Hey guys, I'm back! Sorry for taking so long but school has started and I haven't had a lot of time to write but I'm back now! Okay, thanks to feeni3 wright (Thanks!), pyrosaurus X (Thanks so much for your help, I can't wait to put everything together!), Lol123 (Thanks!), faver1987 (Well, I hope I can meet your expectations, though it's gonna be a while until I make big changes but there is one minor change in this chapter.), TheVictoryAngelofStrife and Celestail Spirit for reviewing/following/favoring along with all 1,360 readers! Also, to those of you wondering, here's the laydown of the story. Jasmine will no be voiced by Jessica Martin, thanks to pyrosaurs X for the suggestion, and she will be a main character in AA, JFA, TT, PL VS PW, AAI2, AJ and DD. Her role will be slightly smaller in AJ and her smallest role will be in AAI. In case you haven't noticed yet, Jasmine's love interest is Edgeworth and I found a song that suits them. Already Home by A Great Big World because it tells their full story. If you want to know more spoilers, PM me. Alright, that's everything so enjoy!
Jasmine walked down the sidewalk by herself, her violin case slung over her right shoulder and her small notepad in her left hand. As she walked, she hummed to herself. Since she had met Mia and Maya several years ago, Jasmine had been writing songs that had fit her friends and family and has been struggling since with lyrics. That morning, when she woke up, inspiration had struck for the lyrics to Mia's song. Actually, Mia's song was a variation of her and Maya's song. The songs were a trio of similar songs Jasmine had titled 'The Turnabout Sisters'. Maya's was the fastest and most upbeat, matching her personality. Mia received the slowest version because it suited her best. That left Jasmine with the medium version, which was the most orchestral of all three and fit her very well. As she reached the court, Jasmine noticed something...odd. Sitting on the court house steps was a boy no older than 13. He had spikey red hair and matching eyes. He wore a red shirt, jeans, white tennis shoes and a gold bracelet around his left wrist. Curious, the aide walked over and crouched in front of him.
"Are you okay?" She asked, worried. The boy looked up, surprised.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine." The boy said, "I...I came to see th-the trial."
"Are you a fan of the Steel Samurai?" Jasmine asked. The boy shook his head.
"No...I want to be a lawyer so I thought...I'd come see a real trial." The boy explained quietly.
"You want to be a lawyer?" Jasmine asked, surprised. The boy nodded. Jasmine smiled softly, "You know, you remind me of a few friends of mine."
"R-really?" The boy stuttered. Jasmine nodded,
"Yeah. My brother, my mentor and my childhood best friend. Two of them became great defense attorneys and the other...well...that's another story. I, myself, am a defense aide."
"Really?" The boy asked, eyes wide in awe. Jasmine chuckled before she reached out and ruffled the boy's hair.
"Really." She smiled, "So, you keep working hard and maybe someday, I'll be there to see your first trial, okay?" The boy nodded excitedly. Jasmine chuckled at his enthusiasm before she added, "I'm Jasmine, by the way. Jasmine Wright, but you can call me Jazz."
"I'm Apollo Justice." The boy, Apollo, introduced. Jasmine smiled,
"It's nice to meet you, Apollo. Well, I have to get going but I hope to see you later." Apollo nodded eagerly as the female Wright stood up and walked inside the court. Once she reached the defendant lobby, she sat down on the couch and began to write. What felt like forever later, someone sat down on the couch.
"Hey Jazz!" Jasmine looked up and smiled at Maya. "Whatcha writing?" The spirit medium asked, looking down at the notepad. Phoenix stood behind Maya, looking over the Court Record.
"I'm writing the lyrics to Mia's song." Jasmine explained, showing the younger Fey the notepad.
There is light in life.
That's what you showed me.
You put your trust in me
And you guided me along.
There's no way, I'd ever forget you.
Because you taught me so many things.
You showed me
How to live my life.
You've been my friend to the end of your life.
You're one of my
Dearest friends,
My Turnabout Mentor.
You treated me like the
Sister I never had.
You put me before you at
Every turn.
You've earned my trust and my
Admiration.
You'll forever be
My Turnabout Sister.
Even though
You've left this world,
You still live
In several hearts.
And I'm proud to be
The one you chose.
I'll be
Your living legacy.
You're my Turnabout Sister
And friend forever.
"Jazz...that's beautiful." Maya whispered. Jasmine looked at her and noticed the girl was actually crying. She wrapped an arm around her and smiled,
"Thanks. Mia actually made me promise a while ago to be her living legacy if she left this world too early. I'm not ready yet to truly be her legacy but someday...I hope I can be worthy enough."
"You are more than worthy enough!" Maya insisted.
"Thanks." Jasmine smiled down at the girl she considered a sister.
"Have you written my song yet?" Maya asked eagerly. Jasmine laughed,
"Calm down, I promise you'll have it done by New Years."
"Alright." Maya agreed.
October 18th, 10:00 AM
District Court
Courtroom No. 4
The two Wrights and Maya stood behind the defense bench. Edgeworth was across from the trio, behind the prosecutor's bench, of course. The people in the court talked until the judge slammed down his gavel and said,
"The court is now in session for the trial of Mr. Will Powers."
