Objection! Chapter 9:The Truth Behind the Case, a phoenix wright: ace attorney fanfic

Hey guys, it's been a while. Sorry for taking so long but I've been busy and haven't been allowed to be on my labtop, long story. But I'm really excited because I'm almost at Turnabout Goodbyes and that's where Jasmine and Edgeworth's relationship will become a core issue and a major driving force for Jasmine. Two moe chapters and we're there! (insert fangirl sqeel here.) Okay, anyways, thanks to KnightSpark (Sorry, but I can't do that, but it is a good idea. Maybe someone else can do it.), Guest (Yeah they are pretty close, I mean it looks about a 3 inch difference anyways. And thanks, I'm glad you're going to continue to read.), xXSpiritual-FateXx, mysterylover28 and Flower-of-Change for reviewing/following/favoring along with all 1,974 readers! Okay, I hope you guys enjoy the chapter and please review!

October 19th, 9:42 AM

District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 1

"...Umm...Mr. Wright?" Will asked as the twins, the defendant and their channeled mentor waited for the trial to begin.

"Yes?" Phoenix asked.

"Why do you look so...unhappy?" Will asked nervously.

"O-oh! Oh, nothing! Eh heh heh." Phoenix stuttered, "Really, it's nothing. Right, Mia, Jazz?" The two women, however, looked even unhappier than Phoenix, which was never a good thing in Jasmine's case.

"Phoenix." Mia said, "Your client is now practically a dead man walking...Perhaps that's why I feel particularly close to him."

"Mia, please, no dead people jokes." Jasmine said, crossing her arms as she looked down unhappily.

"This isn't the time." Phoenix added.

"You know we're going into this trial utterly defenseless." Mia said, "Yet, if Mr. Powers is truly innocent...We should be able to find something overlooked in the evidence to prove it."

"Something 'overlooked'...?" The twins repeated in unison.

"We have to find something, Phoenix, Jazz, today." Mia stated, "It's that, or lose the trial."

"And Will's innocence." Jasmine added. She held her pendent in her hand and looked at her brother determinedly. They would find something, they had to.

October 19th, 10:00 AM

District Court

Courtroom No. 4

The court was filled with people talking until the judge slammed his gavel down once.

"The court is now in session for the trial of Mr. Will Powers." The judge stated.

"The prosecution is ready, Your Honor." Edgeworth stated.

"The defense is ready, Your Honor." Phoenix stated.

"Very well. Mr. Edgeworth, your opening statement, please." The judge requested.

"An unexpected fact has come to the attention of the court." Edgeworth stated, "Yesterday, we learned that there were other people at the studios! Today, I would like to show evidence proving they had nothing to do with the murder."

"Very well." The judge nodded, "You may call your first witness, Mr. Edgeworth."

I wonder who's gonna come forward. Jasmine thought as she crossed her arms.

"The prosecution calls Mr. Sal Manella to the stand." Edgeworth stated.

Once Manella stood at the witness stand, Edgeworth requested,

"Will the witness state his name and occupation?"

"...How r00d can j00 get!" Manella cried, "J00 don't know ME!? I'm the director! I make the Steel Samuria, n00b! ROFL!" Jasmine sighed and covered her half of her face with her hand. She had expected this, after all. Edgeworth had his arms crossed and he was glaring at the director. "S...Sal Manella. I'm a director. Television." Manella stated nervously.

"Were you at Global Studios on the day of the murder?" The judge asked.

"Y-yes, Your Honor." Manella confirmed

"Hmm...Very well. Please testify to the court about the events of that day." The judge requested.

"Phoenix." Mia said, "Let's start by picking this testimony apart. If Powers is innocent then you know what that means. Someone in the trailer on that day did it!"

"R-right." Phoenix agreed.

"Now all you gotta do is prove it." Jasmine smiled, knowing this was their only hope.

"I was at the studios from around 9:00 that morning. During the morning, I was doing… umm… an action run-through. It took a lot more time than I thought it would. I hear that everyone else ate lunch in the Employee Area…But I had a meeting in the Studio Two trailer, so I ended up skipping lunch. We were in the meeting until around 4:00…During the meeting, well, I'm pretty sure no one left their chairs. That's about it." Manella testified.

"Hm..." The judge said, "The time of Mr. Hammer's death was 2:30 PM. And according to your testimony, you were in a meeting at that time. Mr. Wright, you may begin your cross-examination."

"Yes, Your Honor." Phoenix said.

"HOLD IT!" Phoenix cried, "So, in the end, you didn't get to eat?"

"Yeah. No steak, at least! Can j00 believe it?" Manella said.

"That must have been tough." Phoenix said, though he was slouching and sweating nervously.

"Phoenix." Mia interjected.

"Yeah?" Phoenix asked.

"Doesn't something about that seem odd to you?" Mia asked. Jasmine's eyes widened slightly as she figured it out.

"Yeah, it does seem odd, now that you mention it." Phoenix nodded.

