Ace Attorney: Web of Mistrust

The Theatrical Turnabout, Part 2 (Niamh)

"The suspect is Chrysalis Starr!" Detective Umber exclaimed.

Mr. Carmen's eyes widened. "Y-you've got to be joking!"

Detective Umber shook her head. "Her fingerprints were found on the murder weapon, in addition to yours and the victim's. Even with this fact, we have a clearer motive for this young lady."

"Take me instead!" Mr. Carmen exclaimed.

Ms. Starr grabbed his arm and pulled him back. "Shane! Calm! I'll be fine! I have Niamh and Yuri to back me up, after all!" Ms. Starr winked at me. That was all the evidence I needed of a defense request. "Tell my brother not to worry."

Detective Umber walked away with Ms. Starr, leaving Yuri, Mr. Carmen, and I alone. Mr. Carmen sighed and shook his head. "I know that she didn't do it..." Mr. Carmen whispered.

"Don't worry! We're going to get a not guilty verdict in court! Promise!" Yuri exclaimed, faking a smile. She was obviously concerned. The discord behind her voice said all.

"You sure?" Mr. Carmen asked.

I nodded. "We're going to win this case."

"We should probably go tell Mr. Morix what happened. I bet that the people outside were told to get lost after the police showed up," Yuri suggested.

I nodded again. "We'll see you tomorrow, Mr. Carmen. Yuri and I have something to take care of."

Mr. Carmen hesitated before nodding. "Alright... Please find Saya's killer. That's all I ask of you."

"We will!" Yuri exclaimed enthusiastically before I could answer. Yuri tugged me out of the performance hall soon after.

//November 27, 2029. Performance Hall Parking Lot, 7:12 PM//

"Niamh! Yuri!"

Immediately after leaving the performance hall, I could hear Mr. Morix calling our names. He ran up to us a few seconds later. Concern was obvious in his expression and voice. "What happened?!" he demanded.

"There was a murder," I frowned. "The suspect was already arrested and has been taken in for questioning. She wanted Yuri and I to take the case." I decided to leave out the bit about the client being Mr. Morix's sister unless he asked. Ms. Starr said that he got worried about her easily.

"Who is it?" Mr. Morix asked. He sounded fearful. I guess he was already starting to figure it all out. "And where's Chrysalis?!"

Yuri and I didn't answer. Mr. Morix got it almost immediately. He looked down and away, obviously trying to hold back tears. The overwhelming sadness made my heart ache. "I..." was all he could choke out. Mr. Morix rubbed his eyes and sunk into his hoodie. Yuri shot him sympathetic glances. I frowned. His dissatisfaction was obvious.

"I want to help," he finally stated. "I won't take no for an answer."

"Go right ahead," Yuri smiled. It was obvious she was thinking back to her sisters. I hear they had been accused of murder before they were killed... Those times must have been awful for Yuri. I gulped. The mood was so tense, you could slice the air into a thousand pieces with a blade. Nobody spoke for a few seconds, most likely lost in thought over one emotional occurrence or another. I know I sure was... We all had something in common: a sister who was either deceased or in danger at this point in time.

"...We should probably get to sleep for the night. We can continue our investigation tomorrow. I don't even think there's a prosecutor for this case yet," I suggested, finally breaking the awkward silence.

Mr. Morix nodded. "Yeah..."

//November 28, 2029. Morix Law Office, 9:01 AM//

I arrived at the agency right on time. Already sitting on the couch was Yuri, Ms. Shield, and Mr. Morix. Mr. Red was off on vacation and Ms. Jones was using her day off to her advantage.

Ms. Shield was the only one who noticed I had arrived. "Niamh!" Her voice caught the attention of Yuri, who looked up at me with a clearly forced smile. Mr. Morix didn't seem to care.

He didn't even seem to be awake.

"Mr. Morix?" I asked, walking over to where my boss sat on the couch. He had retreated into his hoodie and was snoring quietly.

"Huh?" Mr. Morix shot awake, finally coming out of his shell. "Oh. Niamh."

"You okay?" I questioned as he rubbed his eyes tiredly.

"I had trouble sleeping last night. That's all," Mr. Morix answered. "Now, what are we waiting for? We have to go and investigate! A not guilty verdict won't just appear out of nowhere!"

I nodded before turning to Ms. Shield. "Could you watch after the agency while we go investigate the case?" I asked.

Ms. Shield nodded. "You three go right ahead. I'll be here in case a client shows up."

I gestured for Yuri and Mr. Morix to follow me as I walked out of the agency. The air was once again tense. I suppose that the aura of this case would be something similar the whole time.

//November 28, 2029. Performance Hall, 9:43 AM//

It was hard to believe Yuri and I had been in here just one day ago. Now, officers were crawling around. A few sore thumbs stuck out, not wearing the typical blue uniform. Such people included Detective Umber, Prosecutor Umber, and another familiar duo...

"Polly?!" Mr. Morix exclaimed, noticing the dark haired prosecutor across the area. She turned around, accompanied by Mr. Burke. The pair then walked over to us. Mr. Burke looked kind of distant, allowing Prosecutor Bloom to guide him through the crowd.

"Didn't expect to see you here," Prosecutor Bloom said once she was a few feet away. "...Never mind."

"If you don't mind my asking, why are you prosecuting this case?" Mr. Morix asked.

"I ship it," Yuri hissed at me.

"...This is the dark age of the law. Forged evidence is everywhere. Even in a trial such as this one if somebody truthful doesn't block such from happening," Prosecutor Bloom replied.

"I am also shipping a little something I like to call Pollis," Yuri smirked. Mr. Burke stared at us in confusion. "Cinnamon bun," Yuri continued, pointing to Mr. Burke.

He answered with confused noises I couldn't quite describe.

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Why do author's notes even exist at this point?

I don't even know anymore.

-Digital