Pippa is out doing some sort of program for a few hours, so I decided I'd update our stories. :) So... umm the preview for chapter three was actually chapter five's, not four's. So that's why that part didn't appear. I apologize. But no worries, it's all good now. :)
It's me, Dragon here right now. I had to make some minor changes to the story, so I figured I'd take this time to add something I meant to but didn't tell Jess I was planning on doing. So I just wanted to take this time to thank a guest review I got. I wish I could actually reply directly, but alas that is impossible. Thank you for your help with the German. I did take your suggestion because I had to fix a part of the chapter so I went ahead and edited it as well. I really do appreciate it. As you say Google Translate isn't very good with context. It's hard to translate into any language (some have less information) I've tried translating some of my Swedish songs for my Fiancee and sometimes the choices are... special to say the least. That's why I try my best. I have another website, but it only does words (and short phrases sometimes) so it's not possible to make a very good sentence with them. I hope you continue to enjoy the story.
Chapter Five
Franziska
I'm not even sure how I managed to get anywhere. My mind is in a haze. The only thought in my mind is that I need to go see Miles.
What I just did…
That couldn't have happened… I couldn't have just… no… it's impossible… I'm not…
I don't know how I made it to the detention center or asked to see Miles. I wonder if the guard is getting annoyed at me continuously going in to see him, but I can't care right now…
I can't even…
"Franziska? Ziska, are you okay?"
"Miles…" I whisper.
I feel his arms around me and he pulls me down so we are sitting down. "What's wrong, Ziska?"
I bury my face into his chest crying. I feel his hands rub my back. Why am I so weak?
""It's okay, Ziska, just talk to me, alright? Just breathe and talk to me. You're going to be okay, you're safe."
I breathe trying to calm down. "It's just… it's just… I…"
I… I betrayed him… it's bad enough I'm helping the defense, but to do that of all things… yet… I couldn't just…
"Ziska, look at me."
I glance up at him. My grey eyes meet his as I stare up at him blearily.
"I'm here, you can tell me. You can trust me. I promise I'm here for you. Whatever it is we can get through this together, I promise."
I take a deep breath staring up at him. As much as I've always been there for him during his troubles he's always been here for mine as well. That's why I can't let him get executed. I can't lose my little brother, not ever. Even if he always leaves me behind, I will never ever be able to deal with things without him.
"Is it something to do with your father?"
"Papa…"
"I guessed as much, very few things can make you react in that kind of way. You usually don't get worked up about things, but whenever your father is involved you have trouble keeping yourself calm."
"Yeah… it's about Papa…"
"What is it then? Did something bad happen?"
"Yes, I mean… Phoenix Wright and Maya Fey… the… records room… Papa… and then…"
"The records room? Why were they in the records room?"
"DL-6."
"They were looking into the DL-6 case files?Why were they doing that?"
"Because it's related to this case. I mean…" If I tell him about that evidence then… I mean… he has the right to know what we found out, but at the same time… what if…? What if he doesn't want to be my brother anymore? What if he hates me as well? What if…?
"Franziska, calm yourself down, it's going to be alright." When did he drop into my native language? I guess he thinks it'll make things easier for me. I guess in some ways it does. Or did I go back to German first?
"So Wright and Ms. Fey went to the records room to look at the case files for DL-6 because they were hoping it would give them more leads for this case. Not to mention your father was there."
"Yeah… Papa was there. I guess he was going for the evidence as well. I mean... "
"No one can deny the connection to DL-6, but that can't be it. We both know he tends to deal with evidence on his own, that's not a surprise so it's not that, something else happened while they were in there."
"It's just they… he… well then I… I mean…" I look down at my whip. I stare at it not able to tear my eyes off of it. I know what I did with it was…"
"Your whip?" he asks. He's always been good at reading me. "Franziska… I know how you are with your whip so the only reason that would cause you any stress is if you... "
"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?"
"I don't know… I just… I…"
"You were trying to protect people you care about. You've always been very conscious about justice. Despite what your father has taught you and how you act you have always cared a lot about what is right. I've watched trials you've prosecuted and while few people give you much of a challenge you consider reasonable doubt. In some ways you've had your own idea of perfection even before I have."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm not exactly sure. Honestly I'd want to see you face someone like Wright before really judging how you think about perfection, but during our mock trials I've seen it. I've seen how you've never let go, but you've still never allowed a verdict before you've crushed any argument."
