Objection! Chapter 15:Under the Wire, a phoenix wright: ace attorney fanfic

Hey guys, I'm back!

Readers: (glare angrily)

Me: Ah hah, yeah, funny story about why I'm so late: First, I had school and got a job. Second, I have so many new stories, including one for Aquarion to the guest that suggested it. Finally, I just haven't had time since these chapters take so long to write. But since I'm leaving for vacation soon and have time, I decided this will be one of the last chapters I post before I leave, if not the last. Okay, so thanks to JackunzelForever (I'm glad you like my ship, I'm trying to make it subtle but obvious at the same time so I hope I'm doing a good job at that. And Jazz will be in AJ and DD and, though Edgeworth won't show up until the end of DD, he will get many references along with Maya, Mia and Pearl through Jasmine alone.), The Forgotten Reader (Thanks, my goal for Jasmine for a while now is to make her seem human and real but I don't want to spoil anything for future games which is why all the little hints I give from JFA and TT are never directly said but hinted at so it seems more like the games. And when Edgeworth 'dies' and then returns will be a big development for Jasmine because she'll be forced to face how much she relies on the fact that, even if he isn't always physically there, he is always on her mind and helps keep her stable even if she never realized it. And Nick at the end was because he's never seen Jasmine that scared because her mind protected her for as long as it could but she forced it to reveal what she forgot so he's still getting used to a scared and weak Jasmine instead of the brave and strong one he's used to.), Ao oA (I don't have enough information on him yet but once I do, and the game possibly comes to America, I will, maybe, do something with it.), ShadowPhoenix34 (You gave me a brilliant idea on how to bring her memories back, which I was struggling with so thank you! And I'm glad I made your heart melt, but I think you'll be absolutely in tears as the series goes on cause Jasmine and Edgeworth go through a lot together, the hardest being Edgeworth 'dying' and Nick's disbarment. You will be sobbing, I promise you.), basecannon (Yep! Jasmine's gonna have a big role in a lot of the cases in ME and its sequel and these will later be referenced in AJ and DD.), pyrosaurus X (I'm glad you liked the last chapter. What I like about this case is that it gives me the opportunity to establish how emotional Jasmine can be since she's been so strong and assured in the rest of the cases. I'm glad you think Jasmine's so human, that's always a goal when I create a character because I want them to be real so my readers can connect with them in a personal way and you saying I humanized her well means she's coming far. I was actually a little unsure with the flashback cause the characters just didn't feel right to me but your review assured me it was okay so thanks for mentioning that. I was actually using the flashback as a way to show the close bond the four had back then and how it's still relevant now when they all finally reunite. That TT case 5 reference I used was honestly one of the ones I remember most because the usual calm Edgeworth lost it when origami was brought up and it was so useless and funny that I brought it in! Thank you for all the nice comments, it means a lot!), Dinosaur Imperial Soldier (You'll have to wait until the in between area of ME and its sequel, sorry.), jonontomin, EnchantedFox16, Ariastella, JordanPhoenix, Gilgamesh The King of Heroes, Pokebrawl88, KoreanHetalian, PlutoAn, kittykitty6, Letplayer, ThePathUntaken and The Girl who is FandomStruck for reviewing/following/favoring along with all 6,571 readers! Phew, that was long but I'm happy so many of you are reading! Okay, that's it for now! Please enjoy and I'll see you down below!

December 27th, 10:00 AM

District Court

Courtroom No. 3

Jasmine stood beside Phoenix and Maya as the people in the gallery spoke, biting her lip as she did so. The night before, she had dreamed of DL-6 and had woken up several times during the night before she called Phoenix to calm her down, which he managed to do. He had helped but she still woke up at least four more times that night before she resorted to taking sleeping pills to get the haunting images from her mind. She still looked exhausted, which Maya commented on and she had seen the concern in both Phoenix and Edgeworth's eyes, though neither asked her what was wrong. They simply watched as she called her boss at the museum and asked if she could take off some time until she felt better, claiming she wasn't well. Jasmine snapped out of her memories as the judge slammed his gavel.

"Court is now in session for the trial of Mr. Miles Edgeworth." He said.

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

"…" von Karma remained silent, his arms crossed.

"Very well, apparently the prosecution is also ready." The judge said hurriedly. Jasmine looked at the veteran prosecutor who partly haunted her dreams. In her opinion, he was just as terrifying silent as he was speaking. "Mr. von Karma, your opening statement." The judge requested, bringing Jasmine back to her senses.

"…" Still, von Karma was silent.

"Er…very well, no opening statements so…" The judge said awkwardly.

"OBJECTION!" von Karma cried and Jasmine flinched so hard, Maya and Phoenix both had to catch her arms so she wouldn't fall.

"You okay?" Phoenix whispered.

"What was that about?" Maya asked.

"I-I'm sorry. I'm fine." Jasmine stuttered as she tried to calm her rapidly beating heart. von Karma played such a huge role in that trial that his voice haunted her dreams just as much as the sight of Gregory Edgeworth's dead body.

"A prediction!" von Karma proclaimed as the three snapped back to the trial at hand. The undefeated prosecutor snapped his fingers, causing Jasmine to wince, before he proclaimed, "Today's trial will end three minutes from now!"

"What?" Jasmine whispered, shocked as the voices filled the court. The judge slammed his gavel down three times before he cried,

"Order…order! Mr. von Karma! What is the meaning of your statement just now!?"

"OBJECTION! Bah! Must you question everything!" von Karma cried, "It will be over in three minutes! We have no time to waste! I'll call my witness now!"

"R-right…" The judge stuttered.

"I call my witness…my decisive witness to the stand!" von Karma proclaimed.

Once the old man reached the stand, and promptly fell asleep, Jasmine leaned over and whispered to Maya,

"What do we even call this guy?"

"I'm not sure. He never said his name." Maya admitted.

"Hmm…well, until we know who he is, let's call him 'Uncle' cause anything else is weird." Jasmine suggested.

