Disclaimer: I don't own the Ace Attorney Characters or storyline.
Chapter 20
Date: 18th June 2026, 12:30
Location: Courtroom 4, California
"…Well, Ms. Tiala?" The Judge asked. Alita just huffed and smirked.
"…Nice work."
"…You mean, I'm right?" Apollo asked. Emma frowned at the tone of her voice.
"I mean you've done a fine job dreaming up a story, to get that spoiled brat off the hook!" Apollo frowned and Emma's eyes widened.
"The car…" She murmured. Apollo turned to ask her what she meant but Alita spoke up again.
"There's one gaping hole in your logic. I think Mr. Gavin knows whereof I speak!"
"Is this true, Prosecutor Gavin?" The Judge asked. Klavier laughed.
"I believe Ms. Wright has realised now what error has occurred." He said. The judge focused his attention on Emma.
"I believe Ms. Tiala is talking of the doctor's car." She said before being interrupted by Alita.
"That's right! The Meraktis Clinic has a big garage! Why would he steal the stand in the first place!? If he wanted to carry a body, he would have used his car!" Emma nodded her head sadly.
"Indeed, and I would suggest that the car was broken," She frowned and crossed her arms. "But Nicki, I mean my brother Phoenix, got hit by the same car earlier that day so it was fine." Klavier banged his fist against the wall and spoke.
"A glaring contradiction, to be sure." He looked at Apollo. "More glaring than your forehead." He winked and Apollo blushed. Emma just rolled her eyes.
"However…" Emma said glaring at Klavier for interrupting before looking at Apollo over the top of her glasses. "What have you learnt over the past few days?" She asked. "Review the evidence, it will tell you what happened." The Judge banged his gavel.
"Mr. Justice, this contradiction casts doubt on your entire case! This is truly your last chance! The defense will explain to us what happened that night!" Apollo frowned in concentration and went over what they had learnt in his head. His eyes widened and he presented Trucy's magic panties. Emma's eyes widened and she groaned before banging her head against the desk. Apollo looked at her wide eyed.
"Errr… Are you alright Ms. Wright?" The judge asked. Emma groaned and lifted her head.
"I'm just debating on either slapping Apollo round the back of the head or laughing." She turned her head to Apollo. "You are along the right lines, but I think we could have avoided having to present another pair of underwear." Apollo blushed and muttered an apology. Emma just smiled and shook her head before standing up straight and crossing her arms. "Carry on." She nodded here head forwards. Apollo nodded and faced forwards.
"Another crime was committed the night of the murder. The theft of these panties! The latest in a string of similar thefts, actually. But that night, the snatcher was caught in the act! A brave you girl chased the thief until they hid…" Emma's eyes widened slightly in concern. Trucy… She thought. Apollo continued. "…in the Meraktis Clinic garage."
"Wh-Whaaaat!?" Alita was taken aback by this revelation.
"The snatcher hid the panties there before running…" Apollo said, confidence filled his voice. "…Perhaps someone in this court remembers where he hid them?" The Judge spoke.
"Why… weren't they found in the car's exhaust pipe?" Apollo nodded.
"Exactly." Emma cleared her throat and spoke up.
"And it is well known to those with knowledge of vehicles that if you have a clogged up exhaust pipe…" She leant forward and smirked. "The vehicle won't run."
"My, how interesting." Alita commented.
"While Ms. Tiala and the doctor were struggling, the panty snatcher snuck into the Meraktis garage. From that time, until the time we found these, that car wouldn't run." Alita started to sweat profusely.
"Wh…What…!?"
"That's why Dr. Meraktis had to use the noodle stand." Emma shrugged. "It was the next closest thing he could think of." Emma looked over at Alita. "Well, Ms. Tiala?"
"This wraps your doubts up quite nicely, I think!" Apollo said. Emma smiled.
"…So it does." Alita said. "Funny. This isn't the way it was supposed to turn out." She shrugged. "Oh well. Too bad."
"There's still one mystery…" The Judge mentioned. "How did you manage to disappear from that stand?"
"In the silence after the shot, I heard the witness running…" She explained.
"I believe we heard as much from Wesley Stickler." Klavier spoke up. "He went to use a public phone to inform the police."
"…Which is when I made my escape."
"…Which is when you left that slipper print!" Apollo mentioned. Alita nodded.
"Dr. Meraktis didn't bother taking my slippers off. I threw them out after I stepped in that paint, though."
"…That was your mistake." Apollo said. Alita shook her head.
"No. My biggest mistake…" She crossed her arms. "…was coming to you for help, Mr Justice!" Emma raised an eyebrow.
"Eh…" Apollo looked at Alita, confused.
"I believed in you! You and your 'Anything Agency'… If anyone would get Wocky declared guilty it was you!" Apollo just looked at her, slightly stunned. Emma, on the other hand, snorted and scowled at Alita.
