"Your honour! I just need you to listen to me!" Phoenix's knuckles had gone white, from squeezing the bench.

The Judge just shook his head, "I'm sorry Mr. Wright, but there is no merit in showing that evidence to that person."

Phoenix paled considerably.

I can't give up. I need a way to save Maya!

The Judge continued, "Mr. Edgeworth? Do you have an opinion?"

Edgeworth nervously tried to come up with something, "I… Well… You see… Ergo… Verily..."

"Ms. von Karma?"

"Well, I was just shot, so…" Franziska muttered awkwardly.

"Your honour, if you could just-"

The Judge cut Phoenix off, with a stern glare, "I will not let a mockery be made of this court. Nobody understands what you are talking about anymore!"

Phoenix met Edgeworth's gaze. The prosecutor sighed, unable to respond.

"It's not your fault." Mia whispered from beside him, "You did what you could."

From the witness stand, Franziska von Karma glared at Phoenix. Her hand was wrapped around her whip. But when she saw how hollow, and anguished he looked, she softened.

"This court finds the defendant, Matt Engarde… Not Guilty."

The courtroom emptied. Matt Engarde was released. The Judge went off somewhere. Mia left Pearl's body, and the young spirit medium bolted from the courtroom.

"I apologize, Phoenix Wright." Franziska said, "I… You are not quite as foolish as I once thought."

As she exited the court, she said softly, "Keep your chin up. There are other ways to convict a murderer."

Eventually, Phoenix and Edgeworth were the only people left in the room.

"Miles… what have I done?"

Edgeworth looked up, "You… You did what you had to do."

"I got Adrian convicted for murder! A murder she's innocent of!" Phoenix shouted, tears in his eyes.

Edgeworth walked over, and awkwardly put an arm around him, "I… Maya. You saved Maya."

Phoenix sighed, "She said… she said… I should let her die. If it meant getting him declared guilty… Miles, I'm a monster!"

Edgeworth stepped back, "I'm afraid I cannot help you. But… I will do anything I can to link that scumbag to this incident."

With that, the prosecutor left the room, leaving Phoenix completely and utterly alone.

Then, the transceiver buzzed.

"Ah… Mr. Attorney?"

Phoenix's voice was hoarse, "I did it. I got that bastard free. Where's Maya?"

There was only silence for a few moments. Then, "I'm afraid… that this is not over."

"W-what?"

"Right after court ended… I received a call from Mr. Engarde. He wished to order another hit. This time… on your dear item, Maya Fey."

Phoenix went rigid, "No… No! Maya! Maya!"

"Calm down, Mr. Attorney. She's still alive. For now. I am an honourable man… So she gets one last request."

Then transceiver rustled a bit, and then Maya's voice came out.

"N-Nick?"

"Maya!" Phoenix yelled, "What's going on?"

Maya's voice shook, "He's going to kill me Nick. I have two minutes."

"I…I…"

"Seriously. Nick, take care of Pearly, okay?" Maya said, "She doesn't have anyone now, and she'll need someone to watch over her."

Phoenix nodded, "O-of course. I could never leave Pearls."

Maya sighed, "It's going to be okay. I… I get to see my sister again, don't I?" She laughed weakly.

Phoenix gulped, "Yeah. Tell me how the afterlife's burgers are, okay?"

"Uh-huh. Oh hey, one more thing."

"What is it?"

"When you confess to Mr. Edgeworth… Make sure Pearly's channeling me, so I can watch, okay?"

Phoenix blushed, "Confess what?"

Maya laughed.

A voice from nearby said, "Time's up. Say your goodbyes."

A choked sob came out of Maya's mouth, "G-Goodbye, Nick."

"Goodbye… Maya."

The sound of tearing flesh reached Phoenix's ears. Then, de Killer came back on the line.

"It is done. I made it quick, so she would not hurt."

"Why?" Phoenix choked out, "Why?"

"I am an honourable man, Mr. Attorney. I'm sorry it had to come to this." Then the transceiver went silent.

Phoenix rested the urge to smash the device on the courtroom floor. Instead, he slipped it in his pocket, and entered the lobby, in pursuit of Pearl Fey.

There was no sign of the eight-year-old on the couch, or anywhere else she might be. In fact, except for the bailiff, Phoenix was alone in the room.

"Have you seen Pearl?" Phoenix asked the bailiff.

The bailiff turned, "The little girl with the weird hair?"

"Yeah. Where is she?"

The bailiff frowned, "She ran out here earlier, looking nervous. Freaked out when they released Engarde. Then she started sobbing, and calling for a 'Mystic Maya.' Kids."

Phoenix paled, "Where is she?"

The bailiff shrugged, "Jerry had to sedate her."

"W-what?"

"Calm down. She'll be fine."

"I'm the only family she has left. Where is she?"

The bailiff pulled out a radio, "Jerry. Someone's looking for the girl. Oh, okay. Really? How much did you give her? Okay. Bye."

Phoenix gulped.

"She's in the hospital wing. Jerry says she's still sleeping. Don't worry your head, she'll be fine."

Phoenix took off, without answering the bailiff.

Pearl was still fast asleep, when Phoenix entered her small room. She looked even younger, as she lay curled up.

Phoenix sat quietly, his fingers drumming on the plastic arm rests. All he could think about was how badly he had failed.

Suddenly, Pearl shot her, her eyes wide, "Eek!" As her breathing slowed, she caught Phoenix's relieved glance, "Mr. Nick! What's going on? Why did…"

Phoenix gulped, "The Judge… he wouldn't listen. I tried…"

Pearl was quiet, "What about Mystic Maya? Is she here? Is Mr. Scruffy Detective taking care of her?"

"Pearls… Maya… she's…"

"Mr. Nick?"

Phoenix debated on whether of not to tell her. Finally, he gave up, and said, "After the trial… Matt Engarde hired another hit. This time, on Maya."

Pearl blinked, "A hit? That… Mystic Maya?"

Phoenix nodded, "She was killed. He wanted me to hear it, so de Killer murderded her on the transceiver. It was painless, but she's gone."

A tear leaked out of Pearl's eye, "She… Mystic Maya's dead?"

Phoenix nodded, "I'm sorry, Pearls. I couldn't save her."

Pearl said nothing.

"She told me to take care of you." Phoenix said, "So…"

Pearl nodded weakly, "O-okay." Her mind still appeared to be processing the fact that Maya wasn't coming back.

Phoenix picked up the little girl in his arms, "Let's go home, Pearls. We can go to the office… and you can water Charley."

Pearl yawned, and fell asleep, as Phoenix carried her out of the courthouse.