4th Trick - Audio [Conveniently dated to allow for all criminal proceedings]

[vengefulshades]

[This message appears as audio/text only on the broadcaster's in. Regardless of how anyone responds, they'll only hear a voice, or see his words transcribed into text.

The communicator it broadcasts from has been hacked to hide the sender's real name. Only his alias will be visible.]

You know, you people really impressed me. I expected screaming, panic, chaos, scrambling from the authorities once they started to notice me. I expected to see hysteria and news broadcasts and exposes... that's what happened last time.

What I didn't expect was for so many people to play amateur investigator on me. I think that kind of perseverance deserves a reward, don't you? Besides, my plans didn't work out in the end, so I might as well reward all the people who were kind enough to loan me their bodies.

I am the one responsible for the recent crime wave committed in Heropa.

[The next part of the message does include video-- a cobbled-together montage of the coverage of Yomiel's crimes. T'Challa, Elsa, Ellie Langford, Jaime Reyes, Shinjiro Aragaki, John Mitchell, Violet Harmon, Kay Faraday, Phoenix Wright and Ruka are all seen from the news footage about their crimes.

Yomiel's voice cuts back in over the end.]

I manipulated all of these people into their crimes. I am the guilty party.

Why did I do it? I don't expect anyone to understand, so I won't waste your time trying to explain.

I also don't expect you uptight tyrants in the court system to release them all just because of what I've just claimed. But at least consider my testimony. You'll find the only explanation for what they've all done is little old me.

Why am I confessing?

[He laughs then, a low and fairly mirthless sound.]

Because there's nothing you can possibly do to me. Even if you find me, even if you lock me up... there's absolutely no way you can punish me.

And last, but not least, I'm sure you're wondering one more question.

Who am I?

Back home, they called me The Manipulator.

Comments

[ktfod]

[How does he double negative. Lucky english is being made easy for him now.]

So then want me to. Maybe it'll clear your conscience a little. [It'll sure make him feel better.]

[vengefulshades]

You can beat me all you want. I won't feel it.

Stab me, shoot me, break my bones. I won't even notice you've done a thing.

What I want is for one of you loudmouthed idiots to get your asses up here and kill me. But you can't do that either.

[ktfod]

[A pause at that.]

Kill you?

[vengefulshades]

End me, more accurately.

I've been dead for quite a while now, after all. But I just can't seem to finish the job.

No one can.

[ktfod]

-Wanting that or not. It's no reason to bring other people into it with you.

[vengefulshades]

Why not? Maybe it'll make one of you feel better.

[ktfod]

Screw you! How the hell would getting someone killed make anyone feel better?! [A snarl, his voice making this, crackling sound, like static.]

[vengefulshades]

Getting people killed wasn't part of the plan. And right now, I'm the only one looking to end up that way.

[ktfod]

Looking to get yourself killed is still looking out just for yourself, have some fucking consideration for others.

[vengefulshades]

Or what?

I don't really care about what happens to others.

[Profoundly untrue, what with the way he's confessing to get his victims off the hook, and all, but...]

[ktfod]

Then what the hell was the point of this? To get a rise out of people for the stunts you pulled? [Though he's reeling back a little since Shinji said something.]

[vengefulshades]

[Well. Got him there.]

You should be grateful I spoke up, or your friend could have been in jail for much longer.

[ktfod]

Probably, but I'm lucky he was in jail compared to what could've happened.

I'm done talking to you. [Since there's shit he can actually do to amend this. And like hell anyone here's really going to do anything- or even can. Mostly he's just

frustrated.

And freaking out a little. The potential of losing someone again isn't doing well for his head. So he'll disconnect for now.]

voice;

[hoboagogo]

[--ookay, those static-y crackles of emotion seem like... as good a time as any to try and talk him down.]

-Aki, chill.

Getting worked up ain't gonna help anything.

voice;

[ktfod]

...Shinji but he could've--

[hoboagogo]

-Yeah, but it was alright.

The guy pretty much gave away his whole thing here, anyway. So even if he tries it again, everyone knows that it ain't whoever it is he's using.

We can talk later if you want.

[ktfod]

It's that he did it at all. He didn't even think about the consequences. I know if anyone could understand him-- it'd be you but. Shit dude, I can't-

[Even finish this conversation. His words are starting to squeeze a little, like the backs of his eyes. Akihiko blinks a few times, trying to relieve this heat rising in his face.]

Screw this- Later. [Click.]