Ace Attorney Case Files: Rise From The Ashes(Part 3/3)

 Now for the third and final part of the Case File for Rise From The Ashes. As you might expect, this features the rest of the case- the final investigation sequence, the final trial and the denouement.

Previously On...

Phoenix Wright is hired to defend Lana Skye, who has been accused of murdering Bruce Goodman. Lana apparently was seen killing Goodman in the parking lot of the prosecutors' office, but Goodman was seen being murdered at the same time in the police evidence room.

Phoenix eventually proved that the murder in the evidence room was a fake, and that Officer Jake Marshall had impersonated the victim to steal the evidence from SL-9, a closed case that was about to be put away for good. Jake's brother died in the SL-9 incident, and Jake was determined to find the truth.

It turned out that Lana was involved in that case, as both she and her sister were witnesses and Lana was the prosecutor. Jake demanded to know whether Lana had forged evidence, and she said yes, resulting in the trial being suspended for the day.

Investigation Day 3

Ema apologizes on her sister's behalf. When you apologize on someone else's behalf, I personally feel it comes across as implicitly taking the offended party's side, so it seems as though Ema's more ashamed of her sister than ever. Ema then reveals that Lana used what happened to her- Joe Darke tried to kill Ema and ended up killing Neil Marshall instead, resulting in him leaving behind evidence- to get Darke convicted.

Two years ago, Ema was in her sister's office during a thunderstorm when Darke ran into the office, supposedly fleeing from someone, and tried to kill her. Ema blames herself for not giving the evidence necessary to convict Darke, and believes this is why Lana became cold and Edgeworth ended up unwittingly accepting forged evidence. Ema, guilty over her inability to testify, decided to become a scientific investigator to solve crimes.

While describing how Darke had tried to escape questioning, Ema reveals something surprising- her sister used to be a detective before becoming a prosecutor.

In the Detention Center, Lana is still rather evasive about the incident, but claims she "sold (her) soul" two years ago, and that the incident doesn't just involve her. Lana's a bit more forthcoming about her past as a detective, when she was an amazing team with Damon Gant, but claims she always intended to become a prosecutor. She recalls how she led a team of the best detectives on the force- Bruce Goodman, Jake Marshall, and Angel Starr. This contradicts Marshall's earlier claim that Goodman wasn't a particularly gifted detective, which makes one wonder if Jake was trying to hide something..

Then Neil Marshall's killing happened, and Lana was the first on the scene apart from Ema, Neil and Darke. She recalls that Neil was dead while Darke and Ema were unconscious, so she carried Ema out and arrested Darke. Phoenix finds it odd that all the players in the current case were involved two years ago, but Lana says that cases don't simply end. Phoeni and Ema then go to the real crime scene.

Phoenix and Ema encounter Jake outside the Police Department, on his way to turn himself in at the prosecutor's office. He says he's unsatisfied with the outcome of the case, noting that the wound Neil suffered doesn't match the switchblade, which was the supposed murder weapon. Jake says that the detectives assigned to the case were dealt with, but Lana and Gant decided to spare Goodman, the head detective, to prevent people from getting suspicious. Marshall remarks that Gant was responsible for Lana's promotion and that she hasn't been the same since, but can't explain why. Marshall concludes by saying that Gant, not Edgeworth, is the one at fault, then leaves knowing that his career in the police is over.

The next stop is the Chief's Office, a spacious room with pair of facing desks and a massive pipe organ inside. Gant quickly puts a paper away, notes that he's been busy since the end of the trial, and points at a photo of him, Neil and Lana. Neil is holding a King of Prosecutors trophy and a familiar-looking vase is in the background. Gant ushers Ema and Phoenix out of the "crime scene," but his choice of words convinces them something's up.

Next up is the Criminal Affairs Department, where Gumshoe is tired from serving coffee. Gumshoe is worried about Edgeworth, who's facing resentment from the rest of the prosecutors' office and being blamed for presenting forged evidence.

Gumshoe recalls the SL-9 case, which started when Darke killed someone in an accident, then had to kill a witness to the accident, then killed a witness to that crime, and so on and so forth, until five people were dead. Improbably enough, no evidence was ever left behind until Neil's murder. That piece was the tip of the switchblade, which was found in Neil's stab wound.

Gumshoe reveals that he can use his ID to get Phoenix and Ema inside Gant's office, but if he does so, he'll be fired. Considering Gumshoe's incompetence, it's amazing that he hasn't been fired already. Phoenix sets out to change his mind.

