquill said. "This is a duel to the death. The fate of the accused rests in our hands. Be gone, ye of cowardly heart!" he said as he raised his arms and shattered the chains on his cuffs once again. "The battlefield hath no place for ye!"
"Well, here we go again." Eddy said in the jury stands.
"Will the witness please deliver the accused's death knell? You know of what I speak." Blackquill stated.
"Ah ha ha ha! Most CERTAINLY. His GOOSE is already COOKED. Time to stick a fork in him!" L'Belle laughed. "As I TOLD Prosecutor Blackquill during the recess...I RUSHED right over to the Fox Chamber when I heard little Jinxie scream. THEN - drum roll please...I saw Mayor Tenma OPENING the Forbidden Chamber doors."
"So there was never any third party…" Ezana said.
"Oh, and THAT'S not all! I heard something QUITE startling there at the scene of the crime!" L'Belle continued. "The mayor, who was barely conscious, muttered this... "Forgive me, Jinxie. I killed the alderman." That's right! The mayor ACTUALLY confessed to the murder right then and there!"
The jury broke out in exclamations at this declaration, forcing the Judge to bang his gavel.
"Order! Order in the court!" The Judge demanded. "This is quite conclusive testimony if it stands!"
"Quite the astonishing one, as well. I heard it all myself during the recess." Blackquill said. "I even confirmed it with the mayor's daughter."
"But…how could this be possible? He was out cold most of the time so…how did he confess?" Sunset said.
"I think L'Belle was lying." David said.
"And more to the point, L'Belle must have been in that room. So…how did he avoid getting seen?" Sunset said.
"You REALLY want to know? Then I shall tell you EXACTLY what happened." L'Belle said, patting his flower sprayer.
"Very well Mr. L'Belle. Please proceed." The Judge said.
Witness Testimony: Florent L'Belle
–What L'Belle Saw–
I was in the hallway, HIDING in the shadows. THAT'S when I heard the confession.
Upon LEARNING of her father's crime, little Jinxie fled without EVER noticing me.
Immediately AFTER that, the mayor came to, stood up and opened the Forbidden Chamber!
As I ran in TERROR, the demon emerged from his prison!
In shock, I FLED down the hallway to my right - the one with the PHONE at the end.
→ The Hallway to my right ←
Present: Jinxie's Statement
OBJECTION!
"L'Belle… How long do you insist on lying to us?" David asked. "Because if what you say is true, then Ms. Tenma would have seen you."
"That's right. After visiting the scene, she immediately went to call the police. After which she went back down the main hall." Sunset said.
"That's where she saw Tenma Taro, aka Phineas Filch." David said.
"Yes. All of you would have definitely crossed paths." Lionel said.
"Except, upon investigation, she said she didn't see anyone else in the hall." David said. "Which means unless you were some sort of chameleon, there's no way she would have seen you!"
"Aaaaaah!" L'Belle exclaimed in shock, accidentally spraying his own perfume on his face as he covered his eyes in pain. "My eyes! My beautiful eyes!"
"But Mr. Ishihara, the witness also stated that he heard the mayor confess." The Judge pointed out. "If he was lying about hearing the confession from the hall...then where was he when he heard it?"
"Where else? The Fox Chamber itself." David said.
"But that's within the crime scene!" The Judge said. "Are you suggesting that the witness was the third party you alleged before?"
"That's exactly what we are implying, Your Honor. L'Belle isn't just a witness, he was the assailant!" David said.
"What?! You think I'M the killer?! How DARE you!" L'Belle said.
SILENCE!
"Foolish fop. A true man knows when he is beaten. A shield of lies comes to naught before a foe with the sword of truth bared." Blackquill said.
"P-Prosecutor Blackquill, what ARE you...? I thought WE were on the SAME side?" L'Belle asked.
