AN: Howdy! Just for fun, here's the what if this went terribly wrong version of the arc! Fair warning, that this is a bit dark/horror. I don't think I've ever written anything this dark before so it's kind of a fun lil' experiment. But anyway, after this, I should have the next chapter of the aftermath of the true ending up soon. But, hope you enjoy it! As usual, thanks for reading, reviewing, following and favoriting!

DJJ680: Hahaha glad you liked it.

A-nervous-fan: Oh, it's cool, I totally understood it the first time, I wasn't offended. I mean there have been plenty of times where I just couldn't watch something awful happening to particular characters with shows I watch or games I played so I understand lol. I'm just happy to hear that I could at least provoke strong reactions from what I write. No worries! Bad ends aren't for everyone~ Haha, well it could have failed, but it was fun to have Lyn go along with the charade. As for who J's employer is...you'll find out. I don't want to spoil it. We might find out, and I agree I feel like with Lyn's mouth she's gonna get whipped xD. LOL I'm excited for his reactions to be honest. Expressions of his shock ?

The Forgotten Reader: Hahaha I'm glad you enjoyed it! I had been psyched to write that part for a long time haha.

Spacegoodra: Glad you think so! Iunno, a swiss roll might be nice xD.

Jack54311: I'm so glad you found it satisfying! What's next...muhahaha well I have plans. They should be fun if they turn out as I hope! Haha, I feel like maybe she'd get into a rivalry with the Steel Samurai over which one is better. And LOL the Pink Princess, I honestly considered it, but my mind would take it to...places hahaha. That's fair; I hadn't thought too much of it honestly haha. Yessssss, that scene is my pride and joy for this arc xD. Hoho, yeah...that's going to be a trip. Seeing how she gets along with Franz will be interesting to say the least haha.

NNinja: Ha, good, that was the hope. Ah, that's true, that trick has been utilized quite often. It didn't actually cross my mind, as I wanted to try to keep things manageable lol. But, technically you would be correct in that she was a killer. When Dawson says "I'm convinced of my own guilt," he knows he's the killer, he's not unsure. There's a level of detachment he has with the murders and he only says that because he wanted Lyn to theorize properly as it was a part of the challenge she proposed. It had to be convincing enough for him, because if it wasn't he'd kill everyone. And you're correct our assassin was hired, but we'll get to the who later. Might be right about that too. Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

Poltergust 5000: Haha that's very true. Well, there wasn't time to really reason it, so when I wrote I just used Climax Return to listen to :P. No, you're right on, I was very much influenced by Danganronpa and Clue for this arc! I hoped to pay homage to series I really loved here with an Ace Attorney twist~ I agree, both are really good series! Thanks!

JordanPhoenix: Woot! Thanks! Oh...my XDDD. Goodness, I don't want to move the rating to M now hahaha. Though, not like I didn't think of the option...

OBSERVER01: Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

AriatheAlpha: Thanks so much. Yep, sure did. I put it together little by little! Naw, I only wish I was Doyle xD. I'm more like Phoenix...I just come up with a general idea of what I want, with an outline of sorts, and hope for the best xD. Yay! I'm glad you follow along with Lyn's observations. I'll be sure to keep it in mind if I have a large cast in the future. Thanks!

Guest: Haha, glad I got that reaction out of you xD. Well, people forget that this is an AU...honestly ANYTHING can happen as it's all a possible what if. I did wonder what if Edgeworth died right then and there...? The results would be interesting I think. Haha, but in any case I'm glad you felt things while reading. Right? I feel like Lang is a cool character that doesn't get enough love. The Not So Fast line is one of my fav exclamations. Yes! I still laugh at the fart myself. Thanks so much!

Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan Miller: Yep, Edgeworth is just that good. Woo I was hoping to surprise hehe. Good, I hoped it was amusing.

Hellfire000: Glad you enjoyed! And LOL I guarantee that at least a few people will know about his stint as the Steel Samurai. Oh, God. The teasing would be merciless.

"And that's how the night's events transpired...The killer is you Mr. Dawson!"

(Tell me I'm right. For the love of God. That was the longest thing I've ever explained my life...)

I held my breath waiting for the answer, partially closing my eyes. The freckled face man frowned as the gun remained pointed at me. "You call, this, reasoning Ms. Doom? With logic like that who would ever be convinced that it was me, who killed those five?"

