Turnabout Legend
Chapter 6:
Athena's Investigation, Part 3
11:50 AM
19th December
Hall of Origin – North West Wing – Corridor
Just outside the Mess Hall was a corridor. Like the Mess Hall, the corridor's floor was in a chessboard-like style, the walls a rich cream color and the ceiling made from obsidian glass. At the end of the corridor, a white door could be seen.
Athena and Mesprit step into the corridor, looking around to see if Pikachu is here. They notice two figures sat a couple of meters away, one on a chair looking to the ground, and the other trying to cheer up the first figure. With an unsuccessful attempt, the second one sighs. It then notices that Athena and Mesprit has entered the corridor, and proceeds to hop over.
The figure is a small, bipedal, rabbit-like Pokémon with brown ears, one of them curled up. It has two types of fur covering its body: a light tan fleece that covers much of its lower body, feet and the tips of their ears, and a smooth chocolate colored pelt on the upper half of its body.
It took a few seconds to recognize the Pokémon at hand, but Athena saw that it is a Buneary. Athena then figures out that since Ash and his friends were coming here for the party, this Buneary must belong to one of them. After a few seconds recalling each anime series, Athena remembers that this must be Dawn's Buneary.
Buneary stops from hopping, and lands right in front of Athena and Mesprit, with an unimpressed expression on her face.
"Hey, who are you?!" she quizzes, intensely, glaring at Athena. "I don't remember seeing you at the party? Are you related to that red-hair girl?"
"Eh?!" Athena goes, shocked at the fact she's been asked that if she's related to Misty. "That'd got to be one of the weirdest questions I've been asked!"
Buneary then crosses her arms, looking at Athena's side-ponytail, still not impressed. "Your hair is weird. I think Dawn's hair looks better than yours."
An angry tick appears on the side of Athena's head, as Mesprit giggles softly to herself. "I have a sudden urge to punt this rabbit across this corridor like a good soccer ball..."
Buneary then uncrosses her arms. "So, who are you?" She turns to look at Mesprit. "I know who you are, from Dawn's adventures..." Mesprit nods at this statement, and Buneary then turns back to Athena. "...but I've never seen you before."
Athena nods. "That's right. As you may have heard throughout the Hall, Darkrai, the suspect to the murders, is having a trial, and has three lawyers to represent them. I'm the first one. I am Athena Cykes."
Expecting a negative reaction from Buneary, Athena braced herself for loud yelling. Instead, Athena saw Buneary don a blank expression straight away. "So...you're representing Darkrai along with Mesprit?" she asks, emotionless. Mesprit looks at Athena with a worried expression, who returns the same face. Athena then looks to Buneary.
"Yes, that's correct." she replies. Buneary stays silent for a few seconds, a sad expression appears on her face. "...I see..."
Buneary glances to the other figure, who Athena can see as Pikachu, who is blankly staring at the floor, emotionless, not responding. Buneary then turns back to look at the two.
"Pika...He's been acting like that since they arrested Darkrai." Buneary remarks, sadly. "Everyone is taking Ash's death hard, but not as hard as Pika. He's not responding to anything at all."
Athena is taken aback by this statement, while Mesprit nods. "I understand that." she says, looking at Pikachu. "He must be in a state of pure shock. Sometimes, living things can get into a near emotionless state due to too much grief in their system. Pikachu must be feeling enough grief that he's gone into such a state."
Athena nods in agreement, recalling moments during Juniper's first and second trials where flashbacks of UR-1 happened. Shoving that thought to the back of her mind, Athena decided to ask the important questions. "Is it okay if I can try to get Pikachu to respond to my questions?" she asks, Mesprit looking at her with an unsure look. Buneary shakes her head.
"To be honest, I'm not stopping you at anything." she replies, in an explaining manner. "I heard that some of the Legendaries, 'Swords of Justice' I think they're called, are trying to stop you investigate..."
"Were trying..." Mesprit said to Athena via telepathic messaging. "We got Terrakion on our side now..."
"However..." Buneary continues, turning to look at her unresponsive crush. "I don't believe Darkrai could have done it. I encountered him many times in the past with Dawn...but..."
Buneary turns back to Athena, with a sad expression on her face. "...He never once purposely hurt us. I can tell that he was trying to help when Palkia and Dialga were fighting each other. I think Pika feels the same as well. He probably thinks Darkrai didn't do it either."
Tears begin to form at Buneary's eyes, starting to quietly cry. Athena's heartstrings were pulled at the moment she saw the little rabbit being to cry. Mesprit then floats down, trying to comfort Buneary.
Warm tears slowly falls down Buneary's cheeks, as she quietly wept in sadness. "E-ever s-since t-the murder...P-Pikachu...h-he's... not r-responded to a-anything..." Buneary gulps down some air. "N-nothing...A-anything I-I try, he ju-just gives a b-blank e-expression t-to it... N-nothing at all..."
Hot tears run down her fur, as she continues to speak while crying. "I-I've b-been worried... H-He's... not a-acting like h-his usually s-self...E-ever since Ash's d-death..."
Buneary then hugs Mesprit, crying into her shoulder, as the Emotion Legendary comforted the crying rabbit. Athena simply watches the scene, hearing Buneary's emotions cry out in sadness.
