.

July 1 8:05 AM

Harbingine Cemetery - North Side

Detective Bulder had no more information, or rather, he disclosed no more information, for fear of whatever torture this "Prosecutor Contammis" had Invented.

"We haven't really given this side a good look, actually." Apollo noted.

"Think we'll find anything else here?" Julias thought aloud.

"Well," Apollo pressed his forehead, "Vera's sketch shows the north side of the cemetery, which is roughly where the crime took place. I'm sure we'll find something."

Julias looked down at something. It was a print. A footprint. It was placed just in front of a grave-marker. (Hm... Haven't I seen this print somewhere before?)

"Wait," Apollo said, "isn't that the same print we saw by the exit?"

For the first time, Julias took in the detail of the print: Like any other shoe, it had a complex design, except for a large, empty circle printed near the toes. "I think you're right. Why do you think the person left-"

"Wait a minute!" Apollo interrupted, "Let's see that map again... ... Just as I thought. Here, take a good look at Nerio's position. Now... Where did we find this footprint?"

"They... *gulp* ... They match up."

Apollo was quietly thinking. Finally, "... Then this must be where the killer shot the victim from."

(This is looking bad, like... First-date-bad! Evidence just keeps piling up more and more... How am I gonna come out alive in court tomorrow?)

Footprints updated to Nerio's Footprints

Julias noticed another thing about the gravestone: there was a dandelion near the footprint. It looked as if someone was trying to uproot it.

"Ahem!" A voice, yet again unfamiliar, spoke from behind them. The lawyers turned to see a middle-aged man, perhaps somewhat younger than Detective Bulder. He wore gardening gloves and looked every bit a gardener himself. His hair looked more like a sod of dirt dropped on his head. In one hand he held a gardener's spade. "Would you two KINDLY get off that grave?"

(What's he... AGH!) Julias realized he had been standing smack dab right on a grave, killing a sunflower in the process. "Sorry! Sorry! I didn't see that."

The man sighed, "Well... There's all the others I can look at..."

"Others?" (He actually looks at graves in his spare time?) "Hey, nothing chipped off! See? It's... Unreadable as always."

"Not the stone, the flower!"

"Flower?" (Wait... I don't see one grave that doesn't have any kind of flower. Did he...?) "You planted all these?"

"Of course I did," he scoffed, "I'm the grave-keeper, ain't I? It's my job, ain't it?"

(Grave-keeper? What happened to the hunchback, troll-like stereotype?) "You plant the flowers?"

"You got acorns in your ears, buster? That's what I just said! I plant the flowers chosen by the deceased's family."

"I thought the keeper's job was to dig new graves or something."

"I think you got it confused with the digger, but..." He scraped traces of dirt, of which there was a generous supply, off his free hand with his spade, "I haven't seen hide nor hair of him since I took the job."

(Someplace, somewhere, there's a funeral director who's at his wit's end with this guy.)

"Who're you two, by the way? More detectives?" Before they could answer, he launched into ranting. "Let me ask you something: whose business is it of yours to go crawlin' all over the graves like stepping stools, and uprooting my flowers? And for what? Prints, of all things!"

"Um..." Apollo was at a loss for words, "Just who is this guy...?"

"Gray Rigget," the grave-keeper answered, "just so you won't ask again."

(Wait...) Something occurred to Julias, (Could this guy be the...?) "Excuse me, Mr. Rigget, did you witness a murder at around 5 in the morning?"

"H-how should I know?" Was all Rigget could reply.

Suddenly Julias winced; something was happening to his hand again. (Okay, it's just numb this time. Last time it got so cold it felt like it was gonna fall off... What is the deal with this ring? Next time I see that kid, he's got some explaining to do.) That wasn't the only strange event with Julias. At the same time he stopped feeling his hand, his vision suddenly registered into shades of amethyst, the same color as his ring. As if for an eternity, Julias waited for something to happen. Finally he heard a voice sounding like Rigget's. It sounded as if his voice had traveled all the way from the bowels of deep caverns.

Gunshot

"Mr. Rigget," Julias began when his vision returned to normal. He didn't know whether or not Rigget had really said that word, "you heard the gunshot?"

"Eh...?" That struck a chord with Rigget.

"Mr. Rigget, did you hear the gunshot?"

"Um... No! I have no idea what you're talking about!"

(Whatever that was, just now, I think I'm onto something. Mr. Rigget says he didn't hear the gunshot... But I know that was his voice! What proof do I have that he witnessed the murder...?)