No. I couldn't have gotten that wrong...I couldn't be wrong. I couldn't be...I couldn't be. I couldn't be!

"What? But I can't be...that- that has to be right!" I protested. "It's you! You're the killer! T-that should be enough!"

Ackerman's knuckles looked as white a sheet of paper. "Y-yeah! W-we know it's you! You lousy lowlife..."

"How disappointing," he sighed. "So, very close, yet so far."

"N-now let's be reasonable about this," said Mrs. Rothman trying to calm her own rising panic in her voice.

Mr. Edgeworth said nothing, but watched with a grimace, with full knowing about was going to happen, like a soldier being sent on a suicide mission.

My clothes were drenched in sweat. I raised my hands up to protest. "W-wait! J-just give me another c-chance! I'll get it right this time-"

"You had one chance and you squandered it," he shook his head. "Now's the time to say goodbye to what's left of your life."

"No!"

CLANK.

Something metallic dropped to the floor. A hissing sound shortly followed. The room filled with smoke.

"The h-hell is going on?"

"I can barely see!" coughed the judge.

Everyone begun coughing. It was hard to see anything or anyone in the midst of the smoke. I coughed as I tried to fan away the cloudy fumes. But it was impossible. There was just too much. I heard the thuds of the others hitting the ground, still hacking up their lungs. And I had started to feel light headed...

"Sweet dreams."

I wasn't sure if I just imagined it, but before I dropped to floor, I thought I saw that creepy white mask if only for a moment, until I saw no more...

October 17th, time ?

Attic, Rothman Estate

I opened my eyes. My vision was blurry, but from what I could make out, the room was sullen, undecorated, and wooden...was this the attic? Why was I in the attic? The last thing I remembered was laying on the library floor... I looked down at the floor with my vision becoming clearer.

"...Lyn?" She was lying on the ground on her side in front of me. Her hands were bound behind her back and her feet were ensnared with plastic ties. Mrs. Rothman and Mr. Ackerman were in similar positions on the ground to left of her.

I felt a sick feeling rising within me. I tried to get over to them, but I found I couldn't move my arms or legs. I was in a chair, my arms restrained behind my back and my feet bound with ties. What had happened? Why were we all tied up? Who had done this?

"M-Mr. Edgeworth? You...know who I am?" she asked, trying to turn her head towards me.

"Why wouldn't I know who you are?"

"What a fine freaking time to come back to reality," remarked Ackerman managing to turn himself over to lie on his back. "I feel more sorry for you, that you have to be aware of this..."

"Just what is going on? What happened?" I asked.

"Miles..." began Mrs. Rothman. "We've been captured by the killer. And now we're...we're going to..."

"Rise and shine!" called a familiar voice. I turned my head in the direction of the sound. It was Mr. Dawson standing in the doorway, holding some nails and a hammer in his hand. Mr. Dawson was the killer? He was the one who tied us all up?

"Why are we tied up?" I glared. "Release us."

"Ohh my!" he covered his mouth as he entered the room. "You seem a lot more coherent. I suppose the true hero has awoken from his slumber. Perhaps it was the effect from being knocked out? Hmm, but for how long, I wonder."

"What?"

"You...you really don't remember, do you, Mr. Edgeworth?" Lyn asked. "You...were delusional when we were trying to figure out what happened tonight."

I couldn't recall a thing. I didn't remember being up after being fed that drink in the library. It was all one blank spot in my memory.

"Hmm, what an interesting turn of events. This might be more fun this way, though," Mr. Dawson muttered to himself. "You're tied up because you're about to witness the most spectacular for of entertainment possible. What we used to do in the olden days."

"...And dare I ask, what is that?"

The man smiled. The cold appearance of his eyes didn't match with the smile plastered upon his face. "Watch people die."

"What?!" I began to sweat. "That can't be...You can't possibly..."

"Well, I'll catch you up to speed since you missed the show," he said cocking his head slightly. "Your lady friend lost her challenge of figuring out how and who killed who. And because she lost, everyone must give up there lives."

It was hazy, but I remembered what Lyn mentioned in library. They staked their lives on solving the mystery. And they hadn't pulled through...

I tried my hardest to break free of the restraints, trying to pull apart my hands. I jerked the chair as I tried to move in anyway I could.

