A/N:

Emerald: Hey guys! Guess who's back! You know, I didn't even notice until later that we posted the last chapter the same day as the new KH3 world reveal. Kind of like an indirect honor for it, I guess?

Wolfie: I didn't even realize that! Good eye, Emerald!

Emerald: Heh, thanks. So who's excited for Toy Story AND a 2018 release!?

Wolfie: I've been freaking out about all this since the announcement, something you've done as well! After 5 years, there's finally a release year at the very least! Now we just need to pass the time!

Emerald: I really wish I had recorded myself watching it for the first time… But as for passing the time, that's what we've got fanfiction for! So I didn't have any reviews on my side this time. What about you?

Wolfie: I've got one, my version's first at that!

Review Reply:

Review Reply to ShadowWolf223.

Wolfie: Ah, so you've finally found this story, eh? You're one of my biggest KH/LotH vets so I'm glad you're here, even if you don't understand everything!

Emerald: *whispers* Come to the dark side and read Turnabout Hearts

Wolfie: No selfish promoting in ANs! Anyway, I LOVE that you called Blackquill hawk guy! Maybe that should be someone's payback…

Emerald: Whoops. So… could it be Sky Boy's? (Aurora is totally going to call him that from now on, by the way)

Wolfie: That sounds perfectly in character to me! And I hope you enjoy the rest, Shadow, just PM me and I'll explain some finer details about the AA half, heh.

Emerald: So… onward?

Wolfie: Can I really do it? *bounces on heels*

Emerald: Yes. Yes you can.

Wolfie: ONWARD! *points like Phoenix Wright*

Chapter Four - Day 2: Investigation

On Phoenix's suggestion, he, Aurora, Sora, and 'Lance' decided to go talk to Shaylee at the Detention Center.

Once Shaylee entered, she smiled at them, looking much better than she had the previous day. Aurora smiled back, sitting in the folding chair on their side of the glass. "Sorry about the close call today," she said apologetically, with a small chuckle.

"I knew you'd get out. I knew everything would be okay." Shaylee smiled slightly before she took out the Book of Destiny, flipped to a page and showed the words to the group, distracting Aurora from the question she really wanted to ask.

"Trust in those who protect the law of this world. Those who will be at your trial will, no matter what, protect you in order to find the truth. Not all allies dress as one but their hearts are true."

Phoenix studied the words with a small frown, his lawyer mind going to work. "That sounds like it could include anyone. Including the Blackquill who, as we know, is trying to prove you guilty."

"Interesting, isn't it?" Shaylee with a small secretive smile as she snapped the book closed and met Aurora's confused eyes head on, her own gaze allowing for no questions. If they wanted to figure out the verse, they'd have to do it on their own. Aurora frowned slightly at that, before sighing.

"You're making this very hard, you know that?" she asked.

"Destiny must run a certain course in order to be fulfilled. If any knowledge of it is explained, then all will be lost. I can show the verses, but I cannot explain it to any. I can only show riddles as hints if you wish to discover what I mean." Shaylee shrugged.

"She does this all the time. Ignore it." 'Lance' cut in before Aurora could debate with the Guardian. The Seer shook her head, but did as he said.

"Well, moving on then, do you remember anything yet? From the night of the murder?" Aurora asked, getting straight to business.

"I remember sneaking out of your room and going to the gallery but once I see it...everything just goes dark...I'm sorry." Shaylee sighed as she shook her head.

Aurora sighed again, but shook her head with a small smile. "It's alright. We'll figure this out, I'm sure," she said. "I guess you haven't been questioned again by Blackquill today, huh?"

"Not yet, I assume he's in the middle of investigating right now before he and I talk about everything." Shaylee shrugged casually, as if an interrogation by Simon Blackquill wasn't a big deal. Aurora and Phoenix stared at her, their jaws dropped. "Did I say something weird?" The Guardian questioned innocently, cocking her head to the side. Phoenix was the first to recover, shaking his head with a bemused smile.

"I guess you wouldn't know he was a death row convict at one time. And it seems you're immune to his psychological manipulation," he said with a shrug, not noticing Shaylee's small, secretive smile. Aurora grinned, glancing over at Sora.

"Unlike Sky Boy, over here. I think I should have called 'Lance' to the stand instead," she said with a giggle.

"Look, I tried my best, alright?! All I want is to get Haylee out of here!" Sora yelled angrily as he glared at Aurora.

Aurora reeled back from the boy in shock as a vision flashed before her eyes: a small town at sunset, equal parts light and shadow. She instantly knew who that response was from.

Before anyone could say anything, Shaylee was on her feet and slammed her right hand on the table in front of her.

