A/N: The final trial session begins. With the long wait times between chapters, I decided to have the collected evidence listed in this chapter. Feel free to refer back to this as the trial progresses. Enjoy, my readers!

June 7th, 2029

9:00 a.m.

District Courthouse, Defendant Lobby #1

"This is it, Juniper. You are going to be in a showdown against Mrs. Newman only an hour from now," Bailey said. "And you can be sure that she will not stop until she gets you to submit."

"I'm not going to stop until I obtain a Not Guilty verdict," Juniper said in response. "So I guess this trial isn't going to end until we've explored every possible angle in this case."

Bailey stared at Juniper, a look of contemplation on her face. "I notice that you have your hair down. Did you forget to put it up this morning?"

"I didn't forget, Bailey. I was going to put my hair in pigtails like usual, but… somehow, it felt right to keep it down today," Juniper ran her fingers through her hair. "It reminds me a bit of our Mom."

"It is her spirit that you're taking into court today," Bailey said, a small smile on her face. "It's only fitting that you carry her image as well."

"Since we still have an hour before court, could you help me sort through the evidence?" Juniper asked.

"If you want my personal opinion, this might be the evidence that's most relevant…"

Crime Photo: Shows Mr. Smokes' body. Is laying in his bed with the sheets pulled halfway up his body.

Large Knife: The knife found in Mr. Smokes' chest. Noted by Myriam to be comically large.

Klavier's Testimony: He spent the entire blackout guarding the eastern sitting room door. No one got past him, and he heard nothing suspicious.

Chocolate Wrapper: A foil wrapper for a piece of chocolate. Found in a trash can located at the crime scene. Ordered by Tony Smokes, to end his own life.

Service Button and Bell: A communication system meant for Bailey. When a button is pressed, it rings a bell meant to alert her.

Bailey's Testimony: At around 8:30 in the morning, Mr. Smokes called her to deliver a single piece of chocolate. She was called again an hour later, but the blackout struck when she entered the room.

Soiled Handkerchief: A dirty handkerchief found in the trash can. Covered in both blood and chocolate.

Crumpled Box: One of Myriam's boxes found crumpled in the eastern sitting room. According to Myriam, she had been hiding in the box when someone stepped on it.

Blackout Report: An account of the blackout that struck the house, from between 9:30 a.m. and 9:40 a.m.

Secret Tunnel: A secret tunnel that goes through the middle of the house. One entrance is the wardrobe in Detective Smokes's room, while the other entrance is the eastern closet.

Soundproofing Experiment: an experiment done by Ema Skye. The tunnel is soundproofed, to the point where even Robin shouting at the top of her lungs does not penetrate it.

Manor's Breaker: The breaker for the house. Has been sabotaged through remote means, according to Sheila.

Trash Can: A trash can located at the scene of the crime, found to be filled with blood and chocolate thrown up by the victim. At the bottom, there is a strange rectangular imprint.

Torn Photo: A photo found in Diana Newman's office, which used to be Constance Courte's office. Has been been torn in half, with the visible half showing Diana Newman as a student of Themis Legal Academy.

Old Case File: Case file found in Professor Courte's office. Details a case where Diana Newman was publicly humiliated. Notes by Courte herself allege a traitor in the prosecutor's office at the time, as does an interview with Tony Smokes.

Detective Smokes Information File: A file on various illegal activates that Tony Smokes engaged in, primarily: sending Vernon Bolo after Conan Ratters, and tampering with the crime scene during the Andres Artisan case.

"Even looking at the body of evidence before me, it's still hard to tell what the truth is," Juniper muttered to herself. "It's clear that this case is hiding something, if nothing else."

"Of course, there is no telling what will be discovered in the course of the trial itself," Bailey added. "Keep an open mind, and a cautious eye."

"No matter what's hiding in this case, I'm sure that we could find it!"

"Oh, Robin! It's nice to see you," Juniper said, smiling at her dear friend. "I assume that Hugh and Myriam are right behind you?"

"Not quite. My mother is currently questioning them as witnesses. Same with Gavin and Edgeworth," Robin explained. "I don't know what she's doing, but it looks like she's already put her plan in action."

