Here we go the beginning of the final trial. Sorry for it being long I didn't know a good stopping point.

Disclaimer: I own nothing in this.


DM77's Ace Attorney Chapter 56

Makoto's Testimony

February 25, 9:47 AM, District Court, Defendant Lobby No. 2

J walks into the lobby and looks around to find it empty besides the Law Purge Trooper guards. She thinks to herself 'This is the Defendant Lobby all right…but there's no defendant. I've been trying to reach Sae all morning. Where could she be? And where's Makoto, for that matter? It almost seems as if…'

"Something's been happening behind the scenes…." A male voice said behind J and she looks to see Hunter approach with his two Purge trooper guards.

"Hunter!" J said in surprise.

"Knowing you, you've alright figured it out…" Hunter said to her "Who the owner of the '7777777' ID number is, that is."

"Well…I have a pretty strong hunch." J said with a nod as she thinks of Giovanni 'Looks like I'm not the only one who's figured it out.'

"You know, the only reason this trial didn't reach a verdict yesterday…is because there was still room for doubt regarding this ID record." Hunter said sighing. "If that number does belong to whom you suspect, then no doubt will remain. After all, he hasn't been officially charged with anything."

"True...Not yet." J said nodding.

"In any event, once all doubt has been removed from that list, I can call for a ruling." Hunter told her and looks her right in the LED eyes "Five minutes, J, and Chief Prosecutor Niijima will be found guilty."

"But she didn't do it!" J told him.

"I figured you'd say as much." Hunter said sighing "That's why I came here…to hear what you have to say."

'This is the first time he's ever done something like this…' J thinks and said "Sae's hiding something and the only way we'll ever know the truth…is to draw it out of her."

"The 'truth'?" Hunter asked.

"Everything goes back to the SL-9 Incident." J told him.

"Don't be stupid! Today's the last day of the trial." Hunter told her folding his arms. "We don't have time to reminisce about the past!"

"That depends on you." J said to him surprising Hunter. "If she's found guilty, you'll lose your only chance to find out what really happened."

Hunter remains quiet then said "I'll think about it. See you in court, J." He and his guards leave.

'This is it.' J thinks to herself 'If I'm ever going to find out what Chief Giovanni has on her, it's now!'


February 25, 10:00 AM, District Court, Courtroom No. 9

Everyone took there place with J and Hunter standing at their spots. Maccadam bangs his gavel to silence the people who came to watch and said "Court is now in session for the trial of Miss. Sae Niijima."

"The defence is ready, Your Honor." J said with a nod.

"The prosecution is ready, Your Honor." Hunter said removing his mask and handing it and his staff to his guards.

"Normally this is when the prosecution puts forth it's opening statement." Maccadam said confusing Hunter. "But before that, the police trooper chief has a proposal to make."

'Chief Giovanni…!' J thinks on that

Soon Giovanni enters and stands on the witness stand and said smiling and clapping "Morning everyone. How's everyone doing? Hey, Maccy. Been back to the pool yet?"

"No, I've been drowning enough as it is in my work." Maccadam said shaking his head.

"Oh! That's a good one! Don't think I can top that!" Giovanni said chuckling.

"If you don't mind me asking, Chief, exactly what is this 'proposal' of yours?" Hunter asked him.

Giovanni remains silent for a moment then said "Sae…that is to say, the defendant, has asked me if she could speak directly to the court."

'She wants to do what?!' J thinks in shock.

"Having heard what she intends to say, I feel she should be granted her request." Giovanni said with a shrug. "In the end, it should save everyone a lot of time and trouble."


After a while Sae walks up to the Witness stand while Giovanni stands to the side.

"What's this all about, defendant?" Hunter asked Sae.

"I'd just like to make one simple request, and I'll be finished." Sae said simply.

"Well then? What's your request?" Maccadam asked.

"Your Honor, I'd like you to put an immediate end to this trial." Sae said simply.

"Huh?!" J said in surprise.

"I confess to all charges against me." Sae continued to say "On February 21 of this year, I murdered Detective Shuichi Saihara…in the underground parking lot of the Prosecutor's Office."

"No, Sae!" J said in shock and this made the members of the court chatter. Maccadam bangs his gavel and the drone said "Objection! You can't! Your Honor. The defendant's claim does not change the defence's plea!"

"In that case, Miss. J, I no longer require your services." Sae told J simply.

"But Sae!" J said to her.

"Your Honor. I hereby forfeit my right to an attorney." Sae said ignoring J. "The prosecution may lack direct evidence against me, but it has sufficiently proven its case through testimony and circumstantial evidence." She turns away. "I would like you to render your verdict now, if you please."

"Hmm…." Maccadam thinks on this and said "Well, the defendant certainly has the right to self-representation…Her request is legally valid, although this is an unprecedented situation." He bangs his gavel "Indeed, it appears there's no further need to continue this trial…even if Miss. J may feel otherwise."

'This can't be happening!' J thinks sweating.

"It appears the time for the verdict has arrived. This court finds the defendant…" Maccadam began to say.

"Objection!" Hunter said all of a sudden surprising everyone as he said "One moment, Your Honor."

