Ace Attorney: Andrew Dalmin

Turnabout Revival - End

   The case ended really well overall, better than I had hoped.  Brea was now completely back on her feet and was now back to prosecuting just as vigorously as ever.   As to whether that is actually a good thing or not, I'll leave that to your discretion, but I honestly preferred multiple various sharp objects being thrown at me then someone ready to commit suicide.

   Aaron, unfortunately, didn't have something major happen.  While his efforts on the case were noticed, his pay didn't increase whatsoever and neither did his rank.  He didn't get fired though, so I guess the case did him some good.   Of course, the case didn't change Michaela's or Brandon's lives at all, bar my slightly happier attitude and the fact that Brandon and I began communicating again.

   Mr. Mambony, while still not admitting to anything, was proven to have committed the murder through a confession of one of his employees, in return for a nicer sentence.  Brea Firehawk prosecuted him of course, and actually found every single one of his cohorts.  As for Adrian...well, no one really cares what happened to him.

   As for me, things were actually looking up.  Having saved someone that seemed impossible to defend, word spread quickly.  While it didn't cover up the massive mistake I made a year ago, I did notice that there were things in my mailbox besides bills.  I was still a long way from living like I used to, but I could now treat myself occasionally.  Maybe I could actually find my own office soon.   But before we close all the case details once and for all, there's one more thing that happened afterwards I should mention.

   It was now about two days after the case had finished, and the sun seemed slightly brighter than usual.  I sat on the couch in Michaela's office, taking a long rest.  Even though it was two days later, that case was the most emotionally straining case I had ever been involved in, beyond the one that ruined my life.   The outburst was especially draining, and now that I could rest, I was taking advantage of it.

   Suddenly, I heard a knock on the door.  I was puzzled for a second, as Michaela was currently investigating something as wasn't going to be back for awhile.  None of her cohorts would be showing up as the sign clearly said "closed"?  Was it for me?

  I opened the door, curious as to who it was, and pretty much fell over backwards.   There, standing impatiently at the door, was Jenna Wolf; the reporter who I had exploded at.  I had honestly hoped I would never see her again, besides maybe a written letter of apology.

 "Uh...hi?" I said nervously, trying to think of a way I could distract her and possibly run.

 "Hey," she said brushing her hair aside.  "You're the lawyer from a couple days ago, right?"

 "Uh, no, sorry.  You've got the wrong guy."  I then slammed the door and ran into my small office.  It was rude, but I really didn't feel like explaining my self.

 I froze as I heard the front door open again.  Apparently she decided to just go ahead and walk in.

 "Nice place you got here," she said, looking around.

 "Yeah...well, it's not exactly mine," I said, picking up the cards I dropped all over the floor.

 "Hmm?" she said, confused.  "You don't have an office?"

  "Well, I sort of do, but it's in someone else's building."

  "Ah."

  She then went to looking around some more, not saying anything.  After a few minutes of weirding me out, she gave a large sigh.

  "This office is SO boring!"

  I looked at her strangely.  Why on earth would she care?  "Uh...okay?"

  "We'll have to make a few changes around here.  A new paint job, and some posters should do the trick!"

  My look stayed pretty much the same.  "What do you mean we?"  She then proceeded to look at ME strangely.

  "Well, you can't have your assistant to do ALL the work around here."

  I dropped all of my cards and fell over backwards again.  WHAAAAAAAAT!!!!!!??????

  "Um....uh..." I said, slowly getting up.

  "Is something wrong?" she said questioningly.

  "Well, uh...first of all...how did you know I didn't have assistant?"

  She laughed.  "Brea's been keeping tabs on you, so I asked her about it.  She told me that your broke, pretty much jobless, and overall pathetic."

  Well, that did pretty much sum things up.  "Okay next....why?"

  She looked confused.  "What do you mean?"

  "Uh...aren't you...mad at me or anything?"

  She nodded.  "Well, of course I was at first.  Having my ears almost blown off wasn't exactly the most pleasant thing that happened all day."

  Owch, that was harsh.

  But then she smiled.  "But then I came back to the second part of the trial to see how things were going."

  So she was there after all.

  She began playing with her hair.  "At first, I thought you were stupid.   Mr. Mambony seemed impossible to defeat, and yet you stood there with confidence."

  Okay, so I wasn't exactly COMPLETELY confident the entire time.

  "Even when I first met you, you searched for every possible explanation otherwise even when everything pointed to her.   You fought against what everyone considered to be an impossible case...and won."

  She smiled again.   "Even though your methods seem stupid and farce...after seeing you in court, your methods interest me.  I want to see it first-hand, and the only way I can do that is by working with you."

