Turnabout Academy - Transcript - Part 2



October 25 Wright Anything Agency

Athena: ...Sorry, Boss. I couldn't do it. You know, that little bit of advice you gave me?

Athena: "The worst of times are when lawyers have to force their biggest smiles"?

Athena: I don't know exactly what you meant...

Athena: ...but there was no way I could force a smile in that courtroom today.

Phoenix: I'm just glad you remembered that. But now how about relaxing a little--

Athena: R-Relax?! Not gonna happen!

Phoenix: .........

Athena: Junie... she asked me to defend her because she believes in me.

Athena: But I... I... felt completely helpless. If it weren't for their confessions, I'd...!

-

Means: But if this trial proceeds in the same manner and ends in the same way as the mock trial...

Means: ...would you not lose everything you've worked so hard to gain?

Athena: Well, I'll just have to make sure that doesn't happen, then, won't I!

-

Athena: (No, I can't lose it all! Not now!)

Apollo: You okay, Athena? You're turning kind of pale.

Athena: ...I can't just stand around here! I'm going to finish the investigation!

Trucy: Can't it wait? I just took a batch of freshly baked cookies out of my magic panties!

Athena: Thanks, but I'd better get going! Save me one for when I get back.

Athena: Apollo, you wait here! I need to see Junie at the Detention Center first right away!

Apollo: No, wait! I'm going with you!

Apollo: Sorry, Mr. Wright, but I'd better go too!

Phoenix: No problem. You two be careful.

-

October 25 Detention Center - Visitor's Room

Athena: (There's so much I need to ask Junie.)

Athena: (What happened in court today... Where we go from here...)

Means: Well, now! Fancy meeting you here.

Athena: Oh, Prof. Means. What brings you here?

Woods: I asked him to come. He arrived just a little before you.

Woods: I wanted to ask him something. But first, Athena...

Woods: I want to apologize for my sudden confession after you worked so hard to defend me.

Athena: (She was calling me "Thena" until just now...)

Athena: No, I should be the one apologizing. The whole thing spiraled out of my control.

Woods: Athena, I--

Athena: Don't worry! I'll really bring it tomorrow! I'll find something to prove your innocence!

Woods: About that............ Athena...

Woods: I've been thinking of asking Prof. Means to defend me.

Athena: ...Huh?

Means: I myself only just heard of this a moment ago.

Athena: (Oh... So, she thinks Prof. Means would be...)

Athena: (No! I can't let this happen! Not with the way he wants to do things!)

Athena: J-Junie!

Woods: I know, Athena, but will you please hear me out?

Athena: Is there anything else you noticed on the night of the murder?

Woods: ...Well, I don't know if this will help, but...

Woods: That evening, I went back to my dressing room to get something I'd forgotten there.

Woods: It was well after the last bell rang... I'd say, maybe around 8:30.

Athena: Around 8:30, huh? That's over an hour after when the crime supposedly took place.

Woods: That's when I noticed that both stage statues were finished.

Woods: They were quite large, and they were each covered with a white sheet, but I could tell.

Woods: It made me happy to think that after all that hard work, they were finally finished.

Athena: Oh, right... The statues that Robin made. So they were covered in white sheets...?

Woods: ...*cough*... *cough* *cough*

Athena: J-Junie! Are you okay?

Woods: * cough* Sorry. I'm a little tired, that's all.

Apollo: Athena, I think this meeting is over. Prof. Means?

Means: I will use any means possible to get the result I want in Juniper's case.

Means: But it will require considerable preparation, so I must be off.

Athena:

Athena: Junie! ...And Prof. Means! I have a proposal!

Woods: ...A proposal?

Apollo: Wait, this isn't another one of your crazy--

Athena: By sundown today...!

Woods: Yes...?

Athena: I, Athena Cykes, along with Apollo Justice...!

Apollo: W-Wait a second. Don't drag my name into--

Athena: We're going to discover the truth behind this murder mystery!

Woods: ......What?!

Athena: And we're going to bring you solid evidence showing just what that truth is!

Means: I see... So, it has come to this, has it?

Athena: If we succeed in doing that...

Athena: ...I want you to promise that you'll accept it, Junie, no matter how hard it is to hear.

Woods: .........

Athena: Then, you shouldn't need anyone else to defend you except me. Have we got a deal?

Athena: ...I trust that's okay with you too, Prof. Means?

Means: I have no objections, as long as Juniper is satisfied with this arrangement.

Woods: ............Okay. But only if it's the real truth.

Woods: I'm sorry to put you through this, Thena. But thank you.

Woods: I've been thinking only of myself this whole time.

Athena: Junie, it's way too early to thank me.

Athena: But you can thank me all you want once I get to the bottom of this!

Means: ...Very well, I will see you back here at sundown.

Apollo: Sorry for all the trouble, professor. It's just, she's new to the agency, so...

Means: Don't be silly. I find it all rather thrilling. Now, let us meet here again later!

Woods: If you'll excuse me, I'd better go.

Athena: Okay, see you later!

-

Means: But if this trial proceeds in the same manner and ends in the same way as the mock trial...

Means: ...would you not lose everything you've worked so hard to gain?

-

Athena: (Argh! This is no time to be thinking about that!)

Athena: (I've got an investigation to do. I WILL find the truth by sundown, no matter what!)

-

October 25 Themis Legal Academy - Outdoor Stage

???: Ah!

Athena: Is it my imagination or did something just move?

Klavier: Afternoon, you two.

Apollo: Prosecutor Gavin. What are you doing here?

Apollo: Don't you think sneaking onto campus like this... is just slightly suspicious?

Klavier: I'll have you know I'm continuing my investigation, in the strictest of confidence.

Athena: I don't want to be caught napping again at tomorrow's trial.

Athena: And that means a thorough investigation today. Think you can lend us a hand?

Klavier: I'm not one to refuse a damsel in distress.

Klavier: But you needn't have asked, Fräulein. I'd intended to help from the start.

Athena: You're the best, Prosecutor Gavin!

Athena: (Okay, time for a thorough investigation. I bet we missed lots of stuff yesteday!)

Athena: Whew! That was a whole lot of poking around in such a short time.

Apollo: Does that mean you're satisfied?

Athena: Actually, there was one more thing I wanted to check out.

Athena: See that metal fence back there?

Athena: There's just that one segment, so it seems out of place.

Klavier: It looks like they were in the process of removing them after the stage was set up.

Klavier: But they were never able to finish on account of the murder.

Apollo: We should take a look if you think it could be important.

Athena: Hmm... This track looks man-made.

Apollo: Hey, you're right. And it looks like it starts from behind the backdrop.

Athena: Maybe a big muddy pro wrestler was hiding back there.

Apollo: .........Well, that was totally random, but we'll never know until we take a look.

Athena: Looks like something was being dragged through here, and this is where it started.

Apollo: Yeah, but whatever it was, it's long gone.

Klavier: Must've been pretty heavy. Perhaps it was used in setting up the school festival.

Athena: Aww, then I guess it wasn't a pro wrestler. Still, this could be something important.

-

Apollo: Well, that's about it for the stage.

Athena: Right. I think we'd better search the art room next.

Klavier: I think I'll hang around here for a while. But make sure to tell me once you find it, ja?

Apollo: Find what?

Klavier: What else? The Gavinners banner that disappeared from the stage.

Klavier: You never know -- it just might be connected to the case at hand.

Athena: (Really? Or does he just want his banner back?)

???: Sss, sss, sss. Don't tell me... So, in short, that's...

Athena: Hm? Hey...

Apollo: That box... It just took off running.

Athena: I have a pretty good idea who that is, as I suspect you do, too.

Athena: Come on! We can't afford to have any weird articles written about us!

Apollo: The maintenance area's over in that direction. After that box!

-

October 25 Themis Legal Academy - Maintenance Area

Athena: ...Myriam, you're liable to get tossed in the garbage truck if you hang around here.

Scuttlebutt: I'm just an empty box. And that's what you do with them -- you throw them away.

Athena: Hey, did you change boxes? I like the new look.

Scuttlebutt: What does it matter anymore?! I was a complete failure in court today!

Scuttlebutt: My work, my pride, my dream -- everything I've worked so hard for... Gone!

-

Athena: Sorry, Ms. Scuttlebutt, but...

Athena: ...doesn't believing you had a scoop when you really didn't make you a failure as a reporter?

Scuttlebutt: A f-failure as a r-reporter?! Kahk-kahk-kahk.

Scuttlebutt: Kaaahk kahk-kahk-kahk-kahk-kahk!

Scuttlebutt: Ack!

Scuttlebutt: ...Ah!!!

-

Apollo: Come to think of it, calling her a failure as a reporter might've been a bit extreme.

Athena: Nngh...

Scuttlebutt: Sss, sss, sss! Sss, sss, sss, sss, sss, sss!

Scuttlebutt: Scold me! Despise me! Pack me away where I'll never see the light of day!

Scuttlebutt: I've been cast aside to waste away into a big pile of mushy paper mache!

Athena: (I kind of feel responsible for this, but...)

Apollo: Now's our chance to prod her for information while she's vulnerable!

Apollo: I bet that's what you were just thinking.

Athena: What kind of a person do you think I am?

Athena: (He read me like a book...)

Scuttlebutt: ...Kahk-kahk-kahk.

Scuttlebutt: My laptop won't turn on. Never thought my life would end so soon. A mere seventeen years...

Athena: (Now I really feel bad.) Oh, I know!

Athena: Myriam, we have a laptop at the office. We'd be happy to lend it to you.

Scuttlebutt: Huh? Y-You have a laptop I could use?!

Athena: Sure, but on one condition.

Athena: I want you to ask Junie, Hugh, and Robin if you can hang out with them.

Scuttlebutt: What?! Like I could ever do that!

Athena: Sorry, but that's the deal if you want to borrow our laptop.

Apollo: You scare me sometimes, Athena. You're like good cop, bad cop all rolled into one.

Scuttlebutt: Kahk-kahk-kahk-kahk. Fine! I'll do it! If that's all you want!

Athena: Yay! I'll be by later to bring you the laptop!

Scuttlebutt: W-Wait!

Scuttlebutt: It's not like I owe you anything, but here.

Athena: Th-Thanks. Oh, it's a set of pictures.

Apollo: Looks like they're setting up the stage.

Scuttlebutt: Yeah, I took them when they were putting the stage's backdrop into place.

Athena: Wow, you sure have an eye for photography! (...From what I can make out, anyway.)

Scuttlebutt: There are the last two photos that didn't get deleted. They're all yours.

Stage Set Up Photos added to the Court Record.

Scuttlebutt: Sss, sss, sss, sss! Well, see you around, Scary Lawyer Lady!

Apollo: That was really impressive, Athena. What's next?

Athena: Well... I'd like to talk to Hugh or Robin if possible.

Apollo: Okay, let's walk around and see if we can find them!

-

October 25 Themis Legal Academy - 1F Hallway

Athena: Hey! That's Hugh over there!

Athena: Hugh, we wanted a word with you, if you don't mind.

O'Conner: If it was Mr. Wright, then sure, but you two? Meh...

Athena: (I knew it. There's a hint of discord in Hugh's voice.)

Apollo: You're not getting off that easy.

Apollo: After all, you're a possible suspect, plus you actually confessed in court.

O'Conner: Whatever. So, what do you want from me?

O'Conner: But make it brief. I don't have a lot of time, and I assume you don't either.

Apollo: Hugh, wait! .........He's gone.

Athena: He doesn't care about her anymore? Why would he say that?

Apollo: That didn't go so well. I guess we'll just have to pin our hopes on his testimony tomorrow.

Apollo: Athena, what do you say we head over to the art room. Might be a nice change of pace.

Apollo: Hopefully, the police have completed their investigation.

Athena: All right. We don't really have much time left, anyway.

-

October 25 Themis Legal Academy - 3F Art Room

Fulbright: Ha ha ha! Why, if it isn't my little lawyer friends again!

Athena: Thanks again for lowering that school banner for us earlier.

Fulbright: Don't mention it. Helping those in need is what my brand of justice is all about!

Apollo: Right... So, this art room was where the murder actually occurred?

Fulbright: That's right. You can't see it with the naked eye, but there's blood on the floor!

Fulbright: That area roped off in the middle of the room marks the spot.

Fulbright: The police investigation is done, so if you want to look around, knock yourselves out!

Apollo: Well, I think we've examined pretty much everything we can.

Apollo: By the way, did Prosecutor Blackquill happen to tell you anything about tomorrow's trial?

Fulbright: In justice we trust! It's no use trying to pry more information out of me!

Fulbright: Having just learned that the clock had been one hour fast...

Fulbright: ...means we're back to square one concerning the suspect's actions that day.

Athena: Hmm... I wonder what the main argument will be about now.

Fulbright: How the body was moved would be my guess, but Prosecutor Blackquill's got his own plans.

Apollo: Oh? Does he now...?

Athena: Um, Detective Fulbright--

Fulbright: Try as you might, I won't say another word about the investigation!

Athena: No, I wasn't going to ask about that. I was just wondering if you'd seen Robin.

Fulbright: Oh, you mean Ms. Robin Newman? She was just here a moment ago!

Fulbright: And she mumbled something about watching videos in the Lecture Hall.

Athena: (Video? What video?)

Apollo: Thanks, Detective. ...Athena, I think we should stop by the Lecture Hall.

Athena: Right, let's go!

-

October 25 Themis Legal Academy - 3F Lecture Hall

Athena: There she is! Robin! Hey, Robin!

Newman: Oh, Athena, Apollo!

Apollo: What are you watching there?

Newman: Heh heh... Oh, it just so happens to be a video of the mock trial.

Newman: I had to use a bit of coercion to get it, but the end justifies the means, right?

Athena: (There it is again. Prof. Means sure has a lot of influence around here.)

Newman: Care to look into the true connection between the murder and the mock trial with me?

Athena: Sounds great, but do you mind if we ask you some questions first?

Newman: Eh heh heh. Sure, I'll tell you anything you W-A-N-T.

Apollo: Well, I think that about covers it.

Newman: Okay, then how about watching the mock trial video with me? What do you say?

Athena: Sure, sounds good to me. Er, so, how do you wanna watch it?

Newman: Eh heh heh. All classroom desks at this school have their own built-in computer, you know.

Apollo: Wow, this place is definitely a lot cushier than I thought!

Newman: I know you guys are in a hurry, so I'll just fast-forward to the important parts.

Newman: Let's start with the professor's pre-trial speech.

"Good afternoon. I would like to start by thanking you for coming here today."

Athena: Oh, that sounds like Prof. Means.

"The mock trial, the crown-jewel event of the school festival will begin shortly!"

Apollo: Is the camera like this the whole time?

Newman: Yeah, it's in a fixed position in front of the stage.

"When I was a student, I, too, could hardly wait for this day to come."

