"Viola Cadaverini!?" Iris repeated, reeling back in surprise as she turned to her client for clarification.
Ms. Violet Shade, or Ms. Viola Cadaverini, didn't answer. Instead, she looked away from Iris and gave a nervous chuckle. "Hee...hee...hee..."
Von Karma noticed this and laughed. "I take it you're familiar with the Cadaverinis, Ms. Iris Hawthorne?"
"Yes," Iris said, narrowing her eyes as she stared at the pompous prosecutor. "Prior to this case, I defended a man who had been framed of rape, murder, and various other crimes by a member of the Cadaverini Family. It was a tough battle, but I managed to clear his name."
"How very noble of you," von Karma said sarcastically, chuckling in anticipation. "Which is why the fact that you are defending the Princess of the Cadaverinis much more ironic."
"OBJECTION!" Iris shouted. "To what basis do you have for this outrageous claim, Ms. von Karma!?"
"I have three," Ms. von Karma retorted before taking a deep breath to give her explanation to the court. "The first, just as my witness stated earlier, it is indeed strange that Ms. Violet Shade had no records of existence aside from her ID. Detective Dick Gumshoe and I did a little investigating and found that her ID is actually a forgery."
Everyone in the courtroom gasped in shock, causing a small uproar.
"Order! Order!" the Judge said, pounding his gavel. "F-forgery, you say!?"
Von Karma nodded. "Indeed. That means that Violet Shade is merely an alias to hide her true identity. The second basis involves the letter that I had presented to you, which ties to Ms. Viola Cadaverini's motive as to why she killed Will Powers."
"And that is, Ms. von Karma?" the Judge asked, leaning a bit from his desk.
Von Karma smirked slyly as she stared evilly at Iris. "I don't believe that I'm properly equipped to explain it...without my third basis, who is another witness waiting to explain to the court the truth of this case!"
A second witness!? Iris winced, sweat coming down her forehead.
"Another witness, you say?" the Judge pondered for a moment. "Very well. We will have a five-minute recess. Ms. von Karma, use this time to prepare your witness."
"Of course, Your Honor," von Karma said.
"And Ms. Hawthorne?" the Judge turned to the rookie attorney.
"Y-yes, Your Honor?" Iris stuttered.
"I suggest you use this time to talk to your client," he said as he stared at Ms. Shade (Cadaverini?) suspiciously.
"Hee...hee...hee..." Ms. Shade (Cadaverini?) chuckled shamefully, pressing her palm against her face to avoid the Judge's stare.
. . .
July 7, 11:35 AM
District Court~ Defendant Lobby No. 3
"Start talking, Ms. Shade," Iris said, crossing her arms. "Or should I call you Ms. Cadaverini now?"
"Look about what that prosecutor said..." the defendant's voice trailed off, trying to think of the proper words to say.
Iris then saw a familiar set of chains come between her and her client. She then expected Psyche Locks to appear but was shocked when the chains suddenly dispersed.
Her client sighed in defeat. "There's no use hiding it now...yes, that prosecutor was right. My real name is Viola Cadaverini," she said.
"Is that bad, Big Sis?" Pearl asked, tugging at her older sister's purple blazer.
"I'm not quite sure, Pearl," Iris said. "All you need to know is that the Cadaverini is the name of a crime family that has done a lot of harm to countless people."
"B-but I'm not one of them!" Viola shouted. "A-at least, not anymore..."
"Care to elaborate?" Iris requested, raising her brow at the wording of that last sentence.
"Well..." Viola paused for a moment. "You had a case revolving around my family right?"
Iris nodded. "Murder, theft...that's only two of the hundreds of sins your family committed."
"Yes..." Viola whispered, turning away from Iris and Pearl in shame. "I...I didn't know what kind of deeds my family did when I was a child. I admired them for so long, but when I found out what they do...how they profit off of other people's misery...I...I couldn't take it...hee...hee..hee…"
Viola's unsettling chuckle morphed into a sorrowful cry, causing Pearl to reach up and try to hug the poor woman.
