Scene 10: The Revelation of Dormammu's Influence
The courtroom was heavy with the weight of the day's events. Bison had been dragged away, his schemes unraveled, but Phoenix Wright knew that this victory was fleeting. His fight wasn't over. The true battle for Galactus's fate had only just begun.
Phoenix had just sat down after a grueling round of cross-examinations. His eyes flickered across the courtroom, watching the jurors—each one now more nervous and on edge than before, still processing the evidence from the previous confrontation. The atmosphere was thick with uncertainty.
"Your Honor," the judge's booming voice cut through the tension, "the defense has made some bold claims today. However, we must proceed with caution. We now hear the next witness for the prosecution."
Phoenix straightened in his seat. He had a plan to put everything into motion, but it required one final piece to the puzzle. Dormammu. The name had come up in a whispered conversation Phoenix had overheard in the hall. He'd known the dark sorcerer's name from previous encounters, but this was something more sinister. Dormammu was the architect behind Galactus's destruction of Earth—or at least, that was how it had always appeared.
But was Galactus the true villain? Or had he been manipulated all along?
The answer had arrived in an unexpected way—through a series of cryptic messages from Doctor Strange.
As the proceedings continued, Phoenix felt an unsettling chill creeping down his spine. He had spoken with Strange just before the trial resumed after lunch, and the sorcerer had shared disturbing details about Dormammu's connection to Galactus. According to Strange, Dormammu had been using dark magic to manipulate the mighty cosmic entity, controlling him from afar, twisting Galactus's motives and actions to serve a malevolent purpose. Dormammu had not just influenced Galactus's hunger for planets—he had engineered it. Galactus was the puppet, not the puppeteer.
This revelation had altered everything. Phoenix had been so focused on defending Galactus as a cosmic entity, but now it seemed his task was even more complicated: he wasn't just defending Galactus's actions—he was defending a victim of magical manipulation.
Phoenix knew this revelation could turn the tide of the trial, but he needed the right moment. It had to come at just the right time to shift the narrative.
And now, as the next witness approached the stand, Phoenix knew this was it. This was his chance to strike.
"Your Honor," Phoenix called out, his voice calm but firm, "I request a brief recess before the next witness is sworn in."
The judge, already weary from the day's long proceedings, paused. He eyed Phoenix for a moment, clearly hesitant, but he knew there was no stopping the defense attorney when he was determined. "Granted. A ten-minute recess."
Phoenix stood up, already formulating his strategy in his mind. He turned to Maya, who was seated beside him, her eyes wide with concern. She had been his rock throughout the trial, and he needed her now more than ever.
"Maya, I need you to do something for me. We have one shot at this. Go find Doctor Strange. He'll have the proof we need."
Maya gave him a quick nod, her expression serious. "Got it. I'm on it."
Phoenix watched her leave the courtroom and then turned his attention back to the judge, waiting for the recess to officially begin. His mind was racing, trying to find the right words, the right angle to reveal the dark truth about Dormammu's manipulation.
As the courtroom doors closed behind Maya, the defense team huddled around the table. Phoenix leaned over, speaking to his assistant, Apollo, and his mentor, Larry Butz, who had somehow found his way back to the courtroom.
"We have to paint Galactus in a new light. This isn't just about proving he wasn't the villain; we need to show that he was a victim—manipulated by something far darker than any of us realized. Dormammu has been pulling his strings for years."
Apollo looked uneasy. "But how do we prove that? Galactus is a cosmic being. We can't just rely on our word alone. What if the jury doesn't believe us?"
Phoenix smiled grimly. "That's why I need Doctor Strange to testify. He's the key to this."
"Doctor Strange?" Larry asked, eyebrows furrowing. "The sorcerer guy?"
"Yes, Larry," Phoenix replied, his tone steady. "He has the knowledge and the magic to back up our claim. And he's the only one who can make Dormammu's influence over Galactus undeniable."
The defense team fell silent as the recess continued, everyone waiting for Doctor Strange to return. Phoenix knew this was their last chance, but he also knew that if Strange didn't get back in time, they would lose the momentum.
