Well time to continue the investigation, but first have to wait for Jaden to get released from the Detention Center.

Disclaimer: I own nothing in this.

DM77's Ace Attorney Chapter 30

Getting Jaden's Bail

December 26, Detention Center, Visitor's Room

J arrives at the Detention Center and sits on a chair as the guard troopers bring Jaden to see her. It was an all too familiar sight as Jaden sits opposite sadly, it was almost like the trial that they first met with.

"Jaden!" J said smiling.

"Hey! J, it's you!" Jaden said cheering up. "I'm glad Mr. Deamonne made it through the day okay. It's a relief…"

"Hey." J said nodding. "Why'd you do that, anyway?"

Jaden looks down sadly and admits "I don't know. I…just knew I had to do something. I know I'm not the lawyer my brother was…I'm sorry." He sighs.

"Well, you did save the trial…" J told him, "Just, behave from now on, okay?"

"O…Okay." Jaden said nodding sadly.

"Any luck with Terra…?" J asked wanting to get an update on that.

"None…I can't get through to him at all." Jaden said sadly. "I tried….I really did! I don't know what to do…" He sighs thinking "I think I probably should have stopped my training."

'Hmmm…he sounds like he really did do his best' J thinks 'I should check and see if there are any waterfalls in the local area…'

"I wonder if I'll ever see my brother again…" Jaden said sadly.

J decides to change the subject asking, "Have you been questioned yet?"

"No... not yet." Jaden said shaking his head and smiles "Detective N was here just now. He said 'seeing at this is your first offense, we'll let you go after questioning.'"

"Whew…." J said in relief.

"Oh, and he wanted me to get bail money ready." Jaden said sadly but smiles "You can pay for me, okay?"

"Huh? How much?" J asked concerned.

"I don't know. I guess they'll send you a bill or something." Jaden said thinking.

'Why do I picture giant bales of money every time I head the word 'bail'?' J thinks concerned.

J decided it was best to go and talk to N and heads for the Criminal Affairs department.

December 26, Police Trooper Department, Criminal Affairs

J walks in and looks around, she sees many of the desks empty with just a few of the troopers their busy working, but none were the one she's looking for.

'Detective N's not here…' J thinks

"N's at the scene again today." A Police Trooper said seeing her and guessing why she was here.

"Huh? Oh, really?" J asked them.

"Ask me, he's a live wire that one." The Police Trooper said to her. "Got into a fight with the chief for not following protocol…"

'Not following protocol…?' J thinks surprised at that 'I bet he wouldn't help them build the case against Hunter…'

She then goes to Seadra lake to find him.

December 26, Seadra Lake Park, Entrance

She sees the entrance and looks to see a few Police Troopers near the enrance.

"There are fewer than there were yesterday, but the Police Troopers are still around in the park." J notes as she walked "I wonder if Detective N is here today?"

She walks in and arrives at the Public Beach and see it is deserted with no sign of Joey.

"Haven't seen Joey around today at all." J said thinking "Probably off paying through the nose on a date with the lovely Lindsey…"

She then sees a sign post she must have missed, the left was the Boat Docks and right was exit. She heads for the woods.

December 26, Seadra Lake Woods

She arrives at Todd Snap's campsite and sees there was N. J approaches and said "Hey, Detective N!"

"Hey, buddy!" N said with a smile. "The trial today, it, er…" He pauses and thinks.

"Yes? What about the trial?" J asked him.

N rubs his head and said "Well, I was going to say 'good show,' but it wasn't really all that…Though you did save Mr. Deamonne, I guess…" He looks down sadly "I just wan't sure how to thank you…you know?"

"Er…thanks." J said nodding. She then asked "Detective N? Any idea what strategy Belos is planning for tomorrow?"

"It sounds like he's bringing in another witness!" N said thinking

"Another witness?!" J asked surprised then recalls "Oh, right, he said something about that in the trial today…"

J recalls the trail and Belos in it saying "There were two witnesses!"

"I was wondering who that other witness was!" J said thinking and looks to N "Er…who was it?"

"S…. sorry, buddy." N said looking down sadly "As much as I'd like to. I'm not at liberty to divulge that information."

'Right…' J thinks understanding. She then said "Oh, right…I wanted to ask you something about Hunter."

"What's up?" N asked her.

"Is he afraid of earthquakes? I never heard anything about that before." J asked him.

N remained silent for a bit and said "Mr. Deamonne doesn't talk about himself too much, you see. But there's one thing that's clear as day…Him hating crime the way he does…And him becoming a prosecutor…And him being scared of earthquakes…" He then looks serious "It all started with that incident."

J's LED eyes widen and she said "The DL-6 Incident?"

"Yep, that's the one." N said nodding "Fifteen years ago…when he saw his adoptive father shot before his very eyes! He still feels the pain now, you can see it in his eyes behind his golden mask if he's wearing it."