  I scratched my head.  "But don't you already have a job?"

  She laughed.  "Are you kidding me!?  I quit that job the second I decided to team up with you.  It was very boring and I'm tired of dealing with annoying people."

  Trust me, THAT'S not going to end anytime soon.

  She held out her hand and winked.  "So what do you say?  Partners?"

  I shuffled through my cards, which what I always do while I'm thinking.  I had to admit, the concept of another person working for me didn't sound bad.  Even before I lost my reputation I had always flown solo, and there were many times where I had wished someone was there to help me out with paperwork and other details.  Perhaps an assistant could be a very good thing for me.

  I shook her hand and gave a small smile.  "Fine, I suppose I could use a team member."

  She grinned and threw off her grey coat, once more revealing the pony shirt.  I proceeded to fall down for the third time.

  "Alright," she said, full of confidence, "We need some supplies!  There's an art shop about 5 blocks from here, let's go!"  She grabbed my arm with the force of a professional wrestler and proceeded to drag me out the door.  Little did I know at the time that this would be the start of the biggest adventure I would ever have.

Turnabout Revival End
 


 

 

Ace Attorney: Andrew Dalmin

 Turnabout Revival - Final Court Phase

   It was time.  I went through the door and went back to my podium, taking one last look at my cards.  Thankfully due to the chaos that ensued, everyone forgot about the fact that I had started it, so there wasn't a series of stares.  Murmuring could be heard throughout the courtroom involving this "new suspect".  Indeed, the concept of a new suspect was intriguing, especially since no reason as to why Brea would have murdered the victim had been revealed.

  However, I didn't get my hopes up too high.  The only link that had been established between this man and the crime was Jenna's testimony, which I had already proved to be unreliable.  The only reason he was being brought to the witness stand was because there currently were no other leads.  I made sure my hair was straight and pointed as usual, and put my cards in my pocket.  The judge slammed his gavel.

  "It is now time to for the court to begin once again."  I noticed he was glancing at me quite worriedly.

  "Your honor?  Is something wrong?"

  "Ehm...I'm sorry..." he said, stuttering.  "I was just worried that...um...you might...uh..."

  I sighed.  Worry, thy name is Judge.

  "I apologize to the court for my sudden outburst, but I assure you it was all with the best of intentions," I lied.  Didn't want the court thinking I was going insane or something.

  "Right..." the judge said, gathering his wits.  "Uh...where exactly were we again?"

  "After Dullmin's absolutely RUDE incident," Adrian said, more insulted by the fact that someone actually yelled at him than anything else, "the possibility of another culprit has been mentioned.  As ludicrous as this claim is, it will be quite enjoyable to see the defense's pathetic attempts at saving this clearly guilty woman."

  I glared at him.  No one talks to one of my friends and gets away with it...even if that friend tends to harm me in various different ways.  Mr. Mambony was obviously the murderer, time to turn things around.

  "Bailiff, bring in the witness!" the judge declared.

 _________________________________________________________________________________

  When you thought of a crime boss, Mr. Mambony would not be your first option.  Granted, he had the overall look about him: the prideful look, the expensive jewelry, and the black suit...but he had a large round nose, a curled mustache, and overall he was about 4 feet tall.   Seeing such a grand look on such a silly man was so ironic...not that I was about to say it out loud.

  Adrian did a small hair flip.  "May the witness reveal his WONDERFUL name and-"

  "Say that again, and you won't have a house to sleep in tonight," Mr. Mambony said nonchalantly.  I guess threats were common for someone like him.  Hilariously enough, Adrain instantly began cowering under his stand.  That was a sight I'd remember for years to come.

  "Please give us your name and occupation," said the judge, obviously freaked out.

  "Mr. Mambony.  Owner of the bar in question." he said, refining his mustache.

  "Um...first name?" the judge said questioningly.

  "Does a 'New Judge Wanted' need to be posted outside the courtroom?"  Mr. Mambony said, turning his back to the judge.

  The judge hid under his desk.  I shook my head; was I the only sane one here?

  "Give us your testimony," I said, shuffling my cards.  "Tell us what you were doing on the night of the murder."

  "Hmm..." Mr. Mambony said, his back still turned.  A minute later, he slowly turned around, arms crossed.  "Simple and to the point.  Mr. Dalmin, it appears there is someone to be respected here.  Very well, I shall give my testimony."

  I breathed a sigh of relief.  Finally, we were getting somewhere.

  "THERE you are!" said Aaron, dashing to my stand.  "Where were you?"

