Turnabout Countdown, Day 1
These are dark times, where the law has been reduced to rubble. And it's up to us to restore it to its former glory.
December 17, 2027, 9:22 AM
District Court
"Okay, run it by me again… Why are we here?" Eddy asked as the group walked through the halls of the courthouse.
"So humans argue against each other in places like this to decide who's innocent and who's guilty?" 9S also asked.
"That's the basic description, yes." Double D answered 9S's question. "As to why we are here, do you not remember that we received a phone call explaining the situation from Mr. Wright?"
"Yeah. There was a bomb explosion here yesterday." David said as he held his arm.
"Notice: Victim of said explosion was Detective Candace Arme." Pod 153 said. "Cause of Death: Impact on Back of Head with flat object."
"And then there's David's arm. The shrapnel from the explosion got to it. Thankfully, it's a minor wound, but… To think that someone would actually try to blow this whole place up." Dynasmon said.
"So…who are we defending anyway?" Caspar asked.
"Juniper Woods. She's the accused in this case." Shuichi said.
"A sweet girl like Juniper? There's just no way. First Themis Academy and now this? Girl just has the worst luck." Rinwell said.
"And the one we're facing is someone called Winston Payne." 9S said, uploading an image of said person.
"Wrong. It's Gaspen Payne… His brother." David said.
"Oh right, they just look similar, it's hard to tell between their mugs." 9S said.
"No worries, though. We got this. How's Athena doing?" David asked.
"She's getting prepped up right now. No way is she gonna take a charge on her childhood friend and ignore it." Shuichi said.
"Good. Her analytical skills might come in handy for this case." David said with a smile. "Sadly, I don't think I'm going to be much help this time. Not with my arm all banged up."
"No worries, you just take it easy with Apollo, Dave." Mark patted on his uninjured shoulder. "We've got this."
"Yeah, we'll do what we can on our part." 9S said.
"For now…we get on with it." Jexi said as they entered the lobby where a girl in yellow waited with a man in red and a younger girl in white.
"Athena…you ready?" Hope asked.
"Huh? Oh yeah. Sure. I have nerves of steel." Athena said.
"Yeah, I can tell." Mark said, noting how her voice cracked for a moment. "Anyways, you holding up alright, Apollo? That blast did a number on you."
"I'm just glad all of you escaped unharmed. Well, most of you. As long as I can stand, I'll prove Juniper innocent." Apollo said.
"That's the spirit!" Double D said.
Thorani then looked at Apollo and noticed something. "Child, your wound's reopening." she said in concern.
"Mr. Justice! The trial is about to begin! Please proceed to the courtroom." the bailiff said.
"Justice is in no condition to go in there. He's even more banged up than David is." Milo said.
"Then we don't have a choice. I'll have to give you guys all of the evidence that Apollo and I managed to collect." David said.
"I have a feeling you're gonna need everything you can." Hope said. "Get in there and get Junie acquitted… again."
"We…very well." Double D nodded. "We'll see true justice prevail today, fellows. Onwards!" the sock-headed genius declared as he, Athena, and 9S lead the march into the courtroom with a few others following.
December 17, 2027
Courtroom 5, 9:46 A.M
Court Is Now In Session
All Rise
The familiar sight of the Judge banging his gavel signaled the start of the days trial, like it had always been.
"Court is now in session for the trial of Juniper Woods." the Judge declared.
"Th-the defense is ready, Your Honor." Athena said.
"The prosecution is also ready, Your Honor." Gaspen Payne said. "Although… I was under the impression that my opponent would be an actual lawyer, not children."
"Unfortunately, Mr. Justice and Mr. Ishihara are unable to continue due to their injuries." The Judge explained. "A substitution of attorney petition was submitted just a few moments ago."
"We are here in their place." 9S said.
"I see, I see." Gaspen nodded before he threw a smirk at the three. "Not at all surprised they used that as an excuse to run away. With me as an adversary, who wouldn't want to feign illness in order to escape?"
"You aren't worth their time." 9S said.
