“It’s all her fault…”
The girl was panting slightly, staring in horror as she looked down below the balcony where the body laid. The female in question had died upon impact, having fallen two stories and possibly breaking her neck along with other bones in her body in the process. “I didn’t…”
The girl shook her head, coming to her senses. It was too late now to feel guilt, she had to leave. And also… “Wait…that’s right, she was coming to visit as well. Yeah, all I have to do is…” The girl smiled slightly as she grabbed her phone before leaving the apartment, making sure to leave the door open.
March 23, 8:55 AM
Wright & Co. Law Offices
Phoenix Wright was currently sitting at his desk, sipping on a cup of coffee while looking at the morning newspaper. The TV was on in the background, set to the local news. So far today was looking to be a rather quiet day compared to most, though most of the time at Wright & Co. Law Offices it was often quiet.
“Alright!” Well, sort of quiet.
Phoenix pretended to be focused on the paper and not here the quick footsteps coming in his direction. “Alright Nick, it’s finally done! The bathroom is so spotless you could eat in it!”
Phoenix folded the paper in half and looked at the younger girl standing before him. Her name was Maya Fey and she has been his assistant for the past three years. Three long years and her personality and optimism have never wavered. “Spotless huh? You made sure to get behind the toilet too?” I’m gonna hope she doesn’t actually eat anything in there…
“Seriously? After all this time and you still doubt my work?” Maya asked, looking hurt but Phoenix knew better, seeing the slight glint in her eye. For the record, the cleaning around the office was all voluntary on her part, both she and her cousin Pearl.
“No, not really,” Phoenix said casually. “Just surprised you finished as quickly as you did.”
“Well…now that it is finished, I could certainly go for some breakfast,” Maya said with a sly smile.
“You didn’t get something to eat earlier!?”
“No, that’s what I have you for.”
Phoenix sighed. Typical Maya… “Fine, I’ll come along and pay this time. Seems like today may be a slow day anyway.”
Maya clapped her hands together. “In that case, we ought to have a day off and go somewhere!” Again, this was typical Maya behavior that Phoenix was well aware of.
A day off wouldn’t be too bad…and if something comes up, they can always call my cell. Considering the number of cases they have done together, and it was a large number by this point, he needed a break more than he’d like to admit. “Alright, fine, you win Maya. Something tells me you already had an idea in mind.”
The shocked look upon her face told him she didn’t. “Oh, well, to be honest I didn’t think you would actually say yes.” Suddenly she started yawning. “I…huh…why do I feel so sleepy all of a sudden?”
“I guess you’re hungrier than I thought.” Which isn’t saying much.
“No, I just…feel…really…” Suddenly Maya collapsed onto the floor.
“M-Maya!?” Phoenix suddenly went around his desk to check on her before noticing he was starting to feel tired as well. “What is…?” It didn’t take long before he felt his eyelids grow heavy and soon darkness overtook him.
“Nick…?”
Phoenix could slowly feel himself regaining conscious. There was a figure standing above him, though their appearance was fuzzy. He could barely remember what had happened and as he thought about it, he wondered if he had finally met his end.
“Nick?”
Could it be? After all the close calls he had had, was it finally his time? Was the one calling out to him Mia, who was here to guide him to his final-
“Nick!”
“Aah!” Phoenix suddenly yelled as he finally came to. Maya was looking at him, slightly annoyed. “Maya? What happened? We-” He paused as he suddenly noticed the scenery around them, noticing the presence of trees and grass. “This isn’t my office.”
“Nope!” Maya said. “Actually…I don’t recognize this part of town at all…” They appeared to be in the middle of a park, which at the moment was vacant except for the occasional wood critter.
“Wait, did we both wake up here?” Phoenix asked as he got to his feet. He checked his pockets and everything he had had on him before was still with him. “That’s odd…so we both fell asleep and ended up here?”
“Hmm…wait this is starting to sound like an episode of Steel Samurai I saw recently!” Maya said excitedly. “The Samurai wakes up and finds himself in a foreign land…only to find out towards the end that he was actually in another dimension!”
…Normally I wouldn’t believe that, but considering some of the adventures we’ve had recently… “I’m kind of doubting that one Maya…though I am curious how exactly we got here in the first place. Anyway, we better head back to the office and make sure someone didn’t end up ransacking the office.”
