A/N: Co-authored and beta'd by aireyverkhovensky. This is mostly her idea. Blame her, not me. Warning: writing a little rusty, don't expect it to be same style as other fanfics. Also, huge spoilers.

Thunder.

Rain drummed on the rooftop, faintly heard through the ceiling.

Thunder.

Wind howling outside, causing the rain to splatter loudly on the glass.

Thunder.

And the power went out.

April May sighed and rummaged through her purse for a lighter. She found one, flicked it on, and held it up so that she could see. Outside, thunder rumbled again. She walked by a mirror- and paused.

A gun barrel glinted in the flame. She dropped the lighter, and the fire cut out. There was a bolt of lightning outside, and the harsh light illuminated the gunman's blank face. And then he fired.

The building shook from the thunder.

Turnabout Release

January 3, 9:54 AM, District Court, Los Angeles, Defendant Lobby #3

"C'mon, Nick, I'm telling you, I didn't do it!" Larry Butz wailed.

Once again, Phoenix Wright's old friend Larry had been accused of murder. Admittedly, it had been over a decade since the last time he was accused. And Larry was no longer the bumbling idiot he'd been; now he was a well-off bumbling idiot. That didn't stop him from grabbing Phoenix's shoulders and shaking him as he plead his innocence.

"Your old friends are weird, Mr. Wright," Athena Cykes commented.

"I didn't do it!"

"Ok, we know!" Phoenix said. Larry backed off, wide-eyed. "Don't worry, I know you're not the killer."

"I'm not sure you'd have the ability," Athena said, "you don't look very competent."

It was true: even if Larry was richer than he used to be, his clothes were scruffy "artiste" types and had paint stains on his poncho-thing. "Aren't you an animator?" Phoenix said, looking up and down Larry.

"So what!? Who says I can't dress how I want!?" Larry said. "By the way, who's this other girl?"

"This is Athena Cykes, one of my attorneys," Phoenix said. "Didn't I mention her and Apollo to you?"

"No," Larry said flatly. "So, uh, is she any good?"

"Of course I'm any good!" Athena said, "Mr. Wright brought me with him, not Apollo!"

"…so you're not just his assistant?" Larry said.

"Actually, Athena'll be handling this case," Phoenix said, "since not only is this about the time when Payne shows up again, but it's you…"

"Hey!" Larry said, "I can't believe you're not taking this seriously, Nick!"

"What, you don't trust me, Mr. Butz?" Athena said. She was obviously trying to sound hurt, although the effect didn't seem noticeable.

"Hmm…" Larry said, "well… I know! Who's the murder victim!?"

"Um… a Miss April May," Athena said. "I think she works as a receptionist."

"And the cause of death?" Larry asked, wringing his hands.

Athena pulled out her autopsy report. "One bullet to the forehead," she reported.

"Oh. So that's what happened," Larry said, wide-eyed. Phoenix felt the sudden urge to face-palm. It seemed that Larry still hadn't changed.

January 3, 10:00 AM, District Court, Los Angeles, Courtroom #6

The courtroom was mostly in order. The Judge, dressed in his black robe, his impressive beard as gray and bushy as ever. Phoenix and Athena were at the defense's stand. The crowd in the gallery and theoretical jury were there as well, as well as the security, clerks, and bailiff. All that was missing was the prosecution.

"…it seems as if the prosecution has chosen not to arrive," the Judge said. "They must have decided that the defendant is not, in fact, guilty, which would not be a stretch for Mr. Wright's clients. Especially when it feels that Mr. Payne should be prosecuting. With that in mind, I declare Larry Butz NOT GUI-"

"OBJECTION!"

A coffee cup when flying through the air and smacked into Phoenix's face, covering him in the scalding liquid. By the time he was done cleaning it off with a hastily-grabbed towel (which every defense stand had for just this emergency) he could see the newly-arrived prosecutor: tan-skinned, red-visored, with a green suit, white tie, and white-striped vest. And, of course, a smirk.

What was Godot doing here?

"The prosecution was taking a moment to find out what was going on, your honor," Godot said, taking his place.

This all seemed strangely familiar...

The Judge was as wide-eyed as Phoenix felt. "P-prosecutor Godot!?" the Judge said, "weren't you in prison-"

Godot shook his head and took a long draught of coffee. "Always keep yourself up-to-date on the news, or it'll come back to haunt you in court. That's one of my rules," Godot said, and then he elaborated, "for some reason, a large portion of the local jails has been pardoned. They gave us clothes to change into and threw us out onto the streets. Then I swung by the prosecutorial offices and the chief prosecutor gave my badge back and sent me to take this case. Practically begged me to go since apparently all the other prosecutors are busy and he didn't want to take this one."

As if to prove it, he quickly showed it off, and then pocketed it again (any self-respecting lawyer would pin their badge to their coat. But for some reason, no one ever believed Phoenix on that regard). "I-I see," the Judge said. Then he banged his gavel. "Very well," he said, "court is now in session for the murder of Miss April May. Mr. Godot, your opening statements please?"

Godot leaned on the desk and did his usual "summon coffee psychically" trick. Then he took a long sip of coffee.

"Prosecutor Godot?" the Judge said.

And then Godot- was it Godot? Phoenix couldn't quite remember now- slammed the cup down on the desk. "I see that there's a new defense attorney," he said. "Your outfit's been growing, Wright. And I heard you were disbarred until just last year."

"Mr. Godot! Please focus on the case!" the Judge demanded.

Godot shook his head again and took another long sip of his coffee. "The facts are simple," Godot said. "A member of hotel security named Wendy Oldbag witnessed the defendant, Larry Butz, shooting the victim, April May. Apparently he demanded her money at gunpoint, and when she refused, he shot her. Thanks to, ahem, Miss Oldbag's raygun, Butz retreated. Miss Oldbag then contacted the police and had Butz arrested."

Athena looked both exasperated and perplexed, if that was possible. "Raygun…?" she said.

"The prosecution calls Miss Oldbag to the stand," Godot announced. And then he took another sip of his coffee.

Wendy Oldbag was still dressed in that security uniform Phoenix had seen her in back in the Matt Engarde case. Actually, she still looked completely the same despite the eleven years that had passed since then. And she was currently glaring at Phoenix. "Mr. Wright," Athena said, "do you… know this woman?"

