Apollo Justice: Crossover Attorney
Love Turnabout
Part 2
October 5th, 7:50 a.m.
Nexus Interdimensional Courthouse
Defense Lobby no. 3
Apollo flipped through the evidence once more, making sure everything was in order. Naru was off at the table, looking downtrodden again. Trucy was trying to cheer her up with some of her magic tricks. However, Mr. Hat wasn't as therapeutic as she thought. He sighed as his focus fell to the evidence from the crime scene.
'This evidence… the contradictions here actually gives me a good chance. I can already have a head start on this trial. Plus, no witnesses make things easier. Only Ms. Naru is saying that she had opportunity for the crime, but there's no one who can actually corroborate it.' His train of thought paused in reflection of the house pet he met and the evidence he obtained from her. 'But that still leaves many blank spaces. Who is the culprit then? What's the story behind the second set of footprints? And what about the ring? It does seem a little too coincidental that it would be sold off in the same day it was left. … And while I'm asking myself questions, why did Mr. Wright glare at me this morning? Trucy said he fainted when she mentioned the ring, but…'
"Will the defense please proceed to the courtroom at this time?" the bailiff announced at the door.
The three nodded and began to move out. Trucy glided over to Apollo with a happy demeanor. "Are you ready Polly?"
"I suppose. I don't honestly know where this will lead us…"
"Oh, come on Polly! Chin up!"
October 5th, 8:00 a.m.
Nexus Interdimensional Courthouse
Courtroom no. 3
(A/N: I forgot to mention this last chapter, but Allos Armada Product type 22: Death is my personal character. He has been copyrighted through publishing on Deviant Art.)
SLAM!
Alias: Everyone please be seated, court is now in session! Is the prosecution ready?
Nastasia: Yes, your honor.
Alias: Is the defense ready?
Apollo: Yes your honor.
Alias: Marvelous. This trial is herby gathered for the trial of Naru Urashima accused on charges of lethal assault and possible murder of husband Keitaro Urashima. The prosecution shall be led by Miss Nastasia. Mrs. Urashima's defense shall be led by Mr. Apollo Justice. The trial shall be mediated by The Unknown Alias. The prosecution may begin her case.
Nastasia: Thank you your honor. The severely injured body of Keitaro Urashima was found on the grounds of his property, the Hinata Sou. He is currently in critical condition at the Living Rights Hospital. His medical shall be updated to me on per emergency, so I ask your patience beforehand should my cell phone go off, 'k? Now, for the prosecution's opening move, we shall explain to the court of the victim's injuries and their cause. Your honor?
Alias: Very well, call your first witness.
Nastasia: As per regular schedule, I shall begin with the presiding detective in the case. Death, please step up and give your report.
(Death approaches the stand, his mask hiding any facial expression.)
Nastasia: Will the witness please give an introduction for the sake of the record?
Death: Allos Armada Product type 22. Commonly referred to as Death. I served as the lead detective for the case.
Nastasia: Thank you. Can you please give the court the memo of the victim's injuries?
Death: Of course.
Witness Testimony: Keitero's Health.
1) Injuries sustained from the attack have determined the time of attack to be 2:15 p.m. 2) The injuries in particular were the results of being bludgeoned by a blunt object. 3) Scientific analysis has determined said weapon to be a frying pan from the premises. 4) It has been determined that from the attack, the victim was dragged to a cherry blossom tree and placed around 2:30 p.m. 5) The body was first found at 7:10 p.m. by the defendant. 6) The most critical detail is that the victim is currently struggling to stay alive.
Alias: (Nods.) Very well, Mr. Justice, you may now begin you're cross examination.
Apollo: Thank you your honor.
Trucy: So, what's the plan?
Apollo: Right now, we will just have to bring up details for the jury. If a contradiction does happen to appear, then we'll take it.
Cross Examination
3) Hold it!
Apollo: How did you determine the frying pan to be the weapon?
