Disclaimer: I don't own Ace Attorney

Chapter 15

Date: 18th June 2026, 11:16

Location: Courtroom 4, California

"Perhaps the defense would like to state their position?" The Judge asked. Apollo took the lead.

"…The bullet in that safe proves one fact:" He started. "A pistol was fired in that office on that day. And at the time of the firing, the safe was open. A safe that contained a top-secret chart."

"Do you think someone was threatening Dr. Meraktis? In order to open the safe?" The Judge asked. Apollo banged his fists against the desk once again.

"Only one person was in a position to do such a thing." Apollo pointed his finger at Alita. "Our witness, Alita Tiala!" The gallery went up in an uproar.

"Order! Order! Order!" The Judge shouted. "Mr Justice! Where are you going with this? Are you accusing the witness!?" He exclaimed. Apollo continued his argument.

"Alita Tiala knew about Wocky Kitaki's botched operation!" He pointed at her again. "She got engaged to him without telling him about it!" He put his arm down. "As long as that bullet remained in his chest, his days were numbered. What if she married him, and then the bullet finally reached its destination!"

"Wh-Whaaaat!?" The Judge exclaimed. Klavier then spoke.

"That reminds me." He said. "Apparently, the Kitaki's have been asserting themselves in lawful business practices… They're making quite a deal of money… a fortune if you will." It suddenly clicked in Emma's head. Wow, talk about gold digger… She thought.

"Nefarious! So she planned to marry him just to get her hands on this fortune?" The Judge asked, shocked.

"OBJECTION!" Someone shouted. Emma looked over to where she heard the objection come from, only to see Wocky standing there looking very pissed off. "You keep talking trash about my Alita and I'll sue you lawyer-man!" He exclaimed. Emma just sighed and looked over at Wocky.

"Wocky you do realise that she is just using you to get some quick and easy cash right?" She asked. Wocky just scowled at her.

"Shut up lady, I ain't talking to ya, I'm talking to the lawyer guy." Emma just sighed and crossed her arms. She nodded her head at Apollo towards Wocky.

"Huh? Me!?" He said.

"Yeah! You said… You said you'd… You'd…" Wocky said. "You'd abuse my Alita!"

"Um, I think you mean 'accuse'…!" Emma spoke up but Wocky ignored her.

"Same difference! Well lawyer-man you can't have her! She's mine." He exclaimed. "It was me! I shot that doctor! Me! He left me to die, so I left him to die, too, there in that park!"

"W… Wocky!" Apollo said, hair drooping. Emma would have found it funny if the situation wasn't so serious.

"Just cool down for a second Wocky." Emma asked. Wocky just continued to talk.

"You keep your hands off my Alita! Or I'll…" HE was cut off by giggling. Emma looked over to see Alita giggling to herself.

"M… Ms. Tiala?" The Judge asked.

"I-I'm sorry. I just…" She giggled again. "It's been so long since I've laughed so hard."

"Something funny?" Emma asked, raising an eyebrow.

"…Wocky. Wake up and smell reality!" She said.

"A… Alita-baby?" Wocky asked.

"The signature on the chart, the engagement…" She snorted. "I mean, come on! It's so obvious. Even for a brainless, spoiled brat such as yourself."

"Alita…" Wocky trailed off. Finally showing your true colours then… Emma thought.

"Your honesty is like a breath of foul air, Fräulein." Emma smirked at this comment and stifled a chuckle.

"Hey, I wasn't getting out of this clean, anyway." Alita said.

"So… The family fortune is what you're really after, correct?" Emma asked looking over at Alita.

"That's right. I wanted the money." She said

"No way! That's wack! I ain't trying to hear that!" Wocky exclaimed.

"Should have done the wedding earlier. Oh well." Alita sighed. "By the way, can I ask you a question?"

"Who, me?" Apollo asked. Alita nodded.

"I believe you said you were going to abuse me?" Emma rolled her eyes and interrupted.

"It's accuse." She said. Alita ignored her.

"Of what crime, might I ask?"

"Huh?" Apollo replied.

"Oh, I'm a bad girl. Sure I got close to the brat because I wanted his money." Alita said. "But he was the one with the pistol. HE could have fired it into the safe after I'd already left the clinic."

"What…?" Apollo started to talk but was interrupted again by Alita.

"I would never do a thing like that. It was definitely that silly brat."

"Wait, but…" Apollo was interrupted again, this time by Emma.

"What are you going on about?" She asked, eyebrow raised and arms crossed. "You had the most to lose if that chart was found."

"…But I didn't have a pistol, now did I?" Alita asked. Emma frowned.

"True…" She said trailing off into thought.

"All I've heard is Wocky. 'It was me! I shot him!'"

"OBJECTION!" Apollo shouted, making Emma jump slightly. "That's only because he is trying to protect you!" He exclaimed. Klavier then intercepted by thumping the wall with his fist again

"Sorry to intrude on this lovely conversation…" He said. "But you are forgetting one critical point."

"What point?" Apollo asked. Emma sighed.

"Yes she wanted the chart, and we assume that she threatened the doctor into opening the safe…" She turned to Apollo and looked at him over the top of his glasses. "But then why did she not take the chart?" Klavier nodded in agreement.

"…Ms. Tiala." The Judge said after a couple of minute's silence.

"Yes?" She asked.

"It is clear to this court that you are not a very good fiancée." The judge said.

"Oh. I'm flattered." Alita replied.

"Perhaps it's time you told us the truth?" The Judge asked. "Tell us about yourself, including your actions and the whereabouts on that day." Apollo bashed his hands on the desk once again.

"Don't forget!" He exclaimed before pointing at her. "We've proven that you were at the Meraktis Clinic on the day of the crime!"

[To be continued]

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