Miles could not believe it! Out of all the bullheaded, stubborn, idiotical and dull-witted things Phoenix had ever done, this one had to be the most foolish. Yesterday he was in the hospital after falling from a bridge and now here he was, standing in front of Dusky Bridge, in the cold snow, to investigate. His fever barely broke this morning. He had half a mind to throw him back in the car and drive him back home where he would stay until he recovered.

"Phoenix...are you sure you're well enough to do this? Yesterday you were still slightly delirious from your fever." said Miles.

"Ach, come on Miles. My fever has gone down quite a bit. Besides, I only promised to make you do this on the first day of the trial. I'll be fine." said Phoenix.

Miles shared a glance with his father before Gregory spoke. "Very well, if you believe you are well enough to investigate, we won't stop you."

"Thank you." said Phoenix. "Actually, Raymond told me all about today's trial. You did really well, Miles."

"Yeah, I heard you were amazing Mr. Edgeworth!" said Kay, who should not be here.

"What are you doing here, Kay?" asked Miles.

"I came to investigate!" said Kay. "Mr. Wright needs an investigation partner with Miss Maya still M.I.A. and who is better to fill that role than The Great Thief Yatagarasu! Sebby said he's coming too after his trial against that defense attorney, Kristoph Gavin is over. We're all really worried about Miss Maya and Pearly."

Miles pinched the bridge of his nose. "Alright then...But you really should have taken some warmer clothing." Miles, Gregory, Phoenix and Gumshoe were all wearing thick winter coats and while Kay did have a pink puffy winter coat and earmuffs on, he doubted that those thin black leggings under her skirt kept her any warm.

"I'll be fine! If I get cold I'll just run around to warm myself." Miles doubted that would work, but said nothing more on this matter. Although he did send Phoenix a look that said How could you let her leave the house so underdressed. Wright's answer was a look that said You try and convince her.

After the silent conversation between the fiancés, the little group made their way to the temple entrance where they split up to cover more ground. Gumshoe and Gregory went to the bridge to see how the rebuilding was going, Kay and Miles went to the crime scene to use Little Thief and try to uncover more clues while Phoenix went to meet with sister Bikini.

...

Unfortunately the crime scene was unable to reveal anything more, even Little Thief wasn't much help. However they did meet with someone else there. One Franziska von Karma was also investigating the place. The german woman acted slightly suspicious and seemed to possess a previously unknown knowledge about the Fey clan and culture. She also expressed her annoyance at the slow pace that the bridge was being rebuilt. When Miles asked her about it, her answer surprised him.

"I'm looking for Maya Fey, obviously. Both she and Pearl Fey are still missing afterall." said Franziska.

"Yes, I am aware. However you seemed concerned. Tell me Franziska, why do you wish to find Maya?" asked Miles.

"I-...She was here the night of the murder. I am merely searching for a potential witness...To uncover the truth." she finished lamely.

"Truly? Only that? And your newfound knowledge on the Kurain Channeling Technique?"

"Y-yes. Nothing more and nothing less. Also, a perfect prosecutor must always be knowledgeable." the german woman seemed flustered as she spoke.

Wait a minute...

"Miss von Karma, don't tell me...you have a crush on Miss Maya?!" exclaimed Kay.

His sister's quickly reddening face was all the answers he needed. "O-of course not!" stammered Franziska. "That is preposterous! I- am simply concerned for an acquaintance. A friend if you will. That does not mean I have 'crush' on her."

"Mhhm...Whatever you say Franziska." said Miles smirking.

"Miles Edgeworth! You will cease this foolish behavior at once!"

...

Gregory called Miles and Phoenix once the bridge was rebuilt. They all made their way to the Inner Temple together and started looking around. So far, no sign of either Pearls or Maya. The group entered the Sacred Cavern within the Training Hall, where Maya was suspected to be only to find it sealed with a trick lock that resembled a physical Psyche-Lock. Phoenix cursed, since he had no idea how to undo the lock. Gregory and Franziska went back to ask sister Bikini about it while the rest started looking around.