"Good idea, Jazz." Maya smiled.

"Witness…state your profession." von Karma stated. Uncle woke up, stared at the crowd and mumbled,

"Mmph…zzz…I, er, am the proprietor of the restaurant the 'Wet Noodle' at Gourd Lake." von Karma snapped his fingers and silently glared at the old man. "And I, er, also rent boats." He added.

"The night of the incident, you were in the boat rental shop, correct?" von Karma asked.

"Er…ayup, yup I was." Uncle confirmed with a smile.

"Please testify." von Karma stated.

"OBJECTION! Wait a minute!" Phoenix cried as he pointed at von Karma. "This witness hasn't stated his name yet!"

"OBJECTION! Because I did not ask him, Mr. Wright! Bah!" von Karma rebutted, "I have predicted this trial will end in three minutes!" He wagged his finger at the defense as he smirked, "Stop asking trivial questions and cooperate!" Phoenix slouched down and began sweating as Jasmine and Maya huffed in irritation, Maya's stronger than Jasmine's.

"The witness will state his name." The judge ordered. Uncle, however, had fallen asleep again.

"Zzz…..." He suddenly sat up, awake. "Mmph! Well, er…I'm not really sure, ayup."

"What do you mean?" The judge asked, surprised.

"My, er, memory…" Uncle trailed off.

"Your Honor…The witness does not remember anything beyond the last several years…Ergo, he cannot recall his own name." von Karma explained.

"Hmm…he can't recall, you say?" The judge asked.

Oh, how convenient for von Karma! Jasmine thought as her gaze sharpened on the veteran prosecutor. She clearly remembered how von Karma handled something he didn't like: he made it appear or disappear.

"Yes, but the incident in question took place three days ago." von Karma said, "He can testify."

"Very well." The judge agreed, "Let's hear his testimony then, shall we. Witness?"

"It was the night of the 24th, just after midnight, ayup. I was in the restaurant... where I er... rent boats, as usual. Then I heard a "bang!" Ayup. When I looked out the window, I saw a boat just a' floating on the lake. I heard another "bang." Just about then the boat comes back to the shore, and a man walks by my window." Uncle testified.

"Hmm...Very well. I'd like to begin the cross-examination..." The judge started.

OBJECTION!" von Karma cut in, wagging his finger as he did so. "There is nothing to question in my witness's testimony! Ergo, no need for cross-examination! Besides, there are only 10 seconds left before our three minutes are up!" von Karma snapped his fingers before he finished, "Judge! Your verdict!"

"Er...yes...M-Mr. Wright...?" The judge stuttered.

No way is this trial ending now! Jasmine thought, sending her brother a look. Phoenix slammed his hands on the bench and cried,

"What are you saying!? Of course I'll cross-examine the witness!"

"Hmm…Very well, you may begin." The judge agreed.

"Raaaaaaaaaaaargh!" von Karma roared suddenly, slamming his hand on the bench as he did so. Jasmine cried out as she fell backwards in fear, her head hitting the wall behind her before she fell to the ground, her arms wrapped around her legs as she trembled.

"Jazz! Are you okay?" Phoenix asked as he looked down at his sister while Maya knelt beside her, trying to grab her hand to no avail.

"G-give me a c-couple minutes. G-go on w-without me." Jasmine stuttered in response as she tried to get herself under control. Why did I react so violently to von Karma's scream? The aide didn't have an answer, instead allowing herself to fall into memories of a simpler time: the first time she met the spirit medium beside her.

Jasmine walked away from Ivy University, adjusting the bag she carried as she did so. Mia had called her asking if she wanted to meet up, which Jasmine had readily accepted, if only to learn more about being an attorney from the older woman. Jasmine smiled as she entered the restaurant and found Mia sitting in a booth near the back.

"Hey Mia, I'm glad we could-" The student cut herself off as she saw the girl, who could be no older than 14, sitting across from the defense attorney. "Oh, hi." Jasmine said lamely to the girl, having not expected her in the first place. And I call myself a babysitter.

"Sorry Jazz, I guess I should've told you but it was kind of a last minute thing." Mia apologized as she made room for the student to sit beside her. "This is my little sister, Maya. Maya, this is my good friend, Jasmine."

"But you can call me Jazz, if you like." Jasmine offered a smile to the girl. It had been half a year since she met Mia and she knew how much the attorney cared for her little sister so the student was honored to be meeting her.

"Nice to meet you!" Maya chirped happily before she grabbed the huge burger off her plate and began to eat it at a fast pace.

"Wow, you really like burgers, don't you?" Jasmine smiled.

"It's her favorite food, she loves to eat." Mia explained, "But she loves the Steel Samurai more."

"Ah, I can understand that." Jasmine smiled.

"You like the Steel Samurai too?" Maya asked, her eyes wide.

"Like him? I love the Steel Samurai." Jasmine corrected.

"Me too! Isn't he amazing?!" Maya asked excitedly. "I wanna marry him someday!"

"And if you can't?" Jasmine asked.

"Then I'll marry someone who saves me just as good as the Steel Samurai could!" Maya grinned. Jasmine laughed.

"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you." Mia apologized, "She just kept begging our aunt to come and see me."

"That's alright, I'm glad you like me enough to introduce her to me." Jasmine smiled, "I think the three of us are gonna be great friends."

"Nuh-uh." Maya cut in, "The three of us are gonna be great sisters!"

"Yeah, Maya. We are." Mia smiled in agreement.

Jasmine smiled and laughed at the memory as she returned to reality as Phoenix cried,

"D-Dad!" Uncle's eyes snapped open as he cried,

"Dead certain, Keith! He said, "I can't believe he's dead" as he was walking by too." The crowd began to mumble and Jasmine felt her heart freeze. The judge slammed his gavel three times.

"Witness! Are you sure that the person you saw was Miles Edgeworth!?" von Karma demanded.