"Easy, 9S, let's be professional here." Double D cautioned. "Everyone here is an agent of justice…even if it isn't the same kind." he said, the double meaning clear to the defense.
"Well, it really doesn't matter." Gaspen said, brushing his hair with his hand. "What does it matter who faces me? Nobody can defend this witness."
"Mr. Payne, I believe that's enough. Let us get back to the case." The Judge said firmly.
"Of course, Your Honor. I'm more than ready to show this little girl and her friends why they call me the "Rookie Humiliator."" Gaspen said.
"(I wonder if he realizes the potential bad press he could get with that name?)" Double D wondered to himself.
"Then, Prosecutor Payne, without further delay, please give your opening statement." The Judge said.
"Thank you, Your Honor." Gaspen said before he pulled out a stack of documents. "Now then. The incident occurred yesterday here at this very courthouse, in Courtroom No. 4. At that time, the trial for a certain bombing was being held in Courtroom No. 4."
"I remember. I was presiding over that trial." the Judge said.
"A bomb that was being presented as evidence suddenly went off during the trial. It was a terrible incident... and Courtroom No. 4 was completely destroyed. Fortunately, we were able to start evacuation procedures before the explosion occurred. Just a few more seconds and it would've turned into a horrific loss of human life." Gaspen said. "However, there was one victim. One Candice Arme, a detective."
"I suppose she wasn't able to evacuate in time. What a terrible tragedy. I must admit, I stumbled at least ten times myself before I was able to escape." the Judge said.
"(Maybe the court should see to you getting shorter robes…)" Athena thought with a sweatdrop.
"The victim's body was found near the entrance to the courtroom. I suspect she stayed until the very end to help guide the others out safely." Gaspen said as he placed down two items: a sealed file and a picture of a stuffed animal, some sort of devilish looking cartoon elephant holding a sign that read 'Guilty'. "Your Honor, allow me to submit as evidence the victim's autopsy report...and details about the bomb.
Both Detective Arme's Autopsy and the photo of the stuffed elephant were submitted without question.
"Now remember 9S, we can review the evidence and re-present it throughout the trial as the case develops. The prosecution's evidence isn't always vindictive of a guilty verdict." Double D said.
"Right." 9S said as 153 recorded the evidence in her memory.
"Now that the opening statement has been completed, please call the accused to the witness stand." the Judge said as Juniper stepped onto the bench.
"Defendant…your name and occupation." Gaspen stated.
"Uh…Juniper Woods. And…I-I'm a high school student." she said as she coughed a bit.
"Ms. Woods, can you confirm you were in the courthouse on the day in question?"
"Yes. I came to know Apollo Justice through my friend Thena…" Juniper started before being cut off by a cough. "And so... I was there yesterday... to watch his trial and lend my support."
"Is that so?" Gaspen said, the group seeing the arrogant look in his eyes, even behind his sunglasses. "Did you know I'm also known as the "Defendant Humiliator"? It looks like I have yet another chance to show everyone how I earned that moniker!"
"(I see Gaspen is ever more so arrogant than his brother.)" Double D said. "(We'll have to stop him before he builds up too much steam.) She's telling the truth, Prosecutor Payne. There are multiple individuals in this very building that can corroborate her presence there."
"And I find it hard to believe such a sweet little girl could blow up a courtroom like that." the Judge said.
"OBJECTION! She is just trying to fool you all for she…has a motive!" Gaspen said.
"Th-That's not true...! I don't have any kind of motive...! A-And I-I didn't even know the lady who was killed...!" Juniper stammered.
"I'll admit there is no connection between the defendant and the victim. But her objective was the destruction of the court itself! It's been said she was in here once before. Meaning she bears a grudge against the legal system as a whole!" Gaspen said.
"OBJECTION! You could say the exact same thing about anyone accused of a crime and made to stand trial!" Athena said.
"That is true. There wouldn't be any courtrooms left." the judge said.
"Yes, that is true." Gaspen conceded before smirking. "But we have some decisive evidence…what the bomb was found in. This." he said, showing the plush elephant.
