Someone murdered a circus ringmaster.
The witnesses describe a dark shadow, flying through the air.
Everything points to the killer being Max Galactica, the great magician.
Did the murderer really fly?
Ace
Attorney
Ace Attorney
Turnabout Big Top — 2nd Trial
Reporting live from the district court,
where Max Galactica's trial is about to begin.
Innocent
Is he guilty or innocent?
December 8, 10:00 AM District Court — Courtroom No. 2
The entire world will be watching this trial.
Prosecutor von Karma...
We meet again.
Max!
I'll make you all disappear later,
my honeys!
Court is now in session for the trial of Max Galactica.
Prosecutor von Karma, your opening statement, please.
That spirit channeling trial was a sham.
I refuse to acknowledge its legitimacy.
I shall prove you guilty this time,
Mr. Phoenix Wright.
P-Prove me guilty?
The old "it didn't count" shtick, eh?
The prosecution may call its first witness.
Witness Testimony
Berry Big Circus
The murder took place late at night, on December 6th.
It snowed all day right up to the moment of the murder,
making it extremely cold out.
The troupe's group rehearsal in the big top ended at 10 PM.
The victim, Ringmaster Russell Berry, returned to his office,
and then headed out to the scene of the crime.
And at 10:15 PM, he was found dead, bent over a big wooden box.
Cause of death was blunt force trauma that shattered a vertebra in his neck.
The victim's footprints were found at the crime scene,
along with a hat which likely belongs to the murderer.
What was the murder weapon?
We believe it was a flat, heavy object.
The police are searching for it as we speak.
Strange that the murderer's footprints weren't at the crime scene...
Also, what was this wooden box?
A heavy box, weighing about ten kilos.
Inside was a bottle of pepper.
Pepper?
Why pepper?
The reason is, well, unclear.
Why was such a tiny bottle of pepper in that huge wooden box?
Now, show in the next witness,
the pitiful clown that saw the entire thing.
Congratulations!
You are the one millionth person to see Moe the Clown's comedy act!
And if you're not down with that, how about some grape whine?
It's currently all the rage.
Currant-ly all the rage!
Currant-ly, huh?
You actually liked that?
Witness, your name and occupation.
That was my best gag, you know.
Why do you all look like someone died—
Name and occupation.
L-Lawrence Curls, AKA Moe.
Professional funny man.
You witnessed the scene at around 10:15 PM that night.
Correct?
Oh, of course.
Then tell the court what, exactly, you saw.
First, let Moe tell a hundred rapid-fire jokes.
Do you want a hundred rapid-fire lashes?
Witness Testimony
That night, after the rehearsal ended,
I went straight back to my room.
Testimony
I was pooped, so I hit the sack.
Then I heard a loud noise from outside...
It was Max.
No way.
And as I watched, shocked,
he flew off and vanished into the dark.
The killer flew?
Th-Through the sky?
So, it was Max?
Order! Order!
Bow to the right.
Bow to the left.
And the back, too.
Moe!
Your bad jokes need to stop this instant!
I-I'm not joking.
I actually did see him vanish into the sky!
So this is what Trilo meant yesterday...
Yeah.
Max Galactica prides himself on being a master of flight magic.
No one but the defendant could have carried out this murder.
It would also explain the lack of footprints.
Hold It a Darn Sec!
Hold it a darn sec!
Come on...
There's no way I can fly!
Rumor says you fly around every night.
That's just me swingin' on hella thin wires!
Don't say that, Max!
This is absurd.
I want to fly off somewhere.
This witness saw the defendant flying from the crime scene that night.
That is an undeniable fact.
But the crime scene wasn't set up for magic tricks.
How could he possibly have flown from there?
Didn't he just confess to that?
He was swinging on "hella thin wires."
Please... You make it sound so easy.
Prosecutor von Karma,
can you reveal the secret behind the magic the defendant used that night?
No, not yet.
Then that's all for today's trial.
The prosecution is to solve
the mystery behind this remarkable case by tomorrow.
Fine.
A murderer flying off is unheard of.
Thank your lucky stars, Mr. Phoenix Wright.
It appears your crushing defeat has been postponed a day.
Listen, I don't use any wires.
That's really great magic, okay?
Okay, I get it already.
But if Moe is telling the truth,
the killer really did fly away.
Come to think of it,
while you were with the ringmaster, where was your costume?
Oh, I took it off in his room,
and hung it by the door.
Right!
When the ringmaster left that night, I said,
"Why don't you wear my costume?"
It was cold out that night.
So the person Moe saw was the ringmaster in your costume?
Ah!
Then maybe it was him who flew away from the scene!
Uh, the ringmaster got clonked and died.
And anyway,
if that clown really saw me fly away,
why was my silk hat found there?