J nods and then says "I wanted to talk to you about Jaden Yuki…"

"Huh? He's not out on bail yet?" N asked confused. "That's strange. I told'em to let him go as soon as they had their report written up. Oh geez…I don't know what would have happened in that courtroom today if it weren't for him. Seeing him getting dragged out by the baliff Purge Trooper…I'll be honesr with you, buddy. I would have shed a tear or two if we could. Mr. Deamonne, he was so moved I saw his lip trembling."

"Really?!" J said in shock and thinks 'Cold-as-ice Hunter?!'

"He was really grateful for what he did, you know." N said with a smile "I'm going to head back to the station. I'll get the report on Jaden and get him out of there as so as I can."

"Thank you." J said nodding but something realizes and said "Oh, wait! Ummm…I was wondering how much the bail is going to be?"

"Don't worry about that." N said smiling "Mr. Deamonne is posting the whole amount."

"What? Hunter…?" J said in shock.

"Didn't I tell you?" N asked her. "He's grateful to him for what he did. Alright, buddy. Well don't forget to pick him up, okay?" He then leaves.

'Hmmm…Maybe I can get Hunter to pay this month's ren, too…' J thinks.

She decided to head to the Detention Center to pick up Jaden.

December 26, Detention Center, Visitor's Room

J arrives and see Jaden smiling and in good spirts, the brown-haired boy said "Hey, J! You finally came! They just finished the paperwork, I'm free to go."

"Free at last, eh?" J asked smiling.

"Those interrogators were really rude!" Jaden said annoyed. "They were like 'okay, what did you do THIS time?' Like I was some kind of criminal! Can you believe it?"

"Well, they let you out in the end, didn't they?" J asked him.

"Mmm…" Jaden lets out he knew that was true and said smiling "Oh, that reminds me…Thanks for bail."

"Thank Hunter." J told him.

"Huh?" Jaden said confused.

"He posted bail for you." J explained. "Said he was grateful for what you did."

"Mr. Deamonne did that…?" Jaden asked still shocked. He looks serious and said "I have to make it up to him! We've got to win this case, J!"

J nods and wants Jaden was let out to leave they head back to Seadra Lake Park.

December 26, Seadra Lake Park, Entrance

Once they arrived at the entrance and Jaden looking around said "There aren't many Police Troopers around today, are there?"

"They're probably back at the precinct, working up the case against Hunter." J said thinking.

"Mmmm…" Jaden lets out concerned.

"Hey you all!" A familiar voice called out and they see Todd Snap approaching.

"Hey, it's Todd!" Jaden said surprised.

"You all really did it today…" Todd said to the two.

"Wh-what did we do now?" J asked concerned.

"No, I'm not complaining!" Todd said smiling. "See, I did a little thinking. A little…self-reflection, you might say. I realized that being a witness is a mighty big responsibility. But I just went up there and started blabbing any old thing that came to mind."

"Todd…" J said to that.

"So, you see, I want to make it up to you all." Todd told them.

"'Make it up'…?" J asked wondering what he meant. "What did you think of the trial?"

"To be honest, I was doing it half just to say I'd been a witness…" Todd admits rubbing his head "Even though I didn't really see anything." He looks down a bit "I kind of convinced myself I had though…I'm sorry, I know I cause you all a lot of trouble."

"Well, memory is a tricky, vague little thing." Jaden said thinking.

"Yeah, I'm sure know that now." Todd said nodding. "I'll be fine the next time I witness a murder!"

"Right!" Jaden said smiling and giving a thumbs up.

'You mean the FIRST time you witness a murder…' J thinks sweat dropping and then asked "What about Seadray?"

"Right!" Todd said nodding looking serious. "Well, the way I figure, the trial's only stoking the flames of Seadray fever! I'll get my exclusive photos and rocket to stardom!"

"All right Todd! You go, man!" Jaden cheered happily. "I wish I could be an investigative photographer too!"

'Finish you keyblade warrior training first!' J thinks annoyed as this was one of the main causes of Jaden falling behind in his training. She then asked "Todd, what do you mean by 'making it up to us'?"

"Well, you see…" Todd said and smiles adding "Actually, I got a bit of information for you."

"What?!" Jaden said shocked.

"That Belos didn't want me to say nothing about it." Todd explained to them.

"Wh-what information?!" Jaden asked.

"Now we're getting to the heart of it!" Todd told them and grins "See, I reckoned we might be able to do ourselves a little 'exchange.'"

"E-'exchange'?" J said concerned "Ummm…I thought this was to 'make it up to us'…?"

"Right!" Todd said with a serious looking nod "I propose a little exchange to make it up to you!" J just stares deadpan at him. "What?! Information don't come cheap, my friend!"

"Uh…" Jaden let's out not sure what to say.

"Hey!" Todd said serious "I see you thinking 'my, how unsophisticated these country folks are'! It's written all over your face! Let me tell you, more country people are WAY more sophisticated than you…I'm just the exception, okay? Well, what'll it be? We got a deal, or not?!"

"Wh-what do we do, J?" Jaden asked.

J thinks on it thinking 'We don't have any other leads, so I don't think we have a choice here…' She then said to Todd "Okay. How much?"

"Huh?" Todd said confused. "You completely off your rocker? I may not be sophisticated, but I'm not trying to rob the poor!" He smiles.