"M-Mr. Deamonne?!" Maccadam said in surprise.

"The prosecution has not yet proven the defendant guilty beyond reasonable doubt." Hunter explained and slams his hand on his bench "Any ruling at this stage would certainly be premature."

"Come now, Huntsman." Giovanni said with a grin "I understand this is a difficult time for you, but why don't you just be a good little boy and keep your mouth shut, hmm?"

Hunter smirks and tuts his finger as he said "Hmph. I don't think I care for your tone…Chief Giovanni."

"What?" Giovanni said still smiling but his voice gave off a bit of annoyed tone at that.

"Creating another fabrication to cover up your past mistakes…Sorry, but I'm no longer the naïve little 'boy' you would have me be." Hunter told him. He then added "With this sudden confession from the defendant…It's obvious to me some kind of deal was struck behind the scenes."

"Some kind of 'deal,' hm?" Giovanni said chuckling "Not everyone operates as you do…Huntsman."

Hunter folds his arms and says "Hmph. I thought so." He looks to Maccadam "Your Honor. The prosecution would like to change its first witness."

"Oh? To whom…?" Maccadam asked.

"As its first witness, the prosecution would like to call…Miss. Makoto Niijima!" Hunter told the court. "I request the court hears her testimony!"

"Hold it!" Sae called out and said "Mr. Deamonne! I am exercising my right to self-representation. I don't think we need to contin-"

"I don't care what you think, Miss. Niijima." Hunter cuts her off to say surprising her "The exposure of the truth sometimes results in tragedy…However! No matter how tragic the truth may be, it would be an even greater tragedy…to avert one's eyes from it."

Maccadam bangs his gavel and said "Very well. The court shall grant the prosecution's request. That's okay with you, right Chief Giovanni?"

"Huntsman...You'll live to regret this." Giovanni said as he begins to leave "Mark my words."

"Miss. Makoto Niijima. Please take the stand" Hunter said.

'Looks like Hunter has decided to take the horse by the reins!' J thinks on that.


Makoto gets onto the Witness stand looking down sadly.

"Now then, witness. Please state your name and occupation." Hunter said to her.

"Um…M-my name is Makoto. Makoto Niijima." Makoto said a bit nervous. "My occupation? I'm Sae's little sister, and I want to be a scientific investigator!"

"Two years ago…you encounted the serial killer Victor Zsasz, of the 'Victor Zsasz Resurgence Killings.'" Hunter said reading from his notes. "Is this correct?"

"Yes." Makoto said nodding sadly. "I'm trying my hardest to forget about that, though…"

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to recall those events one more time." Hunter said with a nod.

"Mr. Deamonne. Please remember this trial concerns the murder of Detective Saihara." Maccadam told him. "Is an incident that was resolved two years ago really all that relevant?"

"Yes. It most certainly is." Hunter said nodding.

Maccadam looks firmly at Hunter who doesn't flinch, and the judge said unnerved "W-well okay then!"

'She sure gave in fast…' J thinks sweat dropping.

"Now…please testify about what happened to you two years ago." Hunter said to Makoto.

'The trip to yesteryear has finally begun…' J thinks in her mind palace. 'It's bound to lead to the truth behind this trial!'

Makot begins to testify to Two Years Ago saying "I was waiting in my sister's office that day. A man came running in and took me hostage. Clover Skywalker rescued me, but I'll never forget what I saw in that instant! The man raised up his knife, and…and stabbed Mr. Skywalker in the chest…!"

"It's a good thing you weren't harmed." Maccadam said nodding.

"I passed out…I don't remember much." Makoto said looking down.

Maccadam nods and said "That's understandable. However…please tell me, Mr. Deamonne. What does this testimony have to do with Detective Saihara's murder?"

"That will soon become apparent, Your Honor." Hunter said smiling.

'You've got to admire him for his courage, considering he has no evidence…' J thinks sweat dropping.

"Very well! The defence may begin its cross-examination." Maccadam said.

J nods and knowing Makoto has zero reason to lie while Sae does, so she begins to extrat much info from Makoto as she can with the first statement about waiting in the office saying "Hold it! Two years ago, the defendant was a detective at the Police Trooper Department, correct?"

"Yes. She was second in command under then Deputy Chief of Police Troopers Giovanni." Makoto said nodding and smiles "My sister…she was the best detective ever!"

Maccadam smiles nodding as he said "Yes, I remember. Deputy Chief Giovanni and Miss. Niijima used to be quite the pair."

"I believe they shared the same office." Hunter said thinking.

"That's right" Makoto said nodding. "I'd always sit at my sis'er's desk, and dream about playing that organ. I wanted to play it that day, too…"

"The Police Trooper Department and the Prosecutor's Office held a ceremony that day." Hunter said reading his notes.

"Sae promised to take me to dinner after she finished her work." Makoto explained.

J nods and presses the second statement about a man running in saying "Hold it! A 'man'…?"

"Yes, Victor Zsasz." Makoto said nodding. "He was a…a serial killer."

"Victor Zsasz was brought in for questioning on the day of that ceremony." Hunter explained "We were desperate to get anything on him that would lead to an arrest."

"When he saw his chance…he fled the room, right?" Maccadam asked.