Death: We narrowed our search down to items that matched the bruises. After that, we tested for blood. The pan was the only item that came up positive for blood. Signs show that attempts were made to wash it off, but wasn't thorough enough to avoid the test.
Alias: I see. Carry on.
5) Hold it!
Apollo: Do you know if anyone tampered with the crime scene since the report?
Death: We have determined that no one altered the crime scene since the body was placed by the attacker. All of the details of the crime scene had signs of age, meaning that no one even stepped up to the tree.
6) Hold it!
Apollo: What is the victim's status at this time?
Death: He is still under maintenance at the local hospital. He is in critical condition, but he is still hanging on.
Apollo: What are the expected results?
Death: Were it any normal person, they would've already been dead. However, the victim has an extended history of tenacity for living, as is evident in his current state. The fact remains, however, that we are wary for the slightest turn of bad luck.
Apollo: Have there been any discoveries to add to the Court Record?
Death: None yet.
Apollo pauses a moment, briefly thinking over the other statements for openings. Finding none, he nods.
Apollo: I'm finished your honor.
Alias: Very well. The prosecution may move on.
Nastasia: Thanks your honor. Now with the victim's status well established, Death, please explain how the defendant committed the crime.
Death: Yes Ma'am.
Apollo: Alright, this is it! If we're going to figure any of this out, it'll have to start here!
Witness Testimony: How it was Done
1) All of the residents left the building at 1 p.m. to look for the victim. 2) At 2 p.m., the defendant called the others to inform them she was returning home. 3) She arrived shortly after and prepared the frying pan to attack. 4) The victim arrived at 2:25 p.m. and was attacked by the defendant. 5) When finished, she dragged the body to a tree and placed him amongst the branches. 6) After that, she cleaned and disposed of the weapon.
Alias: Hmm… seems rather… excessive.
Nastasia: However, that has been confirmed as the series of events.
Alias: (Nods.) Very well then. Mr. Justice, you may cross examine the witness now.
Trucy: Alright Polly, what's the plan?
Apollo: Well, I suppose this is where I'll play the advantage…
Trucy: Huh? What do you mean?
Apollo: The very situation of the crime contains so many contradictions that I don't really know where to begin!
Trucy: Really? Then you'll raise an objection!
Apollo: Actually, no. It's not so obvious from the evidence, so I'll have to build up to it.
Trucy: Hmm. Odd. Why does it work like that?
Apollo: I don't know, that's just how the programmers made the games…
Alias: Mr. Justice! No breaking the Fourth Wall in my courtroom! Now begin your cross examination!
Cross Examination
3) Hold it!
Apollo: My client claims that she didn't even arrive at the inn until 2:30. How do you know that she arrived earlier?
OBJECTION!
Nastasia: That's only on the defendant's word alone. There is no evidence that can support her claim and we've determined that she was a ten minute distance from the inn.
Apollo: (Sweats before recovering.) Where was she?
Nastasia: She was located in front of a local pawn shop in the area.
Trucy: Wait, you think it's the one we visited?
Apollo: We'll have to wait until later to ask her. In the meantime, let's get back to the testimony.
5) Hold it!
Apollo: So you're saying that the photo of the crime scene shows its condition after the victim was placed, correct?
Death: Yes, that's what we've determined.
Apollo: Alright, time for the first break in the case! Well I just find it kind of odd.
Death: How so?
Apollo: It's rather simple, really. You see, there's an unnatural condition with the footprints!
Death: And what would that-
OBJECTION!
Nastasia: I already know what you're trying to do Mr. Justice. You're trying to point out the oversight with the footprints being unusually on top of the trail, right?
Apollo: … Uh, yeah.
Nastasia: Hmm hmm hmm… The situation does seem odd, I'll admit. But while the footprints may suggest the possibility of a fabrication, there still is even more incriminating evidence against the defendant.
Alias: Wait a minute, so you're saying that the crime scene was tampered with?