Maya had a look of uncertainty but said nothing as they tried to find their way back to the office. Within the first five minutes, both of them realized something was off. Sure, the setting was normal, there were plenty of cars driving around and plenty of businesses around (none which they recognized) but that wasn’t what was wrong.
“Hey Nick…?” Maya murmured, trying to look calm. “Is it just me or do the people around here look a bit…’colorful’?”
Phoenix nodded slightly. It wasn’t a reference to their clothing, the people they were seeing had…an assortment of different skin colors. Some were normal shades of white or tan, but others had pink, magenta, green, even orange. “Yeah, this definitely isn’t normal…maybe we’re both having some hallucinogenic dream.”
“Or…maybe we’re truly on an alien home world.”
Phoenix groaned. Logically, there had to be an explanation, at least that’s what his friend Edgeworth would say. Then again, this wouldn’t be the first time he dived into the bizarre. “You say alien, but these people definitely look human and they’re definitely using the same technology that our world possesses. That being said, there has to be an explanation on why we’re here.”
They were passing by what appeared to be a courthouse and saw there was a news reporter standing near the steps along with a camera crew. “Police are continuing their investigation into the murder of Prim Hemline, who had been found murdered outside her dorm late last night. The current suspect, Wallflower Blush is currently in custody and awaiting trial which begins tomorrow morning.”
Maya looked at Phoenix, her eyes completely serious. “You know Nick, I’m not sure if you’re a big believer in fate but…”
“I know,” Phoenix said. “If we’re here to help prove someone’s innocence, then I’ll gladly accept.” I don’t know where we are, or why we’re here, but if this gives us an understanding of both, I’ll gladly take this case. Little did I know, however, just what we had gotten ourselves into…
March 23, 10:30 AM
Detention Center
On their way to the detention center, Phoenix and Maya were able to learn some quick information about their surroundings. One, the name of the city they were in was called Canterlot. Two, Phoenix had learned based off the news about the events of the death in question. The victim, Prim Hemline, had allegedly been pushed off the balcony in her apartment by the suspect, meaning the fall was the likely cause of death. As for the suspect, Wallflower Blush, there wasn’t much information given out about her but Phoenix somehow knew she needed help.
He knew it was a long shot, but he believed if he helped this girl, she would be able to help them figure out why they were here in the first place. At the very least, he hoped she would allow him to defend her, despite the fact he may be considered a foreigner.
Phoenix had been worried that he would have a tough time through security, but apparently the badge he wore and the credentials he had were enough to gain him entry. Technically he said he was here to see Miss Blush, despite the fact that she hadn’t met him or even agreed to having him as a lawyer. But that would be a bridge to cross when they got there.
“You know, I was expecting that whole process to be a lot more difficult,” Maya pointed out as they sat in the waiting room.
“Yeah, which makes me wonder if their system is pretty close to ours,” Phoenix replied. Still, couldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth… “Still, we have to be careful, just because we’re new around here doesn’t mean they’ll give us a free pass if we mess something up.”
“Um..excuse me?” Both Phoenix and Maya looked over and saw a girl sitting on the opposite side of the glass. She had green hair and freckles on her face.
“Oh! Sorry, we didn’t notice you coming in!” Phoenix stammered slightly. How long was she in here?
“It’s alright, I get that a lot…” the girl replied, frowning slightly.
Not exactly the best first impression… “You’re Wallflower Blush, correct?”
“Yeah, are you a lawyer?” Wallflower asked.
“That’s right, my name is Phoenix Wright and this is Maya Fey, my assistant.”
“A pleasure to meet you,” Maya said, bowing her head slightly.
“You two…seem different from the kind of lawyers I’m used to seeing,” Wallflower pointed out.
“Well uh…” Phoenix wasn’t sure how to respond to that. It was better to get to business anyway. “Before I say anything else, are you currently in need of a lawyer?”
Wallflower looked away slightly with an embarrassed look. “Yes…unfortunately my family can’t really afford one but I know the city will provide me one if-”
“I’ll need to stop you there,” Phoenix interrupted. “We’d be willing to help defend your case.”
“What? But I just said-”
“Money isn’t a concern at the moment,” Phoenix said. He knew what he was about to say next was risky but he didn’t have much of a choice. “The truth is, we’d be needing your help as well. It’s kind of hard to explain but…”
“What Nick’s trying to say we got transported here from another world and we need to find a way back!” Maya said with a big smile.