TAKE THAT!

"Mr. Rigget, I know that you witnessed the murder," Julias held up the diagram, "who else could've told Detective Bulder the killer's escape route?"

"Anyone!" Rigget retorted, "Anyone could've heard it and called the police."

"Yes, but you are a prime suspect... Wait! I-I mean..." (That came out wrong!) "I mean... You are the one most likely to have witnessed it. After all, being the grave-keeper, you are here, around the clock, correct?"

"W-well... Yeah... But... What if... AAGH!" Rigget raised his spade into the air and stuck it into his hair; dispelling some of the actual dirt that it held, "Yeah! Okay! I did hear a bang!... And I did see the killer run off!"

"But what was the problem of admitting it?"

Rigget sighed, "'Cuz I really don't wanna go to court."

"You witnessed the murder, it's the law that you testify!"

"Well... Stage fright, I guess..."

...

(It's a wonder I haven't fallen on my face from that...) "But we'll still need your testimony, alright?"

"Okay..." Rigget looked down in shame, "What do you wanna know?"

"According to the map," Apollo began, "the killer ran through the northwest exit to escape. Is that right?"

"Yep, right by the casino."

"Casino?" (Is he talking about...?) "You mean the Nerio Casino?"

"Haven't ya noticed yet? Just go through the northwest, and you're at the building's backside. Just go around to see the sign. You can't miss it. If you plan on goin' in, here's an ad I cut out of a magazine. It shows the outline of the casino from a bird's-eye view."

Casino Ad added to Court Record

The casino held a north and east side that were almost the same distance. In the inner corner of these sides, was one, final room that jutted the wall out in one, final corner.

"That's where the killer escaped to, apparently," Apollo explained, "there might be something we can find there."

July 1 8:10 AM

Outside Nerio Casino

The two arrived at what was technically the south side of the building. All that was there was fire hydrant, and something colored black... "What...? It looks like a vest." He picked it up, turned it over, and saw the word "POLICE" written down the middle in big, white letters.

"Looks like an officer is missing his vest." Apollo reasoned.

Julias looked at the vest more closely. He undid the Velcro strap and saw the name that was sown on the inside, "Thiffing? This vest belongs to someone named Thiffing?" He looked at Apollo, "Is there anyway we can locate this person?"

"Possibly... We could ask the detective." Apollo suggested.

(Good point. If there's anyone who knows the police, it would be Detective Bulder.)

Thiffing's Vest added to Court Record

July 1 8:15 AM

Harbingine Cemetery - South Side

"No!" Bulder answered, "I already told you, I'm not telling you anything else!"

"We didn't even ask you, yet!" Julias returned.

"Look," Apollo said, "all we want to know is if there's anyone in the LAPD with the name Thiffing!"

"Thiffing? Snipe Thiffing?"

"We found his vest near the fire hydrant back at the casino." Julias explained.

"Vest? Ah! That's right! He was here back at the start of the investigation. He was parked right at the hydrant you mentioned."

"What was he doing here?"

"Well, we needed his opinion for one thing: the bullet that killed the victim went right through him and into another civilian. See, he's a firearm expert. We wanted to know whether or not that kinda shot was possible."

"But apparently," Apollo entered, "he lost his vest."

"I noticed right from when he arrived on the crime scene. He was wearing only his white shirt."

"Well," Julias began, "what's his address so we could return it?"

"..." Bulder went silent, adjusting his wig nervously, "Well... Um... Should be all right." He calmed down and took out his notepad, "Yes, here it is!"

"Thank you."

Thiffing's Address added to Court Record

The note read "Direct Apartments"

"Okay, Julias," Apollo assumed, "you know where this place is?"

"Yeah..." (I think...)

"Know how to get their?"

(He just had to ask that, didn't he?) "Actually, no... I don't know how to get there."

"What?!" Apollo's hair lowered, "This is Los Angeles, and you don't have a sense of direction?!"

(Do I still say 'yes', or...?)

"Oh," Bulder interrtupted, "Direct Apartments? That's easy! Straight shot from where the fire hydrant is. Directly south of the casino."

"Thank you detective."

July 1 8:30 AM

Thiffing's Apartment

The apartment building wasn't poor looking... But nor did it look wealthy in anyway. The attorneys were let in after knocking.

(Yeesh! Whatever happened to the guy's salary to live in such a place?) The interior did nothing to improve the appeal of the neighborhood. Slightly rusted heaters, crooked blinds, and flickery lighting, just to name a few of the problems that existed in Thiffing's abode.

