Chapter Text
“This is a detective you all know. He's even the lead detective on the current case... He appears to be a very emotional man, but his psych profile says he is without emotion.” Wright claims. Edgeworth is shocked, it seems he's caught on. “What?! Are you saying...?!” he exclaims. Apollo, who's still on the stand, is also shocked. “Y-You mean the Phantom is…?!” he bangs the stand demandingly. His Baldness also responds as usual, but the words he says still puts a pit in Simon's stomach. “D-Detective Bobby Fullbright?!”.
The next words from Wright fade while he thinks. He knows he's explaining his reasoning but Blackquill is in thought. Detective Fool Bright. He foolishly loved that man. He hates admitting it, but he knows in his heart he did. Even if he figured he was the Phantom who ruined his life the entire time. His stupid facade was endearing enough to sway Simon. Just thinking about the events of that horrid day years ago, and the past year with Fool Bright makes his face start to well up in tears since this man- or this, this thing, put him in the chains he was wearing for the past 7 years.
He wanted to hate Fool Bright. But he can't.
He's taken out of his thoughts by the slamming of His Baldness’s gavel, signaling a recess. Blackquill takes a deep breath as a bailiff takes off his cuffs. He walks over to the defendant lobby and sees his older sister Aura talking to Apollo, Athena and Phoenix. He hears Clonco ask Aura if she's starting to trust in the system again as he walks towards the group. Aura remarks, and promptly hits Clonco. “No, of course not! Be quiet, Hunk of Junk! It's just... I wouldn't mind if you were the ones who took Metis's killer down.” Apollo confidently responds, “Leave it to us! We’ll get him!”
Blackquill uses the small pause to speak to Aura. “...Aura.” Simon is then noticed by the others who are listening. “Simon. I'm so glad both you and the princess were cleared of all suspicion. And it's all thanks to me and my robots. You'd better be grateful.” Aura remarks. “Hmph. I never imagined you would go that far... though you always were extreme. But I don't recall ever requesting your help.” He responds. “As closed as ever, I see. Well, now that you've been released, I guess it's my turn to go live in the slammer. I just hope you're not the prosecutor for my trial. You'd probably give me the death penalty.” Aura laughs. Blackquill looks away with a playful smirk on his face. “...Hmph. You know me too well.”
Simon loses his smile slowly. “...But I truly was about to be executed tomorrow. Though, because of you, it looks like I won't be crossing the Styx just yet. ...You have my heartfelt thanks, Aura. I'm sorry I caused you so much anguish.” He sighed. “Simon…” she sniffled. “I'm so glad, Simon. So very glad to hear you say that…” Aura almost started tearing up. Simon almost does as well, but he keeps his composure. “Aura…” Aura stops with the emotions and goes back to her usual sass. “All right. That's enough of that... Bailiff, take me to the Detention Center.” Aura remarks. As the bailiff starts taking her away he turns to the group of three who were watching the siblings converse. “I still can't wrap my mind around Detective Fulbright being the phantom…” Athena contended. Simon is once again aware of the pit that has been in his stomach at the mention of the beloved Detective's name.
“I...! I can't believe he killed Clay!” Apollo stammered. The anguish from his loss is very apparent on Apollo's face. Simon again has to shake his unease out of his mind to regain his confidence. “Right. And murdered my mentor, which brought great distress upon little Athena.” Athena makes a slightly annoyed face at him, and is about to say something before he turns towards Miles Edgeworth. “Chief Prosecutor.”
“Oh, Yes?” He turned towards him and paused his conversation with a bailiff. Simon takes a deep breath to prepare himself for his own next statement. “I would ask a favor. Would you allow me to stand at the prosecutor's bench for this trial? I wish to claim the phantom's head by my own hand.” Blackquill grinned. “...Hmph. That was my plan all along. After all...it's highly unconventional for a man of my position to stand in court.” Miles asserted. “Sir…” Simon breathed, and Miles responded. “The formal paperwork has yet to be filed, but you are hereby conditionally released. Please take the prosecutor's bench in your official capacity… and uncover the truth by your own hand.” Simon nods and he goes to the prosecution's lobby to prepare his case.
Simon has to regulate himself to prepare, as he's going against… Fool Bright. The Phantom. Why does he care so much about the man who ruined his life?
Blackquill convinces himself that he will relish taking down the Phantom. After all, they ruined so many lives, Athena’s and his own. He goes to stand at the bench and the trial commences.