"Darn right I do!" Oldbag snapped. "Phoenix Wright again, eh? Well let me tell you about that whippersnapper! Of course I remember him, he was always the rival of the much more handsome young man who I saved the life of by the way multiple times but yes I know Phoenix Wright and I know what kind of trouble he is and he once accused me of murder and he wants nothing more than to demonize meandIdon'tknowwhatthepolicearethinkingbringhimtoacourtcasewithmeinit-"

"Objection!" Phoenix said. "I request that the witness simply state her testimony and allow us to continue with the case!"

The judge banged his gavel. "Objection sustained!" he said quickly, "will the prosecution please commence the trial?"

Godot took another long sip of his coffee. "Now is the time for the coffee to begin drip down into the cup," he said, "witness, name and occupation." Jazz played faintly in the background.

"Wendy Oldbag," Oldbag said, "member of security, you whippersnapper! Can't you tell from how I'm dressed!?" She put her globe helmet on and pointed her raygun at Godot. Then it made a whirring sound. Ratatatatatatatatatatata!

"How did that scare off the culprit?" Athena said.

"Something tells me that Oldbag isn't going to be the most truthful witness," Phoenix said.

"What did you just say about me you whippersnapper when I was your age I respected my elders you're not going to accuse me of murder again-"

"Objection!" Godot said, "witness! Your testimony."

"Ah, right," Oldbag said. She took off her helmet again. "Let's see… it was ten at night. I was walking down the hallway when I saw it- the door to the dead whippersnapper's room was open. A strange blond man was showing that whippersnapper over there squirming in that seat where Miss May's room was. Two hours later, I came back by this room to see what had happened, and what did I see but the defendant leveling a gun at April May from the hallway! He said, 'give me all your money or you get it!' and then she refused. So he shot her! And then I pulled out my raygun and scared him off!"

She finished her testimony, and the entire court was silent.

"Does… does anyone even talk like that?" the Judge said.

Athena turned to Phoenix. "Boss, she's lying!" Athena said, "and I think I can prove it!"

"It's not really that hard," Phoenix said.

"What did you say about me!?"

"Focus, Ms. Oldbag," Godot said.

"Very well. The defense may begin its cross-examination," the Judge said.

"Ms. Oldbag," Athena said, "according to the autopsy report, the bullet wound had a burn mark, implying that the gun was pressed against her. Can you tell the court where exactly Miss May was?"

"Uh… she was in her room," Oldbag said, sweating nervously.

"You're lying, Ms. Oldbag!" Athena said, "I can tell!"

"W-what!?" Oldbag said.

"Objection!" Godot said, "the defense will refrain from accusing the Oldbag of anything until they have proof."

"¡Por supuesto! If it's proof you want, it's proof you'll get!" Athena declared. "Just look at the autopsy report! It had to be point-blank range… and yet Ms. Oldbag clearly said she saw the defendant 'leveling a gun from the hallway'… meaning that the victim wasn't in the hallway!" Athena slammed the bench. "Ms. Oldbag! Where was the victim!?"

"Uhhhh," Oldbag said, sweating. "I- you- now listen here, sonny!"

"Objection!" Athena shouted. "I'm not a sonny, and I want an answer to the question! Because I can already answer that- the crime scene photo clearly shows that she was killed in front of the mirror in the hotel room!"

The crowd broke out into chatter, causing the Judge to bang his gavel repeatedly. "Order! Order! Order in the court!" he declared. "Miss Cykes, can you explain where this mirror was for the court?"

"Certainly, your Honor!" Athena said. She pulled out a hotel schematic. "The mirror is here," she said, pointing at the schematic, "just next to the door in the bedroom!"

"…Exactly," Godot said, and he smirked, his coffee raised to his lips. "If the victim was shot right inside the hotel room… then it stands to reason that the defendant could have held a gun to her even if he was standing in the hallway."

"Wh- no!" Athena started. "Hey!"

"Athena, calm down and take another look at the court record," Phoenix said quickly. "Specifically, look at the schematic."

Athena glanced at the schematic again and pointed dramatically. "Objection! This hallway is too long for that to happen! The only explanation is… the witness is lying!" She slammed the bench again.

Godot gave off the distinct impression of raising one eyebrow skeptically. "Why would the witness lie? What purpose would that serve?" He slammed his coffee mug on the bench. "Oldbag! Explain yourself!"

The wicked witch of the witness stand was sweating like a sinner in church. "Uh… I… huh… y-you whippersnappers! How dare you doubt me? Every time I get dragged in this horrible courtroom I get accused of the most awful things like lying and even murder and of course you're going to accuse me of being 'the real killer' next won't you you disrespectful unsophisticated whippersnappers! Back in my day-"

The Judge banged his gavel. "The witness will explain herself! …please."

"Hold it!" Phoenix yelled. "Actually, the defense requests that the witness testifies about the 'strange blond man' she mentioned in her earlier testimony."

Athena looked at Phoenix, puzzled. Phoenix grinned at her.

"Um… does the prosecution have any objections?" the Judge asked.

"Does the finest coffee come only from the best beans?"

Phoenix rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Godot's coffee metaphors are somewhat… lacking, don't you think?"

"I wouldn't know." Athena replied.

"They didn't feed me real coffee while I was in prison. All I got was instant," Godot said, his voice flavored with self-pity. Phoenix accepted this a suitable explanation.

"Anyway, I'll take that as a no," the Judge said. "Witness, please testify about this strange blond man."

"Oh, fine," Oldbag said. "As I said earlier, the defendant was being shown the room by a blond man with shiny glasses. His blond hair was like a pony-tail. Back in my day, no self-respecting man would-"

"We get it," Godot said. "You can begin your cross-examination, Yellow."

"Yellow?" Athena said, and then she shrugged. "Ms. Oldbag! Do you know why this blond man was showing the accused where Ms. May's room was!?"

"EH!? Uh, I mean, whippersnappers stick together!" Oldbag yelled.

"Objection!" Phoenix yelled. "That's not a real answer! Why would the blond man and my client work together in the first place!?"

"I! He! He has guilt written all over his face!" sputtered Oldbag.

"Objection!" Athena shouted. "The defendant normally looks like that! Furthermore, do you even have any evidence besides your testimony-"

"Objection!" Godot said. The court room fell silent as Godot summoned a coffee cup and drank from it. Then he slammed it down on his desk. "The murder weapon was found in the room of the defendant!" The gun was submitted to the court record; there were no fingerprints, and apparently, the police had determined that only two shots had been fired.

Wait, two…?

"Objection!" Athena shouted, "there are no fingerprints on the gun!"

