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One of Every Color	By : Croik Category: +M through R > Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Views: 5688 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney / Gyakuten Saiban, its
characters and settings, are property of Capcom, and are being used here
without permission.� This fic is rated
NC-17 for adult male/male content and some violent material.� C&C welcome and appreciated.

One of Every Color
Chapter 14
Monday, September
23rd, 2019.� 9:43 a.m.

Miles paused as soon as he
left his car, and cast his gaze upwards--the sky had been overcast all weekend,
but it looked especially foreboding that morning.� The clouds were thick and low,
and not a breath of wind stirred, as if the sky were waiting to implode.� Thankful that he wasn�t a particularly
superstitious person, he braced himself for the impending onslaught of
reporters.

They were out in droves that
day.� Miles had expected as much, but
what he hadn't anticipated was spotting Phoenix already there ahead of him, making a rookie mistake:
he was talking to the press.� With a
groan Miles quickened his pace.� Damnit Wright, don't be a fool.

"So how much is she paying you, Mr. Wright?" one
of the reporters was asking.� The others
were buzzing, looking too pleased for Miles' taste--Phoenix must have told them something.

Phoenix laughed sheepishly.�
"You know I can't tell you that.�
Besides, that's not why I took this case.� I just want the truth to come out."

Of all the na�ve--� Miles pushed through the swarm
of bodies, and was finally able to grab hold of Phoenix's elbow.�
"That's enough," he told the reporters as their cameras
flashed.� "No more discussing
details of the case."

Phoenix turned his head, and Miles was taken momentarily
aback by the cold look on his face.�
"Says who?"

"Gag order," Miles
replied quickly.� "You can't talk to
these people."� He gave Phoenix a tug, pulling him out of the center of
attention.� "Come on, you'll be late
for court."

The reporters shouted their
disapproval, and Phoenix held stubbornly back, making Miles drag him up the
stairs.� He didn't care for how it would
look in the paper and on the news the next day, but he could deal with that headache
after he kept Phoenix from spilling his guts to the vultures.

As soon as they were inside
the building, safe from the press behind closed doors, Phoenix planted his feet and yanked his arm out of Miles'
grip.� "What the hell was that
for?" he demanded.

"I'm looking out for you," Miles retorted, crossing his
arms.� "What were you telling them
out there?� You don't know how to deal
with these people.� You're going
to--"

"Why do you care?" Phoenix interrupted with a scowl.� He pushed past Miles, heading for the Defense
Lobby without looking back.� "I
don't need you to protect me."

Miles frowned after him; Phoenix's uncommonly hostile behavior had caught him off
guard, and for a moment he wasn't sure how to respond.� He took a deep breath and followed.� "Wright, I know you're angry with me,
but--"

"Just leave me
alone!" Phoenix snapped.

Miles stopped again, and this
time he didn't continue his pursuit.� He
shoulders fell slack as he watched Phoenix continue down the hall and into the Defense Lobby.� I knew
he'd be upset, he thought once he finally convinced his feet to start
moving again.� Of course he would see it as betrayal for me to call him like I did,
after what happened Saturday night.� And�maybe
it was.� The admission sobered him as
he continued to his own lobby to prepare.�
But what else could I have
done?� Not warn him?� He would hate
me even more.

Miles shook his head,
determined not to think about it until after the trial.

*****

Phoenix slammed the doors behind him, startling the guard on
duty.� He already regretted losing his
temper, but he had no other way of dealing with Miles at the moment.� It had been made pretty obvious to him the
case was, at present, more important than any developing personal issues
between them.� And if that was the way
Miles wanted to play it�.

Pull it together, Phoenix.� He passed a
hand over his hair as he stepped further into the room, trying to reassure the
guard with a thin smile.� You're frustrated, sure.� But you can't take it out on Edgeworth now.� Just
concentrate on the case, for a little longer.

Phoenix glanced up, and quickly spotted Chassie sitting on
the lounge sofa.� She was perched at the
very end with perfect posture, her hands folded in her lap.� She stood up slowly when he approached.� "Mr. Wright�."

"Chassie."� Phoenix looked about.�
"I don't see Urami with you this morning," he remarked, trying
not to sound as bitter as he felt.