"It was him! That Edgeworth boy!" Uncle cried as he raised his fist before he fainted. Jasmine's eyes shot over to Edgeworth, who was gripping the arms of the defendant's chair so tightly his knuckles were white. He was scared, Jasmine could tell with that single look. Both Phoenix and von Karma were silent.

"…This…sounds like decisive evidence indeed." The judge said, "I see no room for doubt."

No!

"Tsk, tsk, tsk…" von Karma laughed and, combined with his smile, sent chills down Jasmine's spin.

"N-Nick…! I don't like the way things are going here!" Maya said, "Everyone in the courtroom is glaring at us!"

"They think Miles did it! We have to do something now!" Jasmine said in agreement, though her eyes were desperate. Not Miles, please just not Miles.

"OBJECTION!" Phoenix cried as he slammed his hands on the bench. "Your Honor! We proved in yesterday's court that it could not have been Edgeworth who fired that gun!"

"OBJECTION! Mr. Wright." von Karma cut in, "Are you referring to the fingerprints from Edgeworth's right hand found on the gun, and the photograph showing a man firing with his left hand…?"

"Exactly!" Phoenix agreed. von Karma shook his head and wagged his finger.

"That is easily explainable! He could have wiped his prints after he fired!" von Karma snapped his fingers before continuing, "You are ignoring the truth of the matter here! Everything in this witness' testimony is true!"

"Hmm…" The judge said thoughtfully.

Please Nick…do something! Miles, this can't happen to Miles! It just can't!

"OBJECTION! Your Honor!" Phoenix interjected, "This witness claims that Edgeworth said 'I can't believe he's dead'…But his word is all we have! If he were telling a lie…"

"OBJECTION!" von Karma cut off, "Mr. Wright. In a court of law, the evidence tells all. Apparently, you have yet to realize even this basic fact. If you say his testimony is a lie, show us proof!"

"Urk…" Phoenix grunted as he slouched and began to sweat.

"Nick! Do we have evidence…?" The girls asked in unison.

"It's no good! There's nothing I can do." Phoenix said, frustrated.

"No." Jasmine whispered, her hand coming up to cover her mouth as she tried to control herself.

"A…are you sure?" Maya asked.

"To be honest…I don't know what to do anymore." Phoenix admitted, hanging his head in defeat. Jasmine hung her head as well, her hair coming to cover her face like a curtain as she struggled to rein in her emotions. There was no turnaround to be seen here, no way to think outside the box. Uncle's testimony was flawless…perfect, the von Karma way and there wasn't a way to prove it was a lie.

15 years ago all over again…Jasmine thought as images of the trial before DL-6 shot through her mind, the battle between Gregory and von Karma as one tried to prove the truth and the other tried to hide it.

"Please…Can you hear me, Sis? Please…We need your help…Nick needs you…" Maya whispered, as if she was praying. Jasmine felt a cool breeze blow past her but it was gone a second later.

"Tsk tsk tsk…" von Karma laughed, "Three minutes was perhaps too high an expectation. However, fifteen minutes isn't bad! This must be a new record." The judge slammed his gavel.

"Enough! The witness may leave the stand." The judge said. Uncle simply snored as he left.

Once Uncle left, the judge continued,

"This court sees no reason to further prolong the trial. Nor is there any need for more time to decide the case against the defendant." The judge said.

No…No…No…

"This case is extremely clear. I see no reason for misinterpretation of the facts."

No…No…No!

"Hmph." von Karma huffed.

"This court finds the defendant, Mr. Miles Edgeworth…"

NO!

GUILTY

"The accused will surrender to the court immediately, to be held pending trial at a higher court within a month from today's date. That is all. The court is adjourned!" The judge said.

Jasmine's heart shattered and she closed her eyes, feeling the tears welling in them as the verdict rang through her head over and over as the gavel slammed down, sounding to her as a door shutting and being locked for all eternity.

"W-w-waaaaaaait!" A voice suddenly cried and for the first time in her life, Jasmine was grateful for that idiot's voice that rang in her ears. While she had her eyes closed with a smile on her lips, Phoenix reeled back in shock, his eyes wide and his mouth wide open, von Karma didn't react, Maya prayed silently and the judge blinked in shock.

"Wh-who was that just now?" The judge broke the silence.

"Me!" The same voice answered, desperate.

"Huh? Waaaaah!" Phoenix cried, "L-Larry!" Sure enough, Larry Butz stood at the witness stand, sweating and giving his friends a thumbs up. Edgeworth was staring at his childhood friend with pure horror across his face, a face Phoenix mimicked perfectly while Jasmine was the only one smiling in pure relief.

"Wh-what are you doing here!?" The judge cried.

"Listen! Y-you gotta listen to me!" Larry cried, "I…I was…"

"Spit it out, Larry!" Jasmine shouted, desperate.

"I was there, in the park, the night of the murder!" Larry cried with a cocky smirk. "I…I wasn't sure about it until just yesterday. B-but today I remembered it!"

"Remembered what?" The judge asked.

"The gunshot!" Larry cried, "I heard it too!" The gallery started talking as Larry's words rung throughout the court until the judge slammed his gavel down.

"O-order!" He cried.

"OBJECTION!" von Karma cried, snapping his fingers. "What is the meaning of this!? The verdict has been decided! I call for adjournment!"

"One moment, Mr. von Karma." The judge said calmly.

Yes! Take that, von Karma! Come on, Larry! You're our only hope, as much as I hate to admit it!

"So, you say you heard a gunshot?" The judge asked.

"Yeah, I did! A gunshot! That night!" Larry confirmed, "I was sitting here in the audience, listening to the testimony…Then I realized, something he said was different from what I remember! A-anyhow, I can't just sit here and let you call Edgey a murderer! It's…it's just not right! I'll testify! Lemme testify!"

Larry, you may be a bumbling idiot at times, but you are one of the truest friends I will ever have. The gavel slammed down three times.

"Order! Order!" The judge cried. "Well, this is the first time something has happened like this in my court. I'm not quite sure how to proceed…"

"Judge! You've already given your decision!" von Karma cried before he snapped his fingers. "The trial is over!"