"Objection!" Godot said, "the defendant might've worn gloves!"

"Objection!" Phoenix said, "the defendant is too stupid to do that! This is Larry Butz we're talking about!"

"Objection!" Larry shouted from the defendant stand. "Why do you guys always gotta be so mean! I would totally have worn gloves if I was trying to kill someone!"

The entire courtroom fell silent again. "Can Mr. Butz dig his hole any deeper?" Athena said to Phoenix.

"That's Larry for ya," Phoenix replied.

"...I see that even the defendant agrees with me," Godot said. "In any case, there is no reason for the witness to choose a coworker from ten years ago as her phony murderer. Clearly, Oldbag saw something, and the prosecution charges that it was, in fact, Larry Butz!"

"Someone doesn't know Wendy Oldbag," Phoenix muttered.

"Hold it!" Athena yelled. "There is still an inherent contradiction in what Ms. Oldbag claims she saw!"

Apparently talk of the blond man would be put off. "And what would that be, Miss Cykes?" the Judge said, "and remember, there must be evidence!"

"Of course, your Honor!" Athena said. "According to the gun that Mr. Godot submitted to the court record, it was fired twice! And yet, Ms. Oldbag testified that it was only fired once!"

The crowd broke out into an uproar again. "Order!" the Judge said, banging his gavel. "Perhaps the witness, in her old age, simply mistook the number of shots-"

"Objection!" Oldbag shouted. "My ears are just fine you black-robed whippersnapper I'd think that at least the oldest man in the room would know to respect his elders but no he just claims that my hearing is bad well when I was your age I could hear-"

"Objection," Godot said, "we're not here to hear you attack the judge. You can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that the gun was fired only once?"

"Darn right!" Oldbag said.

"Perhaps the gun was fired prior to its use in the crime," Godot said. "As it is, the only sign of damage in the hotel is when Ms. May's body fell over and cracked the glass. As proof, here is a second photograph of the crime scene." Phoenix examined both pictures. In the first, the source of the crack on the mirror appeared to be about head-level. It seemed likely that it had been a bullet that shattered the mirror, but apparently a bullet had not been recovered. In the second picture, there was an open window with a soaked carpet but no sign of a bullet.

"Mr. Godot," Athena said calmly, "can you explain why the window was open and the carpet was wet."

"It is unknown why the window was open," Godot said. "However, the carpet is wet due to the thunderstorm in the area that caused a power out for fifteen minutes at the hotel, starting at midnight." He submitted the electrical company data and the weather report. "Further, when it rains and the window is open, things do tend to get wet."

Athena looked smugly at him. "You're right," she said, "they do, Mr. Godot. Now, Ms. Oldbag, at the time of you seeing the murderer, was there a blackout!?"

"Eh!?" Oldbag said, "why, of course there wasn't-"

"In that case," Athena said, "then how do you explain that Ms. May was shot at 12:05 AM, after the blackout had already begun!?"

The crowd broke into an uproar. The Judge banged his gavel several times. "Order! Order! Witness, how do you explain that?"

"I, eh, well-" Oldbag said, "young people these days! Back in my day you wouldn't see them doubting their elders like this little things like light don't matter to old experienced people like me and anyone could tell you that those clothes are the most obvious thing in the world a blackout doesn't matter when the lightning from the room lights everything up-"

"Hold it!" Phoenix said. He slammed his hands on the desk. "Ms. Oldbag, could you please testify on those last two points?"

"What?" the Judge said.

Godot took a long sip of coffee.

Athena looked at Phoenix. "Boss… you were listening to her?"

"Eh?" Oldbag said.

"About the clothes and the lightning," Phoenix said.

The Judge nodded. "Please inform the court of these two points," he said.

"Well," Oldbag said, "it was true that the lights went out. And it was also true that I'd forgotten my flashlight. But it didn't matter because the lightning that came from the room lit up the attacker! I'd recognize that paint-stained poncho and blond hair anywhere!"

"Blond?" Athena said to Phoenix, "I don't think Mr. Butz is really all that blond…"

"Exactly," Phoenix said.

"Er… and why exactly is the defendant wearing a paint-stained poncho anyways?" the Judge said.

"The defendant purports to be an artist," Godot said. "However, he is normally employed as an animator."

"I…I see," the Judge said. "You may begin your cross-examination, Ms. Cykes."

"Ms. Oldbag," Athena said, "I want to make something clear. You are absolutely sure that you saw the defendant."

"I'd recognize those clothes and hair anywhere!" Oldbag said, heaving.

"What about his face?" Athena said, "did you see the defendant's face!?"

"Objection!" Godot said, and he threw his cup of coffee at Athena. "How does that have any relevance to the case? She already said that she was absolutely sure about the clothes and hair!"

Since Athena was covered in scalding-hot coffee and currently trying to dry off Widget, Phoenix took over for her. "If she didn't see Larry's face, then Oldbag has no proof that the murderer was Larry Butz! Instead, the murderer is attempting to frame Larry Butz!"

The crowd broke out into a discussion. "…that's how it always turns out with your clients, isn't it, Wright," Godot said.

It's not like it's my fault! Phoenix thought.

"Further," Athena said, mostly recovered, "you said that you saw him thanks to a flash of lightning coming from the hotel room, implying that the door to the room was open. And yet, there is no sign of the bullet that was supposedly fired!"

"What are you implying?" Godot said.

"I'm saying that either that bullet was never fired," Athena said, "or that it went out the window that's been established to be open! Further, the defense has already proven that Ms. May was killed at close range in front of her mirror!"

"Then are you saying that Ms. Oldbag is still lying?" the Judge said.

Athena opened her mouth to speak, but Phoenix said, "I don't believe so, your Honor." He scratched his chin, and then added, "I think that she saw exactly what the killer wanted her to, though."

The crowd's discussion became a full-blown uproar. "Order, order, order!" the Judge said, "well, Mr. Wright, what are you charging!?"

"Simple, your Honor," Phoenix said, "that when the killer yelled threats at Ms. May and shot at her when he was in the hallway, that she was already dead!"

"Objection!" Godot said, "prove it!"

"It's simple," Phoenix said, with absolute confidence, "the gun was fired twice and we know from Ms. Oldbag's testimony that the window was open. Therefore, the defense claims that the bullet that was fired never hit Ms. May but instead went out the window!"

"Th-that's not proof!" Godot said, hunched over with his visor smoking.

"Then we request that the building opposite the victim's room be searched for bullet impact or broken glass!" Athena said.