"The stuffed animal." Double D remarked. "Why is this…?"
"Because in one of the photos we found the tail of the poor victim…the poor plushie." Gaspen said.
"What even is that thing?" Glimmer asked.
"The Phony Phanty. He's the mascot of a campaign to eliminate false evidence and false charges." Shuichi explained.
"How exactly does this prove anything?" 9S asked.
"Because the defendant's fingerprints were found all over it." Gaspen smirked. "It's irrefutable evidence that the defendant handled the bomb!"
"Very well…the court accepts this new evidence." the Judge said as the Phony Phanty Tail was entered into the record.
"(Curses! Payne has fingerprints!) Athena, you have to fire back and make sure he doesn't…Athena?" Double D asked before seeing her all frozen up, unable to get a word out.
"Not again… She's getting all flustered." Glimmer said.
"This is exactly what happened back then…" Double D griminanced before looking through the evidence from Apollo and David. "(There has to be something in here!)"
"As you can see, there is no room for debate." Gaspen said, triumph in his voice. "I move to begin the ruling-"
But before anything else could happen, the courtroom doors flew open, and….
OBJECTION!
"Why it's you…!" the judge said with joyous surprise.
(Cue: Objection! 2013- Phoenix Wright: Dual Destinies)
Standing there in the door, to the trio's relief, was the familiar sight of Phoenix Wright standing in the doorway. He strolled into the courtroom and joined the defense on their side.
"Sorry it took me so long to get here, you three." Phoenix apologized. "The others explained the whole thing to me over the phone. They asked me to come help you out in their place.
"They did…?" 9S asked as they looked to the stands as Hope gave a thumbs up. "Thanks guys."
"We're glad you came when you did, Mr. Wright." Double D said in relief. "We were blindsided by Mr. Payne, and on the verge of losing."
"Oh, I think you did fine with Athena, all things considered." Phoenix said. "You hung in there, giving me enough time to get here. Now, let's turn things around!"
"You got it, Boss!" Athena crossed her arms in renewed confidence.
"Ho ho ho. Look who showed up out of the blue. If it isn't Mr. Phoenix Wright." The Judge said, happy to see the lawyer. "You always manage to surprise me."
"Your Honor! Mr. Payne has called for an early ruling...but I believe there are still many things that need to be deliberated." Phoenix pointed out. "How did Ms. Woods's fingerprints wind up on the stuffed animal tail? How was the bomb even detonated? Until these questions are answered, I assert it's impossible for a fair ruling to be made!"
"Mr. Wright is right, there's still some things that need to be cleared up." 9S said.
"Perhaps it would be best if we called a witness who happened to see the bombing happen before his very eyes?" Double D suggested.
"Heh heh." Gaspen chuckled. "Very well. It just so happens that I happen to have this witness on standby. He will explain in detail how the defendant detonated the bomb in the courtroom."
"Very well. Call your witness, Mr. Payne!" the Judge told the prosecutor.
"You've done enough for now, Ms. Woods. Go and rest in the Defendant Lobby." Phoenix said.
(Song Fade)
Juniper left the stand and walked back to the lobby, passing by a skinny man in a police bomb disposal uniform. What was most striking about him, however, was his helmet; it covered not only his head, but his eyes as well, showing only two circles: one red, the other blue. Some sort of keyboard was on his right arm, and his left hand was close to it.
"Witness, name and occupation, please." Gaspen ordered the man, but he was completely silent.
"Is he alright? He's just standing there…" Leanne started before the man began typing on his keyboard.
"NAME: TED TONATE. OCCUPATION: BOMB DISPOSAL SPECIALIST." a robotic voice came from the man, although his lips didn't move.
"Can he not speak?" 9S asked.
"No, he looks able to, but he seems to prefer typing out his sentences." Double D observed.
"CORRECT." Ted typed out. "I DO NOT LIKE TO SPEAK. SPEAKING IS INEFFICIENT. ENERGY EXPENDITURE: SPEAKING TYPING. UNDERSTAND?"
