A/N

Chapter 13...unlucky for some...

Hey there! I've finally managed to finish this chapter in between doing exams and hiking practise. But I hope this chapter was worth the wait, I've sort of had it planned for a while but I've just been finding it difficult to write at the moment. All the more reason why I hope my sweat and tears shed while writing this paid off haha! And if you like this chapter (and the fanfiction) or if you have any suggestions regarding how I can improve, please feel free to drop me a comment if you have the time. Thanks!

It was almost 24 hours before Nina saw her kidnapper-of-sorts again. Moreover, it was the morning of her fourth day of being chained to a pipe. She watched with a blank expression as von Karma walked over to her, holding a newspaper. He knelt down to her level and showed her the front page, reading: "local officer still missing."

"It appears that the Chief Prosecutor has requested that Interpol assist with the investigation. He's certainly concerned for your wellbeing…"

"Wow, I made the front page." Nina said sarcastically, glancing over the article. And she actually realised how much she missed the chief prosecutor. How much she missed everyone. She should've been nicer to her friends, she should've told them what was going on – about her research. Heck, Nina even felt guilty for using Detective Baker in the way that she did. But all hope hadn't left her just yet. If what Ema and Gumshoe and the rest of the department had said about Miles was true, she was going to be found before any serious harm could come to her. "They'll find us, you know. And when they do, you'll be going back to your cosy little prison cell." She insisted with a smug smile, no longer feeling weak or afraid – even though she hardly did to begin with.

But von Karma just laughed, "When the Chief Prosecutor turns up with his silly department, they'll regret having ever known you. You'll be Edgeworth's downfall."

"I won't let that happen." Nina muttered, clenching her fists.

Somehow Manfred knew that she wasn't just saying things in the heat of the moment. He knew that Nina was indeed serious.

Upon discovering Nina's secret research, Miles and Detective Gumshoe spent the remainder of the evening looking into the highlighted area whilst Phoenix (accompanied by Athena) set out to look for Alex in order to tell him the good-ish news regarding Nina's probable location. So far, the dark-haired Englishman was nowhere to be found so they were forced to conduct their in-depth study without him.

Surely the location had to be secluded otherwise Manfred wouldn't have chosen it, nor would he have escaped police re-arrest for so long unless his chosen hideout was in a completely isolated area. Hours passed and still no luck came their way. They tried online searches of the surrounding areas; almost desperate for any hint.

It was a long shot but Miles decided to search Nina's family. Not just online – on the police database.

Robert Murray's case of 2018 appeared on the computer screen; along with an in-depth account of the crime he had committed. While Miles knew the basic gist of the case; Robert Murray had murdered his wife Vanessa in a violent rage in the basement of their home and had claimed that two men who had broken into their family home had committed the crime, Miles didn't know that Nina had also been on the scene. And that her father had also attempted to murder her. He read the article again, puzzled as to why the man that Nina always spoke so highly of had tried to kill her. Gumshoe peered over his boss' shoulder, sensing the confusion.

"He didn't do it." The detective casually insisted – clearly he knew about this. "Nina says that two men broke into their home. She witnessed the whole thing from behind the bookcase."

"It says that Murray shot his daughter. Is this true?"

Gumshoe looked hesitant, avoiding the chief prosecutor's gaze. "Nina doesn't like to talk about it. I don't know, sir."

Miles frowned and turned back to the computer, almost falling from his chair when he found an address. Nina's old family home was within the region she'd circled on the map. Just on the outskirts of town. This was where Manfred had to be keeping her.

Therefore, it was where they'd have to go next.

"Detective, I want you to contact the department. Give them this address and tell them to set off as soon as they can." Miles instructed, throwing his jacket on and grabbing his car keys.

"But, Mr Edgeworth sir…you can't go alone." Gumshoe insisted with a worried tone to his voice.

"I'll be fine, Gumshoe." He insisted, heading for the door.

"If you'd just wait for Interpol..."

"I can't do that. Nina could be in danger and I'll never forgive myself if something has happened to her." Miles slipped a gun into his pocket; although he knew that the chances of him using it were slim to none. It was more to ensure the concerned detective that he'd be alright.

As soon as Miles had left, Gumshoe grabbed for the telephone and called everyone he could think of; the LAPD, Interpol, Phoenix, Franziska…everyone needed to know about the breakthrough in the investigation; moreover, the fact that Miles was being so foolish as to venture out alone.

The journey to the cottage felt like the longest drive Miles had ever been on. It seemed never-ending, despite the fact that he'd been just grazing over the speed limit the whole time. Awful thoughts plagued his mind constantly – was Nina even alive now? He remembered the last time he'd seen her; the memory still vivid in his mind. They'd left things on good terms, maybe a friendship had even blossomed between them. She'd smiled at him as he left, insisted that he call her by her first name. Surely that had to have meant something. Nina had shared some personal secrets with the chief prosecutor, after all. Then there was the matter of what Chris had told him; did Nina share Miles' feelings?

