Earthcub12 Presents

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney ~ Courtroom Champions

-August 22, 1:30 PM-
-District Court-
-Courtroom No. 4-

Chatter surrounded the courtroom until the Judge broke the noise with the powerful sound of his gavel. "Court will now resume the trial of Steven Vaughan." He echoed. "Many strange developments have occurred since before our recess. As it turns out, this supposed murder weapon, the crowbar, is, in fact, not the murder weapon we thought it was. Furthermore, Mr. Vaughan's mentor and employer, Mr. Oliver Stone, is now under suspicion for the murder of Richard Mann and threats against Mr. Vaughan and his family."

Phoenix turned over to Athena, focused on the courtroom. "You okay, Athena?" He asked her. "You aren't shaken up or anything, are you?"

She looked over to Phoenix and said, "Huh? Shaken up over what? That big ape? You don't have to worry about me, chief."

"Now then. The court shall now determine if these claims turn out to be true at this moment. Will Mr. Oliver Stone please take the stand at this time?"

A minute later, Oliver Stone took the stand, tall and proud. "Please state your name and occupation, witness." The Judge told him.

"Certainly, Your Honor." Stone responded. "My name is Oliver Stone. I am head of security at Wall-2-Wall Shopping Center."

"Good. Very good." The Judge said, nodding. "Are you aware of the claims made before you today?"

"I am, Your Honor." Stone answered sternly. "And I am just disgusted at these suspicions. I would never steep to such a whole-new low."

Phoenix sat at the defense's stand, eyeing Stone like a hawk. (Talk it up, Stone. I have you in my sights.)

"Nothing is set in stone yet, Mr. Stone." The Judge added. "At this point, you are merely a suspect. All you need to do is tell us the truth on what really happened that night; specifically, the moment you arrested Mr. Vaughan. I shouldn't need to remind you that this is a serious matter, so try to be as honest and specific as you can."

"Yes, of course, Your Honor." Stone replied, grinning.

-WITNESS TESTIMONY-

"I WAS TAKING SHIFT AT WALL-2-WALL SHOPPING CENTER THAT NIGHT WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE ABOVE ME."

"I ENTERED RICHARD'S OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE AND THAT IS WHEN I SAW STEVEN HUNCHED OVER RICHARD'S FALLEN BODY."

"I COULDN'T BELIEVE MY EYES. MY VERY OWN CO-WORKER KILLING OUR EMPLOYER."

"AND TO THINK HE WOULD PIN EVERYTHING ON ME LIKE THE CONFUSED SOUL HE IS!"

"I HAVE NOTHING BUT THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR MR. VAUGHAN AND HIS FAMILY,"

"BUT I CANNOT ALLOW HIS ACTIONS ESCAPE WITHOUT CONSEQUENCE."

The Judge tried to process this testimony. "Hmm… this testimony does seem rather strong."

"But of course." Stone acknowledged. "That is the truth after all."

"If you are to be believed… then this testimony is just as the defendant and Ms. Flowers had described it."

"Yes, Your Honor." Responded Oliver Stone. "As I previously stated. That is because it is the truth."

"What about you, Mr. Wright?" Payne asked the attorney, grinning. "What do you think of this testimony?"

"SILENCE, YOU SHRIMP!" Stone roared at the weak prosecutor. "Nobody asked you to chime in!"

"Gah!" Mr. Payne gasped, sweating. "But-but, Mr. Stone! I am merely trying to-!"

"OBJECTION!" Stone snapped back. "I don't want to hear it! If it wasn't for your half-baked prosecution, I wouldn't be here wasting my time as a murder suspect! Why, if I was in your position, Vaughan would have been founded guilty on the first day! You and your family are a disgrace to prosecutors everywhere!"

"GAAAAHHH!" Payne screamed, jumping back.

(Part of me wants to feel sorry for Mr. Payne.) Phoenix thought to himself. (But I can't really bring myself to that.)

"So… you just stand there and watch how a REAL prosecutor does it!" Stone finished. "Is that clear!?"

"Y-y-y-yes, sir!" Payne whimpered in fear.