"Roxas! Don't let your anger influence you or Sora! You need to stay focused, just like on your missions, otherwise I won't be leaving here anytime soon!" She shouted, her appearance resembling a scolding mother.

Aurora lowered her head slightly. "Look, I'm sorry for the teasing, Roxas. I was just trying to make light of the situation."

"Roxas…" Shaylee's tone held a hint of warning. Roxas bowed his, well Sora's, head and took several calming breaths.

"It's fine." He muttered before he fell back and Sora lifted his head once again, smiling apologetically.

Phoenix stared at him for a moment. "So… he has multiple personality disorder?" He turned to his cousin. "Does your Sora have multiple personalities?" he added, realizing how calmly she had reacted.

"Every version of Sora should, depending on the universe." Shaylee mumbled to herself as she rubbed her left hand over her right. Aurora nodded in agreement, also confirming that yes, her Sora had the same… 'disorder.'

"Wait, how do you know Roxas?" 'Lance' asked, crossing his arms in confusion.

"Yeah. You weren't confused or anything when he started yelling at you." Sora added, folding his hands behind his head.

"Roxas… is a good friend of mine. He helped me out when I really needed it. Besides, you know when you guys went to The World That Never Was and fought Xemnas? I was there, and I helped. In… this universe's version, at least," she explained. Phoenix only looked more confused.

Suddenly, Shaylee turned to look at a clock that was behind her.

"You guys should probably get going. Mr. Blackquill should be back soon." She said.

"That's correct, it's time for the defendant to be questioned." The standing police officer reported with a salute. Aurora sighed, but nodded.

"Of course. I think we should go to the gallery next. See if we can't find anything else." She looked at Shaylee. "You'll be okay, right?" she asked.

"I'll be fine." Shaylee smiled. "Besides, they're still with me." As she spoke, the Guardian held her Wayfinder in her hand and stared down at it with a true smile before she turned and followed the officer out. "Good luck!" She called back.

"We'll see you soon, Shay!" Sora called cheerfully.

"Stay safe." 'Lance' added.

"Thanks. Good luck to you, too!" Aurora called back, before standing and looking at the others. "Ready?"

"Yes," Phoenix nodded.

"Right." 'Lance' agreed.

"Let's go!" Sora cheered.

When the group got to the gallery, they found the police presence had shrunk from the full investigation team that was there yesterday to a lone, sleepy looking officer standing guard of the scene today. Aurora smiled at that.

"We should be able look much more closely this time," Aurora said brightly. "Right, Nick?"

"Right," he said with a smile, holding the police tape up for her and the boys to duck under.

"So, where do we start today?" Sora asked as he looked around the gallery, not seeing anything new.

"Anything that looks out of place or wrong. We should also look for any kind of forensic evidence, and-" Phoenix began, only to see Aurora frowning slightly at him. "What?"

"You're acting like the head of defense," she pointed out.

"Sorry, habit," he muttered. Aurora shook her head at him and shrugged.

"But yeah, everything he said is true. Just… try not to touch too much. Last thing we need is them finding your fingerprints and charging you next." She turned to look at 'Lance.' "Especially you, since… well, your fingerprints are kind of already in the system…"

"Right…" 'Lance' sighed. The four spread out to start their search. Aurora decided to start her investigation at the white outline that showed Ardo's position when he'd been found, while Phoenix looked around at the art stuff in one of the corners.

"Say, Phoenix, what are these smudges over here?" 'Lance' asked over near the table where he stood with Sora. Most of the faint smudges were on the two mugs that still sat there, as well as the surface of the table itself.

"Hm?" Phoenix asked, before coming over. One of his kinked eyebrows rose. "Those look like fingerprints."

"Does this mean we get to do something?" Sora asked excitedly as he bounced on his heels. 'Lance' could tell he was trying to hide his worry and fear for his teacher/mother figure.

Phoenix eyed the bouncing boy for a moment, before smiling slightly. "Yes, it does." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bottle of white powder. "This is fingerprinting powder. With it, we will be able to see the prints clearer, so we can see whose they are," he explained. "Would you like to try it, Sora?"

"You bet!" Sora grinned, taking the powder and a pair of rubber gloves from Phoenix, though 'Lance' made sure he was nearby to keep Sora from making a mess with him trying to hide his feelings.

Once he was sure Sora had the gloves on, Phoenix pointed to one of the smudges on the table. "Let's start with this one. Just sprinkle a little powder onto it. Not too much, but enough to cover the print," he instructed.

"Gotcha!" Sora grinned before he and 'Lance' began to gently sprinkle the powder on the table. Phoenix watched carefully to make sure they didn't use the whole bottle.

"Now what?" 'Lance' questioned as they finished sprinkling.

"Now you're going to blow away the extra powder, and the print should show up," Phoenix said.

