Turnabout Basics: Investigation

Hey everyone, me again. I thought I would try my hand at a full length Ace Attorney story. I also thought that this first chapter needed a touchup before I went any further.

For the record, this and any possible future Ace Attorney fics of mine will factor in the events of my one-shot Turnabout Valentine, so if you don't like Feenris then sorry but it's my story.

I still don't own the Ace Attorney franchise.

Date ? Time ?

Location ?

"You brought this on yourself, bitch," a voice said. Continuing it said, "You think you can hold something like this over my head, well look where it got you."

The person on the receiving end of this lecture probably would have responded if not for the fact that they were no longer among the living.

"Now to cover my tracks, but who could I blame it on?" the voice asked as there was a knock at the door.

"Hello scapegoat," the voice said happily, as its owner went about tampering with the crime scene.

February 27, 3:00 PM

Wright Anything Agency

It was a day like any other at the Wright Anything Agency, or at least like any in the past 13 days. After her release and the subsequent visit to Hazakura Temple, Iris had settled in to her role as "Agency Mom" as Trucy had dubbed it. While Iris had no problems with the title per say, she did feel the need to remind Trucy, as well as Apollo and Athena that she was still Phoenix Wright's fiancée at present.

I'll be Iris Wright soon enough though, Iris thought, giddily. Iris had been like this since her Valentine's Day release from prison, something she had never dared to dream about was about to come true. She was a bit apprehensive about telling Sister Bikini that she would not resume her duties at Hazakura Temple, but her adoptive mother had more than understood. And with Kurain's reputation back on the rise there was no shortage of people who would assist the head nun of Hazakura, so Iris would not have to worry about leaving her adoptive mother alone.

Trucy's enthusiasm had not waned since Valentine's Day, after eight years she would finally get the new mommy she had always wanted. It didn't matter whether it was official yet, Iris was Trucy's new mom and Heaven help anyone who dared to say otherwise.

Both Athena and Apollo shared Trucy's enthusiasm. Apollo having never known either of his parents felt as though a void had been filled in his life when Iris became a fixture at the Agency, she quickly became the mother he never had. Phoenix made a good father-figure but there are things that a person just needs a mother for.

Athena felt much the same way that Apollo and Trucy did. Even though Athena had Metis for the first eleven years of her life, she still felt emptiness similar to Apollo and Trucy.

Phoenix had been walking on air since Valentine's Day. The woman who had stolen his heart in college had agreed to marry him, and it made him feel invincible. The only thing that could make this better is if I had a case, this good mood won't pay the bills or pay for the wedding. Hmm, I guess I really shouldn't wish for someone to be put in a position where they would need my services, he thought.

It was at that moment that a familiar face walked through the door of the Wright Anything Agency. A man in a magenta suit, and cravat entered and greeted the members of the Agency.

"Mr. Justice, Miss Cykes, how are you? Trucy you're looking well," the man greeted.

"Hey Mr. Edgeworth," Athena replied.

"Good afternoon Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth," Apollo greeted.

"Hi Uncle Miles," Trucy responded.

Yes, the visitor was Chief Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth, long-standing rival and childhood friend of Phoenix Wright. After greeting the younger members of the Agency, Edgeworth turned his attention to his old friend. Now Edgeworth was no stranger to the Wright Anything Agency, but seeing Iris gave him pause, having not paid as much attention to her sentence as Phoenix had. He quickly recovered and greeted the former nun, "Sister Iris, a pleasure to see you again."

"It's just Iris now, Mr. Edgeworth. I can't exactly be a nun anymore," Iris said as she adjusted her engagement ring.

"Congratulations both of you, I expect that I will be invited to the wedding," it wasn't a question.

"Well my choices for best man are you or Larry, Miles so what do you think?" Phoenix asked.

"Speaking of Larry, I wonder if you might be interested in defending him," Edgeworth said.

"What happened?" Phoenix asked.

"He was accused of murder, what do you think happened?" Edgeworth asked.

"Who is the victim?" Phoenix asked.

"A woman named Elke Hubsch," Edgeworth answered.

"When is the trial?" Phoenix asked. I have a bad feeling about this, he thought.

"Tomorrow morning," Edgeworth told him.

"But that leaves me almost no time to investigate, why am I just finding out now?" Phoenix asked.

"Blame Larry, he's the one who wasted his phone call," Edgeworth told his old friend.

"Leave it to Larry to kill my good mood," Phoenix said as he felt a headache coming on.