The Judge slammed his gavel. "Mr. Wright, you may now begin your cross-examination."

"Before we begin, Your Honor," Stone interrupted, "I wish to apologize to the defense."

(Huh?) Thought Phoenix, both surprised and curious.

"I lost my temper out there in the lobby. A wise man once said, 'A quick temper will make a fool of you soon enough.'" Stone announced. "Please realize that I am merely distraught at the irresponsibility of Mr. Vaughan, you see. I'm pray you all will understand."

The Judge nodded. "Yes, Mr. Stone. We understand. Nothing against you. Now then, Mr. Wright, continue."

Phoenix stared at the smiling Stone with a hateful gaze.

(You may have fooled His Honor, Stone. But I know what you're up to. Nobody threatens my co-workers and tries to weasel out of it. Get ready; I'm about to turn your smirk of hubris into a desperate quiver for help!)

-CROSS-EXAMINATION-

"I WAS TAKING SHIFT AT WALL-2-WALL SHOPPING CENTER THAT NIGHT WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE ABOVE ME."

"Hold it!" Interrupted Phoenix Wright. "Where were you when you heard this loud noise?"

"I was near the east wing of the mall." Answered Oliver. He proceeded to display the mall's diagram to the court, labeling his position on the left side of the diagram. "You see? That is where I was."

"What exactly do you do during shifts?" Asked Phoenix.

"What do you think?" Oliver growled. "I walk about and rid the rats trying to do something… foolish."

"R-rats?" Phoenix stuttered.

"Witness!" The Judge called. "Do you mean to tell us there is a rat infestation in the mall?"

"HA!" Stone laughed. "Not actual rats. I'm talking about the hooligans that dare to enter a place where they were not invited and vandalize man's work! Ha! Disgraceful…"

The Judge nodded. "So you heard a loud noise upstairs. What did you do then?"

"I ENTERED RICHARD'S OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE, THAT IS WHEN I SAW STEVEN HUNCHED OVER RICHARD'S FALLEN BODY."

"Hold it!" Phoenix yelled. "You saw Steven lying over Richard Mann. What did you do then?"

"What else would I do, Mr. Wright?" Stone answered sternly. "I apprehended him and brought him to the authorities. It was some work to get Steven out of the room. He was quite vicious, I must add. All he could do is want to rip Mann apart. I grabbed my baton and knocked him out."

"You knocked him out?" Asked Phoenix. (That's the first I've heard of this.)

"The police station can confirm this." Mr. Payne said. "They stated that Mr. Stone here carried Steven's unconscious body to the station."

Stone nodded, his eyes closed. "It killed me that it had to end this way."

"Hey, um… boss? Can I interrupt you for a second?"

Phoenix turned to Athena, who was clearly in deep thought. "Athena? What's wrong?"

"Do you find what he said… a bit odd?

(Hmm… now that she mentions it… Stone said he entered the crime scene and arrested Steven. If that's the case, then something must be wrong there.) Phoenix carefully thought (Say… wait a minute!)

Phoenix slammed his hands on his desk. "Mr. Stone! What you just said contradicted the facts of the case!"

"Oh?" Stone said. "Do you wish to explain what you mean? What is it I said that is contradictory?"

"Take that!" Yelled Phoenix, presenting the Security Camera Feed. "If you were to enter the crime scene as you said… then you would be seen by the security camera right outside the room."

Stone glared at the attorney. "Hmm…" The Judge said. "Mr. Wright, you're right! If the witness was to enter the crime scene as he said… then why aren't you visible on the camera feed?"

Stone was quiet. Then, he said, "Well, Mr. Payne? Are you going to just stand there? Are you going to explain?"

"Huh?" Payne gasped. "E-explain what?"

"My god, you are useless." Stone whispered in annoyance, his eyes closed. "Okay… I'll explain, then. I am sorry for the confusion, everybody. But the power was cut off around the murder."

"WWWWHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTT!?" Screamed Phoenix, Athena, and even the Judge.

"There was an awful storm that night. The power went off. That is why the cameras ended so abruptly."