"Upon fleeing the room, Zsasz proceeded to take the elevator." Hunter said thinking. "He must have been in a panic because the elevator was going up. Then he ran into Niijima and Giovanni's office."

"There was a lot of noise coming from outside, so I…opened up the door to have a look. That's when I saw…Him." Makoto said nervous."

J then presses the statement about Clover saving Makoto saying "Hold it! What was the prosecutor doing there?"

"That day, there were two people present during Zsasz's questioning: Dequty Chief Giovanni and Prosecutor Clover Skywaker." Hunter explained.

'Almost forgot about Giovanni…' J thinks on that.

"Clover Skywalker had just received the King of Prosecutor's award." Hunter explained. "Young and dedicated, he went straight to the questioning room after the ceremony."

"I assume that would also be why he was the first to run after Zsasz." Maccadam said thinking.

"When Zsasz grabbed me, I…I thought I was a good as dead." Makoto said looking down.

"And that's when Prosecutor Skywalker came running in?" J asked her.

"I…I don't clearly remember what happened then." Makoto admits.

J nods and presses the fourth statement about not forgetting what she saw, saying "Hold it! Can you tell us about that?"

"Mr. Skywalker jumped on Zsasz." Makoto explained "Just then…the lights went out."

"The lights?" Maccadam asked.

"It was just about this time of year…" Makoto said thinking. "There was a terrible storm going on, and lightning struck nearby."

"So, the electricity went out?" J asked her.

"Wait a minute…" Maccadam said realizing something. "If it was pitch dark in that room…you shouldn't have been able to see anything, right?"

"Right, but just then lightning flashed again outside." Makoto said nodding "That sudden flash left an unforgettable image of the scene in my mind…"

"I see…" Maccadam said nodding.

"I told the detective about what I saw then." Makoto added.

"The detective?" J asked.

"Yes. Detective Saihara." Makoto said smiling "He was in charge of the case."

'Detective Shuichi Saihara…The victim…' J thinks and said "So you spoke with Detective Saihara about this…two years ago."

"Yes. That's what's so scary about this trial." Makoto said with a nod.

"And you told Detective Saihara about what you saw?" Hunter asked thinking.

"Yes, but…at the time, the words just wouldn't come out." Makoto said looking down. "That's why I drew a picture."

'A picture…Yes, I think she mentioned that before.' J thinks on it.

"Well, Miss. J? Have you heard enough?" Hunter asked her.

"This picture the witness drew…" J said thinking "I believe it has a very important meaning."

"Objection!" Hunter said and added "But the list of evidence I was given two years ago didn't contain a picture…"

Maccadam bangs his gavel and shakes his head and said "Witness. Would you mind if we added this statement to your testimony?"

"Y-yes, Your Honor." Makoto said nodding and said adding the statement replacing the fourth one "I drew a picture of that scene once…but it seems to have been lost."

J knows the picture Makoto means and prepares the evidence for this statement saying "Objection! Mr. Deamonne. This little girl put all her heart into drawing that picture…" She slams her hands on the bench and said pointing "and yet, you would insist on denying its existence?"

"Huh?!" Hunter said in shock and slams his hand down and said "Hey, I'm not the bad guy! All I'm saying is that as the prosecutor for that case, I wasn't handed such a picture!"

"That may well be…but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist." J said smiling and holds up the Evidence List she got from Giovanni's office "Behold!" She gives it to the Purge Trooper Bailif to hand to Maccadam.

"This is…the evidence list for the SL-9 Incident?" Maccadam said looking at it.

J nods and said "Please turn it over, Your Honor."

"Turn it over…? Trun…it…" Maccadam said and does so and his optics widen "AAAAAAAAHHH! What's this?!" He shows the drawing on the back on the screens.

"Yes, what is that?" Hunter asked confused.

"Hey! That's it! That's the picture I drew!" Makoto said with a smile. This made the members of the court chatter a bit.

"Indeed…Two men appear to be wrestling here." Maccadam said looking at it.

"Objection!" Hunter called out and said "What's the meaning of this?! What are you doing with that list?!"

"Me…?" J asked sweat dropping.

Hunter holds up his Evidence List and said, "Only the prosecutor in charge should have access to that list!"

"Huh…?" Maccadam said and receives Hunter's list and looks at both "These lists…. They're…They're different from each other."

"What?" Hunter said surprised.

"It would appear, Mr. Deamonne, that the evidence list you were handed two years ago…was incomplete." Maccadam deduces. "These two lists….fit together to form one. You can see the marks here, where they were torn apart from each other."

"So, you see, Mr. Deamonne. It's quite obvious what happened." J said looking at Hunter. "Two years ago…only half of the evidence in that case ever reached you."

"What….WHHHHHAAAAATTTTTT?!" Hunter said in shock.

This revelation made the members of the court chatter and Maccadam bangs his gavel saying "Order! Order!" Once they were quite he looks to Makoto and asked "But Miss. Niijima, why did you draw your picture on the back of such an important list...?"

"Because that's what Detective Saihara hanged me in the questioning toom, Your Honor." Makoto said looking down.