  "In court on time." I said, smirking.  "Where were you?"

  "Uh..." he said, fidgeting with the button on his jacket.  I rolled my eyes.  20 bucks says he was staring at Adrian's party crew.

  "S-so what was all that about earlier?" he said, obviously changing the subject.  "Wasn't that a little uncalled for?"

  I sighed, "I'll explain later.  Right now we have a cross-examination to do."

  "Oh," he said, surprised.  "Who is it?"

  Apparently I was wrong earlier.  100 bucks says he was staring at the girls.

Witness 2 Testimony

   "I saw Brea Firehawk shoot the victim.  That is all."

  Aaron, the judge, and I all dropped our jaws simultaneously.   Not only was this the shortest testimony I had ever heard in my life, but it gave next to no information.  



  "Sir...isn't your testimony a little...lacking?" I said, my brow furrowing quite deep.  His face remained as nonchalant as ever.

  "I will make this as simple as possible," he said, refining his mustache again.  "Firehawk is the one who committed the murder, and there is no way you can change that."

  Still confused, I was about to ask for a little more information, when Adrian suddenly began chuckling.  I froze.  This couldn't be good.  Not at all.

  He shook his head.  "My first non-so-fabulous witness...the one in which your outrage was upon...was proved to be quite unreliable."

  Damn, I knew that was going to come up.

 "Fact is, Mr. Dullmin, he is the most reliable witness we have."



    I slammed a card onto the desk.  "What are you talking about?  We called you up because you were the only person describes on the scene.  I'm sure there could have been someone in the bar who-"

    A gunshot rang throughout the room, and the whole room instantly fell silent.  All eyes flew towards Mr. Mambony, who had a gun pointed at the ceiling.  What he just did probably wasn't legal, but who was going to question a possible crime boss?

   "It appears stupidity still reigns in court," he said, his face same as ever.  "Tell me, Mr. Dalmin...who would be willing to testify in this court?"

   "Well..."

   I froze as the sudden realization hit me.  My hands opened wide, and the sound of many cards hitting the floor rang throughout the courtroom.

  "A...Andrew?" Aaron asked, looking worried and confused.

  He was right.  No one at the bar would be willing to testify.  Half of the people there were probably his employees, and the other half would be too afraid to talk.  Jenna didn't mention seeing any one else in the alleyway, so no one but her witnesses it from the alleyway itself.  Since I had destroyed Jenna's testimony, he was the only witness that could be trusted.

  It wouldn't matter if further investigation was released.  The change of day wouldn't matter, no one else would speak.  Also, if any evidence still existed at the crime scene, Mr. Mambony's "cohorts" would have removed them by now.

  "I....o-o-object..." I said, trying to think of anything I could work off of.  Nothing came.

  Adrian laughed.  "That's quite the pathetic objection.  Is the defense giving up?"

  By now, everyone had figured out the truth.  Everyone was silent, there wasn't anything to say.  

  "GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

  I slammed my head down on the table.  I had failed, beaten for such a simple and stupid reason.  I was pathetic, so pathetic...

  Suddenly, I heard nothing but the sound of my own heartbeat.  Apparently, I had hit my head on one of the cards, and had awakened my mind's eye.  Frustrated, I raised my head to see where the card was so I could go back to normal.  For some stupid reason, I felt like I should look up, so I did.  There I saw Mr. Mambony's one card, his main point he had already presented.  Nothing unusual there.  I looked back down.

  Wait.

  I quickly raised my head back up, and focused on the card.  Hold it...something wasn't right.  The card was there alright, but it was...different.  There were lots of scratches, it was all crinkled, and the side were incredibly rough.  I massaged my forehead trying to figure what it all meant.  Wait...could it be...

  I closed my eyes and shut off all my senses.  I stood completely still, blanking out everything except my mind.  I felt like my soul had been separated from existence, and the only thing left was my conscience.

  The card wasn't usual, that much was certain.  It was damaged badly...why would that be?

  His Claim Was Weak.

 The only way that would make sense was if his one card was very shaky.   But wait, his claim was impossible to break...wasn't it?  Wait, now was not the time to fall back, now was the time to attack.  Why was his claim weak?

  There Was a Witness.

 Okay, so we have to assume his claim was false.  So wait, what exactly was his claim again?   That no witness existed, right?  But if he was simply lying, the card wouldn't be that weak.  That must mean that...

  The Witness Has Decisive Evidence.

  The witness's testimony would have to include decisive evidence to prove his claim wrong so badly.  So who is this witness?  Who would have been there at the crime scene, been smart enough to have decisive evidence, and yet despite having such power, not be considered a threat?




