Hey guys, I'm back! Okay, thanks to pyrosaurus X, Guest (Actually, Mia is shorter than Phoenix if you look closely at the picture at the end of the first game and according the the wikia, Phoenix has 3 inches on her and I wanted Jasmine and Maya to have a key relationship and since I made Jasmine Mia's best friend, I figured, why not have her know Maya really well too.), stargazer235, KnightSpark and murder392 for reviewing/following/favoring along with all 1,675 readers! Okay, I think that's everything...so enjoy!
October 18th
Wright and Co. Law Offices
"Whew, what a day." Phoenix sighed as the trio entered the office.
"This is no time for relaxing, Nick!" Maya cried angrily.
"Yeah!" Jasmine agreed, glaring at her twin.
"Say, you think WP's got a chance?" Maya suddenly asked. Jasmine walked over to the spirit medium and wrapped her arms around her. Maya leaned her head on Jasmine's shoulder in response.
"I believe so." Jasmine stated, "Nick?"
"I guess that really depends on the people we found out about in today's trial." The older Wright stated.
"The director and producer...?" Jasmine and Maya asked in unison as they pulled apart.
"Yeah, them." Phoenix nodded.
"Well, what're we doing here, then!?" Maya cried, "Let's get to the studios!" Jasmine grinned,
"You took the words right out of my mouth, Maya."
October 18th
Detention Center
Visitor's Room
As Phoenix sat down in front of Will, Jasmine and Maya stood behind him.
"Oh, Mr. Wright! Thank you for earlier." Will said.
"Not at all." Phoenix said, "We got lucky, to tell the truth." That comment earned the attorney a hit to the back of the head. "Ow! Jazz, how many times have I asked you to not hit me!?"
"Ever since I started doing it back when we were in college." Jasmine grinned cheekily. Phoenix grumbled something under his breath, which Jasmine counted as a victory. Changing the topic, Maya grinned,
"So, WP! Do you have any leads that might get us going in the right direction?"
"Hmm..." Will said thoughtfully, "S-sorry, but no."
"Be sure to tell us anything that comes to mind, no matter how small." Maya encouraged.
"We can't rely on getting lucky again tomorrow." Phoenix added.
"Y-yes..." Will sniffed.
"Do you even know the meaning of the word 'optimistic'?" Jasmine asked sarcastically, raising an eyebrow at her twin.
"Jazz, not the time." Phoenix stated. Jasmine sighed and muttered,
"Fine." As she did, her hand began to play with her pendant, the jasmine charm on her bracelet catching the light slightly.
"Do, er, 'fanboys' sneak into the studios often?" Phoenix asked.
"No, not that I know of." Will stated, "That security lady's pretty strict with them."
"But, in today's testimony, didn't she say they were often hanging around?" Maya asked.
"The kids really, really love the Steel Samurai." Will explained, "They sneak past when she's not looking, I guess."
"Was the director present at the morning run-through?" Phoenix asked curiously.
"Y-yes, yes he was." Will answered, "He was directing how the Steel Samurai and the Evil Magistrate should move."
"Why didn't you tell us that before!?" Maya cried angrily.
"W-well, just, the studio asked us to keep quiet..." Will said.
"That has nothing to do with this!" Jasmine cried, angry as well.
"I hate to repeat myself, but Nick here is a newbie lawyer! Fresh off the bar!" Maya added, "When he loses, he's going to lose big!"
"I...I see." Will sniffed.
"You aren't hiding anything else from us, are you!?" Jasmine demanded.
"N-no, I sure hope not." Will said.
"So do I." Jasmine growled, crossing her arms and closing her eyes in an attempt to calm down. To do that, she needed to cut herself off from reality, in a sense, otherwise it would take a good half hour to an hour for her to calm down. As she did, images flashed across her mind.
The boy and girl in the classroom again, only this time, the boy was giving the girl a pendent of some kind.
A man with black hair and kind brown eyes and wearing a brown trench coat and black hat along with glasses giving her a small smile, which was considered big for him.
A teenage boy with black hair and grey eyes wearing a red and white striped shirt, a blue jacket with a symbol on his arms, dress pants and blue tennis shoes along with a brown hat of his own, smiling at her.
The man and boy standing in a courtroom and the man was pointing at another man behind the prosecutor's desk with blue gray hair, dark green eyes and wearing a strange blue suit with a cravat. Beside the little girl watching the men and the boy was the same boy from the classroom. They watched as the judge slammed down his gavel and the verdict was given.
"Jazz!" Jasmine's eyes snapped open only to see Maya looking at her worriedly. "Are you okay?" Maya asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Jasmine smiled reassuringly.
"Maya, Jazz gets like that when she's trying not to get angry." Phoenix explained as the trio walked. Apparently, while Jasmine had blacked out, they had left the Detention Center. "She's here but not here at the same time." Phoenix added, "She started doing it in college, I think." Maya nodded, gave Jasmine one last look and the trio walked on in silence. The entire time, Jasmine was thinking about the flashbacks she had.
October 18th, 2:16 PM
Global Studios
Main Gate
"No one's here." Maya noted when the trio reached the gate.
"Right, now that they have Ms. Oldbag in custody." Phoenix nodded.
"Looks like they don't have anyone else to replace her." Jasmine noted as she analyzed her surroundings, a habit she had started developing very young.
"H-hey!" Maya grinned, her hands clasped. "In the guard station! Look! She left her donuts! …...What?" Maya asked when she noticed the look Phoenix was giving her while Jasmine laughed behind her hand like she usually did. "I wasn't going to eat them!" Jasmine shook her head and said,
"Come on, let's get to work."
October 18th
Global Studios
Employee Area
"Look, it's that assistant girl." Maya said as they entered the Employee Area. "Hey!"
"Hi...WP's lawyers, right?" Penny asked, "I heard about the trial! Great job, guys!"
"Thanks!" Jasmine grinned.
