A superhero would never murder anyone!
Now that I have a clue as to the culprit,
I will use it to expose all the contradictions!
Ace Attorney
I heard that Steel Samurai will be canceled.
Turnabout Samurai — Last Trial
Huh? Why?
The studio bigwigs have decided they don't want to produce kids' shows anymore.
That's awful...
Children across the country love the show and want to see more!
I'm sorry.
It's all my fault.
You haven't done anything wrong.
The one who killed Mr. Hammer is to blame!
Defendant — Will Powers
Court is now in session.
The prosecution is ready, Your Honor.
The defense is ready, Your Honor.
May 14, 10 AM District Court — Courtroom No. 4
Your opening statement, Mr. Edgeworth.
During the last session,
we learned that there were others at the studios on the day of the murder.
Today, we'll have them testify to establish the facts of the case.
Our witness was in a meeting at the Studio Two trailer.
Witness — Dee Vasquez
She is Ms. Dee Vasquez, a producer.
I'll catch her with her pants down... So to speak.
Witness Testimony
That day, we had a noon meeting in the Studio Two trailer.
Studio 1 Front Gate
Gate Studio 2 Dressing Room Staff Area
It ended at 4 PM.
There was a rehearsal at 5 PM,
so we went to Studio One,
where the staff found Hammer's body.
By the way,
the estimated time of death is 2:30 PM.
So, right in the middle of the meeting.
Cross-Examination
According to someone at that meeting,
you took a fifteen-minute break around 2:30 PM.
Yes.
Look at this photograph.
It was taken right before the murder.
And it clearly shows the Studio Two gate.
Also, the boy who took it
testified that the Steel Samurai was killed by the villain after this.
What?
Killed?
The victim, Jack Hammer, was the one in the Steel Samurai costume.
And he was murdered in Studio Two.
The defense strongly believes this to be true!
I submit this photograph as evidence to the court.
At 2:30 PM, the meeting was on break.
That's when Hammer arrived.
That means any of you could have killed him.
Objection!
Have you forgotten?
The victim was found in Studio One, dressed as the Evil Magistrate.
Studio 1 Front Gate
Gate Studio 2 Dressing Room
Well, uh...
I bet the killer made it look that way!
"I bet"?
May I?
You say I did it?
Very well.
Let us have a battle of wits, you and I.
Anytime, Vasquez.
Let's see...
The murder weapon was the Samurai Spear, correct?
It was found stuck in the victim's chest.
And here it is.
It weighs fifteen kilos.
Do you really believe I could have used it as a weapon?
Why not see for yourself?
Hammer was stabbed through the chest, from the front.
This indicates that he was aware of the killer's presence.
The killer wrested the weapon from an action star and stabbed him.
Isn't that far beyond a normal human being's capabilities?
True. Surely this witness couldn't have committed the murder.
Objection!
Whether she could have wielded this spear
has no bearing on this case!
Meaning?
The Samurai Spear wasn't the murder weapon!
Because it was broken before the murder took place!
Stabbing a man through a thick costume with this would be impossible!
Objection!
The prosecution requests the defense to present evidence supporting its claims.
Come, show us
the actual murder weapon.
Th-That's...
If you have no proof, your claims will be dismissed.
That is the rule of the courtroom.
I have to say, the prosecution has a point.
Wh-What?
You would do well to learn the rules of adult society, boy.
Hold it!
"Rules of adult society," my foot!
Even a grade schooler can tell that's messed up!
How rowdy.
Throw him out at once.
Fight evil for great justice!
Isn't that what a superhero does?!
Then...
Defeat the villain...
and save the Steel Samurai!
The Steel Samurai would never murder anyone!
He's a hero who fights for what's right!
Cody...
O-Order! Order in the court!
Show that child out at once!
Stop it! I'll cut you down where you stand!
Whippersnappers!
Old lady!
Shh... Just take this.
Wh-What is this?
A photo of the accident five years ago.
Poor Hammer accidentally caused the death of his opposite number while filming.
What's worse, a paparazzi caught it on film.
And she was the one who swept it all under the rug.
Vasquez?
Ever since, she used that incident
to threaten Hammer into doing her bidding.
She had him working for pennies.
