Ace Attorney: Fading Bloodlines

Turnabout at Midnight, Part 4 (Vera)

//April 27, 2032. Defendant Lobby No. 4, 9:31 AM//

The defendant lobby was empty when I got there. I was rarely ever the first one there, but being the defendant, it's not like I had much choice.

The worried thoughts of 'is Toby okay' and 'how long until I'll be able to see Toby' kept on coursing through my mind, persistent and never ending. I wished that I would be able to find a way to get those thoughts to be quiet for just one second. I won't be able to focus on the trial if I'm overly worried for Toby's well being.

I felt a hand on my arm, so I looked to my right. Mukuro was standing next to me. Her eyes were red, making it obvious that she had been crying. I didn't even have to ask to know what she needed.

I wrapped my arms around her in a gentle hug. It didn't take long for her to start crying quietly. I ran my fingers through her black hair gently. "It's going to be okay," I assured her. "The culprit won't get away."

"B-but..." Mukuro tried to retort, though I didn't let her.

"They won't get away with shooting Toby, love," I told her.

The doors were cracked open, so we turned to see Ms. Shield and James walking in. James frowned. "Are you okay? I hate to see a lady in distress."

"Now isn't the time for flirting," Ms. Shield reminded him.

"I'll be okay," I sighed. I tried to think of something other than the trial at hand or Toby, but it didn't work. I wasn't sure how I'd be able to get through this trial, constantly asking myself mentally how Toby is.

"You don't look okay," Ms. Shield frowned.

I opened my mouth to respond, though a bailiff yelled for us to enter the courtroom, so I didn't get the chance. "I guess it's time to go in there," I said instead.

"We'll have you out soon and the culprit will be the one in your shoes," James told me, a smile spreading across his lips.

"I hope so, at least," I whispered, walking into the courtroom slowly.

//April 27, 2032. Courtroom No. 4, 10:00 AM//

I watched the judge slam his gavel down. "Court is now in session for the trial of... I recognize this name!!"

"Don't we all?" Prosecutor Jack said, rolling her eyes lazily.

"Just get on with it already," Prosecutor Shield said, glaring at the judge.

The judge cleared his throat, unwilling to face Prosecutor Shield's fist if the latter became angry. "C-court is now in session for the trial of Vera S-Stanhope..."

"The prosecution is ready!" Prosecutor Jack exclaimed.

"I-I don't believe I asked-" the judge began.

"Nobody cares," Prosecutor Shield told him. The judge gulped, looking like he wanted to run under the judge's bench and hide.

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

"I didn't ask for you either-" the judge struggled to say.

"ZIP IT!"

"You heard the Robster! Zip it already, old man!" Prosecutor Jack cried.

The judge hid behind his gavel. "Y-your opening statement, prosecution?"

"The crime took place two days ago on April 25. It was late at night when two people were found badly wounded in the evidence room of the police station," Prosecutor Shield explained. "One of those was Pandora Rell, the assistant to the warden of the local prison. The other was Toby Erikson, a local detective."

"Rell was stabbed through the shoulder, so the blade went in one end and came out the other. Pretty crazy to hear about, don't you think?" Prosecutor Jack continued.

"Erikson was shot in the shoulder. Both of them were unconscious from blood loss by the time that any witnesses were on the scene. Not only was the defendant found at the scene by a witness, but she even admitted to the fact that the gun used to shoot Erikson belonged to her," Prosecutor Shield finished.

"In that case, please call your first witness," the judge instructed.

"Yo! M! Get up here!" Prosecutor Jack cried.

I gasped as Joe got up on the witness stand. Was he really here?! I thought that he was going to be off working on the cases with Interpol...!

"Witness, name and occupation," the judge demanded.

"You may address me as M. I'm the head of Interpol," Joe explained.

"Why can't we hear your real name?" The judge frowned at Joe, waiting for an explanation.

"It would be against protocol for me to give out anything other than M," Joe said.

"Forget about names already! We need to get the testimony over with!" Prosecutor Jack cried.

"Very well then," Joe nodded.

WITNESS TESTIMONY: JOE ASHWORTH- THE STORY OF THE CRIME

-There were two victims, Pandora Rell and Toby Erikson

-The first one attacked was Rell, who was stabbed through the shoulder.

-The second was Erikson, who got shot with the defendant's gun.

-The weapon in the first case is a mystery.

-I'm afraid I don't know anything about that weapon. Sorry.

"Defense, please begin your cross-examination," the judge instructed.

"I'll be right on it," Ms. Shield nodded.

CROSS-EXAMINATION: JOE ASHWORTH- THE STORY OF THE CRIME

-There were two victims, Pandora Rell and Toby Erikson

-The first one attacked was Rell, who was stabbed through the shoulder.

-The second was Erikson, who got shot with the defendant's gun.

-The weapon in the first case is a mystery.

-I'm afraid I don't know anything about that weapon. Sorry.

"OBJECTION!"

"So... The weapon used on Pandora Rell is a mystery?" Ms. Shield asked. "I'm afraid that you've got that wrong."

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#joejustgotrekt

-Digital