"Wright." A gentle hand shakes Phoenix's shoulder and he blinks blearily into awareness.

"E-Edgeworth! What is- It's the trial today! Am I late already?" Phoenix pushes himself upright.

"You have time, if you feel well enough to go." Edgeworth gives him a pointed look, already all dressed and ready for court.

"Yes, of course I'll be there! My client is counting on me, I can't just abandon him."

Edgeworth looks no less skeptical as he helps Phoenix hobble out of bed, and onto his crutches. There's already hot tea and toast and his antibiotic waiting in the kitchen and as Phoenix scarfes down the first few bites and singes his tongue on the tea, he notices that he still has a couple of hours to spare.

"It's still early!" Phoenix protests.

Edgeworth glares at him. "Of course, it wouldn't do for you to oversleep and miss the trial."

"Th-thank you. But you really gave me a fright!"

Edgeworth doesn't dignify Phoenix with a response.

The rest of Phoenix's preparations pass at a more leisurely pace, and soon enough it's time to hurry out the door and hope that he has all the files he needs.

Somehow, they still make it to the courthouse early, before Phoenix's client has even been brought out of detention - an advantage of not having to wait for the bus. While they wait, Phoenix sits down on the sofa in the defendants' lobby, flipping back through his notes on the case in an attempt to ease his pre-trial nerves. Edgeworth looms over his shoulder, not looking much more relaxed, even though it isn't his case.

Finally, Professor Oak arrives, a little worse for the wear from a few days in detention. Phoenix gives what he hopes is an encouraging smile, like Mia taught him. And then the judge calls the court into session.

Phoenix is surprised that Edgeworth follows him out to the defense side of the courtroom rather than going up into the gallery or back home. Edgeworth pulls out a chair for Phoenix and stays next to him, taking Maya's usual place at the table. It's not exactly the circumstances he would have chosen, but Phoenix can't help but smile at the thought of them actually working together.

"Order!" The judge pounds his gavel. "The court is now in session for the trial of Professor Solomon Oak. Is the defense ready?"

"Yes, your honor," Phoenix declares, hastily pushing himself upright on one foot.

The judge gives him a skeptical look, but doesn't object, and instead turns to the other side of the courtroom. "Is the prosecution ready?"

"Yes, your honor." Standing at the table is Prosecutor Winston Payne, balding and gray, looking as displeased as ever to be there.

Edgeworth glares at him across the courtroom and mutters, "He must be the only prosecutor left to have gotten this case, and it's only because he's not high-profile enough to be caught in the upheaval."

Phoenix winces. He can't deny that upheaval is mostly his fault for revealing Police Chief Gant and Chief Prosecutor Skye's evidence tampering.

"Mr. Payne, your opening statement please," the judge says.

"Yes, your honor. I am sure you have seen the defendant's signed confession. In it, he admits to the premeditated murder of his junior colleague. There is therefore no question of the defendant's guilt, and any attempt by the defense to pretend otherwise is nothing more than delusion."

Phoenix bites back a premature objection.

The judge nods along. "It does seem that way, doesn't it? Very well, Mr. Payne, you may call your first, and presumably only witness to the stand."

"With pleasure, your honor. The prosecution calls Officer Jenny."

The officer with bright blue hair who was guarding the crime scene at the zoo, takes the stand.

"Witness, please state your name and occupation for the court."

"My name is Jennifer Jenny. I'm a police officer, stationed at the Kanto Regional Zoo." She stands tall and firmly faces the court, unintimidated.

"Please tell us about your interview with the defendant."

"Yes, sir. We got a call on the emergency line from the defendant at 8:16 in the evening on the day of the incident, reporting that Professor Elm, the victim, had been found dead by the crocodile exhibit. We hurried over to the scene and, as is typical procedure, brought in all of the witnesses for questioning, including the defendant. Initially, he insisted that he had nothing to do with the crime and had only found the victim's body, but when it became clear how much evidence there was against him, he relented and signed a confession."

"Which has already been submitted to the court as evidence," Mr. Payne adds.

"Well, that seems to settle it," the judge says. "I'm prepared to pass a verdict now and we can all go home early, unless-"

"Objection!" Phoenix shouts, stumbling as he tries to pound the table and push himself upright in a single motion. "The defense insists on using its right to cross-examination."

The judge sighs. "Mr. Wright, you'd better have a good reason for this."

Phoenix steadies himself on one foot, his hands planted on the table as much for support as emphasis. "It is the defense's belief that my client was pressured into signing a false confession and that he is in fact innocent of all charges."

"That is a serious accusation, Mr. Wright. You have the right to cross-examine the witness, but I will not tolerate any attempts at defamation in this court. Do you understand, Mr. Wright?"

"Thank you, your honor. There's just something a little strange about this testimony that I'd like to clear up."

