December 20
Detention Center - Visitor's Room
Before the trial even began, the group visited Athena inside the detention center. There was still many a question to ask her before the final trial to signal the end of the dark age was about to start.
"Oh, everyone! I knew you would come. After all, the first step is the interview with the defendant." Athena said.
"And because you're our friend and we were worried about you." Hope said. "And we're not the only ones."
"We saw Ms. Woods today. She was so beside herself, she came to find us. She told us you used to live in the Cosmos Space Center. No wonder you knew so much about the place!" Phoenix said.
"Oh... So you know, huh? I... I'm sorry I didn't tell you all." Athena said.
"It's alright." 9S said. "Is it okay if we ask you a few things?"
"Sure, you can ask me anything. I promise I won't keep any more secrets from you all!" Athena said.
"Sure. We'll start with the day Clay was murdered You were there when it all happened, werent you?" Hope said.
"Y-Yeah. I... I was actually at the Space Center that day. In... In the Space Museum... I never could fully deal with what happened seven years ago... But when I saw the Center again during the news coverage of the HAT-2 launch... I thought maybe if I went there, things would be different this time…" Athena said. "So I went to the Space Museum the evening before the explosions. This was before the launch pads had been switched... There was a sign that said "closed for repairs," and they weren't letting anybody in. But I snuck in anyway."
"I'm guessing what you wanted to see had to do with the HAT-1 Exhibit." Glimmer said.
"Yeah. I wanted to see my mom's jacket." Athena answered solemnly. "I should've known it wouldn't be easy to get over such a traumatic experience... The second I saw that jacket, it all came rushing back to me. Everything around me went hazy and I couldn't see… I tried to get out of there somehow... But I guess I passed out. When I came to, I was in the passage behind the rocket. I was in the shadows, where people couldn't really see me."
"Maybe you got confused and went the wrong way when you were trying to leave?" Phoenix asked.
"Just how long were you unconscious?" Yuri asked.
"I was out until about noon of the next day. I didn't even know about the explosions. When I woke up, nobody was around, so I just went out into Boarding Lounge 2. My mind must've still been fuzzy, because my memory is vague after that. I don't remember how I got home." Athena said. "Which means... What if I'm the one who killed Clay...?!"
"Whoa, don't need to think that right now!" Bow said. "So uh… your mom. We heard all about how her research cooked up a program that allowed robots to feel emotions. That is amazing stuff!"
"Machines that could tell people's emotions by their tone of voice... and my special ability. Someday, when people travel to distant planets, their companions will be robots. So she said they had to be able to understand how their human companions felt." Athena said. "I was just a convenient subject for her research. All she ever did was work, and she never paid any attention to me. ...Oh, sorry about that, dredging up all that old stuff…" she said.
"Safe to say your early life was… complicated." Mermista said.
"Mermista!" Glimmer chided.
"What? I'm sure everybody else was thinking it!" Mermista said.
"(She must never know…)" some of the others thought.
"I mean…I'm sure she loved you, in her own way." Frisk said.
"Maybe…" Athena said. "But just about the only things my mother left me with are Widget…and this earring." she said, showing them her crescent moon shaped-earning.
"Oh, the one you're always fingering when you're deep in thought? It's quite the accessory." Rarity-2 complemented.
"It's made of a piece of real moon rock she had for research. Maybe she did love me, in her own way…" Athena said as it was added to the Court Record.
"I'm guessing you heard about Aura holding up the Space Center and several hostages?" 9S asked.
"Everything she's doing… it's about Simon, isn't it?" Athena asked, shocking a few members.
"You knew him personally?!" Frosta asked.
"Yes. He used to come visit my mom a lot. He studied psychology under her, and would sometimes ask for advice on his legal cases. He was very kind and considerate, and straight as an arrow." Athena said. "That's why I took the witness stand during his trial seven years ago. But... nothing I said did any good. I was a shaking and scared little girl, small and ineffectual. Even after I went to live with my relatives in Europe, I stayed closed up in my shell. But then one day, I came to realize that I had to fight. I couldn't give up. I exercised hard and I studied hard. I wanted to become the strongest lawyer I could be."
"So the reason you became a lawyer in the first place was because you wanted to save Blackquill." Hope said.
"Yeah. I wanted to save Simon, but I had no idea how. Then I met Mr. Wright, and thanks to him...I realized that if I became a lawyer, I could prove that Simon was innocent. I also realized that psychology could help me do this. I mean...psychology was my mother's specialty. When I studied it... I felt like she was there with me, supporting me." Athena said. "I wanted to prove Simon's innocence personally. I wanted to do it so bad... Even now, I want to fly out of here and go save him! I heard some prison guards say that you had an interview with Simon. How was he? What did he say?"
"He was doing well. He was happy about the possibility of being proven innocent." Yuri said, several of the group members raising an eyebrow, but ultimately not disproving the lie. "(I know it's a lie, but we can't let her know that Blackquill might be executed if we don't do this right.)"
"He was? I wonder if he smiled, like he used to... back then…" Athena said.
"(If we can't prove Prosecutor Blackquill's innocence in this trial... I don't think Athena will ever forgive us... We just have to free him! Failure is not an option here!)" Phoenix thought.
"Ah, there you all are!" Fulbright said, coming in. "Courtroom No. 4 has been approved to hold the trial. They'll be spending some time cleaning it up to be usable, so the trial will be later on! We'll have a full moon watching over this trial! Once nightfall approaches, the trial will begin."
"That's great! We'll be looking forward to it." David said.
It was at that moment that everybody's comms rang. Answering it, Aura was on the other line.
"Aura?! How'd you get our comm frequency?" Glimmer asked.
"Don't ask, that's not important right now. Is everything ready to go? You wouldn't want the hostages to be in danger." Aura said.
"We got the green light. The trial will take place tonight." David said.
"We have our team set with Phoenix going up against Edgeworth. It's gonna be me, David, Double D and 9S." Mermista said. "Your brother's innocence is as sure as proven with us on the job."
"My brother...?" Aura asked before laughing. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I forget to mention...? It's not Simon you'll be defending." she said, shocking most of the group.
"Wait, are you seriously saying….?!" Hope asked.
"That's right! I indict Athena Cykes, on the charge of murdering her own mother! You'll be defending the little princess there, the one behind the glass." Aura said.
"Wait a second, you don't actually think that-!" Double D sputtered.
"Of course... Why didn't it ever occur to me before? If Prosecutor Blackquill is innocent, somebody else had to have been the true culprit. Did I..? Did I... kill my own mother...? N-No..." Athena gasped before she screamed.
Litty let out a gasp of pain as she held her head. And right before Phoenix's eyes, he saw the worst possible things that could appear as five black psyche locks appeared in front of Athena.
Phoenix gasped in shock. "No way… it can't be true!"
"Phoenix, Litty, what's going on?!" Glimmer asked.
"Athena's mind… it's in so much turmoil, that a powerful force is blocking the deepest recesses of it." Litty said.
"Litty's right…." Phoenix said. "I see five of them…Black Psyche-Locks!"
"What the… Bl-Black Psyche-Locks?! What is going on?!" David asked.
A few hours before the trial…
The sun set over the city as the man waited in an alleyway, looking at his watch with an annoyed expression on his face. His attention was then drawn to the sound of footsteps approaching him as he looked up to see a man in a trenchcoat, his cheap, store-bought Ghostface mask half hidden behind a fedora.
"You're late." the waiting man said.
"Had to make sure I wasn't followed." the masked man said. "Too many eyes on me to risk it now at the tail end."
"Fine, whatever." the first man sighed. "Y'know Phantom, it's not too late to end this here. If you just confess before the trial, we can still get you out."
"What, just let myself be caught?" The Phantom asked before giving off a cold chuckle. "You know I can't do that. I won't give that son of a bitch Blackquill the satisfaction; I've had to put up with his damned chuunibyou routine for too long. He can go to Hell in shame."
"...And you're gonna kill an innocent woman to do it?" The first man asked.
"I've got one under my belt, what's two?" The Phantom shrugged. "But anyway, that's not why I called you. What's the status of the mining project?"
"Should be done by tonight, actually." the first man said. "We'll be ready to leave right after the trial."
"Then all we have to do is throw that little girl under the chopping block, and we're home free." The Phantom said.
"You're home free. We're not the ones who caused this damned mess, Phantom." the first man said with a tone of irritation. "Look, just act natural during the trial."
"Right, right." the Phantom waved off. "Oh, and if they somehow get close to the truth, you'll bail me out, right?"
"I'll be standing by during the whole trial." the first man said, the camera panning up to reveal the Bailiff's face. "But I can only do so much. The last thing we need is the Hero Alliance to decide to stop playing by this world's rules and go full force on us."
"Perfect." The Phantom nodded. "Well, I gotta get back before someone notices I'm gone. Can't wait to kill this identity off. He's gonna go out in a blaze of glory." he chuckled as he began to walk off.
"Hey Phantom." The Bailiff called out, causing the assassin to stop. "...See you at the trial."
Nodding at the well-wishes, The Phantom began to walk off again.
"Something tells me…it's going to be one to remember." The Bailiff said to himself as he pulled out his phone and read the latest message he received:
"We're pulling out tonight. Cut him loose at the trial."
December 20th, 3:11 PM
District Court - Defendant Lobby No. 5
"Black Psyche-Locks… I can't believe it." David said. "Hey, Kiyo… You studied up on the Fey clan's arts, right? Do you have anything to tell us about this?"
"Well, unfortunately. These Psyche-Locks are not the ordinary kind." Korekiyo said. "As we all know, a red Psyche-Lock protects a secret the person is consciously trying to hide. If the person folds under questioning, the lock breaks and the truth comes out."
"What about the black ones?" Litty asked.
"A black Psyche-Lock protects a secret from the deepest place in a person's heart...a secret that that person isn't even consciously aware of." Korekiyo said.
"So you're saying that not even Athena knows what those Psyche-Locks could be locking away?" David asked.
"I suppose that explains why the deepest parts of her mind are blocked off." Litty said.
"I don't think she's keeping anything from us, either. So… do we just break em like usual?" Mermista asked.
"Highly inadvisable." Korekiyo said. "A black Psyche-Lock is like a heavy chain wrapped directly around one's heart. If they are ripped off by force, it could cause permanent damage to a person's soul."
"Which means we could end up breaking Athena even further." David said.
"Right, then…use finesse?" Eddy asked.
"Guys… I want you guys to look after Athena for us." David said.
"Are you guys gonna be okay? You're up against Edgeworth this time, and we all know he's tough. Not to mention we've only ever gone against him once." Glimmer said.
"I know. But it's because we're up against Edgeworth that we have to remain focused. And if you guys are keeping Athena company, we won't have to worry about losing our focus." David said. "...Does that make sense?"
"Don't worry. We'll keep watch of her in the Gallery." Hope said. "Good luck. The stakes have never been higher."
"Yeah… The legal system's very future is as stake. We can't afford to miss a beat for even a second." David said.
"Well, it's not the first time we've saved the world. We're just… doing it from behind a bench instead of hitting someone." Mermista said.
"Well… If no one else has anything to say… Let's go." David said.
December 20
District Court - Courtroom No. 4
Day 1
Court Is Now In Session
All Rise
(Cue: Court Begins- Ace Attorney: Dual Destines)
"Man… There's a bit of an evening breeze in here." David said.
"The roof's been literally blown off, and yet everybody's here. Defense, Prosecution, Judge, and even a full gallery." Mermista said.
"Why wouldn't it be full?" Double D asked. "This is perhaps the most important trial in eight years of this country's history."
"Today, it's our battleground." 9S said.
Their conversation was ended by the bang of the Judge's gavel. "Court, or some facsimile thereof, is now in session for the trial of Athena Cykes."
HOLD IT!
"Not a "facsimile," old man! This is a proper, official trial!" came the voice of Aura from Clonco as he was hijacked once more, placed nearby in a stand. "Take this more seriously, or you'll start hearing the bones of the hostages snap!"
"Uh, I mean…Court is now in session for the very serious and very proper trial of Athena Cykes." The Judge corrected himself.
"Yeah… Best we don't say anything that might set her off." David said.
Edgeworth wasn't sweating Aura's threats at all as he was at the prosecutors bench. "This is no trial. It's nothing more than a ridiculous farce."
"Wh-what did you say?!" Aura asked.
"However, this ridiculous farce has a very important meaning for our legal system. Recall the case of the UR-Incident, in which a prosecutor was found guilty of murder. That case ushered in the odious 'dark age of the law.'" Edgeworth continued.
"I see what you're after... If we can find the real truth behind that case today…" Aura realized.
"Precisely. The darkness will be dispelled and glory shall be restored to the court system." Edgeworth said.
"Prosecutor Edgeworth, you sound as if you know something of this 'truth'...?" The Judge asked.
"I do indeed. A new suspect has emerged in the UR-1 case. For seven years, Simon Blackquill has refused to speak in order to cover for someone else." Edgeworth said.
"We know what he's going at. Get ready, everyone." David said.
"I'm sorry, everyone, but the situation is what it is, and I must do what I must." Edgeworth said before he slammed his hand on the desk. "The prosecution moves to indict Athena Cykes on the count of murder in the first degree!"
(Song cut)
Everything was silent at that moment for a while, as everyone looked on at the two opposing sides. No one could even cut the tension in the air with a knife.
"Regardless of the circumstance, I intend to question the defendant with all I have." Edgeworth said as he took off his glasses. "For that is a part of my creed."
"Heh… That is so like you, Edgeworth." David said as he pounded his fists together. "Well, you better be ready, because we are gonna give it our all too. Right, Phoenix?"
"That's right." Phoenix smiled, pointing at Edgeworth. "So you'd better bring it."
Seeing this, The Judge was ready to preside over the trial like he has always done so many times over the years, as he banged his gavel again. "If all of you are ready…" he started as Mermista cracked her neck, Double D adjusted his sockhat as he straightened his tie, and 9S removed his combat visor. "...Court is now in session for the trial of Athena Cykes!"
"Your Honor… The defense is fully ready!" David said.
Edgeworth tsk'd at this. "The prosecution is also ready."
And with that, the trial was underway. It was like days of old, Phoenix and Edgeworth, facing off against each other, ready to give things their very best.
"It's my duty to clear Prosecutor Blackquill of false accusations and end this insanity." Edgeworth said.
"But we have no intention of losing Ms. Cykes, either. She's a very promising young lawyer!" Phoenix said.
"(Athena is innocent, but Blackquill isn't the culprit either.)" Double D thought. "(The only possible culprit is this mysterious Phantom…but who are they?)"
"Now then, Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth-" The Judge started.
"No need for that part, Your Honor." Edgeworth said. "I am here as a simple prosecutor."
"Very well. Your opening statement, please, Prosecutor Edgeworth. Although, I've been known of late to give an impressive opening statement myself…" The Judge remarked.
Edgeworth was silent, though the defense could hear him mutter 'Damn it, Simon.' under his breath. "I will do the opening statement, Your Honor. As regulated."
"Ah, o-of course!" The Judge said nervously. "Just having a little fun!"
"Let's start with a brief overview of the UR-Incident. The incident occurred at the Cosmos Space Center seven years ago, on October 7th. The victim, psychologist Metis Cykes, was killed in the robotics lab on the fourth floor." Edgeworth began. "Simon Blackquill, a young prosecutor at the time, was found guilty of the crime. There were two deciding factors that led to his guilty verdict: One: Blackquill was the only person in the corridor to the lab at the time of the murder. And two: this photo, which captured the moment of the crime." he explained, showing the seven year old photos.
"Hmm... Very incriminating evidence indeed... It would appear that the only conclusion is that Prosecutor Blackquill did indeed–" The Judge started.
HOLD IT!
"Are you kidding me?! I'm not accepting any conclusion of the kind!" Aura called out, not exactly liking how the trial started. "This opening statement is OVER! Now, hurry up and call the witness!"
"Perhaps we should heed her wishes, Your Honor. She is the trial's sponsor, after all. Besides, the courtroom is chilly, and sitting for too long can't be good for your back." Edgeworth said.
"Oh! You are very kind to show such concern for the welfare of the elderly…" The Judge said.
"(As skilled as ever at playing the court puppeteer, I see.)" Phoenix thought with a sweatdrop.
"The prosecution calls its first witness. A witness... who decided to bring forth new testimony after seven long years!" Edgeworth declared.
Up to the witness stand came Detective Fulbright, still looking as upbeat as ever, despite the circumstances.
"In justice we trust!" Fulbright said. "Bobby Fulbright here! I will be speaking for Ms. Aura Blackquill! She says she's too busy, what with confining and threatening the hostages and all."
"(You don't have to sound so cheerful about it…)" Mermista thought.
