Chapter 7: She's A Brick...Courthouse!

Hey guys I'm back! And we're back to Prosecutor!Phoenix in the canonverse for this chapter, I know I left you guys on a huge butthead type of cliffhanger but bear with me, trust me there is a reason we're switching the other Phoenix for now. Don't kill me yet! I promise it we'll get back there soon! I won't leave you hanging for too long!

As always here are some links for character design concepts that I haven't sketched out yet but will try to get to doing that in the near future. Also Franziska will be showing up in this chapter the canonverse version of Franziska has an outfit based on concept you will see in the very first link listed, so something to keep in mind.

http [:][/][/] [angelrin89.] [tumblr] .com [/]post/169489975418/the-great-dual-substitute-turnabout

http[:][/][/] [angelrin89.] [tumblr] .com [/]post/169713182978/the-great-dual-substitute-turnabout-more-designs

http[:][/][/] [angelrin89.] [tumblr] .com [/]post/169828407023/the-great-dual-substitute-turnabout-even-more

As I mentioned last chapter here are two sketches I did manage to get done, two OCs which I previously mentioned.

http[:][/][/] [angelrin89.] [tumblr] .com [/]post/179320774328/heres-a-couple-ocs-in-the-alternate-universe-of

Edit 2/4/19: I got my first fanart someone made for me for this fic! I had to feature it! Phoenix dressed as Prosecutor Phoenix and mimicking all the prosecutors he's dealt with! (There is nothing about this I don't love!) Here's the link!

https[:][/][/] [lazy-frix.] [tumblr] .com [/]post/182555664324/prosecutorphoenix-wright-from-angelrin89s-aa

Just remove all the brackets and spaces and you're good to go. As usual I will continue to complain about how fanfictiondotnet here won't let me add links normally without it cutting things out completely. Bah, whatever, anyways here's the next chapter.

A special thanks to my friend, coolman229, for editing this chapter! Hope y'all enjoy it!


Phoenix had to put this universe's Edgeworth out of his mind as they turned the corner within the detention center, following the guard. They entered the room and there was his old childhood friend on the other side of the glass waiting for them. He immediately lit up the moment he saw the group.

The man was an idiot growing up, had a knack for always getting into trouble. But even Phoenix had to admit it was hard to believe he was capable of a crime of this magnitude.

"You're here! I knew you wouldn't abandon me!" Larry Butz said enthusiastically.

Phoenix held in a curt reply. This wasn't the same Larry from his universe, though even then it wouldn't be fair to blame that Larry as most of the blame rested with the Miles Edgeworth of his reality.

It was strange to constantly remind himself of that fact, but this wasn't his home and he needed to get over it quickly. He needed to adapt to all these changes and keep suspicion to a minimum to make it more bearable. The sooner he could get home the sooner he could figure out the rest, but that would have to wait.

The intern boy and intern girl stood by the wall with the other Phoenix's daughter. He took the seat across from Larry while Mia Fey's little sister stood behind him. She leaned down to whisper in his ear.

"So when you ask a question pay attention carefully to how he answers, hold onto the magatama I gave you, and the locks will appear when he is hiding the truth from you. Then you present key evidence at his false statement to break the locks around his heart." She instructed.

He still wasn't sure he understood this "psychelock" mumbo jumbo, but he knew he had to go along with it regardless. It's what the other Phoenix would do, and he had to admit he was a bit curious.

He gave Maya Fey a nod and turned to Larry.

"Oh man, you have no idea how brutal it is in here! It's like torture! You gotta get me outta here!" Larry begged.

"Well that is the idea of today's objective, so long as you cooperate with me...Larry."

Calling Larry Butz by his first name was unfamiliar to Phoenix. He hadn't called him by his first name probably since they were children. But he needed to be someone else. The Phoenix Wright here was still friends with him so he can't go against the status quo. Regardless false amnesia story or not, he needed to prove to this other Phoenix Wright's entourage that he was perfectly fit and didn't need to be shipped off to some hospital.

"Huh? Cooperate? Whaddya mean, Nicky?" Larry tilted his head as he asked.

Phoenix flinched at the sound of that nickname, he glared at Larry who visibly looked confused at his reaction but the lawyer forcefully held his tongue. He swallowed back his retort. He couldn't behave like this. Even if it felt so wrong. That embarrassing childhood nickname was only allowed to be uttered by four individuals; Franziska, his grandparents, and his mother. Even as a child he always told Larry to never call him that.

"Sorry...I forgot how much you always hated when I called you that as a kid." Larry looked extremely confused but apologized regardless.

That made him curious; there was a key point in divergence between his life and the other Phoenix's. From what very little he could gather, he assumed they both had a very similar childhood up until where his own parents died. But where is that key moment for the other Phoenix? Where is the exact moment their memories diverge so completely? Was there more to it than just his parents died and the other one's didn't? He needed to know more about this timeline.

"Hey Nick, you okay? You're acting kinda weird." His childhood friend said with slight concern.

"I...sorry, it's just—"

Thankfully the other Phoenix's daughter chimed in to help him.

"Daddy has been working super hard to prove you innocent Uncle Larry! He barely slept last night because he's been pouring himself over this case!"

"Mm-hmm! But don't you worry Larry! Nick never let a little sleep deprivation stop him!" Maya Fey added.

The intern girl followed up while flashing their client a peace sign, "Yeah, you can count on us Mr. Butz! The entire Wright Anything Agency is on your side and we're gonna prove you innocent!"

Larry Butz's eyes starting gushing with tears as a huge smile flashed across his face.

"Thanks so much you guys! My gratitude is forever eternal! I'm in your debt! No, a life debt! I'll do anything to help you guys! Just call me up anytime you need anything! I'll fight for you even! No, die for you!" He sobbed.

("You really don't have to go that far.") He thought sarcastically.

"Aw shucks it's nothing Larry, but say, I know a way you can repay us!" Maya Fey said with a wink, "Nick here has a couple more questions he wanted to ask you before the trial, we need anything you can give us, it'll really help us out for the case."

