AN: I'm glad that you guys enjoy reading this! I didn't think anyone would bother with reading or reviewing this story so it means a lot! Hope you guys like this chapter!

Pergjithshme - Thanks a bunch! I do play a lot of a lot Ace Attorney-all of the games actually. It's been a big part of my life for the past few years, so I do my best to make sure I have the world very close to how it is in the game. I know Edgeworth's mannerisms like the back of my hand since I cosplay as him haha. And yes, no one swears much, it's just me- I swear a lot in my real life haha.

Integras- Thank you so much! I'm really flattered that you think this is one of the good self inserts! I try really hard!

HiroNinja - Thanks a lot! I'm glad you're enjoying this!

Cranky Kong - Thanks a bunch! I took your advice about using a separate line for the 'objections' and 'hold its' and it's much smoother. So thanks!

April 15th, 11:30 AM

District Courtroom, Visitors Lobby

I sighed to myself as I entered one of the many waiting rooms, with closed circuit TV. I couldn't find it, of course- I had to ask instructions from a bailiff, who seemed a bit confused that I didn't know where it was myself, being a prosecutor and all that. I made some bullshit excuse that I was just testing his ability to remember a building layout. I didn't think he bought it, though.

But it didn't matter, as I found the person I was looking for. Oldbag was sitting in one of the many cushy seats, half awake. The room didn't look much different from the other places in the court. Just a plain painted tapioca wall, some ugly paintings, some seats and a few flat screen TVs hanging up from the ceiling. I assumed this is how witnesses knew what was going on in trials.

(Well, here we go…)

"Mrs. Oldbag?"

She didn't say anything, besides snore slightly.

"MRS. OLDBAG?"

"AH!" She jolted upright, clutching her chest.

(Guess that might have been too much...)

"You, whippersnapper! What do you think you're doing scaring an old woman like that?! Do you want to give me a heart attack? I know I may look young, but I'm not able to take as many shocks as before—"

I rubbed my temple. "Look, I'm really sorry. I am. But you're going to be called to testify in fewer than 20 minutes, so I just want you to go over your claims once more."

"You don't sound very sincere," she said counting some change in an irritated fashion.

"Uh, I'm very sorry I woke you from your nap. I didn't mean to scare you?"

"Hmph! What a miserable excuse of an apology. If it were my Edgey poo, it certainly would have been more elegant and refined…"

I saw that far off look coming in. "Just, go over the testimony, please. "

(Please, before I really give you a heart attack.)

"Oh, alright, whippersnapper. It was a little past 11 o'clock. I decided to take a break from my shift at the cash register to rest my legs. I went down the back way to freshen up in the bathroom when I saw that Mann, covered in blood running out of the meat room with that bloody knife. Happy?"

I mulled it over in my head. It sounded alright. "Okay. And that's everything? Nothing you're leaving out?"

"Of course! I never miss a beat!" she huffed.

(Why do I have a feeling that that is not the case?)

I had this feeling that everything was gonna be ruined with her, but for now I guess it was fine. The only thing I could do was just go with the flow.

"Alright, I guess we're ready. They'll be calling you in soon." I said waving a hand and walking away before I could land another ear full.

I decided to head back to the prosecution's side to be ready to reenter the abyss. I spent the next 15 minutes going through facts in attempts to be more prepared, until the bailiff called me in for round two.

April 15th, 11:52 AM

District Courtroom No .5

I took my place at the prosecution's bench with all of my material organized this time around. I looked opposite me and saw my rival looking ready to go. The gallery was pretty lively too. The judge banged his gavel a few times.

"Court is now in session," he said looking serious. "Ms. Doom? I take it your witness is prepared?"

I felt a clenching in my stomach. I hoped this wouldn't last very long, but I knew better.

"Oh, yes. Definitely prepared and ready to go, Your Honor."

"Very good, let's see what this witness has to say. Bailiff!"

In a couple of minutes the bailiff entered with the demented witness, Oldbag. She took her place on the stand with this smug look of someone overly confident. The courtroom was in a murmuring mood. The judge banged the gavel a few times calling for order.

I decided to get this show on the road.

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

"Wendy Oldbag, though back in elementary school the kids would call me 'windy', and I mean what kind of nick name is that?! I would always get bullied for my name, but at least my name wasn't Di—"

HOLD IT!

"I asked for your name and occupation, not your memoir!" I said slamming my desk.

"Hmph! Whippersnapper! There's no need to be so rude about it! Back in my day we always treated our elders with respect—"

HOLD IT!

(If this wasn't a courtroom, I swear to God.)

"Please, your occupation. Your testimony is very important, so let's get to it, alright?"

"Ah, that's right. I'm just a cashier at Kum and Go." She said waving her hand as if it were no big deal.

