AN: Hello, and welcome to the next chapter of Lyn's adventure! What awaits her in this chapter...well it's going to be interesting (hopefully)! As well as the beginning of another story arc! That's all I'll say about it for now. So, I hope you enjoy it!

The Forgotten Reader: Lol, yes porn. Glad you liked the idea XD!

THE real assistant: Good, glad it was funny. Well, everyone has a breakdown, so probably, though it's not something I've honestly given much thought to- at least in terms of a specific moment (I already know the mannerism). For a potential pairing, well, I have something in mind. As to whether or not Edgeworth will discover Lyn's secret, who knows. And for the Yatagarasu and the whip, they might make appearances. I don't want to give too much away, as things will be revealed with time haha. Thank you!

OBSERVER01: That sounds like a good idea haha.

Gilgamesh The King of Heroes: Thanks, glad you think so!

CallmeEevee: Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!

Confinamiento solitario: Haha, I'm glad you you thought it was funny XD.

Thanks as always for the reading, reviewing, following and faving because it means a lot!

May 22nd, 8:43 PM

My Apartment

I grinned to myself as I laid down on my bed. I could finally relax after a long day at the prosecutor's office. Lately, it seemed like I lived at that stupid place. The higher ups would assign a number of tedious jobs that required lots of writing, reading, and transporting files and evidence back and forth—this legal stuff was slowly killing me. I could really say I understood why Edgeworth would spend so many bloody hours in that godforsaken place. Well, sort of. I was still sort of lazy when it came to doing certain tasks I knew that would be difficult. The harder the chore, the longer I'd wait to even start it. I was a decent worker yes, but I'd be in the office more often than not, making myself do things I probably should have got done a while ago.

Luckily, I didn't have to bother with anymore new cases since that one to convict Alphonso- which gratefully didn't take too long. It was good to see that guy squirm in his seat. He did get his fame at the end, though probably not in the way he wanted. The movie's release had been postponed for the time being. I heard they barely finished filming, but with everything that's happened, the company is considering whether or not they were going to release it any time soon. But knowing the way businesses work, they probably will considering all eyes are on them. Not like it mattered much to me.

The only good thing for me was that Rose managed to get out of that lousy strip club with the money she inherited from Collin. She's a sorta became an overnight celebrity—getting interviewed and photographed a lot. She might be able to be an actor or model at this rate, which would be a pretty sweet deal.

I was just happy that that shit case was behind me. Edgeworth was still sore about the porno I gave him. By sore, I mean he was very flustered and embarrassed by it. He demanded that I take it back and dispose of it in the trash where it belonged, but I refused and now he has a Steel Samurai porno. I asked him if he watched it and he turned as red as a tomato while objecting loudly to my face. I'm pretty sure he did. Definitely, at least once.

As I figured, I wasn't going to get away with that embarrassment and thus was punished by being made to assist Edgeworth in matters in his office for a while. I still thought my prank was worth it and I probably would deal with the consequences again when I thought of another worthy idea.

Just as I was starting to get more comfortable on my bed, I shot up with a thought springing into my mind.

(Crap. How could I forget?)

I sighed pulling out my phone from my pocket. I had forgotten to give the police an important piece of evidence, that needed to be in immediately as the case was going to be closed forever. Because I had been busy with other things I had left it in my office.

I dialed up the one person that would help.

"Hello, Detective Gumshoe."

"Ms. Doom, sir! It's funny to hear from you now."

"Yeah, I know. I really hate to bother you right now, but could you come down to my office? I forgot to send a piece of evidence when I went to criminal affairs earlier. I know you're still around so…"

"No problem, sir! I'll be there in a few!"

"Thanks, detective," I said ending the call.

I groaned standing up now in annoyance. It was just when I was getting comfortable too, that of course, I had to be dragged out by my job, yet again. Being an adult sucked. I walked out of my bedroom and into the hallway mentally prepping myself to make the adventure back to the office.

"You can't leave so soon, at least not without me."

I froze, feeling the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. It was the deep voice of man, and it was coming from directly behind me. I attempted to turn around to get a look at his face.

"You'd best stop right there, Ms. Doom. If you look at me, you're dead."

Suddenly I felt something being pushed into my back lightly.