"There, there…" she whispered to Viola. "It'll be okay."
Viola let out a faint chuckle, hugging Pearl back after wiping her tears. "You have a good sister, Iris. So young...so innocent."
"Let's change the subject now," Iris said, her eyes shifting nervously, gesturing Pearl to go back to her side. "So you created a fake identity to conceal the fact you were a Cadaverini."
"Yes..." Viola said. "After finally seeing the pain my family inflicts toward people, I knew I could no longer be a part of it...so with the help of a friend, I ran away and changed my name to start a new life...hee...hee...hee..."
"I see," Iris said, rubbing her chin when she mentally wrote that detail down. "And who is this friend of yours?"
"A man named Furio Tigre. He runs a restaurant called the Roaring Tiger," Viola smiled, imagining the superb meals that Tigre made. "You should try the food there some time, it's really good..."
"Okay, now about the letter Ms. von Karma showed to the court. Can you tell us anything about it?"
"I haven't seen a letter like it before," Viola answered. "Usually, I'd get mail from fans from on occasion, but I was asleep at the time of the murder. There was no way for me to get it..."
"It states that Mr. Powers knew your real identity. Is that true?"
"Well..." Viola paused before letting out another sigh. "Yes, yes he knew...when I signed up to work for the studio, he was always curious about whatever secrets I was hiding. When I managed to get the main role on his show, he found out. He said he researched me and found it out on his own...
"When he told me, my heart was about to burst from my chest. I knew that the moment he found out about me, he'd kick me out and try to get the cops to arrest me for sure...but you want to know what he said...
"That I wasn't like my family...that I was too kind, loyal, and hardworking to be like them..." Viola's voice cracked and her body trembled as she failed to keep herself from breaking down in tears. "I know there's a chance you won't believe me...but I would never kill Mr. Powers! He accepted me even though he knew my past, and I'd...I'd...hee...hee...hee..."
Viola knelt down, sobbing profusely as she felt a wave of despair washing over her. Iris and Pearl looked at her sympathetically, the former knowing full-well what it's like to lose a man that one would hold dear...
"It's alright, Ms...Shade," Iris said, hoping that calling the girl by her alias would make her feel better. "I must admit, I started to have some suspicion towards you when the news of you being a Cadaverini came out..."
Viola's head drooped down and she let out a whimpered cry, fully believing that she was all alone now.
Pearl nudged her older sister. "Big Sis..." she whispered scoldingly, puffing her cheeks in a way that made Iris smile at how cute they were.
"But!" Iris added, getting Viola's attention. "Now that I heard your side of the story, I think there's more to it than most people think. I don't believe you are the culprit, Ms...Shade, and I'll use all of my skills to ensure everyone will see the truth."
"Yeah!" Pearl added, stepping forward to Viola. "Just you wait, Crystal Crusader Rose! Soon, you'll be free and you'll give that mean prosecutor a taste of true justice!"
Viola stared in awe at Iris and Pearl, then started to tear up once more. Her lips moved to form an honest, gentle smile as she laughed in relief. "That...I appreciate that. Truly, I do...t-thank you for believing in me..."
"Always believe in your client, no matter what," Iris smirked and placed her hands on her hips. "That's one of my rules."
. . .
July 7, 11: 43 AM
District Court~ Courtroom No. 4
"The court will now reconvene," the Judge declared, slamming his gavel. "Ms. von Karma, can you please present your next witness?'
"I was just about to get to that, Your Honor!" von Karma said, striking her desk with her whip before gesturing to the courtroom entrance. "The prosecution declares their next witness to come to the stand! The one who saw the murder happen right before her eyes!"
Iris, Pearl, and Viola turned to the courtroom door and were pleasantly surprised to see the actress Celeste Starr enter the scene. Instead of wearing the green Victorian-styled dress that was her Emerald Empress costume, she instead had a black leather jacket, a sleeveless green tank top, a pair of dark blue jeans, and black sneakers. Without her costume, Iris, von Karma, and the rest of the people in the court saw that she was a scrawny young woman with messy blonde hair and dark green eyes.
