Title: Turnabout Justice
Summary: Nighttime. A dark cover that criminals use to hide. A shot rang out, and a cut is delivered. A suspect is caught. But what is, in the end, the real truth?
Disclaimer: Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney belongs to Capcom.
Pairing: Probably KlavierApollo; side-pairings to be decided in future.
Warnings: Might contain OOC-ness, AU.
A/N: Big thanks to Rydia Asuka for her helpful comments. For that, she'll receive a jar of thank-you cookies!! -hands cookies to Rydia Asuka- I'd like to thank Serena-chan1 and mochiusagi for their reviews. And this is the next chapter.
A/N (April 11): Story has been re-edited, and next chapter is also up.
To Rydia Asuka and Shawna D.: To be completely honest, I have finished the whole story, and that's one of the reason that I didn't find a beta for this. I thank Shawna D. for your offer, but I wanted to try a story on my own. I do not mean to be arrogant here. I merely wanted to try writing an Ace Attorney case - one that includes investigation and more than one day of trial. Also, even without a beta for this story, Rydia Asuka has been helping me a ton when she reviews my story and I truly appreciate her help.
Also not forgetting Serena-chan1 for the complement of "keeping everyone in character". Again, I apologize if you have felt offended, and I thank Rydia Asuka, Shawna D. and Serena-chan1 once more.
Turnabout Justice
Chapter 2
June 21, 9.38p.m.
District Court
Prosecutor's Lobby
Edgeworth sighed. He was planning to take a week off since he had just cleared up another major case. Yet, he was immediately put into another case, by Wright no less. And further more, the defendant was a prosecutor. Along with the fact that it was him that is the defense today, Edgeworth could already feel a headache coming up. Nevertheless, he headed for the Defendant Lobby to have a before-trial talk.
June 21, 9.48p.m.
District Court
Defendant Lobby No. 2
" Yay!! I get to see Daddy defending people again!!" Trucy exclaimed happily.
" Well, the Fräulein sure looks excited." Klavier commented.
" Mr. Gavin!! Good morning!!" Trucy greeted.
" Good morning to you too, Fräulein. And to you too, Mr. Wright." Klavier greeted back. Phoenix was in a black suit, much like his mentor's one, along with a red tie, instead of his old blue suit and pinkish tie.
" Good morning, Mr. Gavin." Phoenix replied.
" Hmm, you have time to greet each other?" Phoenix sighed. " You're going to enjoy this, aren't you?" Phoenix asked.
" No. I'm going to get a headache over this." Phoenix chuckled.
" Almost time, Daddy!!" Trucy announced.
" Nick!!" " Mr. Nick!!"
Trucy looked over. Phoenix almost groaned. " Trucy, don't–"
" Daddy, there's a new girl here." Phoenix groaned. " Mr. Nick!! How could you!!" The girl hit Phoenix.
" Ahh, what a beautiful Fräulein." Klavier said.
" Pearls, Trucy is…" Phoenix stopped.
" He's my Daddy!! I mean, not my real daddy, but he's my Daddy!!" Trucy exclaimed.
" You mean, as in adopted?" Maya asked. Phoenix nodded.
" Well, the trial's going to start." Phoenix said in a confident voice.
" I'm going with you, Daddy!!" Trucy said. Phoenix nodded.
" Nick, do you know who did it?" Phoenix merely chuckled.
June 20, 10.00a.m.
District Court
Courtroom No. 2
The crowd roars with murmurs, and was calmed down by the banging of the Judge's gavel. Edgeworth gave a light smirk, as he always does. Phoenix stood almost casually with a light smile, much like what he did when he helped with Apollo's first trial. Trucy seems a little eager, but mostly determined.
" Ahem. This court is now in session for the trial of Mr. Klavier Gavin." The Judge announced.
" The prosecution is ready, Your Honor."
" The defense is ready as well, Your Honor."
" Mr. Wright… You… have re-taken your bar exams?" The Judge asked.
" Yes, as a matter of fact, I only received my badge three days ago, and was not planning on taking a case unless needed. I thank you for your concern, Your Honor." Phoenix replied, a smile still on his face.
