Ace Attorney: Fading Bloodlines

Turnabout Flashback Part 3 (Lilac)

//October 18, 2016. Defendant Lobby No. 3, 9:34 AM//

The confusion swirling around in my mind was almost too much to take. I didn't understand any of this. Why was I arrested when I didn't even know who the victim was? This didn't make any sense...

"Ms. Starr? Are you okay?"

Ms. Yin was standing above me when I looked up. "I'm alright," I said, faking a smile.

"You sure don't look fine," Pandora frowned. "Are you sure that you're doing fine? Not many people take getting arrested well."

"I'll be okay. I know that you two will get me out of the detention center soon," I told them.

I know that was a complete lie. I didn't have much faith in them. I didn't even know who they were. The duo who made up my defense hadn't made a name for themselves as notorious for being great at what they do, so I was nervous. What if they weren't any good? I could end up trapped in the detention center forever if they don't figure out some way to save me...

"Lilac?"

Robin's voice snapped me out of my trance. I noticed that he had been standing above me for a few moments now. I had been too dazed to notice his presence, though. 

"Robin!" I exclaimed. 

I felt a small tug on my skirt and looked down. A little girl with strawberry blonde hair pinned up in two pigtails was staring up at me with wide, curious eyes. I gasped and crouched down to her level.

"Niamh!" Robin gasped. He picked up the little girl, who giggled light heartedly. 

"This is your daughter, I assume?" I asked.

Robin nodded. "Alianna said that she would watch Niamh in the gallery."

"What about meeeee!?"

Another high pitched voice made me look around. My eyes eventually settled on a little girl with short black hair and wide green eyes.

"Who is this?" I asked.

"Toby's kid. Alianna is going to be watching her as well," Robin answered.

I nodded. "I see."

"Defense! Defendant!"

Robin set Niamh down on the ground and pointed to a black haired woman nearby, who I recognized as Alianna. Niamh ran for her mother, the black haired girl following after her with a giggle.

"I guess it's time for us to go in," I sighed.

"It won't be long until you're out of the detention center," Robin assured me. I nodded and followed him into the courtroom.

//October 18, 2016. Courtroom No. 3, 10:00 AM//

Robin beat his gavel against the judge's bench, making me flinch. I've been in a courtroom before, but it was a long time ago... Not to mention that being in the defendant's chair is a completely different experience...

"Court is now in session for the trial of Lilac Starr," Robin announced. "Are the defense and prosecution ready?"

"The prosecution is ready," Prosecutor Yang told the court. His eyes were narrow and serious, which I admit scared me a little bit...

"The defense is also ready," Ms. Yin said.

"Prosecutor Yang. Please give your opening statement now," Robin told the prosecutor.

Prosecutor Yang nodded. "The crime was yesterday around 3 or so PM. In the house of the defendant, a person was stabbed to near death. The victim's identity is unknown due to the stubborn mannerisms of the witness, though we do know that the defendant's fingerprints were found on the knife, pointing to her being the real culprit."

Robin frowned. "Call your first witness."

"The prosecution calls Toby Erikson to the witness stand!" Prosecutor Yang exclaimed.

Detective Erikson appeared at the witness stand, adjusting his hat ever so slightly. 

"Name and occupation, witness," Robin said.

"Detective Toby Erikson," Detective Erikson answered. 

"Please give the court a few details about this case," Robin instructed.

Detective Erikson nodded. "Alright."

WITNESS TESTIMONY: TOBY ERIKSON- ABOUT THE CASE

-The crime was yesterday in the defendant's home.

-The defendant didn't have an alibi for the time of the crime, which was about 3 PM.

-Her fingerprints were found on the weapon, a small knife about three inches long.

-A witness found the crime scene and called the police.

-We arrested Ms. Starr for the crime as soon as we found her.

"May the defense begin its cross-examination?" Ms. Yin asked.

"Go on," Robin nodded.

CROSS-EXAMINATION: TOBY ERIKSON- ABOUT THE CASE

-The crime was yesterday in the defendant's home.

-The defendant didn't have an alibi for the time of the crime, which was about 3 PM.

-Her fingerprints were found on the weapon, a small knife about three inches long.

-A witness found the crime scene and called the police.

"HOLD IT!"

"You are talking about the young witness by the name of Cotoli, correct?" Ms. Yin asked.

I gasped. Cotoli was the witness for this case...?! But he was only thirteen...!

"Yeah. He found the crime scene and called the police. He's been really shaken up ever since," Detective Erikson frowned. "He's only a kid, so I imagine that this is difficult for him."

"In that case, would it be okay if we summoned him to the witness stand? We need to talk to him about the case. Now, he can't run away," Ms. Yin said.

"He was actually the next witness I was planning to call," Prosecutor Yang declared. 

"Please go ahead and summon your witness," Robin told him.

Prosecutor Yang nodded and pointed to the witness stand. "The prosecution now calls Cotoli Morix to the witness stand!"

As Cotoli made his way to the witness stand, I gulped. I couldn't believe that he was really here. I was worried about what he would think of my innocence, honestly... I don't think he likes me much...

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COTOLI IS MY PRECIOUS SON

LOVE MY SON

SON IS LOVE

-Digital