*Phoenix's Narration: No one can escape their past. The sins we've committed... and the sadness we've caused... No matter how far we run, our past remains… as ever-present as the moon in the sky. It looms in wait... for the day when we are forced to face it. But only in doing so can we truly make peace and move on in hope towards tomorrow.*
December 20, 1:23 PM
Wright Anything Agency
"Damn… Everything has gone wrong in the worst way imaginable." David said, having heard of the events in the courtroom from the others after they returned to the office.
"There's no way Athena could've done it, it doesn't make sense!" 9S said.
"Fulbright helped us prove Solomon innocent, but what does this mean for Athena? She got convicted on Clay's murder instead." Mermista said. "What is up with him?"
"I have absolutely no idea." 9S said. "David, did you find anything in your investigation of him?"
"I have, but… I'm not really sure if I can believe it." David said.
"We've already had one mind-blowing tidbit today, what's two?" Mark said. "Lay it on us."
"Well… If you insist." David said. "Supposedly, Fulbright has been quite inactive last year. It was like he just…disappeared."
"So he went missing? Or something else?" Hope asked.
"Of that, I am not quite sure. However, I can say with certainty that the Bobby Fulbright we are seeing has this sort of…eerie air around him." David said.
"That reminds me. When we were exploring the Space Center yesterday, Fulbright was unusually cooperative with us. He was never like that when you were around." Shuichi said.
"Hmm… Could it be possible that he knows that I am onto him?" David asked.
"I don't know, but I don't think the courtroom was bombed for any old reason." Kaito said. "The moment it happened aligned too perfectly. It seemed like someone set off that bomb intentionally."
"Do you remember your proclamation to Professor Means earlier?" Sachiko asked.
"Yes, yes I did." David said. "Wait, you're not insinuating…"
"That Fulbright heard it and is somehow connected to it, and is avoiding you like the plague because he thinks you can see into his soul and uncover every little secret he has?" Mark asked. "...Eh, probably."
"...Let's put a pin in that." Glimmer said.
"Glimmer is right. As of now, our top priority is proving Athena's innocence." Double D said. "We must begin investigations immediately!"
"Yeah, you're right. It is what we should be focusing on right now." David said.
"The best thing to do is go back to the space center and see if there's anything we can find there." Adora said. "Athena's now the main suspect in Clay's murder. There has to be more we can find."
"Then we got us a plan of action, a common goal, 24-hours to investigate…and we're determined as hell." Eddy said. "Let's hit it!"
"To the Space Center!"
Cosmos Space Center - Entrance
The group marched towards the Space Center, spotting Yuri Cosmos out in the front.
"Hey, Director Cosmos! We need to talk!" Mark called out to him.
"Urgk! Galactic Scooter! Full speed ahead!" Cosmos yelped as he sped away.
"Hey, get back here!" Eddy yelled.
"Slow it down, Eddy. We did kind of drag his reputation to the mud earlier today." Kaito said.
"Kaito's right. So much has happened in such a short time, we're not thinking straight." Sachiko said.
"We should stop by and see if Solomon's here before we talk to the director." Kendo suggested.
"Right, that's the best idea for right now." 9S said.
Cosmos Space Center - Boarding Lounge
The group entered the boarding lounge to see Starbuck standing in the room, his face plastered with conflicting emotions.
"Oh, hey everyone!" Starbuck said. "I didn't get an opportunity to thank you back in the courtroom, Mr. Wright. Thanks to you and your team, you've given me a second chance to fly into space again. I can't thank you enough. Except…"
"Yeah, we know. Athena was given the charge you were just acquitted of. Don't suppose you happened to see her being taken in as you were released." Vashyron said.
"Yeah… I sure did." Solomon said. "I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say to the poor girl. And then, you know what? She flashed a peace sign at me. "Congratulations on your acquittal," she said. "Now you can go back into space someday.". But I saw her eyes. They were red and swollen from crying. She's gotta be suffering! She must be so worried! And yet she went out of her way to be nice and give me that big smile!"
"That just adds to Athena's charm, I suppose." David said, laughing a bit. "That is so like her. Holding back her tears to see others smile."
"There's no question about it. That girl is innocent. Please, Mr. Ishihara. You and your friends have to make sure she goes free! And then, they can put me in prison instead! I don't mind!" Solomon said.
"Whoa, there's no need to go that far, buddy." Scorpia said. "We're gonna get Athena free and put this whole case to rest. Then you and her won't be charged with anything."
"I know she'll be alright with you guys in her corner. I know you'll never give up. Apollo has some great friends and an even greater boss to look up to." Solomon said.