"I asked her to watch
from the gallery today," Chassie explained.� "I know you two�don't get along.� It was better that she not stand with you
again."

Phoenix frowned, wondering if Chassie was honestly concerned
for his well-being.� It was a strange
thought after what had transpired in the Detention Center the day before.�
At least I'm alone with her again.� Maybe without
Urami here, I can finally speak my mind.

"I appreciate it," Phoenix told her evenly.�
"But Chassie, there's still time to tell the truth.� I know you want to protect your friend, but you're the one on trial here.� Urami's already hurt a lot of people--"

Chassie reached out, giving
his necktie a tug that quieted him.�
"Mr. Wright.� I am sorry, for
the trouble she has caused you," she told him seriously.� "But she is only acting for my
sake.� I hope that you can forgive her
for that."

"I knew she was a
murderer long before this case," Phoenix replied.�
"So, no.� I can't."

�Chassie's eyes thinned, and she drew her hand
back.� "In that case, I am sorry
that you got involved in this.� Though�I
am grateful."� She lowered her
eyes.� "Whatever happens today, thank
you.� For
believing in me."

Her sincerity won him over--Phoenix nodded as he straightened his tie back in place.� "It's my job," he replied
simply.� "Just promise me you'll
stay out of trouble once this is over, all right?"

Chassie blinked slowly.� "I will certainly try."

He knew it was the best
answer she could offer him.� He thanked
her, and just then the bailiff came to call them in to court.

Phoenix walked ahead of Chassie towards the familiar double
doors.� Just like last time Miles had also
been called, and their eyes met just before they did.� But Phoenix was ready for him; he tilted his chin up, keeping his
voice firm as he offered a stern greeting.�
"Edgeworth."

Miles looked away.� It was a kind of retreat Phoenix hadn't expected from him.� "Wright."

Phoenix bit the inside of his lip.� The thought that Miles was finally being
affected by him--might even feel guilty--made his chest tighten with
emotion.� Stop it.� Whatever happened
before doesn't matter now.� Once you go
through those doors, he's your enemy.

They entered the courtroom
together, and it was almost like stepping into some bizarre sporting
event.� The gallery was packed to
overflowing with curious spectators.�
Their excited chattering filled the hall, making any individual voice or
word unintelligible.� Phoenix kept his focus as he strode determinedly down the
line of staring eyes to his desk, and Miles to his.� It had been a long time since he'd faced an
audience this grand, but he was no longer intimidated by it.

Chassie took her seat,
looking as calm as ever.� Phoenix held himself stiffly and fought hard not to scan the
gallery for his employer.� You're better off not being able to see
Urami anyway, he reasoned.� She'll just make things harder.� He did, however, notice a few familiar faces
in the seats just beyond Miles--Detective Gumshoe was there, along with Ema and
her sister.

And all I get is a mob boss' granddaughter, Phoenix
thought with a dry smirk.� It really would have been nice to have Maya
here after all.

The Judge entered and took
his seat amidst more anxious murmurs.� It
took several pounds of his gavel to quiet the gallery down enough for him to be
able to speak.� "Order, order!� This court will have order, or I will have
the gallery cleared!"

That got their
attention.� The audience gradually
quieted, though there were still faint whispers spreading up and down the rows
of people.� The Judge cleared his throat,
still not entirely pleased but willing to continue.� "This court is now in session once more for
the case of The People vs. Chassie Gander.� Is council prepared?"

"The Prosecution is
ready, Your Honor," Miles replied precisely.� Whatever uncertainty Phoenix thought he had seen in the man's face was now gone.

"The Defense is ready,
Your Honor."

"Very good."� The Judge looked to Miles.� "I take it the Prosecution has results
to share with the court?"

"Yes, Your Honor."

Phoenix took in a deep breath.� It
could end right here, he told himself, hands pressed anxiously to his
bench.�
As soon as he confirms the report is authentic, I have to push for a
verdict.� I can't let him present any
other evidence that might confuse the Judge.

"Our forensics lab
performed several tests on the Hotta Clinic report the Defense presented on
Friday," Miles related.� "We
were unable to prove that it was forged or tampered with in any way."

