RWBY is owned by Rooster Teeth (or not, I guess). Ace Attorney is owned by Capcom.


Chapter 20: Rise from the Ashes Part 3

After their small break, the kids continued the game.

February 23, 2:15 PM

Wright & Co. Law Offices

Ema: Uh... um, Mr. Wright! So... What's going on with the case, anyway!? I... I'm a little confused.

"I'd also be frustrated. WHAT IS HAPPENING?!" Ruby said.

"WHAT'S GOING ON?!" Yang said.

"CAN ANYBODY JUST GIVE ME AN ANSWER?!" Nora said and some of them started laughing.

"I'M JUST A HIGH SCHOOLER! I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT MURDER!" Jaune said.

Phoenix: Huh!? W-well, um... let's see. (What is going on?) The victim, Detective Bruce Goodman, was stabbed to death after 5:00 PM on the 21st. He died in the Prosecutor's parking lot... and the Police Department's evidence room.

Ema: What's this "and the evidence room" part!? The Prosecutor's Office and the Police Department are 30 minutes apart by car.

Phoenix: ... Well... that's what we're going to find out. (Or try to, at least...)

Ema: ... Alright! Let's do it!

Phoenix: (Glad she's in good spirits, but I'm not sure she's going to be much help with this...)

Ema: Don't be so sure, Mr. Wright.

"Are we sure this isn't a mistake? She's replying to his inner monologue." Yang said.

"That's the power of science!" Ruby said.

"Again, that's magic, not science." Weiss said.

"And what do you know about science?"

"Actually, what any of us know about science? I mean, we didn't even go to high school." Yang said. Most of them agreed.

"Speak for yourself. I was home schooled." Weiss said.

"Table manners and tax evasion are not being taught in high school." Blake said.

"Very funny. Also, for the monster that my father is, he actually pays taxes."

"Yeah, that's where he draws the line."

"... Actually, I'm a self-proclaimed weapon engineer, so I'm basically the closest thing to a scientist here." Ruby said.

"Doesn't that make you a mechanic?" Nora said.

Phoenix: Huh?

Ema: Would you mind coming with me? I'll prove that these thick- rimmed glasses of mine aren't just for show! Let's go! Science awaits us!

February 23

Prosecutor's Office

Underground Parking Lot

Ema: You know, I really don't think we should worry about the Police Department murder! There wasn't even a body found there! Who cares?

"But it was our victim." Jaune said.

Phoenix: (Of course it was our victim who was killed at the Department...)

"We just started! We! Just! Started!" Weiss said.

"Couldn't help it!" he said as he drank a shot.

Ema: And my sister would never do such a thing! I know it...

(Flashback)

Edgeworth: That oil drum... Was it empty?

Angel: The oil drum kicked over by the Chief Prosecutor... was brimming with water!

(End of flashback)

Ema: My sister, erasing evidence at the crime scene? Never!

Phoenix: (Even though she says they don't get along, Ema really likes her sister...)

Ema: That's not it at all! It's just... We're both professionals at what we do... and I trust her!

"Stop reading my mind!"

"No!" Ruby said.

Phoenix: (Big words for a high school student.) Well, whether there was blood stains or not... The water in that oil drum washed it all away.

Ema: He he heh. Ignore the strength of my science at your own peril, Mr. Wright!

Phoenix: Huh? What's that grin for?

Ema: This situation calls for one thing, and that is... Luminol testing fluid!

Phoenix: L-luminol?

Ema: Blood is sticky stuff, you know. You can't just wash it away with a little water. Even if you can't see it, it's still there...

Phoenix: But wouldn't the police have already done those tests?

Ema: Never trust anyone's eyes but your own, Mr. Wright! Just give it a try!

Phoenix: M-me? Why do I have to do it!?

Ema: I'm a minor! I can't even drink yet!

"But you can investigate a crime scene." Blake said. Yang was filling Blake's glass in advance.

Phoenix: (We're testing blood stains with this stuff, not drinking it...)

"Oh, okay. He said something different." Jaune said.

"And you filled my glass too, huh. You were so sure."

"What else would I assume? The game just threw a curve ball." Yang said.

Ema: Here, look, I'll lend you these glasses.

Phoenix: Huh? You had an extra pair of those things?

Ema: To test for a blood reaction, just spray the luminol on it. Like this, see? Press [Enter] to spray it on. Okay! Let's find us some bloodstains!

"Whoa, everything's red! So I just click on the location and it sprays?"

"Seems like it." Yang said.

(Sprays between oil drum and car)

Phoenix: (I can see her eyes shining behind those glasses...) So, is this a bloodstain?

Ema: Uhhhh... It's so... ugh!

Phoenix: Ema, you're shaking.

Ema: It's just... this is my first time seeing real blood!

"Traces of blood. The blood had been washed away." Weiss said.

"It's still a scary visual." Blake said.

Phoenix: (Scientific investigation in action...)

Ema: O-okay, well, we definitely know that this is a bloodstain. But, doesn't something strike you as odd? Scientifically speaking, of course?

Phoenix: (What's odd about this... scientifically?)

[The bloodstain's location]

[The amount of blood]

"Is it the amount of blood?" Ruby said.

"I guess. I mean, remember the stain on the sole. It should be a puddle, not a stain." Jaune said.

(Picks The amount of blood)

Ema: I definitely think so! I mean... Look at all the blood on the sole of the victim's shoe!

"Does this count?"

"No, you're fine." Yang said.

Phoenix: (It's strange! If they fought here, there'd have to be more bloodstains than this.)

Ema: Uh, h-hey, Mr. Wright! See how I'm marking up the floor plans when we find a blood stain? See... I'm pretty handy to have around, right?

Phoenix: Uh, yeah. That's very... useful information to have.

Ema: I saved up my allowance to buy this!

(Luminol Testing Fluid information received from Ema.)

[Luminol Testing Fluid: Solution used for scientific investigation. Finds blood traces. "Spray" to use.]

Ema: We can't be sure that the police will reveal all their evidence in court. Sometimes they fail to mention evidence that doesn't fit with their view of the case.

Phoenix: And we'll drag that "hidden evidence" out into the light of day!

Ema: Yeah! It feels like we're really investigating a crime now, doesn't it?

Phoenix: (This luminol stuff is going to come in handy.)

?: Hah!

"Is it Angel? It is." Yang said.

Angel: I wonder how that fluid of yours would react to a nice Deli Box?

Ema: Ms. Starr!

Angel: You only trust your own eyes, hm? Not bad, you two... This day-old Deli Box is on the house...

Phoenix: Sorry, it's just, that kind of lead in doesn't really get my mouth watering.

"Hey, I want to spray more!" Ruby said. "How do I spray again?"

"I think you just pick it from the court record." Jaune said. She does that and the screen turns red again.

"Let's see if there's blood anywhere else.". She starts clicking everywhere like she's on crack, until she gets a reaction. "Hey, I found one! On the phone!"

"Probably because lana tried to call." Blake said.

(Sprays on Phone)

Phoenix: This blood must be from when Lana...

Ema: No! My sister isn't the murderer!

Phoenix: But she did call you, didn't she? At the time of the crime?

Ema: ...

Phoenix: And her right hand is bandaged.

Ema: Hey! Just whose side are you on!?

Phoenix: This has nothing to do with "taking sides." (So... This means that Lana's hand had blood on it. This just keeps getting worse...)

"Oh yeah, I can examine the evidence too." Ruby said. "She wrote her name on the bottle?"

"She IS still a high schooler." Jaune said.

"Kids do that even in high school?" Yang said.

(Examines Bottom of Luminol Testing Fluid)

Phoenix: (Someone used a marker to write their name on this.) "Ema Skye" Don't tell me you bring this with you everywhere you go.

Ema: Well, you never know where something might go down!

Phoenix: (Just what kind of a world do you think we live in...?)

"Let's talk to her now." Ruby said.

(Talks about Today's trial)

Angel: You certainly put me in a tight spot today.

Phoenix: My apologies, Ms. Starr, but...

Angel: No, no, it's okay. It was my fault.

Ema: Oh, we know.

Angel: I witnessed everything from that security room right there. But... I was afraid that wouldn't wound convincing enough, you see... I was wrong to think that. I'm sorry.

Ema: Sorry? You lied on the witness stand! That's unforgivable!

Angel: ... Little girl, don't forget what's important here. Even if the place I witnessed the events from was different, I still saw what I saw. I saw Chief Prosecutor Skye stab a man in cold blood, and that testimony still stands!

Ema: Ah...

Angel: I swear it on my honor as a detective! She stabbed Goodman!

"Not your spork?" Nora said.

Ema: ...!

Phoenix: (I know this photograph has something important to tell us... but what?)

(Talks about Detective Starr)

Ema: So... you were a detective, weren't you, Ms. Starr?

Angel: Yes... It was a long time ago. Well, two years ago. No matter how hardened the criminal, when they faced me... They coughed it up.

Phoenix: Coughed it... up?

Angel: They confessed. They babbled like babies. You know, I may seem like a demon sometimes... But I can be an angel, too.

Phoenix: I wouldn't doubt it.

Angel: Every day, I dragged the dirt out of the mouths of suspect after suspect... And before long, they called me... The Cough-up Queen!

Ema: Oh, and here I had thought someone had gotten food poisoning from your lunches.

"Is it me or is she sassier than Maya?" Yang said.

"Definitely." Ruby said.

Phoenix: And... you were "let go"? Er... fired?

(Flashback)

Angel: I felt that I had found my dream job when I became an investigator... And if these prim and proper prosecutors hadn't let me go, I'd still be one today.

(End of flashback)

Angel: It's all because of that case... The SL-9 Incident.

Phoenix: Ess... el..? (Wait! She doesn't mean...!)

"There's no other talk option."

"Then present some evidence." Weiss said.

(Presents Attorney's Badge)

"That's not going to help!"

Angel: That looks like a petrified piece of provolone.

Phoenix: Huh? I-it's not! It's my attorney's badge!

Angel: ... I'd think a petrified piece of provolone would fetch more on the open market.

Phoenix: Look, my badge isn't up for sale. Not yet, at least.

(Presents Victim's Note)

Ema: Um... What do you think about this?

Angel: "SL-9 Incident"... On that knife... And on that note... Goodman... Goodman was the head detective on that case, you know.

Ema: Really?

Angel: That knife was evidence from that case... the murder weapon. It was due for transferal the very day that Goodman was killed. As I suspected... SL-9 isn't over! Not yet!

Phoenix: Do you think you could tell us more about the SL-9 Incident?

"Huh? There's still no talk option." Ruby said.

"Present more, maybe?" Yang said.

(Presents Goodman's ID)

Angel: I had one of those up until two years ago...

Ema: Back when you were the Cough-up Queen, right?

Phoenix: We found this ID card here in this parking lot...

Angel: Well, there's no mistaking that. It's definitely Goodman's.

Phoenix: But... It's the same ID as the man who was killed at the Police Department.

