Disclaimer: Ace Attorney and all characters are copyright by CAPCOM; I'm just a fan imitating. The stories presented are influenced by the multiple games as well as the comic (Manga written by Kenji Kuroda).

Act One: The Setup

Miles Edgeworth did not party. He did not wear costumes and pretend to be something that he was not. It wasn't in his nature.

So one could imagine his reaction when, while standing in the lobby of the district courthouse awaiting the verdict in his latest case, he was approached by a certain bumbling detective and a young woman he hadn't seen for the last several months.

"Mister Edgeworth! Guess who I found lurking around in the reading room?"

Edgeworth flicked his glance toward the grinning Kay Faraday before meeting Detective Gumshoe's vapid stare, "You don't really mean you want me to guess?"

Gumshoe deflated where he stood, "Sir, I thought you'd be happy to see Kay again. You haven't seen each other in a good long while."

"Good day to you, Miss Faraday."

"Aw Mister Edgeworth," she punched him playfully in the arm and he stiffened, "Kay is fine. How have you been?"

"I've been very well, thank you." He eyed her suspiciously. What was the Great Thief Yatagarasu doing in the district courthouse on today of all days?

"Um, Miss Fara—Kay, what are you doing here in the courthouse?"

"Oh you know, just hanging out," she said, "Then I ran into Gummy and I just had to swing by and say 'hi'."

"Hmm…" Edgeworth said, "I suppose there's nothing wrong with spending time at the courthouse. When I was your age, I was in court almost everyday."

Kay made a face at him, "That's really sad Mister Edgeworth… And sort of lame. You're such an old fogey…"

"I'm not—! What's a fogey?"

"Wow, Mister Edgeworth," Detective Gumshoe said. His shoulders were shaking in silent laughter, "What did you do for fun?"

Edgeworth glared at him, "But it was fun…"

"Speaking of fun," Kay said, "Gummy wants to ask you a question."

"Huh? I do?"

Kay glared at him pointedly and jerked her head toward the prosecutor.

"Oh," Gumshoe chuckled conspiratorially. Edgeworth suddenly had a sinking feeling in his stomach.

"Maggey and I are having a costume party for Halloween," Gumshoe said, "We were hoping you'd make an appearance."

Edgeworth glared at him and then at Kay, "Hallow-what-now?"

"Oh this is so horrible!" Kay exclaimed and startled him—she mocked looking overcome with emotion, "You're even more lame than I thought."

"I'll have you know—" Edgeworth began defensively, but Gumshoe stopped him.

"Everyone is going to be there, sir," Gumshoe said, "You really should come."

"I don't like parties," Edgeworth said and crossed his arms, "I don't think I'll be coming."

"But you've never been to a Halloween party—you'll love it!" Kay said, "Don't you think it'll be fun to dress up and hang out with your friends?"

My friends? Edgeworth looked at her, "Obviously, I'm no stranger to dressing up. I don't see how that's any different than—"

"Not dress up fancy, sir," Gumshoe interjected, "You have to dress up in costume."

Edgeworth paused again and glared at the two of them, "Do you mean like a masquerade?"

"A what?" Gumshoe said.

"Never mind," Edgeworth said, "Still, I don't think I'll be attending. You will send my regards to Miss Byrde—I do appreciate the thought."

"But Mister Edgeworth—"

"Sir, you can spare one—"

"I said no," Edgeworth said, "Now, if you will excuse me, I have work to do."

A/N: Thanks for Reading! I wrote this for Halloween, but I missed last year and this year it's taking way to long to happen. So you get it early, because I just can't help myself.

This is a short and will be complete in four updates. I had a ton of fun writing this-it made me laugh like Calisto Yew... I hope you like it too!

(whoa-I won't make a crack about poetry...)