"Believing her brother innocent, Ms. Blackquill has been conducting her own investigation." Edgeworth explained. "And though her current actions are hardly lawful, I think we can at least hear her theory."
"I have here Ms. Blackquill's notes on the investigation she conducted. And I'll be giving testimony based on these notes!" Fulbright said, clearing his throat. "Here I go!"
Witness Testimony: Bobby Fulbright
- Aura Blackquill's Theory -
"Simon isn't the murderer. He was trying to cover for someone."
"Someone else was at the scene at the time they say Simon committed the murder."
"I mean, if he really was out to steal that moon rock, then why the rolling case?"
"Because he was using it to hide someone inside. That's why."
"And the only person small enough to fit inside that case... was Athena Cykes!"
→ Athena Cykes ←
Present: Ponco's Arm
OBJECTION!
"Sorry, Detective. But we believe there's something else he could have had in that case." David said. "Take a look at these photos."
David presented the photos to the court.
" Please note that there is a robot part on top of the cart in this photo. However, in this photo taken after the crime, the robot part is gone. In other words, this part is something that was taken from the scene of the crime!" David said.
"But it's just a piece of junk." Fulbright pointed out. "How important could it be?"
"True, a regular robot arm in a Space Center would seem commonplace." David said. "But it looks like a part from one of the robots at the scene, don't you think?"
"Well! Now that you mention it, it does, doesn't it. But the case is still too big to be practical for just the moon rock and a robot arm." The Judge said.
"But was it really just one arm?" Mermista cut in. "I'm sure everybody on my sides' gonna agree with this… it wasn't just one metal arm in there, one entire robot was stuffed inside that case!"
"Wh-Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!" The Judge exclaimed, as the gallery reacted in murmurs.
OBJECTION!
"We can't be certain that part belonged to a robot. Yes, it looks like the arm of the one before us, but it could be something else entirely. Besides, it's wrapped entirely in bandaging, making it difficult to verify what it is." Edgeworth said.
OBJECTION!
"We know for certain that it's a robot arm. We can even tell who the arm belonged to, just by looking at it." David said.
"So then Mr. Ishihara, can you tell us who is the owner of that arm?" The Judge asked.
"The robot's name was Ponco. But take a look at Ponco's arm. It was Athena that bandaged it up like that." David said.
"She must have thought that machines heal in the same way that people do. What an adorable, naïve mistake! It reminds me of my own grandchild…" The Judge remarked with a smile.
"The robot arm at the crime scene had the same bandaging wrapped around it. In other words, this robot arm could belong to none other than Ponco!" 9S declared.
The gallery broke out into murmurs once more before the banging of the gavel drove them back to silence.
"Order in the court! Order, I say! Prosecutor Edgeworth, what do you have to say to this?!" The Judge asked.
"I concede that the robot is about the same size as a child. But it cannot grab its knees and curl itself up into a ball. Even if it was the largest of the cases, the robot couldn't have possibly fit in there!" Edgeworth said.
"That is true, Ponco couldn't curl into a ball." Double D said. "But she didn't have to. I propose that Blackquill used the operating table to dismantle Ponco, allowing her to be transported in the case!"
"Rather violent, but the defense does have a point there." The Judge said.
OBJECTION!
"Except that there was a body on the table where robots are dismantled and assembled. There would have been no room to take the robot apart." Edgeworth pointed out.
"Blackquill didn't have to use the table." David said. "He could have used his own sword. That is a possibility, right Ms. Blackquill?"
"I... I suppose so...! Their joints aren't made of a very tough material. A blade could slice through them." Aura explained.
"Thank you for your expert opinion, Ms. Blackquill. Thanks to you, we now know...that the existence of the severed arm in this photo proves that Ponco was taken apart." Phoenix said. "In addition, since the rest of Ponco was not found at the scene, we can conclude that... the true meaning of this photo is very different from the original interpretation."
"Y-You mean what the photo caught was actually…!" The Judge began.
"The moment after the robot was sliced apart, yes." Double D nodded. "The blood you see where the arm was cut off was transferred there by the bloody katana. Most likely, the rest of Ponco is scattered around Prosecutor Blackquill's feet…"
"Not hearing this…!" Aura insisted, clearly unnerved as shown through Clonco, who was covering his own ears, if he had any.
"Therefore, what was transported inside that case was not the defendant, but a robot! Ms. Cykes never was at the scene at the time of the murder!" David said.
Aura cried out at that point, the shock reverberating through her so much, that it caused Clonco to lose his head, literally, as it popped off his body and into the air. "My head! My head! My body! Where am I?!" she cried before Clonco's head landed perfectly back on his flailing body.
"Deja vu, anyone?" Mari asked.
"Order! Order in the court!" The Judge demanded as the jury was abuzz with this revelation.
"It's true that Ponco was found in pieces after the murder... And I'll admit I repaired her myself afterwards." Aura said with some reluctance.
"And with that, we've proven that the defendant was not carried from the scene." Double D said.
OBJECTION!
"Don't be so quick to assume that, Edward." Edgeworth said. "I concede that it wasn't the defendant inside the rolling case, but the robot. However, my claim hasn't changed. The notion that the case was used to carry Ms. Cykes was Ms. Blackquill's theory. I have been of a different opinion from the outset. Now I finally have the opportunity to voice my theory... Thanks to you all."
"Oh, great…" Mermista said. "Edgeworth is one step ahead of us as usual."
"I didn't expect anything less from him." David said. "This only deepens the suspicion on Athena."
"In that case, how do you propose the defendant left the crime scene?" The Judge asked.
"Simple. The footage only shows Prosecutor Blackquill from behind. What's more… he's holding his arm in front of his body, as if he were holding something, or someone…" Edgeworth said. "I have proof: the surcoat Prosecutor Blackquill was wearing. The victim's blood was found on the front of it and the stain had a highly distinctive shape." he added.
"A bloodstain? With a distinctive shape? Please continue, Prosecutor Edgeworth." The Judge prompted.
"Seven years ago, the defendant was known to constantly wear a certain item… of which there is only one in the world: a special pair of headphones made just for her." Edgeworth explained. "Analysis showed the bloodstain to be in the exact same shape as these headphones. In other words, this was no mere blood splatter. The blood went from the victim's body... to the headphones, and then... was imprinted onto Prosecutor Blackquill's coat like a stamp."
"A most gruesome stamp, indeed…" The Judge said.
"Blackquill carried Ms. Cykes, who had been hit by splatter, away from the crime scene. This proves that Athena Cykes was, without question, present at the crime scene. And that... concludes the prosecution's argument." Edgeworth said.
"Ngaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!" Phoenix screamed.
"Oh dear…" Double D said nervously.
The Judge banged his gavel to call order. "Mr. Ishihara is right. This only deepens the suspicion on Ms. Cykes."
OBJECTION!
"But we've also shown that the robot was there at the scene as well!" 9S said.
OBJECTION!
"I hope none of you are making the ridiculous claim that a simple robot was the real murderer?" Edgeworth questioned.
"Well, no… But she could still be a key witness. The defense requests that Ponco is called to the stand." David said.
"A robot witness…." The Judge said. "Prosecutor Edgeworth, what do you think of this?"
"Mr. Wright has called all manner of witnesses to the stand over the years. So why not a robot? Nothing surprises me anymore with him." Edgeworth said.
"True, the case with Orla proved as much…" The Judge remarked. "Very well. Bailiff! Summon the robot named Ponco, if you please!"
"Right away, Your Honor." The Bailiff said, heading off as he thought to himself. "(That bot's going to shatter the courtroom with what she's going to say. Damn, if this costs them the case, there's no telling what they'll do. Maybe I should get more involved… no, Phantom would think I'm selling him out, and that would paint a target on me. Just gotta hope they pull through…)"
Ponco was soon brought in as she stood at the stand.
"Witness, please state your name and occupation." Edgeworth said.
"My name is not 'witness'! My name is Ponco!" Ponco flailed in anger.
"Yes, I realize that. But when you are at the witness stand, you are the 'witness.'" Edgeworth said.
"No, I'm not! I'm Ponco! Say it with me! 'Ponco'!" Ponco reiterated.
"What an utterly inflexible little robot!" Edgeworth said in annoyance as his bags were showing.
"Ha ha! You remind me of my grandchild who just learned his own name. Oh, how precious!" The Judge said.
"All right, Ponco... I'm going to ask you some questions." Edgeworth said.
"Questions? You have questions? Hooray! What are your questions?" Ponco asked.
"I want to know if you were there at the scene of the murder of Metis Cykes. It was seven years ago, on the 7th of October around 2 PM, in the robotics lab." Edgeworth said.
"Certainly! Just one moment! Searching data..." Ponco searched her memory before finding something. "Search complete! Yes, I was there in the robotics lab!" she said cheerfully, as if not even paying attention to the stir of the gallery.
"It would seem this robot's testimony is necessary to this case after all." Edgeworth said.
"A murder committed right before this poor little girl's eyes! It's inexcusable!" The Judge said.
"It certainly is, Your Honor…" David said.
The group was now ready to hear Ponco's testimony, looking to find anything from her that would be a big help.
Witness Testimony: Ponco
- What I Saw –
I went to the robotics lab at about 2 PM for my regular recharge!
Just as I was about to charge up, Athena came in and hugged Mommy Metis!
And then Mommy Metis fell down. After that, I was recharging, so I don't know anything.
After I charged up, I was cleaning the room, and Mr. Simon came in.
And then an error occurred. There is no data after that point.
HOLD IT!
"You said Metis fell down… Could you tell us how the victim appeared and acted at this moment?" Double D asked.
"Mommy Metis was very surprised when she was hugged. I heard her heart pound." Ponco said.
"Right, the heartbeat detection system." Mermista remembered.
"And after she fell down…was her heart still beating?" Double D pressed on.
"Well, let's see…The moment she fell, her heart was pounding. After that, I don't know. I started recharging just then." Ponco said.
"Drat! Of all the unlucky timing! If you had heard anything after that… it could have possibly proved that the hug wasn't actually the moment of the murder!"
"I'm very sorry, I just don't know…" Ponco said sadly.
"The robot is designed to go into sleep mode automatically, so it can't be helped... But it does appear it detected an increased heart rate at the moment of the stabbing."
"After Mommy Metis's heart started pounding in surprise, she fell by the window. It was the round window, on the workbench side of the room!" Ponco said.
Present: Seven-Year-Old Photos
"Another piece in place!"
This statement caused Double D to perk up. "Round window…? Oh my goodness, David! Ponco may have made a breakthrough! Look at the photos!"
"Wait, she did?" David asked. "I-I mean, yeah! She totally did. She said that the victim fell near the window on the workbench side of the room. However, the body was discovered on the operating table."
"B-But the operating table and the workbench are two different locations!" the judge said.
"Exactly, Your Honor! We've just learned a new, crucial fact! What could explain the two very different locations of the body? I'll tell you what!" Phoenix said.
The victim moved
"An eleven-year-old girl couldn't have moved the heavy body of an adult. So the only explanation is that the victim walked to the operating table herself. In other words, what Ponco observed near the workbench...couldn't possibly have been the moment of the murder!" Phoenix declared.
"Truly?" The Judge asked before breathing a sigh of relief. "I am relieved to hear that. Glad to know that the murder wasn't committed in front of little Ponco here."
"It was just a hug between mother and daughter. Nothing more!" 9S said.
OBJECTION!
"After all this time…you're all still as green as ever." Edgeworth said. "If the defendant couldn't move the body herself, she could have it moved for her."
"But the only ones in the room were Athena, Metis, and-" Mermista started before she stopped, all eyes turning towards Ponco. "...Ponco?"
"Don't you know it's in the nature of a robot to help people do things?" Edgeworth asked. "Ms. Panko, allow me to ask you a question."
"My name is Ponco!"
"I believe you said you were cleaning after Dr. Cykes "fell down." Did you happen to move something large onto the operating table?" the prosecutor asked.
"Yes! Yes, I did! Athena asked me to!" Ponco asked. "I don't know what it was, though. Unless something has an ID tag, I can't tell what it is."
"That is quite alright…because we humans have the power to imagine what it was, do we not?" Edgeworth proposed. "Ms. Panko, on the defendant's command, moved the body onto the operating table!"
"...I suddenly have a very potent feeling of dread." Double D said meekly.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH! Ponco! Did you really move Dr. Cykes's body?! This is really important! Isn't there any way you could tell?!" Phoenix asked.
"I don't know! Without an ID tag, I can't tell!" Ponco said.
"Don't you all see?! If the victim's heart had stopped, the robot's detection system would be useless. Furthermore, Dr. Cykes usually wore her white coat while she was working. She kept the jacket with her ID tag on it draped over a chair in the robotics lab. ...and only wore it for special occasions. In other words, the victim wasn't wearing her ID tag at the time. From the robot's point of view, her body was simply just another object!" Edgeworth said.
OBJECTION!
"But Ponco is equipped with a facial recognition system! If she really did move the victim, she would have recognized the body as Dr. Cykes! But she didn't, so that means–" 9S said.
OBJECTION!
"A face can easily be covered with a piece of cloth, a mask or anything else for that matter! With her facial features hidden, the robot wouldn't be able to tell it was Dr. Cykes!" Edgeworth said. "To summarize, Ms. Cykes stabbed her mother near the workbench, then, using the robot... she moved the body to the table, where she removed the sword and was stained in blood."
"But if that's the case, then I have a question: Why did the defendant move the body to the operating table in the first place?" The Judge inquired.
"You want a reason? Very well. Answer me this…what is the operating table's special feature?" Edgeworth asked.
"To dismantle and reassemble robots in a flash… why?" Mermista asked.
"I concur." Double D said. "What could that have to do with-" he said before he stopped, his expression falling. "...Oh God. Y-You can't…possibly be suggesting…!"
"I am." Edgeworth assured.
"What are you guys talking about?" Mermista asked. Double D, looking close to being sick, wordlessly passed the picture of Metis's body to her. The princess looked at the picture for a moment before it clicked. "Wait…no way…"
"Ms. Cykes made a childish, naïve, and cruel mistake. She thought that if a robot could be dismantled and vanish without a trace…" Edgeworth said.
"P-Prosecutor Edgeworth! I-If you're about to claim what I think you are...I demand that you word it as delicately as you can!" The Judge practically begged the prosecutor.
"With all due respect, Your Honor, all I can do is present the truth as it stands. The reason the defendant moved the victim's body to the operating table…" Edgeworth started, finishing before anybody could stop him. "...was to "dismantle" the evidence so that she could get away with her crime!"
The reactions from the gallery were rightly justified.
"...OH MY GOD!" Hope cried in disbelief and horror.
"WHAT?!" Mark exclaimed, which caused the jury to descend into chaos at the statement.
"No…Nononononononononono!" Ace said as he shook his head and the area mysteriously shook a bit.
"(Called it.)" The Bailiff thought as he watched the chaos run its course.
"I came here today as a prosecutor to seek only the truth. No more, no less. My theory is simply the result of a rational consideration of every possibility." Edgeworth said. "Yes, I am well aware it may be hard for some of you to stomach, but since becoming chief prosecutor, I've learned that the truth isn't always pretty."
OBJECTION!
"B-But dismantling isn't the table's only function! It can make repairs as well! It's conceivable that Ms. Cykes moved her mother to the table in order to 'fix' her!" Phoenix said.
"Hmph. I suppose that could be another way of interpreting it. But dismantle or repair, it doesn't matter either way." Edgeworth said. "After murdering her mother, Ms. Cykes may have come to her senses. Perhaps she did want to make it appear as if it had never happened... ...and that's why she tried to "repair" her mother... Yes, that's one possible explanation. But we mustn't forget the facts of this case. The victim was observed to fall down after being "hugged" by the defendant. And the body was moved per the defendant's command. These two facts - facts that indicate the defendant's guilt - remain unchanged!"
"This just can't be true…" Phoenix muttered.
"Your Honor. I request we reach the verdict. The hostages have suffered enough." Edgeworth said.
"But Athena and Blackquill will-!" 9S tried to say.
"Blackquill shall be acquitted, don't you worry. However, Athena still killed her own mother. A sad, tragic result, but it is an undisputed fact." Edgeworth said as everyone dodged strikes out of nowhere.
"Oh come now… Don't tell me that is the best you've got." a voice said as Blackquill took to the stand.
"Mr. Blackquill?!" 9S asked in surprise.
"This is quite the farce you are conducting here. I could die from laughter." Blackquill said.
"...Prosecutor Blackquill, what are you talking about?" Edgeworth asked.