Angel: ... That's impossible.

Phoenix: (I wish I could be so sure...)

(Presents Crime Photo)

Angel: If you think about it, I could have taken that picture from the guard room. But... even I get flustered sometimes.

Phoenix: So, you went straight to the scene of the crime?

Angel: And climbed the chain link fence in an effort to stop the murder? That's when I took this photo, yes.

Ema: In other words... five minutes after the crime?

Angel: Those five minutes are the whole problem... The hole in my testimony, as it were.

Ema: The five minutes weren't the problem, Ms. Starr, you lying was the problem!

Angel: Listen, little girl. I've had my testimony "disregarded" before... And I wasn't going to have it disregarded again! Just like that time...

Phoenix: (That time...?)

"Now it's available." Ruby said.

(Talks about SL-9 Incident)

Angel: That's when I learned the truth. We're nothing to them. Disposable.

Ema: Disposable?

Angel: Two years ago... it was the biggest case I'd ever handled. The police and the prosecutors were desperate for decisive evidence.

Ema: So... they didn't solve it?

Angel: On the contrary. It was solved quite cleanly. The criminal was caught and executed.

Phoenix: (E-executed...?)

"It must've been someone very deranged to give them the death penalty." Blake said.

Angel: Yes, the criminal got what was coming to him. It doesn't get any cleaner than that. The only problem was... they never did find decisive evidence. Not even a little.

"And they went along with the execution?!" Weiss said.

Phoenix: What!? But the criminal was executed, right?

Angel: Evidence... of a sort. Made up evidence.

Ema: Wh-what? You mean they executed someone with fabricated evidence!?

"They wanted that guy gone that badly?" Yang said.

Angel: ... The best part came several months after the trial. Every detective involved with the case was dealt with. Some were demoted to patrolmen, others found themselves out of a job...

Ema: And... you were one of those?

Angel: Myself, and one other person you know well.

Phoenix: (Wait, could it be...?)

Angel: Exactly. Officer Jake Marshall. He's on security detail in the Police Department, isn't he?

(Talks about Detective Marshall)

Angel: As professional detectives, we investigated that case from every angle. Jake was particularly determined. And then... it was over. And he was demoted. However... He hasn't forgotten. And neither have I!

Phoenix: You haven't forgotten SL-9?

Angel: There was another side to that case, a hidden side. That's what we're after now. And no one up in their fancy offices can stop us.

Ema: Wait! Th-those lunches you sell...

Angel: There is only one reason I come to sell lunches in this accursed office. I come here to meet old friends... boyfriends that can help me investigate.

Phoenix: (Ms. Starr's old boyfriends... How many does she have, anyway? Just when the detectives on this case have disappeared, we find new evidence...)

Ema: There has to be a connection!

Angel: So, Rookie...

Phoenix: Wh-what!

Angel: It seems like you're serious about investigating this case...

Phoenix: Yes.

Angel: Then you should take this.

"Ooo, steak!"

"Looks tasty!" Nora said.

"Savages." Weiss said.

Phoenix: A... Salisbury Steak Lunch?

Angel: I know a certain guy who might help you if you tempt him with this treat...

(Steak Lunch received from Ms. Starr.)

[Steak Lunch: Received from Ms. Starr. Excellent for putting Officer Marshall in a good mood.]

Ema: Um, Ms. Starr...? Officer Marshall... is he your... uh, are you his...? Are you g-g-g-going out!?

Angel: Why do you want to know?

Ema: I was just wondering what happened to him? A long time ago, when he was helping my sister do cases, he was so nice. He got along so well with my sister, it made me jealous. And... he was nice to me too, back then.

Phoenix: (This would be when Officer Marshall was a detective.)

Ema: But now... now he's so cold!

Angel: ... Jake and I are merely cooperating on this investigation. We're putting the past to rest, as it were. Nothing more than that.

"Oh, she actually respects the guy." Yang said.

Ema: I... I see. Thank you.

Phoenix: (Officer Jake Marshall... Hmm...)

"Let's go find Officer Marshall." Ruby said.

"Shouldn't you check on your client?" Ren said.

"Right."

(Moves to Detention Center)

February 23

Detention Center

Visitor's Room

Phoenix: Looks like Ms. Skye is in questioning...

Ema: I hope the detectives aren't yelling at her... "How did you kill him in two places at the same time!" Can you imagine?

Phoenix: How's she supposed to answer that! (Wait a second... The Chief said they'd caught the criminal at the Police Department!)

Ema: Let's come back later!

"Uhhhh, where can I find Marshall?"

"At the police station?" Weiss said.

"Oh yeah."

'Idiot...'

(Moves to Police Dept. Entrance)

February 23

Police Department

Entrance

Phoenix: It's even busier here today than it was yesterday.

Ema: The detectives are running around so fast they're blurring.

Phoenix: (I suppose it makes sense-a detective did get killed in their own department.)

Ema: So... the evidence room. The scene of the crime! According to the pamphlet we got at the front desk... Here it is!

Phoenix: (She's like a kid at an amusement park.)

Ema: Ooh, a real crime scene! Let's go take a look!

(Moves to Guard Station)

February 23

Evidence Room Entrance

Guard Station

"What the hell is this place?" Weiss said.

"I think he went too far with the theme." Jaune said.

"He even has a cactus!" Yang said.

"And the rope on the floor! Is that supposed to be a trap?" Nora said.

Phoenix: What's with the decor in this place? It's very... eccentric.

Ema: According to the pamphlet, this is the guard station for the evidence room.

Phoenix: So, beyond that door is the evidence room... the scene of the crime?

Ema: It sure seems that way... Oh. Ohhh...

Phoenix: What's wrong?

Ema: It's those cacti! They're so prickly... so imposing! It's hard to think straight.

Phoenix: (If you can't handle the cacti, stay out of the desert...) What I want to know is, if this is a guard station, where is the guard?

Ema: I have a feeling I know who this guard is already...

"Wait... I thought we were looking for Officer Marshall." Ruby said.

"I don't think they ever said that. We just assumed for some reason." Jaune said.

"Yeah... some reason." Yang said, looking at the station.

(Examines Cacti)

Ema: Yipes, that sure is prickly. It must be the real deal.

Phoenix: I would think just one big one would be sufficient.

Ema: This cactus... is a lot like my sister, actually.

Phoenix: M-Ms. Skye?

Ema: Encased in a cold, rigid shell, with thorns pointing in every direction... Just like her.

Phoenix: ... You know, I've been looking at this cactus a while now, and I don't see the resemblance.

Ema: ... It's more an attitude thing than a physical similarity.

"Um, I was saying that my sister is a bitch, of course she doesn't actually look like a cactus. Duh!" Yang said.

"Stupid!" Ruby said.

"Stu-" Yang started laughing. "Stupid!"

"I'm not stupid! You stupid!" Jaune said.

(Examines Lasso)

Ema: Look, on the floor, a lasso!

Phoenix: Hmm... looks like it's set up to trap something.

Ema: A trap, here? Wait, I know! Maybe someone was trying to catch a wild bull in here... But the lasso missed!

Phoenix: You sure have an active imagination.

(Examines Door)

Phoenix: The evidence room is beyond that door.

Ema: Let's just walk in! ... It won't open.

Phoenix: You thought it'd be open? (I think we'd need someone's permission to go in there first...)

(Examines Monitors)

Phoenix: It looks like there's a video feed from the evidence room here.

Ema: There's a light blinking below the monitor. It says "Recording"! I bet we could use this computer to check on who went in and out of here!

(Examines Ponchos)

Ema: There's a security guard uniform hanging there.

Phoenix: It looks more like a costume than a uniform, honestly.

Ema: A leather jacket, leather pants, a leather... What was that called again? A punchy? A paunchy? A pinchy? I know! A poochy! Hmm... Wait, maybe that wasn't it.

Phoenix: (It's a "poncho," but I think I'll keep that information to myself for the time being.)

(Examines Swinging door)

Ema: This swinging door makes the place look like some kind of saloon!

Phoenix: But look, it's nailed shut. You can't get in that way.

Ema: Of course not! If you went in through here.. The cactus would fall over. Ouch!

Phoenix: I'd say it'd be more of an "Yeeeeaargh," myself.

"You're not funny." Ruby said.

"Well excuse me for trying."

(Examines Monitors)

Phoenix: It looks like there's a video feed from the evidence room here.

Ema: There's a light blinking below the monitor. It says "Recording"! I bet we could use this computer to check on who went in and out of here!

"Hmm... Can I spray here?" Ruby said. "I can! Let's find some blood!"

(Sprays on Top of large cactus)

"Eugh, that's a lot of blood..."

"Did he fall face-first on it?!" Yang said.

Ema: Wow! We got a reaction!

Phoenix: Hm. There's clearly blood around the thorns here. This room's pretty messy. Someone must have tripped over something... and planted their head right in these thorns.

Ema: ... I think that might be more painful than being murdered.

"Oh, this reminded me of an incident..." Pyrrha said.

"Did someone you knew fell on a cactus and died?" Nora said.

"No,- why would you think they died?"

"In the last story you told us, the old lady died."

"That was one story!"

"Just tell us your story." Blake said

"Okay, basically, a kid that I knew years ago, the roof of his house wasn't completely build, so metal rods were sticking out."

"I already don't like this." Weiss said.

"One day, he was on the roof playing, I don't know why. He wasn't paying attention in front of him and falls into one of the rods."

"Holy shit! And he's still alive?" Yang said.

"No, he just lost a piece of his gums." she said, pointing at her upper gums.

"... That's it? I was expecting it to lose an eye or suffer brain damage."

"I'm sorry, that's all I had."

"Now he's missing a piece of his gum?" Jaune said.

"No, his mother stuck it back using snow. It was snowing that day."

"You can do that?" Ruby said.

"Apparently."

"Well, I don't think there's anything else here."

(Moves to Police Department Entrance)

February 23

Police Department

Entrance

Phoenix: (This place is charge with frantic energy, as always.)

?: Please!

Ema: Huh? Wasn't that...

Gumshoe: One steak lunch, please! Oh, it's you.

"He smelled the steak." Ruby said.

"The cloud coming from the steak turned into a hand and made him float here." Nora said.

"He's the kind of guy to go "Mm-mmm~! Do I smell me some fine steak?"." Yang said.

Phoenix: Detective Gumshoe!

Gumshoe: Now's no time for chit-chat, pal. I'm a busy man! What I really need is a steak lunch from Lunchland.

Ema: Oh... you mean one of these? Actually, it's not for sale...

Gumshoe: ...

Phoenix: (I think I just heard the sound of his heart breaking.)

"To be fair, he can only afford instant noodles." Pyrrha said.

Gumshoe: Now's no time for despair! We've caught our criminal! Now we just need evidence!

Phoenix: The criminal... you mean...?

Gumshoe: You heard about the stabbing in the Police Department evidence room, pal?

