HOLY CRAP, GoA IS ACTUALLY UPDATING WITHIN LESS THAN A WEEK! THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END! WALPURGIS NIGHT IS HERE! WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!

… haha, just kidding. Get ready for a bit of mood whiplash.

XX

January 26, 2:03 PM

Detention Center

"Looks like Ruka isn't here…" Trucy mumbled quietly.

"Nah, Ms. von Karma said she'd be done with questioning at around 2:15," Apollo said.

"Hey… Apollo?" Trucy said quietly. "What do you think of Maya and Pearly?"

"Well," Apollo began slowly. "Maya's kind of weird." This caused Trucy to smile a little.

"That has to be the understatement of the century," she said.

"And Pearl…" Apollo continued, "… she's alright. She's pretty nice. Why do you ask?"

"Well…" Trucy mumbled. "This is going to sound really stupid, but… I'm kind of… jealous…" Apollo frowned at this.

"Why?" he asked.

"They're so awesome!" Trucy gushed. "They can channel the dead whenever they want!"

"So you want to be a permanent link to the afterlife?" Apollo deadpanned, raising his eyebrows.

"No!" Trucy objected. "That's not it! It's just… I feel kind of… useless."

"Seriously, Trucy?" Apollo asked, smirking. "Sure, you can't channel spirits or anything, but you can tell when people are lying like I can, right?"

"Yeah," Trucy replied.

"Well Maya and Pearl can't do that," Apollo pointed out. "Also, even though Maya channeled the witness, which was a huge help, it was you who saved my case."

"I-I did?" Trucy asked.

"With this," Apollo said as he pulled out Shelley de Killer's original card. "TAKE THAT! If you didn't find this card, I wouldn't have been able to prove that Maddie's death was an assassination, not just a murder." Trucy smiled more at this. "Seriously, what's up with you? It's not like you to get this depressed and self-conscious."

"Thanks Polly!" Trucy said cheerfully, bouncing on her toes and grinning. "I'm a Gramarye. Of course I can see things others can't!"

"Um…" Ruka now stood on the other side of the glass pane, looking even more tired and worn out, if possible.

"Hi Ruka!" Trucy greeted. "So did you see the trial?"

"Of course she saw the trial," Apollo muttered. "She's the defendant."

"So what do you think?" Trucy asked, placing a hand to her blue hat. "Was that awesome or what?" Ruka remained silent. "I mean, the way Mina just—"

"Trucy!" Apollo yelled.

"Oh!" Trucy gasped, covering her mouth with one hand. "Sorry, Ruka."

"Um…" Ruka mumbled. "That channeling… thing… would I be able to talk to Mina and Maddie… again?"

"Well…" Apollo answered shakily.

"Sure!" Trucy interjected. "Maya and Pearly are both super nice. If we could get them both to channel Maddie and Mina, you guys could have a nice little reunion!" Ruka gave a small smile.

"Mr. Justice…" she said quietly. "Thank you… for everything."

"You're not out of the woods yet, though," Apollo said, "but things are looking good for now. The fact that you definitely didn't play any role in Maddie's murder helps a lot."

"But was it really an assassin?" Ruka asked. "Sheldon de—"

"Shelley de Killer," Trucy corrected. "Just screw up his name tomorrow in court and you're as good as free!"

"But who would do such a thing?" Ruka asked. "And why?"

"That's what we hope we'll find out by tomorrow," Apollo said, "but even if we don't, we still have enough information to prove you innocent… well, almost. Ruka, I know it's hard, but we really need your testimony." Ruka nodded, and Apollo saw some strength in her brown eyes that he was sure wasn't there before.

"All right," she answered. "I've had to talk about it so much during questioning… I think I'll be ok talking to you about it now."

"Thanks Ruka!" Trucy said. "So tell us what happened."

"Mina, Maddie, and I arrived at the Sunshine Coliseum at around 6:30 the night of the concert," Ruka explained. "Our finals just got over, and we wanted to celebrate. Mina waited outside for the first half of the concert, but Maddie and I forced her to watch the second half." I remember, Apollo thought. I spoke to her that day too, didn't I? "After the concert, Maddie and I went back to the car to get something. We were parked in the B block of the parking garage, but on our way there, in the A block, we were attacked." That's right, Apollo thought, thinking back to the floor plans of the parking garage. You have to cross the A block to get to the B block. "Now I'm sure the person who attacked us was male. I wasn't so sure before, because the memory was a bit fuzzy in my head, but…" She looks like it's killing her to give this testimony now… and there's no prosecution or jury watching her… "Anyway, I always carry a knife with me, just in case, so I pulled it out to defend us. Then…" Ruka's eyes filled with tears, and she wiped them feebly. "That man took Maddie hostage, and I held the knife out because… I was scared! I didn't know what else to do! And then… He… He pushed Maddie…"

"Onto the knife…" Trucy whispered. Ruka's Testimony added to Court Record.

"It…" Ruka mumbled, tears now flowing freely from her eyes. "It's all my fault! If I hadn't pulled out that knife, then… Maddie… Maddie would… I'm guilty… I killed her, Mr. Justice!"

