Once again, it's Jess. Pippa and I just have this system of updating each other's stories. We might as well. She hopes to get back to writing this soon and I can't wait! I've started my own Ace Attorney story today too! Yoy! :) Enjoy! :)

Chapter Four

Phoenix

After fighting through another perfectly prepared von Karma prosecutions I thought all hope was finally lost, but then…

Larry happened.

"Larry Butz," Edgeworth sighs.

"What a foolishly foolish friend you have," Ms. von Karma scoffs.

"And that foolishness may be exactly what we need, Franziska."

"I just wonder what he saw that night."

"Well Mr. Phoenix Wright, this may just be the break you're looking for. If there's one weakness Papa may have it may be an unprepared witness."

"Yes, but Larry's not always the brightest."

"We still need to try, Nick!"

"I know, Maya, and we will."

Edgeworth looks at me. "I… appreciate everything you're doing for me, but Wright…"

"What is it?"

"I-"

It's time for court to resume."

Damn it!

Ms. von Karma looks at Edgeworth as if she knows something we don't.

We all head back in for another round. Hopefully, there will be more holes this time.

Come on, Larry! Come through!

Of course, I have to fight still, but I can finally…

I can finally get the verdict I need.

I just have to swing it right!

And yes! Well sort of. We've got another day, but what will happen now? We all head outside and Edgeworth looks even more distracted.

"What were you going to tell me, before?"

"I just… I've wanted to tell you, but I've been too scared."

"Tell me what, Edgeworth?"

"It's about dream… of a crime I committed."

Ms. von Karma's eyes flash as if she knows exactly what he's trying to say.

"A crime you commited? What are you talking about, Mr. Edgeworth?"

He shakes his head. "For fifteen years I've had the same dream… that I… I killed my father."

"What? No way!"

"I threw the gun and-"

"Stop right there!"

"Wright?"

"You didn't, and I'll prove it if I have to!" I mean it.

Ms. von Karma watches me. "Listen to you, Mr. Phoenix Wright, so unwilling to accept things."

"I suppose that's what having friends is about, Franziska."

"Perhaps so. Well then, shall we depart?"

"Yes."

Maybe I have to prove Edgeworth is innocent of two crimes, but I will do it!

Franziska

I actually accompany them on their investigation today. My brother looks even more tired and worn out. This can't be allowed!

We walk around for a while to see what we can find. Eventually, we get to the boat rental shop.

"So you really think the boat rental guy is the murderer?"

"I don't know who else it could be. If it wasn't him then we have to accept it was Edgeworth."

"But he's innocent!"

"Exactly!"

"Then shall we explore while he is away?" I ask.

The other two nod and we enter the shack. Looking around.

"Hello, hello," the parrot says.

"Is that the parrot that was mentioning DL-6?"

"Yeah, her name is Polly! She can also tell us the number of that safe!"

"Maya! We can't just go raiding people's stuff."

"But there might be some important evidence hidden in there, Nick!"

"I'm afraid I must agree with Ms. Maya Fey, Mr. Phoenix Wright, if there is nothing then we need only leave it alone, but if there happens to be evidence then it will be vital."

He sighs. "Alright, let's open it."

"Polly, what's the number to the safe?"

"1228!"

I take the safe unlocking it.

"It's a letter," Ms. Maya Fey says grabbing it.

"What does it say?"

"Well there's no name or signature, but… "Get your revenge on Miles Edgeworth" and "This is your last chance! Now is the time to get revenge on the two men who ruined your life!" then it goes into details about the murder."

"What?!"

"But as I said there's no sender or anything so…"

"Give it to me. I'll get the handwriting analyzed. Then we can discover the sender."

"That's a great idea! Nick! Give it to her! Then we can find out who framed Mr. Edgeworth!"

"Alright, Maya." He hands me the note. I start to fold it up before I stare at the handwriting. Wait…

"Umm… Ms. von Karma? Are you alright?"

I drop the letter staring at it. This… this can't be…

"Are you okay?"

"I need air," I gasp standing up and walking outside. DL-6… Gregory Edgeworth… Papa… all the pieces are falling into place, and I don't like the picture they're forming.

"Are you okay, Ms. von Karma?"

They must've followed me...

"Fifteen years ago from tomorrow…"

"You mean December 28th 2001?"

"My Papa suffered the first near defeat. A stain that wouldn't leave. It wasn't a defeat, but the defense attorney called him out for using false evidence. The prosecution won, but it led to the only penalty of his career."

"Who was the defense attorney?"

"Gregory Edgeworth."

"Mr. Edgeworth's father?"

"The very same. After that day he took a few months off. I was only two so it's hard to remember much, but he always seemed so distant and angry. I remember leaving him alone much, and then Miles came…"

"So what are you trying to say?"

"That note… that's Papa's handwriting."

Maya

Franziska just dropped a bombshell about that note! Her father's handwriting? In other words Mr. von Karma planned this whole thing?

She told us we needed to get to the evidence room to get the information for DL-6 and that she'd meet us there so Nick and I head to the Criminal Affairs department.

"Can we look at the case records, please?"

"I can't just let anyone in there, but since Mr. von Karma is in there I suppose it's okay."

Mr. von Karma… that's not a good sign!

We head into the records room. "Now let's get the evidence and go."

Nick looks through the drawer. "Bad news, it's empty."

"Where could it have gone?"

"What are you two doing here?"

We both jump as Mr. von Karma comes up to us.

"Mr. von Karma?"

"Do I know you?"

Is he serious?!

"We're Mr. Edgeworth's defense team!"

"Oh right. I'm not one for remembering defense attorneys."

"But there's one you never forgot," Nick says.

"What are you on about?"

"Gregory Edgeworth."

"That man has been dead for nearly fifteen years."

"We know that, but this current case has something to do with DL-6 and you planned this case from the start."

"You dare insinuate that I would plan a crime."

"We have proof, Mr. von Karma."

"Really? And how could you possibly have proof?"

"We found a letter that's in your handwriting that details the crime," I say before I can stop myself.

"Give me the letter noe." He orders.

"What?"

"Give me the letter; I will not tell you again," he demands pulling out a stun gun.

"Umm… Nick… is that…"

"It's a stun gun. Usually for self-defense."

"Yes, 600,000 volts will course through your body, but it's usually not fatal."

"No!"

Without warning, there was a sharp crack and the taser goes flying.

As he whirls around to face who could only be Ms. von Karma he drops something and I grab it before he can notice then look up at the younger prosecutor whose face is white as if she had no idea what she just did.

"Franziska! What do you think you're doing?!"

"I'm sorry, Papa, but you can't just attack people without reason."

"Are you questioning me?" I swear he's going to hit her.

"No, Papa."

"You know better than this, Franziska. You are clearly falling so far. I knew I should have kept that boy away from you."

"Papa…"

"Enough! We will discuss this later I have a trial to prepare for; I don't have time for this. You're a von Karma never forget that."

"I know, Papa."

"Then don't disappoint me again."

"Yes, Papa…"

As he storms out of the room I pocket the bullet and look at Ms. von Karma.

I open my mouth to thank her, but she's out the door before I can.

Preview

Franziska

"I… I don't even know why I… I just… I just acted… I didn't think about it I just…"

"You used your whip on your father in order to protect Wright and Ms. Fey, didn't you?"