"The prosecution is ready, Your Honor." Edgeworth stated.
"The defense is ready, Your Honor." Phoenix stated.
"Very well." The judge said, "Mr. Edgeworth, your opening statement, please."
"The prosecution will show the court that at 2:30 PM on October 15th, the defendant, Mr. Will Powers, killed fellow actor Jack Hammer at Studio One of Global Studios. It is impossible for anyone else to have commited this heinous crime. The evidence presented during the trial will all point to this fact." Edgeworth recited.
How can he say that all with a straight face? Jasmine wondered as she fingered her pendant. After all, she was just freaked out by hearing what happened from someone else. Edgeworth had been saying stuff like that for 4 years now.
"Hmm. I see." The judge said, "Very well, I would like to move on to your testimony. Mr. Edgeworth, the prosecution may call its first witness."
"First, I would like to call a familiar face, Detective Gumshoe, to the stand." Edgeworth said.
Several minutes later, Gumshoe stood, ready to testify.
"Detective, if you would briefly describe this case to the court?" Edgeworth requested.
"Yes sir! I'll explain with the guidemap here." Gumshoe agreed, "To understand this case, it's important to grasp the layout of the studios, see? This here is the Employee Area. The actors did a run-through of their action scenes during the morning here. This is the main gate to the studios. The security lady that works at the studios was here at 1:00 PM on that day. Past the security station there is a gate, see? Past that are the studios. And here it is...Studio One. This is the scene of the murder, where the body was found! Now, on the day of the murder, October 15th, there were only three people here. The victim, Jack Hammer, the defendant, Will Powers, and a young woman, the production assistant. All the production staff were in the Employee Area until noon. Then after lunch, the victim, Jack Hammer, went to Studio One. Right after that, at 1:00 PM, the security lady got to the guard station. Now, jump ahead to later that day...5:00 PM. The production staff came to Studio One to perform a rehearsal. Needless to say, the rehearsal was cancelled...The time of death was 2:30 PM. The 'Samurai Spear' found lodged in the victim's chest was the murder weapon. That's the case, in brief. Anyone like to hear that again?" Quickly, Jamsine reviewed all the information in her head and shook her head. She had remembered everything easily.
"So the murder weapon was a 'spear'?" The judge asked, "How...medieval!"
Yes, Your Honor, cause that's the perfect thing to say. Jasmine thought sarcastically as she began to examine the spear.
"Your Honor." Edgeworth said, "This case is quite simple if you ask one question. And that questions is: 'What did the security lady at the guard station see?'"
"Understood." The judge agreed.
"Let's call this security officer to the stand!" Edgeworth said.
Several minutes later, Oldbag stood on the stand.
"Will the witness declare her name?" Edgeworth requested.
"...Hmm?" Oldbag asked, blushing and smiling strangely. "My, aren't you a handsome fellow! I'm afraid I'm a bit flustered." Edgeworth reeled back in almost horror while Jasmine began to giggle, covering her mouth with her hand lightly as her smile could be seen behind her fingers and her giggles almost silently rolled out.
"Y-your name, please!" Edgeworth stuttered, meeting Jasmine's eyes briefly before looking back at the old woman.
"Oh, dearie!" Oldbag cried, "No need for you to be embarrassed! Just call me 'grandma'."
"YOUR NAME, PLEASE!" Edgeworth shouted, leaning on the bench, his hands clenched into fists and his eyes bugging out slightly. Once again, he looked at Jasmine as she shot him an apologetic smile at her laughter. She wasn't the jealous type, after all. Though, that demon of her brother's ex-college girlfriend would have told you otherwise, but that's another story. Edgeworth broke the gaze, returning to glaring at the witness.
Poor Miles...Jasmine thought, Never able to get the witnesses to say their names.
"Wendy Oldbag, dearie." Oldbag finally said. Jasmine almost fell over from shock. She was right! "So just call me 'grandma.' It's practically my name!" Oldbag rambled, "So even when I was young I was an Oldbag, but not really that was just my name dearie. Still how the other children would make fun of me and just because of my name can you believe it? But there was this boy, the captain of the chess club in junior high, and when he called me an old bag well I just cried and cried because I had a crush on him you see-"
"OBJECTION!"Edgeworth interuppted, "O-objection! I...object to the witness' talkativeness."
"Good luck getting her to shut up and be calm at the same time." Jasmine muttered, earning a laugh from Maya and a look from Phoenix that clearly read 'Jazz, shush!'
"Objection sustained!" The judge agreed, "The witness will refrain from rambling on the stand."
"I was just getting to the good part, dearie!" Oldbag said.
"No, you actually weren't. You never have good parts." Jasmine muttered, earning Maya's laughter again and a slightly more relaxed look from Phoenix.
"Perhaps we can get to the testimony?" Edgeworth suggested, looking much calmer.
"Now, the witness was stationed at the main gate on the day of the murder, correct?" The judge asked.
