Ace Attorney: Web of Mistrust

The Theatrical Turnabout, Part 6 (Anton)

//November 29, 2029. Detention Center, 1:31 PM//

Upon entering the detention center, I was bombarded with sound. I had chosen to come out alone while Polly investigated, but now, I really wanted to hide behind her as we walked in together.

"How could you not tell me about this?!"

"Look, I'm sorry! I just didn't want you to go doing anything stupid!"

"Ladies, ladies! Calm down!"

I rounded the corner into the room to see Chrysalis pouting, her arms crossed over her kimono. Nevada (a girl I go to school with and Chrysalis' best friend despite being a serial killer... That's a long story) was nearby, doing the same. James (another kid I go to school with) looked between them awkwardly. His blonde hair was shining in the room's lighting. James' green eyes were clearly concerned as he watched the two girls in their argument. He had a turquoise jacket on with jeans and brown boots.

"U-um..." I stuttered awkwardly.

"Anton!" James exclaimed, looking at me in relief. "Do you have any idea on how to get these two to stop fighting?"

"Hey, Ant!" Chrysalis smiled, bouncing slightly in her chair.

"Burkey!" Nevada grinned. "Nice to see ya!"

"W-what's going on h-here?" I asked.

"Nevada's mad that I didn't get somebody to tell her that I was arrested," Chrysalis told me. She whirled to face Nevada. "I know what you're planning! And I'm not going to let you do that!"

"What are you saying?" James questioned.

"Nevada told me once that she'd take the heat if I was ever arrested again! I don't want her doing something stupid-though sweet-like that for my sake!" Chrysalis exclaimed.

"Again?! Starry, you got some explaining to do!" Nevada yelled.

Chrysalis huffed and turned away. "Could you guys just do something for me?"

"What is it, fair maiden?" James asked.

"James, stop flirting with me! I'm already in a relationship!" Chrysalis exclaimed.

"It's my thing-!" James retorted.

"Could you guys just... Make sure my sister doesn't find out about this? And also, tell my brother not to worry?" Chrysalis questioned.

I nodded. "I'll g-go watch D-Daddy-er, Cotoli n-now."

"I'll make sure Ma doesn't freak out! Can't have Tora running amok, can we?" Nevada asked, her earlier anger now gone.

"I'll go home and sit on my couch!" James exclaimed. Chrysalis face palmed at this as I walked out.

//November 29, 2029. Performance Hall, 2:03 PM//

I almost forgot that Daddy was at the trial today. He was so quiet...

I found him quite quickly. He was talking with Satoki from today's trial. "You sure that nobody knows?" Daddy questioned him. He sounded so serious...

"Not even Shane does," Satoki replied, miming zipping his lips shut. "And nobody will know."

"Good. People finding out about it would just make things worse for us all," Daddy replied.

"H-huh?" I cut in.

"Anton!" Daddy gasped. "How's Chrysalis?!"

"She's o-okay," I answered. "W-what were you guys t-talking about?"

"Don't worry yourself, Mr. Burke," Satoki said, bowing his head slightly.

"He already knows, Satoki. Don't hide it," Daddy told him.

"A-about the p-project?" I stammered.

Satoki nodded. "Yes. Ms. Starr is unaware of it, but Mr. Morix here asked me to make sure she didn't get into trouble."

"Daddy!" I exclaimed. "C-Chrysalis doesn't w-want you to w-worry!"

Daddy sighed. "I know. I just can't help it."

"I'm going to i-investigate with Polly n-now," I said. "S-see you guys l-later."

I walked away from the two in silence. I found Polly rather quickly. She was speaking with a boy.

He had light brown hair that curled slightly on the back of his neck, though the rest was straight. He had a white bodysuit on with a matching headpiece over his ear. He had black shoes on and blue eyes. The boy had a clipboard tucked under his arm.

"I can assure you of the defendant's guilt," the boy told Polly as I walked closer.

"Polly?" I questioned, interrupting their chat.

"Ah! Anton!" Polly exclaimed. "Back from your visit with Chrysalis so soon?"

I nodded. "Y-yeah. Who's t-this?"

"My name is Jack Blyse. You must be Prosecutor Bloom's assistant," the boy introduced.

"I'm Anton," I told him, and not stuttering for once. Chrysalis would say something like 'make it a holiday!' to that... Thinking about it makes me smile.

"Shall I tell you what I saw the day of the crime?" Mr. Bylse asked.

Polly nodded. "Go right ahead."

"Well, I was backstage setting up the backdrops when I saw the defendant. She was walking over to the props bucket. She picked up a knife from the top of it and tucked it into a pocket of her kimono sleeve," Mr. Blyse answered. "After that, she met with her guests, the girls from the defense team, before leaving. I got suspicious of what she could be planning, so I followed her.

"Outside the restroom, I paused and listened. I heard the defendant talk with the victim for a few moments... The defendant said something about being a criminal before stabbing the victim! I heard Saya's scream from outside!" Mr. Blyse exclaimed, rubbing his arms to warm them up. "The very thought brings chills to my body!"

I exchanged knowing glances with Polly. I knew what she was thinking since I was thinking it, too: the project. Erin Anderson, or Chrysalis in disguise, was a criminal!

"If that's all," Mr. Blyse continued, "I have somewhere to be. You'll have to excuse me." He turned and began to take long strides to the other end of the room.

"Thank you for talking with us!" Polly called after him. Mr. Blyse saluted her and continued to walk away, eventually rounding a corner.

"Who do y-you think t-the killer is?" I asked Polly once we were alone.

"I'm not sure," Polly frowned. "But I'm starting to get suspicious of these other stagehands with access to the murder weapon. We should find them and ask them about what they remember from the night of the crime."

I nodded. "Y-yeah! Let's d-do it!"

Polly and I began to look for the stagehands, but we were stopped...

A scream pierced the air in the room.

A scream that belonged to Yuri.

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I'm just the nicest, aren't I?

I came up with this really good idea for the next chapter while typing this and omg it's so just-

It hurts the Cotoli fans right in the feels.

I promise he doesn't die for those who are worried now.

Anyways, I am being dragged off to a baseball game now, so I must leave you. Ciao from Jester!

-Digital