Kay tried her luck at cracking the combination for the lock while Phoenix looked around. Franziska called and told them that Iris might know how to undo them, so Miles left to grab her from the Detention Center. Gumshoe left to search the garden of the Inner Temple. This left Kay and Phoenix waiting in the Sacred Cavern, with the young thief still trying to crack the combination.

"Any luck?" asked Phoenix.

"No..." Kay blew a raspberry in frustration. "This lock is really annoying. Sorry Mr. Wright, but I don't think I can crack it."

"That's ok Kay, thank you for trying. We'll just have to wait for Iris."

The two of them were interrupted however, by a new voice. "What took you so long, Trite? I thought even you would manage to get here faster than this."

The duo turned around to see a man with white hair and a visor with three horizontal red lights across it.

"Prosecutor Godot? What are you doing here?" asked Wright.

"Prosecutor Godot?" asked Kay slightly confused. "Oh I remember you! You're the prosecutor that took the Mask DeMasque case."

Godot looked at Kay confused before asking. "Who's the little princess, Trite?"

"This is Kay Faraday, she is a friend and my investigative partner for this case."

"Ha...I see. So quick to replace Maya Fey, huh?"

"Wait! That's not it at all-" exclaimed Kay.

"Look missy, it was nice meeting you but I need to speak something with Trite here. Privately."

"But-"

Phoenix put his hand on her shoulder. "Sorry Kay. Why don't you go look for Pearls for a while? I promise I'll call you back once Godot leaves, ok?"

Kay nodded. "You got it Mr. Wright. I'll see ya in a bit and with Pearly in tow."

Once Kay left, Phoenix turned his focus back to Godot. "...So, what are you doing here, Prosecutor Godot?"

"Isn't it obvious? I came for answers. Be they good or bad. I've returned from the depths of hell to face you, boy. And I intend to do just that tomorrow in court."

"In court? Prosecutor von Karma is in charge of the case though."

"Not for long. I'm taking back the rains from the wild mare. She and that boyfriend of yours had enough fun fooling the court yesterday while you were helpless in bed."

"Helpless-"

"Not that its anything new for you, Trite. You were always a weak man, to take a leaf out of Prosecutor von Karma's book: a fool."

"Excuse me? What is your problem? You don't even know me and yet you keep nursing this...this vendetta against me for no reason!"

"You're right, I am. I keep nursing my hatred for you like I nurse my bitter cup of coffee in the morning. I despise you because it's your fault Mia died and now you failed again and Maya Fey paid the price."

"Mia? What does she and Maya have to do with anything?"

"I'll give you hint, Trite. As the one in charge of the search party, I can tell you this with absolute certainty. Maya Fey was nowhere to be found on this side of Dusky Bridge. The only place left where she could be is the Sacred Cavern, where the temperature is below freezing. That and the fact that she has no food or water?" Godot took a breath to try and compose himself. "Maya Fey may be dead and it's all your fault."

"That's not tr-"

"Face it Wright!" he spat the name like it was poison. "You let a young woman die, all because of your incompetence! You failed her just like you failed Mia."

"What the hell does Mia have to with anything?!" yelled Phoenix angered as Godot kept on trying to dig up old wounds.

"EVERYTHING!"

...

"Pearl! Pearly! Can you hear me?" yelled Kay across the garden as she searched for the young girl. She kept looking over every small statue, investigating every suspicious nook and cranny. She also was accompanied by Gregory and Franziska. The german woman was not very pleased with the fact that she could not enter the Sacred Cavern, as Kay had asked her to let Phoenix and Prosecutor Godot have their talk, but in the end relented and decided to accompany her in the search for Pearl.

"I do not believe Pearl Fey is here, Kay. Or else I believe she would have heard your pandemonium of screams by now." said Franziska.