They find Edgeworth in his office, and Edgeworth takes full responsibility for the forged evidence, visibly distraught over what has happened despite his efforts to hide his feelings. Edgeworth notes that despite everything, it's too late to remove him as prosecutor, and observes that the evidence list(the document from Gant's office) is too short for a case like this, since it should be twice as long.

Edgeworth once again recalls the King of Prosecutors award ceremony, which was why he was at the police station on the day of the crime. When shown the picture from two years ago, Edgeworth reveals that the word "contradiction"  has the Chinese characters for "halberd" and "shield." It was based on a story from the Kingdom of Chu, in which a merchant tried to sell the king a halberd that could slice through any armor and a shield that could withstand any weapon, only for the king to notice the contradiction. The trophy contained a broken shield and halberd tip until two years ago, when Gant removed the latter.

Ema finds a crumpled piece of paper on the floor of the office, and Edgeworth says that it's his letter of resignation. Weary and burdened by guilt, he's decided he can't go on any longer.

On the way out, Phoenix and Ema encounter Angel again, who's surprised that they uncovered information about SL-9 but insists that it won't change what she saw. Angel remembers investigating SL-9 with a certain level of fondness, but observes that Jake became desperate to find the truth after Neil's death, and Lana became desperate in turn. Angel noticed some irregularities in certain pieces of evidence disappearing and others appearing, to say nothing about how everyone besides Goodman stopped being detectives after the case.

Angel recalls how Gant was admired for his "magnetism" in finding evidence, by which she means that people suspected him of forging evidence back then. As for Lana, Angel once admired her for being a just person who looked out for the other detectives, hence her concern for Jake, but feels betrayed by her coldness as of late. She observes that Gant is likely controlling her, using her as a pawn to control the police and prosecutors' office. After that, Angel concludes the conversation by wishing Phoenix and Ema luck.

At Criminal Affairs, Phoenix shows Gumshoe Edgeworth's resignation letter. Gumshoe, guilty over how the police failed Edgeworth and realizing his own career's basically dead, gives Phoenix his ID to let him into Gant's office.

Phoenix and Ema return to the Chief's office and to their surprise, Gumshoe follows them there. He notes that Gant kept the office the same way it was two years ago, and wonders if Phoenix thinks Gant is a suspect. At this point, it's rather easy to come to that conclusion, especially considering that the owner of badge #7777777 is presumably the culprit(remember, it belongs to someone ranked Captain or higher, and Gant is the only high-ranking police officer shown in this case).

Phoenix finds a wall safe and enters 7777777 as the combination, which opens it up to find a shard of pottery and a piece of cloth with a handprint. After presenting the rest of the jar, Phoenix concludes that Gant concealed evidence related to SL-9. Phoenix finds half of the evidence list in Gant's desk, with a drawing on the back.

Forensic investigation yields some additional clues. Spraying Luminol reveals a bloodstain on Lana's side of the office, while fingerprinting reveals a fingerprint on the cloth... one that belongs to Ema, of all people.

Gant then shows up in the office, guided there by his intuition. He tells Gumshoe he's fired, asks for a word with Ema and sends Phoenix on his way.

Phoenix automatically returns to the Detention Center and bluntly calls Lana out on keeping him in the dark. Mia's impressed, and Phoenix concludes that Gant "persuaded" Lana to stay quiet. Phoenix says that while Lana and Gant will be held accountable for hiding and forging evidence, Gant is the one responsible. Upon being confronted with the evidence list, Lana admits that Gant ordered her to dispose of Goodman's body. Lana did as she was told, swapping the switchblade stuck in the body for Edgeworth's knife, but ended up cutting herself and being caught in the process. Before her arrest, Lana called Ema to get her to hide the knife and called Jake, thereby inadvertently convincing him to break into the evidence room.

Lana asks Phoenix not to pursue this matter further, but he remains determined to find the truth.

Trial Day 3, Part 1

As the trial begins, Phoenix notices Lana and Ema aren't there.

Edgeworth shows up and suggests that he knows who has badge #7777777, but appears convinced Lana will be found guilty right away. Phoenix advises Edgeworth that today is his only chance to find the truth.

As court resumes session, Gant takes the stand with a proposal- to have Lana speak to the court. Lana immediately confesses to the murder and dismisses Phoenix as her attorney. As Phoenix is flabbergasted, Edgeworht objects, saying he hasn't proven Lana guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. When Gant mocks Edgeworth, Edgeworth reveals he knows that he made a "deal" with her. Edgeworth then calls Ema to the stand, with Gant ominously warning Edgeworth he'll regret it.