The crowd erupts into fervor at this. 'Apollo Justice Objection' theme plays.
OBJECTION!
Nastasia: True, the crime scene was tampered with, but by whom? The answer is the defendant herself!
OBJECTION!
Apollo: Why would she set up a scene to incriminate herself if she wanted to avoid arrest?
OBJECTION!
Nastasia: What did you just do?
Apollo: Huh? What do you mean?
Nastasia: Leaving behind such an obvious error would make one think she was being set up, throwing anyone off of the truth!
OBJECTION!
Apollo: Can you prove she's the one who did that?
OBJECTION!
Nastasia: Can you prove me wrong?
SLAM SLAM SLAM!
Alias: Enough! Miss Nastasia, you first proposed that the defendant left those false tracks. However, while there is no evidence to suggest otherwise, you've not provided any solid evidence for your original argument. Objection overruled.
Nastasia: (Huffs in anger before adjusting her glasses.) Nonetheless, the footprints hold no bearing in my investigation, not while more incriminating evidence is in play.
Alias: And what would that be?
Nastasia: The frying pan, your honor. The defendant's fingerprints are still found on the blood spoiled weapon and no one else's. If the defense truly believes the defendant was set up, then how do you explain this?
Apollo: I am uncertain at this time.
Nastasia: Hah! Thought so.
OBJECTION!
Apollo: That still doesn't dismiss the doubt that can be found of the fingerprints' authenticity!
Nastasia: WHAT?!? What do you mean?
Apollo: I have reason to believe that the fingerprints shouldn't even be on the weapon!
Trucy: Polly, are you sure about this?
Apollo: Positive! This has also been bugging me since we heard of it.
Nastasia: Mr. Justice, you better have a good reason for doubting the evidence!
Apollo: I do, and I have evidence to support it!
Alias: Very well then Mr. Justice, present this evidence at this time. Be warned however, (shows a 1/8 penalty) distraction tactics will not be tolerated.
Apollo: Very well your honor. My evidence is this!
Take that!
Alias: The frying pan itself?
Apollo: The frying pan was confirmed to be washed that day to clean off the blood, right?
Nastasia: Yes, and?
Apollo: Then how come fingerprints can still be on it after being washed?
OBJECTION!
Nastasia: The frying pan had not been used that day and it was disposed into bushes at the inn entrance after cleaning. It's only natural for the culprit's fingerprints to be the only ones on it!
Apollo: That doesn't explain how they could show up after being washed away! Though, I'll have to make note of this.
Frying Pan updated in the Court Record.
Nastasia: That's because the defendant had no choice but to handle the weapon to dispose of it!
OBJECTION!
Apollo: There is evidence that suggests otherwise!
Nastasia: ! (Sweating, clipboard trembling in hand.)
Alias: Very well, present your evidence. But be wary. (Shows a 1/6 penalty.)
Apollo: Not a problem your honor. This evidence shows that the defendant could've easily handled the weapon without leaving prints!
Take that!
Alias: (Quivers his eyebrows in confusion.) Just what is this?
Apollo: This is fabric that was found on the body at the crime scene. This is supposedly from some cloth or other and was used when dragging the body. This was done so as not to leave prints on the body. But if the defendant used such an item for that purpose, then why not do the same for the weapon?
Nastasia: Er… Errrggh! (Sways back before slamming her clipboard down on the bench, her lip twitching.)
OBJECTION!
Death: Unfortunately, Mr. Justice, that will not be good enough.
Apollo: Why not?
Death: While your proposition does have bearing, you must keep in mind that there are too many unknowns to give it full credit as well.
Apollo: How so?
Death: If I may, I would like to submit more testimony.
Alias: (Nods.) Very well, you may do so Death.
Witness Testimony: Inconclusive Investigation
1) We are aware that there are many blind spots in our investigation, 2) but the prints are still enough for a conviction. 3) As for your theory with the fabric, you must remember that it's also unidentified. 4) Aside from that, there are no other mistakes in our case.