"You are mistaken. There are no sides here, save for my cold, steely edge of judgment. You are alone upon this battlefield, with naught but your lies and sickly sweet perfume." Blackquill said. "You heard the mayor's confession from the inside, did you not, you deviant dandy? For the sole location from which you could've seen and heard the mayor and the tanuki...without either of them noticing you were right there in the Fox Chamber."
"I can think of one…he was pretending to be someone else." Sunset said.
"And WHO may I ask would I have the GALL to be impersonating?" L'Belle asked.
"L'Belle… Does this look familiar to you?" David asked as he took out the Nine Tails mask.
"Why, THAT is the mask of the Amazing Nine Tails, of course!" L'Belle said.
"Yeah…we think this was you." Sunset said.
"So he was impersonating the victim?" the Judge asked.
"Not quite. It took some digging but…we were wrong about who was who. Rex Kyubi isn't the amazing Nine Tails…Damian Tenma is!" Sunset said.
HOLD IT!
That was when Mayor Tenma, in his impersonation of Tenma Taro, took to the stand.
"What is this mockery?! You dare have the courage to declare that my host is my mortal Enemy?!" Tenma asked.
"Unfortunately so. L'Belle has been pulling the wool over everyone's eyes." David said. "But if you feel so insulted by this, you can give your testimony here. I would be more than happy to oblige." he said with his eyes not showing a hint of fear.
"Very well! The time has come to reveal my perspective on the subject. I shall tell you all about what I witnessed in the Fox Chamber, through the eyes of my host." Tenma said.
Witness Testimony: Damian Tenma
- The Ruler of Demonkind -
Barely conscious was Damian there amid the darkness.
Suddenly, two yokai did appear!
On one side, I, Tenma Taro, ruler of demonkind!
And on the other, my mortal enemy, the Nine-Tailed Fox!
"His testimony seems a bit erratic. It's kind of hard to discern anything clear. Athena, we might need some help." David said.
"I had a feeling you'd say that. I heard the discord in Mr. Tenma's heart." Athena said. "Let's use the Mood Matrix and see if we can prove Sunset's proclamation right."
Athena then Booted up the Mood Matrix, recording the mayor's testimony from top to bottom.
Barely conscious was Damian there amid the darkness. - Sadness
Suddenly, two yokai did appear! - Sadness, Surprise
On one side, I, Tenma Taro, ruler of demonkind! - Sadness, Surprise
And on the other, my mortal enemy, the Nine-Tailed Fox! - Sadness, Surprise, Happiness
GOT IT!
"When the Nine-Tailed Fox appeared, you not only experienced shock and sadness, but you also seemed…happy." David pointed out.
"Happy? Hmm... Perhaps it was happiness at the light coming to my eyes at long last. A long and terrible creaking did pierce the silence...and then there was light! On reflection, it was a door that did produce that infernal racket." Tenma said.
"A creaking door? Ah, yes. You must be referring to the Forbidden Chamber door." Ezana said.
"So, this means the Forbidden Chamber really was opened. But what about the sudden light he described?" Athena asked.
"I might have an idea. He mentioned darkness and Tenma Taro towering overhead. Maybe the mayor wasn't really in the Fox Chamber at the time of the crime!" David said.
"Lord Tenma, could it be that you ended up in the Forbidden Chamber?" Ezana asked.
"The Forbidden Chamber?! Was it not the Fox Chamber where the murder did occur?" Tenma asked.
"Yes, but it all makes sense if you were in the Forbidden Chamber! That terrible creaking sound was probably the Forbidden Chamber's door opening. And the towering Tenma Taro you saw? Most likely the Forbidden Chamber's statue!" David said.
"Why, yes! That would explain it! The darkness and the staff in the demon's grasp!" Tenma said.
"But even if all that's true, then what about the Nine-Tailed Fox?" Athena asked.
"Lionel thinks he was probably just seeing things, similar to Jinxie." Lionel said.
"Fantástico, Lionel! It's entirely possible! In a groggy, dream-like state, people can misremember things and events." Athena said.