(Flashback)

Phoenix: On the same day that a detective was killed in the Prosecutor's parking lot... Another detective... was killed at the Police Department!?

(Next flashback)

Edgeworth: And the perpetrator? Do you have a suspect?

Gant: Well, there was a suspect. Just arrested 'em, in fact.

(End of flashbacks)

Gumshoe: It's the biggest scandal to hit the station in ages! Everything's topsy-turvy.

Phoenix: But, Detective Gumshoe, who was it?

Gumshoe: Listen, pal, all I know is I need me a steak lunch, pronto! Standing around here talking isn't going to fill my belly!

Ema: W-wait! Don't leave!

Gumshoe: If you want to know more, head on down to the detention center, pal. Questioning should be over, so I figure he's down there having a good cry. Later!

Ema: He ran off to the evidence room...

Phoenix: Well, this investigation is off to a running start.

"There's no Detention Center." Ruby said.

"Then go somewhere where the option exists." Jaune said.

(Moves to Criminal Affairs Dept)

February 23

Police Department

Criminal Affairs

Phoenix: Wow, everyone looks deadly serious here...

Ema: Well, there was a vicious murder of a detective in this department, after all.

Phoenix: Yes, but the same detective was also killed at the same time in the Prosecutor's lot.

Ema: Ugh... It makes my head hurt.

Phoenix: Well, first things first. I want to check out the crime scene here.

Ema: Yes, you sound "dead"-set on investigating! But don't mess up, or we could wind up... dead!

Phoenix: I doubt anyone wants more mysteries or dead bodies around here right now. (But... it doesn't look like anyone's going to help us much, either.)

"Do I examine anything here?" Ruby said.

"Do you want to examine the Blue- creepier Blue Badger?" Nora said.

"True."

(Moves to Detention Center)

February 23

Detention Center

Visitor's Room

Ema: Still, I do feel better about things. A little. I mean, they caught the person who stabbed Detective Goodman, didn't they?

Phoenix: Uh, yeah, I guess they did. (Best to not go too far down that road right now. Things will just get confusing.)

*WHEEEEEEEEEEEEN*

Ema: Wh-what was that!?

?: Sir! That's what I'm saying! Me, a perpetrator? I-I-I'd say I-I-I was the perpetrated against, sir! That's what I'd say! Ah, oh, uh. Hi. Greetings, sir!

"What are you doing here?!"

"Is he the suspect?" Pyrrha said.

"When did he injure his hand?" Blake said.

Ema: Wait, I know who you are...

(Flashback)

Officer: Excuse me! But is Mr. Edgeworth, uh... anywhere on the premises? I'm here, sir, at the request of the Chief, sir! I've got your report, sir!

(End of flashback)

Ema: Officer Meekins! So you're a guard here at the detention center?

Officer: No, sir! I'm not, sir! I'm a little lost patrolman, like a little lost lamb, sir!

Ema: Oh, I get it. You're here to deliver a report?

Officer: No, sir, I, uh, how should I say this...

Phoenix: (Wait... he isn't... is he?) You... Officer Meekins... You didn't... did you?

Officer: Err...

Meekins: Perpetrator Officer Meekins reporting, sir!

Ema: What...!? Whaaaaaaaaat!?

Phoenix: (Now this is an unexpected turn of events...)

"I don't buy this. There's no way." Weiss said.

(Presents Attorney's Badge)

Phoenix: Officer Meekins, have a look at this.

Meekins: ... Go ahead, sir, laugh! Laugh at me, sir!

Phoenix: Ha ha... huh?

Some of them laughed.

"He actually laughs! You asshole!" Yang said while laughing.

Meekins: I know what you want to say! You're going to tell me how she has one just like it!

"W-what?!" Ruby said.

Ema: M-me? Why would I...?

Meekins: I know, sir, I know. I'm the only one without a girl with matching badges!

"I don't know what I expected." Weiss said.

"Is that a thing?" Ruby said.

"Why? Do you want to give to a boy?"

"No."

"There's a boy?!" Yang said.

"No, there's no boy!"

"Is it a girl then?"

"Not into girls."

"... Is it Vomit Boy?"

"What?!" Jaune and Pyrrha said. That earned Yang a smack on the head.

"Stop." Ruby said.

"Kidding! I was kidding!" Yang said.

"I don't even count as a boy or a girl to you?" Jaune said.

"Is that what bothered you?" Ren said.

Meekins: Nowhere! I'm alone! All alone! Is that so wrong!? Life isn't all about high school sweethearts and youthful romance, sir!

Phoenix: (Is he talking about those badges on her coat?)

Ema: Hmph.

Phoenix: (I'd like to think there's a difference between my badge and a fashion accessory...)

(Talks about The day of the crime)

Meekins: Sir! I'm a patrolman with General Affairs, sir! SIR!

Phoenix: Ow. I can hear you fine, Officer Meekins.

Meekins: I had some business that day, sir, and so I went to the evidence room, sir... The guard office in front of the room was empty, sir!

Ema: So, normally there's a guard at the evidence room?

Meekins: That's right, sir! Because evidence is kept in the evidence room, sir! Now, the security officer... was none other than Officer Marshall!

Phoenix: (M-Marshall!?)

Meekins: Then, sir, I happened to glance at the security room monitor! That's when I saw him, sir! A suspicious person in the evidence room! A suspicious person, sir! A suspicious person! Yowwowowowowowow!

Phoenix: (What the heck is this guy doing?)

Ema: So what happened then?

Meekins: After that, sir, I... I... everything went white! I saw red! I blacked out! And... when I came to, I was here. In the detention center.

Phoenix: (How long were you out!? Days!?)

Ema: Um, might I ask... what happened to your hand?

Meekins: Sir! There was no one to bandage me, sir! So I did what I could to wrap it up, sir!

Phoenix: (A bandage on his hand... just like Ms. Skye.)

"Matching bandages!" Yang said.

"Shut up." Ruby said.

Ema: Yet another similarity between this case and the one at the Prosecutor's Office...

Phoenix: First things first... tell us how you hurt your hand!

(Talks about The victim)

Phoenix: Um, I don't mean to pry, but you are the perpetrator, correct? You killed Detective Bruce Goodman in the evidence room... right?

Meekins: Sir... Please don't look at me with those sad puppy dog eyes, sir! If you have to label me as persecutor or victim, sir... Then label me victim!

Phoenix: Um, I would, but you happen to be in detention. And alive and well at that.

Meekins: Ah, yes, well, that's true, sir. I suppose you could say that.

Phoenix: Did you know the victim, Detective Goodman?

Meekins: Well, sir, if I had to label him as a "stranger" or a "total stranger"... Then I'd say he leans heavily on the "total stranger" side!

"He didn't know him?" Yang said.

"I don't think it's mandatory for everyone in the force to know each other. Do you know every student in the academy?" Blake said.

"True."

Phoenix: So... you didn't know him?

Meekins: Sir! I work in a tiny department, devoid of light or other creature comforts! I don't know any detectives!

"After hearing you talk, you should've stayed there." Weiss said and everyone started laughing. "Was it that funny?"

"You have no idea. Sometimes you just throw those golden roasts."

Ema: So, if he was a total stranger, why did you stab him?

Meekins: Sir! I had n-no intention of killing him, sir! None! N-nor do I have any recollection of k-killing him, sir!

Phoenix: (At least someone around here is more confused than I am.)

(Talks about Bandaged hand)

Phoenix: And your hand... that happened when Detective Goodman was stabbed?

Meekins: Well! You see, sir, I, er...

Ema: Don't you think you should just confess?

Meekins: But, sir! Sir! But! There was nothing I could do!

Phoenix: "Nothing you could do"...?

Meekins: Sir, to tell the truth, sir, when it happened... When the detective pointed that knife at me, I just hollered, sir!

"Wait, the detective attacked? What?" Ruby said.

Meekins: And the next thing I knew, I was unconscious!

Phoenix: The next thing you knew you were... huh?

Meekins: Then, when I opened my eyes... I was alone in the evidence room, sir! All alone! Alone, because... Because Detective Goodman had disappeared!

Ema: What!?

Meekins: Then when I looked down, I was gushing blood from my hand, sir! Oh, the shock! Oh, the sorrow, sir! Can you imagine how I felt?

Phoenix: (The victim's body... disappeared...?)

Ema: Hmm... That's some story.

"Is that all?"

"Maybe you should present something." Jaune said.

"Oh yeah. I'll present... this."

(Presents Goodman's ID)

Ema: Um... do you think you could take a look at this?

Meekins: ... Hey! That's it, sir! That's it! That's it!

Ema: That's what!?

Meekins: My head was a blank until this very moment! But, sir, now I remember! I remember, sir!

Phoenix: You mean you remember what happened?

Meekins: Correct! That card, that card was the cause of it all!

Ema: This... ID card?

Meekins: Exactly, sir! That's exactly it! Nothing could be more exact, sir! Nothing!

Phoenix: (I'd better pry into this one a little deeper.)

"It was the card! The card did this to me!" Yang said.

"I take it back. Shut up." Jaune said.

(Talks about Crime details)

Phoenix: Can you tell me what it is you do "remember"?

Meekins: Well sir, you might say I'm a lost little patrolman. A lost little lamb, if you will! I didn't know Mr. Detective Goodman who was in the evidence room.

Phoenix: And that's why you thought he looked suspicious...

Meekins: Sir, I entered the evidence room, and asked the man to display his ID card!

Ema: Well, that sounds pretty much by the book so far.

Meekins: Th-that's right, sir! That's what I've been trying to tell you!

Phoenix: So you asked Detective Goodman to show his ID card. What did he do?

Meekins: That's the thing! Suddenly he pointed a knife at me!

Ema: What...!?

Meekins: Sir, I assure you I was as flustered as you are right now! So I whooped and leapt at him!

Phoenix: (Detective Goodman pointed a knife at him?)

Meekins: "Do unto others before they do unto you"! My father's own words, sir!

Ema: Wh-what happened then?

Meekins: Well... My eyes, sir... everything went white. When I awoke, I was here.

Phoenix: (Right...)

(Talks about Reason for arrest)

Ema: So, Officer Meekins, why was it that they arrested you?

Phoenix: What do you mean, Ema?

"... What do you mean what I mean?! I'm asking a serious question!" Ruby said.

Ema: Let's look at what we know. Now, Officer Meekins didn't know Detective Goodman... And the "victim" whom he met at the scene of the crime didn't show his ID card.

Phoenix: In other words, we have no way of knowing if the victim was really the victim!

Ema: And if this "body" just "disappeared" from the evidence room... We don't even know if anyone actually died!

Meekins: That's it, sir! That! That's what I wanted to say! That is... I did say something along those lines.

Ema: Huh? But you still ended up here...?

Meekins: They told me that it had to be him, sir. "On that day, at that time..." Detective Goodman was definitely in the evidence room." That's what they said.

Phoenix: But... you don't remember the events clearly?

Meekins: No... but the video tape is quite clear.

