Disclaimer
All rights of the Ace Attorney series belong to Capcom. All rights of the Conflict Of Interest plot and characters belong to Ropfa. The copyrighted content is not personally authorized for use by the owners and is used by fair use.
Author's word
This is the alternate ending of Turnabout Consequences: the fourth case of the Conflict of Interest fangame. This ending changes many characters from the original Conflict Of Interest. A few characters - massively. This ending also contradicts both versions of the Turnabout Into Unknown case. You can think of this ending as an alternate universe (to the alternative universe, yes, we need to go deeper). The purpose is to get rid of contradictions of the Turnabout Consequences case and to stay closer to the original Ace Attorney series.
As one lawyer said, in order to solve a case, you have to change your point of view. Think outside the box. Well, I did it literally. Much of the story is told from the perspective of Maya Fey, who is watching the trial on TV. Will it help to find the real criminal and solve all the mysteries of the complicated case?
Chapter 1. Awakening
I felt nothing. I swam through a river and the current took me far away. The sun glowed forward to my face, but it didn't hurt. I heard some voices, but too far. The sun... I opened my eyes.
I was in a hospital bed. The bright sunlight made me screw up my eyes. It was morning. I tried to get up and at that moment my whole body started to scream.
- She's awaked! - I heard familiar voice. She leaned to me.
I have never liked this woman. She was kind of a jerk. But I must admit she saved my life. Twice. And she found...
- Where is Pearls?! - I jumped up. I remembered everything from... yesterday? How many days was I passed out?
- She is safe and in court now, - she calmed me.
- Oh, thank goodness! In court? With Nick?
- Yes. How did this foolish essence of foolishness get his badge back!
- We must report to Mr. Williamson, - I heard an unfamiliar voice. I looked around. There was a full ward of police. And crying Gumshoe near the window.
- Do what you must. But you shouldn't forget about your primary goal now.
- Yes, ma'am! - A policeman left the room.
- I... I want to see this trial, - I asked.
- Fool! - She said it... affectionately? - You are not fully recovered now! How do you feel?
- I'm fine! I... I must see this trial. My family is there! - I tried to stand up, but instantly my head felt daze.
- OK, - she blocked my way with her hand. - Scruffy!
- Yes, sir! - It was the first time I heard his voice today.
- Give me that thing!
- Yes, sir! - Gumshoe pulled out some device with a screen and gave it to the Von Karma prosecutor.
- It is a portable TV. You can see the trial from your bed, - she switched on the TV. - He is trying to defend Iris Hazakurain.
'Iris? She does never make me hurt. Maybe someone has tried to call the spirit of Dahlia Hawthorne again? But who can be so insane or blind to do it? Oh, no...'
A policeman returned and I changed my gaze to the TV. I saw the courtroom. Pearls - oh, thank goodness, - stood near Nick at the defense bench. My grandma testified. And this guy... I have seen him a few times but I never think he is a prosecutor.
- I don't recognize this prosecutor, - I heard Von Karma's voice. - Interesting.
- ...Therefore, I confirmed all three alibis. Mr. Donatello was hiding behind Iris on the balcony, Ms. Porter was on the ground in the courtyard and I myself was near Maya at the east entrance. No one of us can be in the secret passage! It was you, Ms. Meredith Fey!
'No. Grandma. She was always strict with me, but I'm sure she loved me. Why? Why? Why?'
- I am a half-blind woman! How do you suppose I can see her?!
- Not a problem. This pistol only works up close. You have already admitted you are nearsighted! You can still see shadows on the paper wall. And you hear just fine. You can easily calculate where Maya was. You were not enough with Rivalres' killer in your house. You must check that the request will be accomplished and so the mafia will leave your family alone. And you did it with your own hands!..
'Rivalres? Did they threaten my family? Is it for real?'
- Ms. Fey, how do you feel? It is better to switch off the TV and wait for the result. We can't lose you now.
- I am perfectly fine!
-...You're right! - I heard a voice of my grandmother. - There is only one reason I would do such a thing... To hide the killer's guilt. And that killer... is me. It wasn't Sister Iris. I... I never wanted anything to happen to her. Not my granddaughter. It was all just bad luck that she stumbled on Mr. Raphael. It wasn't her. It couldn't be her... It was me. I arranged the assassination. When it looked as though it would fail, I took the gun myself and shot her. It had to be done...
'No... No... It can't be true...'
- Ms. Fey! - Franziska begged me.
- Please... I must...
- Hold it! - I heard Pearls' shout. She kept a shining green Magatama in her hands. - You're lying! You're still lying now!
I felt strange. I have seen this picture before... But in her place... I switched my gaze to the TV again. Pearls pushed really hard. She has really grown.
- ...You have to get EVERYTHING from her, Mr. Nick! She's hiding something. About the plot to KILL Mystic Maya! Doesn't that bother you?! Until you unravel it, she will NEVER be safe!
Nick threw a strange look to Pearls. I couldn't recognize this look that time.
- The defense... the defense wants to hear more of this confession.
- Mystic Fey, - the judge said. - The defense wishes for a fuller story. Please, oblige.
My grandmother has shrunk.