'Wait a minute...' J thinks in her mind palace. 'If this list was torn in half, then that means…' She slams her hands down and said, "Your Honor!"

"Are you all right, Miss. J? Your eyes are bulging from your head…" Maccadam said surprised.

"If the evidence list was torn in half…then there might be more of the drawing on the back of Mr. Deamonne's list!" J explained. Hunter's eyes widened as he got his list back.

"Yes, that's quite conceivable. Mr. Deamonne?" Maccadam said looking at Hunter.

"It's possible. Let's see…" Hunter said turning it around and his eyes widen in shock and he hunches over annoyed "MM! MMMMMMMMMMMM!"

"Is something wrong?" Maccadam asked concerned.

'Do you even have to ask?' J thinks sweat dropping concerned on what Hunter saw

Hunter grips the bench and then composes and said "Sorry, Your Honor. There is indeed something drawn ont the back of my list. It's that…that…thing!" He reveals a familiar looking silhouette logo of the Blue Kuriboh.

Maccadam looks at it surprised and said "That's that…that thing! That thing that was dancing in the evidence room!"

"Clearly, this act of vandalism is the work of a certain Chief of Detectives." Hunter said firmly.

'I guess he was out of scrap paper…' J thinks sweat dropping. Makoto remains quiet as the Evidence List was updated in the court record.

Maccadam bangs his gavel and said "Very well. Witness. Will you please testify about this picture you drew two years ago?"

Makoto remains quiet but then realizes she was being talked too "…Huh? Oh, Y-yes sir, Your Honor!"

'What's wrong with Makoto?' J thinks confused 'She seemed to be thinking about something when she was looking at the picture.'

Makoto began her next testimony know and Makoto's Picture saying "This is the picture I drew two years ago. The flash of lightning was so bright all I could see were shadows. After that I must have fainted. This picture shows exactly what I saw in that instant!"

"To think a flash of lightning could burn such an image in your mind…" Maccadam said thinking.

'Thanks to that though, she was able to show us exactly what she saw!' J thinks.

Maccadam shakes his head and said "Well, I don't see any contradictions here. This clearly shows Victor Zsasz about to murder Prosecutor Clover Skywalker." Hunter remains quiet on this "The defence may now begin its cross-examination."

J nods and begins by pressing the first statement saying "Hold it! Did you draw this picture right after the incident?"

"Um…" Makoto said thinking "I think I drew it two or three days later. At first I was in such a state of shock that I couldn't do anything…"

"During that time the investigation team was reorganized." Hunter explained "Detective Saihara was placed in charge…under the direction of Giovanni and Sae Niijima."

'Two or three days later…The memory should still have been fresh in her mind' J thinks on it. She the presses the second statement about the lighting only making shadows asking "Hold it! So, at the time you didn't even know it was Mr. Skywalker who had come to your rescue?"

"No…I couldn't see him clearly." Makoto said looking down. "The lighting was so bright…and I was knocked to the floor."

"You were knocked to the floor?" J asked.

"Zsasz had a tight grip on me, but when Mr. Skywalker jumped on him, I was knocked away." Makoto explained. "I turned around, and that's when the lightning flashed."

'Poor Makoto…I'm just glad she wasn't hurt.' J thinks then presses her third statement saying "Hold it! You mean, you didn't see the actual murder take place?"

"No. I-I'm sorry…" Makoto said looking down.

"Objection!" Hunter called out and said firmly "The flash of lightning only drove off the darkness for a split second. Not only that, but the trauma of the situation understandably caused the witness to faint." He slams his hand on his bench and said looking at J "Do you really need to torture this girl any further?!"

"What?! Hey, I'm not the bad guy here!" J yelps out sweating. She then presses the final statement saying "Hold it! Sorry for asking so many times, but are you sure you drew exactly what you saw?"

"Of course! This is the exact scene!" Makoto said with a nod.

"It wasn't influenced in any way from your talks with the detectives?" J asked thinking.

"Objection!" Hunter called out and slams his hand down and asked J "Are you insinuating we somehow manipulated her memory, Miss. J?"

"No, no. Of course not." J said sweat dropping and thinks 'I'd better watch out, or he might find some way to cut MY salary!'

"I drew this picture before I heard anything from the detectives so I don't think anyone's story would have influenced me…." Makoto explained.

"Miss. J." Maccadam said looking at her. "Is there something that's bothering you about this picture?"

"Huh? Oh well…" J said rubbing her head. She looks at Hunter who remains quiet. J thinks and looks at the picture and notes it contradicts something and Presents Clover's Autopsy report while saying "Objection! I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this picture the witness drew…contains a blatant contradiction!"

"What?" Makoto said surprised "B-but I still remember it just like it was yesterday!"

Maccadam bangs his gavel and said "Miss. J. Perhaps it would be faster if you simply pointed out this contradiction for us. What part of this picture contradicts the autopsy report?"

"Take that!" J said and points on the screen the knife Zsasz is holding. "The contradiction of course lies here! Take a look at the knife the man is holding. If you look closely, you can see it's tip is broken!"

Maccadam shakes his head and said "Even I don't have to look closely to see that, Miss. J."