The Judge brought his gavel down. "Very well," the Judge said, "Mr. Godot, please look into that. While you do so, the court will take a thirty-minute recess."

January 3, 11:21 AM, District Court, Los Angeles, Defendant Lobby #3

"I can't believe anyone would suspect me," Larry said, tears in his eyes. "Don't they know that I was at an empty bar all night?"

"Empty bars aren't exactly air-tight alibis, Larry," Phoenix said.

"What about the bartender?" Athena said.

"I said empty," Larry said. "And I meant it."

"Still, that blond man is still bothering me," Athena said. "We should go back to him during the trial, but who is he?"

"…I might have an idea," Phoenix said. "Someone who would know Larry, at least indirectly, and would know he's kind of an idiot, who has blond hair and may have recently been released from prison."

"You mean Kristoph Gavin?" Athena said, "Apollo's old boss?"

"Exactly," Phoenix said. "There was still one mystery about him…" The black psyche-locks, Phoenix thought.

"Well, we don't have any proof that he was behind it," Larry said.

"Not necessarily," Phoenix said. "Larry is innocent, so it really could have only been him. Which means there's proof somewhere; it has to exist."

They were interrupted by a security guard. "Court will resume shortly!" he announced.

"We'd better get going," commented Phoenix, rather pointlessly.

January 3, 11:25 AM, District Court, Los Angeles, Courtroom #6

Court was back in session, and the prosecution was not looking very pleased.

"Mr. Godot," the Judge began. "What were the results of your investigation?"

"The defense got lucky. As they guessed, a bullet was found lodged in the outside wall of the building opposite the victim's room. The rifling marks match the murder weapon," Godot explained, and downed a cup of coffee before slamming it down on the bench. "However! This doesn't prove anything."

"What?!" Athena yelled. "Of course it does! We were right!"

Godot shook his head, and he brought his coffee back up to his lips. "No. You still can't prove when that bullet was fired. Who's to say the shots even happened on the same day? Windows do open and close, you know."

"Objection!" Athena shouted. "That's- that's ridiculous! Our client hadn't been anywhere near the hotel in months, so-"

"Stop making stuff up!" Widget chirped.

"Objection!" Godot slammed his coffee down again. "The gun is not registered to the defendant. If it had been previously been fired out of that window, it could be completely irrelevant to the case. Perhaps the real owner of the gun wasn't very diligent about reloading it."

Athena growled and glared at Godot.

"Athena," Phoenix said, "It's true that we can't really prove that that particular bullet was fired at the time of the murder. What we need to prove is that two bullets were fired at the time of the murder in the first place."

"How are we supposed to do that?"

"Mr. Godot," Phoenix said, "was the prosecution able to find the bullet casings?"

"We were unable," Godot said.

"And they weren't in the defendant's room, or on his person?" Phoenix said.

"Clearly he was smart enough to dispose of them," the Judge said. Whose side are you on!? Phoenix thought.

"Mr. Godot," Athena said, "where was the gun found?"

"It was found in the trash can," Godot said.

"The trash can in our client's room, correct?" Athena said.

"Correct."

"So he was smart enough to dispose of the smaller bullet casings, but not the gun!?" Athena said, pointing at Godot.

Godot summoned a cup of coffee, took a swig, and spat it out. "That's- yes, so it seems," he said, recovering.

"Which means now that the bullet casings must be found, your Honor!" Athena said.

"Hold it!" Godot said. "And where, exactly, would you propose that we find those bullet casings?"

"In the true killer's possessions!" Athena said, "now tell me, Mr. Godot, was one Kristoph Gavin released from prison!?"

Godot took another swig of his coffee, then spat it out again. "H-how… wait, I suppose I practically told you myself..."

"Just a hunch," Phoenix said, feeling and looking triumphant. "The defense charges that the murderer is none other than Kristoph Gavin, recently released from prison, on the grounds that he matches the description of the man who supposedly showed my client to Ms. May's room!"

"Objection!" Godot said, "you haven't answered why your client would be shown to Ms. May's room in the first place."

"Well, Mr. Wright and Ms. Cykes?" the Judge said.

"I think that's a question for Larry himself," Phoenix said. "Larry, do you have a girlfriend?"

"Uh… no," Larry said.

"And why, exactly, did you go to the bar to drink that night? Was it perhaps because you were rejected?" Phoenix said.

"How- no!" he wailed. Psyche-locks appeared.

"He's lying," Athena said, "there's noise in his heart! His sadness emotions are off the scale!"

"Is that even admissible?" Godot said, "things sure have changed since I was a lawyer."

"Your Honor, the defense requests that Larry Butz himself provide testimony!" Phoenix said.

"Very well," the Judge said.

Larry was sent up to the witness stand. "Uh, do I really have to do this, Nick?" he said.

"If you want to be found 'not guilty', then yes," Phoenix said.

Larry was sweating bullets. "Um, right," he said, his eyes wide. "Well, I, uh, was celebrating my marriage when-"

"Objection!" all three lawyers shouted.

"There's no way you of all people got married," Phoenix said.

"You're still lying!" Athena said.

"Stick to the facts, Butz," Godot said.

Larry's sweating increased. "Oh, yeah," he said in a small voice, "um… ok, the truth was that I came back here to LA to hold a surprise party. But I had nothing to do, so a blond man with a ponytail and glasses wearing a bellboy suit told me where I could meet a new hot chick."

"I'm not sure I like where this is going," Athena said.

"I agree," the Judge said.

"Hey! Don't interrupt me!" Larry screeched. "Anyways, she slapped me so I ran off to the bar to sulk. To make things worse, I couldn't find my card key when I got back!"

"Why didn't you mention that sooner?" Phoenix said.

"You can check with the hotel staff," Larry said, "I don't know where that blond man went, though."

"Hmm…" the Judge said. "Mr. Godot, do you have any decisive evidence that proves that Larry Butz must've been the murderer, in light of these revelations?"

Godot summoned another coffee and took a long drink of it. Then he slammed it down and said, "Coffee metaphor!"

"C-coffee metaphor?" Phoenix said.

"Is he serious?" Athena said.

"I can't think of anything," Godot said. "And we have no way of proving that Mr. Butz was the murderer."

"Now, Ms. Cykes," the Judge said, "can you please explain the defense's full theory, and provide conclusive evidence?"