"That's not important, Miles Edgeworth, what does that have to do with anything, what does that have to do with betraying Papa?"
"My point was that you are more concerned about what is right or wrong. You knew whatever happened in the records room was wrong and so you took action. Whether you thought about it or you just acted without thinking or thought about why you were doing it you wanted to fight for the truth. You say this is for me, and maybe it is, but it's also because you know your father is in the wrong right now."
Oh, Miles… you don't know how right you are…
"But even if you did use your whip in some fashion against your father I think there's more than that. After all, you're still worked up about something."
"I… I can't…"
"It's okay if you can't tell me then it's alright."
"I want to tell you, but… I'm just scared."
"Franziska, you know I will always love you. You know that no matter what happens I will always be by your side. I will never abandon you. You are my beautiful sister. You are everything to me. My life ever since DL-6 has been hell. It's been a hard life. I've been stuck with nightmares and fears I can't shake. Nightmares that make me fear what may have truly killed my father. I don't know who I am. Maybe I decided to be a prosecutor in order to punish myself for my nightmares. I know I was pressured to be a prosecutor even though I once dreamed on becoming a defense attorney. I wanted to cut everything out of my life, Wright… I never wanted to see him again. I wanted to forget my former life because now I feel all these things. I'm reminded of everything I used to be. Everything I wanted to be once. All that may be true, but…"
"But?"
"But even as a child… while thinking about Wright and even Larry made me happy, but… having you there. It was… it was one of the best things I ever had. You were always there for me. You were always by my side. When I'd have nightmares or when I couldn't handle my stupid fears you were by my side. You never abandoned me. Even though you were so much younger than me. You were really young and yet you always held me up and protected me. You've always stood up for me. That is why I can't abandon you either. I can't, I never will. No matter what happens in this case, no matter what we find out I will still love you because you are my dear sister."
"Miles Edgeworth…"
It's true though, no matter what happened I was always there with him. I sat with him, and there was that one time… that one time the first year after DL-6…
I wonder how Miles is doing… I mean he came here last year today, and… he was all upset that day. Apparently something happened with his father so…
I sneak out of my room walking down the hallway to his room. I'm used to sneaking around so it's not that hard to find my way in the dark hallway.
When I get to Miles' room, I hear whining and scratching at the door.
Missile?
I know Missile is a good boy and doesn't go in the house, but… he still shouldn't be upset right now…
I manage to grab the doorknob opening the door. I look down at the dog who looks up at me. "Missile?"
The dog whines then run into the room more. I follow him. "Miles?"
What… what is this smell?
"Miles…?"
It's.. blood… Miles!
I don't' remember if I even screamed.
"Ziska?"
"Oh… I was just remembering… I mean… we really have been through it all together, haven't we?"
"I think I know what you were thinking about. You were thinking about when I was ten weren't you?"
"Yes… I mean… you were…"
"I know… I was dying, I wanted to die… it was hard enough on a normal day, but that day… the nightmare… it was too much, it was just far too much for me… but... You were there. You sat with me. You stayed with me the whole time. You never abandoned me. It made me feel so good. I just wanted to die, but… after you stayed with me we promised to protect each other. That's why I won't abandon you like you wouldn't abandon me."
"But you always leave me behind, Miles Edgeworth."
"I'm sorry if it seemed that way, sister. I never meant to hurt you like that. It wasn't my intention. I have no excuse for making you feel that way, but please forgive me, and when we get through this I will never abandon you again."
"Miles Edgeworth…"
"So trust me, I know you don't trust a lot of people, but you can trust me, I promise you can trust me."
"I trust you, brother."
"Then please tell me everything you know. I want to be there with you. It may hurt you, or me, or both of us, but we will get through this together. We will pull through because we aren't alone. We have each other."
"I… you're right… Okay little brother… I will tell you…"
Miles
I hold my sister close. When I was told I had a visitor I wasn't really sure what to think, but seeing my sister look so pale and vulnerable wasn't it. I know that she's still young, but a lot of the times it's hard to see that in her. I don't even know if she noticed that we've been talking in German this whole time. It's just easier for her.
