Author's notes: And there is finally a character-death-related plot twist in this story that isn't a fake out! Also, I've just noticed something: Pearl Fey is a small medium at large.

If anyone's wondering why I'm spelling meter and centre "metre" and "centre", it's just my British spelling showing through.

Disclaimer: I don't own Capcom, the Ace Attorney series, or any characters in any of the games.

April 22 11:05 AM

Un-channelled hospital - Accident & Emergency

Maya lead the group to the accident and emergency bay. "One advantage of being a dictator, I get to skip the queues." Phoenix scowled at Maya. "What? I'm the leader of the channelling technique, so death isn't exactly as terminal to me as it is to you, right Pearly."

(That'll explain why Maya is always in a dangerous situation. She hasn't got much to lose if someone can just channel her.)

Pearl, right on cue, channelled Mia. "Phoenix, why am I being channelled here and now?"

"Don't ask me. Maya was the one who asked Pearls to channel you. Anyway, shall I update you on recent events?"

Mia replied, "Sure, but it's not been that long."

Phoenix then replied gloomily. "Kay's been stabbed by Pearls. It looks like she isn't going to make it."

"WHAT?!" Mia reacted in a comical way. "P-pearl stabbed Kay. How? Why? She couldn't have!"

Phoenix, beginning to cry, said "she actually did. I saw the whole thing. I'll be giving testimony in court tomorrow. I'll probably end up cross-examined by Apollo, which is dangerous knowing as he's one of us."

Mia tried and failed not to laugh at the comment regarding Apollo. She then regained your composure. "Sorry, I just liked the concept of you getting a taste of your own medicine. Hope you don't slip up and get proven guilty of the whole thing!"

Phoenix then almost jumped out of his skin. "S-sorry, um, boss." Mia rolled her eyes. "Still got the over-reactions, I see."

Phoenix then continued, "I recorded the whole thing on my cell phone as I was hoping to get a decent blooper video out of it. Didn't know it'd become decisive evidence against Pearls instead."

Mia then realised something, "If Pearl gets found guilty, how much family will Maya have left? Note that Morgan doesn't count as she's in solitary."

None. Maya was about to run out of immediate family, and Phoenix's evidence was going to be the cause of it. This realisation caused Phoenix to collapse on the hospital floor in tears. There was a little hope in the fragility of the black psyche lock, but it was quickly quashed (I don't count, I'm a friend, not a family member. I guess she can get someone to channel Mia like now but-)

Phoenix's thought was interrupted by Maya, "Nick, Sis. What's going on? Why are you crying for no reason? Nick, you are such a wimp!" (Phew, more protection on that lock.)

Phoenix then decided to come clean. "Pearls, um, killed Kay... And I've got decisive evidence against her. A recording on my phone. Mia then made the realisation that, once Pearls is found guilty." (Assuming Apollo doesn't raise a super-objection... Or she runs away fast enough to escape the police.) "You won't have a family, hence the sad tone."

Maya blushed, and the black lock began to rumble under the pressure. The red ones broke. (I could start a family... NO! Bad Maya! That's not what was implied at all. Although I'm glad I still have friends.)

Phoenix was a bit confused at first, then realised what Maya's twisted mind could make of his comment. "Anyway, you've still got us as friends." (Please change the subject.)

"'you've still got us as friends'? Seriously? That line was definitely forced. Otherwise you'd come up with something less... Generic."

(Not exactly the right thing to change the subject to, but I'll let it slide.)

Mia then decided to leave Pearl, as there wasn't much more news to hear.

The doctor then walked into the room, and had a crippled look on his face. "The woman you brought in, she's dead. Looks like something big and nasty hit her side, but we'll have to wait for the autopsy to come."

Athena, who happened to be very much on the ball, stated that Phoenix "should probably tell Edgeworth about the murder." That Phoenix did. The phone, which still had the vital evidence, dialled Edgeworth's number. Phoenix cheered up a little bit as Edgeworth's ringtone was the Steel Samurai theme, just like Phoenix's. Then there was an answer.

"Hello. Miles Edgeworth speaking. What is your business?"

"Hello. It's me, Phoenix Wright. A-about Kay..."

"Yes, what?"

"She's just been murdered."

"NNNGOOOH!"

"And you'll never guess who the culprit is. The murderer was Pearls of all people. I've even got a recording of the whole thing. I'm sorry you can't bring her down, as you're in the wrong country, I just called to let you know that your assistant has, um, fallen."