"What I'm talking about is that your argument is based on an entirely false premise." Blackquill said. "Seven years. For seven long years...this case has been on my mind. Not for an instant did I not think of it. I'm the one who killed my mentor, and don't think you can alter that fact now. Your Baldness, I will take to the stand, and I won't take no for an answer!"
"O-Of course, Prosecutor Blackquill. Please go ahead." The Judge said nervously.
Witness Testimony: Simon Blackquill
- Seven Years Ago -
I went to the Cosmos Space Center with the intention of killing Dr. Cykes!
But when I got to the robotics lab, I found Athena there instead.
I would not be swayed from my purpose, so I waited for Dr. Cykes to return.
And then, I committed the act. Ah, how cathartic it was!
"Detecting Discord in his emotions." Pod 153 said.
"Wait, you mean he's hiding his true emotions?" David asked. "Damn it… How are we supposed to figure it out without Athena?"
"I suppose I should step in. David, get ready." 9S said.
"9S? You sure?" David asked. "You do know that if we don't get the truth out of him…he'll be executed tomorrow, right?"
"I know it's risky, but we have to find out the truth no matter what, if we want to prove both him and Athena innocent." 9S said.
"9S… Can you handle the Mood Matrix this time?" David asked.
"I can give it a try if I sync it and Widget up with Pod's server. Here goes." 9S said, bringing up a holo screen as data bits circled back and forth between 153 and Widget. "It worked! Now Blackquill just has to repeat his statement."
"Very well, but your efforts will surely be in vain. For I am not a man who can be cut down easily." Blackquill said.
"Of that, we are well aware of by now, Prosecutor Blackquill." David said. "Now, let this be our final battle!"
I went to the Cosmos Space Center with the intention of killing Dr. Cykes! → Anger
But when I got to the robotics lab, I found Athena there instead. → Anger, Happiness
I would not be swayed from my purpose, so I waited for Dr. Cykes to return. → Happiness
And then, I committed the act. Ah, how cathartic it was! → Happiness
Pinpoint: Happiness
GOT IT!
"Analysis: Blackquill felt a sense of Happiness upon finding Athena Cykes." 153 said.
"Happiness, huh? Care to explain, Blackquill?" David asked.
"When I was looking for Athena, and hadn't found her yet, I grew worried. So when I saw her in the robotics lab, I was happily relieved. Merely that." Blackquill said.
NOISE LEVEL
40%
"Just now, you said that you went to the Space Center to kill Dr. Cykes...but the first thing you did was look for her daughter instead?" David asked.
"I had no intention of harming Athena, so I wanted to confirm that she was safe first. It was just a part of my plan. Nothing contradictory about that." Blackquill said.
"The noise level has been reduced, but no weak points so far." 9S said.
"Updating Testimony." 153 said.
I went to the Cosmos Space Center with the intention of killing Dr. Cykes! → Anger
When I found Athena in the robotics lab, I was relieved. → Happiness
But I would not be swayed from my purpose, so I waited for Dr. Cykes to return. → Happiness
And when she did, I plunged the katana in! → Sadness
Pinpoint: Sadness
GOT IT!
"Wait… It says that you were sad when you did the deed." David said. "Could it be a hint at remorse?"
"Remorse? No." Blackquill said. "Rather…it was sorrow for Athena and her circumstances."
"That's right, Athena was treated as a test subject by Metis Cykes." 9S said.
"My objective was to save Athena from an obsessive scientist. I went to the psychology lab first. That's where I would usually find Athena playing. But that day was different. I heard someone crying in the robotics lab next door. "Was Athena being subjected to yet another experiment?" I thought as I went to see. Conveniently, Athena had cried herself to sleep, so all I had to do was wait and kill." Blackquill said.
NOISE LEVEL
60%
"What the?" 9S asked.
"The noise level went up? How is this possible?" David asked.
"He has to be lying somewhere in his testimony." Double D said. "He must be clamping down on the suppression of his emotions!"
"Grr… But there doesn't seem to be any inconsistencies. He's willing to go this far just to get Athena acquitted? He is willing to take the fall like this?" David asked.
"...Samurai, can you make sure your testimony reflects all this new info?" Mermista asked.
"Hmph. It is a losing battle you fight, but if you must…" Blackquill said.
"We are gonna have to flip-flop between evidence and emotions. We have to get the full truth out now." David said.
"He's gotta be lying through his emotions." Mermista said. "Let's try the Mood Matrix first."
"Right." 9S said.
I heard crying from next door. Of course I was worried. → Surprise, Sadness
I hurried over and opened the door to the robotics lab. → Surprise
But before I could lead Athena out of there, curse my luck, Dr. Cykes came in! → Anger, Surprise
I refused to hand Athena over, so I had no choice but to kill my mentor! → Anger, Sadness
Pinpoint: Surprise
GOT IT!
"This is strange… You seemed a bit surprised when you opened the door to the lab." David said.
"Tsk! ...All right, fine. I'll explain, if I must. What surprised me was... Ponco. That toy figure attacked me. Dr. Cykes knew full well of my plan to rescue Athena. But she couldn't stand guard over her daughter twenty-four hours a day…" Blackquill said.
"So Dr. Cykes had Ponco stand guard, is that it?" Mermista asked.
"That's right. She ordered Ponco to forcibly remove me on sight. So I slashed Ponco up with the katana that was there in the lab. Hmph... That rickety old puppet wasn't worthy of that fine blade…" Blackquill said.
Noise Level
100%
"Dammit!" 9S said.
"Crap… It's at 100 percent again!" David said.
"C'mon, Blackquill, work with us here!" Mermista complained.
"We have to keep going! If we stop now, Blackquill will die! It's not gonna happen. I won't LET it." David said.
"Fellows, I propose we look at Blackquill's testimony. Perhaps this overcomplicated version of Telephone has produced something we can use…" Double D suggested.
"R-right. Let's see what we've got." David said.
With a feeling of dread, I opened the robotics lab door. Just then…
...Ponco attacked me! I retaliated by cutting it into pieces.
But before I could lead Athena out of there, curse my luck, Dr. Cykes came in!
I refused to hand Athena over, so I had no choice but to kill my mentor!
→ cutting it into pieces ←
Present: Photo of the Crime
OBJECTION!
"Compounding lies with more lies is never the answer, Prosecutor Blackquill. Take a look at this photo." David said.
"Hmm... That's the photo of the supposed "moment of the murder," isn't it?" The Judge asked.
"How many more times must I see that which damned me for my sin?" Blackquill asked.
"Actually, this might be your savior now. Take a look at the bloodstain on Ponco's arm." David said.
"...I hope you aren't claiming it's the robot's blood, Mr. Ishihara." The Judge said.
"No. In fact, it might have been transferred from the katana." David said.
"The katana already had blood on it? So then it must have been the victim's blood?" The Judge asked.
"That's right. But, if that's the case, we've found a glaring inconsistency." David said.
"Ngh!" Blackquill said.
"Blackquill said he sliced up Ponco and then killed Metis. But her blood is still on Poncos arm in the picture." Mermista said.
"However, in order for that to happen, the victim would have had to have been stabbed first." David said. "In other words, your testimony was all just one big lie."
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Blackquill screamed.
"Tell us the truth, Blackquill!" 9S said, pointing at Blackquill.
"You… ALL of you…!" Blackquill growled. "You have no idea what you're doing…!"
"Alert: High levels of Discord detected." 153 said.
"153's right, take a look at the screen." Mermista said, as not one, or two, but all four emotion markers were going wild. "Blackquill's emotions are goin' totally crazy!"
"You all will pay for this! Never have I been forced to reveal so much, but the rest I'll take to my grave!" Blackquill said.
"Prosecutor Blackquill, you are on the witness stand. You are obligated to tell the truth. Isn't that the rule of the courtroom?" Phoenix asked.
"All of these emotions seem to be gathering into one source." David said.
Following the sound of crying, I opened the lab door. And then… → W̨͢A̷R͡͠͏͏ŅI̧Ń̵G̛҉̢͠!̧͟ ҉҉̶E̕͟͠M̵̸̛Ơ͘͘͝͠T̸̀͠I̵͢O̢͘҉̷Ń̨͟͏Á̢͞͠͞L̕͟ ̀͜O̶̢͟͜V̢E̵̡̡͜͠Ŕ̡̧̀͞L̢͏̴͢O̕҉҉A̵̡D̢̧̧͟!̸
I saw it! That terrible scene! → W̨͢A̷R͡͠͏͏ŅI̧Ń̵G̛҉̢͠!̧͟ ҉҉̶E̕͟͠M̵̸̛Ơ͘͘͝͠T̸̀͠I̵͢O̢͘҉̷Ń̨͟͏Á̢͞͠͞L̕͟ ̀͜O̶̢͟͜V̢E̵̡̡͜͠Ŕ̡̧̀͞L̢͏̴͢O̕҉҉A̵̡D̢̧̧͟!̸
But before I could lead Athena out of there, curse my luck, Dr. Cykes came in! → W̨͢A̷R͡͠͏͏ŅI̧Ń̵G̛҉̢͠!̧͟ ҉҉̶E̕͟͠M̵̸̛Ơ͘͘͝͠T̸̀͠I̵͢O̢͘҉̷Ń̨͟͏Á̢͞͠͞L̕͟ ̀͜O̶̢͟͜V̢E̵̡̡͜͠Ŕ̡̧̀͞L̢͏̴͢O̕҉҉A̵̡D̢̧̧͟!̸
I had no choice but to kill my mentor! → W̨͢A̷R͡͠͏͏ŅI̧Ń̵G̛҉̢͠!̧͟ ҉҉̶E̕͟͠M̵̸̛Ơ͘͘͝͠T̸̀͠I̵͢O̢͘҉̷Ń̨͟͏Á̢͞͠͞L̕͟ ̀͜O̶̢͟͜V̢E̵̡̡͜͠Ŕ̡̧̀͞L̢͏̴͢O̕҉҉A̵̡D̢̧̧͟!̸
Probe: Athena
GOT IT!
"No way…it's Athena?!" 9S asked.
"When he saw her, he must've been overwhelmed by his emotions." David said.
"Nnngh... You all should know better. And though it's pathetic... I admit I'm terrified to speak of it." Blackquill growled. "But now…no there's no choice…! C-Curse you, all of you!"
It was a tragedy - one I'll never forget. When I arrived at the lab... Dr. Cykes was already dead. She was lying on the operating table...while the bloody katana lay on the floor. And standing between the two, covered in blood, was Athena. She smiled, with a far-off look in her eyes, as she sweetly said…
"Something's wrong with Mom, so I'm taking her apart to fix her!"
"...That's what I saw. And now you have it - the truth that you all so desperately wanted." Blackquill said.
"Holy…" Mermista couldn't believe it.
"Good lord… That wasn't…that couldn't…" Double D exclaimed.
"Athena…" 9S said in sadness.
It was then that the courtroom was filled with a heart-stopping sound:
"I-I... tried to take... my mother... apart...? I... I... I... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Athena, standing at the door into the courtroom, having heard everything, and letting out that deafening scream as she relieved the horrifying events of that day, seven years ago.
"So it was me... I... I'm the one... who killed... my mother…" Athena shivered at the stand, holding her head as her eyes were glazed over and Widget was powered down.
"A-Athena… I'm so sorry you had to hear that." David said.
"As I said, Ishihara... The truth isn't always... pretty…" Edgeworth said, his voice filled with genuine pity. "Murder, disassembly on an operating table, a scientist using her daughter as a guinea pig... Sadly, it appears that my theory was correct after all."
OBJECTION!
"It's true that Athena didn't like her mother's research, but...you dare cast aspersions on my mentor by claiming Athena was used in such a manner?! Dr. Cykes could be awkward with people, but she loved her daughter with all her heart!" Blackquill declared.
"She... loved me...?" Athena asked.
"Your mother hated to see you suffer because you could hear the voices of people's hearts. She wanted to set you free of your pain, so she worked tirelessly on her research. Do you remember those headphones you hated so much?" Blackquill reminded her. "They emitted sound waves to nullify emotional input from the voices of people around you. Your power was much stronger then than it is now. And those headphones were what enabled you to carry on with everyday life."
"No...! That can't be true...! Then why...?! ...Why would I have done... something like that... to somebody who loved me so much..?!" Athena asked.
"Her love for you was real. That, I can guarantee. That's why I knew…that what happened had to be some kind of mistake. I couldn't let you be punished for it!" Blackquill said.
"So you took the blame yourself? You and your mentor are more alike than you know." Edgeworth said.
"Ponco was a witness, so I put it in the case, held Athena close, and vacated the lab. I threw Ponco away in the boarding lounge trash chute...and I hid the case on the Space Center grounds." Blackquill said.
"Hmm... It would seem that we now have all of the facts of this case." The Judge said as he raised his gavel, even as his hands shook.
"(It's all over…)" the Bailiff said. "(And the hounds of war are about to be released…)"
OBJECTION!
"We'll be damned if we're gonna let it end like this!" Mermista spoke up.
"Do not disgrace yourselves. The truth has been revealed. Or are you the types to turn your back to things that disagree with you?" Edgeworth asked.
"No, but…!" 9S started.
"Everyone…" Athena spoke up. "It's okay. We all have to face the truth, no matter how painful it is, right?"
"No…NO!" Double D exclaimed, slamming a fist on the defense's bench. "We won't accept that! Especially not from you! You would never do something like that!"
"But it's the truth: I killed my mother." Athena said. "It's just like Prosecutor Edgeworth said... We have to face it... no matter how much it hurts. I admit my guilt. But could I please be granted... just one chance to tell everyone what I recall...?"
Edgeworth nodded. "It appears Ms. Cykes is much braver than you all. What say you, Your Honor? In light of her courage, will the court give Ms. Cykes this opportunity to tell us, through her eyes, what happened that day?"
"...I killed my mother. My memory is still a little hazy, but there's no question I remember it. I remember the weight of the weapon in my hands, and the feeling of it stabbing in deep... And I remember the warmth of her blood as it flowed down the handle onto my fingers. Your Honor, please find me guilty." Athena said.
"I see. Thank you for your confession. I believe this trial has gone on long enough. But, before we conclude, does anyone have a counterargument?" The Judge asked, almost seeming like he was hoping for one.
And indeed…there was.
OBJECTION!
"Athena…Don't tell me you've forgotten one of the basic tenets of lawyering?" Phoenix asked. "Always believe in your client to the bitter end. Athena, you are not a murderer."
OBJECTION!
"I said that you never change, but could you have actually regressed in these eight years? I won't stand for your childish emotionalism getting in the way of the truth!" Edgeworth declared.
"He says that, but he can't see what Phoenix sees." Mermsita told the others. "There's only one option we have left guys… we gotta find some way to break those Black Psyche-Locks."
"What?! Mermista, that's…the only chance we have, gosh dammit." Double D exhaled.
"Athena's hiding something that she's not even aware of. There's something wrong with her confession, and we have to figure it out." Mermista said. "David…it's all you. Hunt down the answers and give us something to prove Athena isn't the killer!"
"Huh? Me?" David asked, somewhat in shock.
"She's correct, David." Double D said. "We may be stronger together…but you have something the rest of us don't. The time to hunt…is now, my friend."
"Yeah… You are right. Okay… Time to work my magic." David said. "It's now or never."
Logic Hunter: Start!
(Cue: DIVE DRIVE- Danganronpa 2)
This time, the Predator found himself in another Xenomorph hive.
"(Another hive, huh? Guess Athena is repressing something really big. Will I even be able to find out what it is? Guess there is only one way to find out.)" David thought as he started making his way. "(Okay, first thing is first… there's something wrong with Athena's confession. Something that just didn't add up.)" he said as he soon found himself on a room with a platform and three Xenomorphs standing on it.
What part of Athena's confession didn't add up?
The Scene
→ The Murder Weapon ←
The Motive
The Predator shot at the Xenommorph pertaining to the murder weapon. After that, he was able to dash further without any of the Xenomorphs catching him.
"(Whew. That was close… If Athena really did use the katana, there would have been blood on the handle.)" David thought. "(...So… My guess was that something else was used as her weapon.)" he said as three Xenomorphs pulled ahead of the pursuing pack.
What was used by Athena as a weapon?
A Pencil
→ A Utility Knife ←
The Katana
The Predator shot back at the matching Xenomorph, taking it down. The alien hunter then passed a blast door, then zapped the controls, causing the door to shut and cutting off the Xenomorph horde.
"(Alright. That should get those guys off my back. The katana was definitely the murder weapon, but Athena used the Utility Knife on someone in a panic. But Prosecutor Blackquill didn't say there was a knife at the scene. That would mean that someone removed it.)" he said as he felt the Elder's voice compelling to him from the bio-mask. "(Oh, right… These masks have translators. Of course I'd be hearing voices.)"