"Misremember, you say? Hrmm. Let me think. ...Ah! I do believe... I remember now!" Tenma said. "That... that was not the Nine-Tailed Fox. It was...The Amazing Nine-Tails!"
"Wh-Wh-Whaaaaaat! Th-The Amazing Nine-Tails?" Apollo asked.
"At first, this is but a dream, I thought. Now, however, most clearly do I recall it. Twas The Amazing Nine-Tails who did open the Forbidden Chamber's door!" Tenma said.
NOISE LEVEL
60%
"The noise level has gone down. If we make Mayor Tenma remember everything and get it down to zero, I'm positive we'll prove Sunset's declaration." Athena said.
"Well, let's keep going then." Apollo said.
"Yeah, let's run an update." David said.
Barely conscious was Damian there in the Forbidden Chamber. - Sadness
Amid the darkness, a mighty statue of Tenma Taro loomed overhead. - Sadness, Surprise
Suddenly, the door did open, and a shaft of light did pierce the gloom! - Happiness, Surprise
The Amazing Nine-Tails had come to the rescue! - Sadness, Happiness, Surprise
Pinpoint: Sadness
GOT IT!
"When The Amazing Nine-Tails opened the chamber, banishing the darkness within...you felt joy, but didn't you also feel shock and sadness?" David asked.
"Hrmmm... Yes, in the hazy depths of my mind, I do recollect something of that nature. I believe it was the fiend's cape of red. For when I did behold it, a great wave of sadness did inexplicably wash over me." Tenma said
NOISE LEVEL
20%
"There's still a little bit left. Seems we haven't gotten everything yet." David said. "Did something about the red cape make you sad?"
"Wait, the Amazing Nine Tails doesn't even wear a red cape." Sunset said as she pulled out the Glossy of said wrestler. "See here, May- Er… Lord Tenma? You can clearly see the Amazing Nine Tails's Cape is golden and shaped like foxtails."
"Wait, then that red spot he may have seen was actually…" David started. "Wait, could it be the alderman's blood?"
"Blood?! Why, yes! It was blood!" Tenma exclaimed before he let out a deafening scream, slipping out of his impersonation. "It's all coming back to me now! It wasn't a red cape that I saw... It was, lying behind The Amazing Nine-Tails, the alderman's bloody body!" Tenma roared.
"Ow… I am so not paying for my eardrums' funeral…" David said.
NOISE LEVEL
0%
BYE BYE
"The noise level is gone. Looks like that's everything." Ezana said.
"Does this mean The Amazing Nine-Tails killed Alderman Kyubi?" Apollo asked.
"But we originally thought the alderman WAS The Amazing Nine-Tails, so how exactly would that work?" Athena asked.
"Looks like Sunset was right, after all. Someone was wearing the Nine-Tails mask." David said. "Well, L'Belle?"
"What? Mr. Ishihara are you saying…. That Mr. L'Belle was impersonating Mayor Tenma?" The Judge asked.
"I believe so. It was quite a scheme, a clever one at that, but nothing gets by my brain." David said.
SILENCE!
"That is a complete impossibility. Their faces are utterly unalike. How could you explain that away with a mere disguise?" Blackquill asked.
"Don't you know, Blackquill? If you're wearing a mask, it wouldn't matter what your face looks like, because no one can see your face if you're wearing it." David said.
"And as explained by Hope, nothing is more sacred to a masked wrestler than his own mask." Lionel said. "Jinxie knew this, which is why when she discovered the crime, and heard the confession from the mayor, she did not forsake the creed."
"Now it all makes perfect sense! Why Jinxie Tenma mistook Mr. L'Belle for her father...why she couldn't remove the costume, or tell anyone about it in the first place... These riddles are inextricably linked to Mayor Tenma's secret identity! " Apollo said. "And as Sunset declared earlier…that identity is none other than the Amazing Nine Tails!"
"Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-What's thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis?!" The Judge asked.