"Hmph!" Was Thiffing's first words to them. True to Bulder's words, he mainly wore a white dress shirt. The rest of his appearance was... Almost a bit like Nerio's, if not for the different face shape and barely lighter hair, which was a dark grey. "Whatever business you have, you better make it quick." He confronted.

(Oh boy! This apartment does nothing for his crankiness. Why do I feel like he'll punch us in the face as thanks for his vest?) Julias noticed the handgun case lying on the computer desk. "You have a permit for that?" He asked.

"Course I do!" He answered warily. "I'm a cop! Specifically, a gun expert. To understand snipers, you have to become a sniper yourself."

(Interesting...) "Um, Mr. Thiffin-"

"What is it?!" He cut off.

"... Are you missing a vest?"

"Sorry, I don't know what you mean." He stated matter-of-factly.

"Detective Bulder told us this was your vest." Apollo told him.

"Bulder?" He thought a bit, "... You mean 'Mr. Fountain-of-Youth'? All right! If this vest is mine, it's mine!"

Thiffing's Vest removed from Court Record

Thiffing snatched the vest without even a 'thank you'. Julias would've been fine with leaving, except for one, little problem.

(... He's... Wearing it backwards...)

"What're you gawking at?" Thiffing demanded.

"Well... It's kinda... Backwards..."

"It is? Hah! I knew this would happen!" Thiffing proceeded to take the vest off quickly. "This thing is useless! Put this where it belongs: in the garbage!"

"Wha-? But it's yours!"

"Not anymore!"

(Don't ask, just take.)

Thiffing's Vest returned to Court Record

"Now, get out!" Thiffing left them alone.

"Well," Apollo noted, unamused, "I guess we got a new vest."

"I think we might have enough for the trial, tomorrow." Julias thought aloud.

Yes, I was finally starting to get comfortable with this investigation business. But that night, I received a call that seemed to pull the world out from under me. Adrian Hawkfenn... Had died from blood poisoning!

July 2 8:00 AM

Harbingine Cemetery - North Side

Adrian wasn't buried yet, but Julias felt like he knew this is where it will happen. (Just... Feels like some sadistic wizard is ripping reality into shreds... The bullet that killed Adrian had given him an elusive infection... One that they couldn't identify until it was too late...)

Off in the distance, by another grave, there stood another person. To Julias, he looked familiar. Like he had met him not too long ago. In fact...

"Hey! You! You were the kid that gave me this ring the other day!" He was correct. This was indeed the same young man that had given him his ring for free.

"And I know EXACTLY what it must've done for you to be that confronting." The stranger confirmed.

"What's the deal, palming off a ring to me?! That thing just about gave me frostbite! I want an explanation! Now!"

"Very well?" He chuckled as if in good nature. "This ring... It's an artifact of my... Family, you could say. It has a spell on it that, if anyone nearby recalls any significant memory, traumatic or otherwise, makes the ring react. That was the sensation you felt. Once the ring first reacts with a new master, the reaction will just make the hand go numb. I call it the 'Recall Ring."

"I said 'explanation', not 'conspiracy theory'!"

Amethyst Ring updated to Recall Ring

The stranger smiled, "I have proof... Or at least, some context that will make more sense of it. First," he put his hand in his suit coat, "let me ask you something: Are you familiar with the career of Phoenix Wright?"

"Some of it..."

"All the better then." The boy pulled out something that looked like a small pendant. It was bright red and shaped like a number 9.

(That... I know that shape! Someone else wore that charm in one of Adrian's old newspapers!) Julias remembered the paper.

ROOKIE LAWYER CREATES DRAMATIC TRIAL OVER MIA FEY'S DEATH

Fey Medium Defended of Murder

The picture depicted a much younger Phoenix Wright, standing next to a widely smiling young lady, who wore almost hippie-ish clothes, as well as a necklace that held a curious charm.

That same charm was being held in the stranger's hand.

"... Just who are you?"

Again, the stranger flashed that friendly smile. "Without any disguise, my name is Orbis Fey."

"This is making my head hurt!" Julias groaned. "A Fey?! MALE Fey?!"

"To correct you," Orbis began, replacing the item, "Kurain, my former home, does have males, though horribly outnumbered."

"But... Only females have... Whatever it is they've got. Males are never supposed to have those... Necklaces."

"They're called Magatamas, and you're right, male Feys aren't supposed to have any power, nor are we given Magatamas. The one I just showed you was a wooden carving."