"But Miss. J, look at the evidence!" Makoto said to her, indicating to Zsasz's knife "See the murder weapon? Its tip is broken too!"

"If I recall…the tip of the knife was found broken off in the victim's body." Maccadam said thinking.

"It was the conclusive piece of evidence that proved Victor Zsaszwas the murderer!" Makoto said smiling.

J shakes her head and said "I'm afraid it's not so simple Makoto."

"Objection!" Hunter said and slams his hand down and asked "And where, prey tell, could you possibly see a problem?!"

"It's obvious, really." J said and brings up the autopsy report "The victim 'suffered a single stab wound to the back.'" She slams her hands down "If the victim was only stabbed once, then the murder weapon should not yet be brocken!"

"AHHHHHHHHH!" Macadam lets out "What is the meaning of this?"

"Objection!" Hunter said and added "Perhaps the knife was broken beforehand!"

"Objection!" J said and countered with "Sorry, but I'm afraid that's not possible. The tip of the knife was found inside the victim's body. If it was broken beforehand, it couldn't possibly wind up there!"

Maccadam bangs his gavel and said "That's right! But what does this mean?"

"Objection!" Hunter said and added and brings up on the screens the blade tip saying "The tip of the knife was undeniably discovered within the victim's body! The only possible explanation is the witness's memory is mistaken!"

"Objection!" J called out and said "That's why I asked her so many times if she was sure she remembered correctly. I believe you were annoyed at the time. But she was sure she remembered correctly!"

"But…there's no other way to explain this inconsistency!" Hunter said confused.

"Objection!" J said and added smiling "Not so fast, Mr. Deamonne. There is another explanation. Have you forgotten already? About a little something called… 'falsified evidence'?"

"You're treading on thin ice, J…" Hunter said glaring at her.

"All I'm saying, is that this broken knife tip might be the piece of evidence that was forged!" J explained. "You can't deny the possibility!"

"No…. Aaaaargh!" Hunter lets out in shock and the members of the court began to chatter.

Maccadam bangs the gavel and said "Order! Order! Order!" He looks at J and asked "Are you saying the investigation really was corrupted?"

"Your Honor…Please allow me to once again go over the events that took place the day of the murder." J said nodding. "The Police Trooper Department and the Prosecutors's Office were holding a ceremony that day. After receiving the King of Prosecutors award at the ceremony. Clover Skywalker questioned Victor Zsasz along with Giovanni. During his questioning, Victor Zsasz fled the room." J continued to recount. "Prosecutor Skywalker chased after him…and was killed by Zsasz." J thinks on it and said "It is my belief that somewhere in this story…that is a lie."

"Hmmm…" Maccadam thinks on it.

"I…" Makoto speaks up saying "I'm not lying…The man really was holding up a broken knife!"

Hunter then said "If that's true…then there's no other way around it." He brings up Zsasz's knife on the screens and said "This could not have been the actual murder weapon." J's eyes widen at that "There must have been another broken knife!"

"What are the chances of there being two broken knives?" Maccadam asked concerned.

'Another brocken knife besides Victor Zsasz's…Could there have been one?' J thinks on it and figured where was and said "If the witness is this adamant about the accuracy of what she saw…it can't just be explained away as a simple observational error."

"Miss. J…" Makoto said looking at her.

J slams her hands down and said firmly "In that instant…Makoto really did see a broken knife!"

Maccadam bangs his gavel and said "I assume then, that you have some information about this 'other' broken knife? If so, please feel free to enlighten us."

'The murder weapon was already broken prior to the murder…There's only one way!' J thinks on it and said "Take a look at this. Here's the real murder weapon!" He then presents the Giovanni Team Photo saying "Take that! The answer lies in the past…Two years in the past. Right here inside this picture!"

"This is a picture of the awards ceremony." Hunter said then sees something and let's out "A-AAAAHH!"

"What is it, Mr. Deamonne?!" Maccadam asked him.

"It's the…the broken murder weapon!" Hunter said hunched over.

"Notice the award Prosecutor Skywalker is holding." J explained indicating to the original King of Prosecutor's award which has the broken shield and broken spear tip.

"That's…a broken knife!" Hunter points out.

J slams her hands down and said "As we earlier concluded, the knife in the drawing was not Victor Zsasz's knife. That being the case…the knife the witness saw, was in all likelihood from this award!"

This made the members of the court murmur and Maccadam bangs his gavel and said "Order! Order! Order!"

"Clover Skywalker was awarded King of Prosecutors that day." J explained "As an award, he was given this broken shield and knife. When he chased after Victor Zsasz, he pulled out this knife. Being a prosecutor, he did no carry a pistol. This broken knife was the only weapon he had in this dangerous situation."

"Objection!" Hunter said flummoxed and said "But that…That can't be!"

"Oh? And why now, Mr. Deamonne?" J asked him.

"Because if the King of Prosecutors award knife was the murder weapon…then the murderer and the victim would be reversed!" Hunter explained.

"What do you mean?" J asked confused.

"I mean…" Hunter said slamming his hand down "The man raising a knife…would have been Prosecutor Clover Skywalker!"

"Oh….OOOOOOHHHHH!" J said sweat dropping as she just realized that fact with this theory. This made the members of the court chatter in surprise as well.