"You... You'd best explain yourself, Justice-dono... And from where your comrade derived such a farfetched conclusion!" Blackquill demanded.
"Simple. Jinxie, no doubt, knew the true identity of The Amazing Nine-Tails. But she couldn't tell anyone no matter what. That's why she didn't say it was The Amazing Nine-Tails she saw passed out! Even though, unbeknownst to her, it was really Florent L'Belle in disguise!" David said.
SILENCE!
"The accused and that deceitful dandy are utterly dissimilar in physical build and voice. The little scamp would have seen the difference!" Blackquill said.
"Maybe, but L'Belle has his own brand of cosmetics. Naturally, it wouldn't be far-fetched to assume he could fake his build as well. Not to mention that anyone speaking through a mask would naturally sound different." Ezana said.
"And as Lionel pointed out, a masked wrestler's disguise is sacred." Lionel said. "Jinxie is a follower of the Amazing Nine Tails. Naturally, she wouldn't dare commit the atrocity of unmasking him!"
"...Gah! Uuuwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Blackquill yelled as if he was struck.
"Once Ms. Tenma left the scene...Mr. L'Belle, still wearing the mayor's clothes and mask, opened the Forbidden Chamber...so he could drag the mayor back out into the Fox Chamber!" Ezana said.
"And to dispose of his only tie to the crime, L'Belle threw the mask out the window." David said.
SILENCE!
"For Sunset-dono's absurd declaration to hold, it requires that the defendant be The Amazing Nine-Tails. However, he was the one pushing for the municipal merger. That such an individual could possibly be The Amazing Nine-Tails is preposterous!" Blackquill protested.
OBJECTION!
"The mayor was blackmailed into pursuing the merger! Ms. Tenma's life would've been in danger if he had openly voiced his opposition! That's why he created a secret identity as The Amazing Nine-Tails!" Apollo said.
"Madness! No one could possibly hatch such an insane plot!" Blackquill said.
"No one except the killer of said insane plot, which L'Belle more than qualifies for." David said.
"Foolish mortals! It is at your own peril that you forget who I am!" Tenma declared, still trying to adopt his Tenma Taro persona.
"Mayor Tenma, it's going to be alright! Once we finish this case, you'll no longer have to hide anything to protect Jinxie!" Sunset said. "Go ahead and admit it! You ARE the Amazing Nine Tails!"
HOLD IT!
L'Belle brought everything to a halt as he took the stand, now back in his blonde hair color.
"Ah ha ha ha! You have QUITE the active imagination, little girl! Mayor Tenma is NOT The Amazing Nine-Tails." L'Belle stated.
OBJECTION!
"What do you mean?!" Apollo demanded.
"Even if Mayor Tenma DID admit to such nonsense...I would reveal the TRUTH behind Tenma Taro right here and now." L'Belle declared.
"Fine then… You picked the wrong people to make enemies out of, L'Belle." David said. "If you're gonna play hardball against us. We're gonna play hardball right back. Your Honor, the defense requires a thorough cross-examination. After all, the true identity of the Amazing Nine-Tails is a crucial component of this case!"
"Hmm... You do have a point there. Please answer this court, Mr. L'Belle: Is the defendant The Amazing Nine-Tails or not?" the Judge asked.
Witness Testimony: Florent L'Belle
- The Amazing Nine-Tails's True Identity -
The Amazing Nine-Tails's TRUE identity is NOT Mayor Tenma.
The mayor would NEVER admit to such UTTER nonsense.
But if he DID admit to such nonsense…
...I will EXPOSE the TRUTH behind Tenma Taro right here and now…
...and THAT would bring RUIN upon Nine-Tails Vale, just as the superstitions say.
HOLD IT!
"Do not gaze upon Tenma Taro. Do not tell others if you see him. Isn't that what the village superstitions say?" David said.
"EXACTLY. Telling others what Tenma Taro LOOKS like would REVEAL the truth. THAT'S why the superstitions were written down in the first place." L'Belle said.