Apollo: How come teachers' speeches always make me so sleepy?

Newman: Eh heh he. Let's just skip to the end of his speech.

"Now, let the mock trial begin!"

Athena: Hey! What's the deal here?

Athena: Why's Junie so large in this shot?

Apollo: Looks to me like she cut right in front of the camera.

Newman: Eh heh heh heh. Juniper was also in charge of the audio.

Athena: Even though she was already playing a part in the mock trial itself?

Newman: She had to do it to keep the script details secret. She was all over the place that day.

Newman: When she wasn't in the trial, she was in the audio control room dealing with the music.

Athena: Ooh, so this is what the Lecture Hall looks like.

Apollo: Looks like there's a judge's bench back by the screen, and a witness stand up front.

Apollo: What about those balconies with the professors' names on them?

Newman: Those are the faculty seats.

Newman: Prof. Means and Prof. Courte were in charge of scoring the mock trial.

Lecture Hall Diagram added to the Court Record.

Newman: Okay, let's fast forward this a bit.

"...And that's why the defendant is... DEFINITELY GUILTYYYYYY!!!"

Newman: Ah, that was me! Could you tell?

"Objection!"

"A frail coed used her bare hands to stab her professor with an arrow? I don't think so."

Athena: You read that line in the mock mock trial, Apollo, but you made it sound kind of weird.

Apollo: Cut me some slack. It was my first time reading that script.

Newman: I think Juniper's going to speak next.

"I didn't do it! I had suffered a breakdown and pretty much lost it."

"It's true I shouted, 'You're a goner!' but I didn't mean it!"

Apollo: Wow, what an emotional performance. She'd put a real actress to shame.

Athena: Wait. Could you go back and play that scene again?

Apollo: You really think that's necessary?

"I didn't do it! I had suffered a breakdown and pretty much lost it."

"It's true I shouted, 'You're a goner!' but I didn't mean it!"

Athena: Stop! Did you hear that?!

Apollo: I think you're on to something! Let's play that last part again!

Newman: I don't follow. What are you guys so excited about?

Athena: I think this piece of evidence should explain it.

Athena: (Time to show Robin a piece of evidence that links the line we just heard to the case.)

Athena: I'm sure you remember this. It contains a female voice shouting a violent threat.

Athena: I'll play it for you.

"...You're a goner!"

Newman: The voices and performance do sound similar, but... I can't believe this is happening!

Athena: It's just a possibility, but if the voice on this tape is really a recording...

Athena: ...one made from the mock trial video, then that means this evidence was fabricated.

Apollo: They didn't get to do a voiceprint analysis in time for court today.

Apollo: That's why the gender of the voice became so important.

Apollo: And if the real killer had foreseen that gender would become key in today's trial...

Athena: ...He would've tried to deflect attention away from himself by making the suspect female.

Athena: So basically, the only one with something to gain from doing this is our sole male suspect.

Newman: Wait a second!

Newman: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!

Apollo: Prof. Means's credo is "The end justifies the means."

Apollo: So it makes perfect sense that a student who took those words to heart...

Apollo: ...would fabricate evidence. We need to get that tape analyzed as soon as possible!

Tape Recorder updated in the Court Record.

???: ......Allow me to assist you with that.

Athena: Prosecutor Gavin! At least make some kind of noise so we know you're there!

Klavier: It's go big or go home with rock star entrances, Fräulein. Timing is everything.

Klavier: Let me make a copy of that tape right now, and I'll get you the results as soon as I can.

Klavier: I trust that would be all right?

Athena: Very much so! Thanks!

Apollo: Well, Athena? It's almost sundown.

Apollo: Isn't it about time we head over to the Detention Center?

Athena: I think Junie will agree that this is something that could prove her innocence. But...

Athena: (Will her heart really be open to accepting it?)

Athena: (She had to have known this was what I'd find!)

-

October 25 Detention Center - Visitor's Room

Athena: ...And that about covers the main gist of our investigation.

Means: I see. Very interesting. You've been quite the busy beaver today.

Woods: Thank you for all your hard work, Athena.

Woods: Well, my time's about up. And it will be getting dark soon, so...

Athena: Junie!

Woods: You must be tired after being on your feet all day. You should go home and--

Athena: No, wait! You have to listen to me!

Woods: I don't... I don't want to hear any more.

Woods: I know what you're going to say, Athena.

Athena: Junie, you promised.

-

Athena: We're going to discover the truth behind this murder mystery!

Athena: And we're going to bring you solid evidence showing just what that truth is!

Athena: If we succeed in doing that...

Athena: ...I want you to promise that you'll accept it, Junie, no matter how hard it is to hear.

Woods: ............Okay. But only if it's the real truth.

-

Athena: So please. Please just listen to what I have to say.

Athena: Once you've heard me out, I'll let you decide what to do.

Woods: .........

After perceiving

Woods: I'm so sorry. I've talked about friendship so much, but I've been a terrible friend.

Apollo: Juniper, I don't have that special kind of hearing that Athena does...

Apollo: ...but I don't need it to sense the pain you're feeling inside.

Apollo: And its intensity is directly proportional to how you feel about your friend.

Apollo: Am I right?

Woods: * sob* Apollo...!

Athena: Please, Junie, tell me why you suspected Hugh.

Athena: I have a feeling that will be the key to getting to the bottom of this whole case.

Athena: Junie... It must've been terrible holding all of that in.

Athena: But it's going to be okay. I'll get to the bottom of this.

Athena: And that's my promise from one good friend to another.

Athena: I'll be defending Juniper tomorrow.

Athena: If that's okay with you, Prof. Means.

Means: My main concern is whether you can defeat that prosecutor.

Means: ...But I won't try to stop you. I will be watching from the gallery.

Means: And shall look forward to seeing what sort of results your methods can produce.

Means: Good luck tomorrow. Now, if you would excuse me.

Woods: Thena... I'm sorry. I really mean it.

Woods: I wish I had trusted you from the start.

Woods: You have to uncover the truth tomorrow. I know you can do it.

Apollo: Don't worry. We already know that the prosecution's key piece of evidence is a fake.

Apollo: And thanks to you, we figured out the motive, too.

Apollo: Let's give this our best shot, Athena. Let tomorrow be the day Juniper walks free!

Athena: I wouldn't have it any other way!

Athena: (We should be all ready now. What could possibly go wrong this time?!)

Athena: (Still...)

Athena: (There's this strange, uneasy feeling I can't shake... I'd better be imagining it.)

To Be Continued

-

October 26, 9:45 AM District Court - Defendant Lobby No. 3

Apollo: Were you able to sleep last night?

Athena: Huh?! ...Oh, sleep! Sure, I slept! (For a grand total of zero hours.)

Klavier: Guten Morgen, you two. You look like you're ready to put on a real show.

Klavier: But before you do, I have a good luck gift for you.

Klavier: The voiceprint analysis came back, and the results couldn't be more clear.

Klavier: The voice in the mock trial video and the tape recording are one and the same.

Apollo: In other words, the recording's a fabrication.

Tape Recorder updated in the Court Record.

Klavier: The lab is continuing their study of the tape. So far, they've found signs of overdubbing.

Klavier: But it's going to take a bit longer to recover the audio that was erased.

* thump*

Apollo: ! Wh-Who's there? Wait!

Athena: Did you see who it was?

Apollo: No. I got a quick look, but they got away.

Apollo: I think it might've been Hugh. I bet he was eavesdropping.

Athena: I wonder if he saw our hand.

Klavier: Oh, I'm sure he wasn't the only one just now. I bet Robin and Box Girl were listening in, too.

Klavier: I will make sure they don't make a run for it. That is my final gift to you.

Athena: Okay, all that's left now is to reach out to the truth!

Apollo: Time for a mini Chords of Steel workout! I'm Apollo Justice and I'm fine!!! ...Your turn!

Athena: I'm Athena Cykes and I'm fine!!!

-

October 26, 10:00 AM District Court - Courtroom No. 4

Day 2 Court Is Now In Session All Rise

Judge: Court will now reconvene for the trial of Juniper Woods.

Athena: The Cykes Brigade is totally psyched... er, I mean, the defense is ready, Your Honor!

Judge: The prosecution is ready as well... er, I mean, isn't that right, Prosecutor Blackquill?

Blackquill: .........

Judge: Yes, well, moving right along. Yesterday's adjournment was unexpected, yes necessary.

Judge: But I'll be running a tight ship here today, so no funny business from anybody, understood?

Blackquill: Your Baldness, Robin Newman and Hugh O'Conner have recanted their confessions.

Blackquill: But later, I shall grill them at leisure to find whether I can charge them with perjury.

Judge: Well, this sure complicates matters. Still, one must not overlook the facts.

Judge: Now, about the school camera photo that was submitted yesterday--

Blackquill: A pity, but that evidence is no longer relevant to this case.

Blackquill: The art room clock runs fast. It cannot function as an accurate measure of time.

Blackquill: As for the bungling detective who overlooked that, he is paying for his failure as we speak.

Athena: (Poor Detective Fulbright. I hope he returns to work with all his body parts intact.)

Judge: Hmm... But if that's the case, then what will we--

Blackquill: The accused is the sole person who could have moved the body from art room to stage.

Blackquill: And I mean to prove it here this day.

Athena: (It's just like Detective Fulbright said. But what else does he have up his sleeve?)

Blackquill: My understanding of this heinous crime is thus.

Blackquill: The murder took place near the center of the art room, as evidenced by the bloodstain.

Blackquill: Blood was also found on some pottery next to the window over the maintenance area.

Blackquil: Which is to say the body was carried over to that very window.

Blackquill: From there, it was dropped down to the maintenance area below.

Blackquill: And though there was nary a scratch to the body aside from the fatal wound...

Blackquill: ...that, too, was per the script. A high jump mat was employed to cushion the fall.

Blackquill: Then, a ball cart was used to haul the body over to the stage.

Athena: That's not very clever. I mean, it's the same exact body moving scheme as the script.

Athena: Anyone could've moved the body that way.

Blackquill:

Blackquill: Your propensity to spew forth words before you think is not very clever, either.

Athena: Why you--!

Blackquill: Moreover, the prosecution has a witness, which is most unfortunate for you.

Blackquill: Witness! It's time for you to come forth!

-

O'Conner: .........Heh.

Judge: * ahem* Well, then, will the witness please state his name and occupation.

O'Conner: Hugh O'Conner. I'm a senior at Themis Legal Academy, and I'm studying to be a lawyer.

O'Conner: Yesterday, I told that lawyer there that I would testify to the truth.

O'Conner: So, I intend to cooperate fully in today's trial. Happy now, Ms. Cykes?

Athena: Nrgh... (What's he up to now?)

Judge: The court appreciates your cooperation, Mr. O'Conner. Now, your testimony, please.

-

Witness Testimony

-- What O'Conner Saw --

O'Conner: The Lecture Hall was packed before the mock trial, but the rest of the campus was empty. O'Conner: That's when I saw Juniper dragging a large mat from behind the stage. O'Conner: I was watching her from a vantage point between the stage and the maintenance area. O'Conner: She was heading towards me, so I assume she was on her way to the maintenance area. O'Conner: But I didn't have time to stand around and see what she did after that.

-

O'Conner: The real truth hurts so much, doesn't it, Ms. Cykes?

O'Conner: Or maybe you thought I was going to bring up something else entirely against your client?

Athena: Ugh! (Never a snappy comeback when I need one!)

Apollo: He's coming straight at us today, using any means possible.

Blackquill: To protect the students who had to climb up high when setting up the stage...

Blackquill: ...a mat was brought over to the stage from the storehouse.

Athena: Our client is the Student Council President!

Athena: What's wrong with her taking it upon herself to put the mat away after they'd used it?

Blackquill:

Blackquill: Oh, there is plenty wrong.

Blackquill: There is but one mat in the entire school that could cushion a fall from such lofty heights.

Blackquill: Ergo, the mat in question was indispensable to moving the body!

Athena: Arrrgh! (It sucks being the last to know everything.)

Apollo: ......I think I get it now.

Apollo: The drag marks we saw behind the stage were made by the mat.

Judge: Hmm...

Judge: If the only mat of that thickness was where the body is assumed to have been dropped...

Judge: ...it would be hard to deny a possible link to this case.

Apollo: We're off to a bad start again. You sure you're okay, Athena?

Athena: ...It's game on, Hugh. Game on.

Athena: I'm gonna turn your arrogant perfect-score grin into a teary-eyed frown of failure!

-

Cross-Examination

-- What O'Conner Saw --

O'Conner: The Lecture Hall was packed before the mock trial, but the rest of the campus was empty.

O'Conner: That's when I saw Juniper dragging a large mat from behind the stage.

O'Conner: I was watching her from a vantage point between the stage and the maintenance area.

O'Conner: She was heading towards me, so I assume she was on her way to the maintenance area.

O'Conner: But I didn't have time to stand around and see what she did after that.

Apollo: Mr. Confidence sure goes all out when he tells the "truth."

Athena: Well, I don't think he meant for any of that to be misleading, but it doesn't make it factual.

Apollo: Careful now, Athena. A genius like Hugh could be leading you right into a trap.

Athena: (I'd be surprised if he wasn't. But all I can do is charge forward with both eyes opened!)

-

Athena: So, you saw the back of the stage from the between the stage and the maintenance area?

Athena: Well, let's take a look at this photo taken by Ms. Scuttlebutt, shall we?

Athena: This photo shows the students setting up the stage the day before the mock trial.

Athena: Do you see the big construction screen to the right of the stage in the background here?

Judge: Why, yes. In fact, there were a bunch of those next to my house until a few days ago, too.

Judge: It was so noisy behind there, but I couldn't take a peek. Oh, how it piqued my interest!

Athena: Exactly, Your Honor. You cannot see past such screens. That is their purpose.

Athena: Now, let's see... How exactly is that screen positioned again...?

Athena: Ah hah! Since it was to the right of the stage, it should be right here.

Athena: And from this vantage point...

Athena: ...the witness claims to have seen our client behind the stage backdrop.

Judge: Oh, my! But the screen would've been completely in the way!

Athena: That's right. Therefore, the witness couldn't have possibly seen our client from this point!

O'Conner: Hrrrgh! ...Youch!

Judge: Order! Order!!! Mr. O'Conner! Have you been lying to this court?!

O'Conner: The screen... Right... It must have slipped my mind.

Athena: What?! Are you telling me you, Mr. Genius, forgot something as literally big as that?!

O'Conner: There are two kinds of memory lapses: the normal kind you mouth-breathers have...

O'Conner: ...and the genius-level lapses of memory that people like me have.

Athena: (Why don't you just admit that it was a normal, everyday brain fart already?!)

Judge: Will the witness now please restate what he remembers minus the lapses of memory?

O'Conner: Heh, that's easy. I was on the other side of the screen.