"(Prove… presence… of weapon…)" the voice creaked. "(The heart… of the… machine… points way…)"
"(Heart of the machine…? Ah… That's right.)" David thought, the image of the Robots with a Heart article appearing in his mind. "(Solomon said every Utility Knife comes in a kit. And if arranged right, it should spell 'GYAXA'. Putting the knife in would complete it. And if it isn't in the robotics lab, then that means…)"
The Predator emerged from the corridor into a large open room filled with Xenomorph eggs. A Xenomorph lunged out from the shadows to try and attack The Predator, only for it to get brought down with a swing of its staff.
A third person was at the scene.
"(Of course…! I trust in Athena, so there had to be a third person at the scene.)" David thought. "(But according to Ponco's testimony, only Athena and her mother were in the room. However… There was a way to fool Ponco's facial recognition system.)"
Another Xenomorph fell down from the ceiling towards The Predator, only for the hunter to grab it, throw it to the ground, and pierce its body with one of its blades.
The person hid their face.
"(Although… Poncho has a heartbeat detector too. Even if the culprit covered their face, Poncho still would have detected them. But she wouldn't have been able to tell who it was… Wait, that's it!)" David thought. "(They could have posed as someone else to avoid detection!)" he thought as three Xenomorphs charged towards the Predator.
Who did the person pose as?
Simon Blackquill
Ponco
→ Metis Cykes ←
The Predator stabbed the matching Xenomorph, then flung its body at the other two.
"(If the third party posed as the victim...that would explain why Ponco thought only she and Athena were there. All they had to do was take advantage of Ponco's basic recognition features.)" David thought. "(So they must've used something to pose as the victim.)"
As the Predator got closer to the center of the room, another Xenomorph stealthily crept up behind it and prepared to run it through with its tail. Three options appeared at three angles.
What did the impersonator use to pose as the victim?
A Recording of Her Voice
→ Her Jacket ←
Her Katana
The Predator grabbed the tail as it came from the corresponding angle and, with a mighty pull, tore off the bladed appendage. As the Xenomorph screamed, the hunter finished it with a plasma shot to the head, and made his way to the center of the room.
There, it saw the corpse of another Predator. The corpse began to move, its chest being pounded from the inside, before a fully grown Xenomorph, one which shared some physical features of a Yautja, burst out from the corpse and roared at the intruder. It was then that David heard the Elder's voice again.
"(One beat… silenced… another… false.)" the voice crackled. "(Blood of… hunter… joined… with prey…)"
"(Yeah… If they were able to get past Ponco's heartbeat detection system, then that means Dr. Cykes had to have been already dead by the time Athena struck back.)" David thought. "(And that can only mean one thing…)"
The two aliens lunged at each other, grappling before The Predator killed his prey. As he severed the creature's head, lifting it up and roaring in triumph, the blood spelled out the phrase that solved everything…
ATHENA STABBED THE REAL CULPRIT
"(I got it all now… Athena didn't stab her mother. She stabbed the real killer!)" David thought.
The Predator gave one final roar of approval as he and David linked minds.
"The hunt…is over!"
"I… I got it. Everything is starting to make sense now." David said.
"Mr. Ishihara?" The Judge asked.
"What's this now, David?" Edgeworth said. "The truth is revealed, there's no need to keep going."
"Yeah, you're wasting time!" Aura piped in. "Stop stalling and admit defeat so the princess can be declared guilty already!"
"(Does he really have a way to turn this whole thing around?)" the Bailiff thought. "(If he does…then Phantom is in real trouble.)"
"I concede to the fact that the katana was the murder weapon." David said. "But… Athena didn't use it."
"But David, Ponco saw me! She witnessed the moment of the crime!" Athena pointed out.
"Yes, she did. But she misinterpreted a few things." David said. "For one thing, you didn't use the katana. You used a utility knife."
"Huh?" Athena asked.
"And not just any utility knife. One that came from a tool kit from inside the robotics lab." David continued.
OBJECTION!
"But, besides the katana, no other bladed weapon was found at the site. It was in the investigation report, if you didn't know…" Edgeworth informed the boy.
"...Exactly." David smiled. "If it wasn't in the robotics lab…what happened to it? Did it get up and walk away by itself? No! Someone took it out of the scene!"
OBJECTION!
"There was no other person at the scene. Ponco's systems can confirm that." Edgeworth started.
OBJECTION!
"...Yeah. Ponco's systems can confirm that Athena and her mother…" David started.
"David, what are you…?" Athena started to ask.
"...'s impersonator were at the scene." the boy finished.
"I-Impersonator?!" The Judge exclaimed. "Mr. Ishihara, what are you saying?!"
"What I am saying is the third party used a mask to hide their face and wore a jacket with the victim's ID to pose as her." David said.
OBJECTION!
"Of all the ridiculous theories... What good would a disguise like that do?" Edgeworth asked. "Have you forgotten that the robot also has a heartbeat detection system? If there was a third person at the scene, the robot would have detected them!"
"Yes… However, by that time… Dr. Cykes' heart had already stopped beating." David said.
"What?!" Edgeworth exclaimed, taken off guard.
"S-So that means the person Ms. Cykes stabbed was…!" The Judge started.
"Exactly, Your Honor… Her mother's real killer!" David said.
"...B-But that's... ...Im...Im…IMPOSSIBLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Edgeworth yelled.
The court gasped at the conclusion, but any further conversation was cut off as they directed their attention to Athena herself, who held her head as she shook in a state of high stress.
"A mask... The person I stabbed...was wearing a mask...?" Athena asked.
"Athena?" 9S asked.
" A mask...? Yes... I remember a... Aaaaaaaaaaagh!" Athena yelled.
"!" Litty raised her head and widened her eyes.
" Litty, what is it?!" Scarlet asked.
"The barrier in her mind…it's breaking!" Litty said.
"I... Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh! I remember a man... with a mask! How could he...?! What did he do to my mother...?! Ungh... My head...! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!" Athena held her head in pain.
"Athena! Are you alright?!" Double D asked.
"N-NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Athena screamed.
(Cue- Pursuit *Keep Pressing On- Ace Attorney Dual Destinies)
The 5 Black Psyche Locks then reappeared, before one of them started shaking…
"(The Black-Psyche Locks… they're breaking!)" Phoenix thought.
One after the other, the locks started shaking, going violent within seconds. Everyone looked on as Athena was struggling to suppress the pain.
"(No way….!)" The Bailiff thought in shock before all 5 Locks broke at once.
"It's all coming back to me... Everything that happened the day my mother was murdered…" Athena said. "I was... drawing a picture. When I was done, I went to show it to my mom. I opened the door... and then...! Ugh... Nghaaah…"
"It's all right. We're here for you." Phoenix reassured her.
"She... was on the floor, by the workbench... with the katana sticking out of her... There was a handkerchief over her face... but I knew it was her by her clothes. And... there was a man there!" Athena said. "He tried to attack me. In a panic, I grabbed the knife that was there and... Nngh... He dodged at first, so I only got his clothes, but I tried again!"
"But that's when you finally landed a hit, right?" 9S asked.
"I did. I remember it clearly now. The knife went into the back of his hand. Then he kicked me, and I passed out." Athena finished. "When I came to, my mom wasn't moving. I had to do something... I had to fix her, I thought... So I asked Ponco to move her to the operating table."
"And that's why you said what you said." Mermista realized. "This is a big new reveal! A man was there before Athena arrived! A man who covered the victim's face... and put on the victim's jacket! That guy is the real culprit!" she pointed forward.
"Ms. Cykes, do you have any idea who this man was?" The Judge asked.
"...No, I'm afraid I don't…" Athena said.
"But you did mention a mask." 9S said. "Could you tell us anything about it?"
"Yes...! The mask... It was my mom's Japanese theater mask! I think it was the one hanging on the wall of the lab!" Athena said. "It was kind of spooky, that mask. My mom used to tell me... ...that a Noh mask even has the power to turn an ordinary human being into a phantom."
"A-A phantom?" David inquired, his interest piqued.
"Hmm... It would seem... ...that a new suspect has emerged. And that means all suspicion against Ms. Cykes has-" The Judge started.
HOLD IT!
"And this is why I can't trust the Legal System." Aura interrupted. "Athena Cykes is the murderer! I won't accept any other verdict!"
"Oh, come on!" Mermista said.
"A new suspect? Where's the proof this person ever existed? Who says it wasn't all just a dream in the little princess's groggy little head?" Aura demanded.
"I think that can be proven too." David said.
"Gah! You again!" Aura said.
"This video shows Simon leaving the lab after the incident, around 3PM." David said. "However, it doesn't look like there was anyone else passing by during that time."
"So if we rewind the footage and go back to around 2 PM...we should be able to see the true culprit leaving the scene!" Phoenix realized.
"Very well, let's take a look!" The Judge said, interested in where this was headed.
The video was rewinded, it then played as a mysterious figure in black was seen leaving.
"There! Pause it!" Mermista pointed out as the video was paused. "Athena, do you recognize that guy?"
"That's him! I'm sure of it! He... He's wearing my mother's jacket!" Athena said. "Can you see it? There's the slash I made with the utility knife that day! And I'm sure that knife is under that jacket somewhere!"
"S-So then... everything Ms. Cykes said…" The Judge said.
"Exactly. It proves that Ms. Cykes's memory was correct! Dr. Cykes's killer arrived at the robotics lab before 2 PM. He killed her and hid her face with a handkerchief. Then, he disguised himself with Dr. Cykes's jacket and mask that were there in the lab." Phoenix said.
"The culprit probably knew beforehand that Ponco charged up at 2 PM every day. So he waited for Ponco to come to the lab for her regular recharge." Athena added.
"By leaving Dr. Cykes's jacket on, the culprit tricked Ponco into thinking he was Dr. Cykes. Thereby, making it look like she was alive up to that point in time. All to disguise the real time of death!" 9S finished.
"But how did the jacket end up back at the crime scene, you were probably thinking of asking, Edgeworth." David said. "Well, that's simple. The killer brought it back to the robotics lab right when the body was found."
"Most people, when they come across a murder, focus their attention on the body. The culprit could have taken advantage of that split second to plant the jacket. In other words, the true culprit of this case, the man known as "the phantom"... was one of the first people to discover the body!" 9S said as the jury acted up.
"I... I... would never have thought of that!" The Judge said as the court was raucous before he bankged his gavel "Order! Order in the court...! Wh-What is the meaning of this, Prosecutor Edgeworth?!"
"...The body was discovered and reported by a group of three people. They were there to collect the space probe's capsule in preparation for the HAT-1 launch. One of those people had a special bag to transport the capsule in." Edgeworth said.
"The shock resistant bag." 9S said.
"Correct. I suppose that if the jacket was in that bag...it could have been returned to the scene of the crime without anyone noticing. I'll see to it that you all get the reports on those three people." Edgeworth said.
"Y-You will...?!" Phoenix said in shock.
"We should also check the facial recognition database for that robot. If this person felt the need to hide his face with the theater mask... it might mean that his facial data was once registered." Edgeworth said. "I have to admit, I believe Ms. Cykes's memories to be credible. ...You all win, Wright, Ishihara... Not that this was ever an "official" trial anyway…"
"Do my ears deceive me...? Prosecutor Edgeworth, are you actually conceding?!" The Judge asked in complete surprise.
"Is it true, guys? Does this mean I'm…?" Athena asked.
"You know it, Athena. We totally cleared your name." Mermista said.
"Anything you want to say, Aura?" 9S asked.
Aura couldn't believe everything she just heard, and she was in silence through the whole revelation. "The little princess who was truly beloved by Metis, and who repaid that love with death- All these years, hating Athena was the only thing that's kept me going... But what do I do now? Can anybody tell me? How am I supposed to go on?!" she asked.
"Hmph. How unlike you, Aura. Metis was deeply passionate about her work, and she chose you as her partner. Isn't that-" Blackquill started.
"Shut up, Simon! You know exactly how I felt about her! Her respect as a co-worker wasn't all that I wanted!" Aura said.
"Hmm... Then what did you want from her?" The Judge asked.
"My word!" Constance said, hiding her face behind her fan.
"...We understand, Ms. Blackquill." Double D said. "We can't condone what you've done…but we understand why you did it. And…while I can't say I knew Dr. Cykes personally…from what I do know…I believe she'd want you to carry on with your life, and find joy in it. And yes, it is difficult, but even if you don't believe it…there are people who will be there for you."
"Metis…" Aura said as crying was heard.
"Aura, there is something I've wanted to say, if you will lend me an ear. I have in my possession, a lead on who Metis's murderer is." Blackquill said. "And I'm assuming you all do too, Ishihara-dono, of The Phantom. Seven years ago, somebody hatched a plan to sabotage the HAT-1 rocket."
"The spy…" Edgeworth said.
"But he was no ordinary spy. We knew naught about him - his background, appearance... We came to refer to him as "the phantom." At the time, I was working with the police to hunt him down. And then one day, a miracle occurred, and I obtained a lead on him." Blackquill explained.
"Oh, how exciting! What was the lead?" The Judge asked excitedly.
"A recording of the phantom's voice. But the quality was too poor for proper analysis. Yet, I had hope. Aura's co-worker was a scientist who could analyze human emotions...so I asked her to evaluate the recording using analytical psychology." Blackquill said.
"That scientist must have been Dr. Cykes." David said.
"Yes. A spy's greatest fear is to have his true identity discovered. In addition to HAT-1, Dr. Cykes's results and the recording were surely among his targets. But his search of the Space Center bore no fruit, so he must have started to panic." Blackquill said.
"He couldn't find them? But where could they have been?!" The Judge asked.
"Hmph. Who is to say?" Blackquill asked.
"How in the world did you smuggle them into prison?!" Edgeworth asked.
"Oh, I have my ways. What's more, my partner is especially talented at that sort of thing. I worked to lure the phantom in by spreading rumors throughout the underworld. I was even granted permission to prosecute cases to attract the phantom's attention. "Just TRY to retrieve your identity, you bloody butcher!" became my taunt." Blackquill said.
"What about the results Dr. Cykes drew up? Was there any useful information?" David asked.
"Here. You can see for yourself. But take good care of it. It's all I have left of my mentor." Blackquill said.
"Adding the Phantom's psych profile to Court Record." 153 said as it showed what was written.
"Okay, let's see…" David said as he started to read. "Emotional output of this voice extremely weak compared to typical voices. Subject deemed to have unique psychological makeup with almost no emotional fluctuation."
"A spy who experiences no emotions - not sadness, nor anger... and naturally, no fear. He is the very definition of a phantom: a monster with no heart. Don't you see? This CREATURE is the rot that destroyed our lives, and set what ails us all into motion!" Blackquill said.
"'The phantom,' indeed. A fitting name for the one who has brought darkness to our world." Edgeworth added.
"Hmm... Well then. It seems a faint image of this man has started to take shape. Based on what we have learned, I'd like all of you to conduct further investigation. This is not a normal trial, but I do want to follow protocol. If I may, I'd like to hand down my verdicts and bring these proceedings to an end." The Judge said.
"No objections here, Your Honor." David said.
"Any from our sponsor, then?" The Judge asked Aura.
"...Whatever. Do what you want." she replied.
"Very well. Prosecutor Blackquill, you may take the stand first." the Judge said. "As a result of this trial, your innocence has been proven. The verdict handed down seven years ago is hereby overturned."
"Hmph." Blackquill said.
"And now, Ms. Cykes. It is your turn." The Judge said.
"Y-Yes, Your Honor! Everyone... Thank you! Thank you for everything!" Athena said.
"We were glad to help. That's what friends are for." 9S said.
"If everyone is ready, I will now give my verdict." The Judge said when suddenly…
OBJECTION!
Everything was cut off when none other than Apollo barged in, and took the stand.
"What the… Apollo, what are you doing…?!" David asked.
"Well done, you guys. You uncovered the truth from seven years ago, and you saved Prosecutor Blackquill. However...I can't allow this trial to end just yet!" Apollo said.
"What are you saying? Are you nuts?!" Mermista asked. "We just cracked the case, Athena's innocent!"
"The case from seven years ago, yes." Apollo said. "But, theres a case I'd like to add to this trial. The present one at hand, Clay Terran's murder."
"Ah, right… That was never finished, was it?" David asked. "(No thanks to that good-for-nothing detective…)"
"Ms. Blackquill... I'd like to ask a favor of you. Just as you lost someone close to you, I lost someone close to me, too. I'm sure you want to know the real truth of what happened as much as I do." Apollo requested.
"Apollo…." Aura said before she laughed. "Sure, you know I'm all for the truth! Now, let's see you expose the princess's guilt! Judge, I give my permission. Continue with the trial!"