"Oh? Oh hoh hoh. Don't mention it." Phoenix said, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Is it true they caught the security lady!?" Penny asked.
"Oh! Oh...oh hoh hoh!" Phoenix chuckled.
"Actually, she just called me." Penny said, "She told me to cover up that drain..."
"You mean that one?" Jasmine gestured to the taped cardboard covered drain. It was a bit of a mess.
"I...I know..." Penny said, "I'm not so good with handiwork. Some assistant, right?"
"Yeah, but you do work on the props and the backdrops, right?" Maya asked.
"R-right." Penny nodded, "Just...lots of times they end up looking worse than they did before I fixed them."
"Oh? Oh!" Maya smiled, "Well, I'm sure these things happen. Nothing to worry yourself about!"
"Yeah." Jasmine nodded in agreement.
"You're right! I won't!" Penny smiled, "Um, if you'll excuse me, I have to go to the guard station. I'm supposed to fill in for Ms. Oldbag."
"Right! See you later, then!" Maya smiled.
"Bye!" Jasmine waved.
"Good luck with your investigation." Penny said before she left. Once Penny was gone, Maya said,
"So the fanboy they were talking about in the trial today...He came in through that drain?"
"It looks like it." Jasmine nodded.
"I guess they covered it up in a hurry." Phoenix added.
"Hey...Hey, Nick, Jazz!" Maya said suddenly, "If that drain's covered, the boy won't be able to get in."
"Uh, yeah. I think that was the idea...?" Phoenix said. Jasmine grinned as she realized what idea Maya was getting.
"I feel kinda sorry for him, though." Maya smiled, "Don't you?"
"What, you want to rip the grate off?" Phoenix asked sarcastically.
"Really, Nick? We can!?" Maya grinned.
"Please!" Jasmine added excitedly.
"Well," Phoenix said after a pause, "I guess some things are just made to be broken."
"Yay!" Maya and Jasmine cheered.
"You know, Nick, you're pretty swell sometimes." Maya smiled before she cried, "Hiii-ya!" Together, Jasmine and Maya ripped the cardboard off. "There. That should make the kids happy." Maya smiled.
"The things we do..." Phoenix sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Relax, Nick." Jasmine grinned, "It was for a good cause!" Phoenix shook his head at his younger sister, remaining silent.
"Oh...hello." Penny said as the trio returned to the main gate.
"Ho hoh! You look a little out of place." Maya said.
"It's the clothes, isn't it?" Penny asked, "I thought my camo vest might do the trick...Kind of an 'alternative guard fashion' thing."
"Well, it looks great on you." Jasmine smiled.
"So, how are the studios doing?" Phoenix asked.
"There's police wandering around everywhere, it's terrible." Penny said, "They won't even let me clean up. Don't want me "disturbing evidence". I haven't even cleaned up our lunch plates from the day of the murder!"
"You mean those plates with the steak bones left over on them in the employee area?" Phoenix asked.
"Yeah. Can you believe it?" Penny asked.
"Do kids sneak in here a lot?" Maya asked.
"Well..." Penny said, "I don't think there's that many of them, but I do see one in particular a bunch. He's always gawking at the sets, or snapping pictures. You should see Old Windbag's eyes flash when she sees him. She has a bit of trouble catching him though..." Jasmine and Maya laughed at that.
"I heard something at the trial today." Phoenix said, "They said that the director and producer were here the day of the murder..."
"Oh, sorry..." Penny said, "I was in the prop storage room, so I didn't see them. I guess they were here, though. The studio head seemed pretty eager to keep us quiet."
"So, they were trying to protect the director?" Maya asked.
"More the producer, really." Penny corrected, "The producer's our real star here. She saved these studios from the brink of disastor and kept them running. I don't think we'd still be in business if it weren't for that producer!"
Interesting...Jasmine thought.
As the trio entered Will's dressing room, a voice cried,
"WTF! Who are j00 d00dz!? LMAO!" The group turned to see a large sweaty man with black hair and brown eyes and dressed exactly like a nerd.
"H-huh!?" Maya stuttered.
"What?" Jasmine asked.
"W-we...Wait, you first! Who are you!?" Maya cried, "You look pretty suspicious to me!"
"Whatever, l4m3rs!" The strange man said, "How can j00 not know the great Sal Manella!?"
He's...named after a food disease. Jasmine thought flatly.
"I make teh L33T SHOWZ!" Manella continued, "The Steel Samurai? Mine! RTFC! (Read The Film Credits!)"
"R-really!?" Maya cried, "You're THE Sal Manella!?"
"NO WAAAAAAAY!" Jasmine cried, shocked.
"I'm so sorry!" Maya apologized, "I, just, you looked so...Sorry!"
"No, no, quite alright." Manella said, "Really. It's fine. ROFL!..."
"W-what is it?" Maya asked.
"You know, on closer inspection..." Manella said, "Mmm...Yeah...Hot! Hot! Hot!" He slobbered a little and Jasmine stood in front of Maya, just in case the freak got any...freakier. "Hey, do j00 do a lot of 'cosplay', coz that costume r0x0rz!..." Sal drooled.
"Rocksores!" Maya cried, "Wh-wh-what...Hey! You're drooling!"
"Huh? Mmph! LOL! Buffer overrun!" Manella panted, "You've triggered my CR34T1V3 P0W3RZ! Yes...yes, it's coming to me! Pink Princess! The sequel to the Steel Samurai...Pink Princess: Warrior of Little Olde Tokyo! ROFL...LMAO!"
"P-Pink Princess...?" Phoenix asked.
"Why's it gotta be 'Little' Olde Tokyo!?" Maya cried, "Why can't it have a cool name like 'Neo Olde Tokyo!?"
"Maya, we really need to talk about 'cool'..." Phoenix said.
"Not now, Nick!" Jasmine cried, feeling excitement course through her veins at the thought of a sequel to the Steel Samurai. It was so exciting!
"Did you notice anything unusual on the day of the murder?" Phoenix asked.