It was evident from Buneary that Pikachu wouldn't respond to anything at all. This is probably due to him having his heart broken emotionally due to Ash's death. Everyone has a different reaction when someone they know and love has died. Some act violently, some cry, and others like Pikachu's state at the moment, have an emotionless expression due to an overload of grief and shock.
Athena walks over to Pikachu, with Mesprit still comforting Buneary while watching Athena. The attorney in yellow waves her hand in front of Pikachu's face, trying to get a reaction. The Mouse Pokémon didn't respond whatsoever.
"Huh..." Athena murmurs to herself, thinking. "Guess Buneary is right...He's not responding at all..."
She turns her head to look at Buneary, and then gets an idea. She walks up to Buneary, who has calmed down, and kneels down to Buneary's eye level so the rabbit Pokémon won't get imitated.
"Do you mind telling me what Pikachu was doing on the night of the murder?"
Buneary then scowls, angrily. "You think Pika had something to do with Ash's death?! He would NEVER do something as bad as that!" Mesprit then floats towards Athena, with a concerned expression on her face.
"Ms. Buneary is right." she states, slightly worried on what Athena might be proposing. "Pikachu wouldn't hurt his best friend like that, Athena." The said attorney in yellow shakes her head.
"I wasn't thinking that. I know well enough that he wouldn't do that." Athena remarks seriously, causing Mesprit to sigh with relief. Athena then looks at Buneary, whose angry expression has changed into a puzzled one. "I was wondering if Pikachu had said anything about Ash on the night of the murder." she explains. "Since they've always been together on their joineries, I was wondering if Ash had been acting odd before the party, and Pikachu might have mentioned it."
Buneary nods, holding a paw to her chin, thinking about Athena's logic. She then smiles, dropping her paw.
"I can see your logic in that." Buneary affirms. She then crosses her arms, and pulls a thinking expression. "Let's see..." After a few seconds trying to remember, Buneary then changes her expression into a normal one.
"I remember being let out of my PokéBall out round 3:30 in the afternoon, after Dawn and the rest of Ash's friends had arrived at the Hall." Buneary starts explaining.
Athena turns her head to the right to look at Mesprit, to confirm this. Mesprit nods, and through telepathy, says that Azelf told her that all of the Pokémon were let out as soon as they arrived.
Buneary continues to explain. "I went and said hello to Pikachu, and asked him on how well he was. He said he was fine, and we talked about for half an hour, till four. Nothing seemed odd at the point."
Buneary then blushed. "He was very cute then, going on about his adventures in Unova and Kalos..." Athena smiles, at the sight of Buneary being full of love.
"This reminds me of Juniper's crush on Apollo. At least Pikachu notices Buneary's feelings in the anime. At least, as far as I'm aware of..."
Buneary shakes her head, getting back on track. "Then, everyone called their Pokémon to their rooms, to get them all ready for the party. It was only supposed to last half an hour, what Dawn had told us, but Piplup was being really stubborn on what he was wearing, so I didn't get finished until 5:30, half an hour before the party started."
Buneary then crosses her arms, thinking again. "When I saw Pikachu, at first I thought how cool he looked in his red bow tie, but then I noticed he was staring into space, or daydreaming, as you humans call it."
"He was daydreaming?" Athena asked curiously. "About what?" Mesprit has a curious expression on her face as well.
"I asked him about that." Buneary remarked, tugging one of her ears. "He said that during the time that he and the rest of Ash's Pokémon were getting ready, he saw Ash acting slightly weird, and was concerned on why he was acting like that."
Athena nods, thinking about what Buneary was just saying. "So Ash was acting strange for some reason...I wonder what could've caused him to act like that..."
Mesprit puts a hand on her chin, looking towards the ceiling, thoughtful. "Is there anything else that might've struck you out as odd? Anything at all?"
"Hmm..." Buneary pondered. "Well, Pikachu did say that Ash was wearing his original hat for the party..." The mention of Ash's hat caught Athena off guard, trying to recall the anime series again.
Mesprit frowns, scratching the back of her head. "Well, I have no clue what that means. Ash has only worn one hat as far as I'm aware of." Mesprit notices Athena shaking her head.
"Not really." Athena remarks, grinning brightly. "I know what Pikachu was talking about." A surprised expression appears on Buneary's face.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well..." Athena starts to explain. "Where I come from, the world of Pokémon is a franchise and Ash's adventures are chronicled in a TV show." Athena saw Buneary sweat a little, probably from the fourth-wall breaking information that the universe she lives in is considered a franchise in another universe.
"Anyway, in the original first part of the TV Show, which shows Ash's adventures in Kanto, the Orange Islands and Johto, Ash wore the same hat, different from the one that you're used to." Athena explains thoroughly, gaining the approval of Mesprit. "However, ever since he went to Hoenn, and all over regions since, he's changed his hat. I think what Pikachu meant by 'original hat' is the hat he wore through Kanto, the Orange Islands and Johto."
Buneary frowns slightly. "I see..." she murmurs, pulling one of her ears, thinking about something. "Hmm...Was it the red one with the white part at the front and a green symbol? Is that the original one?"
Athena nods, causing Buneary to come out of her thinking expression and smile. "I've seen Ash wear that hat! When we were heading to the party room, I briefly saw Ash wearing that hat." Athena once again nods, thinking.