The plot thickens...
The police just called.
Apparently, they're coming with a search warrant!
Prosecutor von Karma already made her move, huh?
But isn't it pointless if you inform them in advance?
According to Moe's testimony,
the killer flew off from here.
I don't think you could stage a magic trick here, even if you wanted to.
That room...
It's the Money the Monkey's.
Wasn't the person living there out yesterday?
Shall we go check it out?
Excuse me.
I'm Wright, a defense attorney.
Please come in.
Thank you.
Nice to meet you.
You're defending Max, right?
I'm Ken Dingling.
I went by Acro on stage.
Um, were you in an accident?
Y-Yeah. Six months ago.
I was an acrobat.
Well, now that we have Max,
things are going smoothly, even without me.
We're getting more visitors, too.
It's all thanks to him.
Oh?
He's a nice guy, isn't he?
Yeah.
It's a real shame about the ringmaster.
He was like a father...
Acro...
But there are things I still have to do.
I can't mope around.
Yeah!
Hurry and get better!
We'll come watch your act!
Oh, I doubt I'll be able to perform for a while.
When I went to rehab the other day,
they told me I may not walk again.
What?
Sorry, you probably didn't want to know.
Don't be.
Uh, who's that?
My little brother.
But he's in a faraway place now, so I can't see him.
U-Um, Acro, about the night of the murder...
That's enough.
Acro will accompany me to the Prosecutors' Office.
We need to discuss his testimony.
Prosecutor von Karma?
You're calling Acro in court tomorrow?
Tomorrow will be the day.
I'll have conclusive evidence and a conclusive witness
to get a guilty verdict!
Take him away.
Goodbye.
Berry Big Circus
Why do you give Nick such a hard time?
It doesn't matter if you prove our client guilty.
Nothing will bring your dad back.
Papa?
When did I ever bring up my papa?
My target is
Miles Edgeworth!
Edgeworth?
Right.
The man you killed.
After the DL-6 trial,
he disappeared,
leaving a note that said, "Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth chooses death."
Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth chooses death
Of course, he's still alive.
He simply realized he was no match for you and ran, his tail between his legs.
That is why I returned to beat you!
If I beat you, the one who crushed him, I...
Nick, about Edgeworth...
Maya, please don't ever mention his name again.
Is that burger noodles I smell?
Oh, are you a burger person, too?
Yeah, totally a burger...
Nice sneeze.
Would you like to join us?
Can I?
Wait, you're up for it?
Well, who knows how long we'll still be in business.
First, what happened six months ago.
And now, the ringmaster...
Six months ago?
J-Just talking to myself!
Forget I said anything.
Uh, what's with this "Max"?
Oh, that?
Huh? Where'd it go?
It should be around here...
This.
The Magic Grand Prix trophy or something.
Huh, this is...
Oh, yeah. We saw it in Acro's room.
That guy bragged about it every chance he got.
Moe,
do you know of anyone, other than Max, who could be the culprit?
N-Nope.
The ringmaster has never fought with anyone,
and he was really kind.
Oh, but on the morning of the murder,
his face did go beet-red with anger.
I'd never seen him make a face like that.
He was mad?
It was after he pulled out a note posted here.
What that was all about?
At the time, there were more pressing matters,
what with Max and Trilo fighting.
I wonder what that note was about.
Let's look into it.
I don't see a note anywhere.
Is this it?
To the murderer: You haven't forgotten about six months ago, have you? I have conclusive evidence here with me. Come to the plaza in front of the lodging house, tonight, at 10 PM.
"To the murderer.
You haven't forgotten about six months ago, have you?
I have conclusive evidence here with me.
Come to the plaza in front of the lodging house, tonight, at 10 PM."
It's not addressed to anyone.
So this is why the ringmaster went to the crime scene.
Together, we'll create a circus
that will put a smile on everyone's face.
Ringmaster...
What will I do from now on?
Moe!
Wh-What's with the scary look?
Tell us what happened six months ago.
But what's that got to do with the ringmaster's murder?
Look at this.
To the murderer:
Wh-What the heck is this?
We found it in the ringmaster's room.
This note called him out that night.
Whatever happened six months ago is connected to this case!
Exactly what happened at this circus?
Six months ago, during a joint rehearsal,
a tragic accident occurred.
The victim was Bat, of the Acrobat Brothers.
Acro's little brother?
Bat was in love with Regina, you see.
He asked her to see a movie with him if he could pull off her trick.
An animal-tamer trick, you mean?
Yeah.
Back then, Leon the lion was our star attraction.
Can you really do it?
I just have to put my head inside, right?
Just you watch.
Okay.
Good boy.
Wow!
I won't forget that face for the rest of my life.
Acro went at the lion, trying to save Bat,
but his legs were badly injured.