" Ahh, well. Oh, so you mean this is an important case?" The Judge asked. Phoenix didn't reply, but his eyes changed from a warm gaze to a hard glare. The Judge gulped.
" Mr. Edgeworth, your opening statement, please." The Judge quickly said.
" Wright. Stop glaring or you might scare the court… and your case away." Edgeworth smirked.
" The defendant is accused of a crime. A crime of attempted murder. The victim, Apollo Justice, was not only cut at his throat, but was also shot. Both of these wounds were potentially fatal." Edgeworth explained.
" Potentially fatal, you say? I see. The prosecution may call its first witness." Edgeworth nodded. ' I wonder which detective will come out…' Phoenix thought.
" Detective Ema Skye, please take the stand."
Ema looked slightly better than usual, and Phoenix suspected that it was because the prosecutor was Edgeworth.
" Witness, please state your name and occupation for the court." Ema grinned.
" My name is Ema Skye and I'm a detective for the Criminal Affairs Department." Ema pushed her glasses up with a grin on her face. Edgeworth took a look at the document in his hand before continuing.
" Detective Skye, you were one of the first detectives to arrive at the crime scene, is that true?" Edgeworth asked. Ema nodded.
" Please give the court your testimony, about the crime scene as you encountered it."
Witness Testimony
- The Crime Scene -
" I arrived shortly after the department got a call, reporting about the accident at People Park. When I arrived, Apollo, the victim, was bleeding profusely, and Prosecutor Klavier was beside him. One of the weapons, the knife, was found a short distance away from the victim."
The Judge nodded. " Looks like the defendant was out to kill Mr. Justice. Mr. Wright, please begin your cross-examination." Phoenix paused as he was about to nod.
" Is something wrong, Mr. Wright?" The Judge asked.
" Your Honor… If the defendant, that is to say, Mr. Gavin, did tried to kill Apollo, I wouldn't think that I would be defending him would I?" Phoenix said.
" In other words, Your Honor, Wright doesn't believe that our defendant did it. But let's not jump to conclusions and let the cross-examination determine the truth, shall we?" Edgeworth said. Phoenix nodded.
Cross-Examination
- The Crime Scene -
" 'Shortly after the department got a call'… Do you mind telling me about what time did the call come in?" Phoenix asked.
" About 8.35p.m." Ema replied. Phoenix checked the report. ' It fits with the report, so nothing is wrong there…' Phoenix continued to read the testimony.
" How long did it take for you to get there?" Phoenix asked.
" I would say two or three minutes." Ema replied.
" So, Apollo was bleeding profusely, and the defendant was beside the victim? How did the defendant look like?" Phoenix asked.
" How did he look like?" Ema repeated.
Phoenix nodded. " As in, was he calm? Or did he look to be panicking?" Phoenix explained.
" Oh, he looked like he was… a little panicking." Ema replied after some thought.
" If you don't mind, might I ask, why is the defendant there?" Phoenix asked.
" Mr. Wright? Where are you going with this line of questioning?" The Judge asked. Edgeworth chuckled.
" You really haven't lost your touch, Wright." Edgeworth commented.
" And your comments are still… the same as ever, Edgeworth." Phoenix replied.
" Mr. Wright, Mr. Edgeworth, I know it has been a long time since both of you are in court, but please, explain what is going on." The Judge interrupted.
" Simple, Your Honor. If you were a criminal, one that just shot someone, what would you do after you committed the crime?" Phoenix asked.
" Why, I would run!!" The Judge exclaimed.
" Exactly." Phoenix smiled. " If the defendant shot the victim, why would he be there, and only a little panicking? There is a crowd there, Your Honor." Phoenix added.
" Ahh!!" The Judge exclaimed.
" OBJECTION!!"
Phoenix sighed. " You're doing good, Daddy!!" Trucy cheered.
" Trucy, it's never easy with Edgeworth." Phoenix replied.
Edgeworth smirked. " The defendant must not have time to run, Wright. Run through the time again. Between 8.30p.m. to 8.35p.m., the victim was shot. And someone already called the police at 8.35p.m.. The defendant must not be able to run!" Edgeworth banged his hand on the table.