"Hmm… What an odd witness." the Judge mused.
"Mr. Tonate here was present at Court no. 4 the day of the bombing." Mr. Payne explained. "He was in charge of the bomb that was used as evidence in the trial."
"Being the Specialist that he is, he must've been the first to the scene after the bomb detonated." 9S said.
"And that means, he must have discovered Ms. Armes body. Am I right, Mr. Tonate?" Double D asked.
"CORRECT." Ted typed. "I WAS THE FIRST ONE ON THE SCENE AFTER THE EXPLOSION. I WENT THERE TO ENSURE SAFETY, BUT I ENDED UP DISCOVERING A DEAD BODY. I WAS SHOCKED TO DISCOVER IT."
"Mr. Tonate will now give his testimony surrounding the circumstances of the moment of the explosion." Mr. Payne announced.
The Judge nodded. "You may proceed, Mr. Tonate. But first, show the court some respect and remove your faceguard!"
Ted acknowledged, his visor coming up to reveal heterochromic eyes that resembled the lights of the police sirens. His left was red, and the other blue.
"Alright, the testimony is beginning." Double D said. "Pay attention, there may be something in there that doesn't add up."
Witness Testimony: Ted Tonate
-When the Bomb Went Off-
THE BOMB WAS ORIGINALLY DISARMED BY ME, THEN TRANSPORTED HERE AS EVIDENCE.
BOMB NAME: HH-3000 OPERATED BY TIMER OR WITH A REMOTE
I WAS WATCHING FROM THE GALLERY WHEN I SUDDENLY BECAME ALARMED.
I SAW THAT THE BOMB'S TIMER WAS COUNTING DOWN.
→SAW←
"So even though the bomb was supposed to be disarmed, it somehow got switched on?" Phoenix asked.
"PRECISELY. ACTIVATING THE TIMER IS VERY SIMPLE. 1. CONNECT WIRES 2. SWITCH ON TIMER." Ted said, pulling out a cube-shaped device. "I SHALL DEMONSTRATE."
"Hey, wait a second… in here?!" Glimmer exclaimed.
With a few quick motions, the device lit up, displaying a countdown of thirty seconds.
"Great googly moogly!" the Judge exclaimed. "Mr. Tonate! Disarm that this instant!"
With a few more quick motions, Ted caused the device to turn off. "HMPH. 5.3 SECONDS. 0.2 SECONDS SHORT OF MY PERSONAL BEST."
"H-Hey! Are you trying to kill us?!" Frosta yelled from the stands.
"DO NOT ALARM YOURSELVES. THIS IS AN EXACT REPLICA OF THE HH-3000, THE BOMB USED IN THE BOMBING. IT IS USED TO PRACTICE DISARMING BOMBS. DISARM = SUCCESS. EXPLOSION = FAILURE." Ted explained.
"So this is an exact copy of the bomb that blew up?" Double D asked.
"I SUBMITTED A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE REAL BOMB TAKEN JUST BEFORE THE TRIAL. DIMENSIONS: 10" H x 10" W x 10" D WEIGHT: 12 LBS... A PERFECT REPLICATION." Ted said. "HOWEVER I COULD NOT REPLICATE THE DETONATION MECHANISM. IT HAS A VERY PUZZLING WIRING SETUP. IT IS REGRETTABLE I COULD NOT REPLICATE IT."
Ted revealed the photo of the Bomb in question as it was submitted into the record.
"Well, that certainly was a surprise." the Judge said. "Now, if the defense would please begin their cross examination…hm? Now where did Ms. Cykes go?"
Phoenix and the two Hero Alliance members looked down, seeing Athena ducking behind the bench.
"Ah, she ducked to avoid the blast." Double D nodded. "Not to worry, it was a mere replica. You can come out now."
"Uh…I was totally fine." Athena said.
"Hmm…however…what you said just now, Mr. Tonate…there is a great contradiction." Double D said. "You said you saw the timer, yes?"