  BREA IS THE WITNESS.


  I fell over backwards, cards flying everywhere.  My consciousness melded with my body once more and I was back in reality.  Everyone stared at me; even the judge, just about to lower his gavel.   It was so much to take in...I couldn't believe it.

  Of course, of COURSE!  How had I not seen it before?  Brea, even though being mentally weak and depressed, was still one of the most professional prosecutors I had ever known.  She was obviously at the scene of the crime since she was found there, so she must have seen the murder.  However, mere words wouldn't have been enough, and she definitely would have known that.  She always carried a camera with her, in case she happened to stumble upon such an incident.  She would have taken a picture...

   

   All my years of experience, my raw emotion of understanding that flew through me, and the desire for the safety of my comrade came out in the loudest objection I had even uttered.  My posture was perfect, my pointing finger felt like it was blazing with fire.  I was back.

   I chuckled.  "I apologize, Adrian, I just needed a little warm up.  How was that objection for ya?"

   Adrian was sweating bullets.  Not just out of shock, but out of worry.  My sudden burst of courage was not what he had expected.

  "That was...unusual..." he said, shivering.  I smirked.  His face was priceless.

  I turned towards Mr. Mambony.  "Who will be willing to testify to the court?  I don't just think I know, I KNOW who will be willing."

  He still kept his calm look.  "You must be more absurd than the worst excuse for a prosecutor over there...who is this person?"

  "Yeah!" the judge said, shocked, but strangely excited.  "Who is this witness?"

  I raised one of my cards for the whole court to see.  On it was a picture of Brea's face.  The court went into an instant uproar.  The judge pounded his gavel continually under it quieted down a little.

  "Mr. Dalmin, why the defendant?"

  "Yeah, Andrew!" said Aaron, looking rather ambitious.  "Why!?"

  "Because," I said, grinning, "She's the most reliable witness we have.  I'm sure you all remember her history well.  Brea started out as a photographer before becoming a prosecutor.  Even to this day, she always carries a camera with her."

  I nodded to the judge.  "Let's say hypothetically, she wasn't the murderer.  If Mr. Mambony committed as Jenna Wolf claimed, she would have seen it correct?"

  The judge nodded.  "Yes...many people in the bar claimed having seen her go in the alleyway around the time of the murder."

  I straightened my hair.  "So, your honor, would Brea have watched it happen without doing anything?"

  The judge shook his head.  "No, she probably would have taken a pi-"

  His eyes opened wide.  "Mr. Dalmin, are you suggesting-"

  "I am.  The defense believes that the defendant has decisive evidence!"

  Aaron's, the judge's, and Adrian's mouths all held open.  The crowd went into another uproar.  Mr. Mambony still stayed the same.

  "Mr. Dalmin..." he said, for once not messing with his mustache, "Do you really think I would leave myself so open?  If such a decisive witness existed, they would be...taken care of."



  I shook my head.  "I argue the opposite for two reasons.  One, she was a mafia boss as well, and last I checked she still has connections.  The second you would have attempted that, her own "employees" would have counter-acted, and by that point you would become more suspicious."

  I held up Brea's card again.  "However, that doesn't mean you had to worry about her.  This is my second reason.  After the loss of...a friend, Brea became mentally unstable.  I'm sure you were aware of that, as I'm sure have spies.  All it would take would be one finger pointed at her, and she would collapse.  Once she became blamed her of murder she fell apart, and became blind the power she held in her own hands.  The bomb would never go off, you would be safe."

  Mr. Mambony looked slightly irritated, and turned to the judge.  "Your honor, give your verdict now.  This man is just wasting the court's time."

  "Y-yeah!" Adrian said, still shaking. "G-give us the verdict."

  Surprisingly, the judge shook his head.  "As much as I would like to be done with this case, the possibility of the defendant carrying such important evidence can't be overlooked.  Your testimony gave almost no information, and Ms. Wolf's can't be trusted...that means that Ms. Firehawk's testimony, with this new possibility in mind, actually has greater potential than your testimony."

  Mr. Mambony's face changed, and actually had a slight look of worry.  The judge nodded to the bailiff.

  "Bailiff, bring out the defendant!"

  The bailiff looked really worried.  "Uh...sir?"

  "What's wrong?" said the judge, confused.

  Suddenly, the door to the courtroom literally exploded.  Splinters of wood flew throughout the room and the door handle hit Adrian square in the face.  It was actually a good thing it did....what he would've seen next would have sent him running straight to mommy.