"And ruin coming to the village if you free him? Is that a warning not to expose the truth?" Ezana asked.
"Ah ha ha ha! Bingo! And that truth is, Tenma Taro is a great, greed-inspiring fortune! That's what the whole battle over Nine-Tails Vale is all about!" L'Belle laughed. "TRAGEDY is DOOMED to repeat itself as long as Tenma Taro exists. THAT'S why the secret MUST BE protected!"
"Sorry, L'Belle… But to borrow another one of Blackquill's analogies… Your hubris just dug your grave." David said.
"What are YOU talking about?" L'Belle asked.
"What I mean is… The Tenma Taro you speak of is long gone." David said, presenting the Azuki Kozo Figure. "Because it was already stolen… by Phineas Filch's grandfather!"
"T-That's the calling card OF…!" L'Belle realized, his eyes widening in dawning horror. "By that hideous, moronic caretaker's grandfather, of all people?! ...You! I-Nooooooooooooooooooo!" he cried out in despair. "M-My beautiful golden, Tenma Taro was...!"
"And now that it is, revealing the truth should no longer be a problem. Isn't that right?" David asked.
"Yeah, David." Apollo said. "Mr. Mayor. Now that we know Tenma Taro no longer exists...are you ready to admit YOUR secret? You ARE The Amazing Nine-Tails, aren't you?!"
Mayor Tenma was silent before finally smiling. "Heh. Yes. You are correct! I The golden lord of yokai, The Amazing Nine-Tails is, indeed, me! Ah-ha ha ha ha ha! Ah-ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Ah-ha ha ha ha ha! Ah-ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"
"That means… Ah, Jinxie!" David said. "You saw someone wearing the Amazing Nine-tails mask in the Fox Chmaber, right?"
"...Uh-huh. That's what made me think it was Papa. He said he was going to reveal his secret identity to Alderman Kyubi that day, so... So... it wasn't really Papa I saw there, was it?" Jinxie asked.
"My dear, that was all the scheme of L'Belle." Lionel said. "He told your father to reveal his identity likely as part of his plan."
"And now the truth of this case has come to light… Alderman Kyubi's killer was not Mayor Tenma… But the snake Florent L'Belle!" David said.
"How... dare you... PEASANTS!" L'Belle said in anger before accidentally spraying his perfume in his eyes again. "Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
But just when it looked like things would finally be over…
SILENCE!
With his back turned to them, Blackquill huffed. "Ishihara-dono, you and your companions have fought long and hard in this battle. However, on the cusp of victory…you lack the means to land your lethal blow."
"What do you mean by that?" David asked.
"Evidence is like a razor-sharp blade that cuts through bone as though it were butter. But you have only blind guesses - a dull blade incapable of cutting even a cake." Blackquill stated.
"He has you there, Mr. Ishihara. After all, evidence is everything in a court of law." the Judge stated.
"That I know for a fact. Thankfully, we've got all the evidence we need." David said.
"Then draw your blade, Ishihara-dono!" Blackquill ordered. "This is the final battle. Just as a samurai must live and die by the sword...you will live or die by the evidence you hold. My swift blade of judgment awaits. Now, present your conclusive evidence!"
"Okay, David. Let's give that evidence we need. Here comes Justice!" Apollo said.
With that, the both of them synched their minds and thought together about the case.
(Cue: Thought Route ~ Resonance of the Synapse- Phoenix Wright: Dual Destinies)
"(Alright. Let's review the facts a little deeper.)" David thought to Apollo.
"(Right. The most damning evidence against the mayor was the crime scene itself. The mayor and the victim were the only two people found in the room. Also, we all thought the alderman was killed because he was The Amazing Nine-Tails. But Sunset found out that The Amazing Nine-Tails is really Mayor Damian Tenma! That's why when his daughter Jinxie saw The Amazing Nine-Tails collapsed at the scene...she mistook him for her father. Those are the facts we have revealed.)" Apollo thought. "(However, Mr. L'Belle asserts that he did not leave any evidence at the scene of the crime. But he didn't say anything about evidence outside the crime scene. Maybe he isn't as clever as he thinks he is! Does any of the evidence found outside the crime scene provide any clues?)"