Minutes passed, and the tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. Finally, the doors opened again, and Maya walked back in, Doctor Strange at her side. The sorcerer's face was grave, his usual calm demeanor replaced with the intensity of a man who knew how high the stakes had become.
"Doctor Strange," Phoenix said, standing up to greet him. "We're counting on you."
Strange gave him a slight nod, his eyes glancing over to the judge, who was waiting impatiently for the proceedings to resume. He spoke in a low, clear voice that reverberated with power.
"Your Honor, I am here to testify regarding the true nature of Galactus's actions. What you've heard up until now—his destruction of planets, his endless hunger—was not the will of Galactus alone. It was the result of dark forces far beyond his control."
The room fell silent as all eyes turned to the sorcerer. Phoenix could feel the shift in the atmosphere as the weight of Strange's words hit everyone in the room. Bison's smug expression faded into confusion, and even Edgeworth seemed slightly rattled by the sudden turn of events.
Strange raised his hand, his fingers glowing faintly with magical energy. "Galactus was not acting out of malice or hunger for power. He was bound by a curse—a curse cast by none other than Dormammu, the dark entity of the Dark Dimension."
Phoenix could see the shock on the faces of the jurors, their eyes darting between each other, unsure of how to process this new information. Some looked to the judge for guidance, while others shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
"Dormammu," Strange continued, "used powerful dark magic to manipulate Galactus's desires, shaping his actions and fueling his need to consume. Galactus became nothing more than a puppet—his choices taken from him, his will subverted by the forces of darkness."
"Objection!" Edgeworth's voice cut through the silence. "This is baseless! There is no proof of such manipulation."
Doctor Strange turned his piercing gaze toward Edgeworth. "If you believe there is no proof, I suggest you reconsider. The evidence of Dormammu's manipulation can be found in the very magic that binds Galactus. I am prepared to offer a detailed analysis of the enchantments at work here, if the court would allow it."
The judge, still processing the revelation, nodded slowly. "Proceed, Doctor Strange. This court must hear all relevant information."
Strange began to conjure mystical symbols in the air, swirling ancient sigils that only a select few could comprehend. As he spoke, his words seemed to resonate with a strange, otherworldly power.
"Galactus's actions were not born of malice, but of a twisted bond with a being whose only goal is to sow chaos and destruction. Dormammu's grip on him was absolute—until recently, when Galactus began to regain some control. The trial of Galactus is not a trial of a villain, but of a victim."
Phoenix felt a surge of hope as the tide of the trial shifted. With this testimony, Galactus was no longer just a destructive force—he was a victim of manipulation. And now, the entire courtroom was beginning to understand that.
As the last of the mystical symbols faded from the air, Phoenix turned toward the jury, his voice steady. "What you've heard today is not the full truth of Galactus's actions. What you've heard is the result of dark magic and manipulation. Now, it is up to you to decide whether Galactus is the villain he has been portrayed as—or whether he is, in fact, the victim of forces far beyond his control."
The courtroom was silent, the weight of the moment settling over them all. The jury's decision was looming, but for the first time, Phoenix felt a flicker of hope.
Scene: M. Bison's Contingency Plan
As the trial ground on, with Doctor Strange's bombshell revelation shifting the tides in favor of the defense, M. Bison sat in the shadows of the courtroom, brooding. His carefully laid plans were starting to unravel, and though his usual confidence never wavered, the events were quickly spiraling out of his control. The man who had been at the center of the dark conspiracy was Galactus, but the mastermind behind everything—behind this trial, behind the jury tampering, and behind his personal vendetta against Phoenix Wright—was none other than himself.
With the revelation of Dormammu's influence over Galactus, the defense's position had just been solidified, and the balance of power was now tipping toward the cosmic being's favor. Bison's face contorted with frustration, his mind already churning with countermeasures. He would not let this courtroom become a mockery of his ambitions.
He needed to act quickly—before the inevitable occurred and Galactus was acquitted.
