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*3rd Person’s POV*

October 15th district courthouse front 9:30 am

It was a busy day for the district courthouse, it was bustling with people waiting in line for the trial of the century. The head Prosecutor pushed through the crowd, they yelled for his autograph and pictures with him. He rolled his eyes, normally he adored his fans but he was never very fond of them when he was doing important work as a Prosecutor. He pushed his hair back and readjusted his sunglasses on his face and entered the Prosecution lobby.

Klavier Gavin was a young Prosecutor at the age of 17, he also happens to be a rising rockstar. Now he wouldn’t call himself a genius but his first song that was ever released went viral overnight and he and his band the Gavinners became very popular within a matter of days. Klavier always had a kind heart, he never cared about his win record even if this was his first trial he has ever Prosecuted. Normally he could handle the pressure no problem but it wasn’t the trial itself that made him pace back and forth, no he had all the evidence he needed to put the defendant behind bars. What made him beyond nervous was who happened to be the defendant’s Defense attorney.

Today Klavier would be facing off against the most fearsome Defense attorney in the country. He was the best of the best and he came off very intimidating. It didn’t scare Klavier in the slightest. Something did feel off to him though, the defendant in this case doesn’t seem like someone who would take another person’s life, what shocked him more was that the defendant was younger than him. Something didn’t add up properly and it bothered him.

It was almost time for the trial to begin and Klavier decided that it was best to stop pacing and worrying about his opponent and decided to review the case files. Not long after a bailiff came to warn him that he had 5 minutes until he had to appear in the courtroom. Klavier finished his preparations and exited the lobby.

District courthouse, Courtroom #4 10:00 am

The courtroom was the same as Klavier can remember, he remembered his brother taking him to different trials when he was younger. Warning him to not be like those heinous Prosecutors who used falsified evidence and fake testimonies to get their verdicts. Kristoph would hiss at them and even curse them for ruining the sacred courtroom with their disgusting ways. Ah the memories, Klavier shook out of his thoughts when they brought the defendant in.

He was small and he wore a red hoodie. He was hunched over a bit and he had a grim look on his face. According to the investigation report he was only 16 years of age. He didn’t look like he could kill anyone, much less the victim. Something was fishy about this trial and Klavier wanted to get to the bottom of it. The next person to enter the courtroom was the defendant’s attorney. It was complete silence and Klavier held his breath watching his piercing gaze. It was time to face the greatest Defense attorney in the west, his very own brother Kristoph Gavin. He adjusted his glasses on his own face and stared at Klavier with a smug grin that told him he was prepared.

The Judge entered the courtroom and sat down slamming his gavel, silencing the courtroom. “Order, Order, I have taken interest that we have a new prosecutor today. Would you care to introduce yourself young man? You strangely resemble the defense.” The Judge wiped his eyes to make sure he wasn’t imagining it. “That would be because he is my brother, my name is Klavier Gavin and it is indeed my first trial.” The Judge nodded at his introduction. “These trivial matters seem unimportant, shall we proceed?” Kristoph offered the court. “Very well then, before we begin I would like to address the defense as Mr. Gavin and the prosecution as Prosecutor Gavin.” With the approval of both brothers he proceeded.

“Very well then we shall proceed with the trial of the defendant : Apollo Justice.” He slammed his gavel to signify that the trial had commenced. “Prosecutor Gavin, your opening statement please.” Klavier walked in front of his bench. “Esteemed members of the court today I will provide you with the evidence and testimony to prove to you that the defendant Apollo Justice is guilty of murdering our victim at a 5 star breakfast and lunch diner.” The Judge nodded his head. “Mm I see, I do love to take my grandson to breakfast sometimes.” Kristoph cleared his throat. “Oh of course um- excuse me. Does the Defense have anything to add to Prosecutor Gavin’s opening statement?” Kristoph smiled innocently.

“My client did not murder anyone and I will prove it in any cross examination, that is all.” Klavier returned to his bench, something was totally off, Kristoph knew his brother had a mountain of evidence against the defendant and yet he was as calm as a feather. He was acting differently today, in fact this whole trial reeked of fishiness, but Klavier could do nothing but proceed with his role as a Prosecutor. He could do nothing, not until he could figure out what was bothering him about this trial. Was it because the defendant looked like he had already lost? Even though he had the best Defense attorney in the west defending him? No he didn’t look sad, he looked scared, but that didn’t start until Kristoph came into the room. All of these thoughts swirled in Klavier’s head as theories began to form with the information Klavier thought of, giving him a headache. He almost missed the Judge slam his gavel one last time. “Very well then, if the Prosecution would like to call their first witness.”

Klavier shook out of his thoughts and stared at his desk before clearing his throat. “Um yes, the Prosecution calls the head Detective of this case Tyrell Badd to the stand to testify.” The Judge nodded. “Please show him in.” He asked the bailiffs in the courtroom, and the small man quickly ran out of the room in search of the Detective. They returned and Detective Badd stood on the stand. “Witness, please tell us your name and occupation.” Klavier asked the Detective, staring at a mirror. “I’m Detective Tyrell Badd, as you heard I’m a Detective. I usally solve murder cases.” He put his mirror away and the Judge was nodding, again. “Haven’t I see you somewhere before?” The Judge seemed to be squinting at the Detective on the stand. “Your Honor this Detective is usually working cases with Prosecutor Faraday, which piques my interest, why are you working this case?” Kristoph asked him. “Faraday requested me on this case, I have no idea why.” Detective Badd’s answer was short and it was blunt. “That shouldn’t matter your testimony please.” Klavier requested as the rest of the court waited.

It was silent as the court and gallery watched the Detective pull out his mirror. “Um- Detective Badd sir, we are on a tight schedule so if you could please give the court the rundown of this case, sir?” The Judge looked like he was afraid to ask him anything. “Oh but of course.” Detective Badd sighed. “The victim is Drew Misham, the cause of death was blood loss from a gunshot wound to the forehead, his death was instant. The crime scene as the Prosecution has described is a small family diner, but what most people don’t know is that the owners allow some people to enter their basement. The basement is normally used for illegal dealings.” The people in the gallery started whispering and talking. The Judge slammed his gavel. “Order, order in this court. Detective Badd are you saying the victim and the defendant met in the basement and dealt in illegal dealings?”

The court waited in anticipation as Detective Badd nodded. “Considering it was the scene of the crime, that would be the conclusion most would draw from it.” The gallery began murmuring again.The Judge slammed his gavel a couple of times to silence them. “Very well then, Defense your cross examination.” Kristoph nodded. “Of course your honor.” Kristoph fixed his glasses. “Detective Badd, my client Mr. Justice had never met the victim, futhermore he is only 16 and could not possibly want to deal with anything ilegal so why must he feel the need to murder someone he’s never met?” Detective Badd pulled out his mirror and examined it like it was the most interesting thing in the whole world. “If it’s a motive you’re worried about we have our reasons for arresting Mr. Justice, the truth is he murdered someone and that is why we arrested him.” Kristoph looked lost in thought and for some reason what the head Detective said bothered Klavier. Apollo doesn’t look like the type to deal with the victim, Kristoph said he didn’t know him so what would murder do?

The courtroom waited for Kristoph’s next question, he couldn’t seem to think of one, therefore Klavier felt that it was the appropriate time to cut in. “Detective, I would like to hear your reason for the arrest in full detail.” Detective Badd let out a sigh. “Very well, listen closely because I will only say it once.” Kristoph crossed his arms and waited patiently. Klavier began to think again, why was this trial bothering him so much? It all felt too easy somehow, but that can’t be right. He was facing off against the best Defense attorney this country had to offer. He couldn’t be going easy on him? Could he? And why hadn’t the defendant tried to defend himself yet? Most try at some point.

He snapped out of his thoughts when the Detective started talking again. “The fact that there were police on the scene right away was pure coincidence, one of our Detectives had noticed the defendant suspiciously trying to flee the basement. He didn’t make it far when he collapsed in front of my Detective. We later discovered that it was due to the loss of blood. The defendant had been stabbed by something sharp-” ''Objection your honor.” Kristoph called. “Yes Mr. Gavin, what is it?” Kristoph smiled innocently and that bothered Klavier again. “If the defendant was stabbed doesn’t that make him a victim instead of the killer? If the only reason you have for arresting him was because he seemed to be acting suspiciously then I think you have it backwards Detective.” Kristoph’s tone sounded slightly threatening.

“You Defense attorneys are all the same.” Badd commented, Kristoph narrowed his eyes. “And how is that Detective?” Detective Badd reached for the lollipop in his mouth. “You always jump to the conclusion before hearing what we have to say. If you hadn’t objected, you would have realized that we had another reason for arresting Apollo Justice.” Klavier pulled his sunglasses down a bit to get a look at the situation at hand. “Detective, please tell us the other reason in making the arrest.” Klavier had asked while the man on the witness stand nodded. “The defendants prints were all over the murder weapon, they matched his left hand perfectly.” Klavier noticed a contradiction within his testimony but decided to keep quiet, after all it wasn’t his job.

What was intriguing was that the defendant made no attempt to defend himself, he kept quiet and listened as though he knew that he had lost. “Furthermore there was a small dagger at the scene that bears the victim’s prints, the blood matches that of the defendants.” Detective Badd finished talking and he looked annoyed. “Is that everything Detective? While that is all well my client still doesn’t have a motive for murder.” Kristoph kept his argument. “Who said he doesn’t? The victim dealt with forgeries, he made them. The defendant must have made a deal with him and something went wrong causing the victim to be Drew Misham.” Kristoph stayed quiet. “No further questions.” Kristoph said.

“If that is so then thank you for your time Detective, I know that you are very busy and you have another trial to give testimony in.” The Judge slammed his gavel and Detective Tyrell Badd left the stand. “Prosecutor Gavin, please call your final witness.” Klavier nodded. “I call to the stand the Detective Daryan Crescend who the defendant collapsed before to testify about the incident.” The Judge nodded. “Very well then, please show Detective Crescend to the stand.”

Daryan walked in and took his place on the witness stand. “Your name and occupation please.” Klavier asked the witness. “Is this really necessary? Come on man, you know me.” Daryan huffed. “Regardless if he knows you or not it is standard procedure so if you please, your name and occupation.” Kristoph didn’t seem all that impressed with the Detective on the witness stand. “Fine, whatever man. My name is Daryan Crescend, I’m a local Detective who likes to solve murder cases, I’m here today to testify.” He flicked his hands before running it through his long hair. “Thank you for your cooperation today Detective.” The Judge commented, Klavier had already thought that the Judge had no idea what was going on within the case. “Shall we proceed with the testimony? I would hate to waste time.” Kristoph tapped his bench and the Judge nodded. “Daryan , your testimony on what had happened with the defendant please, with the most details possible.” Klavier asked his band mate and friend.

“I guess if I have to. I was at the diner when the murder took place, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. That was until I saw the defendant acting suspicious on the way up from the basement. When he collapsed in front of me I panicked so I called Detective Badd and he arrived at the scene with back up immediately, we got everyone to leave the diner. And after everyone cleared out no one entered or left the building. When we found the body and the evidence we needed we placed the defendant under arrest.” He finished talking, everyone in the court was absolutely silent. The Judge blinked a few times. “Is that all?” He asked, Daryan nodded and the Judge seemed completely lost. “ Well then will the Defense please start their cross examination?”

This time Kristoph seemed determined enough, but Klavier thought for sure that the defendant would have tried to defend himself but so far he was very, very silent. “What were you doing in the diner? Weren’t you on duty working some case?” Kristoph asked the loud Detective on the stand. “I was on my break, I needed to eat and it happened to be in the area.” ‘Did detectives ever get any breaks?’ Klavier asked himself. “What were you doing at the time of the crime?” “Wha- Didn’t I just tell you?” “Objection, your honor, this line of questioning is getting us nowhere.” Klavier said, the Judge nodded in agreement. “Objection sustained, the Defence will change the question.”

“Very well then, are you sure it was the defendant who came out of the room?” Daryan nodded before running his hands through his long hair. “I’m positive it was him, after all the guy collapsed in front of me and never woke up so it couldn’t be anyone else.” Kristoph slammed his hand against the bench, it wasn’t loud but you could tell he was getting nowhere with his questions. “Are you absolutely positive that no one entered or left that room in between when you weren’t looking?” Daryan shook his head. “It’s impossible I was keeping watch the entire time until Detective Badd arrived.” Kristoph desperately searched his evidence for questions or answers. Klavier interrupted his desperation. “This is getting us nowhere. Detective please testify about the stabbing of the defendant.” Daryan once again nodded and Klavier stared at Kristoph analyzing his expression, it was emotionless.