"You mean�the report was
real?" the Judge said with surprise.�
"That would mean Chassie Gander has an alibi for the night of the
fire."

"That's right!" Phoenix interrupted quickly. �"Chassie was at the Hotta Clinic the
entire time that the fire took place.� It
is impossible for her to have committed this arson!"

The gallery buzzed with mixed
reactions, and the Judge was so amazed himself that he didn't think to quiet
them for a few moments.� But as they
murmured and speculated, Phoenix
was watching Miles; the prosecutor was remaining calm, his arms crossed and
fingers drumming lightly as he waited for order to be restored.� He's
not worried, Phoenix thought, the hairs on the back of his neck beginning
to rise.� But he hasn't given in.� Have I
walked into a trap?

"Order!"� The Judge
finally got everyone under control once more, and cleared his throat before
looking again to Miles.� "Mr.
Edgeworth, you have no objection to the Defense's statement?" he
questioned, clearly puzzled by his silence.

"None whatsoever,"
Miles replied crisply.� "It is as
the Defense has said--the Hotta Clinic report proves that Chassie Gander could
not have started that fire."

"And�?"� The Judge frowned in confusion.� "Does that mean�the Prosecution
rests?� You do realize what verdict I'm
about to give, don't you?"

A slow, smug grin curled
Miles' lips--the appearance of that expression set Phoenix instantly on edge.�
"I'm afraid it's still too early for that, Your Honor."

What's he getting at?� "Chassie
was convicted of arson," Phoenix said carefully.�
"You yourself admit it was impossible for her to have committed
it--that makes her innocent."

"And that is where
you're wrong," Miles retorted smartly, uncrossing his arms.� "For you see, Mr. Wright, Miss Gander
was not merely convicted of
arson."� He pounded his hand
abruptly on his desk, transitioning swiftly into aggression.� "She was convicted on five counts of
first degree murder!"

His sudden change in demeanor
caught Phoenix by surprise, but only for a moment.� "Hold it!� You're only trying to confuse the court.� Those five people died in the fire!"

"Your Honor!"� Miles turned his attention to the Judge, who
stiffened as if expecting to be accused himself.� "It is at this time that the Prosecution
requests that the charges against Chassie Gander be
modified to fit new evidence!"

"What!?"� For all his planning and rehearsing the night
before, Phoenix could never have anticipated Miles' new
strategy.� "You--You can't do
that!"

"Of course I can,"
Miles said with a shrug.� "The
Prosecution has every right to reevaluate its position, given new
evidence.� It's not any different than
when you filed an appeal for a case that had already been decided, is it
not?"

Phoenix ground his teeth, but not matter how he wracked his
brain he couldn't think of a way to prove Miles wrong.� He
really did find something new.� Damnit, Edgeworth!

"Mr. Edgeworth,"
the Judge cut in, still looking rather baffled.�
"Exactly what do you intend to charge Miss Gander with, then?"

Miles brushed invisible dust
off his cravat.� "Nothing remarkably
different, Your Honor.� The Prosecution
would merely like to reduce the five counts of murder down to three.� It carries the same sentence--not a terrible
inconvenience, by any means."

The murmur from the crowd
this time sounded mostly mystified.� They
didn't follow what Miles was implying any more than Phoenix did.� Is he saying Chassie killed those people before the fire was started?� But how is that possible?� He glanced to Chassie.� Her posture was as perfect as it had been
before, and her eyes were staring straight ahead, watching Miles without
trepidation.� It was her baby in there.

"Your Honor!" Phoenix called, pulling himself back together.� "There's no need for this.� The Prosecution is just stalling.� Chassie already has a proven alibi and no
motive to commit any murder.� There isn't any evidence to indicate
otherwise!� The Defense insists on a verdict!"

Miles' hand came down on his
bench with greater force than usual, creating a startling percussion that made Phoenix and half the gallery flinch.� "Wright," he said firmly, meeting
his gaze directly across the courtroom.�
"I already told you.� Your
client is guilty."

Phoenix cringed, unable to help the chill that ran the length
of his spine.� Miles was a lot of things,
and at the moment every description Phoenix could think of was something he couldn't repeat--but
he wasn�t a liar.� At least, not anymore.

