Sonic the Hedgehog: Freelance Attorney 6

Chapter 6: (The 2nd Day Trial)

Later that day, at the river, what appeared to be gourd canteens floated in the waters before Tails picked them up, glancing at them.

Sonic: So what are they?

Tails: These are gourd canteens.

Lola: Well it is kinda like a gourd lake.

They glanced at it. A bit later, the nervous Sonic walked on the shallow waters a bit, digging in the waters.

Sonic: Man, why did it have to be water?

Tails: Come on, Sonic. You faced water before. Don't be a baby.

Sonic: (frowns) You know I can't swim!

Tails: Come on!

Sonic: Fine.

He then pulled up the string, showing some familiarish sea creatures, looking at it before turning to the anxious crowd.

Sonic: Squids. They're squids.

Tails: (glancing) Not just squids...Bloopers.

The crowd groaned before muttering in disappointment while departing. Sonic then looked at the mini flag the stringed Bloopers were attached to, pointing to it.

Sonic: France...yeah.

Psycho: The most annoying country in the world.

Later, at the darken area, Lola pointed to something.

Lola: There, there, there.

Inez: I wonder what that is.

They rushed to the paper she pointed to, picking it up as they looked at it. They moved the broken balloon before glancing.

Lola: (angrily) Ugh! (tosses it) Seriously! (tossing it) What the heck?!

A few yelped, flopping to the bottom before the group looked, noticing what appeared to be a ruined old boat house with two rowboats nearby.

Nack: (stunned) What...is that?

Psycho: Someone call the coast guard! I think we found the S.S. Minnow.

Slowly, they walked through the area, walking on top of the wooden boards with Sonic going closer.

Lola: Sonic. (worried) We shouldn't go in there. I have a bad feeling about this place.

Most: SHHH!!

Slowly, the hedgehog went close to the door, trying to peek inside the cracks and the closed windows. He glanced, trying to look through the dusty windows.

Tails: Well?

Sonic noticed a picture alongside some papers and something lying on a hammock. He noticed what appeared to be bird feathers, looking concerned. Later, back at the stand, a familiar balloon was shown all taped up where what appeared to be holes were made. Lola gasped, smiling delightfully.

Lola: OH MY GOSH! It's the Saint Saiya, guys!

Sonic: (glancing) Hey! Didn't you get rid of that useless thing?

Mighty frowned, trying to chop play him.

Mighty: Saint Saiya Chop!

Sonic: (was hit) Ow.

Mighty: I know it sounds stupid but, when you set it up here, little kids buy the buns like they're under a spell or something. (points at Lola) Kids like her.

Some: Ah...

Lola: (notices) Hey, the Saint Saiya's hurt.

She pointed to the bulge with tape on it.

Mighty: (grins) Oh that? I really had a hard time with that.

Matilda: That's not how I remember it.

Mighty: (pats the tank) But I have to tell you this: It was a couple of days ago. With this air tank, I was gonna put air in this guy and...

(Flashback)

In the past, Mighty turned the pipe, then looked up before he looked confused, noticing the balloon bloating upward.

Both: WHOA!!

Matilda: I told you not to do that!

Mighty: I didn't know!!

Mighty tried to pull the wrench back, though it broke, causing the armadillo male to scream. Just then, the tank flew upward with the balloon. As it did, it began going behind where Mr. Happy and Miss Sunshine were having their picture taken. Then, the balloon burst, causing the two to jolt as the photo was taken. They looked back, yelping a bit as they saw the giant waters going down.

Both: (shocked) Whoa!

Mr. Happy: Nessie?

Miss Sunshine: But this is Central Park Lake.

They looked at one another before shouting.

Both: DORRIE!!

(End Flashback)

The group looked stunned at what they heard.

Buster: (flatly) What?

Babs: Does that mean Dorrie is really just...

Toons: A deflated Saint Saiya?

Batula: (slaps his forehead) Figures.

Mighty: Don't worry, though. I used this to help me.

He showed the metal detector with a grin.

Mighty: My metal detector! The Saint Saiya just flew off with the air tank still attached.

As he continued, Sonic sighed, beginning to depart with his friends following.

