Coolnerdgirl: Hi, guys! I'm back from procrastinating for no good reason. (yay me!) On a more important note: People like this story! *dances awkwardly* Shoutout to allamanda29, LassRonan0020 and Suzumi Maeko for following and favoriting (aw yisssss) and to DontTellThemIWriteFanfics for reviewing!

Happy birthday, France! And before you ask, I am not from France. Non, mon petit lecteur.

•••••

After explaining what she knew to Gregory and Mia, and ending with a "I don't know how to help Mr. Nick!", the two spectres were still at a loss for words. How could Miles Edgeworth do something so horrible to those around him? And how were those around him dealing with it? And, most important, where in the world was he?

"Let me get this straight, Pearls." Mia was a little confused, more than a little scared, and definitely more than a little worried. "Edgeworth made everyone think that he was dead, left a note saying that he "chose death", and somehow no one has found him?"

"What was my son thinking, writing a suicide note! Was he trying to hurt everyone around him? Was he even thinking of Phoenix and Larry, his friends? Was he thinking of anyone but himself when he wrote that idiotic...that completely stupid note?" Gregory was somehow pacing while flying, his arms flying into the air.

"Mr. Gregory, are you sure that Mr. Edgeworth isn't dead?" Real concern was on Pearl's face, and small tears were beading in her eyes.

Hearing the spirit medium, the man calmed down a small amount. "Yes, my child. I would know if my son was dead." Seeing the disbelieving expression on her face, he cracked a smile. "I'm dead serious about this, you know." That awarded him a smile from the girl, and he patted her on the head affectionately.

"I think I understand why he did it, Pearls, but would you please let me talk to Phoenix through you? I need to find something out about the two of them." Mia was deep in thought, processing the information that she just received. If Phoenix was that torn up about losing Edgeworth, did that mean….?

"Alright, Mystic Mia." A small smile was still on her face, as the 'dead serious' joke was pretty funny. "I think I have to leave now, though."

"I understand, Pearls."

"Goodbye, Pearl. It was a pleasure to meet you, and I hope that we can speak again."

"Goodbye Mystic Mia, Mr. Gregory!" The eight-year-old focused on returning to the world of the living, and to the two phantoms watching, it seemed that she dissipated in a glowing burst of light.

•••••

While all of that was happening, the person whom the spirits were the most worried for was drinking coffee with Maya. His spiky hair had drooped, but otherwise he was maintaining a cheery façade. He smiled, but there was no real conviction behind it. His eyes were sad, showing how he really felt, but the smile stayed put. Overall, Phoenix Wright was putting the college years he spent with a Drama major to use.

Inside Maya's mind, an unfamiliar voice whispered to her. "Hello, Maya. You don't know me personally, but when you were younger, you saw your mother channel me. I'm Gregory Edgeworth, Miles's father. May I talk with Phoenix? I'm worried for him as well." Slightly shocked, the ebony-haired girl obliged, and where an 18 year girl old once sat, a 35 year old man took her place.

"Phoenix, it's been a while." Jerking his head up, the defence attorneys (living and dead) locked eyes. "How have you been? Actually, don't answer that question. I was talking with Pearl earlier, and I have a few questions to ask you. Phoenix? Wait, don't faint!"

But it was too late, as the 22 year old had fainted.

•••••

"Phoenix!"

Huh? Who's talking to me?

"Wake up, my child."

I know that voice. Who is it?

"Phoenix, wake up."

I haven't heard it in a long time….

"Phoenix!"

Mr. Edgeworth!

"Gack!" Jolting upright, the spiky-haired lawyer looked around. "Mr. Edgeworth? Is that you?" He wasn't sure if the voice that he heard was a dream or not, but he knew that he had heard it.

"Yes, Phoenix. Next time we are talking, please do not faint in the middle of our conversation." His tone was serious, but his eyes were sparkling with joy. "As I was saying before you passed out, I have some questions for you."

"How does Maya know about you?" Phoenix's face was a menagerie of emotions. Confusion, sadness, happiness, and slight fear were the most prominent on his face, but there were many more being felt.

"Hmm? Oh, yes. I was talking with Pearl earlier, and….No, Phoenix, I don't know how she knows about me, don't ask. As I was saying, I was talking with Pearl, and she told me some things that made me reach out to the spirit medium she said would most likely be with you. Maya's mother….knew me as well, and the girl might have known about me from when you both took on the DL-6 Incident.

"Good job on that, by the way. But that is beside the point." Clearing his throat, he looked his younger in the eye. "My boy, I have something important to tell you. Miles is-"

But he was interrupted by a figure slamming the lounge area door open. "Mr. Nick, Mr. Nick! Mia wants to talk to you, Mr. Nick!" Pearl noticed Gregory. "Hello, Mr. Gregory! I didn't know that you wanted to talk to Mr. Nick too!"

"Pearls? What were you doing here? How did you talk to Mr. Edgeworth and Mia at the same time? I'm so confused…."

And he would stay confused for a while, especially because he fainted again.