Alias: … Mr. Justice, your cross examination.
Cross Examination
3) Hold it!
Apollo: How does that make any difference?
Death: Since we do not know just yet what the fabric is part of, we do not know just how big it is. Your theory is completely based off of an unspoken notion that the item was big. However, it could be anything from a bed sheet to a table napkin. If the item is too small, it would be too bloodied to be used without leaving traces on the weapon. With this detail too vague, your argument cannot be accepted.
Apollo: ……… Argh! I can't think of anything to counter that!
Trucy: Looks like he's got you there Polly.
Apollo: Yeah. I guess I'll just have to attack this from a different angle.
4) OBJECTION!
Apollo: Mr. Death, I'm afraid that you're wrong about your investigations.
Death: How so?
Apollo: It's shown quite clearly in the crime scene photo.
Death: And just where is this 'error' of mine?
Take that!
Apollo: I'm of course talking about the second set of leaving footprints.
(The eyeholes of his mask narrowed into a glare and the smoke filtering out of them condenses into a darker blue color. Insert 'Cornered' theme from Ace Attorney 1.)
Apollo: This second trail is seen leaving the tree, but no matching trail leads to it! On top of that, there is no one confirmed to have left it! I find it a little hard that you can consider your investigation good enough!
OBJECTION!
Nastasia: (Frantically writing on her clipboard.) W-well then, how do YOU explain the footprints? Huh?
Apollo: Simple! The real culprit!
Nastasia: Wh-… (Sways back again, this time still with a shocked face.) Whaaaaattt?!?
Apollo: The culprit waits for the victim someplace, frying pan in hand. Upon arrival, the culprit attacks him. Then, they dragged him to the tree and placed him there. They then decide to blame the defendant by leaving a trail in her shoes since she arrived back at the Hinata Sou by that time. They clean the frying pan, dispose of it and whatever cloth they used to handle the victim, and then returned the shoes. All to set up the defendant!
Nastasia: Nnngh… NNNnnnGGGhh! (Slams the clipboard down with shame.)
Apollo: Heh! Got her!
OBJECTION!
Nastasia: And just how, then, did the defendant get her fingerprints on the weapon?
Apollo: (Pokes his forehead.) That's a good question really… There's no honest way to ensure her prints could get on it unless… (Gapes at a sudden revelation.) Wait… that makes sense!
Alias: Nickel for your thoughts, Mr. Justice?
Apollo: It could be possible, if the culprit was one of the other tenants!
Nastasia: W-
Death: Wh-
Alias: Wha-
All: Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaatt?!?
Apollo: It'd make sense! All of the tenants were out on the search for the victim and my client did testify saying she called everyone that she going home early. This means everyone knew that she'd be home and the culprit must've saw it as an opportunity to pin the blame on her! Then, living with her, they would be able to set a trap to have her grip the already washed frying pan!
(Nastasia is trembling, writing even more on her clipboard.)
SLAM!
Alias: It appears we have reached an impasse. There is doubt to be had on the crime scene's set up and possibility to be framed supported by altered evidence. I will require both the prosecution and the defense to look into this matter and see if it can be proven or not.
Apollo: Understood your honor.
Nastasia: … Yes your honor.
Alias: Very well. If that is all, then court is-
Hold it!
Alias: Yes Mr. Justice?
Apollo: Before we go, I would like to present one more piece of evidence.
Alias: For what, Mr. Justice?
Take that!
Apollo: During our search, we've recovered these shoes in the Hinata Sou. As you can see, they are caked in mud. We believe that these were the shoes of the second trail of footprints.
Nastasia: So you want to have these analyzed then?
Apollo: Yes, if that's alright.
Nastasia: (Examines the shoes but then stops in shock.) … Mr. Justice, what do you have to say of the blood?
Apollo: … Blood? What blood?
Nastasia: The blood on the bottom of these shoes!