"While we have you here, Solomon, we were wondering if perhaps you could help us out a little." Kendo said. "The real culprit who killed Clay… do you remember anything about him?"
"Not really. Only ever saw the figure in the shadows after all." Solomon said. "I heard something from the police, though. They said they never did find a .10-caliber gun down that trash chute."
"So it seems the culprit must have carried it away when they escaped." David said.
"I couldn't really tell if they had a gun or not. I don't even know who killed Clay looks like. Man, am I useless. When the culprit opened the door and some light came in, I should've been able to see… wait…. Yeah, I think the real culprit opened the Door to Launch Pad 1… well, I should say the Space Museum right now."
"The launch pad and the Space Museum switched again?" Kaito asked.
"Yeah, they're trying to investigate the theory you guys came up with in court." Solomon said.
"So, they're recreating the conditions, hm?" Leopardmon asked.
"Would you mind opening the door for us, Mr. Starbuck?" 9S asked.
"Sure. Just let me have my prints scanned here…" Solomon said.
As the astronaut used the fingerprint reader, Double D took notice of another device on the door.
"Ah, does that device open the door as well?" the young boy pointed it out.
"Yup. But this one doesn't require fingerprint verification. You just hit the button and "open sesame"!" Starbuck said.
"So when you and Mr. Terran went through here, you didn't need to scan your prints either?" 9S asked before realization hit him. "Just like how the culprit didn't when they escaped back out of the Space Museum Corridor and into Boarding Lounge 2."
"That'll be something to remember." Peni said as the door opened.
"Well, guess we better head on through." Mermista said as the group pressed on.
Cosmos Space Center - Space Museum
The group entered the Space Museum, where they saw several police investigators looking around, one of them speaking to Director Cosmos.
"Well, what a pleasant turn of events." Mark said.
"Urgn! Curse the wretches who sullied my good name!" Cosmos said to the officer. "They brought me crashing down to Earth like an asteroid."
"Uh huh." the investigator said, uninterested as he was writing in a notepad, before he spotted the group. "Well, what do you know? Speak of the devil, and he shall appear."
"Ack! Galactic Engine, reverse course and-!" Cosmos started before the investigator grabbed his shoulder.
"Slow down, turbo." the man said as he looked at the approaching group. "Let me guess. You wanna talk to the geezer here?"
"Well, we do, but if you're still talking to him…" Connie started.
"It's fine, you'll probably get more out of him than I can." the investigator said. "Just holler if you need anything." he said as he walked off to join his colleague's in their investigation.
"Huh, talk about friends on the force…" Sachiko remarked.
"Very well. I'll talk." Cosmos said reluctantly. "As a prisoner of war, I expect to be treated honorably."
"Well, there's something we do need to ask you about. What you remained silent for. Switching the launch pads around." Mermista mentioned.
"The center of the cosmos is shrouded in mystery! But I don't have any secrets left...now that I've been taken prisoner!" Cosmos declared.
At that statement, Phoenix could see the director's body surrounded by chains as three Psyche-Locks appeared.
"No secrets left, huh?" Phoenix asked.
"You see Psyche-Locks on him?" Scorpia asked.
"Yeah. Three of them. We're gonna have to remove them if we wanna find out everything." Phoenix said.
Psyche-Locks: Yuri Cosmos
- Behind the Switching of the Launch Pads –
(Cue: Psyche Locks- Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Dual Destines)
"I want you to tell me everything you're hiding about the switching of the two launch pads." Phoenix said.
"I refuse! You can't make me! I can hold out longer than anyone!" Cosmos boasted.
"Oh really? You didn't do so good today." Mermista said. "But you definitely revealed the reason why you switched them around."
"This is how you explained your motive for switching the launch pads. You did it…" Phoenix started.
To save the astronauts
"Thanks to you switching the launch pads, the astronauts escaped injury from the blast. Instead, they safely boarded the Museum's rocket, far away from the actual explosion." Phoenix said.
"Hmph! My astronauts were raring to go out on an authentic adventure in space! How do you propose I had them board a fake rocket without them noticing?!" Cosmos asked.
"...I agree you couldn't have done it without help. For one, they would have figured it out the instant they stepped into the Space Museum. You figured you could fool Mr. Starbuck once he'd been drugged with his medication, but... without the help of this person, it would've been impossible to pull your plan off." Phoenix said as 153 presented Clay Terran's Profile. "You must have gotten Mr. Terran to help you."
"Urghk!" Cosmos said.
"He stole the tranquilizers from his mentor's locker and slipped them to him. And then, with Mr. Starbuck in a daze, they boarded the replica rocket in the museum!" Phoenix said.