Mighty: I managed to find it with the help of this guy.

He chuckled before they sat under the umbrella parlors. The blue hedgehog blew a bit before gasping, noticing something on the papers.

Sonic: Guys, look at this!

They glanced at the photo of a familiar buzzard on the papers.

Tails: (reading) "Buzz Buzzard: Wiretapping for a client?"

Inez: Oh my gosh! So Buzz was just a puppet after all!

Sonic: Hiding in the shadows, someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Psycho: Bah! Nothing is more annoying than a dummy controlling a dummy.

Nack sneezes a bit, then frowns.

Nack: Ugh, it's cold out here.

In the interrogating room, Valchir angrily slammed his fist down, glaring at the bird having his head covered.

Valchir: How about you start talking now!

However, to their notice, they saw the bird's mouth tight with a zipper on his mouth.

Valchir: (snaps) Screw you!

Narrator: The 2nd Day...

The next day, at the trial, the kangaroos glanced at the court.

Hip: Silence! The person who reported the incident is here?

Hop: I thought I heard he went "missing"?

Demitri: It's impossible to escape from us. We summoned him as our new witness. He's the caretaker of the boat rental shop at Central Park Lake.

He pointed to the door with the others looking confused.

Plucky: Wait, what was that about who in the what now?

The doors were heard opening before the crowd turned, looking at the figure entering. When it closed, the figure in winter clothing slowly walked down the steps.

Tails: I don't like where this is going.

Psycho: Isn't it warm to wear that?

They watched the figure arriving to the stand with the group on Defense bench watching.

Narrator: Witness: Caretaker of the Boat Rental Shop.

Demitri: Witness, state your occupation.

The figure glanced at the echidna, looking confused.

Figure: (fake American accent)...Uh...At the lake...I rent out boats. And sometimes if I feel like it, I ride in them.

He paused a bit.

Hip: Witness, please state your name too.

Figure: The thing is...I'm not sure.

The crowd muttered with confusion.

Hop: What do you mean?

Demitri: (concerned) Your Honor, this witness has no recollection of any memories prior to a few years ago.

Everyone else looked stunned at what they heard.

Inez: Objection! He is not in any condition to testify. And I'm not saying because he isn't stupid. I'm saying this because well...he-

Plucky: He's retarded! That's what! Retards can't testify!

Demitri: The incident in question took place three days ago. He can testify.

Buster: Yeah, Plucky. And don't call him retarded! That's stupid!

Nack: Can he at least take his hood off? It's too warm to be wearing that inside.

Hip: Very well. The defense's objection is overruled. BUT the witness must remove his hat, please.

Sonic: (groans) What? Augh.

Psycho: And the dumb clothes.

Hampton: Shhh!

Batula: Don't push it!

Psycho was seen pushing a cabinet then shrugs as he stops doing so.

Psycho: Okay!

Figure: It was...

He lifted his hat a bit, looking seriously, showing his face looking like a fox with white side marks and blue eyes.

Fox: It was on the night of the 24th, just after midnight.

In the sequence, the old fox awoke, watching the scene a bit before it showed him on the phone.

Fox's Voice: Thank you...

He hung up before ducking down, watching where Knuckles, panting in fear, passed the window.

Fox's Voice: Right after I called the police, the boat came back to shore. And a man, actually echidna, walks by my window..

In reality, the fox pointed to where Knuckles sat.

Fox: It was the person right here. Aye-uh I mean yeah.

Nack: Hey fox boy, do you got a name?

Psycho: Yeah, at least give us a chance before...

Demitri: (frowns) Objection! The defendant shouldn't have to be forced to give his name.

Nack: Geez, calm down, Cyborg man. We were just asking.

Babs: Is it me or is American accent fake to you guys?

Toons: It's fake.

Plucky: What's fake?

The crowd looked stunned a bit.

Sonic: Hmmm. It was probably really foggy that night. Can you be sure that it was the defendant that you saw?

Fox: (nods) Yes. (looks at Knuckles) It was him. (points) It was definitely that guy with the red jacket and fluttering cravat. Yes that's right. (motioning) He said, while his cravat fluttered, "Never thought I'd shoot someone." Yes.