"We have an opening!" Jasmine grinned before both twins cried in unison,

"Mr. Manella!"

"H-hmm? W-what do j00 mean?" Manella asked nervously.

"When we went to that trailer, we saw something on the table." The twins continued in perfect unison, so perfect that everyone but Mia and Edgeworth was unnevered. It was as if they were reading each other's minds. "There were two plates on the table-the same kind of plates as in the Employee Area. Who ate lunch there?" As the twins asked this, they pointed at the witness.

"M-mmpf!" Manella cried, "No, er, ah, um, eh heh. Good call! I, er, I was embarrassed so I didn't mention it...But I did eat, after all."

"A t-bone steak, you mean?" The twins asked, again in perfect unison.

"Yeah, well, I mean the assistant went through all that trouble...I brought it to the trailer, thinking I could eat it later." Manella admitted.

A man who likes to eat...why am I not surprised? Jasmine thought.

"So, when exactly did you eat it?" The twins continued but before Manella could answer, the judge interuppted,

"Mr. Wright, Jasmine, please stop talking in unison! It's unnerving all of us." Jasmine looked away, her cheeks tinted a light pink in embarrassment. The Wrights never planned it when they spoke in unison and when they did and someone pointed it out, she always felt embarrassed. It was the only time she ever was.

"We took one break during that meeting." Manella continued, "I, er, wolfed it down then."

Ew...Wait! Jasmine thought, That means he just contradicted himself!

"We were in the meeting until around 4:00…During the meeting, well, I'm pretty sure no one left their chairs." Manella repated.

"HOLD IT!" Phoenix cried, "You didn't take a single break?"

"Er...well...Y-yeah! Not a one!" Manella answered, sweating. Phoenix slammed his hands on the bench and cried,

"Wait a second! Mr. Manella, you've just contradicted yourself! Didn't you just tell the court that you ate that t-bone steak during a break?"

"Oops! ROFL!" Manella said.

"Well?" Phoenix prompted as he pointed at the director.

"Umm..." Manella said.

"Mr. Manella, what's this all about?" The judge asked.

"W-well, yeah, I guess we did take a little break." Manella admitted.

"Phoenix! Great job!" Mia smiled, "If they took a break,"

"One of them could have gone to the studio during that time!" Jasmine finished with a grin.

"Your Honor!" Phoenix said, "I call on the witness to testify to the court about this break!"

"Very well." The judge nodded, "Mr. Manella, your testimony, please."

"Urk!" Manella gulped.

"Heh heh heh..." Edgeworth chuckled.

That can't be good, especially since he's been silent this whole time. Jasmine thought as Manella began his testimony.

"Yeah, FWIW, we took a break… ROFL! But it was only 15 minutes! 15! That's only 13 in Base 12! Not enough time for someone to, say, commit murder in Studio One! LOL! That's only just enough time to eat a t-bone steak, if you ask me!" Manella testified.

"Hmm..." The judge said, "I don't think it would even be enough time for that, but that's just me. Very well. You may begin the cross-examination."

"Yeah, FWIW, we took a break… ROFL!" Manella repeated.

"HOLD IT!" Phoenix cried, "What time exactly did you take this break?"

"Hmm...I'd say it was from around 2:30 or so until 2:45." Manella answered.

2:30! Jasmine realized. So it's possible, time wise, for someone to commit murder then. Except for Mr. Monkey ruining it!

"But it was only 15 minutes! 15! That's only 13 in Base 12! Not enough time for someone to, say, commit murder in Studio One! LOL!" Manella repeated.

"HOLD IT!" Phoenix cried, "Why is that?" However, before Manella could answer, Edgeworth cried,

"OBJECTION! Haven't we had enough of this pointless line of questioning? Your Honor! The testimony to this point has made one certain fact painfully clear: The people in the trailer had nothing to do with this murder! It was impossible for any of them to go to Studio One!"

"What!?" Phoenix cried.

"Something wrong, Mr. Wright?" Edgeworth smirked, "Surely, you aren't suggesting one of the people in the trailer went to Studio One!"

"Hmm..." The judge said thoughtfully, "Well, Mr. Wright?"

"Phoenix, this is critical!" Mia warned, "Think about it before you give your answer!"

"Do you claim someone from the trailer went to Studio One?" The judge asked.

"I agree that it was impossible for anyone in the trailer to go to the studio in that time." Phoenix stated.

"Ha hah! I thought you might be thoughtlessly treading on thin ice again!" Edgeworth said, "But I see you had at least an inkling of the truth."

"What do you mean, Mr. Edgeworth?" The judge asked.

"It's quite simple...True, the break in the trailer meeting came right at the time of death..." Edgeworth said, "However! The path there to the scene of the crime was blocked!" Edgeworth slammed his hand down and cried, "The fallen Mrs. Monkey head barred the way! At around 2:15, a strong gust of wind knocked off the studio mascot's head. Ergo! When the people in the trailer took a break at 2:30, the way to the studio was blocked. Blocked...by Mrs. Monkey's severed head!"