The judge shakes his head, already exasperated.

"Officer, you said that my client was the one who reported finding Professor Elm's body. Why would he do that if he was the one who killed him?"

"Maybe he thought it would redirect suspicion from himself," Officer Jenny says.

"Wouldn't it be better not to be found at the scene of the crime at all?" Phoenix presses.

"Objection! Why should the witness know what the defendant was thinking?" Payne interrupts, his voice grating.

Officer Jenny answers anyway with a shrug, "Criminals make mistakes like that all the time."

The judge pounds his gavel to regain control of the courtroom. "Are you going somewhere with your questioning, Mr. Wright?"

Phoenix wobbles on his good leg and braces himself on the desk. "Of course, your honor, I was just getting there! Officer Jenny, you said that initially my client insisted he was innocent, how exactly did you convince him to change his mind?"

"I talked with him, sir. I explained that there are witnesses who saw him murder the victim, and that there was no use in concealing his crime; that he would only make things worse for himself if he did."

"Hold it! Even if he had committed the crime, wouldn't it be better for him not to sign a confession? What did you tell him that made him think it would be worse for him if he didn't sign it?"

"It is common procedure, sir, to encourage suspects to cooperate by informing them that they may be able to get a lighter sentence if they tell the truth."

"That is, if they sign a confession? Only the courts can decide guilt."

"Yes, sir, but someone who's innocent should have nothing to fear."

"Hold it! Didn't you just say you convinced my client his case was hopeless to get him to sign the confession? Wouldn't that affect someone who was innocent just as much as someone who's guilty?"

"Objection!" Mr. Payne shouts. "My inexperienced opponent is just grasping at straws. The important thing is that the defendant signed this confession and admitted his guilt!"

Phoenix jumps on it. "About that confession, Officer, did my client really write it himself?"

"No, sir, it's standard procedure for the officer in charge of the case to transcribe the suspect's confession."

"Are you sure my client really said this? The confession is written in very formal language. It's hard to imagine a person talking like this."

"Not word for word, sir, but-"

Phoenix interrupts, "If these aren't the defendant's words, whose are they? Did you just write out your theory of the case and have him sign it?"

"Objection!" Mr. Payne shouts again. "You won't get away with badgering my witnesses, Mr. Wright, especially on matters that have no bearing on the case!"

"Objection!" Phoenix shouts back. "I've just shown that this confession isn't even my client's own words and he only signed it under duress. For all we know, his signature was just pasted on something he didn't even get to read."

The judge pounds his gavel. "Order! ORDER! Mr. Wright, I said it before, I will not have you making such accusations in my court! If you're not careful-"

"Excuse me, your honor," Edgeworth interrupts, every inch the polished prosecutor. "May I ask the witness a single question which may help illuminate the matter?"

"Very well, Mr. Edgeworth-"

"Objection!" Mr. Payne cuts off the judge. "Your honor, Prosecutor Edgeworth is currently on probation from the Prosecutor's Office for evidence tampering."

"Yes, let Mr. Edgeworth's record be known to the court. Mr. Wright, as chief of the defense, you are held responsible for all of your co-counsel's actions."

"I understand," Phoenix says, glancing between Edgeworth and the judge.

"Mr. Edgeworth, you may proceed."

Edgeworth's pained expression immediately smoothes away as he faces the court. "Thank you, your honor. Officer Jenny, you mentioned that the defendant was held for questioning after the incident. For approximately how long was he held before he signed the confession?"

"Twenty-six hours, sir," Officer Jenny replies promptly.

"Are you aware, Officer, of a recent study which found that 84% of false confessions occur after only six hours of questioning, and recommends that confessions after interrogations that last longer than twelve hours should be inadmissible in court?"

"Objection!" Mr. Payne shouts. "The defense is just trying to confuse matters! This has no bearing on the fact that the defendant signed the confession!"

"Objection!" Phoenix shouts back, getting a second wind. "Would you be in your right mind after twenty-six hours of questioning?"

The judge silences the suddenly excited galley with a pound of his gavel. "This court has entertained many of your theories, Mr. Wright, but unless you can present evidence of your client's innocence, I have no choice but to deliver a sentence now."

Phoenix can feel sweat beginning to bead on his forehead, and not just from standing on one foot for so long, but he can't let his client down. "Of course I have evidence, your honor! I can prove that Professor Oak had no motive to commit this crime! Officer Jenny, are you aware that a rare crocodile was stolen from the victim's office?"

It's just a rhetorical question, but before she can answer, Edgeworth interrupts, "Wright, we can't afford to waste the judge's time."

"Whose side are you on?" Phoenix demands.

"Do you have any evidence that the theft has anything to do with the murder?" Edgeworth is looking at Phoenix like they might as well be on opposite sides of the courtroom, his arms crossed disapprovingly.

