January 10, 9:47 AM
Beacon Academy

Ruby paced the floor nervously, Nick was gathering papers, and everyone else sat patiently. "I want a burger," said Maya. "I want fish," said Blake. "Just as long as I don't have to pay for it," Nick said, reminding himself of the state of his bank account.

"You nervous, Ruby?" Yang asked. "Well, yeah!" Ruby said. "My big sister is taking this whole thing to court! It started out small, and now it's this big...thing! I mean, sure, it's not just you that's made it this big, since it did make the news, but still! And there's also the chance that you might lose and make this all worse for yourself, and I don't want that!"

Nick put his hand on Ruby's shoulder. "Yang will make it out of this innocent. You have my word. It's my job as a defense attorney to make the truth be known to the court, the whole world, even." Ruby smiled. "Thanks, Mr. Wright. I feel better now." Yang got up to hug her sister. "Everything's going to be fine," she said. "I'll agree with you that this is a big jump, but it's what I think is best." "And if I may be so bold as to point out, Yang makes a lot of big decisions in a short amount of time, so something like this isn't exactly out of place for her," Weiss said. "But I have a feeling that this decision wasn't a bad one." Yang looked over at Weiss and smiled. "Thanks, Weiss."

A bailiff came out of the doors. "Sir, it's time." "Is it already?" Nick said, looking at the clock. "I guess it is. Alright, Yang, here goes nothing." Yang gave Ruby one more hug, before leaving with Nick and Maya. Ruby, Weiss, and Blake made their way to their seats.

Ozpin slammed down a gavel. "Court is now in session for the trial of Yang Xiao Long. And it is my understanding that we have a special guest with us, is that correct?" he said, looking towards Nick. He scratched the back of this head, laughing. "I guess you could say that. I'm Phoenix Wright, and I'm a defense attorney. Can't say I've been to Vale before, but it's always nice to get out of the cramped city." "I can imagine. Is the defense ready?" Ozpin asked. "Yes, Your Honor," Nick replied. Ozpin looked to the other side of the room. "Is the prosecution ready?"

Ironwood looked up towards Nick. "The prosecution is ready." Everyone looked in shock at the now-prosecutor. "General Ironwood...?" Yang asked. "Why is he the prosecution?" Weiss asked. Other murmurs were heard from the crowd, causing Ozpin to slam down his gavel. "Order! Order in the court! I would like to proceed with this as quickly as we can, and remember, students, we must be respectful when someone else is talking," he said, looking around the room. "Would the prosecution like to give his opening statements?"

Ironwood cleared his throat. "Two days ago, at the Vytal Festival Tournament, Yang Xiao Long was pitted in a one-on-one match against Haven Academy's Mercury Black. After the match was over, he reached out to give a handshake, before Ms. Xiao Long attacked his leg. To be completely honest, I see no reason for this to drag on longer than it needs to, and I would like to see if this visitor has anything to say about the situation that hasn't already been said." Ozpin nodded. "Will the defendant take the stand, please?"

Yang walked up to the stand. "State your name and profession," Ironwood said. "My name is Yang Xiao Long. I am a student at Beacon Academy, a member of Team RWBY, and a huntress in training." "You may begin your testimony," Ozpin said.

"Every year, the Vytal Festival is held, bringing together hunting teams from across Remnant. This year was no different, and my team, Team RWBY, was set to participate in the tournament. We advanced through the first round, and my partner, Weiss Schnee, and I were selected to move on to the doubles round; after we won, I was selected to move on to the singles round. It is as the prosecution said: I was put up against Mercury, and I won the fight. I walked away, and suddenly I hear him say something, and I turn around to see Mercury flying at me. I reacted, and attacked him, but all of a sudden, everyone started booing me. I know what you guys saw, but you have to believe me when I say that he attacked me!"

Ozpin nodded. "You say he said "something" to you; do you remember what it was?" Yang thought to herself. "Yeah. I said, "better luck next time," and he said, "there's not going to be a next time, blondie!" Or something like that." "Interesting," noted Ozpin. "The defense may begin the cross-examination."

Nick started, "You say you saw him attack you, in spite of what I understand to be millions of people saw. Is that correct?" "Yes, that's correct," Yang said, "and you have to believe me! I don't attack people for no reason!" "Calm yourself, Ms. Xiao Long," said Ozpin. "Continue, Mr. Wright." Nick nodded. "I'd like to present the court a piece of evidence: a segment from the tournament itself. Specifically, the moment when Ms. Xiao Long attacks Mr. Black." He played the segment from the scroll he got from Yang, and waited until it finished. "What of it, Mr. Wright?" Ironwood asked. "Have you nothing to say that hasn't been said already?"

Nick shook his head. "On the contrary, General. I'd very much like to say something that hasn't been said already." He played the clip again, pausing just before Yang attacked Mercury, and moved the camera to focus on Yang's face. "This is what I would like to say. Or, rather, this is what I would like to show."

Ironwood caught on immediately, visibly being taken aback. The students murmured again, confused as to what Nick had meant. Ozpin slammed his gavel, and demanded, "Order! Order in the court! Mr. Wright, what exactly are you getting at?" "Look at where Ms. Xiao Long's eyes are aimed," said Nick. "Well, they're aimed right in front of her," said Ozpin. "What of it?" Nick zoomed out, showing the full frame. Several gasps were heard from the crowd, and Ozpin exclaimed a very surprised "...Oh!"

Nick slammed his hands on the table, and pointed his finger, declaring, "Mr. Black's position for the handshake he was offering was not within Ms. Xiao Long's line of sight! Ergo, she saw something that no one else saw!" Ironwood slammed his fist on the table. "How could I have missed that...?" The room was filled with chatter yet again, and Ozpin slammed his gavel multiple times. "Order! Order! Order! I will have order in this court! That is all fine and well, Mr. Wright, but would you care to elaborate on what Ms. Xiao Long saw instead of a handshake?" Nick shook his head. "Unfortunately, no, I cannot, Your Honor. But I intend to find out what that is before a verdict can be reached." Ozpin nodded. "Well, I can safely say that this is a big discovery for this situation, and I leave it to the two of you to find your own solution to the mystery. Court is adjourned!" He slammed his gavel.

"Wow, I don't think anyone was expecting that! ...So what now?" Yang asked. "I'm not sure," said Nick. "Is there any way to contact this "Mercury Black" to see what happened?" "There is not," Ironwood said, walking by. "He is currently not in Vale, as he was taken away shortly after the fight." He looked at Nick. "I don't know what your game is, but try not to meddle in affairs you have no business in meddling in." The group watched the general walk away. "Do you think he's upset that he's losing?" Ruby whispered. "Well, "losing" might not be the best word, since it's very early in the case to see whether one side is winning or not," Maya explained. "We made progress, yes, but we can't actually make a statement until we can back it up with the right evidence," Nick added. "But enough about court," Maya said. "Let's get some grub! I'm starving!"