The Detective cleared his throat. “The forensic team found the defendants blood in the room where the murder occured, so we can safely conclude that’s where he was stabbed. As for who stabbed him it can only be the victim, his prints were found all over the knife and he was the only person in the room with the defendant.” Klavier seemed to get a clearer picture of what was going on, he still found it odd that the defendant hadn’t said anything and it was abnormal the way Kristoph’s defense was going. ‘Who asks only one question during a cross examination?’ Klavier thought to himself. Well this entire testimony makes sense to me, are there any objections to what Detective Crescend has testified to?” The Judge asked, Kristoph shook his head and Klavier stayed quiet. ‘Good it seems like we are all on the same page.’ Just as Klavier thought that, there was an outburst that came from the back of the courtroom.

“I object to that!” Klavier’s eyes widened. Apollo had risen from his seat to object. “Mr. Justice, please sit back down!” The Judge slammed his gavel to settle down the gallery. “Don’t do this Justice.” Klavier heard someone say, he couldn’t pinpoint the voice but he heard someone lightly threaten the defendant. “I’m sorry but I can’t sit back and just let you guys get this wrong.” Apollo quietly said. “What exactly is it that you object to?” Klavier pushed on to get an answer. “It wasn’t the victim who stabbed me, it was a third person in the room.” Klavier’s eyes went wide, ‘If that were true, then it changes the case completely.’ Klavier thought.

“That’s preposterous, there is no evidence of this!” Kristoph complained. “Why are you complaining? Why don’t you trust your client more?” Klavier asked his brother skeptically. “I trust in evidence, something you never do Klavier. At the moment Mr. Justice’s comment does not have any evidence to support it, it’s a desperate attempt to save his own life.” Klavier's interest peaked at the choice of words his brother used , Why was he acting so weird? Just then E v e r y t h i n g clicked for Klavier. Why his brother had been holding back, why the defendant had been so quiet, Why Kristoph turned on his client, and why Kristoph was defending like he wanted to get a Guilty verdict. The answer was horrifying, it made Klavier shiver.

“I have heard quite enough, at this time I am prepared to hand down my verdict.” He could tell Apollo went paler, and he was sweating, Daryan moved off the stand and went to the back of the courtroom. Klavier was panicking, what could he do? This was wrong, Apollo didn’t kill anyone, but what could Klavier do? He was a Prosecutor, it wasn’t like he could defend Apollo could he? “At this time I will hand down my verdict for the defendant Apollo Justice.” Time slowed down for Klavier as he debated on what to do, he tuned out the Judge and looked across to his brother, he could see a psychotic smile on his brother’s face. It really was the truth, and there was only one thing he had to do. He knew what it was but he wasn’t sure if he could pull it off. He was no Defense attorney after all, but he knew that he couldn’t let someone innocent fall for someone else’s crime. “This court finds the defendant Apollo Justice Gui-” “OBJECTION.”

The cry came from Klavier’s side of the room, he shut his eyes tightly and pointed at no one in particular. The Judge’s gavel slipped from his hands and he tried catching it several times before he caught his breath. Klavier opened his eyes and took a look around the courtroom. Apollo had wide eyes, a look of hope was there, shining in them. Klavier knew right then and there that he made the right decision and he was going to protect Apollo no matter what. His gaze moved to his brother who held a deep scowl as he glared back at Klavier. “P-Prosecutor Gavin, what is the meaning of this outburst?” The Judge asked him, he seemed quite startled as was most people in the room . “The Prosecution.” Klavier started, he took a deep breath. “The Prosecution would like to request for a 30 minute recess.” Klavier removed his sunglasses and wore a very serious look as he stared at Apollo. “Wh-What for? You have already proven that the defendant was the one to murder Drew Misham.” Klavier slammed his hand on the wall behind him. “The Prosecution would in fact like to call a new witness but we need time to prepare this witness.”

“Who is this new witness?” The Judge was desperate to know why they needed a new witness. “This witness was a 3rd party who was in the room at the exact moment of the murder and has witnessed the whole crime.” “Why did you wait until now to call them?” Klavier could hear the irritation in Kristoph’s voice as he gripped his arm tighter. “They have refused to testify unless absolutely necessary, this seems like a necessary time.” Kristoph growled at his brother’s reply. “There is another reason for the recess.” Klavier thought it was worth mentioning. “What other reason could you possibly need this recess for?” Kristoph managed to growl out. “The Prosecution…...Wishes to drop all charges against the defendant Apollo Justice.” The gallery lost it. “YOU WISH TO WHAT?” The Judge yelled. Apollo felt his face get hot, was he blushing? ‘What is this odd feeling?’ The defendant thought to himself. ‘I don’t even know him and yet he’s willing to put not only his job but his life on the line just to save me.’ Apollo’s face grew even more red and he wore a small smile.

“I have been observing this rather odd trial and after all of this time I no longer believe he is the one who murdered Drew Misham.” The gallery was yelling , out of irritation Kristoph glanced at his client to catch the expression on his face. He was smiling even through the chaos Apollo could smile. This gave Kristoph a terrible idea and his scowl turned into a sly smile.The Judge contained the gallery and got them to quiet down. “Furthermore the Prosecution wishes to call the defendant to testify about what happened in the room to get a better bearing on this case.” Klavier stated, Apollo went completely pale. ‘Oh god I can’t testify, he won’t let me, not unless it was in his favor but it’s not.’ Apollo thought to himself.

In a panic he looked towards the Prosecutor who wanted to save him. Klavier gave him a smile to let him know it would be okay and slowly Apollo’s smile and blush returned to his face. “In addition I would like to call back the other two witnesses to reveal the contradictions and lies in their testimonies.” Kristoph’s glare only got nastier as he continued to glare at his brother. “But Prosecutor Gavin, there were no contradictions found in their testimonies during the cross examination.” The Judge explained. “Oh there were contradictions indeed. It seems that the Defense wished to hide it from the court. My, it does seem like he isn’t fit to be a defense attorney, doesn’t it?” The gallery once again erupted into loud shouts that not even the Judge could contain. Somehow, however he was able to mention that he would grant Klavier’s request and they were in recess, he had asked to speak to Kristoph during that time before he adjourned them.

District Courthouse, Defendant lobby #1 11:40 am

Detective Badd waited in the defendant lobby, he had finished his very vague testimony. He was on standby in case they wished to call him back to the stand. At the moment one of his star Detectives was on the witness stand, sure he was curious to how it was going in there, after all the Prosecutor in the trial room seemed on edge and lost in thought for most of the trial. Then there was the defendant, he was like no defendant Detective Badd had ever seen, and there have been quite a bit of them in his career as a detective. He had come to meet some weird ones and at this point he was just used to it.

He always admired how Calisto was able to defend her clients despite how weird they turned out to be. It got him thinking about how well Calisto, Byrne and him worked together in court despite them all being rivals in some ways. His phone rang ruining the nice atmosphere the memory created, irritated the Detective, fished his phone out of his pocket and looked at the caller ID. His eyebrows furrowed and he scrunched his face in confusion. ‘Why is Faraday calling me, isn’t he in the middle of a trial?’ He wondered.

Without a second thought he picked up the phone. “Hello?” He asked confused, the man on the other side of the line sighed, happy that the Detective picked up the phone. “Hey, it’s me.” He answered. “I know, aren’t you in a trial?” Badd asked, confused. “We are just about to begin, actually can you do me a favor? I know you are in the middle of a trial of your own.” Faraday seemed a lot more on edge than his usual laid back personality. “I just finished, is everything alright? What do you need me to do.” The Detective started to get a move on from where he was previously, he entered the hallway.

“Everything is fine here, I need you to go pick up Kay, and whatever you do keep her away from the courthouse! If you must come back here then don’t come near courtroom 7 defendant lobby number 2. Whatever you do, please, it’s for your own good.” Faraday warned. “That’s oddly specific? But if you really need me to, I can pick her up. I don’t have a choice though I have to come back here.” Faraday sighed, there was muffled chatter on the other side of the line that the Detective couldn’t make out. “Is someone in the room with you?” The Detective questioned. The person in the room with Faraday asked if he was done with the conversation. “I just need more time!” Faraday shouted. “Sorry, please just listen to me.” Faraday tried to reason. “Okay that’s it, I’m coming to get you.” Detective Badd decided. “No!” Before Detective Badd could push on Faraday interrupted him forcefully. “Just pick up Kay for me and tell her I love her.”

It was quiet on his end until Faraday decided to speak up. “I care about you, you know that?” Detective Badd huffed. “Of course I know that! Faraday what is going-” Faraday hung up the call before the Detective could finish his sentence. “On…..” Detective Badd hated not knowing the facts and being left in the dark. He sighed as he passed the courtroom he heard a rather loud objection, and the next thing he knew was the gallery was in chaos. He pulled his jacket over his shoulders and exited the building to pick up his colleague's daughter.

District Courthouse, Prosecution’s lobby 12:00 pm

Klavier paced back and forth as he waited for the phone’s line to connect to the other line. There was a long ring before the call connected. “Hello?” The shy voice on the other end asked. “Vera!” he cried. “Klavier? Please don’t tell me you’re calling because you want me to testify?” Klavier sighed. “How do you know me so well?” Vera giggled. “We’ve been friends for a long time, remember?” Klavier sighed. “Unfortunately that’s true.” “Hey! Why are you complaining, if it weren’t for our friendship you might not have solved those other cases!” Vera huffed on the other line. “It wasn’t the important ones, besides I never got to take them to court. Remember today is my first day?” He could hear Vera sigh.

“Right, back to the topic at hand, I’m not testifying, you know the reason why.” Vera sounded slightly on edge when mentioning that she wouldn’t be testifying. “I know, I know that you are afraid since the killer threatened you by killing your father as a warning. But the defendant didn’t kill anyone and unless you testify to what you saw in that room he is going to jail for a crime he didn’t commit! I don’t want to lose the truth forever. Don’t you see? Without your testimony he is doomed and I won’t be able to prove his innocence.” There was a moment of silence while Vera pondered his words. “Why do you want to defend him anyway? You aren’t a defense attorney so is it even possible?” She questioned. “I want to save him, you know I value the truth more than anything.” Klavier was pleading that she would agree to help Apollo out of this mess.

“I don’t know Klavier , you know the killer is after me. If I testify against that monster then it will be like planning my own funeral.” She was still so insistent, but Klavier needed her to testify so he pushed on. “Please? For me?” Vera sighed. “Do you even know who the killer is?” Klavier nodded even though he knew she couldn’t see him. “Yes, I know who I’m up against and I know who’s threatening you.”Klavier sounded more confident than he felt. “Then you know how dangerous he is. It would be almost impossible to put him behind bars.” Klavier still fought in hopes to have her agree.

“No, if you testify it won’t be!” Vera sighed for the last time. “Klavier if you know who did it you must feel heartbroken, he was important to you wasn’t he? If you so badly want the truth to come to life you are going to have to accuse him. Are you really ready for that?” She asked him. “I am, I can’t just let a murderer walk free while someone is left to sit and rot in jail because I couldn’t accuse him, I would never forgive myself if that were to happen.” He slammed his hand into the wall. “Then if you are that prepared and that desperate for the truth to come out I’ll testify.” Klavier was shocked that she agreed. “Really?!” He asked. “Yes but only because you kept whining like a baby.” He rolled his eyes.

“How fast can you get here?” It was silent again and Klavier awaited her answer. “I don’t know it’s pretty far, I’ll go as fast as I can but I don’t think I’ll make it there before the recess ends.” Klavier thought for a moment. “It’s okay I can stall, just get here as fast as you can.” “I will, and Klavier?” He hummed. “Thanks for convincing me.” He could hear the smile in her phrase. “Of course, I’ll see you soon.” “Yeah see you soon.” They both said their goodbyes and ended the call.

“15 minutes until the trial resumes, Prosecutor Gavin.” The man standing at the door informed. Klavier thanked him, soon another man entered the Prosecution’s lobby with what seemed to be a message for the young Prosecutor. “Prosecutor Gavin the defendant is here to see you, shall I send him in?” Klavier’s eyes widened, he had been waiting, waiting for the moment he could speak to the defendant properly without any interruptions. “Yes please, see him in.” The bailiff nodded and briefly left to go find the defendant who was just outside. The door opened and in walked the defendant, the bailiff held the door open. He glanced around the room and took note of the situation. “I’ll give you two a minute. Klavier gave him a small nod to signify that he was grateful. The door closed and the two were left alone.