Reaching beneath the table, he pulled out a small, sleek device—a communications device, a direct link to one of his most trusted operatives, Juri Han. With a swift motion, he activated it, tapping the screen and waiting for the call to connect. His lips parted into a malevolent grin as the familiar figure of Juri appeared on the other end.
"Juri," Bison's voice was sharp, commanding, yet smooth with the satisfaction of control. "It seems things aren't going as planned. The defense has gotten too close to the truth. We need to accelerate our contingency plan. I trust you're ready."
On the screen, Juri's face twisted into a wicked smile, her dark eyes glinting with anticipation. "Always, Bison. What's the plan?"
"I need you to take action in the courtroom, now. Do whatever it takes to disrupt the proceedings. I've already put everything in motion—distracting the jurors, influencing the judge. But if this trial continues down this path, all of our work will be for nothing."
Juri leaned closer to the screen, her smile curling further. "You want me to… 'persuade' them, don't you?"
Bison's gaze hardened. "Yes. You know what to do. I've arranged for the perfect timing—during the break. You'll get to the jury before they can make any decision. Their minds must be changed, one way or another. I want you to make sure that this trial ends in Galactus's condemnation. No exceptions."
Juri's lips twitched as she nodded, fully aware of the gravity of the task. She was not one to shy away from chaos or manipulation. "Understood. Consider it done."
Without another word, the connection was severed, and Bison placed the device back into his coat pocket. He exhaled, knowing his plans would unfold exactly as he intended. His influence over the jury was already nearly complete, but it was time for Juri to provide the final push. His grip on the courtroom was unshakable, and soon, Phoenix Wright would learn just how far Bison was willing to go to see his version of justice done.
Meanwhile, the trial continued its intense march toward its conclusion, unaware that the threads of fate were about to be pulled tighter than ever.
Outside the Courtroom
Juri Han had arrived, slipping through the hallways with an almost predatory grace. She was dressed in her usual attire—tight, black combat gear, boots that clicked against the marble floors with every step. Her face was a perfect mask of calm, but beneath it, there was an eager anticipation. This was where she thrived—manipulation, deception, and direct action all leading to chaos.
As she neared the jury's holding area, she couldn't help but smirk. Bison had placed her in a perfect position, and she had been anticipating this moment for weeks. She knew what was at stake, and more importantly, she knew what kind of leverage she had over the weak-minded.
She glanced to her left, where two guards were posted outside the jury room. With a flash of her eyes, she disabled them in an instant, sending a pulse of energy through the air that knocked them unconscious, ensuring her approach would go unnoticed. She didn't care for subtlety—if the jury needed to be shaken, she would give them something to truly fear.
As the heavy door to the jury room opened, Juri stepped inside. The jurors were sitting around the table, chatting among themselves in low voices. When they saw her, their eyes widened slightly. But there was no time for hesitation. Juri had already planned how to work them—one by one.
"Good afternoon," Juri's voice was smooth, like poison dripping from her tongue. She leaned casually against the doorframe, crossing her arms. "I hope I'm not disturbing anything important. But I have a very… interesting proposition for all of you."
The jurors froze, some unsure of what to do, others looking confused but not wanting to appear weak. Juri's gaze swept over them like a predator sizing up its prey. There was no need to speak plainly. Her presence alone spoke volumes, and she knew how to twist the fear in their hearts into something they could not ignore.
"I trust you've been listening closely to the trial. You've heard how the defense is attempting to paint Galactus as a victim," she said with a mocking laugh. "How laughable, don't you think? The truth, however, is far darker. The defendant has been causing devastation for a reason—one that the defense conveniently ignores. Galactus may have been manipulated, yes, but there's a much more dangerous force at play here—something that threatens all of you if you don't make the right decision."
One of the jurors, an older man, spoke up hesitantly, "What are you talking about?"
Juri tilted her head, her lips curling into a sinister grin. "Let's just say that if you don't do as I ask, there will be consequences. You'll learn just how much power Galactus can wield—how much power I can wield."
She took a step forward, closing the distance between herself and the nearest juror. The man recoiled instinctively, but Juri's gaze was intense, holding him in place.