"Ja, your Honor!" Athena declared. "On the night of Ms. May's murder, Larry Butz arrived at the hotel and met Kristoph Gavin, who'd recently been released from prison and had somehow acquired a bellboy outfit. At some point, Mr. Butz mentioned that he was looking for a girlfriend, leading Gavin to bring Butz to May's room, where they were seen by Ms. Oldbag. May rejected Butz's advances, and Gavin stole his keycard while Butz went off to sulk."

"At around midnight, Gavin somehow gained access to May's room," Phoenix continued, "probably using his bellboy disguise to get her card from the front lobby or somehow bluffing his way in. Then, at 12:05, shortly after the power went out, he shot April May at close range, killing her. He then disguised himself as Larry Butz by putting on a large, paint-stained poncho, hiding most of his hair, and taking his glasses off. Then he opened the window and the doors to allow him to seemingly shout threats at May before 'shooting' her. This was also witnessed by Oldbag, and was probably planned with her schedule in mind."

"And as proof, we present the first crime scene photo!" Athena said, "it's clear from the fracture pattern of the mirror that it shattered about head-level, but no bullet was found. Therefore, we charge that the only way to find the bullet or the casings is by finding Kristoph Gavin!"

The crowd was silent. Godot summoned his coffee, drank it, and then slammed it down. "Cup number 17, your Honor," he said, "the prosecution has no objections."

"Indeed?" the Judge said.

"We will begin a manhunt for Kristoph Gavin," Godot said, "especially as the easily-found gun contrasted sharply with the missing bullet and casings. Like… milk, in a cup of coffee."

"You came up with a coffee metaphor!" Phoenix said.

"Shut up, Wright. And that's a synonym, too," Godot said, and he threw his coffee cup at Phoenix.

"Very well," the Judge said, oblivious to Godot's antics. "This court finds the defendant, Larry Butz, NOT GUILTY." The crowd began cheering and confetti fell mysteriously from the ceiling.

"We did it, boss!" Athena said.

"Great job, Athena," Phoenix said.

"I'm not dead!" yelled Larry.

"Where's the coffee-making machine?" Godot said, slinking out of the courtroom.

January 3, 1:01 PM, District Court, Los Angeles, Defendant Lobby #3

"Thanks, Nick, you're a life-saver!" Larry said.

"You mentioned a surprise party, Mr. Butz," Athena said. "What's that about?"

"Well, Nick's old friend Maya's coming back!" Larry said, "so Phoenix called as many people as he could to plan a party for her!"

"Oh yeah," Athena said, "Pearl's driving you to the airport tonight, right, boss?"

"Yeah," Phoenix said, "still don't have a license…"

"C'mon, Nick, even Edgey and I have our licenses!" Larry said.

"Speaking of Edgey…"

Larry, Phoenix, and Athena turned around to see Godot, holding a cup of coffee. "Is something wrong, Godot?" Phoenix said.

"You didn't tell me he was a tea person," Godot said.

"Edgeworth?"

"The chief prosecutor, yes. He's a tea person," Godot said with venom in his voice. "Tea people and coffee people don't get along well."

"Ok…" Athena said, "what do you want us to do about it?"

"I used to be a defense attorney," Godot said. "And I'm willing to join your ridiculous firm. You can pay me in coffee beans for all I care. All I need is a constant supply of coffee."

On the one hand, he was Diego Armando, the famed defense attorney who'd helped out Mia and stopped Maya from being killed. On the other hand, he was Godot and he'd probably ring up a high bill.

"I say we hire him, boss!" Athena said.

"By the way, I need some place to live," Godot said.

"Go squat in Apollo's new house," Athena said, "I'm pretty sure he hasn't left the office in six months."

"Really?"

"Yeah, did you not notice this, boss?" Athena said, "don't you live there?"

"That's why he's always early to work…" Phoenix said. He didn't ask where Apollo got a house from. Lamiroir?

"Well, I'm glad that I'm hired," Godot said. "I'll go there now." Godot left.

"Don't you love your business-managing skills, Nick?" Larry said.

"Yeah, sure…" Phoenix said. Makes me wonder what would happen if I made any decisions.

January 3, 7:03 PM, Wright Anything Agency, Lost Angeles

"Surprise!" everyone shouted, except Godot, surprising Maya Fey so much that she dropped her suitcase. She had changed in the nine years away: she now wore the clothes of a master and now resembled Mia more than she had in the past, although admittedly she still didn't match her sister's bust size. But she had insisted on stopping for burgers on the way back and quizzed Phoenix about Steel Samurai on the way back, so she still seemed to be the old Maya.

"Wow, Nick," Maya said, "all this for me!?"

"Well, we need to welcome back our old manager," Apollo said, "er, ignoring that you were never actually my manager-"

"Don't worry! I've magnanimously decided to retake my old job!" Maya said, hands clasped.

"Don't you have a real job now, Mystic Maya?" Pearl said, "you know, Master of Kurain?"

"They can handle fine on their own," Maya said dismissively, "if my mom could wander off, so can I!"

"That's the spirit," Phoenix said. Godot laughed nervously in the background. Why was he doing that? Wait...

"And you've gotten a lot older, Trucy!" Maya said, interrupting Phoenix's thoughts, "last time I saw you, were like half my size!"

"Hi Aunt Maya!" Trucy exclaimed.

"Well, the company's grown a lot today, Nick," Larry said. "Two new people in one day!"

"No, I'm not hiring you," Phoenix said.

"B-but Nick, isn't this a talent agency?" Larry said.

"Of course, Uncle Larry!" Trucy said. And Godot threw his cup of coffee at Larry.

"We aren't hiring," Godot said flatly.

"Well, you're making decisions fast, Mr. Godot," Maya said, "how long have you worked here?" Godot said nothing and jut stared at her.

"About six hours," Apollo said. "He just showed up and commandeered the coffee machine."

"And he lives in Apollo's house now," Athena said.

"Wait, WHAT!?" Apollo yelled. "You know that's not actually mine, right!?"

Edgeworth chose this moment to arrive, fashionably late. He glanced at Larry, dripping coffee, and then prepared to leave. "Wait, Edgeworth!" Maya said, "aren't you going to say hello?"

"Hello," Edgeworth said. "I'll be leaving now."

"Wait, Edgey!" Larry said, "c'mon, we have party food!"

"We do?" Apollo said, looking around the office which looked the same as normal.

"Yeah, they're in my magic panties," Trucy said, and she began pulling finger foods out of a pair of bloomers.