The room was silent, Apollo refused to look up from his feet, and Klavier was beyond surprised at the silence in the room. He thought that Apollo would be happy to have the chance to defend himself, by the look he had on his face Klavier wondered if he did something wrong to make Apollo have such a terrified face. Before he could say something, Apollo beat him to it. “Please.” His voice was barely a whisper. “Please, you can’t put me on the witness stand!” He said louder, there were tears that pricked the corners of his eyes. “Please, it’s to keep everyone safe.” Apollo was back to whispering and was shaking an abnormal amount, the young Prosecutor was speechless, he was almost positive that Apollo wanted a chance to prove his innocence.

‘Was I wrong?’ Klavier thought to himself, he shook his head. “It’s going to be okay, you're just nervous. It’s natural since it’s going to be your very first time on the witness stand.” He tried to reassure him. “No! No, no, no, you don’t get it, if I go up there then he will surely-” Apollo cut himself off. The tears that were in the corner of his eyes previously began to spill down his pale cheeks. His knees gave out under him, just before he hit the ground Klavier caught him. Apollo gripped onto the Prosecutor’s jacket, silently crying. Somehow it wasn’t as bad as Apollo thought it would be, he felt oddly calmer in Klavier’s arms . “Please, please don’t put me on the witness stand. You don’t need to protect me, after all I’m just a filthy murderer who killed Drew Misham.”

Klavier held onto him tighter. “No, I refused to believe that, the killer is someone in that courtroom and it’s not you.” Apollo managed to wiggle out of Klavier’s tight grip. “No! You’re wrong it was me! I was the one to-” Apollo covered his ears, and blocked out all of the conversation and anything else that went against what he believed. ‘He’s so positive that he’s the killer, but I know he didn’t do anything.’ Klavier thought to himself.

“Please, please whatever you do don’t do it.” Apollo tried to convince him again. “All you have to do is tell the truth about what happened in the room on that day.” Apollo shook his head. The doors opened interrupting both of them. “I don’t mean to interrupt anything.” A bailiff spoke. “But the trial will resume in about 10 minutes.” Once he left his warning he closed the door leaving them alone again. Apollo breathing grew fast, and he began shaking. “Herr Justice?” Klavier asked, concerned. “Please you don’t understand, his anger would ruin everyone and your court win record, it would be-.”Apollo kept muttering to himself. “I don’t care about my win record, I just want the truth. And the truth is you didn’t kill anyone.” The bailiff poked his head in to warn them and Apollo freaked out. It didn’t take long for him to pass out due to the stress of the trial. Lucky Klavier caught him again before he could hit the floor. He moved the sleeping defendant to the only comfortable place in the lobby, the one lone couch. Klavier stood up thinking to himself.

‘Why is he so insistent on not testifying? Could someone be threatening him? It’s very likely that the killer is.’ He kept a close eye on the boy he wanted to protect so much. Apollo seemed distressed, something was obviously wrong, a nightmare maybe? “No please, anything but that.” Apollo mumbled in his sleep, Klavier turned around to face him, he was startled. “Please, I promise I’ll convince him.” Apollo started talking again. Klavier could feel himself getting angry, just what the hell happened at the beginning of the recess?

20 minutes earlier, Defendant lobby #1

Kristoph slammed the door to the defendant lobby closed, Apollo flinched at the loud noise it made. “How could this happen?” He growled, parts of Kristoph’s hair came out of its natural twist. Apollo was used to seeing his boss angry, it was usually at him for messing something up or not doing what he asked. He tried his best but nothing could beat Kristoph’s wrath. Apollo was used to it but it was nothing like today’s. “This is all your fault!” He yelled, Apollo flinched again. “You ungrateful brat, all you had to do was keep your mouth shut and you couldn’t even do that.”

He wanted to argue back but he thought it would be best to just shut up and listen to Kristoph’s anger rather than make the situation worse. “How could you do this to me ? After all I’ve done for you too, I took you in when no one else would and this is how you repay me?” Kristoph approached the young defendant in the hoodie and lifted his hand, Apollo braced for the impact and pain it would bring. Kristoph brought his hand down hard, it connected with Apollo’s face making a loud slap sound. “I should kill you for all the trouble you've caused me boy.” He spat at him after delivering his slap. Apollo raised a hand to the red mark on his cheek. “Now because of you I have to deal with my brother’s suspicion and the damage that will cause. He will most certainly put you on the witness stand, how will I deal with this?”

Apollo stopped paying attention to his mentor and thought about a certain Prosecutor. ‘Can he really save me?’ He thought to himself, he shook his head without alerting his boss. ‘No it doesn’t matter if he can or not, it’s enough that he wants to save me. I can’t believe he wants to fight for a nobody like me.’ “ I’ve got it!” Kristoph snapped his fingers. “Err- Got what?” Apollo hesitantly asked. “The next time we call for a recess and there will be one, I will request to speak to my brother. When I see him I could just kill him! And no one will find his body. Then we’ll have a change in prosecutor’s and you’ll get the guilty verdict you deserve.” Apollo turned a ghostly white. “No! You can’t do that!” He yelled back. Kristoph turned around amused. “Oh? Why can’t I?” He asked him with the smuggest grin on his face. “Because he- Because I- '' Apollo could seem to finish his sentence.

“Because he’s willing to defend you? Because you believe he cares about you?” Apollo stayed quiet, Kristoph pushed on with a smile never leaving his face. “Could it really be that Apollo Justice has a crush? That’s right, I saw the way you looked at him the minute he announced he was changing his case. It’s laughable really if you believe that he actually feels the same way as you.” Apollo backed up a bit, Kristoph was getting way too close. “Since he is my brother and given the fact that you’ve taken……...Interest in him I’ll propose to you a deal.” Apollo gulped as he watched his boss push up his glasses and gave him the all to friendly-fake smile. Apollo had seen this smile too often to mistake it. “If you convince my stubborn brother to not put you on the witness stand then I’ll let him live, however, fail to convince him and I’ll kill him.”

Kristoph had proposed his deadly deal, Apollo began to shake. “B-B-But that would be almost impossible h-h-how is that fair.” He managed to squeak out, Kristoph pondered his protege’s opinion. “You’re right, it’s almost too easy and it would be no fun. How about this: If you can’t convince him then you take the stand, however instead of telling them that there was a third person in the room you are going to lie, you tell them who really killed Drew Misham.” Kristoph placed his hand on Apollo’s shoulder, the defendant gulped. “And if I don’t?” He whispered, the Defence attorney let out a chuckle. “Well considering this is a better deal for you the steaks will be much higher. If you don’t do this, I will go after everyone my brother loves and take away everything he has ever cherished in his life, and then? Then I’ll kill him. So how about it? Do we have a deal or not?”

Apollo didn’t want to answer, it was like making a deal with the devil. He gulped nervously as his boss waited impatiently. “Your time is up, it’s no longer a choice, your options are: Convince my brother to let you stay silent and never take the stand OR take the stand and lie. If you lie you are risking everything, including his trust in you. However if you fail both of these tasks I think you would know what would happen to my brother.” He said, his tone was low but very threatening. “After all I would surely hate for you to stumble on his dead bod-” “OKAY I GET IT.” Apollo shouted, his chords of steel helping him project his voice. He couldn’t let him finish that sentence. “Mr. Gavin, the Judge is ready to see you now.” One of the bailiff’s told them, Kristoph stopped leaning in close to Apollo and stood up straight. “Of course, I will speak to him immediately.” The both of them left Apollo alone with his thoughts. Not long after another bailiff entered the lobby. “Defendant, the Prosecution has requested to speak with you regarding your testimony.” He nervously nodded and followed the bailiff out of the room.

District Courthouse, Prosecution’s lobby (Present time)

Klavier could tell that Apollo wasn’t having a very good dream, he sighed, promising himself that he would wake him up before it got any worse. He walked over to him nudging the defendant awake. “No please anything but that!” Apollo shot up, yelling. Apollo took a look around the room before taking a deep breath to calm himself down. “W-What happened?” He asked, shakily. “You had a nightmare, are you alright?” Apollo nodded at Klavier’s question, pushing the Prosecutor's hand away. “I know it won’t matter what I say but please, you have to believe me! Please don’t put me on the witness stand.” Apollo begged again. “I finally understand now.” Klavier paused in the middle of his sentence. “You’re being threatened aren’t you?” Klavier pointed at him, Apollo’s eyes went wide with shock.

“Then you get it, you finally understand why I can’t take the witness stand! So then you won’t make me testify, right?” Klavier shook his head, laughing slightly. “I’m afraid that your testimony is vital to finding the truth.” Apollo sighed. “Erm- excuse me?” They both turned their heads to look at whoever interrupted them. “Yes, what is it?” Klavier asked, he glared at the bailiff. “The uh- the trial will resume in 2 minutes.”

Klavier nodded and the bailiff left them alone. “Please, you have to understand that it’s the only way to keep you safe, all you have to do is deny me the right to testify.” Apollo tried to convince him again, Klavier sighed. “How can you be worried about me? I don’t understand, but what I do know is that you have a kind heart.” Klavier got down on one knee taking Apollo’s hand in his. “I know the killer is forcing you to confess to a crime you didn’t commit so I promise you here and now that I will free you from not only this crime but from the killer too.” Apollo was speechless. “So please, I need you to testify, even if you have to lie on the witness stand I will do everything in my power to save you.” Apollo could feel his tears prick the corners of his eyes.

“Are you sure? I would have to lie to your face. Wouldn’t you lose all trust in me?” Klavier squeezed his hand. “I will never, I will believe in you until the bitter end.” Apollo, for the first time in a while, genuinely smiled as the tears streamed down his face. “I will save you!” Klavier said determined. To seal his promise Klavier did something Apollo did not expect. He sealed their promise with a kiss to Apollo’s hand. “We should- I should be- uh getting b-b-back to the courtroom.” Klavier’s smile grew as he caught sight of Apollo’s very red cheeks. ‘Heh cute.’ he thought to himself. “ Hey Prosecutor Gavin? I’m sorry I can’t tell you about the threat. If I did then you’d be-.” Klavier smiled. “I’m glad you’re worried about me, but you shouldn't be. Although it is nice to know that you aren’t in danger, I would much rather be in danger than you, I feel relieved to know that the killer is targeting me and not you.” Apollo’s face went even redder, if that were even possible. “Y-Yeah alright.” Apollo left the Prosecution’s lobby. A bailiff poked his head in. “Prosecutor Gavin, it’s time.” Klavier nodded and followed him back to the courtroom.

District Courthouse, Courtroom #4 12:30 pm

The courtroom was louder than Klavier expected, and yet? He seemed oddly calmer than earlier. He took a deep breath and focused his gaze on someone he cared about more than he’d like to admit. Staring at the nervous defendant awaiting to take the witness stand made him more confident, his gaze shifted to his brother who was strangely calm for the previous scowl he had on his face. “Court is back in session for the trial of Apollo Justice. Before we continue I would like the Prosecution to make a formal accusation against who they believe is the real culprit responsible for the death of Drew Misham.” The Judge announced slamming his gavel. “Of course, it saddens me that I have to say this but the killer’s identity will be revealed in time.” The Judge nodded. “I see, very well then, you may call your first witness.” He slammed his gavel again and Klavier took another deep breath.

“The Prosecution would like to call the defendant: Apollo Justice, to testify about the incident.” The Judge’s eyes went wide. “You wish to call the….. Defendant?” Klavier nodded and watched as his brother narrowed his eyes towards him. “Very well then, defendant please take the witness stand.” Apollo stood up slowly and quietly made his way to the stand, he looked at Klavier and his eyes were pleading for help. Klavier nodded towards him , it was supposed to be comforting in a way, it seemed to work as Apollo appeared to be less nervous. “Defendant, your testimony please.” The Judge requested. Apollo took one more deep breath before he spoke. “Before that your honor, could I clear something up for the court?” The Judge nodded. “I suppose if you must then please clear the air surrounding this case.” Apollo nodded his head, a sign that meant he was grateful. “The Prosecution is wrong.” Was the first thing Apollo chose to say. “Prosecutor Gavin is wrong? About what young man?” The Judge asked Apollo. “That day, the day of the murder, there was no third person in the room. It was just me and the victim, I was the one responsible for taking Drew Misham’s life, that’s all I wish to clear up.” The courtroom and mostly everyone was shocked at the new confession from the defendant on the stand.

The whispering continued until the Judge cut it off with his gavel. “Is this true Mr. Justice?” Apollo went to answer the question but was cut off. “Objection!” Everyone’s head turned towards Klavier who made the objection. “Yes, what is it Prosecutor Gavin?” The Judge asked with curiosity. “The defendant is wrong, there were in fact two other people in the room.” The courtroom erupted in chatter and comments. “Two others! Are you sure?!?” Klavier nodded and gave Apollo a warm smile to let him know it was all going according to his plan. “We, the Prosecution, have a witness who in fact witnessed what went down in the basement that very day.” The courtroom erupted into even more chatter.