"Hold it! Are you suggesting that it's just a coincidence that the crocodile was stolen around the same time as Professor Elm was murdered?"

Edgeworth's expression turns smug. "Can you prove that it wasn't a coincidence?"

"Objection!" Mr. Payne shouts. "I'm the prosecutor in this case, not Mr. Edgeworth!"

"Yes, if the defense would please stop debating with itself and address the court," the judge says.

"You may have a motive, but you also need means and opportunity," Edgeworth concludes with an ironic half-smile.

"Hold it!" Phoenix exclaims as it hits him. "The murder weapon was a small catchpole, correct?"

"Yes, sir," Officer Jenny says.

"Was it by any chance taken from Professor Elm's office?"

"Yes, sir, in fact it was."

"Objection!" Mr. Payne shouts again. "There is no reason the defendant couldn't have easily obtained a catchpole from the victim's office."

"Objection!" Phoenix shouts back. "That's not what it says in the signed confession, which was written before the murder weapon was discovered!"

"Order!" The judge interrupts, pounding his gavel as the courtroom erupts into chatter once more. "Very well, Mr. Wright, you've made your point. Does the prosecution have more witnesses it can call to prove whether it was in fact the defendant who killed Professor Elm?"

"Y-yes, your honor," Mr. Payne says, but he doesn't sound too happy about it.

"This court will adjourn for a thirty minute recess and then the prosecution will call its next witness!" The judge pounds his gavel, dismissing the court.

As the gallery slowly filters out, chattering among themselves, Phoenix slowly removes his hands from the desk, sore from holding him up, and grabs onto Edgeworth's already outstretched arms for dear life, as he wobbles precariously on his good foot.

"How are you feeling?" Edgeworth asks, his voice low, but sharp. "You could have stayed seated."

Phoenix's leg and arms agree, but he shakes his head. "I had to give it my all for my client's sake. I'll be okay."

However, he's grateful to have Edgeworth's help as he totters back to the defendant's lobby for a brief recess.


Thirty minutes later, the judge pounds his gavel. "The court is back in session for the trial of Professor Solomon Oak. The prosecution may call their next witness."

"Thank you, your honor," Mr. Payne says. "The prosecution calls Jessie Jaimes and James Jesse."

A man with bright blue hair, and a woman with long, bright red hair, in matching crop tops and shorts come up to the stand.

"Please state your names and occupations for the court."

"I'm Jessie!" the woman declares with a jump and a wave of her arm, like a cheerleader.

"I'm James!" The man jumps next to her, waving his arm to the other side.

"Surrender now or prepare to fight!" They both give Phoenix a worrying look.

"And your occupations," Mr. Payne attempts.

"Hold it!" Phoenix interrupts, jumping back onto his foot, which aches in protest. "You! I saw you sneaking around at the zoo yesterday!"

"If anyone was sneaking around, Mr. Lawyer," James says.

"It was you," Jessie concludes.

"Order!" The judge pounds his gavel before Mr. Payne even has a chance to object. "The defense will wait for cross-examination to badger the witnesses."

Phoenix reluctantly sits back down, with some help from Edgeworth.

"Thank you, your honor," Mr. Payne says. "I'm afraid my inexperienced opponent has forgotten how to conduct himself in a courtroom. Witnesses, please tell us what you saw on the day of the incident."

"Well, we were just looking at the crocodiles at the zoo," James begins.

"Then we saw this old guy with a terrible fashion sense." Jessie points at Professor Oak in the defendant's chair, leaving no shadow of a doubt.

"There were two of them, one old and one young, in those dreadful lab coats."

Jessie pushes in front of James. "They were having a terrible argument!"

James pushes back. "You should have heard the shouting."

"And then a fight broke out!" Jessie clutches her chest. "It was so dreadful, I could barely watch!"

"But we saw the old man pull out the weapon, and then it was all over." James draws a finger across his neck.

"Thank you," the judge says. "It must say that seems pretty decisive to me, but I presume the defense would like to proceed with cross examination?"

"Yes, your honor," Phoenix says, though he stays seated, for now at least. "You said that you saw a fight break out between the defendant and the victim?"

"Yes, it was terrible!" Jessie says.

"You wouldn't have thought the old man had it in him, but it just goes to show." James sadly shakes his head.

"That's very interesting, because the autopsy report I have right here says there wasn't any evidence of a struggle." Phoenix holds up the document as though the whole court might be able to read it.

"Can you explain that?" the judge asks.

James shrugs. "He's an old man, maybe he doesn't hit very hard."

"Hold it!" Phoenix pushes himself up onto his foot. "You just said you were surprised by the defendant's strength. Which was it, tame or terrible?"

"Objection!" Payne shouts. "How should the witnesses know how hard the defendant hit the victim?"