"Come. Join us. You don't want to miss the grand finale, do you?"

"Let us go!"

"It's no use..." said Ackerman despondently. "We already tried. This guy is insane...There's no way he's letting us walk out."

Lyn said nothing, she didn't even bother trying to move. Mrs. Rothman, was trembling on the floor.

"Now, that we're all up, it's time to start the show!" Mr. Dawson said excitedly. "First up is our lovely, one and only judge...Mrs. Rothman!"

Dawson casually walked over to her, with a big smile on his face. The woman squirmed on the ground like a worm, doing anything just to get away from him to no avail. "No! No...! Please...I beg of you!" the judge pleaded.

"Don't worry," he said soothingly. "I'm going to untie you."

"W...what? Y-you aren't going to kill me?"

"I never said that," the man smirked. He kicked her in the stomach, not once but four times. She howled in pain. "I just said I'd untie you."

The man squatted on the floor next to her. He undid the tie on her feet first and then her hands. Still in shock from the kicks, the judge didn't move. Dawson grabbed her by the arm, forced her up to her feet roughly, and dragged her over to the wall holding her against it. She tried to twist away from his hold, but his grasp seemed to tighten. "L-let me go! Let me go! Please! Please...I'll do anything!"

He simply ignored her. "Now , that the preparations are complete...I'd like to present to you..."

DIVINE JUDGEMENT

To subdue her, he kneed her swiftly in the stomach, and left it there. Then he held Mrs. Rothman's right hand up high on the wall. It's when I saw it...the nail. The long metallic piece was slowly being forced into her palm. Then the hammer raised over his head. And as it was brought down with such force upon the nail...She cried out. Her hand...was nailed to the wall...blood dripping down...along with tears.

He does the same with the left hand. Pin it, force the nail through the flesh, and bang down upon it this time even harder than the last. "Auuuuuuughhhhhh!"

The anguished cry reverberated through my ears. And yet he ignored her screams, her agony, as if it was nothing- The writhing and contorted expression pain on her face as if it's nothing.

He bent over, moving to bash her feet into the wall. Her screams and sobbing never stopped. Somehow, I could still hear the pound each time he drove the nail farther and farther through each foot. He took a step back, wiping his forehead with his bloodstained hands, as though admiring this like a piece of artwork. Looking, I noticed that the judge was hung...like Jesus on a cross.

He dropped the hammer to the floor nonchalantly and reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a handgun. Mrs. Rothman looked absolutely horrified, blue with an endless supply of tears. Dawson cocked the gun, aimed directly at her head, and placed his finger of the trigger. The judge closed her eyes.

BANG.

I heard a tiny gasp for a moment, just before her head went limp falling over to the side, blood and matter left all over the wall. The man, kneeled before her in a prayerful position.

The rest of remained silent. I...couldn't believe it. I didn't want to acknowledge that this...that she...she didn't deserve that. How could he have done it, without an ounce of remorse, not a hint of empathy at her suffering that he inflicted upon her?

The killer stood up and returned to us, who were still stunned. "To continue our show, next up is...Mr. Ackerman!"

Mr. Ackerman barely reacted. I almost wondered if he were already dead. He just looked at Dawson with a blank stare. "Get it over with, you sick fuck."

Dawson smirked in response. "I'd like to call this one..."

WITHDRAWAL

He reached into his pocket, revealing a burnt looking spoon. It hadn't been what he needed so he tossed it away. He reached in again, this time pulling out a small bottle, but it was empty. He threw it away and walked over to Mr. Ackerman, untying his feet and hands. "W-what the hell? Why are you untying me?"

"Well, I wanted to see the full effects," Dawson said as he slowly walked away from him looking down at his wrist watch. "And it should begin in 5...4...3...2..." Mr. Ackerman stood up and was about to strike him from behind, but stopped dead in his tracks. His face appeared redder and he began foaming at the mouth, body twitching and jerking around violently as though he were having a seizure.

"What...did you do..." Mr. Ackerman asked through clenched teeth as his body continued to move on its own.

"When you all passed out, I gave you a little special poison...called strychnine," Dawson replied as he looked on curiously. "I wonder if you'll die from the sheer exhaustion or asphyxiation first?"

