'...Faraday... Why do I know that name?'

'The prosecutor whom lead most of the cases against the Yatagarasu, your Honour.' Edgeworth folded his arms. 'Byrne Faraday, Miss Faraday's father.'

A dinky, old lightbulb chimed in the Judge's mind. 'Ah, that's right.' He lowered his head in thought. '...he was a brave, talented prosecutor, indeed.'

Apollo and Trucy exchanged looks.

'"Was"?' muttered the magician.

'Anyway, I think it is important that we start this trial. Wouldn't you say, your Honour?'

He nodded. 'Quite right, Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth. So, Prosecutor Faraday, your opening statement, if you please.'

'Certainly, your Honour.' She crossed her arms, and somehow on cue a stray breeze sent her scarf fluttering. 'The prosecution stands here today to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the defendant, Jet Slater, murdered his co-star, Brad Fist. The two were good friends, but witnesses state there have been rising tensions over the past months, and it's not because Mr Slater is playing the villain in an upcoming movie.' Her smile broadened. 'Mr Fist owed Mr Slater a great deal of money. The prosecution believes that the defendant, driven by his desire to get his money back, got into a scuffle with the victim which eventually lead to his death.'

The crowd started whispering to each other in excited tones. They were cut off by the gavel.

'Hmm, I see. How much money would you say it was?'

Kay scanned the bench, fingers dancing over several documents before snatching one up and holding it out in front of her. 'Almost twenty-thousand dollars.'

'Th-that's quite a large sum,' said the Judge, wide eyed, banging his gavel to silence some of the louder gasps. 'People have been murdered for much less. Why, there is quite a clear motivation here!'

She's to the point, I'll give her that, thought Apollo. And I don't know enough about Mr Slater to say otherwise. But... He slammed his fists down. 'The defence would like to know what proof the prosecution has to substantiate this claim.'

Trucy looked at him. 'Why are you objecting so early, Polly?'

'Well,' he said turning to her, 'you know when Athena, and you, and Mr Wright ask me for cash? Have I ever made you sign a contract? I don't think the prosecution has any hard proof of this agreement.'

She pointed over to the prosecution. 'I dunno, Polly. She's looks pretty confident.'

Apollo glanced back to Kay, whom was waving the same document with a snarky grin.

'If the defence would let me finish, this is a legally-binding contract signed by both the defendant and the victim.'

'...what?'

'Expiration date: yesterday. The day Brad Fist was murdered.'

Apollo reeled in shock. 'Are you serious?'

Kay shrugged and shook her head, much to the amusement of the Chief Prosecutor. 'As the defence should know, the defendant is very tight when it comes to his money. Several people we interviewed confirmed that this is not unusual behaviour for Mr Slater.' She crossed her arms and stuck her head out slightly. 'Why, Mr Justice, I think I know more about your client than you.'

That's because you do! For someone so famous I know next to nothing about him.

Trucy smiled. 'That's what you get for not reading magazines.'

'Don't you start.'

'The defence's lack of literary ability aside,' muttered the Judge, 'would the prosecution like to call their first witness?'

'Certainly, your Honour.' Kay placed her fists on her hips. 'The prosecution calls the detective in charge of the investigation to the stand: Detective Ema Skye.'

Apollo outwardly relaxed. Good, someone I know, and somebody who won't give her any leeway. He began to smile once more. Can't wait to see her get Snackoo'd.

'...and can I just say you look great in that vest and tie - the skirt is a nice touch.'

Kay chuckled, waving away the compliment. 'Aww, you look great too, Ema.'

The detective popped a Snackoo into her mouth. 'Coffee afterwards?'

'Definitely.'

Apollo wanted to throw his arms in the air. Of course she knows Ema on a first-name basis.

Edgeworth cleared his throat. 'Detective Skye.'

'Yes. Of course, sorry.'

'Wow, I don't think I've seen Detective Skye so co-operative,' observed Trucy with a smile. 'Do you think she's a big fan of Mr Edgeworth?'

The attorney wasn't listening - he was too busy throwing his arms into the air. And of course Ema respects anything other than forensics for once.

Kay straightened herself up after receiving a word from Edgeworth about "courtroom etiquette." Her bubblier persona was left behind once more as she addressed the woman at the stand. 'Alright. Detective Skye, could you let the court in on the bare facts of the case?'