Obviously something happened during the investigation today. Franziska clearly got involved and something really bad happened.
It can only have to do with her father, nothing else riles her up like this. Of course, she's already slightly told me about he record's room. Of course she didn't go into great detail, but I can certainly see how things have come together. It's not the end though…
"Please tell me, sister."
"It's just… we took the opportunity to search the caretaker's shack while he was away."
"I assume the evidence you found there is very decisive and points the finger at someone." If that's the case then it may explain what exactly happened in the Records Room. If that evidence puts a hole in von Karma's argument then…
"It was a letter written to the caretaker telling him to take revenge against you and Hammond."
"Revenge… on us? Why would that… no.. it can't be…"
"If that old man is who we think it might be it would make sense. I can't confirm his identity at the moment though, however… I can say who wrote the note."
"You can?" If she can then that… can that really mean…? But why…?
"Yeah… I mean… I could be wrong, but I'm certain it's… Papa…"
"Your father…" how… and revenge on me? Why? If I really did kill father then maybe, but what does von Karma have to do with this? Why would he be involved? I don't understand this very much…
I know von Karma was prosecuting Father's last rial and he got him assigned a penalty, but… could this really be…?
Though sometimes I wonder… that scream…? Was it really?
"Miles?"
"Yes, Franziska?"
"Papa wanted that note, it was vital evidence in the trial. I mean it had to do with the DL-6 evidence, but also that note. I think if I hadn't stopped him it would have been destroyed. But if that note is presented as evidence…"
"It would implicate him as the mastermind behind the murder of Robert Hammond and as such, it would mean that he would lose his badge and would be incarcerated for that kind of thing."
She nods slowly. I know this is breaking her up inside. She really has to choose one of us, and right now it seems that no matter what, one of is going to end up dead. There doesn't seem to be a way to save both of us now, I think she sees that as much as I do.
"But why? Why would he do it? I mean…"
"I suppose it is possible he knew I was guilty for DL-6. I've brought up my nightmares before. I must have…"
"But you're not guilty!"
"Then who is, Ziska? Tell me, who could it be? If Yogi didn't shoot him and I didn't shoot him then who did? Everyone else had evacuated the building."
"But what if they hadn't… I mean… I don't really know, but… sometimes I get scared of things…"
"Scared of what…?"
She shakes her head. I look down at her running my fingers through her hair. I know she can't voice the fear because if she did she'd have to admit something that she couldn't handle, but I think I know what she's thinking.
"If Yogi didn't kill Father and I didn't kill father then someone else did, suicide is out of the question based on the report so what you're suggesting is that another person did, but if that were the case then it's nearly impossible to figure out who it is."
"You might be right about that…" she says not convinced about that herself.
"We can sit here and speculate about this for hours, but we don't have time for that. However… I believe if the truth is out there then he will find it."
"Phoenix Wright, you mean?"
"Yes, no matter what I threw at him he didn't back down. He never just took what was handed to him, and he's lasted this long against von Karma. It's rather incredible. I believe he is able to do what no other attorney has ever done. It's strange really… when I look at him I think of Father. I think of the things he taught me."
"Had he even met your father?"
"Yes, a little bit. Though I'm not sure how focused he was on law at the time. Maybe it's just because back then I thought like a defense attorney."
"He said he had to repay you for something, what was he talking about?"
I chuckle a bit. "It's really not that big of a deal. He acts like it was such a big thing, but really it was nothing."
"Come on, spill or I'll whip you."
Seems she's got some of her spirit back, that's good to see even if it comes with a healthy dose of whip leather when she gets upset."
"Okay, I'll tell you if you really want to know. When I was in fourth grade, we were in the same class. We didn't really speak much. Honestly, I didn't talk to a lot of kids in school. I don't know, I just didn't really have friends. Anyway, Wright was sick one day so he had to skip PE. Larry was just out, in general, that day. Turns out that day would be the day of small crime. During that period my lunch money had been stolen. The teacher decided to hold a class trial to decide who was the guilty party. Phoenix was the prime suspect, but no one had any proof. They were all blaming him though, even the teacher was telling him to apologize for what he'd done. It bothered me because I could tell he wasn't actually guilty."