"OBJECTION!" Jasmine cried, "A verdict cannot be given until every witness is heard! If we don't listen to Larry's testimony, Miles could be given a false verdict and that is what this court tries to prevent!" Just then, Phoenix, who had been listening to a whispering Maya until this point, joined in.

"If there is another witness, it is our duty to hear him speak!" He cried before pointing at Larry. "Right here! Right now!"

"A waste of time!" von Karma cried, "The verdict cannot be overturned!"

"Hmm…" The judge hummed before he slammed his gavel down. "Allow me to speak my opinion. In all court proceedings, it is our duty to prevent an inaccurate verdict. In order to ensure no mistake has been made, every witness should be heard!"

"Wh-what is this!?" von Karma cried, shocked. The judge slammed his gavel once.

"I withdraw my previous verdict of 'guilty'!" The judge proclaimed.

YES! Larry you just saved our butts!

The gavel slammed three times, silencing the crowd.

"Mr. von Karma! I order you to call this new witness to testify. Now!" The judge ordered.

"Whaaaat!" von Karma cried, shocked. The judge slammed his gavel.

"The court will adjourn for a five minute recess." He said, "After that we will hear this new witness. Court is adjourned!"

December 27th, 10:28 AM

District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 2

The twins breathed sighs of relief as they reached the safe room of the defendant lobby.

"That was too close." Phoenix sighed.

"Understatement." Jasmine agreed as she wiped away any excess tears as discreetly as possible.

"Sorry to keep you on the edge of your seat like that, Edgeworth." Phoenix apologized sheepishly to his childhood friend.

"Hmph. I've seen worse." Edgeworth grunted. Jasmine stepped closer to the prosecutor and placed a hand on his arm, the first actual time they touched since she hugged him after the earthquake.

"I'm just glad you're okay, for now at least." Jasmine said as her eyes connected with Edgeworth's. In that moment, a thousand words were exchanged between them without either one saying a word. Apologies for not being able to do anything or enough, confessed fears of what this trial will bring and reassurances that things will work out in the end.

"I just wonder what Larry plans to say in there." Phoenix cut in then, breaking the moment. Jasmine stepped away from Edgeworth as he looked down to the right, his right arm gripping his left.

"Larry was at the lake that night?" Maya asked.

"Yes…" Phoenix said, "He said he went looking for the Steel Samurai balloon that flew into the lake."

"Oh right. And he found the balloon and the air tank that night?" Maya asked

"Yeah." Phoenix nodded before he turned to the prosecutor, concerned. "…Hey, Edgeworth."

"…Huh? You say something, Wright?" Edgeworth jumped back to reality just then.

Is that how I look when I black out?

"Yeah, a lot of things." Phoenix stated.

"Nick!" Jasmine whispered as she hit her brother's arm.

"You seem out of it. What's wrong?" Phoenix asked, genuinely worried.

"You can trust us, Miles." Jasmine added.

"It…it's nothing." Edgeworth said, avoiding the twins' gaze.

"Hmm?" Phoenix asked as Jasmine, unconsciously, stepped closer to her childhood best friend, concern adorning her features.

"Umm…Mr. Edgeworth?" Maya asked, "There's something I've been meaning to ask you."

"What's that?" Edgeworth asked.

"Why are your fingerprints on the murder weapon?" Maya asked. Jasmine crossed her arms.

"Yeah, I've been wondering that too." She nodded.

"Oh. When he fell into the lake, I went into a daze." Edgeworth explained, "I couldn't understand what had happened. I couldn't think straight. Then I saw the pistol lying on the floor of the boat in front of me. I picked it up without thinking. I didn't have a reason really."

"I see…" Maya nodded.

"But that is of itself a reason." Jasmine said, "You were in a daze and didn't understand what was going on so you did something you wouldn't have done under normal circumstances." Edgeworth nodded in agreement before he turned to the older of the twins.

"Wright…" He said.

"Yeah?" Phoenix asked.

"This might be our chance." Edgeworth said with the smallest of smiles on his face.

"Our chance?" Phoenix asked.

"von Karma has only ever run perfect trials." Edgeworth explained.

"Perfect trials…?" Phoenix asked.

"It's the von Karma way." Jasmine explained.

"Perfectly prepared witnesses, perfectly complete evidence." Edgeworth explained, "That's the secret to his success."

"And he doesn't even care for the truth. Perfection comes before everything else with him." Jasmine added, crossing her arms as she looked down.

"This is the first time he's ever had to deal with something unexpected!" Edgeworth continued, "He has let someone he hasn't even talked to testify before the court! And that someone…is Larry!"

"Meaning he had no time to prep Larry. Everything Larry says is how he remembers it, his truth!" Jasmine smiled.

"What are you two getting at?" Phoenix asked, not understanding.

"It's likely his testimony will be full of holes, Wright." Edgeworth said at the same instant Jasmines said,

"It's likely his testimony will be full of holes." The two stared at each other, blinking in shock. Calling out an objection during the Steel Samurai case was one thing but this was entirely an accident and not thought out. It was…strange, to say the least.

"That's right, Nick!" Maya grinned, "No ten minute trial this time! We'll milk this one for all it's worth!"

"Hey, it was fifteen minutes! Fifteen!" Phoenix protested.

"Doesn't make a difference! Let's just get everything out of Larry and find the truth!" Jasmine grinned.

December 27th, 10:35 AM

District Court

Courtroom No. 3

The gavel slammed once.

"Court is now back in session." The judge stated, "Witness…please testify to the court about everything that you saw…on the night of December 24th."

"Right…leave it to me!" Larry grinned, sending Edgeworth a thumbs up.

Larry, you are not allowed to screw this one up, you are our only chance.

"That night, I was out in a boat on the lake. I was looking for something and I, er, found it. So I quietly slipped the boat back in at the rental dock. Then, just as I was thinking about going home, I heard this "bang"! I looked out over the lake, but I didn't notice the boat. So after I heard that single gunshot I went home." Larry testified.

