Yang sat just outside Port's classroom, where the trial was being held. Blake was right beside her, but, instead of them talking, they were silent. Their minds both knew what had to be done. I mean, Mr. Wright's done this 1 million times, right? Yang thought to herself, If someone with THAT haircut could win a trial, who says I can't? Plus, I have Blake, who's one of the smartest people here! That's got to be worth something, right?
"So, who are we facing again?" Blake said out of the blue.
"I have no idea. I know that Ozpin is the Judge... so I have no clue. It was never released." Yang responded.
"I wonder who it is?" Blake thought aloud, as a knock came from the interior of the room. "May the Defense please make their way to the bench." He said, and opened the door for them.
"Well... here we go." Yang grinned as she and her partner stepped into the classroom. They noticed that a large podium was set up in the center of the stage, with 2 benches facing eachother. One bench was empty, and the other was occupied by...
Phoenix shook his head. For one, he never thought he would be sitting in a university seat again, especially with 2 freshman and his daughter, surrounded by people with larger frames and bigger muscles than he could ever hope for. Phoenix, wasn't unsympathetic towards that, however. He was more disappointed with the prosecutor of choice. What is he trying to pull? Phoenix thought to himself as he watched Yang and Blake's reactions as they walked down to the floor.
Yang and Blake got to their stands, to see who they were facing...
"Hello Girls." The familiar voice of the headmaster's assistant spoke.
"Hello Mrs. Goodwich." The flabbergasted girls responded. The classroom broke out into murmurs of confusion, which were silenced at the sound of Ozpin's gavel.
"May I have order? Today, Mr. Jaune Arc is accused of assaulting Mr. Cardin Winchester. May the Prosecution please give it's opening statement?"
"Gladly, sir." Mrs. Goodwitch crossed her arms, and started to speak, "Yesterday, while Cardin Winchester was walking back to his dorm, he was suddenly assaulted by Jaune Arc. The victim says that there was a struggle, and almost the use of a sword. Luckily, Cardin disposed of it, before being knocked out by the defendant. Due to the amount of damage done to Mr. Arc, he passed out from pain as well. Cardin then woke up, and proceeded to receive medical assistance."
There was a pause, as the students in attendance took in what was said. Ozpin, after a few moments, decided to break the silence, "Mrs. Long, do you have anything to say?"
Yang looked blankly at the desk. Do I have anything to say? Then, she felt a certain nudge on her shoulder, and turned to see Blake looking at her. "Well? Do you?"
"Yes, I do, your honor. I have something to ask Mrs. Goodwitch."
"Go on." Ozpin said, giving her the green light.
"Mrs. Goodwitch, there's something that you didn't bring up in your opening statement: Motive."
"Motive?"
"Yes; why did Jaune Arc supposedly attack Cardin?"
"Well... Your honor, I want this to go on a much more important record. May I answer this question in the form of a testimony?"
"Only if you think it is fitting enough."
"Yes, your honor. I believe this to be of importance."
"Okay then. Mrs. Goodwitch, you may begin your testimony."
Prosecutors Testimony: The Motive
Once you take a step back and look at it, it seems pretty obvious.
As we all know, there was a scandal involving Mr. Arc, Mr. Winchester, and Ms. Nikos.
Though there was one detail that was not released, it was obvious there was blackmail.
Despite this being resolved, Mr. Arc still wanted revenge.
-end-
"Well then, Ms. Long, you may now cross examine the prosecutor." Ozpin declared.
"Yang, be careful," Blake said from next to her, "This could be a trap..."
"I know, and I will." Yang promised. Whatever Mrs. Goodwitch is planning, I need to be ready for it, not matter how ugly this may get!
Cross Examination: The Motive
Once you take a step back and look at it, it seems pretty obvious.
Really nothing for me here...
As we all know, there was a scandal involving Mr. Arc, Mr. Winchester, and Ms. Nikos.
"Hold It! That may be true, but we never got any details on how that scandal was started. Would you mind telling us what that may have been?"
"Well, Ms. Long, it's not that easy. See..."
Though there was one detail that was not released, it was obvious there was blackmail.
"Hold It! But this detail holds why there was blackmail involved! Surely, this is an important detail that needs to be told!"
"Ms. Long! Are you back talking me right now!?"
"No... Ms. Goodwitch..." Yang felt a beep of embarrassed sweat drip down her forehead, much like Phoenix.
"All you need to know is that it is personal to that specific scandal, and does not need to be released."
"Y-Yes, ma'am..." Geeze! It's personal? Is it about his size... poor Pyrrha...
Despite this being resolved, Mr. Arc still wanted revenge.