Thena wanted to be here with me, but Mrs. Newman didn't allow it. So Thena told that she's going to go look for new evidence for me.

"That could be concerning. Going into the final battle blind is something we can ill afford," Bailey said, nervously pulling at the hem of her maid dress. "Especially if we wish to avoid the deadlock from the previous court session."

"Then our plan is to wait and see what kind of case the prosecution lays out!" Robin exclaimed. "Then we can attack any weak points we find!"

"I do appreciate you being here and all, but… why aren't you with your mother as well?" Juniper asked curiously.

"Because I refuse to let this trial go by whatever script she has in mind!" Robin shouted. "So I plan to stick with you until we've gotten Bailey off the hook!"

"Thank you, Robin," Bailey said, bowing at the waist. "May we breach the storm together."

The storm ahead is going to be rough, but… I need to hold firm. I must take the strength of all my loved ones, and be as strong as a redwood.

June 7th, 2029

10:00 a.m.

District Courthouse, Courtroom #4

DAY TWO
COURT IS IN SESSION

ALL RISE

"Court is now in session for the trial of Bailey Courte." The Judge studied both sides of the courtroom. "Are the defense and prosecution ready?"

"The defense is ready, Your Honor." Juniper took a few deep breaths. At least, I'm as ready as I'll ever be.

"The prosecution is ready, naturally." Diana delicately raised a hand to her mouth. "Although I feel a little outnumbered here."

"Huh?" Juniper looked around, and saw Robin standing to her right. "Robin, what are you doing here?"

"Because I want to support you!" Robin exclaimed cheerfully. "And since I plan to join the O'Conner Law Offices, it's only fitting that my first job is as your assistant!"

Diana shook her head. "I know a mother is supposed to indulge in her child's whims, but at a certain point the child starts being unreasonable."

"Well I'm not a prosecutor, so it's not like you can make me stand at the prosecutor's bench!" Robin shouted. "So there!"

"That's always been an issue with you, Robin. You don't look before you leap." Richard Newman walked behind the prosecutor's bench, stopping at his wife's right side.

"And who is this now?" The Judge asked curiously.

"I am Richard, the prosecutor's husband," Richard said, politely bowing his head. "I would like to assist her in this trial."

"A husband standing by his wife…" The Judge sniffled, clearly touched by the gesture. "Of course I have no reason to refuse."

"Now it's two against two! Well, I am down for that!" Robin said, grinning. "After all, I won't stop until Bailey walks free, even if it's against both of you!"

The Judge banged the gavel on his bench. "Now, now. This court isn't the place to air out family drama."

"Too true, Your Honor. Which is why I will now begin my opening statement." Diana held out her right hand.

Richard took out a file and handed it to his wife, who opened it up. Diana began talking: "During yesterday's trial, the defense deduced that Tony Smokes took his own life by consuming chocolate, which he would know full well he was allergic to. Follow up investigations have confirmed this, with the coroner's office drafting a revised autopsy report. I present it to the court."

A bailiff handed Juniper a copy, and she read it over. "Time of death is between 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. of June 6th. Cause of death is heart failure due to anaphylactic shock. The stab wound in his chest has now been determined to be post-mortem."

Smokes' Autopsy Report revised and refiled in the Court Record

Juniper decided to take the initiative, and pointed out, "The new cause of death makes it clear that Bailey could not have killed the victim, because he died long before she entered his room!"

"The defense is correct. This trial initially convened to try Bailey Courte on a murder charge. However, the prosecution has altered the charge to attempted murder," The Judge said. "Can you explain this change to the court?"

"Strictly speaking, the defense's assertion is correct. It would be impossible for the defendant to murder the victim." Diana slammed down the file she was holding. "However, it is still possible that the defendant enacted her murder plan, without knowing that Detective Smokes had died. Until we clear this up, a Not Guilty verdict would be hasty, to say the least!

The Judge nodded. "The prosecution's claim is acknowledged. The most pressing question is indeed the defendant's intent."

"That's my mother for you. She's laying out her points without missing a beat," Robin said, looking at her mother across the courtroom. "But you know it's not so simple, Juniper."