Edgeworth asks Ema to testify about the Joe Darke killings. Ema's testimony is mostly whatyou know already, but she claims she drew a picture and lost it. Phoenix then reveals that it's on the back of the evidence list. Edgeworth is shocked that Phoenix had it, but the Judge points out that his list was incomplete, and only half of the evidence reached him. It's no wonder the trial was irregular back then, although it might have been nice to have some idea what evidence was on each page..

Phoenix follows this development to its logical conclusion and reveals that Edgeworth's half of the evidence list should have a drawing on it, too. To Edgeworth's shock, it does- the Blue Badger.

Ema testifies about her picture, which was drawn all in black because she could only see shadows with the flash of lightning. However, there's a problem with the picture- Darke is about to stab Neil in the front, but Neil's autopsy report says that he was stabbed once in the back. Edgeworth proposes that the tip was already broken, but Phoenix counters that the tip was found in the victim's wound, and proposes that this was falsified evidence.

Phoenix reveals the existence of another broken knife- the halberd from Neil's King of Prosecutors trophy. When Edgeworth points out that would have made Neil the murderer, Phoenix is bewildered. Ema confesses that the Blue Badger was part of the picture she drew, then testifies about it.

Ema testifies about the incident, and while Lana tries to stop her, Edgeworth and the judge insist on  continuing. Phoenix notices that Ema saw the shadow of "the Blue Badger" and realizes that it was actually the jar that fell(since the silhouette matches the Badger's oddly-shaped head), meaning that the murder took place in Gant's side of the room. He's well aware he's going into dangerous territory, but also that it's too late to turn back. It turns out that under these circumstances, Ema accidentally killed Neil Marshall by pushing him into the statue. Ema screams and faints.

Lana refuses to believe that Ema is guilty, but Edgeworth proposes investigating the victim's final message, and Phoenix acknowledges it. Lana protests once again, but Edgeworth says they aren't intending to accuse Ema, but to find the truth, no matter how painful it may be- Edgeworth's creed after his character development. Phoenix then shows that Ema's name was written on the jar.

Gant shows up again, noting that he warned Edgeworth this would happen, and noting that Edgeworth had an innocent man sentenced to death. This is one of the few times it's openly acknowledged that a convicted murderer was sentenced to death, but it's surprisingly fast- two characters later in the series were on death row for six and seven years, and Japanese inmates can often wait for decades while not knowing when their sentence will be carried out, but Darke was executed within two years. The court descends into chaos once again, but since the trial can't be extended another day due to the arbitrary three-day limit on trials, the court goes into recess instead. Either way, there's a save point.

Trial Day 3, Part 2

Phoenix apologizes to Edgeworth for getting him in trouble, while Edgeworth says he doesn't mind. Gumshoe comes in, and reading the room, starts to excuse himself before Phoenix calls out to him. It turns out that Gumshoe's on another errand for Lana, sending Phoenix a book on evidence law that he'll need to take on Gant. Gumshoe is convinced that the trial is over, but Edgeworth and Phoenix remain confident that it's only getting started.

Court resumes and the judge says Edgeworth will be penalized for his actions, something Edgeworth takes in stride. The judge then expresses concern about having Edgeworth call witnesses, but Edgeworth gives the responsibility to Phoenix. Phoenix calls Gant to the stand, realizing that he's the real murderer.

Gant is annoyed at being called to the stand at lunchtime, and once again tries to play mind games with Edgeworth. He also points out that as chief of police, he can refuse to testify, but Edgeworth says doing so also has risks for him.

Gant tries to claim that Lana framed Darke to protect Ema, but Phoenix points out the jar fragment in Gant's safe and the half of the evidence list in Gant's desk to prove that Gant concealed evidence. Gant points out that Phoenix's investigation was illegal and promises he'll be punished.

In the next cross-examination, Gant is on the defensive. He claims that there's no way of proving when he removed the evidence, that he would have become Police Chief anyway, and that he has no reason to try to protect Ema. Phoenix acknowledges that Gant is selfish, but says he wanted to "help" Lana protect her sister so as to blackmail her. Phoenix and Edgeworth then accuse Gant of controlling Lana and forcing her to cover up his murder of Goodman.

The judge is shocked at how they're accusing a high-ranking police officer of blackmail and murder. Phoenix starts getting cold feet, but Edgeworth says they're past the point of no return. The proof of this allegation lies in the ID code list, proving that Gant entered the evidence room on the day of the murder, because his ID number is the same as his safe combination. It seems rather foolish for Gant to not only reuse another number important to him for the safe combination, but also to use one number repeatedly.