"Oh, I know who j00 d00dz are." Manella said, "That security lady told j00 about us, eh?"
"That's right." Phoenix confirmed.
"It was a pretty regular day." Manella said, "We had a run-through for an action scene in the morning. Then a meeting from lunchtime in the Studio Two trailer. Heh. I was so busy I didn't even get a chance to eat lunch. :("
"A t-bone steak, was it?" Phoenix asked.
"Yeah...sux0rz!" Manella drooled, "I hate missing out on food..."
"Nick, Jazz...what does 'sucksores' mean?" Maya asked.
"No idea..." The twins admitted in unison.
"Anyway, I was in a meeting from noon til after 4:00." Manella continued, "With the producer, and some bigwigs from the network."
So if he's telling the truth, he and everyone in that meeting has an alibi...Jasmine noted.
"About the producer who was at the meeting with you..." Phoenix said.
"Oh, you mean Dee Vasquez?" Manella asked, "She's a genius. M4d sk1llz, all the way. Scary, though. She brought these studios back from the brink of destruction. She's the one who made it possible for me to make the Steel Samurai!"
"You had a meeting with her on the day of the murder, right?" Jasmine asked.
"Yeah, we were together from noon to 4:00 PM, the whole time." Manella said.
"Who exactly are these 'bigwigs' people keep mentioning?" Phoenix asked.
"Oh, the boss over at the network, and some sponsers. Also a few production guys." Manella explained, "They piled into a limousine and got here right around noon. Major tension!"
"Were all of them with you the entire time?" Phoenix asked.
"Yeah, unfortunately." Manella said, "They're all gray-haired geezers..."
"Thanks." Jasmine smiled with a nod and with that, the trio left.
October 18th
Studio One Entrance
"Hey, Nick, Jazz." Maya said, "It looks like Detective Gumshoe isn't here today."
"You're right." Phoenix nodded, "He's probably up to his neck in paperwork after the commotion at today's trial."
"Poor Gumshoe..." Jasmine whispered.
"So, Nick...Remember that Studio Two we heard about at the trial today?" Maya asked, "It was down that path with the fallen tree, right?"
"Yeah, I think that's what they said." Phoenix said, looking at Jasmine for confirmation. It was a well known fact that, at times, the younger Wright had a better memory than her brother.
"Yeah, they did." She agreed.
"Maybe the director and the rest of them are there today?" Maya suggested. Catching onto her idea, Jasmine grinned,
"Now's our chance, Nick!"
"Let's check it out!" Maya finished.
October 18th
Studio Two Entrance
As the trio looked around the deserted studio, a crash sounded.
"Eek!" Maya and Jasmine cried in surprise.
"N-N-Nick! J-J-Jazz!" Maya cried, "W-w-what was that noise!?"
"It sounded like it came from inside the trailer..." Jasmine said.
"Someone must be inside." Phoenix stated.
"H-Hello?" Maya stuttered as she knocked on the door.
"No answer." The male Wright stated the obvious. Normally, Jasmine would have hit him but she was too nervous to care.
"Pretty suspicious, if you ask me, Nick!" Maya said.
"Me too." Jasmine agreed, gathering up her bravery.
"Let's go in!" The girls cried.
"I'm not sure we should be barging in..." Phoenix said but when he tried the door, it was locked. "...Huh. It's locked." Phoenix stated, confused.
"What? Don't we have a key?" Maya asked.
"No. But there's probably one at the guard station at the main gate." Jasmine suggested.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Maya asked, "Let's borrow it!" Quickly, the trio ran back to the guard station.
When they arrived, however, they were met with a terrible sight.
"Ah hah!" Oldbag cried upon seeing the trio. "You again!"
"Eeeek!" Maya cried.
"Yikes!" Jasmine cried, startled as much as Maya.
"How rude, acting like you've seen a ghost!" Oldbag cried.
"You...certainly got back to your post quickly." Phoenix said, stopping Jasmine from making a comment about Oldbag.
"Oh the police took me away, they did." Oldbag explained, "They pulled out a spare Steel Samurai costume! Told me to "put it on". Can you imagine? How could I, a sweet little old lady, wear a giant suit like that?" Jasmine snorted behind her closed finger hand at that.
"Mr. Powers is pretty tall..." Phoenix admitted.
"As soon as they saw there was no way I could wear it, they let me go." Oldbag continued, "Anyway! Know this, whippersnapper! This old lady NEVER forgets a slight or insult! And you won't get any information out of me! My lips are sealed!"
"You sure are talking a lot for someone with sealed lips." Maya smirked.
"Starting now!" Oldbag cried, "One, two, three, mmmph!"
Oh boy...
"Umm, about that kid you said you saw..." Phoenix started.
"If I see him again, I'm taking him down!" Oldbag cried.
"N-Nick! Jazz! Look at her eyes!" Maya cried, "She's serious!"
"Oh no..." Jasmine whispered.
"About the director, the one who was here on the day of the murder..." Phoenix tried again.
"If I see him again, I'm taking him down!" Oldbag repeated.
"Nick! Jazz! I think she's losing it!" Maya cried.
"Maya, she's lost it a long time ago." Jasmine whispered in Maya's ear. "We might as well leave." Jasmine whispered to Phoenix.
"Good idea." Phoenix whispered back and the trio headed for the Employee Area.
When they reached the Employee Area, the three were met with a surprise. A boy with black hair and brown eyes decked out in Steel Samurai fan gear and holding a camera.
"Hey!" Maya cried but the boy moved towards the drain before anything else could be said. "H-hey!" Maya cried.
"Wait!" Jasmine joined Maya on the last cry.
"Hey, um, kiddy-o!" Maya grinned, "What's yer name, sport?"
"I am not a kid so don't talk to me like that!" The boy cried, startling the three.
"H-huh!?" Maya said, "But you...You are a kid! What a rude little brat. That's no way to talk to an adult!"