"You want to be sure of your decision, don't you? You don't want to risk facing the wrath of those who are much more powerful than Galactus himself. All it takes is one misstep, one wrong verdict, and you'll find yourself out of your depth."
Juri's voice had grown colder, more threatening. She wasn't speaking metaphorically anymore; she was laying the groundwork for what would happen if they chose wrong. And she knew that fear would be the perfect motivator.
"Do the right thing, and everything will go smoothly," Juri continued. "But if you decide to stand with the defense, well… I think you'll regret it. All of you."
The room was silent as Juri waited for the impact of her words to settle in. She could see the unease spreading among the jurors. Some were already wavering, the seed of doubt planted in their minds. She could smell their fear now—it was working.
One by one, they exchanged glances, unsure whether they should oppose her or not. But Juri knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that she had won. Phoenix Wright's victory was slipping further and further away.
With a sly smile, Juri nodded. "I'm glad we understand each other."
As she turned to leave, her heels clicking sharply on the marble floor, the sound was a haunting reminder of the power she wielded behind the scenes. The game was far from over, and Phoenix Wright would learn the true meaning of manipulation.
Juri had already tipped the scales. Now, it was only a matter of time before the verdict was decided.
Scene Continued: Juri's Silent Threat
Juri's heels clicked on the cold marble floor as she made her way back down the corridor, her task complete. The jurors were too frightened to oppose her, their minds twisted by the power of her words and the threat she had left hanging in the air. But as she stepped into the shadowy recesses of the building, she felt a sudden, unmistakable presence. Someone was following her.
She turned sharply, her hand instinctively reaching for her signature weapon: a pair of violet-tipped steel blades that concealed themselves under her sleeves. Her eyes narrowed as she sized up her pursuer.
The person trailing her was an older man, tall and imposing. He wore the uniform of a courtroom bailiff. He had no idea who he was dealing with, but Juri's senses were sharper than any normal human's. She could feel his every movement, hear his every breath. And she knew why he was here—he had seen too much, or rather, he knew too much. She couldn't leave any loose ends.
Before he could make a move to confront her, Juri was on him, her speed nearly impossible to track. With one fluid motion, she pulled her blade from its sheath and sliced through the air, narrowly missing his throat but leaving a faint scar along his cheek. His eyes widened in shock, but Juri's expression remained calm, almost amused.
"You should have stayed out of my way," she purred, her voice low and taunting.
The bailiff staggered back, clutching his cheek in pain. But his eyes weren't filled with fear—not yet. He had been trained for moments like this. He pulled out a taser from his belt, aiming it at Juri. He might not have the speed to match her, but he had the will to try.
With a wicked smile, Juri pivoted, dodging the taser bolt that zipped past her and hit the wall. The force of the bolt caused a small explosion, cracking the marble behind her. She could hear the electricity crackle through the air, and the distraction was all she needed.
She lunged at him in an instant, her blade gleaming under the artificial light as she pressed it against his throat. Her grip was tight, controlling, yet cold. The bailiff's breath hitched as he realized just how close to death he truly was.
"You think you can stop me?" Juri mocked, her voice dripping with venom. "It's gonna take more than a fuckin tazer, sweetheart."
The bailiff swallowed hard, trying to gather the strength to speak, but Juri wasn't interested in hearing him beg. She swiped her other blade toward his chest, leaving only a tiny cut across his shirt. It wasn't deep, but the intent was clear: If you try anything, I will end you.
With a flick of her wrist, she retracted the blades back into their hidden compartments, and with a final sneer, she shoved the man aside. The bailiff staggered, his breath ragged and shaky as he watched Juri disappear down the hallway. He knew he had just barely escaped with his life.
Juri's smile never wavered as she disappeared around the corner, heading back to the courtroom.
Back in the Courtroom
As the trial resumed, Phoenix's mind was racing. He knew there was something else at play, something he couldn't yet place his finger on. But that was about to change.
He had been sitting at his table, waiting for the next move, when the doors to the courtroom swung open. To Phoenix's shock, it was not one of the expected witnesses or a court officer—it was Juri Han. She strutted in, her presence dominating the room. Her eyes scanned the courtroom, and she smiled, almost as if she were the one on trial.
