Turnabout for Tomorrow - Transcript



Episode 5 Turnabout for Tomorrow

Phoenix:

No one can escape their past. The sins we've committed... and the sadness we've caused... No matter how far we run, our past remains... ...as ever-present as the moon in the sky. It looms in wait... for the day when we are forced to face it. But only in doing so can we truly make peace and move on in hope towards tomorrow.

December 20, 1:23 PM

Wright Anything Agency

Phoenix:

(They took Athena from the courtroom, straight to the station. She's probably being questioned at this very moment.) ............ (After this past year, I took it for granted that those two would always be here. But now, Apollo has gone off on his own to seek his own truth... ...and my pursuit of the truth only ended up with Athena becoming the new suspect. Some boss I turned out to be...)

Trucy:

............ It's even quieter in here than usual.

Phoenix:

Yeah... It seems so empty, too.

Trucy:

I just don't get it, Daddy. All of your reasoning during the trial seemed perfectly solid...

Phoenix:

Yeah... And I still believe it was... At least, based on what we know.

Trucy:

But now, Athena is the one who's being accused...

Phoenix:

During the trial for the bombing and murder that occurred at the Cosmos Space Center... ...the lighter used by the real culprit was found. This lighter proved the defendant, Solomon Starbuck, innocent. But Athena's prints were found on it instead... ...and she was subsequently arrested for the murder.

Trucy:

But Athena couldn't have done it. It just doesn't make any sense.

Phoenix:

(No, none of it does. I've been racking my brain, but I just can't figure it out! Argh! Where is the flaw in my reasoning? What have I got wrong in this case?)

Trucy:

You know, Daddy... if Athena was here... ...she wouldn't just be sitting around thinking. She'd be out there doing something. You ARE going to defend Athena, right, Daddy?

Phoenix:

Of course I will! And thanks, Trucy. I needed that push. (Trucy's right! The trial is tomorrow. There's no time to waste! If I'm going to prove Athena's innocence, I'd better get out there and find some evidence!)

Trucy:

Off we go, then! We're on a hunt for evidence that'll prove Athena's innocence!

Phoenix:

(Great! But before we go, I'd better tidy up the evidence I have on hand...)

Unnecessary evidence left at the office.

Phoenix:

(Athena is probably still in the middle of being questioned... ...so Trucy's right. The thing to start with is talking to people at the Space Center.)

December 20

Cosmos Space Center - Entrance

Phoenix:

Director Cosmos! Do you have a minute?!

Cosmos:

Urgk! Galactic Scooter! Full speed ahead!

Phoenix:

Director! (He scooted away...)

Trucy:

His expression changed the instant he saw you, Daddy!

Phoenix:

(Yeah, well, I dragged his name through the mud pretty good at the trial earlier today...)

December 20

Cosmos Space Center - Boarding Lounge

Phoenix:

We were here only yesterday... Oh, hey! Mr. Starbuck! You've been released, huh?

Starbuck:

Yup. And I came straight here. This is all thanks to you and your team, Mr. Wright! You've given me a second chance to fly into space again. I can't thank you enough. Except... Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaangh...

Phoenix:

Wh-What's wrong? (I thought he'd be happy to be acquitted...)

Starbuck:

As I was coming out of the Detention Center, I saw Miss Cykes.

Phoenix:

(H-He saw Athena?)

Starbuck:

I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say to the poor girl. And then, you know what? She flashed a peace sign at me. "Congratulations on your acquittal," she said. "Now you can go back into space someday."

Phoenix:

(Yeah, that sounds like Athena. I can just picture it.)

Starbuck:

But I saw her eyes. They were red and swollen from crying. She's gotta be suffering! She must be so worried! And yet she went out of her way to be nice and give me that big smile!

Trucy:

She held back her own tears so she could give someone else a smile. That's... so Athena.

Starbuck:

There's no question about it. That girl is innocent. Please, Mr. Wright. You have to make sure she goes free! And then, they can put me in prison instead! I don't mind!

Phoenix:

(We can't have that either, Mr. Starbuck!) Don't worry, Mr. Starbuck. I'm going to give her the very best defense I can. I promise to get her acquitted, just like I did for you.

Starbuck:

I know she'll be all right with you in her corner. I know you'll never give up on her. Apollo has a fine boss to look up to!