"I don't see no adults here!" The boy cried, "Hippie fashion chick!"
"H-hippie fashion...?" Maya asked, confused, "Nick, Jazz...I think I'm being mocked."
"Maya, just calm down. That didn't exactlty help." Jasmine whispered to Maya. Maya nodded and complied.
"I'm Cody! Cody Hackins." The boy, Cody, introduced. "Call me "kiddy-o" again and I'll cut you down where you stand, evildoer!"
"So, you're a fan of the Steel Samurai?" Phoenix asked.
"How dare you utter that name, evildoer!" Cody cried.
"What do you mean?" Maya cried, "We're on the Steel Samurai's side!"
"H-hah! Hah hah! You can't fool me!" Cody cried, reaching for the sword in his backpack.
"Okay..." Jasmine said, "then what's the last line said by the innkeeper in Episode 8?"
"Hah! Easy! "Like some fries with that?"" Cody recited.
"Hmph...not bad, kiddy-o." Maya smiled.
"Watch it!" Cody warned.
"Say, you heard anything about the incident the other day?" Phoenix asked.
"..." Cody crossed his arms and remained silent.
"You were here, weren't you?" Maya asked.
"..." Cody still remained silent.
"Please Cody." Jasmine said, "Did you see anything...?"
"He...he..." Cody stuttered.
"?" Phoenix was confused.
"He...always...The Steel Samurai always wins! Always!" Cody cried, "Yeah, I saw 'em! I saw everything!"
"What!?" Maya and Jasmine cried in unison.
"But...but no way am I telling you losers!" Cody cried
"Wha-!? Wait..." Maya said.
"Lemme go!" Cody cried and escaped.
"...He's gone." Maya said, "Huh? Something fell off the table when he bumped into it on his way out." Jasmine walked over and picked up what fell.
"A...bottle?" The twins asked in unison.
"Why was this sitting there, I wonder?" Phoenix asked as he took the bottle from Jasmine and put it in his pocket. "Anyway, what was that kid saying?"
"He "saw everything"..." Jasmine and Maya repeated thoughtfully.
The trio returned to the main gate only to find it empty.
"Huh?" Maya asked, "Where's that old windbag?"
"Odd of her to leave her post..." Phoenix added. Just then, it clicked in Jasmine's brain. As it did, Oldbag could be heard crying,
"H-hey!"
"Nick! Jazz! That was her!" Maya cried. Jasmine smirked,
"I know what she's doing."
"S-stop! Whippersnapper!" Oldbag cried
"Y-yeah. Sounds like she's chasing after that boy." Phoenix stated.
"Natch!" Oldbag cried as she fell.
"Uh oh, she tripped!" Maya smiled. Jasmine, too, found herself smiling, though she felt a slight guilt about it. "Hey, hey, Nick." Maya smiled, getting the attorney's attention. "Now's our chance! Let's check out the guard station!"
"Good idea." Phoenix nodded. Jasmine grinned as the trio looked through the station when Maya cried,
"Oh! This is it, Nick, Jazz!"
"The 'Trailer Key'!" Jasmine grinned as Maya showed the twins the key in her hand.
"The key to that trailer in Studio Two!" Phoenix smiled.
"We'll be borrowing this, right Nick?" Maya smiled.
"Yep!" Jasmine nodded as she grabbed the key from Maya and slipped it into her dark purple leather jacket's pocket.
When the trio returned to Studio Two, Jasmine took out the key and passed it to Phoenix.
"You're the man, you go first." Was her reasoning.
"I wonder if the key we borrowed from the guard station will work?" Phoenix mused before he put the key in the lock and turned it. "It opened." He stated.
"Thank you, Captain Obvious." Jasmine quipped.
"Great! Let's go, guys!" Maya said.
"Well, you first, Nick." The girls insisted in unison. Phoenix shook his head and led the way in.
October 18th
Studio Two Trailer
Once the trio entered, they found a woman with brown hair and eyes wearing a brown dress and smoking inside.
"Eek!" The girls cried, startled.
"S-someone's in here!" Maya stuttered to Phoenix.
"Names." The woman stated.
"O-our n-names?" Maya stuttered, "Um, w-we're WP's lawyers, and, um..."
"I see..." The woman said.
"And who might you...?" Jasmine asked, trying to sound polite.
"Dee Vasquez. The producer." The woman, Vasquez, introduced.
"I was wondering if you could tell me about the day of the murder..." Phoenix said.
"..." Vasquez was silent.
"M-Ms. Vasquez?" Phoenix stuttered.
"Script." Vasquez stated.
"Excuse me?" Jasmine asked, confused.
"Script. I'm looking for a script." Vasquez lamenated.
"A s-script?" Phoenix asked.
"The Steel Samurai Episode 13. I need it." Vasquez stated.
"Umm...could we ask you a bit about the day of the murder?" Maya asked.
"I need to read it..." Vasquez stated, completely ignoring Maya. The room was suddenly filled with awkward silence.
"Um, w-we'd really like to ask you about the Steel Samurai!" Maya tried with a grin.
"..." Vasquez was silent.
"Ms. Vasquez?" Phoenix asked.
"It's on TV. Every week." Vasquez stated, "That's all I have to say about that."
"Nick! She's telling us to go watch TV!?" The two girls cried angrily, "The nerve of her!"
"Hey, don't get mad at me." Phoenix said. After a pause, Phoenix asked, "About the director...Sal Manella, was it? What, er, exactly is his role here...?"
"Perhaps I didn't make myself clear?" Vasquez said, "I'm looking for a script. I can't be bothered with anything else..."
"Nick?" Maya asked shyly, "Are all people in the entertainment business this...weird?"
"It's starting to look like it." Phoenix nodded.
"I agree there." Jasmine added.
"Nick, Jazz, let's get out of here." Maya insisted, "Isn't there someplace else we have to check?"
"Y-yeah." Phoenix stuttered.