"'When something smells, it's usually the Butz,' Wright," was all Edgeworth added.

"Uh, who is Larry?" Athena asked the question that was on her, Apollo, and Trucy's mind.

"Larry Butz is this guy Edgeworth and I know from elementary school," Phoenix started.

"He's little more than a blight on society yet he can prove useful every now and then," Edgeworth continued.

"He did save us during your murder trial. Manfred von Karma would have framed you for Richard Hammond's murder if Larry hadn't shown up," Phoenix said in his absent friend's defense.

"It does not change the fact that he is a womanizer, albeit an unsuccessful one, and trouble maker," Edgeworth rebutted.

"He did get pretty bad a few years back," Phoenix admitted.

"What do you mean, Feenie?" Iris asked.

"Well after my first trial, Larry was the defendant then too, he tried to flirt with my mentor Mia Fey. Months later, he would make passes at Maya when he was supposedly dating another woman. Two years later he claimed he sworn off women, during which time he made unsuccessful passes at a married woman, Desiree DeLite, Maya, Franziska von Karma, you, and even remarked, in all seriousness that he wouldn't have a problem dating Pearls, who was nine at the time. The only meaningful relationship he's had that I know of was with a model named Cindy Stone, who was the victim in the trial I just mentioned," Phoenix explained.

"I don't remember a man named Larry Butz, Feenie," Iris said as she wracked he brain trying to put a face to the name.

"I believe that he called himself Laurice Deauxnim when you met him," Edgeworth told her.

"I didn't know about that side of Mr. Laurice," Iris said.

"Speaking of, girls, I know I can't really stop you but I would rather you not associate with Larry more than you have to," Phoenix said to Athena and Trucy.

"Oh you don't have to worry about that, Mr. Wright," Athena said, having no desire to meet Larry Butz.

"What Athena said Daddy, just keep him away from Mommy," Trucy told Phoenix.

"Feenie! Mr. Laurice is your friend," Iris reprimanded.

"Yeah he is, and I know he's harmless, but I don't want him near Trucy or Athena or you unless I'm there to run interference. Edgeworth and I seem to be the only ones who can deal with him," Phoenix said.

"I disagree, Franziska handled him pretty well," Edgeworth stated.

"I mean without resorting to violence," Phoenix added.

"Now that everyone is up to speed, maybe we should go meet this guy," Apollo suggested, having remained silent throughout the conversation.

"Maybe I should question him myself, Apollo. If you talk to him your bracelet will be going off the whole time you're there," Phoenix told his senior protégé as he followed Edgeworth out the door.

February 27, 3:21 PM

Detention Center Visitor's Room

After Edgeworth had dropped him off at the Detention Center, Phoenix went straight to the Visitor's Room and waited for the guard to bring Larry in.

I hope the real killer is as dumb as Sahwit otherwise Larry might be in trouble. Speaking of trouble I'd better not tell him Iris and I are engaged right now, Phoenix thought.

"NIIIIIIIIIICCCCCKK, about time you got here," Larry said as he just seemed to appear.

"Well I would have been here sooner Larry, but I only just found out about this twenty minutes ago. If Edgeworth hadn't shown up and told me you would be stuck with some stranger defending you tomorrow. Now, care to explain what happened?" Phoenix asked.

"It was awful Nick, the cops show up out of nowhere and arrest me. They said I killed Elke but I would never do that, I couldn't hurt my Elke-welky. She told me she was out of town for a modeling gig, I didn't even know she was home," Larry said, panic evident in his voice.

"So why were you arrested?" Phoenix asked. This scenario sounds very familiar, I hope some statue/clock isn't involved, he thought.

"Like I said she was out of town but was due in today, I thought her roommate was picking her up from the airport. I swung by her place and the door was locked so I thought she was still out. I guess someone saw me leaving and thought I was fleeing the scene or whatever the phrase is," Larry explained.

"So she died around the time you left?" Phoenix asked, not really expecting an answer from Larry. Think on it a bit more he asked, "Why were you a suspect if the door was locked? Do you have a key to her apartment?"

"No, she wouldn't give me one without her roommate's say-so, something about it being rude giving me free access to a place that is only half hers," Larry told him.

Larry, rude, no never, Phoenix thought sarcastically.

"Hey, I know what you're thinking and you're wrong; I know about manners, I did graduate junior high!" Larry yelled.

"Alright, where is the crime scene, I need to see if I can investigate," Phoenix explained to his spazzy friend.