"The prosecution has no objections as well. Let's hear Mr. Justice's testimony. I'll have the police's investigation report brought immediately." Edgeworth said. "I'll review Mr. Terran's case for the court. It was made clear in the previous trial that Solomon Starbuck was not his killer. Therefore, the true culprit was someone else. On that day, this culprit waited for the astronauts in Boarding Lounge 1. When the two men made their escape out of the Space Museum... the killer attacked Mr. Terran with the same type of knife that was used seven years ago. The murderer then escaped into the Space Museum. Next, Director Yuri Cosmos switched the launch pads. After that, the culprit exited the Space Museum and escaped via Boarding Lounge 2. Therefore, this trial must make clear who Mr. Terran's true killer was. In other words... we must discover who it was that escaped through the Space Museum that day."
"153, you still have all the evidence from Clay's case in your banks?" Mermista asked. "Have a feeling we're gonna need it."
"Affirmative. Rearranging evidence now." 153 said as she did so.
"Alright then, Mr. Justice. Please give your testimony." the judge said.
Witness Testimony: Apollo Justice
- Apollo Justice's Accusation -
I suspected Ms. Cykes of the murder of Clay Terran.
My growing suspicions were confirmed when this incriminating evidence presented itself.
In addition, she's the only one who could have utilized the launch pad switch to escape.
That is why I wish to indict Ms. Cykes on the charge of murder!
"Mr. Justice, have you completely abandoned any sense of reason?!" Double D asked.
"Grr… This is bad. Apollo's testimony is rock-solid. I can't find anything." David said. "Wait… I should look at this from a different angle."
"Alert: Sense of doubt detected in Apollo." 153 said.
"...Heh. Guess I really was a fool to think I could hide anything from the Pods." Apollo said. "Think, guys: could there have been an alternative escape route?"
"...Yes! Of course there was!" Phoenix exclaimed.
"...You're bluffing again, aren't you Mr. Wright?" Apollo asked, causing Phoenix to falter a moment. "That's fine. Even a bluff would suit me just fine... As long as you can…"
"...clear up this doubt inside me!"
"A…Apollo… You really want to believe in Athena, do you?" David asked.
"Yeah… yeah, I do!" Apollo said. "But what is faith without doubt? That's why... I need to question her guilt! So that once the truth finally comes out, I can really, fully trust her!"
"Very well… We will dispel all doubts from your mind, just as you want it!" David declared.
"Good! Because I want to believe in Ms. Cykes again!" Apollo said. "Come on, guys! Where do you think the culprit escaped to?"
"He could have gone through the Space Museum Corridor." David said.
OBJECTION!
"It appears that all you're trying to establish is Ms. Cykes's guilt. If the culprit used that route, the only exit would have been into Boarding Lounge 2. The logical conclusion of your argument is that the killer is none other than the defendant!" Edgeworth said.
"(...Unless…!)" Double D thought.
"...I knew it. That's the only way it could be, huh?" Apollo asked, hope fading from his eyes.
"Hold on just a second there, bucko! We didn't say the culprit came out into Boarding Lounge 2." David said.
"Precisely!" Double D said. "I remember something that didn't make sense at the time! At the murder scene…there were dead leaves just outside the door! 'Why were they there?' I kept wondering. But now, trying to think of all possible angles…I have the answer!"
"Then enlighten us, Mr. Edward." Edgeworth said. "Where could the culprit have gone from the Museum corridor besides Boarding Lounge 2?"
Present: Area Outside the Space Center
"Eureka!"
"The culprit did the last thing anyone would think of doing. They used the corridor…to escape outside!" Double D declared, pointing.
"And there's a way they did it without risk of falling to their death." 9S said. "The Emergency Ladder we found in the fourth-floor robotics lab. And it was used that day after the explosions to help evacuate people. Ms. Blackquill herself used that ladder to escape down to ground level. Recall that the launch pads were switched after the ladder was lowered. The corridor would have passed by the ladder while the pads were being switched. And that's when the culprit literally sprang into action! And leapt onto the ladder!" he said, also pointing.
OBJECTION!
"Making things up on the fly in an attempt to sway the court again, are we? Your theory has so many holes, it puts Swiss cheese to shame!" Edgeworth said.
"Such as…?" Double D inquired.
"I have here detailed information about the Space Center. According to this...the distance between the Museum Corridor and the main building during movement is...a full twenty feet. In addition, the corridor is three floors from the ground, or roughly fifty feet. What's more, the culprit would be leaping to a precarious place…an unstable ladder."
"Your point being?" David asked.
"Human beings feel fear in dangerous situations. It's a basic survival instinct. An ordinary person would certainly hesitate before jumping... or even freeze in fear and not jump at all." Edgeworth pointed out.
"You know… It's funny you say that, Edgeworth." David said. "Because there is someone that could have made that kind of jump."
"Remember the psych profile that Blackquill just submitted?" Mermista asked. "The guy we're trying to find could've done it. Our Mysterious phantom… the one who feels no emotions. He could've made that jump without feeling any fear at all!"
"The phantom, again?!" Edgeworth exclaimed.
"Yes, they weren't just behind the bombing of the space center, but also the murder of Clay Terran!" 9S said, pointing.
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!" Both Apollo and The Judge exclaimed in shock.
The gallery erupted again before the Judge called for order. "Order in the court! Order, I say! D-Defense, please continue!"
"There were just too many similarities between this case and the one from seven years ago. 'But why?' you may ask. It can only be because both incidents are the work of the same phantom!" 9S said.
"So then, this "phantom"... is the one who killed Clay...?! But who IS he?!" Apollo asked.
"That's a good point." The Bailiff spoke up. "For all we know, he could be on another continent by now or something."
"Hmm… Guys… I think I may have a good idea who it is. If I can just look back on everything that has happened so far, I would be able to identify him without much issue." David said.
"One more dive into your mind, huh David?" Mermista asked. "...Do it. We're close to exposing this guy."
"Yeah." 9S said. " We'll finally find out who he really is and end this Dark Age once and for all."
David nods as he closed his eyes, diving into his mind once again.
In the deep recesses of his mind, David's eyes open as he soon gets up and sees a vast expanse. "This… This place is… Wait, why am I in my normal clothes? It hasn't been like this before."
It was then David heard the familiar sound of clicking. Coming out of cloaking was the very Predator that was traversing his head to find the answers to the questions he had to think about. Finally, the two had come face to face.
"So, it's you, hm?" David said. "I never imagined this is what I would look like during those mental excursions."
The Predator clicked as if to say otherwise, almost like he was doing it himself.
"Yeah, it probably did seem that way, did it?" David asked. "I guess that just proved how in sync we were."
The Predator looked to the distance and saw multiple pictures of everyone involved in the case appear. The alien hunter knew why David was here, clicking to confirm that he's trying to uncover the identify of the Phantom, and that Apollo desperately wants to know who killed Clay Terran.
To this, the Predator activated his Plasma Caster and turned on its targeting laser.
"You know… It was quite a wild ride we've been on. First we uncovered the mystery of the Nine-Tales Vale, and tangled with a yokai. I don't think anyone would have believed it if they didn't see it." David said. "And then there was Aristotle Means… Ugh… His whole "ends justifies the means" shtick made me so mad… Heck, even I was surprised by how mad I was. You remembered what it was I said to him, right?"
The Predator nodded, even though he wasn't there to see it. But the question now was: Who is the Phantom?
"Yeah… I think I know who the Phantom is. That's probably why he tried to kill me in Courtroom No. 4 with that bomb. Tonate even hinted that he was trying to eliminate a threat." David said.
Tapping a few buttons on his wrist device, the Predator also revealed some other key bits. One was the convenient timing of submitting decisive evidence, right when they needed it. Another, was that this person was everywhere they were, and always around Blackquill… like they wanted to make sure he didn't find his target.
And…. this person conveniently happened to be stationed at the space center, right as the bombings occured.
(You know… who it is….)" the voice of an elder came. "(Justice….is not what that man seeks.)"
"Yeah… You're right. I know who the Phantom is. Maybe… Maybe I knew since the very beginning." David said.
"(Are you ready… to expose him now?)" the Elder asked.
"Yes. I am." David said.
(Cue- Class Trial: Future Edition- Danganronpa V3)
"The Phantom is…" David started.
The Predator aimed at the multiple profiles moving around with his Plasma Caster, with pictures of everybody, ranging from Blackquill himself, to Apollo, Aura and Athena. Among the many suspects only one was locked on by the Predator. And he shot one single plasma bolt and hit dead center the profile of…..
"No doubt about it…!"
…Bobby Fulbright!
"...Bobby Fulbright…! He's the Phantom!" David said.
"(Well done…)" the elder said. "(Now go back to reality… and end this.)"
"Right. Thank you both. For all of your help." David said.
Back in reality, David came back from his thoughts.
"David, you're back!" Phoenix said.
"Did you figure it out, Ishihara? Do you know who the phantom is?!" Edgeworth asked.
"Yeah… Yeah, I do." David said.
"Wh-Who is it?! Who killed Clay?!" Apollo asked, chomping at the bit to find out.
"I believe the Phantom is none other than… Bobby Fulbright!" David declared.
"Detective Fulbright?! Is that true?! But he was part of the evacuation effort." The Judge said.
"Exactly. And that was the perfect cover." David said.
"Verily! It was all a part of his plan to create an escape route!" Edgeworth realized.
"After Detective Fulbright saw to it that the ladder was lowered from the robotics lab... he went to the lounge, where he killed Clay Terran, and escaped into the Space Museum. The Museum started moving, slowly, so he waited for the right time, got a running start... And just as the corridor was passing the ladder... he leaped onto it!" Phoenix deduced.
"Grr... I don't believe it... That addlepated detective did all that...?!" Edgeworth asked.
"Was it really him...? I mean, all this time, I thought…" Apollo trailed off.
"Then... his concern for Simon... was also all just one big act...?" Athena asked.
"THAT monster killed Clay?! He-! He had me completely fooled! Come to think of it, he's the one who brought that bloodstained lighter to court, too! The scumbag even made me turn on Athena! Damn it! How the hell did I fall for all that?!" Apollo cursed.
"For him to have wormed his way into the police department as well... Nnrgh!" Edgeworth growled.
"(They're closing in…)" The Bailiff thought as he pulled out his phone. "(Eh, might as well give him a heads-up.)"
"Your Honor, the defense demands to question Detective Bobby Fulbright!" Phoenix said.
"Hmm... Yes, I agree that we need to hear from him right away. The court will take a short recess, and then Detective Fulbright will take the stand!" The Judge said as he banged his gavel.
(end song)
As the courtroom was vacated, The Bailiff sent his completed message:
"They're onto you. Get here, and meet me in the bathroom."
December 20, 5:23 PM
District Court - Defendant Lobby No. 5
"Thank you so much, everyone! If it wasn't for everything you all did, I... I…" Athena said.
"You'll have to keep your gratitude for now, Athena." Double D said. "I fear we still have a long battle ahead of us."
"Right!" Athena said as Apollo appeared.
"Apollo? What's up?" Jesse asked.
"Athena, can you do me a favor?" Apollo asked. "Punch me."
"Wh-What?! Why should I do that?!" Athena asked.
"Because I should've believed in you! I let the seed of doubt inside me get the best of me. I'm really sorry that I didn't trust- OUCH!" Apollo said before Athena slapped him.
"Don't be such a dope! I was really touched by what you did!" Athena said. "You took the time and effort to genuinely think about who I am and what I'm made of... After all that, how could I punch a true friend like you, Apollo?"
"Thanks, Athena. And thanks for waking me up to reality again." Apollo said.
"It looks like you have some promising people working under you, Wright." Edgeworth said, joining in on the conversation.
"Yeah, I think they're pretty great myself." Phoenix said.
"I have good news. Regarding the events of the trial so far, Ms. Blackquill has surrendered and released all her hostages." Edgeworth said.
"That's great news! Oh, thank goodness…" David said.
"She's here now. Ms. Blackquill said she had something she really needed to do. So I granted her special permission to do what she must." Edgeworth said as Aura appeared.
"...I didn't come to apologize, if that's what any of you are thinking. My actions are what allowed the truth of what happened seven years ago to come to light. But I did come because I had something to say to all of you." Aura said. "Even though I still don't like the court system, I wouldn't mind you guys putting Metis's killer away."
"Don't worry. We'll see to it he doesn't walk away." David said.
It was then that Blackquill appeared next.
"...Aura." Blackquill said.
"Simon. I'm so glad both you and the princess were cleared of all suspicion. And it's all thanks to me and my robots. You'd better be grateful." Aura said.
"Hmph. I never imagined you would go that far... though you always were extreme. But I don't recall ever requesting your help." Blackquill said.
"As closed as ever, I see. Well, now that you've been released, I guess it's my turn to go live in the slammer. I just hope you're not the prosecutor for my trial. You'd probably give me the death penalty." Aura said.
"...Hmph. You know me all too well." Blackquill said. "...But I truly was about to be executed tomorrow. Though, because of you, it looks like I won't be crossing the Styx just yet. ...You have my heartfelt thanks, Aura. I'm sorry I caused you so much anguish."
"Simon…" Aura sniffed. "I'm so glad, Simon. So very glad to hear you say that…" she said as she cried a bit.
"Aura…" Blackquill said.
"...All right. That's enough of that... Bailiff, take me to the Detention Center." Aura said as she was then taken away.
"I still can't wrap my mind around Detective Fulbright being the phantom…" Athena said.
"I...! I can't believe he killed Clay!" Apollo said.
"I… I kind of suspected Fulbright for a while now." David said.
"You… You have?" Shun'ei asked.
"Well, you were investigating him for a while." Mark remembered. "What raised your suspicions?"
"Well, it wasn't really just his galavanting about justice, if that was what you were thinking." David said. "I worked in the Paranormal Investigation business when I was with Emi, and despite our best efforts, we couldn't seem to find a profile on him. Not only that, but… He always seemed to conveniently be in places where we were finding the most crucial evidence in our cases."
"Hmm…David, could you perhaps e-mail what you have to me?" Edgeworth requested. "I believe I'll do some investigating of Fulbright of my own."
"Sure." David said as he took out his phone and sent the info he picked up to Edgeworth.
"Thank you." Edgeworth nodded. "I'll head back to Prosecutor's Office and look into this. There may be some information buried in our files."
"Wait, if you're leaving, then who's gonna be the prosecutor?" Mermista said. "We can't exactly have a trial without one."
"You have one." Blackquill said. "Would you allow me to stand at the prosecutor's bench for this trial, Chief Prosecutor? I wish to claim the phantom's head by my own hand." he said to Edgeworth.
"That was the idea all along. It is highly unconventional for a man in my position to stand in court." Edgeworth said.
"...Sir…." Blackquill said.
"The formal paperwork has yet to be filed, but you are hereby conditionally released. Please take the prosecutor's bench in your official capacity... ...and uncover the truth by your own hand." Edgeworth said.
"I'm much obliged... The day to part with these has come at last. Chief Prosecutor... could you?" Blackquill asked, holding his cuffed hands out.
Edgeworth nodded, reaching out and undoing the cuffs, freeing Blackquill's hands. "...Welcome home, Simon."
"...How long have I waited. Maybe it's the sense of freedom, but even the air seems fresher, the light, brighter... And I will relish slashing that blackguard Fulbright to shreds without mercy." Blackquill said.
"*sniffle* I'm so glad! But I won't... cry just yet! After all, we've still got a trial to finish!" Athena said.
"Just let it out, Athena. Just let it all out." Leopardmon said.
"And Apollo, you're joining us back on the Defense too." 9S said.
"Are you sure? I took a leave of absence and everything." Apollo said.
"Well, our office is going to be short-handed once our friends leave, and you're all I got." Phoenix said.
"...Th-Thank you, Mr. Wright!" Apollo nodded, before he moved his hand to his eyepatch and bandages. "I won't need these anymore…because I'm fine!" he said, removing them, not a trace of his injuries left.
"There's the Apollo we all love." Sectonia said.
"It's almost time for the trial to restart, though it looks like you have things well in hand." Edgeworth said.
"Yep. Don't worry about us, Edgeworth. We've got the courtroom covered." David said.
"I expect you to keep that promise, Ishihara. Now, if you'll excuse me." Edgeworth said before he left.
"Okay, is everyone set to go?" Phoenix asked.
"Damn straight. Let's stick it to him!" David said.
"Yeah!" 9S said.
"Indeed!" Double D added.
"Let's wrap up this Mer-Mystery!" Mermista said.
"You bet I am!" Apollo grinned.
"Let's do this!" Athena finished.
Then, as one, the group entered the courtroom, prepared for the final showdown.
