A/N: This entire chapter is dedicated to taking apart one testimony. Because the real killer can never go down easy, can they? Still, all the more reason to never give up. Enjoy, my readers!

April 28th, 2029

District Courthouse, Courtroom #4

1:20 p.m.

Edward Iraman's bangs finally moved aside, revealing his eyes- piercing red eyes that seemed to hold a bottomless darkness to them. Around him, the crowd stared in awe at him.

"Mr. Iraman has unveiled his true self!"

"He really is the greatest author alive!"

"I almost feel sorry for the defense…"

"This is the second time you have been disruptive. Do it again, and I will have you all tossed out!" The Judge said, his tone thunderous.

"Mr. Iraman! Now that you've acknowledged that you participated in Worlds Collide, we must consider you a possible suspect!" Juniper declared.

"It seems you don't understand your position. I can make you see what isn't there. I can make you imagine songs that don't exist," Mr. Iraman said, raising a hand. "Entire worlds dance at my fingerprints!"

"And that means what, exactly?" Juniper asked, tilting her head in confusion.

"It means that your accusations mean nothing to me." Out of nowhere, Mr. Iraman brought out a large scroll, and scribbled on it with his pen. "Your shoddy logic is going to be tossed back at you, like locusts gnawing at every inch of your face!"

"Aaahhhh!" Juniper screamed, overcome with the sensation of an overwhelming itchiness on her face.

"OBJECTION! Forgive me for not being impressed," Robin said, pointing at Mr. Iraman. "You need to provide an explanation for yourself!"

The sensation vanished from Juniper's face. His descriptions are so vivid, I actually feel them! This is such a frightening man!

"Then prepare yourself, for the true might of my writing ability," Mr. Iraman said. "When I'm done with you, you will be trapped in the world I've crafted!"

-Witness Testimony-

Edward Iraman the contestant

"I admit, I am participating in Worlds' Collide. However, it did not mean that much to me," Mr. Iraman said, brushing his bangs. "I am already a successful author."

"So I was content with merely watching the true winner claim their rightful prize. Money is no issue to me, and I already have companies that will publish me."

"So it is likely that in fact, Miss Scribe was killed for reasons not related with the contest,"Mr Iraman said. He shook his head. "So the murderer would be someone that knew her."

"That is the conclusion that you'd arrive at, would you come to cut the terms of this crime with Occam's finest blade."

-End Testimony-

"If I'm not mistaken, this has been a sticking point in this trial. While there is motive that could compel someone to kill the victim, nothing points to a specific person," The Judge said. "So the court asks the defense to please establish a clear motive."

Oh, no pressure. That's only the most critical question you could have asked! Juniper found herself needing to breathe into her sunflower several times before she recovered.

"HOLD IT! If you're already a successful author, then why enter 'Worlds Collide'?" It was the first question that came to mind.

Mr. Iraman shrugged graciously. "I wanted to see how my writing would measure up against other authors. It's the first time I've ever had anyone to compare it to."

"Is that really all? You state in your testimony that you already have money and publishers, both the main prizes. So there doesn't seem to be a reason for you to even want to enter," Juniper pointed out.

"Yeah, and don't even think about lying! I'll catch it in your voice the instant you do!" Athena declared.

"Instead of harassing me for every little inflection in my voice…" Mr. Iraman took out another scroll, and scribbled on it furiously. "Your voice should wither into nothing, and your mouth should seal itself shut!"

Athena started, and desperately clawed at her mouth.

"This is so unfair!" Widget cried out.

"To answer the question, I suppose the history of this competition drew me in," Mr. Iraman continued. "If I had won in the end, I would have donated the monetary earnings."

It sounds like there's something in there that I should learn more about. So, what's this history that drew you in so much?"

"I suppose you could call it fate. I have existed alongside 'Worlds Collide' for all my time on this Earth." Mr. Iraman answered.

"...That means what, exactly?" Juniper asked.

Athena found her voice. "I think I might know! Check his profile in our Court Record."

Juniper flipped through it, until he arrived at Mr. Iraman's profile. He was 27 years old. "So, if I'm not wrong about what he's saying, does that mean the contest has been going on for that long?"

"Probably! Wow, I guess that's what he meant by fate," Athena said. "So, did that help you, Junie?"

"I think it might have changed the significance of a few things." There was something Juniper had been wondering about. While she didn't have solid answers, she did have a lead.

"Objection! So, reviewing your statement- Is your profile correct? Are both you and 'Worlds Collide' twenty-seven years old?"

"You have a profile on me?" Mr. Iraman's face went pale.

"Standard court procedure is that the defense and prosecution are both given basic profiles on all witnesses," Robin explained. "Now answer the question!"

"...You are correct on both counts." Mr. Iraman finally said.

"Then there is something very strange going on here, to say the least." Juniper showed the court a picture of the arch she spotted. "In front of the main hall, there's this. It has a large five on it."

"It looks unfinished. Perhaps the five is meant to be part of a bigger number," The Judge said.

"Even if that's the case, it would still make no sense," Juniper said. "Mr. Solomon testified that this arch was made for a special anniversary to "Worlds Collide'."

"Urgh… you…" Mr. Iraman said in a low, threatening voice.

Juniper could feel her chest tighten, but pressed on. "But it can't be for the anniversary of the contest itself. After all- this five wouldn't fit!"