Carefully, the two boys blew away the powder and gasped as they saw a clear fingerprint on the table in front of them.

"Whoa…" 'Lance' whispered.

"That's cool." Sora added, his voice one of awe.

"Just like magic, right?" Phoenix said with a grin, pulling out a folded up piece of paper. He unfolded it to show names and examples of fingerprints, including Sora's. "Now we just match the print." He lowered the paper so both boys could look at it. They moved to either side of him and looked at the paper for a moment, before 'Lance' pointed at Leo Ardo's print on the paper.

"It's his. The victim's, right?" he asked. Phoenix nodded.

"Yeah, but that's not too strange. This is his table, after all. I don't think we should check every print on the table. But the mugs…" he looked back at those.

"On it!" Sora said brightly, him and 'Lance' getting to work on the mugs. Phoenix shook his head at the two boys as he watched them, letting 'Lance' take the paper to match the prints up.

After about ten minutes, they were finished.

"Most of them are either Ardo's or Mr. Angelo's," 'Lance' said. "Which makes sense, since Mr. Angelo said he was here, right?" he asked.

"Right. But you said most?" Phoenix asked.

"Well, there's one on this mug that's no on the paper," 'Lance' said, pointing to the mug in question.

"I think it's Mr. Ardo's," Sora said brightly. "Other then that one, it's mostly his prints on it."

"Good deductive skills," Phoenix said sarcastically, while 'Lance' rolled his eyes at his friend. "Are you sure this print isn't on that paper though?" he asked. 'Lance' silently handed the paper back to the man, letting him check for himself. After a moment, Phoenix nodded.

"Alright. We should make a note of this, and let Aurora know," he said.

"Hey, Nick?" the young attorney suddenly called from across the room. He turned to see her standing at a control panel, studying the switches. Phoenix walked over, the boys on his heels.

"Yeah?" the man asked.

"The Ventilation System is switched off, even though a sticky-note next to this panel says 'DO NOT TURN OFF VENTILATION'," she explained. Phoenix's eyes widened slightly, and he quickly looked over her shoulder, seeing that she was right. He quickly glanced around, only to notice that one of the windows was thrown wide open.

"Stay here. I'll be right back," he said, quickly walking out to talk to the officer on guard duty.

"What was that about?" 'Lance' asked. Aurora shrugged.

"No clue," she admitted.

A few minutes later, Phoenix returned.

"The Ventilation has apparently been off for since the night of the murder, according to the officer. Gumshoe's the one who opened that window,," Phoenix explained. He frowned slightly, cupping his chin with one hand, the other on his hip. "It's strange. This is very suspicious, but… I can't remember why," he muttered, more to himself then to the three looking up at him.

"Well, I'll make a note of it, and let you figure it out," Aurora said with a small smile.

"Oh! We also found fingerprints at the table!" Sora said brightly.

"Really? Anything useful?" Aurora asked hopefully.

"Maybe," 'Lance' said. "They were mostly Ardo's and Angelo's. But there was one that wasn't on Phoenix's paper," he said. "We found that near the rim of Ardo's mug."

"Ooo! That's great! It might be the proof we need to show that there was a third person here!" Aurora said excitedly, making a note of that as well. Meanwhile, Phoenix was looking around thoughtfully.

"Huh…" he muttered, walking back to the art stuff in the corner he'd been looking at earlier. He stopped in front of a few containers and knelt down. Most of them were paint, with a few being open. There was one, however, that was a clear liquid, and it was knocked over, spilled on the floor. He leaned closer to look at the label on the bottle, and caught a large whiff of it.

"Whoa…" he muttered as his head spun, swaying slightly.

"Phoenix?" Aurora asked, quickly coming over.

"I'm alright," he said, shaking his head. Putting his sleeve over his mouth and nose, he carefully leaned forward again, turning the spilled container so that they could see the label.

"'Turpentine'," Aurora read.

"This is a lot of Turpentine. Even professional painters don't normally need this much," Phoenix said.

"What's it used for?" Aurora asked.

"Quite a few things, but painters usually only use it for cleaning oil based paints from brushes and as a varnish. But why is it stored with his paints? If any of it had gotten on them, it'd destroy them," he muttered.

"Plus inhaling it seems to make you dizzy," Aurora pointed out. Phoenix nodded, standing. "I should make a note of this, shouldn't I?" she asked.

"Yeah," Phoenix nodded, looking between the spilled chemical and the control panel.

"Say," Sora began curiously, "how do you know so much about this kind of stuff?"

"I studied art in college," Phoenix explained with a small smile. "Actually got my degree in it, along with my law degree."

"Hmph. That couldn't have been easy," 'Lance' said with a shake of his head.

