Earthcub12 Presents
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney ~ Courtroom Champions
-September 3, 8:00 AM-
-Father Owen's Study Chamber-
As Detective Raya exited the room, Phoenix turned to Apollo and nodded. "Okay, let's check the place out." Phoenix told him.
"On it." Apollo replied.
Phoenix approached the body outline and examined it. Blood was splattered on the wall, specifically around the head area. "This must be the aftermath after the statue splattered Owen's head. Hopefully he didn't suffer too much."
"Man, oh, man…" Apollo said to himself, eyeing the aftermath. "I can't believe somebody would just off a priest like this. He didn't do anything."
"Let's add this to the Court Record." Phoenix said. "It may come in useful later on."
'BODY OUTLINE' ADDED TO COURT RECORD
ITEM DESCRIPTION: The aftermath of the crime. Blood is splattered around the head and facial area. The statue sits to its left.
Phoenix inspected the statue of David. The bronze glimmer reflected off his eyes. It would be a gorgeous piece of work if it wasn't a murder weapon. "Hmm…" Phoenix examined.
"What is it, Phoenix?" Apollo asked.
"There's blood on the bottom of the statue." Phoenix commented.
"Yeah? So?"
"Which means this wasn't just any ordinary weapon. The killer must have dropped it on Owen."
"What? You think?"
"The statue looks pretty heavy." Observed Phoenix, "I can imagine it would be pretty hard to hit on him like a regular murder weapon, wouldn't you say?"
"Hard to say." Apollo replied. "Let's just make a note of this just in case."
'DAVID STATUE' ADDED TO COURT RECORD:
ITEM DESCRIPTION: Depiction of Michelangelo's David statue. The murder weapon.
Phoenix glanced to his right just atop of the body outline. A blank wall will odd markings and holes on it. "That's peculiar. It looks like a shelf or something must have been here."
Apollo examined the wall as well. "Yeah, it looks like it. But I hear the church has been doing a bit of renovation. They may have taken it off."
"Huh. You think the office could use a little renovation? Maybe a bit more of a, say, cathedral look?"
"Mr. Wright, you're still not on the whole 'Blue Apostle' thing, are you?"
"I'm just joking." Phoenix told Apollo. "Besides, if I turn my office into a dark, somber cathedral, I don't think I'd get any cases from any sane people anymore. So let's move on."
Phoenix moved over to the shattered coffee mug and crouched down, glancing over it. There was a brown stain under the cup.
"What do you make of this?" Apollo asked.
"Well, it looks like the cup must've shattered during the fight. I guess there was coffee or hot cocoa in it, or something." Phoenix studied. "But why are the pieces so far apart?"
"Hmm…" Apollo observed the mess. "My guess is that Owen must have used it to defend himself by smashing it on the killer. The pieces would have flown apart if that were the case."
"Yeah, that sounds about right." Phoenix agreed. "Let's just jot this down."
'SHATTERED COFFEE MUG' ADDED TO COURT RECORD
ITEM DESCRIPTION: A cup that was likely to have been shattered during the fight between Owen and the killer. Owen probably used this cup against said killer in defense.
Phoenix glanced over and saw a jar of red fluid in it right on Owen's desk. "What is this stuff? Tomato juice or something?" The jar had no lid or cover on it, so Phoenix dipped his right hand's finger in it and pulled it out. He examined the red liquid, then gasped.
"What's wrong, Wright!?" Apollo asked, rushing to his side.
"It's… it's… it's… BLOOD!" Phoenix yelled.
"No way! You're kidding… right!?"
Phoenix quickly grabbed the nearest piece of paper and wiped the blood on it. Red stains remained on Phoenix's finger. "Gah! Why the hell would this guy carry a jar of blood around!? Is he crazy or something!?"
Apollo responded, "I don't know! I don't collect people's blood!"
"Ugh… I need to make note of this. Maybe ask someone around the church if they know anything about this."
'JAR OF BLOOD' ADDED TO COURT RECORD
ITEM DESCRIPTION: A jar of blood found in Owen's office. Why he would have a jar of blood is the question.
Phoenix looked at the paper he used as a napkin. "Say… would you look at that."