She gripped her forensic, rose-coloured glasses. 'Sure, I'd be happy to.'

That's a first.

'Come on, Polly. We don't know much about the crime scene as it is. Lighten up!'

Apollo shook his head, clearing his mind. 'You're right.' He looked over to Ema. 'Let's see what we can find out.'

'Starting with the autopsy report,' said the detective, 'the cause of death isn't that unusual: a blunt blow to the back of the head - killed him instantly.'

She almost sounds disappointed.

The Judge blinked a few times. 'An autopsy report? I must say I'm impressed with the speed of the coroner.'

Ema smiled knowingly. 'I'd say the identity of the victim is to blame - the media is a powerful catalyst. Anyway, other than that, the body is untouched.'

'I see. The court accepts the autopsy report into the evidence. Please continue, detective.'

'Now, the time of death was between 5:30pm and 6:00pm. Before the premiere of the movie, there was a pre-screening party of some degree - cast and crew only. From the Studio where it was being held, it's a fifteen minute drive to the cinema, and the limos left at exactly at 5:45pm.'

I see. So the victim was killed before he arrived at the premiere, at the pre-screening party.

'I know what you're thinking, Apollo,' said Ema. 'And this is where things get complicated. The victim is seen entering his limo, alive - a paparazzi member snapped this picture here.' The detective held up a photograph depicting a man in a space suit climbing into a limousine.

The Judge frowned. 'Who is this?'

Kay piped up. 'The victim, your Honour. Brad Fist is quite tall and bulky, meaning the suit is tailored to fit him, and him alone. Apparently, he wanted to wear it to the premiere as a joke.'

'I see. If anyone else were to wear it, it would be obvious that it wasn't the victim inside. Therefore, the victim must have been killed during the trip to the cinema. Do I follow the prosecution thus far?'

She nodded.

'Very well. The court accepts this photograph into the evidence.'

Apollo placed a finger against his forehead. 'You're right, Detective Skye. This just got a lot more complicated.' He looked over to Kay. 'Are you saying that my client murdered Mr Fist on the way to the premiere?'

She nodded.

'Both men travelled in separate cars, far away from each other?'

She nodded.

'But my client killed the victim, somehow, regardless?'

She nodded.

Apollo just stared.

Trucy tilted her hat, trying not to giggle. 'Isn't it usually us who have the crazy ideas?'

The attorney looked at the Judge. 'Your Honour... Does the defence need to object to such a claim from the prosecution?'

'Now, now, Mr Justice. I am sure that Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth has looked into matter.' He frowned at Apollo. 'And, I am also just as sure he wouldn't let his protege throw accusations around willy-nilly.'

'Hmm, I could have sworn I heard Daddy just object from somewhere.'

'In any case, Prosecutor Faraday has a reasonable explanation for all of this.' He turned to said prosecutor. 'Do you not?'

Kay rubbed her hands together, an excited grin plastered across her face. 'Of course. The prosecution has a key witness: someone who witnessed the moment of the murder and the events before it.'

Apollo slumped over, defeated. I'm not even surprised at this point. What else could go wrong today? A Snackoo smacked the top of of his head - he looked up and saw the pouting detective on the witness stand.

'Hey, Justice. I'm not finished with my testimony yet.'

Well, I guess there's that.

The Judge widened his eyes. 'Oh? There's more?'

Ema munched on a Snackoo. 'Well, it's not that much more. But it's something that no-one knew about the victim.'

'Not even his family,' interjected Edgeworth. 'I, personally, asked each of his closest friends and relatives about the matter.'

The Judge was visibly shaking with excitement. 'Ohohoho, I can't wait to hear it - I've always loved learning people's secrets.'

I think I know how the Judge discovered this profession.

'Brad Fist...well... How can I put this lightly...?' Ema chewed her lip in thought. 'I guess I'll just have to say it. Upon searching the body we uncovered traces of narcotics.'

The Judge's enthusiasm shrivelled up and died on the spot. '...excuse me?'

'And the coroner found some of it in his system, as well...' Ema's voice was drowned out by the cacophony of the people watching. They were already on their phones, alerting news agencies, personal blogs and making social media statuses. The little child couldn't be heard, mainly because he didn't know what that strange word was, but also because his mother effectively ejected him from the courtroom.