O'Conner: In other words, I witnessed Juniper from the stage side of the screen.

Athena:

Athena: You are testifying that our client was behind the stage.

Athena: But need I remind this court, the back of the stage is not visible from the front.

Athena: To actually see our client behind the stage from the stage side of the screen...

Athena: ...the witness himself would also have to be in the same area behind the stage!

Athena: But in that case, our client would have definitely seen Mr. O'Conner!

O'Conner: Hrrrrrrgh! ...Youch!

Apollo: Nice one, Athena! Keep it up!

Blackquill:

Blackquill: All right, Golden Boy, is this not your chance?

Blackquill: Telling the truth will be like a weight lifted from your chest.

Athena: The truth ? What truth?

Blackquill: The fact that Golden Boy here was where he initially stated.

Blackquill: That is to say, he was between the maintenance area and the stage.

Athena:

Athena: But then the screen would've blocked his view of--

Blackquill:

Blackquill: On the ground, yes, his view would have been blocked, indeed.

Blackquill: But consider how smoke always wants to rise up high.

Apollo: A-Athena, look at the photo again! Do you think...?!

Athena: Something on the other side of the screen... Something high enough to see the stage...

Athena: No way! This crane right here?

Athena: But I don't remember seeing a crane there on the day of the mock trial.

Apollo: Me neither, but it's probably safe to assume it was moved before you found the body.

O'Conner:

O'Conner: That's far enough, Prosecutor Blackquill! Remember, you promised!

Blackquill: ...Hmph. I recall making no such promise.

Blackquill: It was you who came blubbering to me about keeping quiet in exchange for information.

O'Conner: Argh!

Athena: What's this about a promise? Is this about whatever Blackquill is using against him?

Apollo: And what's it got to go with going into the crane?

Blackquill: Golden Boy did not go up in that crane for fun.

Blackquill: ...He was working part time as a crane operator within school grounds.

Judge: What? Do you mean to tell me a high school student was operating a crane?!

O'Conner:

O'Conner: The witness... er... I mean, I object to the prosecutor's last statement!

O'Conner: There's no proof I ever operated that crane!

Athena:

Athena: Actually... there just might be something that proves you did.

O'Conner: What?!

Athena: If this whole part time job thing is true, I doubt it would be limited to a single day.

Athena: You were probably working at the same site the previous day, too.

Apollo: Is this what you're thinking of, Athena?

Athena: Yep. As the court can see, this photo captured the crane's operator.

Athena: And if you look carefully, he bears a definite resemblance to Mr. O'Conner.

O'Conner: Are you serious?! This is ridiculous!

Blackquill: How very interesting. Let's ascertain whether this is as ridiculous as the witness maintains.

Athena: The defense agrees with the prosecution. Let's bring the facts to light.

Judge: Hmm... That's all very well and good, but just how do you propose to do that?

Athena: (The person in this photo has one really distinguishing feature.)

Athena: (I'm not a hundred percent sure, but it's at least worth a try!)

Athena: We can clearly identify the person in this photo as the witness by examining...

Athena: The figure in this photo is wearing a very unique object around his neck.

Judge: Why, yes. You can see it right there. But then, are you saying you mean to...

Athena: Mr. O'Conner's neck is almost entirely concealed by his tall collar...

Athena: ...but that's exactly why I believe this warrants further examination!

O'Conner: No! Not a chance! That would be a blatant violation of my privacy!

Blackquill: Hmph. You are a disgrace of a man. Now start unbuttoning that collar before I hack it off!

Athena: Yeah! What's the big deal? Now, let's see your neck!

O'Conner: .........

O'Conner: Guess I have no choice.

Blackquill: .........Hmph.

Judge: Hm? ...Oh, my!

Athena: So, where did you buy that neckband, if I might ask?

O'Conner: I didn't buy it. It's handmade, and there's only one like it in the world.

Athena: Well, it sure looks like the neckband in the photo. Should we have the photo analyzed?

O'Conner: Heh. You are one irritating lady. ...Fine. I admit it.

O'Conner: I work a part-time construction job. It has nothing to do with our school.

O'Conner: Operating heavy equipment's no big deal for a guy who can parallel park one-handed.

O'Conner: But I never expected one of my jobs would take me to my own school.

Judge: But when you factor in all of the required tests and apprenticeship period...

Judge: ...wouldn't you have to be at least twenty to have a license for operating a crane?

O'Conner: Oh, um... about that... You see, I'm a genius, so, you know...

Blackquill:

Blackquill: Let us dispense with this inane charade, Golden Boy.

O'Conner:

O'Conner: No, Prosecutor Blackquill! Please, don'! [sic]

Blackquill: High school seniors are nineteen at most, thus, they fail to complete the requirements.

Blackquill: But that does not apply to you, does it, Mr. O'Conner?

Athena: Why doesn't it apply? He's a senior, so he's around that age, right?

O'Conner: No, don't! Please!

Blackquill: Actually, Golden Boy here is twenty-five. He took a seven-year break from school.

Athena: ............Wait. Come again?

Blackquill: Take a gander at the official school enrollment documentation. 'Tis all right there.

O'Conner: Arrrrrrrrrgh! ...Youch!

Apollo: T-T-Twenty-five? You mean he's older than me?!

Judge: A twenty-five-year-old high school student?!

O'Conner:

O'Conner: Heh. A seven-year break... Seven years... I've just one thing to say.

O'Conner: There are two kinds of seven-year breaks. The ordinary kind you mouth-breathers take...

O'Conner: ...and the genius kind people like me take.

Athena:

Athena: But a genius would quickly become a chore for a seven-year-break !

Apollo: I think you have that backwards, Athena...

O'Conner: Heh. Even geniuses make mistakes.

O'Conner: I just happened to make mine only seven years in a row.

Athena: (Only Hugh could get away with using "only" like that.)

Blackquill: Enough of this jibber-jabber.

Blackquill: Suffice to say, the witness was up in the crane when he saw the accused dragging the mat.

Blackquill: The accused readied all she needed to move the body immediately prior to doing so.

Blackquill: That much is clear. I see no need to deliberate the matter any further.

Judge: Hmm... Considering that the body was moved in the same manner as in the script...

Judge: ...I find Prosecutor Blackquills claim to be quite persuasive.

Judge: Does the defense care to dissuade me?

Athena: Ugh!

Athena: As long as a mat was used to move the body, Junie's going to be under suspicion...!

Apollo: ...Athena. I just thought of something.

Apollo: What was Hugh doing in the crane right before the mock trial?

Apollo: He couldn't have been on the job at the time. I mean, he was waiting for the trial to start.

Athena: Yeah, why was he in the crane? Wait, you don't think...?!

Athena: Your Honor!

Judge: Yes, Ms. Cykes?

Athena: I've got it! I've got an amazing idea that will turn the prosecution's claim on its head!

Athena: (A little conjecture has never stopped us before!)

Blackquill: Interesting...

Athena: Mr. O'Conner, you were using the crane to...

Athena: The body was just like it was in the script, so it must've been moved like in the script, too.

Athena: At least, that's what the prosecution believes. ...How simplistic, even foolish.

Blackquill: .........

Apollo: Those are pretty strong words, Athena. You sure about this?

Athena: The witness is a licensed crane operator, so he could have used it to move the body!

Blackquill:

Blackquill: ...Hmph. Well, Golden Boy? Care to chime in?

Blackquill: I intend to say no more on the matter, save that this does not bode well for you.

Athena: (Wait, he's on my side this time? Or is this another trap?)

O'Conner: Heh. Watch this!

O'Conner: I can use a bow and arrow one handed.

Athena: (Wow, that's a crazy level of dexterity.)

O'Conner: I can even drive a crane with one hand. That's easy.

O'Conner: But operating the crane itself is so complex, it requires both hands.

O'Conner: Now, I would have the court look at this.

Athena: Oh... Please tell me that's a ketchup stain.

O'Conner: You wish. My hand was injured and required surgery.

O'Conner: That's the reason I kept my hand in my pocket all this time.

Blackquill: I have already verified this with the hospital of treatment. Quite a nasty wound, they say.

Athena: S-So, how did you hurt it?

O'Conner: I see no need to discuss that. It has no relevance to this case.

Blackquill: Two hands are required to operate complex machinery such as a crane.

Blackquill: Ergo, on the day of the mock trial, the witness was incapable of moving the body by crane!

Athena: N-Now I'm the fool?!

O'Conner: I'd planned on moving the crane the night before the mock trial, but then I got injured.

O'Conner: Wanting to keep my part-time job a secret, I had to do it just before the mock trial instead.

Athena: (Arrrgh! And here I thought this was the big break we've been waiting for!)

Blackquill: Now that the defense's sophistry is laid bare, I would have the court recall my claim.

Judge: The body was dropped out of a third-floor window to a mat near the maintenance area.

Judge: Then, a ball cart was used to move it to the stage. See? I've been paying attention!

Blackquill: Well done, Your Baldness. Now consider this!

Blackquill: The accused was sighted dragging that mat. Ergo, it was she who moved the body!

Apollo: Well, I think you were on the right track, Athena.

Athena: You do?

Apollo: Yeah, Juniper remains the prime suspect if we assume the body was moved as per her script.

Apollo: So, as the defense, you have to figure out how else the body could've been moved.

Athena: B-But...

Athena: (Oh, is he telling me to think of another way besides the crane?)

Judge: Ms. Cykes. If you have a counterargument, this court would love to hear it. And if--

Blackquill: If you do not, it is time for the verdict. Isn't that correct, Your Baldness?

Athena:

Athena: No, not yet!

Athena: All I have to do is show that the body wasn't moved like it was in the script, right?

Judge: Well, that WOULD show that the mat had nothing to do with this case.

Blackquill: There is a sword of great renown that cuts down sophistic lawyers. Its name is Evidence.

Athena: Tsk, you don't scare me! (Force a smile, Athena! You can do it!)

Apollo: What's wrong with your face, Athena? It's a weird mix of terror and creepy grin.

Apollo: Just focus on how the body could've been moved without it being dropped.

Athena: (How could anyone lower it without just dropping it? It's not like it could fly...)

Athena: (...Or maybe it could. After all, there IS a way to zip between the art room and the stage!)

Athena: (Someone could've easily used that thing !)

Judge: Hm? ...Oh, yes, of course!

Judge: Ms. Cykes, the court would like to see what you have for us.

Athena: (All I have to do is show the tiniest shred of a possibility.)

Athena: The mat and ball cart weren't used to move the body! This is what was used!

Athena: The key here is the thing that ties the art room and the stage together.

Blackquill: Might I propose an idea?

Blackquill: It might do you well to tie your lips together, lest you further expose your ignorance.

Athena: This isn't exactly the time for black comedy, Prosecutor Blackquill...

Athena: Anyway! The court will recall the wire on which the school banner was hung.

Athena: That wire was strung between the art room and the stage...

Athena: ...which allowed students to run or reel in the school banner from the art room.

Athena: The body could've easily been lowered down to the stage via this wire!

Blackquill:

Blackquill: Spare me your armchair theories. This wasn't some kind of high-wire act.

Blackquill: The body surely would have fallen, yet there are no signs of blunt force trauma!

Athena:

Athena: Oh, you surprise me, Prosecutor Blackquill.

Athena: You didn't actually think I failed to account for that?

Apollo: I'm sure that's exactly what he thought.

Athena: When we investigated the stage yesterday...

Athena: ...the bottom part of the school banner had been tied into a pouch-like shape.

Athena: And pouches are useful for carrying things. What do think [sic] this one could have carried?!

Judge: W-Well, go on. Please explain!

Athena: The body was bundled into the pouch-like section of the banner and sent down the wire.

Athena: The body would've been down on that stage in a flash! And there'd be no need for a mat!

Judge: Hmm... I've heard the phrase "carrying the banner," but the banner doing the carrying?

Blackquill:

Blackquill: ...Hmph. I've no patience for you and your cheap parlor tricks.

Blackquill: Your claim is as shaky as a corpse performing that absurd high-wire act.

Athena: If you have an actual objection, then just come out and say it!

Blackquill: I trust you recall the bloodstains left on the art room pottery.

Blackquill: If the wire had been used to move the body...

Blackquill: ...it would have to ben via the window above the quad -- the one with the winch.

Blackquill: However, the bloodstained pottery was next to the window above the maintenance area.

Blackquill: Ergo, the wire and banner had naught at all to do with this case.

Athena: Oh, um, ha ha. The bloodstained pottery... I remember that.

Apollo: This doesn't look good. We'll be back to the mat theory if you don't do something.

Judge: Well, Ms. Cykes? I hope you have something better this time than a circus act.

Athena: (If my wire theory is true, then that blood on the pottery must not have been...)

Athena: Maybe it's not the victim's blood.

Athena: Did the police check to see from whom the blood on the pottery came from?

Blackquill: Shame on you, Cykes-dono. Have a little more respect for the constabulary.

Blackquill: ...Fool Bright.

Apollo: Looks like they didn't check it.

Athena: Ah, don't let it get you down, Prosecutor Blackquill! Everyone makes mistakes.

Blackquill: Spare me your cheek. We will know not either way till the tests are run.

Athena: (True, but in the meantime, I'm going to press my claim as far as I can!)

Blackquill: Your Baldness. I demand that the blood on the pottery be analyzed this instant!

Judge: Of course. It shouldn't take long to get the results back.

-

Judge: Oh, my. That was quick.

Apollo: We're history if it turns out to be the victim's blood.

Athena: (Please, please let it be someone else's.)

Blackquill: ............Nngh.

Blackquill: It seems the blood was not from the victim.

Judge: Wh-What?!

Blackquill: Furthermore, a comparison with other parties involved with this case reveals...

Blackquill: ...that the blood belongs to one Hugh O'Conner.

Athena: (Score!)

O'Conner: .........

-

Woods: * cough*... *cough, cough*

Athena: Don't worry, Junie. Just try to relax.

Woods: H-Hugh's hands... His hands were... dripping with blood...!

-

Athena: Your Honor, as we saw earlier, the witness's left hand had suffered a serious injury.

Athena: He sustained the wound in a struggle with the victim, and his blood got on the pottery.

Athena: (Then, Junie saw his bloodstained hands as they passed each other in the first floor hall.)

Athena: It's the only explanation that covers everything!

Blackquill:

Blackquill: There is but one way now to turn aside her blade. But do not cast the blame on me.

Blackquill: Your grudge is with Cykes-dono, for it is she who forces me to expose your secret.

O'Conner: H-H-Heh. F-Fine, whatever.

Athena: (Wow, how much dirt does he have on Hugh?)

Blackquill: The court will observe this odd-looking envelope.

Blackquill: It was inside this that Myriam Scuttlebutt's script was found.

Athena: Ms. Scuttlebutt's...? But didn't the prosecution already claim that...