As she stepped onto the witness stand, she flashed a hateful glare at Viola before turning to the rest of the court with a nonchalant wave. "Hey," she said in a deadpan tone.
"Witness, state your name and occupation," von Karma said, crossing her arms.
"My name's Celeste L. Starr, I used to be a teen idol," Celeste said. "Right now, I'm playing the role of the Emerald Empress."
"You're an Empress?" the Judge asked, tilting his head. "It's strange to see royalty appear in a case like this."
Iris giggled. "No, Your Honor. The Emerald Empress is a character from the Crystal Crusader Rose show."
"She's a dastardly evil-doer who won't stop until the world is hers!" Pearl shouted, only to clasp her mouth shut when she realized what she had done. "I'm sorry..."
"Oh, but you're right," Celeste laughed, the tone of her voice changing to the threatening, regal accent that she always used in her Empress role
"I am a dastardly evildoer. The most dastardly of them all, in fact!" she shouted, raising her arm and holding the air, imagining that she had the whole world at the palm of her hand. "And as soon as I drag that no good wench to the hellish pit she deserves to be in, I shall rule over the cosmos and destroy-!"
whp-CRACK!
"GrrraAaAagh!" Celeste yelped as she clutched her stomach before glaring at von Karma. "What the hell!?"
"Enough useless prattle," von Karma snarled. "Testify to the court what you saw NOW!"
Celeste grumbled and glared at von Karma with narrowed eyes before giving in to the pompous prosecutor's demands. "Fine. Here's what you need to know..."
TESTIMONY
"There was a scheduled rehearsal that me, the Cadaverini, and the other actors had to go through at 5:00 PM."
"I didn't want to show up late, so I decided to show up early."
"It was around 4:45 PM when I showed up."
"When I was practicing a few of my lines, I saw the Cadaverini hanging Mr. Powers off a building!"
"I wanted to go up there, but it was too late when she dropped him down the building."
"I wished I could've done something though. Mr. Powers didn't deserve to die like that…"
"Hmm...that is quite the testimony you have," the Judge said. "However, most of what you said we already heard from Detective Gumshoe and Ms. Oldbag."
"Yeah, well now you get my side of things. What's wrong with that?" Celeste retorted, staring at the Judge suspiciously.
"More information will be revealed in due time, Your Honor," von Karma said before smirking condescendingly at Iris. "Now it's your turn, Ms. Iris Hawthorne. Cross-examine Ms. Celeste L. Starr's testimony. I DARE you to try and find a flaw in my perfect case!"
Iris grumbled and fought back the temptation to throw...something at von Karma's pompous, overly fancy head!
Someday, but not today, Iris, she thought to herself. Just cross-examine the testimony and get it over with...
CROSS-EXAMINATION
"There was a scheduled rehearsal that me, the Cadaverini, and the other actors had to go through at 5:00 PM."
"HOLD IT! The Cadaverini? You're referring to the defendant, right?"
"Isn't that obvious?" Celeste grumbled in annoyance. "She's the only one of her kind here!"
Viola cringed at that comment, gritting her teeth as her hands held onto her arms for comfort.
"That's a bit harsh," Iris said, narrowing her eyes at Celeste. "You're treating her as if she isn't human."
"And can you blame me? Look at her family!" Celeste retorted. "Murderers, rapists, drug pushers, human traffickers-anyone who's in a family that can do those horrible things without even having an ounce of regret shouldn't even qualify as from this planet!"
From all around the court, Iris noticed a few murmurs among the gallery agreeing to what Celeste had stated. Von Karma noticed this as well and smiled in smug satisfaction.
"Order! Order!" the Judge said, pounding his gavel. "That is a very strong opinion, Ms. Starr, but I can see your point in it. What else do you have to say?"
"I didn't want to show up late, so I decided to show up early."
"It was around 4:45 PM when I showed up."
"HOLD IT! Ms. Starr, is there another reason as to why you went to the Winter Cloud Building early?"