"Yessey I was." Oldbag confirmed.
"And to get to the scene of the murder, someone would have to pass by you?" The judge asked.
"You know your stuff, dearie!" Oldbag complimented. Jasmine resisted the urge to groan.
"...You may begin your testimony." The judge said.
"On the day of the murder, I arrived at the guard station at 1:00 PM. Poor old Hammer and the rest had been doing a run-through there since the morning. I, well, I had some errands to run that morning. Anyway, it was 1:00 when I got to the guard station. I was at the main gate from then until 5:00! Now, the murder happened at 2:30 PM, right? Interesting to me, because a certain man walked right by me at 2:00 PM. It was Powers! That man right there, and he was heading toward the studio!" Oldbag testified.
"You saw the defendant, then?" The judge said, "Hmm...Very well. Let's begin the cross-examination. Mr. Wright?"
"Yes, Your Honor." Phoenix said.
"Take her down, Nick!" Jasmine whispered her encouragment as Oldbag repeated,
"On the day of the murder, I arrived at the guard station at 1:00 PM. Poor old Hammer and the rest had been doing a run-through there since the morning. I, well, I had some errands to run that morning. Anyway, it was 1:00 when I got to the guard station. I was at the main gate from then until 5:00! Now, the murder happened at 2:30 PM, right? Interesting to me, because a certain man walked right by me at 2:00 PM. It was Powers! That man right there, and he was heading toward the studio!"
"HOLD IT!" Phoenix cried, "So you saw Mr. Powers?"
"That's what I said! Got wax in your ears, sonny?" Oldbag said.
"Nick, this is your chance!" Maya said.
"Yeah, time to pull out the secret weapon..." Phoenix agreed. Jasmine smacked her hand against her forhead and muttered,
"Just present the damn evidence already."
"I'll say it again! It was him!" Oldbag smirked.
"Please." Jasmine added, wanting Oldbag to shut the hell up.
"It was Powers! That man right there, and he was heading toward the studio!" Oldbag repeated.
"OBJECTION!" Phoenix cried, pointed at the old lady and slammed his hands on the bench. "Let me get this straight, old bag! Er, Ms. Oldbag." Phoenix pointed at the witness and continued, "You've been saying since yesterday that you 'saw Mr. Powers', correct? But you're talking about the man in this photo, aren't you!" Jasmine took out the photo and showed it to the court.
"J-just a moment, Mr. Wright, Jasmine." The judge said, "Let me see that photo!"
"Of course, Your Honor." Jasmine agreed as the photo was taken to the judge.
"...What is this, exactly?" The judge asked after a minute.
"None other than the Steel Samurai, defender of Neo Olde Tokyo." Phoenix said, slammed his hands on the bench and cried, "Ms. Oldbag! Is this the 'Mr. Powers' that you saw!?"
"Of course!" Oldbag smirked, "Didn't your momma teach you any sense, sonny?"
"For some things." Jasmine quipped, earning a laugh from Maya and a direct glare from Phoenix.
"Anyone can plainly see that's Powers!" Oldbag continued, "Right?"
"Um, yeah." Edgeworth agreed as he leaned on his own bench, looking dismayed.
"Yeah right, Miles!" Jasmine cried sarcastically, not even caring she just referred to Edgeworth by his first name, something only she seemed to do these days.
"...Umm...well. I wonder?" Edgeworth added after looking at the photo more closely and glancing at Jasmine slightly, though nobody but she noticed.
"True, Mr. Powers does play the role of the Steel Samurai!" Phoenix said before he slammed his hands on the bench and pointed at the old bag, crying, "But that doesn't mean Mr. Powers IS the Steel Samurai!"
"...!" It seemed Oldbag herself had just realized it, as her eyes had widened and she was biting her lip. "I...I know that! I wasn't born yesterday!" Oldbag cried angrily.
"No one in this court is accusing you of that, Ms...er, witness." The judge said, appearing to not be comfortable using Oldbag's name.
You're right there, Your Honor. Jasmine agreed.
"However, you do not have proof that the person in this photo is Mr. Will Powers, do you?" The judge asked.
"Humph! Nosy old man!" Oldbag said, "Of course I have proof!" Jasmine reared back in shock, her right hand covering her mouth slightly and her shoulder blade length black hair moving forward slightly with her movement (AN: A slightly different version of Mia's shocked sprite as a rookie.). Phoenix leaned back in shock, his eyes wide and his mouth open. In unison, the twins cried,
"What!?"
"Huh!?" Edgeworth cried, leaning back in shock as well.
She didn't even tell Miles!?
"The prosecution would like to ask the old...the witness." Edgeworth said, "Please make known all the information in your posession ahead of time!"
"How was I to know everyone would be so nosy!" Oldbag cried, "You should be ashamed, all of you! Anyway, I showed that photo to the young detective. He told me "this isn't any good as evidence, pal". He didn't even give it a second look!" Edgeworth reared back in shock and leaned on the bench in dismay or distress, Jasmine couldn't tell.
"Let's hear about your proof, then." The judge said.