Miles may have a point but it's Mr. Monkey. Jasmine thought.

"I believe we have seen enough evidence." Edgeworth stated. He bowed and continued, "I would like to relieve Mr. Manella from the stand." The gallery filled with people talking until the judge slammed his gavel down.

"Very well." The judge said, "The court's opinion on this case is as follows: We have found that there were several other people in Studio Two on the day of the murder. However, it is also clear that none of these people could have gone to Studio One. They therefore have no relation to this case. Furthermore, with regards to the photo of the Steel Samurai...Given the size of the costume, no one other than Mr. Powers could have worn it that day. All that is lacking is decisive evidence that he is the one who did it. If we had that, I'm afraid I would have to find Mr. Powers guilty."

"Your Honor. The prosecution is pleased to announce that we indeed have decisive evidence: a witness." Edgeworth said. The gallery filled with people talking and the judge slammed his gavel down once.

"Who is this witness, Mr. Edgeworth?" The judge asked.

"My witness saw the very moment when the Steel Samurai skewered the victim!" Edgeworth proclaimed. The gallery filled with chatter again and the judge slammed his gavel three times.

"Order! I will have order!" He cried, "I see. The court will take a 10 minute recess, after which we will hear your witness. Court is adjourned for recess!" With that, the judge slammed his gavel down.

October 19th, 11:04 AM

District Courth

Defendant Lobby No. 1

The two women stood in front of Phoenix glumly when they reached the lobby.

"What do we do now, Mia?" Phoenix asked, "If everyone in that trailer has an alibi..."

"...I'm sorry, Phoenix, Jazz." Mia said, "I guess I was wrong."

"Mia!" The twins cried in unison, though Phoenix stuttered at first.

"Don't tell me you're giving up!" Phoenix continued, "If you give up, what hope do I have...?"

"...Don't get me wrong. I've never given up on a trial before, not while there while there was a chance." Mia said, "Only one thing became clear in your cross-examination. The people in the trailer could not have gone to Studio One. I thought there was more to it then that...But I was wrong. That's all there is."

"Umm..." Will cut in, "Er...What's going to happen to me? It kinda seems like everyone in that courtroom thinks I did it...They think I'm a murderer!"

"Don't worry, Mr. Powers." Mia smiled, "If you are innocent, we will prove it. I guarantee it. Leave it to us and...be yourself."

"Be strong." Jasmine added with a smile.

"You are the Steel Samurai, hero to children everywhere, after all." The two women finished in unison.

"I...You...Thanks." Will sniffed.

"Okay, Phoenix, Jazz." Mia smiled, "This one's for the kids! Let's do it!"

October 19th, 11:15 AM

District Court

Courtroom No. 4

The judge slammed his gavel down a single time and said,

"Court is back in session for the trial of Mr. Will Powers."

"The prosecution has a concern." Edgeworth stated, "As our witness is a grade schooler of tender years and this is a murder case...We worry that the defense might cause unnecessary trauma with his cruel questioning!" Jasmine noted the prosecutor had left her out of the description. "However, we have no choice." Edgeworth continued, "The prosecution calls Cody Hackins to the stand."

Cody arrived at the stand within minutes but he was too short to be seen.

"Your Honor. Perhaps you could arrange a box for him to stand on?" Edgeworth requested.

"Oh, r-right." The judge agreed, "Guard, please bring him a box. One of those donut crates should do."

Soon, Cody had a box to stand on and could actually be seen.

"Will the witness state his name and grade in school." Edgeworth requested. Cody remained silent and Edgeworth slammed his hand on the bench, crying, "Witness!"

"What!?" Cody cried, "Just cause you're all grown-up don't mean you can push me around!"

"Mrph..." Edgeworth grunted, reeling back in shock before he leaned on the bench in aggrivation.

"Cody?" Mia said, "Answer his question, okay?"

"H-hey, it's you! The nice lady!" Cody grinned, "I'm Cody Hackins! I'm in 2nd grade!"

This is gonna be a long day. Jasmine thought.

"Mr. Edgeworth." The judge said, "Please remember that you're speaking to a child. Try to be gentle." Jasmine covered her mouth with her hand as she giggled.

"M-mrrrrph!" Edgeworth grunted, "Witness! Er, I mean, Cody."

Sounds like Miles is having some issues being gentle. Jasmine thought.

"You were present, er, you were at Global Studios on the day of the, er, incident?" Edgeworth asked.

"You got a problem with that!?" Cody cried, trying to take his sword out.

"Please tell us what you saw that day." Edgeworth requested.

"What, pops? You want me to tell you and gramps with the beard over there?" Cody quipped.

"Just...Mr. Edgeworth will be fine." Edgeworth corrected.