"Aaaaagh! Someone please help this poor prisoner of war!" Cosmos said as he spun around, the first Psyche-Lock breaking.
"Why'd you go through all that trouble to save your employees, anyway? Wouldn't it've been easier for you'd just to call the whole launch off?" Scorpia asked.
"If I could have done that, do you think I would have gone to all that trouble?!" Cosmos asked.
"Okay, so then how did you know to switch the launch pads in advance before the bombs went off?" Mermista asked.
"W-Well, that's because... nrgh... I was warned in advance. Once I received that warning, it was my duty to ensure my astronauts' safety!" Cosmos said.
"But it was just a warning that might've been a prank. Why did you believe in it completely?" 9S asked.
"B-Because I went to one of those "mediums" that everyone's talking about these days." Cosmos said.
"Oh? I didn't realize channeling was back in vogue. Besides, I thought it was you yourself that got the warning via telephone." Phoenix said.
"Yes, that's right! The bomber contacted me personally. My battleship is equipped with a special advanced communications system, you see!" Cosmos boasted. "But anyway, the message I received was as thus: 'It's been a while. Planning another launch? I see you haven't learned…' I'll never forget the terror I felt when I received that call."
"It's been awhile….so the culprit was involved with something else connected to the Space Center!" Entrapta realized. "And I know what it is…. The HAT-1 Miracle!"
"People across the nation know it now as a heroic tale of bravery. But in truth, it was an act of sabotage perpetrated by our current killer, wasn't it? Very few knew about the previous plot, so when the caller said, "It's been a while"... you knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that the danger was real, and it wasn't a prank!" Phoenix said.
"Gaaaaaaagh! Didn't anyone ever tell you to go easy on an ex-serviceman?!" Cosmos said as another lock broke. "...Yes, the HAT-1 Miracle was really a desperate battle against an act of sabotage. I even lost the life of one of my staff members in the fight. I let my guard down... I thought the saboteur had been caught, and that the case was closed."
"I get it… it's all starting to come together." Adora said. "The person you thought was the culprit was Prosecutor Blackquill, wasn't it? He's incarcerated because of one crime he commited that spiraled the world into the Dark Age of the Law. That crime was a murder that also happened seven years ago, wasnt it?"
"But while Prosecutor Blackquill was behind bars, you got another threatening call. If the culprit this time is the same as seven years ago, then it isn't Simon Blackquill. Realizing that, you were shaken. It meant the true culprit's been running free all this time." 9S said.
"Argh! How do you all keep figuring me out so easily?!" Cosmos asked.
"Because we're just that good." Mermista smirked as the final lock broke.
UNLOCK SUCCESSFUL
"So the spy you mentioned could be the same one from seven years ago?" 9S asked. "Then it's them then. The same one that Blackquill's been chasing. The Phantom."
"Then it's official: we find this phantom, we can clear Athena's name." Mark said.
"Hee hee hee... Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! It's all over for me! Spin! Spin! Whirl! Whirl! I'm done for! The center of the cosmos is doomed!" Cosmos said as he spun around.
"Well, at least he'll be in good company. There must be planets out there he can spin with. Which reminds me... we'd like to delve a little deeper into the HAT-1 mission, too." Phoenix said.
"If you want to learn more, there's a HAT-1 exhibit here. Oh, don't mind me. I'll just keep spinning here and see how the cosmos unfolds…" Cosmos said, briefly stopping before spinning once more.
"Cool, let us know if you achieve spiritual enlightenment." Emo said as the group made their way over to the HAT-1 exhibit.
Cosmos Space Center - Space Museum
The group arrived to the space museum and looked around before seeing the HAT-1 Exhibit.
"Hey, it's that photograph we saw last time!" Frisk said, pointing to said photo at the HAT-1 exhibit.
"Clay, Solomon, Cosmos, Aura, and Ponco." Simon said. "But who is this woman?" he asked, noticing the woman next to Aura.
"Haven't seen her around here yet." Eddy shrugged. "Maybe she's that staff member Cosmos mentioned. The one who died?"
"Hello…?" A voice asked as the group saw Juniper, walking alongside the investigator from earlier.
"Hey, this girl said she knows you." the investigator said. "Some of the guys were keeping her from the scene, but I recognized her from those two cases you were defending."
"I... I heard Thena got arrested, so I... ...I've been looking for you. I thought you all might be here... at the scene…" Juniper said.
"Juniper! I'm surprised to see you here." David said.
"Thena's going through such a hard time. I hope she doesn't lose heart. Even just coming back to this place must've been really difficult for her…" Juniper said.
"Juniper, we need to know something. Did… Did Athena live here?" David asked.
"Yes, she used to live here, when she was a little girl." Juniper said.
