Ace Attorney: Mask of Deceit

Chapter 1: The Scholarly Turnabout - Investigation 1 ~ Part 1

"You're working with him, aren't you?!"

"I have no idea who you mean."

"You know who I'm talking about! That thief that showed up in the news recently!"

"........ So you figured it out. Too bad nobody will ever know."

"Wh-What's that supposed to me-"

*SLAM!*

"I-It's ET-3 all over again!"

January 24 9:30am

Prosecutor's Office ~ Niamh Wood's POV

Is it any surprise to learn that I hate January? Because I do. Actually, no... I DESPISE January. That sounds better.

I've been dealing with this dead left eye of mine for about two years now. It's not as grating as it could be, but it still sucks.

What sucks even more is what happened today.

I had been in Da- Mr. Bespoke's (I KEEP DOING THAT-) office, arranging the hundreds of files that needed to be filled in alphabetical order. Someone needs to keep the place tidy. I hated the silence, so I had the TV running in the background.

"This just in." the female news reporter began, preparing to deliver an epic news story. "A murder has taken place at a prestigious school known as Ashbrooke Boarding School."

I dropped all ten of the files I had in my arms at that moment and whirled around to face the television.

"The victim was a 16-year-old student called Elaine Wyatt." the news reporter continued.

(E-Elaine?! No...!)

I didn't know Elaine that well, but we still talked from time to time! But now... now she's...?!

I had to get to the bottom of this case. I couldn't leave this up to anyone else. I would be the one to find Elaine's killer!

I abandoned my work and ran from the room, making a mad dash down the corridor. I almost tripped over myself when my wrist was grabbed, stopping me dead in my tracks.

"And where do you think you're going?" a stern voice interrupted.

"M-Ms. Bloom!" I gasped, but I didn't let her presence put me off. "L-Listen, can you please let me go?! There's this case I really gotta look into!"

"That's just a feeble excuse." Ms. Bloom said. "You're too unreliable to prosecute any cases."

I struggled to be released from her tight grip, meanwhile feeling anger and rage boiling inside of my head... rising... rising...

(N-No! I need to control it! I can't let her take over anymore!)

"I-I'm telling the truth!" I cried, attempting to ignore the sound of rattling chains and agitated screaming in my head. "I need to take this case!"

Ms. Bloom sighed aggresively before letting me go. "If I hear that you failed this case, you are out of that door immediately, no questions asked. Understood?"

"U-Understood..." I muttered, nodding my head before running again. My entire career was now resting on this case! I can't mess up!