"No, but…" Phoenix trailed off with a shrug, not having an explanation for why he dual majored. Unlike Athena's second degree, his wasn't useful in his career.

"Well… I think we have everything we need here…" Aurora said as she finished marking down the Turpentine. "Where to next?" she mused.

"Uh…" A soft, familiar voice suddenly spoke up, startling the group of four. As they looked up, however, they froze.

"Sh-Shay?!" Sora shouted, his jaw falling open in absolute shock.

Aurora's mind went into overdrive. Wh-what!? What is she doing here!? She should be in the detention center! I didn't think Shay would break out, she seemed to believe I could do this and if she broke out well I can't defend her from that charge because here's the evidence that would destroy that defense and-

"That can't be Shay." 'Lance' interrupted Aurora's panicked mindset and Sora, who was trying to speak with no success. "Shay doesn't have paint in her hair or wearing those clothes."

Sure enough, the girl, despite resembling the Guardian, was obviously not the same.

Her dark brown hair was half pulled back, strands of hair falling in her periwinkle blue eyes. She wore a pale blue cardigan over a light gray shirt that had colorful paint splotches on it, whether it was real paint or not was hard to tell, blue jeans, brown boots and multiple bracelets on her wrists, each a different color of the rainbow and even colors that weren't in the rainbow. Around her neck was a black beaded choker and on her left middle and pointer fingers she wore a silver ring on each. Her left cardigan sleeve was rolled up to her wrist, showing her hand, while the right sleeve was completely unrolled, hiding her right hand from view. On her left hand was remains of paint and paint stained her hair. Tucked behind her left ear was a paintbrush and in her arms was a thick file while a bag full of art supplies rested on her shoulder, the bag itself bumping against her hip as she shifted on her feet. Her face was very near identical to Shaylee's.

"Who...who are you?" The girl asked with her soft voice.

"Um, well, I'm Aurora Wright, Attorney at Law," Aurora stammered, still shocked. "This is my cousin, Phoenix Wright, and my friends, Sora Utada and Ri-'Lance'! 'Lance Hikaru'," Aurora mentally cursed herself for the slip-up. But she was still panicking slightly. "We're investigating the death of Leo Ardo. Um… who are you?"

"Oh, uh, my name is Patty...Patty Tain, sorry." The girl, Patty, introduced herself, fingering her file. "I'm...a student at Ivy University."

Aurora smiled at her. "It's nice to meet you. But, um… what are you doing here? At a crime scene?"

"I, uh, came to see Mr. Ardo. I...I wanted to interview him...for a project, I mean." Patty answered, avoiding eye contact, her hair falling over her shoulder.

For Phoenix, the world suddenly went dark, until it was just him and Patty. Chains surrounded the girl, and two big, red locks slammed into place.

At the same instant, a chilly breeze swept over Aurora, and goosebumps sprung up along her arms. Both cousins groaned slightly.

"What is it?" Sora asked as 'Lance' and Patty stared in confusion at the cousins, though Patty continued to avoid eye contact and seemed to be hiding within herself.

Aurora moved closer to the boys, speaking quietly so that Patty wouldn't overhear. "You know my ability to sense light and darkness in a person's heart?" she asked. The boys nodded. "Well, this past year, I've been training. Fine tuning those abilities so that I can sense when someone is hiding something. Most people usually put up a wall of darkness around their hearts when they're trying to keep a secret. I sense it in the form of a cold breeze. Unfortunately, it gives me goosebumps," she finished, scowling at her forearms as she rubbed them, trying to dispel the bumps. Phoenix grinned slightly.

"Athena's taken to calling it 'Goosebumps' for that reason," he added unhelpfully. Aurora rolled her eyes at him, then turned to Patty.

"I just have one question. Were you here, the night of the murder?" she asked.

Patty seemed to freeze for a second, her eyes darting from Aurora to Phoenix and back again.

"N-n-no!" She cried, gripping her file tightly. "I-I-I was n-never here, I-I s-s-s-swear! Y-you have t-to b-b-believe me!" Her eyes were wide, panicked and very, very scared.

Aurora sighed as another wave of goosebumps erupted along her forearms. She dug through the court record until she found what she was looking for.

"Patty, this is the Security Footage from that night. I'm sure I don't have to show you, but you're on this video," she said, holding up the tape.

"W-what's t-t-that?" Patty questioned, curiosity sparking in her eyes even as the fear seemed to almost overwhelm her. Her entire body was trembling, as if she was standing in a snowstorm with no coat.

Aurora nodded, trying not to let guilt overwhelm her at the girl's reaction. "And I know it's you… because you're carrying the same case now as you were in this video," she said, pointing to the girl's bag.