It won't matter if von Karma has murdered her.

The potential truth still lingered in the back of his mind. It was true, even if it was terrible to think it.

When he arrived at the old cottage, Miles decided to pull up his car further down the road so Manfred wasn't made aware that his location had been uncovered. Carefully, the chief prosecutor entered the abandoned house; warily dodging creaky floorboards and cobwebs. It was more than apparent that nobody had lived in the house since the dreadful incident. Miles searched the rooms for any sign of Nina – an eerie silence swept through the house – almost as if Nina's mother's presence still lingered there. Entering what used to have been the front room, Miles noticed something glittering in the ash-filled fireplace. Picking up what turned out to be a golden photo frame, he dusted it down; revealing an old photo of a family inside the frame. Squinting at the worn photograph he made out the familiar face of Robert Murray, who smiled just like he was the innocent man that Nina had claimed him to be. Nina herself was also present in the photo, alongside her brother Alex – the two siblings were smiling too – their faces almost identical, as well as recognisable. Nina's genuine smile just as warm as it was in the present day. Besides Robert stood a middle-aged woman whose hair had been pinned up into a neat bun, her clothes creaseless much like her smile. Miles assumed that this woman was Nina's late-mother, Vanessa.

He set the photograph down, feeling a deep sadness for the tragic fate that had befallen the Murray family. Clearly it had taken a huge toll on Nina for her to change her surname; she'd wanted to escape her past. Moreover, if what the article had claimed in regards to Nina being shot by her father was true, how on earth had the brunette been feeling over the years?

Wandering into a door on the right, Miles noticed an overturned rug; revealing a small door on the floor. His hopes rising, the chief prosecutor pulled open the door to reveal a small staircase and wasted no time in following it down to the basement of the cottage. As he'd hoped, Nina was there.

She was chained to the wall like an animal; her hair beyond messy and her body weak and tired. Upon hearing the fait footsteps, she'd opened her eyes, squinting into the darkness in the room. "If you're going to kill me, just do it." Her voice was also cracking from an apparent lack of nutrition. Nina had been down there for, what, five days?

Quickly, Miles flicked on a light switch, allowing a dim light to fill the grimy room. Nina's eyes widened when she realised who was stood by the stairwell.

"Mr Chief Prosecutor…" She smiled weakly, the newfound light filling her dusty face. Miles noted how she'd gained a black eye and that her face and arms were full of cuts and scratches from her lack of obedience. Miles couldn't speak; he didn't know what to say. Seeing the battered state of his love interest was too much for him to bear. "Say something. I-I'm not sure if you're really here or if I'm just hallucinating." Nina laughed a little, causing her to cough. It wasn't surprising, the room was cold and damp – even a few hours down there would've given anyone some sort of flu.

"No…I'm here." Miles breathed, walking over to her. "I'm just unsure of what to say."

"I don't care what you say. I'm just really happy to see you."

Miles' heart lit up. She's happy to see me? However, he must've been smiling for longer than he should have.

Nina glanced at her handcuffed wrist, raising an eyebrow. "I hate to point out the obvious but I'm still cuffed to a pipe. If you could help me out, I'd appreciate it."

Despite his blush, Miles nodded and knelt down to take a closer look at Nina's shackles. And to their dismay, a key was required in order to undo the handcuff. "Well now what?"

"The department will be here soon, Nina. I'm certain they'll be able to help." Miles reassured her, trying his best to force a calm smile.

However, this smile soon faltered when the worst possible sound could be heard – the front door slamming upstairs. Manfred von Karma had entered the cottage.

Nina pointed over to a bookcase against the wall, indicating for Miles to hide behind it just as the convict was making his way down the stairs at an agonisingly slow pace. The brunette could feel her heart thudding loudly in her chest but she managed to steady her breathing; although her hands were shaking. Miles was in a similar position. Behind the bookcase made him feel nervous and claustrophobic, his own heart pounding in his chest as he peeked out from behind his hiding place.

"Miss Forester, what have you been up to today?" Manfred asked with a blank expression.

Nina held up her shackled wrist, "obviously not a lot. My leg really itched at one point and I really need a wee but other than that, nothing much happened."

"See, I find that very difficult to believe. Especially since I saw several police cars headed this way." He grabbed Nina's free arm tightly. "Did you make a phonecall while I was gone?!"