"What is it?" Apollo asked.
Phoenix held up an unfinished picture; a crudely drawn that was likely made by a child. The picture contained three stick figures, two of which had halos on top of them, the other one was drawn with long hair. A picture of the church is drawn in the background. Phoenix's bloody finger-smear rested on the side of the drawing.
"What is that?" Apollo asked again.
"It looks like a drawing of the church and the people who work there." Phoenix commented, looking at the picture. "Owen and David are on this, that's for certain, but I can't make out the woman drawn on it."
"Well? What does that mean?"
Phoenix looked up. "No idea. But what I do know is that there is one other person who must work here. That, and I have a chance to turn this into the police for DNA testing."
"Huh? Oh, the fingerprint."
"That's right. I gotta take good care of this paper." Said Phoenix, as he carefully folded the paper and tucked it in his pocket.
'CHILD'S DRAWING' ADDED TO COURT RECORD:
ITEM DESCRIPTION: A drawing showing Owen, David, and an unknown woman. A bloody smear is on the side because of me.
"Well, I think that's about all we'll find here." Commented Phoenix. "Let's go see if we can find somebody to talk to."
"Yeah, let's get to it." Apollo said. "But let's not forget. David won't let us defend him unless we convince him otherwise."
"Yeah, and that's easier said than done. We'll figure a way out."
With that, Phoenix and Apollo exited the crime scene.
-St. Owen's Baptist Church (Hall)-
Phoenix and Apollo entered the hall and noticed people roaming about. Not police officers, but civilians. "The police must be letting people in right about now." Phoenix said.
"Great!" Apollo commented. "Time to ask someone around what they know."
"HEY, YA LIL' BRAT! THAT AIN'T YOUR PROPERTY TO TOUCH, YA HEAR ME!? SCADADDLE, WILL YA!?"
"What the…?" Apollo asked, turning to the outburst. "Wait… that voice… where have I…"
Just then, a short, stocky man rushed over to them. He wore an orange jumpsuit and a towel around his neck. The balding man wore a smile on his face as he said, "Say! Why if it ain't the little red devil 'imself! Never thought I'd see you here!"
Apollo squinted his eyes. "Wait… Phineas… Phineas Filch!?"
"The one n' only, m'friend!" Filch said out loud. "Fancy meeting you all 'ere!"
"Wait, wait." Phoenix said, trying to collect all this. "You two know each other?"
"You remember the murder trial of Mayor Tenma a while back ago, Mr. Wright?" Apollo told his boss. "This is… that one witness."
"Wait, wait." Phoenix processed. "WHAT!?"
PHINEAS FILCH
"Mr. Filch… you're a janitor now?" Apollo asked him. "What happened to the Kyubi Manor?"
"Ah, well, ya see, ever since L'Belle let all the cats outta the bag, thank to you, there were some, er… disagreements." Filch explained. "So, I moved back to this here city and started a whole new life!"
"…As a janitor?" Said a cynical Apollo.
Filch drooped down. "Well, ya see, times are rough, y'understand? This here church was welcome to let me in with a job! Ain't that just great!? Plenty of benefits too, ya see. Plenty of places to take naps, all the food I want, and nobody yells at ya for taking an extended break! Things are great! Looks like everything is goin' m'way!"
(This guy is just a few marbles short in the bag.)
"So your whole life has changed?" Apollo asked. "No more pickpocketing? No more spying?"
"No way, Jose!" Filch said, rubbing his hands. "I'm a new man! Really!" All of a sudden yelled and cowered. "YIKES! What is that over there!?"
Phoenix and Apollo turned his way. "Huh? What is it?" They asked. Just then, something pounded on their feet. Phoenix and Apollo screamed and grasped their aching foot.
"OW!" They screamed. "What was-!?"
They turned to Filch, who all of a sudden has a golden bracelet on his wrist and a phone in his jumpsuit's front pocket. "Oh! Pardon me!" Filch said with a smile, rubbing his hands again. "I was just tryin' to clean your shoes. They were a mess, I'll say!"
"Hey… wait a minute!" Apollo yelled. "Where's my bracelet? Filch!"
Filch screamed. "I… I didn't do nothing! You can't prove nothing! Ya hear me!?"