Gant fires back and says that Phoenix obtained this information. Edgeworth agrees, and says he'll ask for Phoenix to be punished(which, by the way, never happens), but insists on investigating Gant. Phoenix proves Gant was with Bruce Goodman on the day of the murder by proving that Goodman lost his ID, and needed to file a report to the chief. He then had the chief accompany him into the evidence room. Gant tries to weasel out of it by claiming he lent Goodman his ID, but Gant's ID wasn't found on Goodman's body.

The next subject is Gant moving the body, and Phoenix realizes the answer lies in a seemingly meaningless piece of evidence- the screwdriver Edgeworth had to retrieve. Gant called Edgeworth to the police department, ostensibly for that piece of evidence, but tricked him into transporting the body. He then had Lana stab the victim, resulting in Angel catching her in the act.

Gant invokes his right to refuse to testify, and Phoenix has no evidence against him. The judge is about to penalize Phoenix, but Edgeworth intervenes and implicitly proposes having Lana testify. Phoenix calls Lana in, at which point Gant unsubtly warns Lana that if she goes along with Phoenix, he'll ensure Ema is convicted.

Phoenix confers with Edgeworth and Gumshoe while the court's in recess, and Ema realizes the risk the judge mentioned- if Gant refuses to testify, he cant' say anything. Ema feels almost relieved to learn the truth, and asks to go to court to hear Lana testify. Another save point follows.

Trial Day 3, Part 3

Lana claims that she acted alone, and only to get Darke convicted. However, her claim that the jar broke when Neil died is undermined by the fact that Neil apparently wrote "EMA" on the jar. Lana claims that she wiped the blood off all the pieces, but Phoenix points out that Gant swiped the last one, which still has blood on it, and that he, not Lana, was first on the scene.

Edgeworth asserts that Gant is responsible for fabrication, but Lana still refuses to tell the truth, and Phoenix worries that Gant still has them where he wants them... and for good reason.

Lana testifies again, admitting that Gant helped her cover up the crime scene, but expressing her hope that Ema might be innocent. She also points out that she gave Phoenix a photo of the crime scene- of Neil impaled on the statue with a patch cut out of his vest- which Phoenix finds in the Evidence Law book. Ema is confident that the person whose prints are on the cloth is the real murderer, but Phoenix knows they belong to Ema.

The player is then given the opportunity to cross-examine Lana... or so it seems. Just before the playable portion can begin, Gant shows up and interrupts the cross-examination, mocking the judge for doing a poor job running the trial. Edgeworth reminds Gant that he already refused to testify(apparently, Gant can't rescind that decision), but Gant says he can present evidence, suggesting that Phoenix has that evidence.

The most crucial decision in the case, not to mention the entire first game, follows. If you present the cloth, Phoenix will inadvertently prove that Ema killed Neil Marshall, and you'll get an instant game over.

If you don't present the cloth, Gant will reveal a photo showing cloth that had been cut out of Neil's vest. He then admits to having gotten to the crime scene first, hatched a plan to blackmail Lana and hiding two pieces of evidence as insurance. Edgeworth notes that the bloody writing could have been fabricated, but Gant says that's where the cloth comes in.

Gant invites Phoenix to present the cloth, and this time, Phoenix does, explaining that it has Ema's handprint on it. Gant is rather smug, claiming that Phoenix concealed evidence, which will cost him the trial and his career. However, Phoenix isn't scared, since he knows that the cloth proves who killed Neil. Since it has no blood on it, Neil was not impaled on the sword after being shoved, and that it proves that Gant, who admitted he was the first on the scene, cut the piece out of the vest.

Gant has one last card to play- the claim that Phoenix's evidence was illegal. Phoenix, however, counters that under evidence law, he could not present the evidence due to not being able to prove that it was relevant to the case... until Gant provided the photo. Gant then has his breakdown, laughing maniacally while clapping faster and faster.

Gant then reveals that he wishes he'd gotten rid of Jake Marshall, who'd spent the last two years investigating the case. Angel had agreed to help Jake, but Goodman had refused, until Jake stole his ID. On the way to the transferral, Goodman had asked Gant to reopen the case, at which point Gant stabbed him. Gant confesses that he'd tried to cover up his crime, but didn't do a very good job, and seems to have a certain amount of respect for those investigating him.

Gant then turns to Edgeworth and asks why he's still there, claiming that they're both the same- they despise criminals and will do anything to see them brought to justice. Gant then says he'll have to cancel his lunch date with the judge, who apologizes and sadly says Gant is no longer the person he once knew. Gant then says goodbye to the judge, entrusting Phoenix and Edgeworth with the future.