"Um...because I just wanted to not be late?" Celeste said, raising a brow. "Is it wrong that I wanted to be ready beforehand?"
"No, but is that really it?" Iris pressed further.
"Yeah, that's it," Celeste muttered. "Nothing. Else…"
"No other reason, like needing to start something before the practice or anything of the sort-?"
"I just didn't want to be late, you lousy bitch!" Celeste snapped, slamming her fist on the witness stand. "I swear if you're using this to try and pin the Cadaverini's crime on me, then you have another thing coming!"
Iris winced for a moment and took a step back, intimidated by Celeste's angry gaze.
"As much as I enjoy your well-placed frustration towards Ms. Iris Hawthorne, I'm afraid we are running out of time," von Karma said. "Continue with your testimony."
"Bitch?" Pearl murmured innocently, tilting her head. "Big Sis, what's a bitch?"
"I-It's nothing, Pearl! P-Please forget that!" Iris shouted before glaring at Celeste and mouthing, Look at what you've done!
"When I was practicing a few of my lines, I saw the Cadaverini hanging Mr. Powers off a building!"
"OBJECTION!" Iris shouted, dramatically pointing her finger at Celeste before slamming her palms against her desk. She then took out the photo Ms. von Karma gave as evidence and showed it to the court.
"The culprit who committed the crime wore a Crystal Crusader Rose costume, as shown in this photo," Iris said.
"And the only one who has that costume is the Cadaverini," Celeste added, deadpanned. "There, I solved the case for you."
"You didn't let me finish," Iris said. "We have reason to doubt Cadaverini's guilt. The defendant wore a costume that was bloodied by the injuries she had sustained previously and as shown in this photo, the costume that the culprit wore is completely clean."
Iris then paused to give Celeste a sly grin. "As such, it is unlikely that the defendant is the one who committed the crime."
Celeste grinned back, her smile oozing with mischievous intent. "Oh, then perhaps it's what the Cadaverini wants you to think," she said in her Emerald Empress accent. "If I remember correctly, her pathetic little excuse was that she was sleeping at the time of the murder, is it not?"
Iris raised a brow. "Yes? but...why?"
"I doubt you're competent enough to understand, so I'll make it simple for you," Celeste said. "The Cadaverini concocted the vile murder of Will Powers and her plan involved disguising herself with the clean version of the Crystal Crusader costume. She figured that she'll be accused of the crime, so she planned to orchestrate the events of this court by making it look like she didn't.
"As she pondered on what to do with her plan, she remembered the security cameras scattered all around the studio. It was then she decided to take off the bloody costume she wore and put on the clean version of it. She then walked to the Winter Cloud Building and succeeded in murdering her target. She ran back to her dressing room after doing it, and quickly changed her clothes back to the bloody costume.
"And why is that you ask? Simple. She knew she would get arrested for her crime, so in order to escape the punishment she deserves, she used these two costumes to confuse the court so that they think her innocent of her crimes!"
Celeste then let out a menacing cackle that echoed throughout the courtroom before suddenly calming down. "You guys got it?" she asked in her normal dull voice.
Everyone in the court didn't answer as they kept on thinking about what Celeste had said.
"My head hurts…" Pearl moaned, her head aching from trying to understand Celeste's monologue.
Iris opened her mouth but paused to think. "Um...can you repeat that again?"
The Judge scratched his head. "I don't get it…"
"What the witness is trying to say is that the defendant knew she would get caught by the security cameras, as well as get arrested for the murder," von Karma said, "so she devised a plan that involved switching costumes. She murdered Will Powers with the 2nd costume the defense showed, then rushed back to her dressing room to put on the 1st costume I presented in an effort to appear innocent in front of the court." she paused to give a sly smirk to Iris. "I say it almost worked, didn't it?"
"That…" Iris' voice trailed off, utterly baffled by von Karma's explanation. She turned to Viola, who seemed to be just as bewildered by it as Iris was, judging by the stunned expression on her face.
"I...I still don't get it? Pearl spoke up, raising a brow.