Wallflower stared back at them for a moment and Phoenix for a moment thought she had decided they were both crazy. However, a slight smile crept onto her face. “I see…so if I help you you’ll represent me in court?”
“Uh…yeah that’s right,” Phoenix said. She actually believes us?
“Alright, it’s a deal then,” Wallflower said. “But first, I assume you have some questions for me?”
There were many questions, so Phoenix decided to start from the top. “Can you tell us anything about the victim?”
“Prim? I know she’s practically a fashion icon and has been a judge for a lot of different clothing competitions. Oddly enough, even though she has quite a lot of money, she likes to live modestly, hence the apartment she lived in. That’s pretty much all I know…”
“Miss Hemline’s cause of death was from being pushed off the balcony in her apartment, and you were apparently at the scene of the crime.”
“When I came to her apartment, the door was open and when I went in, I couldn’t find her…but she was already dead when I got there.”
“Why were you there in the first place?” Phoenix asked.
Wallflower seemed to hesitate. “I had to speak to her about something…something I was looking into.”
“Can I ask what it was?”
Suddenly, chains appeared in front of Wallflower as large red locks flashed into existence. I should’ve known… Phoenix thought. She’s hiding something… He looked to Maya and she nodded back at him.
“It’s nothing important,” Wallflower said. “But obviously I’m being framed.” Obviously she was going to change the subject and for now Phoenix would oblige.
“Whoever it was knew you were coming,” Phoenix said. “Did you tell anyone in particular?”
“Just Prim,” Wallflower said. “Unless she…mentioned it to someone.”
“I think that’s we can get for now,” Phoenix said. “We’ll have to check the crime scene for ourselves.”
“I understand,” Wallflower replied. “But before you go…do you have a piece of paper and pen?”
Fortunately, Phoenix always kept a pen and notebook in his pocket and was relieved both items were still in there. Wallflower then gave them a phone number. “Her name is Sunset and she can help explain what might be going on…and if you could, let her know I’m alright.”
“Thanks for the help Wallflower,” Phoenix said. “Just remember, we’ll do anything we can to make sure you’re found innocent.”
March 23, 11:15 AM
Prim Hemline’s Apartment
By the time they arrived at the crime scene, there were only a few officers present. “Guess they’re wrapping up the investigation,” Phoenix noted.
“Do you think we’ll find anything?” Maya asked.
“Well, in our experience we’ve always been able to find something that’s often overlooked,” Phoenix replied. If the COD was indeed asphyxiation from falling, that means no murder weapon that can be linked to the suspect…but it may still not be enough to prove her innocence. We just need to get in there and…
“Hey pal, you lost or something?”
Phoenix’s thoughts were interrupted as he looked up and saw a woman standing before him with yellow-orange hair. She was dressed formally in shirt and tie with a tan coat on top. She was also wearing sunglasses and while Phoenix couldn’t see them, he was sure she was staring daggers at him currently.
“Ah, my apologies, I’m a defense attorney, currently representing the accused,” Phoenix said.
“An attorney?” the woman asked. She looked at Maya. “And who is this?”
“Hi! I’m Maya Fey, Nick’s assistant!” Maya said with a warm smile.
“…You look like you belong in a temple,” the woman pointed out bluntly.
Well…she’s not wrong… “Anyway, the reason we’re here is to study the crime scene for the upcoming trial, detective…?”
“Spitfire,” the woman replied as she lowered her shades. “And as for the crime scene, we’ve already swept through the place, not much else to look at.”
“If I may, Detective, not saying the police can’t do their job, I just want to make sure nothing’s been overlooked.”
Spitfire looked rather annoyed by the idea and sighed. “Fine, CSI and everyone else has already gone home so it can’t hurt.”
“And if it’s alright, I want to ask you a few questions about the murder itself.”
Spitfire suddenly looked guarded. “You know I’m not really supposed to give out details like that to just anyone.”
“Well, as the defense, it’s only fair that both sides know the full story.” I’ve been in this situation before, which makes me wonder who we’ll be facing in court.
Judging by Spitfire’s body language, Phoenix knew she couldn’t argue with that logic. “I…guess that’s only fair…fine but only about the murder.”
“Thank you Detective. Could you tell us about the victim herself?”