(I do remember there being a pretty bad storm that night. And I did wonder why Mr. Payne did present camera feed that ended strangely.)

"Well… well, I'll be!" The Judge said. "Well, Mr. Wright? Your opinion? Do you concede with Stone's statement?"

Phoenix thought about this. Then, he looked at His Honor and shook and head. "No, Your Honor. The defense still thinks the witness is hiding something."

"Mr. Wright?"

Phoenix pulled out some sheets. "While there was no doubt a storm that night, Your Honor, I still think there's something else that Stone is not telling us. And I think I know what."

"Something he's not telling us? Explain yourself, Wright!"

"It is the defense's theory that…" Phoenix started to slowly say, "Mr. Stone used an alternate way to enter and exit the crime scene!"

The Judge screamed. "WHAT!?"

"Objection!" Stone barked. "Ha! Nonsense! What the defense says is absolute balderdash!"

"Objection!" Phoenix retorted. "I don't know, Stone. The power getting cut at such an important time at that night seems a bit coincidental, don't you think?"

The Judge turned to Phoenix. "Well, Mr. Wright? What do you want me to do?"

"I wish for investigators to turn the crime scene upside-down. Tear the walls off if they have to! Finding this alternate pathway is essential!"

"…Well, Payne? Any objections?" The Judge asked the prosecutor.

"Um…" Payne mumbled. "Well, uh… I…"

"Objection!" Stone shouted, starting to sweat. "Your Honor, I have no objections. I just wish you realize that it's a waste of time!"

(We'll see about that, Stone…) Phoenix thought, eyeing Stone.

The Judge nodded. "Until then, please continue your testimony."

Stone paused. After gaining control of himself, Stone stood straight up. "Yes, sir. Of course."

"I COULDN'T BELIEVE MY EYES. MY VERY OWN CO-WORKER KILLING OUR EMPLOYER."

"Hold it! Any reason you can think of as to why Steven would kill his boss?" Pressed Phoenix, rubbing his chin in thought.

"Well, nothing is confirmed." Stone answered. "But there are… rumors."

"Rumors?"

"Richard is a kind, but greedy man. Rumors are that he was going to cut our pay to save money. I was… not a fan of that decision. But I have self-control. I signed up for this job for the honor, the passion. Not for the pay. Can you say the same, Mr. Wright?"

Phoenix started to sweat. "Are you serious? Of course I can!" (Like I need to be criticized by a hot-headed mall security guard…)

"But Steven… Steven is different. He was hurting as it is. Mann finally pushed him. In a fit of rage, Steven must have killed Richard."

(Hmm… that would explain the motive we were hunting for, I suppose.) Thought Phoenix. (Still, nothing's for sure just yet.)

Stone continued, "But like I said; they're just rumors."

"AND TO THINK HE WOULD PIN EVERYTHING ON ME LIKE THE CONFUSED SOUL HE IS!"

"Hold it!" Intruded Phoenix Wright. "Why do you think he would do that?"

"Well, for starters, only he and I were working in the mall that night, with the exception of Mann and that psychic, of course." Oliver answered.

(Miss Flowers… I wonder how she's doing…?) Thought Phoenix.

"I guess that was good enough reason to pin it on me, I suppose." Stone added. "Never thought he had it in him. Regardless, he pulled me into his crime. And that is something I will never allow."

"I HAVE NOTHING BUT THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR MR. VAUGHAN AND HIS FAMILY,"

"Hold it!" Phoenix pressed. "How long have you and Steven been working together, exactly?"

"Hmm." Stone mumbled. "If I had to guess, it would have been around the time when the mall first opened. So several weeks, if that."

"Do you guys get along?"

"Very much so. Steven can be a little… off, but I am there to guide him regardless. I act as professional as I can with him. There's nothing I would do to hurt him."

"It sounds like you guys have great chemistry."

Stone smirked. "Yes. He and I have been working together for quite some time now. I am honored to work with him."

(Really, Mr. Stone? You're 'honored'?) Phoenix thought, glaring at Stone. (Never thought I'd have to whip this evidence out so soon… wait, no, that sounded wrong. Um… I'll just take a look at the Court Record.)