Phoenix:

The door... Ah, yes... As I recall, they opened this door here as they made their escape...

Trucy:

The door to Launch Pad 1, right?

Starbuck:

Yeah, except, right now, the door leads to the Space Museum.

Phoenix:

You mean the launch pad and the Space Museum are switched right now?

Starbuck:

Yeah, they're trying to investigate the theory you came up with in court.

Phoenix:

So they're recreating the conditions, huh? (I'd like to see what's beyond that door now.) Mr. Starbuck, could you open this door for us?

Starbuck:

Sure. Just let me have my prints scanned here...

Phoenix:

(Well, I don't see anything else that jumps out at me. And I imagine this corridor is built exactly like the Launch Pad 1 corridor.)

December 20

Cosmos Space Center - Entrance

Cosmos:

Urgn! Curse the wretch who sullied my good name! Reverse course and full speed away!

Phoenix:

Director Cosmos! Wait!

Trucy:

I'll handle this, Daddy! Take that!

Cosmos:

Gaaaaagh! The mobility system has been compromised!

Phoenix:

(Trucy's knife throw was a direct hit to one of his tires!)

Trucy:

And the streak continues!

Phoenix:

(Maybe I should've kept a closer watch on what tricks she's been practicing...)

Cosmos:

My dear, old battleship! We fought many a skirmish together! It has been an honor...

Trucy:

Daddy! He's going to blow that thing up!

Phoenix:

Nah. I bet all that button will do is make it go haywire again.

Cosmos:

............Very well. I surrender. As a prisoner of war, I expect to be treated honorably.

Phoenix:

So you really think the same spy is behind this incident and the one seven years ago?

Cosmos:

Yes. I'm sure of it.

Phoenix:

Then, this spy... must be the " phantom " Prosecutor Blackquill has been chasing...

Fulbright:

But Prosecutor Blackquill told me once... "The hunt I've been on for the phantom of seven years past continues even still."

Fulbright:

For starters, that case happened right here at this very Space Center, too.

Trucy:

So if we can find this "phantom"...!

Phoenix:

That's right. We can clear Athena's name. And then there's the matter of Prosecutor Blackquill, too.

Trucy:

What about him?

Phoenix:

Well, IF the culprit of seven years ago is the same person as in the current incident... ...it would mean Prosecutor Blackquill is innocent. That's stil an "if," though...

Trucy:

Hmm... I wonder how dangerous that guy would be in court without handcuffs...? But if we're going on a ghost hunt, count me in!

Cosmos:

Hee hee hee... Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! It's all over for me! Spin! Spin! Whirl! Whirl! I'm done for! The center of the cosmos is doomed!

Trucy:

Do you think he's going to be all right, Daddy?

Phoenix:

Well, at least he'll be in good company. There must be planets out there he can spin with. Which reminds me... I'd like to delve a little deeper into the HAT-1 mission, too.

Cosmos:

If you want to learn more, start with the Space Museum. There's a HAT-1 exhibit there. Oh, don't mind me. I'll just keep spinning here and see how the cosmos unfolds...

Trucy:

It's like he achieved spiritual enlightenment or something!

Phoenix:

I'm sure he'll stop when he gets dizzy. Let's go visit the Space Museum!

December 20

Cosmos Space Center - Space Museum

Trucy:

Let's see... Where's the exhibit on the launch seven years ago...?

Phoenix:

There, that's the HAT-1 exhibit.

Trucy:

Oh, wow! Look at that photo of the team!

Phoenix:

There's Clay, and Mr. Starbuck, Director Cosmos, Aura Blackquill, and even Ponco. ...But I've never seen the woman on the right before.

Trucy:

Everybody looks so happy! ...Well, except for Director Cosmos.

Phoenix:

Let's check out the newspaper article, too. "HAT-1 Launch Imminent"... And there's a photo of the Hope space probe. I guess it's only natural it doesn't talk about the murder or the sabotage.

Trucy:

They really were keeping it a secret, just like the director said. Daddy, take a look at that jacket...

Phoenix:

It must be the HAT-1 team's uniform jacket. It's the same design as the one Apollo was wearing, the one that belonged to Clay.