A gasp could be heard. Athena turns to see Mesprit looking at one of the photos with a tight grip on it, losing color in her skin. "T-that's...W-what...?!" she stutters, nervously as she looks at the photo.
Both Athena and Buneary looked over her, with the former of the two stepping forward. "What's the matter, Mesprit?" Athena questions, concerned. The Emotion Legendary looks at Buneary, with a shaking but serious expression, startling the Rabbit Pokémon.
"A-are you s-sure t-that Ash was w-wearing that hat?!"
"Yes!" Buneary exclaims, with a determined face on. "I'm absolutely sure about it! Why?"
Mesprit flips over the photo, which shows the body of Ash in it. Buneary pales a little, taken aback, while Athena looks confused.
"What is it?" she questions, not sure why Mesprit is acting odd. Mesprit points at Ash's hat, which is lying in the dirt.
"Look as Ash's hat! It's different from what Buneary told us!" Mesprit yells, seeing the contradiction. Athena takes the photo, looks at the hat more closely, and pales slightly, with a nervous sweat on.
True to what Mesprit had said, the hat in the picture wasn't the hat that Ash wore during Kanto, the Orange Islands and Johto, but was in fact the he wore in Kalos instead. Now that Athena has had a closer look, it appears a small tear is at the top of the hat.
Buneary said that Ash was wearing the Kanto hat, but in the photo of his body, it's the Kalos hat. Why is the hat different? Did Ash change his hat before he died or was it replaced? If it was replaced, then why? Why would the killer replace the hat?
Athena looks at Mesprit with a shocked expression. "Y-you're right! It is different! But why?"
Buneary jumps up and grabs the photo, to have a better look at the hat. "WHAT?!" she yells, completely and utterly astonished. As Buneary reels in from the shock of the different hat, Athena makes a note of the revelation.
Ash's Hat added to the Court Record
Athena fiddled with her earring, thinking on why Ash's hat was different, and any other questions she may have for the Rabbit Pokémon.
When it was clear that she couldn't think of anything else to ask, Athena knew it was time to the end the conversation. She smiles at Buneary, who had recovered from the shock. "Thank you for the information, Buneary. It was really helpful!" Athena gives Buneary her signature peace sign, with a hearty grin.
Mesprit gave off a small smile, softly, to reflect her quiet nature. However, both Athena and Mesprit's smiles soon drop off slightly when they see Buneary is wearing a deadly serious expression on her face, causing Athena to sweat nervously a little.
"Promise me something." Buneary expressed, with a solemn and unsmiling facial expression on her face. Mesprit disappears in fright of the expression, while Athena remains silent at Buneary.
"Please, find the true killer of Ash, and expose him or her for everyone to know." Buneary continues, with some anger in her voice. "Ash was in Pika's best friend, and ever since his death, Pika's been like this..."
Buneary turns to look at Pikachu, who is still on the chair, still emotionless and staring into space. The Rabbit-like Pokémon turns back to look at Athena, with a slightly sad expression on her face.
"...I believe the killer is still out in the Hall somewhere. Please, just find who did it so Pika can have some closure to whoever did this."
Athena looked at the Buneary with obvious compassion, putting her hand on Buneary's shoulder. "…My mother was killed once too. I can understand how deeply it affects you. I found justice for my mother's true killer, and we will find justice for Ash's killer as well. I promise you."
Buneary tries to smile, but only gives a weak one. Athena couldn't blame her.
Then, the attorney in yellow turns to Mesprit, who reappeared again. "Where should we head next?" she asks, to the Emotion Legendary. Mesprit crosses her arms, thinking.
"Well, Terrakion might have had a word with Keldeo since our conversation with him. We should go and see if Keldeo will let us see the crime scene now." Athena nods, knowing that sounds like a good idea. She gestures to Mesprit, knowing what will happen next.
The Emotion Legendary grabs hold of Athena, and began to glow. A few seconds later, they teleported away.
12:20PM
19th December
Hall of Origin - North West Wing – Crime Scene
Both Athena and Mesprit arrive back at the crime scene. Once shaking off the effect of the teleportation, Athena looks around to see if Keldeo was still here. Then, she noticed that Mesprit was shivering slightly, and then Athena realizes that it's a little colder than usually.
"Huh..." Athena said, looking around the Garden for the small Sword of Justice. "I didn't really notice the cold..." Mesprit rolls her eyes, having her arms crossed to keep herself warm.
"T-that's easy enough for you to say...!" Mesprit goes, in a slight sarcastic tone. "Y-you're not the one who doesn't wear clothes all the time!"
Athena chuckles a little, when she hears footsteps behind her. She turned around to see that Keldeo was the one who was making those footsteps, who had just stopped. He has a confused expression on his face.
"How did you get in here? I didn't even notice you!" he interrogates, with a hint of confusion on his face. Athena points at Mesprit, who becomes startled because of the pointing. "We teleported into here."
"Ah...!" Keldeo remarks, figuring it out now. "Fair enough." Then Keldeo notices that Mesprit is shivering, which the Emotion Legendary turns to ask: "W-why is it cold in here?"
Keldeo raises one of his front hooves, and points towards the direction of the Garden's entrance, where another Legendary is standing, unfazed by the attention.