"Objection!" Phoenix shouts back. "The autopsy report says there's no evidence of a fight at all."

The judge pounds his gavel. "The defense makes a good point. What did the witnesses really see?"

"What I want to know," Phoenix interrupts before he loses his chance, "is why they were at the zoo at all. The incident occurred around eight in the evening, after the zoo was closed to visitors. I find it highly suspicious that these two shady individuals happened to be trespassing and just passed by the crocodile at the time when Professor Elm was murdered."

"What were you doing at the zoo after closing?" the judge asks, as though he didn't even pause to think it was strange until Phoenix mentioned it.

The witnesses glance frantically between themselves.

"We were just visiting!" Jessie exclaims.

"And got lost on our way out," James hastily adds.

"Hold it! You were lost for three hours after the zoo closed?" Phoenix asks.

"It's a big zoo!"

"Do you have any evidence that you arrived at the zoo while it was open, such as a pay stub?" Edgeworth says with a shake of his head - Phoenix hadn't even noticed him standing up.

"Well…" James begins.

"Objection!" Payne shouts. "How is this relevant to the fact that the witnesses saw the murder?"

"Objection! It is of the utmost relevance! I've already shown that the witnesses are lying about what they saw, and I think I know why!"

"What are you suggesting, Mr. Wright?" the judge asks warily.

"You came to the zoo after hours for a reason, didn't you?" Phoenix presses. "You were there to steal a rare crocodile, but Professor Elm got in your way."

"Objection!" Payne shouts.

"Sustained," the judge rules without waiting for an explanation. "Mr. Wright, you cannot accuse a witness without evidence to back it up."

Phoenix glances at Edgeworth, still standing beside him, before facing the judge. "I have evidence, your honor. During our investigation, we encountered the witnesses in an off-limits area of the zoo, disguised as interns. They were sneaking near Professor Elm's office, where the crocodile was discovered missing! What else could they have been doing there, other than cleaning up their tracks?"

"Objection!" Payne shouts again. "If either of them was the culprit, how could they be mistaken about whether or not there was a fight?"

"Do you have any explanation for that, Mr. Wright?" the judge asks.

"I… Uh…" Phoenix falters.

"Still, Mr. Wright has raised some serious concerns about the witnesses' testimony. Mr. Payne, do you have any explanation for what the witnesses were doing at the zoo when they claim to have witnessed the crime."

"It's hardly relevant, your honor!" Payne protests.

"I don't want to deliver a verdict when such important questions are still unanswered. Mr. Payne, I expect you to investigate further so that we may have a complete picture of the case when court reconvenes tomorrow." The judge pounds his gavel. "The court is adjourned."

Phoenix slumps back into his chair, sweaty and sore.

"Wright." Edgeworth glares at him.

Phoenix waves it off. "I'm fine, just give me a minute."

Edgeworth turns away as Phoenix catches his breath.

On the other side of the courtroom, a man in a lab coat with wild, almost orange hair, berates Jessie and James as they step away from the witness's stand, "What were you idiots thinking? If you're not careful it'll be your necks on the line!"

Phoenix can't help pitying them a little, even though they probably murdered a man over a rare crocodile.

"Thank you, Mr. Wright!" Professor Oak says, coming over to the defense table, and Phoenix hastily pushes himself upright to shake the professor's hand. "I don't know what would have happened to me without your help!"

"I'm just doing my job," Phoenix says. "Hopefully I'll be able to do more tomorrow to prove your innocence!"

Before they can say anything more, the guards come to take Professor Oak back to detention.

Phoenix grabs Edgeworth's arm as his one good foot begins to wobble, and with a little help he picks back up his crutches to hobble back to Edgeworth's car.

"I should have expected you would eke through," Edgeworth says as they head down to the courthouse parking lot, still not looking at Phoenix.

"Thanks, Edgeworth," Phoenix retorts, but he suspects there's a compliment buried in there somewhere.


From the courthouse, Edgeworth drives Phoenix to the Criminal Affairs Office. Detective Gumshoe is already there, waiting for them.

"Mr. Edgeworth!" Gumshoe hurries to the door to the detectives' office to let them in. "Mr. Wright, how's your foot?"

Edgeworth interrupts before Phoenix can wave off his concern, "We're not here to exchange niceties."

"Sorry, sir. What was it you needed?"

Edgeworth lays out Jessie and James's profiles on the desk. "We need to know everything you can tell us about these two individuals."

"Right away, sir!" Gumshoe waves them over to the computer with a grin and opens up a database that Phoenix can barely begin to decipher.

Meanwhile, Edgeworth pulls out a chair with a somewhat imperious, "Wright."

He's not wrong, and Phoenix lets Edgeworth help him off the crutches, into the chair.