"CORRECT!" Ted said.
"But the bomb was in a stuffed animal, so…how could you see the timer?" Double D asked, showing the picture of the bomb inside the stuffed animal.
"That would be impossible!" 9S said, pointing at Tonate.
"AAAAAAAGH!" Ted typed as he jerked back, his protective mask falling down and covering his eyes. "BUT THAT IJLS KDSOI EDJMB9I A LAJ72Z OIQE AKCXW!"
"That does seem like a glaring inconsistency, indeed! Witness, how do you explain this?!" The Judge demanded.
"WELL... I... I…" Tonate typed as he racked his brain before he remembered something. "OH, YES! YES, OF COURSE! I REMEMBER NOW! THE SOUND! I KNEW BECAUSE OF THE SOUND!"
"Sound?" Double D asked.
"WHEN THE TIMER OF THIS TYPE OF BOMB IS SWITCHED ON, IT BEEPS SOFTLY. BEEP... BEEP... BEEP... IT IS THE SOUND OF THE BOMB COUNTING DOWN." Ted explained.
"Of course. That's the exact same sound the fake bomb made." Double D remembered. "But wait…weren't you in the gallery on the day of the trial? How could you have heard such a soft sound from that far away, especially when it would have been muffed by its disguise?"
"He's a trained specialist in bomb disarmamament." Gaspen reminded the boy. "Someone of his caliber could easily have heard the bomb."
"THE PROSECUTION'S CLAIM IS TRUE." Ted typed. "BEYOND MY BASIC TRAINING, I UNDERGO DAILY HEARING EXERCISES SO THAT I WILL NEVER MISS THE SOUND OF A BOMB'S TIMER."
"Hmm…I suppose that could be true…" Double D hummed.
"If I have this correct, the prosecution's argument is that...someone reactivated the bomb before it was brought into the courtroom." the Judge said. "What I don't understand, Mr. Payne, is why you believe that person to be Ms. Woods."
"It's simple, Your Honor." Gaspen said. "You see, Mr. Tonate happened to be there when it happened. He was there when the defendant rearmed the bomb."
"He was?!" the Judge exclaimed.
"IT HAPPENED BEFORE THE TRIAL STARTED. IT WAS WHEN DETECTIVE ARME AND I WERE TRANSPORTING THE BOMB. WE BROUGHT THE BOMB TO THE LOBBY FOR THE DEFENSE. BOMB = EVIDENCE. THE LAWYER WANTED TO SEE IT BEFORE THE START OF THE TRIAL." Ted typed.
"But Ms. Woods, who was also present at the trial and in the lobby at the same time, committed her act in that instance, her goal was as simple as can be. To reactivate the bomb and claim the remote switch for herself!" Gaspen proclaimed.
"IN CASE THE DEFENSE DOES NOT KNOW THIS SIMPLE INFORMATION, THE REMOTE SWITCH CAN ACTIVATE AND DEACTIVATE THE BOMB REMOTELY." Ted typed. "HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN MISSING EVER SINCE THE INCIDENT."
"Adding remote switch to Court Record." Pod 153 announced, doing so.
"The Remote activation switch went missing during the trial?" Double D asked.
"I AM PARTIALLY TO BLAME. I LEFT THE BOMB AND REMOTE ON TOP OF THE TRANSPORT CASE...AND THEY WERE REARMED AND STOLEN WHILE I WAS TALKING WITH THE LAWYER." Ted typed.
"The defendant then used the remote inside the courtroom to start the timer." Gaspen
Concluded.
OBJECTION!
"How can you be certain that the bomb was rearmed in the lobby?" Trish asked.
OBJECTION!
"Simple, little girl. The bomb was safely secured in the transport case. The only time it was outside of the case was in that lobby. Therefore, that was the one and only opportunity anyone had to meddle with it." Gaspen countered.
"Well, it still opens the possibility that someone else may have opened the case and took the bomb out." Shionne said.