"Huh, well sure, no problem Maya." Larry quickly cleaned his face up.

He wanted nothing more than to shake this girl's hand right now with how quickly she spun this around to their favor. Then again this was the little sister of Mia Fey.

The intern boy and intern girl began to ask the questions that the other Phoenix previously asked Larry the day before and he just held onto the magatama in his pocket as Maya Fey instructed, watching carefully for these so called locks.

Then it happened as the intern boy asked his next question.

"Mr. Butz, where were you before you discovered the scene of the crime?"

"Huh? Me?" Larry blinked rather sheepishly.

"Yes, you. Where were you Mr. Butz before this happened?" The horn-haired boy repeated.

"Uhh...well...nowhere really..." Larry chuckled nervously as he scratched his cheek.

Phoenix held in a gasp as he saw it. Chains rattled as they swarmed all around Larry, and three large red locks appeared on them. None of the party present seemed to react to this bizarre phenomenon!

Maya Fey smiled and leaned down to whisper in his ear, noticing his shock.

"You can see them, right?"

He just nodded discreetly.

"Good, those are the locks. Thanks to the magatama, right now you're the only one who can see them. And depending on how many you see means how much you will probably have to present to break through his falsehoods to get to the truth." She continued to whisper.

Basically, this was some sort of supernatural lie detector. He had to question the validity of how something like this could hold up in court, but he heard rumors about the Fey family supposedly summoning the dead back home...so it seemed they really did have spiritual powers.

"Larry there is certainly no way you were nowhere. There isn't a place on this planet that is truly nowhere. Even if you were in an empty field that stretched for miles or in the middle of the ocean, they are all locations. Therefore somewhere, not nowhere." He corrected.

Maybe he was being a bit pedantic, but if Larry was going to be a nuisance then he saw no reason why he can't be either.

"Oh yeah? Well...listen to you trying to be all Mr. Smart Guy!" Larry winced as he spat out his comment.

"That's Mr. Erudite, thank you very much. I didn't study tirelessly for endless hours at college to be labeled something as juvenile as Mr. Smart Guy." He stated with a heavy frown.

Maybe it was childish to give into Larry's insipid argument...but he was getting tired of this nonsense.

"Wait—Uhh...Huh? Mr. Eru-what now?" Larry said as he blinked rather dumbly at him.

"Really Nick? They called you that? That's news to me." Maya Fey said rather puzzled.

He turned to notice the two interns and the other Wright's daughter looked equally perplexed by his response. He felt a little flustered but immediately tried to squash it down as he cleared his throat.

"We're getting off topic. Larry, where were you?" He asked.

"I don't have to tell you anything!" Larry said defensively.

"Larry—I'm your lawyer, of course you do..." He said, then thought, ("...you fool.")

"So what?! I still don't have to say anything! I know my rights!" Larry shouted.

("Then why bother hiring an attorney at all, you imbecile?!") Phoenix could feel a headache coming on, He rubbed his temples and asked instead, "How about I change the question? Larry do you know what this is?"

Phoenix pulled out the magazine that they found in Larry's locker.

"Wha—where did you get that?!" Larry exclaimed.

"I found it in your locker at the art studio you frequent." Phoenix answered.

"W-well I've never seen it!" Larry crossed his arms.

"Larry...I just said we found it in your locker." Phoenix said as he stared at him flatly.

"That doesn't prove anything!" Larry shouted.

("Of all the impossible simpletons I had to deal with, why does it have to be Larry Butz?! How does the other Phoenix tolerate such ludicrousness?!") Phoenix was a couple seconds away from ripping hair out of his spiky head.

He was ready to just turn and leave but they apparently needed some more concrete answers if they wanted to help Larry Butz. Even he had to admit, not telling your attorney where you were before a double homicide of two women plus attempted murder of your girlfriend would raise a lot of red flags. If he was prosecuting this case it would certainly raise a red flag for him if he didn't know who Larry was. But it was a bit concerning Larry wouldn't say anything. He had to make him talk.

He realized he had something more he could use when the bookmark had almost slipped out of the magazine. He opened it to get a better look and grinned. He could definitely use this.

"So you claim you've never seen this magazine?" He asked, not even bothering to hide a smug smile.

Larry looked nervous at his change in demeanor but still nodded.

"Then tell me Larry...is there a reason a bookmark in this very magazine found in your locker. A bookmark that says 'Property of the one and only hot stud Larry Butz!' and some doodles of hearts all around a picture of a camera in this magazine? Interesting...wouldn't you agree?"

Larry gulped, "W-well so what?!"

"I think we both know, there is something very important about this camera. And you're trying to hide this fact from me." He deduced as the smirk widened on his face.

"Eeeep!" Larry let out a squeal then quickly sputtered out, "Okay fine you got me!"

And just like that, all three locks broke at once. That was...actually easier than he thought despite the initial annoyances. He assumed he'd have to break them one by one but Larry's locks broke easily. If these were supposed locks around the heart then...Larry was easily persuaded. Somehow that was not the least bit surprising.

"I'll spill Nick, but you better not steal my idea!" Larry warned with a glare.

("Idea? Steal? What's he going on about now?") He thought as he rose a single brow.

"Lottie's birthday is in a couple of weeks so I wanted to get her something special. She's been going on for a while about how she needs a new camera. I found that magazine in her home a couple of weeks ago and borrowed it, I noticed her admiring a lot of the cameras. That camera in particular she kept talking about. I saved up some money on the side. That night when the creep who hurt my girl and her lady friends, I was running from store to store to see if any of them had this exact model on sale." Larry explained.

("So he has an alibi! All we need is a list of what stores Larry went to, get some witnesses who saw him at these stores and it could easily prove in court he's not the real—wait...")

Realization hit him and he gave a hard glare at his old childhood friend. He was glad it worked because Larry started to shift nervously.

"Uhhh...you okay Nick? Why are you giving me that scary look?" Larry asked hesitantly.

("I went through all that asinine runaround and lock breaking over this?! Fear of stealing a present idea for his girlfriend?! Does he not understand how serious his situation is?! Of all the moronic foolish dimwitted stupidity! Why did it have to be Larry Butz?! What did I do to deserve this migraine?!")