Athena: ...this envelope is the one that contained her script?

Blackquill: Circumstances have changed. You see, Golden Boy had hidden this from us all.

Judge: Let's see here... My word! Talk about the world's most painful paper cut!

Blackquill: Indeed. You can clearly see that if this envelope is not opened correctly...

Blackquill: ...a powerful spring-loaded blade will shoot forth, leaving a horrible gash upon the hand.

Blackquill: The only one who had been told of the correct way to open it was Constance Courte.

-

Scuttlebutt: Sss, sss, sss. You really want to see my script that bad?

Scuttlebutt: Well, you better watch out.

Scuttlebutt: Read it without my permission and you'll wish you hadn't!

-

Athena: (Yikes... Myriam wasn't kidding when she said that!)

Blackquill: The blood on the blade is the witness's.

Blackquill: Our genius here tried to sneak a peek at the wrong script and paid for his foolishness!

Athena: Ouuuuuuuch! (This guy's the worst genius I've EVER seen!)

Apollo: Don't worry, Athena. The wound isn't that deep. We've still got the wire theory.

Athena: Y-Yeah... I've got it!

Athena: Since the blood by the window overlooking the maintenance area isn't the victim's...

Athena: ...there's no longer any basis for denying the body was moved using the wire and banner.

Athena: Therefore, the defense once again asserts just that!

O'Conner:

O'Conner: You call yourself a lawyer? Heh. Don't you see the glaring contradiction in your thinking?

Athena: Huh?

Judge: The court would like to remind the witness that his role is not to point out--

O'Conner: Heh. And you... How can you adhere to such outdated beliefs. But whatever.

O'Conner: It seems you've forgotten the two statues that were onstage directly below the wire.

O'Conner: A body sent sliding down that wire would've crashed into them. Care to explain that away?

Judge: Why, I believe he's right. The statues and the wire are extremely close together.

Athena: (Ugh... So the body would've collided with the statues?)

Athena: (Hmm... What if they did collide? Wait, that's it!)

Athena: Speaking of those statues, we still don't know how they were broken.

Athena: But if we assume the body crashed into them...

Athena: ...that would also explain that loud sound we heard while we were in the waiting room.

Judge: Oh, now that you mention it...

Judge: ...you and Mr. Wright went out to the stage after you heard that sound, correct?

Blackquill:

Blackquill: Interesting... How very interesting. But may I ask just one question?

Blackquill: When was it that you heard said sound?

Athena: It was a little after the mock trial had started.

Athena: Mr. Wright and I were practically bored to tears there in the waiting room, when-- Ah!

Blackquill: Precisely. If that sound you heard did happen while the body was being moved...

Blackquill: ...that would place it during the mock trial !

Athena: (Oof. Which means the body wouldn't have been there before the mock trial started.)

-

O'Conner: You see, right before the mock trial started... I saw the body.

-

Athena: (He said he saw the body before the mock trial . If so...)

Athena: (...then my claim that the body was moved during the mock trial doesn't hold water!)

Athena: (Stupid contradiction! It's going to get me and our case killed!)

Judge: The focus was on just three suspects because the body was moved before the mock trial.

Judge: That has been the major premise thus far.

Judge: Your assertion, therefore, contradicts the very foundation of this case.

Blackquill:

Blackquill: Both sides still lack incontrovertible evidence.

Blackquill: So, should we not also treat Golden Boy's testimony with some level of suspicion?

Judge: Hmm... Good point.

O'Conner: Ack!

Athena: P-Prosecutor Blackquill... is on our side!

Athena: I bet he's figured out the truth behind this case!

Apollo: Well, great, as long as he's not up to something else.

Athena: (If the statues really were broken when the body hit them...)

Athena: (...then Hugh's statement about seeing the body before the mock trial is a big fat lie!)

Athena: Okay, Mr. O'Conner!

Athena: Let's get to the bottom of this contradiction about when you saw the body.

Athena: Look me straight in the eyes and repeat your statement to me!

O'Conner: Argh! L-Like I said before, uh... before the mock trial, the body was, you know...

Blackquill: I shall only say this once, Golden Boy. You had best tell the truth, and do it now.

Blackquill: That is, if your head wish to enjoy the continued companionship of your body.

O'Conner: Yikes!

Blackquill: Now, out with it! Did you truly witness the body?!

Athena: Or were you just lying about it?! Well, which is it?!

O'Conner: ............I...

Blackquill: You what?

Athena: I...!

O'Conner: I............ I never saw the body.

Athena: !

Judge: Are you sure about that? Lie to this court again and I'll charge you with perjury.

O'Conner: There was no body on that stage! I've been lying about that this whole time!

O'Conner: I'm... I'm sorry.

Athena: (Yes! We've exposed Hugh's big lie for what it is!)

Athena: (But why would he lie about this to begin with?)

Judge: Order!

Judge: The base premise that the body was moved before the mock trial has been overturned.

Judge: I imagine that this has an impact on both the defense and the prosecution's case.

Athena: Well, first I'd like to thank the prosecutor. This brings us one step closer to the truth.

Athena: Now, at least we know the body was moved using the wire and school banner.

Blackquill: ...Indeed. That much I shall concede, Cykes-dono.

Blackquill: The body was moved as you stated, and in the midst of the mock trial.

Judge: Hmm... So both sides are satisfied then?

Blackquill: Hmph. If the body was moved before the mock trial, we have our three suspects...

Blackquill: ...but if the move took place in the midst of the mock trial, it is an entirely different story.

Athena: Right. All three suspects were in the mock trial. That gives them solid alibis.

Blackquill:

Blackquill: ...Hmph. How simplistic. Did you forget about the student in charge of the audio ?

Blackquill: Amidst the mock trial, she was the one soul who could leave and reenter the Lecture Hall.

Judge: Wh-What's this?! Who is this person in charge of the audio?!

Athena: (Oh, no! How could I forget! It was...!)

-

Athena: Hey! What's the deal here?

Athena: Why's Junie so large in this shot?

Newman: Eh heh heh heh. Juniper was also in charge of the audio.

Newman: When she wasn't in the trial, she was in the audio control room dealing with the music.

-

Blackquill: Indeed. The one who could enter the art room amidst the mock trial to move the body...

Blackquill: ...was none other than the accused, Juniper Woods, for she was in charge of the audio!

Athena: Eee... Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!

Athena: Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Judge: Why, yes! I see! That DOES make perfect sense!

Athena: (This can't be happening. Instead of exposing Hugh's crime, Junie's in even deeper.)

Athena: (No matter how you slice it, we're cooked!)

Athena: (And here I thought Prosecutor Blackquill was on our side, at least on this issue.)

Apollo: The Twisted Samurai strikes again.

Athena: Tsk, twisted?! It's more like dirty rotten!

Blackquill: Hmph. Your Baldness, it is time to put an end to this farce.

Judge: Hmm... The prosecution has presented a quite convincing case.

Judge: But the defense has one last chance to voice any remaining objections. Well, Ms. Cykes?

Athena: Apollo! What are we going to do?! I've got nothing left! Nothing! Nada! Niente!

Apollo: I've been trying to think of something, but I'm drawing a big blank, too!

Athena: (Ugh... Poor Junie. Unless we figure out something, she'll be...)

Athena: O-Objection... Objection... Umm... well... I object to...!

O'Conner:

O'Conner: Heh. Heh heh heh. Ha ha ha ha ha! Stop right there!

O'Conner: All ears to me! It's time you heard about the rare genius of Hugh O'Conner!

O'Conner: Listen and you will hear the secret behind my perfect crime !

Athena: P-P-P-P...

Apollo: Perfect...

Judge: Criiiiiime?!

Athena: Wait, this is some serious déjà vu. Didn't we just go through something like this yesterday?

Apollo: Yes, yes we did... This had better not be another one of his enraging traps...

O'Conner: The murder, the moving of the body, the cover up! It all sprung from my brilliant mind!

O'Conner: Well, go ahead, arrest me! The real killer is right before you!

Judge: Order, Order, I say! M-M-Mr. O'Conner!

Judge: You already confessed yesterday, then earlier today recanted your confession!

O'Conner: As if you mouth-breathers could comprehend my genius! The end justifies the means!

O'Conner: Now, bow down and kneel! Kneel before my great and maddening intellect.

Blackquill:

Blackquill: Enough! The only thing maddening is the ignominy you bare for all to see.

Blackquill: For it is impossible for you to have been the perpetrator behind this crime.

Athena: Ah!

Blackquill: There is no perfect crime, only a perfect alibi, for you were at the mock trial.

Blackquill: And it is silly that I must remind you of this, but you were a participant the entire time.

Blackquill: There shall be no mercy if you persist in hindering this trial with your silly little act!

Athena: (Hugh doesn't seem the least bit shaken by Blackquill's threat.)

O'Conner: Listen, Mr. Prosecutor. Calling that a perfect alibi is beyond contempt.

O'Conner: Your Honor, I'd like to take this opportunity to offer further testimony.

O'Conner: I will now demonstrate the very moment of genius that transcended even perfection!

-

Witness Testimony

-- Hugh's Confession --

O'Conner: You won't believe this, but I used a body double! O'Conner: That wasn't the real me at the mock trial! O'Conner: That means I didn't almost lose! My body double almost did! O'Conner: I slipped out stealthily while my double took care of the trial. O'Conner: I had the run of the campus. In short, I'm the killer. Juniper's innocent!

-

Judge: Hmm... I have a question I was hoping the defense and prosecution might help answer.

Judge: Is it just me or does the witness's testimony make no sense at all?

Athena: No, it's not just you, Your Honor. All I got from listening to that was a headache.

Apollo: Yeah, that was just plain weird, especially the whole thing about a body double.

Judge: Well, I'm relieve it's not just me. ...And the prosecution?

Blackquill: Your Baldness, summon an ambulance this instance [sic]. The witness is stark, raving mad.

Judge: Hmm... Yes, I think that would be for the best.

Judge: Now, then, let's pretend that never happened and move on to my verdict--

O'Conner:

O'Conner: You people don't believe me?!

Athena: It's not a matter of believing you. It's more along the lines of questioning your sanity.

Apollo: Yeah, the funny farm just called. They want their "genius" back.

O'Conner:

O'Conner: Shut your pie holes! The intellect of a genius transcends even logic!

O'Conner: Besides, don't you guys have that weird device for testimony like this?!

Athena:

Athena: Widget's not a weird device and I don't waste him on ridiculous testimonies!

Apollo: Easy there, tiger. Think of it this way. We don't want a verdict to be passed just yet.

Apollo: So how about we give Widget a try?

Athena: Well, this is against my better judgment, but I'd like to conduct a short therapy session.

Judge: Your better judgment? I'm a judge, and it's far beyond mine, yet I find it hard to say no.

Judge: Prosecutor Blackquill, I trust you have no objections? ...Um, Prosecutor Blackquill?

Bailiff: The prosecutor said, "Rubbish! We will be out on a stroll!" then left with Detective Fulbright.

Athena: (How does he get away with stuff like that?)

Judge: ...Then I'll interpret that as meaning he has no explicit objections.

Judge: All right, Ms. Cykes, you may proceed with your therapy session.

Apollo: I've seen my share of crazy trials, but this one takes the cake!

-

O'Conner: You won't believe this, but I used a body double! O'Conner: That wasn't the real me at the mock trial! O'Conner: That means I didn't almost lose! My body double did! O'Conner: I slipped out stealthily while my double took care of the trial. O'Conner: I had the run of the campus. O'Conner: In short, I'm the killer. O'Conner: Juniper's innocent!

Athena: I don't get it. His confession is overflowing with happiness.

Apollo: Maybe he enjoys thinking how us mouth-breathers can't comprehend his genius.

Athena: But this goes way beyond normal happiness.

Athena: He seems to take an insane level of delight in his confession!

Apollo: Hmm, even a normal level of delight would be weird for a confession.

Apollo: Then again, he's not what I'd call normal.

Athena: (Hugh... Why are you confessing? Who is this really for?)

Athena: (I feel like that's the key to his out-of-control emotion!)

-

Athena: Mr. O'Conner, yesterday you said that you didn't really care about Ms. Woods anymore.

-

O'Conner: I already told Juniper, so I might as well yell you. I don't really care about her anymore.

Athena: What? Why?

-

O'Conner: Yeah, well, Juniper reported my secret to Prof. Courte.

Athena: (His secret? ...Oh, the bribe.)

O'Conner: She wanted nothing to do with me because I had disappointed her.

O'Conner: That's why I don't care about her anymore. I was never trying to protect her.

O'Conner: My confession was always about one thing and one thing only: the truth!

Athena:

Athena: Mr. O'Conner, you fell great happiness in the fact that you might help set Ms. Woods free.

Athena: So much that it overshadowed all of your other emotions.

O'Conner: What are you...

Athena: I can hear it clearly now, Mr. O'Conner -- the discord you've been trying to suppress.

Athena: People don't normally feel like you do when you confessed.

Apollo: So, Hugh really was trying to protect Juniper?

Athena: Yes, I'm sure of it. Hugh's feelings for her are the real deal.

NOISE LEVEL 90%

Athena: (But that means his confession is...)

???: ...Finally figured out the obvious, have we?

Judge: Why, Prosecutor Blackquill, you're back.

Blackquill: The confession was naught but lies, save for the part about being in the mock trial.

Blackquill: Can we all agree now that the killer is the one in charge of the audio, i.e. the accused?!

Athena: Gaaah! (Why couldn't you have taken a longer stroll?)

O'Conner: N-No! You haven't unraveled the genius of my body double trick yet!

Apollo: You can't be serious. Do you really expect us to believe you had a body double?

O'Conner: Yes! Yes I do! But if you think I didn't, then prove it! Heh!

Apollo: Either we quit here and Juniper is found guilty, or we play along with Hugh's delusion.

Athena: Let's go with the least worse choice. But first, let me update his testimony.

-

O'Conner: You won't believe this, but I used a body double! O'Conner: That wasn't the real me at the mock trial! O'Conner: That means I didn't almost lose! My body double did!

O'Conner: I slipped out stealthily while my double took care of the trial. O'Conner: I had the run of the campus. O'Conner: In short, I'm the killer. O'Conner: Juniper's innocent!

Apollo: A body double...? What a bunch of baloney.

Athena: I know, but I can hear the noise. It means there's a contradictory emotion somewhere.

Apollo: Contradictory emotion? Everything he says is one big contradiction.

Athena: Right, and that's why I can hear his inner voice loud and clear!

Athena: If we just think about Hugh and his competitive nature...

Athena: ...we should be able to figure out the root cause of his discord!

-

Athena: Hmm... "I didn't almost lose," you say? Very odd...

Athena: You exhibited happiness the entire time, except during this statement.

O'Conner: Argh! You don't know when to give up! ...Wait, now that I think about it...

