Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Courtroom Champions

by ShredderRex14

Phoenix Wright, Apollo Justice, and Athena Cykes return to the world of law! With a deadly new prosecutor's dark past, to a mall, to a church, to the boardwalk, and finally to a murder in the courthouse involving a mysterious terrorist's plot that puts everyone's fates in danger, only Phoenix, Apollo, and Athena can bring the truth to light! ('TURNABOUT FOR A PRAYER' COMPLETE!)

5. Turnabout Forever - T1-4: The Spirit

Earthcub12 Presents

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney ~ Courtroom Champions

-August 21, 11:20-
-District Court-
-Courtroom No. 4-

"Go ahead then, Rosie and um… Other… Rosie…" Said the Judge. "Your testimony, please. We are waiting."

Other Rosie chuckled. "DON'T MIND IF I DO…"

WITNESS TESTIMONY

"YES, WE WERE ANGRY AT THE SIGHT OF THE MAN APPREHENDING MR. VAUGHAN!"

"THAT IS ONLY BECAUSE WE WANTED TO CAPTURE THE CULPRIT OURSELVES!"

"DON'T YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH THAT WOULD HAVE IMPACTED OUR REPUTATION!?"

"'ROSIE FLOWERS: THE HEROINE OF OUR GENERATION'. I CAN SEE IT NOW!"

"WE SAW THE CULPRIT, IT WAS OUR RIGHT TO CAPTURE HIM FIRST!"

"THE NERVE OF THAT MAN!"

"WE ARE STRONG, INDEPENDENT WOMEN! WE DESERVE A LITTLE DIGNITY!"

"WHAT GIVES HIM THE RIGHT!?"

"NOW, HOW'S THAT FOR AN OPTIMUM TESTIMONY!?"

The courtroom stayed quiet for several moments when the testimony had finished. Phoenix and Athena felt confused and worn out while Mr. Payne was straight-up lost. The Judge just stared at the witness.

"Um…" Was all the Judge could say. "I see." The Judge cleared his throat. "Could the witness, er, rephrase their testimony a bit? I'm afraid you got a bit side-tracked."

"WHAT'S WRONG WITH OUR TESTIMONY, GRAMPS!?" Other Rosie shouted, shining like a star. "IT'S PERFECT! THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT!"

"…Oookay…" The Judge weakly replied. "Mr. Wright… would you care to cross-examine the witness and their… finely detailed and flawless testimony?"

(WHAT!? THAT testimony!? I've seen abstract paintings that make more sense than whatever it was she said!) Thought Phoenix, sweating like a hog.

"Hey, boss, I'm not so sure about this testimony." Athena added.

"Doi! Ya thunk!? I don't even know where to begin! Self-pity, self-glamorizing… it's nonsense, I tell you!"

"Yeah, it's nonsensical, sure. But maybe that's what we can use to our advantage?"

"What do you mean?"

Athena looked at the witnesses. "Nonsensical questions for a nonsensical witness saying nonsensical things. It's the only way to break her."

"Huh… I didn't think of it like that." Phoenix nodded to Athena, turned to the Judge and nodded his head again. "Yes, Your Honor. The defense wishes to cross-examine this witness."

Mr. Payne laughed. "Mr. Wright! God bless this witness, but her testimony made no lick of sense. What do you hope to accomplish here?"

The Judge nodded. "Very well, Mr. Wright. Begin."

The Rosies laughed at the attorney. "Now you will see the true power of Rosie Flower!"

CROSS-EXAMINATION

"YES, WE WERE ANGRY AT THE SIGHT OF THE MAN APPREHENDING MR. VAUGHAN."

"HOLD IT! Why would you be so angry? After all, a man was brought to justice after murder." Said Mr. Wright.

"DIDN'T YOU HEAR ME!?" Other Rosie exclaimed. "I SAID WE WERE WANTING TO CAPTURE THE CRIMINAL OURSELVES, THAT WAY OUR BUSINESS WOULD BOOM!"

"Huh… I do remember you saying that. It's just that-."

"Just what?" Rosie snapped. "Think you're better than us? Is that it!? Yes, that's it! You're better than us, don't you?"