Knuckles glared, standing up as he shouted.

Knuckles: Objection! I've never said such a thing! Moreover, (snaps) my cravat doesn't flutter to that extent!

However, everyone else face faulted as it fluttered a bit.

Charmy: (notices) Hey! It's fluttering!

Psycho: (grins) Neat! Now how about the cyborg man removes his arm?

Demitri: (annoyed) My robot arms got nothing to do with this.

The kangaroos banged the gavel with frowns.

Both: Silence!

Hop: (to Knuckles) Defendant, do not interrupt the testimony.

Sonic: (ponders) Strange. Your Honor! This testimony...it's way too suspicious!

Demitri: Suspicious? Well that's great. So, what basis do you have, attorney?

Sonic: (confused) Basis?

Demitri: And where's your evidence that backs it up?

Sonic: (gulps) Evidence...? Riiiight.

He prepared to speak, though looked a bit lost.

Lola: (clenches her magmata) Sis...Please help Sonic.

She looked a bit down.

Hip: I'm guessing you have nothing?

Sonic: (yelps) No... Hey wait...

After a moment, the kangaroos finally glanced.

Hop: Well then, this is the end of the cross examination.

Good Guys: Gah!

Knuckles slumped down to his seat with worry while Sonic looked at Lola, who only shook her head with worry as the gavel banged.

Hip: The Defendant, Knuckles the Echidna's verdict has been decided as...

Kangaroos: Guilty!

The crowd shouted in shock while Knuckles looked down.

Sonic: (groans) Sorry, Knuckles. We let you down.

Fred: Judge! Judge!

Hip: (frowns) The trial's over. Stop interrupting.

Fred: Uh, can I try the hat on? I think it's a nice hat.

Hop: Look, there's no point in wea...

Fred: Nice hat!

The kangaroos groans as the fox toss Fred his hat which lands on his hat.

Fred: Yes.

Sarah: (sadly) Where's a miracle when we need one?

Mighty's Voice: Wait a minute!

Sonic's Group: Huh?

Everyone turned, looking at the familiar armadillo at the back.

Mr. Rude: Who is this person?

Mr. Fussy: Who is that?

They looked at Mighty walking out of his seat, waving with the crowd looking surprised before he headed downward.

Rouge: Mighty?

Hip: (stutters) What...what...what...what are you trying to do?

Matilda: (following) What the hell are you doing!?

Mighty: Look buddy, I uh, just remembered today, (removes his shades) the sound of a gunshot!

Some: (surprised) Gunshot?

Mighty: (nods) Yeah!

The echidna looked at Mighty before looking at the judges.

Knuckles: Your Honors, (points to Mighty) he is a witness of the defense!

Kangaroos: (confused) The defense?

Demitri: That's stupid!

Plucky: YOU'RE stupid!

Psycho: And you know who's else is stupid?

Nack: (frowns) You ain't going to insult your mother, are you?

Psycho: What me? No. I was referring to the criminals who were on "World's Dumbest Criminals." I think some of our enemies were in some episodes.

Demitri: Now look. The verdict has already been decided! (to the judges) Dismiss the court!

Lola: Everyone! Brady gave us our last chance!

Mighty: (mutters) Mighty!

Sonic nodded before he and Tails looked at the kangaroos.

Tails: Your Honors! As long as we have a witness, we must listen to his testimony. That IS the law, isn't it?

Demitri: That is unnecessary! It's impossible to reverse a judgement!

Sonic: Your Honors! A verdict given without listening to all testimony is unacceptable!

Psycho: Say "unacceptable" like Lemongrab.

Nack: Sweet Hot Potatoes, no!

Demitri: Enough testimony was given to declare a verdict! (to the judges) There's no problem here, your honor.

Hip: (frowns) I'll tell you what I think. In any case or situation, an incorrect verdict should always be avoided. Therefore, I shall withdraw the guilty verdict that I just given.

Hop: (to himself) Figures. (to Mighty) Witness, please come to the stand.

Mighty: (grins) Yes!

The armadillo came to the area, chuckling a bit while giving a thumbs up to his sister with Demitri frowning.