How on earth did his defense attorney counterpart put up with constantly being surrounded by all this foolishness and insanity?

"You are the most obnoxious fool I've ever met." Phoenix deadpanned.

"Nick?! How can you be so mean to me?! We're supposed to be buddies! BUDDIES!" Larry whined from the other side of the glass.


Time was running short and Maya knew they needed to go. She could tell poor Nick was losing every last ounce of patience he had with Larry. She needed to get him out of there so he wouldn't blow a gasket out of that spiky head. His amnesia seemed to sap away Nick's ability to tolerate the shenanigans he deals with...a shame.

("Guess I'll have to put a hold on working my usual charm to get Nick to buy me delicious food and all the souvenirs. Dangit...") Maya thought with a slight pout.

Thankfully the guard intervened and reminded them all of the trial. The guard led Larry out obviously to have him taken to the courthouse and they all left the room to do the same.

Maya overheard Apollo and Athena talking about substituting for Phoenix and frowned. True she hadn't seen them in action, and if Nick mentored them then surely they had to be capable but...she couldn't help but get a feeling that it would be better for Nick to continue to take this case despite his current handicap. Then an idea started to spring from her feeling. Perhaps being in court might help jog a bit of his memory. It eventually came back as she recalled during his first case with Maggey when he had temporary amnesia from that blow to his head (although she wasn't present for that case and was only told the details after). The more she pondered about her idea the better her gut feelings had gotten. She was confident, Nick needed this! She always trusted her gut.

"Guys, it's cool, you won't need to help. I think you should let Nick handle this." She whispered to Apollo and Athena.

"Um—what do you mean we don't need to help? Mr. Wright's memory issue, remember?" Athena was shocked but still attempted to hush her tone.

"My memory is the only thing that appears to merit issues here, not my hearing, Ms. Intern." Phoenix glared.

Athena squeaked as she turned to see her boss standing behind her.

"BUSTED!" The little device around Athena's neck cried out.

"Wait...Ms. Intern?! I'm just an intern now?!" Athena yelped.

"Busted and demoted! This sucks!" The device around her neck cried out again.

Maya covered her mouth to hide the fact that she had started to giggle. Apollo shook his head and tapped Maya on the shoulder to get her attention, she turned to face the younger man.

"Ms. Fey are you really sure he can handle the situation in his state?" Apollo asked her with concern.

"You think I'm not capable? And here I thought you all considered me boss, Mr. Intern." Nick said with an even more serious glare.

"M-Mr. Wright! I didn't mean any offense!" Apollo stuttered out in shame.

"Welcome Apollo: The newest member of Club Demotion!" The device called Widget spoke up yet again.

Apollo just glared at Athena who just laughed nervously.

Maya was ready to shove a whole fist in her mouth to keep her from laughing out loud. The situation was honestly kind of funny, she wondered if it was weird if she felt that way. She could understand why the two were intimidated, but the way Nick had his hand on his hips as he glared at the two looked more like a mom scolding her kids from licking the frosting off the cupcakes that were meant for a bake sale instead of a big shot boss of a law firm reprimanding his employees, at least that's how it looked in her eyes. Nick had forgotten he was a parent but he still did that.

("You can take the Phoenix Wright out of the Dad, but you can't take the Dad out of Phoenix Wright.") Maya snickered to herself.

Maya shook off her amusement as she decided to finish out her plan. She asked one of the guards for a piece of paper and he thankfully had a little notepad on hand and tore out a little piece. She borrowed his pen too as she wrote something down and quickly gave the pen back, but not before thanking the man.

"Come on guys. Have a little faith. And Nick won't be alone. He'll have help by his side." Maya said cheerfully.

Trucy peered down at the folded piece of paper in Maya's right hand.

"What's that Maya?" The teenage magician asked.

Maya simply winked, "It's a secret."

Maya then ran behind Nick and began to start shoving him despite his protest.

"Let's put some hustle in those muscles! We got a trial to win!"

They left the detention center and made it to the car. Everyone strapped in their seats while Apollo started the engine. Phoenix was rather quiet for a while as Apollo started to drive them to the courthouse. She couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking about. She stared at his reflection in the window, the expression in his eyes was a rather serious one. He must be brooding or something. It was an expression she's seen before on him, it wasn't exactly uncommon but it still wasn't common either. She noticed him wincing and pinched the bridge of his nose. He must of had a headache, if she had to guess. But then suddenly his eyes snapped open. His expression was that of momentary shock, she was really curious what was swimming around that spiky head. But before she could ask, he composed himself and finally spoke up.

"Ms. Fey—"

Maya however interrupted him. She wasn't a fan of him still acting like a stranger, but she knew it wasn't his fault. He clearly was trying his best to come to grips with the memory loss and adapt to it.

"Nick, you don't have to be so formal...I understand you might have forgotten about it but we're good friends."

"Umm...right...so..." He said with a small hint of awkwardness.

Maya couldn't help but smile. Despite some of the strange differences that appeared ever since the start of this memory loss, there were still bits of their Nick in there too.

"Just call me Maya."

"Okay then...Ms. Maya." He said still with some slight awkwardness.

Wasn't exactly what she was hoping for, but it was an improvement she was grateful for. She hoped he'd soon feel more comfortable around them all, or even better his memories return. But they all needed to be patient with him. Everything will happen in due time.

"Yeah Nick?" She said with a small smile.

"As I'm sure you're aware, my memory isn't at a hundred percent. So how is Mi—how is your older sister doing?" She noticed the awkwardness increase slightly as he hesitated.

Maya however frowned, a wave of melancholy washed through her. She missed her of course, she always will but...she hated how she had to do this to him. It was too cruel that he remembered Mia but not about...that.

The car became too quiet as she tried to gather her thoughts, tried to gather the best way to break it to him. She realized she had several people staring at her expectantly as the air became almost unbearable at her silence.

"Maya, are you okay?" Trucy asked slightly concerned but clearly confused.