"NO IT DOES NOT. THE TRANSPORT CASE IS ASSIGNED EXCLUSIVELY TO ME. DO YOU SEE THIS NUMBER HERE? THAT IS MY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. AND I HAVE THE ONLY KEY THAT CAN OPEN THE CASE." Ted typed.
The Bomb Transport Case was then added to the record.
"(Then the bomb could've been detonated remotely.)" 9S thought.
"I'm afraid you only have conjunctions, Mr. Payne." Double D said. "The only evidence that Ms. Woods stole the detonator is circumstantial."
"And by the same token, you have no proof that it wasn't her. But what I DO have is a piece of evidence that proves the defendant handled the bomb." Gaspen reminded.
"Oh dear! The tail from Phony Phanty!" Double D remembered.
"Exactly! That tail is proof that the defendant handled the bomb!" Gaspen said.
"Great, there goes our edge…" Glimmer sighed.
Ted happened to be smiling as he typed. "FIVE MINUTES, TWENTY-FOUR SECONDS, TWO POINT THREE DECISECONDS. THE DEFENSE'S ADVANTAGE LASTED A MERE FIVE MINUTES."
"It seems we have no choice but to get Juniper back to the stand." 9S said.
"I'm worried about her condition, but we need her testimony." Milo said.
"But in her present condition, will she even be able to testify properly?" Glimmer asked.
"Worst comes to worst, we still have that." 9S said.
"Athena, we'll be counting on you." Trish said.
"Right. I think I might need to step in." Athena nodded.
"Mr. Tonate, you are dismissed. We will be recalling Ms. Woods for her testimony." The Judge said.
"OF COURSE. BUT BEFORE I GO… MR. WRIGHT, WAS IT?" Ted typed. "DISMANTLING BOMBS IS MY JOB. DISMANTLING THE CASE IS YOURS. DO YOU THINK YOU AND YOUR TEAM OF ASSISTANTS CAN HANDLE IT? I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU TRY. NOW, IF YOU WILL EXCUSE ME…" he said as he walked out of the courtroom.
"(Hmm…)" Double D thought silently as he watched Ted leave.
"(We're all thinking the exact same thing.)" Phoenix said. "(He's hiding something, I'm sure everyone knows it!)"
Juniper was then brought back to the stand, she didn't look any worse for wear than she was when she left, as she was tugging on her braids while holding some tears back.
"...Hi, Thena." Juniper said softly.
"Don't worry, Junie! We're here for you!" Athena assured her friend.
"Thanks, Thena. And I'll do my best, too…" Juniper said, gaining some composure back.
"Allow me to get to the point, defendant." Gaspen said. "You blew up the courtroom because you bear resentment against the courts, correct?"
"N-No! Of course not!..." Juniper coughed. "I... I... haven't done anything wrong... This prosecutor's scary…"
"I sense fear forming within her." Thorani said.
"You don't have to tell me Thorani, I've been listening to Junie ever since she took the stand." Athena said. "She's so scared…so very scared!"
"Your Honor, Mr. Payne's actions are bordering on bullying and verbal abuse!" Double D protested firmly. "He is acting out of line!"
"How dare you?! I am a gentleman. I go to a manners class every Saturday." Gaspen said.
"Court-ordered, I presume?" Double D asked dryly, causing the prosecutor to flinch.
"Double D, I think listening to Juniper is more important than arguing right now." Glimmer said.
"Ah… O-Oh yes! Apologies, Glimmer. I lost my temper for a moment." Double D said.
"(Thanks, Glimmer. If Athena was the one arguing with the prosecution, the conversation would've gone on longer.)" Phoenix thought.
"Ms. Glimmer has a point. It's time we heard Ms. Woods' side of the story concerning the bombing." the Judge said.
"Certainly, Your Honor." Gaspen said. "Ms. Woods, please share with the court what you were doing when the bomb went off."
Witness Testimony: Juniper Woods
- When the Bomb Went Off -
Well, that day... *cough* I was watching from the gallery... *cough, cough*
The bomb went off... *cough*
*cough* And rubble started falling... It fell on top of me... *cough, cough*
"Junie's clearly in pain, being forced to recall the bombing like this... She can't even get her words out!" Athena said.