"Huh?" J lets out confused.

"The only fair exchange for information is…. information!" Todd said smiling "Listen good. What I need for you is information about Seadray!"

"Whoa-whoa-whoa! S-Seadray?!" Jaden said in shock.

"B-but Seadray the Seadramon doesn't…. I mean, Seadray might not exist!" J said also in shock.

"Then bring me proof that shows he doesn't!" Todd told them.

"Uh…" J said concerned.

"I'll be keeping watch from the car, alright?" Todd said smiling. "You see something, you come to me first, got it?"

"O-okay…" J said wondering how she was going to get solid proof of a sea serpent in the lake exists on not.

"Right! See you later!" Todd told them smiling and leaves for the forest. While J looks stunned.

"Okay, J, let's get hunting!" Jaden said nodding.

"H-hunting…? You don't seriously mean…" J asked in disbelief.

"Seadray? I sure do!" Jaden said smiling.

"What about Hunter?!" J asked him.

"We're searching for Seadray for him, J! Don't you get it?!" Jaden told him.

'Okay….and how exactly do we search for a make-believe monster…?' J thinks sighing. 'Maybe we can find a monster myth specialist?'

They head into the Public Beach.

December 26, Seadra Lake, Public Beach

As they arrive they see the area has changed, there was a a banner of different country flags but the highlight was a large inflatable balloon of the White Ranger with a compressor to inflate it.

"Wh-what's that?" J asked in disbelief looking at the balloon.

"Th-the White Ranger, J." Jaden said also in disbelief.

"Hey! Jaden!" Joey said approaching now in his regular clothes and not the Santa outfit.

"Joey! What the heck is that?!" J asked him pointing to the balloon.

"Oh, it was my girl Lindsey's idea…" Joey said happily "She was all 'if you like, put this here, it would be, like, really cool!' Man, she gave it to me along with the banner!"

"Wow!" Jaden said amazed "That's real impressive she could find those for you!"

"Well, she knows a lot of people." Joey explained. "And that show's finished now, so she got'em for free."

"Right…" J said nodding to that before looking around she decided to talk.

And Joey wanted to talk as he said "Hey, J! What happened with Hunty?"

J sighs and said "Well, we made it though the first day in court all right…I don't know how good our prospects are from here on though."

"Huh." Joey said to that thinking.

"Hey, Joey, did you know Mr. Deamonne's secret weakness?" Jaden asked smiling "He's terrified of earthquakes! He acts like a little boy!"

"Huh?" Joey said again but confused "That's weird. I don't think we was ever like that in school."

"No? Really?" Jaden asked surprised.

"Well, we were only in the same class for a little bit." Joey said thinking and smiling. "He transferred schools pretty quickly…"

"Transferred?" Jaden asked.

'Right…when the DL-6 Incident happened.' J thinks remembering what N told her. 'Doesn't look like Joey knows about it, though.' She then said "Hey, Joey. When did you get that big…thing?"

"Huh? Oh, the big guy?" Joey asked pointing at the big ranger balloon. "I've had that for about a month, yeah. It's a big hit with the kids!"

"Why wasn't it there yesterday?" J asked.

"Huh? Huh?! Oh….right." Joey said thinking "Th-the compressor was busted."

"Compressor?" Jaden asked.

Joey nods and points to it as he said "Yeah, it's that little unit by my hotdog stand. That's what I use to put air in the White Ranger! It broke a little while ago so I sent it in for repairs."

"Oh." Jaden said getting it. "And here I thought you'd inflate it by yourself."

J looks at the compressor and Jaden said, "So you use that to fill up the balloon with air?"

"Yep, I sure do" Joey said smiling.

"Huh, neat." Jaden said smiling.

"I just got it repared yesterday! Man what a drag that was." Joey said with a nod.

"Doesn't that White Ranger look a little out of place? I mean, it's so huge…" J asked looking at the balloon. "I guess it's good advertising."

Jaden pouts at it and said "Something about this White Ranger just doesn't work for me."

"Huh? Really? It looks pretty well made to me." J said.

"Hmph. Still a novice, aren't you, J." Jaden said grinning. "Really...True connoisseurs like Kota and me don't fall for this kind of stuff."

'These White Ranger fans are obviously in a league of their own…' J thinks. She then looks at the banner "These flags look sadly out of place here. Flapping listlessly back and forth in a cold wind under a cold sky…"

"I don't know, I think it gives the place a kind of festival atmosphere." Jaden said smiling. "It reminds me of the 'War of the Eyeglasses'!"

J looks confused "…? The war of the what?!"

"Huh? What? You mean you don't know the War of the Eyeglasses?" Jaden asked.

"What the business meeting is it?" J asked.

"Our local fair used to do it every summer…Huh, I guess we were the only ones." Jaden said thinking.

'I ask again, what the business meeting is it?!' J thinks annoyed

J sighs and thinks, maybe best to go check on N and see what he can do to help them. The two head to the Criminal Affairs department.

Well, they have a lead just need to bring evidence to prove or disprove Seadray the Seadramon. How hard can it be?

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