She wondered if Phoenix told them about Mia or not. Judging by their expressions, it seemed he hadn't...maybe it was too painful for him?

Despite their confusion they could tell something was wrong. She let out a heavy sigh.

"It's okay Trucy...it's been a little over decade now, I'm okay." Maya admitted.

That answer it seemed didn't make everyone feel better as she could almost feel their unease. Phoenix looked the most concerned. She hated how she had to break it to him like this. It really was unfair.

"Nick, do you remember my sister mentoring you?"

He seemed confused about her slight change of topic but answered anyway.

"I don't fully trust my memories are correct at the moment, too much is confusing right now." He stated at first, she wasn't sure what he meant by that but before she could ask he continued, "But I do remember she is someone I respect highly. She was one of the best defense attorneys to enter the court, and...some of the most valuable wisdom I obtained was through her example."

Maya smiled, it touched her heart to hear that. Despite everything he lost, the impact her older sister had on him had never left. It gave her the confidence she needed that her plan for today's trial and keeping him on the stand was the right call.

"You know Nick," Maya started, "Your first case as an attorney, Larry was your client for that one too. And my sister told me what an amazing trial that was...she was so proud of you."

The sound of a tongue clicking was quite loud in the short seconds of intense silence that followed after she spoke. She looked up and could see the nervousness in Phoenix's eyes.

"Why do you keep dodging my question? How is Ms. Fey, no, Mia...how is she?" He kept his tone neutral but his eyes looked almost scared.

He must have a suspicion that something was wrong obviously. She couldn't do this to him. She needed to tell him the truth.

She took a deep breath before she spoke up.

"She's...not with us anymore."

Maya noticed the fear in his eyes grow.

"What...what do you mean? Where is she?" He asked more seriously.

"You know—that trial—that's when we first met." Maya said with a bittersweet smile.

"Trial?" He just blinked at her.

She was doing it again, she was dodging the question. But she tried to rationalize that she was just trying to gently ease him into the bad news.

"You believed in me. The odds were strongly against you—you a fresh new rookie attorney with only one case under his belt—took me on when everyone turned away—you fought till the bitter end and proved there is such a thing as underdogs claiming victory."

Phoenix looked conflicted, probably annoyed she was dodging his question again but he let out a sigh.

"You said I took on your case...what were you accused of?" He asked instead.

"Nick..."

Maya couldn't keep doing this. It ate at her, she had to tell him, no matter how hard it was.

"There is no easy way to say this to you so—Mia, my big sister...she's...she's dead."


Phoenix sat there mulling over everything that was different.

The two interns were working for him instead of Edgeworth and Mia. Then there was that girl he's never seen before who was seemingly his daughter, and apparently his parents were still alive. Miles Edgeworth is now the chief prosecutor for some reason instead of a defense attorney. Franziska also still a prosecutor but that was no surprise there but he was certain there were probably differences too going by everything else. He wondered if he studied under Gregory Edgeworth since it seems he and Miles switched roles, but that made no sense as why would Edgeworth then become a chief prosecutor instead of a defense attorney like the father he admired so much?

Then there was the matter of...her.

He glanced over at Maya Fey. He never knew her that well, only that she was a part time assistant to Miles Edgeworth and his step-sister...as well as the little sister of Mia Fey.

Painful memories and guilt began to resurface but he squashed those down. Now was not the time for that. So he continued to mull over the differences of this universe. But he had to wonder where Mia was here, was she not still a defense attorney too? Maya and Edgeworth did not act like siblings so did Gregory Edgeworth and Misty Fey never meet? This was all confusing.

("Wait a second? I'm missing something? Gregory Edgeworth? Mia Fey? What is—?")

He winced as a small headache nipped between his brows, he pinched the bridge of his nose in response. But he was close to something, something important.

Something he had forgotten since he came here. What was that crucial piece? What was it he was doing before he became trapped here?

Gregory Edgeworth and...Mia...

Like a jolt of lightning that struck him, the memories came flooding back. The crucial piece of information he was missing when he first woke up in this strange place. Mia was arrested for the murder of her step-father, Gregory Edgeworth!

Yes, he began to remember it all!

He worked tirelessly trying to find the truth of the matter! That night after a long hard investigation after not finding anything of true value other than suspiciously too much evidence piling up against Mia for him to take it seriously, he dropped his car off at the shop because the air conditioning was having problems. He then had Detective Gumshoe take him to his office as he poured himself into all the notes and evidence hoping to find something, anything, that was off. That was the last thing he remembered before falling asleep at his desk. That was when he woke up in this odd world next.

He definitely needed to find his way back home! True he and Edgeworth were not at all on good terms and he wasn't planning on changing that anytime soon but everything was still so wrong, and not even Edgeworth deserved the tragedy that he and his family was thrown into. Worst of all was Mia. Despite their unfortunate history after that incident...he never wished anything bad to happen to her. She was no killer. He had to find a way to help her somehow. Despite his own little sister insisting otherwise he knew something was wrong and he wasn't as easily convinced of Mia Fey's guilt as Franziska was.

But that then brought him back again to Mia, just where was Mia in this universe and what was she doing? So he thought to ask Mia's sister. Maya Fey was apparently a close friend to this universe's Phoenix Wright, another thing he'd just need to get used to. But for some reason she kept dodging his question and it was becoming frustrating but also...worrisome.

Why would she dodge his question? And just what did she mean when she said it's been about over a decade? An unsettling feeling began to drop into the pit of his stomach. He was getting nervous, he didn't want to know the answer and yet for some reason he kept insisting on one. Then Maya Fey said the one thing he never imagined he would hear.

"There is no easy way to say this to you so—Mia, my big sister...she's...she's dead."

He felt his heart drop into his stomach; his whole body froze up as his blood ran cold.

"Wha...What?" He barely choked out.

His mind almost drifted off, barely registering what Maya Fey said next, he just stared absently in shock out the window.

"It's been a little over ten years for me, I miss her still but the hurt has gotten much better over the years. I can handle it now...I'm sorry you had to find out this way, all over again."