"BUT I CANNOT ALLOW HIS ACTIONS ESCAPE WITHOUT CONSEQUENCE."

"Hold it! And these threats against Steven's family?" Phoenix pressed.

"Bollocks." Answered Stone. "I would never do such a thing. Blame Steven and his childish imagination."

"I don't know… Steven seems pretty militant about you saying something like that."

"Objection!" Sheldon Payne snapped. "That is because the defendant is under suspicion of murder! He'll do anything to get out of it!"

"Objection!" Retorted Phoenix. "But earlier he confessed and backed down from it! Doesn't that seem weird?"

"Bah!" Payne laughed. "He simply chickened out at the last minute! That should be obvious."

"That is true." The Judge supported. "Steven's guilt is riding on the edge at this point. If nothing supports the defense's claims very soon, I will be force to move straight to a ruling."

"Well, Mr. Wright?" Stone threatened. "Do you have anything? I'm looking forward to what you have to say."

"Grr!" Athena growled. "I'm so sick of that guy's smugness!"

"That makes two of us." Phoenix replied.

"Stone's testimony is pretty detailed and clear, I hate to say." Athena slammed her hands down on the desk and stared at Stone with those angry eyes of hers. "But we can't let him get away with this! Think about Steven's family!"

"Don't worry, Athena. It won't come to that. Because I have what I need to nail his coffin for good."

"Y-you do!?"

"Well, it's nothing conclusive. But it'll put us on the right track. Stone's testimony makes sense, but we have to wait for him to slip up. Then we'll nab him."

(Stone seems pretty proud of his testimony.) Wright concluded. (But aside from the power going out, there was something else I found… off, about his testimony. Time to present that piece of evidence!)

"I HAVE NOTHING BUT THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR MR. VAUGHAN AND HIS FAMILY,"

"Objection!" Wright shouted, his arm pointing at Oliver Stone. "Mr. Stone, you said you have utmost respect for Steven Vaughan, or the defendant. That working with him 'is an honor'. Is that about right?"

"Mr. Wright," Stone responded, "if you have something to say, say it. I don't have all day."

"Very well then, Oliver Stone." Wright said, nodding his head. "I'll make this quick, just for you." The lawyer slammed his hands on his desk and looked up at Oliver Stone. "Oliver Stone, you are a manipulative liar!"

Stone growled. "What… did you say… to me!?"

Phoenix pulled out Stone's journal and said, "Do you recognize this, Mr. Stone?"

Stone jumped. Losing grip of his baton, it flew upward. Stone hunched over the stand, only for the baton to come crashing down on his head. "You! Wh-where did you get that!?"

"Doesn't matter." Phoenix answered. "What matters is the content inside."

"You read through it!? Th-that is an invasion of privacy! Your Honor, I demand you hold that lawyer in contempt of court!"

"Before you do that, Your Honor, I'd like you to hear what's inside Oliver Stone's journal." Phoenix opened it up. "Inside is a laundry list of things Steven has done while at work. Slacking off, being in the cafeteria, flirting with the janitor. Everything inside is something Stone has kept an eye on for quite some time."

"Explain, Mr. Stone." The Judge sternly told the witness.

Stone shook with anger. "I… I…" After a short while, Stone coughed and stood straight up. "Sorry, Wright. You're going to have to do better than that."

Phoenix was surprised by how fast Stone kept his cool. "That journal means nothing to this case. Are you saying I killed Richard Mann with this book?"

Phoenix shook his head. "No, but it does go against what you said in an earlier statement. Specifically, you saying how you have respect for Mr. Vaughan. Why would you so religiously write down each and every wrong thing you catch Steven doing? What would your plan be?"

That is when Stone started to look anxious. Tapping his palm with his baton, Stone said, "Fine… you caught me. The fact is that I hated Steven and what he stood for. This line of work requires honor. Courage. Sacrifice. And what he does… he just slaps it in the face and spits on it! That is unacceptable!"

"So… you admit it?" Wright pressed. "That your testimony is but one big, fat lie?"