"I prefer 'bearded gentleman' myself." The judge said, "Incidentally, photographic equipment is strictly forbidden in this courtroom."

"M-mpht!" Edgeworth grunted, reeling back in shock and leaning on the bench. "M-my apologies, Your Honor. He said he wouldn't testify if he couldn't bring it...I'd like special permission, if that's possible."

"Wait, so you're saying you had to bargain terms with a kid...and you LOST?" Phoenix asked. Jasmine laughed behind her hand at Edgeworth's expense, ignoring his glare.

"Hey! I just got this new camera!" Cody smirked, "Don't really know how to use it all that good yet! But I bring it with me wherever I go!"

"Phoenix. I wonder if he had that camera on the day of the murder..." Mia said, "You'd better make a note of it in the Court Record."

"I'm on it." Jasmine said as she took out her small notepad and writing down the information.

"Very well, Cody." The judge said, "Please testify to the court about what you saw the day of the incident."

"I wanted to see a Steel Samurai rehearsal, just once. I found a map on the Internet, and went to the studios that day. I went through the woods, off the path, so that old lady wouldn't catch me. I was going for the studio. I got kinda lost on the way, though. For about 30 minutes. When I came out by the studio, there was the Steel Samurai! It totally rocked! Right before my eyes, out came the bad guy! Of course, the Steel Samurai took him down! Pow! If I had my camera with me, that woulda been the time for a shot, I tell you. Anyway, I couldn't get into the studio, so I went home." Cody testified.

"Hmm...Very well. The defense may begin its cross-examination." The judge said, "And, be gentle. Remember you're talking to a child." Cody remained silent as he crossed his arms and looked off to the side.

He's a lot tougher than you think, Your Honor. Jasmine thought.

"OBJECTION!" Phoenix cried, "Cody, what you just said seems, well, a little strange. Didn't you say before that you always bring your digital camera wherever you go? You were quite clear about that."

"Huh!?" Cody cried.

"Cody, you shouldn't lie here. You understand that, right?" Phoenix smirked.

"Mr. Wright! A word with you..." The judge interjected. Just as Phoenix started sweating nervously, the judge asked, "What is this 'digital' camera contraption you're talking about?"

"It's umm...a digital camera, Your Honor." Phoenix tried to explained. "It's a kind of new sort of camera."

"I see." The judge said.

"Anyway, Cody..." Phoenix said, "I can't believe you wouldn't bring your camera on a trip to the studios! You did bring it, didn't you?"

"Umm..." Cody said.

"OBJECTION!" Edgeworth interuppted, "Mr. Wright! How cruel you are, to terrorize a poor child so!"

"I don't care if he's a child or a prosecuting attorney! No one should lie in court!" Phoenix cried, pointing at Edgeworth.

"What do you mean "or a prosecuting attorney"!?" Edgeworth cried.

"Well, Cody?" Phoenix said, ignoring his rival.

"Wh-what!" Cody cried, "Yeah, so I had my camera. So what!? You got a problem with that!?" The gallery filled with people talking and the judge slammed his gavel down.

"So, you did have a camera?" He asked, "And did you use this camera?"

"W-why would I use it?" Cody stuttered, "I...I was too busy watching."

"Hmm...Very well. Please testify to the court about what you were so busy watching." The judge stated.

"Y-yeah, I had my camera with me. But I was glued to the action! I couldn't take my eyes off it! The Steel Samurai, he goes for the bad guy…wham! Then…then the bad guy stopped moving! He's so strong! The Steel Samurai rules!" Cody testified.

"Hmm...Ah? Is that all?" The judge asked, surprised. "Well, that was brief. Mr. Wright, your cross-examination."

"Y-yeah, I had my camera with me. But I was glued to the action! I couldn't take my eyes off it! The Steel Samurai, he goes for the bad guy…wham! Then…then the bad guy stopped moving!" Cody repeated.

"HOLD IT!" Phoenix cried, "Why?"

"Huh? Whaddya mean 'why'?" Cody asked.

"Why wasn't the bad guy moving?" Phoenix clarified.

"W-well, cause the Steel Samurai brought him to justice!" Cody cried.

"And how exactly did he do that?" Phoenix asked.

"H-how did he do it?" Cody stuttered, "With a Samurai Kick! And a Samurai Punch! Samurai Chop! ...Samurai Slap! S-something like that. What! Don't gimme that look, pops!"

"I hate to admit it, but we may need to press him harder." Jasmine whispered to Phoenix. Phoenix nodded in agreement and said,

"Cody."

"Wh-what!?" The boy cried.

"Something's bothering me." Phoenix continued, "Before you said that you "couldn't take your eyes off" the action. "

"Y-yeah? So what?" Cody asked.

"Yet you missed the most important part!" Phoenix pointed out.

"OBJECTION! What is the meaning of this?" Edgeworth asked, "The witness has stated what he saw quite clearly..."