"I never say anything I don't mean, mind you! That morning, during the run-through of the action scene...I saw Powers trip and fall! He broke one of the props, it was a big mess. Apparently, he sprained his ankle pretty bad. Now, look at that picture! You can see he's dragging his leg! See? Clear as day! That's how I knew it was Powers. Happy?" Oldbag testified.
"Hmm. So he had sprained his ankle...?" The judge asked, "Very well. Mr. Wright, you may cross-examine the witness.
"I never say anything I don't mean, mind you!" Oldbag repeated.
"HOLD IT!" Phoenix cried, "Umm..."
"Whippersnapper!" Oldbag cried.
He didn't even say anything! Jasmine thought.
"I'll have you know I'm not pointing fingers at anyone behind their backs!" Oldbag said, "Everything I've said is on the straight and narrow! The up and up! Youth today! Always whining about each other, pointing fingers this way and that! It's enough to make an old lady want to cry..." Edgeworth slammed his hand on the bench and cried,
"Mr. Wright! Please, for all our sakes, try not to upset the witness!"
Okay, now I feel bad for Miles. Jasmine thought, giving him an apologetic look. Edgeworth met her eyes for a second before glaring at her older twin again.
"That morning, during the run-through of the action scene..." Oldbag repeated.
"HOLD IT!" Phoenix cried, "Who was present at the run-through?"
"Well, let's see...There was Powers, he's the Steel Samurai...Then poor old Hammer, the Evil Magistrate. And...me." Oldbag answered.
"And what exactly were you doing?" The judge asked.
"Observing! Just... observing." Oldbag answered.
"What about the assistant?" Jasmine asked.
"Oh, she was off moving backdrops around and such." Oldbag answered.
So Penny didn't see the run-through. Jasmine made a mental note of that.
"I saw Powers trip and fall!" Oldbag repeated.
"HOLD IT!" Phoenix cried, "'Trip and fall'...?"
"Yes! And to think, he's supposed to be the Steel Samurai! What a laugh! So Powers sprained his ankle. I helped make it better for him, of course." Oldbag answered.
"You... helped make it better?" The judge asked.
"I kissed it where it hurt." Oldbag admitted.
"L-let's just skip over that part, shall we?" The judge suggested.
"Where was the assistant then?" Phoenix asked.
"Oh, her? She was cleaning up backdrops, I think." Oldbag answered, "She didn't know about Powers's ankle."
"You may continue your testimony." Edgeworth stated.
"He broke one of the props, it was a big mess." Oldbag repeated.
"HOLD IT!" Phoenix cried, "He broke a prop?"
"Sure did! His own Samurai Spear." Oldbag said, "Luckily I was there with my duct tape to fix it. Apparently, he sprained his ankle pretty bad."
"HOLD IT!" Phoenix cried, "Was Mr. Power's ankle badly sprained?"
"Not so bad that he couldn't walk around." Oldbag answered, "He went to his dressing room to rest up after lunch. Anyway, I saw him dragging his foot when he walked. You can see he's dragging his leg! See? Clear as day!"
"HOLD IT!" Phoenix cried, "Are you absolutely sure?"
"Hmm. It does look like he was dragging his foot." The judge said.
"See! And you didn't trust me! Whippersnapper!" Oldbag said, "That's how I knew it was Powers. Happy?"
"HOLD IT!" Phoenix cried, "Still, you can't look at this and say it's Mr. Powers!"
"OBJECTION!" Edgeworth cried, "Yes, but only Mr. Powers would have been dragging his leg!"
"He has a point. It does seem quite likely that it was Powers." The judge agreed. Edgeworth slammed his hand on the bench and cried,
"I think we've hear enough! Haven't we, Your Honor?"
"Well, there is one thing that bothers me." The judge admitted.
"Which is?" Edgeworth asked, though Jasmine already had a pretty good idea.
"Where is this 'Steel Samurai' costume now?" The judge asked. Jasmine nodded in agreement, she too had been wondering that after all.
"Umm...hmm." Edgeworth said, "Actually, well...We couldn't find it. We're looking, though."
"Hmm..." The judge said.
"Anyway, that's not important!" Edgeworth insisted, "The witness did see the Steel Samurai, yes." He shrugged and shook his head before continuing, "And it is clear that the person in the Steel Samurai suit was Mr. Will Powers!"
"Hmm...I suppose that's right." The judge agreed, sounding unsure. Before Jasmine could say anything, Phoenix slammed his hands on the bench and cried,
"Hold it right there! We keep talking possibilities, but we have to agree that this photo shows the Steel Samurai!" Phoenix pointed at the prosecutor and cried, "Nowhere in this photo can we see Mr. Will Powers!"
"Hmm...The defense has a point." The judge nodded, "I also wonder if someone else not caught on camera could have killed Mr. Hammer. We have to consider that possibility, also." Edgeworth wagged his finger, smirked and stretched out his arms as he said,
"Then allow me to remove that doubt from your mind, Your Honor...Will the witness continue her testimony please?"