Trucy:

"Actual jacket worn by a HAT-1 team member," it says.

Phoenix:

Not a replica, huh? (I wonder if it was Mr. Starbuck's?)

HAT-1 Exhibit added to the Court Record.

???:

Hello...?

Phoenix:

Oh, Ms. Woods! What brings you here?

Woods:

I... I heard Thena got arrested, so I... ...I've been looking for you, Mr. Wright. I thought you might be here... at the scene...

Phoenix:

You must be so worried! But rest assured. I'm going to do my very best to defend her.

Woods:

Thena's going through such a hard time. I hope she doesn't lose heart. Even just coming back to this place must've been really difficult for her...

Phoenix:

Huh? You mean the Cosmos Space Center?

Woods:

What, you didn't know...? She used to live here, when she was a little girl.

Phoenix:

Sh-She did?! No, I didn't know... (No wonder she knew so much...) Ms. Woods, could you tell me more, in detail?

After clearing all talk options and presenting HAT-1 Exhibit:

Phoenix:

Thank you for all your help, Ms. Woods. And please, try not to worry. I won't let anything happen to Athena.

Woods:

Thank you, Mr. Wright! I know you'll take good care of her.

Trucy:

So we need to investigate the robotics lab, and also talk to Athena. We've got our plates full, Daddy. I hope we can fit it all in before the day is through...

Phoenix:

The Detention Center first, then. We have to see Athena before visiting hours are over!

December 20

Detention Center - Visitor's Room

Fulbright:

Well! If it isn't Mr. Lawyer! Fancy meeting you here!

Phoenix:

Oh, hello, Detective Fulbright. Here on business?

Fulbright:

To tell the truth, I'm here to interview Ted Tonate !

Phoenix:

The one behind the courtroom bombing incident?!

Fulbright:

He suddenly said he's ready to tell the truth about that case! And what he was saying was so incredible, I just had to come right over to hear more.

Trucy:

Incredible? What was he saying?

Fulbright:

Why don't you hang around and hear it for yourself?

Phoenix:

...Really? Us? Are you sure?

Fulbright:

Ha ha ha! I give you my special permission! Here comes the bomber now!

Tonate:

YOU! WHAT NERVE YOU HAVE TO COME HERE! YOU'RE HERE TO LAUGH AT ME, I SUPPOSE?!

Phoenix:

(Like I'd waste my breath on you. After all, you're the one who assaulted Apollo and put him in the hospital!)

Tonate:

VIOLENCE -> NO QUESTION -> OK

Phoenix:

"No violence"?! Too bad Apollo didn't get a chance to say that before you attacked him!

Tonate:

I... I...

Phoenix:

Fine. Then just answer me this, Mr. Tonate. What is this "truth" of yours about the courtroom you blew up?

Tonate:

NO! I DIDN'T DO IT! I DIDN'T BLOW UP THE COURTROOM! WHEN I KILLED DETECTIVE ARME, THERE WAS ANOTHER PERSON IN THE ROOM!

Trucy:

Wh... What are you talking about?! Who else could've been there?!

Tonate:

I SAW IT, I TELL YOU! I SAW SOMEONE'S HAND AS THEY WERE STEALING THE REMOTE SWITCH ! THIS PERSON WAS THERE AND WITNESSED THE MURDER I COMMITTED!

Phoenix:

Wh-What?!

Tonate:

I DON'T KNOW WHO IT WAS... ...But that's who blew up the courtroom!

Trucy:

You expect us to buy that?!

Phoenix:

Easy there, Trucy... I don't see any Psyche-Locks... ...so I guess he must not be lying.

Tonate:

PARDON ME. I GOT A LITTLE CARRIED AWAY. BUT I'M TELLING YOU THE TRUTH. I DID NOT DETONATE THAT BOMB.

Fulbright:

And there you have it. We can't exactly ignore his claims, of course, so we're going a follow-up. We're even analyzing the bomb itself, or what's left of it! We haven't found any new facts yet, though.

Phoenix:

(Wow. They've laid it all out, piece by piece...)

Tonate:

OH, LOOK AT ALL THOSE BEAUTIFUL LITTLE PIECES! I... I WISH I COULD HAVE THEM...

Phoenix:

(Uh-oh. Looks like his geek switch has been activated...)