"W-well if it means taking out Kay's killer, I'll prosecute with all my might. Where are you."

"Kurain, currently the un-channelled hospital. But we'll be investigating pretty soon. Have a safe journey."

"That's a bit of a curse coming from you, murder magnet."

This put-down caused Phoenix to laugh a bit, (I didn't know Edgeworth could actually make jokes, let alone half-decent ones at a serious time like this.) Edgeworth then hung up and boarded his blood red sports car.

April 22 11:07 AM

Misty's forest - Eastern flank

Edgeworth was driving at a way, way higher speed than he probably should have been. This made the car bounce along the road, offering a few shortcuts for Edgeworth. He somehow wasn't caught speeding, and also didn't have a pass, as he didn't know about them. "Persuit ~ Wanting to find the truth." was blaring out of the speakers at maximum volume as the car pulled off some impressive gymnastics.

Luckily, Edgeworth barely missed the trees as he jumped though the forest, similarly to how Kay did with Pearl, when they were faced with the same journey. Edgeworth then began to like the adrenaline rush. "Whee! C'mon, I can get though that gap there." He then flipped the car through a gap way too small for the bulk of the sleek car. He landed perfectly on the next road. He then, heart racing, applied the brakes as he approached a large lake. There was a capital city on the other side, and he relied on his sat-nav for directions. (big mistake, I know!)

(That was really out of character for me, but it was quite... Argh, what's the word! Fun, yeah. Fun. Something I may want to take the blue lawyer's advice on. I should probably live a little more.)

April 22 11:15 AM

Un-channelled hospital - Waiting room

Trucy, Pearl, Apollo, Maya, Athena and Phoenix all shed their tears at the loss of Kay, then Ema walked into the room.

"Ah, you must be the people who requested the autopsy. Here it is." Unfortunately, some of the pages had chocolate smeared all over them, so not all the writing was legible.

(Autopsy report added to the court record)

Ema then annihilated her bag of chocolate snackoos as she left the room. Following Ema was a policeman, dressed in a blue coat. He simply stated: we are here for Pearl Fey.

Pearl was surprisingly easy to control, "I'm innocent, so there's no point in running away from what I know will be a 'not guilty'."

Pearl and the policeman then left the room, Pearl didn't even have handcuffs as the policeman had already had some trust in her. The level of kindness was also written on a note and signed by the police officer. It was then placed in an evidence bag.

Athena commented, "He isn't very professional, is he?" Apollo replied with, "you hypocrite. It's not like you can talk much on being professional now."

Phoenix wisely stated, "if it isn't broken don't fix it. You both still manage to get your not guilties without resorting to underhand tactics, and that's pretty much all that matters."

Trucy replied, "it doesn't matter how good the props you use are if the magic still amazes everyone."

Maya then asked, "which one's going to defend Pearl?" Apollo reacted instantly, "ME!"

"Glad that was sorted out quickly. Shall we get to the detention centre? I'm sure Pearl will accept you."

April 22 - 12:00 PM

Detention centre - visitor's room

Pearl sat in the defendant's chair, and filled out a client-defence agreement. She seemed remarkably happy in the defendant's chair, her justification was "I'm guaranteed the not guilty, so I've got nothing to fear... And this isn't just because of my diplomatic immunity and political status!"

Apollo signed the form, and stuck it in his pocket. He then left to investigate, Maya in tow.

Edgeworth then arrived about 5 minutes later. "Looks like it'll be your first case as a prosecutor, Wright. I look forward to teaching you the ropes."

Phoenix was a bit surprised, "...! I'm prosecuting? This is the first I've heard of this. I thought I was going to be a witness."

"You will be giving your testimony, but you're submitting evidence, and you know a lot more about the case than me, so you'll be taking the prosecutor's bench along with me."

"Understood. I'll be sure to crush my student's case."

"I like your enthusiasm."

Athena then decided to get involved, "so, who's side am I supposed to be on again?"

Phoenix stated, "Athena, and you too, Trucy, you can decide which side of the courtroom you get to be on."

"OK, daddy! I've got to admit, I'll be on the defence as I'm more used to it."

"OK. I'm going with you because I'd like the adventure of being on the other side."

Then, the prosecution and defence met outside the detention centre. They were teaming up for now, but the courtroom would be a whole different story...

The investigation is finally underway. The trial's on April 23 (only one day prep, as per usual), so the cast had better grab their evidence quick!