"Athena, you know what to do?" 9S asked.
"Yeah, it's time isn't it?" Athena asked.
"Yeah." Phoenix said. "It's time we used your power to listen to the testimony of Ms. Wood's heart."
"Okay, I'll give it a go! After all, this is the whole reason I put all that effort into studying analytical psychology!" Athena smirked. "Auf geht's! Let's do this!"
Athena Cykes, the newest addition to Phoenix Wright's team of attorneys, possesses a unique ability. She has a unique case of Hyperacusis, with which she can hear the words of a witness's heart. In essence, she can sense how a person is really feeling from the tone of their voice.
By entering these feelings into her robotic companion, Widget, she can analyze them using a device known as the Mood Matrix. This piece of technology divides the feelings into the categories of "Happy", "Sad", "Angry", and "Surprised". This way, she can uncover when what a person is saying doesn't match up with what they're feeling.
In a situation like this, where a witness like Juniper Woods is unable to put their experiences into words, Athena's ability can uncover the truth of the heart!
Athena tapped on Widget as a holographic screen appeared right before her. After inputting a winking smile passcode, a screen loaded up in front of where Juniper was, showing four different expressions, happiness, frustration, sadness, and surprise.
"Widget has Juniper's statement right?" 9S asked.
"Yup. Using the Mood Matrix, we can review Junie's testimony and find inconsistencies with her testimony, and her emotions." Athena said. "We'll be able to reveal what Junie's really saying by pinpointing unexpected emotions inside what she revealed now."
"Man, no matter how many times this thing is used, it still amazes me like it's my first time seeing it." Glimmer said. "Okay, let's get to work. Remember, we gotta focus on finding the emotion that seems off."
"Of course. Now, let's try this again." Double D said.
"Right." 9S said, bringing up a digital screen recording of Juniper's statement.
Well, that day... *cough*
I was watching from the gallery... *cough, cough*
The bomb went off... *cough* ← Surprise
*cough* And rubble started falling... ← Surprise
It fell on top of me... *cough, cough* ← Surprise, Happiness
Pinpoint: Happiness
GOT IT!
"Happiness?" 9S asked.
"An unexpected emotion!" Double D realized.
"They've found it." 2B said.
"Ms. Woods! As the rubble was falling, was there also something that made you feel happy?" Phoenix asked.
"Oh, y-yes. It's because Apollo shielded me from the falling rubble, but got hurt in the process." Juniper said.
"Ah yes, that's how he sustained those injuries." Double D remembered.
"Mr. Ishihara was also badly hurt in the bombing. The both of them were so brave, putting their lives at risk to protect me…" Juniper recalled.
"So you broke your arm defending Juniper too." Shoji said to David in the stands.
"The ceiling came tumbling down. I had to do what I could to keep it from crushing everyone." David said.
"You're always so stoic." Makoto complemented, hiding her tail and and animal ears through her uniform jacket and cap.
"It looks like bringing up Apollo settled your cough down too, Juniper." Glimmer noted.
"Oh! You're right!" Juniper noticed. "Thank you."
Noise Level Reduced
50%
"Good, the Noise Level's gone down by half as a result." 9S said.
"There's still some noise left though. Let's review Junie's testimony as it is now so we find what's causing it." Athena noted.
"Got it." 9S said, updating his holo screen to the current testimony.
I tried to run, but I was too slow.
Before I could get away, the bomb went off. ← Surprise
I was so startled I tripped! Then rubble started falling on me. ← Surprise
I thought I was done for… ← Surprise
But then Apollo and David came and rescued me! ← Happiness, Sad, Surprise
Pinpoint: Sadness
GOT IT!
"It's sadness this time." 9S said.
"How odd." Double D remarked before he turned to the stand. "Ms. Woods, you were happy when Mr. Justice and Ishihara rescued you, and yet…you were sad at the same time. Why is that?"