“Is that really true Prosecutor Gavin? Where is this witness you speak of? We must have them testify right away!” Klavier stood there nervously, what was he going to tell them? He looked across to see his brother smiling at him. “Well that is-” “Objection your honor, if the Prosecution cannot produce this witness then it’s as if they don’t exist, therefore they are rather irrelevant. Please do not be fooled by my brother, he is trying to persuade you, your honor.” The Judge nodded. “I must say you raise a very good point defence, thank you for clearing that misunderstanding.” The Judge nodded gratefully towards Kristoph. “It’s true! I was the one who picked up the gun and shot from the left side.” Apollo tried to convince them. “Objection! That’s impossible, I’m not sure if you remember Detective Badd’s testimony but Drew Misham was shot in the forehead not the left temple.” Klavier said confidently.

“Unfortunately while that is a contradiction you still cannot produce this mysterious witness you speak of.” Kristoph said, he faked his sad tone. “It’s as Mr. Gavin says , there was no one else in that room besides me and the victim, and even if there were a witness she didn’t kill anyone!” Klavier’s eyes went wide, and his smile grew. ‘Caught you.’ He thought to himself, meanwhile Kristoph’s frown deepened. “You absolute fool.” He whispered under his breath.

“Objection!” Klavier interrupted the gallery’s chatter. “So even though you claim that there was no witness on the day, somehow you know the gender of this non-existent witness?” Kristoph held back his anger, Apollo started to shake. “It’s okay, you don’t have to lie to us anymore Mr. Justice.” Klavier tried to reassure him. “No - I-I can’t, you said the witness was a girl, I know you did! It was just me and the victim that day!” Klavier sighed at Apollo’s stubbornness. “I’m sorry then.” He whispered before he suddenly appeared in front of the Prosecution’s bench.

“I would like to bring to the court’s attention that I never mentioned that our witness is female. With that said, our witness is indeed a girl so I would like to ask just how the defendant knows this information if it were indeed just him and the victim in that room that day?” Klavier was a few steps away from the witness stand, he caught something that no one else would unless you were as close as he was. “Please, don’t make me do this.” The defendant barely whispered, it was almost impossible to catch. Klavier gave him his heartwarming smile, and suddenly Apollo felt a lot braver.

“Fine, It’s true there was a witness with me in the basement that day, the victim had brought his daughter but there was no fourth person in the room because I was the one to kill the victim.” The defendant shouted with his loud voice. “If that is true, why on earth would you conceal the existence of the witness?” The Judge asked him. “I didn’t want you to think she was the one to kill anyone, she’s innocent, I'm the only criminal here!” The Judge stroked his long beard as he listened to the defendant’s reasoning.

“Objection! I’m terribly sorry Mr. Justice, I hate to break your little acting session but you too are innocent. There was in fact a fourth person in the room!” “Objection your honor.” The Judge looked at Kristoph who had been rather silent for quite some time. “Y-Yes? What is it Mr. Gavin.” Kristoph smiled. “We’ve been over this Klavier, you have no supporting evidence to even suggest that your so-called real killer exists?” Klavier matched his brother’s smile. “Why Kristoph, if I didn’t know better I’d say you are fighting against an acquittal for your client?” He watched as his brother's glare grew more threatening towards him. “Watch it Klavier.” He growled.

“What if I told you the Prosecution had the evidence they needed to prove our claim?” The murmurs and whispers began again. “Order! Order in this court!” People started to calm down and the Judge sighed. “Prosecutor Gavin, I don’t think I need to tell you this but if you have any evidence, now would be the time to present it, we don’t have all day.” Klavier nodded, heading back towards his bench. “The Prosecution wishes to submit this as evidence.” The judge blinked, he squinted his eyes at what Klavier held in his hand. “Err- What is that?” He asked him, Klavier nodded. “It’s a poker card, specifically the Queen of spades and I think you would be quite interested to know where I found it.” Klavier scanned the room again, he was quite pleased with himself. Afterall he was able to find such case breaking evidence he knew his brother would overlook. He stopped celebrating when he caught sight of Apollo’s face, Apollo was trembling and he had covered his ears with his hands. His eyes held that of pure fear. “Um Prosecutor Gavin? Before you proceed, I have a question for you. Is that tomato juice stained to the card?”

Klavier laughed at the Judge’s obliviousness. “Why your honor, surely you recognize it? After all, you've seen it many times throughout this trial.” He seemed to catch onto what Klavier was getting at. “You don’t mean to say that this is blood do you?” He nodded in acknowledgement. “It is your honor.” Before the Judge could ask his next question there was a slam that could be heard, everyone’s head turned to the Defense’s corner. “Would you care to tell me how you have this little brother?” Kristoph had his sweet but threatening smile plastered on his face. “Do you really have to ask me where it came from? The basement of course, where the crime took place. I’m honestly surprised you missed it brother .” Kristoph had a disgusted look in his eyes, it was as if his name was spat on.

“ But Prosecutor Gavin, I still don’t see how this could prove that there was a fourth person in the room?” Klavier let out a hearty laugh. “It was simply by process of elimination.” “Could you elaborate for us?”The Judge asked, Klavier simply nodded. “You see, the card : Queen of spades is part of a deck and since we found this card at the scene covered in blood we know the owner of this deck was there on that day. It can’t belong to the defendant or the victim’s daughter since they are both too young to be allowed to own one. It’s not the victims since we checked and he has no gambling history, he’s a forger and we spoke to his daughter who told us that they own no decks of poker cards.” Everyone stared in awe at Klavier’s deduction skills. “Therefore you believe it belongs to the fourth party that was in the room, correct?” Kristoph tried to hold in his laugh. “What exactly is so funny? Would you care to share with the rest of us Mr. Gavin?” The Judge asked.

“Well as you are aware, we have 2 rules to follow when it comes to evidence. It can only be submitted if they pass these rules, that is if it really is real evidence.” Kristoph smirked, and Klavier smiled back confidently, rising to his brother’s challenge. “Why Kristoph, you aren’t suggesting that this is forged are you?” Kristoph tilted his head giving the court a sweet smile. “You can never be sure.” Klavier smiled and slammed his hand on the wall behind him. “Well I have the right to submit it, after all it does follow your two rules. For starters I had this tested to see who the blood on the card belonged to, so it was approved by the police. As for the second rule, I find it quite necessary to the trial at the moment but it’s all up to Herr Judge in the end.”

Both brothers looked at the Judge. “Well, what do you think, your honor?” The Judge closed his own eyes and started nodding. “Hmm, yes indeed, hmm let’s see.” He opened his eyes and faced both of them. “Err- I’m terribly sorry what were we talking about again.” The gallery as well as Kristoph groaned, Klavier stayed patient. “We were talking about the Queen of spades and whether this can be qualified as proper evidence.” Klavier showed the card again. “I will determine whether or not it's necessary when Prosecutor Gavin announces just whose blood was found on the card.”

Klavier nodded. “Very well your honor.” They all waited in anticipation as Klavier cleared his throat. “The forensic team determined that it was the defendant Apollo Justice’s blood found on the card.” People started whispering again but it was still easy to contain. The defendant uncovered his ears after being strangely silent for quite some time. “It’s okay, you can tell the truth now.” Klavier reassured Apollo who was still shaking on the witness stand. “H-How do you have that card, it belongs to K-K-K.” He couldn’t even finish his sentence based on the sheer panic coursing through his body. Klavier could sense his panic.

“Your honor, the Prosecution requests to keep the killer’s name hidden until we reveal who we believe committed this murder. We must request this because the defendant is in a situation with our Killer.” The Judge nodded in acknowledgement once again. Everyone was ready to move on until someone stopped them. “Wait! Please, give me a second chance. I promise to tell you the whole truth this time.” Apollo begged. “What do you think you’re doing Justice? Keep your mouth shut.” Apollo flinched at Kristoph’s harsh words, he took a big breath. “No! Not this time, the truth has to come out, so please!” He begged again. Kristoph shook his head. “It seems the defendant has finally lost it. Let’s call it quits and end this foolishness.”

The Judge looked conflicted. “Why not hear him out? It won’t kill anyone, besides it’s better to inspect everything to make sure we haven’t made any mistakes.” It seemed to have convinced the Judge enough and he happily slammed his gavel. “The court will hear the testimony of Apollo Justice, but be warned it will be your final testimony.” Apollo nodded. “Thank you!”

He gave him a grateful smile before taking a deep breath. “The killer was the one to ask for the meeting, he had specifically requested that I attend just in case anything went……..Wrong. When we arrived the victim was already waiting for us in the basement, his daughter was also there with him. Drew Misham explained to us that he thought it was a dangerous thing to plan and therefore he didn’t want to go through with the forgery. The killer got mad, but he was still calm enough, it was here where he showed us the Queen of spades, in his wrath the next thing he did was pull out a sharp enough weapon and he stabbed me in shoulder, I collapsed on the verge of blacking out due to the blood loss when I heard him threaten Vera, after that….. I woke up and he was gone, Drew Misham was dead and Vera was nowhere to be found. I thought it was only logical to try and leave but when I got back up the stairs I blacked out again in front of a Detective.” The gallery began whispering.

“And that same man is threatening both you and Drew Misham’s daughter today, correct?” Apollo nodded to confirm the facts. “Does the Prosecution or the Defense have any further questions for this witness?” The defendant was shaking, he knew the consequences that would come with telling the truth. Klavier sighed. “No further questions from the Prosecution.” Kristoph grumbled but answered the same. “Very well then that will be all we need from you, young man.” He slammed his gavel and Apollo shakily moved away from the stand.

“Prosecutor Gavin, if you could please call your next witness?” Klavier was about to interject and tell the Judge that there was a slight problem when they were both interrupted by a third party. “Um excuse me, knock knock?” Everyone’s eyes were on the man who had just entered the courtroom, he was an older man and he seemed like a cheerful person.

“Why is that you, Police Chief Damon Gant?” Now this was an occasion, to have the Chief of Police visit this courtroom surely was special. “Hey Udgey, how ya been? Swim a lot these days?” The Judge let out a laugh that made him sound strangely like Santa. “Well no, I’ve just been so busy.” The man named Damon Gant let out a hearty laugh. “I see, I see then I suppose we will have to go sometime.” He offered. “We most certainly will.” Kristoph cleared his throat. “I don’t mean to interrupt but what brings you to our courtroom today sir?” He asked, Damon Gant nodded. “Well I was on my lunch break and I had a thought, ‘Why not help Udgey out?’ So today I’m here to offer some generous help.”

Gant stepped aside and a smaller man in a police uniform walked up. “This is one of my best officers, he will be running around collecting any information you need. That way your bailiffs can concentrate on keeping the defendant in check and dragging the killer to prison when the trial is over.” He smiled brightly. “Why, thank you sir, that’s awfully generous of you.” Kristoph put up his fake smile and Damon Gant checked his watch. “Thank you, well I would love to stay longer but lunch is almost over. Got to get back to work, those papers won’t sign themselves. Who knows I might even get to swim when the day is over. Take care Udgey!” He waved goodbye to them and left his best officer in the courtroom to head back to work.

“What a strange man.” Klavier remarked, Kristoph scoffed. “For once we agree on something.” The Judge was lost. “Now er- where were we?” He asked sheepishly. “I was about to call my next witness your honor.” The Judge nodded. “Before we continue, what is your name?” He asked the officer in the room. “My name is Mike Meekins sir!” Officer Meekins responded proudly. “Thank you for being here today Officer Meekins. Will the Prosecution please explain to the court why you haven’t called the next witness?” Kristoph seemed amused as he waited for his brother to answer.

“The thing is your honor, the Prosecution wishes to call back Detective Badd as well as Detective Crescend back to the stand, to testify once again.” The Judge nodded, understanding what the Prosecution wanted. “Office Meekins if you could please find Detective Badd and bring him back to the stand, as well as notify Detective Crescend that he will be testifying again?” Klavier asked, Meekins saluted. “Sir yes sir! I will bring Detective Badd here sir and notify Detective Crescend right away sir.” He quickly scurried out of the room in search of both Detectives. “What are you playing at brother?” Kristoph asked, he was impatient. “The killer’s identity will only become clear once I uncover the lies in both of their statements.