"So that explains how she was so familiar with this place." 9S said.
"But why didn't she wanna mention it to us in the first place?" Zephyr asked.
"She probably didn't want to talk about it. This place is connected to a very sad memory for her." Juniper said. "Thena's mom worked here. If I remember right, she was a doctor of psychology, or something like that…"
"A sad memory?" 9S asked.
"There was a terrible incident here... It was seven years ago." Juniper said. "Thena's mom... In the robotics lab... She was... murdered…"
"Oh my god…." Glimmer said in shock.
"After it happened, Thena stopped coming to school." Juniper continued. "I was so worried about her! I came here so many times, hoping to see her... But I never saw her again. After a while, we started exchanging letters...but I didn't get to see her face-to-face for seven long years."
"Until the Academy Incident." 9S said.
"That's right. And I was so surprised! She was like a completely different person, so cheerful and happy!" Juniper said. "When she was younger, she was very sensitive and kind. She didn't talk very much. She liked to draw and paint at home."
"That's…quite unlike the Athena we know." Double D said. "I mean, she's still kind and sensitive, but…"
"She never left the Space Center much because...she was very sensitive to other people's emotions. When she went to crowded places, she'd get dizzy from all the emotions flying around." Juniper explained.
"An extreme case of Hyperacusis…" 9S remarked.
"Because of her special ability, Thena couldn't handle being in school very often. And I was always out sick because of my weak constitution." Juniper said, smiling softly at the nostalgia. "Maybe that's why we became such good friends. We used to play together here at the Space Center a lot. It brings back memories."
"Hey, Juniper…is this Athena's mom?" Connie asked, pointing to the unknown woman in the HAT-1 photo.
"Oh, yes! That's Thena's mom, Dr. Metis Cykes!" Juniper confirmed. "She was killed the day before the launch."
"Ah, so that's the crime that Prosecutor Blackquill was charged with…" David said.
"Thanks for helping us out, Juniper. We really did need this info." Hope said.
"We'll help prove Athena's innocence any way we can." 9S said.
"Thank you, everyone! I know you'll take good care of her." Juniper said.
"So we need to investigate the robotics lab, and also talk to Athena." Connie said before looking at the time. "Ah, we're going to be cutting it close…"
"Then maybe we should go see Athena first." Scarlet suggested.
"Ah, I don't think that's possible." the investigator said. "Detective Fulbright's probably interrogating her by now. You'll have to wait if you go now."
"Damn it…robotics lab it is then." Mark said.
"Actually…why don't we split up?" Double D suggested. "We'll be able to cover more ground that way. And my intuition is telling me that maybe…we'll find more clues at the station than what Athena can tell us." he said.
"I think we'll be okay, Double D. Something tells me that even if a group goes to the detention center now, Athena will still be in questioning. Best thing to do is go to the Robotics Lab first." Hope said.
"Very well then. Let us be off." Double D agreed.
Cosmos Space Center - Robotics Lab
"So this is the robotics lab." Kendo said as they took a little look around. "Looks like it's one floor above the boarding lounge."
"Alright, let's go talk to-" Mark started before the group saw an unexpected guest talking with Aura: Apollo!
"So they planned to use this bag to carry the capsule, is that right?" Apollo asked the robotics specialist.
"Yeah, more or less." Aura said before leaning on Clonco. "...Say, why don't we stop talking about the case and have a nice cup of tea instead?" she asked.
"Well aren't you two just the unusual combination?" Catra piped up, catching their attention.
"Well, well. Come to spoil our fun? Just when I was enjoying our alone time…" Aura scowled.
"Everyone…" Apollo said with no expression of joy on him.
"If it's Apollo you want, you can't have him. He's investigating here on his own. And if you wanna do the same, you'll need my permission, as this is my lab." Aura said.
"We sorta figured that was the case." Ragna said.
"I heard about the trial. You guys made mincemeat out of the director. And suddenly Starbuck was out and your little friend, the princess, was in. Case closed. And they all lived happily ever after!" Aura laughed.
"W-Well we don't believe for a second Athena did it! We're gonna prove she's innocent!" Frosta fired back.
"Oh, my. Such loyalty and trust! She seems pretty suspicious to me, though. The emotionally unstable princess. There's your culprit for you. Don't you agree, Apollo?" Aura asked.
"I…I don't know." Apollo said, shocking most of the group.
"Apollo! How can you say such a thing?" Constance asked. "After everything that's happened, are you considering Athena as the culprit?"
"What's wrong with saying "I don't know" if it's true? It's a very scientific approach. Your mentor's subordinate is more level-headed than you lot... Or should I say, 'former subordinate'?" Aura laughed again.