"No you didn't," Apollo said calmly. "If anyone, it was that assassin de Killer. If the prosecution tries to use this testimony against you, I'll plead justified self-defense."

"Wh-What?" Ruka mumbled.

"It means that—" Trucy began.

"N-No," Ruka objected. "I know what 'justified self-defense' means. Maddie… took a few criminal justice courses and made us help her study. But… you would do that for me?" Apollo smiled gently at her.

"You're my client," he said. "It's my job to set you free. It doesn't matter what you or anyone else thinks for that matter; you're innocent. That's all that matters." Ruka bowed her head.

"Thank you so much," she whispered. "I… I'm glad Mina talked me into letting you defend me, instead of waiting for a state-appointed attorney."

"We're happy to help, Ruka!" Trucy said cheerfully. "We have to go now and investigate, but we'll be back later, ok? We'll bring Maya and Pearly so you can talk to Maddie and Mina again too!" Ruka smiled, and Apollo vaguely wondered if he'd ever seen her this happy before.

"Thank you," she said again.

January 26, 2:24 PM

Chief Prosecutor's Office

"It's that dreadful case all over again," Franziska lamented, placing her head in her arms. She sat at her desk in her office, Phoenix sitting across from her.

"Wow," Phoenix said flatly. "Looks like this case is a lot harder on you than it is on Ema and Apollo."

"What do you think?" Franziska retorted. "I'm practically a suspect. The only reason I'm less suspicious than my sister is that Apollo Justice caught her lying today in court." She exhaled sharply. "I would rather not be shot again. One scar is enough."

"No one's going to shoot you," Phoenix assured her. Franziska simply shook her head.

"I know my sister," she said. "She will do everything in her power to get rid of everything that ties her to this case… including me."

"So skip town," Phoenix suggested. "Say you're doing another case with Interpol or something. Or fake suicide like Edgeworth."

"I can't just skip town," Franziska objected. "I am the chief prosecutor of this district. I can't just leave."

"Are you really that scared?" Phoenix asked, raising his eyebrows. Franziska's face flushed pink.

"O-Of course not!" she stammered.

"Oh yeah," Phoenix said casually, pulling out a folded paper out of his pocket. "There's one more thing. I'd like you to have a look at this." He handed her Maddie's essay on the serial killings in Germany. "TAKE THAT!" Franziska skimmed over it briefly.

"I know about that case," she said.

"Did you read the thesis?" Phoenix asked. Franziska nodded, but didn't say anything. "Franziska, tell me, does your sister have anything to do with the serial killings in Germany?" Franziska's hand flew up to her shoulder, and she looked away cautiously.

"I-I don't know," she said. "I… I never felt the need to pry into my sister's affairs." Phoenix sighed as five Psyche locks appeared over her heart. Oh no… Phoenix thought sadly. Franziska… He forced a smile.

"That's ok," he said. "Forget I asked." Relief washed over Franziska's face.

"Thank you," she said quietly. Klarissa isn't… She can't be… But if she is… Poor Franziska…

January 26, 3:00 PM

Wright Anything Agency

Trucy and Apollo entered the office to find Phoenix on the phone – and completely unaware of their presence. "For the ten millionth time," he said a bit irritably, "it's Psyche locks, not Psycholocks." Trucy turned to Apollo and placed one finger over her mouth to keep him quiet before leading him into another room. This room was painted purple, and there were several pictures sitting on a wooden nightstand nearby: one of a young Trucy with her real father and a woman Apollo recognized as Thalassa Gramarye, one of a slightly older Trucy with Phoenix, one of Trucy with both Phoenix and Apollo that Apollo didn't remember was ever taken, and one of Trucy, Apollo, Ema, and Klavier. Apollo recognized the last one, as he had an identical picture of his own. Trucy sat on a purple bed and put a phone to her ear, covering one end with her hand. She jerked her head for Apollo to sit next to her, and Apollo confusedly complied.

"What is it?" he whispered.

"Edgeworth," Trucy mouthed silently.

"Give it to me," Apollo ordered as he took the phone from Trucy.

"I don't understand why you would think I of all people would know much about Klarissa von Karma," he heard Edgeworth say on the other line.

"You grew up with them, didn't you?" Phoenix asked.

"I grew up with Franziska, if anyone," Edgeworth corrected. "I barely even knew Klarissa at that time. Ask Franziska; she knows her better."

"I can't ask Franziska," Phoenix muttered exasperatedly.

"Why not?" Edgeworth asked. Pause. "Oh, right. Psycholocks."

"Psyche locks, Edgeworth!" Phoenix yelled. Another pause. "Hang on a second. I think Apollo and Trucy are tapping the phone." Alarmed, Apollo hung up immediately.

"What?" Trucy asked. "What happened?"

"I think we just got caught…" Apollo mumbled. The door swung open immediately, revealing Phoenix.

"Trucy, what have I said about closing the door when you're alone with a guy in here?" Phoenix asked. Trucy grinned sheepishly.