Meanwhile, in the bathroom…
After dropping Aura off at the Detention Center, The Bailiff traveled to and opened the door to the men's restroom to find Bobby Fulbright washing his hands while whistling, the only other person in the restroom.
"You look pretty calm for a soon to be exposed spy." The Bailiff remarked.
"No emotions, remember?" 'Fulbright' stated as he turned the water off and pulled out a paper towel to dry his hands. "I don't feel fear."
"Right…" The Bailiff said. "...Look, you and I both know they're going to reveal you. I'm saying this not as a fellow captain, but as your friend: turn yourself in, Phantom. You're going to be exposed either way. Why not do it on your own terms?"
"You don't get it, do you?" 'Fulbright' said. "This is exactly what I wanted to happen."
"...What." The Bailiff said with a deadpan expression.
"Everyone who's close to figuring me out will be in that courtroom." The Phantom said. "All I have to do is stall for time. Once the mining team comes to pick us up, we can kill everyone and be done with it. I go free, we get the spoils from the Moon, and we can cover our tracks in one master stroke."
"...Are you kidding?" The Bailiff asked. "You really want to protect your identity that badly? Do you realize that's basically a declaration of war against the Alliance?! Did you even see what they did to Kaido?!"
"Kaido was a brute that lucked out in terms of getting power, nothing more. He wouldn't have lasted a month outside of The Blues." The Phantom said. "The only reason Negativity won't go against The Hero Alliance is because he thinks they're more useful in taking down Multiverse level threats for us. But we both know that they're no match for Dark Garden's full force."
"...My God, you've lost it." The Bailiff said. "Why would you…wait. This isn't just about your identity anymore, is it? This is about Blackquill…about her."
"...You don't know what you're talking about." The Phantom said, his tone as cold as ice.
"No, I think I do." The Bailiff said. "He reminds you of her, doesn't he? Of Simone. I mean, he must be an alternate version of her, he certainly has the skills for it…"
"That name doesn't mean a thing to me." The Phantom said as he threw his wet paper towel in the trash, now facing The Bailiff with a cold stare.
"You killed her, didn't you?" The Bailiff asked. "And she managed to get a hit on you before you did her in. Back during the-"
The Phantom pulled out a pen and made to stab The Bailiff in his right eye, only to stop centimeters away, the other man not even flinching at the motion.
"She. Means. Nothing. To me." The Phantom said, the face of Bobby Fulbright expressionless. "I am going out there. I am going to see everyone in that room dead. And you are going to help me. Right…Joshua?" he asked.
The Bailiff matched the Phantom's unseen glare for a few moments. "...You're getting cut loose, Phantom. I can promise you that." he finally said.
"Good." The Phantom nodded as he withdrew the pen and put it back into his pocket. "The trial should be getting started by now. Be rude to keep them waiting, wouldn't you say?" he asked as he began to walk out of the bathroom.
"...You've really slipped into your role, huh?" Joshua asked as The Phantom passed by.
"...We were made to fit them, Bailiff. They're all we are now." The Phantom replied as he exited the restroom.
The Bailiff was left alone for a moment, letting out a sigh before he walked out of the restroom as well.
December 20, 5:27 PM
District Court - Courtroom No. 4
"Let us now reconvene." The Judge said.
"The defense is ready, your honor." Phoenix said.
"And the prosecution has never been more ready." Blackquill said.
"You know, this is the first time I've been at the defense bench together with Mr. Wright since I debuted." Apollo said.
"Oh yeah? How well did you do?" David asked.
"As well as you would expect for a first trial." Apollo said. "There have been some hiccups, but I guess I've done pretty well."
"...Prosecutor Blackquill. With the seven-year mistake now resolved, you can finally take your rightful place...!" the Judge said before being met with an intimidating glare. "Um, yes, I guess we can keep the chitchat for later...! B-Bailiff, please bring in the witness immediately!"
"Even with those handcuffs off, Prosecutor Blackquill seems to be pretty much the same." Apollo said.
"Seven years of grumpiness doesn't go away so easily, I guess." Phoenix said as Fulbright was soon brought to the stand.
"Ha ha ha ha! Bobby Fulbright here! I heard I was needed on the stand so I here I am!" Fulbright said.
"Detective Fulbright… Do you know why you've been called to give testimony?" the Judge asked.
"Yup! 'Cause there is only one reason why I'd be called! And that is, because it's time for justice! In justice we trust!" Fulbright said.
"You can cut the act now, Fulbright. Your 'justice' is all just one big lie!" David said.
"What?! Are you questioning the integrity of my sense of justice?! ...I mean, sure, sometimes I make mistakes, but hey…" Fulbright said.
"He's definitely confident. Not even shaken up by the fact he's being accused of murder." Mermista said.
"Considering he's a blank-slate, he's probably only acting the emotions out." 9S whispered.
"Fool Bright, if you wish to dispel our suspicions, then let's get to your testimony." Blackquill stated.
"All right. Fine! You want me to prove my righteousness? I can certainly do that!" Fulbright said.
"Here we go…" Mermista said, as everyone was ready to finally expose The Phantom as the Bailiff watched on.
"(Do it, guys. Expose him.)" The Bailiff said as he clenched his hands. "(...For all of us.)"
(Cue: Discussion -BREAK- - Danganronpa V3)
Witness Testimony: Bobby Fulbright
- The Embodiment of Justice -
Ha ha ha ha! I am the very embodiment of justice itself!
I won't have you make me into a villain with your far-fetched arguments!
And this bit about the escape route is only a theory - you don't have any proof!
What we DO have is proof that Athena Cykes is the culprit: this lighter with her prints on it!
HOLD IT!
"Far-fetched? Yeah, right!" David said. "There is clearly reasoning behind our theory."
"Yes, well, apparently there's "reasoning" behind even a tofu burger. But what we have against Ms. Cykes, though, is not just "reasoning," but solid evidence." Fulbright said. "And it's called the lighter, with Ms. Cykes's fingerprints on it in the victim's blood!"
"Hmm… How many prints are there?" David asked.
"Three: the thumb, the index finger, and the middle finger of a right hand!" Fulbright declared which was exactly what David wanted
Present: Aura's Statement
"No, that's wrong!"
(Pause Song)
Fulbright jumped in shock when David made a claim like that.
"What the…?! You've never said that before!" Fulbright said.
"That's his real objectory statement." Mermista said. "Isn't that right, David?"
"That's right. Those prints couldn't have been from the right hand." David said.
"According to what Aura saw while she was evacuating, the lighter was held left handed." Mermista explained. "So here's the dilemma we've got right now: Why are the prints on the lighter from a right hand instead of a left?!"
"Ngaaagh!" Fulbright cried as he put his hands to his head and reared back in shock in a comically dramatic manner.
"You're right! It does make sense, doesn't it?" The Judge asked.
"A claim like that can't even hold water. And believe me, I know how water works." Mermista said.
"Detective Fulbright! I hope you have a good explanation for this!" The Judge said.
"Hmm... I just can't understand it. They're definitely right-hand prints. But then, why are they inconsistent with Ms. Blackquill's statement...? Hmm... I've got it!" Fulbright said.
"Wh-What have you got, Detective?" The Judge asked.
"The mirror! The witness must have seen a reflection of the culprit in the mirror!" Fulbright said. "Ms. Blackquill was looking in through the window of Boarding Lounge 1, wasn't she?! There's a large mirror on the opposite wall! So she obviously must've seen a reflection of the person holding the lighter, and that means your left handed theory is proven false, because what Ms. Blackquill saw was only the culprit's reflection!"
"Hmm… You're saying that Ms. Blackquill saw a reflection?" David asked. "Well, what I'm seeing is a load of BS. I mean, it still has those emblems, doesn't it?"
"You mean the earth emblem? Ha ha ha! Sorry, but I have something for that too!" Fulbright said. "That emblem is only on one side of the lighter, which cements my mirror theory. If the culprit held the lighter left handed, they would've covered the emblem." he added. "What's more, this is the kind of lighter you flick open with your thumb before lighting. So if the culprit had held it in their left hand with the emblem out and visible...they wouldn't have been able to open it, let alone light it. But if they had held it in their right hand, they could easily open it and light it. This all means that the culprit was definitely holding the lighter in their right hand!"
"Apollo… You noticed that, didn't you?" David asked.
"Yeah, he's lying. My bracelet's reacting." Apollo said.
"You can perceive things in court too?" Mermista asked.
"That's right. I couldn't do it here because Taka was always by Blackquill's side, and that bird didn't like my bracelet for some reason." Apollo said.
"Or, it was Blackquill playing foul, but let's not get into that." Double D said.
"I'd sooner say Justice-dono was the one cheating with that trinket." Blackquill said.
"It's not cheating, Prosecutor Blackquill!" Apollo said.
"Hmph. Very well. Whether I like it or not, I suppose we should use whatever works right now. Go on, then." Blackquill ushered.
"He's okay with it it seems. Go for it, Apollo!" 9S said.
"Alright then, Detective. Could you repeat that last statement one more time?" Apollo asked.
"What in the world are you up to? Hmm... All right. Fine. I'll say it as many times as you like! Listen carefully! The Earth emblem is only on the side that you can see when held in the right hand." Fulbright said.
Right as Fulbright started speaking that line, Apollo started perceiving.
"The Earth emblem is only on the side that you can see when held in the right hand."
Perceive: Thumb on holster
GOTCHA!
"Detective Fulbright, you might not be aware of it yourself, but...whenever you say the phrase "The Earth emblem," your left thumb moves. In fact, it appears as though you're running it along the edge of your holster." Apollo said.
"M-Mr. Lawyer, I don't have the foggiest notion what you're talking about." Fulbright said.
"Be that as it may, I know it has something to do with the lighter. Let us examine it." Apollo said.
"But why? You're not making any sense! You can't just-" Fulbright started.
SILENCE!
"Hmph! Be still and do as you're told, Fool Bright. If you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't mind them having a look-see, should you?" Blackquill asked.
"What...?! Not you too, Prosecutor Blackquill...!" Fulbright said before groaning as he handed the lighter to the Defense.
"Scanning." 153 said. "Hidden Mechanism detected."
"Let's see if I'm right about where it is." Mermista said pressing on the Earth Emblem, which made the lighter transform into some kind of pistol. "Boom!"
"...There's no question, it seems. What you have there is a gun." Blackquill said.
"A WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!" The Judge asked in shock.
"So that's it." 9S said. "Your Honor, please recall this morning's trial, when Director Cosmos was on the stand. The bullet that hit the oxygen tank was extremely small, maybe a .10 caliber. This little compact gun probably takes bullets of that caliber."
"I'm flabbergasted! The lighter... was a gun?!" The Judge asked.
"So when Detective Fulbright would touch his holster…" Phoenix started.
"That's right. Whenever he mentioned the Earth emblem...he must have subconsciously thought about the secret behind the lighter. In other words, he knew it was a gun from the very beginning." Apollo finished as Fulbright was silent. "A lighter that transforms into a gun seems like a spy gadget to me. It's not the kind of thing any ordinary person can get their hands on. In fact, I'd say it's strictly in the domain of elite spies! Detective Fulbright, you WILL explain yourself!"
"... Ha ha ha ha ha! There's nothing for me to explain! I didn't know the lighter could transform! I mean, it was found in the Space Museum, and then I brought it straight in! ...I didn't even have time to check it out." Fulbright said.
OBJECTION!
"That's a lie and you know it. You subconsciously touched your holster whenever you mentioned the Earth Emblem, because you knew it was a gun!" 9S said.
"Accuse me all you want, but where is your proof?! Do you have any evidence that I knew the lighter was a gun?" Fulbright asked.
"Well… Not exactly…" David admitted. "But I think the credibility of the evidence itself should be called into question."
"What are you talking about now?" Fulbright asked. "The evidence is sound! The prints belong to Athena Cykes!"
"Think about it. You said Athena's prints were on the lighter, and yet you were the one that presented it as evidence, did you not?" David asked.
"David, are you suggesting he fabricated the finger prints on the lighter?" 9S asked.
"Yes. I am sure of it." David said. "And we can prove it. Let's re-examine the prints...using the official, sanctioned print data of the people involved in this case."
"What?! You dare insult the epitome of justice and integrity?! There's no need for such antics!" Fulbright said.
SILENCE!
"Your Honor, I lend my voice to the defense's request. You must allow the test to be re-run." Blackquill backed up.
"Very well, then... Bailiff!" The Judge said.
Fulbright looked to the undercover Bailiff, almost giving him a "don't you dare" look, as if not to apply the test. Which didn't go unnoticed. With a smile, The Bailiff nodded.
"Right away, Your Honor." Joshua said.
"(I'm going to kill you when this is over.)" 'Fulbright' said with his eyes.
"(Then I'll tell Dr. Cykes and Simone you said hi.)" The Bailiff looked back as he went to process the test.
The Bailiff soon returned and handed the results to the Judge.
"Hmm... Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm... It's... It's just as the defense claims... This proves that the prints on the lighter do not belong to the defendant!" The Judge said.
"NGAAAAAAAAAH!" Fulbright screamed.
"Yes!" Phoenix cheered.
"The fingerprints actually belong to the victim, Mr. Clay Terran." The Judge said.
Mermista smiled. "I see what's happening here. Fulbright was on print collection duty. He collected Clay's prints during the investigation, and planted them on the lighter with his blood. Fulbright must've got the blood off Clay's hand after that. So you know what that means…" Mermista said before pointing at the Detective. "he purposefully submitted phony print data, all to pin the blame on Athena!"
"NGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Fulbright screamed..
"This ploy must've been to distract us from the phantom who was behind everything. You were out to create the impression that the phantom wasn't the true culprit." Phoenix said.
"So does this mean Detecive Fulbright really is the phantom?" The judge asked.
"Remember the killer's escape route. No ordinary person... ...would have been fearless enough to attempt it. Nobody but the phantom - the man with no emotions - could've done it." 9S added as Fulbright screamed again.
"Admit it, Fulbright. You were the only one that could have used that escape route!" David said.
"Ngaaaaaaaaaaaaagh! I... I...!" Fulbright tried to say.
"Don't you dare try to deny it." 9S said.
"Fool Bright! Are you really the phantom? Answer me, or so help me I will slash you to tiny slivers where you stand!" Blackquill demanded.
"(There's no way outta this. He's got to admit it!)" the Bailiff thought. "(C'mon, there's no way out. Accept it!)"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH! All right! All right! I'll talk! I-I confess...I…" Fulbright said before he suddenly composed himself "...I'm not the phantom."
SILENCE!
Most of the group in the gallery had deadpan expressions at his statement.
"It's all over. Now be a man and admit it already!" Blackquill yelled.
"Let me finish!" Fulbright said. "I'm not the phantom…but I'm not Fulbright either. I'm a freelance undercover detective for the Universal Police." he finished, causing the Alliance members on the defense's side to raise eyebrows.
"The Universal Police?" Double D repeated. "Then that means…"
"Yeah. I'm not from this world." 'Fulbright' said.
"So were a lot of us, but… I think the figures in this court know that by now." David said.
"Yeah, and here's a question for you." Mermista said. "If you work for the Universal Police, how come Nancy Flux, the head of the whole force, never said a word about you?"
"She wouldn't. I'm an undercover agent." 'Fulbright' said. "We need to be kept secret for missions involving worlds that don't have widespread knowledge of the Multiverse. Like this one." he said. "I mean, everyone in here knows, but not the public at large."
"Hmm… Okay, let's assume what you're saying is true." David said. "Why the fabricated lighter?"
"...I guess there's no use in hiding it now." 'Fulbright' sighed. "It's time you all learned the truth. I was sent here to track down the phantom on the suspicion that he was a member of the criminal organization, Dark Garden. He's a captain of their 1st Sub-Division, Dark World. From our investigations, they've been present in this world for at least a decade for an unknown purpose, one that involved keeping anyone from going into space for all this time. During my investigations, I met someone who agreed to help me track the phantom down: the original Bobby Fulbright."
"The original…?" Double D asked.
"Yeah. He was a good guy." Fake Fulbright said. "Together, we tried to find the phantom. But then, last year, he led us into a trap. We had tracked him down to an empty warehouse and went to arrest him, but…he had backup: a Genocide, one of Negativity's personal assassins."
"And let me guess… Fulbright got killed in the crossfire. That explains his inactivity for the past year…" David said.
"Yes." Fake Fulbright said, his eyes tearing up a bit. "Bobby Fulbright sacrificed himself by jumping in the way of that Genocide's sword. For a moment, I thought I was going to die too…but the phantom offered me a deal: he said that another person was after him and had evidence that would put the authorities on his trail. He said that if I got rid of the evidence, and the man who had it…then he would let me live."