(GAH! Not this again!)

Phoenix slammed his hands on his desk, shutting them up. "If you let me finish, I would have said it's just that it's strange to think something like that. That's all."

"WELL, MR. LAWYER," Said Other Rosie, "I'LL SAY IT AGAIN…"

"THAT IS ONLY BECAUSE WE WANTED TO CAPTURE THE CULPRIT OURSELVES."

"HOLD IT!" Phoenix blurted out, pointing his finger at the witness.

(Wait… if I say anything, I'll just find myself arguing with them all over again. Got to choose my words carefully.)

The Judge said, "Well, Mr. Wright? Do you have anything to say?"

Phoenix began to ponder what to do next. "N-never mind, Your Honor. Remove what I said from the record."

"You're saying that an awful lot today, Mr. Wright." The Judge commented. "Please stay on track."

(I just need to focus on the parts of the testimony that are relevant. Only then will I get any closer to breaking this testimony.)

"DON'T YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH THAT WOULD HAVE IMPACTED OUR REPUTATION!?"

"'ROSIE FLOWERS: THE HEROINE OF OUR GENERATION'. I CAN SEE IT NOW!"

"WE SAW THE CULPRIT, IT WAS OUR RIGHT TO CAPTURE HIM FIRST!"

"HOLD IT!" Phoenix yelled. "Why would it be 'your right'?"

"BECAUSE WE SAW THE CULPRIT WITH OUR VERY OWN EYES!" Said Other Rosie. "THEREFORE, IT'S OUR RIGHT TO BRING HIM TO JUSTICE!"

"But when you returned to the crime scene… instead of catching him… you took a picture?"

"IT WAS GOING TO BE OUR MOMENTO. AFTER WE CATCH THE MAN, WE WERE GOING TO GIVE IT TO THE POLICE FOR EVIDENCE!"

(Yet… you held onto it.)

"This picture, right?" Phoenix projected Rosie's crime photo to the court. The image of Steven Vaughan lying on top of the victim was shown.

"YES, THAT'S THE ONE! THAT'S THE ONE! YOU SEE THAT!? HE'S STRANGLING THAT POOR MAN!"

(Strangling, huh?)

"Strangling the victim!?" The Judge yelled. "Why, I never! Please, add that to your testimony, witness!"

Rosie Flowers smiled, then nodded. "Gladly!"

"WE SAW MR. VAUGHAN CHOKING HIS VICTIM TO DEATH!"

"HOLD IT!" Hollered Mr. Wright. "You saw Mr. Vaughan strangling Thomas Mann? Are you absolutely sure about that?"

"BUT OF COURSE!" Other Rosie proudly exclaimed. "WE DO NOT MAKE MISTAKES. WE SAW OURSELVES!"

"What a tragic end." The Judge commented. "Had so much life to live. Now then, continue your testimony, please."

"OBJECTION!" Mr. Wright cried out, pointing his finger at the witness. "That will not be necessary, Your Honor."

"Huh!?" The Judge replied, shocked at the outburst.

"Ms. Rosie and um… Other Rosie. Thank you for this picture, as well as your testimony. You have answered so many questions."

"Ha!" Rosie laughed, smiling. "Yes, we have! Now does it make sense, you porcupine-headed hack? Does it not make your whole head spin?"

Phoenix nodded. "Yes, it does. In fact, it turns everything around."

Rosie fell silent. "…WHAT DO YOU MEAN?" Other Rosie finally asked.

Phoenix started to read off a piece of paper. "You said Mr. Vaughan was strangling the victim, is that it? Well, I say that is impossible."

"WHAAAAAAAT!?" Other Rosie shouted with anger.

Phoenix pulled out an envelope and presented it to the court. "This here… is the victim's autopsy report. In it is written, 'BEATEN TO DEATH BY A CROWBAR AROUND THE FACIAL AREA'. There was no mention of any fingerprints or signs of strangling found on the victim's neck or throat."

"BUT... BUT WE SAW IT!" Other Rosie said. Human Rosie began to sweat bullets.