"Hold It! But Jaune did get his revenge when he successfully beat that Ursa, when Cardin couldn't and whimpered like a bi- I mean, dog." Watch your tongue Yang! "Surely, that was revenge enough for Jaune!"
"Unless he wasn't satisfied." Mrs. Goodwitch countered.
"Enough!" Ozpin's voice rang out. "I see this Cross Examination leading to no where, so we will leave it at that!"
"Yang, that was weird." Blake whispered to her partner. "It seems like that only cleared Jaune, and said that real person with motive was-"
"I know." Yang cut her off. This was confusing her so much right now. Why would she intentionally do that...?
Phoenix was watching from the seats, arms crossed. He watched Ozpin throughout the entire cross examination, and he showed no emotion. None! Usually, a Judge would listen, and even have a bit of emotions. But he was showing none! And the was that Glynda made herself a witness was very suspect. All of this started to come together, and Phoenix knew what was really happening here. They already know Jaune's innocent, and who the culprit is! So why go through all of this. Phoenix had an idea, but he had no way to prove it yet. He just sat there, and let it play out.
"Now, Mrs. Godwitch, since you used yourself as a witness, I think it is only fair if I let Yang call a witness up. Do you have any objections Mrs. Goodwitch?"
"She may, but I would like a 5 minute recess to prep the witness."
"Only rightly so, Mrs. Goodwitch. Yang, who would you like to call?" Yang looked at her notes, and only 3 names came into mind: Jaune, Prof. Port, and...
"Your honor, I would like to call the victim to the stand." Yang said with absolute confidence. The students gave some surprised murmur's, which were ended by Ozpin's gavel. "Order! I accept Ms. Long's request, and we will have a 5 minute recess."
5 minutes later...
"Okay witness, please state your name and occupation."
"Cardin Winchester, and I am a student here at Beacon." He said with confidence.
"Mr. Winchester, would you be so kind as to give your testimony?"
"I guess, though I have better things to do." Cardin said, rolling his eyes.
This Testimony is going to be important! Yang thought to herself. I need to pick out everything I can from this!
Witness Testimony: Cardin's Account
It was after dinner. Me and a few friends were joking around, and we were heading back to the dorm
I wanted to go one way, but everyone else wanted to go another way, so we split up.
I was walking through the Garden, when I was jumped suddenly!
I turned, and flung the guy off of my body, when I heard a clinging on the pavement.
I was stunned to see who it was: It was Jaune! He attacked me!
-end-
"Alright; Ms. Long, you may now examine the witness."
"Heh heh, I'd let you examine me anytime." Cardin snickered.
"Can it, meat head!" Yang told off the witness in absolute disgust. She took a deep breathe to herself, and listened to Blake.
"Yang, I don't think there were any contradictions..."
"No contradictions... yet. I can still press."
"True. Make sure you press in accordance to the topic at hand though."
"I will, I will. Jsut sit back, and enjoy the show!
Cross Examination: Cardin's Account
It was after dinner. Me and a few friends were joking around, and we were heading back to the dorm
Nothing here...
I wanted to go one way, but everyone else wanted to go another way, so we split up.
"Hold it! So, which way did they go?"
"They wanted to go to a more non-direct route, but I wanted to get there faster, so I headed down the faster route."
"Okay, okay... continue please."
I was walking through the Garden, when I was jumped suddenly!
"Hold it! About what time, would you say, you were jumped?"
"I would think it was around... say... It was dark, so about 7:45 ish."
Hmm... that would make since...
I turned, and flung the guy off of my body, when I heard a clinging on the pavement.
"Hold It! What do you think the clanging was...?"
"If I had to guess, I would guess it was his sword probably."
Hm... he's been spot in with details so far...
I was stunned to see who it was: It was Jaune! He attacked me!
Yang thought about this long and hard. Was it a contradiction? Maybe, maybe not, but It's definitely an inconsistency.
"Objection! Mr. Arc, I find it hard to believe that you saw Jaune."
"Oh yeah, how are you sure about that?"
"Becuase, you would need light to see that!"
"Err... Come again?"
"The area that was the crime scene had no lights. Me and my partner had confirmed this when we saw no light poles. It had to have been pitch black by then!" Cardin cringed when he heard this, and this caused a murmur when the students heard it.
"Well... Does that really matter?" Cardin recovered, more confident now.
"...Huh?" Yang asked, caught off guard.
"He attacked me, whether I saw him or not. That's an undeniable fact!" The crowd's murmurs now became voices, as they talked about Cardin's solid point.
"Order! Order! I will have Order!" Ozpins gavel slammed down multiple times, calling for order. When he finally got it, he let the trial resume.
"Okay, if Jaune jumped you, How did he knock you out?" But before he could answer, Yang cut him off. "I want you to testify this: What happened after you threw Jaune off your back, and what happened all the way until you got back to your dorm."