"Please, testify about what you saw the day of the murder."

Witness Testimony

-It was a little past 11 o'clock.

-I wanted to take my break, so I went to the back to freshen up.

-That's when I saw Charlie Mann running out of the meat room cover in blood!

-He was even holding the bloody knife too!

-I know he hated Booke and was being blackmailed by him.

-So he obviously had to do it!

I twitched. She was adding in this other stuff now, which might give the attorney an opening. Goddammit, Oldbag. But admittedly, this testimony sounded solid…for now.

"Mr. Shields, I assume you want to give a cross examination of the witness. However, if you can't bring any new information to light, I'm going to end the trial. Understood?"

"Yes, Your Honor," he nodded back.

"Oh, and for the love of God, don't press her when it's not necessary. We don't need to hear her blathering!" I chimed in.

"While I don't care much for the choice of words the prosecution used, I agree. You will be penalized for pressing statements that aren't of interest to the case at hand."

"Whippersnappers, all of you!" Oldbag said chucking a handful of quarters at everyone.

Shields pushed the hat down on his head, smirking a bit. "I see how it is, Doomsday. But I won't lose this game."

Cross Examination

-It was a little past 11 o'clock.

-I wanted to take my break, so I went to the back to freshen up.

HOLD IT!

"What do you mean by the back? I know the break room is in the basement, but…"

"Oh there are two ways you can go to the lower level," she said as the holographic image appeared before the court detailing the building layout.

"Quite. You can enter if you walk down the stairs from the main entrance or use the one in the back by the store level meat department. That area is a storage area that has stairs and an elevator that go down into the basement." I elaborated.

-That's when I saw Charlie Mann running out of the meat room cover in blood!

HOLD IT!

"How did you know it wasn't blood from animal meat?" Shields asked.

Oldbag was about to answer, but I figured that was a question she shouldn't answer.

OBJECTION!

"The defendant's work clothes were soiled in blood, too fresh to be animal meat. Plus, his clothes were tested by the lab. The blood definitely belongs to the victim."

"Yeah, you don't think I could tell the difference? Hmph! I mean…"

-He was even holding the bloody knife !

HOLD IT!

"So, when you saw the knife, it looked like this?"

A screen appeared showing the knife, no blood on the blade, but only on the handle.

"You're darned tootin, whippersnapper. He was running clinging to that knife as if his life depended on it!" she smirked counting some dollar bills.

Shields raised his arms up sweating. "Hey now, let's not get carried away…"

"Don't feel too bad, it only makes sense that something like this finally happened because…"

-I know he hated Booke and was being blackmailed by him.

HOLD IT!

"How do you know for sure that he was being blackmailed?"

"Well, I've always been an expert at gathering information! Nothing gets past my ears! Ok, only once in elementary school when Sally asked if I heard something about Jimmy being her boyfriend which was all—"

OBJECTION!

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Oldbag, but can you get to the point?" the attorney asked arms raised yet again. I guessed Oldbag was a bit much for even him.

"Hmph! As if I'd ever accept a hug from the likes of you! You're not a true gentleman like my Edgey poo!"

"Edgey poo? Are you and Miles-?"

OBJECTION!

"Mr. Shields! Don't you dare even finish that sentence." I said in place of Mr. Edgeworth who was probably cringing right now.

"Mr. Shields…" began the judge growing impatient.

"Ah! I'm sorry, Your Honor! Mrs. Oldbag, please answer the question."

"Well, I'm not entirely sure what it was Booke was holding over him. But it seemed whenever Booke would mention something about candy, it would shut that whippersnapper over there right up!"

"Candy? Blackmail over candy?" asked the judge. "That's a peculiar thing to blackmail someone over…"

"That's strange…are you certain you heard right?" asked Shields.

"Yes! As weird as it was that's what I heard! I know I did!"

(It doesn't sound like she's lying, but that's weird…)

-So he obviously had to do it!

HOLD IT!

"That's not true, Charlie isn't the killer!"

"Well, where's your proof that he isn't? This testimony and the evidence are pointing at your client pretty strongly…" I pointed out.

I saw the judge nod in approval.

"That's true Mr. Shields. Everything is pointing at Mr. Mann, I can't help but think he's committed this foul deed."

"But—"

"Now, unless you have anymore questions for the, um, Oldbag that will be the end of the cross examination. Then I'll hand down my verdict."

The usually calm and cool attorney looked frustrated. I couldn't believe I had managed to back him into a wall, with Oldbag's testimony at that. I didn't know if anyone else murdered the guy, but the evidence against Mann was pretty good. I wondered what he was going to do next?

"So do you have anymore questions, Mr. Shields?"