"I'll stick to my coffee," Godot said, and he left to go find the kitchen-area.

"I think I won't be eating anything produced from a pair of underwear," Edgeworth said, but before he could leave Pearl shut the door.

"C'mon, it's time to party!" Larry said.

"Go away," Edgeworth told him.

"Aw…"

"Did you hear about the court case today, Mr. Edgeworth?" Athena said.

"I heard that that witch appeared," Edgeworth said. "Wright. Where is your Earl Grey?"

"I threw it out!" Godot yelled from the kitchen.

Edgeworth sighed. "…it wasn't very good anyways," he said, and he stalked off. Larry left as well, to go find a towel no doubt.

Leaving Maya, Pearl, Trucy, Phoenix himself, Apollo, and Athena. And then there was a knock on the door. "I'll get it," Apollo said. He opened the door to see Klavier Gavin, with one arm around an uncomfortable-looking Simon Blackquill (and Taka) and the other hovering just by Franziska von Karma's shoulder. She, however, had her whip out.

"I heard there was a party," Klavier said. Apollo slammed the door.

"I… think we should get out of here," Phoenix said.

"What are you talking about, Daddy!?" Trucy yelled as Phoenix tried to drag Trucy off and failed utterly.

And then the door was whipped down. "You foolish fool," Franziska said, "no one can stop me from attending a party, especially a party organized by a fool for a fool."

"Let me guess," Phoenix said, "our defenses were foolish."

"I'm surprised you have such insight," Franziska replied. "Now, has anyone seen my little brother?"

"He's sulking in the corner," Phoenix said.

"I see," Franziska replied, and, cracking her whip, she walked off.

"Hey, I can play some music," Klavier said. "Anyone else play? How about you, Herr Forehead?"

"Uh… no," Apollo said quickly.

"And you, Fräulein Cykes," Klavier said, "perhaps you can play something?"

"Not right now," Athena said, "I have grape juice to drink!"

"Can I have some, Mr. Nick?" Pearl said.

"Neither of you are old enough to drink," Phoenix said.

"I am!" Apollo said, and he ran off.

"Wait for me, Apollo!" Athena said, "it's not like I'll be driving!"

"No, don't listen to him!" Phoenix called out. Klavier followed them. "Everyone's going to get drunk."

"…how does one get drunk on grape juice, Wright-dono?" Blackquill said.

"Don't ask me," Maya said.

"…I didn't ask you, ah-" Blackquill said, "who are you again?"

"Th-this is my party. If you don't know who I am why are you here?" Maya said.

"Piano Gavin dragged us here," Franziska interjected from her position by Phoenix's office door.

"Piano?" Blackquill said, "does she mean Klavier Gavin-dono?"

"I-I think so, yeah," Phoenix said. "I'm going to go hang out with Charley."

"Me too!" Maya said. "Pearly, how about you and Trucy go… bother Edgeworth, or something."

"Okay, Mystic Maya! We'll leave you and your special someone alone!" Pearl said, and she ran off.

"Is she seriously not over that," Phoenix said.

"You two are romantically engaged?" Blackquill said, scratching Taka's feathers. "Taka and I will also meet with this… Charley-dono."

"Uh, Charley's a plant," Maya said.

"...In that case, I too will partake of grape juice," Blackquill said. And he left, Taka flying behind him despite the small space.

Phoenix and Maya entered Phoenix's office. Edgeworth was sulking in the corner, Franziska taunting him, leaving Phoenix and Maya to talk. Loud music began to thump from over the wall, and they vaguely heard Godot and Apollo yelling about coffee. "Is Apollo drunk already?" Maya said.

"He can't hold his grape juice," Phoenix said. "So, Maya, did you hear about everyone being released?"

"Godot called me and told me," Maya said, "that's why I wasn't surprised. I mean, I don't know why everyone was. The news said that they already found Matt Engarde dead, too."

"Shelly de Killer?" Phoenix said.

"Yes," Edgeworth called from his corner of woe.

"We'll catch him eventually," Franziska said. "You stay out of this, Phoenix Wright."

The door opened, and Apollo already had his tie wrapped around his head. "Guysh!" he slurred (had he already begun drinking grape juice?), "Ema'sh here! Ema Shigh!"

"Skye," Edgeworth said. He stood up. "It appears that I must perform damage control." He sighed.

"Oh, and shomeone named Oldbag," Apollo said. "Er… two shomeones."

"…I'm going to the roof," Edgeworth said. "Franziska, you're in charge."

She nodded and began whipping Apollo out of the way. The door to the office shut, and they heard Pearl call, "Don't fall off the roof, Mr. Edgeworth!"

"Uh, anyways," Maya said, "so, I see you're actually doing better for yourself now. Four attorneys?"

"Sort-of," Phoenix said, "Godot just hired himself, so…"

"Well, at least you can handle three cases at once," she said, "and since Trucy, Pearly, and I are here that means everyone gets their own assistant!"

"What about Godot?" Phoenix said.

"I'm sure he'll cope," Maya said cheerfully. "I can double-time. Oh, and check this out!"

She closed her eyes and pressed her hands together and did the spirit-channeling thing, letting Mia stand in her place. "Good job, Phoenix," Mia said.

"Chief!" Phoenix said, "um… you wouldn't happen to know anything about the prison releases, would you? You know, news of the dead or something?"

"Well, other than Dahlia running around more than usual, not really," Mia said. "Hey, is Diego out of prison?"

"He was making coffee," Phoenix said, pointing at the door. Mia nodded and left. "Uh, Chief?"

Phoenix looked at Charley. "Great party, huh?"

And then he heard a buzzing sound. "Great party," Eldoon said, appearing out of nowhere as soon as Phoenix exited his office, "thought I'd call some of my regulars and not-so-regulars."

"…Eldoon, this is for Maya's friends. It's bad enough that-"

"Go, my Galactic Scooter! Full speed ahead!" Phoenix jumped out of the way just as Yuri Cosmos astride his Segway soared past them. "I have arrived to apply my glorious self to the situation! Sol Starbuck sends his regards!" Cosmos declared, and then he pressed the button and sped off faster than Phoenix really thought should be possible. There was a slamming sound and a lot of shattering, and then someone began talking loudly about the HAT-1 and HAT-2 miracles.

"Huh. Didn't invite him," Eldoon said, and he pulled his harmonica out and began playing. It was going to be a long night…

Meanwhile, with Godot

"So apparently Wright still hasn't gotten over his 'other people walk all over him' problem," Diego Armando said.