"(Hold on… Ezana said there was a clue inside the mask.)" David thought.
A clue inside the mask?
"(That's right! The Amazing Nine-Tails's mask! Peacock found it washed up along the river. What sort of clue does that mask hold?)"
"(It seemed like a sort of white hair. It must've been stuck to the mask when it was quickly taken off.)" David thought.
White hair in the mask
"(And what about the hair left in the mask? Who does it belong to?)" Apollo thought.
"(This may sound crazy… But we are suspecting that it could end up being L'Belle's.)" David thought.
The both of them arrived at the answer David brought up… and they were right!
THE WHITE HAIR IS L'BELLE'S
(end song)
"(Booyah! It's all starting to come together now!)" David thought.
"(Yes! Now that's what I call conclusive evidence!)" Apollo thought.
Both of them returned to the present time.
"Your Honor… We may have just found the decisive evidence needed to end this case, once and for all." David said. "Remember the Nine-Tails mask presented earlier? The real conclusive evidence is INSIDE the mask."
"Inside the mask is a piece of white hair. Originally, we thought it belonged to Alderman Rex Kyubi." Apollo said.
"But as Ms. Sunset correctly declared, Mayor Tenma is the Amazing Nine Tails." The Judge said.
"Which means this hair belongs to the last person that wore this." David said. "And that person is Florent L'Belle!"
"What ARE you talking about?! I NEVER had hideous white hair like that!" L'Belle insisted.
SILENCE!
"It would appear your coup de grâce failed to hit its mark. This freakish fop is not the white-hair type. Because he's busy being one ludicrously garish color or another." Blackquill said.
"No, Blackquill… It is you who was disarmed this time." David said.
"Wh-what?" Blackquill asked.
"You're right. L'Belle's hair is always a different color. But it's mainly because of this!" David said as he presented the Hair dye that was given to Sectonia.
"Argh! T-That's…!" L'Belle exclaimed.
"Your own specialty hair gel. Washes off with just water, don't you remember?" David said.
"It's hair SPRAY, you ignorant-!" L'Belle started to correct before he slammed his hand over his mouth. "O-oh no!"
"Gotcha." David said. "And just where did the mask end up?"
"Peacock found the mask washed up at the river. Coincidentally, a single hair was inside the mask when it was discovered." Ezana said.
"Ah, I understand! The river must have washed the color off!" The Judge realized.
"Now then, if the prosecution has nothing else to throw at us, let us review this entire case from start to finish, and bring it all to light!" David said. "Here's everything that happened in this case!"
(Cue: Climax Return- Danganronpa V3)
"Let's go over the case one more time." David said. "During the special event taking place in the village, we witnessed a special event taking place between Tenma Taro and the Amazing Nine-Tails. Of course now, we know their true identities."
"Tenma Taro's role was taken by Phineas Filch upon the alderman's request." Lionel said.
"And the Amazing Nine-Tails, originally assumed to be the alderman himself, was in fact Lord Damien Tenma." Ezana said.
"The Mayor himself was called to a meeting with the good alderman to discuss the merger of Nine Tails Vale with Tenma Town. A merger with which he was heavily pressured into by the mastermind behind this monstrous scheme." Lionel said.
"And during this time, after the show, Filch made his way into the Forbidden Chamber to steal the treasure inside. But little did he know, the treasure he was seeking was already stolen by his own grandfather years ago." David said.
"Despite that not being known to Filch or the real culprit, the plan continued on in all its intricacy." Apollo said. "And it all revolves around the riddle of the locked Forbidden Chamber, which could only be opened from outside."