"Let's go." Jasmine nodded. Just as the three were about to leave, Vasquez said,
"Wait."
"Y-yes?" Phoenix asked. Vasquez gave the older Wright a note.
"If you see Manella, give him this." Vasquez stated.
"W-why do we have to do your errands...!" Maya cried angrily as Jasmine, too, glared at the producer. The three had a stare down until Maya and Jasmine were forced to back out. "I...I don't think I like her." Maya said. Jasmine quickly gathered the spirit medium in her arms and Maya leaned her cheek against the aide's shoulder.
"Don't cry." Jasmine cooed.
"She'll take it as a sign of weakness." Phoenix added. Then, he turned to Vasquez and said, "Alright. We'll give it to him if we see him."
The trio returned to Will's dressing room, and sure enough, there was Manella. Phoenix took out Vasquez's note and gave it to the director.
"Here." He said, "I got this from the producer..."
"Huh? "Bring the script for Episode 13"?" Manella read, "Episode 13...where did I put that one? ...I must have left it somewhere. U-uh oh...My ass is p0wned if I don't find it..."
"Nick, Jazz." Maya said, "It might be quicker to just look in all the places where he's likely to have been."
"Good idea, Maya." Jasmine grinned.
"I agree." Phoenix nodded. Just then, it clicked in Jasmine's brain.
"And I know exactly where we're going!" Jasmine grinned, "Come on!"
The trio entered Studio One and Maya and Jasmine shivered upon doing so.
"We're back at the scene of the crime." Maya stated. Jasmine wrapped her arms around Maya to comfort her.
"Let's find what we need and get out of here quick, Nick." Jasmine stated as she rubbed Maya's back soothingly. Phoenix nodded and when Jasmine saw Maya's eyes widen in amazment, she released her.
"Hey! Look! That's the chair the director sits in!" Maya grinned, "I've always wanted to sit in one of these." Just then, Phoenix said,
"Maya...Take a look around that chair for me, will you? Remember that script the director was talking about? Didn't he say he'd left it somewhere?"
"Ahah!" Maya cried, "Found it, Nick! The script!"
"Good work!" Phoenix smiled.
"Great job, Maya!" Jasmine grinned, giving Maya a high five.
As the three reentered the dressing room, they found Manella still there. Phoenix took the script out and said,
"We found your script."
"W00t! THX!" Manella grinned, "Still...I dunno...That woman is to be ph34red when you bring something to her late...Say, um, j00 think j00 d00dz could take it down there for me? THX!"
"Is that producer really that scary?" Maya asked.
"Well, she really isn't normal..." Jasmine whispered into Maya's ear as the three made their way back to Studio Two.
Once they entered the trailer, Phoenix took out the script and gave it to Vasquez.
"Here, we found it!" He said, "Your script."
"Ah." Vasquez said as she took it from Phoenix. Silence followed until Phoenix asked,
"Umm...uh...You're not going to talk to us?"
"Quiet." Vasquez stated, "I'm reading.
"...! Just you hold on!" Maya cried angrily, "What's the big idea!? Who do you think you are anyway!? And, and do you even know who we are!?"
"...Powers' lawyers?" Vasquez said.
"Umm...right." Maya said.
"Am I a suspect?" Vasquez asked.
"N-no, it's just, well, no, but..." Maya stammered.
"...You wanted to know about the day of the murder?" Vasquez asked. Jasmine crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.
What's with the sudden change of heart? She wondered.
"Y-yes." Maya smiled, "Anything you could tell us would be a big help."
"...You know there was a meeting here at noon?" Vasquez asked.
"Yeah, with the director and the people from the network..." Jasmine nodded.
"Correct. Now, listen closely." Vasquez said, "None of the people in this trailer that afternoon went to Studio One. It was impossible for us to leave."
"Impossible? Why?" Maya asked.
"The path was blocked." Vasquez explained.
"The...path?" Phoenix asked.
"On the day of the murder, the path that leads here was blocked?" Jasmine asked.
"You saw Mr. Monkey on the way here, correct?" Vasquez asked.
"M-'Mr. Monkey'?" Phoenix asked.
"The monkey with the broken head." Vasquez explained.
"Oh, right, that..." Phoenix trailed off.
"Its head fell over in the wind on the day of the murder." Vasquez explained, "They didn't start moving the head out of the way until after 3:00. It was after 4:00 by the time the path was unblocked. Capice? Everyone in this trailer was stuck here until the path was cleared. Stuck in this trailer. Stuck until after 4:00. Hammer died at 2:30. Thus, none of us could have gone to Studio One."
"What!?" Jasmine and Maya cried in unison.
"It's true." Vasquez stated, "A crane came just after 3:00 to move the head. We called some people in to clear the way. I'm sure they'd corroborate my story."
"B-but wait!" Phoenix said, "What if the head fell over after 2:30? Then you could have gone to Studio One!"
"2:30...The time of death." Vasquez said, "...Very well. Come."
Vasquez led the three friends to the gate where Mr. Monkey's head laid.
"...That's 'Mr. Monkey." She said, "When it wasn't broken, it announced the time...in 'ooks'. One 'ook' per hour. Ook ook ook ook. Always with the ooking. Check its head. The clock inside stopped when it broke." Jasmine and Maya went over and checked.
"...!" Both girls were in shock. "Nick, it's stopped at 2:15." Maya said.
"2:15...?" Phoenix asked.
"Yep." Jasmine sighed sadly.
"That's right." Vasquez said, "This path was blocked from 2:15 till after 4:00. Therefore, we're innocent."
"Mr. Hammer died in Studio One at 2:30..." Phoenix said.
"See? Goodbye." Vasquez stated. Jasmine sadly took out her notepad and wrote the information about Mr. Monkey down as the producer left.
"What do we do, Nick?" Maya asked, "There isn't anyone besides WP who could have killed Hammer! It's over...We're finished!" Seeing Maya's sad face snapped Jasmine out of her own sadness and she hugged the younger Fey tightly.