Maccadam bangs his gavel to silence them and then said "But the prosecutor was the one who actually died!"

"That's true…" J said sweating and thinks 'What's going on here?'

Hunter chuckes and shrugs and said "It seems Miss. J has been a bit too eager to jump to conclusions…"

"Hold it!" Makoto calls out surprising everyone as she said "Wait! I…I remember now…I remember everything!"

"Witness…?" Maccadam asked concerned.

"Mr. Deamonne!" Makoto said looking at him.

"What is it?" Hunter asked.

"Could you show me your evidence list again, please?"

"His list?" Maccadam asked confused "The one with that…picture scribbled on the back?"

Hunter shows the image of the Blue Kuriboh silhouette image and Makoto looks at it and said "I knew it…This picture…I'm the one who drew it."

"What?!" Hunter said surprised.

"You drew that?" J said sweatdropping.

"That's right." Makoto said nodding. "The list wasn't torn in half at the time I drew this picture. All this time I've been trying so hard to forget…I must have locked this part away deep inside me…"

Maccadam bangs his gavel and said "Perhaps it would be best…if we added this to the witness's testimony. Would you please tell us what you've recalled, Miss Niijima?"

"Yes, Your Honor." Makoto said nodding.

'First the knife mix-up and now…the Blue Kuriboh?' J thinks on it and sweat drops adding in her thoughts 'This should be interesting…'

Makoto then testifies Makoto's Recollection and said "When I saw that man raise his knife…I panicked and rushed toward both of them. I think I…I knocked away the man with the knife. Just then there was another flash of lightning, and that's when I saw….the Blue Kuriboh! He wasn't in the room, but I'm sure I saw his shadow!"

"This is certainly most unsual…" Maccadam said nodding.

"Objection!" Hunter calls out and explained "Try impossible! The Chief of Detectives hadn't even designed him until this year!"

'That would mean he didn't even exist two years ago…' J thinks.

"Yes, well. The defence may now begin its cross-examination." Maccadam said nodding.

"Hold it!" Sae called out from the defendant seat and said panicked "Stop! Please! Don't pursue any further!"

"Sae!" J said in surprise.

"What's the meaning of this?!" Maccadam said just as surprised "Please remain seated in the defendant's chair!"

"But you can't do this!" Sae told them all "I've already confessed to the crime! Why can't you just leave it at that?!"

"Chief Prosecutor Niijima." Hunter said looking at her getting her attention "We've already come this far. It's too late to turn back."

"Silence!" Maccadam states banging his gavel. "The defence will now begin its cross-examination." He looks to the Baliff Purge Trooper "Bailiff. Please detain the defendant."

'It seems we're finally getting to the core of the matter.' J thinks and then presses the final statement about seeing the Blue Kuriboh's shadow saying "Hold it! His shadow? So you mean, you didn't actually see his face, with it's winning smile and all?"

"That's right…but I still remember it." Makoto said nodding "He had that three horn hat it wears…"

"Objection!" Hunter called out and said "This is pointless! That thinks couldn't have possibly existed two years about….The witness must be mistaken!"

"Objection!" J calls out and counters with "That may well be…but what's important is what caused her to think she saw what she did."

"Oh? And I suppose you have an explanation?" Hunter asked her. "If so, then by all means…please tell us what this 'shadow' really was!"

'What was it Makoto saw when that lighting flashed? Who is this 'Blue Kuriboh' really…?' J thinks looking at the Court Record and sees something in the Giovani Team Photo and sees something that might explain it. 'The Blue Kuriboh hadn't even been dreamt up when Makoto drew this picture. Yet she's certain she saw its 'shadow'!' J slams her hands on the bench and said "Ladies and gentleman…It is the defence's belief that on that fateful day two years ago…there indeed was something that looked similar to the Blue Kuriboh…Something that is now sitting in this very room!"

"Miss. J….!" Makoto said smiling.

Maccadam bangs his gavel and said "In this room? Very well, Miss. J. What is it that the witness saw in that instant? Please show us this mysterious 'Blue Kuriboh' look-alike!"

"Take that! The mysterious 'Blue Kuriboh' was in face…this!" J said presenting the Unstable Jar.

"But that's…. Er, what exactly is that?" Maccadam asked confused.

"I believe it's some sort of jar." J said thinking.

"But Miss. J! That doesn't look anything like the Blue Kuriboh!" Makoto told her concerned.

"Indeed, it doesn't." J said with a nod "As it stands now, it's just a plain jar. However…What if we were to change our viewpoint?"

"Our viewpoint…?" Maccadam asked.

J nods and begins to rotate the jar on the view screens till it matched the imafe of the Blue Kuriboh. She then presents it saying "Take that! Well…? Is this a miracle or what? No one can possibly deny this jar's resemblance to the Blue Kuriboh!"

"No…It can't be!" Hunter yells out in shock as the members of the court chatter just as surprised.

Maccadam banged his gavel and said "Order! Order! The defence has proven its claim. The mysterious 'Blue Kuriboh' witnessed on the day of the crime was actually this…"

"Objection!" Hunter called out and then said "Although we all enjoyed Miss. J's dramatic performance, one question remains…" He slams his hand on the bench "What's your point?!"

