-Listen, I’m not a murderer, OK? I just found him like that!
-Yeah, whatever.
The policeman in front of Chris was looking at him strangely. The boy was wondering what this new universe he went in was like.
-Alright. How do you explain that you weren’t seen entering the crime scene?
Chris thought about telling the officer the truth, but ultimately decided not to – the last thing he needed was to be imprisoned in an asylum.
-I dunno! Have you ever figured that, I don’t know, nobody saw me?!?
The policeman thought for a minute.
-You have a point. Alright, listen up! I’m going to let you speak with the detective in charge of the investigation, OK? If anyone can make sense out of this whole thing, it’s her!
-Oh, thanks! I appreciate it, bud!
The policeman left, and a few minutes of loneliness followed. Then, a nice perfume filled the small interrogation room. Very soon afterwards, a crunching sound. “Oh God. I know this crunching. Please…”, the boy thought.
A woman in her mid-20s entered the room. She was dressed in a white lab coat and was wearing a pair of sunglasses with pink lenses on the top of her head. In her hand was a bag of snacks, and she often reached in it and ate the contents little by little. Chris screamed like a little girl.
-EMA!!!!!!!! – he jumped from his chair, but the cuffs he was in said their words and pulled him back. The girl looked at him strangely.
-Do we… know each other?
-Oh, you don’t know me, probably. But I know you! You’re Ema Skye, scientific investigator, right?
Just as Chris predicted, she grinned.
-That’s right! How do you know me?
-Believe me, it’s a long story, and I’d gladly share it with you, but, uhm…
He pointed at his cuffs.
-Oh, right, right. So… tell me what happened.
-Basically? I entered the room, saw a dead guy, and was arrested immediately.
-I see… and can you explain what you were doing in the basement of the police department?
-Beats me!
-You mean you don’t remember?
-No, I mean I have no idea why I landed in the basement of the police department!
She looked at him strangely.
-Listen, I’m going to tell you exactly what happened, but I need you to promise me two things – that you’re not going to tell anybody else, and that you won’t claim I’m mentally ill in court later.
-Can’t promise either of them.
-Fair enough. Let’s try…
Afterwards, Chris told her everything that happened, from the destruction of his homeworld to the adventures with Uatu. She kept silent for a moment.
-You are so crazy.
-I knew you’d say that! But I’m not!
She stared at him.
-Alright, I know it sounds a little far-fetched, but…
-A little? You claim that you came from an alternate universe! Scientifically, there is a chance that you’re telling the truth, but it’s as big as the chance of our universe being destroyed by a huge dragon!
-No, the dragon was on the crotch… whatever…
-Alright, listen, I think that we’d both be better off if you don’t tell that to anybody.
-That’s what I thought, but…
-No but’s! Just stick to “I entered and found him”. If somebody asks why, just say you were wandering around.
-Fine… geez… At least I get a lawyer, right?
-Of course. Can I recommend you one?
-I think I know who you’re talking about. Can I have my phone call? I need to speak with… Apollo Justice!

* * *

Chris picked up the phone and dialed the number he was given. Shaking from excitement, he almost screamed when he heard the soft, female voice from the other side.
-Wright Anything Agency, what can I do for you?
-Hey there! Um, Miss Wright, can I speak with Mr. Justice? I think I’ll have to need his services…
A brief pause.
-Sure, just a sec…
Another pause, this time longer.
-Hello, this is Apollo Justice. How can I help you?
-Mr. Justice! – Chris jumped. –I seem to be in a little trouble here…
-I see. And you need a lawyer to represent you?
-Precisely! The trial’s tomorrow, and... I was just hoping…
-Don’t worry. We’ll come right over to the detention center and I’ll look at your case, OK?
-Alright! See you then!!! – Chris said and closed the phone. And then, he jumped. “I’m going to meet Apollo Justice and Trucy Wright!!!!!!!!!!”

* * *

The detention center looked very, very familiar to Chris. He was way too happy to look at it from the inside. He even had a nice little chat with the security guard there. However, very soon, two even more familiar faces appeared on the other side of the looking glass.
-Hey there! Nice to finally meet you!!! – Chris jumped when he saw Trucy Wright and Apollo Justice.
-Uhm… Hi! – greeted the lawyer.
-Hello!!! – energetically responded Trucy. –So, you’re in trouble?
-Kind of.
-So, what happened? – asked the attorney.
-I walked into a room, saw a dead body, now everyone thinks I’m the killer. Typical for the police here.
They both sighed, realizing that was the truth.
-So that’s it? Nothing more for us to work with?
-Nope. That’s all I know. I don’t even know who the victim is, or how he was killed!
-I see. We’ll do whatever we can. And what were you doing at the crime scene?
“Crap”, he thought. “What did Ema tell me?”
-I… was just wandering around. Yeah. Just… hanging around… had nothing to do… you know how it is…
Apollo looked at his bracelet.
-Is that right?
-Listen, the reason I was there has absolutely nothing to do with the murder, OK? I assure you, 100%, that you will NOT need to know why I was there to win the trial.
-We’ll see. Is that everything?
-I think so.
-Alright. I’ll see what I can do. Come on, Trucy!
-Bye! – Chris waved at them.
So that was it then. Tomorrow was the big day. His homeworld’s very existence depended on how well Apollo was going to do at the trial.

* * *

-We are here for the trial of Christian Christov, accused of murder! – the judge said and hit with his gavel.
-The defense is ready, Your Honor!
-The prosecution… is ready, Your Honor – said the young, blond man in a purple jacket.
-Wait… that’s not who I think it is, is it? – Chris asked.
-Klavier Gavin, in the flesh – Trucy responded. – Isn’t he cute?
“I am so dead”, the boy thought.
-The prosecution has decisive evidence and a decisive witness that will end the trial in less than 20 minutes!!!

3 HOURS LATER

-And that’s why this witness is lying – Apollo said, kind of annoyed.
-I see – the judge responded.
-Achtung, baby! The prosecution has another witness that will undoubtedly prove the defendant’s guilt! In 10 minutes!!!
-Why is it taking so long?!? I thought most of the trials ended for about 1 hour!
-Trust me – I’d be glad if we manage to finish this before it gets dark! – Trucy answered.

4 HOURS LATER

-I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!!!! – Chris yelled from the witness stand –I TELEPORTED INTO THE ROOM AND KILLED THE GUY WITH MY INVISIBLE GUN!!! GIVE ME THE DEATH SENCENTE AND LET’S FINISH IT ALREADY!!!!
-Actually, I called you here to deliver your verdict… - the judge said and looked at the boy strangely.
-Oh, OK then. I’m sorry, Your Honor, but… seven hours was just too much for me. I’m not used to THAT much boredom!
-Alright then. Apology accepted. Just because Mr. Justice here found the real killer, I pronounce Mr. Christian Christov… NOT GUILTY!
-Yay! – the boy jumped, and soon left the courtroom. Soon, Apollo and Trucy joined him.
-Yes! We won! Thank you so much, guys!!!!
-It’s OK, really! We were just doing our job! – Trucy said and smiled.
-So, does that mean I’m a free man now?
-Not quite. You’ll have to spend the night in detention.
-Oh goddam…

To Be Continued…

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