Yeah. So I decided not to write the third day of the trial. It isn't essential to the story, really. But here's the next chapter. It does explain what basically happened and the result of the trial. This one's pretty short.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Ace Attorney series characters!

Chapter 15 - Turnabout Innocent

"Gosh Mr. Wright. I don't know how we pulled it off, but we sure did, didn't we?!"

Phoenix sighed heavily. "Yeah, I guess we did." Although we should probably be thanking Kay for investigating the video footage from Apollo's apartment building; otherwise, we would've never been able to prove Apollo's innocence.

Indeed, Athena had continued her own investigation of the crime scene on the second day, after she had finished comforting Iris. Kay had contacted her, telling her rival defense attorney that she was running an investigation of Apollo's apartment. Video footage from the day of the murder was discovered, which had caught a suspicious-looking man who had stolen the knife from Apollo's bike. What was more significant was that the man fit the vague description of the man who had tipped off Officer Meekins, and everyone was convinced that this man, whoever he was, killed Mr. Huntley.

A third and final autopsy report was written up, recording all of the information about Huntley accurately, and it had stated that the cause of death was drowning in the water. The Judge was easily convinced that Apollo was innocent, and with no objections from Kay, he found him not guilty.

"But that just leaves the only question: who did kill Mr. Huntley, and why?" Athena crossed her arms, deep in thought. Although the bigger question is what did he have to do with Apollo?

Right at that moment, their client came up to them. "Mr. Wright. Athena. Thank you. So much…for doing this for me."

Athena saw that Phoenix only nodded. Well, they're obviously on good terms with each other. Pushing her sarcastic thoughts aside, she smiled brightly. "Of course, Apollo! Did you really think we'd let you go to jail like that?!" She laughed a little nervously, especially since neither Apollo nor Phoenix expressed any kind of emotion whatsoever.

Clearing her throat, she nudged Apollo. "Anyway, Apollo. You have somewhere to be, don't you?"

"Yeah. I've got to get to the academy fast! I'll see you!" With that, he ran off quickly.

"Gee. I never knew he could run so fast," Athena mused. "I kind of wish he would agree to race with me around the courthouse. He actually seems like he'll be some good competition for me." Upon hearing silence, she looked to her left at Phoenix. "Um…Mr. Wright?"

The older defense attorney had been spacing off when Athena called out to him. "Hm? What is it, Athena?"

"You just seemed…distracted. You should be happier. We got Apollo declared not guilty after all!"

"You're right, and I am happy, even if I may not seem it."

Mr. Wright. I can hear your emotions, and they're only 10% happy. The other 90%...is all discord.

"Anyway, Athena, I've got to go."

"Where are you going, Mr. Wright?"

"…Nowhere, in particular."

"So you won't mind if I join you then!" She regarded him carefully to see his reaction.

"I actually do mind," he replied a little darkly.

Athena was taken aback. Whoa. What was that?! I knew he'd refuse…but I was not expecting this!

It was apparent that even Phoenix felt he had acted oddly. "What I mean is that…I…I need to be alone for a while. Besides, Trucy's at the office, and she had something she wanted to talk to you about."

"She does? Then I better get there fast!" With that, Athena jogged away from him. Halfway to the office, she stopped mid-run, thinking about what had happened. "Wait a second. Did he just lie to me so that I would leave him alone? Maybe Trucy isn't waiting for me at the office?" She shrugged. "Oh well, only one way to find out!"

"Hey Athena! So, how did the trial go?! You guys got a not-guilty verdict for Polly, didn't you?!"

"We sure did."

"That's awesome. I'm so glad! I was kind of worried, actually. But you know?" Trucy crossed her arms as she pouted. "I just don't get why Polly won't tell us what he was doing with that man!"

"Yeah. It would be nice to know, and Junie's been sworn to secrecy, so we won't get anything out of her either."

Trucy sighed a little, and that's somehow when Athena noticed something a little out of place in the office. "Hey. Where's Iris?"

"She's at her apartment. We were going to go out together, but she called the office this morning and told me that she wasn't feeling very well, and that she wouldn't be able to come."

"Oh…right." Well, after what happened yesterday with Mr. Wright, I can imagine she isn't feeling too great.

"Where's Daddy, Athena? I thought he would be coming with you?"

"He said he had something to do."

"Daddy's been acting kind of weird lately. But I guess that's because of the trial and everything going on with Polly, right?"

Athena saw Trucy looking at her expectantly. "Yeah. You're right. I'm sure that's it." Athena hoped Trucy didn't see through her lie.

"This is absolutely preposterous!"

"I know, sir. I'm sorry, pal."

Edgeworth glared at Gumshoe. "Detective. I want you to make sure that that officer is not allowed on patrol duty. Ever. Again."

"Of course, Mr. Edgeworth sir! I'll make sure to tell the Chief about it right away!"

"See to it that you do."

"See you, sir."

Edgeworth groaned. While he was pleased with the verdict of the trial, he was extremely upset by the fact that the real criminal had not been brought to justice. He was working closely with the police to try to find the man, but so far, there was no sign of him. Not yet anyways. And it was all thanks to one Officer Meekins.

That man seems to only cause problems for me. Even more so than Detective Gumshoe…

"Hey Mr. Edgeworth!"

"Did you hear about the trial today?!" Kay bounded into the office and plopped down in the chair in front of his desk.

"Yes, I did."

"And?" Kay waved her hands expectantly.

"And what?"

"Don't you have anything to say?" Edgeworth just stared at her.

What am I supposed to say?

"You're supposed to say, 'Great job, Kay! I knew you'd be able to get the right verdict and steal the truth!'"

"Hmph. It's good that Mr. Justice was found not guilty, but we've yet to find the real criminal, Kay. It's hardly the time to celebrate."

She frowned and crossed her arms. "Gosh Mr. Edgeworth. I don't think you'll ever change. You're always going to be a grumpy old man."

"I beg your pardon!" He began indignantly. "I am not an old man, and excuse me for being upset that a criminal is still on the run!"

"Yeah…I guess you're right. They still haven't found him, have they?"

"No, I'm afraid not. What's worse is that word has already gone out about this person, so he's probably hiding."

"Or he may not even be here in the area anymore," Kay added. Realizing that was probably not the best thing to say to the already irritated prosecutor, she glanced up at him to see his frown had deepened. "Don't worry, Mr. Edgeworth. I'm sure the police will find him soon." She stood up. "Anyway, got to get back to the office. See ya!" She left his office.

I certainly hope so, Kay.

Like I said at the beginning, this was a short chapter. I've got a longer one that's still in progress. I promise it should be better than this one. I've decided to speed things up in the story a little, like going ahead one month in it so that I can get straight to focusing on the mysteries with Phoenix and Apollo. For some reason, I can't seem to figure out what to write and how to build up more suspense, so yeah. The next chapter will sort of summarize what happens in the span of a month, and it should be posted (hopefully) in the next couple of days. But anyway, that aside, feel free to leave a review or private message me. Thanks!