Athena: (No, don't! Stop making stuff up!)

O'Conner: When I left the Lecture Hall...

O'Conner: ...it was during Prof. Means's pre-trial speech.

O'Conner: That's when I moved the body. I then slipped back in just before the verdict.

Athena: So, you're saying you were there the moment your double was about to lose?

O'Conner: Yes, I was! Naturally, I wasn't happy when I saw that.

O'Conner: In any case, I was at the far end of the Lecture Hall behind the screen.

O'Conner: I figured no one would see me if I came and went through the doors there.

Blackquill:

Blackquill: Cykes-dono. How much longer will you indulge him in this charade?

Blackquill: While it's true that none in the audience might see him go through either of those doors...

Blackquill: ...the faculty seats on the balconies are a different story, and have a splendid view!

O'Conner: ...Heh. I thought you could do better than that.

O'Conner: The lawyer's bench is on the right side when facing the front of the hall.

O'Conner: I used the door on the right side near the lawyer's bench.

O'Conner: That means my movements were only visible to someone in the left balcony seat.

O'Conner: But that seat was empty at the time, which is only natural.

O'Conner: After all, it belonged to Prof. Courte, and as we all know, she was already dead by then.

Athena: ......... (That can't be right.)

Athena: (An empty balcony seat on the left side contradicts this piece of evidence!)

Athena: (I've no idea where this contradiction is going.)

Athena: (But I don't have any other moves at this point.)

Athena: (Guess I'll just have to follow it and see where this takes me!)

Athena: You said the left balcony seat was empty. But was it really?

O'Conner: I saw it with my own eyes! It was definitely empty!

Athena: But what about this diagram?

Athena: According to this, Prof. Means was supposed to be seated in the left balcony seat.

Athena: But if you left the Lecture Hall during his pre-trial speech...

Athena: ...he would've been standing there at his seat addressing the students and faculty!

O'Conner: Gah! No, this can't be right!

NOISE LEVEL 80%

Blackquill: Hmph. You do no one any favor by exposing the falsities of his confession.

O'Conner: I've told plenty of lies so far, but this part is true, I tell you!

O'Conner: There was nobody in the left balcony seat. You gotta believe me!

Athena: (Hmm, it doesn't seem like he's lying this time.)

Athena: Okay, Mr. O'Conner! Let's have you testify again, but this time, don't spare any details!

O'Conner: You got it! I'll repeat it as many times as you like!

O'Conner: I mean, my ingenious escape act warrants repeating, considering I'm the real killer!

Athena: (All I really care about is whether that seat was empty or not.)

-

O'Conner: The second floor was deserted! O'Conner: Why won't you believe me?! It's true, I tell you! O'Conner: I went out the back door without anyone noticing. O'Conner: Then, all I had to do... was go through the empty audio control room!

O'Conner: It leads into the hallway. So I was perfectly capable of moving the body.

Athena: Whoa, talk about a change in tone! It reads like a totally different testimony!

Athena: It's like he realized something terrible the moment he opened his mouth.

Apollo: If it's something he realized himself, this unease might also register in how he speaks.

Athena: Right.

Athena: I'll focus on places where he hesitates or stammers, then!

-

Athena: I detected powerful sadness and fear right after you said this part.

Athena: It's as if you'd said something you shouldn't have.

O'Conner: What's wrong with you?! You shouldn't reveal a person's inner feelings for all to see!

Athena: Mr. O'Conner, it's you who is revealing your inner emotions by the way you speak.

Athena: Plus, I have a good idea about why you're feeling sad.

O'Conner: Argh! You're a horrible person! Can't you just leave me be?!

Athena: You said that you went through the " empty audio control room ," but that's not true, is it?

Athena: There was someone who returned from there once Prof. Means finished his speech.

Athena: And that someone who was in the audio control room was...

Athena: I know you realized there was a problem with your statement as you were saying it.

Athena: That's why you felt so uneasy. If the audio control room really was empty...

Athena: ...that would mean Ms. Woods was roaming around the campus.

O'Conner: Aaaaaaaaagh!

Athena: Mr. O'Conner, if you really want to protect Ms. Woods, just tell the truth.

Athena: If you believe in her, revealing the truth is the same as protecting her.

O'Conner: ...Juniper's innocent. That's the truth.

O'Conner: But in this dark age of the law, the truth can be easily twisted to serve anyone's needs.

O'Conner: When the end justifies the means, your only choice is to fight back with lies!

Athena: (Hugh's heart won't hold out under this battle between truth and lies.)

Athena: (Is there something I can do to make him recant his false testimony?)

O'Conner: Heh heh heh. I fear nothing now that I have lost everything!

O'Conner: Go ahead, Prosecutor Blackquill. Cut me down if you wish!

Blackquill: ...Hmph. I thought you'd never ask. With you gone, we may swiftly proceed to a verdict.

Blackquill: Hrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh! ............Yah!!!

Judge: Aaaaaah! H-He broke out of his shackles agaaaaaaain!

Apollo: I don't want to be the poor accountant down at the Detention Center...

Blackquill: Hugh O'Conner, in deference to your valor, I will limit your suffering with one clean blow.

Athena:

Athena: Could you wait just one moment before you cut him down?

Blackquill:

Blackquill: Do not come between a samurai and his foe, Cykes-dono!

Athena: Eek! (I never learned about this in law school!)

Apollo: Careful, Prosecutor...

Apollo: Remember that shocking experience you had last time!

Blackquill: ...Hmph. Very well, Golden Boy may live.. for now.

Athena: Enough already, Mr. O'Conner. Ms. Woods would never want you to protect her this way.

Athena: She values the friendship between the three of you more then anything!

O'Conner:

O'Conner: That's where you're wrong. She doesn't feel anything for me now.

O'Conner: Heh. But what does it matter anymore? I might as well tell you everything.

O'Conner: This is, no doubt, news to you, but I am not and never was a genius.

Athena: Sorry, but I already knew.

Apollo: Me, too.

Judge: And don't forget me! ...Though, in all fairness, it was pretty obvious.

Woman: I thought he was genius at first, but...

Man: The stuff he said was crazy.

O'Conner: Arrrrrgh! No need to rub it in! Just shut up and listen!

O'Conner: It all started several days ago.

O'Conner: I accidently [sic] learned that my parents have been paying good money for my grades.

Judge: B-But that's...! That's bribery!

Athena: (So the bribery wasn't Hugh's idea?)

O'Conner: All of my perfect scores were the product of cold hard cash, not genius.

O'Conner: Even worse, when I confronted my parents about it over the phone...

O'Conner: ...Juniper overheard me.

Judge: Oh, my... What a terrible misunderstanding.

O'Conner: I've been living a lie! I don't know what else there is to say!

O'Conner: I'm no genius. I'm completely worthless...

O'Conner: A perfect zero.

Athena: Hugh...

O'Conner: Even so, I still wanted to make it up to Juniper for disappointing her like that.

O'Conner: That's why I wanted to clear her name by pinning the blame on me!

O'Conner: I mean, she probably hates me now, so it'd be a relief for her to see me locked away.

Apollo: If you were trying to help her, then why did you testify against her?

O'Conner: You were the ones who told me to tell the truth yesterday!

O'Conner: So, I thought if I did, it would help her.

Athena: (He wasn't trying to provoke us?)

Apollo: It looks like we seriously misunderstood him, in more ways than one.

Athena: (At the detention center yesterday, Junie was in tears when she opened up to me.)

Athena: (But the truth is, the friendship between the three of them is still rock solid!)

Athena: (If there were something that could help me prove that to Hugh...)

-

O'Conner: Heh. We even have proof of our friendship.

-

Newman: Yeaaaaaah!!! As long as our friendship lasts! You can bet we'll be carrying them around!

-

Athena: (I know! What about that proof of friendship they mentioned?!)

Athena: (Hmm... I wonder where or what it is.)

-

... I didn't buy it.

It's handmade, and there's only one like it in the world.

-

Athena: (Maybe it's... No, that's definitely it! That band around his neck!)

Athena: Mr. O'Conner!

Athena: That band around your neck! That's your proof of friendship, isn't it?

O'Conner: !

Judge: Proof of friendship? Is that anything like a proof of purchase barcode?

Athena: In court, evidence is everything. That's why the three friends created friendship bands.

Athena: It's the evidence that proves their friendship.

Judge: Ho ho. How very interesting... and chic!

Athena: If they have doubts about their friendship, they can look to the proof they have on hand.

Athena: That's why Mr. O'Conner's hand always goes to his neck when he is pressured.

Athena: It proves he still has feeling of friendship towards the other two.

O'Conner: It doesn't matter if I wear it if those two...

Athena:

Athena: But they feel the same way, too. I know they wear their friendship bands somewhere.

Athena: (Junie and Robin must both feel the same as Hugh. I just know it!)

Athena: (Everything Hugh has said leads me to believe that.)

Athena: (In fact, he may have also just told me that the others wear their proof of friendship...)

Athena: All we have to do is think back to their testimonies. Ready?

Athena: Ms. Newman holds her arm when pressured.

Athena: And Ms. Woods holds her wrist.

Athena: I know Ms. Woods very well.

Athena: She would never abandon her friendship with you over something like this.

Athena: And taking the blame for her will only succeed in making her terribly sad!

O'Conner: Argh... Arrrgh... Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!

O'Conner: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

-

-

O'Conner: I... I didn't kill anyone. And I didn't have a body double.

O'Conner: I didn't move the body. I didn't even see it. And it may look like I'm speed reading...

O'Conner: ..."Zen and the Art of Mastering the Bar Exam," but I haven't read a single word!

Judge: Hmm? Well, you could've fooled me! In fact, you did!

Athena: Hugh...

O'Conner: ...So, Ms. Cykes, can I place my trust in you?

Athena: I'm going to save Junie. So yes, you can place your trust in me.

Judge: Then, am I to understand that the witness is recanting his confession?

O'Conner: .........Yes.

Blackquill: Hmph, a most roundabout trial. I much prefer the turnabout variety myself.

Blackquill: Now we are back to the fact that there was but one suspect who lacked an alibi.

Blackquill: Which is, in the end, the truth you've been seeking this entire time.

Apollo: So, we're back to square one? Now I'm exhausted and depressed.

Athena: It probably doesn't matter at this point, but I might as well update the Mood Matrix.

Athena: (...Huh? Does this mean...?)

Blackquill: Further resistance is futile. The time for a verdict is nigh!

Athena:

Athena: Please, wait!

Blackquill: What sort of devilry are you up to now?

Athena: What if our client wasn't the only one without an alibi? The trial would continue, right?

Judge: W-Well, yes, I suppose it would.

Judge: But after such a thorough investigation, does such a person really exist?

Athena: Yes, we've found someone. It may have seemed like a major roundabout...

Athena: ...but Mr. O'Conner's testimony has cracked the case!

Athena: (There's no more noise. Hugh is telling the truth now.)

Athena: (During the mock trial, the balcony seat opposite him really was empty !)

Athena: (Which now means there is one person unaccounted for!)

NOISE LEVEL 0%

Athena: (Besides Junie, the only other person without an alibi during the mock trial is...!)

Athena: The balcony seat was empty. That much IS true, isn't it, Mr. O'Conner?

O'Conner: That's right. How many more times do I have to say it?!

Athena: So, basically, Prof. Means wasn't where he was supposed to be during the mock trial!

Blackquill:

Blackquill: Need I remind you, every last soul in the Lecture Hall heard him deliver his speech?

Athena:

Athena: I know. And that's not in dispute here.

Athena: Now, let me explain how a speech could be given from an empty seat. It was...

Athena: What if the speech was pre-recorded?

Athena: That's the only way the speech could've been delivered from an empty balcony seat!

O'Conner:

O'Conner: Wait... Are you accusing Prof. Means? That's insane!

O'Conner: I mean, he's the one who gave me the tape recorder !

O'Conner: "Take this to the police," he said, "and tell them you found it ."

Athena: What? Really? (Wait a second!)

Athena: Mr. O'Conner! Did you just say that Prof. Means gave that phony recording to you?!

Judge: Phony? The defense will refrain from hurling unsubstantiated allegations.

O'Conner: Well, I said he gave it to me, but what do you mean it's phony?

Athena: (Wow, who could've seen this development...?)

Tape Recorder updated in the Court Record.

Athena: The voice shouting, " You're a goner! " as recorded on this tape...

Athena: ...was dubbed onto it using a line our client said in the mock trial video!

Judge: Why, this... this is an extremely crucial piece of evidence!

Athena: (Prof. Means gave Hugh the phony tape.)

Athena: (If that's really true, then Prof. Means has guilt written all over him!)

Athena: Your Honor! The defense moves to call Prof. Aristotle Means to the stand!

Blackquill:

Blackquill: Hmph. The seat was never empty. 'Twas but an oversight by our dullard of a witness.

Blackquill: An inmate who was formally [sic] a surgeon once told me something.

Blackquill: He said it's often all too easy to overlooked [sic] critical symptoms!

Athena:

Athena: Well, we're not going to overlook this oversight !

Athena: If the speech was pre-recorded, the basis for suspecting our client would be shattered!

Athena: Let's check with Prof. Means and see whether the empty seat was a witness oversight.

Athena: A verdict without first looking into that would be inconceivable!

Judge: That's enough, both of you. ...Now, here's my opinion on the matter.

Judge: While a surgeon overlooking critical symptoms is a problem...

Judge: ...a witness's oversight, too, must not be overlooked.

Judge: Thus, as to the matter of whether Prof. Means was or was not in his faculty seat...

Judge: ...I believe we must ask the professor himself.

Athena: I agree. Prof. Means should be here in the gallery today.

Blackquill: Hmph! Do as you please!

-

Judge: Will you please state your name and occupation for the record?

Means: Certainly. I am Aristotle Means.

Means: I teach the lawyer course at Themis Legal Academy. And let me add that while...

Means: ...I welcome any opportunity to assist with the trial, I don't care for this undue suspicion.

Athena: Don't worry, Professor, we're just interested in the mock trial video right now.

Athena: We just need to take another look at that speech you gave.

Athena: Can we count on your cooperation in this?

Means: Very well, if that's all you're interested in. Please proceed, Ms. Cykes.

Apollo: We need to find some sort of evidence that shows this speech was pre-recorded!

Judge: All right, I believe we're ready. Let's roll the video.

"Good afternoon. I would like to start by thanking you all for coming here today."

"The mock trial, the crown-jewel event of the school festival will begin shortly!"

"When I was a student, I, too, could hardly wait for this day to come."

Athena: (Oh, no, I'd forgotten how long and boring his speech was.)

Widget: Zzz...

Blackquill: ...Hmph. Wake me up once this is over.

Athena: (Hey, no fair!)

"The experiences of our youth have a powerful and profound effect on our adult--"

-

"Ah, you there! Wake up! Pay attention!"