Phony Phanty Bomb added to the Court Record.

Fulbright:

Well, I hope you're ready for Prosecutor Blackquill's special brand of questioning!

Tonate:

AAAGH... ANYTHING BUT THAT...!

Fulbright:

I'm afraid I have to be off now, too! I was just about to question Ms. Cykes.

Trucy:

You're going to see Athena now?

Fulbright:

That's right... Oh, did you folks come to see her? Sorry for the trouble, but could you come back later? Well, off I go!

Phoenix:

(What bad timing... Looks like we'll have to wait until after her questioning is over to see her.)

Trucy:

And after we came all this way, too! Well, I guess it's back to the Space Center. Let's go check out the robotics lab, Daddy.

Phoenix:

All right. Sounds like a plan.

December 20

Cosmos Space Center - Space Museum

Entrance

Boarding Lounge

December 20

Cosmos Space Center - Robotics Lab

Trucy:

So this is the robotics lab, huh? Looks like it's exactly one floor above the boarding lounge.

Phoenix:

(...And where people were directed to evacuate from via the emergency ladder. This is where Athena's mother was killed seven years ago...) Speaking of someone who works with robots...

Trucy:

Daddy, look! Over there!

Apollo:

So they planned to use this bag to carry the capsule, is that right?

Aura:

Yeah, more or less. ...Say, why don't we stop talking about the case and have a nice cup of tea instead?

Phoenix:

(Apollo and Aura Blackquill? I wonder what they're talking about?)

Aura:

Well, well. Come to spoil our fun? Just when I was enjoying our alone time...

Apollo:

Trucy! And... Mr. Wright.

Aura:

If it's Apollo you want, you can't have him. He said he's investigating on his own.

Phoenix:

And I respect his wishes. We just came to investigate this lab.

Aura:

Well, this is MY lab, so you'll need MY permission if you want to do any snooping.

Aura:

So the culprit behind the two cases could be the same, huh...? That settles it, then.

Phoenix:

What does it settle?

Aura:

None of your business. Just forget you heard anything. How long are you people going to hand around in here, anyway?

Trucy:

What? But we came here to take a look around...

Aura:

You think you can just waltz in and ransack a person's lab? Show me a search warrant!

Phoenix:

Uh, we're not the police, so we don't have one...

Aura:

Then get out. Now! Clonco, show them out!

Clonco:

C-Certainly, Miss Aura!

Trucy:

Ouch! Don't push!

Clonco:

My apologies! I'm just following orders!

Phoenix:

Aaaaagh...!

December 20

Cosmos Space Center - Entrance

Phoenix:

What a way to get shown out...

Trucy:

The nerve of that woman! What's with that horrible attitude?!

Phoenix:

I guess that's just how she is.

Trucy:

And why was Apollo going along with her?

Phoenix:

(I guess it's because they have something in common... Apollo lost Clay, just like how Aura lost Dr. Cykes.)

Trucy:

* sigh*... I'm really worried about him. He's not himself at all. He's usually not all cool and dark and mysterious like that!

Phoenix:

I guess that's true... (Does she mean he's usually silly and dorky?)

Trucy:

I'm going to go keep an eye on him!

Phoenix:

Hey, wait! Trucy! Come back! ............ (She's gone. Hmm... What should I do now? Detective Fulbright is probably still questioning Athena. Guess I'll go back to the office... alone. *sigh*)

December 20

Wright Anything Agency

Phoenix:

(Well, here I am... This office has never felt so... empty.) I guess I haven't been here at the office all by myself in a long time. *sigh* (When I first became a lawyer, my mentor was here with me... And, after that, there was always someone by my side. Now I'm getting all sentimental. I muse be tired...) Huh? There's something on the floor... What's a letter doing here? "Hey, Nick! It's been a while, huh? Miss me?" (I know this handwriting!)

I read somewhere that you were holding a trial in the middle of an exploding courtroom ? That must've really been something, although weird is par for the course with you.

Phoenix:

(I think she, or whatever paper she's reading is a little off on the details...)

I'd love to come visit, but I'm right in the middle of a difficult part in my training. So instead, think of me as you watch those Steel Samurai videos I sent. I'm sure they'll cheer you right up!