"Hey, wait…" Phoenix said, digging through his pockets. "My phone is gone, too!"
"GAH!" Filch screamed yet again. "Shoot! All the cats are out of all of the bags!"
"Darn it, Filch!" Apollo snapped. "Give us back our stuff!"
"I… I'M SO SORRY!" Filch shouted, crying. With that, Filch returned the bracelet and phone to the two lawyers.
"Filch, I thought you said you were done with all this!" Apollo confronted.
Filch looked down, giving them little puppy-eyes. "I… I'm sorry, ya two. Old habits die hard, ya know? I really am trying, honest!"
Phoenix and Apollo looked at Filch. "Well… I guess we'll let it go this time." Phoenix said.
"Oh, thank goodness!" Filch cried happily. "It worked! I mean, er, thank you so much!"
"What was that?" Apollo asked, thinking he heard something.
"I said, thank you!" Filch told him. "Er, yeah! That's it!"
"Okay, then. Mr. Filch, do you mind if we ask you some other questions?" Phoenix asked the janitor.
"Sure thing, Mr. Lawyer Sir! Shoot!"
THE MURDER
"So, uh, Mr. Filch." Phoenix said. "What do you know about this murder?"
Filch began to laugh. "Ha, ha! That there's a good one, friend! Ain't no murder 'round here! I should know!"
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Apollo asked. "Father Owen was killed just last night!"
Filch kept his smile on his face. "Wait… ya'll are just pulling m'legs, right? No way a murder happened here!"
"C'mon, Filch!" Apollo pressed. "We know you're lying! Tell us what you know!"
"YIKES!" Filch screamed, cowering under his towel. "Please! Please don't strangle me! I'm just a lowly janitor!"
"Apollo… I don't think he's playing dumb." Phoenix said. "I really think he doesn't know about the murder…"
"What!?" Apollo said, surprised at the idea. "No way… I mean…"
"He-he's right!" Filch yelled, still cowering. "I don't know nothing! I was asleep in the Custodian's Office all night last night! I didn't see no murder!"
"Wait," Phoenix interrupted, "did you say you were here all night last night?"
"Yeah, that's right! And honest to goodness, I saw nothing, 'specially no murder!"
(Hmm… if Filch is telling the truth, then he really must have been here when the murder occurred. I would take him to court, but he doesn't recall seeing the crime. Let's see what else I can dig up.)
LAST NIGHT'S EVENTS
"Let's say you're telling the truth." Phoenix pressed. "You swear on your life that you didn't see anything?"
"Cross m'heart and hope to die, blue!" Filch answered. "I was in the Janitor's Office all night and I didn't hear a peep from nobody!"
All of a sudden, everything went black for Phoenix. As Filch said that last sentence, only he was visible as mysterious chains swept past him. Just then, three strange, red locks appeared before Phoenix. Phoenix lit up as he saw this even unfold.
(Ps… Psyche-Locks!)
"Hey there, buddy, ol' pal." Filch said to him. "There something on my face? It's just the breakfast I had this morning, no big whoop." As Filch was talking, all Phoenix could think about were the locks and chains.
(I know what these are. You see, a long time ago, an old friend gave me an item of Kurain power: the Magatama. It allows me to see the lies deep inside a person's heart. All I must do is present the evidence I have to disprove the person's claims. But if I get too many wrong, the person will be lost forever; in more ways than one. Now… to present my Magatama and see what Filch is hiding.)
"Take that!" Phoenix yelled, showing Filch his empty hand.
(Wait… where… where is my Magatama!?)
"You okay there, blue?" Filch asked. "Maybe you should head home and take a little nap."
The locks suddenly disappeared. Everything went back to normal.
(I… I saw the locks! Now where is my Magatama! I couldn't have just lost it right then and there!)
Filch's confused expression said it all. "Um… well, if that's all here, I guess I'll be on my way! So long!" The man turned around and left the room.
"Hey! W-wait! Come back here!" Phoenix demanded to no avail. He then turned to Apollo. "I didn't give my Magatama, did I?"
"Huh? No." Apollo answered.