The Legendary is a gray and blue, bipedal Pokémon of indefinable but seemingly draconic basis.
Athena recognizes the Legendary as the (apparently) strongest Dragon-type Pokémon in the world, and has the power over ice. The Legendary Pokémon Kyurem is standing in the entrance way into the Garden.
"Ah..." Athena murmurs, to herself. Since Kyurem's here, it would be perfectly natural for the room temperature to drop as Kyurem is known for reducing temperatures by just being there.
"Kyurem was here to deliver a message from Cobalion saying that the Prosecution Team is arriving in a few minutes." Keldeo explains, nodding to Kyurem. The said ice dragon stares at Athena for a few seconds before proceeding to walk off; to whatever business he had to attend to.
Athena frowns at Kyurem's sudden departure, while both Mesprit and Keldeo don't look surprised.
"What was that all about?" the attorney in yellow asks, offended somehow. "That was rude of him!"
Mesprit shrugs her shoulders, finally warming up due to the temperature rising. "Kyurem's always been like that. He doesn't really speak to us younger ones unless he's fighting them, or when it's important.
Keldeo nods, in response of that. "I heard that the only ones who he talks to outside those two things is the rest of the Legendaries in his home region, Arceus, Giratina, Palkia and Dialga, plus Lugia from what I have heard. Maybe he just didn't want to talk to you, Ms. Cykes. He's been in shock since Cresselia's and Ash's deaths."
Keldeo's expression turns to one of confusion. "So, wait. Why are you back here?"
Athena points towards the crime scene. "I was hoping that I was allowed to look at the crime scene in more detail. I had talked with Terrakion earlier, and I thought he might have told you to let us investigate the crime scene."
Keldeo nods in response, with a thinking expression. "He did, in fact. He came in here, dragging your blue-suited friend in, and told me to let you investigate the crime scene, since the Swords have finished investigating."
Keldeo gestured to the crime scene with one of his hooves, with a slightly pained smile. "Go ahead. I'll comment on anything that you may find."
Athena and Mesprit smile, and walk towards the crime scene, to have a closer look. The first part they check out is the outline where Cresselia's body once laid.
Athena knelt down closer to have a closer look, while Mesprit look visibly pale, due to the fact this is where one of her friends took her last breath at.
Athena looks at the part where Cresselia's head would have laid, and sees a small puddle of blood nearby, a few centimeters away. The attorney in yellow then looked to where the white tape lays and what was near it. It was the place where the body laid on the chessboard-like flooring, near but not touching the plants. Athena looked at the plants in more detail, and found that the plants haven't been affected in any way.
It could have been due to the killer running away as soon as they killed Cresselia but it could have been something else.
"Hmm..." Athena murmurs to herself, her eyes eventually glancing over to where Ash's body laid. "This area doesn't seem to be bloody enough... Only this..."
Mesprit, very pale, looks around. "Y-you're r-right..." she muttered nervously, feeling a bit nauseous from the grotesque scene. "I-it's probably due to m-most of the d-damage is done within Cresselia's body."
Athena nods seriously, and then looks over to the other white tape outline. She gets up and walks over to there, to have a closer look. She scans the area where the body laid, taking note that it was very bloody due to the vicious attack. Athena looked at the dirt where Ash's hat was, moved for evidence.
Athena remembers what Buneary had said about Pikachu noticing Ash's original hat. How on earth did it get changed in such a short period of time?
Then, Athena notices the bush that Ash's body was next to, and notices something odd from the glance.
Though it seems that most would say Ash's body fell onto it when he was struck down and then fell off it afterwards, which would leave many of the bush's branches broken in the process and with blood on them. But on closer inspection, Athena noticed that there was no blood on the bush and instead of being broken in the middle or side, only the top of the bush seemed to be broken, having the top twigs clipped off by something.
It looks like something went flying and took the top of the bush with it.
"Interesting..." Athena commented, looking at the bush with a perplexed manner. "I wonder what could have caused this..."
Mesprit looks at the bush, knowing what Athena was thinking, and turns to Keldeo who has a confused expression on his face. "Was this bush like this when you first arrived?"
"Yeah. Nothing apart from the bodies and any crucial evidence has been interacted with." Keldeo responded, cocking his head slightly in confusion. "Why?"
Athena smirks in response of that.
"I better make a note of that." she thought to herself.
Bush Notes added to the Court Record
Noticing that there is a balcony at the back of the garden, Athena pointed it out to Mesprit. They get closer to it, and saw it in greater detail.
Due to it being part of the garden, the flooring of the balcony was a chessboard-like coloring. The black railing that helps it stand out from the garden is supported by pure-white mini pillars across the railing.
Athena wondered why this balcony was here and wondered what purpose it served.
"KELDEO!"
Both Athena and Mesprit jump at the sudden yell of anger and they both turn to see that the said horse-like Pokémon has lost most of the color in his skin, as he is faced towards the entrance of the garden with a nervous sweat.
A moment after the yell, a clearly angry Cobalion walks in with a calm Virizion and Terrakion, who looks very calm.
"Uh-oh..." Athena thought to herself, panicking slightly. She looks to Mesprit, doing the same. They both nod to each other and walk over to the area where all the Swords of Justice have gathered at.