" OBJECTION!!"
" Mr. Edgeworth. The weapon, is a gun." Phoenix said.
" A… urk…" Edgeworth flinched.
" What is wrong?" The Judge asked.
" What sound does a gun produce, Your Honor?" Phoenix asked.
" Why, a gunshot, of course." The Judge replied.
" Exactly. A gunshot. It certainly would have attracted some attention, right?" The Judge nodded. " Some attention being, a witness. Now, Ema, you have been listening, right?" Phoenix asked. Ema nodded.
" Tell me, where exactly is the gun right now?" Ema winced.
" Detective Skye?" The Judge questioned.
" The gun's location… is currently not known, Your Honor. The gun is still missing." The Judge nodded. The courtroom fell silent. Phoenix sighed.
" No one gets what I'm getting at?" Phoenix asked.
" What exactly were you getting at, Mr. Wright?" The Judge asked.
" If the court doesn't mind…" Phoenix sighed. " Let's review what we know again." Phoenix said.
" Between 8.30p.m. to 8.35p.m., the victim was assaulted, and putting the knife aside, he was shot. Immediately after, witnesses arrived, followed by the police." Phoenix explained.
" Now, the police received the call at 8.35p.m., and they arrived in two minutes' time, and the defendant was still at the scene, and next to the victim, no less. And right now, we have a missing weapon, Your Honor. The gun is still missing." Phoenix explained.
" Ahh!!" The Judge exclaimed. Phoenix nodded.
" Exactly!! There was neither time for the defendant to hide nor to dispose of the gun!!" Phoenix banged his hands on the table. The court fell in murmur.
" Order!! Order!!" The Judge called. " Unbelievable!!" He added.
Phoenix groaned. " What's wrong, Daddy?" Trucy asked.
" The look on Edgeworth's face." The prosecutor was still smirking. " It means that he either has some sort of evidence, or another witness." Phoenix explained.
" That's right!! That photographer we talked to yesterday… Though not much." Trucy commented.
" Well, now's the time to get what we need then." Phoenix replied.
" If it pleases the court, the prosecution has another witness. This witness saw the very moment of the crime!!" Edgeworth exclaimed. The court roared with whispers and murmur, until the Judge calmed them down.
" Well then, go ahead, Mr. Edgeworth." Edgeworth nodded.
" Will the witness that witnessed the crime take the stand?"
Littlemore took the stand, looking a little nervous. " Witness, please state your name and occupation for the court." Edgeworth asked.
" Daniel Littlemore… I'm a photographer." He answered.
" Hmm, very well. Please give us your testimony, Mr. Littlemore."
Phoenix narrowed his eyes. " Wright." Edgeworth called. Phoenix raised his eyebrow. " This is where the real trial begins." Phoenix nodded.
" I know."
Witness Testimony
- What I saw -
" I was on my way back home yesterday when I happen to hear someone let out a cry. I turned in that direction and saw a red-clad young man running away from another man, who had a knife in his hand. It was dark, but the lamppost nearby helped me to see the man's face. The knife the man was holding had blood on it, and so did the young man's throat. Following that, the man took out a gun and shot the young man. Then, he saw me, and fled."
" I'm not sure what I'm thinking of this testimony…" Phoenix muttered.
" I kinda agree, Daddy." Trucy replied.
" Incidentally, the witness took a photograph." Edgeworth smirked.
Littlemore took out a photograph and handed it to the bailiff. Phoenix almost gasped. Apollo was seen lying on the ground, just being shot. A man was holding a gun, arm outstretched. However, something seems wrong to Phoenix, though he couldn't put a point on it.
" Mr. Wright, your cross-examination, if you please."
Cross-Examination
- What I saw -
" Well, where should I start… You said you were on your way home, Mr. Littlemore?" Phoenix asked.
" Yes. I always pass by the People Park when I walk home." Littlemore replied.
" A red-clad young man… I assume it is the victim?" Phoenix asked. Littlemore nodded.
" Could you tell us about the man?" Phoenix asked. " The man. It was the defendant. I saw the necklace." Littlemore said quickly.