"I had a Bum Rap Rhiny doll with me too, but I lost it during the evacuation." Juniper said, pulling a poster out that showed a blue colored rhino in a spotlight as the Red Elephant stood over it.
"Wait, so that means the tail Detective Arme had was…!" 9S said.
"(Yes! Mr. Payne's advantage has been lost!)" Double D thought.
Reviewing Juniper's testimony one more time, the defense found the right statement to present the exact evidence they needed.
I was watching from the gallery with Bum Rap Rhiny. I tried to run, but I was too slow.
Bum Rap Rhiny
Present: Phony Phanty Tail
OBJECTION!
"Your Honor! We now have the proof to say without a doubt, that Ms. Woods has nothing to do with the bombing!" Phoenix declared.
"Mr. Wright! What wild assertion are you making now?!" The Judge asked.
"The tail that was stuffed inside the Phony Phanty along with the bomb!" 9S said.
"It wasn't Phony Phanty's tail at all! It was Bum Rap Rhiny's tail!" Double D declared.
OBJECTION!
"That's preposterous!" Gaspen exclaimed. "I concede they're both stuffed animals, yes, but they're completely different characters! An elephant and a rhino. They're as distinct as a defense lawyer and a prosecutor!"
"Different characters, yes. However, if we compare the two side by side…" Double D said, presenting the two pictures of each stuffed animal. "...take a look at the tails!"
"Well! Would you look at that! The two tails are exactly the same!" The Judge exclaimed.
"Exactly. The two stuffed animals are based on entirely different animals…" Phoenix said before pointing straight ahead in his classic fashion. "...but the design of their tails is exactly the same!"
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!" Gaspen screamed in realization.
"As long as the possibility exists that the tail belongs to Bum Rap Rhiny... ...we can no longer consider it to be decisive proof that the defendant handled the bomb." the Judge said. "As things stand, I consider the charges against the accused unsubstantiated. Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Payne?"
"Oh, um... Y-Yes, of course, Your Honor…" Gaspen said, looking and sounding rather defeated.
"I believe this brings our proceedings for today to a close. Mr. Payne, I'm afraid you have some serious investigating ahead of you." the Judge said.
"Yes, Your Honor." Gaspen said simply.
"Very well, let us reconvene tomorrow. Court is adjourned!" the Judge said as he banged his gavel, signifying the end of proceedings for the day.
District Court - Defendant Lobby No. 5
11:56 A.M
The group soon reconvened in the main hall.
"You all did well, especially you, Nine…ez." 2B said.
"R-Really? Even though it was my second run, it was pretty nerve wracking." 9S said.
"Don't worry about it, 9S. You'll get the hang of it in time." David said.
"Thanks, David. Athena and Widget were a great help as well, and we managed to buy Juniper time too." 9S said. "And Mr. Wright's arrival helped as well too thanks to all of you."
"I think a lot of us still have a lot to learn. But you can bet we'll give it everything we've got." Athena said. "I'll be good enough one day that, Mr. Wright, you'll call me your partner!"
"That's what I like to hear!" Phoenix said.
"Hey, where's Apollo anyway?" Glimmer asked.
"Oh, I know. He's probably still in Courtroom No. 4." Juniper guessed.
"Why would he be there?" Hope said.
"When I came out to the lobby to rest, I told Apollo about Bum Rap Rhiny... I told him I dropped Rhiny in the courtroom as I was trying to escape before the blast. And then... ...Apollo said he had an idea where Rhiny might be, so we went to take a look together." Juniper explained.
"At least… Before you got called in for your testimony." David said.
"He's been in there for a while." Shantae said as she opened the door to Courtroom Four. "Apollo!" she said in fright.
"Oh god… How did this happen?" David asked.
Apollo was unconscious on the ground, blood pooling under him and next to a piece of bloodstained rubble.
"He could still be alive… We need to get him to the hospital, right away!" Ezana said.
The discovery of Apollo's unconscious body, would change the case. But for better, or for worse?