"How...how did she—"

He'd been doing his best to suppress all the memories but one came flooding back against his will. A memory that stuck with him for as long as he lived.

He may have been practicing law in Germany for three years (though technically even longer than that if you considered the years before that as an intern) under his adoptive father, Manfred von Karma. But he wanted to learn properly how to practice law in America, so he applied for college and got into a good school so he could be a prosecutor in the states. He didn't want to do things the easy way, he wanted to do it the right way. Plus the law school he attended was one of the best law schools in the country. It was where he truly wanted to prosecute, America, not Germany. To bring all criminals to justice in the land of his birth and also…the land of his parents' death. There he met Mia Fey. He was barely 20 years old when he met her.

He'll never forget that class...when he first met her. When he lost to her in that mock trial.


"That was...how did you turn it around like that? It was truly incredible Ms. Fey! I thought I had that case for sure, it all seemed so open and shut. And yet, at the last second, you pulled the rug right out from under me and single-handedly won! It seemed effortless!" He was honestly flabbergasted.

Mia Fey giggled and simply flicked some hair out of her face.

"I assure you Mr. von Karma, it wasn't effortless." Mia Fey smiled.

Phoenix blinked.

"I beg your pardon?"

"You need to work on your poker face better Mr. von Karma. Start thinking outside the box, turn your thinking around, and then you can turn your case around. And when things get their most desperate, that's when you show no fear and smile. You have to believe in your client till the very end. It's a couple of things I learned from a friend, and my father too...pretty sound advice, wouldn't you agree?" She flashed him another smile.


He pushed the memory away. He couldn't think about it right now. This wasn't the same Mia Fey he met in college and subsequently ruined any goodwill she would have towards him later. Not that he blamed her at all for it. The blame rested squarely with him, and he deserved all ire she harbored towards him because of it. But at least the Mia Fey of his world was still there! There was always a chance he could repair and mend their previous trust and respect...maybe.

But here...

He balled his hands into tight fists as he had to remind himself to breath naturally.

"Please...tell me Ms. Maya. I have to know. How did she die?" He said barely above a whisper.

"It was murder. I was the prime suspect at first, her real murderer framed me. But when you discovered his involvement in the crime, he then instead shifted the focus on you, got you arrested in my place and—"

He lost control of his emotions, he squeezed his knees so tight that it would probably leave a mark as he snapped his head towards Maya Fey. The other Phoenix's daughter and Maya Fey looked startled but he ignored it.

"Please tell me I put that monster behind bars!" He snarled.

Maya Fey just smiled calmly at him...he relaxed his muscles when he saw it. She had Mia's smile.

"Neither you or I would be here if you hadn't Nick, it's okay. My sister's killer got the justice he deserved. And you definitely were part of the reason for that."

She flashed him a toothy grin this time, a more Maya Fey trait (if he had to guess, he didn't know her that well) than a Mia Fey one.

He let out a heavy breath and sank against the car door. The other Phoenix's daughter put a comforting hand on his shoulder as she looked up at him with concern.

These were good people...his other self was quite lucky. A part of him wanted to be jealous, but he supposed that wasn't fair. He does have good people in his life too, and he has no idea whatever ordeals his other self may have had to endure as well.

"Ms. Maya...thank you, thank you for telling me. I'm...I'm sorry for losing my temper there." He said after a heavy sigh.

"Don't apologize Nick. It's okay, I understand. I'm the one who should be apologizing." The spirit medium gave him a small crooked smile.

He just blinked at her in confusion. Why was she apologizing to him?

"You? Why?" He voiced his confusion.

"Because...well, I'm sorry you have to find out this way...and experience this again." Ms. Fey's smile became a more somber one.

"I'll be okay, but thank you. How about you?" He asked.

"Nick, I already said I'm fine. It's been like a decade, I'm okay." She said with reassurance.

He never knew the other Mia Fey and Miles Edgeworth's little sister well but now he felt a bit guilty for not paying much attention to her. He knew her to be immature, rambunctious and reckless from the little interactions he had, but she was definitely kind, and empathetic. Maybe she was secretly more mature than he gave her credit for.

There was so much more he wanted to ask. What else had changed here? He was starting to get afraid for other people he knew well, but a part of him really wanted to know their fate here. Like Ema and Kay. Or Chief Gant and Detective Badd. And what about Detective Gumshoe and Lana? And dozens of more people. And if Mia mentored him, he stilled wondered about Gregory Edgeworth, was he still alive here? And if he is then why did his son become the chief prosecutor?

He had so many questions and so little time. They'd unfortunately have to wait as they finally pulled up to the courthouse.


January 10, 9:50 AM

District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 4

The two interns were all sitting on the sofa discussing amongst themselves with young Trucy Wright and his old friend Larry Butz. Phoenix however pulled Maya Fey aside as he needed to ask her something.

"So you said earlier that I was going to have help. Pardon me for asking Ms. Maya, but what kind of help did you arrange? Co-council perhaps?" He asked.

"Yeah. You'll meet her in the defendant's lobby." Maya said with a tiny smirk.

Phoenix gave her a flat look.

"Ms. Maya...you are aware we're in the defendant's lobby. No one else but our group is in here." He pointed out.

"Duh, she's not here yet." Maya Fey gave him an exasperated pout.

He began to tap his foot impatiently as he crossed his arms.

"Well when will she be here? And who is this 'she' that you have arranged? The trial will be starting very shortly, and we don't have—"

"Cool your jets, Nick! Be patient!"

He wanted to argue but Ms. Fey gave him a rather cryptic grin. He wasn't sure if that was a good or bad sign.

"In fact, she's on her way right now."

He didn't like her tone combined with that grin. He's heard and seen this type of tone and smile before on both Kay and Ema...which usually meant they were up to no good. Just what was Maya Fey plotting?

"Alright, just what are you up to?" He said seriously.

He was not going to put up with any shenanigans right now; he had his fill of them from earlier that morning.

"Ah come on, don't be that way." Maya flashed him a big toothy grin and giggled.