Phoenix:

...Yours truly, Maya Fey. (Good ol' Maya. It's as if she knew I was feeling down and needed a lift.) Maya was my assistant for quite a while. Believe it or not, but she's a spirit medium. This Magatama I use on Psyche-Locks... Maya is the one who gave it to me. But I wonder how this letter got here?

???:

...Um, Mr. Nick...?

Phoenix:

AAAAAAAAAAAGH!

???:

Eeeeeeeeeeeeek!

Phoenix:

Oh, it's you, Pearls!

December 20

Detention Center - Visitor's Room

Phoenix:

(Well, look who's here... I wonder what they're talking about?)

???:

All this time and you haven't said a word. It's even turning your hair gray!

Blackquill:

I don't have anything to say, Aura. Why don't you go home and play with your dolls?

Phoenix:

(Prosecutor Blackquill!)

Aura:

Well, even if you don't, I have plenty, you jerk!

Fulbright:

M-Ms. Blackquill, don't you think that's enough for today?

Aura:

"Enough for today"?! Today is all there is when there's no tomorrow !

Phoenix:

("When there's no tomorrow"? What is she talking about?)

Blackquill:

We have company, Aura. Please try to calm down.

Aura:

All right, fine. I see you're just not going to listen, no matter what I say. I've had it. If that's the way you're going to be, I have another plan up my sleeve. I hope you're happy, Simon, because I'm done! Do as you please! See if I care!

Fulbright:

Ugh...

Phoenix:

(Wow... I could cut the tension with a katana...)

Blackquill:

Wright-dono. It looks like Fool Bright saved your case in court this morning.

Phoenix:

What? ...Oh. Yeah, he did. (You bounced back to business quick!)

Fulbright:

P-Prosecutor Blackquill, forgive me! But it was the just thing to do!

Blackquill:

But, as a result, Cykes-dono was arrested. Was that the just thing to do, too?

Fulbright:

Mr. Lawyer, I'm sorry! But it was evidence. What else could I do?

Phoenix:

Don't worry about it. I plan to defend her and prove her innocence.

Blackquill:

I wouldn't take things so lightly, if I were you, Wright-dono!

Phoenix:

(...Th-This is bladeproof glass, right...?)

Phoenix:

............There he goes.

Fulbright:

Noooooooooooooooooooooo! We've upset Prosecutor Blackquill! Now what are we going to do, Mr. Lawyer?!

Phoenix:

(There isn't much we CAN do...) ...Detective Fulbright? Do you mind if I ask you just a little more about that old case?

Fulbright:

Well, I guess it won't make any difference now... What would you like to know?

Fulbright:

...Oh, pardon me! Looks like I have a phone call. Fulbright here. What? What's happening?! YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!

Phoenix:

(That's quite a reaction. I bet he's making some big show of it right now.)

Fulbright:

M-M-Mr. Lawyer! The robots...! The robots are...!

Phoenix:

Detective Fulbright, get a hold of yourself. Some kind of robot malfunction?

Fulbright:

Not a malfunction. They're staging a revolt ! The machines are rebelling against humans! They've holed themselves up in the Space Center and taken the visitors as hostages!

Phoenix:

They did WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?! (No... Trucy!)

Fulbright:

We have to get right over there! This is going to be one heck of a battle!

December 20

Cosmos Space Center - Entrance

Phoenix:

(The riot police are here. Then, the robots really are holding people hostage?!)

Fulbright:

Hm? Look, Mr. Lawyer! What do you suppose that group of people are swarmed around?!

Clonco:

But I was only trying to help this nice person! She said she was lost...

Man:

You robots have declared war on us humans! You've even taken hostages already!

Woman:

Stay away from it! You never know what it'll do!

???:

But he's not a bad robot! Can't you see he's just trying to help me?!

Phoenix:

I recognize that voice! Detective Fulbright, are you okay here on your own?

Fulbright:

Leave it to me! ...All right, people! What's going on here?

Phoenix:

Pearls! Over here!

Pearl:

Oh, Mr. Nick! There you are! I heard the terrible news, and I got so worried!

Phoenix:

Thanks, Pearls. I can hardly believe what's happening myself...

Clonco:

I'm so glad you found each other! When people are happy, I am happy!