Tears formed in Patty's eyes as she bowed her head before she met Aurora's eyes, her hands dropping her file before clutching her heart, her knuckles white.

Suddenly, the paint in her bag exploded, covering her, the floor and even hitting some of the four in front of her. She covered her ears as she shook her head furiously, shaking the paintbrush out from behind her ear, causing her hair to fall around her like a curtain. She then looked up and met Aurora's eyes once again, the look in her own eyes faraway as tears fell down her cheeks, washing the paint off her face.

Aurora was frozen, not even reacting when she was splattered with paint. Guilt threatened to overwhelm her at the girl's reaction. "P-Patty?" she called hesitantly. "I-I wasn't accusing you. I promise I wasn't. I just need to know what you saw that night. That's all. I'm trying to save an innocent person from going to jail, AND catch the real killer. All I want is your help. That's all," she blabbered on, trying to get the girl to stop giving her that far-away look.

"I-I...I promise, I didn't kill Mr. Ardo! He was my hero, I could never do something like that! A-all that happened was I found the body, I swear!" Patty suddenly cried out.

"WHAT!?" the four others cried in shock. Phoenix was the first to recover, as he covered his eyes with a hand and sighed.

"You know what? I've had witnesses do worse," he muttered to himself.

Aurora recovered next, and smiled encouragingly at the girl. "I believe you," she said with as much sincerity as she could muster. "But please, you need to tell me exactly what you saw. Any little detail will help. Can you help us?"

"Oh...okay." Patty nodded, taking a few cloths out of her bag to clean up herself and the others before straightening up and passing them out. "That night...I came here to interview Mr. Ardo. He...h-he finally agreed to an interview and I-I was so excited...it was perfect for my assignment. Anyway...as I was leaving I r-realized I forgot my portfolio and...and went back for it. When I went back...I s-saw someone in the gallery with Mr. Ardo. I...I didn't k-know what was h-happening b-but...when I had a clear view...Mr. Ardo...h-he...he was...dead…" As she finished speaking, Patty began to cry softly.

Aurora moved closer to the girl, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "I know this is hard for you," she said in a gentle voice, "but I need you to think back. Who was in the gallery with Mr. Ardo?" she asked.

"I...I don't know...It was a man. He was really familiar, I knew him but I couldn't figure out how I knew him." Patty explained as she finished cleaning her face and threw the paint stained cloth back in her bag, which she then threw back over her shoulder while replacing the paintbrush behind her ear, retying her hair back, and picking her portfolio up. "I'm sorry I can't be more help." As she spoke, she reached up and played with the bristles of the paintbrush, surprisingly using her right hand. Her movement caused the sleeve to fall down a little, showing a slice of light blue on the back of her hand.

Aurora shook her head, taking a step back and dropping her arm. "It's alright. You helped more than you realize, considering you saw a man, and my client is a young girl," she said. Phoenix, on the other hand, was staring at Patty's right hand.

"Patty," he began slowly. "What's that on your hand?"

"What?" Patty said, surprised, before she looked down at her covered right hand. "Uh...just a silly birthmark is all." She rubbed the back of it with her fingers.

"Right… it wouldn't happen to be in the shape of a heart… would it?" Phoenix asked, cupping his chin thoughtfully. Aurora glanced at him in confusion.

"Um, no it isn't." Patty shook her head, unsure of why the attorney was asking in the first place.

"Oh, okay. I was just curious," Phoenix said with a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Anyways, Patty, I might have to call you as a witness in court tomorrow. Do you think you can do it?" Aurora asked, yanking this conversation back on track.

"I...don't know if I'll be of any help, but…" Patty straightened up, adjusted the portfolio in her arms and looked determinedly at the group in front of her, fire in her eyes. "I'll do my best, for Mr. Ardo."

Aurora grinned. "That's all I can ask for," she replied.

"You know, you kinda look like Shay does before we-uh, I mean, she protects us." Sora spoke up, his voice thoughtful.

"Shay?" Patty questioned, confused.

"He means Shaylee." 'Lance' explained. "She's the defendant in this case and our friend. You really look a lot like her."

Patty looked down bashfully before she looked up with a soft, though unsure, smile.

"I'll take that as a compliment." She whispered.

"You should," Aurora said with a warm smile.

"I suppose I should leave you all to your investigation." Patty smiled, her voice taking on a wistful tone. "Good luck. I'll see you tomorrow...I guess." At the end, her tone became unsure again.

"You will. Even if I don't call you to the stand, you can come see us in Defendant's Lobby Three before and after the trial," Aurora said with a smile. "And thanks."

"You're welcome." Patty smiled a small smile before she turned and walked away. However, at the gallery's door, she stopped and whispered to the door. "I hope...nothing else goes wrong." Almost reverently, she rested her right hand on the door before she quickly walked out, her gait resembling that of someone who didn't like to speak in front of people.