She was definitely reminding him a lot of Kay...a little too much. He closed his eyes and groaned.

"Alright Nick, get ready to meet the most expert co-council in three...two...one!"

When he opened his eyes, he nearly fell backwards as his jaw flew wide open while his eyes bulged out of his head.

("What in the...what the...WHAT THE DEVIL?!")

It was as...a completely different person was standing in front of him yet had Maya's clothes and hair! But she was standing in the same spot as Ms. Fey! He whipped his head around but Maya Fey was nowhere to be seen. But… why did she look so different all of a sudden? Had he truly lost his mind?

It was as if Maya Fey suddenly became slightly taller, there was a beauty mark that wasn't there two seconds ago, her bangs were suddenly swept sideways, she magically had make up on that she wasn't wearing earlier, and...her outfit seemed...smaller on her...in certain areas.

"Ms. Maya! I...what...you...how...this—?!"

"It's been a while Phoenix." Her voice changed dramatically too, she then added teasingly, "Did you suddenly forget how to form sentences?"

"But...how...I...don't—?!"

For the life of him he could not form a sentence. Just what was going on? He could not even begin to fathom what happened.

The two interns and Trucy Wright came running over to see the commotion.

"Hey what's going on over—wait, Maya, is that you?! You look so...so different!" The carrot topped girl exclaimed.

"Yeah you look," The antennae banged boy looked up and down then became immediately flustered, "Uh—you look...matured."

"Oh! So Maya did a spirit channeling! I've seen Pearls do it once but never seen a change as dramatic as this one!" The magician girl said in excitement.

"Spirit channeling?" The intern boy looked confused.

"Yeah remember Polly? Pearl's family has the power to channel the spirits of the dead, use their bodies sort of like a vessel so that way the living can speak to them!" Trucy Wright explained with enthusiasm.

"Wow, so you're a spirit that Maya channeled? Cool!" The intern girl said in excitement.

"Hi! I'm Trucy! And this is Apollo and Athena, we're acquaintances of your mortal vessel!"

His other self's daughter and the rest of the group began to introduce themselves rather cheerfully, meanwhile he was having a mental shutdown. Because this was insanity, pure and simple insanity. He'd finally cracked. Because nothing about this made sense!

They were acting as if nothing about this was abnormal! Even the intern boy seemed to have his confusion and shock die down as he happily chatted away with the rest of them. Phoenix just sat there in disbelief. Would no one acknowledge it? Would no one acknowledge that anomaly of how much Ms. Fey changed in a second? How much one asset in particular changed so dramatically in a second that the laws of science were weeping as they speak? Would no one say something?

No, of course not! They were all just chatting as if this was normal because clearly the world had gone crazy! He was wrong, clearly he was not crazy because they're all the crazy ones! And someone needed to say something!

"WILL NONE OF YOU FOOLS POINT OUT THE SCIENTIFIC ANOMALY THAT IS MS. FEY'S BUXOM BECOMING THREE TIMES LARGER THAN IT'S ORIGINAL SIZE IN THE SPAN OF A SINGLE SECOND?! OR ARE WE JUST GOING TO IGNORE THIS BLOSSOMING ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM?!"

Everyone finally stopped their idle chit-chat to stare at him awkwardly while he was panting for air after that scream. He didn't care if it was loud. Because everyone has lost their minds and this universe was nothing but pure lunacy.

"Well...I mean...I didn't want to be that guy..." The intern boy mumbled sheepishly.

"Phoenix? Why are you acting so—hmm...what's this?" The transformed Maya Fey stopped short as she examined the paper in her hands.

After she finished reading it she let out a sigh and scratched the back of her neck.

"So that's how it is, huh? Even when you've outgrown the need for help you still manage to find ways to pull me back. You're quite the trouble magnet Phoenix. But it should prove interesting. And I have to admit, I look forward to being in the court with you again, just like old times." The woman in Maya's skin said.

"Wait? Old times? Who...who are you?"

As hard as it was to believe, this clearly wasn't Maya Fey anymore. But something about her was...familiar. The intern girl gasped, catching his attention.

"Wait a second, Trucy, you said Pearl's family could channel the dead...and then Maya mentioned in the car about—are you? Are you Maya's older sister?" She questioned.

Phoenix felt slightly dizzy. There was no way, Maya Fey said so herself, she was dead for over ten years in this universe! But...now that he looked at her...she looked so much like her. And now that he realized it she also sounded like her! He remembered well the rumors back home about the Fey clan but...was it actually possible?

"Is it...are you...M-Mia?" He breathed out.

She smiled fondly at him.

"Nice to see you again, Phoenix."

("But...but you're supposed to be, no—this is crazy...I'm talking to a dead woman. I'm TALKING to a DEAD woman!")

He felt even dizzier as the room spun faster and faster, his vision blurred as he began to fall. The last thing he noticed was the intern boy rushing to catch him. He blacked out. He wasn't certain how long he was out, but he felt it hadn't been very long.

It was fuzzy but he could distantly make out the intern boy's very loud voice, he supposed he heard the intern girl as well, he couldn't discern what they were saying. The voices became clearer after a couple of seconds. He finally opened his eyes to see that he was surrounded, the interns hovering over him with immense concern.

"Guys, give him some space!" His other self's daughter pushed the two interns back, "Daddy, how are you feeling?"

"I feel like my legs are made of lead...ugh—what happened?"

The next person's voice he heard was not of the two interns, or his other self's daughter. It was a voice very familiar to him. He hadn't gone crazy, but that voice definitely belonged to Mia Fey.

"Well—this truly is nostalgic. When Maya channeled me the first time, you fainted back then as well when you saw me like this."

He snapped his head and was sure he hadn't hallucinated it. That was Mia Fey, granted with her younger sister's hair and clothes for some reason but it was...it was her. So that stuff about channeling was actually real. He would laugh if he hadn't seen it for himself. Maya Fey actually brought her dead sister here, through her, to talk to them. It was beyond unbelievable.

"Mia...you're really here." He said with disbelief.