"Uh, I want to know…why exactly you chose to use the back to head to the break room as opposed to the one at the main entry!" He was totally grasping for straws here.

"I mean, for an old lady like yourself why take the extra walk when you could get to the room faster by using the entrance?" He asked, presenting the building layout again.

"That's because…ah!" she yelled, her eyes lighting up in surprise.

(Motherfucker...don't tell me there's something else...)

"I just remembered…! I walked toward the back because that whippersnapper was cleaning the stairs to the basement level. I didn't want to get in his way."

"Who was cleaning the stairs?" Shields questioned.

"The janitor, who else?"

I was removing my glasses and rubbing my temples. I knew my ride was over, this was going to ruin my case. I was fuming.

"Who was this janitor? Was it someone on this sheet?" At that point the sign in sheet appeared on the holographic screen showing the names of a few people: Pat McGood, Jo Jo Inkos, Woody Johnson, Reed Booke, Wendy Oldbag, and Charlie Mann.

"Hm…no, it's none of those people."

"W-what?!" Shields yelled arms up.

"What the hell, Oldbag?" I pounded my bench. "Why was I not informed of this?!"

"Well, I've only just remembered!" she huffed back.

The gallery was in an uproar. The judge banged his gavel over and over.

"Order, order! Order or I will hold you in contempt of court! Witness, this is a crucial detail, you can't forget something this important." He said shaking his head.

"Oldbag, who the heck was this janitor?"

"Why is his name not on the sign in sheet?"

"Don't start yelling at me, you ungrateful whippersnappers! I don't know why his name's not on the sheet! His name's Harry Butz or something like that. Annoying little whippersnapper…"

Unbelievable. I was ready to walk out of my bench, middle finger pointed directly at Oldbag because fuck this. My case is getting fried because Oldbag AND Larry? I mean, isn't dealing with one of them enough? That's not fair at all!

"This means…that someone else might have been at the scene of crime! The prints on that machine are still unaccounted for and very well could belong to that janitor, who might have something to do with the murder! We need to investigate further!" Ray said pointing dramatically.

"…While I am suspicious of Mr. Mann, we need to know everything relating to the crime. With these new details brought to light, I believe we have to suspend trial until tomorrow. The fact that there is someone unaccounted for at the crime scene means I cannot hand down a verdict in good faith," he shook his head.

"For the defense and prosecution your homework is to answer these questions: Where was this mysterious janitor at the time of the crime? Why wasn't his name on the sign in sheet? Whose prints are on that machine? And what is the supposed blackmail about? Find these answers by tomorrow."

"Yes, Your Honor," nodded Shields.

"Yes...Your Honor." I said squeezing the life out of my glasses, getting closer and closer to breaking their frame.

"Court is adjourned!" he said slamming his gavel down.

April 15th, 12:57 PM

District Courtroom No. 5, Hallway

I left the courtroom in disbelief. I knew it. I knew her testimony would most likely have a hole somewhere and that everything would be sabotaged. But it looked so good for me in there! I sighed. I wasn't expecting Larry to be involved in this…which means now it'll be a real mess. I guessed I now understood the rage the prosecutors in the games felt when something insane happened that ruined the case they built. It could be summed up in one word: seriously?

As I grumbled on to myself, I was approached by suave handsome gentleman in wine red.

"…That could have gone better."

(Correction: not suave.)

"I'm well aware! That old woman! She never mentioned another person in her testimony before today! But, I can't wait to find this janitor and kick his ass into submission!" I said raising my foot into the air in a kicking motion.

"Violence is never the answer, Lyn. Though, I think I have an idea of who this janitor is. And upon meeting him, you may feel the urge to commit violent acts against him…"

(Right, he knows Larry.)

"And just who is he?"

" 'When something smells, it's normally the Butz' was a phrase used to talk about, our janitor Larry. He's a troublemaker, but rest assured not mentally capable enough to be a murderer," he sighed.

"But if Larry was somehow involved, I'm afraid things will get more convoluted for you in your investigation."

"That's great to know," I said. "Maybe I should quit while, I'm still ahead."

Oldbag and Larry in one day? If only I could save my game and quit. And come back in about five days.

"You're getting closer to the truth, you can't quit now. As hard as this path is going to get, you'll get to the bottom of it."

(After I find a walkthrough.)

Edgeworth was about to say something else, but closed his mouth and bowed instead.

"Mr. Shields, I take it you find today's case interesting."

Ah, it was the evil defense attorney. I wondered if he was coming here to mock me.

"Oh, definitely. That old lady really knows how to run her mouth."

Edgeworth reeled back in disgust. "I know far too well…"

"Need a hug, Miles?" he asked extending his arms.

"Ngh! I am quite alright, thank you!"