Cobalion is glaring at Keldeo with an angry intent, while the horse-like Pokémon is intimidated.
"Keldeo, what in the Distortion World are you doing?!" he yelled to Keldeo, with obvious furiousness in his voice. "Why are you letting the opposition investigate the crime scene?!"
"T-T-Terrakion t-told m-me t-that they can!" Keldeo replies with a frighten shutter. Cobalion quickly snaps his head towards Terrakion. "Terrakion, you did what?!"
Terrakion shrugs. "What? I thought it was time to let them investigate. We're supposed to be fair to EVERYONE, Cobalion. Or should I say, Sir I-Can't-Outclass-Lucario!"
"Terrakion!" Cobalion yelled. "Shut it!" Terrakion only grunted in annoyance. He then turned to look at Virizion, with a caring expression. "But you agree with me, don't you, Virizion?" The green Sword of Justice blinks and remains silent for a few seconds.
"…Right?"
"...I'm not choosing sides with this, so just sort this out later on..." she started, reluctantly, feeling the livid stare of Cobalion. "...But you are right, Terrakion." Noticing Athena and Mesprit over by the bushes, she walked over to them..
Once Virizion stops in front of them, to Athena's and Mesprit's utter surprise, and to Cobalion's and Keldeo's shock, Virizion bows to Athena.
"I apologize to you, Ms. Cykes. My behavior earlier was rude and unnecessary and uncalled for. We may be opponents in this case, but I always respect my foes, no matter what. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me."
Athena remains silent over the apology, but is glad that Virizion has said she is sorry. Unfortunately, Widget doesn't want to quiet.
"Apology accepted!" The little device screams, with Athena covering the little device in reaction.
Athena bows to Virizion, and satisfied with being accepted, Virizion joins back with the other Swords. Cobalion is red in the face, with pure anger. Glaring at Virizion, he remarks: "We are going to talk about this later in private...!" as he grit his teeth in anger.
The green Sword of Justice pulls an unimpressed expression on her face, while Terrakion doesn't look impressed himself.
With that, Cobalion turns to look at Athena and Mesprit. "Mesprit, I'm disappointed in you. How dare you help defend Darkrai, when he's caused nothing but distrust amongst the Hall? And now he's murdered one of our own, his counterpart to be in fact?"
Athena glances at Mesprit, which to the attorney in yellow's surprise, has a scowl on her face.
Cobalion then turns his attention to Athena. "Well, Ms. Cykes. What have you discovered so far here at the crime scene? Barely anything so far?"
"Yeah, we had investigated every single corner until you turned up...! " Athena remarks in her mind. She then sees Cobalion smirk slightly. "Well, I must now ask you politely to leave. We, the Swords of Justice, must bring Darkrai to proper justice, and a step to that is getting every advantage we can get."
As Terrakion and Virizion look at each other with uncertainty in their eyes and Keldeo with a shocked expression, anger appears in Athena. "But you can't do that!" she roared furiously which for once, Mesprit didn't disappear in fright. "Everyone must have a fair trial! Even the ones we hate!"
"Heh." Cobalion chuckles, to himself. "That may be true in your world, but you're defending in a court of Legends. Our rules are different here."
Cobalion turns to Terrakion and Virizion. "Please. Help me escort these two out, now." he commands, seriously. Terrakion sighs with sadness & looks at the two with an expression that says 'I'm sorry'.
Virizion has an emotionless expression on her face, and they both head to Athena and Mesprit with Cobalion, with the attention of kicking them out. Mesprit and Athena look at each other with hopelessness on their face.
"OBJECTION!"
Startled, the older members of the Swords turn round to see Keldeo pointing at them with one of his front hooves. The water Sword puts his hoof down, and focuses on Cobalion. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that, Cobalion. I'm not letting you treat them like this any longer."
"W-what?! You're defying me?!" Cobalion started to lose his compose. Athena then hears the emotions going through the older Swords. Cobalion has the emotion of shock in his heart along with Virizion, but Terrakion has happiness in his heart, probably from Keldeo standing up for himself.
Keldeo looks at each of the Swords with unforgiving anger. "Ever since Ash's and Cresselia's death, all three of you have been acting up for some reason. I do not know what it is, but I believe it has something to do with Darkrai. But why you despise him, I don't know."
Mesprit smiles softly, knowing that it's the blackmail letter that's causing the Swords to act strange.
"It's changed all three of you, and I can't stand that any longer." Keldeo said.
"I can't stand to see the group that raised me up from that forest fire, the group that taught me how to act fairly in any situation, to defeat evil foes and defend the weak in front of me in a justifiable way, the group that trained me and treated me like family which helped me become a Sword of Justice act this way. I can't stand all three of you acting like the foes we face. All you care about is that guilty verdict. It's like I don't even know you guys anymore."
Athena then hears the surprised emotion in all three of the older Swords of Justice's hearts, and by the looks of things, even Mesprit looks surprised.
Keldeo glared at the three Swords. Terrakion, knowing that he had already told Athena and Mesprit why the Swords were acting like they were was simply surprised. Virizion has a pained expression on her face. Cobalion didn't seem like he could even comprehend what was happening.