Demitri: Can this trail get anymore ridiculous?

Fred: (hops up and down) Judge, judge!

Hip: (annoyed) There's more than one of us. What is it now?

Fred: I got to go pee pee!

Hop: (sighs) Can't it wait?

Mighty looked at the ground with water sounds being heard.

Mighty: (sweatdrops) Apparently not.

Hip: (annoyed) Ugh, fine. Go take a pee pee break!

Hop: In fact...take your time.

Fred nods as he rush out of the courtroom, leaving everyone else.

Hip: Okay, quick!

Hop: Let's finish this up before he gets back!

Narrator: Witness: Mighty the Armadillo.

Mighty: (holds an item) You know I...that night, I was riding a boat.

It showed the vision of Mighty using the metal detector on the lake.

Mighty: My sister and I were looking for something, but Matilda fell asleep while we searched.

Matilda: It was exhausting, obviously.

The vision continued with Mighty using the detector before it beeped rapidly.

Mighty: Ha-ha-ha! Oh yeah!

Later, Mighty dug out the broken balloon with tank.

Mighty's Voice: And after I found it, I picked up my sister and secretly returned the boat to the rental house.

He fixed the ropes up before he prepared to leave with the sleeping female.

Mighty's Voice: And when I was about to go back home...

Just then, a gunshot was heard, stopping him with a shock while removing the earpiece.

Mighty's Voice: I heard the gunshot. After that one gunshot, nothing happened. So I went back.

When it ended, Sonic frowned a bit.

Sonic: The gunshot you heard...it was only once?

Psycho: Do you want to use a lifeline? Poll an audience? Call a family member? Use 50/50?

Mighty: That's what I'm telling you.

Amy: But the other witnesses all heard it twice!

Tails: Are you sure you heard it correctly?

The armadillo stretched a bit before glancing.

Mighty: To tell you the truth, I'm not absolutely sure.

The crowd looked more confused.

Some: Wha?!

Mighty: Well you know, I was listening to the radio and whatnot with my earphones. So, I might've not heard the other gun...shot

The crowd glanced at him while muttering.

Mighty: (frowns/to the crowd) Hey! What's wrong with listening to the radio?! It was Christmas Eve! (points to his ears) I wanted someone to whisper tender wishes into my ears! But the DJ was an old man with a horrible voice. He said "So, in 30 minutes, Christmas Eve is over. Coming up is everybody's number one favorite, 'Jingle Bell'! Check it out!"

Mr. Grumpy: (snaps) Hey! I had a cold on Christmas Eve and had to stand in for Mr. Messy that night!

Mighty: (sweatdrop) That explains it.

Sonic groaned a bit, face palming a bit.

Mighty: Uhh.. he's just...kidding around like that...

Sonic: (annoyed) Like we say: "If something smells, it's usually the 'dillo."

Amy: At least HIS Christmas Eve was okay.

Sonic: (realizes) Wait, what did you and Mighty say?

Inez: They mentioned something about...

Most: (realizes) Christmas Eve!!

Sonic: Mighty! Are you certain of what you've just said?

Mighty: (nods) Absolutely!

Sonic: (to the judges) Your Honors! He just testified, that when the DJ said "in 30 minutes Christmas Eve is over", he heard the gunshot.

Knuckles looked stunned, realizing as well.

Sonic: (glances) It was before midnight that he heard the gunshot. Up to now, all the witnesses have heard the gunshots after midnight.

Amy: Sonic's right! Their situations seems to contradict each other.

Tails: That opens a new possibility that the death MAY have happened DURING Christmas Eve after all.

Nack: Wait, 30 minutes BEFORE Christmas? (realizes) That was when Grandpa and the others came to Chor Ghom with us. It happened at that same time WE were all reunited.

Psycho: It's like one of your granny's metaphors. "When something REALLY good on Christmas Eve comes true to one, something REALLY bad happens to someone you know."

Nack: Do you know what that means?

Psycho: Not a clue.

Demitri: Objection! It's just an illusion.

Hop: There were photos taken at the moment of the gunshot.

The photos on the holograms reappeared, showing them to the crowd, then the dates marked "Dec. 25, 0:15" were shown.