The jury looked uneasy at her appearance, some of them avoiding eye contact while others shifted in their seats. Phoenix felt an unsettling chill creep down his spine. He had suspected her involvement in the jury tampering, but now he could see she was here for something far more sinister. She wasn't just manipulating from behind the scenes—she was here to make a direct impact.
Phoenix had no idea what her game was, but there was no time to figure it out. Juri had already begun her next move. As she walked confidently toward the defense side, she made eye contact with one of the jurors—Juror #5, the man who had been most skeptical of the defense's arguments. Phoenix saw the subtle change in the juror's posture. A shift. A momentary weakness. He had been the one who had looked the most troubled by the defense's position.
Before Phoenix could even stand to object, Juri snapped her fingers.
In an instant, the room's atmosphere shifted. The lights flickered overhead, casting an eerie, unnatural glow across the courtroom. A blast of energy surged from Juri, slamming into the walls with enough force to rattle the chairs.
Phoenix's eyes widened. What the hell was she doing?
The jury was in disarray, their expressions showing confusion and terror. Some of them looked as if they were trying to move, but Juri had already used her powers to ensnare them, subtly manipulating their wills.
With a wave of her hand, Juri unleashed a pulse of psychic energy, knocking over the juror at the center of the row, causing his chair to crash violently to the ground. Panic rippled through the room as the bailiffs rushed to restrain her, but Juri moved with fluid grace, sidestepping their attempts like a predator evading a trap.
"You're too slow," she taunted, her voice ringing out across the courtroom. "All of you are. This is my show now."
With another snap of her fingers, she directed another wave of psychic energy at the prosecutor's table. Edgeworth's papers flew from his desk, swirling around the air like leaves caught in a gust of wind. He gripped the edge of the table, his eyes wide with fury, but he was helpless to stop the chaos unfolding before him.
Phoenix stepped forward, trying to regain control of the situation. "Enough, Juri!" he shouted, his voice strong and defiant. "What do you think you're doing?"
Juri smiled, tilting her head to the side. "You really think you can win this trial?" she mused. "You're not even aware of the full picture, Phoenix. You're dancing around, thinking you know the game. But you're just a pawn. So, let me show you who really controls the board."
As she spoke, her aura intensified. Her limbs moved fluidly, almost like a dancer, each movement charged with lethal precision. With a sudden motion, she sent a wave of energy crashing toward the defense table, toppling it with a violent crash that echoed through the room.
The judge called for order, his voice cracking with panic, but his commands were drowned out by Juri's sheer presence. The courtroom descended into chaos as Juri effortlessly overpowered anyone who tried to stop her.
But Phoenix wasn't one to back down. He looked to Maya, who was already on her feet, ready to help him in whatever way she could. With his quick thinking, Phoenix had to act fast. He had to find a way to stop Juri's rampage before it was too late.
"Hold her off, Maya!" Phoenix shouted. "I'm going for the evidence we need to end this once and for all."
With determination in his eyes, Phoenix charged toward the back of the courtroom, knowing that the clock was ticking. Juri was a force to be reckoned with, but Phoenix Wright wasn't done yet.
As the courtroom erupted in chaos, the real battle for Galactus's fate had only just begun.
Chapter 10 Continued: Clash of Wills
The tension in the air was palpable as Chun-Li, Ryu, and Doctor Strange stood shoulder to shoulder in the darkened streets of the city. Across from them, Juri, M. Bison, and Rolento exuded an aura of menace. The neon lights of the city reflected off the shattered glass and rubble scattered around them, creating a chaotic battleground.
Doctor Strange raised his hand, summoning a shield of the Seraphim as Juri launched herself forward with a spinning kick. "Stay sharp," he called out as the kick connected with the magical barrier, sending ripples of energy outward. Juri smirked and flipped back, readying herself for another strike.
Ryu dashed forward, meeting Bison in the center of the battlefield. Their fists collided, a burst of energy rippling outwards from the impact. Bison laughed maniacally. "You think you can stand against me, warrior?"