"OBJECTION! You know as well as we do that he's being vague!" Jasmine interjected. She could almost hear her brother think 'Hey, that's my line!' Phoenix slammed his hands on the bench and finished,

"Tell me, what kind of murderer uses a 'Samurai Slap'!?"

"M-mmph!" Edgeworth grunted, reeling back in shock and leaning on the bench.

"My point is this: Cody, you may have seen some of the Steel Samurai's fight..." Phoenix cried, pointing at the fanboy. He slammed his hands on the bench and finished, "But you missed the most important part: the killing blow!" The court filled with the gallery talking and the judge slammed his gavel down three times.

"Order! Order!" The judge cried, "Mr. Wright! How could this be? Can you explain how he missed something so vital?"

"Um, well...er, that's the thing..." Phoenix said.

"Phoenix! I believe you're on the right track with this!" Mia smiled, "Think: why didn't Cody see the climax of the fight? I know you! You can figure this out!"

"Think, Nick, think!" Jasmine added with a grin.

"Mr. Wright, your answer!" The judge said, "We have ascertained that this young boy is a great fan of the Steel Samurai...Why wouldn't he watch the climax of the fight?"

"Your Honor, I have evidence." Phoenix stated.

"'Evidence'...?" The judge asked.

"Yes, Your Honor." Phoenix nodded, "TAKE THAT! Here's my proof!" Phoenix held up the information on Cody's camera.

"What's that? The camera...?" The judge asked.

"The witness stated that he recently recieved this camera." Phoenix said.

"Yes, I'm aware of that." The judge said.

"He wasn't entirely familiar with its operation." Phoenix continued.

"I'm aware of that, too." The judge nodded, "Ah!"

"Correct! Why would Cody be looking somewhere else at the critical moment?" Phoenix said, "Because he was looking at his camera!" The older Wright slammed his hands on the bench and finished, "He was trying to take a picture!"

"Hey!" Cody cried.

"Bullseye!" Phoenix grinned.

"W-what's your problem, pops!" Cody cried, "You got a thing for picking on little kids!?"

"Good job, Phoenix!" Mia smiled.

"Way to go, Nick!" Jasmine added, grinning widely.

"Cody was lying, clearly." Mia continued, "Smart of you to realize there was no way he could just stand there, watching his hero...and not take a picture!"

"Right!" Phoenix nodded, "Cody? There was only one reason why you would have looked away from the fight. And that was because you wanted to take a picture. But having just recieved your camera, you weren't used to using it yet! So you missed the climax of the fight. Correct?"

"...Yeah." Cody finally admitted.

"Well, Phoenix. I'll bet you anything he's hiding more than that." Mia stated, "Have him testify again!"

"R-right." Phoenix agreed.

"There's gotta be something there!" Jasmine added.

"Your Honor." Phoenix stated, "The defense would like to request that Cody Hackins testify once more."

"V-very well." The judge said, "Cody? Could you please tell us about your camera...And about why you didn't take a picture of the fight?"

"Umm..." Cody muttered before he testified, "Yeah, you're right, pops. The Steel Samurai had just escaped from the clutches of the villain. So I held up my camera to take a picture! But the lens wouldn't open in time, so I missed it. Th-That's all that happened. Yup."

"Hmm...Anything strange in that testimony, Mr. Wright?" The judge asked.

"I'm not sure..." Phoenix shook his head. "But I'd like to proceed with the cross-examination anyway.

""Yeah, you're right, pops. The Steel Samurai had just escaped from the clutches of the villain. So I held up my camera to take a picture! But the lens wouldn't open in time, so I missed it. Th-That's all that happened. Yup." Cody repeated.

"HOLD IT! That's all?" Phoenix asked.

"Y-yeah! I told you, I didn't take a picture!" Cody said.

Is that really the truth? ...Nah, Cody would've taken a picture no matter what. So something must have happened. Jasmine thought.

"Cody! Listen up, Cody Hackins." Phoenix smirked, "I know exactly what happened that day." Phoenix pointed at Cody and cried, "You took a picture!"

"...Hey!" Cody cried, "H-how did you know!?"

"We see through your lies, Cody. It's one of our powers." Jasmine grinned.

"W-wow!" Cody said, surprised. "Y-yeah...Yeah, I took a picture."

"Perhaps you can change your testimony to reflect this, Cody?" The judge requested.

"I took a few shots but it was too late, so I erased 'em." Cody amended.

"OBJECTION! Cody!" Phoenix cried.

"Wh-wh-what!?" Cody asked. He looked so sad that Jasmine felt bad for him. But he was the only way to get to the truth, so they had no choice. "Man, every time you say 'Cody' you follow it with something bad."

"I just wanted to thank you for giving me this the other day." Phoenix said.

"Huh? O-oh...right." Cody stuttered.

"What was it you told me then?" Phoenix asked.

"I go to every live performance! I always take a picture when the Steel Samurai lands the final blow! Whizzam! I got 'em all! I never missed one! A perfect collection!"