"Don't do it?" she asked innocently. "But Daddy, it's just Polly! Besides, if we were to do that, Polly would get arrested! He can't do it with a minor like me!" Apollo felt his face heat up, and Phoenix smirked.

"You ok, Apollo?" he asked.

"Please stop talking…" Apollo whimpered.

"Nah, forget it," Phoenix said. "Oh, while we're at it, let me change that rule a bit. The only guys you're allowed to be alone with in your room are me and Apollo. Got it, Trucy?"

"Yup!" Trucy replied cheerfully. "Now don't you have to go back to talking to Mr. Edgeworth now?"

"Trucy!" Apollo yelled. Phoenix sighed and shook his head, though he couldn't stop the smile on his face.

I swear, they never change… no matter how old they get…

Court Record:

Evidence

Attorney's Badge – No one would believe I was a defense attorney if I didn't carry this.

Switchblade Knife – The murder weapon. Carries traces of the victim's blood.

Ruka's Sketch – A drawing by the defendant depicting a shadow attacking the victim and the defendant holding out a knife.

Blood Stains – Three small splotches of blood found on the floor of Block B of the Parking Garage.

Manager's Note – A note written by the manager firing Larry Butz for deleting all the security videos taken the day of the crime.

Maddie's Autopsy Report – Estimated time of death: January 23, 8:02 PM. Cause of death: loss of blood from one stab wound to the chest.

Crime Scene Photo #1 – Depicts the victim lying dead on the ground of the parking garage.

Crime Scene Photo #2 – Depicts the defendant lying unconscious near the crime scene.

Parking Garage Map – Check for details.

Bleach – Traces found at the real crime scene. Reacts to Luminol in the same way that blood does.

German Serial Killings Essay – "With the outstanding lack of legitimate evidence and the failure of Germany's prosecutors to convict the real criminal… the obvious conclusion is that the real criminal has close ties to law enforcement or is a part of law enforcement."

Shelley de Killer Calling Card – A card bearing the print of a pink shell. Has the face of Mr. Wright drawn on it in black pen.

Shelley de Killer Calling Card #2 – A card identical to the one found in the security office, but without Mr. Wright's face drawn on it.

Ruka's Testimony – "I held the knife out… and then he pushed Maddie [onto the knife]."

Profiles

Trucy Wright, 16 years old – My assistant and my boss's daughter. A magician who recently inherited the great Magnifi Gramarye's trade.

Phoenix Wright, 34 years old – My boss, a defense attorney who lost his badge after being accused of fabricating evidence. He recently regained his defense attorney's badge, but he has to watch five of my trials before he can officially practice again.

Maya Fey, 27 years old – Mr. Wright's old assistant and the master of the Kurain Channeling Technique. She's been dropping by the Wright Anything Agency a lot ever since Mr. Wright got back his badge.

Pearl Fey, 17 years old – Maya's younger cousin and an old client of mine. Usually hangs out with Trucy and me whenever she visits the Agency. Like Maya, can also channel the dead.

Ema Skye, 26 years old – An avid scientist turned detective who was formerly employed under prosecutor Klavier Gavin.

Klarissa von Karma, 41 years old – A prosecutor who recently moved here from Germany after her sister was promoted to chief prosecutor.

Klavier Gavin, 25 years old – A rock star turned prosecutor from Germany. Recently took a year-long vacation after convicting his best friend and his brother of murder to the first degree.

Mina Asou, 19 years old – A university student dragged to Gavin's concert by her two friends. A photography major who previously did a fashion shoot.

Maddie Thompson, 19 years old – A university student, and the victim in this case. Wrote an essay detailing her thoughts on a serial killing in Germany that was published in the Los Angeles Times.

Ruka Mills, 19 years old – A university student, and the prime suspect in this case. An anthropology major who previously studied abroad in Japan.

Franziska von Karma, 27 years old – The chief prosecutor, and Klarissa's younger sister.

Larry Butz, 33 years old – Mr. Wright's old friend and the security guard who was on duty the night of the murder.

Mia Fey, Deceased – Mr. Wright's old dead mentor who's back from the dead to help us with this case.

Angel Starr, 41 years old – A woman known as the "Cough-up Queen" who claims to have seen something related to the case on the day of the murder.

Tyrell Badd, 68 years old – A veteran (now retired) detective who was incarcerated for his affiliation with the Yatagarasu.

XX

So it turns out there actually is a second Apollo Justice game coming out… and my prediction about Apollo's dad is going to be totally WRONG… Wow, I can see the future reviews already: "You suck! This isn't AJ 2!" "You really haven't played AJ 2, have you?"

I've been thinking about potential theme songs. I know for a fact that the song that should play after Franziska's Psyche locks appear is Sayaka's theme song from Puella Magi Madoka Magica (well they both have blue hair, so why not?) And here's a hint: Klarissa's theme song is ALSO a character theme song from Madoka Magica. If you've seen the anime, care to guess whose?

PLEASE REVIEW!