"I can't find it. I saw those Psyche-Locks around Filch, but I don't have my Magatama. I don't know where…"
(…Filch! He must have taken it! That little thief!)
"Never mind. I know where it is."
"You do?" Apollo asked. "Where?"
"Let's just say we should pay Filch another visit, wherever he is."
(As soon as Filch said he stayed in the office all night without a noise, the Locks appeared. Filch is hiding something, I know it. I just need to find him and break those locks AND his lies.)
"Well, well!"
(Oh jeez… like I need HIM again.)
Jack Anchor approached the two lawyers, still chewing his gum. "About time they let us all in. Unfortunately, no press is allowed inside. So, I told them I go to this putrid church here on a regular basis, so they let it slide! Like I said, I'm a celebrity!"
(Yeah, I heard you say that the first six times.)
JACK ANCHOR
"So what do you hope to accomplish here exactly?" Phoenix asked. "You said David's arrest will jump you to the next level. How much are you worth, again? Like, at least seventeen-grand?"
"A little more doesn't hurt, right?" Jack answered with a smile, laughing. "Anyway, that's a joke. The truth is… I just wanna see this church trip and hit its face on the pavement, that's what."
"What do you have against this place?" Phoenix asked. "I mean, I'm no saint, but what about this church makes you hate its guts?"
"A mix of everything, buddy. This is room on the earth for a nice barbeque sports bar, or a mailing company, or a nice arcade for the kiddies! Places like this take up space." Jack explained, texting on his luxurious cell phone. "If I expose that priest and this church for what it is, that'll be the beginning of the end. No more religions being used as a crutch! No more communities getting away with not paying taxes! It'll be great!"
"There are worse groups and organization out there, you know." Apollo told him, glaring.
"Yeah, sure, but at least they have a valid excuse. Places like this are a waste of tax-dollars. And when this dream happens, and I've saved this economy everyone will thank Jack Anchor! Say… this is pretty good. I think I'll add it to my book. 'Chapter 21: Beginning of the End - How I Saved the Economy'!"
(Gee, clever chapter title there, pal.)
"Anyway, I'm gonna do whatever it takes to pin this crime on that priest, Mr. Wright. I'm a powerful man, you know. You may be brainwashed right now, my friend; but come tomorrow, I'm going to turn your whole head so you'll be facing the truth for what it is, you'll see."
"Yeah, yeah, you're full of it, we know. We get it." Apollo said. "Don't you have better things to do?"
"I don't know, do you?" Jack told him. "Anyway, the lady who called the cops is in the kitchen downstairs. Feel free to have a word with her. If you need anything, you know where to find me."
(Heaven forbid, I hope it won't come to that. Anyway, I think it's worth paying that lady a visit. She may even be the woman drawn on the drawing I have.)
-St. Owen's Baptist Church (Kitchen)-
Phoenix and Apollo went downstairs and entered the kitchen. The place was spotless. Just a few dishes filled the sink. "Jack said the one who called the police was in here." Apollo said aloud. "So where is she?"
"Not sure." Phoenix commented. "Maybe-."
"HELLO, GENTS! HOW MAY I BE OF SERVICE TO YOU!?"
A young, attractive lady went over to them. She wore red glasses and her dirty-blonde hair was tied back. She wore a pink coat with a snow-white dress under it. She had a cantaloupe in her right hand and was peeling it with a kitchen knife. "May I serve you two a coffee or a couple glasses of cucumber water?" She offered.
"Um, no thank you, ma'am." Phoenix answered. "Do you work here?"
"Yes, I sure do!" The woman said. "I'm the coffee-lady for Father Owen's Church. Oh… Father Owen… I can't believe it…" The woman drooped down with a saddened expression.
"I'm sorry, ma'am," Continued Phoenix, "but my name is Phoenix Wright and this is my co-worker Apollo Justice. We're lawyers from Wright Anything Agency. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"
"Mr. Wright!? You mean, the Blue Apostle?" The lady exclaimed. "THE Phoenix Wright!?"
(There's that Blue Apostle again.)
"Uh, yes, that's me." Phoenix answered. "I have a few questions to ask."
"Yes, sir! Ask me anything!"
WHO ARE YOU?
"First off, why don't I ask you your name?"