- Everything Mr. Phoenix said is true. I planned the assassination on orders from Mr. Mendirez. He sent Mr. Raphael to help with it. The original plan failed, so she had to be ambushed. It was never my intention to see Sister Iris arrested. I lied in my testimony to help her. I'm sorry for everything. It was the only way to keep everybody safe.
- Is the defense certain this cross-examination is necessary?
Nick turned to Pearls. I didn't hear what they were talking about. Then Nick turned back. I still remember steel in his eyes.
- Yes, Your Honor.
- Then proceed.
- Ms. Meredith Fey! You mentioned Mr. Mendirez. That's Francisco Mendirez from the Rivalres Family?
- The same.
- Why did he want Maya dead?
- Five years ago, I made a deal with Michael Rivalres. In exchange for him, helping conceal my granddaughter, Mystic Pearl, I would arrange for the next Fey Clan Master to reforge the bond we once had with the Family. Unfortunately, the Master felt she knew best and wouldn't allow it. That upset Mr. Michael. He grew impatient, but he lost focus on our arrangement when something forced his attention.
- That would be our friend, Sir Gallante? - The prosecutor guy asked.
- I... did not bother with details. You perhaps know more than me. All that is past. Their new don, that brute Mendirez... He showed a new interest in us, though it was different from Mr. Michael. He's particularly fixated on me. Mystic Maya wouldn't uphold the deal I made in her name, so he demanded I have her removed. I refused at first. But then... She decided to do her interview with Mystic Makoto. The master had to be stopped. I had my own reasons too.
- What reasons? - Nick asked.
- I refuse to answer. Mr. Mendirez said killing her would be the only option. I begged him not to... He demanded it. Mr. Mendirez threatened to destroy everything I care about. My family. He threatened one person in specific. My granddaugher, Mystic Pearl... He convinced me. He convinced me to kill my own granddaughter.
She straightened up:
- Now listen to me... What am I saying?! Family has always been everything to me. I am everything I hate...
I cried. I just couldn't hold up the tears. I felt emptiness in my soul. And Pearls felt even worse for sure. 'A confrontation with Rivalres. A conspiracy with Pearls. Sir Gallante's trial. The family reunion. The interview. All this is my fault. These are all links in the same chain. And I am guilty in every link.'
- Ms. Fey, - I heard the voice of this annoying woman. - You are a brave woman. You weren't afraid to stand against the whole mafia clan.
- And where did it lead my family? - I cried. - Grandma is right. I am a disappointment. I should never be the leader of the Fey Clan. I thought I understood the risks. But I placed all my family under attack. Grandma. Iris. And Pearls. It is all my fault!
- Foolish thoughts! There are these Rivalres bastards, who are guilty. You did nothing wrong! And I don't deserve the prosecutor title if I can't crush this Mendirez guy!
I raised my head. She looked at me with fire in her eyes. I...
- She's right! - I heard Gumshoe's voice. - These guys are bad guys. And you are a good guy, pal. Believe in us! When did we let you down?
Whip whistled in front of my eyes and hit Gumshoe.
- Aye!
- You should better choose your words, Scruffy.
- Thank you all, - I tried to smile, but I couldn't. 'What should I do next?'
- Objection! - I heard a familiar voice from TV. It was Nick. - If you were trying to help Iris with your testimony, why would you say she was somewhere that would make her look more guilty?
- I, - my grandmother was in confusion, - I didn't. I wouldn't! It wasn't my intention.
- You knew about the secret hallway. One entrance was in the courtyard. "She ran to the house", you said.
- As I said, it was all a lie.
- If it was, then it wasn't to protect her, that's for sure, - Nick retorted.
- Mr. Wright, - the judge was confused. - What are you saying? Why did she lie yesterday?
- It is simple, Your Honor. She didn't lie at all. But she is nearsighted. She had just misidentified the person.
- You're wrong. It was a lie. It was all just to create an alibi for myself.
- Objection! - There was no smile on Nick's face. Only steel in his eyes. - That's another lie right here. You already had an alibi. Because Ms. Porter saw you there.
- Wright? - The prosecutor guy was really surprised. - Do you understand what you're saying?
- Yes. I do.
- Good. Because it means she didn't do it.
- Wait! It does? - The judge was surprised too.
- Yes, - Nick nodded. - With her wheelchair and Donatello not around to help, she couldn't make it downstairs in time.
- Well, back to square one, - the prosecutor guy looked pretty upset.
- I guess so.
- What about you, - the prosecutor addressed my grandmother. - You're still going to prison.
- I'm aware, - she answered.
- Your little scheme from five years back finally caught up with you.
- Scheme?.. Hmph! - She turned to Pearls. - Mystic Pearl, my dear. I am sorry. Before I go, I must say that.
- Y-you sorry? - I couldn't look at Pearls. It was all my fault.
- I'm sorry I helped you disappear. Letting you make that choice was the worst thing I've ever done. That's saying a lot. You should have stayed here, where others could help you. The master and... And Mr. Phoenix.
I saw what a blow fell on Nick. His hands were shaken. What about Pearls... That pale look...
- No... - she answered. - I'm the only one who should be blamed. It was my choice and my fault. I've known that ever since I left. You won't cover for me anymore.
- Bailiff! - my grandmother gathered the rest of her forces. - I've had enough of this wretched courtroom. It's time you took me to detention. Please help me out.
And my grandmother was withdrawn from the courtroom.