"Dammit!" Mr. Iraman cried dropping a book he was signing. The book nailed him right on his foot, and he winced.

"The defense is right, the five wouldn't fit. So what does it mean?" Robin asked. "This number must mean something to people involved in this case."

"So in other words, the people that participated in the coverup," Athena said, playing with her earring. "What kind of number would be so important?"

"I think it's time to check the evidence again." Juniper studied the book Mr. Artisan had given her. It was called "Necron Rising", and had a frightening demon on it. Next was Skylar's book, which was a copy of "The Eternal Staircase".

"I looked at the publishing notes for these books when we were in the lobby," Juniper muttered to herself. "They are both published by the same company, which is associated with 'Worlds Collide'."

"If nothing else, Mr. Iraman is certainly a prolific author," Athena said. "Though his covers could be less frightening."

Following this train of logic, Juniper continued, "Come to think of it, neither of these books could have been what Mr. Iraman entered. After all, the grand prize is to get your manuscript published. But then if both these books are published by the same company…"

"Junie, looks like you hit upon something. What does it mean?" Athena asked.

"If I'm not wrong about this, Thena, then the conspiracy might go deeper than we realize." Taking in a deep breath, Juniper shouted, "OBJECTION!"

"It sounds like you have something to tell the court, Juniper. Go on, then!" Robin exclaimed. "But remember- at this point, the stakes are high!"

I can't hesitate. I can't make mistakes. "It was just established that this arch, while made to celebrate 'Worlds Collide, can't be for the contest itself. So, wouldn't it make sense if it was for someone related to the contest instead?"

"You sound unsure of yourself, attorney," Mr. Iraman said scornfully. "You'd never be any good at creating fiction."

"Th-this isn't fiction! Though speaking of which…" Juniper presented her autographed book again. "This isn't the first time you've competed, isn't it? This book you gave me is how we proved you are a participant in 'World's Collide'. But the grand prize is to have your manuscript published."

"Wait a second…" The Judge's eyes widened. "Then could it be? This witness has competed and won in the past?"

"Now that we know his pen-name, it would be easy enough to check. However-!" Robin slammed her right palm on her bench. "The prosecution demands the defense explain what exactly they're alleging."

Here goes nothing. "The defense believes that this arch was in fact made to celebrate something. It was meant to celebrate Mr. Iraman's fifth consecutive victory in 'Worlds Collide'!"

The court fell silent as everyone processed Juniper's claim. The Judge closed his eyes. "I see… from what I know of this author's reputation, I can believe he would be skilled enough to accomplish this feat."

"So if the defense's claim is to be understood correctly, it was believed that Mr. Iraman was going to win for the fifth time. And so that arch was built ahead of time," Robin said.

"Yeah, probably by Mr. Solomon, given how much those two have colluded." Athena said.

At the witness stand, Mr. Iraman was silent, but he had his teeth clenched. The crowd around him shot him concerned glances.

"Then the prosecution has one final question- how do these facts add up to a motive? Why did Edward Iraman kill Skylar Scribe?"

"The court would like to impress how crucial this point is," The Judge said in a solemn tone. "So if the defense can't back up their claim, I will assign a harsh penalty."

I think I'm going to be okay. After all, there's only one piece of evidence that can answer this.

"The defense's evidence… is this!" Juniper presented the golden envelope.

"Ah, I remember that! This is the envelope that declares 'Colorful Sky' the winner!" Robin exclaimed. "Which would include both Miss Scribe and Mr. Artisan."

"I want the court to remember that this was decided ahead of time, by all judges except Mr. Solomon," Juniper said, her expression stern. "Now, let's consider something. How would the announcement ceremony had gone if all went as planned? With the arch completed and everything?"

"Hmm… well, everyone would have gathered, with some assuming that Mr. Iraman was the winner again. Then when the results were announced… ahhhh!" Robin gasped as it hit her.

"Mr. Iraman had the chance to learn of the results ahead of time. Which means if he peeked into the envelope…" Juniper slammed her palms down. "Then he would learn that at the very moment of his glory- everything would have been snatched away by Miss Scribe at the last second!"

"Incredible! A revelation like that would drive someone to murder, wouldn't it?" The Judge asked.

"Heh heh. Heh ha ha ha." At the stand, Mr. Iraman started laughing. "Heh heh heh heh! Ha ha ha ha heh!"

"Someone please make him stop! That laugh is sending shivers down my spine!" Athena cried out, covering her ears.

"I was mistaken. You weave quite the fiction indeed," Mr. Iraman said. He took a book, and signed it. "As a show of respect, take this!" He threw the book at Juniper.

"Eep!" Juniper caught the book, but also fell backwards onto the floor.

"Hey! Don't throw things at the defense!" Robin snapped.

"It seems I will need to state one final thing. There is no way I could have committed the murder," Mr. Iraman continued. "After all, there are witnesses to attest to that. More than you can dare imagine!"

"Get ready. I feel like this is going to be the final testimony," Athena said, her expression determined.

Juniper got back on her feet, setting aside the book that was thrown at her.

So then, this is the last obstacle between me and solving this case. I just need to hold on a little longer!

To be continued.

A/N: At long last, next chapter is the end of the case. Needlessly to say, me and my team are doing everything to bring the best resolution for everyone. See you next time! Please review.