(Post Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies! Apollo tried to hide his broken heart but failed-and now his life's hanging by a thread! Phoenix, Trucy, Athena and a slew of loyal friends race against time to save a precious life-up against the Phantom!

Apollo finally makes an appearance-but not in the way you're expecting.)

Note: You know the drill about the names by now, right? Thanks, fellow attorneys.

Robin speaks quickly, compelled to do so by the atmosphere. "The orphanage opens at ten tomorrow morning, right?"

"Right. It is impossible to go beyond its doors tonight, as they close within mere hours and the weather's atrocious. We might even be due for a bit of a snowstorm. At least we'll have a good chance of reaching the orphanage in the morning."

Klavier's smile is fragile, but warm. "I'll share a room with the Fraulein, Miles. I think you Herr Wright needs you now, more than ever."

Phoenix lifts his head. He and Miles exchange anxious, frustrated glances, then the attorney sighs.

"Great. Can this get any worse?"

—

They stood on the edge of the Earth, overlooking what would hopefully turn out to be a brighter future. But with the way the situation currently stood, the light of happiness was nothing but an ember. A flickering light that taunted everyone, but promised nothing.

The night came, and not a single drop of relief came with it. With Apollo's new, comatose state fresh in their minds, both squads of the Justice Rescuers found themselves reflecting on memories. Even those that barely had a chance to speak with Apollo unlocked their memories. They looked back and saw someone bright, warm and musical, despite remarks that could right through a person's soul.

They looked back and asked themselves: how? Was it really possible for life to crumble so quickly?

Phoenix is asking another question. It's a question he keeps to himself, as revealing it to Miles might possibly make things worse. He's split between listening to the Prosecutor's research on the Someday's Dreamers orphanage, and his memories. The memories he shares with both Apollo and Miles. He can do nothing as time goes on, drawing him deeper into the night and farther away from his children. Those he has come to love with every fiber of his being.

The night is far from peaceful. If it had been up to the attorney, Phoenix would've gladly taken Robin as his roommate. But Klavier, Athena and Trucy have it out for him; the two Prosecutors ended up sharing one room, while he shares the other with Prosecutor Edgeworth. Not wanting to deepen his wounds, or Miles', the attorney volunteered to sleep on the sofa. Without a word of discouragement to his roommate, the Prosecutor took the room's lone bed.

Once they exhaust every inch of online information about Apollo's orphanage, they approach slumber in silence. Tense, frustrated glances are exchanged, but nothing more. Both find themselves longing for and fearing the morning, as the world is covered in the thickest snow.

Phoenix instinctively burrows a hand into his pocket, reaching for the photo he keeps close to his heart-but then removes it and shuts his eyes.

—

"Mr. Wright? Mr. Wriiiiight? Hello? Anyone home?"

Phoenix shoots up like a rocket, instantly recognizing the voice. Clutching his racing heart, he looks around. Only darkness meets his eyes, but-

A finger gently taps his shoulder. The attorney whirls around and time instantly crashes to a stop. Rain scorches his eyes as though they're doused in venom. His heartbeat echoes inside his ears, as he stares at a sight that defies comprehension.

"Apollo?"

Apollo.

Apollo pokes the bridge of his nose, wearing one of his faces. "Riiight. Did it really have to take you that long to remember my name?"

Phoenix rips his words from the innermost chambers of his soul, rivers flowing from his eyes.

"I could neverforget you."

The veteran attorney draws Apollo into an embrace so tight, it's a death grip. His protege squirms in protest, saying how he's unable to breathe, but ends up with relief a moment later, as Phoenix crumbles to his knees in tears. Shivering, he speaks the words that burn within him, feeling as if they've been suppressed for years.

"It's you. Apollo, it's you. It's you. It's you, Polly. It's you."

"Course it is."

Phoenix peers into the younger man's eyes. "But how? I thought…I thought you were-"

Apollo's smile is blinding. His voice is warm, soft and vibrant from the love he carries.

"I am. But I am really the one you see before you."

"What?"

"I am really the one you see before you, Mr. Wright. The one you once knew is gone."

Phoenix slowly rises to his feet, all traces of happiness gone, as quickly as they came. He stares at the one before him, eyes wide and heart pounding. He stares at the figure with Apollo's body, voice and warmth. "It's true," the figure beams, arms outstretched.

"The one you seek is no more. I am the one now."

The veteran lawyer's words are once again torn from his soul, but laden with wrath.

"You…you're not…you're not…you are not my son!"

The voice changes. The warmth is darkened by a lack of magic and life. The eyes before Phoenix are darkened by the same devices. "I am all there is," the figure announces, as the coldest winds blow through their abyss.

"I am. And I am the future, Dad."

"Don't you dare! Don't you dare call me that, you son of a bitch! I don't give a damn who you are, just tell me where Apollo is!"

A flash of white light steals Phoenix's vision. Once it clears, two figures are revealed: Apollo's shadow and a wraith.

Both of them speak, with voices enshrouded in lifeless calm.

"I am the future you usher in. I am the Dark Age. I am what you created, Dad. And I will be your downfall."

The winds grow stronger. Phoenix tries to stand, tries to call out Apollo's name, but doesn't have the strength for either feat. The figures continue to speak, drawn deeper into a realm of blinding white light.

"I am the future. I am no one. I am the one you created. I am the Dark Age-the age you have created. I am."

—

For the last five minutes, Miles struggled to awaken a sobbing Phoenix but failed. But as soon as the attorney pierces the air with the cry of a heartbroken animal, the Prosecutor shoves him into a successful awakening. Phoenix instinctively wraps his arms around him, shivering, weary but unable to stop the tears from flowing.

Miles burns with the desire to ask about what happened, but can't find it in his heart to restore wounds that are painfully close. Instead he rocks the sobbing attorney back and forth, holding him without words, but speaking a thousand volumes. He keeps Phoenix in his arms as the attorney returns to sleep.

Miles finds it impossible to shut his eyes, wanting to keep watch over the one that once dried his tears.