"Got it!" Gumshoe exclaims, just as Phoenix sits down. "Jessie Jaimes and James Jesse." He scrolls down through the page. "I hope you're not defending them, Mr. Wright, because they both have some record! I don't know how many times they've come in as witnesses, and they've been suspected of all kinds of thefts."

"Like a rare crocodile?" Phoenix says.

"Now that you mention it, they seem to have a taste for exotic animals. But it doesn't look like they've ever killed anyone. And that's strange…"

"What is it?" Edgeworth demands.

"Well, sir, they've been suspected of all sorts of things, but they've only been convicted of anything a handful of times. There's always been some witness to give 'em a rock-solid alibi."

"Butch Sundance and Cassidy Kidd," Edgeworth reads, looming over Gumshoe's shoulder. "Chief Prosecutor Skye was investigating them before..."

Gumshoe scrolls back through the database. "Aha! I've got 'em, sir! Mr. Sundance and Ms. Kidd are suspected of being involved in the Rocket Gang. Looks like mostly trafficking rare animals."

"That settles the motive!" Phoenix says.

Edgeworth looks less than pleased. "I expect a full report on Ms. Jaimes and Mr. Jesse and their connections to the Rocket Gang when we arrive at the courthouse tomorrow morning."

"Yes, sir!" Gumshoe says.

Edgeworth helps Phoenix back up onto his crutches, and Gumshoe shows them to the door.

"Thank you, detective," Phoenix says, because Edgeworth clearly isn't going to say it.

"At your service," Gumshoe says. "Take care, Mr. Edgeworth, Mr. Wright!"


Phoenix doesn't argue as Edgeworth drives them back to his apartment. Detective Gumshoe is on the investigation, the most Phoenix can do now is make sure he's ready for court tomorrow, mentally and physically.

After a bit of rest and dinner, both Phoenix and Edgeworth settle in the living room for what will probably be a long night, the sky outside already dark. Phoenix lies on the sofa with his legs elevated and files strewn around him and onto the coffee table. Edgeworth sits in the chair next to him with a cup of tea and a file of his own to peruse.

"It has to be those shady witnesses," Phoenix insists. "Who else could it be?"

"The defendant," Edgeworth retorts.

"Hold it! What motive could he possibly have to kill his junior colleague?" Phoenix cranes his neck over his pillow and the arm of the couch to face Edgeworth.

Edgeworth shakes his head. "By his own admission, the defendant argued with the victim on the day of the crime."

"Objection! He said that was earlier in the day, and just being a little disorganized is hardly a reason to come to blows, let alone kill someone!"

Edgeworth glares at Phoenix and the growing area of disorder around him, and says, "Objection. You only have the defendant's word that the argument was about the victim's disorderly habits."

"Objection! Don't forget the stolen crocodile! I don't believe that it could be a coincidence. Professor Elm must have run into the thief, and been killed before he could sound the alarm!"

"Objection." Edgeworth turns away. "Mr. Payne may be the worst kind of prosecutor, but he's right. It's a pretty theory, Wright, but it's riddled with holes."

Phoenix isn't exactly rushing to his opponent's defense, but he has to point out, "I'm pretty sure I've met worse prosecutors."

"You've surely heard his philosophy. All he cares about is winning, but he doesn't even have the skill to do that. How else do you think he earned the reputation for being a 'rookie killer'?"

Phoenix pushes the files aside and carefully maneuvers into a sitting position so he can look at Edgeworth properly, even though Edgeworth still won't meet his eyes.

"At least he's still prosecuting no matter how many times he's lost." It comes out more pointed than Phoenix intends and Edgeworth winces.

"You won and yet you still refused to take any clients after defending me," Edgeworth says, looking sharply away.

It takes Phoenix a moment to realize what Edgeworth is talking about, it's so far from the response he expected. "It isn't- I just didn't feel up to it. You know, Maya left the morning after your trial to resume her training. She felt like even though we won she hadn't done enough to help, and maybe I felt the same."

"You did more than enough."

"Then why did things just go back to the way they were before?" Phoenix can't quite keep the frustration from his voice. "Maybe it was naive of me, but I thought after that after all that maybe we could be friends again, or something, but then… nothing."

"You could have seen me in court."

"Well, yeah, but-" Phoenix struggles to find the words.

Edgeworth interrupts him, "You won't get anywhere in court tomorrow with such a flimsy argument."

Phoenix is a little disappointed by the change in subject, but Edgeworth isn't wrong. Phoenix has a client depending on him, and he's not ready.

"Objection," Phoenix declares belatedly. "What else could the witnesses have been doing at the zoo at the time of the crime?"

Edgeworth shakes his head. "You were the one who proved based on their testimony that they couldn't have witnessed the murder. If they had committed it, they would be even less likely to make such an obvious mistake."

