Orion Marx; Rookie Attorney at Law

Hey, what's up my friends of fanfiction! I'm back once again with a new story arc. It's an OC in the Phoenix Wright; the Ace Attorney universe and his first major case/ cases!

NOTE: This story has flashbacks. When a chapter has (~) before it E.G; [Chapter ~?]

It will be a flashback! I hope you enjoy! Also, I do not own anything but the OC and the cases I may make.

NOW BETAED by Britta204

Chapter ~4: Marxed Out! (Part 2 of 4)


=TIME: 11:03 A.M., PLACE: WRIGHT & CO LAW OFFICES=

Phoenix tossed the necklace onto his desk with a resounding clink, the sharp sound cutting through the office's quiet atmosphere. Maya leaned in, eyes narrowing in curiosity, but Phoenix was too deep in thought to notice.

"This doesn't make sense," Phoenix muttered, flipping through his notes. His brow furrowed as he tried to connect the dots.

Maya cocked her head, her gaze still fixed on the necklace. "The 'Forever' crossed out with 'For Never'? Seems a bit... obvious, don't you think?"

Phoenix didn't even glance at the necklace. "No, it's not the message—it's the placement. The gun was in Orion's hand, but this..." He gestured vaguely at the jewelry. "It was hidden. If this was a robbery, why would you hide something like this?"

Maya blinked. "Wait... You think this isn't about the money?"

Phoenix sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as frustration washed over him. "No. I think this was personal. Someone went out of their way to make sure this necklace was out of sight. And that says a lot more than a simple crime of passion."

Maya's eyes widened as she started to piece things together. "So you're saying someone wanted revenge, not money?"

Phoenix nodded, his fingers still absentmindedly tracing the edges of the necklace. "I think Kristine Krystal knows more than she's letting on. She's hiding something. And it's not just about Terry Du."

Maya grinned, an almost mischievous spark lighting up her eyes. "Ah, so love turned into murder. Classic."

Phoenix didn't respond right away. He stared at the necklace for a long moment, as if it held the key to everything. "It's never that simple."


=TIME: 11:45 A.M., PLACE: DETENTION CENTER POLICE=

Orion sat slumped in his chair, his eyes hollow with exhaustion and despair. His posture was defeated, but he still looked up when Phoenix entered, trying—and failing—to appear strong.

"I didn't expect you back so soon..." Orion's voice was weak, as though he'd already given up.

Phoenix studied him closely. Something had shifted. The air around Orion felt different, heavier. "I've been thinking about your story," Phoenix said, his voice calm but firm.

Orion's eyes darted around nervously. "There's not much to say. I was there. I picked up the gun... It went off... I panicked."

Phoenix leaned in, his voice even as he corrected him. "But you didn't shoot him, did you?"

Orion's eyes flickered with doubt, his confidence crumbling. "How can you be sure?"

Phoenix slid the necklace across the table, observing Orion closely for any reaction.

"Because someone went through a lot of trouble to make sure that necklace was hidden," Phoenix said slowly, his tone deliberate. "And I think that's a clue to what really happened."

Orion's gaze snapped to the necklace, his breath catching in his throat. "I didn't know about any necklace... I didn't even see it until now."

Phoenix's voice dropped dangerously. "And I don't think Kristine wanted you to see it, either."

Orion stiffened, his voice cracking as he spoke. "She... she hates me. Always has. Said I was just a 'charity hire.' Said my eyes freaked her out..."

Phoenix's eyes narrowed. "Sounds like a motive to me."

Orion hung his head, his shoulders sagging with the weight of his own guilt. But then, he looked up suddenly, eyes wide. "Wait... there's more. Before it happened, I heard something."

Phoenix's pulse quickened. "What did you hear?"

Orion's voice faltered as he spoke the words that had been gnawing at him. "A voice... it said, 'You were never supposed to be here.'"

Phoenix froze, his mind spinning. "Kristine's voice?"

Orion shook his head, clearly rattled. "I... I think it was. I don't know."

Phoenix didn't say anything. He just nodded once, turning toward the door. A dangerous calm settled over him as he made his way out.


=TIME: 12:17 P.M., PLACE: INVESTIGATIONS HQ – WITNESS INTERVIEW ROOM=

Kristine Krystal sat across from Phoenix, her posture rigid and defiant, arms crossed tightly over her chest like she could shut out everything in the room. Her cold, almost smug demeanor did nothing to hide the nervousness creeping into her eyes.

"I don't see why I need to be here," Kristine sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. "I already told the police everything. That boy killed Terry Du."

Phoenix didn't flinch. His voice was low, but every word he spoke landed with purpose. "And you're sure about that?"

Kristine scoffed. "I saw the footage. Blood on his hands. The gun. My store. My poor floors..."

Phoenix leaned forward slightly, his gaze never leaving hers. "Did you know the victim well?"

She scoffed again, dismissing the question with a wave. "Terry Du? He was just an ex. A waste of space."