Athena: Huh? ...Eeek! I'm awake, I'm awake! Isn't that right, Your Honor?!

Judge: Huh?! What?! I-I'm awake, too! Wide, wide awake, see?!

Blackquill: ............Zzz.

"Once again, our pure white Lady Justice will be watching over all of you today."

"Pay attention now and you may make a difference one day. Now, let the mock trial begin!"

Means: That is about it. One of my better speeches if I do say so myself.

Means: I even saw some of our students with tears in their eyes.

Apollo: He's obviously not familiar with the phrase "bored to tears."

Blackquill: Liste, Cykes-dono. If you have subjected me to this epic study in tedium without purpose...

Blackquill: ...Taka will feast on your tongue after I've cut it out!

Athena: Eeeeeek! (But you were asleep the whole time!)

Judge:: Well, Ms. Cykes? Did you notice anything strange about that speech?

Athena:: ...Could I please hear that last part again?

"Once again, our pure white Lady Justice will be watching over all of you today."

Athena:

Athena: (There! I finally found what we needed!)

Athena: Prof. Means, I have only one question about your speech.

Athena: Why does that last part we just heard contradict with this?!

Athena: The professor said the pure white Lady Justice would be watching over them.

Athena: But the Lady Justice in the video isn't even close to being white.

Athena: It's as gold as gold can be!

Means: .........

Judge: I-I'm not sure I can wrap my jaw around that to test its authenticity...!

Athena: I didn't say it was MADE of gold, Your Honor! Now, it's true that this statue is pure white...

Athena: ...but it broke before the mock trial began. The one you see here is its replacement.

Judge: Oh, well, that's a shame on every count!

Athena: Ironically, this golden statue sticks out like a sore thumb compared to the white one.

Athena: Meaning the professor wouldn't have made a mistake in its colo if he'd been present!

Means: It seems that I have caused some confusion, but it was merely an oversight on my part.

Athena:

Athena: The statue was in the middle of the room. How could you not know what it looked like?!

Means: Well, I was in a balcony seat. Furthermore, the statue had previously been white.

Judge: Hmm... I'm afraid this isn't sufficient evidence of the speech being pre-recorded.

Blackquill: We had our answer long ago. The accused was the only one to leave the Lecture Hall.

Athena: No, wait!

Athena: (There's got to be something that can prove that the speech was pre-recorded!)

Apollo: According to the mock trial video...

Apollo: ...the speech started here...

Apollo: ...and ended here.

Apollo: It was a little over ten minutes, but I doubt anyone wants to be tortured again.

Athena: (It was only a little over ten minutes? It felt like it went on forever.)

Athena: How'd you figure out how long it was?

Apollo: Easy. There's a timestamp in the top right.

Apollo: All you have to do is...

Apollo: ...subtract the time the speech started from the time it ended.

Athena: (The speech goes from 10:00-minute mark to 20:35. Wait a second...)

Athena: (I could swear I've seen this same interval of time listed among the evidence...)

Athena: (Maybe there's a way for me to use the speech time to show that it was prerecorded.)

Athena: I would like the court to take a look at this.

Judge: And this is...?

Athena: The voiceprint analysis that proves the voice on the tape recorder belongs to our client.

Judge: Yes, but didn't we just establish that the voice on the tape recorder was a fabrication?

Athena: We did, but what I'd like to focus on is the noise that is also there.

Blackquill: Noise?

Athena: Yes. The defense believes it resulted when the tape's previous recording was erased.

Blackquill: Hmph. And what do you hope to prove by that?

Athena: The length of the noise is what's important. It's ten minutes and thirty-five seconds in all.

Athena: And what did the timestamp read at the moment Prof. Means began his speech?

Judge: Hmm... That would be exactly 10:00.

Athena: Now, let's fast forward this long-winded exercise in boredom to the end.

Athena: Okay, stop. The video timestamp now reads 20:35.

Athena: Based on this, we know the time it took for the speech alone.

Judge: Right, subtract ten minutes and you get 10:35. Hm? Ten minutes and thirty-five seconds?

Athena: Right, ten minutes and thirty-five seconds -- the same as the noise on the tape recording.

Athena: I assume you all understand what this means.

Athena: Prof. Means's pre-recorded speech had been where the noise is now!

Blackquill:

Blackquill: You seem rather confident considering this is a mere happenstance match of numbers.

Athena:

Athena: But is it really just numbers?

-

Klavier: The lab is continuing their study of the tape. So far, they've found signs of overdubbing.

Klavier: But it's going to take a bit longer to recover the audio that was erased.

-

Athena: The police are analyzing the noise as we speak.

Athena: It won't be long until we know what was originally there.

Athena: (Now I'm sure of it. The professor was trying to create an alibi with the recording...)

Athena: (...by pinning the crime on Junie.)

Athena: (Well, he's not gonna get away with it! Not on my watch!)

Means: ...Ms. Cykes.

Means: I believe you are well aware of my methodology.

Means: Even if Juniper were the perpetrator, I would vigorously defend her as per my word.

Means: And to that purpose, I offered to be her lawyer. Alas, look what's happened.

Athena: All I've stated are obvious deductions derived from evidence and testimony.

Means: Truth be told, I had no intention of testifying. I had been keeping quiet for Juniper's sake.

Means: But now that you cast this blame upon me, I have no choice but to reveal the truth ...

Athena: (Uh-oh! This doesn't sound good...)

Means: I will now reveal the truth behind why I had to pre-record my speech before the mock trial.

Means: I, Prof. Means, always say what I mean and mean what I say by all means!

-

Witness Testimony

-- Prof. Means's Testimony --

Means: The defendant came to me with what she said was very important, and by necessity, secret. Means: She asked me to pre-record my speech and come to the audio room during the mock trial. Means: Juniper confessed to the murder and asked that I get her declared innocent in court. Means: She also said I'd become an accomplice after losing my alibi due to the pre-recording. Means: But when I said I would protect Juniper, I meant it because it's the humane thing to do.

-

Judge: Oh, my! So, you're saying the defendant threatened you?!

Apollo: This has to be a lie... I mean, everything about it lines up too perfectly to be true.

Means: On this most consequential of occasions, let me be completely frank with you,

Means: Juniper has truly taken to heart my teaching that states the end justifies the means.

Athena: I don't believe you!

Means: When she asked me to defend her, she said I must also prove her two friends innocent.

Judge: Her two friends? The witnesses?

Means: Correct. Hugh O'Conner and Robin Newman. I was to ensure all three walked free.

Means: All three were to achieve their dream. That was the result Juniper was seeking.

Means: And she was even willing to threaten me, her own professor, to that end.

Blackquill: ...Hmph. You, no doubt, had high praise for her ruthless tactics.

Means: Yes, well, that is why I vowed to vigorously defend her despite her threatening me.

Means: There was a time when lawyers merely sought the truth if they wished for victory in court...

Means: ...but, alas, those days are over.

Means: Now, in the defense of justice, order, and all that is good, the end justifies the means.

Athena: (I am so sick of hearing that phrase!)

Means: Though it truly grieves me so, I must tell you this.

Means: Forsake the truth if it's victory you seek. Steel yourself for this new courtroom reality.

Athena: (That does it! He's gonna regret dragging those dismal, depressing ideas in here!)

Athena: (Since he's already surrendered to the dark age of the law, it's up to me to fight it!)

Blackquill: Why so silent, Cykes-dono? Something the matter?

Athena: This... This is a court of law.

Athena: It's no place for longwinded talks about idealistic principles.

Athena: That's why I'm going to let the evidence do the talking.

Means: ...Let's not get carried away, now, Ms. Cykes.

Means: It will not do to have you attempting to discredit my doctrine.

Means: Do not force me to rectify this situation.

Athena: No, go ahead and rectify it! ...Only if I lose and you win, that is!

-

Cross-Examination

-- Prof. Means's Testimony --

Means: The defendant came to me with what she said was very important, and by necessity, secret.

Means: She asked me to pre-record my speech and come to the audio room during the mock trial.

Means: Juniper confessed to the murder and asked that I get her declared innocent in court.

Means: She also said I'd become an accomplice after losing my alibi due to the pre-recording.

Means: But when I said I would protect Juniper, I meant it because it's the humane thing to do.

Apollo: Even though he's rotten to the core, he's a total pro. I mean, that all made perfect sense.

Athena: Yeah, but you can't believe a word he says!

Athena: (He's making this up as he goes along. He'll trip up on his own words yet!)

Athena: (Time to see how consistently the professor's testimony matches up with his actual actions.)

-

Athena: So let me get this straight. You were trying to help Ms. Woods?

Athena: Ha! That's nothing more than a bald-faced lie -- no offense, Your Honor!

Means: Such defamation of my character and your hair follices, Your Honor! It is an outrage!

Judge: Hmm. Ms. Cykes will clarify her statement, but leave my hair follicles out of it this time.

Athena: Yes, of course, Your Honor. Now, please take a look at this.

Athena: The witness gave this tape to Mr. O'Conner.

Athena: Then he slyly whispered, "Take this to the police and tell them you found it."

Means: There was no whispering, slyly or otherwise involved. I simply did that out of kindness.

Athena:

Athena: The tape contained our client's voice. In short, it is incredibly damaging evidence.

Athena: Why would it even exist if the witness wasn't trying to pin the murder on our client?!

Means: ...........

Athena: They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions, but not yours!

Athena: You never had good intentions, only lies to protect yourself with while blaming another.

Athena: You, professor, are the embodiment of the dark age of the law!

Means:

Means: Wh-Why you little--!

Means: You dare call my teachings and methods lies?!

Means: Themis Legal Academy is a proud institution! It's the most powerful in the world!

Means: You'll never forget what true education and lawyering means once I'm through with you!

Athena: Huh? Um, Prof. Means? What's with your hair?

Means: Quiet!!! No talking in class!

Athena: Ow!

Means [on blackboard]: Homeroom October 26

Means: Eyes and ears up here, everyone! Homeroom is now in session!

Means: We will begin with roll call! ...Athena Cykes!

Athena: Huh? ...Oh, uh, here?

Means: Apollo Justice!

Apollo: I'm fine! Er, I mean, here!

Means: Fool! The proper response is "here" without any extraneous information!

Apollo: Ouch! I mean... Here!

Means: Next, Your Honor!

Judge: Here!

Means: See, class? That's the proper way to answer! ...Simon Blackquill!

Blackquill: .........

Means: I said, Si-mon Black-quill! Are you here or not?!

Blackquill:: .........

Apollo: There's always one, isn't there?

Means: Well, then, I'll just mark you absent. Now, get out of my class this instant!

Blackquill: Get out? Very well, if that is your wish. Who am I to deny my homeroom teacher?

Judge: I-Is that such a good idea? Prosecutor Blackquill IS free of his shackles...

Blackquill: Uuuwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Blackquill: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!

Fulbright: Ha ha ha! It just so happens I was a member of my high school's Disciplinarian Committee!

Fulbright: But is that really so shocking?

Blackquill: Hmph. Constabulary lapdog to teacher's pet. What a malleable mutt you are, Fool Bright.

Means: Very good, Bobby! You just earned a gold star and a promotion to Head Disciplinarian!

Means: All right, class is now in session!

Apollo: Argh... Why do I have the sudden urge to go to the nurse's office with a stomachache?

Means [on blackboard]: Main point: Juniper is the killer. I am innocent!

Means: Pay attention! I am not the killer! Juniper is!

Means: This will be on the next test, so you had better be listening!

Athena:

Athena: But Professor, you created the phony tape to pin the blame on Juniper.

Athena: Plus, you were the only one who could've moved the body during the mock trial.

Means:

Means [on blackboard]: Please note: I was not at school!

Means: ...Athena, you disappoint me so. To think you would label me a murderer!

Means: Now, pay attention! The murder occurred on the 23rd between 6:00 and 8:00 PM!

Means: But I was already at home by that time! So, how could I have been involved in this crime?!

Athena:

Athena: Prof. Means, can you really prove you had already gone home by that time?!

Means:

Means: Can you prove that I was still at school?!

Athena: ......... No... No, I can't.

Means: Heh heh heh! So you admit it! Well, you just earned extra credit for your honesty!

Means: But you have also earned yourself lavatory cleaning duties until you graduate!

Athena: Eeeeeeeeeeuw! (I do enough of that at the office!)

???:

Newman: No way, maaaaaaaaaaaan! I totally OBJEEEEEECT!

Athena: R-Robin?!

Newman: I can't believe I fell for the professor's silver-tongued lies!

Means: Why you--! How dare you talk about your teacher like that!

Newman: I'm not listening to you anymore, maaaaaan! No way, no how!

Newman: Now, I have a confession to make! You know those two statues that were onstage?!

Newman: I didn't make 'em all by myseeeeeelf!

Athena: The statues onstage? (Do I want to know where this is headed?)

Newman: I was able to finish one of them, but the last bell rang before I had time for the other one.

Newman: So, I asked Prof. Means to make it for me.

Athena: In other words, the professor was there on the stage after the last bell?

Newman: Right. And it would have been way past 7:00 PM before he could've finished.

Judge: Prof. Means was still at school?! This is... Well, this is incredibly important testimony!

Newman: The professor told me, "I'll take care of it."

Newman: I thought my parents would let me be an artist if I said I'd made both statues myself.

Newman: * sob* I'm sooo sooo sorry for not telling the truth!

Athena: (Robin...)

Means:

Means: Quick! Somebody get this juvenile delinquent out of my sight!

Means: Simon! You're head honcho among the delinquents. Do something!!!

Means: Gyaaaaaaaaaaaah! And who's in charge of the class pet around here?!

Blackquill: ...Hmph. Not interested. But if you want a class in swordsmanship, I'm your man.

Blackquill: Of course, only real blades will do.

Means: No swords at school! All weapons will be confiscated!

Means: Gyaaaaaaaaaaaah! Nurse! Nurse!!! Where's a school nurse when you need one?!

Blackquill: It would seem Cykes-dono seeks a showdown, Professor.

Blackquill: In which case, you would do well to draw your staff, quick as lightning!

Means: Very well. Then I will just have to prove my innocence myself!

Means: The real lessons begin in second period. Prepare to be served, old-school style!

Judge: What does that...? Oh, never mind. Your testimony please.

-

Witness Testimony

-- Prof. Means's Work of Art --

Means: Now, pay attention! Robin took over half a day to complete one statue. Means: I, however, finished most of the other statue between 7:00 and 8:30 PM. Means: The defendant Juniper saw the two statues with her own eyes at 8:30 PM. Means: Completing a statue so quickly meant I could not leave the stage for a single second! Means: How could I have possibly had the time to go to the art room and commit murder?!

-

Judge: You're saying the defendant saw the finished statues?

Means: Precisely. She said so herself at the Detention Center yesterday.