Demitri: Look. Both pictures, were taken after midnight.

Sonic: (frowns) Objection! Of course...Mighty's...Uh...

He winced a bit before looking seriously.

Sonic: The witness is not mistaken. (points) TAKE THAT!!

The hologram of the third photo was sent zooming toward the cyborg echidna. However, he held out his arm, halting the hologram. He glanced at the date which was marked "Dec 24th, 23:30" on it.

Sonic: Out of the photos that were taken that night, there was one more photograph.

Hip: (glances) There's nothing in this picture.

Vector: Yeah, what gives?

Sonic: It's not what has been photographed that's important. The question is...why does this photograph exist in the first place?

The echidna looked seriously at the hedgehog.

Sonic: (walks a bit) The camera that took this photo was set up to take pictures in response to loud noises. Therefore! (points to the date) The time when this photo was taken, at 23:30, there was a loud noise!

Tails: Sonic's got a point. This matches the time the witness had heard the gunshot.

Demitri: (snaps) OBJECTION!!

He slapped the hologram that flickered away.

Sonic: (slams his hands down) Prosecutor Demitri! The situation has already changed.

Hip: What do you mean?

Sonic: (points to the hologram) As this photo points to, there is the possibility that the actual time of the crime, was 23:30.

Demitri: (glares) Then attorney, the defendant, Knuckles the Echidna, who was on the boat, who is this person with him? Hmmm?

He pointed to the picture of the figure shooting at where Knuckles ducked.

Inez: (realizes) Of course, it's all so obvious.

Batula: (gasps) It vas someone who disguised himself as Attorney Coronado De Cava, ze victim.

Sonic: In other words...It was the real murderer.

(Flashback)

"December 24th: 11:30 PM"

At the familiar parlor, the gunshot was heard with Mighty stopping, looking around while a male figure with bullet hole on his head fell dead. Afterward, the figure snatched the helmet, placing it on himself, looking darkly.

"December 25th: 12:15 AM"

It then showed the familiar scene of the figure shooting twice while Knuckles ducked with the figure jumping into the lake. Knuckles gasped, grabbing the gun and panting. The figure swam for shore before the corpse of De Cava was picked up.

(End Flashback)

Sonic: There is one person I suspect, as the real criminal in this case. Only problem is...I don't even know his name.

Demitri: (chuckles) You don't know?

Amy: Because, he never said it...

Nack: Maybe it's because he's someone who don't want to arouse suspicion...and could be amongst us right now.

Tails: I think it was that fox that was here. But why?

As it showed the vents zooming downward, a voice began speaking.

Voice: Don't forget the DL-6 Case.

It then showed a bird of a sort. Back in court, Sonic glanced at the judges.

Sonic: Bailiff...I request the caretaker of the boat rental shop to be cross examined again.

The crowd muttered a bit before the gavel was banged.

Kangaroos: Silence!

Hop: Bailiff, the witness?

Jimmy: (arriving) Well...(gulps) He's nowhere to be found.

Most: What?!

Jimmy: Uh...It seems that he had left already...

Inez: Oh Cheese and Sprinkles!!

Psycho: Oh! Is it lunchtime already?

Inez: (frowns) It's a Minnesota expression, Psycho!

Psycho: Damn.

Matilda: What if he ran away?

Rouge: Either that OR he's trying to make an escape.

Hip: The prosecution and the police will ensure the whereabouts of the witness.

Hop: Today's cross examination ends here.

Demitri: Your honor! What happens if they can't find him?

Hip: Tomorrow is the last day of cross examination.

Hop: If that is the case, then the verdict will be given right away.

The gavel was banged.

Both: Court is dismissed for today.

Fred comes in, smiling.

Fred: Okay! I'm done! Yes!

Espio: (annoyed) What took you?

Batula: Hmmm...zere's something about zat fox...can't place vhere...

At the locker area, the fox came to the lockers before using a key, unlocking the locker before smiling at the bird inside.

Fox: (real Scottish accent) Ah, there ye are, Ms. Potty. Oh sorry, Potty since you're a boy. Yeah, that took a while, huh?

(End of Chapter 6)