That's right. There's a fact that Mrs. Newman has conveniently overlooked. Juniper smacked her palms on her bench. "However, the defense has shown that someone summoned the defendant to the crime scene after the victim's death. We must consider this third party a possible culprit."

"I believe this point was discussed in yesterday's trial as well. However, when asked to name a possible suspect, the defense could not." The Judge narrowed his eyes at Juniper. "So it appears we are at an impasse."

"Which is why the prosecution suggests that we review the facts established thus far, to answer these pressing questions." Diana smiled mysteriously. "Unless the defense would like to suggest an alternate avenue to explore?"

She's asking me? Juniper considered her options. I don't want to retread the arguments from yesterday. But what other possibilities are there to explore?

"If you ask me, reviewing the facts would only be to the prosecution's advantage!" Robin exclaimed. "Until we have something new, all we'll do is circle the same points as yesterday!"

"Good point, Robin. But then where are we supposed to go?" Juniper asked.

"I hope the defense plans to join the trial sometime today," Diana said impatiently. "If not, I have no issues with continuing my case."

Uh oh, Mrs. Newman is trying to move things in her direction. Juniper wracked her brain. I need to prove either that Bailey couldn't have stabbed the victim's body, or that someone else did. Which is more probable at the moment?

"If the defense is going to present evidence of a new direction for this trial, I ask that they do it soon," The Judge added. "Otherwise, I will have no choice but to reject the assertion."

There is evidence I wanted to learn more about. Maybe this is finally my chance… "TAKE THAT! This is the evidence that will guide the trial in a new direction!"

"Why Junie, I believe that's the case file the defendant was after," Diana said. "How is this going to move the case forward?"

"I would like to question that very assertion. You've claimed that Bailey wanted this file because it was connected to her late mother. However…" Juniper took a deep breath. "Constance Courte only studied this file. The file is really about someone else!"

Juniper carefully studied Mrs. Newman for a reaction. They both knew who the file was really about. The question was, who would be the first to say it?

"Oh, believe me, I know full well what's in that file," Diana said, smirking. "My question is, how will it help your case?"

"Because if I prove that Bailey had no motive to take the file, then it will deal a serious blow to the prosecution's case," Juniper said. "So the defense would like to assert that we should delve into this file's contents."

"OBJECTION!"

The shout came from Miles Edgeworth, who was currently at the witness stand. "I would like the defense's request to be rejected."

"What? Why?" Juniper asked, covering her mouth in shock.

Edgeworth crossed his arms. "I believe it was mentioned in the previous trial session that the contents of the file are sealed. That is because they contain confidential information."

"Then what if I, as the prosecutor in charge of this trial, give my consent to unseal the file?" Diana asked. "Since the defense also wants it, that means there shouldn't be any issue."

"You seem to delight in needling me, Prosecutor Newman," Edgeworth said, pinching his nose. "But surely the judge will agree that it's pointless to unseal the file and air confidential information to the court."

The Judge closed his eyes, focused. "Usually, a file that has been labeled confidential is done so for good reason. However, the defense raised a valid point earlier- if the court is to accept that this file is the defendant's motive, then it would be best if we unseal it."

"You cannot be serious," Edgeworth said flatly. "And if the defense's assertion turns out to be incorrect, and the file is unrelated to the case?"

"That will be dealt with at the appropriate time. However, I cannot abide by further delays of this trial without good reason," The Judge said sternly.

"Then I must place my own condition on this: I will have an impartial third party impart the contents of the file," Edgeworth said. "Prosecutor Klavier Gavin and Detective Ema Skye."

Klavier and Ema? Why them, specifically? Juniper wondered to herself.

"The prosecution has no issues with this," Diana said, her mysterious smile still on her face. "I will give the case file to Prosecutor Gavin before he testifies." |

"The defense has no problems with this either," Juniper said. I'm not sure what Mrs. Newman is doing, but I need to make headway in my defense, and she got the Judge to unseal the case file. So we will find out how it relates to everything, together!

To be continued.

A/N: Yup, we have an entire chapter of nothing but set up. To give you an idea of how long this trial will be. So I hope everyone enjoys this ride to the end. See you next time! Please review.