"Yes, sir. My name is Maria Cupp, and I am the coffee-lady at the church here. I also brew tea, make pastry, and make a darn-good casserole! You wanna try a slice?" Said the woman, going through a bag of coffee beans.
"Um, no thanks, ma'am." Apollo told her. "What else should we know about you?"
"Well, I've been making coffee for about a couple years now." She said. She began to closely observe a coffee cup. "People at these coffee and restaurant chains now? They don't understand that it's art! The process, the taste, the hint of sweet bitterness that lingers on the tongue? Absolute pleasure!"
Maria took a sip of her coffee, and her eyes lit up. "Perfect! Just a little more sugar!" Mario then proceeded to dump half a bag of sugar in the one cup. "I could have coffee all day. I haven't slept in days because of the caffeinated rush!"
"That's, uh, very impressive, Ms. Cupp." Phoenix complimented, trying not to be rude.
"Care for a taste?" Maria asked, holding two cups of coffee.
"Yeah, sure, thank you." Phoenix said, taking the warm cup.
"I've never been much of a coffee-kind of guy, but I'll give it a try." Apollo commented. They both took one sip of coffee. The one sip gave Phoenix a surge of energy.
(YOWZA! My heart feels like it's running a marathon! What a rush!)
"Um…" Phoenix began to say, trying to contain his heart rate. "May I ask how much caffeine is in this cup?"
"Hmm… hard to say." Maria told him. "Sorry, I just enjoy the energy so much that I forget some other people aren't as so… keen into my amount of caffeine."
Apollo slowly put the cup down, holding his chest. "Um… thank you, Ms. Cupp. It-it hit the spot."
Phoenix coughed as he set the cup down as well. "Anyway… Ms. Cupp, I may need to ask you something, something you might not want to talk about. But it's what's best for us and David."
"I understand, sir." Cupp said, holding her arm. "Please, go ahead."
THE NIGHT OF THE CRIME
"I need you to remember everything you can, Ms. Cupp." Phoenix told her. "You did call the police, did you not?"
"That's right. I heard a noise coming from Father Owen's office. I walked in and saw Brother David kneeled over Owen's motionless body." Cupp went on. "He told me to call the police, so I went to the main lobby and dialed the police."
"Did you meet anybody on your way to get help?" Apollo questioned.
"No, nobody at all." Cupp said. "One of our Brothers was doing a sermon that night, so I cared not to interrupt or frighten anyone. "But that didn't matter. After I called the police, they showed up, interrupting our service, and investigated the crime scene. Word got out around the church as people were evacuated. After interrogating David, they had enough information to arrest him on the spot.
"After all, David's blood and fingerprints were found in the office." Cupp continued.
"But you don't really think he did it, do you?" Phoenix asked.
"No, not at all! I mean… I don't know! I didn't see the murder, I just found David in the room seconds after the murder happened. It's hard to say. That pains me to say such a horrible thing, but I'm just saying as it is."
"Don't worry, Ms. Cupp." Phoenix assured her. "We're going to get to the bottom of this, no matter what."
"Thank you!" Maria Cupp exclaimed. "I knew I could trust you once I first saw you!"
FATHER OWEN MILES
"Is there anything you can tell me about the victim Father Owen?" Phoenix asked. "What was he like?"
"Oh, Father Owen was amazing!" Cupp answered, her hand to her chest. "He was kind, humble, and oh-so spiritual to us all! He was greatly be missed."
"About how long has he worked as a priest?"
"I'd say probably about five-to-six years; maybe more? I'm not sure, to be honest. I still remember the last drink I ever made him."
(I think I know what she's talking about.)
Phoenix presented the shattered coffee cup to Maria. "This was found in Owen's room. A cup of coffee or hot chocolate." Phoenix told her. "Sound familiar?"
"Yes! Yes, that's it!" Maria said excitedly. "Father Owen wasn't feel well, so I poured him a drink to make him feel better. Ironically… that wasn't the case, as it was the last drink he would ever have. Oh, Father Owen…" Tears rolled down Maria's cheek.
(So this was the cup that Maria made for Owen, huh? That last drink he would ever have. I don't know why, but I might make a note of this.)