"(She's more condescending and ruthless with words than her own brother.)" Hope thought.
"Hey, listen you-!" Mark started to snarl, before David held him back.
"Guys, guys. You guys are getting way too heated about this. There's got to be a reason why Apollo is thinking this way." David said. "Tell me something. Do either of you know about the incident seven years ago?"
"Why? Do you enjoy trampling on people's feelings and rubbing salt in their wounds? Or do you just want me to talk? Hmm, in that case, what should I ask for in return...?" Aura asked.
"I'd like to hear about that incident, too. It'd help me understand the current case better." Apollo spoke up.
"Well, if it's you Apollo, I wouldn't mind." Aura said. "You tell the story, Hunk of Junk. And to make sure you do…" she said to Clonco, zapping him with her ray gun to jumpstart his circuits.
"Aaahhh! Here I go!" Clonco said. "The bodies of all the robots that come through this lab are designed by Miss Aura! I was born seven years ago! Miss Aura was much, much younger then! And then our hearts were created by that great genius, Dr. Metis Cykes!"
"Wait… you're saying that Metis found a way to give robots emotions?" Entrapta asked very curiously.
"It is possible, there was Pascal for one." 9S said.
"But in the case of robots around here, how could that even be possible?" Phoenix asked.
"Emotions are not irrational things! Our logic and our hearts can be integrated! The two Navigation Companions created by Miss Aura and Dr. Metis transcend humans!" Clonco explained before Aura slapped him back to normal.
"Nobody could continue Metis's research. She and her work were truly one of a kind. And now the two Navigation Companions are all that are left of Metis here on Earth…" Aura said. "We built the ultimate creations together, but now she's gone!"
"I get the sense that Metis loved both Clonco, Ponco and Athena… and you too, just as much as the three of them." Hope said.
Aura laughed. "What are you talking about? Don't make me laugh! But you lost someone, too, didn't you, Apollo? Your friend Clay... I guess you and I are pretty much in the same boat." she sighed.
"Miss Aura, would you like a tissue?" Clonco offered.
"Keep your trap shut, Hunk of Junk!" Aura yelled.
"Hey, Clonco is an important keepsake of your time with Dr. Cykes. You should treat him better!" Rebecca said.
"What does it matter? He doesn't feel pain, and I can always repair his body. Besides, their hearts aren't actually in their bodies." Aura said. "The program Metis wrote runs on a separate mainframe. Their bodies are controlled remotely from there. Their hearts and memories are there, too. These bodies are really just peripherals. So I can do anything I want to them!"
"(Geez… I bet Aura would fit right at home in the Sakura Cosmos with all the people that abuse robots.)" Scarlet cringed.
"Hey, why are you people looking into such an old case now, anyway?" Aura asked.
"We believe the culprit of the case seven years ago, and this one, might be the same person." David said.
"And that means your brother is an innocent man." Connie added. "We're going to find the truth in these cases if it's the last thing we do."
"That's a quaint way of putting it. You don't think he did it?" Aura asked.
"We can't say for sure right now. That's why we want to hear your side of the story." David said.
"I was the one who introduced Simon to Metis, you know. He wanted to learn psychology, he said, to give himself an edge in court." Aura said. "And he was oddly serious about it. Rather than a teacher/student relationship...he treated her more like how a loyal samurai would treat his sovereign." Aura said with a notable sigh. "That samurai TV kid's show scrambled his brain as a kid, I swear…"
"What's wrong with the Steel Samurai?" David asked. "I don't see the problem with it."
"...Of course you don't." Aura deadpanned. "You two are so alike to each other. Even down to getting along well with that miserable little princess."
"Princess? You mean Athena?" Crusadermon asked.
"Who else would I be talking about? She is Metis's daughter, even if she's nothing like her." Aura scoffed. "Besides...doesn't the selfish little princess always have lots of white knights hanging around?"
"Not sure if we're supposed to be offended by that." Omnimon said.
"Figure of speech, Tamogachi." Aura said. "So, you think the culprit of seven years ago is connected to the current case? Guess that settles things."
"Settles what?" Jexi asked.
"None of your business. Now, Clonco…show them the door." Aura said.
"C-Certainly, Miss Aura." Clonco said as the lone robot ushered the group out.
Cosmos Space Center - Entrance
"Well, that was a fine way to be shown out." Sectonia said.
"Guess that's just how she is." Phoenix said.
"I'm worried about Apollo. He's not normally so dark, mysterious and cool." Ochako said.
"You mean he was normally silly?" David joked. "Heh. Well, I suppose in a way he was. I guess Clay's murder hit him a lot harder than we thought."