"No need to ask twice!" Oldbag grinned, "The time of poor Hammer's death was 2:30 PM, true? The only person I saw go to the studio before then was Will Powers! No one else went there! If they had, I would have seen them!"
"Hmm..." The judge said, "So, if no one else went to the studio...Then it would have to be this 'Steel Samurai' who did it. Mr. Wright, you may cross-examine the witness."
"The time of poor Hammer's death was 2:30 PM, true? The only person I saw go to the studio before then was Will Powers! No one else went there! If they had, I would have seen them!" Oldbag repeated but Jasmine beat Phoenix to the punch, pointing at the old windbag and crying,
"OBJECTION!" Everyone's eyes fell on the aide as she took over her twin's role. "Hold on!" She said, "Look at this photograph one more time. This photo was taken by the camera at the gate for the studios, right?"
"Yesiree, missey." Oldbag confirmed.
"So, whenever anyone passes by here, it automatically takes a picture?" Phoenix asked, retaking his role.
"And here I thought you didn't know your head from a hole in the ground." Oldbag said. Jasmine rolled her eyes.
"Right...Anyway!" Phoenix said, "It's also true that the computer in the guard station records all security data."
"Ooh!" Oldbag said, "You know, if you wanted to work at the studio, we might have an opening."
"That very computer printed out this photo." Phoenix continued, ignoring Oldbag. "Note that on the back of the photo are printed the words: Oct 15, 2:00 PM, Photo #2."
"Even I know that means it was taken at 2:00 PM on October the 15th! Really, sonny!" Oldbag cried.
"Actually, I knew that too." Phoenix said. He pointed at the witness and continued, "The issue here is the bit at the end where it says: 'Photo #2'..."
"'Photo #2'...?" Oldbag repeated.
"The computer only held data for one photo that day." Jasmine explained.
"Don't you think that's odd?" Phoenix asked. The older Wright slammed his hands on the bench and cried, "Shouldn't this photo be 'Photo #1' if it really was the ONLY photo!?" The people in the court began to talk amongst themselves as Jasmine and Maya grinned at Phoenix. The judge slammed his gavel down once and cried,
"Order! Order! Please tell the court what you mean by this Mr. Wright!"
"Actually, that's what I want to ask the witness." Phoenix smirked, hands on his hips. "This evidence shows that not one but two people went to the studio that day. Yet there is only data for one of the photos! Who could have erased the data for the other photo?" Phoenix slammed his hands down, pointed at Oldbag and cried, "Only someone with access...the security lady herself!"
"Eh!?" Oldbag cried, biting her lip nervously, her eyes wide. "You watch your mouth, whippersnapper! The only person I saw that day was Will Powers!" Phoenix slammed his hands on the bench and cried,
"But the camera on the gate fired twice! That means two people went by!"
"Umm...well, yes...that's what it would seem to mean..." Oldbag said.
"Can the witness explain this to the court?" The judge asked.
"Umm...ahem." Oldbag cleared her throat. "I-I don't understand these new-fangled computer things...Umm...E-Edgey-boy! Help!" Jasmine and Edgeworth both reeled back in shock, though Jasmine's was more subtle and hardly noticeable, unlike Edgeworth's.
That's taking things a little too far! Jasmine thought.
"Huh!?" Edgeworth cried, "B-believe me, I was to, but I don't know what this means either."
Yeah right you want to help her, Miles. Jasmine mentally scoffed.
"Humph! Some help you are!" Oldbag cried, "You're a whippersnapper too! …...Whippersnapper...?"
"Something the matter, Ms. Oldbag?" The judge asked.
"Ah! That's right!" Oldbag cried, "I...I just remembered something!"
"Let me guess..." The judge said, "Someone else passed by the gate...someone other than the Steel Samurai?"
"Er...well, yes, I suppose you could put it that way." Oldbag said. The people began to speak until the judge slammed his gavel down.
"I see." He sighed, "Your testimony, please."
"Every day, after I finish my guard duties, I have one other important job to do. I go through the photos recorded on the security computer and check them. I throw out any photos that aren't suspicious lookin', you see. Come to think of it, now I remember throwing out one photo that day!" Oldbag testified.
"M-Ms. Oldbag!" Edgeworth cried as he leaned on his bench. "This is the first I've heard of this!"
"Well, of course, sonny!" Oldbag smiled, "I've only just remembered it."
"Right...anyway, Mr. Wright, please begin the cross-examination." The judge requested.
"Well, I'd say this was a turn for the unexpected, but I kind of expected this..." Maya said.
"You and me both, Maya." Jasmine sighed, her right hand holding her forhead slightly, as if she were fighting a headache.
"Every day, after I finish my guard duties, I have one other important job to do. I go through the photos recorded on the security computer and check them. I throw out any photos that aren't suspicious lookin', you see. Come to think of it, now I remember throwing out one photo that day!" Oldbag repeated.
"HOLD IT!" Phoenix cried, slammed his hands on the bench and pointed at the old windbag. "Well, who in the heck was in that photo you erased!?"
"Humph. A fanboy." Oldbag stated.
"F-fanboy?" Phoenix asked.