'SHATTERED COFFEE MUG' UPDATED ON COURT RECORD
ITEM DESCRIPTION: A cup that was likely to have been shattered during the fight between Owen and the killer. Owen probably used this cup against said killer in defense. Was made by Maria Cupp for an ill Owen.
DAVID VAUGHAN
"Ms. Cupp, I have one final question." Phoenix said to her. "David… David won't let us defend him unless we give him fallible proof that I am the Blue Apostle destined to defend him, or something like that. Any tips?"
Cupp sighed. "Typical, hard-headed David, as per usual. Look, give him this." Maria Cupp held up a large, blue book.
"What is this?" Asked Phoenix.
"It's a series of documents about the Blue Apostle." Cupp replied. "Look, I… I'm going to help you out by adding a few small changes to this book. I feel bad about doing this. After all, it was made by Owen himself. But… I think we're out of options here."
Maria opened up the book and began to write in it with a pen that was in her ear. "There. This should be enough to convince the man." She then gave it to Phoenix, who opened the page and read it aloud.
"'And then, a great, Blue Apostle will rise from the golden courtroom above and save the suffering Brother David from his torment. Hope has arrived.'" Phoenix looked up. "Thank you, Ms. Cupp. This will help a lot."
'BOOK' ADDED TO COURT RECORD
ITEM DESCRIPTION: A book about the 'Blue Apostle', written by Owen Miles. This should be enough to convince David to let me defend him.
"Please, Phoenix. Save Brother David. He knows not what he does."
"Don't worry, ma'am!" Apollo yelled. "We'll do whatever we can to make things right! Trust us!"
"I… I do. Also… I asked to not appear in court tomorrow."
"What!?" Phoenix said, surprised. "You called the police! You saw the crime, didn't you?"
"Look, Mr. Wright." She said. "I'm doing this for my own safety. What if I say something to land David in prison? What if I got somebody else in trouble? I couldn't live with myself. If David is no killer, that means the real killer is still at large. I'm doing this for myself. I know that sounds pathetic, but-."
"Say no more." Apollo told her. "Just think about. David trusts all of you. We'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay." Maria said, nodding. "I will. Thank you two so much!"
With that, Phoenix and Apollo left the kitchen. "Okay, Phoenix. Now what?"
"Well, we hopefully now have something to convince David to let us defend him. That much is certain. There's still a lot to do around here, though."
(There are still certain areas of the church we haven't investigated yet. And I need to get my Magatama back from that thief – and see what exactly he's hiding. Today's going to be a long day. And lucky me, it's just getting started.)
COURT RECORD
-Attorney Badge: My personal badge proving my profession. I never leave home without it.
-Owen's Autopsy Report: Cause of death was an instant kill by a David statue to the victim's head. Time of Death: About 8:00-8:30 PM. Victim is covered in bruises.
-Body Outline: The aftermath of the crime. Blood is splattered around the head and facial area. The statue sits to its left.
-David Statue:Depiction of Michelangelo's David statue. The murder weapon.
-Shattered Coffee Mug: A cup that was likely to have been shattered during the fight between Owen and the killer. Owen probably used this cup against said killer in defense. Was made by Maria Cupp for an ill Owen.
-Jar of Blood: A jar of blood found in Owen's office. Why he would have a jar of blood is the question.
-Child's Drawing: A drawing showing Owen, David, and an unknown woman. A bloody smear is on the side because of me.
-Book:A book about the 'Blue Apostle', written by Owen Miles. This should be enough to convince David to let me defend him.
PROFILES
-Apollo Justice: A strong, but loud and persistent, attorney who works with me at the agency. Is friends with the murder defendant.
-Athena Cykes: A gifted attorney that can read people's emotions though their hearts.
-David Vaughan: The suspect of the crime. A priest at the church where the murder took place.
-Jack Anchor: A prestigious news anchor who prides himself a bit too much. Witnessed the murderer.
-Raya Novak: A no-nonsense detective in charge of the investigation. Only been working for a few short months.
-Phineas Filch: A tricky thief that was a witness to a crime a long time ago and is now a janitor at the church.
-Maria Cupp: The kind, eccentric coffee-lady that works at the church. Called the police.