"Blackquill and the Phantom's psych profile…" Mermista remembered.
"I…I was blinded by fear." the Fake Fulbright said. "I agreed to the deal, and took up Fulbright's identity in order to get close to Blackquill. But, no matter what I did, he wouldn't open up about the psych profile. Then, a few days before Mr. Terran's murder, the phantom contacted me and told me his plan."
"We all know how this ended up. He bombed the space center and killed Clay. And let me guess… you helped him escape the scene?" Mermista asked.
"...Yes." Fake Fulbright said, shame in his voice. "I lowered the ladder for him. Forged the prints on the lighter. Arrested Athena Cykes…all on his orders. I... I haven't been a champion of justice... I've just been a pawn of evil... a pawn of the phantom who stole the moon rock and killed Dr. Cykes seven years ago...I let the real Fulbright down."
Everyone registered this "agent's" confession, even Blackquill.
"So then, faker… What is the phantom's real identity?" Blackquill asked.
"I don't know. He was very careful to hide it. He has top secret information for all kinds of corporations and countries...so there's a number of organizations that want him dead. And don't forget, he's employed by Dark Garden! If he found out I pointed you in his direction...I could be killed on the spot! We ALL would be! There could be a satellite laser over our heads, or a platoon of soldiers just waiting for a reason to warp in and kill everyone right now!" he exclaimed.
"Hmm… With the ceiling blown off, even a sniper could get the job done from a good vantage point." David said.
"(We're safe. He's just bluffing to buy time. The mining team isn't here yet, and they won't kill anyone when they do show up.)" The Bailiff thought. "(Still, telling the partial truth…that's smart. Let's see how they handle this…)"
"There. I finally told the truth." Fake Fulbright said.
"Now I hope you see how foolish it was to think I was the phantom!"
"You believe me, don't you Prosecutor Blackqull? After all, we've been together for all this time." Fake Fulbright said. "I'm sorry I kept this from you, but once this is done…maybe we could work together to find the real phantom?"
Blackquill was silent before he had his answer. "I forgive you, faker. I don't think you're the phantom."
"What?! How can you say that, Prosecutor Blackquill?! It's obvious he's the phantom!" Phoenix said.
SILENCE!
"Evidence is everything, Wright-dono. And you all must admit there's no clear evidence that Fool Bright is the phantom." Blackquill said.
"He's right. We don't." David admitted.
"Wha-David?!" Mermista said in shock.
"What?! Have you been robbed of your sense man?!" Double D exclaimed.
"...I've known this man for a year now. And though he impersonated Fool Bright all this time, he's been quite intent on rehabilitating me. I don't believe his efforts were a lie." Blackquill said. "This fool truly thought he could reform a death-row inmate like me. He went so out of his way in his efforts for me, he actually became quite a nuisance, really.
Fake Fulbright sobbed. "Prosecutor Blackquill! Mr. Ishihara! You both believe meeeeeeee!"
"However, even if it was against your will...you still acted as the phantom's accomplice. You will have to pay the price for that. Throw yourself at my mercy! And don't you ever betray me again! Have you got that?!" Blackquill asked.
"...Y-Yes! Thank you! Oh, thank yooooou!" Fake Fulbright bawled.
"(I see what you're doing, David. I'll follow your lead.)" 9S thought.
"I am an investigator myself. And I know that death becomes part of the job at points. It's tragic what happened to Fulbright. You have my condolences. I feel your pain." David said.
"If Mr. Ishihara is in agreement with Prosecutor Blackquill, then I'm prepared to hand down a not guilty verdict." The Judge said.
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Very good! I'm very glad to hear it! It's all over. Everything's been cleared up, and Ms. Cykes will go free as well! And one day, the terror of the phantom will be ended!" Fake Fulbright said.
"G-Guys! We can't let the trial end here! If we do, the phantom - the man who killed Clay - will get away!" Apollo said.
"Yeah, but what is there to do? If David thinks it's over, then…" Mermista said.
"We can't press our luck." Double D said. "There's…nothing we can do."
"Now, if you'll excuse me, my next investigation awaits! And with that... I'm off!" Fake Fulbright said as he turned to walk away, before…
HOLD IT!
This came from none other than Athena. "The defense- No, wait... Not "the defense"... The defendant feels it's not time for a verdict yet, and would like to see this trial continue."
"Wh-What?! But I was just about to declare you innocent of all charges!" The Judge said.
"Hey, guys, could you make some room over there?" Athena asked.
"Sure, Athena." David said.
Everyone scooched to the side as Athena joined them.
"I have some questions for you, Detective. Are you relieved that you are no longer under suspicion of being the phantom? Are you grateful to Prosecutor Blackquill for what he's done for you?" Athena asked.
"O-Of course I am! And I'm truly grateful from the bottom of my heart!" the Fake Fulbright said.
"Athena, what's goin on here?" Mermista asked.
"I have yet to hear a single emotion behind any of this guy's words. The suspicion against him has been cleared up, but he's not feeling happy at all." Athena said.
"She's right, Pod would've said something if it was detected." 9S said.
"Oh… OOOOOOH!" Mermista realized. "So that's what that act was about!"
"What are you saying, Mermista?" Double D asked.
"Blackquill was only pretending to believe in that faker. He knew Athena would pick up on any lack of emotions, so he gave her a chance to listen, and David went along with it!" Mermista said.
"It was a bitter taste to admit that we didn't have any evidence. But even I am willing to swallow my pride if it means reaching the truth." David said. "Athena, play back the detective's testimony."
Athena did so using the Mood Matrix which, throughout the entire testimony, only displayed one sentence:
No Emotion Detected
"No emotion? This guy really is good." David said.
"You may be able to lie with words, 'detective'..." Athena said, pointing ahead. "...but your heart doesn't lie!"
"W-Well…how do you know your little device isn't broken?" Fake Fulbright pointed out. "Maybe it's just displaying that because it…ran out of power?"
"Because I've hacked into Widget since the start of the trial." 9S pointed out. "Oh, and you need some better tech, I've blocked all three of your hacking attempts."
Fake Fulbright looked shocked, then panicked before he quickly threw his hacking tool away. "Ah hahaha…s-sorry about that. I guess I used it without thinking out of habit…"
"Then perhaps you should shift your thoughts to find a better excuse." Double D quipped.
"Now that 9S stopped his hacking attempt, we can get to work." David said.
"I dare you to try to hide your lack of emotions from us!" Mermista said.
"Lack of emotion…?" Fake Fulbright asked before he smiled. "What are you talking about? Of COURSE I have emotions! It's just the result of special training! Watch this!" he said before he laughed out loud, the Mood Matrix suddenly beeping.
Pinpoint: Happiness
He then immediately switched to crying, then yelling, then screaming, each time the Matrix pinpointing Sadness, Anger, and Surprise.
"What the heck?!" Mermista exclaimed.
"It's just like the psych profile said. His emotional output is completely FUBAR!" David said.
"Impressed?" Fake Fulbright asked. "The phantom may have been evil, but he was a professional. It wasn't enough for me to adopt Fulbright's face and personality…I had to adopt his heart as well. So he taught me how to take direct control over the brain's emotional center, allowing me to gain mastery over emotions. He called it…The Null Zone." he explained.
"Very impressive indeed, I will admit." David said. "But I still feel like there is one emotion you're still trying to hide."
"Even if I was trying to hide something, I don't think you'd find it." Fake Fulbright said. "I have 100% control over what I'm feeling at any time. You'd never know if what you're getting from me was real or not, wouldn't you?"
"Then I guess you wouldn't mind if we analyzed you, then." David said.
"Sure, analyze away." Fake Fulbright shrugged. "But if you don't find anything, then I guess that'll mean you have nothing on me. What do I have to lose? I'm not the phantom. You're about to see what The Null Zone can really do!"
"Hope you're ready to eat those words." David said.
Me, the phantom?! No way! ← Emotional Flux Detected!
Oh, I'm so sad! *sob* See?! I told you I have emotions! ← Emotional Flux Detected!
How dare you accuse me of being someone who would kill over a moon rock?! ← Emotifonal Felux Deatecterd!
I do regret cooperating with the phantom, of course… ← Emotional Flux Detected!
But I'm so glad this whole misunderstanding is cleared up now! ← Emotional Flux Detected!
Pinpoint: Fear
GOT IT!
"Mm-hm. Just as I suspected." David said. "When you started talking about the moon rock… There was a fear that never faded."
"Fear…? Over a rock?" Fake Fulbright said incredulously. "Why would I be scared of a rock?"
"Well, it wasn't really the moon rock itself, but moreso…" David started.
→ Your identity would be revealed ←
"I got it!"
"You were afraid that… the moon rock would have revealed your identity." David said.
"If his identity were revealed, he would be killed immediately... That's certainly enough to make even the phantom feel afraid." Blackquill agreed.
"Me, afraid? I don't know what youre talking about." Fake Fulbright said.
"So, there really is something about the moon rock that would reveal his identity...?" Athena asked.
"Apparently so…" Phoenix said. "There was likely something on the rock that would reveal his true identity!"
The Fake Fulbright looked mildly concerned with this statement. "(Damn it! Can't run, they'd catch me. Can't disprove the emotional angle, it's been proven that it works… Wait a minute, that's it!) Wait! I can explain that! That rock does link back to the phantom, which is why I was afraid of it. But it won't reveal his identity!"
"What do you mean?" Double D asked.
"I'm afraid I kept something from you during my testimony: the reason Dark World wanted to keep people out of space." Fake Fulbright said. "You see, for the past ten years…they've had a mining project going on up on the Moon."
"A…mining project?" The Judge said, disbelief clear in his voice.
"Yes! You see, the Moon of this world has something under its surface: strange crystals that, until Dark Garden discovered their presence ten years ago, were thought only to exist in one place. Those crystals…they're not ordinary crystals; they're the key to unlocking untapped potential within certain creatures…like the one Ishihara showed off during the trial of Orla Shiply."
"Wait…are you referring to Pokémon?" 9S asked.
"Yes! The phantom told me about it! He said that in the right hands, these crystals hold a special power…to power up the creature's typing! Since they came from the earth and gave Pokémon a crystalized appearance, they dubbed it "Terastialization"!" Fake Fulbright said. "For the last decade, Dark World has been strip mining the crystals from the Moon! That's why they didn't want anybody up in space to discover their operations! So they sent the phantom to sabotage any manned flights! That's why he was trying to steal the moon rock, it has traces of Terra Crystals in it!"
"(I get it. He's trying to shift the focus away from the moon rock by giving the reason he was trying to steal it in the first place.)" The Bailiff thought. "(As long as they can't give evidence of another reason to be scared of the rock, then he's clear.)"
"Excuse me. But before we continue…do you remember this?" Double D asked, holding the Utility Knife.
"That was the knife Athena used to stab her mother's killer." David said. "I will admit that I was taken in by your story there, but… That wasn't the real reason the Phantom stole the moon rock."
"Humor us if you will. Say the moon rock was in that lab the day the killer was stabbed. His blood could have possibly gotten onto it. Meaning…it would have a link to who the phantom truly is." Double D said.
"It definitely would, but unfortunately for you, the Moon Rock has been missing for a while." Fake Fulbright said.
"Or maybe the Phantom hid it somewhere where he'd know to find it later." Mermista said.. "He hid it…in this!" she said, presenting the Hope Capsule.
"The Hope Capsule from the HAT-1 Miracle?" The Judge asked.
"That's right, it was this capsule. He couldn't carry the rock out, but he couldn't leave it in the Center to be found, either. So there was only one safe place to stash it. The Hope capsule that was there in the lab that day." 9S said.
"Hmm, yes. And the team must have loaded it onto the Hope space probe eventually. But... if that's what happened... then the moon rock would've been launched up into space along with the rocket!" the Judge said.
"...Preposterous! It would mean... that for these past seven years, the moon rock was...!" Fake Fulbright tried to say.
"Exactly. The phantom got rid of the moon rock in the most "cosmic" way he knew how. It was out there in the depths of space... aboard the Hope space probe!" 9S said, pointing at Fake Fulbright.
"Wh-Wh-Wh... WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!" The Judge and everybody in attendance called as the jury acted up before he banged his gavel. "O-Order! Order in the court!"
"I understand now... The phantom's original scheme was to sabotage the HAT-1 anyway. The villain! He used his primary objective to conveniently kill two birds with one stone!" Blackquill realized.
"And launching the moon rock up into space meant that the phantom's buddies could snatch up a cache of Tera crystals for themselves once they picked it up. So he would actually kill three birds." Mermista said.
"But Mr. Starbuck ruined his plan by bringing the HAT-1 back home safely." Double D said.
"The Hope space probe sailed off safely on its mission and returned seven years later... with the capsule in tow!" Phoenix said.
"Gaaaaagh!" Fake Fulbright screamed.
"If we analyze the blood on the moon rock, it should make one thing crystal clear. That you were the phantom all along!" David said.
"...So, he killed Clay just so he could get the moon rock back?" Apollo asked.
"I believe so. His original assignment may have been just to sabotage the HAT-2, but...at the same time, he also had to retrieve the evidence of his crimes seven years ago. That's why he went to the boarding lounge... and attacked Clay as he made his "escape" out of the rocket with the capsule. But, in the end, it was all he could do just to escape himself, so he didn't get the capsule." Phoenix said.
"Clay must've done everything he could to stop this faker! He probably hung on to that capsule for all he was worth until his very last breath!" Apollo said.
"E-Everyone, you have to believe me! I'm not the phantom!" Fake Fulbright said.
David's hand started to glow an icy hue. "Who's going to believe what you have to say now?"
Fake Fulbright looked worried as he glanced around the room. "(C'mon, just a little more time! I just need to buy a few more minutes! I can't let them analyze the…wait, that's right!)" he remembered before he calmed down once more. "Well…alright then. I guess analyzing the moon rock is the only option left. So why don't we go get it?"
SILENCE!
"Retrieving the moon rock? More like plotting your escape. But no more! I will bring you to justice myself if I must, here and now!" Blackquill said.
"And of course we can…" Mermista said, realizing. "The Hope capsule…was at the court bombing…"
"Yeah… And it got destroyed." David said.
"Oh yeah, it was, wasn't it?" Fake Fulbright said. "But if that's the case, then that means…you have no evidence left, right? Oh…I'm really sorry to hear that."
"Answer me this… Tonate said that destroying the evidence wasn't the only reason the courtroom bombing happened that day." David said. "He said that what whoever triggered that bomb was trying to eliminate a threat."
"And the phantom did. There's nothing of the capsule's contents left." Fake Fulbright said.
OBJECTION!
"Actually…there is." Phoenix said. "Look at the picture of the bomb fragments." he said, pointing to one in particular. "This one is particularly jagged. Because this isn't part of the bomb…its the moon rock!"
"Wh-WHHHAAATTT?!" Fake Fulbright exclaimed.
"That rock is a lot more durable than it looks. So a single explosion wouldn't be enough to destroy it. All we would have to do is send the police over there and have it tested for blood and match whoever's blood it is." Mermista said.
"But as for you, faker. It is time you revealed who you really are." Blackquill said. "And if you will not reveal yourself to us...then I shall do it for you!"
With a quick iaido swipe of his fingers, Blackquill cut the Fake Fulbright right across the face before he could even react, slicing his glasses off.
"GAH! Not again-!" Fake Fulbright yelled as a gash appeared on his face…but no blood came out. "H-Huh? Oh, right…I almost forgot it was a mask for a second. And look what you did to it."
"A mask?" 9S asked.
"I could show you a few…but right now, I think only one will help me prove my innocence." he said as he grabbed his Fulbright mask and pulled it off.
OBJECTION!
"Huh?" Phoenix asked.
"Uh, did you just raise an objection?" Mermista asked.
"Th-that wasn't me." Phoenix said.
"It was him! Look, fellows!" Double D said as the man on the stand had shed his mask to reveal…Phoenix Wright!?
"Well…what do you think?" the face of Phoenix Wright asked. "A pretty good impression, if I do say so myself."
"Enough of this! Hiding behind other peoples faces won't protect you from the truth!" 9S said.
"Maybe not, but it does let me think like Mr. Wright would…thinking outside the box. And I just remembered something else I forgot to mention earlier." Fake Phoenix said. "That when the phantom was going to steal the moon rock, he had a way to cover his tracks: a moon rock from a different world's moon. So, answer me this…how do you know that fragment isn't from the other moon rock?"
"Enough of your conspiracy theories, man." David said.
"Theory? Maybe." Fake Phoenix said. "But it would fit Dark Garden's methods, wouldn't it? And you don't exactly have any way of proving that there wasn't another moon rock at the scene, right?"