"We can assume that the culprit put some sedatives in the alderman and mayor's drinks to keep them out cold." Ezana said. "Once the alderman was out cold… that's when the culprit killed Alderman Kyubi, stabbing a spear straight through him!"
"Next, he took the mayor, whom he had also drugged, into the Forbidden Chamber. Then he returned to the Fox Chamber, slipped into some of the mayor's spare clothes...and completed the disguise by donning The Amazing Nine-Tails's mask!" Lionel continued.
"Once he set his entire charade in place, the culprit let out a scream. A scream that brought Jinxie to the scene." David said.
"Once Jinxie saw the scene and ran to report it… the culprit, still wearing the mayor's clothes and mask, opened the Forbidden Chamber...so he could drag the mayor back out into the Fox Chamber!" Sunset said. "That's why Mayor Tenma, or Tenma Taro, saw the Amazing Nine Tails opening the door."
"That second time the culprit opened the door to the Forbidden Chamber...he happened to catch the thieving Mr. Filch by surprise. Startled, Mr. Filch in his Tenma Taro disguise ran as fast as he could away from the room. As he did, he left behind him a trail of feathers and tracks...and gave Ms. Tenma the scare of her life in the hallway." Apollo followed up.
"With no one left to witness the events that occured, the culprit dragged the sleeping lord back to the Fox Chamber." Ezana said. "The culprit then discussed with Filch about faking their alibis. This was done to dissolve any involvement they had with the crime."
"Once they made Filch an accomplice, the culprit took off the mask and threw it out the window to dispose of their only tie to the crime." David said. "It would've been the perfect crime, if it weren't for one small detail they overlooked."
"A small clump of hair was left inside the mask. Both it and the mask washed up alongside the river, where it just so happened to be coincidentally found by our fine feathered friend." Lionel said.
"Normally, this wouldn't have meant anything. But the culprit has their own line of cosmetics that can change a person's hair color. However, the one glaring flaw of this product is that it was easily washed off with water." David said.
"Our true culprit's hair color is a freaky work of fiction. But thanks to the river flowing through Nine-Tails Vale, we now have a real life exposé." Apollo said. "The white hair in this mask is conclusive evidence proving the real killer!"
"That is the truth behind this entire case. There is only one person in the whole manor that has the capacity to concoct such a scheme…" David said as he and Apollo, along with Sunset, Ezana and Lionel, pointed right at the shadowed figure who revealed itself to be Florent L'Belle. "That someone is Florent L'Belle! We can't think of anyone else but you!" he declared as the perspective of the argument shattered.
COMPLETE!
L'Belle was sweating profusely as he sprayed his perfume on himself widly. "Y-You... You... Peasants... How DARE yooooooooooooooooou!" he yelled. "You profane MY beauty, like a bug on a roooooooooose. I'm going to exterminate you all, like I did the aldermaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!" he declared as the perfume began to form a cloud around him as he screamed. "N-Noooooooooooooo! M-M-My makeuuuuuup!" he said as the perfume clouded around his face before dispersing, revealing white hair and his wrinkled face.
"Wow. That was crazy." Mark stated.
"Just wait. It gets better." Eddy smirked as the phones on L'Belle's shoulders began to ring. "While the defense crew was doing their work…me and a few of the others made a few calls."
"... Hello, this is L'Belle! ...What? The project... is off? This is L'Belle! ...The sponsors have pulled out? L'Belle speaking! ...I'm fired? You mean I'm no longer Mayor Tenma's aide?! Hello, this is L'Belle! ...What? There's a stratospheric damages claim against me? ...One hundred m-m-million dollars? Heh heh heh. Hee hee hee! Ah ha ha ha ha!" he laughed mirthlessly. "I'm FINISHED, WASHED UP! Stick a fork in me, I'm DOOOOOOOOOONE! A-ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! A-ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!" L'Belle screamed into the air as he dropped his notebook and lowered his head in defeat.
"This is preposterous. I, Simon Blackquill, defeated?" Blackquill said.