"Let's get back to the office." Jasmine suggested.
October 18th
Wright and Co. Law Offices
"Now what...We're fresh out of clues." Phoenix sighed sadly, "Everyone's alibi is water-tight. We don't even have any promising leads. Things are looking pretty grim."
"It's a little early for giving up, don't you think?" A very familiar voice asked. Jasmine gasped, stood up from the couch and whipped around to see none other than the channeled Mia Fey.
"Huh?" Phoenix asked, not seeing Mia.
"You've got one lead." Mia smiled. Phoenix turned and finally noticed the channeled spirit.
"M-Mia! You're here!" Phoenix smiled. Jasmine walked over and hugged Mia tightly. The moment was ruined, however, when Phoenix cried, "What took you so long!?"
"Nick!" Jasmine cried, glaring at her twin for being rude.
"Sorry, Phoenix." Mia apologized, "Maya has trouble calling me unless she's really in trouble."
"Right! Oh, wait. I guess that means we're really in trouble." Phoenix said.
"I'd say so." Mia agreed.
"Just for now!" Jasmine, forever the optomist, said.
"What did you mean we have one lead...?" Phoenix asked. Jasmine gasped as it clicked for her.
"The boy, of course." Mia said at the same instant Jasmine realized it herself.
"Yeah, I saw 'em. I saw everything!" Cody bragged.
"What!?" Maya and Jasmine cried in unison.
"But...but no way am I telling you losers!"
"I dunno." Phoenix said, "He didn't sound like he was going to help us at all."
"I'm sure you can find some way of bringing him over to your side." Mia smiled, "Either way, we should get back to the studios. That boy is our last hope, Phoenix, Jazz." Mia tilted her head as she said this.
"We can do this. We have to." Jasmine nodded with new found reassurance. As they left the office, Mia whispered in Jasmine's ear,
"I liked the lyrics, by the way." Jasmine grinned at her mentor and metaphorical sister as they walked.
October 18th
Global Studios
Main Gate
When the trio returned to the studios, they were met with a panting Oldbag.
"W-what's wrong?" Phoenix asked. Jasmine covered her right eye with her hand, knowing already what was coming.
"Huff...puff...huff...puff...whih...whippersnapper!" Oldbag panted, "Huff...puff...when...when I ca...catch him...I...huff...huff...puff...I...I got a hostage now, whippersnapper!"
WHAT!? Jasmine thought.
"What's this about a hostage?" Phoenix asked.
"Huff...huff...W-when that boy was running away..." Oldbag panted, "...he dropped this a-and ran! Huff...huff...H-he'll come back...huff...huff...for this one!"
Geez, she sounds like the Big Bad Wolf! Jasmine thought.
"Phoenix!" Mia interjected, "That 'hostage' might be what we need! Cody might talk to us if we gave him that!"
"Good idea, Mia!" Jasmine grinned.
"Ms. Oldbag! Might I..." Phoenix started.
"No!" Oldbag cried, "I'm catching that brat if it's the last thing I do!"
"At this rate, it will be." Jasmine muttered so only Mia could hear her. Mia stifled her laughter and said,
"Phoenix. Do you have anything you might trade with her?" Jasmine suddenly had an idea and took out the cardkey, giving it to Phoenix.
"H-hey...that...huff..." Oldbag panted upon seeing the card. "That's a card...huff...Studio One?"
"Right. A cardkey to Studio One." Phoenix nodded.
"Huff...puff...I...I could visit poor Hammer..." Oldbag panted, "I'd like to visit...huff...he died...whew. I was his...his fan."
"You don't have your own card, Ms. Oldbag?" Jasmine asked.
"Studio One isn't my turf. Huff...huff...You'll let me borrow...borrow it, then?" Oldbag asked.
"Why don't you let her borrow it, Phoenix?" Mia asked, tilting her head with a smile.
"It's the right thing to do." Jasmine nodded with a smile of her own.
"I guess it can't hurt." Phoenix agreed, "Here you go, Ms. Oldbag."
"...Listen to me, sonny." Oldbag said, "I don't like having debts to no whippersnappers. You take this and we're even. Deal?" The security guard held up a Steel Samurai trading card.
"What's this...?" Phoenix asked, "A Steel Samurai trading card?"
"That sneaky kid dropped it!" Oldbag smirked, "I figure it's pretty important to him, though."
"Thank you, I may have a use for this." Phoenix smiled.
That must be her 'hostage'. Jasmine thought as she put the card into her leather jacket's pocket.
"Right. I'm off." Oldbag said and with that, she was gone.
October 18th
Global Studios
Employee Area
The trio entered the Employee Area when Jasmine spotted Cody.
"Hey!" She cried to get his attention. She got it, but he ran off.
"Hey, you!" Phoenix cried, "W-wait a sec!" But he ran off into the dressing room.
"...Phoenix, Jazz..." Mia said, "Was that the boy?"
"Yeah." Phoenix nodded.
"His name's Cody Hackins." Jasmine added.
"I think he ran into the dressing room." Mia stated.
"Well, let's go." Jasmine smiled.
October 18th
Global Studios
Dressing Room
"He's sure to be in here somewhere..." Phoenix mused as the trio entered the dressing room. Suddenly, Phoenix cried, "Found you!" Mia and Jasmine walked over and stood by Phoenix.
"...!" Cody was surprised the attorney found him and moved to escape.
"Dammit!" Phoenix swore, "He's getting away!"
"Come back!" Mia cried. "...There. He's back." Sure enough, Cody had returned.
"Wow..." Jasmine whispered, staring at Mia in awe. How am I supposed to be her living legacy?
"..." Cody was silent as he stared at the trio. Mia tilted her head to the right and smiled,
"Hey there. Would you mind helping us out? Please?"
"...I-I'm Cody." Cody stated, crossing his arms.
"Hello, Cody. I'm Mia." Mia smiled, "Mia Fey. Nice to meet you."
