*kuss der morgenröte.: German for 'kiss of dawn'

*sternschnuppe: German for 'shooting star'

*kinder: Rough German for 'kids'

—

In two different places, but bearing the same heartbeat, two squads watch as the world unfolds.

Cascades of starlight are streaming through the Nova Space Port, and through the Astro Space Center. The Rescuers are breathless as they stand inside worlds closed off to all others, looking up a sight they never could've dreamed of. Starlight prances across every inch of their lobbies, as if it's riding on the wings of a pixie.

Klavier and Robin, holding each other by the hand, watch as their world shines. The younger Prosecutor looks at him in concern, hoping his heart isn't broken by the magic, despite the warm smile on his face. While happiness shines through each of Klavier's words, the pain within them is also apparent. His words take on the form of knives, cutting through the younger one's heart.

"I was right. This is a fairy tale."

Not too far away, Miles and Phoenix are mesmerized by the scene as well. Even with everything they had been through, it's impossible to believe in the scene before them. Neither of them can still believe they had flown to another planet, in search of light from the past. But in the Space Port's lobby, they see each other for what truly feels like the first time. They gaze upon each other in awe, wondering where the future will chart them, and desperately hoping to heal the wounds of the past.

Something happens before they can speak to each other, though. All four of them freeze once a warm, clear voice strikes their ears.

"Hey there. Did ya love the show? Do I know how to make an entrance or what?"

Robin's shrill, frantic voice cuts through the air like a bullet from a shotgun. "Clay? Is that really you?"

"Sure is. The one and only!"

—

Athena's voice is a morning bell; clear and vibrant. "Where are you?" she cries out, each word enveloped in anxiousness. Trucy and Hugh's eyes are darting all over the Space Center's lobby, searching for a familiar face.

"Where else? I'm right here, you guys!"

Hugh gasps. "I know of where he speaks. This light we're seeing…it's-"

—-

Phoenix smiles through burning tears. "Clay," he whispers, hand over his heart. "It's Clay. Apollo, you were right. Clay really was made of starlight."

The voice laughs, with warm, musical happiness. "I wouldn't go that far, Mr. Wright. If you ask me, Nova's the one made of starlight. This is just the only way I can reach you guys."

Miles scowls, looking as if someone has burned his Steel Samurai merchandise. Right along with the others, he has abandoned doubt in favor of an unfolding miracle. But Clay's presence has an effect other than happiness on the Prosecutor.

"Well now. This is turning out to be a blissful occasion. Forgive me for not prancing about in glee, ."

"It's okay. I'm just glad I can chat with you guys. But I can't stay long."

Phoenix speaks next, and as he does, his voice cracks. His heart feels heavier than it has ever felt before, burning inside his chest.

"Please, Clay, you know what's going on with Apollo, don't you? You must know!"

The voice retains its warmth, but becomes sad.

"Suredo, Mr. Wright. That's why I'm here; to give you guys a helping hand."

—

"Can you help Polly? Please Mr. Clay sir, please help big brother!"

"As much as I want to, I can't,"the starlight responds, as Larry and Athena draw a tearful Trucy into their arms. The voice from the stars, although still very gentle, is heavy with sadness.

"I can't reach Nova. I've tried and tried, but-"

Larry's frenetic. "It's because of that Phantom guy, isn't it?"

"Exactly. He's got Apollo holed up in the highest tower of the darkest castle. You guys are all on the right track, but with everything the Phantom's throwing at ya-"

Athena stiffens. "Wait. So I was right! The Phantom's behind this storm! The storm that's affecting Mr. Wright and the others too!"

"Sure is. I managed to pull every card I had to come out here and help. Now I can't do much, but what can do is this. I can hold off the storm, and bring you guys to where the final party's supposed t' go down."

—

Robin's breathless, and not just from the cold.

"So we're doing everything right? We're close to saving Apollo?"

"You most certainly are, Miss Newman! Keep on going-you guys are most definitely on the right track! And I'm with you, every step of the way!"

Miles' voice has a softness Phoenix has never heard before, in all their years as friends. "Where is this meant to end? Where are we going?"

Laughter comes from the stars around them. "That's a pretty vague question, Prosecutor. I thought you were supposed t' be the big shot on campus!"

"You know very well what I meant! And it's Miles, thank you, now answer the question!"

"Don't be rude to my son's best friend, Miles!"

Miles glares daggers at Phoenix. "It's Prosecutor Edgeworth to you, you bumbling twit, now don't interrupt!"

"Nova was right. You guys DO have problems!"

Klavier chuckles. Despite prior feelings of apprehension and heartache towards Clay, his voice is alive with affection.

"Pardon me, *kuss der morgenröte. Your precious time is short, and those *kinder are wasting it. Now, before you leave us again, what is it you must let us know?"

—

"Once you've got one of the Goddess' star shards, and once the others have my Mr. Starpuff, you've got to follow me. I'll wait for you, and bring you to where you need to be. You've gotta hurry though. Apollo's vanishing. The Phantom's grip on him grows stronger every second."

Athena's voice is a whip against the heavy atmosphere. "We won't let him vanish," she vows, eyes flashing. "We won't! I promise! We'll save him, even if we die while doing it! We won't let Apollo go, no matter what!"

—

"You have my word, *sternschnuppe. We will save him, at any cost. I will surrender myself to the Phantom in exchange for Herr Forehead's safe return, if need be."

"Naaaw, don't do that! Apollo loves you, Prosecutor Gavin! You've gotta get back and take him on dates and serenade him and stuff like that! He'd be sad if his one true love sacrificed himself!"

Klavier staggers back, as if Clay physically manifested, then slugged him with a bag of wet cement.

Robin exchanges a glowing smile with Phoenix.

"Please, guys, don't do anything too crazy, okay? I know things are gonna get even weirder from here on out, but…make sure you guys can all go home safely. Nova needs every last one of you guys. He loves you. And I can't take care of him anymore."

"Objection, Mr. Terran," Phoenix declares, earning a glare from Prosecutor Edgeworth. His eyes burn with rain as he speaks, all words accompanied by a smile.

"You're still taking care of him. You're here now, helping us. Because of you, we have the strength to go on. And go on we will. We'll do whatever we have to do, in order to rescue Apollo-and go home, safely. I'll make sure everyone gets home, safe and sound. You have my word, not only as an attorney, but as a friend. As a father."

"Thank you, Mr. Wright. You don't know what that means to me."

—-

"I'm glad I got to chat with you guys. Really. Thanks for hearin' me out, and thanks for wanting to rescue Apollo. I know he's a lot of trouble, but…he needs you guys. And I'm glad you're with him. I'm glad you're his family."

Trucy speaks through her tears. "You're a part of his family too, Mr. Clay! You're a part of our family! We'll save Polly together and celebrate Christmas together!"

"Thanks, sis. I'll see you later, okay?"

The stars inside the lobby vanish.

Trucy falls to her knees and weeps. Larry and Hugh sweep her into their arms, their eyes alive with tears as well. Athena peers out at the starlight still blanketing the outside world, holding off a storm carved out of darkness.

"We'll get him back, Nebula. I swear it."