"Geeze, fine." Cardin rudely accepted the request.
Witness Tesimony: After the Jump
When I was shocked, he charged, knocking me out. I couldn't put up a fight.
I was knocked out for a good, 15 minutes or so.
When I woke up, Jaune had left, and I was there.
I got up, and headed to the dorm.
-end-
Yang and Blake instantly looked to each other after that last statement. They knew their evidence well, and knew exactly what to do now.
Phoenix had it down right after that, and he knew everything. Who did it, Why they did it, and why Ozpin didn't punish him instantly. Phoenix reached down into his pocket, and started playing Flappy Oum. Weiss shot him a look, and started to scold him. "Mr. Wright! There is a trial going on! Show some respect!"
"Oh, there is? It looks over to me." Phoenix responded, looking to see Weiss's confused face. "Just watch; they'll figure it out right now."
"Now, Ms. Long, you may Cross Examine the witness."
"Thank you, your honor."
Witness Tesimony: After the Jump
…
I got up, and headed to the dorm.
Yang extended her pointing finger out as far as she could, her adrenaline pumping. Oh, she always wanted to do this.
"OBJECTION! Mr. Winchester! Why do you keep lying?!" Cardin shot her a look of anger, knowing he's been caught. "Now, I find that hard to believe, because, our very own, Prof. Port, was walking along when he was looking at the Garden. He was looking at it for a good hour, and saw no one come out. That means..." Yang slammed her hands on the desk, her eyes, the most concentrated part of her body. IT almost felt like little white and blue lines were whizzing past her face. "That you didn't leave the Garden!"
A/N: If you want the music I suggest at this point, It's Radiata Stories: POWERFUL ENEMY! Or you can use any cornered you like.
The courtroom went up into shouts of confusion, barely being silenced by Ozpin. Once they were silenced, Yang continued, "Cardin, I don't believe you left the Garden. I think something different happened, and I think I know what!"
"Oh yeah? What really happened?" Cardin challenged.
"I think one of your friends went with you into the Garden! You guys split up, going 2 and 2! Now, the partner that went with you took his sword, and pretended to jump you! Now, why then and there. You had previous knowledge from actually paying attention in Prof. Port's class, that he watches the Garden form some ways away, and when it was dark, he wouldn't make out any distinguishable details."
"Oh yeah? And who would this person be that 'went with me'?"
"That's obvious; the smallest person on your team: Russel Thrush!" Cardin backed down a bit, and let Yang continue her train of thought. "And, before you ask, I know Jaune didn't go into the Garden, because Pyrrha followed him, and said she could see him through the light, but there was a struggle there as well, as one of them jumped Jaune, knocking him out carefully! Once that all was done, you let Russel leave, then doubled back, and went with the other 3, and went to the dorms on the other path!"
"Okay okay, this all seems plausible. But, what motive would I have? Huh?" Cardin was now grabbing at straws, and Yang knew that she had him where she wanted him.
"Motive you say? I think this was brought up earlier in the trial, between me and Mrs. Goodwitch:
[Despite this being resolved, Mr. Arc still wanted revenge.
"Hold It! But Jaune did get his revenge when he successfully beat that Ursa, when Cardin couldn't and whimpered like a bi- I mean, dog."]
"You were still embarrassed because Jaune stood you up, you had to get him back!" Yang looked at Cardin, and saw that he was sweating bullets. Looks like I was right; Now to finish it! "Well Cardin? Is this all true!? Did you do all of this?"
Cardin looked around rapidly, not knowing where to go. He shut his eyes, and slammed his hand down on the witness stand. He did this repeatedly. "Yang... Yang... Xiao... Long... Yang... YANG!" Suddenly, he bursted forward, towards the Blonde, but she was ready. She stayed calm, and right as he was about to make contact with him, she punch him, square in the nose, sending him back with a nose full of blood.
…
Once Cardin was done, and taken away, Ozpin looked at the defense. "I must say ladies, I'm impressed. Not only did you clear your friends name, but you also found who the real offender is. I must say, you have bright futures."
At this, chills went down Phoenix's back. He smiled, thinking back to his first trial:
"Mr. Wright?" The Juge asked, still shaking from what just happened.
"Yes, Your honor." Phoenix tried to respond like he knew that would happen, but, on the inside, he wanted to explode with enthusiasm, happiness, and joy.
"I have to say, I'm impressed." The Judge complimented, "I don't think I've ever seen someone complete a defense so quickly... And find the true culprit at the same time!"
"Thank you, your honor."
A/N: Musical Emphasis: Solution! Calm Moment, form AA:I 2
Back then, those were the glory days. I was young, and still had it! And, also...
...Chief...