"Yeah!" She said. "I took a picture, remember!? We saw it with our own eyes! He was moving up and down, up and down! We could clearly see his hands around the victim's throat!"

"That's odd. That also contradicts something else." Phoenix argued.

"Something else?" The Judge asked, shocked. "Well, don't leave us in anticipation, Mr. Wright! What evidence contradicts the witness' statement?"

"TAKE THAT!" Wright shouted. He presented Rosie's crime photo to the court.

"HA!" Other Rosie laughed. "NICE TRY, MR. WRIGHT! WHAT ABOUT OUR PICTURE – OUR UNDENIABLE, SEAMLESS EVIDENCE – IS CONTRADICTORY?"

Phoenix Wright pointed to Steven Vaughan himself on the picture. Specifically, his obscured arms. "Tell me, Ms. Rosie Flowers. How are we supposed to know he is, in fact, strangling the victim – when we can't even see his hands!?"

"Aaaaaaggghhh!" Rosie screamed, nearly dropping Other Rosie.

"HEY!" Shouted Other Rosie. "WATCH IT! THINK YOU'RE SMART, HUH, MR. EGO!? WE SAW IT! WE'LL NEVER DENY IT!"

"Are we just supposed to take your word for it? Please! Enlighten us with your psychic abilities!"

"WHY, YOU IGNORANT, LITTLE, FOOL!" Other Rosie, brightening up like the sun. "LOOK AT THE PICTURE! SURE, YOU CAN'T SEE HIS HANDS, BUT THAT DOESN'T MATTER! WHAT MATTERS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S DOING! HA! TAKE THAT!"

Phoenix shook his head. "Sorry. That's not gonna work either."

"GAAAAAGGGGHHHHHH!" Other Rosie screamed in anger. "WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU!?"

"OBJECTION!" Mr. Payne chimed in. He looks just as nervous as Rosie does. "M-M-Mr. Wright! Cameras don't lie! He's clearly choking the victim, right here, see? It's clear as air!"

Phoenix, again, shakes his head. "Come now, Mr. Payne. Surely you can't be that close-minded, right?"

"Huh!?"

The Judge slammed his gavel. "Okay! Enough with the build-up, Mr. Wright! What is he doing in the picture, if not attacking him?"

"The answer is clear, Your Honor. In fact, it is the most plausible answer." Mr. Wright said.

The ace attorney slammed his hands on his desk and shouted,

"The defendant was merely trying to revive the fallen victim!"

"WHAAAAT!?" The Judge yelled.

"NOOOOOOOOO!" Mr. Payne screamed.

"IMPOSSIBLLLLLEEEEEEEE!" Both Rosies screamed.

The gallery broke out into discussions about the evidence presented to the very odd witness and her very odd testimony.

"As humans, we tend to mistake our vision for something else." Athena said to the courtroom. "Ergo, we perceive things and automatically make a conclusion. To some people, it may look like the defendant is strangling the victim. But, if you compare the photo to the autopsy report and logic itself, it's-."

"OBJECTION!" Other Rosie screamed. "SHUT UP YOU… KNOW-IT-ALLS! WE KNOW WHAT WE SAW! DON'T MISJUDGE OUR POWER! IT WAS HIM! HIM, WE YELL YOU! WE ARE ROSIE FLOWER! WE MAKE NO MISTAKES!"

"OBJECTION!" Phoenix shouted back. "Face it, witness! Your arguments have been crushed, and so have your act! Steven Vaughan did NOT kill Richard Mann, the evidence we've presented proves that, and you know it! If you're so keen on telling us who the culprit is…"

Phoenix pointed his finger at Rosie and Other Rosie. "…use your 'powers' of yours and tell us who the REAL killer is!"

Rosie started to shake. Other Rosie was flashing like a dying light bulb. "IT… IT WAS… HER!"

"What!?" Rosie screamed. "Don't pin this on me, you psycho!"

"IT WAS HER, I TELL YOU! ARREST HER, GET ME OUT OF THIS CRAZY PLACE!"

"Shut up!"

"I'M INNOCENT! I DID NOTHING!"

Rosie grabbed on to the crystal ball and started to shake it. "It wasn't me and you know it, you little brat! Stop!"