"Hmm...That was an unusually vague testimony, even for this court. In any matter, Mr. Wright, you may begin your cross-examination." The judge remarked.

"Yes, Your Honor..." Phoenix said, not excited at all.

"What's wrong, Nick?" Maya asked as she saw the attorney's face.

"It's Larry! I have no idea what he's going to say if I press him. I'm a little scared." Phoenix admitted.

"Hmm...Well, we've come this far. There's no way to go but forward, Nick!" Maya smiled.

"Just push him the right way and the truth will come out." Jasmine smiled, trying to give her brother confidence that even she didn't have.

"OBJECTION!" Phoenix cried, pointing at his friend. "W-wait a sec, Larry!"

"Wh-what!?" Larry asked.

"You only heard one 'bang'!? You're sure!?" Phoenix asked as a smile slowly spread across Jasmine's face.

This is our turnabout!

"That's what I said!" Larry confirmed with a smirk.

"But Ms. Lotta Hart testified yesterday that she heard two 'bang's! And the old man just now said the same thing!" Phoenix pointed out. "They both heard two gunshots that night!"

"Huh?" Larry asked. Phoenix slammed his hands on the bench and glared at his childhood best friend.

"Were you even listening!?" He cried, "Were you paying attention at all to what they said?"

"Yo, Nick, please!" Larry said.

"Huh?" Phoenix asked.

"You know, something's been bothering me." Larry said, "I'm a witness, see? I'm like a customer here! So you got to treat me nice and stuff, okay!?" Jasmine slapped her hand to her forehead as Phoenix hunched over and began to sweat and Maya sighed as if to say 'Really Larry?'

"Mr. Butz." The judge cut in.

"What!?" Larry asked.

"You only heard one gunshot? Are you sure?" The judge asked.

"…Umm…Well, to tell ya the truth…I'm not sure." Larry admitted, rubbing the back of his neck and avoiding eye contact.

"Eh…?" The judge asked, eyes wide.

"Not sure!? H-how could you not be sure?" Phoenix asked.

"Yeah, well…I, uh, I might have missed the other gunshot. I was, uh, listening to something else." Larry answered.

"Something…else?" Phoenix asked.

"Out with it, Larry. What was it?" Jasmine asked, her voice resigned.

"My radio, girl! On my headphones." Larry answered, still not looking at anyone.

"Whaaaaaaat!?" The twins cried in unison, Phoenix reeling back in shock with his eyes wide and mouth wide open and Jasmine leaned back in shock, her hair following her body after and her hand covering her mouth. The gallery began to mumble instantly. The judge slammed his gavel down once.

"Order! Order! And stop that booing!" He cried. "M-Mr. Butz! You were listening to a radio on earphones?"

"Y-yeah! So what! That a crime!?" Larry cried, "I listen to my radio! Everyone listens to the radio! What's the big deal!?"

"Hmm…Mr. von Karma…Your opinion?" The judge asked.

"Waste of time." von Karma stated. "I do not accept this witness, nor his shoddy testimony."

"Hmm…Well, Mr. Wright? Should he continue the testimony?" The judge asked.

"Your Honor. Please…please allow the witness to continue his testimony." Phoenix said.

"Bah! Nothing is more pitiful than a lawyer who doesn't know when he's lost!" von Karma spat.

"Very well, Mr. Butz. Please give your testimony and be sure to include details like your RADIO." The judge said.

"Right! Leave it to me!" Larry grinned.

No more slip ups, Larry. Miles' life is riding on this.

"It's lonely, being alone on Christmas Eve! That's why I was listening to an all-requests show on my radio, see? I was listening to it real booming loud, like. But I'm sure I heard that gunshot! I remember exactly what the DJ was saying when I heard it, too." Larry testified.

"You were listening to your radio...at a high volume!?" The judge asked.

"Yeah, what's the big problem? Can't a man listen to his radio in peace? Isn't this a free country!?" Larry cried. Jasmine sighed, shaking her head.

That's not the issue, Larry you idiot!

"Judge. Can you believe a word this witness says? What he heard was probably nothing more than a drum beat from the radio!" von Karma claimed.

"True enough, it is difficult to believe this testimony." The judge agreed.

"OBJECTION! Wait, Your Honor!" Phoenix cried, "The witness said he remembers exactly what the DJ said when he heard the gunshot!"

"Excuse me? 'Dee-jay'...?" The judge questioned, confused.

"An announcer...the guy who says things on the radio." Jasmine explained, her face lost on how to explain this.

"Anyway! What this means is, when he heard the sound, no music was playing! The DJ only talks between songs! So he could have heard the gunshot from the lake! I'd like to cross-examine the witness, Your Honor!" Phoenix said.

"V-very well, Mr. Wright." The judge agreed.

"HOLD IT!" Phoenix cut in, "What did he say?"

"OBJECTION! Mr. Wright!" von Karma cut in, "Please cease these pointless questions! What possible good could knowing what a radio DJ said do us!?"

"Indeed, Mr. von Karma has a point." The judge nodded. "I'll allow the question only if you see some reason why we should care…?" Phoenix slammed his hands down as he answered,

"We should care, Your Honor! Of course we should!"

"Why?" von Karma asked.

Really? Now you're a two year old playing the 'why game'?

"Uh. W-well, how do you know if we don't ask, hmm?" Phoenix answered, nervously rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish smile.

"Fine, very well." The judge nodded. "Mr. Butz, please testify to the court. What was the radio announcer saying when you heard the gunshot?"

"Just when she said 'Hey! It's almost Christmas!' I heard the gunshot!" Larry answered.

"OBJECTION!" Phoenix cried, pointing at his childhood best friend before he slammed his hands on the bench. "Larry! Are you sure what you're saying is correct!?" Jasmine held her breath, this was the do or die moment.

"Huh? What's with the face? You look scary dude." Larry remarked. "Hey, if you're trying to scare me, you better know I don't scare that easy!"