"Steel Samurai fanboys. Real freaks, if you ask me." Oldbag explained, "They get information about the rehearsals from gosh-knows-where. They're always hanging about. One was there that day."
"OBJECTION!" Phoenix cried, "W-wait a second! Didn't you just say no one else could get in!? "I locked the main gate so no one could get in"...Those were your words!"
"Well! If you must know, there's a drain that goes into the Employee Area." Oldbag explained, "The grate has been loose for a while. It leads outside, and well, that's where they come in."
"They come in through the drain?" Phoenix asked, slouching and sweating nervously.
"I told you they were freaks." Oldbag smirked, "Oh, and..."
"And...?" Phoenix prompted.
"They're kids. Children. Whippersnappers." Oldbag added.
"K-kids!?" Phoenix cried, sweating again. "So, on the photo that you erased...?"
"It was a boy. Probably 2nd or 3rd grade." Oldbag said.
"Whaaaaaaaaaaaat!?" Phoenix cried in shock.
"No waaaaaaaay!" Jasmine cried, reering back in shock as well, her jasmine charm on her bracelet catching the light slightly. The court filled with people talking and the judge slammed his gavel down three times.
"O-order! Order!" He cried, "Let me get this straight. You saw two people pass by the gate on their way to the studios that day? One was the Steel Samurai, dragging his leg. The other was a boy who looked to be in about 2nd or 3rd grade?"
"Oh yes, well we see his type there every day." Oldbag said, "Can't stop 'em. Can't catch 'em."
And I can bet she's tried. Jasmine thought.
"A boy in 2nd or 3rd grade?" Edgeworth asked, "Hmm...I assume it would be hard, if not impossible for a young boy to wield the Samurai Spear?"
"Impossible, I'd think." The judge nodded, "It's quite heavy."
"Right! As I said, I didn't pay him much mind." Oldbag smiled, "That's why I erased the data."
"Um, Nick? What's going on?" Maya asked, "I mean, the boy was there, that makes him a suspect!"
"Yeah and they're already trying to 'un-suspect' him." Phoenix explained.
"Why doesn't this surprise me?" Jasmine asked, her arms crossed and her right hand playing with her pendent. The judge slammed his gavel down.
"I'd like to take a five minute recess." He said, "I want the defense and the prosecution to consider this new information...And no forgetting vital information this time!"
Oldbag! Jasmine thought, glaring at the security guard.
October 18th, 11:08 AM
District Court
Defendent Lobby No. 3
"Mr. WP?" Phoenix asked as the defense team and client reached the lobby.
"Y-yes?" Will asked.
"Tell me straight: were you really in your dressing room? You didn't go to the studio?" Phoenix asked.
"I-I didn't go to the studio!" Will said, "I-I was sleeping, honest."
"He's telling the truth, Nick." Jasmine whispered, "I feel it." For several years now, Jasmine had the uncanny ability to sense when someone was lying or telling the truth, something neither Phoenix nor Jasmine herself understood.
"So who was the 'Steel Samurai' in that security photo?" Maya asked.
"How should I know?" Will responded, "The Steel Samurai costume was off in the corner of the dressing room. Anyone could have walked in and taken it, really."
"What!?" Maya and Jasmine cried in unison.
"You should take better care of that stuff!" Maya added.
"I couldn't imagine anyone would want to steal a Steel Samurai costume!" Will reasoned.
"Well, obviously you were wrong." Jasmine muttered so the actor couldn't hear her.
"So...where does this leave me?" Will asked.
"It doesn't look good..." Phoenix admitted. Will sniffed sadly. "You're the only likely suspect, right now." Phoenix continued.
"Nick!" The girls cried, though Jamsine more in anger and Maya more in shock.
"W-what are we going to do!?" Maya cried.
"First, we play for more time." Phoenix said.
"We'll start targeting someone else that could conceivably have done this!" Jasmine finished, her tone and facial expression becoming serious as her brain naturally began the turnabout progress, as she called it.
"Right!" Maya grinned, her hands clasped. "And it'll take them so long to shoot us down that we can get another day!"
"Right...but if we pick the wrong person, we might lose on the spot." Phoenix added.
"You...don't sound very optimistic." Will noted.
"Way to bring down the mood, Nick." Jasmine glared at her twin.
"I'm not optimistic at all, actually." Phoenix said, returning his sister's glare.
"Hey, Nick, Jazz." Maya said, "It's time."
"Okay. Let's go." Phoenix sighed.
"What does that mean...Please don't sigh like that!" Will sniffed.
"We've got this, Nick. Try to smile." Jasmine smiled, "I mean, Mia always said, "A lawyer is someone who smiles no matter how bad it gets."" Phoenix looked at his sister before he sighed again and the four entered the court.
The judge slammed his gavel down, silencing the court.
"The court will now reconvene for the trial of Mr. Will Powers." He said, "Mr. Edgeworth, will you present the prosecution's thoughts on this matter?"