"K-Keldeo..." Cobalion started, utterly shocked by this. "I-I...didn't know you...felt like this..."
Cobalion closed his eyes, having a deep pain of guilt in his heart.
The horse-like Legendary turns to Terrakion. "I was glad when you came over early. I saw your attitude improve towards the defense team." Terrakion said nothing in response to this, which then Keldeo looks at Virizion. "And I was also glad you apologized to Ms. Cykes and Mesprit." Virizion also said nothing as well.
Keldeo then frowns with a serious expression, but Athena hears sadness in Keldeo's heart. "But..." he started off; with some small tears forming at his eyes. "This changes nothing. I'm still sick of what has happened. I can't forgive that."
The feelings in the rest of the Swords of Justice's heart become the shock emotion, according to what Athena is hearing.
"Keldeo!" Cobalion starts, unable to comprehend this. "Why are you acting like this?"
The horse-like Legend remains silent for a few seconds. "I'm leaving."
Everyone is taken aback from this random comment all of a sudden. Cobalion leans forward, unable to understand what Keldeo has just said. "I-I beg your pardon?"
"I'm leaving the Swords of Justice and joining the defense team. Until you guys go back to being the family that I loved and grew up with, then I'll return." Keldeo replied, dead serious.
It took a couple of moments for everyone to process the information that Keldeo has just said.
"WHAT?!" Cobalion roars, utterly shocked by this revelation. Terrakion and Virizion look at each other with wide eyes; Mesprit completely disappears in surprise while Athena is perplexed by this announcement.
Keldeo then walked over to place himself at Athena's side, and looks at the other Swords with a dead-panned expression, though Athena can hear his heart in pain, struggling to do this. "I won't be in a group who acts like jerks but says it's for justice. I'm going prove that Darkrai is innocent in a fair way, and I expect Prosecutor Blackquill to act fairly as way."
Keldeo scowls. "I want to find the truth and nothing but the truth. If Darkrai did do it, it must be found out through the truth, not concluding without the proper evidence. If he didn't, the truth will lead us to the true killer, and then we can bring the one responsible to justice."
"But...!" Virizion starts, unable to understand why Keldeo is defecting.
"'But' nothing!" Keldeo cuts through, seriously. "I understand your sense of 'justice' but I simply can't agree with it. That's one of the reasons why I'm leaving the Swords. I'm joining the defense team, because I want a fair and true justice."
An unnerving silence is in the Garden for a few seconds, so thick you couldn't even cut it with a butter knife. Then, Athena hears pure anger growing in Cobalion's heart, and steps back a little. Mesprit, noticing this, warns Terrakion about it through telepathy, who steps back as well. An angry expression is on Virizion's face, however.
"How..." Cobalion started, rage building. "How DARE you act like this?!" Cobalion glared at the Colt Pokémon right in front of his face, with pure fury in his eyes. "We take you in from that forest fire! We raised you, cared for you, feed you, and trained you to become one of us!"
The Iron Will Sword grits his teeth in anger, stomping down on the floor. "And this is how you repay us?! By betraying us?! By defending a killer?!"
Despite the fact that his teacher and caretaker was berating him, Keldeo still stood tall. "Yes."
"Darkrai is a killer!" Virizion steps in, defending Cobalion's actions. "He KILLED the Chosen One, and Cresselia, a loved member of the Legendaries!"
"He shouldn't be trusted at all!" Cobalion continues to explain. "He's evil throughout. Once evil, always evil!" Noticing that Terrakion hasn't said anything yet, he glares at the Cave Sword.
"What?" Terrakion starts, not wanting to get involved with. "I don't mind Keldeo doing this! Kid's standing up for himself! I applaud that!"
"Terrakion!" Virizion shouts at him, angrily. Terrakion rolls his eyes. "Sheesh."
Cobalion huffed, and then turns back to Keldeo. "I can't understand why you want to defend Darkrai, but I am absolutely refusing to let you do that."
Virizion nods as well. "I agree with Cobalion. You shall have a lecture on this later on, for this."
Terrakion sighs. "And you get a punishment...I guess...I don't know, I don't want to be here..."
Keldeo steps back,stuttering. "You... I... But-But you can't do this!"
"Come Keldeo, let us escort the defense team out of here." Cobalion commands, looking at Athena and Mesprit.
Mesprit disappears in fright once again, while Athena sweats nervously. "W-Why...can't I move my body...?" Athena thought to herself, looking at the approaching Iron Will Pokémon. "I've should defend Keldeo's decision, but the thought of powerful Pokémon trying to move me by force scares me! I...can't do anything to help…!"
SILENCE!
KRAAW!
A screech was heard and then suddenly, Taka the Hawk comes flying in the garden, immediately attacking Cobalion for some reason.
"WHAT?! Get off me, you mini-Talonflame...!" Cobalion yells at the hawk, continuing to get scratched.
A few footsteps could be heard, and everyone looks to see Simon Blackquill appearing, with an unimpressed expression on his face. Keldeo looks nervous at the sight of the Prosecutor in black while Mesprit herself re-appears in fright.
Spitting out the bird feather he had in his mouth, Simon scowls. "Well...what do you have to explain this...?" he remarks with a glaring scowl, to the Swords of Justice. "I was coming over here to update myself on the crime scene while Lugia-Dono and Reshiram-Dono speak with Ghostly Giratina about tomorrow's court when I find the ones that they call 'Swords of Justice' acting unjustified to the Defense team!"