"He missed my sarcasm," Mia replied, and she sighed.

Armando nodded. Wright could be like that. "There's something afoot here, though," Armando said, "something not good. I can feel it in my coffee."

"…what?" Mia said, and she shook her head. "Diego…"

Armando smiled at her- he'd been told that his smile scared small children, so he did his best to spread it around- and turned back to his coffeebean grinding. "There's got to be a reason we were all released."

"Change of heart?" Mia said, "if it's any condolences, my mother's not especially angry about being dead…"

"No, it can't be that," Armando said, "there's something up." He paused for a moment, and added, "the Hazakura incident rattled a lot of higher-ups. They wanted me in prison for life. Or dead. All so that they could avoid saying that someone dead testified in court."

"Well, you'd think they'd tell Phoenix or Maya or something," Mia said.

"Wright was disgraced. Maya's already a mystic," Armando replied. He picked up his cup of coffee and took a deep drink of the scalding hot black elixir.

The building suddenly shook and someone downstairs yelled "Nine-Tails Vale forever!"

"Sounds like some wrestler Maya's fond of," Mia said. "What's he doing here?"

"I wonder if Wright invited him," Armando said. "Anyway, you should probably let Maya go actually enjoy her party. I'll see you later, kitten."

Mia nodded and de-channeled. "M-Mr. Godot," Maya said, "done talking to sis?"

"Yep," Armando said, "Mia says hi. Well, she would've, at least. By the way, I want to ask you something, Maya: do you remember what happened at Hazakura Temple in the case before Wright was disbarred?"

"…I didn't know you called Nick anything besides 'Trite'," Maya said, suddenly sounding… sad? Or was it suspicious? Something was wrong. "Um, anyway, they found me in the Sacred Cavern and the trial was done by then, so why are you asking?"

How could she forget something like that? Even if she didn't remember testifying in court… surely Wright or Mia would've mentioned it?

"It's… nothing, Maya," Armando said, resolving to look into it further. "Just… go downstairs. You have a party to go to."

"Oh… okay, Mr. Godot," Maya said. "Have fun up here."

Armando smiled at her. "Don't worry," he said, "I'll just make sure that no one ruins Trite's apartment."

Maya nodded and ran off. What had happened? Was Maya's memory just bad, or had something happened to her…?

Meanwhile, with Klavier

Tonight was a great night for a party. Herr Forehead was somehow already drunk and currently aggressively hitting on Fräulein Cyke's friend from the school trial and on the Fräulein Detective. Numerous people, most of whom Klavier did not recognize, had also turned up even though he was 99% sure that this Maya Fey didn't know them either.

He could be wrong, of course.

There was a man with stitches down his face and a woman with short blonde hair trying to find Fräulein von Karma to show her a large, intimidating black whip. There was a man who looked like a savage murderer yet spoke like he was about to cry and a bellboy. There was that 25-year-old crane operator and his 18-year-old hyperactive friend from Themis Academy, a man with strange, bun-like hair with his hot wife, and a man in a trenchcoat and a unlucky woman who seemed to be looking vainly for Fräulein Fey or Herr Edgeworth. There was the Judge and his blond-haired Canadian brother, a nosy woman with an afro and a camera, a corpse-like woman and that gangster boy from about a year ago that started arguing, a former chief prosecutor looking for her sister, the head of criminal affairs, a man in an orange suit with red glasses, a fat sweaty dude who spoke in l33tspeak, Valant Gramarye, an insanely tall guy with no shirt and a top hat, an unfunny clown, a spray-tanned guy who vaguely resembled Herr Wright and sounded like a tiger, a man with an afro, penguin mask, and a penguin in said afro, an author wearing something that just screamed 'Soviet Spy', and even a lady pirate. And there was a cowboy detective, a court bailiff, Vera Misham, a professional wrestler and his daughter (who slapped a charm on Klavier's forehead), a lunchlady, a sickly-looking ventriloquist and a raccoon-like man who made off with a ventriloquist dummy, a woman with a key in her hair, a buff dude who looked like a wolf, an ambassador, and an extremely muscular rapper.

In short, this was the kind of party Klavier liked. The entire building had been appropriated, so now all he needed… was some music. Klavier set out to find some musicians (or closest approximation thereof) and had some instruments driven in while a sound system was wired up by some hired technicians. Before long, Klavier had assembled a team: he, of course, would play guitar. Herr Godot would play sax. Fräulein Woods was on vocals, with help from Herr Rimes. Herr Forehead was to play bass and join in the chorus. Herr Eldoon was playing his harmonica and Fräulein Pearl Fey was on a large Japanese drum called a "byo-uchi-daiko" (and no longer resembled herself either. What was up with that?) and Franziska von Karma cracked her whip to the time.

Much of the assembled band was, however, drunk. Not Klavier, of course, he was responsible. Herr Forehead was shouting random nonsense by this point, and Fräulein Woods seemed too embarrassed to actually sing, leaving Herr Rimes to rap about Fräulein Fey.

They set the stage up on the first floor and before long Herr Wright stumbled down the stairs. "KLAVIER! WHAT'S GOING ON!?" he shouted over the music.

"It's just a little tribute we made for Fräulein Fey," Klavier replied, handing his guitar off to the lunch lady, who proceeded to 'drop some totally sick beats', as Herr Kitaki nearby put it. "Is there something wrong, Herr Wright?"

"How am I supposed to PAY for this!?" Herr Wright demanded, "and imagine what this will do to Trucy!"

Fräulein Wright suddenly dropped onto stage with the Gramarye man and the woman with a key in her hair and all three pulled guitars out of nowhere. "I see you've raised her well, Herr Wright," Klavier said, while Herr Gant began leading a gathering crowd in rhythmic clapping. "It's a good thing this is set up to record… what should we call this?"

"I'm going to go find Athena," Herr Wright growled, "and I am not paying for this-"

"Don't worry! I am," Klavier said. It wasn't like he couldn't afford it. "All good parties end with someone paying damages, Herr Wright."

Herr Wright glared at him and stormed off. Fräulein Wright threw Klavier a second guitar and he joined Fräulein Starr…

Meanwhile, with Athena

Tonight was the best night ever. Someone had set up an awesome music system that, while it seemed grating to Simon and Taka, Athena loved. This was great! Also, there were tons of people here too! Which also seemed grating to Simon and Taka.

"Come on, Athena," Robin Newman said, "you know what time it is! It's time to D-A-N-C-E! Come on, Hugh!"