"Yo." Cody grinned.
"And I'm Phoenix Wright and she's my sister, Jasmine!" Phoenix introduced. Jasmine covered her face with her hands in embarrassment as Cody asked,
"Who asked?"
"Phoenix, you can take it from here." Mia said as she walked over and slowly coaxed Jasmine out of her embarrassment.
"The Steel Samurai's so cool." Phoenix said, "I think he's the, um, the 'bomb'."
"Hah! What would a lamer like you know about the Steel Samurai!" Cody remarked.
"H-hey, watch that attitude!" Phoenix said.
"Phoenix, you really shouldn't yell like that." Mia said.
"Yeah, Nick, haven't you ever learned how to talk to a kid?" Jasmine teased.
"Yeah!" Cody agreed with a smirk. "Don't yell like that I'm only a kid!"
"So, do you know anything about what happened here?" Phoenix asked instead, "Could you tell me please?"
"I don't know nothing!" Cody protested. Knowing where this was going, Jasmine took out the card and gave it to Phoenix.
"Cody...This look familiar?" Phoenix asked.
"Hey! My UR!" Cody cried.
"'You are'...huh?" Phoenix asked, confused.
"'U.R.' You know, 'ultra rare'!" Cody said, "That card's really hard to get! Man, for a grown-up, you sure are dumb!"
"I'll give you this...IF you help me." Phoenix bribed.
"But that's my card!" Cody argued, "By offering me something I already own, you're in effect eschewing the very basis of our consumer society, namely the principle of fair trade! Man, for a grown-up, you sure are dumb!"
What...how does he know that? Jasmine thought.
"Whatever, I don't need that card." Cody said, crossing his arms.
"Huh?" Phoenix asked.
"I got a double." Cody said, "Just keep it. Its yours. If you want to trade, find me a REALLY rare card!"
"'Really rare'!?" Phoenix cried, "You mean there's something rarer than 'Ultra Rare'!?"
"Ultra Rare Premium cards are way rarer than plain Ultra Rare cards!" Cody explained, "Come ON! Man, for a grown-up, you sure are dumb!"
"Premium...rare...why do I feel like we're talking about steaks?" Phoenix asked.
"Come on, Nick." Jasmine said, "There's gotta be something we can do."
October 18th
Studio Two Trailer
The three entered the trailer only to find Penny.
"Oh, hi." The assistant smiled.
"Hi." Jasmine grinned.
"Hello. What brings you here?" Phoenix asked.
"Oh, well, I had to arrange some stuff..." Penny explained, "Umm..."
"Yes?" Phoenix and Jasmine asked in unison.
"The, um, girl with you." Penny said, "Doesn't she seem a little different? Like, is she even the same person as before?"
"Um, nope!" Phoenix chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "She's the same as always."
"Same as always." Mia repeated, her head tilted and she smiled.
"Okay...whatever you say..." Penny said.
"Have you seen that boy since then?" Jasmine asked.
"Nope." Penny answered, "You missed it, though. The security lady was chasing around after the boy so fast I thought she'd collapse. Of course, he got away in the end. Boy, was she mad!"
"Actually, we saw them." Phoenix said, "How's the old windbag doing?"
"She was squeezing donuts through her clenched fists back at the guard station." Penny said. Jasmine giggled behind her hand at that.
"Are all the posters on the wall here of Hammer?" Phoenix asked.
"Yes. It's really a terrible loss for the studios." Penny answered.
"But...his popularity had been waning recently, right?" Phoenix asked.
"That's true." Penny nodded, "Then again, after what happened..."
"After WHAT happened?" Jasmine asked.
"Y-you mean you don't know about Hammer...?" Penny asked.
"No, what?" Phoenix asked.
"I-I'm sorry." Penny said, "I shouldn't have said anything."
"Wait, now you have to tell me." Phoenix said, "What happened with Hammer?"
"I-I'm sorry." Penny said, "I'm probably not the one who should tell you." Phoenix took out the trading card and asked,
"Do you know anything about this?"
"Hey, that's a Steel Samurai trading card." Penny noted, "I collect those, actually. I'm one card away from a complete set!"
"A complete set?" Phoenix asked.
"Yeah, a set of one of each card." Penny explained.
"Huh..." Phoenix said.
"...Wait...Waitwaitwaitwait!" Penny cried, "That's it! That's the card I need! You don't know how long I've been looking for it!"
"Uh..." Phoenix said.
"I don't care what kind of girl you think I am, I need that card!" Penny insisted. She then took out three other trading cards and began to beg, "P-please! I beg you! Please trade with me!"
"T-trade with you?" Phoenix asked, confused.
"Yes, trade cards!" Penny insisted, "Look, I'll even trade you an Ultra Rare Premium Card!"
"Trade me a...huh?" Phoenix asked.
"Yes, it's a good deal for your Ultra Rare!" Penny insisted, getting desperate. "Please!"
"Phoenix! Can't you see she's desperate?" Mia asked.
"Just trade with her!" Jasmine cried, knowing the value in that card Penny was offering them.
"Okay." Phoenix agreed.
"Really!? Th-thanks!" Penny grinned as Phoenix gave her the card. "Then this is for you. Yaa-hoo!" Penny gave them the card and left the trailer in excitement.
"Doesn't doing good things like that make you feel great?" Mia asked with a smile.
"Yeah. Yeah, it does." Phoenix agreed.
"I love doing good deeds." Jasmine smiled softly, fingering her pendant.
"See this card?" Phoenix asked as the trio returned to the dressing room and found Cody still there.
"Yeah, so...Wait!" Cody cried, "That's it! That's the last Ultra Rare Premium card I need! C'mon give it to me, please! You gotta give it to me!"
"R-right! Okay! How about a trade?" Phoenix asked.
"You're on!" Cody grinned, "I'll give you a 'Samurai Spear' and throw in an 'Evil Magistrate' to boot!"