"Tape? There's footage?"

"And of course he's telling us now, because Ace Attorney." Weiss said.

Ema: Huh? Video tape...?

"Do I have to?"

"Sorry." Yang said.

"Oh, man..." she said as she took a shot.

Meekins: From the security camera. The crime, my crime, the crime I swore to stamp out! It's there! It's me! It's on tape!

Phoenix: ...

Ema: ...

Meekins: ...

Ema: And you wait until now to tell us this!?

Meekins: I'm sorry, really sorry, sir! I'll hand over my badge! I don't deserve it!

Phoenix: N-no thanks, I have my own. (Well, guess we'd better go check out the crime scene.)

(Moves to Criminal Affairs Dept)

February 23

Police Department

Criminal Affairs

Ema: H-hey, Mr. Wright! Look who's standing at the Head Detective's desk!

Phoenix: (It's Police Chief Gant!)

"YES!" Nora said.

Gant: Are you sure this is all, hmm? You know what it means if there is anything missing!

Chief: Sir! I'm sure it's most likely totally perfect! We checked the drawers, the lockers, the garbage cans, the coat pockets... the pillowcases, behind the computer monitors, the coffee machine...

Gant: I see. Well, if anything does turn up, you call me right away, deal?

Chief: Y-y-y-yessir! We'll scour the place again, sir!

Phoenix: (The Chief of Detectives looks a little flustered...)

Gant: Ah hah! Wrighto, my boy! How ya been? Swim much?

"Let's go swimming!"

"Uh... no thanks." Jaune said.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Okay."

Phoenix: Oh ho ho, Chief Gant! Reporting for duty, sir!

"You don't work there." Yang said.

Ema: Why are you saluting him, Mr. Wright!?

(Presents Attorney's Badge)

Phoenix: I was wondering, could you have a look at this?

Gant: Ah, sorry, Wrighto. I'm through with that stuff. Through, I say.

"Okay, he doesn't react." Ruby said.

Gant: Go find that guy who can't seem to sit still out there. The busy one...

Ema: The guy who can't sit still... does he mean Detective Gumshoe?

Phoenix: Either him or the Dancing Blue Badger.

(Talks about Edgeworth)

"Want to talk about Edgeworth?"

"No."

"Oh, okay..."

Phoenix: Um... is Edgeworth going to be okay?

Gant: Oh, Worthy? Oh, you know, they're doing a little inquiry committee with him.

Ema: Sounds like an inquisition...!

Gant: Yep, well, we've had no end of trouble with the boy since last year...

Phoenix: You mean... the incident on Gourd Lake?

Gant: It doesn't look good having one of our top people sitting in the defendant's seat. Now, you got someone else found guilty in that case, right, Wrighto?

Phoenix: (von Karma...)

"THAT'S RIGHT!"

"We're done with Von Karma!" Weiss said.

Gant: A legend he was, undefeated in his forty year career! But in court you fixed it so he was caught for forging evidence...

Phoenix: W-wait! I didn't do anything wrong! He did forge evidence.

Gant: In any case, the Prosecutor's Office is in a bit of turmoil, you might say. Why, they'd do just about anything to restore their reputation. Now, depending on what that inquiry committee decides... It could be bad for Worthy.

Ema: Wh-what!?

"I'll kill him. With my powers." Nora said.

"What powers would he have?" Yang said.

"Obviously shooting lightning from his fingertips."

(Talks about Evident incident)

Gant: It's downright odd, I tell you. I mean, it happened at exactly the same time!

Phoenix: (The murder at the Prosecutor's Office...)

Ema: Scientifically speaking, it's impossible!

Gant: Yes, but that's what the evidence is saying. "Goodman was stabbed in two locations at the same time!" That's what it says.

Phoenix: What evidence is this...?

Gant: Now, now, Wrighto, I can't give away all our secrets just like that! And this in particular, well it's a little sensitive... and I can't talk about it.

Phoenix: (I wasn't expecting much anyway.)

"I was. They all just tell us information anyway." Ruby said.

Gant: You know, one thing I hate most of all is hiding stuff. Secrets. Can't stand 'em! But you know... It's a full time job just keeping the Head Detective's trap shut!

Ema: Ah, he was the one you were picking on earlier?

Gant: Huh? You saw that? Whoops!

Phoenix: (I wonder what it was that he wanted the Head Detective to do?)

Ema: Let's see if we can kind of discreetly ask him.

"Do I have to examine him?"

(Examines Chief)

Chief: Ooh, sorry you had to see that.

Ema: Uh... what exactly did the Chief of Police want you to do?

Chief: Well, see over there? That's Goodman's desk. He wanted me to check it for anything that might be a clue... They took away every last piece of garbage in the trash can.

Ema: So, nothing belonging to Detective Goodman is still here?

Chief: Of course not! Well, except for this.

Ema: What!? You kept something!?

Chief: Sure, why not? It's not important. He didn't even finish writing it! It's a lost item report but it's only half complete.

Ema: A lost item? Did Detective Goodman lose something?

Phoenix: The date on it is February 21. (I'll make a note of that just in case.)

(Goodman's Lost Item Report added to the Court Record.)

[Goodman's Lost Item Report: A half-written document dated 2/21. Can only be submitted to the Chief of Police.]

Phoenix: (I should probably get a quick look around the crime scene...)

"Oh man, I can't examine it."

(Talks about Permission to enter)

Phoenix: Actually, I was wondering if I could ask you a favor?

Gant: Hmm? Well, I never thought the day would come when Wrighto asked me for help!

Phoenix: I was wondering if we could investigate the evidence room?

"I don't get it! Why the long pauses?!" Weiss said.

"Suspense." Yang said.

Gant: Now, Wrighto...

Phoenix: A-actually, I'm sorry, I d-don't need to investigate after all!

Gant: Wrighto, please, do I look like a selfish man?

Phoenix: Huh?

Gant: Heck, if anyone asked me "sir, can I borrow $50?" I'd give them $50, no problem. So, go ahead! Investigate that room to your heart's content! Knock yourself out!

Ema: It just goes to show, you never know until you ask!

Gant: And for you, here, you can borrow this.

Ema: Huh... hey! This is a detective's ID card, isn't it?

Gant: That's a special card for guests, so don't lose it.

Ema: Y-yessir! It's an honor!

Gant: You just run along and do your best, now. Later, folks!

"Oh, there I go! You'll never find out I'm the murderer." Nora said.

"What?" Ruby said.

"What?"

"If he's the killer, then he must've got ridden of everything incriminating him to be this chill." Yang said.

Ema: Heh heh! It looks pretty cool on my lapel, doesn't it? Just think, a real ID!

Phoenix: You seem... happy.

Ema: Yes, sir! Because, sir, we get to go into the evidence room now, sir!

Phoenix: (I think this place is a bad influence on the girl.)

"She's becoming Meekins!" Nora said.

"No, anything but that!" Ruby said.

(Moves to Police Department Entrance)

(Moves to Guard Station)

"Let's check out the crime scene!"

(Examines Door)

Phoenix: The evidence room is beyond that door.

Ema: And we have the ID card from Chief Gant! Let's just walk in! ... It won't open.

Phoenix: Ah hah! The card reader is turned off, see?

Ema: What is that security guard thinking?

?: Howdy, pardners. Well, well, what's made my bambina's skies so gray?

"There you are!"

Phoenix: O-Officer Marshall! (Somehow, I knew...)

Marshall: What's that "somehow I knew" look for? As you may have surmised, this here's my saloon.

Ema: Um... we're here to investigate the crime scene.

Marshall: ... Yeehaw! That card you got there on your chest. That's better than a sheriff's badge in these parts.

Ema: Y-yeehaw?

Yang started laughing. "I like how you said it! Yeehoh?"

"Yeehoh?"

"It's Yeehaw."

"Yeehow?"

"Yeehaw."

"Yeehoo!"

"... Yeah, your sister has every right to bully you."

"Fuck you!". Yang started laughing like crazy.

Marshall: Well, what ya standin' there for? Get along, little dogies. The crime scene's a waiting!

*beep*

Phoenix: (Looks like the card reader's on again.) While we're here, I was wondering if we could ask you some questions?

Marshall: Sorry, cowboy, but I got no mind to tangle with you hombres.

Phoenix: You're... busy, then?

Marshall: Did I say that? I only said I didn't wish to speak with you.

Phoenix: (Actually, you said you had "no mind to tangle with us hombres.")

"It's not hombrays, it's hombres." Yang said.

"Hoembress?"

"... Draw."

"What?- *death sounds*"

(Talks about Guard Office)

Ema: Um, I was wondering if we could talk to you...

Marshall: Sorry, bambina. But I'm off to roam the lands, like a tumbleweed on the wide prairie. Like a gunslinger loading his six-shooter, I say a little prayer. GRROOOOORRK

Ema: What was that all about, Mr. Wright?

Phoenix: I think he was just too hungry to talk.

"Oh yeah, I need to give him the steak." Ruby said.

Ema: You're just saying that because his stomach was growling! You have no idea what he was talking about either!

Phoenix: (Well, in any case, we need to get cracking on this investigation, pronto!)

(Presents Steak Lunch)

Marshall: ... That smell... Ah! Reminds me of Texas!

Ema: So, Officer Marshall... You're from Texas?

Marshall: No, I just saw a special on television the other day. Is this from my baby?

Ema: Uh, yeah, Ms. Starr...

Marshall: Wh-what's this!?

Ema: What? What's wrong?

Marshall: A filet steak lunch! I see... I see!

Ema: I don't see. I wonder what it means?

(Steak Lunch given to Officer Marshall.)

Marshall: Alright, bambina. You win. Ask mmph mmph munch munch Anything mmph munch snack.

Phoenix: (Finally, it seems like...)

Ema: He's willing to talk!

"Now you're finishing my thoughts?!" Jaune said.

"You're easy to read."

(Talks about Guard Office)

Ema: Officer Marshall, you're in charge of security for the evidence room, right?

Marshall: You got good eyes, pardner. It's an easy job, and I'm grateful for it.

Phoenix: Actually, Officer Meekins at the detention center told us.

Marshall: Ah, that poor little dogie? Poor guy, I keep getting his name wrong and calling him "Meekly."

Phoenix: He told us something. He said that, when the stabbing occurred... you weren't at your station.

Marshall: ... Well, maybe I shouldn't be telling you this... But since I got demoted from detective two years ago... Well, it might not look it, but I lost my fire for the job, you know?

Ema: So... what were you doing around 5:15 when the murder took place?

"... Nah, I'm not gonna say it. You're a good kid." Yang said.

"You're an idiot.". Yang started laughing.

Marshall: Well... I reckon I was galloping down the highway on the back of my steed, Zippy.

Ema: Note: he was riding down the highway on his horse named "Zippy."

Marshall: There's no need for people here, anyhow. These newfangled machines do a bang-up job of keeping an eye on the place.

Phoenix: You mean the security camera system?