"Ms. Tiala, a lawyer's job is to find the truth and make sure that the guilty party is punished for what they have done." Emma narrowed her eyes causing Alita to lean back slightly. "In this case, Wocky was innocent of committing the murder of Dr. Meraktis." She cocked her head to the side. "You however, are guilty." Emma saw the final psyche lock shatter and the chains roll away. She smiled slightly as Alita was taken out the courtroom. The court was quiet for a few minutes before the Judge spoke up.
"I believe we've reached a conclusion of sorts." He looked over at Klavier. "…Prosecutor Gavin. How is Ms. Alita Tiala doing?"
"She's confessed to everything. We're processing her arrest now." He said. Emma nodded her head, smirking.
"Looks like it's time to announce a verdict…" The Judge said.
NOT GUILTY
"Court is adjourned!" The Judge banged his gavel.
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Date: 18th June 2026, 13:00
Location: Defendant Lobby No. 2, California
Apollo, Emma and Wocky walked into the lobby. Wocky was going on at the two attorney's about "his Alita". Emma was about to argue when Big Wins walked in.
"Thank you Mr. Justice," He nodded at Apollo then turned to Emma. "Ms. Wright." He then looked at Wocky. Emma was looking at Big Wins when she put together the pieces as to why he was selling pies.
"Wait a second." She said, pointing her finger at no one in particular. "You want to make money, clean money, in order to give Wocky the operation he needs, correct?" She asked. Plum had just walked in and nodded.
"Yes, there is one doctor who can take the bullet out but it's an expensive procedure." Big Wins nodded in agreement.
"And I do not want to use money made from what did this, I want to do it clean." Wocky teared up slightly before shaking his head and went on at his dad. Big Wins ignored him and face Emma and Apollo. "Thank you both." He nodded once again and he, Wocky and Plum walked out the Lobby. Emma sighed and laid out on the couch.
"Well I'm glad that's over." Emma smiled and looked over at Apollo before getting up and stood in front of him. She placed her right hand on his left shoulder, cocked her head and smiled. "You did great Apollo! I'm proud of you!" She saw Apollo's eyes light up like a small child being given praise.
"R-really?" He asked. Emma's smile widened into a grin and she nodded.
"Definitely!" Just then the door opened and in skipped Trucy followed by Phoenix, Miles and Liam. Emma smiled at them and grabbed her bag. "Well, shall we go out for dinner?" She asked. Liam then spoke up.
"I'll pay if that's okay." He offered. Emma rolled her eyes and elbowed him in the side playfully. He gave her a playful glare. She giggled. Phoenix was about to reply when the lobby door opened again and in stepped Klavier.
"Hey Rocky! Great work today!" Emma said, smiling at him. Klavier smiled back.
"Thank you Emma. I just wanted to pass my congratulations onto Herr Forehead." He turned to look at Apollo, who blushed and looked to the side, arms crossed. Phoenix chuckled, getting Klavier's attention. He stiffened slightly but Phoenix spoke as if he did not notice.
"I agree with Emma, great job, the both of you." He smiled and Miles nodded in agreement. Emma saw Klavier relax. "Anyway, Miles and I will meet you at Mr Eldoon's noodle stand." Phoenix said and went out the room, dragging a complaining Miles with him. Emma put her face into Liam's chest and giggled. Liam chuckled and wrapped an arm around Emma. Klavier just looked back at Apollo and grinned flirtatiously before leaning towards him.
"So I will see you soon, ja?" He said. Apollo's face went bright red again and he rubbed below his bracelet as he nodded in reply. Emma then got an idea and went over to Trucy and covered her eyes. Trucy protested slightly but Emma carried on.
"Please! I know I said to wait until you were out of the court room to flirt with Polly Pocket, but not in front of children!" Emma said, a sparkle in her eyes. Klavier and Apollo looked away, blushing deeply while Trucy giggled. Emma turned her head and saw Liam trying to stifle his chuckles. Emma grinned and moved her hands from Trucy's eyes. "Let's head to the noodle stand then." She said before looking up at Klavier. "You coming?" She asked. Klavier looked from Apollo to Emma with red cheeks and cleared his throat before shaking his head.
"Nein, I have a lot of paper work to complete, Danke." He said. Emma nodded her head.
"Okay, I will drop the papers off later then." Klavier nodded and left the lobby.
"Let's go Polly!" Trucy exclaimed and dragged Apollo out of the lobby, so only Emma and Liam were left. Liam walked over to Emma and gave her a hug and kiss on the top of the head. Emma returned the hug. After a couple of moments, they pulled apart and Liam offered his arm to Emma.
"Shall we?" He asked. Emma giggled and took his arm.
"We shall." And with that they walked out of the lobby and out of the courthouse, towards the noodle stand.
So the trial's over! Please review and look out for the up date next week! :D