Apollo shrugged his shoulders. "So that's it, Mr. Blackquill? Ms. Cykes and Mr. Terran are the ones responsible for the crime, and the only future they have is a prison cell at best, and the gallows at worst?"

"As some people in this city say, 'that is the long and short end of it.'" Blackquill tapped his forehead with a small smirk. He was certainly sure of his victory, and Apollo considered, with some doubt, if it were possible to take advantage of it.

"If you had any rock-solid proof or any airtight alternate theory that could contradict what Prosecutor Blackquill is saying," Detective Fulbright spoke up hesitantly, "I'd be happy to hear it. Otherwise, we'll just have to declare this case over with."

"Agreed," said Aura through the screen.

"A-agreed," muttered the bound Judge.

Apollo took a deep breath. He took a step forward and turned his head towards the detective.

"Detective Fulbright, I believe you said that Prosecutor Blackquill demanded that you search Athena Cykes's room?"

"Well, I wouldn't go as far as to say 'demanded,'" Fulbright waved a hand sheepishly. "You see, prosecutors and law enforcement have a special and understanding relationship..."

"Did Prosecutor Blackquill have an emergency warrant?"

Fulbright paused. "Huh? I mean, he said..."

"I'm not asking what he said, Detective. I'm asking you if he had an official, signed, and notarized warrant that permitted him to order you to conduct an emergency search of Ms. Cykes' home."

The Detective was at a loss for words. Finally, he turned his gaze towards Blackquilll.

"Um, sir...you do have the warrant as described by the young attorney, do you not?"

Blackquill folded his arms. It was clear he understood Apollo's game, and that he had no choice but to play it.

"No, I do not and never had such a warrant on my person. But I am a prosecutor, and I can act independently for the sake of preserving evidence and pursuing justice. There is nothing to be afraid of or ashamed of, Fool Bright."

"But I must remind you that you are no ordinary prosecutor." Apollo's voice was sharp. "You still stand in this court as a convicted felon, even if you're a felon granted an extraordinary exception from the Prosecutor's Office. And if we were to go out and compare your list of privileges to those of an ordinary prosecutor, I'm sure we'll find a thing or two missing."

There was an awkward silence.

"And if you conducted evidence during an unlawful search, it does not matter whether said evidence was damning or not. You cannot use it against my client, Mr. Clay Terran, or his friend and mine, Ms. Athena Cykes."

Clay looked shocked and yet relieved. There was a glimmer of hope in Athena's eyes. And a vein was bulging in Blackquill's forehead.

"No matter." Blackquill hissed. He looked up at the TV screen. "This is all simply a distraction on the boy's part. If I have another day, I can settle any questions to rest..."

"Stalling for time, are you?" Apollo cocked his head. "Your desperation is showing, Prosecutor Blackquill."

"I agree." Aura chuckled. "I think you already know I want this trial over with. But, defense lawyer," she addressed Apollo, "...if the one responsible for the crime isn't Clay, or the princess, or both at once, then who is?"

Apollo faltered. "T-the defense is not prepared to answer that question at this time."

"Then I'll give you the same bit of advice I gave your opponent." Aura's eyes narrowed. "The clock is ticking."

"I second that notion." The bound Judge spoke up unsteadily. "I think it would be best for everyone if this is resolved as quickly as possible."


Franziska had expected a typical day at the Prosecutor's Office; a few stacks of paperwork to sign, a few cases to review, perhaps a talk with some visiting law students that were visiting the city that week. She was not expecting a sudden call from Phoenix.

"What's wrong?"

"Franziska," Phoeniz's voice was quiet but brimming with apprehension. "Can you please go the Records Room?"

"Why-"

"Please, it's important."

Franziska frowned, but made haste. It wasn't long before she was in the Record's Room, the cluttered mess of paper-laden records that prosecutors were loathe to rifle through. All of it contained materials from previous cases that were preserved by order of an outdated city ordinance."

"Please go to Simon Blackquill's locker. Tell me if there's anything out of the ordinary there."

Franziska flipped through the papers and manilla folders. Court case overviews, evidence lists, other boring things. It wasn't long before she reached the metal back of the locker. She was about to tell Phoenix that there was nothing out of the ordinary, but something caught her eye. She reached for a small crack, barely a millimeter long, at the top of the panel. She pulled, and she watched in surprise as the panel fell forward. There was one more thing, a thick white folder.

Franziska pulled out the folder, and flipped to the first page. The title was "Phantom," and below it she read,

"Emotional output of this voice extremely weak compared to typical voices. Subject deemed to have unique psychological makeup with almost no emotional fluctuation."

-A multi-chapter story; Chapter 51; story idea by CRed1988 and writing by Jerviss.