"WHO CARES!? JUST GET OUT OF HERE! THEY WON'T SUSPECT A THING!"

"Stop talking!"

Rosie lifted Other Rosie above her head and smacked it down on the witness stand. To everyone's surprise, the crystal ball detonated like a grenade. Smoke, fire, glass, and ash spread across the courtroom. Phoenix opened his eyes, his body covered in ash and the tip of his hair lit with a tiny flame. He looked over and saw Athena hiding under the desk. The witness' front was covered in black ash, her once-beautiful hair burnt to a crisp. The crystal ball pieces revealed wires, springs, and a flashing radio - a hoax.

"I… I SHOULD PROBABLY GO." An obvious male voice on the radio said. The radio shut off. Rosie opened her mouth and coughed smoke. Then, she fell back just as the witness stand turned to dust and flew away.

-August 21: 12:10 PM-
-District Court-
-Courtroom No. 4-

The Judge slammed his gavel on his stand. The Judge is also covered in ash. "Mr. Payne. Where is our witness?"

No sign of Payne. Just then, a voice came up from under his desk. "Um… what was that, Your Honor?"

Mr. Payne climbed up, sweating in fear.

"The witness. Where is she?"

"She, uh… she was dismissed from the court, Your Honor. She is no longer needed here."

"Hmmm…" The Judge said. "Mr. Wright."

"Yes, Your Honor?" Phoenix answered.

"Is it true? Do you really think the defendant tried to resuscitate the victim?"

"It is highly possible, Your Honor. However, we still have some unanswered questions, such as the motive for murder, the true culprit, and the unidentified fingerprints on the weapon."

"It would be pre-mature to conclude the trial until these questions are answered. Only then will we have the truth." Mr. Payne added.

(Wow… didn't expect to hear chivalry from a Payne.)

"I see." The Judge agreed. "However… the courtroom is a bit of a mess, is it not?"

The courtroom was covered in ash and dust. The witness stand has fallen apart and pieces of glass littered the floor.

"Which is why I have no choice but to adjourn today's trial first thing tomorrow. Should be more than enough time to gather some more evidence, as well as give this place a little spit shine."

Phoenix nods. "The defense agrees, Your Honor."

"As does the prosecution." Mr. Payne responded. "This isn't over yet, Mr. Wright. You'll get yours tomorrow."

(And back to square one with Mr. Payne.)

The Judge nods. "Therefore, today's court will adjourn. Trial will resume 10:00 AM tomorrow morning. Court is hereby adjourned!"

His Honor concluded the day by slamming his gavel on his stand.

"OBJECTION!"

Much to the surprise of everybody, an unknown man took the spot that was once known as the stand. He was a rather brawny man with short white hair, a goatee, a scar over his left eye and stone-gray skin. He is wearing a Wall-2-Wall Security outfit. In his hands, an officer's nightstick. He had several badges on his coat and wore dog tags around his neck.

"Excuse me, Your Honor." The man said. "But I'd like a word."

"Who… who is this!?" The Judge questioned.

"Your Honor," said Mr. Payne calmly, "this man right here is Chief of Security: Oliver Stone."

"Chief of Security, eh?" The Judge repeated. "Then you must be the one that arrested Mr. Vaughan, correct?"

"That is right, Your Honor." The man said. "I am, as the scrawny, pathetic man with the ponytail said, none other than Oliver Stone, Chief of Security at Wall-2-Wall Shopping Center. Alas, I am also the one that apprehended my co-worker."

"Oh!" The Judge responded excitedly.

"And you must be his defense lawyer, correct?" Oliver told Phoenix.

"I-I am." Phoenix said, trying to sound as cool and brave as he could to such a menacing man.

"I do not want to take up too much of the court's time, Mr. Wright. I value time just as much as I value perfecting my career. Does that make sense?"

"Yes, sir."

"Let me make this perfectly clear, Wright. You simply do not stand a chance."

"I… beg your pardon?"

"Tomorrow I shall take the stand. Then, my unfortunate co-worker will have to suffer the consequences of his actions."

"I understand, sir, but-."