The doors bursted open and in walked officer Meekins again, Daryan was beside him but Detective Badd was nowhere to be seen. “Sir, I’m afraid Detective Badd wasn’t in any of the lobbies. I won’t stop looking for him, in the meantime though I thought it would be better for Detective Crescend to testify again.” Klavier nodded. “That will work, thank you for your hard work Officer.” Once Klavier was done speaking Meekins saluted and left once again to go and find Detective Badd. “This is stupid man, I already testified what more do you want?” Daryan grumbled. “All I need is for you to repeat your testimony word for word, there is some important information I want to address.” Klavier asked his best friend, Daryan sighed and scratched the back of his head. “Whatever man.” Klavier smiled, he was ready and confident he could take this testimony down.

Daryan ran a hand through his long hair. “It’s like I told you man, everything was normal until I saw the defendant trying to suspiciously exit the diner. He didn’t make it far of course, after all he did collapse in front of me.” He said proudly. “What did you do then?” The Judge asked, even though we already heard it, it was important to recall absolutely everything.

“Well then I calmly requested that everyone leave, eventually I was able to usher all of them out, it was then when I called for backup, I contacted Detective Badd and between the time I waited and he arrived no one unnecessary entered the diner. Of course the defendant was passed out during all of this. He woke up and we found the evidence necessary for his arrest. That’s pretty much it.” Both the Judge and Kristoph thanked him for his time. “Are there any questions for this witness, Prosecutor Gavin?” Klavier nodded. “Indeed, I do have questions for this witness.” The Judge nodded. “Very well then, let the question period for this witness begin.”

He slammed his gavel and Klavier took in a breath. “Witness, you're a very observant and talented Detective.” Daryan looked confused but took the compliment anyway. “Thank you?” Daryan ran a hand through his very long hair mumbling to himself, Klavier just decided to ask his questions. “Then tell me, this diner, did it happen to have a bell to alert the employees if a customer were to come in?” Kristoph narrowed his eyes. “That’s oddly specific, but now that you mention it, it did! It had a cute little silver bell with an even more adorable chime-” “Detective… Please get on with it.” Kristoph requested, Daryan cleared his throat. “Right, sorry. To answer the Prosecution’s question, it did have a bell.” Klavier nodded. “What was the point of that question?” Kristoph asked, irritated. “That will reveal itself in due time, after all evidence doesn’t lie.” Klavier smirked at his brother’s reaction.

“Next question, in your statement you have revealed that no one unnecessary entered the diner, what exactly did you mean by unnecessary? Was there someone else in there with you while you waited for Detective Badd?” Klavier looked over to his brother, Kristoph’s face was emotionless and hard to read. “Well that’s kind of hard to answer, you see there was someone else that was with me, but he was supposed to be there. It wasn’t too unnatural to see him at the scene of the crime after all he is a defense attorney.” Klavier cocked an eyebrow. “Oh? The Prosecution requests that this witness mention this defense attorney’s name.” The Judge nodded.

“Request accepted, Detective Crescend, please tell us the name of this attorney.” Daryan nervously nodded. “The defense attorney’s name is : Kristoph Gavin, But it wasn’t unnatural, he told me that he was called about the incident and that he was allowed to be let in.” Klavier smiled, ‘So that’s how he got in.’ He thought to himself.

Klavier cleared the courtroom’s suspicious murmurs with his voice. “Detective Crescend, at what time did Mr. Gavin show up?” Daryan looked kind of lost, maybe a little nervous. Klavier looked towards Apollo, his face begged him not to go through with whatever he was about to say. “See, that's kind of tough to answer because…….. Well he never made his presence known when he showed up, he kind of blended in with the crowd.” Klavier slammed his desk. “That’s impossible! You told us that you had escorted everyone out of the diner; it should have been empty!” Daryan awkwardly laughed.

“Yeah, I did say that, didn't I?” Kristoph scoffed. “This is getting ridiculous.” The Judge shook his head. “I disagree Mr. Gavin, let’s hear what else the Prosecution has to say.” Kristoph could only scoff again. “Daryan be honest with me, did Kristoph come through the front door?” Daryan nodded. “I’m sure he did, but I was lost in thought so I just didn’t hear him.” Klavier shook his head. “That too is impossible, you said it yourself, the diner has a bell. You even went on to describe it’s jingle you liked so much. If you really liked it so much I doubt you would have missed it.”

“Well then what are you trying to imply, Prosecutor Gavin?” The Judge asked him. Klavier took a deep breath. “The Prosecution would like to answer our own question as well as finally making a formal accusation.” The Judge nodded, everyone waited for answers. Apollo looked terrified and Daryan just looked guilty. “It is the Prosecution’s belief that Defense Attorney Kristoph Gavin came from the scene of crime: The basement , after having murdered the victim Drew Misham!” Klavier shouted, while pointing his finger at his own Brother.

*BANG*

Everyone gasped, and Klavier flinched at the loud sound resembling a gunshot. Kristoph was doubled over on his bench. He was…...Laughing? “Was that a gunshot?” The Judge asked, holding onto his gavel for dear life. “Who cares about that! My dimwit, dumbass of a brother is accusing ME of all people of murder! Don’t involve yourself in something that doesn’t need you!” Kristoph practically screamed. “It isn’t that far-fetched, in fact it’s the only solution that makes sense.” Kristoph couldn’t contain his laughter. “Where’s your evidence! It’s what’s most important in this room.” Klavier slammed his hand against the wall behind him.

“Are you listening to yourself? The defendant clearly stated in his testimony that he was joined by someone on that day and that they only brought him in case something went wrong! You were obviously planning to set him up for this murder the entire time!” The argument went back and forth, Kristoph demanded to see evidence and Klavier did his best to hold his ground and defend Apollo. Meanwhile Apollo was covering his ears and shaking in his shoes. “Your honor, I demand a recess right this instant!” Kristoph yelled. The Judge wasn’t even listening to him, instead he was trying to calm the gallery which was out of control.

The doors opened and in walked someone no one expected, somehow she calmed the gallery down when everyone looked at her. She was tall and she wore pink with a dark blue scarf wrapped around her neck. She had jet black hair in a pony-tail with a key that went through it, she was crying. She pushed Daryan off the witness stand and took it herself. Everyone who had been previously whispering and fighting shut up and looked at her. Apollo had managed to stop shaking and uncovered his ears.

“Please, you have to help him!” She begged, the tears would not stop flowing from her eyes. “Please, you can’t just leave him to die like that.” She slammed her gloved hands onto the stand in front of her. “What is this child doing in the courtroom? Bailiffs remove her at once.” Kristoph growled, the bailiff stood frozen, they awaited the Judge’s instructions. When the Judge said absolutely nothing they began to move towards removing the young girl. The Judge held his hand out to stop their movements, both of the boys in blue stopped. “What are you doing you fools!” Kristoph yelled again. “I say we let the young woman explain herself.” Klavier suggested. “I am in agreement with the Prosecution, we shall hear what the young woman has to say.”

She sniffled and tried to form sentences but it didn’t seem to work. All she could muster up the courage to say was: “Please” and “You have to help him” Or “He’s going to die if you don’t” She continued to say the same things over and over again, Kristoph seemed unamused. Finally an older man stumbled into the courtroom, he was panting and was out of breath from chasing the girl around. He had finally caught up to her and he put a hand on her shoulder. “Your honor, I am terribly sorry for the interruptions my daughter has caused in your courtroom today, not long ago there was an incident.” He didn’t say anything else and it finally clicked as to who stood in their courtroom. “Why is that you Prosecutor Faraday?” Faraday nodded, he attempted to comfort his daughter again. “This is my daughter Kay Faraday, I’m so sorry for the trouble she’s caused with her grief.” The Judge nodded. “She does seem awfully upset.” He remarked, Klavier sighed.

“What is this incident you mentioned? Does it have anything to do with that gunshot we heard not that long ago?” Prosecutor Faraday sighed. “It does actually, it was fired by defense attorney Calisto Yew.” People started murmuring and before Faraday could continue on Officer Meekins returned. Faraday managed to pry his teenage daughter Kay off of the witness stand as she continued to cry, she begged them to help him, although nobody knew what she was talking about.

He took the stand, he looked pretty nervous if you asked Apollo. “I’m back with information sir. I’m afraid that Detective Badd won’t be able to testify.” Klavier sighed, he expected this would happen. “Why won’t he testify? Did something happen?” The Judge was as oblivious as ever. “It’s um- because he was taken sir.” The whispering from the gallery only grew louder. “Taken? Was he kidnapped?” Officer Meekins fidgeted with the handcuffs on his uniform. “Um Not exactly sir, you see he was kind of-” “NOT SO FAST”

The shout came from behind Mike Meekins, the officer was shoved out of the way and a fancier looking guy walked up to the stand. He took his weird looking sunglasses off. “What the pipsqueak is trying to say is that Detective Badd was the one who was shot by that gunshot not long ago.” He wore a cocky smile as he finished the police officer’s weak sentence. “Just who are you, I’m not sure I care for your attitude, young man.” The Judge warned, the man whose hair resembled that of a wolf’s, smiled. “I’m agent Lang, it’s a pleasure to meet……...most of you.” He said glaring at Kristoph. “Did you say Detective Badd was shot?!?” The Judge said, shocked. The self proclaimed agent named Lang nodded. “That’s right!” He yelled, pointing to no one in particular.

The gallery went nuts, the courtroom felt cramped to Klavier, Prosecutor Faraday and his daughter Kay who was still crying were standing in the back of the courtroom, Mike Meekins stood near the Prosecution’s bench, Lang was on the stand and Daryan was sitting on the floor. “Well is he alright?” The Judge asked, alarmed, he was ignored by Lang and the noise continued. Klavier sighed at the noise, by some miracle the Judge got everyone to calm down. “I will now grant the defense’s request from earlier, we are now in our final 30 minute recess. When we adjourn I would like the Prosecution to call their final witness and end this once and for all to determine whether it was the defendant Apollo Justice who murdered Drew Misham or if it was defense attorney Kristoph Gavin. And we can only pray that Detective Badd is alright. Mr. Gavin, I would wish to speak to you during the recess, very well court is now Adjourned!” He slammed his gavel and we were once again in recess, everyone filed out of the courtroom.

District Courthouse, Prosecution lobby 1:32 pm

Klavier paced back and forth, Vera had to arrive within the next 28 minutes or his case would go down the drain. To make matters worse, Apollo was stuck in a defendant lobby with his murderous brother for the next half hour and Klavier could already see that outcome. He turned to one of the bailiffs in the lobby. “Could you please bring the defendant here, there’s something I’d like to ask him.” The officer at the door chuckled coldly. “I’m afraid I can’t do that, after all it’s quite …. Unnecessary.” The officer seemed to be testing Klavier’s patients and it was working. “What do you mean unnecessary? It’s quite important.” The bailiff shook his head.

“The defendant won’t be testifying again so I’m afraid you have nothing to discuss with him.” Klavier was getting more irritated the more his offer was declined. “How dare you sir! Do you know who you're speaking with? He could cut your salary in a second. You lowlife bailiff’s aren’t even high enough for the chief of police to even care about you!” Someone shouted, the man moved the bailiff out of the way and Klavier discovered that it was Mike Meekins who had scolded the bailiff. “I will get you the defendant right away sir!” He saluted and ran out of the room. “I need to make sure that man gets the raise he deserves.” He sighed, a giggle could be heard in the room. Klavier whipped around to see a girl sitting on a couch in the corner of the room.

“Vera! You’re here, I didn’t think you would make it in time.” Vera smiled brightly at her longtime friend. “Neither did I, but I made it.” She could tell that Klavier was on edge. “Hey, what’s the matter?” The Prosecutor sighed and stared at the door in a long gaze. “You’re worried about him, aren’t you? You care about him more than you’d like to admit huh?” He could feel his face heat up, he tore his eyes away from the door. “That doesn’t matter, the only thing that does is your testimony, and to be honest I’m worried that Kristoph will have the Judge on his side for this.” Vera slapped his arm. “So what if he does? We have the evidence don’t we? We can do this……. can’t we?” She seemed unsure. “I don’t know! If Kristoph demands to see evidence after your testimony then I have nothing!” Vera sighed. “Let’s not worry about it right now.”

The door opened and Officer Meekins was back, he glared at the bailiffs. Officer Meekins moved out of the way and there stood the defendant behind him. “Is that him?” Vera whispered, Klavier didn’t answer. He could tell something was wrong, Apollo didn’t look up and he only looked at his feet, he didn’t budge and stood where he was. Klavier moved up to him, took his hand and moved further into the room. When they stopped Klavier noticed it, he finally could see what was wrong, he was closer after all. You wouldn’t realize that the defendant had a bloody nose from far away. “Who did this to you?” He asked quietly. “No, don't answer that, it’s quite obvious who did it.”