(The shoes are shown with dried blood on the bottom with the mud.)
Apollo: Wh-… Whaaaaattt?!?
Trucy: Huh? But how did blood get on there? There was just mud when we got them!
Nastasia: (Seems to be thinking and finishes with an adjusting of her glasses.) Your honor?
Alias: Yes Miss Nastasia?
Nastasia: We would like these shoes to be sent to the Delta Science Labs to test for energy!
Alias: Energy? Why would you want to want to test for… Oh! Very well. Permission granted.
Apollo: I don't get it! How could we have missed blood on those things?
Trucy: It definitely wasn't there when we got it and it didn't get out of our hands since then, right?
Apollo: Yeah, that's what makes this so confusing!
Trucy: Well, maybe it was hiding.
Apollo: Hiding? How could that possibly be hi-
(He suddenly flashes back to the sudden 'revealing' in his last trial and a certain changing piece of evidence.)
Apollo: Wait, you don't mean…
Trucy: Yeah! Just like the hair from last time, the blood could've been hidden with magic!
Apollo: So then, does this mean that this same unknown person is also helping this crime?
Trucy: It'd make sense…
Shoes have been given to Nastasia.
Alias: Well then, take note of your assignments. Miss Nastasia, I expect a thorough investigation for the origin of this blood. We will send the results of the evidence testing to both the prosecution and the defense upon release. Also, make sure to search into the origin of the second set of footprints. Until these mysteries are solved along with the contradictions in the evidence, we cannot declare a verdict. Court is dismissed!
SLAM!
October 5th, 12:23 p.m.
Nexus Interdimensional Courthouse
Defense Lobby no. 3
"Ah man…" Apollo sighed. "This is just so confusing."
"So, it's true then?" Naru asked. "Someone really did try to frame for attacking Keitaro?"
"Well, you didn't do it, right? So how else could the crime scene end up like it did?" he reasoned.
"But what I don't get is the blood," Trucy interjected. "It had to come from somewhere, so how could anyone miss it? And how did it even disappear in the first place?"
"Finding the answers to those may be harder than you think," a new voice spoke.
"Daddy!" Trucy cheered as said blue beanied pianist entered.
"This is just like last time, correct?" he continued.
"Yes," Apollo answered, again going back to his last trial. "Just like the hair of the culprit and then when he disguised himself as the victim. So then, this case is even deeper than we think?"
"It looks that way…" Phoenix mused.
"K-nock! Are you decent?" Alias joked as he entered the lobby, back in his casual wear.
"Hey Al!" Trucy cheeped. Alias seemed bewildered at the nickname as he blinked.
"Hello Mr. Alias," Apollo greeted. "You wanted to say something?"
"More or less," the author admitted. "I just wanted to let you know that the gummi ship waiting for you has been set with pre-programmed destinations for you to choose. Also, expect Death to give you the results of the analysis of those shoes."
"Thank you Alias," Apollo answered with a nod. "Come one Trucy, we might as well as get started."
"Good. In the meantime, Mr. Wright, I would like to speak to you about something in private. If you don't mind," Alias requested.
Phoenix didn't reply except with a small smile as the two left the room.
"Ms. Naru," Apollo spoke, "I just want to let you know that we'll be dropping by before the day is over, so stay open, okay?"
"Of course," she said before being escorted out by the authorities.
"So, where will we start Polly?" Trucy asked.
"We start investigating to find out who that mystery person is. If my guess is correct, they're probably the true culprit…" he figured.
"Alright then! Let's get going Apollo! We've got a criminal to catch!" she cheered.
With that burst of confidence, the two rushed out of the room, ready to dispense justice.
Court Record Updates:
Frying Pan: Type- Weapon. Received from Death. Determined to be the murder weapon. Large traces of washed blood. Has Naru's prints. Was disposed into bushes.
The Unknown Alias's status: Signed out.
Date of Update: 5/03/2010
"Badger Get!"