Since Taka had then turned his attention to Terrakion, who didn't seem fazed by the bird pecking him, Cobalion frowns at Blackquill. "The four of us were just-"
"You mean 'three' of you." Simon interrupted, cutting through Cobalion's reply, startling him. "Little Sword has joined the Defense, no?"
The Swords looked at each other in shock, unable to understand why Simon has calmly responded to Keldeo's decision to join the Defense team. The said young Sword of Justice steps forward, confused. "Y-you're...not mad...?"
Simon shakes his head, as Taka flies back onto his shoulder. "Not at all...Keldeo-Dono." he said, seeing a surprised expression on Keldeo's face. "I know you are the youngest of this group and the most impressionable. I had heard from other Legendaries that you look up to the Swords, way before this incident, and I knew that the circumstances had changed."
Simon crosses his arms. "I merely played to this, insulting your masters and point out their attitude to see what your response to it was." Simon then smirks, tapping the side of his forehead. "I can say for certain, Keldeo-Dono, that it has worked out very well. I knew you would snap under all that pressure, and now, you have gained my respect."
Keldeo blinks, still confused. Simon took this as a continuation of explanation. "There comes a time in any students life where they must leave their senseis to follow their own path, either when they are ready or something that their sensei has done that causes them to disagree. You, Keldeo-Dono, has struck away from your masters path to follow your own one, starting from acknowledging that they are acting wrong."
Keldeo nods, finally understanding what Simon is talking about. Then, Virizion steps forward, angry. "You cannot be serious on letting Keldeo join the defense team! He's our own student!"
"Baka Flower Sword." Simon starts without looking at her and not even closing his eyes. "Shut up."
With Virizion flinching with a pained expression, Cobalion steps up to defend her. "Virizion is right! You can't let Keldeo join them!"
"How selfish and ironic of you." Simon remarks bluntly, glaring at Cobalion. "You are his teacher and the only family he's got, who you have promised to respect every decision he has made and help Keldeo-Dono through anything have turned on him, when he finally begins to think for himself. It's like caging a bird that has recently learned to fly."
Simon turns his attention to Terrakion, who Taka has now flown and landed on. "Out of all of you three, Cave Sword seems to be the only one that is respecting Keldeo-Dono at all. You've gain some respect from me...Terrakion."
Terrakion shrugs, smiling weakly. "At the end of the day, I can't protect Keldeo when he can protect himself now." While Cobalion and Virizion are staring madly at him, Simon smirks once more.
"Wise words, Terrakion." he states. He then whistles over Taka, who flies back to Simon's shoulder.
He then turns to the Defense team, with their new member in tow. He looks at Athena, and smiles softly.
"Well, Cykes-Dono. It seems like you got yourself a new member. I hope he can help well tomorrow." Simon then chuckles.
"Something tells me that it will be an interesting case."
Athena nods. "Yeah. It will be good, ja?" she replies, slamming her fist against her hand.
With that, Simon looks at the three Swords of Justice. "Come." he commands, seriously. "We need to discuss about tomorrow." Simon then proceeds to walk out of the garden, with the three Swords following with pained expressions. Terrakion however stops and turns to look at Keldeo.
"Keldeo." he starts, getting the young former Sword of Justice's attention. Scowling, Keldeo returns with "What is it?"
Terrakion is silent for a few seconds. "Good job standing up for yourself. And, what Athena might tell you and reveal to everyone... I'm sorry for hiding it."
The Cave Sword then walks out of the garden, leaving the trio in the garden. Keldeo frowns with confusion while Athena is thinking about what Terrakion has said, with Mesprit looking at her.
It seems that Terrakion wants Athena to tell Keldeo the reason why the Swords were acting differently.
"The blackmailing..." thought Athena, frowning. "Who would have thought there was a blackmailing Legendary..." Keldeo then turns, smiling weakly. "Um...sorry for announcing that I was gonna join you. I guess I should have asked first!"
Mesprit shakes her head, and smiles. "It's no problem! I let you up to speed on what we've found out so far!"
Hold It!
Keldeo turns to Athena, who is wearing a serious expression on her face. "I'm sorry Keldeo, but I need to tell you something. It has to do what with Terrakion had just said."
"Huh?" Keldeo goes, confused.
And with that, Athena begins to detail about the blackmailing of the Swords of Justice.
So many questions have appeared, and not many answers to them.
Why was the hat moved and replaced? What did Celebi really see on the night of the murder?
Who is this 'Secret-Keeper'? And what does he or she know about everyone else? How is the Secret-Keeper connected to the crime?
Only time will tell with these questions, and the only way to figure them out...
…
...is in Court.
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Evidence List:
Defense Attorney's Badge: My proof of being a defense attorney. Although, it may not work in the Pokémon World...
Hall of Origin Map Info: Map for the Hall of Origin's layout. The party was in the West Wing, the murders happened in the North West Wing and Darkrai's Bedroom is in the South West Wing.
Hall of Origin Heating Problem: All the heating in the Hall of Origin, apart from the Alpha Block, isn't working for some reason. I wonder why...?