Unless he was lying Saturday night, when he acted like
he'd given up, Phoenix couldn't help but consider as his hands tightened to
fists.� He was beginning to feel
ill.� Did
he have this "new evidence" then?�
Did he not bring it up, just so we would�.

"That's enough,"
The Judge intervened.� "Mr.
Edgeworth, if you indeed have new evidence, you're of course entitled to
present it."

Miles grinned
triumphantly.� "Thank you, Your
Honor.� But in order to do so, I'll need
some help from a witness."

"Very well."

Stop smiling like that.� Phoenix lowered his eyes, taking a slow breath to regain his
composure.� This isn't a game.�

"The Prosecution would
like to call Chassie Gander to the stand."

Chassie stood up from her
seat, and Phoenix watched her closely as she moved to the witness
stand.� She still appeared remarkably
calm, with her hands folded in front of her, her wide eyes staring straight
ahead.� He had thought he was getting
used to reading her, as he was Urami, but now he couldn't be sure.� Phoenix licked his lips and straightened. �All I
can do is stay focused, just like any other case.

Chassie looked at him.� Though he was still unsuccessful in gauging
her demeanor, he thought he understood what she was asking him.� Tell
the truth, he tried to convey by look alone.� I'll
protect you.

"Witness," Miles
said, drawing both their attentions.�
"I think it's about time we heard from you just what occurred the morning of October 2^nd."

The Judge nodded.� "The witness may begin her
testimony."

Chassie curled her fingers
over the polished wood of the witness stand.�
"What Mr. Wright said last Friday is the truth," she said, her
voice measured and almost mechanical, like the first time Phoenix had talked to her.�
"Mr. Hoff and I�were lovers.�
For a long time."� Her eyes
flickered briefly to Phoenix before she continued.�
"We even had a child together."

Again, curious murmurs began
to spread through the crowd.� The Judge
was quick to speak before they could get out of hand again.� "A child?" he repeated.� "Is that true?"

"It is, Your
Honor," Miles assured, holding up his evidence to be retrieved by the
bailiff.� "After court on Friday, we
were able to recover this birth certificate from Hotta Clinic, which proves the
defendant did indeed give birth to Mr. Hoff's son."

"William," Chassie
interrupted coldly, "was my
son."

Miles lifted an eyebrow.� "Of course.� Please continue."

Chassie was still staring at
him as she went on with her testimony.�
"After William was born, Jackie decided�that is, Mr. Hoff decided,
that he no longer desired to be with me.�
He was in love with someone else.�
We fought.� One night, he took my
baby away from me and went to live with Miss Arky, in the same building as her
brother, Mr. Mel Arky."

"Why didn't you go to
the police for help?" Phoenix
asked.� Whatever trouble Urami had put
him through over the last week, he couldn't help but feel sympathy for her
friend.� "Couldn't you have fought
for custody?"

Chassie shook her head, her
long hair batting back and forth.� "I
kept the birth a secret.� I did not want
anyone to know I had a son.� I was
afraid�someone would harm him, because of my connections.� The law could not help me."

Miles snorted lightly with
disdain.� "Perhaps you would have
been better off not associating with criminals in the first place, then."

Phoenix glared at him.�
"You shouldn't make remarks like that unless you have proof."

Miles smirked, but he
relented and didn't comment again.� The
Judge frowned between them.� "So,
this baby," he deduced.� "Are
you saying this 'William' is really the young victim from the fire?"

"Yes," Miles
confirmed.� He handed off another report
to be entered into the court record.�
"Our lab completed a DNA test this weekend, and proved just what
you've supposed.� The baby that died that
night was none other than Chassie's own son."

Phoenix couldn't make out what was being said in the gallery
behind him, but he couldn't help the feeling that they were on his side.� You
don't have to know Chassie to know it would have been impossible for her to
have killed her own son.� She clearly
loved him.� Once the Judge had
restored order he took his chance.�
"If this is the 'new evidence' the Prosecution has to present, the
Defense insists again on a verdict!" he declared.� "All Edgeworth has done is prove how
unlikely it is that Chassie would harm anyone in that building!"