The group watched her leave, before Phoenix shook his head and looked over at Aurora. "Well, is there anywhere else you'd like to check before we wrap up the investigation for the day?" he asked. Aurora frowned slightly, before shaking her head.

"I can't think of anywhere else," she sighed.

"Well, you're probably tired. You've been pushing yourself all day, and I know you didn't sleep last night," Phoenix said.

"I did, too!" Aurora argued.

"I heard you pacing all night."

"Oh."

"So...back to your office?" Sora suggested, trying to break the awkwardness.

"Yeah. We should eat anyway. I know Aurora hasn't had anything to eat today... " Phoenix cast an eye thoughtfully over the boys. "And I doubt you two did either," he finished.

"And how would you know?" 'Lance' questioned, raising an eyebrow in curiosity while Sora stared at Phoenix in shock, believing he had hidden his nonexistent appetite quite well.

"One, my kitchen didn't look raided by teenagers this morning. Two, worry has a funny way of killing an appetite," Phoenix replied, before wrapping his arms around all three of them and ushering them out the door. "Come on. You three need to eat if you're going to help Shaylee," he said, only too used to the feeling of raising a bunch of teenagers, despite only have one actual child himself. Aurora simply shook her head with a shrug.

"There's no arguing with a lawyer," she said to the boys.

"Fine." 'Lance' nodded.

"Oh, alright!" Sora sighed, disappointed his smile hadn't work like he thought it would before he brightened up again. "Maybe Athena and Apollo will be there!"

"You are not to bug them if they're busy with their own case," Phoenix said sternly.

"You're no fun." Sora pouted before 'Lance' nudged him and the two began to fool around. Aurora giggled as she watched.

Fortunately, Apollo and Athena were just finishing up some paperwork when the four returned. Phoenix gave Trucy his wallet and sent her to Eldoon's Noodles.

"How's the case going?" Apollo asked, his tone joking as he noticed the look on Aurora's face.

"Wonderful," Aurora said in a false chipper voice, before flopping tiredly down on the couch. 'Lance' sat down right beside her with a sigh.

"Could've been worse." He shrugged as he ran a hand through his hair with another sigh.

Aurora groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Don't jinx it!" she complained, her voice muffled by her palms.

"Don't worry!" Sora's voice cut in, sounding much more believable than Aurora's at being cheerful as he folded his hands behind his head. "We'll save Shay, just like how Shay always manages to save us! Besides, with everything she's taught the two of us, nothing can go too wrong!"

Phoenix, Apollo, and Aurora winced at those words. Meanwhile, Athena was watching Sora like he had four heads, rubbing one of her ears.

"What's going on, Athena?" Apollo asked quietly, noticing the look she was giving the boy.

"I don't know how to explain it, but… it's like I'm hearing the voices of four different hearts. All from the same person," she explained softly, so that only he could hear.

Apollo opened his mouth to scream in shock only for Athena to angrily smother his mouth.

"Do you want them to hear you?" She hissed angrily, her eyes white slits and Widget a firetruck red. Apollo tried to answer, but couldn't and began to try to pry Athena's hands off his mouth.

The only one who noticed their antics was Phoenix, who cast a questioning glance in their direction.

Meanwhile, Aurora was having a mental debate with herself from where she sat next to 'Lance'. I'm tired. And Riku's right here. But… it's NOT Riku. Er, MY Riku… but he's exactly the same… If I lean against him… is that cheating on Riku? But-! UGH! She abruptly jumped to her feet and walked over to her desk in the corner, opening her laptop.

"Something wrong, Aurora?" 'Lance' asked, confused by her sudden movement, which had practically wrestled him from sleep. Sora was doing no better, having slouched in a chair as soon as he finished talking.

"Hm? Oh! No," Aurora stammered with the faintest of blushes. "I'm just… trying to keep myself awake, before-" she suddenly cut off, her eyes falling on Sora. She stood once more. "I just remembered, I have to go check on something. I won't be long. Start eating without me!" she called, darting out.

Phoenix, who was about to call her back, never even got to call out.

Aurora got to the Detention Center five minutes before the end of visiting hours. She only got in to see Shaylee because she pleaded with the officer, explaining it was important for the case.

Her leg bounced impatiently while she waited for the girl to appear on the other side of the glass.

Shaylee walked in just as the thought crossed her mind, the standing officer telling her the exact orders Aurora herself had just been given.

"Is there something you needed, Aurora?" Shaylee asked, getting straight to the point. Time was always something she made the most of.