Means: Her defense team was there and heard her say so, too. Don't try to deny it now!

-

Woods: That evening, I went back to my dressing room to get something I'd forgotten there.

Woods: It was well after the last bell rang... I'd say, maybe around 8:30.

Woods: That's when I noticed that both stage statues were finished.

Woods: They were quite large, and they were each covered with a white sheet, but I could tell.

-

Athena: (Oh, right. The professor was there when that matter came up.)

Athena: ...Before I address the professor's charges, I have a question for Robin.

Athena: How hard would it be to complete a statue like that in one and a half hours?

Newman: It would probably take me at least twice as L-O-N-G.

Newman: So personally, I think it would be incredibly difficult to finish in that short a time.

Athena: (Gah! That didn't exactly help our case!)

Athena: (But he won't get off that easy. He's bound to stumble over his own slippery means!)

-

Cross-Examination

-- Prof. Means's Work of Art --

Means: Now, pay attention! Robin took over half a day to complete one statue.

Means: I, however, finished most of the other statue between 7:00 and 8:30 PM.

Means: The defendant Juniper saw the two statues with her own eyes at 8:30 PM.

Means: Completing a statue so quickly meant I could not leave the stage for a single second!

Means: How could I have possibly had the time to go to the art room and commit murder?!

Apollo: What's the plan? All I can think of is pressing him like crazy.

Athena: That's all I can think of, too. We'll just have to seek out a hole to exploit!

-

Athena: (I've tried everything, but I still can't prove anything!)

Athena: Tsk! I guess I... I concede...

Means: Hm? I couldn't hear you. Say it louder this time

Athena: Ugh... I concede that Prof. Means never left the stage.

Means: Gah hah hah hah hah hah! That's right! But what took you so long?!

Means: I was there at the stage the entire time! I couldn't possibly have committed that crime!

Athena: (I'm not gonna give up here!)

Judge: I'm afraid I have to side with the witness, Ms. Cykes.

Judge: And unless you have any further objections, I'll have to put this issue to rest.

Athena:

Athena: Not yet! The defense... still has an objection!

Apollo: Athena... You've thought of something?

Athena: ...Well, as I said, not yet!

Apollo: Oh, so it's time for legal smoke and mirrors?

Athena: (Not yet, Athena. It's not yet time to quit!)

Athena: (It's at times like these, when it seems like there's no way out, that you have to...)

Athena: (Yeah! I have to turn the case upside down! )

Athena: (Instead of focusing on whether Prof. Means could've gone to the art room...)

Athena: (I should focus on how he could commit murder without going there!)

Means: It seems our young lady has a real bona fide idea!

Means: I must use any means possible to distract her! See if she can think while I cast these stones!

Means: Aaagh! Who brought the bird to school?!

Blackquill: Cykes-dono, if I hear one word of your usual jibber-jabber, I shall have your head!

Blackquill: The murder occurred in the art room, yet the witness was on the stage.

Blackquill: How do you propose to fill the vast gap between these two key facts?

Athena: (If I accept the premise that the professor was on the stage the entire time...)

Athena: (...the only other answer is that we got something else wrong... Wait... That's it!)

Athena: (Every last one of us made a huge mistake! We were totally wrong about the...)

Athena: If Prof. Means was on the stage the entire time...

Athena: ...then he must be the killer!

Means:

Means: Ridiculous! The defense has become utterly incoherent.

Athena:

Athena: No. It's just, the murder wasn't committed where we thought it was.

Blackquill: .........Continue, Cykes-dono.

Athena: Okay. The murder was actually committed here!

Athena: The greatest riddle of this case has been how the body was moved from the art room.

Athena: But if the murder occurred on the stage, that means the body was never moved at all.

Means:

Means [on blackboard]: The murder occurred in the art room!

Means: Silly girl! When the body was found, there wasn't a drop of blood on the stage floor!

Means: Surely there would have been some blood if that's where the murder was committed!

Athena: (There wasn't any blood on the stage? Really?)

Athena: (But there WAS something at the stage at the time of the murder that's now bloodstained.)

Athena: It's true, there were no bloodstains on the stage floor.

Athena: But there WAS something on the stage that did have a bloodstain.

Athena: And that would be this: this school banner.

Athena: No blood would've gotten on the floor if this were under the victim when she was killed!

Judge: Oh, my! That's quite a compelling theory!

Blackquill:

Athena: What is it noooooooow?! (My theory makes perfect sense!)

Blackquill: That was a pathetic attempt. You must put every inch of your body into your attacks.

Blackquill: The autopsy states the cause of death was loss of blood.

Blackquill: Yet only a trace amount was found upon that banner. Where did the rest go?

Blackquill: Blood getting on there when the body was moved by wire makes more sense than not.

Means: Gah ha ha ha! Very good, Simon! Tell me, what's your first choice for higher education?

Means: I'll write you the ultimate in recommendation letters! You're all but guaranteed to get in!

Athena:

Athena: Actually, the defense has something to explain that, as well.

Means: Y-You do?!

Athena: (If there was only a trace amount of blood on the school banner...)

Athena: (...then there must've been something else the killer used to soak up the blood.)

Athena: (All I have to do is figure out what!)

Athena: This is what soaked up most of the victim's blood!

Judge: Why, it looks like there's some other piece of fabric on top of the school banner!

Athena: It's the Gavinners banner that had been specially made for the school concert.

Athena: Since it's on top of the school banner, the blood would have hit it first.

Athena: It could have easily absorbed most of the blood, like a dishcloth...

Athena: ...and only a small amount would've soaked through to the school banner below.

Athena: So, it makes total sense for the school banner to only have a little blood on it!

Means: ...Argh! Hrrrgh!

Judge: So, that banner absorbed the blood like a dishcloth! Yes, that would explain it!

Apollo: The Gavinners banner was like a dishcloth...? Surely it was at least towel quality...

Means:

Means: Simon! Don't just stand there! Do something!

Blackquill:

Blackquill: Cykes-dono, you are learning to wield a blade quite well.

Blackquil: But how will you respond when I come slashing at you like this?

Blackquill: The remnant of a large bloodstain was detected in the art room.

Blackquill: But why would there be blood there if the murder occurred on the stage as you claim?

Athena:

Athena: The bloodstain in the art room was faked. How? I'll tell you how.

Athena: All that was needed was something that could transport the blood upstairs.

Athena: And that something was... a piece of evidence we've just finished discussing!

Athena: The killer used this to bring the victim's blood up to the art room!

Means: To think you'd stoop so low as to present mere garbage to this court.

Athena: It's only garbage because someone tried to destroy it by tossing it in the incinerator.

Athena: That someone was most likely the killer seeking to get rid of crucial evidence.

Athena: The killer used the wire to bring the blood-soaked Gavinners's banner to the art room.

Athena: Then, the blood was wiped onto the floor to complete the ruse! It makes perfect sense!

Means: Gah... Gwaaah!

Judge: Order! Order! This is quite a development!

Judge: To think the body was never actually moved!

Means:

Means: Hold it right there! The body must have been moved!

Means: How else do you explain that loud crash you heard during the mock trial?!

Means: If it wasn't caused by the body crashing into the statues, then what was it?

Athena: Ugh... I hadn't thought of that. If that loud crash wasn't the body hitting the statues...

Athena: ...then what was it indeed?

Athena: (The knot in the school banner shows that something was carried along the wire in it.)

Athena: (So if that's true, I know what I have to find!)

Athena: (Something that was in the art room before the murder and on the stage after!)

Athena: (The object that was sent down the wire to crash into the statues was...)

Means: Aaaaagh! Th-That statue?!

Athena: Yes, I believe it was this statue that broke the other two, not Prof. Courte's body.

Athena: The unique statue you see on the right, that's the pure white Lady Justice from earlier.

Athena: Prof. Courte accidently [sic] broke it while she was polishing it the day before the mock trial.

Athena: But she used her own unique artistic sense and technique to repair it as you see here.

Athena: Nobody would have guessed that it was originally Lady Justice.

Blackquill:

Blackquill: ...Hmph. Perhaps you are on to something.

Blackquill: But why, pray tell, would anyone move that scrapheap relic in such a tedious manner?

Means: Excellent question, Simon! Keep them coming!

Athena: You know why. But the fact that you won't acknowledge it, shows how twisted you are.

Athena: Lady Justice was moved during the mock trial.

Athena: During that time, Prof. Means was fabricating an alibi with his pre-recorded speech.

Athena: If we consider the facts, then Lady Justice was moved in order to...

Athena: Prof. Means used his pre-recorded speech to fake an alibi during the mock trial.

Athena: He wanted to make it look like he couldn't possibly have moved the body.

Athena: Moving Lady Justice was his way of pointing us to the body and cementing his alibi.

Means: Gaaah!

Judge: That's quite a persuasive argument.

Judge: For a while there. I thought you weren't taking the trial seriously. Well done!

Means:

Means: Heh heh heh heh! You should never underestimate me, Athena Cykes!

Means: Prof. Means always means what he says and says what he means by all means!

Athena: Fine, then. Say it already. I'm waiting...

Means: The murder occurred the night before, but the body wasn't found until late the next day.

Means: Countless students passed the stage till they met in the Lecture Hall for the mock trial.

Means [on blackboard]: The body would absolutely be found.

Means: So, answer me this -- why didn't anyone see the body that entire time?

Athena: ...That can be explained by, uh...

Athena: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Blackquill: If the victim was murdered on the stage and left there...

Blackquill: ...the body would inevitably have been discovered.

Blackquill: And, of course, there was nowhere to hide a body upon that stage.

Apollo: This is not good, Athena! Our claim is this close to being beaten to a pulp.

Athena: I know... (But we've come so far...)

Means: Gah ha ha ha ha! Consider yourself schooled! I couldn't have possibly killed anyone!

Means: The killer is none other than Juniper Woods! It always has been and it always will be!

Athena: Arrrgh... J-J-Just wait a minute...!

Means: Poor Juniper. She must seriously regret having asked you to defend her.

Athena: Ugh!

Means: And to add insult to injury, you nearly had Hugh convicted for murder.

Means: Surely, you haven't forgotten that little fiasco?!

Athena: Aaaaaagh!

Means [on blackboard]: Athena Cykes's attorney's badge is just for show!

Means: Not only did you fail to defend your client, you also raised false charges against her friend.

Means: You have no right to call yourself a lawyer!

Athena: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

Athena: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

-

Means: But if this trial proceeds in the same manner and ends in the same way as the mock trial...

Means: ...would you not lose everything you've worked so hard to gain?

Athena: Well, I'll just have to make sure that doesn't happen, then, won't I!

-

Athena: (Don't tell me I've failed once again -- failed to save someone near and dear to me...)

Athena: (I've worked so hard to become a lawyer, and even studied psychology.)

Athena: (Has it all been for naught? Am I just doomed to relive that all over again?!)

Athena: Unnghh...! A... Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Apollo: A-Athena! Wh-What's wrong?!

Athena: Breathe in... Breathe out... Breathe in... (Relax, Athena, breathe...!)

(It's not working... Everything's going... dark. After all I've done, is this how it ends?)

(Forgive me, Junie. I couldn't protect you like I said I would.)

???:

Newman: YOU LEAVE ATHENA ALONE, MAAAAAAN! SHE'S THE ONE WHO SAVED MEEEEEE!

Newman: It was because of Athena that I could stop hiding and start living my life as a girl again.

Newman: And she saved the frienship between Hugh, Juniper, and I!

Newman: I think you're an awesome lawyer, Athena. One of the best!

B-But, I raised false charges against Hugh!

And that's not all... I've done some seriously unforgivable things.

???:

O'Conner: Heh. What's the big deal? False charges are nothing to be scared of.

O'Conner: And I'm not even mad at you -- I should really be thanking you. You used legitimate means...

O'Conner: ...to expose my wrongdoings and give me a chance to reexamine what's important.

But... but what does it matter if I can't save Juniper?!

I mean, the whole reason I've come so far is--!

???:

Woods: It's not over yet, Thena.

Woods: Even now at this very moment, I still believe in you!

Athena: J-Junie...

Woods: I know you better than most people, Thena.

Woods: And I know you'd never surrender to the dark age of the law like the professor did!

Athena: Thank you, Junie. But I feel like I can barely breathe. I don't know what to do.

Blackquill:

Blackquill: Stop your bleating this instant. You look an uttel fool.

Athena: Prosecutor Blackquill?

Blackquill: There is one who awaits you, is there not?

Blackquill: And that is the reason you have studied so very hard.

Blackquill: Are you prepared to give up on all you have worked for thus far?!

Blackquill: It would not do to have you disappoint you-know-who!

Athena: I... I...!

Means:

Means: Gah ha ha ha ha ha! You're wasting your time! You have nothing on me!

Means: No evidence or anything else to establish my guilt!

Means: You are helpless before the might of lawyers for whom the ends justifies the means!

Apollo:

Apollo: Don't worry, Athena, you're doing fine.

Apollo: The truth will always wins [sic] against people like him.

Athena: B-But, Apollo, what am I supposed to do now?

Apollo: Listen, all you have to do is take a deep breath and look back over the entire case.

Apollo: If there's truth to be found -- and there always is -- you're sure to find it.

Apollo: Now, let me see you smile. Remember what Mr. Wright said?

Apollo: The worst of times are when lawyers have to force their biggest smiles.

Athena: .........

.........

...Thanks, everyone...

You don't have to worry about me now!

The worst of times are when lawyers have to force their biggest smiles.

Athena: Athena Cykes is psyched and ready to rock. Prepare for your utter defeat!

-

Athena: Prof. Courte wasn't killed in the art room. She was killed right where her body was found.

Athena: We know because there wasn't any time to move the body there from somewhere else.

Athena: That means the body had to have been hidden somewhere onstage until it was found.

Athena: Let's think along these lines and see where it takes us.

Athena: First up...

Athena: When did Prof. Means remove the body from its hiding place?

Athena: Well, let's see. What was he doing right before the body was discovered?

Athena: He was using the span of time his fake alibi created...

Athena: ...to move the body to where it would be more easily spotted.

Athena: Therefore, the only time Prof. Means could've removed the body from its hiding place is...

The body was moved during the mock trial

Athena: It was during the mock trial, specifically...

The body was moved during the speech

Athena: Prof. Means moved the body to an easily seen location during his long, pre-recorded speech.

Athena: The professor also moved something to the stage that wasn't there before, specifically...

The white Lady Justice was also moved

Athena: During the mock trial, Prof. Means wrapped the white Lady Justice in the school banner...

Athena: ...and sent it zipping down to the stage with a crash, killing two birds with one stone!

Athena: He drew attention to the body and made it look like the murder occurred in the art room!

Athena: But was there anywhere to hide a body on that stage?

Athena: It doesn't seem likely...

