Ace Attorney: Web of Mistrust

The Theatrical Turnabout, Part 9 (Satoki)

"I indict Jack Blyse for the murder of Saya Kan!" Ms. Tenniswood exclaimed.

Everybody watching the trial starting whispering among each other. My stomach was turning over itself. I knew that somebody close to me was a killer. The one who killed Saya, my ex-girlfriend. I'm honestly surprised that people didn't bring that up as a motive for murder for Chrysalis... After all, she and Saya never got along.

But I just knew that she didn't do it. Prosecutor Bloom seemed to agree. Most people involved heavily with this case believe it as well. The problem was proving it...

But we had to win...! If we don't, then what's going to become of everything Chrysalis and Mr. Morix have been working for these past two years?!

The judge finally slammed down his gavel, shocking me out of my thoughts. "Order in the court!" the bearded man demanded. "Ms. Tenniswood! What evidence do you have of such?!"

"The witness claims to have seen the defendant messing with the prop bin, but as was stated yesterday, the defendant wouldn't have had access to it! Plus, that man has brown hair, matching the description of the assailant of Mr. Amaya and Mr. Morix!" Ms. Tenniswood explained. I didn't want to believe it, but deep down, I knew it was true. Proving Jack was the one who killed Saya is the only way to free Chrysalis, so I knew it was necessary.

"The prosecution wishes to call Jack Blyse to the witness stand so he may testify to his innocence," Prosecutor Bloom announced, crossing her arms. The blonde kid next to her-Anton, was it?-nodded in agreement.

Without judge confirmation, Jack trotted up to the witness stand. He began playing with his fingers, almost taunting everybody observing. "Before you ask, the name's Jack Blyse. I'm a stagehand for the show the victim, defendant, and witnesses were in."

"You have been accused of two most heinous crimes: murder and assault. Your testimony could decide your fate right here and now," the judge told him solemnly. "I expect no contradictions."

"Perfect for us," Yuri muttered to Ms. Tenniswood. I sighed my disproving agreement.

"Alright then. I will prove my innocence and the defendant's guilt!" Jack exclaimed.

I noticed something then: Jack hadn't called Chrysalis by her name since the trial began. It's always been 'the defendant'. As if maybe they weren't close as they'd let on...

WITNESS TESTIMONY: JACK BLYSE- MY INNOCENCE

-I was walking around backstage when I saw it:

-The defendant was messing with the prop bucket!

-She pulled out the knife prop and tucked it into her sleeve!

-After that, she ran off to meet with the defense team.

-She left them briefly, just the right amount of time to commit murder, if you ask me.

"That about sums it up," Jack finished. "Can I go now?"

"You've never been in court before, have you?" Prosecutor Bloom sighed.

"O-of course not! What do you take me to be, some sort of criminal?! They're the lowest of the low!" Jack announced.

I'm pretty sure I heard one of Chrysalis' 'legal aca-nerd' friends growl at that.

"Let's go on to the cross-examination," Ms. Tenniswood said.

The judge nodded in reply. "Go right ahead."

CROSS-EXAMINATION: JACK BLYSE- MY INNOCENCE

-I was walking around backstage when I saw it:

-The defendant was messing with the prop bucket!

-She pulled out the knife prop and tucked it into her sleeve!

"HOLD IT!"

"When we spoke with the defendant on the night of the crime, she used both of her hands freely and there was no knife in her hands. Where do you propose said knife went if she put it in her sleeve as you insist?" Ms. Tenniswood questioned.

"She hid it up her right sleeve... There must have been a secret pocket inside! I've heard of a woman who had a knife pocket sewn into her sleeve before!" Jack exclaimed.

"Would you please add that to your testimony?" Ms. Tenniswood smirked.

"I don't know what good that will do, but okay," Jack shrugged before doing as he was asked.

-I think that there was a hidden knife pocket sewn into her right sleeve.

"OBJECTION!"

"If this is as true as you claim, then why don't we check out the defendant's sleeve just to be sure?" Ms. Tenniswood said, continuing to smirk madly.

"T-then go right ahead!" Jack yelled. It looked like he was starting to sweat...

"Bailiff! Examine the defendant's sleeve!" the judge instructed. I noticed Chrysalis tense up slightly at this statement, as if she were scared of what was about to happen. When I remembered about her left wrist scar, I did the same.

But thankfully, there was nothing to worry about. When the bailiffs had ceased their swarming of Chrysalis, the fake flower set covering her scar was still in place. She looked relieved at such. As was I.

"We found no pockets on the defendant's right sleeve!" one bailiff reported, saluting the judge with almost robotic movement.

"O-oh yeah! I remember! It was her left sleeve! It was just my right!" Jack rebutted, sweating ten times more violently now.

"We found no pockets in that sleeve either!" another bailiff retorted, saluting as well.

"It must be in her fake flower set!" Jack continued, grasping for straws rather obviously. "I demand that you check there!"

"Then why don't you check it yourself, doof?" Chrysalis wondered, rising from her seat. She tossed him her wrist piece after removing it. "It's not like it matters. We're one and the same, after all." Chrysalis' voice had gone through a drastic change, lowering quite considerably.

And then it hit me.

The voice of Erin Anderson.

Chrysalis held up her scarred wrist in front of her face, her pointer finger pressed up against her forehead gently. She snickered under her breath.

"Midnight discord," Ms. Tenniswood muttered. I made a mental note to find out what she meant by those cryptic words.

Jack caught it and began examining the flower set almost obsessively, not letting even the smallest section escape his interrogative glare. After a few seconds of searching insanely, he threw it back to Chrysalis, who caught it. Odd... She was never a sporty type...

"You found nothing. Just as expected, Blyse. Just further proof that you framed me for yet another crime." Chrysalis started laughing, as if gripped by maniac forces. "Your attempts are sad, dude. Really." That was the voice of Aria Claris!

What had this case done to Chrysalis...?!

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More of the midnight discord blah blah blah.

I'm actually really excited to finish this case so I can get to the next one. It's reeeeeeeeeeeeeeally feelzy. As I already said, the defendant is ________ and case five's defendant is __________.

Dangit. Chrysalis censorshipped me.

Chrysalis: Do you blame me?! You're going to give everything away, baka! Just sign off already so we can see what is wrong with my already weird as heck brain!

*sighs* Chrysalis, please-

Chrysalis: JUST DO IT!!!

Excuse her. *tapes Chrysalis' mouth shut*

Anyways, I'm going to head out before she embarrasses me further.

-Digital