"So you objected."
"Yes, I had to stand up for him. I told them if they didn't have evidence then they could not declare him guilty. The teacher agreed to repay me for the money and the case was never really solved. Though Lary stood up for Phoenix as well. It was a bit of a strange thing to me, but even so. That's how the three of us became friends."
Franziska takes in the story listening carefully. "I wonder though… if Larry was absent that actually means he has no alibi at all."
"That was my thought as well, plus I thought it was odd he'd stand up for Phoenix like that. I wasn't going to point fingers without proof, and I thought one day he might come clean about the whole thing. But, I think it was he whole really stole my money. I still can't believe that was one of the things that drove Wright to become a defense attorney though…"
"You really made him feel like he had someone on is side."
"It's what Father used to tell me to do…"
"And you said Larry found Missile as well."
"Yes, and he had spending money he didn't have before as well, so I figured he probably stole my money, but I don't really care. All I know is that because of that moment I got two friends. But I…"
"You…?"
"I abandoned them… I mean… I never wanted to see them again, Wright and Larry… I wanted them to stay gone. Wright tried to get in contact with me, but I refused. I even prosecuted him at one point, and yet… yet they both still want to be my friend, they want to protect me, they want to fight for me. They're… they're my friends, Ziska. I have friends, and neither of them has forgotten that. Furthermore…"
"What?"
"Father used to tell me that prosecutors and defense attorneys were supposed to work together, and last case… last case I helped Wright a bit. I don't know why, maybe because I knew the truth, maybe because what I did in the trial before made me so… sick… maybe because Wright was so honest and true, maybe because he was just like Father so…
"You want to work with him instead of against him?":
"I… don't know…"
"What do you mean you don't know?"
"Ever since I was nine, I've had to fight within myself. The things that Father taught me and the things your father taught me. I can't deny some of the things he said are true, but I'm so tired of being a "demon prosecutor" so tired of blindly convicting people because of some misguided hubris. I'm just… tired of living a lie, but then I also know I can't go back. I'm a prosecutor, that's just it. I won't change that, but... "
"Miles…"
"I guess the only thing to do right now is to see what happens in court tomorrow. I have to put my faith into Wright and I have to see where it takes me. It's up to him to find the answer. Maybe he's the one who can finally put this nightmare to rest for good."
"I won't run away…"
She didn't say she couldn't, it's not even about being a von Karma anymore…
"Franziska…"
"This won't be easy for both of us. I know we're both thinking the same thing, and this will hurt if we're right, but that's why I must do this. I must stand by your side and I must fight too because if I run away now I can't face anything anymore. I've come this far. I must see this through to the end, by your side."
I smile at her tears falling. "I'm glad you're here, Franziska."
Phoenix
I sit in my office looking through the documents for the trial. Tomorrow's trial will not be an easy one for sure.
Plus I think von Karma now hates our guts even more than ever… damn…
What even happened in the records room? Why did I show him that stupid note anyway? I guess I got a bit carried away, if Ms. von Karma hadn't…
But she did. She protected us.
She basically admitted she was using us to save Miles, but I wonder if that's really true. Maybe there really is more to it than that.
Still, the answer has to be here. If von Karma wrote that note to the caretaker then that has to mean that not only is he connected to DL-6, but that von Karma is as well, but what does that mean?
"Nick!"
"What is it, Maya?"
"You've been staring that case file for hours now!"
"You know, you don't need to stay if you don't want to," I tell her with a sigh. I look out the window, it really has gotten late."
"Well someone's got to make sure you get some rest for tomorrow's trial, I mean, it's going to be hard enough without you being sleep deprived."
"Don't remind me. I have the world's most ruthless prosecutor wanting to convict my friend for a murder and I don't even know what I can even do to prove things. I mean I barely got through the last two days."
"Yeah, cause of me, right Nick?"
"Larry?" I ask jumping a bit. "When did you get here?"
"I've been here for a while, man. You were all spacing outstaring that the file."
"So what's up?"
"I just wanted to know if I was any help with helping Edgy, you know?"
"Yeah, you were a great help." I have to be honest. We would have lost if it weren't for Larry.
"I just don't get what that old man has against Edgy anyway. I mean, what's his deal?"