Phoenix:

(Clonco seems to be the same as before.)

Clonco:

When people are sad, I am happy! When people are angry... When people are... Oh, did I say some thiiing oddd...? Diiiiiiiiid IIII ERROR

Phoenix:

Uh-oh! (There IS something wrong with him!)

Clonco:

Gaaagh! ...*whir*

Pearl:

It looks like he fell asleep. He must've been tired.

Clonco:

Hee hee hee... Ha ha ha ha ha....

Phoenix:

Um, Clonco?

???:

Ha ha ha! Human beings are our enemies! It's time for the machines to take over!

Phoenix:

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh! (The robots are rebelling!)

Woman:

Everybody, run! Eeeeeeeeeek!

Man:

It's an all-out war! It's the end of the world!

???:

Ha ha ha ha ha! Fools! How could you fall for something so cliché?! I'm human, too, you idiots! I'm just controlling these robots remotely!

Phoenix:

(Wh-What?!)

???:

But it IS true that I've taken hostages, so you better not make me mad. ...Hey, you! Hostage 1! Come here. I'll let you talk to them.

Phoenix:

(Huh? There's something being displayed on Clonco's face screen.) It's... the Space Museum!

Trucy:

...Daddy? Daddy, is that you?

Phoenix:

Trucy? Trucy, is that you?! No... Trucy, are you all right?!

Trucy:

About fifteen robots are holding twelve of us hostage, Daddy! They've gone haywire! A researcher is the one behind it! She's here con-- Eeeeeeek!

???:

Grrr! This girl talks too much!

Phoenix:

Trucy! Trucy! Talk to me!!!

Pearl:

Why are you doing this?!

???:

I'm glad you asked. My demand is simple! I hope that detective is listening!

Fulbright:

Bobby Fulbright, here! I'm all ears!

???:

I want you to bring someone to me: Clay Terran's murderer, Athena Cykes.

Phoenix:

(Athena...?)

Fulbright:

N-Now hold on just one moment! I can't just give in to a demand like that!

???:

So you don't care what happens to these hostages, huh? I'll just pick one out, then...!

Fulbright:

N-No! Wait! Gaaagh! M-M-Mr. Lawyer! I know I have absolutely no right to make such a ridiculous request, but...

Phoenix:

But you need me to buy some time, right? Got it. I'll see what I can do. But promise me... Promise me you'll never hand Athena over, and you won't give up on the hostages, either.

Fulbright:

O-Of course I won't! Now, I'd better go contact headquarters!

Pearl:

Mr. Nick, how do you plan to buy time?

Phoenix:

(I have no idea yet. But this hostage-taker... Could it be...?)

???:

If you don't bring me that little princess, I'll have Hunk of Junk kill all the hostages!

Phoenix:

("Princess"...? "Hunk of Junk"...? There's only one person this could be... ...in which case, there must be something I can use as a bargaining chip!)

Blackquill:

I don't have anything to say, Aura. Why don't you go home and play with your dolls?

Phoenix:

(Prosecutor Blackquill!)

Aura:

Well, even if you don't, I have plenty, you jerk!

Phoenix:

............ Ms. Hostage-Taker, Athena is not a murderer.

???:

What are you talking about? She's been arrested and they've got her in detention!

Phoenix:

I'm telling you the truth. Look, the person you want is the real killer, right? Well, it's NOT Athena. It's someone else.

???:

All right, let's hear your stupid little theory. Who is this "real killer"?

Phoenix:

I don't know yet. But the culprit is the same as the one in the case from seven years ago. The UR-1 Incident ... I believe you have a personal interest in that case?

???:

Hmph. It's too late to change what's going to happen now, no matter how wrong it is...

Phoenix:

But is it really too late? You can still do something about it. You might even be able to fix it...

???:

Just... what exactly are you proposing?

Phoenix:

(What can I do about the seven-year-old case to satisfy the hostage-taker?)

Phoenix:

I propose we retry the case from seven years ago. If you make that demand now, I'm sure nobody will deny you. It wouldn't be an official trial, but at least we could find out the truth !

???:

............Hee hee hee. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! That's good! Real good... Hey, Detective! I'll give you one hour. Get a courtroom ready!

Fulbright:

O-One hour?! B-But that's impossible! Please give me at least until tomorrow!