Phoenix's eyes gleamed with quiet intensity. "Then explain this." He slid the necklace across the table toward her, watching her face closely for any shift in her expression.

Kristine's eyes flickered to the necklace, and her face paled. Phoenix didn't let her speak. "Is this yours?"

Kristine opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She stared at the necklace as if it were a deadly snake ready to strike.

Phoenix's voice was razor-sharp. "Did you write this? 'Together For Never'?"

Kristine's breath hitched. She tried to steady herself but faltered, her fingers trembling slightly as she reached for the necklace.

"I..." she stammered. "I didn't think it would—"

"Why would you keep something like this hidden?" Phoenix pressed. "Why hide it, especially the day Terry Du is killed?"

Kristine's eyes darted around the room, her calm facade crumbling. She was losing her grip.

"I didn't keep it! I threw it away after we broke up. He wouldn't stop coming around. He was obsessed with me..." Her voice wavered with something dangerously close to desperation.

Phoenix slid a set of notes across the table. "So, you threw it away... but it turns up today, the day Terry Du dies? That's quite the coincidence."

Kristine swallowed, her facade slipping even further. Phoenix could see the panic rising in her. The game was shifting.

"Ms. Krystal," Phoenix said, his tone steely, "You told me Orion was a 'charity hire.' Did you know he'd be working that day?"

Kristine shot up from her seat, her temper flaring. "No! I didn't know! I didn't—"

Phoenix didn't flinch. "But someone knew. And they made sure Orion was there, even though his shift wasn't scheduled."

Kristine recoiled, the guilt becoming harder to mask. Phoenix pressed on, his voice steady. "I have the logs from your store. The clerk remembers receiving a call... from your number."

Kristine's face twisted with a mix of fury and fear. "You think I planned this?!"

Phoenix stood tall, his eyes unwavering. "I think you're hiding something. And when I find out what it is, I'll prove Orion's innocence. No matter what it takes."


=TIME: ? P.M., PLACE: ?=

Kristine's voice crackled through the phone, tight with barely contained panic, the cold air outside doing little to ease the rising tide of dread in her chest. "You're running out of time. He's getting closer. The 'gift' needs to be planted—exactly where we agreed."

There was a long pause on the other end. Kristine's patience snapped. Her voice sharp, cutting through the hesitation. "I don't care how you do it. Break in, if you have to. But if that kid slips through your fingers because of your screw-up..."

The phone slammed back into her purse with a frustrated breath. Her hands shook, betraying her as she gripped the strap, the weight of everything she'd done suddenly too much to bear.

The walls were closing in. And Phoenix Wright was dangerously close to uncovering everything.


=TIME: 9:15 A.M, PLACE: COURTROOM – DAY OF THE TRIAL=

The courtroom buzzed with tension as Phoenix Wright took his place at the defense table, his hand resting lightly on the edge of the wooden surface. Maya sat beside him, clutching her guidebook nervously, her eyes darting to the door.

"Court is now in session for the trial of Orion Marx," Judge Reinhold's voice echoed through the room, a steady hand raising a gavel. "Mr. Wright, are you prepared to present your defense?"

Phoenix nodded, straightening his tie. "Yes, Your Honor. We are ready to proceed."

Across in the courtroom, Kristine Krystal sat in the gallery, her gaze fixed on Phoenix with a hard, calculating look. She wore a mask of calm, though there was a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes.

Across from Phoenix was Prosecutor Blackstone, a sharp-dressed man whose presence alone felt like a looming storm cloud.

"Very well," the Judge said, turning his attention to the prosecution. "Prosecution, you may begin."

Prosecutor Blackstone stood, his shoes clicking against the marble floor as he approached the stand, a smug look playing at the corners of his lips. "Thank you, Your Honor."

His voice was smooth, calculated. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the facts of this case are simple. Orion Marx, an employee at Miss Krystal's store, was found holding the murder weapon. Blood on his hands. Motive, opportunity, and the means. The prosecution will prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he killed Terry Du in cold blood."

Phoenix's jaw tensed. He glanced toward Maya, who offered a confident nod.

He leaned forward, whispering, "Let's turn the tables."


=TIME: 9:17 A.M., PLACE: COURTROOM – DAY OF THE TRIAL=

Phoenix stood, adjusting his jacket with a calm focus that belied the fire brewing behind his eyes. He walked slowly toward the bench, letting silence build tension in the room.

"Your Honor," Phoenix began, turning to face the judge and jury, "the prosecution would have you believe this case is simple. But the truth? The truth is never that easy."

He turned to the gallery, where Kristine Krystal sat stone-faced, her eyes now locked on Phoenix like daggers.

"We will show that Orion Marx was not the killer… but the scapegoat."

Gasps rippled through the courtroom.

Blackstone raised an eyebrow. "That's a serious accusation, Mr. Wright. Surely you're not suggesting that the witnesses lied under oath?"