Stone growled. After a short pause, he roared, "PROSECUTOR PAYNE!"

Mr. Payne jumped back in fear. "Y-yes, witness!?"

"Why are you not objecting to this man's statement!?" Stone fired back. "Do you think I'm guilty as well!? WELL!?"

"Of course not, witness!" Quivered Payne. "It's just, I-!"

"If you won't defend me, you can leave!" Stone shouted. "Did you hear me!? I said, go!"

"I… I… NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooo!"

Seconds later, Sheldon Payne rushed out of the courtroom. Everyone was silent in disbelief, especially Phoenix Wright. (Did… did he really just…?) Thought Phoenix.

"Mr… Mr. Payne!" His Honor called out. "Come back here! We have a trial to attend to!"

"Objection!" Stone yelled. "He's fine, Your Honor. He's just a parasite pulling everyone back. But… we have another prosecutor ready."

"We… we do!? Well then, by all means, is he here?"

"Yes. Yes, Your Honor." Stone answered.

The Judge stared at the witness. Then, a light bulb lit in the Judge's head. "Oh! I get it now! Prosecutor Stone, your opening statement!"

Phoenix jumped. (WH-WHAT!?)

Stone chuckled. Still at the witness stand, Stone cleared his throat. "That will not be necessary, Your Honor. I am merely trying to defend myself here. No opening statement needed. However, the defense over there is rather… lacking. Might I suggest you try something else?"

"Objection!" Phoenix retorted. "No way! You're not going wiggle your way out of this, Mr. Stone! You have a lot to answer for!"

"Very well, then. Shoot."

"Okay, for starters, your testimony has been proven a lie. You had no respect or dignity for Mr. Vaughan whatsoever! And your journal will confirm that!"

"Ha!" Stone laughed. "So just because I disapprove of his actions that makes me a killer? Sorry, but you're going to have to do better than that, Mr. Wright."

Phoenix shook his head. "I don't think you would spend the time to write down some notes for no real reason. Surely you had a plan, didn't you?"

Stone glared at the lawyer. "May you elaborate?"

Phoenix pulled the journal out again and skimmed through it. "These notes on Steven date back to when you two first started working here. There must have been a reason for it. And I think I know what that reason is."

"Well, then, Mr. Wright, go ahead." The Judge told him. "Why did Stone have this information of Steven?"

"The answer is crystal-clear, Your Honor." Phoenix explained to the Judge. "Blackmail, of course."

"Blackmail!?" The Judge echoed.

Phoenix nodded. "This all ties into what Steven said. The fact he was blackmailed and threatened. He had to give himself up in order to make that information secure."

All Stone could do was growl. "Phoenix Wright… you little-!"

"Answer me this, Mr. Stone." Phoenix turned to Oliver. "Did you ever return to the crime scene?"

"I… I…" Stone started to sweat. Grinding his teeth, Stone finally uttered, "Yes… I did!"

"There you have it, Your Honor. I demand one more testimony from Mr. Stone! A testimony that explains the journal, blackmail, and, most importantly, what he found in the crime scene after the murder!"

The Judge slowly nodded. "Mr. Payne? Any objections?" The Judge turned to his right and noticed Payne is still absent. "Oh… I forgot! Well, we will now move on to the last – and I do mean last – testimony!"

Stone turned silent. His skin paler than before. Suddenly, Oliver stood straight up and laughed. His laughs echoed off the courtroom walls. "Yes… yes, Your Honor! I will show you all that I, Oliver Stone, the physical manifest of manhood and perfection, tells no faux tales! Witness me! You hear me!? WITNESS MEEE!"

Phoenix started to turn pale as well. (Jeez… that last line there sounded like it came from an action movie or something…) Phoenix stood back up and eyed Stone like a hawk. (He's losing it. That's good! This is it! The final testimony! Time to give him all I've got! Don't slip up now, Phoenix! We're almost home!)

EVIDENCE OVERVIEW:

-Attorney Badge

-Victim's Autopsy Report

-Crime Photo

-Security Camera Feed

-Rosie Flowers Business Card

-Street Diagram

-Witness Crime Photo