Apollo flinched and Vera covered her mouth with her hand, she was shocked. The tears that had welled up in the corner of Apollo’s eyes were set free as they ran down his cheeks. “I’ll kill him.” Klavier whispered, Apollo clinged onto his arm. “You can’t! Look I don’t care what happens to me, but because of me everyone you care about will be…….” Apollo choked on the rest of his sentence. “How can you be concerned for everyone else right now?” Apollo finally looked up but chose not to say anything. “If we fail this trial then you will…. You will be put away for something you didn't do!” Apollo’s smile was sad. “I never expected to get this far anyway, I never even thought anyone would care.”

The doors opened and Mike Meekins walked in. “Um 5 minutes until the trial resumes, Prosecutor Gavin.” Klavier nodded and the doors closed again, his anger didn’t leave as he grumbled out “I have to make a call.” Vera moved next to Apollo. “Why can’t you see that you’re in danger too? If your mentor is going after everything Klavier ever cared about then you are someone on that list.” Apollo sighed and wiped his eyes. “Well I guess I’m used to it, he isn’t the easiest person to impress. But I don’t care what happens to me, he’s more important. Besides, aren’t you on that list too? You guys have been friends for, I don’t know how long.” Vera laughed a little.

“Yeah but I was already on Kristoph’s kill list when he threatened me by killing my father.” Apollo seemed surprised by her statement. “You don’t think I killed him?” He asked her, and she shook her head. “No, Klavier and I believe in you.” They could overhear bits and pieces of Klavier's phone conversation. “No, yeah he’s been more helpful than you know sir. Yes, that's exactly why he deserves a raise. Please understand the hard work he has done here today sir. Uh-huh, Uh-huh, yes that’s right. Thank you, have a great day sir, you too. Goodbye.” He hung up his phone and walked back to both of them. “Who was that?” Vera raised her eyebrow. “It was Police Chief Gant, it isn’t a concern, our main concern is…”

The door opened and Officer Meekins looked worried. “Game time Prosecutor Gavin.” “That should be our concern.” They all stood up. “You ready?” Vera asked. “Not sure.” Vera slapped him upside the head. “Wrong answer.” She said, they both knew she was trying to lighten the mood and it seemed to have worked. “Thanks for everything, Prosecutor Gavin, even if it doesn’t work out.” Klavier hummed. “Yeah that’s not going to work, you can call me Klavier, much easier then my last name.” Apollo cheeks became a dusty pink. “Are you sure?” Klavier nodded, Vera smirked and she could tell that there was something between them.

“Before we leave.” Klavier started. “I want you to take this.” Klavier set something in Apollo’s hand. Apollo stared at it in shock. “One of your rings? But why?” Apollo asked, Klavier smiled and put it on Apollo’s ring finger. “If you get nervous or you are trying to decide on something you can fidget with it and I will know.” Klavier explained. “It’s supposed to keep you safe, I guess.” Klavier scratched the back of his head and blushed. “Thank you! Really, this means a lot to me!” Apollo thanked him. Both of them got up and Vera gave them a thumbs up. “Good luck!” She waved. “Thanks, Officer Meekins will come and get you when it’s time.” Vera put her hand down and nodded, she watched as they left and she sat back down on the couch her nerves coming back.

District Courthouse, Courtroom # 4 2:00 pm

There was small chatter when Klavier walked back into the courtroom, he took his spot. He took a look around the courtroom to see his brother a lot calmer than he should be. “Very well then, I believe it’s time to settle this once and for all.” The Judge declared. “Will the Prosecution call their final witness to the stand?” Klavier nodded. “The Prosecution has been ready for quite some time, and we are well prepared to summon our final witness. The Prosecution calls someone who was at the very scene of the crime when the murder took place.” Gasps could be heard throughout the gallery. “You wouldn’t dare.” Kristoph growled. “Oh, I think I would.” Klavier was ready to take his brother down, but he wasn’t sure if he was mentally prepared. “The Prosecution calls the Victim’s daughter Vera Misham to testify.” The Judge nodded. “Very well bring her in.” Klavier nodded and watched as his brother's scowl deepened.

Vera was brought to the stand, she didn’t seem nervous at all, in fact she seemed more determined to prove Apollo’s innocence than anything. “I’m required to ask for your name and occupation.” Klavier announced as Vera seemed ready. "Yes, of course my name is Vera Misham as for my occupation….Well that’s a little complicated.” The Judge nodded. “I see, if you don’t mind me asking young lady, what do you mean by complicated?” Vera started to look a little worried. “If I may, my occupation will become more clear once I testify to the reason I was there.” The Judge nodded. “If that is the only way to move on then I will allow it.”

“As you know, we went to the basement to meet with our client, we had arranged a meeting beforehand and that’s how we organized the meeting time and place. My father claims that he is the forger but the truth is I’m the one who makes the forgeries.” The Gallery began whispering. “Is that true?” The Judge asked, he had wide eyes. “It is true your honor, the Prosecution has already looked into this matter.” The Judge nodded in understanding. “Very well, please continue.” Vera nodded.

“My father wanted me to meet the client, but what I didn’t realize was that my father was going to call off the deal. We arrived and the man was there with the defendant. This man was indeed Kristoph Gavin, and when my father told him the deal was off Kristoph lost his temper. Not only did he kill my father, he stabbed the defendant… his own protege.” At this point Vera was on the verge of crying. “My goodness that sounds awful my dear.” The Judge was shaking his head, he was trying his best to comfort her. “Do you want to know what the worst part was?” The Judge was surprised to say the least, to say that something even worse happened, well he wasn’t really sure he wanted to hear about it. “There’s more? If there is, please tell the court what else happened.” He requested, Vera nodded.

“The moment the defendant was stabbed, he- he didn’t even seem surprised. It was as if it had happened before or often.” The Gallery gasped. “Are you suggesting that the defendant has been exposed to abuse Ms. Misham?” Klavier asked her, Vera nodded, she tried to get her tears to leave her eyes. “Well if that is the truth then the defense would know the most about it. After all, he is his mentor, so he would know enough about his home life.” The Judge stated, Kristoph let out a small laugh. “Is something funny brother?” Klavier glared at him, Kristoph waved his hand at him. “Forgive me, but Justice has told me nothing about his life at home. So I couldn’t tell you what is going on with his home life.” Kristoph wore a cocky smirk, but Klavier wasn’t about to go down without a fight oh no, he was just as confident.

“Objection, I’m afraid you are contradicting yourself Kristoph, I’ve looked into this and the defendant has no home life. He makes enough money to afford to live on his own. The only person who has access to him is…. Well that would be you wouldn't it?” A scowl found its way back onto Kristoph's face. “I’m afraid we do not have the proper evidence for this Prosecutor Gavin.” Kristoph scoffed. “Nor does he have the evidence to prove I was in that very basement the day of the crime. If he does, I would like to request that he presents it now.” The Judge agreed and Klavier slammed his fists onto his bench, he put his head against it, in an attempt to think. He racked his brain for anything, any piece of evidence, ANYTHING at all. But nothing came to mind. “The Prosecution has…..nothing to present at this time.”

People started shouting horrible things towards Klavier as he stared at his bench in frustration, he couldn’t save Apollo afterall. He shouldn’t have made such big promises and did as he was supposed to. But he was so convinced that Apollo was innocent that he willed himself to get him a not guilty verdict, or was it something else? He never forced himself to save him so why did he do it? He didn’t even know him, why did he feel so strongly about this? The Gallery continued to shout and the Judge was unable to control it, Klavier closed his eyes and let his thoughts run wild.

He was sure his brother was the real killer who took Drew Misham life, but he had no evidence to prove he was there, Kristoph had planned the perfect murder by pinning the entire crime on Apollo Justice. “Damnit!” Klavier shouted, it was barely audible due to the noise the Gallery was making. The Judge was trying his very best to quiet them down but nothing was working. ‘If I can’t even find the truth, then should I even be a Prosecutor?’ He thought to himself, he shook his head. ‘No I can’t think like that, it isn’t over until the verdict is announced, there has to be some evidence somewhere.’ The Judge finally had calmed the crowd down.

“If that is all, then I suppose we can head to a verdict.” The Judge spotted a hand. “Well I suppose I can answer this final question before we head to the final stage of this trial. What is it, Miss Vera Misham?” Vera lowered her hand and took a deep breath. “Before we head to the verdict, I would like to submit conclusive evidence that will prove that Kristoph Gavin was indeed at the scene of crime that day.” Vera said very calmly, Klavier raised his head from his bench with his eyes going wide, Kristoph slammed his hands against his desk.

“That’s- That’s impossible, how could you-?” Klavier slammed his fist against the wall behind him. “I have a request your honor.” Everyone quieted down. “Yes, what is it, Prosecutor Gavin?” He asked him. “As Miss Misham presents her evidence, I would like to request that her and the accused switch places. I would like him to take the stand as long as he is under suspicion.” The Judge nodded. “I agree with you, very well the request is granted.”

Vera moved off the witness stand and reached into her jacket pocket, she pulled out a small device. She placed it on the evidence table and stood by it waiting for Kristoph to take the witness stand. “Um Miss Misham, what exactly is this doohickey?” The Judge asked her, he was staring at it, narrowing his eyes to see it better. “This device lets me record sounds, I used it on that day too.” Vera explained. “This is absolutely ridiculous!” Kristoph yelled. “Now, now Mr. Gavin, let’s listen to it, we can never be too sure.” Klavier nodded gratefully. “Thank you for understanding, your honor.” Vera pressed play and moved back behind the defense’s bench. The recording whirred before it started, the first voice to speak was the victim Drew Misham.

“The deal’s off.” He said, it echoed throughout the courtroom and Vera closed her eyes as everyone waited patiently for the next line. “What do you mean it’s off, we had a deal! Don’t you want millions of dollars to be able to support her? Your beautiful daughter Vera?” The new voice was recognised as Kristoph’s. “Let her go Mr. Gavin.” You could recognise Apollo’s voice very clearly. The next thing heard was a slap and a growl. “Keep your mouth shut Justice. Now answer the question! Don’t you want to support her?” He said more forcefully. “Normally, I would agree to make any forgeries for money but what you want to do is too dangerous and I want no part of it!” Drew answered back. “Mr. Gavin, maybe he’s right, we should just forget about it.” Apollo tried to reason. The next thing heard was a weird noise and Vera screaming, the tape continued after the scream came a thud. “No! It’s the only way to take him down. We must do this, I'll double your payment!” Kristoph asked. “If I had known this was to take down one of your colleagues from the law I would have never agreed to this, the deal is still off no matter how much more money you will add to our deal.” Drew answered. “YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND PHOENIX WRIGHT IS A LIAR. I NEED HIM DISPOSED OF.” Kristoph shouted. “I will not involve my family in taking down your rival for the best defense attorney in this country.” Drew spoke more sternly. “Then I guess you leave me no choice.” The gunshot was heard and the last thing that was on the tape recorder was Vera screaming again.

The tape stopped, Vera went to collect it while everyone else was dead quiet. “Well I’ll say this is quite conclusive evidence indeed.” The Judge managed to stumble out. Kristoph laughed, and his laugh was heard throughout the courtroom, it was uncontrollable. “Do you really believe this desperate lying little witch?” He asked everyone. “I have no reason to believe any of your statements, Defence attorney Gavin.” The Judge responded. “Did you forget her testimony already? She’s a forger, it’s her specialty. Why do we have any reason to believe that this is real evidence when she could have forged this conversation? The truth is this was never recorded on the day of the crime.”

The Judge let out a long sigh. “You can’t seriously believe him, your honor, the only desperate one here is the accused on the stand!” Klavier tried to counter. “I’m afraid that the defense raises some valid points. The only way we can confirm this as conclusive evidence is if you have a second opinion from someone in the room at the time of the crime.” He answered. “I’m afraid you won’t be finding the opinion anywhere, afterall, Drew Misham is dead, I certainly will not consent to this and well the defendant well he doesn’t seem to have anything to say.” Kristoph answered smugly from the stand. Vera clenched her fist tightly and stared at Apollo. Apollo kept his mouth shut, not saying anything, but Klavier caught all he needed, he saw the defendant fidgeting with the ring on his finger, he twirled it around and around. Klavier smiled.