"Cody. Did you really get a picture of the Steel Samurai standing victorious over his foe?" Phoenix asked, "If you did, I find it hard to believe that you would just erase it!" Phoenix slammed his hands on the bench and cried, "Wouldn't you keep it for your album?"

"Ah!" Cody cried.

"Mr. Wright...What exactly is this album?" The judge asked.

"It's called 'Path to Glory'. It's a collection of pictures of the Steel Samurai, all taken by Cody Hackins." The male Wright explained, "He claims it's a perfect collection of every battle the Steel Samurai has won!"

"I...I see." The judge said.

"Don't you find this odd, Your Honor?" Phoenix asked. He pointed at the fanboy and cried, "Among all his pictures of the Steel Samurai, none were taken that day!" The gallery was filled with people talking until the judge slammed his gavel down.

"Order! Mr. Wright. Have you an explanation?" He asked, "If the Steel Samurai had just defeated his adversary...I certainly would expect to see a picture of it in this album..."

"Exactly my point, Your Honor!" Phoenix agreed, "...!" The older Wright suddenly reeled back in shock at the same instant the younger one did as they both came to the same conclusion.

"Phoenix? Jazz?" Mia asked, "I think we've finally discovered the truth. And what a truth it is!"

"M-Mia, Jazz...are we sure about this?" Phoenix asked, "Did he actually...?" Mia nodded,

"Yes. I'm pretty sure what you're thinking is right. Tell them, Phoenix. Tell them what the truth is."

"Go on, Nick. This is it." Jasmine encouraged.

"Mr. Wright! Please explain to the court what is going on here!" The judge interjected, "Why was there no picture in the album from the day of the murder? Why would the boy have erased the photos he took?"

"I can think of only one reason, Your Honor." Phoneix stated, slammed his hands on the bench and finished, "The Steel Samurai didn't win! That's why Cody deleted those photos."

"You mean the Steel Samurai...lost?" The judge asked.

"Well, Cody? I'm right, aren't I?" The defense attorney asked. "Tell the truth. The bad guy defeated the Steel Samurai!"

"N-n-n-no! No!" Cody cried, "I-it's impossible! Th-the Steel Samurai never loses! He never loses to anyone! Ever!"

"Your Honor...The witness has revealed everything with his words." Phoenix smirked, his hands on his hips. "There was a reason why he lied and told us he didn't take a picture. The same reason he erased his precious photos! For Cody, it was inconceivable that the Steel Samurai could be defeated." The defense attorney slammed his hands on the bench and continued, "However, Cody witnessed the impossible! He saw the Steel Samurai lose! Yet to admit what he saw would destroy everything he believed in! That's why he lied and said the Steel Samurai won."

"He couldn't handle the truth!" Jasmine joined in with her brother in the last statement. The gallery filled with people talking until the judge slammed his gavel down three times.

"O-order! I will have order!" The judge cried, "W-witness! I mean, Cody! Is this true!? W-what did you see? Tell the court what you saw!"

"I..." Cody whispered before he began to sob, "Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!"

"Cody...That day, you saw the Steel Samurai lose a fight." Phoenix summed up, "Right?"

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Cody wailed, "Okay okay! Y-you're right! Th-the Steel Samurai f-fell down...Th-then he didn't m-move...Waaaaaaaaah!" Jasmine felt so bad for Cody in that moment. He had witnessed a murder, something no child should have to see. Jasmine knew that better than anyone. The court filled with people talking until the judge slammed his gavel down three times.

"Order! Order! Order!" The judge cried. Edgeworth slammed his hand on the bench and demanded,

"What kind of stunt are you trying to pull, Wright!? The Steel Samurai was the murderer not the victim!"

"Yet according to your witness' testimony, the Steel Samurai was the one who fell!" The twins cried in perfect unison. The gallery filled with people talking until the judge slammed his gavel down.

"Mr. Wright! What's going on?" The judge demanded.

"Apparently, we have all made a serious error." Phoneix stated.

"An...error?" Edgeworth asked, pointing at the defense bench. "What's this all about!?"

"If you understand what really happened, it's actually quite simple." Phoenix smirked.

"At the end of the fight, the Steel Samurai fell and lay still." Jasmine explained, smirking with her right hand on her hip.

"In other words, the Steel Samurai was not the killer, he was the victim!" Phoenix continued. "Don't you see?"

"Jack Hammer was the Steel Samurai!" The twins shouted. The people began to talk and the judge, again, slammed his gavel down three times.

"Order! Order! Order!" He cried, "So, the Steel Samurai in this photograph..." The judge held up the picture from the studios, showing the Steel Samurai. "You're saying the man in this costume was the victim, Mr. Jack Hammer?"

"That's what we're saying, Your Honor." Jasmine smiled with a nod.

"Jack Hammer was present at the action scene run-through that morning." Phoenix explained, "Thus, he obviously knew about Will Powers' foot injury."

