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

[khajidont]

So why bring them here?

[His lips thin. He knows that Shinjiro is dead - sure, they haven't broached the subject, but he's got eyes and ears, he sees the network. It's not all bad, being brought here.]

For a second chance?

[vengefulshades]

[For a good long moment he's utterly silent.]

Yeah. Something like that.

[khajidont]

Yeah, okay. I can get that.

[vengefulshades]

The Porter can bring people back from the dead. Many Imports are proof of that. I thought I could figure out how it worked by tinkering with it.

And if the Porter couldn't bring them back, then maybe I could have made it work on myself. Then next time, those bullets will actually stick.

Worst case scenario, I figure out how to make it blink me out of existence entirely.

There you have it. My master villainous plot.

[khajidont]

No, the villainous part was when you used innocent people to get what you wanted. I don't believe in the ends justifying the means.

But for the record, I hope you find what you're looking for. Without hurting anyone else. [If he sounds somewhat dubious about that last point, it's because he has little faith that Yomiel won't strike out and hurt anyone else. He's keeping an eye out for you, buddy!]

[vengefulshades]

I wish I had it in me to care anymore.

[The well-wishes are met with silence. Then he replies scornfully.]

There's nothing for me to find. This was all based on a "maybe." And this is all I have.

[khajidont]

You're a ghost that's been teleported to an alternate dimension by dudes who call us superheroes. I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss other options. Just saying.

[vengefulshades]

Yeah? Well when you find somebody who can fix a freak of nature like me, be sure to point 'em my way.

I'm not going to sit around and wait in the meantime.

[khajidont]

[It's Jaime's turn to pause, because a part of him wants to say something mean and hateful, to tell the guy he's keeping a close eye out for him.

Eventually, all he says is:]

Yeah. Maybe I will.

[vengefulshades]

That's all I want. That's all I'm after.

Believe whatever you want, but that's the truth.

[khajidont]

I do believe you. [God help him, he does.]

But don't pull this crap again.

[Annnnd he cuts the feed, because as far as he's concerned, he's done with Yomiel.

Come visit him sometime, Yomiel, it'll be super fun.]

[vengefulshades]

[I DO WHAT I WANT, BEETLE BOY

Yeah enjoy it when he does. It'll be really awkward and Shinjiro will probably stand up for him.]