“Now can we end this idiocy?” Kristoph asked again, the Judge sighed again. “I suppose, yes it’s time for the verdict.” “O-Objection!” Someone shouted, Klavier crossed his arms and smiled, he stared at Vera whose eyes were quite wide with shock. The defendant stood from his seat, finger pointed at his mentor and boss. “ Was there something you’d like to add Mr. Justice?” The Judge asked him. “Y-Yes, I wanted to add that…..I’ll be the second opinion. That recording is true, it’s exactly the conversation of that day.” Apollo had left his seat and took a spot in front of the defense's bench, he looked confident when he held out his hand in front of Vera.

“Can I see that tape recorder for a second?” Vera nodded and handed it to him. Apollo rewinded to after he had objected for the second time, he played the tape where Vera screamed for the first time and he stopped it again. “This is when I was stabbed, please your honor, it's the truth.” Apollo placed the tape recorder back onto the defenses bench in front of Vera.

“Well this does prove to be conclusive evidence after all.” The Judge slammed his gavel. “You jest, surely you can’t believe the words of these kids, do you, your honor?” Kristoph asked, his sweet fake smile plastered onto his face. “Give it up Kristoph you’ve lost!” Klavier shouted. “I …...Lost?” Kristoph repeated his brother’s words. “Heh…. hahahaha. So…. This is my justice is it? My justice ha ha.” He began laughing uncontrollably. “Justice…. Heh Justice…….. JUSTICE.” Kristoph yelled, Apollo flinched with the angry usage of his last name.

Kristoph slammed the witness podium for the first time. “This is all your fault! If you had kept your stupid mouth shut then maybe I could have been the new god of law!” He stepped off the podium and made his way to where Apollo was standing. Apollo hadn’t moved since he had confessed about the second opinion, Kristoph stopped a few feet away from his protege. He raised his hand and brought it down hard, Apollo took the slap. He was surprised that he didn’t feel anything. ‘Am I that used to it that I feel nothing anymore?’ Apollo questioned himself. “You, you’re worthless. You can’t do anything, don’t think just because you’re free that you will ever be able to save anyone.” Kristoph spat his words out as he watched Apollo’s cheek turn red from the spot he slapped him from.

The Gallery as well as everyone else in the courtroom were frozen. The bailiffs couldn’t move and the Judge as well as Klavier were speechless. “All you had to do was keep your mouth shut, but since you couldn’t even hold up your end of the bargain so I guess I’ll have to hold up mine.” He threatened. “No! Please, you have to leave him alone, I was the one who messed up, not him!” Apollo attempted to reason, Kristoph chuckled at his attempt. “Well maybe I would have, but you had to go and break, if it wasn’t for your testimony we wouldn’t be in this situation now would we? If only you were stronger and could have taken it you could have received the guilty verdict you deserved and I would leave the person you care about most alone, but here we are.”

Kristoph threw more insults at him, each one affecting Apollo more than the last. “Kristoph, that's enough! You have no one to blame but yourself!” Klavier managed to find his words. Kristoph turned away from the defendant and faced his brother. “ You think you're a clever Prosecutor now that you’ve found your so-called truth. You’ve always overworked yourself to please everyone in truth you never do please anyone. You’re laughable really, you’re so in need of recognition that it’s almost like you’re a dog begging its master for a treat.” Klavier didn’t look him in the eye.

“You never took your job seriously, you always thought it was a joke. You will find that you can’t save everyone, little brother.” Kristoph turned back to Apollo. “As for you, you think my brother cares for you? You are trapped under a dreadful illusion, because he doesn’t. He doesn’t give 2 shits about you, all he sees is a suffering kid and he wants to play knight and save him to be noble.” Klavier slammed his bench. “That isn’t true! Don’t listen to him!” Kristoph turned to his brother. “Isn’t it though? You don’t care about him, you just want to be noble. It helps your reputation, your my brother and a Gavin, trust me I know you better than you know yourself.”

Kristoph lifted Apollo’s chin with his fingers. Apollo’s eyes were emotionless, almost like a void. “You may have saved him from me, but you will never be able to change him. After all he’s my puppet, a perfect tool for me to use.” Apollo’s eyes never changed and they were still as emotionless as ever, it was almost as if he was tuned out on commande. “Why, why would he ever listen to anything you tell him?” Klavier shouted at his brother. “Well to be quite honest he’s very noble, so it’s quite easy to manipulate him. After all, our most recent deal involved you. It seems he cares more about you than he would let on.” Klavier looked shocked and upset.

“No, that- that can’t be, he wouldn’t sacrifice his freedom for me that would be ridiculous!” Klavier yelled, the Judge shook his head. “You truly are a heinous man Mr. Gavin.” He spoke. “You’re lying, Apollo wouldn’t take the fall, not for someone like me!” Klavier tried to protest, Kristoph pushed up his glasses. “Wanna test that theory?” Klavier didn’t get to say anything else before Kristoph was prepared to test that very theory. “Justice, you will convince the Judge that this accusation is nonsense and that your second opinion was a lie or the deal we have on my brother will be MUCH worse than before.” Apollo’s eyes refocused and the emotion that returned to them was utter fear. “Okay! I’ll do it, just please don’t hurt him, he doesn’t deserve that!” He was shaking and there were tears streaming down his face. “And there you have it.” Kristoph smirked.

“That’s enough! How could you?” Klavier moved away from the Prosecution’s bench and stood in front of his brother. He was a few feet away from him when Kristoph raised his hand again. Apollo flinched before it even hit his face and he closed his eyes. The slap echoed through the courtroom. ‘I guess I really am used to them, I didn’t even feel anything this time.’ Apollo thought to himself as he opened his eyes. He caught the sight of a purple jacket in front of him. “P-Prosecutor Gavin?” He stuttered out.

Klavier had taken his brother’s slap instead of Apollo. “You are even more worthless than my protege, you can never take anything seriously and you always have to find the so-called truth. It makes me sick to call you my brother.” Kristoph spat, Klavier chuckled. “You know, you’re the worthless one. You had to stoop so low as to murder someone just to get what you want, so enjoy your time locked away from the world brother.” Klavier said “Prosecutor Gavin, are you alright?” The Judge asked him, Klavier wrapped a protective arm around Apollo’s waist pulling him closer to him. “I’m fine, please take the accused away, we’re done here.” No matter how flustered the Judge or the bailiff’s were they escorted Kristoph out of the courtroom.

Klavier watched as his brother left, he kept his arm around Apollo’s waist as they kept their semi hug. “Very well, I am prepared to hand down my verdict.” Klavier returned to the Prosecution’s bench, Vera remained in her spot on the defense’s side and Apollo took the witness stand. “This court hereby finds the defendant Apollo Justice……” Apollo shut his eyes and held his hands tightly together, slightly fidgeting with the ring Klavier gave him. Klavier had tilted his head up to the sky, his hair covering his glassy eyes. He knew that his brother was the killer this whole time but he just felt so empty. It was as if his brother had punched him right in the gut. “Not Guilty! This court is adjourned!” There was confetti and cheers before the judge slammed his gavel. Klavier witnessed the first ever real genuine smile on Apollo’s face, and for once he looked really happy.

The cheers continued and Klavier frowned, he realized that none of this would have happened if he had just arrived earlier. No, even if he did arrive early nothing would have changed, Drew Misham would still be dead and Apollo’s trial would have happened. People started congratulating Apollo and someone started an interview with him. Klavier took that as a time to leave, he exited the courtroom to leave them to discuss. “You should be proud of yourself! You faced your abusive mentor and won ! You are free, how do you feel Mr. Justice?” A reporter asked him, they shoved their microphone in his face and he did his best to answer. Vera who stood beside him, squeezed his shoulder in reassurance. She had been next to him ever since the trial had ended. “Well I’m glad I don’t have to work with him or see him again but it doesn’t feel like a total victory, does that make sense?” He asked, the reporter nodded, taking her microphone back.

“How do you feel now that you faced and bested him all on your own?” Apollo frowned. “But I wasn’t alone, Vera’s testimony was the one to bring suspicion to Kristoph, and I would have never been able to do this without Prosecutor Ga…...vin.” Apollo’s sentence came to a stuttering stop when he realized that Klavier was no longer in the courtroom with them, he frowned. He wanted to thank him for all he’s done for him today, and maybe tell him how he felt.

The reporters blinked waiting for him to continue, when he didn’t she threw another question at him that completely threw him off of his tracks. “So how close are you with Vera? Are you two in love?” Apollo was speechless, all he could do was fidget with the ring on his ring finger, the one that Klavier had given him. “It’s nothing like that! And besides, Apollo has his eyes on someone else.” Vera told them, she nudged Apollo a few times and watched as he turned red.

Daryan Crescend, Klavier’s best friend, stood in the back of the courtroom. He had been leaning on a wall ever since the second recess had ended, he scrunched his eyebrows in confusion. He had watched as his best friend left the courtroom in a hurry earlier, but he stayed to watch this ridiculous interview. The two continued to ward off the press but honestly? He couldn’t care less. He exited the courtroom, hoping to find his best friend.

District Courthouse, Hallway 3:30 pm

Daryan spotted his best friend heading through a less common exit . “Gavin!” He shouted, Klavier turned around just as he was about to head out a side door. “Daryan? What is it? I'm kind of late.” Klavier waited for his friend to catch his breath. “Late? For what? You just pulled off your first trial, you should be celebrating!” Klavier shook his head. “No, I have a plane to catch.” Daryan looked confused. “A plane? Where are you going?” He asked. “I’m going to Germany, I booked my ticket during the second recess, when I wasn’t sure if I was going to catch my brother.”

Klavier turned back to the door, before he could leave Daryan stopped him again. “Well when will you be back? I mean you are coming back right?” Klavier sighed and shook his head. “I’m afraid that I can’t, everywhere I go I see his face, Daryan, this whole incident is my fault! If only I had noticed my brother’s horrible plan and came here sooner.” He sighed and Daryan just had to laugh. “What’s so funny? Nothing about this situation should be funny!” Klavier almost yelled at his best friend.

“You’re right, I shouldn’t be laughing. But do you hear yourself? How can any of this be your fault? And besides , have you thought about Apollo Justice yet?” Klavier stiffened. “What about him?” Daryan seemed to grow very serious, something he didn’t do very often . “Are you serious right now? You know your brother threatened him. You know he told him to lie on the witness stand or there would be consequences! You really think going away will protect him?” Daryan yelled. “Yes ! Yes I do, my brother wants to hurt me, so as long as I’m not here he won’t go after him.” Klavier tried to leave again but Daryan stood in front of him now.

“You have got to stop doing this to yourself man!” Klavier tried to go around him but Daryan wouldn’t let him. “Doing what?” Daryan pushed him back. “Stop running away from your feelings! I know you like him, and I hate to say it but packing up everything and leaving without saying anything?” Klavier finally pushed him out of the way. “What would you know about feelings?” Daryan made a noise of frustration. “I’m trying to protect you!” But Klavier ignored him and pushed the door open.

Daryan couldn’t go after him, his phone rang and he picked it up, looking at it in disgust. “What do you want?” He snarled, the voice on the other end scoffed. “Is that anyway to talk to your boss?” Daryan rolled his eyes. “I want you to follow the two cops who took Kristoph Gavin.” His grip tightened around his phone. “And do what? Hijack his ride?” The voice on the other end only laughed. “Precisely.” Daryan turned away from the door. “Why are you so interested in him anyway?” His boss scoffed again. “That’s not something you need to know, just get the job done Crescend.” Daryan growled. “If this involves Klavier or Apollo Justice getting hurt in any way I swear, I’m going to-” “Do what? You aren’t threatening Detective, I could have you lose your job in mere seconds, now get it done.” She hung up on him and he glared down at his phone.

Unknown to both Klavier Gavin and Daryan Crescend, there was someone eavesdropping on their fight, as well as Daryan’s phone conversation. Daryan left the room and the girl in the bright blue top hat came out from her hiding spot behind the couch. “I must warn them, Immediately.” She took off in search of Apollo Justice.

District Courthouse, Courtroom #4 3:40 pm

“Thank you, really but I don’t think I would-” Apollo tried to escape the newest interview that was sprung on him. But no matter what he tried he couldn’t escape. “Excuse me, but I would like to have a word with Mr. Justice.” A new voice had asked, the press were in awe, and they quickly nodded as this new person dragged Apollo to a different room. “I’m really sorry but I don’t think I can answer anymore questions, I really must be going. There is someone I really need to thank.” Apollo tried to make an excuse. “Of course, but before you leave, I thought I’d offer you a new job seeing as your old one has um- vanished?”