Phoenix didn't blink. "I'm suggesting the truth was... conveniently ignored."

The judge leaned forward. "You may proceed, Mr. Wright. Call your first witness."

Phoenix looked over to the bailiff. "The defense calls Miss Kristine Krystal to the stand."


=TIME: 9:22 A.M., PLACE: WITNESS STAND=

Kristine rose with practiced grace, but there was stiffness in her step. She took the stand with her chin held high, a portrait of indignant calm.

"Miss Krystal," Phoenix began, voice calm but razor-sharp, "please tell the court about your relationship with the victim, Terry Du."

Kristine rolled her eyes. "He was an ex. We hadn't spoken in months. He showed up to harass me at my workplace—like always."

Phoenix nodded slowly. "And yet you claim you didn't know he'd be there that day?"

She hesitated. "No, I didn't. It was supposed to be a normal shift."

Phoenix smirked. "That's funny... because according to the employee schedule retrieved from your store's records, Orion wasn't supposed to be working either."

A murmur swept the courtroom. The judge banged his gavel. "Order! Order in the court!"

Kristine's lip twitched.

"And yet," Phoenix continued, pacing now, "a phone call came from your number, requesting a change in schedule—conveniently the night before the murder."

Kristine's composure cracked ever so slightly.

"That... wasn't me. Someone must have—"

Phoenix slammed his hand on the desk. "Wasn't you?! Your passcode was used. Your voice was recognized. And more importantly—you had motive."

Kristine's eyes narrowed. "Motive?"

Phoenix stepped closer. "You didn't just break up with Terry Du. You blamed him for your failing business, your online reviews, your damaged reputation."

He pulled a copy of a digital message log and held it up. "You sent this message to Terry Du two weeks ago: 'You ruined everything. If I see you again, it'll be the last time.'"

Gasps again. Kristine tried to speak, but Phoenix cut her off.

"Let's talk about the necklace."

Kristine froze.

"The necklace that read 'Together Forever'—with 'For Never' scratched into it. You said you threw it away."

"I did!" she snapped.

"Then why," Phoenix said slowly, "was it hidden beneath the jewelry case, covered in fresh blood?"

Kristine blinked, stunned into silence.

"You planted that necklace, didn't you? Not to mark the crime... but to bury it. Just like you tried to bury the truth." Phoenix added slamming his hands down on the desk.


=TIME: 9:29 A.M., PLACE: COURTROOM – MOMENTS LATER=

The tension in the room was suffocating. Blackstone adjusted his cuffs, stepping in. "Objection, Your Honor. Speculation. The defense is weaving a story without physical proof."

Phoenix smiled. "Then let's give them some."

He turned to Maya, who handed him a small flash drive. Phoenix plugged it into the courtroom monitor, and a grainy but clear video flickered to life.

Security footage.

A figure—Kristine Krystal—slipping into the store at 2:00 A.M. the night before the murder.

Carrying something.

She crouched behind the counter—right where the necklace was later found.

The courtroom exploded in whispers.

Kristine's voice broke. "No, that's not what it looks like—"

Phoenix: "No? Because it looks like you staged the scene. You planted the necklace. You moved the schedule around. You lured both men there... and when things went wrong, you let Orion take the fall."

Kristine: "I just... I just wanted him to leave me alone! Terry wouldn't stop! He said if he couldn't have me, no one could! He threatened me!"

Phoenix: "And so you set him up?"

Silence.

Kristine looked around the room, eyes wide, face pale. "I didn't mean to... I just wanted to scare him!"

Phoenix: "But someone pulled the trigger."

Kristine opened her mouth—then closed it. Her silence was damning.

The Judge looked grave.

"I believe we've heard enough. This court will reconvene in one hour. Bailiff—Miss Krystal is not to leave the premises."

Phoenix stepped back, letting the gavel fall.


New Evidence Added to the Case:


Employee Schedule Records

Revealed by: Phoenix Wright

Details: Showed that neither Orion Marx nor Kristine Krystal were originally scheduled to work the day of the murder. A call was made from Kristine's number to change the schedule the night before.

Significance: Contradicts Kristine's claim that she didn't expect Terry or Orion to be there. Suggests premeditation.


Digital Message Log

Revealed by: Phoenix Wright

Message from Kristine to Terry Du:

"You ruined everything. If I see you again, it'll be the last time."

Significance: Shows animosity and implies potential motive—Kristine blamed Terry for her life falling apart.


The Bloodstained Necklace ("Together Forever" Scratched Into "For Never")

Found: Hidden beneath the store's jewelry case, covered in fresh blood.

Claim: Kristine said she threw it away.

Significance: Evidence tampering—Phoenix argues it was planted to set the scene.


Security Camera Footage

Time: 2:00 A.M., night before the murder

Shows: Kristine Krystal sneaking into the store with an object in hand, crouching behind the counter.

Significance: Strong visual proof of Kristine staging or planting the necklace and possibly the scene itself.


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