"She lived at the Sunrise Arms Apartment Complex, Condo 202. Oh EEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLKE!" Larry wailed.

"Okay, Larry I will get to the bottom of this don't worry," Phoenix said as he got up to leave.

"Don't bother Nick, my life is over- oh she's pretty hot," Larry said as he spotted a female inmate.

Well at least he's resilient, Phoenix thought. "Larry, that is Alita Tiala, she's in here for trying to frame her fiancée for a murder she committed," Phoenix warned.

"It's the duty of upstanding citizens like me to try to rehabilitate criminals like her," Larry said as the guard came to escort him back to holding.

If memory serves that girl was essentially Dahlia Hawthorne lite, I don't know who I should feel sorry for, her or Larry. Maybe I should swing by the Agency, I'll see if anyone wants to help me investigate, Phoenix thought as he left for the Wright Anything Agency and then the crime scene.

February 27 4:00 PM

Wright Anything Agency

"Honey, I'm home!" Phoenix called as he opened entered the Wright Anything Agency. I've always wanted to say that, he thought.

"Feenie, how was Mr. Laurice?" Iris asked. Honey, I think I like the sound of that, she thought.

"He was better than expected. Actually I came back to ask if anyone wanted to investigate with me," Phoenix said.

"Oh, Iris you should be Mr. Wright's assistant for this case," Athena suggested.

"No, I couldn't, I don't know anything about law," Iris said.

"Neither did Maya and she was my co-council for three years," Phoenix said. Neither did I for that first year, but I think I'll keep that to myself, he added mentally.

"Yeah Mommy, do it," Trucy chimed in.

"I think it would be cute, like a couple's exercise or something," Athena added.

"Aren't couple's exercises used when a relationship is on the rocks?" Apollo asked.

"DETAILS, WHO NEEDS 'EM?" Widget piped up.

"You realize you're a defense attorney right?" Apollo asked, not believing what he just heard.

"We're getting off topic here. Mommy you should help Daddy on this case, you two would look adorable at the Defense Bench together," Trucy said, cutting off Athena and Apollo's conversation.

"I'm all for the idea but it's up to you, Rissy," Phoenix said.

"Well, if you think I'll be of any help…" Iris trailed off.

"Remember what I told you back in college?" Phoenix asked.

"You said a quite a few things, Feenie," Iris pointed out as politely as she could.

"I was worried about midterms and you were trying to cheer me up," Phoenix reminded.

After a minute of thought, Iris remembered what her fiancée was talking about.

"Feenie, don't worry so much, you'll do just fine," a nineteen-year-old Iris, who was posing as her sister Dahlia, told a twenty-one-year-old Phoenix Wright.

"But Dollie, what if I don't, what if I fail, I can probably kiss any chance of a career in law good-bye right now if I can't pass some simple midterm exams," the future ace attorney worried.

Smack! Iris had slapped Phoenix to stop his negative train of thought. "Phoenix Wright, you will get through these exams and you will be a great lawyer someday. You said there was someone you needed to help so you can't just give up," Iris lectured. "You do still believe you can help them, right?" she asked.

As he put his larger hand over the small, dainty one that was still on his cheek, Phoenix said, "Dollie, thank you. You always know just how to make me feel better."

"I'm happy to help, Feenie," Iris told him.

"Dollie, promise you won't ever leave me?" Phoenix almost begged.

Oh Feenie, I wish I could, Iris thought. "I'd be happy to, Feenie, but why?" she asked.

"Because when you're by my side I feel like I can do anything no matter how impossible it may seem," Phoenix told her.

It was cheesy, it was clichéd, and it was still the sweetest thing Iris had ever heard because her Feenie had said it.

"I meant it, Rissy. You really do make me feel like I can do anything," Phoenix said, with sincerity.

Feenie, Iris thought, touched by Phoenix's words and by the memory. "Okay," she said before realizing, "I don't have anything to wear that would be appropriate for court though."

"There isn't really a dress code, Maya always wore her acolyte outfit and Prosecutor Gavin always wears leather clothes and those are far from formal," Phoenix said.

"Alright then, let's go investigate," Iris said, no longer worried about being a burden.

"Have fun you two," Trucy called out as the couple left for the crime scene.

February 27, 4:45 PM

Sunrise Arms Apartment Complex

The apartment complex wasn't anything grand, certainly not a place where one would expect a model to live. It wasn't dilapidated or uncared for, but it was the very definition of the word "generic."