Image of Ash: Shows Ash's body. Notable to see the three large claw marks on his chest, along with his hat on the dirt.
Image of Cresselia: Shows Cresselia's body. Her neck is twisted, with a small amount of blood coming out from her mouth.
Zoology of Legends: A book on the Legendary Pokémon, on everything, from form differences to moves, act. I don't particularly need it, but Apollo and my Boss do...
Cresselia's Autopsy Report: Cause of death: A sudden twist to the neck resulting the spine to be snapped instantly. Victim is to be thought to have lived some few minutes before dying. Time of Death: 7:30
Cresselia's Gap Time: Cresselia left the party at 6:50pm and was due to arrive back at 7:10pm, but died at 7:30pm in the garden. What was she doing in that time gap?
Celebi's Timetable: Celebi's guide to show when she needs to water her plants. The last one each day is five to eight in the evening. There's a copy of it everywhere, so the murderer could have seen it...
Celebi's Data: Has had sleeping problems for the last week, and is now prone to attacking others while sleeping. She also has a bruise going round her entire neck from what happened on the night of the murder.
Blackmail Letter: A blackmail letter in a very complex code of writing, in Unown lettering and the letters are can be translated by flipping the alphabet backwards. It's a blackmail letter to the Swords of Justice, excluding Keldeo, threatening to reveal to Arceus about what happened with Kyurem. None of the Legendaries' handwriting match.
Ash's Hat: The hat that Ash wore to the party was the one he wore in Kanto, but the hat discovered at the scene was the Kalos hat. Why is it different?
Bush Notes: The top of the bush next to where Ash's body was found has the top of it clipped off, if something went flying above it while cutting the top off.
Profiles:
Athena Cykes: That's me! A greenhorn attorney still fresh from a big case, and had been dragged into the Pokémon World to defend a Legendary Pokémon. I would have never expected this… ever.
Phoenix Wright: My boss, and the Head of the Wright & Co Law Offices. The attorney for Darkrai on the third day. Will do anything to find the truth, though he is sarcastic most of the time.
Apollo Justice: My co-worker, and a fellow attorney. He's the attorney for Darkrai on the second day. He yells a lot but he means well.
Simon Blackquill: A former prisoner and a prosecutor who's a close friend of mine. He's my opponent for the first day of Darkrai's trial. Kinda scary sometimes but he's really nice.
Klavier Gavin: A musician who is also a Prosecutor, and Apollo's opponent on the second day. I think he's great, though Apollo doesn't like him. I wonder why?
Miles Edgeworth: The Chief Prosecutor for L.A., an old rival for my boss, and the prosecutor for the last day. His skills as a Prosecutor are legendary.
Mesprit: The Emotion Legendary, and my partner for my investigation! She's very kind, a bit shy and soft-spoken though...
Arceus: The leader of the Legends Order, and the Pokémon God of the Pokémon world. Serious and firm, apparently Arceus is a female despite me seeing the 12th Movie...
Giratina: A Legendary Pokémon that's a large dragon. Quite blunt and sarcastic sometimes, he cares for Darkrai. Despite his hardened shell, he's actually quite kind.
Genesect: A Legendary that resembles a robotic insect. Acts weird for some reason.
Darkrai: The Nightmare Pokémon, and the defendant for this case. Despite his looks and reputation, he's quite nice, though slightly anti-social. He's sometimes bullied by the other Legends for his nightmare powers.
Ash Ketchum: The main protagonist for the Pokémon Anime, the Chosen One for the Legendaries, and one of the victims. Was here in the Hall of Origin for a party celebrated in his honor.
Cresselia: Darkrai's counterpart, and the other victim. Was one of the Legends who didn't care about his powers.
Cobalion: A Sword of Justice, and one of the investigators for the crime scene, or how I would put it, the Detective for the case. He, Terrakion and Virizion are getting blackmailed into obtaining evidence to prove Darkrai's guilt no matter what.
Celebi: A friendly Legendary who's the witness to the crime, which she was almost strangled. Seems to become frightened when asked to recall what happened. Maybe she has PTSD?
Keldeo: The youngest Sword of Justice. He's torn between helping his masters, and a fair trial for Darkrai. He doesn't know his masters are getting blackmailed...
Lugia: The Guardian of the Sea, and one of the investigators for the Prosecution. Wanting to find the truth, and apparently a good rapper...
Virizion: A Sword of Justice, and one of the investigators, who's going round with Simon. She, Terrakion and Cobalion are getting blackmailed.
Terrakion: A Sword of Justice, and the only one who's not been a jerk to the Defence team. He's revealed why they've been acting like that, which is due to blackmail.
Pikachu: He is Ash's first Pokémon and his best friend. Is unable to talk due to an overload of shock and grief in response to Ash's death.
Buneary: One of Dawn's Pokémon, and the one who is looking after Pikachu at the moment. She's actually quite sweet and cute when you get to know her.
Kyurem: Haven't actual talked with him yet but he seems quite respected among the Legendaries. He seems to be shocked about the murders...
Pokemon (c) Nintendo / Game Freak
Ace Attorney (c) Capcom
Story (c) AuraWielder / DragonNiro
Yep, another chapter. Not much for me to say, just enjoy it and check out DragonNiro's version as well!