"Neither do I," the Judge sighed. "So...the defendant tried to trick the court into thinking she's innocent by switching costumes?"
"That's one way to put it, but yes, Your Honor," von Karma said.
"OBJECTION!" Iris shouted, slamming her palms against her desk. "That...that is just way too meticulous! There's no way the defendant would even think of that, even if she's the murderer!"
"Oh, then prove me wrong then, Ms. Iris Hawthorne," von Karma challenged her. "What possible flaw could you see in my witness' hypothesis?"
"I'll answer your question with another one," Iris retorted. "How did the defendant get back to her dressing room without getting caught by the security cameras?"
Von Karma frowned. "Just what do you mean?"
"In order for her to change costumes after murdering the victim, the defendant would have to rush back to her dressing room without getting noticed," Iris said, emphasizing the last word. "And it's already established that not only is the Studio filled with security cameras that can easily spot her, there's also no way to get out of the Winter Cloud Building except for the way you enter in!"
"Um, there's actually a back exit at the Winter Cloud Building, you know," Celeste pointed out.
"Really? Then is there a way for the defendant to use it as a means to return to her dressing room without getting seen by the cameras?"
"...no," Celeste answered with gritted teeth.
"Now with that out of the way, I must ask. If the defendant is the culprit and if this theory of yours is true, how on earth did she get back to her dressing room without getting seen by the cameras?!" Iris shouted angrily, glaring hatefully at von Karma. "Unless you're hiding some sort of photo of the defendant walking back to her dressing room…"
"Are you accusing me of hiding evidence?" von Karma scoffed. "Why would ever do something like that?"
"Oh, don't pretend like you wouldn't do it!" Iris hissed. "You did that to me during our last trial and I wouldn't be surprised if you'd do it again here!"
"Are you really still mad at me for that? Hmph, typical rookies, always mad at the littlest of things…"
"This rookie beat you, von Karma," Iris smiled when von Karma twitched in anger upon being reminded of her first-ever defeat. "Don't you remember that? Or maybe the great bratty prodigy is in so much denial that she refuses to acknowledge it!"
Pearl paled at this and quietly stepped away from her older sister, not wanting to be caught in what happens next.
"You insolent little worm!" von Karma shouted back, gripping her whip tightly. "You may have defeated me, but that was nothing more than a fluke! Once I'm done, you'll regret ever crossing the path of the undefeated von Karma family!"
"Undefeated? Ha! In that case, you must be adopted! Because there's no way a sore loser like you would be related to an undefeated family!"
"Why you-!"
"Enough!" the Judge suddenly roared out, slamming his gavel. "Enough with this useless arguing!"
Iris and von Karma both went silent and turned to the Judge, their faces blushing red with embarrassment.
"My apologies, Your Honor," Iris said, giving a small bow.
"Hmph…" von Karma crossed her arms and huffed.
"It's evidently clear that we do not have enough information to deliver a clear verdict," the Judge said. "The theory that Ms. Starr gave us is...interesting, but lacks proof to back it up. Furthermore, there is also the matter of the letter found on the victim's body and the various circumstances that led to his death.
"As such, I will extend this trial to another day. I request that both the defense and the prosecution investigate this matter even further."
Both von Karma and Iris nodded in agreement, then glared at each other hatefully.
"Alright then, in this case, we shall see each other on tomorrow's trial," he said then raised his gavel and slammed it against his desk two times. "Court adjourned."
Court Record:
Evidence:
1. Iris' Attorney Badge
2. Letter of Request
3. Security Cameras
4. Will Powers' Autopsy Report
5. Crystal Crusader Dress (Costume No. 1)
6. Key Card
7. Crystal Sword
8. Torn and Tattered Crystal Crusader Costume (Costume No. 2)
9. Mysterious Letter
Profiles:
1. Pearl Fey
2. Viola Cadaverini
3. Franziska von Karma
4. Detective Gumshoe
5. Will Powers
6. Wendy Oldbag
7. Celeste L. Starr/Emerald Empress
8. Penny Nichols