Let me go!
That's awful.
Isn't it? But it's all true.
Hammer...
Got it? The rest is up to you.
Let me go!
Order, order!
Now, let us resume the trial.
So, where were we?
We had just finished discussing the "actual murder weapon" the defense fabricated.
Objection!
We're not finished yet.
What?
I think I just caught a glimpse of the whole truth.
Including the murder weapon that took Hammer's life.
Nick!
The defense would like to present new evidence to the court!
Wh-What is this photograph?
Five years ago, there was an unfortunate accident at Studio Two.
This photograph was taken at the time.
Oh, how sad—
Objection!
I thought we were talking about the weapon that killed the victim.
But you can see it right here in this photograph!
Are you saying...
What would happen if one were to fall off the trailer's stairs?
This photograph tells the whole story!
Th-Then, the killer pushed the victim onto the fence?
I-Impossible!
That's some ancient history you've dug up.
Well, let me ask you. Why would I do that?
Why?
Why in the world would I want Hammer dead?
Indeed! The witness lacks a motive!
Let us turn our thinking about.
Wh-What do you mean?
Ms. Vasquez, you covered up this accident five years ago.
And once you had dirt on Hammer,
you made him work for chump change.
As producer, I am free to use actors as I see fit.
It must've been such humiliation.
No wonder he'd want you dead!
O-One moment.
You make it sound as though the victim tried to kill the witness.
Exactly!
We had this case the wrong way around!
The wrong way around?
Jack Hammer stole the Steel Samurai costume!
Jack Hammer wore it and made his way to Studio Two!
And for what purpose, you ask?
Because Dee Vasquez had so cruelly taken advantage of him all those years,
and he was out for blood!
So the victim died in the same way that he caused someone's death five years ago?
Yes, Your Honor.
Very creative.
I could use a man like you on my script writing staff.
You deny that what I say is true?
I killed him, carried him to Studio One, and falsified the scene?
But how could I have done all that during the fifteen-minute break?
In the first place, moving the body there would have been impossible.
Because the path to Studio One was blocked.
Blocked by Forest Blimp's severed head!
But the name is "Forest Imp."
And yet, I feel no desire to correct him.
Studio 1 Front Gate
Gate Studio 2 Dressing Room Staff Area
Yes, in terms of time, it does seem impossible.
Objection!
There was no need to do everything at once.
She only had to do it in phases.
Commit the crime in phases?
She temporarily hid the body and returned to the meeting.
And once it ended,
she loaded the corpse into the van, and took it to Studio One.
By then, the path was unblocked, too.
You're smarter than you look, boy...
I concede.
S-So you admit that you killed Hammer?
You seem to be under a misconception, kid.
K-Kid?
You've proven that I could have murdered Hammer,
so I concede.
That is all.
But you are the one who killed him!
How have you not learned the rules of adult society yet?
You there. Enlighten him.
In the courtroom, proof is everything.
If you have none, your claims will be dismissed.
That is the law here, is it not?
You played all your cards and lost.
And now, this game is over.
I shall be leaving, then.
Could the defense present evidence to support its claims?
Nick!
Then your cross-examination is done.
It was fun.
Goodbye.
I can't...
I can't keep her on stand any longer!
Hold it!
Edgeworth?
Y-Yes, Mr. Edgeworth?
I request that the witness testify again.
Edgeworth?
Indeed! Verily, I say... Ergo!
I want to hear what happened after they found the body.
If the prosecution wants a witness to testify, they cannot refuse.
That is the law of the courtroom.
Very well.
Your testimony, witness.
Witness Testimony
We called the police as soon as we found Hammer dead.
I went back to the trailer to get my script, and then went home.
Happy now?
That will do.
Defense, you may cross-examine the witness.
Y-Yes, Your Honor!
What am I supposed to do with a testimony like that?
Er...
You went to Studio One for a rehearsal, yes?
Yes.
Then why didn't you bring your script?
I was under the impression that we wouldn't be able to rehearse.
Why?
There was a murder, after all.
Who could think of rehearsing after that?
Objection!
You didn't take your script because you assumed there would be no rehearsal?
That sounds as though you knew there was a corpse before you even left the trailer.
Order!