"B-but wait!" The judge interuppted, "Hadn't Mr. Hammer gone to Studio One already?"

"That's what everyone thought!" The male Wright smirked, "But remember what Ms. Oldbag said in her testimony?"

"On the day of the murder, I arrived at the guard station at 1:00 PM. Did I see poor old Hammer? Nope. He'd already gone back to the studio before I got back to the guard station."

"Mr. Jack Hammer left the Employee Area after lunch." Phoenix explained, "However, no one saw him going to Studio One. Nor was there a picture of him. He waited for Mr. Powers to take a nap in his dressing room. Then he snuck into the dressing room and stole the Steel Samurai costume." Both the judge and Edgeworth were stunned into silence.

"But why would the victim do such a thing?" The judge asked.

"I...don't know." Phoenix admitted sheepishly.

"...I get it!" Cody suddenly spoke.

"?" Phoenix was confused.

"What is it, Cody?" Jasmine asked.

"I thought that the Steel Samurai was moving strange." Cody continued, "So it was a different person inside the suit! Pops!"

"Huh, me? What?" Phoenix asked.

"Actually, there was one piece of data I saved." Cody admitted.

"Data?" Phoenix asked.

"Yeah, a photo on my digital camera!" Cody cried.

"! What!?" Phoenix cried. Edgeworth slammed his hand on the bench and cried,

"Show us, quick!"

"No way, man, not if you're gonna look at me like that!" Cody denied.

"Now!" The judge cried. Cody sniffed so Jasmine added,

"Please Cody, this is really important." Cody took out the picture and showed it to the court.

"Here...This is it." Cody said. The court looked at the picture to see the Steel Samurai standing in front of a studio. Jasmine's eyes widened.

No way...

"...Well, looking at this it's still a little hard to say." The judge said, "I'm afraid it could be anyone in that costume. Your opinion, Mr. Wright?"

"I agree, Your Honor. This isn't decisive evidence." Phoenix stated.

"Are you kidding? They don't see it?" Jasmine whispered to Mia.

"I'm sorry, this doesn't look like it's the proof we need." The judge apologized, "I'll give it back."

"Wait, Phoenix!" Mia interjected, realizing what had caught Jasmine's attention.

"Mia? What?" Phoenix asked.

"Look at that photo once more!" Mia insisted, "That's it Phoenix! That photo is all the evidence you need to win this trial!"

"Wh-what!?" Phoenix cried.

"Look at it, Nick! Just trust us!" Jasmine insisted.

"Y-Your Honor!" Phoenix cried, "May I see that photo once more please?"

"C-certainly. I don't see why not." The judge agreed and passed the picture to the defense attorney.

"Phoenix! Show him!" Mia insisted.

"There's a glaring, decisive inconsistency with the facts as we know them in that photo!" Jasmine added.

"TAKE THAT!" Phoenix cried after a minute. "Your Honor! Look at this!" Phoenix indicated the gate.

"I see...a gate?" The judge said.

"Might I draw your attention to the number on that gate?" Phoenix requested.

"The number?" The judge asked, "Ah, yes. Well, it's hard to see, but it looks like a '2'."

"Clearly not a '1', Your Honor, correct?" Phoenix asked.

"Aaaaaah!" Edgeworth cried, reeling back in shock and leaning on the bench.

"I believe Miles sees what my brother is getting at." Jasmine smirked, her hand on her hip.

"B-but...Th-that's impossible!" Edgeworth cried, his eyes meeting Jasmine's for a second.

"Hmm? Eh? What's this all about?" The judge asked, "Please explain so that I might be shocked along with the rest of the court."

Your Honor...you are one of the slowest individuals I've met. Jasmine thought, covering her right eye with her right hand.

"I'll use the studio guidemap." Phoenix said, "The body was found here, in Studio One. However, what do we see in this photo taken at the time of the murder? It does NOT say '1' on that gate in the photo. Your Honor! Here is the true scene of the crime! TAKE THAT! Here, at Studio Two."

"I see! That would explain the '2' on the gate in the photo." The judge said.

"Your Honor, I find it very significant that the murder took place in Studio Two!" Phoenix said, "As you may recall, there is a trailer in Studio Two. Now, on that day, there was a meeting held in that very trailer. There was a break in the meeting corresponding to the time of death. During that break, Mr. Sal Manella and Ms. Dee Vasquez were outside, eating steak. They were at the scene of the crime!" The gallery began to talk amongst themselves until the judge slammed his gavel down. Phoenix pointed at Edgeworth and continued, "The path to the trailer was blocked!"

"So we have heard." The judge agreed.

"The path was blocked at 2:15..." Jasmine continued, "In other words, the victim went to Studio Two before that time!"

"Yes...yes, I suppose that would be the case." The judge agreed.