Aurora leaned forward slightly. "Last time we met, you told me about Ventus. I just… wanted to know. Have you found him yet?" she asked. "His presence is a lot stronger in your Sora then he is mine…"

"That's...probably my fault." Shaylee admitted, looking away with a slight pink tint to her cheeks as she held her Wayfinder tightly. Within a second, however, she was back to business as she looked at Aurora. "But that's not what you wanted to know, is it? You want to ask me about the presences you sense in both my Sora and yours, right?" Aurora smiled guiltily.

"Yes. I mean, I know Roxas. I've met him, and he helped me a lot. But… we didn't really have much time to talk about Ven the last time, and… there's another presence. A fourth heart within Sora, that's a mirror of Roxas's. It's familiar, but..." Aurora shook her head. "I just can't think of who that would be…"

"Right...so that was the same here as well, hm?" Shaylee muttered to herself before she turned to Aurora. "You remember everything I've told you about Ven from the last time, correct?"

"That he was someone special to you, and that his heart was… shattered?" Aurora tried to think back. "And that he was the one Xemnas had me looking for, but I couldn't let him find him. Which he never did. I made sure of it."

"Good." Shaylee smiled before her face turned serious. "After Ven's heart was shattered the second time, he returned to Sora, who had healed his heart originally. From there, Ven's heart fell asleep within Sora's, in order to heal from all the damage it had taken while his body slept in the former Land of Departure, now known as Castle Oblivion. That land was...our home, Ven, Terra, Aqua and I. Anyway, at the end of Sora's first adventure, he gave up his heart and that created Roxas, his Nobody, and Namine, Kairi's Nobody. Roxas joined the Organization while Namine waited in Castle Oblivion, where they eventually found her."

Aurora nodded, knowing all about Roxas and Namine, having met and befriended them both.

"However, as Roxas was a zombie for a week, the Organization was...concerned he wouldn't be able to do his job." Shaylee explained, her voice taking on a bitter tone. "So, they used the Replica Program to create someone who, after they used Namine, would be able to do Roxas' job if he couldn't or even do it better than him. They named her Xion, meaning her real name was No. I and they were mocking her over the fact that she never existed in the first place."

Aurora jerked slightly at the name, before putting a hand to her head, her face a mask of confusion.

"Xion…" she repeated. "It's so… familiar." She closed her eyes, her hand moving from her head to her heart. "But I can't place it."

"That's due to actions committed by Riku, Namine and DiZ. I was supposed to help them in my universe but I refused." Shaylee explained, her anger clear. "After Sora, Donald and Goofy traveled through Castle Oblivion, along with the guardian angel who decided to join them, they all fell asleep so their memories could be fixed. The memories of Kairi, however, went to Roxas and, through Roxas, into Xion. Through Roxas, Sora began to give Xion her own personality and face, he connected to a heart that was so new and shouldn't have existed and yet against all logic, it did. However, once Namine figured out what was going on, DiZ ordered for Xion to be destroyed and for Roxas to either be killed or forced to return to Sora."

Aurora's hands clenched into fists at the thought of the man in red. "So… he ordered the deaths of Namine and Xion?" she snarled. She held no love for that man.

"He didn't think either would return to Sora willingly and, even if Xion did, she would've been destroyed anyway." Shaylee explained. "Xion was willing though, once she discovered who she truly was and what the Organization wanted with her. However, before she could return to Sora, she was kidnapped and forced to return where Saix and Xemnas...modified her so she would fight Roxas. In their minds, whoever came out the winner would work for them and become the 13th darkness. Roxas won and Xion was erased from everyone's memory but my own. Xion wanted Roxas to win, she wanted him to do what must be done, what she couldn't do if she won, because they would've just controlled her like any other machine." Shaylee was practically shaking in anger for the Organization and DiZ. "Roxas then regained the ability to wield two Keyblades and he fought Riku at the World That Never Was, thinking he stood in the way to destroying Kingdom Hearts, destroying Xemnas and getting her back. By that point...Riku and Roxas were the last ones to remember her. Roxas was the last to forget, he only forgot once Riku defeated him. And then...he was put into that program that forced him back to Sora, someone he never even got the chance to talk to. And the reason Roxas looks so different is because Sora regained his heart and body thanks to Kairi and so Roxas took Ven's appearance and held his heart. That's why Roxas was a zombie at first though, because Sora was still living and, for a week, it interfered. But even before Sora went to Castle Oblivion, Roxas was growing his own heart, he was becoming his own person." Shaylee wiped tears away as she finished. "That's why you Saw three hearts within Sora. Ventus, Roxas and Xion, the most personal hurting that Sora must save in every universe. Because of what happened, however, only Roxas as he is now and I can remember Xion."