Nina knew she couldn't drop Miles in danger too, so she simply stared von Karma in the eye, challenging him. Her silence was enough to get the man's blood boiling. "The jig is up. You'll get a longer sentence for this, you know. Maybe you'll go on death row if you murder me." She said, struggling as Manfred freed her from her handcuff and pulled her to her feet.

"They aren't coming for me, do you understand?" His voice was becoming louder, angrier – he was clearly becoming agitated – and his cane came into contact with Nina's face in one clean swing.

"No, they are." Nina grinned even though blood was trickling down her nose after coming into contact with the convict's cane. The faint sound of police sirens could be heard in the distance. "It's over von Karma."

"Believe me, I won't go down without a fight." von Karma's grip on Nina's arm tightened and Miles saw the convict reach into his jacket pocket, pulling out something sharp. But before the chief prosecutor had a chance to react, it was too late. Manfred had plunged a knife straight into Nina's stomach. She fell to the floor, clutching the wound tightly as the blood spilled onto her hand.

Without even thinking, Miles emerged from behind the bookcase, pointing his pistol at Manfred. "Let her go…" He said firmly, his grip on the gun tightening. The convict looked amused; in fact, almost pleased to see his old student. "You have to let her go now!"

"Miles Edgeworth, what a pleasant surprise." He grinned from the chief prosecutor to the brunette that sat slumped on the floor, still bleeding heavily. "I assume you've come here to rescue Little Miss Forester. It's a shame, you're a few seconds too late."

"M-Miles…go…" Nina whispered in between gasps, glancing up at him through pained brown eyes.

Miles shook his head, "von Karma, you have to let her leave. She needs medical attention!" He just couldn't help pointing out the obvious; he was desperate at this point. Manfred blocked his way, preventing his ex-protégé from getting to Nina, whose breathing was speeding up by the minute.

"Fine. How about we do a trade, Miles Edgeworth?" The fugitive pulled out his pistol and pointed it at Miles. "Your life for hers. It's simple really."

Nina shook her head desperately, "No…no, Miles…d-don't listen to him…"

However, despite her pleas, the chief prosecutor stepped forward, nodding; knowing what he had to do. It was the only way Nina could be saved.

Despite himself, Miles set his gun down on the floor and slid it into the corner of the room; his hands shaking.

"He's lying, Miles...! H-He's going to…to kill b-both of us..!" She attempted to kick von Karma as he knelt down to unlock her handcuffs. "He…wants us both d-dead..!"

Manfred chuckled and ignored Nina's futile attempt to talk Miles out of doing the unthinkable. But his mind was already made up - he knew that he'd have done anything for Nina. And von Karma also seemed to know this fact.

That's why it was the perfect opportunity to destroy the Edgeworth family once and for all.

"I-I won't let you…you c-can't do this..! Nina cried, still holding her stomach.

"…I'm sorry but I have to." Miles insisted, pushing his way past Manfred to kneel beside Nina. "I care far too much about you to let you die."

Nina grabbed his arm with her newly freed hand. "T-Then walk away."

"I can't." He shook his head sadly.

"No…you can. Y-You have the choice t-to walk away." Nina was almost begging – something which was a rare occurrence.

Then Miles turned to von Karma, trying his hardest to ignore Nina's sobbing pleas. "You have to let her go. You have to make sure that she lives."

Von Karma chuckled and shrugged; clearly the only thing on his mind was finally murdering the chief prosecutor. Then, with his back to Nina, Manfred pointed his pistol squarely at Miles' head.

Nina just couldn't sit there and watch Miles give up his life for her. She desperately glanced around the room, trying to force herself to her feet – but it was no use. However, she then noticed Miles' gun lying on the floor in the corner of the room.

"You'll finally be reunited with your father." The gun-wielding fugitive sneered, deciding to taunt Miles some more before pulling the trigger. "All this trouble for a sad, lonely little girl." Manfred laughed and raised the gun to Miles' head. The chief prosecutor stood silent; collecting his thoughts before his mind stopped altogether. He loved Nina and that was enough to justify all the things that he was willing to give up for her. Everything. "Goodbye Miles."

Miles closed his eyes, preparing for the blow. Ready to be taken over by eternal darkness. His hands were shaking and his heart pounding in his chest. He thought of Nina; how he'd never gotten the chance to tell her how he felt about her. How much he loved her.

But before he could take in one last breath, he heard the gunshot; it echoed through the empty basement and left his ears ringing. Although he then felt nothing.

Opening his eyes warily, Miles realised that he was indeed alive. However, he then realised why. Manfred von Karma lie by his feet, still and silent. And Nina was now sat by the far wall; his own freshly-fired pistol beside her. It didn't take much time before Miles put two and two together: Nina had shot von Karma. Moreover, she'd murdered him.