Marshall: I don't take to machines much. Kinda like that stewed broccoli they sneak in next to your steak, you know?

"I feel you."

(Talks about Marshall)

Ema: Ms. Starr told us something... She said that you were a detective until two years ago.

Marshall: It was always my dream to be a rawhide wrangler on the scene of the crime... That's all gone now... Like a drinking hole in a prairie fire.

Ema: You're still investigating the SL-9 Incident with Ms. Starr, aren't you?

Marshall: That was my case... It's all "solved" on the record books. But it smells like a bad game of poker. I can't let it go... That's all there is to it.

Ema: What kind of case was it, anyway? We've heard the name so many times, but no one tells us what actually happened.

Marshall: ... There are some things you're better off not knowing, Bambina. Anyway, that case is officially dead as of two days ago.

Phoenix: Two days ago... the day of our case!

Marshall: That's right... The evidence transferals.

Phoenix: (Edgeworth was talking about the transferals, too.)

"So they transferred the evidence for that case." Blake said.

"So it's basically gone forever, right?"

"Technically."

(Talks about Security system)

Marshall: I know what maybe two of the machines in here do.

Ema: O-only two of them? There must be a dozen!

Marshall: Like I said, bambina, Me and machines, well... I like them about as much as I like stewed cauliflower with my steaks.

"I hope that isn't an actual dish. If it is... why?" Yang said.

Marshall: The easiest ones to understand are these here security cameras.

Phoenix: (Those are the ones that Officer Meekins mentioned.)

Marshall: If nothing happens, the tapes are automatically erased every few hours.

Ema: And Officer Meekins and Detective Goodman, are they on one of those tapes?

Marshall: I reckon they might be.

Phoenix: (You're the security guard and you "reckon"!?)

Marshall: One more thing. When you go into the evidence room... You need an ID card.

Phoenix: (Thus the card reader by the door.)

Marshall: The card reader leaves a record of every ID card passed through.

Phoenix: (So this is the ID card record...)

"What's with the first number? All 7s."

"What is this? A card reader or a slot machine?" Jaune said. Yang started laughing.

"What the hell? Is this a game, or a casino?"

"Is this a murder case, or my gambling addiction?" Nora said.

"I don't think I get the joke. Are you referencing something specific?" Pyrrha said.

"It's every game reviewer on the internet ever." Ruby said.

"It's usually an angry nerdy guy who sits on a couch and reviews old games." Yang said.

"And by the end he gets even angrier and destroys the games with awful green screen effects." Jaune said.

"And they all have a cool rock intro and action skits to show that they're cool and badass." Ruby said.

"Isn't that a bit unnecessary for a game review video?" Pyrrha said.

"Well, they have to keep the audience entertained somehow." Jaune said.

"My favourite moment is when the evil version of the reviewer appears." Nora said. Some of them started laughing.

"They always go: "Hey everyone, today we're reviewing this game. Oh no! My evil version from a parallel universe, what are you doing here?!"". They started laughing again. "I'm here to defeat you in an epic battle because you're lame and stinky! Let's fight while we both review the game! And don't forget to thank the sponsors!" Okay, evil me!"

"Are they all like that?" Pyrrha said.

"No. They ones that don't are actually funny." Blake said.

"And people actually watch that stuff. A waste of time." Weiss said.

"You sound like an angry internet reviewer right now, Ice Queen." Yang said.

"No, I do-... oh no..."

"What would Weiss's channel be called?" Nora said.

"The Angry Weiss Show." Ruby said.

"Stop..." Weiss said.

"The Rich Girl Game Reviewer." Blake said.

"Please..."

"The Weiss Gamer." Yang said.

"Noooo..."

"That's perfect." Ruby said.

Ema: Hey! I've seen that somewhere before!

Marshall: Sorry, Bambina. I can't show you more than that.

Ema: Huh?

Marshall: I haven't heard whether this is related to the case, yet.

Ema: Mr. Wright! I saw a number on that record just now! I've seen that number before!

Phoenix: (Maybe there's some way I can prove that record is tied to the stabbing.)

"I guess I present the ID." Ruby said.

(Presents Goodman's ID)

Ema: See this? This is the victim's ID card.

Marshall: Ah, the one that was on the ground in the parking lot?

Phoenix: The number on this is... "5842189."

Ema: Officer Marshall! Show us the ID number on that ID card record! Look, the fourth number! It's a perfect match!

Phoenix: It was used at... 5:14. Right before the stabbing!

Marshall: What's more, there's only one of them cards in the world!

Ema: So, when the incident occurred, Detective Goodman was in the evidence room!

Phoenix: (But wait, what did Officer Meekins say?)

(Flashback)

Meekins: Sir, I entered the evidence room, and asked the man to display his ID card!

Phoenix: So you asked Detective Goodman to show his ID card. What did he do?

Meekins: That's the thing! Suddenly he pointed a knife at me!

(End of flashback)

"I remember it like it happened a couple minutes ago." Nora said.

"It did happen a couple minutes ago." Jaune said.

Phoenix: (If he had his ID card then... Why would he have pointed a knife at Officer Meekins?)

Marshall: Alright, compadre, you win. I guess I can give you this ID card record.

(ID Card Record added to the Court Record.)

[ID Card Record: IDs of all who entered the evidence room on 2/21.]

Phoenix: (I've got an idea... Maybe I should show this list to other people with IDs here...)

(Talks about Transferal)

Phoenix: Sorry, but could you explain what this whole "transferal" thing is about?

"Ah, he would explain it later." Ruby said.

Marshall: We keep only evidence from solved cases in this room. They're kept here under the presiding detective's supervision for two years. So we can re-investigate them if it turns out there was a mistake, see?

Phoenix: So, what happens to the evidence after two years?

Marshall: It goes to sleep forever in the underground vault at the Police Station. That's what we call "transferal." We do it every February.

Ema: I see now...

Marshall: "Transferal" is like a funeral for old cases. Two years after a case is solved... it's closed forever. Dead. Never to be reopened again. Never to be reinvestigated.

Phoenix: (And that happened to SL-9 two days ago...)

"Do we just go in...? Nothing else from him? Okay."

(Moves to Evidence Room)

February 23

Evidence Room

Sector Three

Phoenix: (It's quiet... the investigation must be over here.)

Ema: So this is the evidence room? It really is kind of like a graveyard.

Phoenix: Graveyards are supposed to have grass and trees. This feels more like a morgue.

Ema: N-nice try, M-Mr. Wright. Y-you can't scare me!

(Gumshoe enters the scene.)

"BOO!" Yang said.

"AH!"

Ema: Eeeeeeek!

Gumshoe: Whoooooah!

Ema: S-sorry, I thought you were a ghost!

Gumshoe: I wouldn't recommend going around smacking ghosts on the head, pal.

"Then don't just fade into existence in front of me!"

Gumshoe: So, is it true what I heard?

(Flashback)

Gant: Wrighto, please, do I look like a selfish man? Heck, if anyone asked me "sir, can I borrow $50?" I'd give them $50, no problem. So, go ahead! Investigate that room to your heart's desire! Knock yourself out!

(End of flashback)

"The chief can give me money?" Yang said.

Phoenix: Yeah, it's true.

Gumshoe: So, Chief of Police Gant... will loan anyone 50 bucks? Even me!?

Some of them laughed. "I shouldn't be surprised it would go like this."

Ema: Oh, so that's what you were talking about...

Gumshoe: Actually, I was put in charge of the investigation for today.

Phoenix: Just for today?

Ema: Boss for a day...

Gumshoe: But guess what!? You got permission from the Chief... So now you're boss for a day!

Phoenix: (Gee, thanks...)

Gumshoe: First of all, you'll want to have this.

(Evidence Room Floor Plans added to the Court Record.)

[Evidence Room Floor Plans: Scene of the stabbing of a detective at the P.D.]

"There's so much to check. I don't know where to start." Ruby said.

"Maybe you should talk to him first." Jaune said.

(Talks about Boss for a day)

Ema: So, Detective Gumshoe, you're boss for the day?

Gumshoe: That's right! It's an honor! After all, the murder took place right here, in the Police Department!

Ema: But, if you're boss... why are you all alone!? Where are your underlings?

Gumshoe: ... They're using our findings from yesterday's investigation to prepare for the trial.

Phoenix: (In other words, Detective Gumshoe got kicked out of the investigation again...)

Gumshoe: I'm adamant, though! I'm going to take control and put this case to rest! And in my own evidence locker, pal!

Phoenix: You have a locker in here, too, Detective Gumshoe?

Gumshoe: Hah hah, of course! I am a detective, after all. They gave me a locker that only I can open, pal!

Ema: "Only you can open"...?

"So it has a fingerprint lock?" Weiss said.

"It's covered in cheese powder." Ruby said.

"Or noodle broth. That's the only thing he can afford." Blake said.

(Talks about Edgeworth)

Gumshoe: I'll always believe in Mr. Edgeworth, no matter what happens.

Ema: So... Mr. Edgeworth is with the inquiry committee now, right?

Gumshoe: They're trying to figure out who's responsible for the mess-up in court today.

Phoenix: I see...

Gumshoe: I guess this is what you call "fate." Mr. Edgeworth just can't get away from that case...

Phoenix: That case...?

Gumshoe: Yeah, that case! The SL-9 Incident, of course! That was the beginning of the end for Mr. Edgeworth.

Phoenix: (Maybe we can get him to tell us more about the case...)

(Talks about Evidence safe)

Gumshoe: This place is more high-tech than you might think. Every locker is fixed so that only one detective can open it.

Phoenix: Using this ID card?

Gumshoe: Well, that's the thing, pal. ID cards can be lost. Why, I'm on my third card since entering the force already.

"Oh, come on!" Weiss said.

"I'm wondering to this day why do I still have this job?" Yang said.

Ema: That sounds like a lot.

Gumshoe: Yes, but even I can't lose my own right hand!

"I think... it's still there, right?"

Ema: "Right hand"...? Oh! You mean, your fingerprint?

"Called it." Weiss said.

Gumshoe: Exactly, pal! The lock for each locker is coded with a fingerprint! And that's the only locker we can open.

Ema: Funny, they look like normal lockers...

Gumshoe: These are the latest model! There's a trick to the handles, see?

Ema: The handles?

Gumshoe: On the other side of the handles is a sensor, and if the wrong person touches it...

Ema: Bzzzap! You get a shock!

Gumshoe: If that's what happened, my hand would be black and smoking every day!

"You're incorrigible."

Gumshoe: In any case, the locks aren't that obvious. There's even some people in the force that don't know about the fingerprint locks!

(Evidence Locker added to the Court Record.)

[Evidence Locker: Only the assigned detective's prints can unlock it. Indicator lamp lights up when it's open.]

"There's nothing else. I'll examine now." Ruby said.

(Examines Closed Lockers)

Ema: This place is stuffed with evidence... stuffed with dreams.

Phoenix: I'm not so sure about the dreams.