The sweat dripped off his forehead, as his face retained the bright red tint. The convulsions grew worse, as arms swung wildly and the legs spasmed. He looked like he was in extraordinary pain. It was hard to watch, but more difficult to pull my eyes away from it.

"Hrgnnnnnnnnnn!"

Then he dropped to the ground head and neck bending backwards, remaining on the floor, while the rest of his body moved up, arching itself as though he were trying to do some kind of yoga pose...except it continued. His torso continued to arch and arch and arch. His legs remained stretched out toes pointing off the ground. His fists were clenched as tightly as his teeth, in fact, his face never once moved. I was fairly certain his jaw was locked.

He jerked and spasmed until he no longer moved. He just remained in that painful position with the same mangled expression. I realized his spine must have been broken, bent backwards like that. Horrific couldn't even begin to describe the sight.

"Yes...I definitely need to use this for very awful people for now on..." Dawson mused to himself. "Now then...I have a very special show for you two. I think of it as a two for one deal!"

Lyn screamed. She frantically began squirming on the floor. "N-no! I don't want to...I don't want to...I don't want to..."

"You don't want to?" Dawson asked. "But this was your idea. It's your fault you suggested this. It's your fault that you lost. And it's your fault that they were killed...You think I'd let you just back out now? Why it would make what they just experienced at your expense, meaningless."

She had started to cry. "My fault...It's all my fault...I'm sorry. I'm sorry! I didn't mean it...I didn't mean for this to happen..."

I glared at Dawson. "You're the one who killed them! Lyn wasn't the one to sentence them to death. You made the choice to kill, you didn't have to go through with it!"

"Eh, well, semantics I guess," he shrugged. "In any case, let's begin..."

THE RESCUE

The man strolled over to Lyn, who was still desperately trying to get away. He placed his foot on her side and kicked her in the stomach. Again and again and again and...

I couldn't watch. "Stop it! Let her go!"

He laughed as he kept repeatedly and forcefully ramming her with his foot.

"I said stop!" I growled, as I tried to break out of the chair once more.

Dawson stopped kicking, now holding his foot high in the air. Lyn sputtered out blood on the floor wheezing. "But it's part of the show. Look at how pathetically powerless you are, Mr. Edgeworth."

Damn him! I kept trying to move. I had to get out of these ties. I had to stop him!

"It must be tough for you, who likes to be in control of a situation to not even be able to move. To not even be able to save a friend who is suffering right in front of you...How useless do you feel right now?" the man dropped his raised foot.

CRACK.

"Augghhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

"Just stop!" I pleaded. "Do it to me instead!"

CRACK.

The stomping continued as he ignored me. Between the sobbing and sound of cracks, I couldn't bear it. How many of her ribs must he have broken? Far too many. And I...I couldn't do anything. I could do nothing for her.

Then he stopped. He picked her up off the ground, and carelessly swung her over his shoulder. He then ran off and carried her out of the room.

Just...just what was he going to do to her now? How much more pain was he going to inflict upon her? I had to get out of here. There had to be a way out of these restraints. I kept pulling and pulling and then I heard a loud wail, from a garbled voice that barely sounded like Lyn. Beads of sweat dripped from my brow. I felt ill. Was that it? Was he just going to leave me here to taunt me while he tormented her out of sight?

I heard footsteps returning to the room. "What did you do to her?!"

"That doesn't matter right now," he said shaking his head. "You don't have much time left!"

I grit my teeth. "What?"

"If you don't go now, she'll die. You might be able to save her..."

"And just how do you expect me to do anything like this?!" I snapped.

He smiled.

"You-!"

"Listen...I'll be nice. I'll let you free. I guess it's a bit unpleasant to have to suffer like that alone..."

Dawson walked behind me and undid the tie around my feet and then my arms. I looked at him. I didn't know why he was letting me free, but I didn't care. I had to get to Lyn. I stood up and ran down the hall towards the studio.

BANG. BANG. BANG.

As soon as I had stepped foot inside the room, I dropped to the ground, with an awful fiery burning sensation in my knees and chest. Footsteps came from behind. "Did you really think it'd be that easy? I do hope you make it in time...I'd stick around to watch your theatrics, but I do have a plane to catch."

As slowly as the footsteps came as slowly did they leave. That...bastard. He let me go only to shoot me... I tried to stand, but my knees were out. Walking was out of the question. It hurt so bad, I wondered if I could even manage to crawl. But I had to. I wouldn't stop now...