"I have to agree with Franziska on this one, Kay. If Pearls really was here, we would have found her by now. She must be somewhere else near the temple." said Gregory.

"I guess you're right, but where could she be?" asked Kay.

"I think I might have an idea." said a new voice. They all turned around and saw Sebastian standing near the gate in a way too light black leather jacket, holding a crying mess of pink petticoats and fur in his arms, Pearl.

"Sebby! You found Pearly!" exclaimed Kay. The great thief dashed to the two before she handed Pearl a pink handkerchief. Once Gregory and Franziska neared them, Pearl demanded she'd be put down before she ran to Gregory and hugged his legs. The older man kneeled down and pulled the young girl close.

"Pearls! I'm glad to see you're ok." said the veteran defense attorney.

"Mr. Greg, I'm so glad to see you!" cried Pearls.

"Are you ok? Where have you been?" asked Gregory softly.

"I-...I'm sorry Mr. Greg. I've been a bad girl, a v-very, very b-bad girl...I'M SORRY!" and then the small spirit medium dissolved into a mess of sobs. Kay and Gregory asked her what had happened and tried to comfort her, but the only thing they could get out of her was incoherent babbling. By sheer luck they managed to get her to say one sentence and her request was heard loud and clear. "I WANT MR. NICK."

Gregory, Kay and Sebastian were speechless, not really knowing how to react. Luckily Franziska seemed to have them covered.

"If it is Phoenix Wright you want, Phoenix Wright we'll get you." said the german woman as she picked the young girl up and propped her on her hip. "Besides, that foolish fool has wasted enough time talking to Godot. Let's move."

...

The little group entered the Sacred Cavern and the scene that greeted them was one Gregory was not expecting. Godot's hand was fisted in Phoenix's collar, having dragged him close to his face. Wright's hand was holding onto Godot's wrist and the expression on the defense attorney's face... Well Gregory didn't really know how to describe it. It was a combination between grief, guilt and rage. SO much rage. His lips were pulled in a snarl as he glared at the prosecutor. Gregory was about to intervene when a high-pitched cry resonated in the cavern.

"MR. NICK!"

Phoenix's reaction was instantaneous, he turned his head towards them and his face became colored with relief. He forcefully shoved Godot's hand away from his collar as he ran towards Pearl, who was also running to meet him halfway. Wright kneeled on the cold floor as he let the young girl crash into his arms and throw her arms around his neck. Phoenix's arms circled her petite form as he huged her close before kissing her head.

"Pearls, Pearls, Pearls, oh my god Pearls! You're safe! I'm so relieved." said Phoenix in a half-sob. "Where were you? Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

The young girl opens her mouth but only more sobs come out. Wright hugs her tighter as he whispers resurances in her ear.

While Phoenix tries to console the girl, Godot makes his way towards the door but stops in front of the group. "Are you Prosecutor von Karma?" he asks.

"And if I am?" sneers Franziska.

"Then you can pack your bags and go home, I'm taking over the case."

"Excuse me? What makes you think I'll just hand it over to you?"

"Simple, I am a High Prosecutor, while you're freelance for Interpol. While you might have seniority over me, that still doesn't change the fact that I am a rank over you. My claim to this case overrides yours."

"You egotistic foolish fool who foolishly claims foolish things! I am not going anywhere!"

"Then go ahead and report me to the Chief Prosecutor, he'll agree with me anyways. So I'll tell you one more time, back off."

"Stop it!" cried Pearls before darting from Phoenix's arms and kicking Godot in the kneecap.

"Pearls!" spluttered both Phoenix and Gregory.

"You meanie! How dare you hurt Mr. Nick and then try to take Miss Fran-sis-ca's job. Stop it! How can you be so- so-"

"Foolish." suggests Franziska without skipping a beat.

"-So foolish!"

Godot pauses for a minute as he looks conflicted, before addressing Wright again. "...I'll see you in court, Trite." And then exits the Sacred Cavern.