"Er... What takes you to Los Angeles?"

Orbis scowled, gazing off into another part of the cemetery. "Believe it or not: Banishment."

"What? Banished from Kurain?"

"Wouldn't you believe it?!" Orbis growled, even more contemptuous than before. "Superstition says that a male Fey with actual powers is an omen of misfortune. So," he gritted his teeth, "being the narrow-minded peasants that they are, they banished me!"

"What?! Just because of that, they threw you out on the street?!"

Orbis didn't seem to hear him. "Funny thing is, those were false charges. Only one person, the only one that agreed with me on this whole superstition thing, believed that I was set up, and that was the master, which didn't help her reputation one bit!"

(Well technically, superstition is kinda in the same league with spirit mediums. But I suppose, with this kid, there's a fine line between superstition and spirituality... Wait... Something's not right here...) "Um... Might I ask you why you're-"

"Posing as a peddler?" Orbis gave a cheeky smile, "I also happen to be very talented in wood-carving and Geometry! But my reason... Well, I had to contact you. I watched that trial from the gallery, and you're spirit, no pun intended, convinced me that you would do fine. That's when I gave you the ring."

"Any reason why me?"

"Well, just happens that the master has a few connections. See, I needed a place to stay. And she figured that you were the perfect candidate"

"Wait, whoa, whoa! I'm not taking some stranger in my house, alright?"

"All right then, direct me to the Wright Anything Agency."

"Pardon?"

Orbis looked serious, "My needs are more than lodging. I'm also looking for someone who can overturn Kurain's decision and prove me 'innocent', so to speak. That's also why I chose you, since you were smart enough to prove your friend innocent and find the real killer at the same time."

"Still! I'm not letting you into my house! I'm very sorry!"

Orbis shrugged. "Then the Wright Anything Agency it is, then. I sleep better on the couch, anyway."

(I don't know whether or not Mr. Wright will let him sleep there, and frankly, I don't care! I have no plans to be friends with someone who talks to dead people!)

The two went their separate ways.

Court Record

Evidence:

- Attorney's Badge: This badge is a must for all attorneys. Taking the defense bench without one is a federal offense.

- Recall Ring: Apparently, a ring that allows me a glimpse of someone's past. A souvenir from my first trial.

- Adrian's Bloodstain: A bloodstain on the sidewalk. This is where Adrian was shot in the right shoulder.

- Nerio's Footprints: Found near the cemetery's northeast exit. Another set was found near a grave stone. Matches his location on the map.

- Lester's Autopsy Report: Time of death was around 4:45-4:55 AM. Death was caused by loss of blood due to a bullet wound in the left shoulder.

- Cemetery Diagram: A map of the cemetery, showing killers, the victim and other things.

- Casino Ad: A flyer advertising the Nerio Casino. It provides, for lack of a better word, a small map of the casino.

- Thiffing's Vest: A vest dropped by Snipe Thiffing, near the Nerio Casino.

- Thiffing's Address: Apartment 13, Direct Apartments. The building is a straight shot from the casino.

Profiles:

- Adrian Hawkfenn - Age 36: My former mentor... He died just recently...

- Casey Nerio - Age 41: My client for this case. Currently runs the Nerio Casino.

- Homer Lester - Age 29: The victim of this case. Was homeless before his death.

- Gaten Bulder - Age 39: The detective for this case. As far as detectives go, he certainly wasn't what I was expecting...

- Gray Rigget - Age 37: The grave-keeper, though a bit confused about his occupation. A witness to the murder.

- Snipe Thiffing - Age 27: A firearm consultant. Recently part of Detective Bulder's investigation.

- Phoenix Wright - Age 37: A legendary attorney. Apparently a very good friend of Adrian's.

- Apollo Justice - Age 26: Another attorney. Employee of the Wright Anything Agency. Sub-ordinate of Phoenix Wright.

- Athena Cykes - Age 21: Another attorney of the Wright Anything. Energetic co-worker of Apollo Justice.

- Orbis Fey - Age 17: The same kid that gave me my ring. Apparently banished from Kurain.

- Vera Misham - Age 23: Close friend and former client of Apollo. Currently working with police as crime scene sketcher.

- Director Hotti - Age ?: So-called "director" of Hickfield Clinic. Certainly not someone I'd make friends with...

So... Yeah... A lot of jumping around in this chapter... And as you can see, I had to distort the canon a little bit. Let me know what you think.

THX & God bless

~RLS legacy