"Hold it! But if they aren't the culprits, why would they lie to testify against Professor Oak? Wouldn't it be better for them to pretend they hadn't been at the zoo at all?"

"Objection! The fact remains that the witnesses couldn't have seen or committed the murder." Edgeworth smirks.

"Objection! But don't you see how something isn't adding up? They couldn't have murdered the victim, but they can't have not done it either…"

"Wright, you're talking nonsense," Edgeworth says, but there's something about the look in his eye that goads Phoenix on.

"Unless… It's like Mia always said, we have to think outside the box. Assuming they're lying, they must be doing it for some reason… They must be defending the real culprit."

"Presumably another member of the Rocket Gang," Edgeworth concludes, as though it was obvious all along.

Phoenix grins, his heart still racing with their success. It's different from arguing across the courtroom. Edgeworth is a lot closer than he expects, his direct, confident gaze surprisingly intense. Phoenix has an impulse to close the distance, but he pushes it down.

Instead, Phoenix says, "And thanks to you, Detective Gumshoe should have the Rocket Gang covered!"

"With Gumshoe's record, you shouldn't rely on it," Edgeworth says sharply, but there's still a hint of a smirk across his lips, and under the circumstances it's more enticing than annoying. "However, somehow you always manage to stumble your way to the truth."

"Hey, it's not all stumbling," Phoenix insists, but he can't bring himself to mind the backhanded compliment.

Edgeworth only shakes his head. "You should rest, or you'll be even less coherent than usual in court tomorrow."

"What about you? I can't have an incoherent co-counsel."

Edgeworth glares at Phoenix, but he puts aside his teacup to stand and gather the files strewn across the coffee table.

Phoenix picks up the files on the couch and passes them over to Edgeworth, who proceeds to reorganize them before putting them all in a pile for tomorrow.

"You'd be surprised how coherent I can be without sleep," Phoenix remarks as he follows Edgeworth into the kitchen to put away the teacups. "You don't want to know how sleep-deprived I was for the bar exam, but I still passed."

Edgeworth scoffs. "Frantic studying is the sign of an unprepared mind." There's something in his tone that reminds Phoenix distinctly of Von Karma, and Edgeworth seems to feel it too, as he suddenly falls silent.

With his hands occupied by the crutches, Phoenix gently bumps his shoulder against Edgeworth's in what he hopes is a reassuring way. "Somehow we both made it."

Edgeworth quietly washes the teacups and puts them away, and then they head back to Edgeworth's bedroom, turning out the lights as they go. Edgeworth gives Phoenix a hand to help him off the crutches and sit down on the edge of the bed, and then they each turn away to change.

As Phoenix unbuttons his shirt, he almost doesn't hear Edgeworth say, "It's a good thing that you made it."

Phoenix shrugs off his shirt with a sigh. "I'm just sorry it turned out this way."

Edgeworth doesn't say anything more as they both finish changing into their nightclothes, and Phoenix doesn't expect him to. When they've both given the all clear, Edgeworth makes sure Phoenix is comfortable with a painkiller and his foot elevated, and then he lies down on the other side of the bed, leaving Phoenix more than enough space. Phoenix tentatively reaches out a hand and rests it on Edgeworth's arm in a silent reassurance, and Edgeworth leans ever so slightly into the touch.

Eventually, Phoenix drifts off into sleep.


Phoenix and Edgeworth arrive at the courthouse early again the next day. The lobby is still fairly quiet; mostly just the police officers standing guard, though Ash and Gary are already loitering by the door, waiting for Professor Oak. The teenagers follow Phoenix and Edgeworth inside.

"Do you think the Professor 'll be okay?" Ash asks. "You'll show them he's innocent, right?"

"You'd better do better this time," Gary says.

Phoenix can't exactly argue with them, but he's grateful for the interruption as Detective Gumshoe bursts into the lobby not far behind.

Gumshoe stops in front of them and doubles over, panting. "Sorry 'm late. I did everything I could, but the Rocket Gang's slippery. Even Chief Prosecutor Skye didn't get far with 'em. I couldn't get anything else on Jaimes or Jesse."

Edgeworth shakes his head in disappointment. "They're only accomplices, covering for the culprit. What we need is their associate."

"What'd you mean, only accomplices?" Ash says. "I thought you said yesterday that they were the ones who did it!"

"There must have been someone else with them who actually murdered Professor Elm," Phoenix explains. "It's the only thing that makes sense with the evidence. Did either of you see anyone at the zoo that day who shouldn't have been there? Any other new interns?"

"You mean like that shady old professor with the crazy hair?" Gary says.

"Who?"

"He was shouting at those stupid newbies after the trial yesterday. I saw him at the zoo the other day, arguing with my grandfather about something."

"The day of the murder? Why didn't you say anything before?" Phoenix demands.