Ema: Mmph! It won't open.

Phoenix: I guess I should have known.

Gumshoe: Hey, pal, our security is high-tech around here!

"There's a white cloth sticking out of that locker." Nora said.

"I know, I'm saving it for last."

(Examines Junk near door)

Ema: Wow! Look at this big pile of junk in the corner!

Phoenix: That looks like... a car door.

Ema: There's a pair of handcuffs attached to the frame.

Phoenix: Maybe the guy they caught was some sort of escape artist and he got away.

Ema: Hey, that's one of those human profiles for range testing.

Phoenix: He's been shot square in the forehead.

Ema: Better him than us.

(Examines Door)

Ema: That's the door we just came in through.

Phoenix: Looks like you don't need an ID card to get out.

Ema: I wonder what would happen if Officer Marshall cut the power while we were inside?

Phoenix: ... (Let's hope he remembers we're in here.)

"We'll be trapped here... with detective Gumshoe!" Jaune said.

"Hey, pal... You look like a tasty bowl of noodles right now!" Yang said.

(Examines Junk between lockers)

Phoenix: Some sort of bulky equipment is gathering dust here.

Ema: What a sorry looking fishing pole that is.

Gumshoe: Ah! That's my personal pole! I never did get around to using it...

"Oh yeah, that's the fishing rod he gave us to catch Gourdy." Ruby said.

"Yeah, and we lost money." Jaune said.

Phoenix: Wait, I've seen that somewhere before...

Gumshoe: Right, pal. That's that metal detector! The one that led to the solving of that case out on Gourd Lake, remember?

Phoenix: Oh, right! Wow, that feels like it was ages ago. And... hmm, I don't think I've seen this one before.

Gumshoe: Oh, that! That's a radiolocator! I'm sure it will come in handy in solving some case sooner or later.

Phoenix: (That cheap-looking box?)

Gumshoe: You can't judge a person or a machine by their cover! You gotta look at their heart!

"Did he make it? That's... impressive!" Pyrrha said.

"All the stuff is here... except for Missile." Ruby said.

"You see a dog skeleton collecting dust." Nora said.

"Noooooo!"

"That'd be funny." Blake said.

"Hahaha! That'd beh funneh. Haw haw haw haw haw!" Yang said. She then started laughing so hard she started coughing.

"You're an ass." Blake said, also laughing.

"Oh, you mean like this game? Yeah, this shit's fucking ASS!" Nora said. Now more started laughing.

"The Weiss Gamer: Episode 1." Yang said.

"Not this again..." Weiss said.

"Ugh, like, this game has, like, shit graphics." Everyone started laughing.

"Okay, now you're just being stereotypical."

"The protagonist is such a moron, I could be a better lawyer. And the art style is, like, so childish." Ruby said.

"The game doesn't make sense and has tons of annoying characters. But not as annoying as my teammates." Yang said.

"Please stop..." Weiss said.

"The only redeeming quality it has is the lack of faunus. Like, I can't stand those fuckers." Everyone started laughing. Especially Blake. Weiss turned so red from embarrassment, she looked like a tomato.

"You didn't have to go that far!" Pyrrha said.

"Apology video next day." Nora said.

"When is this going to end...?" Weiss said.

"Can we return to the game, please? I can't breathe!" Blake said.

(Examines Locker with white cloth)

Phoenix: There's something sticking out of here.

Ema: Looks like a shirt. I guess it must be evidence for some case.

Phoenix: I wonder if Detective Gumshoe put this here.

Gumshoe: There you go, pal, making me out to be some kinda slob! I'm not responsible for the evidence here. That said... I bet that evidence locker was opened recently.

Ema: How do you know?

Gumshoe: If you leave things hanging out like that, the evidence gets dirty or ripped. The guard checks on that kind of stuff and notifies the detective responsible. How many times have I had him breathing down my neck about some silly evidence...

Ema: Sounds like Detective Gumshoe leaves evidence hanging out a lot, too.

Phoenix: I bet he doesn't tuck in his shirt under that trench coat, either.

Gumshoe: If you're going to talk behind someone's back, don't do it right in front of them, pal!

"Or you know, DON'T DO IT AT ALL!" Weiss said. Yang couldn't help it but laugh.

(Slides to the right)

"Whoa, there's the important stuff!" Ruby said.

(Examines Saw and paint cans)

"Those cans of paint look important! Maybe we'll find a clue!" Jaune said.

Ema: What is a saw and paint doing here?

Gumshoe: Since the dawn of time... True art has always been a war against oppression.

"Okay, artist." Blake said.

Ema: True art...? I noticed that there's blue and yellow paint here.

Phoenix: Perhaps we're witnessing the birthplace of the Blue Badger?

"The Grimm summoning ritual took place here." Nora said.

Gumshoe: Well... You might say this is my studio...

Phoenix: (Here? In the evidence room!?)

"So many sacrifices took place here." Yang said.

(Examines Rubber glove)

Ema: Someone left a glove here... but only one.

Phoenix: Detective Gumshoe, maybe?

Gumshoe: There you go, pal, making me out to be some kind of absent-minded detective! That's evidence from "the" case, you know.

Phoenix: You mean SL-9? (It does have a tag on it...)

(Rubber Glove added to the Court Record.)

[Rubber Glove: Tagged evidence from the SL-9 Incident. Extremely thin rubber glove.]

(Examines Open locker)

Ema: Look, this one's open! And there's a indicator tag stuck on it still!

Gumshoe: That locker is coded with Detective Goodman's fingerprint.

Phoenix: (Detective Goodman's locker!)

Ema: Are you sure it's okay to leave it open like that?

Gumshoe: Well, it'd be hard to get it open again if we closed it.

Phoenix: (It's empty... they must have taken the contents elsewhere.)

(Examines Clay shards)

Ema: Wow, someone must have broken something big to make all these pieces.

Phoenix: Detective Gumshoe, perhaps?

Gumshoe: There you go, pal, making me out to be some kind of hooligan!

"This joke isn't as funny the third time." Ruby said.

Gumshoe: That's apparently from "the" case.

Ema: "The" case?

Gumshoe: The SL-9 Incident, pal. See the sticker on one of the pieces there?

Phoenix: (Another piece of SL-9 evidence...)

[Check it out closer]

[Look for other evidence]

(Picks Check it out closer)

Phoenix: I wonder what shape these pieces were in before whatever it was broke?

Ema: You want to try to put it back together?

Gumshoe: Hah! Good luck, pal. That's no job for amateurs. Why, I spent a good three hours on that before I had to give up!

Ema: That's why I always carry around a tube of glue!

Phoenix: (Well, this piece looks like the bottom. Let's try putting the rest in place!)

"Oh, I have to assemble the pieces myself. Okay, this goes here... this goes here... this... has a bloodstain on it... hmm... okay, done!" Ruby said.

Ema: H-huh? Well, I think we did it. But some of the pieces are missing.

Gumshoe: That only took me two minutes to do! The problem is finishing it!

Ema: Were some pieces stolen?

Phoenix: I bet they were missing to begin with.

Gumshoe: Still... It doesn't look like the most stable kind of jar.

Ema: I kind of understand how it got broken.

(Unstable Jar added to the Courtroom Record.)

[Unstable Jar: Jar pieced together from fragmenta found at the crime scene. A piece is missing.]

(Examines Locker with bloody handprint)

Phoenix: Wh-what's this...!? Blood!

Ema: It's a little worn... but there's definitely a handprint here!

Phoenix: It looks like someone tried to wipe it off.

Ema: Mr. Wright! What if there are other bloodstains left in the room!?

Phoenix: (We should use her testing fluid to check it out.)

"I have to activate it myself? Too much work."

"Yeah, three keys to press, so exhausting."

"Ha ha, wipe your mouth."

"Huh?"

"You're drooling humor.". Everyone else was trying to hold their laughter.

"That came out of nowhere..."

(Picks Luminol)

(Sprays on Bloody handprint)

Ema: I knew it! This is someone's right handprint!

"Uh... wasn't it obvious that it was a handprint?" Jaune said.

"Apparently not." Ren said.

Gumshoe: WHAAAAAAT!?

"A HANDPRINT?!" Yang said.

"I HAD NO IDEA! YOU'RE A GENIUS!" Nora said.

Phoenix: What's the matter, Detective?

Gumshoe: Th-this locker... It's mine!

Ema: It's yours?

Gumshoe: Please! You have to help me... When they come to take me away... Promise you'll testify that I wouldn't harm a fly! You'll do that for me, won't you, pals!?

Phoenix: (This is an important clue! I'll jot it down on the floor plans...)

Gumshoe: I'm counting on you guys! Believe me, you can't trust the police!

Ema: What? But you're a detective!

"That's more than enough reason not to." Weiss said.

(Sprays Crime scene floor)

Phoenix: There must have been a massive amount of blood here. (I've never seen so much before...) I'm not a professional. What's your opinion, Detective?

Gumshoe: Hmm... Pale blue blood...

"I can't... I can't deal with this shit!" Weiss said, burying her face in her hands, crying... and laughing a little.

Gumshoe: Maybe Detective Goodman... was actually an alien?

Ema: This proves that something really happened in front of this locker.

Phoenix: I'll make a note of it on the floor plans.

Gumshoe: Hey! If you didn't want my opinion, you shouldn't have asked!

"Is there anything else?" Ruby said.

(Slides to the left)

(Sprays Locker with white cloth)

"Found something!"

Ema: ...! Why am I getting a reaction here?

Phoenix: There's no reason for the murderer to touch this spot if he fled out the door. (This just might be something significant!)

Gumshoe: Hey... That's some pretty amazing stuff you got there, pal!

Ema: What, this? It's called "Luminol Testing Fluid"!

"Doesn't the police have that for investigations?" Pyrrha said.

"They don't trust me with chemicals." Yang said.

Gumshoe: Where'd you get your hands on that!?

Ema: Huh?

Gumshoe: I'd like to get some too! I'll just borrow 50 bucks from the Chief!

Phoenix: Where do you get this, Ema?

Ema: I always buy it by mail order.

Phoenix: (Well, I'd better jot this down on the floor plans.)

"There's no more bloodstains. Let's see what else got." Ruby said.

(Examines Unstable Jar)

(Examines Bloodstain)

Ema: Hey, look here! It's hard to make out, but there's a dark red stain here.

Phoenix: Hmm... Looks like blood.

Ema: Do you think Detective Goodman's blood somehow got on it when he was stabbed?

Phoenix: Not likely. This blood looks like it's been here for months, maybe longer. (This jar was evidence in the SL-9 Incident... That might be when the blood got on it.)

(Examines Bottom)

Ema: Huh? This thing doesn't have a bottom!

Phoenix: That's weird.

Ema: I wonder which side is "up"?

Phoenix: Better yet... What's the purpose of a bottomless jar?

Ema: ... At least it doesn't collect dust inside, right?

(Examines Rubber Glove)

(Examines Tag)

Phoenix: The tag says, "SL-9 11." I guess this is another piece of evidence from that case.