"Answer the damn questions!" Jasmine cried, annoyed.

"Is something the matter, Mr. Wright, Jasmine?" The judge asked.

"Your Honor!" The twins said in unison, with their actions and their voices as they both pointed at the witness. "Did you hear what the witness just said? The DJ said 'Hey! It's almost Christmas!' when he heard the gunshot!"

"Indeed…And…?" The judge asked.

"'Almost Christmas' means it wasn't Christmas!" The twins explained. "Do you realize what this means? When he heard the gunshot it was still Christmas Eve!"

"That would seem to be the case, yes…" The judge agreed.

"But that contradicts the two testimonies we have heard so far, Your Honor!" The twins continued, "Both Ms. Hart and the old man said it was after midnight when they heard the gunshots! In other words…when they heard the gunshots, it was already Christmas! This is a clear contradiction, Your Honor!" The gallery mumbled among itself when the judge slammed his gavel down three times.

"Order! Order!" He cried, "What does this mean? The two prior witnesses heard gunshots after midnight. However, this witness says he heard a gunshot before midnight…"

"Judge. The answer is simple." von Karma said, before he snapped his fingers. "The current witness is plainly mistaken. Just look at him! Suspicious!"

"Wh-whaaat!?" Larry cried.

"Hmm…Well, Mr. Wright? What do you think about Mr. Butz's claim he heard the gunshot before midnight?" The judge asked.

"Larry's not mistaken, Your Honor!" Phoenix answered, his head held high. He slammed his hands on the bench and pointed at von Karma. "He heard that gunshot before midnight!"

"…Intriguing." von Karma smirked, "I'm assuming you have evidence for this wild claim?" He snapped his fingers. "Show me evidence there was a gunshot before midnight!"

"TAKE THAT!" Phoenix cried, "Look at this photograph! This was taken by our witness yesterday, Ms. Lotta Hart, with her automatic camera. The timestamp on the photo reads 'December 24th, 11:50 PM'."

"Oh yeah?" The judge asked, "Hmm? But there's nothing on the lake in this picture."

"Your Honor. The real issue here is not why nothing is shown in this photograph." Phoenix explained before he pointed at von Karma. "It is why this photograph exists at all!"

"What do you mean?" The judge asked.

We really need to spell it out for you, Your Honor? Seriously?

"Your Honor…this photograph was taken by an automatic camera." Jasmine explained, "That camera was set to go off in response to loud noises!"

"Ahah!" The judge cried.

"Correct!" Phoenix said, "There was a loud noise on the lake at 11:50 PM. That is why this photograph was taken! In other words…when Larry heard that gunshot, it was most definitely Christmas Eve!"

"Indeed, it would seem that is the case!" The judge agreed. "Then…where does that leave us? Ms. Hart testified that she heard the gunshots after midnight. Are you claiming she was mistaken?"

"Not at all, Your Honor." Phoenix shook his head. "It is a fact that the camera also triggered at 15 minutes after midnight! Your Honor! That night, there were two sets of gunshots, with a 25 minute pause between them!" The gallery filled with mumbles until the judge slammed his gavel three times.

"Why would this be…?" He asked.

"OBJECTION!" von Karma interjected, "Don't be fooled, Judge! That camera was set to respond to 'loud noises'!"

"Yes?" The judge asked. von Karma shook his head and wagged his finger.

"There is no proof that the 'loud noise' at 11:50 was a gunshot!" He proclaimed, "Why, the witness could have sneezed, triggering the camera!"

"H-hey, my nose was clear that night, man! Clear!" Larry cried.

"Hmm…Well, Mr. Wright? There's no turning back now. Can you prove that the 'loud noise' at 11:50 PM was indeed a gunshot? Please show the court evidence if you have any." The judge asked.

"TAKE THAT!" Phoenix cried as he took out the pistol. "This is my evidence."

"The…murder weapon?" The judge asked, confused.

"Something about this pistol was bothering me, Your Honor. Both of the witnesses who testified yesterday heard two gunshots." Phoenix explained, "However, the murder weapon was fired three times. When, then, was the last shot fired? Only now have I realized the truth." Phoenix slammed his hands on the bench. "That third shot was the shot Larry heard just before midnight!" The people began to talk until the gavel slammed down.

"Order! Order!" The judge cried, "Hmm…That would make sense of the evidence we've seen so far. …However…this leaves me wondering what exactly did happen that night on the lake."

"Exactly! If this is true, there were two sets of gunshots, separated by 25 minutes! One at 11:50, another at 15 minutes after midnight!" von Karma recapped before he snapped his fingers and cried, "Why, I ask you! Why!?"

Let's see…two gunshots separated by 25 minutes…No way!

"Aaaaaaaaaaah!" Phoenix cried after a minute and Jasmine knew he had the same conclusion.

"Wh-what's wrong, Nick!?" Maya cried, worried.

"I have it! I have it!" Phoenix grinned widely.

"Huh?" Maya asked, confused.

"Remember the Steel Samurai case?" Jasmine asked.

"Huh? Yeah, of course I remember…" Maya nodded.

"The murderer in this case had the same idea as the murderer in that case!" The twins explained with wide smiles.

"What do you mean?" Maya asked.

"Maya!" Phoenix said.

"Yes!?" Maya asked.

"If we don't figure this out now, we'll never overturn Miles' guilty verdict!" Jasmine explained.

"I've got a hunch and I'm going to run with it…" Phoenix said

"Right! I mean…is this safe?" Maya asked.

"Safe? We've already gotten a guilty verdict!" Phoenix cried, "We have nothing to lose!"

"Literally!" Jasmine agreed.

"…" Maya sighed and nodded in agreement.

"You two just watch and let me know if I say anything that sounds fishy, okay?" Phoenix asked, looking from his sister to his assistant and back.

"Right, Nick!" Maya agreed.

"You got it!" Jasmine smiled. Phoenix slammed his hands on the bench and cried,

"Your Honor!"

"Y-yes, Mr. Wright?" The judge asked, surprised.