As Shaylee spoke, fragments of memory of a girl, who looked a lot like Namine to Aurora, drifted just below the surface of her conscious. But she was too focused on the girl's words to think about those. "I was there, in that virtual Twilight Town, when Roxas recombined with Sora," she admitted softly. "Namine told me he wouldn't disappear. But until I met Sora again, I really thought he had." Her shoulders slumped. "And I knew it. I knew Nobodies had to have hearts, or else I wouldn't have been able to sense them. But… wait." she looked up at the girl. "What do you mean, 'the most personal hurting that Sora must save'?" she asked.

"Ah, that." Shaylee nodded. "Well, there are seven people hurting that Sora must save, because he's the only one who can. Axel, Roxas, Xion, Namine, Terra, Aqua and Ven. However, right now he's largely unaware of it. But he will do it. Actually, it was through learning that that I confronted my own trials and...was declared ready. But I can't tell you for what." As she said the last sentence, Shaylee smirked and winked at the Seer, who pouted in disappointment.

"Of course you can't," Aurora sighed. But… the chance to see Roxas and Namine again… and even Axel… Aurora smiled at the thought.

"The time for your Sora, as much as mine, is coming to confront this trial." Shaylee explained. "I want you to promise that you will be there for him, no matter how painful it might be. Your Sora will need you on his side, just as my Sora needs me."

"You don't hear a sentence like that everyday," Aurora said, making a weak attempt at a joke.

"Aurora." Shaylee's voice contained a warning, similar to a mother warning a child. She needed to hear this promise. The Seer looked up at her, completely serious.

"Of course I'll be there for Sora. I might not be as close to him as I am Riku, but he's still one of my closest friends. I promise you, I'll be by his side when he needs me to be," she said, her hand forming a fist over her heart.

"Thank you." Shaylee smiled before she began to chuckle. "You know, sometimes I can't help but wonder if that girl in the video and the one I met aren't the alternate versions of us, but we are the alternate versions of each other."

Aurora tipped her head to the side thoughtfully. "Patty does look a lot like you. We actually met her today, and… well, me and Sora thought you broke out of jail." She chuckled, remembering her panicky thoughts. "And what, do you think you met someone like me in your universe?" she asked curiously.

"Yep. Found her in Traverse Town where she was a pickpocket." Shaylee chuckled at the memory. She got caught by Yuffie though and once I sensed her magical potential, she was left in Merlin's care."

Aurora snorted. "A pickpocket?" she then shrugged. "Then again, Patty's an art student, so I guess the alternate versions of us have to be different," she reasoned, though she still couldn't imagine any version of herself being a law-breaker.

Just then, a guard entered the room. "I hope you got what you needed, Attorney Wright. Visiting hours are over," he said.

"Really? That felt shorter than five minutes." Shaylee shrugged before she stood up and sent Aurora a small smile. "I'll see you tomorrow, alright?"

"Alright. Hang in there. Hopefully we won't need that third day," she said, standing as well. "Try to have a good night."

"You too." The Guardian nodded before she left the room.

Once Shaylee was returned to the holding cell, she sat down on the cot and allowed herself to cry.

She knew everything would be alright, she knew the truth would be found, but hearing the doubts on the prosecutor's lips, hearing the judge's doubts...it was like hearing her own self loathing thoughts spoken aloud.

Suddenly, warmth surrounded her and she looked up to see Ven's spirit smiling at her before Terra and Aqua appeared by his side. She smiled up at them, they were the best sight she could see at that moment.

She grasped her Wayfinder tightly in her hands before she whispered under her breath the vow she had spoken just a short time ago.

"This won't be the end for me. This hurt will not end me. I can face it and I will. I won't give up, no matter what."

She held the Wayfinder close to her heart, her tattoo catching the light before she cried a little longer.

As the Guardian cried, the Book of Destiny shined a brief minute and within its pages was a new message that she already knew.

"Never give up as long as there's light. Hope lies in the light, all you must do is find it. Friends and allies surround you and will help you but only you can move forward, confront your destiny and help yourself. You are ready."

A/N:

Emerald: Here's the end of another chapter! Lots of stuff going on here, and lots of hints for Shaylee's future stories that lead up to this!

Wolfie: Well it's kinda hard to avoid them and they're just too fun to sprinkle in, especially since they're allusions to your universe as well.

Emerald: Very true. Like the angel… hehe.

Wolfie: You know they might've missed that one.

Emerald: Probably. Ah well. Once I finish Distance and start my next KH series, they'll understand.

Wolfie: I just gotta get to HB for them to understand! That's gonna be a while though. Oh well, anyways, thanks for reading guys!

Emerald: Hey! Hey Wolfie! Can I do it this time? PLEEEEEAAAAASE!?

Wolfie: Of course!

Emerald: Okay! *clears throat* May your heart be your guiding key!