"Well, it seems we're not getting any more out of her." Double D said. "Shall we proceed to the Detention Center, then?"
"I somehow doubt Athena is gonna be open to discussing the case with us." Jexi said.
"It's not Athena we're going to see." Double D said. "It's the killer of the trial that interrupted Mr. Starbuck's."
"You can't be serious. We're gonna see Tonate?" Kaito asked.
"Yes. Something has been bothering some of us. In the courtroom before it exploded, Tonate said it needed a detonator remote. However, there wasn't one on him." Linhardt said. "I don't think he was responsible for the bombing."
"Meaning our bomber…and whoever killed Clay…they could be one in the same." Natalie said.
Detention Center- Visitors Room
"HOW DARE YOU ACCUSE ME OF DOING THAT! I AM INNOCENT!" Tonate typed.
"Innocent? You killed a detective and sold the bombs you dismantled on the black market!" Kendo said.
"...OKAY. SOMEWHAT INNOCENT. BUT I DID NOT BOMB THE COURTROOM." Tonate typed.
"Of that, we are suspecting. But we think you know who did." David said.
"YES. BEFORE THE BOMBING, I SAW SOMEONE'S HAND AS THEY STOLE THE REMOTE SWITCH. THIS PERSON WAS THERE AND WITNESSED THE MURDER I COMMITTED." Tonate typed.
"Hmm… I'm not sensing anything unusual from him. I don't think he's lying." David said.
"I don't see any Psyche-Locks from him." Phoenix said.
"Anyway…looks like they did take a picture of the bomb having been dismantled." Linhardt said.
"OH THOSE BEAUTIFUL PIECES. I…I WISH I COULD HAVE THEM…" Tonate typed.
"It doesn't make sense, though… Why pick Terran's case of all things to plant that bomb?" David asked.
"PERHAPS THE CASE HAD SOMETHING THAT THE PERPETRATOR DIDN'T WANT TO SLIP OUT." Tonate said. "BUT… THEY COULD ALSO BE TRYING TO ELIMINATE A THREAT."
"A threat? What are you talking about?" David asked.
"All this time and you haven't said a word? It's even turning your hair gray!" a voice called out from across the hall.
"Huh?" some of the group said as they went to the other visitor center to see Aura arguing with Blackquill with Fulbright next to Aura.
"I don't have anything to say, Aura. Why don't you go home and play with your dolls?" Blackquill suggested.
"Well, even if you don't, I have plenty, you jerk!" Aura practically yelled.
"M-Ms. Blackquill, don't you think that's enough for today?" Fulbright asked.
"'Enough for today'?! Today is all there is when there's no tomorrow!" Aura said.
"No tomorrow? Wait, you don't think that means…" 9S trailed.
"He is on death row. Meaning his execution is…tomorrow." Jet said.
"All right, fine. I see you're just not going to listen, no matter what I say. I've had it. If that's the way you're going to be, I have another plan up my sleeve. I hope you're happy, Simon, because I'm done! Do as you please! See if I care!" Aura said as she marched out of the room as she slammed the door in some of the group's faces as she left in anger.
"Okay…ouch." Balthus said, rubbing his face.
"What do you people want anyway?" Blackquill asked.
"Look…we know about seven years ago. But there's still something we're missing. Who is the "phantom"?" Tails asked.
"I see…then I will say this…I am the one who killed Metis Cykes. I am responsible." Blackquill said.
"So that's how you brought in the Dark Age… you killed Metis." Hope said.
"Guard! The guests are leaving. Usher them out!" Blackquill said.
"Now? But we only just got started!" Zephyr said.
"Prosecutor Blackquill! Please listen to us! The culprit in the current case might be the same as the one in the case seven years ago! If you would cooperate, we could probably solve both cases!" 9S said.
"As I already said…the one who murdered my mentor was me." Blackquill said as the group was ushered out.
"Whoa…you really made him angry." Fulbright said.
"No, really?" Hapi asked dryly.
"He's hiding something. With Athena now in detention, I bet he's trying to take the fall for… something." Hope said.
"If only we knew more about that case from seven years ago…" David said.
"Detective Fulbright, Sir!" an officer came up running.
"What is it?" Fulbright asked.
"Trouble at the Space Center, sir! The robotics expert, she's taken control of the space center with the robots! They have hostages!" the officer said.
"What?! Has Aura gone nuts?" Glimmer asked.
"We'd better get over there and find out what this is about." Hope said.
Cosmos Space Center - Entrance
The group raced to the space center to find the riot police standing outside of the entrance, multiple witnesses also standing as they were being gently held back by the police. On the opposite side, Clonco was positioned just outside the doors.