She extended a hand for him, he took it as she helped him stand back up. He continued to gape at her in shock.

"Phoenix, are you going to be alright?" Her brows creased with worry.

"Uh—I..." He immediately cleared his throat, he needed to get his act together, "Sorry I...I was just umm—I was a tad startled by this."

"That's a bit of an understatement Phoenix, but considering your amnesia that Maya mentioned in the note, it's to be expected I suppose." She gave him a half-smile.

He nodded and scratched the back of his head, feeling a bit awkward.

"Oh, Boss, Mr. Butz was extremely worried when he saw you pass out, but the bailiff told him he had to go, we told Mr. Butz we'll handle it and take care of you. But we should really be going, the trial is starting in like two minutes." The intern girl said.

He nodded again but still said nothing, as he still was gaping at Mia. He could pinch himself several times, but he was apparently really seeing a dead person being channeled to communicate with the living. Did his other self...did his other self have this happen around him all the time? He couldn't imagine being used to something as incredible as this.

"Phoenix? Are you sure you're okay? You're awfully quiet?" Mia broke him from his thoughts.

"Huh? Oh, yes! Of course!" He straightened himself up, trying to appear poised.

Just what was wrong with him? He was a seasoned prosecutor! True, he was thrown into a parallel universe and just discovered it was now possible to communicate with the dead...okay that would throw anyone for a loop...but still! He was a professional! He needed to get his act together!

"I know about the amnesia...but you're definitely out of sorts right now, do you really want to do this? Maya says that you have two wonderful protégés who can help if you don't feel you can do this." Mia questioned.

That was a good question. Did he want to do this? He was a prosecutor, not a defense attorney. He never truly asked to be given this task nor was he truly the one that Larry Butz hired to do the job.

And yet...?

He remembered the thrill and excitement he felt as a child when Miles Edgeworth talked about his father's job. He remembered the joy he felt when he ran home and told his parents he wanted to be an attorney...the pride in his mother and father's eyes.

It was a silly childhood dream...that was what he was told. That he needed to put it to bed. Maybe deep down he hadn't. Because that nostalgic thrill had rushed through him. Could he do this? Well he supposed he'd never truly know unless he tried.

He gave Mia a more determined expression.

"I think I can do this, no...I want to try. Will you aide me?"

Mia giggled at him.

"What a silly thing to ask, do you honestly think I'd not help after being summoned like this?"

"Well no—"

"Phoenix, I'm on your side. And don't worry. You may have forgotten, but I know you have it in you to do this." She gave him a warm smile.

His serious expression melted into a more relaxed one as he allowed himself to smile back.

"Right...thank you."

"She's kinda right though, you are acting a little funny, you gonna be okay Daddy?" Trucy Wright asked.

He knew she meant well but he still frowned. He was certain he could handle this...probably. No, definitely! He was still a professional lawyer after all...just...a different kind. But that didn't matter! He was certain he could do this! And Mia Fey would be helping him, if she's anything like the Mia of his universe then he knew she would be definitely a most valuable assistance to have.

"Well taking into account my current dilemma, I certainly had no recollection of Ms. Fey being deceased or that her sister can channel spirits. You'll have to forgive me for being out of countenance." He sighed then added, "But I assure you I am capable. I apologize for scaring you, but it will be fine. Please do not worry."

Suddenly he felt a hand placed on his forehead and realized quickly it was Mia's.

"Uh...Mia? Is there a reason your palm is occupying my forehead?" He asked, trying to not get flustered.

"Because of that!" She frowned at him.

"I'm not deducing—"

"You're not what?" She questioned, slightly annoyed.

"Deducing: to derive as a conclusion from something known or assume. Synonyms: understanding or—"

He started to ramble without thinking but Mia cut him off.

"Okay see there you go again! Why can't you just say you don't understand what I'm talking about, or you aren't following? You're definitely not talking like yourself. Since when was your vocabulary so superfluous? And the fancy way of phrasing things? It's—"

"It's what?" He now cut her off.

Mia sighed and shook her head.

"Never-mind...we need to get in there, we'll worry about the rest later."

He really needed to learn more about his other self. He was beginning to make those close to the other Phoenix worry too much. He noticed the interns and Trucy Wright also giving him weird looks.

He didn't comment further and followed the group in.


January 10, 10:00 AM

District Court

Courtroom No. 4

The interns and the young magician taking a seat in the gallery behind the defense bench. That was when he looked over to the prosecution side.

He gulped.

There she was. Poised, elegant, refined, beautiful...and deadly. His little sister—Franziska von Karma.

Her hair wasn't as long as the sister of his universe, just long enough to touch her shoulders, and she had part of it pulled up into a half pony-tail. She had a nice looking black tailcoat jacket, the twin tails of the jacket had gold trimming. She had on a familiar white cravat tied around her neck with a blue jewel pinned over it. She was wearing white dress pants with long high-heeled black boots that stopped just short of her knee. She had blue jewel earrings that matched the jewel pinned to her cravat. She also had on black gloves.

It seemed Mia caught onto his anxiousness.

"Judging from your expression, is it safe to assume you at least have some recollection who that is?"

He nodded towards Mia Fey. He didn't need to explain the true reason for his anxiety, but regardless...this would be tough. This was Franziska. He didn't like this. He didn't like that he had to face off against her. His dear little sister. But if Larry was to be free, then he had no choice.

("This isn't fair. I do not like this universe one bit. Franziska is my enemy? Why me? Ugh...I hate this. Oh, she looks just as cute as my Franzy too! Wait! Stop! No! Focus! You are not her brother here! Stop that! Focus Wright!")

He mentally slapped himself. Now was not the time to be a doting big brother!

Franziska noticed him walk in and smirked as soon as she saw him.

("...Oh boy.")

He mentally felt himself sweating. He knew that smirk. He'd seen that smirk. It was evident his defense attorney counterpart had crossed her path more than once.

