Ace Attorney: Web of Mistrust

The Theatrical Turnabout, Part 8 (Niamh)

//November 30, 2029. Defendant Lobby No. 3, 9:43 AM//

Ms. Starr was already there when Yuri and I walked in. She ran to us upon noticing we were there. "Do you know anything about my brother?! Satoki or Shane?!"

The fear in her voice was overwhelming. "Mr. Amaya has woken up, as well as your brother, though Mr. Carmen is still unconscious," I replied.

Ms. Starr deflated slightly before smiling. "At least they're okay... That's all I care about."

"I wonder what the prosecution will do, though. You were in custody the whole time when they could have been attacked. It could have only been the work of the real killer. Proving it may be a challenge, though," I frowned.

"I wonder if Prosecutor Bloom will call Mr. Morix or Satoki to the witness stand," Yuri said. "They could prove to be pretty helpful."

"It could be hard on him, though... It'll be hard on me just listening to all of it," Ms. Starr whispered. She rubbed her eyes with her right sleeve. Judging by her downwards gaze and head tilted just the same, she's been hit hard by this case.

"Defense! Defendant! Proceed to the courtroom now!" the bailiff near the door announced. Ms. Starr rubbed her eyes before beginning her walk into the courtroom.

"We'll win this case for sure," Yuri assured Ms. Starr. Yuri put her hand on the older girl's shoulder to pause her. "Promise."

Ms. Starr smiled gently, though it was obviously faked. "Thanks."

But the most surprising thing of all was what I heard behind her voice as she spoke...

Midnight discord.

//November 30, 2029. Courtroom No. 3, 10:00 AM//

"Court is now in session for the trial of Chrysalis Starr. Are the defense and prosecution ready?" the judge questioned after slamming his gavel down on the bench before him.

I nodded. "The defense is ready, Your Honor."

"The prosecution is also ready," Prosecutor Bloom agreed. "And the prosecution would like to explain a new factor to the court and follow up with calling a witness."

"This being?" the judge asked. I suppose he hadn't heard about what happened yesterday yet. "And you may call your witness."

"Shane Carmen and Satoki Amaya, two of yesterday's witnesses, were assaulted at the building where the crime took place, also known as the local Performance Hall. Another individual, unrelated to the case, was also attacked. Out of the three, only Satoki Amaya is in the state to testify." Prosecutor Bloom explained. I could hear pain behind her voice.

Yuri seemed to have caught on as well. "If I recall correctly, Prosecutor Bloom is dating Mr. Morix. I bet this is hard on her as well."

"Who was this third person?" the judge asked.

"One Cotoli Morix," she replied after slight hesitation.

The people in the gallery began hissing things like 'I know him,' 'I've heard of that lawyer,' and 'he was the one who was attacked?' I turned to Ms. Starr, who's left wrist was beginning to twitch.

"Are you okay?" Yuri questioned.

"Y-yeah... I'm fine..." Ms. Starr answered. The midnight discord behind her voice was still just as loud as ever. She began to hug herself to calm her slight trembling. I was surer than ever that she wasn't as fine as she claimed near constantly.

The judge slammed his gavel on the bench before him, quieting those in the gallery. "Call your witness, Prosecutor Bloom."

She nodded and finger pointed at the witness stand as she spoke. "The prosecution calls Satoki Amaya to the witness stand!"