"Hmm… Hmm…" David thought before he realized something. "(Gah! No way! How could I have missed it?!) Actually… I think there is. One that we have been completely overlooking this whole time."
"What are you talking about, David? The original moon rock is gone." Fake Phoenix said. "There's no way to compare the fragment."
All of a sudden, the Fake Phoenix heard a dual tone, as if the Predator in David's mind was speaking with him.
"Even as we speak… The moon rock is still in this courtroom!" David said as his mental Predator emerged with him and spoke with him. "It's Athena's earring!"
Present: Moon Rock Earring.
"This is the end!"
"An earring…made from the moon rock…?!" Fake Phoenix said, adopting a look of shock that morphed into panic. "Wait…you can't compare the fragments! If the phantom finds out you know who he is, he'll…!"
HOLD IT!
"...That's enough." Joshua spoke up. "You've laid all your cards on the table, and you lost…Phantom."
"B-Bailiff…?" The Judge asked.
"Joshua, don't just stand there!" The Phantom said. "The mining team has to be on their way by now! All we have to do is take out everyone and-!"
"No." Joshua said. "It's over. It's time for the whole story to come out…our story."
"Bailiff, what is the meaning of this?" Blackquill asked. "You knew he was the phantom all this time?!"
"I…didn't expect this." David said. "What's your deal-?"
"A long time ago…there was a reality show…that ran for 53 seasons." Joshua started.
"...Danganronpa… James' show?! But we ended up shutting that down!" David said.
"The show involved murders, and trials to solve those murders." Joshua continued. "And at the end of the season, the last contestant standing would be transferred over to the next season, only to be the first murder victim. Every season followed this formula…save for the final season…and season 35."
Everyone gasped at that statement, at a loss for words at what had just been said.
"See, on the eve of the last trial, the last two contestants disappeared." Joshua said. "The Ultimate Bailiff…and the Ultimate Spy."
"That was you two, wasn't it?" the Judge asked.
Joshua then bowed to everyone in the courtroom. "My name is Joshua Graham…and I am the Ultimate Bailiff…and the Ultimate Spy…well, he doesn't have an actual name. Not anymore."
"Because…he threw away his original face long ago, right?" David asked.
"More like it was taken, but…yeah." Joshua said. "We were the last two contestants of season 35. Dark Garden, bless their hearts, managed to find where James was filming and got us out. That's why he had those domes built for the rest of the seasons. And once they told us the truth of what we were doing…we both joined Dark World."
"Joshua, we don't need to tell them our life stories!" The Phantom said as he scanned the sky. "What's taking them so long?!"
"Wait…if the Phantom was the Ultimate Spy, then…why go through all the trouble of pretending to be Bobby Fulbright? Blackquill had the evidence, and the Phantom knew it. Why didn't he find a way to kill Blackquill and escape with the evidence?" Mermista asked.
"Because it wasn't just about his identity." Joshua said. "You see, that final trial…it would have determined the murderer of The Ultimate Samurai. Her name was Simone. Simone Blackquill."
"...WHAT?!" the group exclaimed.
"Prosecutor Blackquill, you never told us you had a twin sister!" the Judge said.
"I do not. Just Aura." Blackquill said simply, as even he was shocked at the revelation.
"No, no, Simone was…probably an alternate version of you." Joshua told the prosecutor. "You're a lot like her, you know. And she was every bit as dedicated to justice as you…until the very end."
"Prosecutor Blackquill's counterpart…" David said.
"She was the final murder victim." Joshua said. "She didn't go down without a fight though. My guess? The Phantom managed to get the drop on her…but got hurt in the process. He probably has a scar on his real face, if he can find it."
"Stop it…" The Phantom said.
"And finding out that another version of her was in this world, and had evidence that would expose him…it must've made his blood boil. It was like Simone was using Simon to taunt him from beyond the grave."
"So that was why he bombed this Courtroom. The person that Tonate said the Phantom was trying to eliminate… It was Simon Blackquill." David said.
"Eliminate? Yeah, at first that was his plan…until he met her." Joshua said, pointing at Athena. "When he recognized Athena, he had a nasty idea: he knew Blackquill wouldn't let himself die until he found him. Even if he tried to wait out until execution day, Blackquill would probably escape and go rogue until he caught up to him. But, if he was forced into a position where if he didn't die, she would…"
"Oh Mein Gott, Clay Terran's murder!" Athena realized.
"Exactly. Pinning the blame on you was the Phantom's trap for Blackquill: if you don't die, she will. And he would get the last laugh on the one person who ever scared him…right, Phantom?" Joshua asked.
"...Grrrr….AAAHHHHHH!" The Phantom yelled. "Why the hell would I care about some god damned goth-cosplay, chained-up, hard-ass chuunibyou?! It doesn't matter to me! Our mining team is coming, and when they get here, you're all dead! I WIN!"
"No…you don't." Joshua said.
"What are you talking about?" The Phantom asked.
"...Phantom…" Joshua began. "Under Article 10 of the Dark Star Protocol, as a member of equal rank, I hereby declare your membership in Dark Garden…revoked."
"...What?" The Phantom asked softly, the eyes of his Phoenix mask shrinking.
"Sorry, Phantom. But there's nowhere for you to run now." David said.
"Wait…Joshua, you can't!" The Phantom said, starting to panic. "If I'm not part of Dark World, then I'll be stuck here!"
"I gave you every opportunity to confess before the trial, Phantom." Joshua said. "If you had just done that, Dark World would have extracted you from prison. But you let your pride and need for revenge cloud your judgment. You've lost yourself in the role James gave you. You sowed all this, Phantom…now it's time for you to reap it."
Just then, the courtroom was filled with the sound of jet engines as a jet-black spacecraft appeared above the roof of the courtroom, the jury in awe of the display.
"Joshua…after all we've been through, during the Killing Game…in Dark World…you can't end it like this." The Phantom begged. "You can't just…leave me here! I'm your friend! Please! I'll do anything!"
"...Can you give Athena Cykes her mother back?" Joshua asked.
The Phantom could only reply with a look of pure horror.
"...Good bye, Phantom. And…I'm sorry I couldn't save you from yourself." Joshua said as he disappeared in a flash of light.
"This is all rather sudden, but…it has been an honor working with you." the Judge said. "I hope we can work together again someday."
The spacecraft roared as it rose up into the night sky.
"No…NO!" The Phantom yelled as he bolted from the witness stand and to the middle of the courtroom floor, waving at the ascending ship. "Come back! Don't leave me here! I'm sorry! Come BBBBBAAAAACCCCCKKKKK!" he pleaded as the ship vanished.
"It's over, Phantom. The Killing Game, this trial, all of it. No longer can you just show off the faces of those you mimic. From now on…everyone will know of your real face!" Mermista said.
(Cue- Pursuit: Keep Pressing On- Phoenix Wright: Dual Destinies)
"My…real face? I don't have a face to reveal!" The Phantom said, backing up to the witness stand.
"While we're on the subject, I gotta ask…what's it like for a guy like you to finally feel fear?" Mermista said.
"F-Fear...? I-I-I don't feel fear... I left all of my emotions behind years ago...!" The Phantom said.
OBJECTION!
"Every human being feels fear! You simply can't face the emotions inside you. You can't face them because you have nothing. No love, no trust…" Athena said. "I didn't have anybody to support me at first, either. I couldn't face the fear inside me, couldn't get over the trauma of my past."
"Like I said… I-I don't feel fear." The Phantom said, trying to hide it.
OBJECTION!
"Then you're just a coward for running away from yourself! When I had my doubts about Ms. Cykes, I felt like I would collapse under the weight. But I wanted to trust her. And I knew I could trust these people to uncover the truth. That's why I was able to face my suspicions without hesitation." Apollo said.
"Running away from myself...? Ha ha ha ha ha! How can I run from myself...?! When there's NOTHING inside... Nothing at all...!" the Phantom said.
OBJECTION!
"I know it's hard for someone as unwilling to trust others as you to understand... But people have emotions. It's just a fact of life. And so, people can be weak at times. But that's exactly why people need to trust one another... so they can gain the strength to face themselves when things are at their bleakest. Without trust in others...how can you ever hope to face your fears?" Phoenix asked.
"My fear… am I… really feeling…?!" The Phantom said, finally letting the emotion of fear overtake HIM as he bent over back onto the stand, his mask of Phoenix sagging in his panic. "M-My whole body is shaking! My heartbeat…it's out of control! I… I can't breathe! No... Aaaaagh...! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" he screamed. "I'm afraid! I'm scared! AAAAAAAAAAH! I feel FEAR!"
"You can't outrun yourself!" Athena said.
"Remove that mask and unleash your emotions!" Apollo said.
"Confront your guilt head on…!" Phoenix started before everybody on the defense team joined up, pointing at the phantom together and altogether said….
"...With your own true face!"
(end song)
"My... own, true face...? No! Please don't! ...A-AAAAAAAAAAAGH! My own, true face...! I don't have one! My face! My face! My face!" the phantom yelled, stretching his mask of Phoenix as debris started to fall, unmasking himself to reveal the face of Ted Tonate, and then Florent L'Belle, and then Aristotle Meanns. "Is this my face?! Is it?! Is it?! No! That's not it! Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!" he rifled through lots of other faces, like Damian Tenma, Hugh, Solomon, and even Aura and Jinxie. "This isn't me, either! AAAAAAAAAAAAAGH! Is this me?! Which one is my face?! What am I?! Who am I?!" The Phantom then screamed in agony, pulling off his many masks of the witnesses and culprits of the group's many cases as debris fell down.
At last, the face of Bobby Fulbright was seen once more. With a primal scream of terror, The Phantom grabbed both sides of his mask and ripped it in two. Silence fell over the courtroom as the Phantom slumped to his knees, everyone finally getting a look at his own, true face.
"Who…Who is this…?" The Phantom said in a broken tone as he felt his face, his eyes filled with confusion. "I…don't know who this is…" he said before falling to the ground, the moonlight shining down on him.
"It would seem… It is all over now." David said.
"Prosecutor Blackquill, how is Detective Fulbright... I mean, the Phantom, doing?" the Judge asked..
"He fell unconscious from the shock of finding his true face. He is now in custody, forcibly released from his position in Dark World." Blackquil said. "The analysis of that final piece of evidence the defense submitted is in. The composition of Ms. Cykes's earring and the fragment with the blood on it match. We can now be certain that it is a fragment of the moon rock in question. The murders and bombings at the Space Center, both past and present...the bombing of Courtroom No. 4, and all of his other crimes, as numerous as the stars... Under suspicion of all of these things, the spy known as the phantom has been incarcerated. The Prosecutor's Office is now responsible for his well-being. There are still a myriad of things we wish him to tell us about, after all."
"I am very certain of this. Now, Ms. Cykes. Shall we end this trial properly now?" The Judge asked.
"Yes, Your Honor." Athena said as she went back to the witness stand.
"Now then, this court finds the defendant, Athena Cykes…." The Judge said.
Not Guilty
"Court is adjourned!" The Judge declared as the room exploded into cheers.
After years of darkness…the moonlight shining down marked the end of it, and illuminated a new age…The Golden Age of Truth.
District Court - Defendant Lobby No. 5
"Phew… After so long… It's finally over." David said. "9S, Double D, Mermista, everyone… Thank you. This couldn't have been done without you guys."
"It was pretty crazy, I'll admit, especially when the Phantom completely flipped his cookies at the end. That's gotta be the craziest breakdown I've ever seen." Mermista said.
"But in the end we finally brought the Dark Age down for good." 9S said as he had his combat visor back on. "Everything we've been through since we've been here was a team effort. It was because of our trust in each other that we were able to see it all through to the end."
"Yeah…hopefully now people will put more faith into the courts again. Still, I can't believe Fulbright and the bailiff were Dark Garden members." Lan said. "And former contestants on Danganronpa."
"The 35th season…I do remember that one. There was gonna be a big season finale but it ended up being cancelled cause James said both remaining contestants committed suicide." Tsumugi said.
"It was likely a cover up for how Dark Garden pulled them out." Phoenix said. "Still, I never thought a phenomenon from another world would be the reason why this all happened in the first place."
"Terastalization… that phenomenon is common in the Paldea Region, isn't it?" Hope asked. "How could Tera Crystals find their way onto this world's moon?"
"Dimensional rifts, maybe?" Glimmer suggested.
"Maybe…or maybe something like we did." Tails said.
"You mean…time travel?!" Nami said.
"Stranger things have happened." Scarlet shrugged. "Eh…I suppose we'll find out sooner or later."
"Well…only way to learn the truth…is to go to the source." Rainbow said.
"Guess we're headed to Paldea sooner than we think." Hope said. "It should be ready to open to the public by the time we're back in the present. And honestly? I can't wait to explore it!"
"I could not agree more with you, Hope." Double D said. "An expansive region full of Pokémon, rich environments, and a unique phenomena? It's truly a wondrous opportunity for all of us!"
"Well, almost all of us." Mark spoke up. "You know I'm not exactly into the Pokémon life, but I'm glad you guys are excited."
"Oh, c'mon, Mark! The whole reason we're gonna head to Paldea also is to get ready for the new Perfect Link Tournament. Lots of contestants are being shown already. And heck, we were thinking of inviting our friends from the "other side" to participate too." Hope said.
"And I'll be glad to see them." Mark nodded. "But I don't have a Perfect Link and, no offense, but I'm not really looking for one. I just don't feel the need to-"
"Hey, Mark!" a voice said as ZS ran into the lobby, causing Phoenix, Apollo, and Athena to scream.
"Is that a zombie?!" Apollo yelled.
"Dont worry, he's harmless! He's not here to eat any brains!" Scorpia assured.
"ZS, what the hell are you doing out here?!" Mark said to the zombie. "We told you to stay on the ship, you draw too much attention!"
"I know, but…this email came from your mom, and your phone was off." ZS said, handing the half-angel his phone.
"Oh, because of the trial…" Mark said as he took the phone. "Alright, let's see… 'Dear Marky, how're you doing, things are great here, heard about the whole BLT 2 thing, blah blah blah…but the time you get there, you'll be a-" he said before he stopped, his eyes widening and his jaw practically on the floor.
"Uh…is he okay?" Ochako asked.
Eddy then took the phone out of Mark's hands. "By the time you get there, you'll be a…BIG BROTHER?!" Eddy exclaimed.
"WHHHAAAAAATTTT?!" the entire group exclaimed in unison.
That was enough to break Mark out of his shock, as his face broke out into the widest grin aryone had ever seen. "A baby sister…I'm getting a baby sister!" he said as he grabbed his fellow group leaders in a vice grip hug and spun them around. "I'm going to be a big brother!"
"Yeah, I know you're excited…!" Hope said. "...But could you maybe stop before we get dizzy?!"
"Oh! Sorry!" Mark said, letting them go. "Oh my gosh, this is amazing! I gotta…I gotta…I gotta get in! The tournament! I have to get in that tournament!"
"What happened to not feeling the need…?" Dan asked.
"Paldea! Link! Find! GO!" Mark said as he ran out of the lobby, laughing and whooping all the way.
"...I'll get the rope, you hold him down?" Scarlet asked Jexi.
"I'll do you one better." Jexi said as he cracked his knuckles before dashing out the lobby and towards Mark, landing a punch to the face as the half-angel fell over. "There. Now he'll sleep easy during the trip."
"Well, that takes care of that." David said before he turned to Phoenix. "Well, I guess this is goodbye for now."
"I suppose so." Phoenix nodded. "Thank you for your help. There's still a lot of work to do to restore the people's faith in courts…but we can handle it from here."
"And if you ever need us…give us a call." Apollo said. "We'll be sure to help each other out in the future."
"Or maybe earlier than that…." Hope said to himself.
"Good luck at this…Link thing!" Athena said. "But…are you sure you guys don't wanna stick around? We were thinking of having a big party to celebrate." Athena said.
"Huh?" Phoenix asked.
"We were gonna hit up Eldoon's for some noodles, and Mr. Wright was gonna pay the bill. And you guys and all the others involved with the case. The more the merrier right?"
"Uh…" Hope said looking to Phoenix. "There's… really only one thing you and all of us can say to this."
"...Yeah. You're right." Phoenix nodded.
"Only if I get to join in!" Apollo said.
"Hey, no fair! I want to say it, too!" Athena said.
"Okay, here we go...!" Phoenix said as he, Apollo, Athena and everyone in the alliance all joined together in saying:
OBJECTION!
*Phoenix's Narration: Through the years, I've seen as much joy as heartache, honesty as deceit. But just as Mr. Starbuck was able to escape the harsh pull of his fears and despair... I believe that hope and friendship can lift us all up towards a brighter tomorrow.*
To be continued…