That smirk is the smirk that she only wore when she delights in the very thought of finally crushing her "woefully foolish foolhardy fool of a foolish foe under her heel". He'd seen her only throw it at three attorneys. The only three she ever considered an actual challenge. Mia Fey, Miles Edgeworth...and that one coffee obsessed weirdo who often waxed confusing poetic metaphors during court. Though the latter she's also aimed death glares on top of that smirk at...though Mr. Armando quite frankly deserved his sister's ire after that comment he made in court. Judging Franziska based on the fact she was only a teenage girl and not taking her seriously for it...Franziska certainly made him pay by slicing his mug in half with her whip while he was drinking it. He fought back a smirk appearing on his own face at the memory of the coffee spilling all over the man because of it.

"Phoenix Wright, it's been quite some time." Franziska said.

He took a deep breath to compose himself. This wasn't his Franziska. He couldn't hold back and let himself be distracted by his personal feelings regarding his sister. Besides...even if he no longer was friends with his universe's Larry Butz...that didn't matter. He always trusted his gut, and his gut told him Larry was innocent. And he wasn't about to let an innocent man take the fall for someone else's malicious crime.

"Indeed it has, Franziska von Karma." He said neutrally.

"Don't think that little victory you had in the past will change anything. I will defeat you, and prove who is truly superior!" She announced with the dramatic flair she naturally always had, he forced himself to not crack a smile.

"Little victory? You certainly didn't find it so little both times you lost. I seem to remember those temper tantrums quite well." Mia snarked with a haughty smile.

("Oh dear...") Phoenix felt himself sweat on the back of his neck.

"Really? You again? Must you always have your little spirit mediums always channel such a nuisance, Phoenix Wright?" Franziska crossed her arms with a look of vexation.

"Come now there's no need to be that way, I only traveled all the way back from the land of the dead to watch a von Karma get knocked down from her throne again. One rarely gets to see this privilege after all." Mia teased with even more pride in her countenance.

The room felt very icy. If looks could kill then Ms. Maya would have a lot more people to channel. Franziska clenched her teeth and squeezed her whip tightly as she glared at him and Mia. Mia on the other hand still wore that mischievous smirk but her stare matched the brittle cold one of Franziska's.

He could only gulp and feel himself sweat more.

("It seems these two are no different from my universe...just wonderful.") He thought sarcastically.

"FRANNY! HEY! FRANNY!" Larry waved rather enthusiastically at Franziska

She snorted and didn't spare him a glace.

"Wait? Are you ignoring me? That's so rude! Franny! How could you!? I thought we were friends!" Larry whined.

She didn't spare him a glance even when she whipped him.

"Be quiet you fool, you're breaking my concentration." Franziska ordered crisply.

"Meanie..." Larry sat down and cross his arms with a childish pout.

Phoenix rolled his eyes and repressed the urge to sigh. Mia noticed his expression and giggled quietly.

"Your friend Larry always seems to find himself into more trouble than he can handle."

"Yeah..." He grumbled, "Well as we said in elementary school, when something smells, it's usually the Butz."

Mia gave him an interesting look. He raised a brow and frowned at her.

"Did I say something peculiar?"

"No...nothing...it's just, it's good to know not all your memories are gone." She said with a small smile.

The Judge thankfully walked in and took his spot at his stand, saving him the trouble of commenting on the topic further.

"Oh my, it's been quite some time since you graced us with your presence Ms. von Karma. I hear you've been busy with Interpol these past few years. Oh! And Mr. Wright too! Having you both together? Now this will be quite the blast from the past!" The Judge said endearingly.

"Your Honor, I'm grateful for your words but now isn't the time to get wrapped up in nostalgia." Franziska remarked.

"Oh yes, quite right." The Judge cleared his throat, "Are you both ready?"

"The prosecution is ready, Your Honor." Franziska nodded.

She added a fiery smirk back in his direction. She was quite confident. This was definitely going to be an uphill battle. But he had to do this.

No...he would do this.

If his other self was capable of it, then surely he must have it in him too.

He closed his eyes for a small second as he placed his right hand over the defense attorney badge that was pinned to the lapel of his suit. It felt different, odd, alien...and yet...it also felt good. He opened his eyes, and an old fire burned in him. A fire he hadn't felt since he was a boy.

Yes, he would do this.

"The defense is ready, Your Honor." He said confidently.


And another chapter done!

I hate being sick, right now I got either the early stages of bronchitis or an upper respiratory infection. (Thanks I hate it.) Because I really hate missing work. On the other hand, I made so much progress on this chapter and some notes for future chapters while being sick so...idk silver lining?

Speaking of being sick, I laughed so hard when I told the idea I have for the title of this chapter to my beta that I swear I nearly hacked up a lung. But I couldn't help it. As you guys know I make titles based on pop culture references or memes. I was struggling to come up with one for this chapter but since the funniest part to me writing this chapter was Prosecutor Phoenix dealing with well...as in Whoville they say, Maya Fey's breast sizes grew three sizes that day! Then being the "mature" adult woman that I am, I decided the chapter title needs to be a clever joke about boobies. THEN INSPIRATION HIT ME!

I love writing Prosecutor Phoenix so much. He's a lot of fun. And yes this is still a running joke about him not knowing Apollo and Athena's names despite the fact that Trucy introduced them and they introduced themselves previously. It's a hilarious dumb running gag. He'll never get their names. RIP Polly and Thena, I'm so sorry, I love you babies, I pick on you all because I love you I swear. And yes another running gag is he's the very doting kind of older brother to Franziska, because it's cute and funny and she deserves it and Phoenix is a dork who loves with his whole heart.

Also Capcom, I will literally pay you anything, but can Franziska and Mia PLEASE make another appearance in the next game! And Gumshoe! I really miss them! I'm glad Maya and Larry and Edgeworth and Pearl are back, but it's not enough! I want my girls and Gumshoe, dangit!

Ahem...anyways, hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! And don't worry, like I said I won't keep you hanging for long on what's going on with our canonverse Phoenix in the Prosecutorverse! There is a reason we're back here, you'll see very soon!

Thanks everyone for your continued support! It means the world to me! And the more reviews you leave the more I feed off its energy, giving me power to write more ;)

Anyways, see you guys next time!