It took a good ten bangs of the gavel to silence the crowd. 'Order! Anyone who wishes to create a scene will be removed from this court of law, immediately!'

Oddly enough, Apollo and Trucy found themselves less shocked about the news of the victim's drug use, but about what this implied for the prosecution.

'This hurts their case,' muttered Apollo, leaning over to the magician's ear. 'Faraday let Ema speak about something that could be used to overturn Mr Slater's motive. I don't think Mr Wright would have taken Mr Slater's case if he thought he did it, but this almost confirms it could have been justified self-defence. What is she up to?'

'Maybe it's because her witness is so decisive it doesn't matter? I'd watch out Polly - I don't think this is good for us.'

'Agreed. I think it's a trap, she wants us to use it against her... I'm not sure what to do.'

The Judge looked towards the defence's bench. 'Mr Justice. What are your thoughts?'

'I...' He looked at Kay - her arms were crossed, eyes wavering, waiting for him to make his next move. '...I believe the defence needs to rethink its position on the case.'

'Are you... Are you admitting to the defendant's guilt?'

'N-no, of course not, but...' Apollo lay his hands on the bench, arms shaking. I just don't know enough. I don't know my client, I don't know my case - I barely had enough time to see the crime scene before I got here... And the police had already cleaned it up. I just need time. But I'm in no position to postpone the trial. He could feel his head throbbing. Ugh, what do I do?

His answer came from a surprising source.

'Your Honour?' said Kay's voice. 'I would like to ask for a fifteen minute recess. I need some time to prepare my witness, and...' She looked Apollo in the eye. '...I believe the defence needs to really think about where they stand.'

The Judge looked like he was about overrule her suggestion, but then he caught wind of Edgeworth, and of the slight nod that he was sending his way. He sighed. 'Very well. This court shall break for fifteen minutes. I ask that both sides prepare themselves accordingly, and reconvene on time.' His gavel descended with a definitive whack.

Apollo looked to the prosecutor's bench: Edgeworth was already halfway out the door, and Kay was collecting up her notes and tucking them underneath an arm. 'H-hey!' he called. 'What was that about?'

She stopped for a second. 'You looked like you were in trouble.'

'But, you've given us time to formulate a case. That puts yours in jeopardy.'

Kay flashed a grin. 'What do you mean, Mr Justice? Someone has stolen the truth...' She walked away towards the exit. '...and it's up to us to steal it back.'

Edgeworth tapped a number into his phone - it picked up after a few short rings.

'Hello, Wright Anything Agency. Phoenix Wright, speaking.'

'Wright, it's me.'

'Ah, Edgeworth. Good to hear from you. How's Apollo going?'

The prosecutor leaned against a wall. 'Even for you, Wright, this is needlessly cruel - it looked like he didn't know anything about the case.'

'That's the idea.'

He pinched the bridge of his nose. 'Preparing him for the worst is one thing, but...'

'Relax, Edgeworth. If you're talking to me now, then I'm assuming that you're in recess.'

'Well, yes. Kay played her part just as I taught her. She saw that the defence was struggling and helped them out. Though admittedly, it wasn't hard teaching her that the truth is the most important thing in the courtroom, considering she wanted to be the Yatagarasu.'

'Apollo feels the same way, but...'

'...he's undefeated, isn't he?'

'Only because every client he's had so far has been innocent.'

'I know. You feel as though he thinks of the courtroom as: "defending the innocent against the world," not: "both sides working together to arrive at the same truth."'

'...it took quite a trial to make me realise that the truth isn't always pretty.'

'Hmm, yes. But that doesn't explain why you gave Justice the case so suddenly, and with no information about his client to boot.'

'Oh, about that. He's terrible at improvising - thought it'd help him out.'

'...'

'Also, consider it a handicap for Kay.'

'It's her first case.'

'And she's your protege. I trust that she can handle it.'

Edgeworth sighed. 'We'll discuss this over tea, later.'

'Looking forward to it. Let me know how it turns out.'

'Of course.' He ended the call, slipping the phone into his pocket again - the start of a headache tugged at his temples. I'm going to kill Wright someday, I know it.

Next part ho! This first case should end next chapter, and then we move into the real meat of the story :D

Remember, criticisms are always welcome. So, R&R and have a good day.