  Where the door used to be, stood a demon.  It was a woman that was about 5 feet tall, though she it seemed like she was tall as a skyscraper.  Fire seemed to be coming from her eyes, and her whole body appeared to be steaming.  In one hand, she held the biggest flail I had ever seen.  In the other hand, she held what young children would call a "Bazooka".   I swore Mr. Mambony jumped about 20 feet in the air.

  YOU...YOU...YOU BLAMED ME...ME...FOR MURDER.
MURDER.

  What was said next cannot be repeated as there are some who might find such language rather unpleasant.  However, let it be known that the originally fearless man had the facial expression of someone about to be run over by a tank, and screamed like a little girl watching a monster movie.  It pains me greatly that I can't reproduce it perfectly, and for years to come, I would almost never laugh as hard as I did that day.

  Brea was now back to her old self, and just as I had suspected, Brea had a perfect photo of Mr. Mambony shooting the victim.  The witness was taken into custody immediately, and Brea Firehawk, my old rival, was declared "Not Guilty".  I had won.

  However, the story of my revival is not over.  One more thing happened the next day that would change my fate forever...

 
 



 











 

 
 







 

Ace Attorney: Andrew Dalmin

   Turnabout Revival: Recess

   An hour recess had been declared.  Generally recesses that long weren't granted, but this was a special case.  My outrage created absolute chaos.  Everyone was fighting with each other, yelling at each other, and it became apparent that it would take some time for everyone to gather themselves.   Aaron was looking around everywhere for me, a million questions rushing through his head.  Where was I you ask?  Repeatedly hitting my head against a pole outside the courthouse.

    I was so foolish.  Believing that I could stay the same after a year of being trash underneath everyone's feet.   For years I knew I had the potential, that the scars of my past had created rage within me.  It was there, but I was strong enough to conceal it, and still managed to smile and stay strong even when my gut was twisted inside out.

   That one year was all it took.  When Jenna's final testimony came, I simply couldn't take it.  The sight of one rebuking another's friendship was simply too powerful.  It might not even been meant in that way, but it didn't matter.  Power and energy flowed through me and I lost all control.  I had become a monster.

  I hit my head again and again, even when my mind began to go numb.  What I had done, no matter how innocent I was, was inexcusable.  The things I had yelled at Jenna broke every single thing I believed should never be said, and the pain was unbearable.  How could I be so-

  "If you hit your head on that pole much longer, we might have to have another trial for murder."

  I spun around quickly, praying inside that it wasn't Jenna.  It wasn't, and in fact, was someone I didn't expect."

  "Brandon?  What are you doing here?" I said, confused.  Brandon was the same as usual: a bland suit and crossed arms.

  "I was in the audience.  I was interesting in seeing how you would handle your first trial in a year's time."

  "Oh..."

  Brandon gave me a stern look.

  "Andrew, what is done is done.  Your reaction was simply unavoidable.  Now stop beating yourself up and focus on what you have to do now."

  "Hold on a second."

  I gave myself one last punch to the face.  Not to beat myself up with, but to relieve some more stress and clear my head.  Brandon was right; Brea still wasn't acquitted yet.  I could easily find more poles after court was done.  I put my glasses back on and straightened my hair.

  "Alright...sorry about that." I said, my mind clear once again.  "Thanks."

  "Hmph," he said, ending the topic in his own way.  "I have something of importance to tell you.  Remember what Jenna said right after your outbreak??"

  I pulled out my cards and shuffled through them.  "No, not really...I left almost immediately afterwards."

  Brandon adjusted his glasses using only the tip of his pinky finger.  "A new suspect has been found."

  I dropped all of my cards.  Out of all the things he could have said, that wasn't what I was expecting.

  "You're serious?"

  Brandon sneered.  "Mr. Mambony, owner of the bar.  Jenna told the police she saw a small man with a large nose and mustache running into the bar when she arrived on the scene.  I took some time to obtain information, and he appears to be quite the dangerous person.  Multiple dealings with the mafia, possibly even a mob boss.  Further investigation shows that Brea and his mafia cohorts against have fought against each other before, Brea actually prosecuted against him in another murder case once."

  I began picking up my cards.  "So you're saying he has a clear motive?"
 
  Brandon nodded.  "Little to no evidence has been found so far proving he was there."

  I put my cards away and put my jacket back on.  "I need to pull it out of him on the witness stand?"

  Brandon nodded, then began walking back towards the courthouse.

  "Come, court is about to start again.  I am guessing you do not want to run into Wolf, so I will make sure we go in unnoticed."

  I ran after him, finally back to my senses.  Sometimes, it was nice to have a friend that was as nonchalant as Brandon.  Time to take down the mafia.