???:

If you don't mind losing hostages, you can take all the time you want. Oh, but wait...! If we're going to have a retrial, we'll need a prosecutor. Don't worry, I'll take care of that!

Phoenix:

(S-She will?)

???:

And I guess I can be fair and let you come in and check out the crime scene. But Hunk of Junk here will be watching you, so don't try anything funny, you got that? Now, follow Hunk of Junk! Riot police, make way! We're coming through!

Pearl:

Mr. Nick, wait! I'll help you with the investigation!

Phoenix:

Thanks, Pearls. I appreciate that. ...Okay! We're going in!

December 20

Cosmos Space Center - Robotics Lab

Phoenix:

(Aura dropped us off with a warning not to touch anything until she got back...)

Pearl:

I wonder what's taking so long? But we can't really start the investigation yet, can we?

Phoenix:

Even if we could, this mess makes it hard to tell what the room was like seven years ago.

Clonco:

Mr. Wright?

Phoenix:

Ack! It's the hostage-taker!

Clonco:

I'm back to my usual self now. You are still beind monitored, however. But more importantly... an important guest has arrived.

Phoenix:

A-A guest?

Phoenix:

Edgeworth! What are you doing here...? (This is Miles Edgeworth. We've been friends since we were kids. We faced off in court a number of times back when he was a prosecutor, but now...)

Pearl:

Hello, Prosecutor Edgeworth... Oh! But you're not a "Prosecutor" anymore, are you? Um...

Phoenix:

He's chief prosecutor now. Pretty soon, it'll be a year, right?

Edgeworth:

A title is nothing more than a title. Don't we have more pressing issues to discuss?

Pearl:

But did Prosecutor Blackquill have a motive?

Edgeworth:

Mmm. To this day, his motive is still unknown. He insisted he did it, but he would never say why.

Phoenix:

So that means... he must still be hiding something.

Edgeworth:

Right. And there's another aspect of the case that was never revealed to the public.

Phoenix:

Yeah, I know. The part about the spy, right?

Edgeworth:

Wright! How on earth do you know about that?!

Phoenix:

Director Cosmos told me, after a bit of pressure. He told me espionage and sabotage were behind The Hat-1 Miracle.

Pearl:

Don't worry! I won't tell anyone! I've always been good at keeping secrets!

Edgeworth:

Well, I might as well tell you now. They really do suspect Blackquill of being a spy. They think he sabotaged the rocket and killed Dr. Cykes to steal the moon rock. But if you can prove that the HAT-2 bombing is the work of the same spy...

Phoenix:

We can stay the execution...?

Edgeworth:

It's a possibility. That's why I intend to help you any way I can.

Phoenix:

Thanks, Edgeworth. Now all I have to do is comb this room for evidence.

Pearl:

Let's do it together!

Phoenix:

Well, I guess that's about it for this room.

Edgeworth:

So what do you think, Wright? Any ideas?

Phoenix:

There are still a lot of gaps in the evidence, but I'll pull it off somehow! After all... ...you asked me to prove Blackquill's innocence, right, Edgeworth?

Pearl:

What?! He did?!

Phoenix:

Yup. He called it a "special request." He reached out to me while I was still disbarred.

Edgeworth:

Do you have any idea who the hostage-taker might be?

Phoenix:

Well, somebody who mistrusts the court system and can manipulate robots... ...It can really only be Aura Blackquill. Who else but her would want a retrial of that case from seven years ago so badly?

Edgeworth:

Simon Blackquill's older sister and the owner of this room... I agree with your conclusion. Perhaps she intended to force Ms. Cykes to confess...

Phoenix:

(Actually, I think she had a much more horrific plan in mind for Athena...)

Edgeworth:

The important thing is for you to solve UR-1 and prove Blackquill's innocence.

Pearl:

And then maybe she'll release the hostages!

Edgeworth:

I'm counting on you, Wright, to set that prosecutor and those hostages free.

Phoenix:

And I'll be counting on you in court to help me, too.

Edgeworth:

Of course. I'll do everything I can to help uncover the truth. As this isn't an official trial, I'm more at liberty to be a little unorthodox.

Clonco:

Mr. Wright, are you finished with your investigation?