“Victim’s Prim Hemline, age thirty-four, and a former fashionista. M.E. declared her time of death to be around 10 PM last night. We have to wait for the full autopsy report but judging by the angle her head was facing and the bruising on her neck, the impact caused her neck to be broken as well as possible fractures in her skull.”
“Such a horrible way to go…” Maya said sadly.
“So she was pushed off the balcony?” Phoenix asked.
“Yeah, that’s what it looks like so far. We noticed a lamp had been broken in the room that leads to the balcony which means an altercation took place. The way I see it, the suspect somehow overpowered the victim and pushed her over.”
“Doesn’t that seem odd?” Phoenix asked. “I mean, the victim was about twice the age of the suspect and while I haven’t seen the victim herself, my client has a pretty small figure so overpowering her seems like a big stretch.”
Spitfire shrugged. “Apparently someone witnessed the suspect go into the apartment at the time of the murder, though they didn’t specify when exactly. Also, we checked around for fingerprints and we found the suspect’s prints on the balcony itself.”
Oh no… “Even so, what would be the motive?”
“Honestly, not sure, though the department is looking through the victim’s phone to see who she’s talked to recently,” Spitfire replied. “And that’s pretty much all we know for now. The autopsy report should be finished by tomorrow, along with an analysis of the phone.”
The fingerprints definitely prove Wallflower was here…but there’s still many unanswered questions. “In that case, you won’t mind if we check around the crime scene.”
“Sure. Oh, and just so you know, we did check around the body where it fell but we didn’t find anything suspicious.”
“Good to know then. Alright Maya, let’s see what we can find around here.”
“Got it Nick!”
The two started their investigation and Phoenix was the first to notice a particular stain on the carpet near the sliding glass door along with glass fragments. “Is that wine?” he asked out loud.
“Yeah, or what’s left of it,” Spitfire answered. “Oddly enough, most of the glass is missing.”
But why do that? Unless… “Do you think this bottle could’ve been used as a weapon?”
“It’s possible…the bottle itself couldn’t do a lot of damage but one strike to the head would be enough to daze you…”
Which blows my previous argument out of the water…still, I feel like there’s something important about this. I’ll have to remember it for later.
Phoenix then went over to where Maya was, next to a small bookshelf that contained many books and magazines. “Wow, these are all about fashion,” Maya commented. “I guess she really had a passion for it.”
“The fashion industry is pretty big, no matter where you go,” Phoenix added.
“Speaking of fashion…” Spitfire was looking in Maya’s direction. “I don’t want to sound rude but…you don’t exactly looked dressed like an assistant.”
“Oh, assistant is merely my secondary job,” Maya said. “I’m actually a spirit medium.”
Phoenix could see the surprise on the detective’s face but what surprised him was the hint of curiosity in her eyes. “Like…talking to dead people?”
“Channeling them actually, but in a way yes.”
“Right…well, you do you I guess.”
Phoenix could feel the awkwardness build up in the room so he chose to go outside onto the balcony. There was nothing that he could see that caught his eye but upon looking past the railing, he could see the faint outline of where the body had been found. Judging by how high up they were, there was no doubt the fall had definitely been the cause of death. Still, it bothered Phoenix that Wallflower’s prints would even be here if she wasn’t the one responsible.
“I guess that’s all we can do here,” Phoenix said. “Thanks for letting us look around, Detective.”
“No problem,” Spitfire replied. “Not sure how you’re gonna turn this one around, the evidence is as clear as day.”
“Don’t count Nick out just yet,” Maya smirked. “He has a reputation of turning all his cases around.”
“T-That’s not really something to brag about, Maya,” Phoenix laughed slightly. “Actually Detective, I just had one more question. Do you know who’s prosecuting the case?”
“Not really sure I’m supposed to be giving out that kind of information…” Spitfire said. She then smirked. “But I supposed since you’re not from around here I can guess it can’t hurt. Her name is Erlyn Spiel, and she’s one hell of a prosecutor. Has quite the undefeated record, though she doesn’t brag about it. Not gonna lie…though she gets the job done her methods can be a little…odd at times.”
“I see. Thank you for the info.” Phoenix and Maya said their goodbyes to the detective and made their way out of the apartment complex.
“So what now Nick?” Maya asked.
Phoenix reached into his pocket and pulled out the phone number he had written down. “I think it’s time we give this Sunset a call.”