Mr. Edgeworth, that is a reasonable observation.
But you're the prosecutor, so why point it out?
Edgeworth...
He's probably realized who the real culprit is as well.
Your Honor, I shall act in whatever manner I deem fit.
Now, witness, do you have an explanation?
The prosecution is in cahoots with the defense?
No matter.
I had a perfectly good reason to believe there would be no rehearsal.
And what was that reason?
I knew that Hammer was injured and couldn't do any action scenes.
Oh, good point.
May I take this silence to mean you give up?
Objection!
Y-Yes, Mr. Edgeworth?
I was hoping to come up with a question while I was objecting, Your Honor.
But I did not.
Anyway, I object!
Anyway, objection overruled.
E-Edgeworth...
Hey, Nick.
If my sister were here right now,
I bet she'd say,
"When times are desperate, smile."
When things are desperate, you have to smile.
I see...
Vasquez must be teetering on the edge now, too!
I knew that Hammer was injured and couldn't do any action scenes.
Objection!
Ms. Vasquez, did you just say that you knew Hammer was injured?
Yes, what of it?
Hammer wasn't the one injured that day.
It was Will Powers, the defendant!
What are you talking about?
Yes, Hammer was dragging his leg when he showed up at the trailer.
But that was because he was pretending to be Powers.
Wh-What?
And you weren't present at the morning run-through, anyway.
How did you know about the injury?
W-Well...
Right, it was Manella. I heard it from him.
He—
I think not.
That day, Director Manella saw Mr. Powers get hurt before his very eyes.
There's no way he would get it wrong!
That day, you saw Jack Hammer limping with your own eyes!
And when was this?
Well...
When he put on the Steel Samurai costume and headed to the Studio Two trailer.
When you took a fifteen-minute break in the trailer!
And that time matches the victim's estimated time of death exactly!
You did it, didn't you, Ms. Dee Vasquez?
Yes.
I was the one.
I lose. You win.
It appears you have brought about yet another miracle, Mr. Wright.
I think not, Your Honor.
Will Powers was innocent.
That he should be found so is only natural... not a miracle.
Edgeworth...
Very well.
I shall hereby hand down the verdict for Mr. Will Powers!
Not Guilty
Not guilty!
Hooray!
All right!
That is all. Court is adjourned!
Lobby 2
I don't know what to say.
Thank you so much!
Oh, we just got lucky.
You can say that again!
Fortunately, we wrapped things up today.
Who's to say we'd be as lucky tomorrow?
Oh, shut up...
I'm so happy for you, WP!
I-I'm truly grateful!
Oh, it's Edgeworth!
Allow me to congratulate you on your victory.
I am a big fan. I never miss your TV show.
Liar.
Th-Thanks.
Thank you, Edgeworth.
Vasquez would have gotten away if you hadn't stepped in.
Wright.
I hadn't expected to meet you again after all these years.
But in retrospect, it would have been better had we not met.
Thanks to you, I am saddled with unnecessary feelings.
Unease and uncertainty.
Aren't those kind of necessary?
You listen to me, Phoenix Wright.
Don't ever show your face before me again.
That is all.
Are you friends with the prosecutor?
As if!
They're rivals! Rivals!
Right, Nick?
For now, I guess.
What's with that pregnant wording?
Now I can't stop thinking about it! Tell me!
And so, the curtain fell on another trial.
Wright & Co. Law Offices
Nick! Hurry up, it's starting!
Warrior of Little Olde Tokyo Pink Princess
You didn't know, Nick?
It's general knowledge, man!
I didn't think they'd seriously go through with it.
I have the feeling that the case changed something within me.
Perhaps it was the same for him.
And a few months later,
we'd be faced with a massive case that would go down in legal history.
Ace Attorney
Objection!
A gunshot echoes across the night sky.
The incident on the holy night implicates an unexpected culprit.
His name is Miles Edgeworth.
And that case would involve Edgeworth, me, and even Maya.
Just what happened fifteen years ago?
There's only one thing I can do.
Edgeworth, let me defend you.
Find the contradictions!
Reach out to the truth!
Next time: Turnabout Goodbyes — 1st Trial!
Next Episode Turnabout Goodbyes — 1st Trial
Take that!