Phoenix:

Yeah, but I'd like you to tell the hostage-taker something for me. I have to go to the Detention Center. I can't start the trial until I've talked to Athena.

Clonco:

She's already given her consent. I'll accompany you to the detention center.

Phoenix:

(So I'm still being watched, huh?) I'll see you in court, Edgeworth.

Edgeworth:

Hmph. Even if it will be an undocumented trial, it'll be good to face you in court again.

December 20

Detention Center - Visitor's Room

Phoenix:

(She was right by my side only a few short hours ago... ...but I feel like I haven't seen her in ages...)

Oh! Mr. Wright!

Athena:

And Pearly, too! I knew you would come. After all, the first step is the interview with the defendant.

Phoenix:

And because you're my friend and I was worried about you.

Athena:

Heh heh. Thanks, Boss.

Phoenix:

I'm not the only one who's worried, either.

Athena:

Really? Who else?

Phoenix:

I saw Ms. Woods today. She was so beside herself, she came to find me. She told me you used to live in the Cosmos Space Center. No wonder you knew so much about the place!

Athena:

Oh... So you know, huh? I... I'm sorry I didn't tell you.

Phoenix:

That's all right. But... there are some other things I'd like to ask you.

Athena:

Sure, you can ask me anything. I promise I won't keep any more secrets from you!

Fulbright:

Ah, I thought you might be here! Mr. Lawyer, we're in trouble!

Phoenix:

W-We are? What is it?

Fulbright:

I couldn't find a single open courtroom. They're all in session.

Pearl:

Oh, no! But this is an emergency!

Fulbright:

Hmm... It's very difficult to interrupt a trial once it's underway...

Phoenix:

My phone! ...It's from Trucy!

???:

I told you I'd give you one hour. I guess it's time to pick one of the hostages...

Phoenix:

No! Wait! We still have a little more time! Besides... all of the courtrooms are being used right now!

???:

Make all the excuses you want, but you won't get more time. Your daughter is first. The poor thing. She's a little too young to die, don't you think?

Phoenix:

NO! Don't you dare hurt her! (There has to be something I can do!)

Fulbright:

Nnngh... The cruelest injustice is about to befall us!

Pearl:

No! This can't be happening! Mystic Maya... help us!

Phoenix:

(Wait a minute... Maya...?)

I read somewhere that you were holding a trial in the middle of an exploding courtroom ? That must've really been something, although weird is par for the course with you.

Phoenix:

(A courtroom... blew up...! That's it! There IS a courtroom we can use after all!)

???:

Okay, time's up! Too bad. Any last words you'd like to say to her?

Phoenix:



Phoenix:

Aura, please don't add to the crimes you've already committed.

???:

So you know who I am, do you? It wasn't like I was trying to keep it a secret anyway...

Phoenix:

We're ready to start the trial. We can hold it in the ruins of Courtroom No. 4, the one blown up by the bomber.

Pearl:

Oh! What a wonderful idea, Mr. Nick!

Fulbright:

I... I never would have thought of that! An astonishing trial in an astonishing location! I guess it's only befitting. I'll go get the place ready right away!

Phoenix:

(I didn't exactly pick the place for its "astonishing" factor...) How about it? Are you ready to have your brother's innocence proven?

???:

My brother...? Heh. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Oh, I'm sorry. Did I forget to mention...? It's not Simon you'll be defending.

Phoenix:

What? (Not... Prosecutor Blackquill...?)

???:

I indict Athena Cykes, on the charge of murdering her own mother! You'll be defending the little princess there, the one behind the glass.

Phoenix:

(WH-WHAAAT?!)

???:

See you in that mountain of rubble you've chosen for our courtroom, Mr. Wright!

Pearl:

What is she talking about? Athena...?!

Athena:

Of course... Why didn't it ever occur to me before? If Prosecutor Blackquill is innocent, somebody else had to have been the true culprit. Did I..? Did I... kill my own mother...? N-No.........

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Phoenix:

! No way... It can't be true!

Pearl:

Mr. Nick! What's the matter?!

Phoenix:

I see... I see five black Psyche-Locks ! (I've seen these kinds of locks before... Dark, black locks protecting a secret deep inside a person's heart... And there's no way to remove them!)

To Be Continued