"Remember Mr. Sal Manella's testimony?" Phoenix asked, "Allow me to remind the court: He said no one in the trailer was guilty because they could not have gone to Studio One. Yet, in actuality, the reverse was true! Only someone in the trailer could have commited this murder! They were the only ones with access to the scene of the crime: Studio Two!" The court filled with people talking. The judge slammed his gavel down and cried,

"O-order! Order!"

"The defense makes the following claims:" Phoenix continued, "The scene of the crime was Studio Two! The person that the security guard, Ms. Oldbag saw was the victim, Mr. Jack Hammer! Mr. Hammer, for some reason, stole a Steel Samurai costume. Then he went to Studio Two!"

"OBJECTION! This is madness!" Edgeworth cried, "Jack Hammer is the victim. The victim! Why would he steal a Steel Samurai costume!? Are you suggesting he did so to cover up the details of his own murder!?"

"W-well, no, of course not..." Phoenix stuttered.

"Hmm..." The judge said thoughtfully.

"Or do you have proof!?" Edgeworth asked, "Give me proof that the victim, Jack Hammer, stole the costume!" Jasmine's eyes widened as she thought of something and took the empty bottle from her twin.

"I have proof!" She cried.

"Y-you do!?" Edgeworth asked, obviously not expecting the female Wright to be the one to present what seemed to be impossible evidence.

"You do, Jasmine, Mr. Wright?" The judge asked.

"Here's our proof that Jack Hammer stole the costume!" Jasmine proclaimed, "TAKE THAT! This is it."

"An empty...medicine bottle?" The judge asked.

"We found this on the table in the Employee Area." Phoenix explained, realizing where his younger sister was going with the bottle. "The same table where Mr. Hammer and Mr. Powers ate. The label reads "sleeping pills"."

""Sleeping pills"...?" The judge asked.

"The defendant, Mr. Powers, spent the entire afternoon sleeping." Phoenix continued, "He was drugged...by Mr. Hammer!" The gallery filled with chatter until the judge slammed his gavel down.

"Wait a moment..." He said, "That bottle does raise some suspicions, yes. But there is no proof that Mr. Hammer used it."

"Your Honor, I have an idea." Phoenix said.

"An...idea? Very well, let's hear it." The judge said.

"I want to check this bottle for fingerprints!" Phoenix said, "If my claim is true, Mr. Hammer's fingerprints should be on this bottle!"

"Hmm..." Edgeworth said as he winced and leaned on the bench.

"I suppose you're right." The judge agreed, "Very well. The court will take possession of the bottle." With that, Jasmine passed the bottle to the judge.

"This court will suspend proceedings on the current trial for today." The judge said later. "Cody Hackins' testimony has revealed new possiblilties in this case. In fact, things may have happened very differently than we previously thought. The Steel Samurai seen by Ms. Oldbag may have been the victim, Jack Hammer. The scene of the crime was not Studio One, but Studio Two. And those in the trailer did have time to commit murder. Mr. Wright?"

"Yes, Your Honor?" Phoenix asked.

"Your homework is to find the answer to the following question: Why would Mr. Hammer steal the Steel Samurai costume?" The judge said, "Also, who killed him and why? Find the answers for me by tomorrow. Mr. Edgeworth."

"Mm?" Edgeworth asked.

"You will need to reconsider your stance in this case." The judge said, "Above all, you will need to reconsider your suspicion of Mr. Will Powers."

"As you say, Your Honor." Edgeworth agreed, his eyes meeting Jasmine's and holding her gaze longer than he had since they first saw each other in Maya's trial.

"This trial will be extended until tomorrow. This is the last extension!" The judge stated. The gallery filled with people talking until the judge slammed his gavel down for the final time. "Very well...Court is adjourned!" With that, the courtroom emptied out.

October 19th, 2:47 PM

District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 1

"Whew! That was a close one!" Phoenix sighed in relief.

"We were saved by a hair but that's all that counts." Mia smiled, "I thought seriously about going home about three times during the trial."

"M-me too." Phoenix agreed.

"I hate to admit it, but I considered it once." Jasmine admitted.

"Really?" Will asked, "You all seemed so...so confident!"

"Hah! Maybe I should take up a career in acting?" Phoenix suggested.

"No." Jasmine stated bluntly.

"I was ready to pronounce you dead about three times back there." Phoenix continued, ignoring his twin.

"Me too!" Mia agreed.

"Sadly, me three." Jasmine admitted.

"D-dead!?" Will cried.

"Hoh hoh. Of course, we're kidding." Mia smiled.

"Are you sure?" Will asked.

"Yes." Jasmine smiled.

"Now, Mr. Powers." Phoenix said, "We have to go make our final investigation. But I promise you, we'll find the true killer by tomorrow's trial!"

"R-right! Thanks!" Will sniffed.

"Let's do this!" Jasmine grinned. Just then, she looked over and spotted a boy peeking in before he looked away when he noticed her staring at him. Jasmine smiled and shook her head. It was only Apollo.

Well, there's the chapter! I hope you guys enjoyed! Please review! Later!