"What do you mean?" J asked him.

"So that Kuriboh thing was actually just a jar. That doesn't change anything!" Hunter told her.

"Objection!" J called out and shakes her head as she said "I'm afraid that's where you're wrong, Mr. Deamonne. You see…this changes everything!"

"Indeed?" Hunter said doubtful "Very well, then. Please tell us…What's different now that we know the witness saw this jar?"

"Allow me to take these in turn." J said to that "At the moment of the murder, the witness saw this jar."

"At a very specific angle, I might add, Miss. J." Hunter said nodding following.

"Yes, well, knowing this, where could she have seen this jar?" J said thinking

"Where…?" Maccadam asked.

"The location of the jar is shown in a picture taken on the day of the crime." J said and shows the Giovanni Team Photo on the screen "It's on a shelf in the office of Giovanni."

"Objection!" Hunter said to his and slams his hand down "But the body was found lying near Sae Niijima's desk! The witness testified so herself!"

"Objection!" J called out and said "Yes! And it is these two facts that reveal what actually transpired! You see…The struggle between Zsasz and Clover did now take place in Sae Niijima's office! It happened on the other side of the room, in Chief Giovanni's office!"

"Objection!" Hunter called out and said arms folded "Are you implying the murderer moved the victim's body? From Giovanni's office to Sae Niijima's office?"

"Yes." J said nodding.

"Why would he do that?! There's no reason!" Hunter said to that.

"Exactly." J said with a nod and smile surprising Hunter and continues "If there wasn't a 'reason'…he wouldn't have gone through the trouble. The only logical conclusion…is that there was a 'reason.'"

"Do you know what that reason was, Miss. J?" Maccadam asked.

'I've finally figured it out…' J thinks in her mind palace. 'So this is why Sae tried to stop the trial! It's too late to quit now, though.' She then says "Please recall the witness's testimony. She said she knocked away the man who was holding up the knife. In the next instant, the jar was hit and flew through the air. Now tell me…What could have sent the jar flying?"

"That would have to have been…the impact the man made when he was knocked into the wall?" Maccadam said guessing.

"Ladies and gentleman…if I may draw your attention to this picture once more." J said showing again the Giovanni Team Photo. "If the man was knocked in the direction of the shelf the jar was sitting on…what would he have hit?"

"A-AHHHHHH…." Makoto lets out seeing it. The weapon of the suit of armour.

"The suit of armour! Holding…a very sharp and dangerous-looking sword…" Maccadam said also seeing it.

"Yes." J said with a nod. "And since the man who was knocked into the armour was carrying a broken knife…he would have had to have been Clover Skywalker, wielding the King of Prosecutors Trophy."

"No…" Hunter said wide eyed in surprise "Miss. J…You can't be thinking…"

"Yes." J said firmly. "There is another possibility of what actually transpired in that room."

"Another possibility?" Maccadam asked.

J slams her hands on her bench and said "Of course the perpetrator would have had no idea, but nevertheless!" She shudders and sweats as she thinks 'I…I don't know if I can go though with this…'

"Miss J? What's the matter?" Maccadam asked her concerned.

"If events took place as the defence theorizes…then the outcome is obvious." Hunter said with a nod. "In that moment...assuming the man Makoto Niijima knocked away was actually Prosecutor Clover Skywalker…"

We see a mental image recreation where we see the suit of armour in Giovanni's office and then see Clover stumbling backwards after Makoto pushed him and the sword blade embeds in his back killing him. This stunned everyone silent.

"You mean…" Makoto said in shock "Mr. Skywalker died…because of…me…? NOOOOOOOO!" She then falls onto the floor passing out. The Purge Trooper Baliffs come to help her up and take her out to recover

"I never imagined her testimony would lead to this…" Hunter said sighing.

"So it was the witness who took the victim's life…and then proved so with her own testimony!" Maccadam said thinking "This is unprecedented!" This made the members of the court chatter at this.

"Objection!" Sae called out from the defendant chair and said panicked "What….What are you saying?!"

"I'm sorry, Miss. Niijima, but given the circumstances…" J began to explain.

"Victor Zsasz murdered Prosecutor Skywalker!" Sae told them. "How can you think it was Makoto?! How dare you try to pin the crime on her?!" She was sweating in fear her usual stoic face now gone.

"Imagine that, coming from you." Hunter said firmly looking at Sae catching her off guard. "If you recall, it was you who admitted to forging evidence two years ago. The reason you moved Prosecutor Skywalker's body…was to keep anyone else from finding out about what Makoto did, wasn't it?"

"I assure you, Mr. Deamonne, I have no idea what you're talking about." Sae told him. "If you hope to have anymone believe your insane allegations, I'm afraid you're going to have to have proof. Tell me…Do you have any conclusive evidence that proves my sister killed Clover Skywalker?"

"E-evidence?" J asked.

"I'm willing to bet you don't" Sae said firmly.

"Yes…it certainly would be difficult to prove this with evidence." Maccadam said nodding.

"If we don't have evidence, then we'll have to rely on testimony." Hunter said thinking.

