Author's Note: I have to admit its troublesome keeping up with the updates. Many people update like mad!
I have a life and it is Easter so don't expect much updates after this. It's also my sister's birthday on Friday so I probably won't update then. But we've still got a week after Easter Sunday (^_^) so I'll continue then.
________________________________________________________________________________
Apollo opened the door and tiptoed in quietly. It was way past six o'clock; he'd been out for four hours. He was worried about what he would find but then he gasped and stopped himself from falling over. Phoenix was slumped over at his desk with two empty beer bottles. He must have drunk himself to sleep. Apollo shook his head in disappointment. Today had been a wreck for Phoenix but for Trucy's sake, who would turn sixteen in May, he should have stayed sober.
Apollo took out his laptop. It was a Mac and he was proud of it. He was glad he had decided to spend the extra one hundred dollars. It had much more capabilities than Windows and with the built-in webcam; he could have live chats with people like Ema. But that was not why he was on the laptop. He logged onto the police records website and logged in.
WELCOME A. JUSTICE - TYPE IN CASE VERIFICATION NUMBER
He typed in the case number, 23227, and looked in the evidence tab. They had already uploaded the crime scene photo and Apollo examined it. He cringed at the sight of the beaten victim and clicked on the pistol.
MURDER WEAPON: PISTOL - SPANISH MODEL - ONE BULLET FIRED - DEFENDANT'S FINGERPRINTS FOUND ON WEAPON
Apollo scratched his head. Why would it have been a Spanish model? He made a mental note of the pistol make and continued to examine the gas mask on the floor.
MASK - NO FINGERPRINTS FOUND - THOUGHT TO BE USED TO COVER KILLER'S FACE
Apollo nodded. It made sense that the killer would have worn a mask to cover up their identity. Just in case Larry had survived and had testified to whom it was. He then examined the transceiver.
TRANSCEIVER - POLICE MODEL - NO FINGERPRINTS FOUND - SIGNS OF BEING USED YET NO TRACE
No trace? Normally transceivers, especially if they're used by the police, would have had at least a small trace. Apollo shook his head. How the hell could they think it was Miles Edgeworth? Why would he take off the mask and take off the gloves had he used them? Apollo shut down his laptop and made a note of all the evidence found.
* * *
"Okay, Trucy. Good luck." Phoenix said, wishing his daughter luck at the Wonder Bar. Phoenix would be travelling with Apollo and had insisted on coming to the defence bench with him. Apollo had believed that Phoenix would be out of shape.
"But you had alcohol last night." Apollo pointed out.
"Yes." Phoenix groaned, running his hand through his styled hair. He had gelled it back and now he looked remotely like the lawyer he once was. "And I have a hammering headache but Miles is my friend. I want to be there for him."
"Who do you think the prosecutor is?" Apollo questioned.
"I don't know. Klavier's in Germany so my guess is Winston Payne. You remember him."
"Yeah. He was pretty rubbish." grinned Apollo. Phoenix laughed out loud.
"Remember that there are plenty of other prosecutors out there. You might be surprised."
The taxi stopped outside the huge courthouse and Apollo thanked the driver, paid the tax and walked out, standing in front of the gloomy but yet historic building in front of them.
"There's been a lot happened here. A poisoning, a murder in a lift, countless trials, my first and last trial..." Phoenix smiled sadly at the memories.
"Hopefully there won't be a poisoning or a murder here today." laughed Apollo. They walked in and went to the defendant lobby. Edgeworth was already there, sitting nervously.
"Ah, Edgeworth. I never expected to see you again after eight years in a court case, especially with you as the defendant." Phoenix called out. Edgeworth jumped out of his seat, glaring at Phoenix.
"Wright. You've changed. Your normal blue suit has been traded for a...hoodie and a tracksuit."
"So have you. I see you're getting some hair." Phoenix laughed loudly, gesturing to Edgeworth's facial beard.
"A lot has happened, hasn't it? I return only to be welcomed by a murder charge." Edgeworth looked sadly at the floor. "Larry...I'm sorry about the loss."
"As long as you don't go down too, we have to move on." Phoenix said.
"I must warn you, Apollo." Edgeworth said, turning to his attorney. "I heard they're bringing in a really tough prosecutor."
"What's his name?" Apollo asked.
"Icoivus Troy." Edgeworth glanced at Phoenix. Apollo looked at his mentor, who had a horrified look on his face.
"But I thought..." he babbled.
"His charge was overturned. He moved to Britain for eight years but once he heard that I was being charged...he came over on the fastest jet he could."
"Who's Icoivus Troy?" Apollo asked. "Did you face him?"
"Once. It was...the worst case I'd ever taken." Phoenix shook his head. "They didn't film it, unlike all my other cases."
"Mr Justice." the bailiff said. "Could you please make your way into Courtroom 11, please?"
"Let's go." Edgeworth said, stroking his beard. "There's no backing out now." Apollo gulped as he trotted into the courtroom, glancing momentarily at Phoenix's face, which now had turned almost white. Apollo shivered. Obviously, this wasn't going to be like going against Winston Payne at all.
* * *
Apollo leaned against the defence bench, with Phoenix standing next to him. The judge glanced at the empty prosecution bench.
"Court is now in session for the trial of Miles Edgeworth...but it looks like..." the judge shook his head. "The court will not wait for the prosecution."
"It looks like you won't have to face..." Phoenix began but was stopped by a screech. It sounded like an objection but the voice wasn't human. It was cold, full of despair and emotionless. It sounded more like a robot. In fact, Apollo was sure it was a robot.
Apollo found himself staring at a man with a steel face. His golden hair stuck out of his forehead but his face was silver, covered in steel. A single line, illuminated by a green light, shone where the prosecutor's eyes should have been. His neck was also mechanical and his body was well built, with a black suit. The top button was undone and no tie was there. His arms were machine but muscular and he wore leather gloves. Whoever this man was, he was a robot.
"Mr Troy. The court will demand an explanation for being late." the judge yelled. Apollo was shocked at his opponent, unable to move.
"I apologise, Your Honour. I was completing preparations." the prosecutor announced, his deep, robotic voice ringing out through court.
"Very well. I take it the defence is ready?" the judge asked. Apollo nodded nervously.
"I think so." Apollo said. He was still transfixed on Icoivus. It was impossible to see what he was looking at. The judge? Apollo?
"I think is not an acceptable reply." Icoivus boomed. "You must be definite in a court of law or you should not be here. A house of justice is always certain."
"If we may begin court proceedings." the judge said, glaring at both lawyers. "Mr Troy, your opening statement?"
"As the court wishes." Icoivus slowly nodded. "Miles Edgeworth murdered Larry Butz on January 12 at 11:26 PM. We have incriminating evidence against the defendant to show he is the murderer."
"Do you have a witness?" the judge asked.
"Not a direct witness. That is negative." Icoivus turned to the judge. "However, I have witnesses that can testify to other matters closely linked with the case."
"Very well." the judge nodded. "Always prepared, like you were eight years ago."
"Fine. The prosecution will provide the first witness." Icoivus nodded. "I estimate, at the rate of the case, that the case will be over and Miles Edgeworth will be found guilty in ten minutes."
"Also very precise." Apollo added. "Who on earth is this guy? He's a robot." Apollo glanced at Phoenix, who was staring right at Icoivus.
"Are you okay, Mr Wright?" Apollo asked.
"This is how he defeated me. His first witness." Phoenix glanced at Apollo. "Watch out. He'll look for your weak spot. Once he finds it, you've lost."
I wonder what happened between these two..., Apollo wondered.