"The testimony just now has cleared up this entire case!" Phoenix proclaimed. The gallery filled with people mumbling, all wondering what the defense attorney was talking about, when the gavel slammed down once.

"What do you mean, Mr. Wright!?" The judge cried.

"Tsk tsk tsk…" von Karma laughed. "So, you've finally realized the truth? There can be no other murderer here than Miles Edgeworth himself." Phoenix shook his head.

"Wrong, von Karma!" He disagreed before he pointed at the veteran prosecutor. "A man was shot that night, but it wasn't Edgeworth who did the shooting!" von Karma shook his head and wagged his finger.

"Listen, rookie." He said, "Take a deep breath and consider the facts. At the time of the murder, one boat was on that lake. This was shown by the witness' photograph. The defendant, Edgeworth, and the victim, Robert Hammond, were on that boat. There was a gunshot fired on that boat and Robert Hammond fell into the lake. The distance of the shooting was one meter. It couldn't have been suicide! Well? The guilty party has to be the other man on that boat!"

"I admit, it is hard to imagine any other possibility." The judge nodded in agreement.

"Yes…but this assumes that the victim was shot at 15 minutes after midnight." Phoenix said.

"…What do you mean by that, Mr. Wright?" The judge asked, confused. "We have photographic evidence of the time of the shooting. The timestamp on the photo says 00:15."

"But Larry heard a gunshot 25 minutes before that!" Phoenix cried before he slammed his hands on the bench. "Robert Hammond was killed then! 25 minutes before the shot on the lake!"

Because that's the only way Miles can be innocent and we know he is! Both von Karma and the judge were silent.

"…Mr. Wright. Are you quite mad?" von Karma finally said, "Explain who this is sitting on the boat!" Phoenix slammed his hands down.

"Of course, it was Edgeworth and the murderer!" He pointed at von Karma as he continued, "After the murderer killed Robert Hammond at 11:50…He assumed the guise of Mr. Hammond and met Edgeworth!" The crowd talked amongst themselves at this explanation. The judge slammed his gavel three times before he spoke.

"Wh…What!? Are you serious?" He asked.

Completely, Your Honor.

"Yes. Edgeworth won't tell us why he went to the lake that night. However, I have a hunch." Phoenix said, "That night, Robert Hammond called Edgeworth to the lake. Now, Edgeworth didn't know Robert Hammond's face that well. That's why he didn't suspect anything when the murderer took Robert Hammond's place!"

"…I'm not sure what to make of all this." The judge admitted.

"L-ludicrous!" von Karma cried.

"Mr. Wright. Tell us the name of the murderer then!" The judge said.

"Actually, I don't know the murderer's name." Phoenix said.

"Y-you don't know!?" The judge cried.

"Bah! Again, you waste my time!" von Karma spat. Phoenix slammed his hands on the bench and added,

"I don't know because he never told us! The murderer is the caretaker of the boat shop, that old man! At 11:50, he was the one who killed Robert Hammond."

"The caretaker of the boat shop!?" The judge cried, "Wh-where did he do this!? There weren't any boats on the lake then!"

"Why would he have to go all the way out on the lake just to shoot someone?" Phoenix asked as Jasmine and Maya smiled beside him. "May I suggest…that the real scene of the crime was not in a boat!"

"What!? W-well, then where did the murder take place!?" The judge cried.

"TAKE THAT! Here, of course!" Phoenix said as he pointed on the map in the Court Record. "The boat shop, where he lives. That way he could meet with the victim without anyone seeing."

"OBJECTION! Do you have any proof that the boat shop was the scene of the crime!?" von Karma cried.

"Recall Larry's testimony, if you will." Phoenix said. "That night he was out on the lake in a boat, searching for something. He finds it, and returns the boat. Then, just as he's starting to head for home, he hears a gunshot! He heard a gunshot, Your Honor! Even though he was wearing headphones at the time! In other words, the gunshot was very, very close by! And where would that be if he had just returned a boat?"

"The boat shop…!" The judge answered. The gallery filled with talking until the gavel came down. "Mr. Wright! What happened that night on Gourd Lake!? Please tell the court, from the beginning!"

"Y-yes, Your Honor." Phoenix agreed.

"This is it. Now or never." Jasmine whispered to Maya as the girls grabbed each other's hands.

"Nick, are you sure about this…?" Maya asked.

"Um, not really." Phoenix admitted, "But, I think if I start at the very beginning…and I take it slow, I might just be able to figure this out…That night…the caretaker of the boat shop called Robert Hammond to his shop. This was around 11:50. That was when the gunshot that Larry heard was fired. After that, the caretaker put on Robert Hammond's coat…He became Robert Hammond! Then he got in the boat with Edgeworth, and went out into the middle of the lake."

"Then, who fired the pistol on the boat, Mr. Wright?" The judge asked.

"Of course, it was the murderer who shot the pistol. He shot twice. Both missed Edgeworth, on purpose." Phoenix explained.

Thank God for that.

"Wait a minute…" The judge cut in.

"Y-yes?" Phoenix asked.

"Why would he shoot twice if he didn't mean to hit anyone?" The judge asked.

"Uh…" Phoenix mumbled.

It is a fair question.

"Know this, Mr. Wright. The moment you run out of explanations is the moment you lose. Tell us why the murderer had to fire twice!" von Karma ordered.

"I believe he shot twice to create a witness, Your Honor." Phoenix answered.

"Create a witness…?" The judge asked.

"The murderer lifts his pistol and fires one shot. That ensures that anyone who heard the shot would look at the lake." Phoenix explained, "Indeed, Ms. Hart did exactly that after hearing the first gunshot. Next! The murderer waits a bit and he fires again. Then…the murderer jumps from the boat himself! Leaving the pistol in the boat behind him."

"…I see! To someone looking from the edge of the lake…it would appear that one of the men on the boat shot the other!" The judge said.

"The murderer didn't know about the automatic camera, of course. That's why he shot twice to draw attention to the boat!" Phoenix added.