"I'll do more than stand," Ryu replied, channeling his ki into a powerful Hadoken. The blue energy ball surged toward Bison, who deflected it with a wave of his Psycho Power. The deflected Hadoken smashed into a nearby building, causing debris to rain down. Phoenix Wright, who had been observing from the sidelines, dove for cover as chunks of concrete crashed around him.
"I did not sign up for this!" Phoenix shouted, scrambling behind an overturned car.
Chun-Li engaged Juri in a fierce exchange of strikes. Lightning-fast kicks from both fighters created a rapid staccato of impacts. Chun-Li spun into her Spinning Bird Kick, catching Juri off-guard and sending her flying into a pile of rubble. Juri wiped blood from her lip and grinned wickedly.
"You hit harder than you look," Juri taunted. "But I'm just getting started!"
With a sudden burst of speed, Juri activated her Feng Shui Engine. Her movements became erratic and unpredictable, forcing Chun-Li to retreat and reassess her strategy. Doctor Strange stepped in, casting the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak to restrain Juri, but she twisted free with an energy-infused kick that shattered the mystical bindings.
Meanwhile, Rolento lobbed grenades at Ryu, forcing him to dodge and weave through the explosions. Ryu leaped into the air, spinning into a Tatsumaki Senpukyaku that knocked Rolento off his feet. Seizing the opportunity, Ryu followed up with a Shoryuken, but Bison intercepted him mid-air with a devastating Psycho Crusher, sending Ryu crashing into the ground.
"Enough games," Bison growled, his eyes glowing with Psycho Power. He raised his hands, unleashing a massive wave of purple energy that surged toward the heroes. Doctor Strange conjured a barrier, but the impact sent cracks spidering across its surface.
"This is not sustainable," Strange muttered, reinforcing the shield with another incantation.
Chun-Li sprinted toward Bison, her legs glowing with the energy of her Kikoken. She launched a flurry of kicks in rapid succession, each strike crackling with power. Bison blocked most of them but was forced to take a step back. Chun-Li pressed her advantage, delivering a punishing Hyakuretsukyaku that sent Bison skidding across the battlefield.
"You won't win, Bison," Chun-Li declared. "Not while I'm standing."
Bison chuckled darkly, his confidence unshaken. "Foolish girl. I am but a pawn in a much greater game."
At that moment, Dormammu's voice echoed across the battlefield. "Enough, Bison. Return to me."
A massive portal of swirling fire and darkness opened behind Bison's team. Dormammu's visage loomed within, his eyes burning with otherworldly intensity.
"So, you're pulling the strings," Doctor Strange said grimly, stepping forward. "I should have known."
Dormammu's laughter reverberated through the streets. "You meddle in affairs beyond your comprehension, Sorcerer Supreme. Bison, Juri, Rolento—come. Our plans are not yet complete."
Bison turned to his team. "We retreat, but this isn't over."
Juri sneered at Chun-Li. "Next time, I won't go so easy on you."
As the villains began retreating toward the portal, Chun-Li lunged forward, determined to stop them. Doctor Strange pulled her back with a gesture.
"Let them go," he said. "There's no telling what lies beyond that portal."
"He's working for Dormammu," Chun-Li said, realization dawning. "Bison's Psycho Power—it's being amplified by him."
Phoenix Wright peeked out from his hiding spot, dusting off his suit. "Does that mean we're dealing with a conspiracy of interdimensional proportions?"
"Exactly," Strange replied. "Dormammu's influence stretches far and wide. If we're going to stop him, we'll need more than just brute force."
The portal closed with a deafening roar, leaving the battlefield eerily silent. Chun-Li clenched her fists, her determination renewed. "We need to find out what they're planning—and stop them before it's too late."
Ryu stood, battered but resolute. "We'll fight together. Whatever it takes."
Doctor Strange nodded. "Agreed. But first, we must regroup. The battle ahead will test us all."
As the heroes began to strategize, the city around them remained a stark reminder of the destruction they faced. The fight was far from over, but they were ready to face whatever came next.