"Oh, yes," Hugh said, and he glanced at a cardboard box on the ground. "Myriam?"

"Ssk ssk ssk ssk ssk," she said, "I don't dance!"

"I don't blame her for hiding," Simon commented. "Come, Taka. We have better things to be doing."

"How about a G-A-M-E, then?" Robin said, "I found a great game in Mr. Wright's closet!"

"I'm not sure that I want to play any games that come out of Wright-dono's closet," Simon said. "Still… is it Yu-gi-oh? Or perhaps Magic: the Gathering? There was a man in the clink I knew who loved to play those with me, a man who was a former orthopedic surgeon…"

"Let's hold off on any orthopedic card games," Hugh said, "and I suppose a game can't hurt. Does anyone know where Juniper went?"

They were answered in what was unmistakably Juniper started singing… er, a very cluttered, slightly-rap filled version of the Guitar Serenade over the PA system that Athena could've sworn wasn't there before. "I guess she's busy," Robin said, "alright! This is called 'Master Criminal'! Let's go upstairs where there's more room!"

They left the boss's office, passed an exasperated-looking Mr. Wright currently arguing with a man who looked vaguely like him about who was the real Mr. Wright, and sequestered themselves away in Trucy's cluttered bedroom. They were joined by a butler with stitches down his face and Dr. Herman Crab. Besides a few hiccups (for instance, part of the game required you to act as if you had killed someone; Mr. de Butler seemed to have a hard time remembering exactly which person he'd killed according to the cards) but the game ended when a man with a long nose and lightning-bolt hair appeared, shouted, "Zvarri! I have determined the murderer again!" and told everyone what Simon had "done".

"I would be impressed if he hadn't been looking at my sheet of paper," Simon said, and he and Taka drove him out.

The party went on into the early hours of the morning, and at least to Athena, it seemed like a good time.

Somewhere far away

"I wizh I was not busy with work," Jean Armstrong said, peeling rose petals, "my party senzes are tingling!"

"Tell me about it," one of his customers, a large Russian man (and apparently a coroner) said, "I too wish I was at party. Where is party, though? Does it have vodka and dead bodies for me to dissect?"

"Oh, who cares!?" demanded one Victor Kudo, and he threw seeds at the Russian. "Us old folk don't need no parties! They'll be filled with sin and immorality!"

"That's why ah want to go…" Armstrong said.

"Just drink vodka with me," the Russian man replied, "come, drink! Drink to mother Russia! And mother America! Ah ha ha ha ha ha!"

Meanwhile, in an apartment, two young adults were arguing. "Will you stop oppressing me, you ugly wimminz!" Cody Hackins shouted, and he sheathed and unsheathed his sword, careful not to knock his trilby off.

"Check your privilege!" Penny Nichols yelled in response, "vile oppressor!"

Also meanwhile, Kristoph Gavin was reading a newspaper and drinking tea. He wasn't all that disturbed. Outside, Regina Berry was waiting in the rain, holding a bright pink umbrella and looking up at the sky, wishing that the stars would come out.

Also also meanwhile, at Hazakura Temple, Iris suddenly perked up at dinner. "I think someone's bothering Phoenix," she suddenly declared.

"Well, you can go get 'em after lights-out bell," Bikini replied, "I'm going to go take a bath! Wa hahahaha!"

And at the Grossberg Law Offices, Marvin Grossberg threw a cup of coffee at a sniveling Redd White. "Armando was right!" he said, "this is therapeutic!"

"Someone kill me now…" White wailed.

The thunder rumbled again.

February 11, 11:50 PM, Hazakura Temple, Eagle Mountain

It had been a very long time since Iris had been out of prison life. Now, she had spent a month as a monk again. It had been hard adjusting to monkly things, because monkly things were very different from prisoner things. Tonight, that meant that even though it was after dark, she was shoveling snow. You know, to make up for lost time.

The last month, actually, had consisted of shoveling snow, in between sudden feelings that someone was bothering Feenie. Sister Bikini's rationale had been that her sentence would be complete after an indeterminate amount of work, since her actual prison sentence (which only had about one year left) had been terminated. Iris didn't mind; while she didn't regret saving Maya's life, she did regret that Maya's mother had died to do so.

There was another matter that Iris regretted: she knew that her old boyfriend, Phoenix Wright, was yet to contact her or her him. She knew from prison gossip and Sister Bikini what had happened to him and she understood why he only ever visited on her birthday, but it still stung. Maybe it was just that she'd never gotten over him; spending most of your life on a mountain temple would do that to you.

Iris shoveled up more snow and tossed it into the mounting snowbanks. The cold was getting worse. Soon, she would have to return to the temple and her nice, warm quarters, go past the entrance hall currently producing thick black smoke and perhaps stop by the kitchen for a little hot chocolate in between the flames currently coming out of the windows.

Wait.

Iris turned around sharply to see the temple lit up in flames. Someone was trying to get out of the temple, and Iris began running up the road towards them. Was it Sister Bikini? But the door opened and Iris saw not Sister Bikini, but a large man wearing a strange outfit with a cravat. He looked familiar… she pulled out her phone and snapped a picture of him, just in time for the man to run off. She heard the sputtering sound of an engine starting, and then the snowmobile drove off. Iris called 911 as she struggled to get to the temple, and had just sent word for help when the temple exploded.

When Iris arrived at the temple, the blizzard was getting even worse. Fortunately, Sister Bikini was still alive and well. "Over here, dear!" she called through the snow, and the two huddled in a maintenance shack. With a loud crunch, the rest of the temple collapsed. "Who would do this to our humble temple?"

"I-I think it was this man," Iris said, and she gave Bikini her phone. Bikini gasped, but Iris just concentrated on hugging herself and trying to keep warm. It shouldn't be hard to make a fire now, with all the remains of the temple smoldering and burning…

"Manfred von Karma," Bikini said. "I knew they shouldn't've released him."

Manfred von Karma? She'd heard him mentioned in the news over ten years ago, come to think of it… "w-w-what's going to happen to us?" Iris said.

"…the temple may be finished for now," Bikini said. "I'm going to head back to Kurain village. But I've heard that Mystic Maya is currently in the city… you should go find her and the police." She gave the phone back. "Now let's go make a fire."

Iris nodded. Perhaps she would also meet with Maya. After all, she had a good idea of where she lived.

A/N: We totally have a serious plot planned for this. Feel free to review or to express confusion and distaste.