"Heheh. But I see you're here talking to Ms. Doomsday. Hope I'm not intruding on anything."

I didn't open my mouth and opted to folding my arms. I didn't really have too many nice words for that guy.

"No, not at all."

"I'm still surprised that the attorney breaker helped me out of a hole earlier. Was that a change of heart?"

"Hmph, I'll have you know, I was not doing it for you. I believe in the thoroughness of an investigation."

"Right," he said clapping his hands. "How could I forget? After you banned me from the crime scene yesterday?"

"Lyn, you did what ?" Edgeworth looked at me incredulously.

(Goddammit, Shields...)

"Er, well, I did what I thought was necessary! I don't trust defense attorneys, you know that! Plus his attitude toward me was ill mannered and I don't plan on accepting that type of abuse!" I said in defense.

Edgeworth still wasn't pleased.

"I understand you're issues from before, Lyn. However, it is no excuse. It's improper to ban the other side from a crime scene. Prosecutors and attorneys are partners in finding the truth, so you should be working together. One person alone can't solve anything," he said tapping his arms rhythmically.

"Yeah, but he was being an ass!"

"Lyn!"

"He freakin' called me Manfred von Karma! He wasn't getting away with that," I scowled.

Edgeworth seemed perturbed by the mention of von Karma's name. "Despite what was said, didn't I tell you that actions count far more than words? You cannot allow yourself to sink to your opponent's level, Lyn."

"But-"

"Please excuse my subordinate," he bowed.

Out of irritation, I found myself pouting. Ray shouldn't have been such a buttface. Then I would have been cool with him looking around the crime scene. But fiiiiiiiiiiiiiine. Whatever.

"This is who you choose to be your subordinate? I don't know Miles…"

"Look, Mr. Edgeworth knows I have potential, so I'd appreciate it if you stopped with your insinuations."

"A potential for cheating?"

"Excuse me?"

I was ready to give him a piece of my mind. I was about to take a step forward towards him and go all out, but Edgeworth decided to cut in before a huge argument broke out in the courthouse.

"Lyn. Mr. Shields. Relax yourselves. You're going to have to investigate this case, and you won't get answers bickering amongst yourselves. Perhaps it would be in your best interests, to start it sooner rather than later?"

"If you say so, Miles. Not sure how it's gonna work out, but I guess we can try to be civil."

"I guess I'll try to put my best foot forward," I grumbled.

"And you'll be allowing a full investigation of the crime scene, correct?"

I sighed. "Yes, sir…"

"Good. Now, I have matters to attend to at the office so I must be off. I'll be watching tomorrow as well, so don't disappoint me."

And with that we watched the stern prosecutor leave the courthouse. I was now left with Ray, which probably wouldn't be a good thing. I had a feeling we both were planning on going to the same place though, so I had better get used to dealing with it.

"So, it seems it's just you and me Ms. Doomsday. I take it you're going to crime scene too?" he said pressing his hat down on his head.

"Obviously. I suppose we can investigate together, but by no means am I doing it to help you or your case."

"Likewise. Uncle Ray isn't helping an attorney breaker, just sounds like a bad idea."

(At least we can agree to one thing.)

"Alright, so let's just get this over with." I said beginning the journey out of the courthouse and to the supermarket of hell.

Profiles:

Maya Fey: Age 19. It looks like we're good friends based on what I know.

Miles Edgeworth: Age 26. My mentor? Likes giving me lectures. It seems we're on good terms.

Detective Gumshoe: Age 33. Lead detective on this case. Help me.

Reed Booke: Age 45. The victim in this case. Deli employee. Sounds like a jerk.

Charlie Mann: Age 30. Butcher. Suspect in this case. Found fleeing the crime scene. Really strange.

Woody Johnson: Age 51. Store manager. First one to discover the body. Likes to sit in the dark...

Raymond Shields: Age 35. The sassy defense attorney I'll be facing in court. Fuck.

Wendy Oldbag: Age ?. Cashier. (Unfortunately) a witness.

Judge: Age ?. Old timer judge. No one know his real name.

Evidence:

Broken fingerprint time clock: Broken since sometime early this morning. Has mysterious prints on it.

Sign in sheet: List of names and times people came in/out for work.

Bloody name tag: Suspect's name is on it.

Planner: List of Booke's day to day chores.

Autopsy report: Time of death estimated between the hours of 8:00 AM to 11: 00 AM. Cause of death blunt force trauma to the head. Death was not immediate. Puncture wounds occurred after death.

Fingerprint analysis: One set of prints belong to Mann, other prints are unidentifiable.

Blood results: Victim's blood found on the time clock.

Meat Cleaver: Blade is clean, but handle is covered in blood.

Kum & Go building plans: Map outline of the building.