Ace Attorney: Fading Bloodlines

Turnabout Monorail, Part 4 (Xoie)

//April 24, 2032. Defendant Lobby No. 2, 9:35 AM//

I was among the first to arrive at the courthouse. The defendant lobby was pretty empty, so I took this chance to grab a seat on the couch. The defendant's chair wasn't the most comfy thing, so I figured I might as well enjoy the luxury while I had the chance.

"Xoie!"

I looked up to see Auralyn walking in alongside Takuya and Yamato. "Do you think you're going to be okay today?" Auralyn asked in concern.

"I'll be fine," I told her, though all four of us knew it was a lie. If I wanted to keep my guard up, I'd probably end up causing myself a headache. Migraines always came about when I did these things.

"Are you sure?" Yamato questioned, taking a seat next to me. "If you think that you're going to be sick, then I'm sure that Takuya and I could convince the judge to let you sit out here."

"No worries," I lied. I was worrying a lot. Going into a courtroom always made me feel bad. Even if I was a prosecutor, I just... My nerves usually got the best of me. There would be a gap in my memory and I couldn't remember what had happened afterwards. I tried to have somebody with me when I did prosecute. It was much easier that way.

"Ms. Spadarona?"

I noticed Ms. Cruz and Yuri walking in shortly after. No matter how much I hear it, I know I'll never get used to hearing 'Ms. Cruz' when I think of her. I'm so used to hearing Tenniswood from everybody at the Prosecutor's Office, even if we hadn't met before now.

"Are you going to be okay in there?" Yuri asked.

"I'll be fine. Don't worry about it," I said, letting a fake smile appear on my lips. Everybody always asked me if I was okay, though I don't think that I ever was...

"Yeah. She'll be fine. She'll be fine just as soon as the sun is a planet," Auralyn muttered sarcastically.

"We can assure you that we will free your sister," Ms. Cruz told us, turning to face Auralyn, Yamato, and Takuya.

"Thanks," Takuya smiled. He's so nice. He's a great brother...

"Why are you giving Takuya dreamy eyes?" Aura asked, shooting me a suspicious glance.

"No reason!" I exclaimed. Doesn't she know that I'm already taken and that I would never dare date my brother?! I'm perfectly happy with the muscle cake that is-

"Defense! Defendant! Please proceed to the courtroom now!"

I sighed, unhappy to have been interrupted. "I guess that it's time for us to go in there," I said, trying to hide my disappointment.

"It'll be okay, Xoie. I'm sure that you have nothing to worry about," Yamato smiled.

"I hope so," I muttered, watching my siblings. Yamato had taken Auralyn's hand gently and led her up to the gallery. Takuya shot me a supportive thumbs up before trailing after them.

//April 24, 2032. Courtroom No. 2, 10:00 AM//

I was struggling to keep myself from blacking out (not literally; I mean the memory gaps I mentioned earlier), so the echo of the judge's gavel seemed like a distant sound. "Court is now in session for the trial of Xoie Spadarona. Are the defense and prosecution ready?"

"The defense is ready," Ms. Cruz announced.

"The prosecution is also ready," Prosecutor Bloom announced. Anton and the Chief Prosecutor (both of whom I had seen wandering around the PO before) stood on either side of her.

"Very good. Now, will the prosecution please give its opening statement?" The judge toyed with his gavel gently as he spoke.

Chief Prosecutor Bespoke cut Prosecutor Bloom off. "The crime was yesterday in a monorail. Early in the morning, a monorail was traveling around the city. Not many people were on it, though among them, were the victims, the assault victim, the defendant, and another witness by the name of Mary Sue."

"Witness testimony tells us that nobody had seen the defendant anywhere at the time of the crime, and this lack of an alibi got her arrested," Prosecutor Bloom finished, shooting a sour glance at Chief Prosecutor Bespoke.

"Very well. Please call your first witness," the judge instructed.

"Detective Erikson! Stand!" Prosecutor Bloom yelled before the Chief Prosecutor had a chance. He pouted childishly at her.

Detective Erikson, whom I recognized from my questioning yesterday, appeared at the witness stand. He adjusted his hat gently.

"Witness. Name and occupation," Chief Prosecutor Bespoke said.

"Detective Toby Erikson," Detective Erikson told him.

"Please testify on the details of the crime," Chief Prosecutor Bespoke cut in.

"I will," Detective Erikson nodded.

WITNESS TESTIMONY: TOBY ERIKSON- THE MONORAIL MURDER

-The murder was yesterday in the early hours of the morning.

-The victims were both killed by a stab wound to the chest.

-An assault victim was found near the crime scene. She was slammed into the wall forcefully.

-The defendant didn't have an alibi, so she was who we had to arrest.

"Can I start my cross-examination now?" Ms. Cruz asked eagerly. I guess that she had found something.

"Go right ahead," the judge nodded.

CROSS-EXAMINATION: TOBY ERIKSON- THE MONORAIL MURDER

-The murder was yesterday in the early hours of the morning.

-The victims were both killed by a stab wound to the chest.

-An assault victim was found near the crime scene. She was slammed into the wall forcefully.

-The defendant didn't have an alibi, so she was who we had to arrest.

"OBJECTION!"

"I have a theory that could easily prove the innocence of the defendant!" Ms. Cruz exclaimed.

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Considers pretyping case three

-Digital

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