"No no no no...not that kind of trade." Phoenix shook his head. "I don't want cards. I want information."
"Huh? You sure? Fine by me!" Cody agreed as he took the card.
"Okay, Phoenix. Let's hear what he has to say." Mia said.
"This is the chance we need." Jasmine added with a smile.
"If he knows something that can help us, we can have him take the stand tomorrow." Mia said.
"So...you like the Steel Samurai." Phoenix stated.
"He's so cool!" Cody grinned.
"I...I guess." Phoenix agreed.
"He's amazing!" Jasmine grinned excitedly.
"She's right! You're judging him by his looks!" Cody said, "You have to look at his actions, at his life! You like him too, don'tcha?"
"Uh...Oh, me? Y-yeah!" Phoenix stuttered, "I, um, love the Steel Samurai."
"So, tell me what your favorite thing about the Steel Samurai is!" Cody insisted.
"I like it when he, uh, he vanquishes his foes!" Phoenix said after a slight pause.
"Yeah! Whizzam!" Cody agreed, "The Steel Samurai always wins! Always! Check this out! It's my fan album!" The boy showed them the book he held. Phoenix looked through the book, Jasmine over his shoulder.
"What the...?" Phoenix asked, "It's all pictures of the Steel Samurai."
"This is really cool!" Jasmine grinned.
"I go to every live performance!" Cody bragged, "I always take a picture when the Steel Samurai lands the winning blow! Whizzam! I got 'em all! I never missed one! A perfect collection! Check it out! My new digital camera!"
"Wow, that's very impressive." Mia smiled, "The newest model, isn't it?"
"You bet, lady!" Cody grinned, "I just got it for my birthday! My album has a name, wanna hear it? "The Steel Samurai: Path to Glory". The Steel Samurai always wins! Always! Hey, if you want this, you can have it, lady."
"Really? Are you sure?" Mia asked.
"Yeah, I took these with a digital camera." Cody said, "I got all the data at home so I can always make another one."
"Well, then I'm happy to accept!" Mia smiled, "Thank you." When she noticed the look Phoenix was giving her, Mia was confused. "?" Phoenix, however, didn't explain.
"You were here on the day of the...incident, right?" He asked instead.
"Yeah..." Cody said.
"Did you see anything unusual?" Phoenix asked. Cody remained silent.
"Cody." Mia said.
"!" Cody instantly paid attention.
"Cody, he needs to know because he's fighting for justice." Mia explained, "Isn't that the Steel Samurai's motto? "For greater justice"? You have to help us fight for great justice, too."
"Please." Jasmine added.
"I...I saw..." Cody said, "I saw everything!"
"Cody...I need to ask you something very important." Phoenix said, "What did you see on the day of the incident?"
"...I got here that day around 2:00..." Cody said, "I had to come in through the woods out back so that old lady wouldn't see me. I got kinda lost, though. I was in there for maybe a half hour or so. Then I finally got to the studio. After that..."
"What is it, Cody?" Mia asked.
"You can tell us." Jasmine added.
"Th-the Steel Samurai killed the bad guy!" Cody said, "He used his Samurai Spear! Just like always! One shot, one kill! It happened so fast...I got scared. I went home after that."
"I...I see. It must have been hard for you." Phoenix said.
"Man, you say those nice things but it's so obvious you aren't speaking from the heart." Cody said.
"Mia?" Phoenix asked, "Jazz?"
"Yes?" The two asked in unison.
"I think we can say for sure this means the Steel Samurai did it." Phoenix stated.
"True enough." Mia agreed.
"Sure seems like it." Jasmine said thoughtfully, her thumb rubbing against her engraved heart on her pendent.
"And the director has an alibi, so it wasn't him." Phoenix said.
"Indeed." Mia nodded.
"So...the only person left who it could have been is Will Powers!" Phoenix said.
"...I have to admit, it's kind of a shock." Mia stated, "But if you put this boy on the witness stand, your client will be 'guilty' for sure."
"Let's not call him then..." Phoenix said.
"I think that would be wise. Best to leave this one alone." Mia said.
"I hate to do this, but it is the most logical descision." Jasmine sighed.
"Not so fast, pal!" A voice cried. The three turned to see none other than Detective Gumshoe bursting in. "I heard everything!" He smirked, "This boy here's a key witness! And he's under police protection, starting now! C'mon, son. You've got a rendezvous with me down at the precinct!"
"No! I ain't going!" Cody cried, "Waah!" The two then ran out.
"...That didn't go so well." Mia stated.
"That's an understament." Jasmine sighed, hanging her head slightly.
"We're back to zero leads." Mia added, "And now we have a serious handicap in court."
"W-what're we going to do Mia!" Phoenix cried.
"Well, hmm..." Mia said, "I...really need to be going. Don't worry, Phoenix, Jazz. I'm sure you'll be fine!"
"Whoa whoa whoa!" Phoenix cried, "C-come to the trial tomorrow, please! I need you there!"
"I hate to say it, but me too." Jasmine added. This case had her confused. Who could have done it if it wasn't Will? That was the question they needed to answer.
"Phoenix, can I ask you something?" Mia asked, "Do you really believe Mr. Powers is innocent?" Jasmine looked at her twin, waiting for his answer.
"Of course he is!" Phoenix cried. Jasmine smiled proudly, like a mother who's child had all As on their report card.
"...That's all I wanted to hear." Mia smiled, "Excellent. I'll see you in court, then."
"Great! Thanks, Mia!" Phoenix smiled.
"It really means a lot." Jasmine added, sincere.
"See you soon." Mia smiled, tilting her head.
I just hope we can get a lead tomorrow. Jasmine thought.
There's the chapter! I hope you guys enjoyed! And Jasmine's flashbacks are hinting at a future plan I have for her so go ahead and guess ahead of time and you get a free spoiler of your choosing! Please review to let me know what you think and any ideas you might have! And kid Apollo's coming back soon, I promise! Later!