Gary shrugs. "How was I supposed to know he had anything to do with anything?"

"Who is he?"

"Why should I know? I never saw him before."

Of course, things are never so simple, Phoenix only hopes he won't have to try to get information out of Gary on the stand.

Finally, Professor Oak arrives, escorted in from detention by a pair of guards. Phoenix, Edgeworth, Gumshoe, Ash and Gary all follow him into the defendant's lobby.

"Gary said that you were arguing with another professor on the day of the murder," Phoenix says urgently, "not Professor Elm, someone who doesn't work at the zoo. I think he was at the trial the other day."

"A professor?" Oak asks, bewildered. And then he puts the pieces together. "You mean Dr. Namba? Daysar Namba, I think his name was. I don't know much about him, he just said he was visiting from a private zoo and wanted to talk about our collection. He didn't even schedule a meeting. I'm afraid I could have been more polite to him, but it was a busy day. Why, you don't think he has anything to do with what happened to Ulysses?"

Phoenix and Edgeworth exchange a glance.

"Gumshoe, you're fortunate to have a second chance," Edgeworth declares, the "don't you dare mess it up" is left implied.

"Yes, sir, I won't let you down!" Gumshoe races off.

The rest is left to Phoenix and Edgeworth, as the judge arrives and the trial resumes.

"Order!" The judge pounds his gavel. "The court is back in session for the trial of Professor Solomon Oak."

Before he can ask if the defense is ready, Prosecutor Payne interrupts, "Your honor, the prosecution moves to call for a verdict without any further delay. We have no more witnesses to call and believe more than sufficient evidence for a guilty verdict has been presented. My inexperienced opponent's farce of a trial has gone on long enough."

"Objection!" Phoenix shouts jumping up and pounding on the table, even as his good foot protests, sore from the previous day. "The trial was extended to give the prosecution a chance to investigate further. If you haven't done your job, then it's a good thing we can fill in some of the gaps. The defense would like to submit the criminal records of witnesses Jessie Jaimes and James Jesse to evidence."

"Objection!" Payne shouts. "The defense is making another desperate attempt to obfuscate what is in fact a perfectly clear-cut case. Don't forget, your honor, that the defendant has already confessed to his crime."

"Objection! We already proved that the confession can't be trusted and there are still questions left unanswered about what happened on the day of the crime!"

The judge pounds his gavel to call for silence. "Unless you have any conclusive evidence, then it's past time I delivered a verdict."

"Of course, I have evidence, your honor. In the trial yesterday, it was presumed that there were only two witnesses to the crime, however, both the defendant and zoo intern, Gary Oak, can testify that they saw an associate of Ms. Jaimes and Mr. Jesse at the zoo that evening. We ask that the prosecution call Dr. Daysar Namba to the stand."

"Objection!" Payne shouts. "This has nothing to do with the crime."

"Objection! It has everything to do with the crime! Ms. Jaimes and Mr. Jesse's testimony proves that they couldn't have witnessed or committed the crime, but then what motive could they have to lie and incriminate an innocent professor, except to protect the true criminal?"

"Objection! This is all wild speculation by an amateur attorney who hasn't learned when to quit!"

"Do you have any evidence to support your allegation, Mr. Wright?" the judge asks wearily.

"Of course, your honor, the criminal records of Ms. Jaimes and Mr. Jesse. If you'll notice, they've served as suspects and witnesses in an unusually high number of cases, and have connections to suspected members of the Rocket Gang, which is especially infamous for trafficking rare animals. This is where Dr. Namba fits in. On page four, you can see that they've served as witnesses to provide an alibi for him before."

"Objection! Your honor, this is all highly suspect, circumstantial evidence."

"Objection!" Edgeworth stands beside Phoenix. "Unanswered questions remain. It is our duty in a court of law to see this matter through to the end."

Phoenix's heart swells with a mix of pride and admiration.

The judge sighs. "Very well, Prosecutor Payne, is it possible for you to call Dr. Namba to the stand."

"Y-your honor," Payne protests, "we would have to find this Dr. Namba, if he in fact exists, and deliver a subpoena. It would extend the trial into another day at least, all for the defense's hunch."

"Hold it!" Phoenix shouts. "That will hardly be necessary. Dr. Namba is already here in this very courtroom!"

The judge pounds his gavel to silence the galley. "Order!"

Resigned, Payne says, "The prosecution calls Dr. Daysar Namba to the stand, for all the good it will do."

The bailiff brings forward a man in a lab coat with tufts of wild, almost orange hair, who Phoenix had seen the day before shouting at the witnesses.

"Your name and occupation, please?" Payne says.

"You all know all that, let's get this over with," Dr. Namba grumbles.

"I agree that this is a waste of time," Payne says with a glare at Phoenix, "but we need your name and occupation for the court."