Lana retakes the stand, and Phoenix reassures her that Ema is innocent and Gant betrayed her. He apologizes, knowing that she's still in trouble for being Gant's accomplice, but Lana doesn't mind, saying Phoenix did well, proving Mia's faith in him. Lana also thanks Edgeworth and apologizes for how much he suffered, but he tries to downplay it. The judge says that while Lana is innocent of murder, she'll be tried as Gant's accomplice. She's fine with that, though, feeling as though she's free, and her expression gives way to a warm and beautiful smile. The judge then hands down a Not Guilty verdict

Denouement and Ending

In the lobby, Ema seems depressed, noting that Lana had words for practically everyone but her. Gumshoe then shows up yet again, bringing Lana to see Ema.

Lana apologizes to Ema, who apologizes to her. After having Gant cover up the "truth," she changed because it was the only way to survive being forced to do his bidding, and refused to tell Ema because she was scared what Ema might think. Ema doesn't hold it against her, having always believed that Lana would come back. Lana, overjoyed, hugs Ema, prompting Phoenix to give a brief monologue on how people can't change the past, but they can make up for their mistakes.

As if on cue, the conversation shifts to Edgeworth. After congratulating everyone, he tries to excuse himself, but Lana asks him not to blame himself, since she and Gant were at fault. Edgeworth disagrees, insisting that it's too late for him to make up for his mistakes, and fearing he might become like Gant one day. Lana tells Edgeworth that Gant and von Karma were the best, but they couldn't fight crime by themselves, whereas Edgeworth has Phoenix. Phoenix proves his point with the Evidence List, a piece of evidence that they assembled together and allowed them to begin their "counterattack." Edgeworth doesn't argue, but excuses himself, saying that from here on out, his path is his problem.

Lana says goodbye to Ema, giving her a copy of Evidence Law. Phoenix remains hopeful, believing that their lives have just begun. Gumshoe reveals that he bribed a guard to sneak Lana out, and Phoenix has to pay for it.

The credits play, and you can see brief scenes with all the characters. While the characters are on screen, you can dust the touchscreen for fingerprints and blow the dust off to uncover art of the characters being shown.

Lana arranges for a coroner friend to take care of Ema. She knows her career is over, but hopes she can work with Ema one day.

Gumshoe reveals that he was reinstated despite his unauthorized investigation, since being penalized would be worse than firing him. As Phoenix once points out, cutting his salary would mean they'd have to pay him to work.

Meekins takes over the security guard station, having been demoted for his mishaps, but swears to someday become a detective like Gumshoe. The fact that Gumshoe's hardly the best role model speaks volumes about Meekins..

The Blue Badger continues dancing outside the police station until his batteries run out and he falls over.

Jake enjoys a lunch from Angel in the detention center, awaiting trial for attacking Meekins, stealing Goodman's ID and the attempted evidence theft, and asks the POV character to water Billy the cactus.

Angel offers her customers "The Wright Way Lunch", with a bitter-tasting top and a sweet tasting bottom as a tribute to Phoenix's turnabouts.

The judge struggles to remember Phoenix's name or how long he's been practicing(less than a year), then steps down from the bench to get his gavel.

Maya is training in Kurain, and says she misses Phoenix, but won't go back until she's a spirit medium.

The bellboy arrives in Mr. Edgeworth's office to bring him tea, then finds the "Prosecutor Edgeworth chooses death" letter, even if the contents are never shown.

 

Ema says goodbye at the train station, thanking Phoenix for everything and reveals that she can see Lana whenever she opens the book. Examining it reveals a photo of a young Ema with Lana in a police uniform.

Conclusion

Rise From The Ashes is one of my favorite cases of the original series for a few reasons.

The mystery itself is long and elaborate. Pieces of evidence and testimony from the first two days become relevant in the third, and often for rather surprising reasons. The case itself also has a rather fascinating backstory, with more than a few twists that change how the player thinks about certain things they'd assumed were fact.

The supporting cast is rather colorful, from the literal cowboy cop Jake Marshall to the scientific investigator Ema. There are multiple plausible suspects, all of whom have reasonable motives for the murder, and none of the characters seem to be extraneous to the plot, unlike some cases.

The case also plays a major role in Edgeworth's character development. While "Turnabout Goodbyes" had showed how Edgeworth changed from an idealistic boy to a ruthless "Demon Prosecutor," it doesn't explain why Edgeworth decided to reform himself. This shows that Edgeworth gradually becomes ashamed of his past actions, is confronted with the consequences of what he's done, and considers giving up before being reminded of what good he can do.

In short, Rise From The Ashes was an enjoyable experience and a good addition to the first Phoenix Wright game.