"That's what I'm trying to find out."
"Didn't Franziska say that his father got von Karma a penalty?" Maya asks.
"Yes, but how does that all fit in, I mean that has nothing to do with this… right?"
"But she also said he wrote that note! Nick! What if-"
"Maya, we can't just go accusing people without proof, that's why I'm trying to find something."
"Who's that? That hot chick you were with earlier?"
"Franziska von Karma, she's Edgeworth's sister."
"I didn't know Edgy had a sister, and what's with her last name being the same as that old guy?"
"She's the daughter of Manfred von Karma who adopted Edgeworth after his father died. That's why we barely heard from him. He moved to Germany for a while, and rarely came back to this country until he was older."
"So now he's prosecuting his adopted son or something? I mean isn't that against the law or something?"
"Nope, not really, plus that doesn't seem to really bother him that much. All I know is that Miles isn't guilty of this crime or the DL-6 incident and I will prove it tomorrow."
"So that's why you're staring at that file so hard?"
"Yes, something isn't right. We've overlooked something and in order to break the case I need to find out what that thing is. I only have a day to do it."
"Why Nicky?"
"Because trials only last three days, right, Nick?" Maya asks.
"Yes, and a case only stays open for fifteen years, tomorrow is December 28th fifteen years after the DL-6 incident, at this point… there is nothing left. If I can't find out what happened tomorrow then we will never find out." What's worse… I'm worried if I get Edgeworth of for this crime he will confess to DL-6…
"I wish I could help you more, man."
"It's okay, Larry, just be there tomorrow, alright. Edgeworth and I both need your support." As much as this guy's an idiot he is a good friend. I know Edgeworth will appreciate his support… even if he would never admit it himself.
"Okay, I will, but will you introduce me to Franzy?"
"Franzy?" he's giving her a nickname before he even meets her? Oh god, this'll be a meeting for the ages…
"Larry, behave yourself, besides you have a girlfriend."
"Hey man, I wasn't thinking anything like that!"
"Yes you were! I know you!"
"I mean, she's hot, man!"
"Larry… this is what gets you in so much trouble. Just because you see a pretty girl doesn't mean you should just go for them."
"I mean you're just jealous Nick! I bet you never dated a hot girl."
I tense. "Let's drop this, I have more important things to worry about than your failed love life."
"You okay, man? I'm sorry if I said something dumb."
"Nick?"
"Yeah, I'm alright. Let's just change the subject, alright?"
"Yeah, like how do we save Mr. Edgeworth?"
"Yes…"
"You know what Ms. von Karma told me?"
"What's that?"
"Well, she said that this case in some ways mirrors DL=6 and he doesn't think that's a coincidence."
"They mirror each other?" Larry asks.
"I can see what she means though there are differences. A defense attorney is killed by a bullet to the heart, and the person arrested was the person they found and the only person they believe could have done it, but the actual murder may have happened very differently."
"Differently?"
"Yes, the shot you heard being the killing blow which was in a completely different location casting doubt on someone completely different that was previously considered to be unrelated."
"So… maybe Mr. Edgeworth was killed somewhere else!"
"No, Larry, he was killed in the elevator, that's indisputable."
"Oh… sorry…"
"But then what is the connection, Nick?"
"Well, consider the possibility of another killer, someone else who we haven't previously considered. That's the only thing that makes sense right now, but I only have vague proof and I can't point the finger at anyone right now."
"I bet it was that creepy old man trying to get Edgy declared guilty!"
"It's beginning to look like that may be the case, but if it's true and von Karma is the culprit I'm going to really have to work to get that evidence. So far he's planned out everything; he won't go down without a fight, and right now all I have is shaky.
But this is for Miles, so I refuse to lose!
Preview
Franziska
"You don't get it, do you?! You've spent all these years hating him, trying to destroy Miles, you've spent so long that you forgot what's actually important! You killed his father and destroyed him, and while you were at it you never watched me! You never paid attention to me! The only one who ever cared when I was prosecuting was Miles! Miles was the one who flew to Germany just to watch me! Miles was the one who was always there for me! Miles! Miles was the only person who loved me! That's why… that's why I had to fight for him! That's why I couldn't let him die, because unlike you Miles actually loved me!"