"The prosecution's thoughts are simple." Edgeworth said, shrugging and shaking his head with his arms open. "Nothing has changed. The other person who went to the studios was a boy of roughly 10 years of age. The photo we do have may not be hard evidence..." Edgeworth slammed his hand on the bench and finished, "But there is still no one else that could have committed this crime! I call for the verdict of 'guilty' for the defendant, Mr. Will Powers!"
"Hmm...Very well." The judge said, "Mr. Wright, your thoughts?"
"The defense disagrees with the prosecution's claim." Phoenix stated, slammed his hands on the bench and cried, " There IS another person who could have committed this crime!" The people in the court began to talk until the judge slammed his gavel and said,
"Order! Interesting...Let us hear who you have in mind! However...Be aware that this court does not look kindly on accusing the innocent. If you accuse someone who is obviously innocent, you will be penalized. So, who was this person other than Mr. Powers that could have committed murder?" Phoenix slammed his hands on the bench, pointed at the one he was accusing and cried,
"It was the security lady! Wendy Oldbag!"
"W-who!?" Oldbag cried, biting her lip with her eyes wide.
"The Steel Samurai is dragging his leg in this picture." Phoenix explained, "That means whoever was in the suit knew about that morning's injury. Maybe because...they had been watching the action scene run-through! There was only one other person other than Powers and Hammer who knew about the injury. The security lady, Oldbag!"
"W-What!? Whippersnapper!" Oldbag cried angrily. The crowd began to talk amongst themselves and the judge slammed his gavel down three times.
"Order! Order!" The judge cried, "I-is this true, Oldbag!?"
"Oldbag!? That's Ms. Oldbag to you!" Oldbag cried.
"Ms. Oldbag was standing guard alone at the main gate." Phoenix said. Jasmine picked up where Phoenix left off, pointing at the security lady.
"She was by herself...in other words, she has no alibi!"
"She could have briefly left her post to steal the Steel Samurai costume..." Phoenix joined in, also pointing at Oldbag. In unison, the twins slammed their hands on the bench and cried,
"Then slipped into Studio One, the scene of the murder!"
"W-why would she go through the trouble of wearing the Steel Samurai costume!?" The judge asked.
"Simple, Your Honor." Phoenix said, "She knew the camera at the gate would take her picture. If she was in his costume, she could point the finger at Mr. Powers!"
"I see!" The judge cried, "Excellent deductive reasoning, Mr. Wright, Jasmine." Phoenix grinned confidently when he suddenly looked confused.
"...?" Jasmine knew exactly what he was thinking, why wasn't Edgeworth objecting?
"Well, Mr. Edgeworth?" The judge asked, "Does the prosecution have an opinion on this matter?"
"...The prosecution has no meaningful objections at this time." Edgeworth stated.
"W-w-what!?" Oldbag cried, "What's that supposed to mean!? Oh, so you all think I did it? Is that it!? Edgey-boy! Don't just sit there, do something!" Phoenix slammed his hands on the bench.
"The very same reasoning that makes Mr. Powers a suspect in this case...can be used to cast doubt on Ms. Oldbag's actions on that day!"
"But why would I do something so horrible to poor Hammer!?" Oldbag cried. Phoenix shook his head and smirked,
"You forgot that Mr. Powers lacks a clear motive, too."
"Hmm...Indeed." The judge agreed.
"Wait just a minute!" Oldbag cried, "What about the other person who went to the studio!? The boy! The one whose photo I erased!"
"He's only a grade schooler though, as you said." The judge said, "2nd or 3rd grade, was it?"
"Th-that doesn't matter!" Oldbag cried, "When I was that age, I could pin my old man in 10 seconds, tops!"
"Hmm...Your thoughts, Mr. Wright?" The judge asked.
"That boy is not the killer." Phoenix stated.
"What!?" Oldbag cried, "How can you be so sure! Oh, or is it be nice to the kids and mean to your elders day? Whippersnapper!"
"I have proof." Phoenix stated.
"P-proof!?" Oldbag stuttered nervously.
"Indeed? Then let's see this proof, Mr. Wright." The judge requested, "You have proof that shows the boy could not have commited this murder?"
"TAKE THAT!" Phoenix cried, "The scene of the murder, as we all know, was Studio One. However, you need a cardkey to enter Studio One!" Phoenix slammed his hands on the bench and pointed at Oldbag. "How could a boy with no formal relation to the studios have a cardkey!?"
"I see!" The judge nodded, "Well, would the witness care to comment on this?"
"Mrph." Oldbag grunted.
"Very well!" The judge nodded and slammed his gavel down once. "The court will suspend proceedings on the current trial for today. Mr. Edgeworth, please find out more about your witness, Ms. Windy...what was her name?"
"Something 'Oldbag', Your Honor." Edgeworth answered. Jasmine raised her right hand to her mouth to hide her giggles as she always did.
"The the prosecution will look further into this Oldbag before we continue!" The judge said, "That is all. The court is adjourned!" The judge slammed his gavel but before anything else could happen...