Sae turns away and said "I'm afraid that won't work in this case. Both parties involved in the incident are dead."

'We certainly can't get dead people to testify.' J thinks on it 'This has all been a wild goose chase from the beginning!'

"Hmph. Touche, Miss. Niijima." Hunter said with a grin. "Of course…That only leaves us with one possibility."

J catching that thinks 'You mean, there's still another possibility?'

"What do you mean, Mr. Deamonne?" Maccadam asked.

"I mean, the possibility that the victim has left us a message." Hunter states. "For better or for worse, Mr. Skywalker did not die instantly. He may have left behind the name of the person who took his life…in one manner or another."

"That's…That's impossible!" Sae said defiantly.

Maccadam bangs his gavel and said "Well, Miss. J? This is the only possibility left to you. A message from the deceased…Does such a message exist?"

J thinks to the court record and said "The real murderer's name that the victim may have left behind…" She slams her hands down "This 'message' from the deceased…is already in our possession."

"Miss. J!" Sae called out panicked "Will you stop at nothing to prove my sister a murderer?"

Hunter tuts at this grinning and says "Do not be mistaken, Miss. Niijima. Our purpose is not to accuse Makoto of any crime. There is only one thing we seek: the truth." He slams his hand down "No matter how painful it may be."

Maccadam bangs his gavel "Now then, Miss. J. Please show us the piece of evidence…that conveys a message from the deceased!"

"Take that! This is the message left by the deceased." J said as she presents the Unstable Jar again.

"This is that 'Blue Kuriboh' from before, right?" Maccadam asked confused.

"Oh, is he going to just speak the killer's name?" Sae asked shaking her head.

"If that thing could, I'm sure it would." Hunter said rolling his eyes.

'Looks like everyone's forgotten this is just a jar.' J thinks sweat dropping "A message was left here…on the surface of this jar."

"What do you mean?" Maccadam asked surprised.

"If you look closely, you can see a faint trail of blood on this jar." J said showing it on the screens

"It looks like someone wiped the blood away." Hunter said looking at it as Sae remains silent.

"Yes, but notice: for some reason…the blood on some of the fragments was not wiped away." J points out.

"Yes…there is a line here…drawn in blood!" Maccadam notes.

"So, what you're saying, is these 'dots'…were once lines!" Hunter said.

Prosecutor Skywalker did not die instantly." J told the court. "He used the few precious moments left to him to leave behind a message!"

"One that someone apparently wiped away…" Hunter said arms folded "But blood must have seeped into the jar where the lines changed directions."

"Precisely so! All we need to do is connect these points…and the victim's message will become apparent!" J said firmly.

"N-no…!" Sae said worried.

Maccadam bangs his gavel and said "Miss. J! What kind of message did the victim leave fur us?!"

"Your Honor….I believe these blood stains will revel to us the answer!" J said and begins to connect the dots as the message can reveal only one thing with the circumstances the murder's name which was revealed to be: Makoto. She presents it "Take that!"

J thinks to herself in her mind palace 'It's a defence attorney's duty to prove their client's innocent. That's why all I've been thinking about is saving Sae. After all my efforts, I never thought it would turn out like this!'

Everyone sees the name on the screen and Hunter said "So this is the final message Prosecutor Skywalker left behind."

Everyone remained quiet and the Maccadam said "Of all people…She may not have meant it…but in the end, the one who took the victim's life…"

"Was Makoto Niijima." J said sighing sadly. Everyone remained silent.

"See, Huntsman? Can't say I didn't warn you." A familiar male voice said entering the Courtroom revealed to be Giovanni with a grin.

"Chief Giovanni…" Hunter said looking at him.

"Do you understand the implications of what you've done?" Giovanni asked.

"What…? What are you talking about?" Hunter asked him.

"Two years ago, Victor Zsasz was sentenced to death." Giovanni explained "He was convicted because of his final murder." He smirks "I believe you were the prosecutor in the case, were you not?"

"Ack!" Hunter lets out shocked.

"Yes, Huntsman." Giovanni said nodding "Because of you…an innocent man was sentenced to death. Not only that…but you used forged evidence to ensure his conviction!" Hunter shudders in shock at this.

"Objection!" J called out coming to Hunter's defence and said "But Victor Zsasz really was a serial murderer! That's undeniable!"

Giovanni sorts his hat and said "I'm afraid that's not important. Didn't you know? We aren't defenders of justice."

"What?" J asked surprised.

"We're merely keepers of the law." Giovanni explained "Sentencing a man to death…is no light matter. Even if there wasn't any cover-up or evidence forgery…ultimately the responsibility falls on the prosecutor in charge." Hunter looks surprised as Giovanni said smirking "Despite what anyone may say, this fact cannot be denied."

This revealation caused an uproar in the people watching and Maccadam tries to settle them down.

"The gavel's pounding fell on deaf ears…" J said writing in her mind palace "Unable to settle the crowd, the judge declared a recess. Where this trial is headed, no one knows…"


Well that wasn't easy but J is getting closer to the truth of this case as well as the truth of SL-9. Next chapter it's the showdown with Giovanni the believed mastermind behind it all.

Please Read, Review and Sugget. Thank you.