Then the ringmaster shot Leon with a rifle.
What happened to Bat?
He survived.
But he's still in a coma.
Yesterday, Acro was away, visiting him in the hospital.
With Bat gone,
and now the ringmaster,
Acro cried his eyes out.
He thought of the ringmaster as his own father.
I saw this scarf in Acro's room.
Regina gave it to Bat as a present that day.
He was so happy about it.
I still see it in my dreams.
That sight is burned into my eyes.
At that moment, Leon smiled.
Oh, Regent...
You've taken a liking to the lawyer?
Nick isn't tasty! Don't eat him!
Huh?
Why is this here?
Regina, you know about that note?
Yeah.
After all, I was the one who put it on the bulletin board.
R-Regina, don't tell me you wrote that...
Of course not.
It was in my pocket for some reason,
and I figured its owner would be looking for it.
Pocket?
When was that?
Er...
Remember how Max and Trilo got into a fight?
That same day, I took Acro's breakfast to his room,
and I think I found it on the way back.
The morning of the murder, huh?
Acro?
Yeah.
Taking Acro's food to him is my job.
He can't use the stairs, you know.
Oh, right.
Right?
Did you know that Acro eats his meals with Money?
Then, that note was from...
What? I wanna eat with him, too!
To the murderer: You haven't forgotten about six months ago, have you? I have conclusive evidence here with me. Come to the plaza in front of the lodging house, tonight, at 10 PM.
Is that what this is all about?
Miraculous Flight Maximillion
Before we return to the office,
can we stop by one more place?
I need to know the secret behind the magic trick in this murder.
So I want to ask an expert.
Okay, got it.
The truth behind this case might be very painful.
Nick?
But I won't run away.
Lobby No. 2
December 9, 9:50 AM District Court — Lobby
I made it in time.
Detective Gumshoe!
Thanks for listening to our request.
It's not like I'm taking your side.
Also, I have a message for you.
"The verdict will surely be decided at the last second."
That is all.
The last second?
Later, pal!
What could it mean, Nick?
That message...
It couldn't be!
December 9, 10:00 AM District Court — Courtroom No. 2
Hang in there, Max!
Regina?
Court is now back in session for the trial of Max Galactica.
During yesterday's investigation, the prosecution gained a new witness.
We are also set to reveal the trick behind the defendant's flying through the air.
Prepare to go down, Mr. Phoenix Wright.
Bring the witness to the stand.
Due to the condition of this witness's legs,
he has come directly from the hotel room we booked for him
following our chat at the Prosecutors' Office yesterday.
I'm Acro, an acrobat.
Witness Testimony
Moe (1st Floor) Lodging House Acro (3rd Floor)
It was past ten, on the night of the murder.
Testimony
I was in bed, when I heard a loud noise from outside.
And when I got up,
I saw a caped silhouette rising, outside the window.
It was Max, no doubt.
Hmm, it matches the clown's testimony from yesterday.
Exactly.
That is all for the testimony.
All that remains is to show how the culprit vanished into the sky.
Scruffy!
Yes, ma'am!
Um, I put all my heart into making this model of the crime scene—
Hold it!
Before that, I will cross-examine the witness!
Was there a problem with Acro's testimony?
There was no problem.
The witness merely stated what he saw.
The defense has the right to cross-examine the testimony.
And I don't intend to give it up.
Very well.
The court acknowledges the defense's claim.
But I stayed up all night to make this...
The defense may begin its cross-examination.
Acro, on the night of the murder,
you saw the defendant outside your window?
Yes.
That cape and hat were unmistakable. It was definitely Max.
The silk hat was found lying at the crime scene.
You couldn't have seen it.
I'm not sure what to say.
I'm just honestly telling you what I saw.
If you dare call this witness a liar,
show me the proof,
Mr. Phoenix Wright!
Flying magic requires a lot of setup.
There was no sign of that at the scene!
But I hit upon it!
Using this Gumshoe-style wire technique,
the killer could...
...not run away?
In the first place,
there was no point in constructing such an elaborate gimmick to commit murder.
I feel you've rejected my very existence.
But Moe also saw it, right?
The great magic the killer performed that night?
Acro, don't you actually know
what happened at the crime scene back then?
Who, me?
Why would I know?
Because the one who planned this crime and took the victim's life
was you, Acro!
Ace Attorney
Objection!
The magic behind the circus ringmaster's murder is displayed in court.
The identity of the flying culprit brings us closer to the truth.
When light shines into the fog caused by the tragedy six months ago,
the curtains rise on a new act.
And then, that man returns.
Find the contradictions!
Reach out to the truth!
Next time: Turnabout Big Top — Last Trial!
Next Episode Turnabout Big Top — Last Trial
Take that!