Ema: You know, I never did care for the word, "tag." It's confusing.

Phoenix: Huh? What's so confusing about that?

Ema: Do you know how many other words sound like it? "Bag," "Gag," "Nag," "Lag," "Xag"...

"Xag?"

Phoenix: "Xag"...? Is that a word?

Ema: Do you challenge me...?

Phoenix: What, are we playing a word game now?

"Are we done here?" Yang said.

"I don't think so..."

(Presents Goodman's ID)

Gumshoe: That's the victim, Detective Goodman's ID card. These days, everything's cards and secret numbers. I can never relax!

Phoenix: That's only because you always lose your card.

Gumshoe: I always forget my secret number, too. Scary, huh? My face should be ID enough! What's the world coming to!?

Phoenix: (Detective Gumshoe, rebel against the system.)

(Presents Prosecutor Trophy)

Gumshoe: Hey, that's it! That's the "King of Prosecutors" award that Mr. Edgeworth got recently!

"Why do you have it?" Yang said.

"I don't know." Jaune said.

Phoenix: Were you at the awards ceremony, Detective Gumshoe?

Gumshoe: Of course, pal! I got an award for diligence, myself.

Phoenix: Ah... congratulations.

Ema: I was wondering, why is the award a shield? And... why is it broken?

Gumshoe: Oh, there's a reason. Erm... I'll tell you what it is later.

Phoenix: (Apparently, he's forgotten.)

(Presents Blue Badger panel)

Gumshoe: This is my crowning achievement, my masterpiece, you might say. But... art is always misunderstood, pal.

Ema: Art...?

Gumshoe: He was dancing proudly on the day of the awards ceremony... But there were a lot of people coming and going after the ceremony... So they took the Blue Badger away for a while!

Phoenix: Really? Why?

Gumshoe: Oh, they said it was "shameful" or something like that. "Shameful"! I toiled night and day...

Phoenix: (I sympathize with Detective Gumshoe... but I can see why they moved it.)

"Come on, it's fine! It's kinda cute!"

"... You need to re-evaluate what is cute." Weiss said.

"I think you should take a break slaying Grimm. It's ruining your psyche." Yang said.

"Why? I'm fine."

"Last time, you looked at one Beowulf and said "Aww, that's one's kinda cute!"."

"And then you hooked your weapon in its and ripped it off, along with its spine." Blake said.

"And it was cool! Also, I'm the only one who's messed up? You were fighting a pack, unleashing hundreds of stabs, turning them into holed cheese! Then you stomped on their heads and said "Ugh, like, you stained my boots." Ruby said.

"I don't talk like that! When was the last time I talked like a valley girl?!" Weiss said.

"You hanged an Ursa on a tree, upside down, and opened up its belly!"

"I wanted to be sure I killed it." Blake said.

"And you grabbed a Beowulf by its mouth and tore it in half!"

"It tried to bite me. And it was awesome, you have to admit." Yang said.

"Those are some messed up kills." Jaune said.

"What about you guys? What was your most messed up kill?"

"I don't know... The only one I remember is hitting one with my shield so hard, its snout bended in a way I'm sure it doesn't. Then I stabbed its head and snapped its neck." Pyrrha said.

"I just smash their heads to a pancake. I always do that." Nora said.

"Oh wait, I think I did one. I stabbed one in the abdomen and my sword got stuck. I started shaking it up and down to get it off and it just fell apart. I didn't know they had insides." Jaune said.

"I'm more surprised you're strong enough to lift it." Weiss said.

"I don't think I've ever made one." Ren said.

"Actually, you did. You stabbed one's eyes with your weapons and then you snapped its joints with palm thrusts." Nora said.

"Okay, that's really cool." Yang said.

"Yeah, that is cool." Jaune said.

(Presents Victim's Note)

Gumshoe: Detective Goodman's note... and that switchblade knife. I bet Edgeworth was the most surprised of anyone.

Phoenix: Because of the SL-9 connection?

Gumshoe: That was Mr. Edgeworth's first big case you know, two years ago. That was the first time the world knew Edgeworth was a man to be feared!

Phoenix: But, why would evidence from that case turn up now?

Gumshoe: I guess it's not over, pal. Maybe there are some loose ends left on that case...

(Presents ID Card Record)

Phoenix: Could you take a look at this? This is the ID card of the person who came here on the day of the stabbing.

Gumshoe: Ah, I heard the rumors. So it was Goodman who came in here at the time of the murder... Whoooooooooah!

Ema: Wh-what is it?

Gumshoe: Th-th-th-th-th-th! That second number...

Phoenix: It's not your ID number is it, Detective Gumshoe?

"I hope it is. Just to lock him in and not see him again." Weiss said.

"No, I like Gumshoe!" Ruby said.

"I don't care. I want him dead."

"Add Oldbag and I won't have a problem."

"And Larry too." Blake said.

Gumshoe: Mr. Edgeworth!

Ema: What...?

Gumshoe: The second number on this list... belongs to Mr. Edgeworth!

Ema: What... Whaaaaaaaaat!?

(ID Card Record updated in the Court Record.)

[ID Card Record: IDs of all who entered the evidence room on 2/21.]

Phoenix: (Why would Edgeworth have come to the evidence room!?)

"There's new talk option." Ruby said.

(Talks about SL-9 Incident)

Gumshoe: Now that was a bloody, violent case.

Phoenix: Violent... so it was a murder?

Gumshoe: A serial killing!

Phoenix: (A serial killing... Maybe I don't want to get involved in this after all.)

Gumshoe: But the killer made a mistake, and Mr. Edgeworth built his case around that to nab him.

Ema: And this was two years ago?

Gumshoe: That put Mr. Edgeworth right in the spotlight... and started the rumor mill.

Phoenix: Rumors... (About forged evidence?)

"Oh yeah, he used to do that."

Gumshoe: It was supposed to be all cleaned up with the "transferal" the other day. It was the last job he ever did... Detective Goodman, that is.

Ema: Huh? What do you mean?

Gumshoe: Detective Goodman was the detective in charge of the SL-9 Incident, see.

Ema: So, so... That switchblade knife...

Phoenix: The victim took the knife out of the evidence locker himself?

Gumshoe: Hey, pal, look at the time!

Phoenix: Was there something you needed to be going to?

Gumshoe: It's just that Mr. Edgeworth's inquiry committee should be letting out soon. I'm going to go give them my report for the day. It might help, you know...

"That's a food magazine?"

"Erm, that's, like, a food magazine? Wtf?" Yang said.

"That's, like, funny, I suppose?"

"What are you referencing now?" Weiss said.

"We're talking like losers on the internet."

"And the person on the cover looks... really muscular." Jaune said.

"And has the face of a woman." Yang said.

"... He looks creepy." Ruby said.

Ema: R-report? You mean the note written on the back of that flyer?

Phoenix: The one that says nothing but "No problems"!?

Gumshoe: Hey, it's Mr. Edgeworth we're talking about! I'm sure he can use a report like this. I believe in him!

Phoenix: (Who needs enemies when you've got friends like Detective Gumshoe..)

Gumshoe: I'm off, pal! Later!

Phoenix: (I should probably see what Edgeworth has to say, too.)

"Now we're done. Let's visit good ol' Worthy!"

(Moves to Guard Station)

(Moves to Police Department Entrance)

(Moves to Underground Parking Lot)

"Why does it have to be a maze?!"

(Moves to High Prosecutor's Office)

February 23

High Prosecutor's Office

Room 1202

Bellboy: Ah, guests! My apologies.

"Why are you here?! We're done with you!"

Phoenix: Oh! It's you!

Bellboy: Have we met somewhere...?

Phoenix: Huh!?

Bellboy: Mr. Edgeworth! I beg your leave. So long!

Phoenix: (Is Edgeworth here...?)

"Why is Edgeworth using the hotel's staff to get tea?" Nora said.

Ema: There, standing by the window, a teacup in his hand!

"Stop it!" Jaune said.

"No!" Ruby said, giving him a raspberry.

Edgeworth: Ah, it's you.

Phoenix: (He has the hotel bring him tea service!?)

Ema: Mr. Edgeworth... you're back from the District Prosecutor's Office inquiry?

Edgeworth: Precisely.

Phoenix: By the way, Detective Gumshoe was looking for you.

Edgeworth: Oh yes... He brought me some information, it seems.

Ema: Really? Was it helpful?

Edgeworth: Apparently, a new French restaurant is opening near here. I think he was trying to console me, somehow.

"I think he's mocking me." Ren said.

"I'll cut his salary so much, he'll end up paying to work here." Yang said.

Phoenix: (Er, I think the report is on the other side, Edgeworth...)

"He really started the sentence with 'Er'?" Yang said.

Ema: Poor Mr. Edgeworth... I think this whole thing is really taking a toll on him.

(Talks about Inquiry committee)

Phoenix: So, how did the inquiry committee go?

Edgeworth: Actually, they decided to treat this not as a case of concealing evidence... But as a communications error during the investigation.

Ema: "Concealing evidence"...?

Edgeworth: Yes. Apparently, there are some who believe... that I concealed evidence. They gave me a warning. "You were lucky this time... again."

Phoenix: "Again"...?

Edgeworth: I've heard them say that so many times. Ever since that case two years ago...

(Talks about Tomorrow's trial)

Phoenix: Are you okay for the trial tomorrow?

Edgeworth: Well, I'm still the presiding prosecuting attorney. However...

Phoenix: Something happened?

Edgeworth: They gave control of the investigation over to the Police Department.

Ema: The Police Department!

Edgeworth: Yes. Any further investigation for this case will be directed by the Chief of Police Gant. I can do nothing but wait for his results...

"The Chief of Police, huh? Now that's sus... no complaint?" Nora said.

"I'm tired..." Weiss said.

Phoenix: I... see.

Edgeworth: Why, I ask you? Why!? All along, I've done only what I believe is right. I have nothing to be ashamed of! But still...

Phoenix: (Wow, I've never seen him this out of sorts...)

"Okay, now to present... this." Ruby said.

(Presents ID Card Record)

Phoenix: Oh, right! I'd better check this now...

Edgeworth: As I was saying, I... ! What's this? A record of ID card usage?

Phoenix: Edgeworth, you went into the evidence room that day, didn't you? Just before the incident occurred, no less.

Edgeworth: Yes, that's true.

Ema: W-why, Mr. Edgeworth?

"Oh please, Mr. Edgeworth, PLEEEAAASE don't tell me you KILLED him!"

"Shut up. Just... shut up." Yang said. Everyone started laughing.

Edgeworth: Please don't look at me like that. I was asked to go. By Chief Gant no less.

Ema: The Chief of Police...?

"The chief again? Now, thaaaaat's sus... Still no reaction!" Nora said.

Edgeworth: He wanted evidence for a case that wrapped up half a year ago. He told me he wanted me to keep it here in the Prosecutor's Office.

