Hey guys, so my computer broke down a couple months ago, if you wonder why I'm semi-inactive and haven't published anything. I plan on continuing AT MINIMUM the DuelTale and Invasion! fics once I get a replacement. But since I've been in a deep drought for so long, I guess I'll give you all SOMETHING to pass the time... The first in a short series of world-merging fics I'm working on!

...why?

Why would HE bother with apologizing?

I mean, it's one thing to be the bad boy. That I understand. It's his thing. But it's another thing to go behind my back and start making out with my best friend. That, my friends, is crossing the line!

So it's been six years since that day, and I got this one e-mail that simply had the words "I'm Sorry" in it. Since the sender was labelled "delinquent2232", I naturally figured out who it was instantly. And I haven't replied for a whole week. I feel like Duncan should just get it already! He's hurt me too much, and there's no turning back.

It's a little surprising that today I found another e-mail.

I guess I should open it, but I'm through with him. Heck, he's probably still in prison right now. I don't know. I haven't checked the criminal release records.

I just got out of law school, by the way. It's a thing that I've been working on for some time now. My first case should be any day now, and I guess I should be ready.

Oh, what the heck. I'm opening it.

...wait, WHAT?

"Hey, Princess. It's been a while, huh?"

"I don't know if I should be saying this, since you're more likely to end up against me anyway. But check today's obituaries. Then come back and finish this e-mail. Seriously, it's so stupid..."

The first thing that's tipping me off is that he, of all people, is following common syntax in an e-mail. Something weird is going on. It's like he's asking me to... defend... his... case.

[internal groan]

If this is a joke, I don't like it. I decided long ago that I could be a superb prosecuting attorney, but recent events [that shouldn't be disclosed yet] are giving me reason to pursue a path in defense. I don't know how it happened. But if Duncan needs me to defend him, I swear I'm not-

- going to be able to say anything...

Heather Naomi Ortega

Age 27

Found in apartment strangled

Okay. This is just nuts.

I turn back to the e-mail, with a slight scowl on my face.

"Look. None of us liked her. You know that. But I could never kill her. Yes, I know, this is coming from a felon. But listen, Courtney, you're basically my last hope. Every other attorney in Muskoka is against defending a two-timing vandal. Heck, you're definitely against it. But I trust you. So please. I'm asking you for help."

"PS: If you say no, I just want to say I never should have tried to make you a nicer person. You're just a stickler for details, and I can't change that. So if I have to change you to be in a relationship with you, maybe it was never a good idea in the first place."

That e-mail was one of the saddest things I've ever read. Before I opened it, I was ready to throw the past away, to just act like all of the drama had been thrown behind me. But now? Seeing Duncan-stupid, cheating Duncan- cry on his knees for my help?

Frankly, he doesn't deserve to live. Come to think of it, murdering Heather sounds like just the sort of thing he would do. But then again, he's never gone THAT far.

Plus, I really don't want to talk to him again.

But there's something telling me that no matter what, I should do this. Even if it IS Duncan. I just can't stand to see the wrongly accused. Not after that incident.

I quickly begin typing a draft to send to the legal office. It's not much, just a notice that I'm going to be defending my first case soon, and that I've decided on my first client.

Duncan Theodore Nelson, you are the single most despisable person I've ever met. I'd even call you my worst enemy.

You're so going to owe me for this.

Courtney Barlow, Ace Attorney

The Delinquent's Turnabout

By GlitchWarrior