Apollo finally turned around and his eyes widened, for who stood before him was the legendary Phoenix Wright. “But-But you're THE Phoenix Wright!” Phoenix smiled at him. “The one and only.” He replied. “How do you know that I’m out of a job? Unless you were watching the trial? Please tell me you weren’t.” Phoenix laughed at Apollo’s eagerness. “I was, so how about you come visit the WWA (Wright’s anything agency) And I could teach you how to be a real defense attorney. That is what you want…...right?” Apollo nodded rapidly. “Yes! That would be incredible! To learn from THE Phoenix Wright.” Phoenix smiled.

“Great! I should advise you, we have another young lawyer, her name is Athena and I think you two would get along very well. Wait, didn’t you say you had someone you had to talk to?” Apollo shook his head. “No, I don’t think he wants to see me, can we just- I don’t know, talk about something else?” Phoenix nodded.

As Apollo got to know his idol better a young girl ran up to them. “Uncle Phoenix, it’s terrible!” Apollo noted her bright blue top hat and her strange outfit. “What is it Truce?” He asked her concerned, and she did her best to hold back her tears. “It’s that prince! The one I told you about during the trial, he-he’s moving away! And his plane leaves in a few hours!” She yelled. “Prince? What is she talking about? And who is she?” Apollo asked, Phoenix sighed. “This is Trucy Gramarye, she is the daughter of my friend Zak Gramarye, I’m just watching over her for today. As for this prince, I’m pretty sure she means Prosecutor Gavin.” Phoenix put his hand to his chin to think while Trucy frantically nodded.

“What!? He's leaving?” Apollo asked. “Yes, you have to go talk to him. Please Polly!” She begged him. “But if he’s leaving, then someone like me can’t convince him. I can’t do anything, all I did was cause him more trouble!” Trucy let her tears loose. “Do you really believe that?” Phoenix asked him, Apollo looked up. “What?” He said quietly. “I think it’s the other way around, I think you are the only person who can stop him from leaving.” Apollo fidgeted with his ring again. “What? But I have nothing to offer him, how can I convince him to stay?” Trucy wiped her tears. “Convince him with evidence!” She said proudly. “But I don’t have anything that even resembles that!” He protested, Phoenix stopped him from fidgeting and Apollo stared at his hand, his eyes widened. “I think you have everything you need, now go catch him.” Phoenix closed Apollo’s hand and put it over Apollo’s heart. Apollo had a determined face as he took off down the hall.

Phoenix was about to take off after him when Trucy stopped him. “There’s more, I overheard a conversation between that Detective with long hair and some women who he called his boss. I think they are going to pull something with Kristoph Gavin! We have to stop them!” She told him, Phoenix nodded and they took off in a different direction.

District Courthouse, Parking lot #1 4:00 pm

Daryan pushed open another secret door, just as his boss told him there were 2 cops and the person that was causing all of the trouble , Kristoph Gavin. Daryan rolled his eyes. “I don’t understand why she takes such interest in him. Maybe it’s because they are both driven by revenge.” He sighed. “This is going to be both difficult and stupid.” He came out from hiding and cleared his throat, both cops turned around and with them, Kristoph turned as well.

“What do you want, Detective? We are behind on our schedule.” One of the cops said rather rudely. “About that schedule, plans have changed. I'm the one who is supposed to escort the prisoner to solitary confinement.” Both cops gave a suspicious look. “On whose orders?” The other cop asked. While the two cops were distracted Kristoph reached into his pocket and pulled out his emergency bobbing pin and hid it in his hands. “Why does the authority matter? I have the orders right here.” Daryan held out a blank piece of paper but they were too far to see it had nothing on it. If they demanded to see the paper, Daryan would have to do it the hard way. “Well the authority matters because we can't just hand you the prisoner, for all we know you could be his getaway driver.” Daryan quickly came up with his answer. “The order came from the Chief of Police himself : Damond Gant.” He bluffed.

Both of the cops laughed. Kristoph fidgeted with the pin as he attempted to unlock his handcuffs while Daryan was idiotically trying to distract them, needless to say he was failing miserably. “Nice try Detective but that was a bad lie.” Daryan kept a confident smile as he reached behind him pulling a knife, he however kept it behind his back. “What? Don’t trust a Detective? That’s just sad man.”

The first cop scoffed. “It’s not that, but if the order really DID come from Gant, we would have gotten a call about it and since there was no call, we won’t be handing over Kristoph Gavin.” Kristoph was unamused at the whole situation as he continued to fiddle with the lock on the handcuffs.

“Man I was really hoping you weren’t going to say that.” Daryan sighed. “It looks like I have to do this the hard way.” Daryan sprung into action and stabbed the first cop, he fell to the ground pathetically. The second cop was faster and pulled out his gun, firing it 3 times. Daryan was lucky enough to dodge all of his bullets, he kicked it out of his hand and pointed his knife at the guy’s throat. “Please- please spare me! I have a wife and kids!” He desperately begged. “Not likely, you’ve seen too much. You would just blab.”

As Daryan dealt the finishing blow there was a clicking noise heard after the guys screamed. Daryan turned around and noticed Kristoph had been released from his handcuffs. He threw them on one of the deceased cops’ bodies and asked. “Where to Mr. Crescend?” He rolled his eyes sarcastically. “To my boss, she wants to meet you for some reason.” Daryan answered. They both left, and Daryan found the right black car and opened the door for Kristoph. Kristoph got in and Daryan got in the front, they sped away successfully freeing Kristoph Gavin.

The same door opened, Phoenix and Trucy bursted out in hopes of catching them. “We’re too late !” Trucy yelled as she checked the pulses of one of the cops. “He’s dead!” She began crying again. “So is this one, we have to warn authorities that Kristoph Gavin has escaped. We must also tell them that Klavier Gavin and Apollo Justice must not find out about this.” Phoenix said, he was mad but Trucy ran inside looking for help, there was nothing else either of them could do but get help.

District Courthouse, Parking lot #2 4:10 pm

Klavier adjusted his helmet, and he was almost ready to take off towards the airport with his motorcycle. When his helmet was tight enough he was about to start the engine. “Prosecutor Gavin, wait!” Someone yelled, Klavier turned his head and smiled, he removed his helmet and rested his arm on it. “I believe I told you to call me Klavier?” He joked, Apollo smiled a bit. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that, maybe I should give you a nickname.” Apollo brought his hand to his chin and got lost in thought. “Nicknames huh?” Klavier smiled trying to come up with a clever one. “How about…..Klav? Yeah I like that!” Apollo grinned and Klavier let out a laugh. “Fine, then you will be…..Herr Forehead!” Apollo looked really confused. “It’s unique! I would never call anyone else that, after all your forehead is quite special , no?” Klavier lowered his sunglasses. “So it is about my forehead?” Apollo suddenly remembered how Klavier was moving back to Germany, Klavier laughed again.

Apollo didn’t laugh, instead he seemed sad, distressed. “What’s wrong? Have I made you upset?” Apollo opened his mouth to say something but closed it immediately. “I- I just wanted to thank you.” He chose to say. “Thank me? What for?” Klavier asked him. “Well if it wasn’t for you then I would be behind iron bars right now, what do you think?” Klavier laughed. “Well I see what you mean, but it wasn’t all me you know.” “I know, I already gave Vera my thanks inside.” Apollo approached Klavier a little more. “I wasn’t talking about Vera, I was talking about you.” He said, Apollo looked confused. “Me?” Klavier laughed again. “Yes you! It takes courage to stand your ground against that monster.”

Apollo smiled but he couldn’t look Klavier in the eyes, not when he knew he was going away to Germany forever. “Speaking of my brother, what are you going to do? I mean it’s not like you can go into work on Monday all fine and dandy, can you?” Apollo shook his head. “No, actually I was offered a position at the Wright’s anything agency. Mr. Wright himself offered it to me, he told me he wants to teach me how to become a real defense attorney. I start on Monday, and that’s why I wanted to thank you so badly, thanks to you I get to be a defense attorney! I really admire everything you did for me today so thank you!” Apollo was smiling but it didn’t reach his eyes. “That’s great to hear! I’m happy for you, I really am. We would have made great partners in court.” Klavier said, the last line was particularly quiet.

Apollo couldn’t hold it in anymore, he began to cry. “Is it true?” Apollo whispered as he silently cried. “Are you really leaving for Germany forever?” Klavier sighed and got off of his motorcycle . “How did you hear about that? You were the one person I didn’t want to find out.” Apollo attempted to wipe his tears but he was failing miserably. “But why? Why leave? Why leave without saying anything to me? Not even a goodbye.” He sniffled. “There’s nothing left for me here, anywhere I go and anything I try to do, I will always be reminded of my brother, of how I’m not good enough. There’s no one left here that will care about what I do.” Klavier told him. “But I care! I care about you, more than I should. So please, don’t leave me.” Apollo shouted, but his sentence got quieter the more it went on. “I’m sorry, I just don’t feel the same way you do.” Klavier lied.

Apollo’s face fell. “No! No, that has to be a lie!” Apollo held his hand with the ring in it close to his chest. “Do you have any kind of evidence that proves I was lying? I don’t feel the same way you do! Why can’t you accept that?” At this point Klavier wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince Apollo or himself. ‘It’s for his own good, this is how I’m going to protect him. Even if I have to lie about my own feelings and break his heart.’ Klavier thought to himself. “There is no possible way you have any evidence. But if you did have any evidence I suppose now would be the time to present it.” He declared. Apollo now had a determined face as he opened his palm revealing Klavier’s ring. “My ring? But how does this prove anything?” He asked, Apollo smiled. “You gave it to me during the second recess, if you didn’t care you wouldn’t have given it to me.” Apollo placed the ring back into Klavier’s hand. “You may not feel the exact same way I do, but I want you to know that when you leave for Germany you have someone waiting for you back here. So please reconsider your decision to stay there forever.” Apollo was brave enough to kiss him on the cheek, and he moved away from Klavier letting him ponder what to do.

Before Apollo could move out of his reach, Klavier pulled him back to him. “Wha-” Apollo was pulled into a hug that lasted almost 5 seconds. “I do still plan to go to Germany but I promise you, I will return in 5 years. That is, if you can wait for me?” Apollo pulled away from the hug and his smile reached his eyes this time. “I don’t care how long it takes, I will wait for you.” Klavier got on one knee and took Apollo’s hand in his own. “I, Klavier Gavin, promise to leave Germany in 5 years and come back for you, Apollo Justice.” He kissed his hand to seal their promise and Apollo giggled. “I like the sound of that.” He said. “Now you have a flight to catch so we can’t stand here all day can we?” Apollo half joked.

Apollo went to move closer to the courthouse door when he was once again pulled back by Klavier. “You really can’t let me go can you?” Klavier shook his head. “Not without a proper kiss goodbye.” Apollo’s face went a dark red and he looked away from Klavier to try and cover it up. Klavier tilted Apollo’s face so that they were looking at each other again before he closed the gap. The kiss was a quick but sweet one seeing as Klavier had to leave. But it was something that Apollo would never forget. Apollo stepped back much to Klavier’s disappointment, he strapped his helmet back on and started the engine again before he drove off. Apollo waved to him until he couldn’t see him anymore. “I will see you again.” He whispered, he ran a finger over his lips replaying their kiss over and over in his head. “It’s a promise.” Apollo whispered. As the sun began to set, he headed back inside to start a much better life on the path to becoming a defense attorney. The proper way this time.

Daryan’s boss’ car, 4:50 pm

The car ride was silent and Kristoph was getting irritated. “Who are you and why am I here?” He asked the woman beside him. She let out an amused chuckle. “You aren’t a patient one are you?” She laughed. “Very well if you must know, my name is Dahlia Hawthorne. Daryan works for me, he doesn’t get a choice with my orders. I’m not sure if he’s told you but I have taken an interest in you.” She introduced, Kristoph scoffed. “An interest in me? Why?” Dahlia sighed. “You are exactly like me , you want revenge against your former protege and brother don’t you?” Kristoph smiled. “Why, I would do just about anything.” Kristoph told her . “See we are as similar as I thought. My intel has told me that your brother will return from Germany in 5 years.” Dahlia spoke as though for the first time she wasn’t borde.

“So then we have 5 years to plan my revenge.” “Exactly, and you will be able to hold up your end of the bargain.” Dahlia finished his sentence. “Why do you want to help me so badly?” Kristoph asked her. “We both work hard for our revenge, so once we pull this off I would like to request your help with my revenge against Mia Fey?” Kristoph smiled and took Dahlia’s hand, he kissed it lightly. “Nothing would please me more.” “Then it’s settled, in 5 years time you will witness the fall of your very own brother, Klavier Gavin.” The car took them to somewhere they could lay low and hatch their plans. Unknown to Klavier and Apollo just how much danger they both were in.

The end?