"What's going on here?" Fulbright asked one of the riot police members.
"It's not looking good. It's a total robot uprising, detective." one of them said as the robots were attacking and gathering people from the crowd. "We're delayed on entering the center as long as the hostages are there."
"Clonco! What's Aura doing, is she crazy?!" Bow asked.
"Sorry, but the junk pile isn't here!" Aura's voice said, coming from Clonco.
Upon a closer look, the group could see that Clonco was acting very differently. Metal spikes were growing out of his head akin to the spiral buns in Aura's hair, and his face screen now showed a purple display with an evil face on it like a jack o lantern.
"Aura…" Shiki said.
"Here are my demands. I'll release the hostages…if you bring me Clay Terran's killer, Athena Cykes!" Aura said.
"We won't, because we know Athena is not the killer." David said.
"Are you kidding?! You can't be that stupid to believe in her! If you don't bring me the princess, I'll have Hunk of Junk kill everybody I've got here!" Aura said.
"What if I told you the real killer is still out there? The one also related to the UR-1 Incident, correct?" David asked.
"All right then, lets hear your stupid theory. Who is this "real killer"?" Aura asked.
"Of that, we are not quite sure yet. But there is a way we can find out." David said.
"Yeah. We propose retrying the case. We'll get to the heart of the truth no matter what." Twilight said.
"Hmm…fine. Detective…I'm giving you an hour to get a courtroom ready." Aura said.
"One hour?! On such short notice?!" Fulbright said..
"Is there even a courtroom available?" Magnamon asked.
"...There is one." David said.
"One? What are you… Wait, you're not serious about this, are you?" Fulbright asked.
"Yes, I am." David said. "We'll have the trial in Courtroom No. 4!"
"The bombed courtroom…?" Aura questioned, before the group heard her laugh. "A poetic trial! That works for me. You're gonna need a prosecutor too, but I can take care of that!"
"She can?" Eddy asked Fulbright, who simply shrugged his shoulders.
"I guess I can be fair and let you come in and check out the crime scene. But Hunk of Junk here will be watching you, so don't try anything funny, you got that?" Aura demanded.
"We wouldn't dream of it, Ms. Blackquill." Double D assured her.
"Good. Now, follow Hunk of Junk! Riot police, make way! We're coming through!" Aura demanded as Clonco led the group past the police and into the Space Center.
Cosmos Space Center - Robotics Lab
The group was inside the robotics lab with a back to normal Clonco.
"I know you're good, David, so I'm not saying this lightly, but…I really hope you know what you're doing." Mark said.
"I'm sure of it. It's a rather fitting end for the Dark Age of the Law. The Phantom will be exposed soon enough." David said.
"So you know about the Phantom as well. I guess I shouldn't have expected less of you." a familiar voice said.
"That voice…!" Ajna said.
(Cue- Miles Edgeworth ~ Great Revival 2013- Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies)
The voice came from a man who wore a darkish red suit. "Well, well… It certainly has been a while." the figure said, revealing themselves to be Miles Edgeworth himself. "I trust you've been well, especially you, Wright."
"Edgeworth! What are you doing here…?" Phoenix asked.
"You guys seem to know this fella in an opposite suit color to Phoenix. Anybody gonna introduce me and the team?" DW typed.
"That's Miles Edgeworth, Prodigy Prosecutor! He's a big a name as Phoenix is!" Peacock introduced.
"Hm. Well, not so much anymore. I'm Chief Prosecutor now." Edgeworth said. "It'll be almost a year since I've been assigned that position. But a title is nothing more than a title."
"Well, if you're here now, I can only assume Aura chose you to be the Prosecutor for the case David put together." Hope said.
"Indeed. She had me ready to be the prosecutor of the UR-1 incident." Edgeworth confirmed.
"Man, you got here fast." Eddy remarked.
"Well, I wasn't about to keep you all waiting, was I?" Edgeworth asked. "I gathered all the information I could in the short time that I had. I'll give you a run-down." he said.
"Thank you, sir. We really appreciate it." 9S said.
"We already know the basics. The victim of the case was Dr. Metis Cykes, Athena's mother." Adora said.
"Yes. Seven years ago, on the 7th of October, her body was found here in this very room. I have two crime photos and the police notes on them for you all to see." Edgeworth said, handing over the evidence to them.
"Adding to Court Record." 153 said.
"I also have the autopsy of Dr. Cykes' death. The cause of death was a fatal blow dealt by the victim's own katana." Edgeworth explained.
"Yikes… What a brutal way to leave the mortal coil." Leopardmon said.