"Order! Order in the court!" the Judge said, banging his gavel to get some order.
Order soon came as a calm washed over the courtroom.
"So…what has been done with Mr. L'Belle?" the Judge asked.
"The man has withered like a flower. The guards are currently watering him as we speak." Blackquill said.
"Erm… Wouldn't that wash off even more of his makeup?" David asked.
"His makeup is what landed him in this situation." Blackquill said. "He is mired in debt because of all the money he sank into the brand he oh so admires, his own. Which is why he was trying to steal the gold."
"But the gold that he sought was already gone. All Trish found was a single piece." Ezana said.
"Which would only be worth…about fifty in today's market since its a tiny piece." Lionel said.
"Well, then. I think its time we concluded this monster of a trial, so to speak." The Judge said. "I find the defendant, Damian Tenma…"
NOT GUILTY
1:23 PM
District Court - Defendant Lobby No. 3
"Nice job, guys. We just exorcized Tenma Taro from the court." Sunset said.
"Yeah…but why didn't L'Belle kill Tenma after the Alderman?" Frosta asked.
"Likely biding his time. He was probably gonna reveal his identity as the amazing Nine Tails himself." Hope said. "If Tenma was found a villain, his fans would abandon him and the merger would have been easier to pull off."
"Yes, so if the merger succeeded, he would have gone into the Forbidden Chamber any time he wanted." Alphen said.
"Still, that was an awesome job, you guys were amazing in there." 9S said.
"Indeed!" Mayor Tenma said, appearing in his act as Tenma Taro. "A most excellent job clearing my name! A feat worthy of the demon lord's approval!
"Urm… Thanks, I guess." David said.
"Tenma Taro, be gone!" Jinxie said, appearing to slap a warding charm on her father, snapping him out of it.
"Jinxie… it feels as though it's been ages since I laid my eyes on you." Tenma said, back to normal. "It would seem Tenma Taro is no match for you now."
"I'm not scared of that silly yokai anymore!" Jinxie declared.
"Your father's a free man now, Jinxie! Isn't that great?" Athena asked.
"Thank you all for everything you've done. Seeing you guys in action, it...it made me feel like I don't have to be afraid anymore." Jinxie smiled.
"This is all thanks to all of you . Too bad The Amazing Nine-Tails will have to retire, though." Tenma said. "Now that people know who I am, my fanbase will nosedive."
"Don't be so sure. Take a look outside." Sectonia said.
"Now that you mention it, what is that noise out there?" Tenma asked, hearing the roar of a crowd.
"A big crowd gathered outside the courthouse once the news broke. Seems they want to get a glimpse of Mayor Damian Tenma, the man behind the mask. And to root for your return to the wrestling ring!" Apollo said.
"Rooting, for me? I thought in their eyes, I was nothing but a malefactor." Tenma said.
"Hey, as long as you're doing your career in front of your daughter, who cares what others think?" Makoto asked.
"Yeah, you're the coolest when you're in the ring, papa!" Jinxie said.
"Here. You're gonna need this." David said as he tossed the mask to Mayor Tenma.
"Thank you. Now, if you would excuse me. I don't want to keep my fans waiting!" Tenma said, heading off.
"So…how about we celebrate? Anyone up for some ramen?" Sunset asked.
"Only if David is buying." Omnimon said.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" David asked. "...You know what, screw it. I'll pay the tab this time."
"Then let's not keep them waiting. We're off to celebrate. Cause we just conquered the most evil Yokai in this world." Sunset said as they marched off.
"Careful, Sunset. If Tenma Taro doesn't kill you, Eldoon's Noodle's specials probably will." David said, joking a bit.
David's Narration: And thus ends the tale of Tenma Taro. Though it was kind of hard getting back in the saddle, I think that went really well. Of course, I can't take all the credit. Lionel, Ezana, Sunset, heck even Apollo and Athena were awesome! But, as you can probably tell… This was only just the beginning of our quest to bring down the Dark Age of the Law.