With my arms, I dragged myself into the room, wincing as my raw knees were exposed to hard wooden flooring. My chest ached as my heartbeat slowed. That shot seemed close to my heart. It must of hit something important. I ignored it as best I could. Lyn was lying in the middle of the floor, face down. Her right arm had severely been twisted out of place. And her left leg was broken so badly, I could see the exposed bone.

I moved as close as I could get, being a couple of feet away before dropping.

"Mr. Edgeworth...I'm...sorry..." she whimpered out.

"None of this is your fault."

"You...were shot..."

I covered my chest with my hand. "It's nothing," I lied.

My chest rattled as I coughed. Now, on the floor was a bit of my blood. Just how much longer did I have? What could I possibly do now? I coughed again and my chest ached as it had never ached before. It was getting harder to breathe. It felt as though the air was being squeezed out of me the way water was squeezed out of a sponge.

The battered face looked up, welled up with tears. "I'm sorry."

"Stop."

"But you're dying... and it's because of me..." she cried.

"I said stop," I coughed violently. "You did what you could. I shouldn't have left before. Then perhaps..." I wondered what would have happened if I didn't leave. Could we have stopped this from happening? Would things be different?

The weak voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "...Are you scared?"

"...No."

How could I admit to her, when she was blaming herself for everything? I didn't want to saddle her with anymore. Of course, I was scared. To be this close to death, who wouldn't be? To realize that everything was coming to an end right now...was...

"Erghh...!" I looked up. Lyn was pushing herself up off the ground with her arm.

"What're you doing?"

She ignored me dragging the limp and twisted body wincing, clenched teeth, until she dropped to the floor, breathing heavily. Slowly, I dragged myself closer to her. With a trembling hand, and what looked like the last of her strength, she reached out to me. "It's...okay to admit that...that you're scared too," she breathed. "You don't have to...hide."

With my own shaking hand, took hold of hers. I didn't want to admit it. There was so much I hadn't done. Things left behind, people left behind. I didn't know what would happen when we died. We could only wait for it. Wait for the uncertainty. Wait for the inevitable end to our existences.

She squeezed my hand a little tighter. I responded in kind. It was quiet for what seemed an eternity.

"Looks like...I finally reached you..." she laughed quietly.

"What?"

"You're always so far away. But not now," she said. "...Now, we're going to the same place, aren't we?"

"I... suppose so."

She said nothing for some time. The grip on my hand suddenly felt a little tighter. She looked at me. "...Mr. Edgeworth?"

"What is it?"

"...Would you still like me if...if I wasn't really who you thought I was?"

"Why...?"

She didn't respond. I had no idea why she'd ask me something like that. Did she have some sort of secret? I didn't ponder too much, because it looked as though she was waiting and our time was short.

"As long as you were a good person, I don't think it would matter much."

"I'm glad," There was a brief smile that appeared upon her face. She seemed relieved. "Maybe once you... make it to the other side, I can explain..."

"You'd better."

She closed her eyes as she laughed once more. "You're too funny..."

"...I was serious."

Time had passed as I waited for a response. She'd normally continue to laugh at something like that. Yet, I heard nothing. I looked at her face closely and it still held that slight smile. It hadn't left.

No. That wasn't right. How could she leave like that? So quietly? Without so much a goodbye? It simply wasn't like her at all. Her presence was apparent when entering and leaving a room. I hadn't noticed. How hadn't I? ... It was as though I had tried to grasp sand through my fingers. One could still feel the grains of sand, but couldn't hold on to it entirely. The vessel was present, but the energy, the presence, the life was...gone. All gone.

The hand which I held, was still warm. I didn't let go. I wanted to grasp all the warmth there that was left, as if I could take it and absorb it into myself. Suddenly, the room felt colder. Empty. The pain in my chest grew.

My breathing became more labored. I did my best to keep air coming through my lungs, but it was fruitless. I gasped and gasped for air. My vision waned. What was a clear view, had been tinted with a strange green hue...fading in and out.

I took one last glance at her. She looked peaceful like that. I wondered if it would be like that for me... But soon it wouldn't matter. I grasped the lifeless hand with the last ounce of strength I had. I'd find her. I'd be on the other side soon enough and I'd get my answers. I closed my eyes.