Phoenix: But... it was solved, right? It would have to be if the evidence was already filed...

Edgeworth: The Chief is never one to explain himself. In any case, on the day of the stabbings, I brought this back here.

Ema: Can I ask what kind of case it was?

Edgeworth: I... can't say. It really has nothing to do with the current case.

Phoenix: (Now I'm curious about this other case. I'd better make a note of it.)

(Unrelated evidence: Screwdriver added to the Court Record.)

[Screwdriver: Evidence from a past case of Edgeworth's. Brought back to his office by Gant's request.]

Edgeworth: Stubborn as always. I told you this has nothing to do with the current case.

"I'll be the judge of that!" Ruby said.

(Examines Screwdriver)

(Examines Tag)

Phoenix: The tag says, "AI-16."

Ema: What's that got to do with anything?

Phoenix: Nothing, apparently. At least, that's what Edgeworth said.

Ema: Hm. That makes it seem all the more suspicious. Who knows? This might turn out to be the clue that breaks the case!

Phoenix: Wouldn't that be nice...

"Okay, it is useless. Still no talk option?"

(Presents Switchblade Knife)

Edgeworth: ... I know you. You've probably got a hold of some information already, right?

Phoenix: It all has to do with that case you were on... the SL-9 Incident. And some "dark suspicion" you were wrapped up in.

Edgeworth: You are the man who revived the worst memory of my life, as I recall. I figured I'd be telling you about this sooner or later.

Phoenix: (A bad memory... he's talking about the murder in the elevator...)

"Dude, the case's closed! Get over it!" Yang said.

"We get it! Your dad died there! Shut up!". Some of them started laughing. "So selfish."

Phoenix: Okay, Edgeworth. Why don't you tell me about it. Tell me the truth.

(Talks about Allegations of forgery)

Edgeworth: The SL-9 Incident was a heinous serial killing case. The head of investigation was the Deputy Chief of Police at the time... Damon Gant.

Phoenix: (That wacky old coot was involved in the case two years ago too then...)

Edgeworth: He was the best we had, and it was my first time working with him... I was nervous.

Ema: Wow, you get nervous, too, Mr. Edgeworth?

Phoenix: (What I want to know is why was a Deputy Chief of Police on the investigation?)

Edgeworth: In truth, I used slightly more... extreme methods than normal. We were dealing with a vicious murderer. If I let him go, the blood would be on my hands. We won our guilty verdict, and the killer was executed.

Phoenix: Wait, you didn't...

Edgeworth: Of course not! I didn't touch the evidence. Yes, I will do anything in my power to win a trial. However... I do have a code, and I follow it faithfully.

"You concealed evidence." Blake said.

Edgeworth: By the way, Ema. The Chief Prosecutor wanted to know something...

Ema: M-my sister? What?

Edgeworth: If you were still studying forensic science?

Ema: Huh? Y-yes! Of course! Why, just today Mr. Wright and I were using this...

Edgeworth: Luminol testing fluid... Hm?

"Ain't that cute? Oh, you're so cute!" Yang said.

"He's pinching her cheek. What an adorable little baby!" Nora said.

Edgeworth: Well then... You might have use for this.

Ema: Aluminum powder for taking fingerprints!

Edgeworth: It's been chemically treated for better adhesion.

Ema: F-for me? Are you sure? We are the "enemy" you know.

Edgeworth: I've no say in today's investigation... do as you will.

Phoenix: Edgeworth... I'm really-

Edgeworth: No need to thank me. Here, take your powder and these fingerprint files for everyone involved.

Phoenix: I, uh, th-thanks! (How about giving these to Detective Gumshoe as well!?)

(Fingerprinting Set and fingerprint file received.)

[Fingerprint Set: Recovers fingerprints from "handprints" for comparison with fingerprint file.]

Ema: Well, let's get going! One last investigation!

Phoenix: Right! (I do seem to remember seeing a suspicious handprint somewhere...)

"Now what do I do?" Ruby said.

"You go to the lockers to check for fingerprints!" Weiss said.

"Oh yeah.. man, I've been playing for hours..."

(Moves to Underground Parking Lot)

(Moves to Police Department Entrance)

(Moves to Guard Station)

(Moves to Evidence Room)

February 23

Evidence Room

Sector Three

Phoenix: (Our investigation turned up a suspicious handprint.)

Ema: Here, in this blood on the detective's evidence locker.

Phoenix: Let's use the secret weapon we just borrowed!

(Zooms into handprint)

"I don't see any fingerprints. He must've used a glove." Blake said.

"What about the one next to the handprint?" Yang said.

"That's probably Gumshoe's." Jaune said.

Ema: Right. Let's get started! First... choose a finger.

Phoenix: A finger...?

Ema: Each finger leaves behind a slightly different imprint. So let's choose the finger that will have left behind the clearest print!

Phoenix: I really can't tell the difference at a glance...

Ema: Quit procrastinating and choose a finger!

(Picks index finger)

Ema: Okay. Now it's time to check for prints! Let me show you how it's done.

Phoenix: (Ema's starting to get that sparkle in her eyes...)

Ema: First, we sprinkle the aluminum powder around.

Phoenix: Huh? How do you do that?

Ema: With [Enter]... See?

Phoenix: Ah... it looks like that did the trick.

"Whoa! Science! Cooooool!" Ruby said.

Ema: The aluminum powder adheres completely to the print. Once the powder is well spread... just blow away the excess.

Phoenix: Huh? How do I do that?

Ema: With [E]. Exciting, I know. Imagine you're blowing out the candles on a birthday cake. See?

Phoenix: Wow... that looks like fun! (It might take some getting used to though...)

Ema: It's fine! It won't go up your nose or anything. You just pour the powder on thick, and blow away the extra! Those are the basics of fingerprinting, Mr. Wright!

Phoenix: (I guess I'd better give it a try...)

"Let's do it! I'm gonna cover the whole screen!"

"Get on with it." Weiss said.

(Obtains a flat fingerprint.)

Ema: Aha! You did it! You found one!

"I did it! I did it! And... I got nothing." Ruby said.

Phoenix: But... this looks nothing like a fingerprint.

Ema: Hmm... now that you mention it, I guess it doesn't...

Phoenix: What does it mean?

Ema: It think it means... we're out of luck.

Phoenix: Out of luck...?

Ema: The person who left this handprint must have worn gloves.

"Called it." Blake said.

"It was... very obvious, actually." Pyrrha said.

Phoenix: ... Don't tell me we've been wasting out time here!

Ema: Hey, calm down. That's just the way it goes sometimes with scientific investigations. But... it does seem a shame. While we're at it, why don't we look for other prints?

Phoenix: Other prints...?

Ema: Looking at the locker door again closely... it seems like there are fingerprints outside the bloody handprint as well. Let's see if we can find a clear print!

Phoenix: (Hmm... fingerprints outside the blood...)

(Picks non-bloody print)

(Obtains a fingerprint.)

Ema: Yay! A print so clear it's dazzling!

Phoenix: D-dazzling...?

"Probably because it's greasy." Yang said.

Ema: Anyway, this print took a lot of effort to find. Let's match it up right away!

Phoenix: So we're not over yet? This is quite a process...

Ema: Well, there's no point in finding a fingerprint... and not knowing who the owner is, right?

Phoenix: (I guess she's right...)

Ema: Look at the fingerprint data we got from Mr. Edgeworth... and point out the person you think left these prints!

Phoenix: Huh? How am I supposed to know who it was?

Ema: I could make a pretty good guess. The bloody handprint and the fingerprints are in different places right? That means that the prints probably don't have anything to do with our case. So, whose fingerprints would we most likely find on this evidence locker?

"I wonder who it could be?" Ruby said.

(Picks Dick Gumshoe's Profile)

Comparing...

Comparison complete.

Match found.

Ema: Ah hah! So these prints belonged to Detective Gumshoe!

Phoenix: ...

Ema: Something wrong, Mr. Wright? You gave me this "so what?" look.

Phoenix: I guess that's probably because I was thinking "so what?"

"How come you didn't predict that, huh?" Jaune said.

Ema: Okay, so we came up with nothing this time, but there's always next time! Sometimes you hit, sometimes you miss! You gotta roll with the punches, Mr. Wright!

Phoenix: Thanks for the sympathy. (Wait... If I remember correctly... there was one other handprint in this room. Let's check it out!)

(Slides to the left)

(Examines Locker with white cloth)

Phoenix: This is where we got a luminol fluid reaction, right?

Ema: Right! There was a handprint here! Okay! Want to try using this?

Phoenix: (There go her eyes sparkling again...)

[Check for prints]

[Leave it be]

(Picks Check for prints)

Phoenix: Okay, let's check for prints!

Ema: That's the spirit! Oh! But I have to warn you about something first.

Phoenix: What?

Ema: The area with the blood was wiped away, right?

Phoenix: We only ended up finding it using chemical means.

Ema: Any prints in that area will have been wiped away too.

Phoenix: Oh... right. So... that means no prints.

Ema: Would you say the probability of your hypothesis is high?

Phoenix: D-don't ask me!

Ema: Anyway... We must try to find prints that weren't wiped away.

Phoenix: (Prints other than the ones left by the bloody hand...)

(Zooms into finger)

"Okay, so I choose a non-bloody one." Ruby said.

(Picks ring finger)

(Obtains fingerprint)

"Now, whose fingerprint is... Huh?"

"Officer Marshall?" Jaune said.

"He did it?" Yang said.

(Picks Jake Marshall's Profile)

Comparing...

Comparison complete.

Match found.

Phoenix: Hey, these fingerprints, they...

Ema: Whose are they? Whose!? Is it someone I know?

Phoenix: It's Officer Marshall!

Ema: Huh? O-Officer Jake Marshall!?

(Marshall's Fingerprints added to the Court Record.)

[Marshall's Fingerprints: Found on a bloody handprint left in the evidence room. The print had been wiped.]

Ema: Th-that's got to be a coincidence! He's not involved in the crime!

Phoenix: Ema. This is decidedly different from Detective Gumshoe's prints.

Ema: ...!

Phoenix: The luminol reaction. The blood and the fingerprints are in the same place.

Ema: Oh... Oh!

Phoenix: (So, we have Jake Marshall's fingerprints... on a wiped bloodstain!)

Ema: But why would Officer Marshall...

Phoenix: It looks like our investigation is finally turning up some results!

Ema: ...!

Phoenix: I guess this is what you'd call "decisive evidence"!

Ema: I... I don't believe it!

To be continued.

"Finally. Can we take a break?" Blake said.

"Let's finish the trial first and then take a break." Ruby said. Everyone groaned. "I'm tired too! But I want to do the trial first!


And done! It's been a long time since I uploaded. And a lot of stuff happened. A lot... Well, all I got to say is... that's what they get for being bad at their job. Not like I'm one to talk. And it's a shame, just when they obtained fumo privilege. Anyway, leave a like and a follow and a review if you want. See you soon!