"That might be true, if
this was all the evidence I had to
present," Miles retorted easily.�
"Why don't you wait until the witness' testimony is over before
rushing to judgment?"

"Then�then get on with
it already," Phoenix muttered impatiently.

"Mr. Wright," said
the Judge.� "Would you like to cross
examine any of the witness' testimony thus far?"

Phoenix shook his head.�
Everything she's said has only
helped my case.� If I fool around here,
I'm sure he'll find a way to make me
pay for it.� "No, Your
Honor.� Chassie is telling the
truth."

Miles hmphed again, and they
glared at each other for a moment across the court.� I'm
done with your games, Edgeworth, Phoenix thought bitterly.�
I'm going to prove you wrong.� For your own good.

"Very well.� Witness, please continue with your testimony
of the day of the incident."

Chassie nodded.� "That night, I decided to take William
back," she resumed.� "I went to
the duplex, late at night, thinking I could steal William back while Jackie
slept."� Her fingers tightened on
the rail.� "As he had done to
me.� I broke in through a window."

"Which is when April May
saw you," Phoenix assumed.

"Yes.� I had not seen her--the apartment next door
was playing music very loudly, so I assumed they were too busy to notice
me.� I'll admit I was not very
careful."

"So you went
inside," Miles prompted.� "What
then?"

Chassie lowered her eyes a
bit.� "I looked for my son.� I did not suspect that Jackie might be awake.� He caught me, and we argued about
William.� Ann watched us from the
bed."� She shuddered, for a moment
her voice growing thin.� "She was
laughing at me."

How horrible�.� Phoenix swallowed hard.�
He and the rest of the gallery were listening with strict attention as
she related the unfortunate history.

"I was angry.� I grabbed a wine bottle from the
dresser--they were everywhere--and hit Jackie in the head.� The bottle broke.� It spilled wine everywhere, on my hair and
clothes.� As you can see, I am not a
strong woman.� He wrestled the bottle
away from me."� She turned her hands
over, uncurling her fingers like spider legs to reveal the old scars.� "The glass cut my hands.� He dragged me to the door, and threw me
out."� She covered her palms once
more.� "I called a friend from the
payphone.� I was picked up and taken to
the Hotta Clinic."

"And you stayed
there," Phoenix supplied the rest, "until your hands were
stitched up, and you went home.� All
during the time the fire was taking place."

"Yes�that is right.� Not that I knew it, at the time."

The court fell silent.� Even the Judge looked mystified by the
collection of quiet, compassionate faces.�
He cleared his throat.� "What
a terrible story�."

They're all on her side.� Phoenix felt a little tremor go through him as he took in the
court's unusual atmosphere.� Despite how cold she is�they believe her.� She was
just protecting her child.

But he couldn't let himself
get too optimistic.� Behind the
Prosecution Bench, Miles' expression was unmoved.� He hadn't objected to anything in Chassie's
testimony, and yet he still had not caved to defeat.� It's
not over yet.� Phoenix took a deep breath, watching as Miles straightened to
speak.

"Is that the conclusion
of your testimony?" Miles asked.�
His voice was a bit more reserved in light of the attention being paid
him by the gallery.� "You quarreled
with Mr. Hoff, and were removed."

"Yes," Chassie
replied precisely, offering him no more or less.

"At the time, did you
observe where your son was?"

"Yes."

Miles waited, expecting her
to elaborate, but she didn't.� It only
seemed to encourage him.� "And Miss
Arky," he went on.� "You had no
exchanges with her?"

"No.� Other than her mocking me," Chassie said
coldly.

"You're lying."

Chassie blinked slowly.� By now Phoenix had learned at least one thing about determining her
state of mind, and that was to look at her hands--her knuckles were white as
she gripped the witness podium.� He
couldn't help a sudden prickling of doubt when he saw it, but he objected
anyway.

"Prove it," Phoenix challenged.�
His voice came out stronger than he felt.� "If you have a problem with her
testimony, present your evidence!"

Miles grinned.� It was a trap, but Phoenix could do nothing but run headlong into it.� It's
not over yet.� I've already come this far.� I won't give up until it's finished.
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