Once the prosecutor is gone, Phoenix looks at Pearl again. "Pearls, you can't just kick someone in the knee. You could get hurt if they become violent."

"But Miss Fran-sis-ca whips people." said Pearl. Said mentioned prosecutor snorted at this.

"Well- yes, but one she's an adult and two she has a whip." said Phoenix.

"So...does that mean I can get whip when I'm an adult?"

Phoenix choked on his answer while Franziska cackled in the background.

"Yes kleiner Geist. You can get a whip once you're old enough." grinned Franziska. Phoenix and Gregory made eye contact before letting out the sighs of tired parents.

"Pearls," started Phoenix. "what happened? Why were you crying?"

Pearl's eyes started watering again, but she was able to answer this time around. "I- I'm very sorry Mr. Nick. I did something bad. Something I know I shouldn't have but -...And now Mystic Ami is punishing me! I'm very sorry."

"Pearls. I promise you, whatever happened, we're not gonna be mad at you. Please just tell us what happened."

"Mr. Wright is... well right Pearly. goshthatwasaterribleunintentionalpun." said Kay. "Me and Sebby happen to mess up all the time and Mr. Edgeworth never truly gets mad at us. It's ok, you can tell us what happened."

Pearl wiped her tears before slowly pulling out something from her traditional Kurainese winter coat and shyly handing it over. Upon closer inspection the group realized they were half burned notes.

"What does it say?" demanded Franziska.

"Those seem to be instructions to channel someone, I can't tell who though. The name has been burned out." said Phoenix.

"Pearls, who sent you these?" asked Gregory.

Pearl looked conflicted but in the end decided to answer. "I- I know I wasn't supposed to listen to her anymore...because she's mean and tried to get Mystic Maya in trouble...but...Mother asked me to. I know it was wrong and it seemed like a bad thing but I still...And now as punishment, Mystic Ami took away my spiritual powers..."

"Your channeling powers are gone?" asked Phoenix.

"Yes! I tried, I swear I did! But I couldn't do it! I've never failed at channeling someone. This is the first time it's happened. I tried and tried and tried...Yesterday, this morning...The whole time! But I couldn't do it...So...Mystic Ami must have taken my powers away...It's the only explanation..."

"That...is rather peculiar...Are you sure that is the only reason you couldn't summon the dead?" asked Gregory.

"Well...I think there is another possibility...I can't channel a spirit if someone else was already channeling it."

"Do you think someone else might have been channeling the same spirit as you at that time?" asked Phoenix.

"I don't think so...Mystic Maya might have but-" Pearl looked at the lock on the Sacred Cavern.

"Don't worry Pearly, Mr. Edgeworth is on his way to getting Iris to come unlock the cavern. Well get Miss Maya out in no time!"

"Although there is one thing I don't get..." said Sebastian. "Who were you trying to channel, Pearl?"

"I...I don't remember...She had a really complicated name...I'm sorry...I think it was something with A."

"That's ok Pearls, don't worry. I think I might have a theory to who it was anyway." said Phoenix.

"Oh?" inquired von Karma.

"Yeah, but it requires more investigation. But before that." Phoenix turned around to look at Sebastian. "Sebastian...what in god's name are you wearing?"

Sebastian, who was huddled into Kay for warmth, blinked sheepishly. "My trial against Mr. Gavin took longer than expected so I had to rush home and didn't have the time to find my winter coat. This was the first coat I found." Phoenix sighed tiredly.

"Tch. This is foolish..." said Franziska. "Kay, hand me your coat."

"What?"

"Don't make me repeat myself. Your coat Faraday." After Kay handed over her pink puffy winter coat, the german woman shrugged off her own fur black trench coat and draped it over both Kay and Sebastian, before putting on the pink coat. "There! And next time, you fools better dress properly for the cold weather! Am I clear?"

"Yes ma'am!"

"Good."

(A\N: kleiner Geist = little spirit

According to google translate at least...)