"I guess the investigation is over," Phoenix said, noticing the lack of police presence, on the second floor.

"What if we can't get in?" Iris asked.

"All we can do is ask the manager. If they say no there is nothing we can do," Phoenix explained.

"It hardly seems fair that the prosecution and the police can go in whenever and as long as they want and look but you and other defense attorneys can't. It's almost like the legal system was designed to find the defendant guilty," Iris said.

"Yeah, it almost seems as though Manfred von Karma designed the current system," Phoenix said.

"Who is Manfred von Karma? You've mentioned him twice today," Iris said.

"I'll tell you tonight," Phoenix said as they found the manager's apartment and knocked.

"Hello," a gaunt, older man said as he opened the door and entered a coughing fit.

"Hi, my name is-," Phoenix started.

"Phoenix Wright, I'd recognize you anywhere," the manager said clearing his throat.

"Not to be rude but have we met?" Phoenix asked.

"No, but I doubt anyone in this city doesn't know who you are. My name is Manny Jerr" the man said.

I hope that's a good thing, Phoenix thought. "I was wondering if my assistant and I could investigate Condo 202?" Phoenix asked.

"I'd love to oblige Mr. Wright but the occupant moved back in after the police investigated and cleaned up. She made it quite clear that she didn't want visitors, she wants to get ready for tomorrow's trial," the manager said.

"Then would it be alright if we asked you a few questions?" Phoenix asked.

"I'm afraid I didn't know about the murder until I heard it from the police. I was out grocery shopping; I have the receipt to prove it. And I'm not sure if it helps but Miss Hubsch was still alive when I left, she was just getting back from her trip out-of-town," the man said.

"Can I see the receipt?" Phoenix asked.

"Certainly," the man said as he pulled out a slip of paper.

Checking the date and receipt Phoenix took note all the details, Today's date and the time of check out. Dietary staples, cough syrup, basic hygiene products, the ace attorney listed off in his head. Phoenix then said, "Alright, thank you."

Receipt added to court record.

"I don't know how much it will help but I don't think the poor girl's roommate did it. Sweet as sugar, both of them, why just today before that terrible incident they let me borrow their car to go grocery shopping," Mr. Jerr said.

"The both shared a car?" Phoenix asked. That sounds rather inconvenient, he thought.

"The two of them worked for the same modeling agency apparently," Mr. Jerr explained.

"Would you be willing to sign an affidavit testifying about the car?" Phoenix asked.

"If you think it will help, Mr. Wright, because I don't quite believe the young man the police arrested killed Miss Hubsch either," Mr. Jerr told the ace attorney.

Manny Jerr's Affidavit added to court record.

"Feenie, what do we do now?" Iris asked.

"Not much else we can do, Rissy. I know Larry is innocent so I'm sure everything will work out," Phoenix said trying to be optimistic. Why is it that nothing involving Larry can be easy? he thought as they headed for home and prepared for tomorrow.

Turnabout Basics

Investigation-Day 1 End

Court Record

Attorney's Badge: All important proof of my profession.

Receipt: Proves that the manager was out shopping the morning of the incident.

Manny Jerr's Affidavit: Mr. Manny Jerr statement that says he used the car the victim and her roommate owned to go shopping.

Profiles:

Iris Fey: Gender-Female/Age-33

My college sweetheart and my fiancée, I'm counting the days until she's my wife.

Apollo Justice: Gender-Male/Age-23

A lawyer at the Wright Anything Agency. He helped me clear my name a year-and-a-half ago.

Athena Cykes: Gender-Female/Age-18

A lawyer at the Wright Anything Agency. Can hear the voice of people's hearts.

Trucy Wright: Gender-Female/Age-16

My daughter and an aspiring magician. I adopted her eight years ago.

Miles Edgeworth: Gender-Male/Age-34

My childhood friend and Chief Prosecutor. He helped streamline the process of getting my Attorney's Badge back.

Larry Butz: Gender-Male/Age-34

My childhood friend and current client. Probably the unluckiest man alive.

Elke Hubsch: Gender-Female/Age-Deceased

The victim in this case. Larry's most recent girlfriend.

Manny Jerr: Gender-Male/Age-50

Manager of the apartment complex where the murder took place. An older man who claims he was out at the time of the murder.

I hope this was a good opening for the first trial, I thought it would be better than just starting at the trial. I wanted everyone to know what happened since Turnabout Valentine.

My plan is to update every two weeks but I ask that none of you hold me to that.

Until next time, read and review.