"The body was found by a Space Center staff member and two police officers. The police were called in because of the sabotage threat on the HAT-1 launch." Edgeworth explained. "Shortly after the body was discovered, a suspect was arrested. I'm sure you know who it is already."
"Simon Blackquill. We heard the case ended rather quickly." Revali said.
"Yes. A guilty verdict was declared in only one session. Not only did he plead guilty, but there was decisive evidence against him, too." Edgeworth said.
"A security camera video, and a photo of the moment of the crime." Lionel said.
"Did Blackquill even have a motive?" UlforceVeedramon asked.
Edgeworth shook his head. "To this day, his motive is still unknown. He insisted he did it, but he would never say why." the Chief Prosecutor said.
'So he's still hiding something then." Ace said.
"So, what's this case gotta do with Blackquill?" Mermista asked.
"It's suspected that Blackquill is the spy you may have heard of. They think he sabotaged the rocket and killed Dr. Cykes to steal a coveted moon rock. But if you can prove that the HAT-2 bombing is the work of this Phantom…" Edgeworth trailed.
"We would be able to call off his execution." David said.
"It's a possibility. That's why I intend to help you all any way I can." Edgeworth said.
"Thank you, Edgeworth. We can use the help." David said.
"Let's inspect the lab and see what we can find." Ichiro said as they started combing the place.
"Let's see here…" 9S said as he approached an operating table. "Same as in the photos, maybe this is where the machines here are rebuilt."
"Oh, red button!" Ed said as he pushed a button near the table.
"Ed, you idiot! Don't mess with the crime…scene?" Eddy said as the group saw the table moving and devices above it lowering down, as if it was making something.
"Hmm... It appears to be a robot-assembly device." Edgeworth remarked.
"Disassemble anything in a flash! Push the 'Dismantle' button!" Double D read. "Dismantle? I wonder…"
"Hey guys, come look at this!" Connie called out from a desk at the left side of the room, where she was holding an article that had Aura and Metis on the cover. "Remember when we were talking to Aura and she looked over here when she mentioned Metis? I think this is why."
"A heartbeat detection system lets them determine when a human is present. In addition, they can recognize people by their ID tag or facial features...and they can infer people's emotions by analyzing their tone of voice." Phoenix read. "That's amazing."
"Kind of like how Athena uses Widget." David said.
"Could be useful information." 9S said as 153 added it to the Court Record.
"Hey, didn't Fulbright mention something about an emergency ladder?" Scarlet asked, pointing to a corner where a ladder was. "Is that it over there?"
"Yes. As she climbed down it, Ms. Blackquill spotted the killer inside." Edgeworth said.
"Hey guys, over here." 9S said at a desk to the right. "It matches up with the photos. But what's this?" he asked, pointing to a capsule.
"That is the Hope Capsule. The one that was set to launch on that day." Edgeworth said.
"Wait, didn't Apollo mention a bag being used to carry the capsule when we saw him talking to Aura?" Weisz asked.
"It's a custom made, shock resistant bag. Yes." Edgeworth said. "So he's looking into this case as well."
"There's still one thing I don't get. Edgeworth…you allowed Blackquill into court. Why?" Jexi said.
"Because his involvement is vital…to ending the Dark Age of the Law." Edgeworth said.
"I see….So this was why you went to get your badge back, Phoenix." Nami said.
"It was a request from Edgeworth." Phoenix said.
"This age started when a lawyer presented fabricated evidence and a prosecutor was found guilty of murder. Mass media launched an outright attack on the courts. Public opinion was tainted and the courts were in a downward spiral." Edgeworth said.
"It's sad when a person starts casting doubt. They start lying to themselves and each other." Onyx said.
"Yes, and it's gotten to the point where attorneys and prosecutors would do absolutely anything to win a case. We're in an age now where winning is valued far more than the truth." David said. "It's disgusting, is what it is."
"But we're gonna put an end to it." 9S said.
"That's right." Phoenix said. "We'll solve the UR-1 Case and prove Blackquill's innocent. You'll all help me do that, I'm sure."
"Darn right. I want in on the defense team. Big mystery needs a big solver." Mermista said.
"I'm in too, I want to find the truth in all this and see it through to the end." 9S said.
"Room for one more?" Double D asked. "I won't sit idly by and allow this age to continue for one day longer! I shall stand alongside you to the end!"
"Damn straight! This Dark Age of the Law has overstayed its welcome a long time ago." David said.
"Then we're all in agreement." Phoenix nodded. "Together, we'll close the book on these times, and usher in a new age!"
"Then why're we still standing here?!" Eddy declared. "We got one more stop to make!"
"Yes…we'll need to talk to Athena before court begins. After all…she is harboring some dark secrets inside her heart." Jexi said.