"W-wait a second!" Everyone turned to see none other than Oldbag yelling. "I'm not going to just sit here while you run off barking up the wrong tree...me! I'm talking!" Phoenix was sweating nervously, Edgeworth reered back in shock, the judge just stared, wide eyed and Jasmine was covering her face with her hands. Maya was the only one who spoke.
"Oh, great, stop the presses!" She said sarcastically, "The windbag wants to talk!"
"Ms. Oldbag! What is this all about?" The judge asked, "Have you omitted something from your testimony?"
Again. Jasmine added mentally.
"Actually, if you must know, there's something I was told not to talk about." Oldbag smirked.
"N-not to talk about!?" Phoenix cried.
"By whom!?" Edgeworth and Jasmine cried in unison, though Jasmine's voice was slightly muffled.
"W-well, testify!" The judge encouraged.
"Global Studios wanted me to keep quiet about something. There were...some other people at the studios on the day of the murder. They said they had 'nothing to do with it,' see? So they told me to just pretend they 'hadn't been at the studios that day.' But if you're going to go accusing me, I'm not letting them get away scot free!" Oldbag testified.
"M-Ms. Oldbag!" The judge cried, "This is crucial information! Why did you keep this from the court until now!?"
"Ain't you been listening?" Oldbag said, "They told me to shut my trap, and I always do what I'm told."
When it comes to the bigwigs. Jasmine added.
"...Mr. Wright...Your cross-examination." The judge requested.
"Global Studios wanted me to keep quiet about something. There were...some other people at the studios on the day of the murder." Oldbag repeated.
"HOLD IT! Phoenix cried, slammed his hands on the bench and pointed at Oldbag. "W-who were these people!?"
"Well, the director and the producer for starters..." Oldbag said.
"The...director?" Phoenix asked.
"We should have known something was fishy!" Edgeworth said, "How could they have done a run-through of their action scene without a director?" Edgeworth slammed his hand on the bench and cried, "Of course!"
"Yes, well, I was surprised no one asked about it." Oldbag admitted.
"So, where were these people?" Phoenix asked.
"The director was in the Employee Area all morning for the run-through." Oldbag answered, "He joined the producer around lunchtime and they had a meeting after that."
"Where!" Edgeworth demanded.
"Oh, in the Studio Two trailer." Oldbag said.
"S-Studio Two...!?" Phoenix asked.
"Well, if you look at the guidemap..." Oldbag said, "Here it is." She pointed out the second studio. "You go through the gate and all the way to the left."
The path where the monkey's head fell. Jasmine noted.
"Well, Mr. Wright...Would you like to continue the cross-examination...?" The judge asked.
"Your Honor." Phoenix said, "We learned there were others at Global Studios on the day in question. The director and the producer and, er, some bigwigs, were all present." Phoenix slammed his hands on the bench and finished, "Yet, as we stand here, they have not been questioned! I hold that it is impossible to declare a verdict on the defendant, Mr. Powers!"
"Hmm..." The judge said, slammed his gavel down and said, "The court acknowledges the defense's point. The prosecution will gather more information about the witness, Ms. Oldbag...and more information about these other people we have just been told of!" Edgeworth was leaning on his bench.
"...Understood, Your Honor." He finally said.
"This ends the day's proceedings in the trial of Mr. Will Powers." The judge said, "That is all. The court is adjourned!" He slammed his gavel down and that was all.
October 18th, 1:04 PM
District Court
Defendant Lobby No. 3
"Th-thank you so much, Mr. Wright." Will grinned, "I was right to ask you to defend me."
"Aww, really, it's nothing." Jasmine grinned.
"Oh, or should we..." Maya sniffed.
"We'll be going down to the studios to do some more investigation." Phoenix said, "We have to find out more about this director and producer. They'll be turning up in the next trial as witnesses for certain. So now's my chance to get material for the cross-examination!"
"So, Nick...Have we figured out just who it was in that Steel Samurai costume?" Maya asked, "Could it have really been old windbag?"
"What do you think, Mr. Powers?" Phoenix asked.
"I don't think it was her, really." Will said.
"Neither do I, Nick." Maya agreed.
"Same here." Jasmine nodded.
"Y-yeah, I know!" Phoenix said, "Look, I was just buying time back there. Someone had to be the bad guy for a bit to take the pressure off Mr. Powers."
"Poor old windbag...I feel kinda sorry for her." Maya said.
"Well, she wasn't winning any points in there, with or without Nick's accusation." Jasmine stated. Phoenix nodded and said,
"Okay, let's get down to the studios."
"Right!" Maya smiled, "We'll be back to visit you soon..."
"Th-thanks. Thanks, guys." Will sniffed.
Well, there's the chapter! And did anyone see that coming? A kid Apollo cameo and Turnabout Sisters Ballad lyrics. By the way, I came up with those lyrics myself and if anyone wants to help me out with the lyrics for the other themes, which will all be of Jasmine's point of view on the characters, feel free to send them! And if you'd like to draw Jasmine, go ahead, I'd love to see how you guys imagine her! And if you want spoilers, feel free to ask and I'll send them to you. Or if you want to help me with small AU moments, then let me know! Okay, I think that's everything. Please review! Later!