"Dr. Daysar Namba. I'm a scientist, working for private zoos, like I told Professor Oak." His voice is almost painfully scratchy.

"What were you doing at the zoo? If you were there at all."

"I was at the zoo that day, but I didn't see any murder. Those two fools were there as my assistants. I had come to meet with Professor Oak about a recent discovery of his that I hoped we could all benefit from. The last thing I wanted was to make a stir. Private zoos are a delicate business; like any collectors you have to be careful not to let the competition know what you're after."

"As you can see, your honor, this has nothing to do with the crime. My opponent is just stalling for time rather than admit he's been beat."

"Objection!" Phoenix shouts. "The defense insists on cross-examining the witness."

"Yes, yes," the judge says, waving him along.

"Dr. Namba, what was this discovery you were after?"

"It would be a waste of time for me to explain it here," Dr. Namba insists.

"Try me!"

"It's a particular gene that encodes a protein which acts as pigment-"

"Objection!" Payne shouts. "This is entirely irrelevant."

"Does this discovery happen to have anything to do with a blue crocodile?" Phoenix presses.

"Possibly, homologous genes are frequently found across many species," Dr. Namba says dismissively, as though it means something to the court.

"Hold it!" Edgeworth interrupts. "Professor Oak doesn't specialize in genetics. Why didn't you attempt to speak with Professor Elm instead? Or did you?"

Phoenix shoots Edgeworth a grin.

"Why would I talk to a subordinate when I could meet with the head scientist?" Dr. Namba insists.

"Even after you were rebuffed by Professor Oak?" Phoenix says. "Or did you not see Professor Elm because you went to his office to steal the results of his research for yourself?"

"Objection!" Payne shouts. "These accusations are absurd!"

"What were you doing while your assistants witnessed the murder?" Phoenix presses.

The judge pounds his gavel. "The defense will not badger the witness. Witness, what were you doing at the time of the murder?"

"I don't know what my foolish assistants were doing. After speaking with Professor Oak, I left the zoo," Dr. Namba says.

"Hold it!" Phoenix says. "Is there anyone who can testify to where you were at the time?"

"Of course. Jessie and James aren't my only assistants."

"Who are these other assistants of yours?" Edgeworth asks.

"Butch Sundance and Cassidy Kidd. You can call them now if you want and they'll confirm I wasn't anywhere near the crime scene, but last I checked I wasn't the one on trial."

"Hold it!" Edgeworth says. "I wouldn't rely on them for an alibi if I were you, Dr. Namba. Mr. Sundance and Ms. Kidd are currently under investigation for their involvement in the Rocket Gang. Any alibi they could provide would hardly hold up in court."

"Objection!" Payne shouts. "The witness isn't the one on trial and shouldn't have to tolerate these baseless accusations from a defense attorney who's still wet behind the ears, and a disgraced prosecutor. As he said, he didn't even witness the crime. The prosecution calls for a verdict immediately, before the defense has a chance to turn this into even more of a circus."

"Objection!" Phoenix shouts without pausing to think of what he's going to say.

At the same time the doors to the courtroom burst open and Gumshoe cries, "Hold it!"

The detective stands panting in the doorway, what looks like an animal trap in hand.

"Objection!" Payne shouts again. "What's the meaning of this?"

"What is the meaning of this?" the judge asks.

"Here's Professor Elm's stolen crocodile," Gumshoe says, "found at the lab of Dr. Daysar Namba. There's even blood on the outside of the cage."

"No!" Dr. Namba shouts and the courtroom erupts into chatter.

Even Phoenix has to give a silent cheer, and Edgeworth smirks back at him.

"Order! I say ORDER!" The judge pounds his gavel until the courtroom falls silent.

Dr. Namba is escorted from the stand by a pair of police officers.

"If neither side has any final arguments, then it's time I pass my verdict," the judge says. "Mr. Wright, somehow you've done it again. Professor Solomon Oak, this court finds you Not Guilty."

Gary whoops and Ash shouts and the rest of the gallery joins in cheering and clapping.

Even Edgeworth can't entirely hide a smile as his arm wraps around Phoenix's torso to help him upright.

"Congratulations!" Phoenix cheers, slinging an arm across Edgeworth's shoulders in victory and to balance himself. "Now you're a real defense attorney."

Edgeworth turns away, and Phoenix hopes it wasn't too much.

"It's your victory," Edgeworth mutters, as he helps Phoenix onto his crutches

His hand lingers on Phoenix's back as they exit the courtroom with the frazzled, now free professor and the two teenaged interns, to cheers and congratulations from all and sundry.


Note: This fic is going to take a bit of a recess before the next episode (while I do my usual December Sherlock Holmes challenge).

See you in January for Turnabout Circuit!