"Hmm…" The judge hummed thoughtfully.

"Once you realize that, everything else falls into place!" Phoenix continued, "The boat shop caretaker swam back to his shop. Then he put Mr. Hammond's wet coat back on the body. And threw the body into the lake! This is what happened, Your Honor. These are the events that transpired that night on Gourd Lake." Everyone was silent until the judge slammed his gavel.

"…Bailiff! Bring out the witness from before! The boat shop caretaker! Quickly!" The judge ordered. The gallery filled with people talking until the judge slammed his gavel three times. "Very well. While we are waiting for the caretaker…I would like to ask the defendant, Miles Edgeworth, a few questions. Mr. Edgeworth. Please take the stand." Edgeworth calmly stood up and walked over to the witness stand, meeting Jasmine's eyes briefly as he did so. When their eyes connected, Jasmine silently apologized to him a thousand times while Edgeworth reassured her that he would be alright a thousand times. "Mr. Edgeworth…you heard what the defense has said?"

"Yes." Edgeworth answered.

"Well? Why did you go to the lake that night?" The judge asked.

"…What Wright has said was mostly correct. Astonishingly so, actually." Edgeworth admitted, "Yes…several days ago, I received a letter. The letter was signed 'Robert Hammond'. He asked me to come to the boat shop by the lake at midnight on Christmas Eve. He said he had something very important to discuss with me."

"Something important?" The judge asked.

"…I'm sorry. I can't say what it was." Edgeworth said as he looked away.

"Hmm…" The judge hummed.

"Your Honor, sir!" The bailiff cried as he burst through the doors of the court. "Bailiff! We are conducting a trial here, I ask that you remain quiet…"

"The witness has disappeared! He isn't at the boat shop, either!" The bailiff cried.

"What!?" The judge, Jasmine and Maya all cried in unison as Phoenix and Edgeworth's eyes widened in shock as they met.

"What should I do?" The bailiff asked.

"F-find him, quickly!" The judge cried, "We cannot allow him to get away!" The people in the gallery all began to talk until the gavel fell three times. "Mr. von Karma! Your witness has disappeared!"

"…A search warrant has already been issued." von Karma stated.

"Hmm…it goes without saying that I can't declare a verdict under these circumstances." The judge said, "I will extend the trial until tomorrow, the final day allowed. I request that the police department utilize all its forces to find that witness! Am I understood? One more thing. Just who is that boat shop caretaker? I think his identity has become very important to this trial. I want him, and I want to know who he is. Very well. Court is adjourned!" With that, the gavel fell and everyone left.

December 27th, 1:22 PM

District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 2

"Yay, Nick! You did it!" Maya grinned as they reached the lobby, jumping up and hugging the attorney as she did so.

"Yeah…" Phoenix said as she let him go, still grinning widely. "Well, at least we got out from under that guilty verdict…"

"That was one of the scariest moments of my life." Jasmine admitted as she played with her pendent.

"And what about Larry! That was something else!" Maya added.

"No kidding." Jasmine snorted.

"Even von Karma didn't know what to do with his testimony!" Maya said, "Larry really helped us out!"

"Sure, once I sifted through his 'unique' testimony." Phoenix agreed.

"And no longer needed him." Jasmine added.

"Still…he did save us. I just wish our cases weren't so down to the wire all the time." Phoenix sighed.

"I think it comes with being us." Jasmine smiled.

"Gee, thanks Jazz." Phoenix said sarcastically.

"Come on, you know I love you." Jasmine laughed, "But you are right about our trials being down to the wire."

"Sometimes I feel like it's us on trial instead of our clients!" Maya agreed.

"Hey, Edgeworth…" Phoenix said as he turned to the prosecutor. Edgeworth, however, was silent.

"Umm…Mr. Edgeworth?" Maya asked. Still, Edgeworth was silent. Jasmine stepped closer to him so she was right beside him, placed a hand on his arm and whispered,

"Miles."

"!" Edgeworth blinked several times as he was brought back to reality. "D-did you say something?" He stuttered, something he did as often as Jasmine.

"Don't look so pained!" Maya smiled, "I mean, it looks like you're probably going to get off the hook! You could try to smile just a little…? Relax!"

"…I'm sorry…But…I fear it's not over for me yet." Edgeworth admitted, and, almost unconsciously, his hand reached up the small distance and took the hand Jasmine had on his arm and held it in his and she squeezed back just as tightly. Phoenix didn't notice, but Maya did and she would have teased the aide if what Edgeworth said hadn't concerned her.

"Wh-what do you mean?" Phoenix asked.

"Miles…?" Jasmine whispered, her voice one of pure concern.

"Wright…Jasmine…There's something that's been troubling me for a long time now. And I don't know whether or not to tell you…" Edgeworth admitted.

"Edgeworth?" Phoenix asked, his concern growing.

"No…there's so little time left. I want to tell you, to get it off my chest, but…" Edgeworth said, "Hmm. I can't make up my mind." He still held Jasmine's hand in his own, it was like he didn't even know he was doing it. She was his anchor, his courage, his safe haven.

"What is this about, Edgeworth?" Phoenix asked.

"…It's…a nightmare I've had." Edgeworth finally admitted and Maya was left to wonder if it was Phoenix's word, Jasmine's hand in his or a combination of both that caused the prosecutor to confess. "A memory of a crime…that I committed."

"A crime you committed?" Phoenix asked.

"A memory…of a murder." Edgeworth elaborated.

And just like that…the whole case turned itself on its head and at the end of the path it now took was the truth behind DL-6…a truth I don't think Miles and I were ready to face but we were thrown headfirst into it because we had the biggest connections to Mr. Edgeworth and we were the only witnesses besides Yogi. What happened next, however, was something I never saw coming,

There's the chapter! Man, that took me forever to write, I started in the afternoon and now it's 9:30 at night. Okay, so please review to let me know what you think and I'll try to update when I get back from vacation but we'll see! Later!