Athena: ...No, there had to be someplace!

Athena: .........! Wait a second!

Athena: How about something that should've been finished but was only mostly done?

Athena: Something was used to cover the body up...

Athena: ...but it didn't draw undue attention because it looked like it belonged there onstage.

Athena: In that way, no one would suspect there was a body hidden inside!

Athena: What was already on the stage and capable of concealing a body?

THE BODY WAS HIDDEN BY WRIGHT'S STATUE

Athena: Oh, I know! The Mr. Wright statue was never actually finished!

Athena: The body was wrapped under some cloth to hide what was really inside...

Athena: ...cleverly disguising it as the boss's statue!

-

Athena: Ms. Newman gave up on the Wright statue, yet Prof. Means finished it in a single night.

Judge: Yes, what an impressive feat that was!

Athena:

Athena: No, his so-called work of art deserves none of our praise.

Athena: That's because it was only a façade to hide his real work -- the murder of Prof. Courte!

Judge: Come again? I'm afraid I don't follow.

Athena: He hid the body by making it look like the statue of Mr. Wright.

Athena: With the body wrapped under a piece of cloth, it looked just like a statue!

Judge: WH-WH-WHAAAAAAAAAT?!

Apollo: I second that "Whaaaaaaaaaat?!"!

Blackquill: ...Hmph! Now, this is getting interesting!

Means:

Means: N-No! This is getting preposterous!

Means: H-H-How would such a thing even be possible?!

Athena:

Athena: We'll never know until we try!

Apollo: Uh-oh... I think I know where this is going.

Athena: Okay, Apollo! Time to turn me into a reasonable likeness of Mr. Wright !

Athena: I'm going to pose like the statue, like so...

Athena: And now I want you to wrap me up in a cloth so that I look like a statue!

Apollo: Um... I hate to ask the obvious, but where am I supposed to get this magical cloth?

-

Judge: I'm afraid that isn't the right color, Mr. Justice...

Apollo: Well, given how sudden the request was, it's kinda the best I could do, Your Honor...

Apollo: All right, I think that about does it!

Athena: Well, what do you think, everyone?! Do I look just like a statue of Mr. Wright or what?!

Man: -- Looks like some random person to me. -- Weren't the statues a pair of busts?

Woman: -- Phoenix Wright has that spiky hair on the back of his head.

Athena: Forget the hair. The statue's head is way bigger than your average person's anyway!

Athena: (You gotta hand it to me for trying, anyway. ...Wait, that's it! The hands!)

-

Athena: Umm... Her arms are raised over head head and there are dark bruises around her wrists.

Phoenix: Yeah. The professor was probably tied up with something.

-

Athena: (The marks on her wristed [sic] indicated she's been tied up!)

Athena: Apollo, tie me up in a new pose! ...Wait, you're not into this kind of thing, are you?

Apollo: What? No! Besides, it was your idea! ...Just tell me how to tie your hands, already!

Athena: Prof. Courte's wrists were tied together, and I can't help but think that's related!

Athena: (How should I arrange myself to match the shape I want, given her hands were tied?)

Athena: Apollo, tie both of my hands behind my head!

-

Athena: See! This makes it possible to fake the spikes on the back of Mr. Wright's head!

Apollo: Sure, but then what about the statue's arm ?

Apollo: With both arms behind your head, you can't exactly complete the pose...

Athena: (Yeah, it wuold be awfully hard to make the objection pose like this...)

Apollo: Hmm... I can't help thinking you've forgotten something, Athena.

Apollo: Something on the body that you don't have right now...

Athena: (What did the victim's body have that I don't?)

Athena: Oh, right! There was an arrow sticking out of her side!

Athena: Okay, Apollo, take that and plunge it into my side!

Apollo: Wh-What are you crazy?!

Athena: Fine, then go get some duct tape! Rapido, schnell!

Apollo: All right, all right! I don't need to know other languages to know "bossy" when I hear it.

-

Athena: The fatal arrow to the side!

Athena: Spiky hair created from two hands!

Athena: A masterpiece in the making! Now, cover me with that cloth!

Athena: But remember to make the arrow stand out, okay?!

-

Woman: -- Mommy, the arm's too short! -- Shhh. Remember your indoor voice, dear.

Apollo: Nobody's buying it! The arrow's nowhere near long enough!

Athena: B-B-But!

Athena: (What else could you use for the arm?)

Means: Still won't give up, eh? I must commend you, if only for your spirit and determination.

Judge: Of course she's not giving up!

Judge: After all she's put me through, she owes me an explanation -- and one that makes sense!

Judge: Now, disappoint me again and the penalty will be doubly painful!

Athena: Yikes! I guess I'd better get it right this time!

Athena: (Think, Athena, think!)

Athena: (Prof. Courte was murdered when she stopped by the stage to see Prof. Means.)

Athena: (If it wasn't premeditated, he must've used something close at hand in his little ruse.)

Athena: ...Apollo. Show me those stage set up photos again.

Apollo: Like that? Right now??? O-Okay, hold on!

Athena: (Please, please, please... Please be in this photo! It just has to be!)

Athena: The arm on the Mr. Wright statue is really this right here!

Athena: Got it! I know what he used for the arm on the statue of Mr. Wright!

Means: This is absurd! There is no such thing in this photo!

Athena: Heh heh heh. Don't play dumb with me, Professor. It's the staff you have right there!

Means: S-Staff?! This is the spear of a great legal warrior!

Athena: Whatever, just hurry up and lend it to me!

Athena: The length is perfect! Mr. Wright couldn't possibly object to such an awesome arm!

Athena: Okay, go for it, Apollo!

Apollo: Sure, I'll give your arm a hand! Cloth and binding coming right up!

-

Athena:

Athena: .........

Judge: .........

Blackquill: .........

Woman: -- It's Phoenix Wright! -- Look, it's that famous lawyer!

Man: -- That's definitely him. -- I'd know that pose anywhere!

Apollo: We did it! ...Didn't we?

Athena: Ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Athena: Well?! Am I not the spitting image of the legendary Phoenix Wright?!

Athena: The man who will bring us out of these dark ages and into an era of brilliant golden light!

Blackquill: Golden light? All I see before me......... is the pink specter of a man!

Athena: Ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Athena: That's just because Mr. Wright likes his statue! He's positively tickled pink !

Athena: Get it, Apollo? He's tickled pink!

Apollo: Blah, that joke deserves a pink slip.

-

Judge: Hmm... It seems the gallery is quite impressed with the defense's sharp thinking.

Judge: And the witness?!

Means: Bah... The resemblance is nothing more than a coincidence.

Athena:

Athena: Not so fast there, buster!

Athena: Unfortunately for you, I can prove my theory to be more than mere coincidence!

Athena: (To prove that his spear was thrust into the victim, all I have to do is...)

Athena: We had assumed the victims jagged wound came from the arrow being forcibly shoved in.

Athena: But if the wound was from this spear instead...

Athena: ...then we should be able to detect traces of the victim's blood on it!

Means: Ack... Arrrrrgh... Your Honor, a b-brief recess, if you will!

Means: By any means possible. What if I get rid of my spear... Wait, what if I burn it...?!

Means [on blackboard]: What's wrong with a non-guilty verdict?!

Means: If I do that I'll be found innocent... Yes, I'm innocent I tell you!

Athena:

Athena: Hmph. Surely you don't expect us to take lectures from you now?

Athena: Now, I ask you in the gallery!

Athena: Help me decide the professor's fate!

Means [on blackboard]: Bathroom detail

Means [on blackboard]: Retake bar exam

Means [on blackboard]: 30% salary cut

Means [on blackboard]: Dismissal

Means [on blackboard]: G

-

Judge: Prosecutor Blackquill, what has become of our witness, Aristotle Means?

Blackquill: It is as Cykes-dono suspected. Blood was detected on his staff.

Blackquill: He has admitted to this heinous crime. All of it.

Blackquill: He shall join us in the clink tomorrow. His teaching skills can be put to good use there.

Apollo: Great. He'll teach felons that the end justifies the means. So much for rehabilitation.

Athena: Can I ask what the professor's motive was?

Blackquill: ...Hmph. I could barely make out a word he said on account of his shattered teeth.

Athena: (One of Blackquill's fellow inmates was once a surgeon. Why not a former dentist, too?)

Blackquill: I eventually had him put pen to paper. It turns out, Prof. Means was the one taking bribes.

Blackquill: The victim has suspected him after a report from the class snitch.

Blackquill: That led her to question him at length the day of the killing -- right there on that stage.

Blackquill: The result? The heinous crime that was brought before this court.

Blackquill: The fool, like Newman, had come to know of the script's contents via the victim's note.

Blackquill: It seems he came up with a plan to stab the victim with her own awl in order to...

Blackquill: ...make the killing look like the one in the script and thus frame the defendant.

Athena: But that scrap of paper with Hugh's name had the same mark as Prof. Courte's planner--

Blackquill: Yes, about that...

Blackquill: Those planners are bestowed upon all students graduating at the top of their class.

Athena: Really?! So, then...

Blackquill: Indeed. Once upon a time, Prof. Means was also awarded the same notebook.

Blackquill: The handwriting is being analyzed now, but like as not, the scrap belonged to him.

Blackquill: This too, was evidence of the bribery scheme that the victim had obtained.

Blackquill: Know that Constance Courte was clean and that only Aristotle Means took the bribes.

Judge: Hmm... To think a professor would murder a colleague, then try to pin it on a student.

Judge: If this is the dark age of the law, then we can only hope that a brighter future awaits.

Judge: And the first step is to hand down my verdict for a promising young lady.

Judge: This court finds the defendant, Juniper Woods...

Woods: .........

Not Guilty

Judge: I wish you all the best on your road to becoming a courtroom judge.

Judge: We will need young people like you...

Judge: ...if we ever hope to restore the law to its former glory.

Woods: Y-Yes, Your Honor! I'll work as hard as I can.

Woods: Maybe, one day, I'll be able to work with all of you to make a difference!

Blackquill: Proudly serve Prof. Courte's memory. Do not let her death be in vain.

Athena: (That's the last thing I expect to hear from him today...)

Judge: Court is adjourned!

-

October 26 District Court - Defendant Lobby No. 3

Woods: Thank you, Thena! I really mean it!

Athena: Ha ha ha ha ha! It was nothing, really!

Athena: I can take the biggest tangled mess of a case and unravel it just like that!

Apollo: I dunno... You looked pretty wound up there at the end -- literally and figuratively!

Athena: You look pretty hungry for a knuckle sandwich, buster!

Woods: I... I wanted to thank you, too, Apollo.

Apollo: Ah ha ha. Don't mention it.

Woods: The way you were always there for Thena when she was in a bind...

Woods: And at the Detention Center, when your smile gave me hope when there was none...

Woods: It was like the warm rays of the sun shining down on peaceful woodlands.

Woods: I think you're an absolutely amazing person!

Apollo: Thanks, Juniper. That means a lot to me.

Apollo: But I still have lots of work to do! And I can't wait until we see you on the judge's bench!

Woods: Ha ha ha ha! I promise you I'll get there someday!

Woods: That's why until that day, I'll... I'll--

Trucy: Guys, I've got some big news! I mean, this is huge! ...Oh, am I interrupting something?

Athena: N-No no, it's okay... I think. So, what's the big news?

Trucy: The school festival! It was supposed to have been canceled after what happened, but...

Phoenix: ...We just got a call.

Phoenix: In memory of Prof. Constance Courte, who worked so hard to make it happen...

Phoenix: ...the festival is being extended one extra day until tomorrow.

Athena: Really?! All right!

-

-

October 27 Themis Legal Academy - 3F Lecture Hall

Athena: Wow, that what [sic] SO much fun! School festivals are amazing!!!

Woods: Tee hee hee. I think you and Robin are getting a little carried away.

Newman: Aaaaaah! Your singing voice, Juniper! It could melt my H-E-A-R-T!

O'Conner: ...Mr. Wright. Thank you for that training seminar.

Phoenix: Ah ha ha. Just remember, the "Objection!" pose is all about attitude.

Phoenix: Oh, and congrats on your mock trial win. Although, Robin had you for a while there.

Newman: I did, didn't I! But I'm just glad we're back to how we used to be, thanks to Athena.

Newman: And you know what? I think I'll stick with become a prosecutor after all.

Newman: I'm going to make up for my mock trial loss by winning the real deals in court!

Athena: (Mock trial loss? What loss?)

Athena: (Wait. Did they reprise the trial and Hugh won?!)

-

Athena: "Level-headed lawyer course genius and hot-blooded prosecutor course student..."

Athena: "...will go head to head in a mock trial battle for the she-devil's black heart!"

-

Athena: (So... does this mean it's really gonna happen?)

O'Conner: .........J-J-Juniper!

O'Conner: There's something I've been wanting to say to you!

Woods: Huh...?

Trucy: Oooooh! Is he going to do what I think he is?!

O'Conner: J-Juniper...

O'Conner: Can we still be friends? You know, best friends like we've always been?

Athena: Huh? Best friends...?

Athena: Hugh, weren't you going to profess your love for Juniper if you won the mock trial?

O'Conner: No, I was going to confess...

O'Conner: ...that I'm not a genius, and that I'm really twenty-five years old.

O'Conner: But you already dragged it out of me during the trial.

Athena: Whoops!

Woods: Listen, Hugh. You, too, Robin, Myriam.

Scuttlebutt: M-Me, too?

Athena: (Myriam's got this tactical espionage action stuff down to a science...)

Woods: ...I've been thinking.

Woods: It's up to us to put an end to the dark age of the law if we can.

Woods: Let's all work together to usher in a new age where winning only results from the truth...

Woods: ...and the end never justifies the means.

Newman: Count me in!

O'Conner: I wouldn't have it any other way.

Scuttlebutt: Sss, sss, sss, sss, sss!

Apollo: Best friends forever, huh... No matter what anyone says, nothing beats true frienship.

Athena: You bet! And what about your BFF, Apollo?

Apollo: Aren't you a bit old to be using that word? But yeah, he's the best friend a guy could have.

Apollo: Which reminds me, we're supposed to meet up and gossip about the new girl in the office.

Athena: Hey! No talking about me behind my back! ...So, what kind of guy is he, anyway?

Apollo: Well... If I had to describe him in one word...

-

Athena: And so, after some slight arm-twisting, Apollo promised to bring me to meet his friend.

Athena: Unfortunately, that promise was never meant to be fulfilled.

Athena: For not long after, their friendship was mercilessly severed by Fate...

Athena: ...and the bonds between us began to fray and unravel as well.

"Sorry, but I'll be taking a leave of absence."

Athena: Even now, those words continue to ring in my ears.

Athena: The discord in our ever-cheerful Apollo's voice made him sound so cold... and distant.

Athena: Why, Apollo? Why? Why would you leave us all behind?

End