" …!" Trucy tugged on Phoenix's suit, who nodded in return.
" A lamppost nearby, Mr. Littlemore?" Phoenix asked. Littlemore nodded quickly. Phoenix smirked.
" Wright, this line of questioning is useless." Edgeworth said, smirking.
" OBJECTION!!" Phoenix yelled.
" And by the way, that 'objection' was not just for Edgeworth, but for our photographer as well." Phoenix added.
" Two objections!?" The Judge asked. Phoenix nodded.
" First of all, the line of questioning is not useless. And secondly, such a careless mistake is unlike you, Mr. Edgeworth." Phoenix said, smiling.
" What… Argh!!" Edgeworth flinched.
" What? What!!" The Judge exclaimed in desperation.
" Take a look at the photograph, the one taken by this witness. There are two contradictions here." Phoenix said.
" Two?" Edgeworth questioned.
" Let's start with the obvious one, shall we? First of all, Mr. Littlemore, you mentioned that 'a nearby lamppost helped me see the man's face.' Did I get that right?" Phoenix asked. Littlemore nodded nervously.
" Now let's take a look at the photograph. Edgeworth, what is contradicting the testimony?" Phoenix asked with a grin.
" The lamppost… is not lit." Edgeworth said through gritted teeth.
" He's right!!" The Judge exclaimed.
" And now, the second contradiction." Phoenix continued.
" I believed you said, ' I saw the necklace.'?" Phoenix asked. " And by that, I assume that you are referring to Prosecutor Gavin's necklace?" Phoenix added. Littlemore nodded.
" Again, take a look at the picture, taking note of the man, the one holding the gun." Edgeworth flinched again.
" I do believe Mr. Edgeworth saw it." Phoenix smirked.
" Notice something missing around the man's neck, Your Honor?" Phoenix asked. The Judge gasped.
" That's right!! There isn't any necklace!! Please, enlighten us, Mr. Littlemore. Where did this necklace disappear to? When the defendant was arrested, he had his necklace on. I saw it, and so did Detective Skye." Phoenix asked.
" Urk!!" Littlemore exclaimed.
" You know, that's not the only thing wrong with his testimony." Phoenix said as he frowned.
" There's more?" The Judge asked. Phoenix nodded.
" We have just proved something before the witness came in, Your Honor. That the defendant could not have time to escape or dispose of the gun. Now, the witness testified that the defendant ran away when he saw Mr. Littlemore. And thanks to this, we now have a mystery on our hands." Phoenix explained.
" This is getting from bad to worse, Daddy…" Trucy muttered. The Judge banged his gavel.
" Well, with this many contradiction, I do believe we are unable to trust this witness' testimony. " The Judge announced.
" Something is still strange…" Phoenix said.
" There's still something?" The Judge asked.
" I can't think of a reason why this witness is lying, or at least testifying like this." Phoenix explained.
" We've checked the records, Your Honor. This witness has no relationships to the victim or the defendant." Edgeworth added.
" And I didn't see anything!!" Trucy added.
" Nothing, Trucy?" Phoenix asked. Trucy shook her head.
" That means, it is highly possible that the witness isn't lying… But we still have a big mystery on our hands." Phoenix said.
" What exactly happened?" Edgeworth said.
" And also, who did it." Phoenix added.
" Not to mention the missing gun!!" Trucy added. Phoenix nodded.
" I believe this is a good time to stop the trial. I want both the prosecution and the defense to find out what exactly happened at the park." The Judge banged his gavel.
" That is all. Court is adjoined."
June 21, 1.24p.m.
District Court
Defendant Lobby No. 2
" I don't get what's happening." Trucy said.
" What do you think, Mr. Gavin?" Trucy asked. Klavier shook his head. Phoenix sighed.
" What a great way to finish the first day of the trial…" He muttered.
" Come on, we still have to find out what happened, or at least where the missing gun is." Phoenix said.
" Daddy, can we go to the hospital too?" Trucy asked. Phoenix nodded.
" I'll send your regards, if possible." Phoenix said to Klavier, who nodded.
A/N: The trial's a little… quick… if not weird. Well, thanks for reading.