Phoenix looked at Yang for a moment, and looked shocked. Her hair had changed, it was now brown. And her suit, now...
"Mr. Wright... are you crying?" He heard Weiss say. Phoenix didn't respond, as he let the tear roll down his face. Thank You Mia... for all that you have done to this world...
The verdict was given, and the remaining 2 of team RWBY went down to join them. "Hey Dad, we should go down there too!"
"You can. Tell them I'll buy them dinner tonight, I have a few things I need to settle. We'll eat at Burnie's Burger and Steak Joint. You stay with them, I'll meet you guys there at around 5. Okay?"
"Got it Dad! Have fun crying!" Trucy waved, and went down. Phoenix smiled, and got up to leave. Once he got to the stop of the staircase, and saw Yang's hair had turned back to normal. He smiled, shaking his head, and walked out of the classroom.
"We did it!" Yang cheered exuberantly. They rest congratulated her and Blake, who gave most of the credit to her partner.
Then, Pyrrha and Jaune came over, along with the rest of JNPR. "Thank you so much for clearing Jaune's name!" Pyrrha practically cried to the unofficial rookie defense attorney.
"Heh heh, thats what friends are for!" Yang chuckled, scratching the back of her head. Then Trucy told them that Phoenix is buying them dinner tonight in Vale. Unfortunately, Team JNPR had plans, so they couldn't go. So that left team RWBY to celebrate until then.
[Music cut here]
Phoenix didn't even knock on Ozpin's office when he came in. Ozpin was looking at him right when he came into the door, eyes glaring.
"Why did you pull that off there?" Phoenix asked Ozpin.
"Why, whatever do you mean?"
"Why did you try to set up Yang's failure at Jaune's expense? Was it to get me to take a job here?"
Ozpin stood up slowly, a smile on his face. "Well, I do admit, that was part of it."
"Part?"
"Oh, maybe 10%"
"10-10%?!" Phoenix was shocked. It wasn't for him?!"
"No, no. This was intended for Yang. See, we do this thing every once in a while, called a random student check. It happens when we think a student, that is struggling academically, needs a boost of confidence. Cardin's little scheme helped us do that, and, it was a great success."
"Huh... yeah, it was."
"Now, back to business. Mr. Wright, I would love you to join this staff. I'm sure the student body would too. But, it's your choice."
Phoenix gave a little more though, and shook his head. "No."
"Might I ask why?"
"Mr. Ozpin, with all due respect, I would love to. But... I think I have something else I need to do. I have to raise a girl, and teach the still-young rookies. I have my hands full, you could say. This law system just got out of a time of darkness, and I would love to help this generation see that put to an end- permanently."
"...Very respectable, Mr. Wright. You have my full respect." He extended his hand, which Phoenix took, and shook it.
Phoenix walked out of the building with a clear conscious. He saw that it was getting close to sunset, and checked the time. It was only 4:55... wait... 4:55!?
"Oh man, Oh man, Oh man...!" Phoenix hurried to catch the next transport to vale, running in his blue suit still.
When he finally got there, 10 minutes past 5, they were waiting there, feet tapping. "Heh heh... sorry about being late..."
"Oh, your good. We already ate." Yang said, happily rubbing her belly.
"... huh...?" Phoenix asked, he stomach growling.
"Yeah! It was good too!" Ruby chimed in.
"How... how did you pay for it...?"
"Oh, Trucy took your credit card without you noticing." Weiss added with a smile.
"Huh? Huh?"
"Yeah, and I think the bill was about $200..."
"Huh? Huh? Huh?"
"I mean, It's okay Dad, right?!" Trucy hugged him.
"... I feel like I want to yell..."
"Oh.. here it comes."
"I've always wanted to do this."
"This is gonna be good!"
"OBJECTION!"
The End.
A/N: Dang, It's been a ride guys. Yes, this is the true, true, TRUE, ending. Unless you guys want an epilogue, then I'll happily make, like, a 200 word one.
Okay, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. 1, this took a while to come out. 2, it was a bit rushed, and 3, It was probably sub par. I will make the sequal better.
Speaking of that, the RWBY hiatus calendar is at 2-3 days. GET HYPE! I honestly can't wait for RWBY this year. I wish I could see it live at RTX this year, but I couldn't go. I'm really hoping for some big plot points, that I'll be able to use. Maybe even a major death, or two...?
Well, at last, it is over. The sequel? If I remember to get to it, it will be right after season 2 is finished. Will I write in between then? No, probably not. I have no other major plans.
And finally, if you could leave one last comment, or follow, or review on the story as a whole, I would very much appreciate it. Thanks!
Until we meet again, May God be with you!
~Nathan
I do not own Capcom/Ace Attorney, nor RoosterTeeth/Rwby. All rights reserved.