Chapter Text
"Another day, another trial-"
Phoenix fixed his tie and prepared to go to court, and reassured the defendant, Inna Shent, that she had nothing to worry about. Phoenix went to his side of the court and looked at Miles Edgeworth, the prosecutor for the case, and at the judge. The judge had blue hair and was currently counting money.
"Uhm, Excuse me?"
Phoenix tried getting the attention of this new judge but to no avail.
Edgeworth sighed,
"I've been trying to get his attention for the past 10 minutes now. He's too busy counting his money."
Phoenix slammed his desk.
"HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
The judge looked up from counting and looked at Phoenix with a sour face.
"What."
"A trial is supposed to be starting right now, so could you leave and let our judge sit there-"
"I'm afraid he won't be arriving, he's out sick." The judge smirked evilly.
"The name is Gallerian Marlon," Gallerian slammed his gavel. "Now, let the trial begin."
Suddenly, Phoenix felt his phone vibrate. He took it out of his pocket and saw he received a text from Trucy.
"Sorry, Daddy I won't be able to make it to court :( The train broke down :'("
"It's Alright, Truce. Maya told me she would be watching the trial, I can go get her instead."
"Okay, Daddy :)"
Phoenix put his phone away and sighed.
"I guess I'll have to try and find Maya in the big crowd. He looks for Maya in the crowd. She is waving her hands and jumping up and down. Phoenix notices a doll next to her.
"I feel like I've seen a character that looks like that doll... Matsune Hiku? I think it was?"
Phoenix stopped looking at the doll and motioned to Maya for her to come down to help be his Co-counsel.
"Hey, Nick!" Maya said as she pats Phoenix's back.
"Hi Maya," He sighed "You know, I feel like things aren't going to go as planned."
"But hey! Look at the bright side! At least he isn't as gullible as the judge we always deal with!"
"I suppose you're right.."
"Now, Edgeworth was it? Make your statement, will you." Gallerian said as he continued to count his money.
Edgeworth sighed and proceeded to make his statement.
"Good morning, everyone. On September 14th, 2027, the defendant, Inna Shent, has been seen stealing books from a bookstore called the DN and YM bookstore. She stole the books Seven Crimes and Punishments, The Story of Evil, and EC: The beginning."
Edgeworth turned to Gallerian
" Do you have anything you want to say, your honor?-"
Gallerian looked at them coldly before responding.
"Guilty."
Phoenix looked at Gallerian, shocked.
"WHAT- EDGEWORTH JUST MADE HIS STATEMENT! AND I DIDN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING YET-"
"Guilty"
Phoenix and Edgeworth argued with Gallerian, but it seemed like Gallerian's mind could not be changed, Inna was guilty in his eyes.
Miles looks at Gallerian, annoyed.
"Do you not care AT ALL???"
Gallerian pretended to think,
"Nah, not really. I don't care at all I'm only here for the money." He sat back in his chair and placed his feet on the table.
"Does that explain the sudden guilty verdict?" Edgeworth asked.
Gallerian shrugged,
"Some guy paid me big cash to declare her guilty, so I guess so."
Gallerian made a circle with the thumb and index finger and grinned.
"WHAT"
Edgeworth's jaw dropped
"How could you accept that!"
Phoenix asked.
"As I said before, I'm only here for the money. Although, I might change my mind if the defendant pays me big money as well!" Gallerian said as he did the hand sign again.
"Is all you care about money????" Edgeworth asked.
"Uh, yes?"
"Unbelievable! You are absurd!"
Phoenix quickly got an idea and proceeded to set it in motion.
"Your honor, could you describe the person who gave you the money to pronounce Ms. Shent guilty?"
"And why should I?" Gallerian glared as Phoenix continued
"I will give you the exact amount they gave you, plus an extra 5 thousand. Coming from Edgeworth's bank account of course."
"Excuse me-" Edgeworth tried to interrupt but stopped as the offer had gotten Gallerian's attention.
Gallerian put his hands together and sat up straight,
"Continue."
"I will also add thirty thousand if you pronounce the defendant not guilty." Phoenix reaches his hand out,
"Do we have a deal?"
Gallerian shook Phoenix's hand and grinned happily.
"Yes, we do."
The police force managed to find the true culprit Kel Preet, but when they were interrogated, Kel said that the book Seven Crimes and Seven Punishments had disappeared. The police searched Kel's house multiple times, but the book could not be found. The police checked all the security cameras, but they had broken down. Now there is a search for the missing book. Phoenix and Edgeworth would also have to deal with the greedy judge who had seemingly come out of nowhere.