"I used to be a prosecutor, see?"

"You have!?"

"There is no value in manhood in lying and manipulating. You shall not persuade this court or play it to your whim. Is that clear? There will be no toleration of the kind."

"Y-yes, sir!" Phoenix started to sound and look more and more nervous as the conversation continued.

"If you make a mockery of me and my profession… I promise you this trial will be your last." Oliver threatened.

"S-sir, yes, sir! Understood, sir!" Quivered Phoenix.

"That is all, Your Honor. Continue, and I will see you tomorrow. Good day." Oliver said to the Judge with a smile. Then, he left the court.

"O… kay then." The Judge said in a weary tone. "The court is now dismissed."

The Judge slammed his gavel.

-August 21, 12:30 PM-
-District Court-
-Defendant Lobby No. 4-

"Man!" Exclaimed Phoenix. "What was with that last guy!?"

"Hey, give him some credit, he loves his job." Athena said.

"I thought my heart was going to detonate by just listening to him."

"Great job, out there, guys!" A voice said.

Phoenix and Athena turned to a smiling and proud Apollo. "You guys knocked it out of the park today! Even I didn't see any of that coming."

"We're not done yet." Phoenix replied. "Mr. Vaughan is still in trouble. He still needs us!"

"Well, let's get out of here and investigate! Race you to the mall!" Athena said with a giggle.

"WE'RE DONE! OVER WITH! IT'S ALL OVER!"

(I wonder who that could be…) Thought Phoenix, sarcastically.

Everyone turned to Mr. Vaughan who looked just as nervous as they saw him last.

"How you holding up, Mr. Vaughan?" Athena consoled.

"I'm terrible!" Mr. Vaughan shouted. "Oliver is taking the stand tomorrow! I'm done!"

"Why, Steven?" Apollo asked. "Why are you done?"

Mr. Vaughan fell silent. Suddenly, he lit up. "I… what was I saying? I didn't say anything. You guys ready for tomorrow? How'd you think it go today?"

"Mr. Vaughan… what's wrong with you?" Phoenix asked sentimentally.

"Hello, Mr. Vaughan."

The attorneys turned to Oliver Stone who was right next to them. "I apologize. Did I interrupt something?"

"No!" Steven said, still smiling. "I'm fine! You know, just… fine!"

Oliver Stone stared at Steven, then smiled. He said, "Of course. Mr. Vaughan, would you like me to drive you to the detention center? I have special permission."

"Um… sure. I mean yes, sir! Yes, sir!"

"Good. I'll see you outside."

Oliver turned to Phoenix and nodded, then left the court.

Steven's smile fell. His sweat began pouring from his face.

Phoenix looked at Steven and asked, "Mr. Vaughan… is there something about Mr. Stone you aren't telling us?"

"What!?" Steven replied, shocked. "No! It's just that… Oliver can be a bit… intimidating at times, you know?"

"Yeah… I mean, I did get a little freaked after our conversation in the courtroom." Phoenix confessed.

"See? Nothing to worry about!" Steven said in a rush. "I shouldn't keep him waiting! Bye, guys! I'll-I'll see you tomorrow, 'kay?"

Just then, Steven dashed out of the court, leaving Phoenix, Apollo, and Athena inside with the other officers.

"There's something about that Security Chief that doesn't sit well, Mr. Wright." Apollo insisted.

"Yeah… Steven was a little off just now, wasn't he?" Athena added.

"Let's just worry about the investigation for now. We'll look into everything tomorrow."

(This is it. Tomorrow is the day that Steven Vaughan's fate will be determined. Time to put an end to this case and bring the real culprit to justice.)

Phoenix's mind was in a stir. Could Oliver Stone, Chief of Security, really be the real killer? Nobody was for sure. All they had to worry about was finishing the trial and saving their client. They had no idea what was in store for them tomorrow.

TO BE CONTINUED…

EVIDENCE OVERVIEW:

-Attorney Badge

-Victim's Autopsy Report

-Crowbar

-Crime Photo

-Security Camera Feed

-Rosie Flowers Business Card

-Street Diagram

-Witness Crime Photo