"What…"

"If you so much as turn or make some noise. This knife is going to be nicely inserted into your body. Perhaps your back, or your throat. Whatever is more effective."

I felt my heart sink. The way he said everything was so casual and calm, it was creepy. How did he get in here? I locked the door behind me everyday. How did he break in? Why didn't I detect his presence? Where had he been hiding? How long had he been here? How did he know who I am and where I lived?

"Who are you? What do you want with me?" I asked quietly with my voice shaking.

I felt the man get closer to me from behind.

"Who I am means nothing to you. What I want is another story. We're going to your office together for an exploration."

"Exploration?"

"Yes. I want something that only you can provide. Prosecutors often keep their files in their offices after all."

So, he wanted files. "Which files are so important that you'd threaten my life for?"

"It's not like your life is of any value. The only thing valuable is the files you get watch over. Particularly, the TL-5 files."

"What...?" he was after that case Lyn worked on years ago. For what purpose? The case was closed. Nothing else could be done with it. "Why do you want that? Just who the hell are you?"

I felt the tip of the knife starting to be pressed against me harder through my blouse.

"None of your business." he said coldly. "No more questions. We're going to go for a walk right now, as good friends to your office. You're going to give me those files and after that, you'll never have to worry about me again. Understood?"

I grunted.

"And if you so much try to break free from me or communicate to anyone that something is amiss, I'll kill you on the spot."

"You'd kill me in public? Wouldn't you worry about being caught?"

The man roughly shoved me forward holding the blade to my backside still.

"Shut up and move."

I had no choice. I didn't want to die tonight, so it would be in my best interest- at least for now to do what he wanted. I carefully walked with him following me closely behind. I just needed to try to remain calm and think of getting away. He'd take the files and go. The ordeal would be over after that.

May 22nd, 9:34 PM

Prosecutor's Office, Room 404

We walked all the way to my office from the apartment. It seemed to last an eternity, that walk. And for the few people on the street, no one noticed anything wrong. It was probably because this man was talking at me, not to me, rather as though we knew each other, with an arm around my shoulder - while the other arm was subtly pointing that knife at me from the back. It was dark out as well, so it would have been hard to see I guessed. I didn't dare make a scene, though. This guy was serious about killing me outside if he had to . He such a scary aura, that was saying I wouldn't hesitate to fuck you up if I needed to. And he really hated my guts for some reason. I couldn't tell why, but I felt such a strong hostility coming from him.

He stood still behind me with the knife, waiting as I was pulling out the case files from the bookcase I had put it in. I could feel the beads of sweat dripping off of my forehead as I located the files at the bottom of the shelf. As soon as I had them in hand, they were immediately snatched away from me.

"Wonderful...exactly what I need."

"Now, you'll let me go?" I asked in anticipation. I just wanted to get the hell out of here, away from this cretin.

"Oh, definitely, Ms. Doom. In fact, for the semi decent work you've done to assist me, I think I'm going to leave you with a parting gift."

"A parting gift?"

Suddenly, the man was standing in front of me. He was tall and lanky, with long dark hair covering his face. So, unfortunately I couldn't make out what he really looked at.

"You might as well see, your killer before you die. It's only fair considering how you helped me out hahaha."

"What?!"

"Goodbye, Ms. Doom."

The next thing I knew, the dull blade of what appeared to be a large butcher's knife was plunged into my stomach. I gasped from the burning pain; the force of the blade thrust into me was unexpected. What made it worse was when it was removed and plunged back into me- again and again and again. I was pleading with him to stop and to let me go, but it was like he didn't hear me. After a while, I didn't know what was happening. The only thing I really saw was this twisted toothy smile, that took delight in my torture.

I began to feel incredibly dizzy and I ended up dropping to the floor on my knees. I didn't move- I couldn't move. Everything hurt. I felt paralyzed by the overwhelming burning, this acidic feeling in my gut. At least he had stopped stabbing me. Or so I thought, before I felt something being lodged into my upper back by the base of my neck. At this point, I didn't feel too much. I wasn't sure why. Maybe I had just numbed over the worst parts. Maybe it was the death setting in.

The man was laughing- no, cackling.

"Why...? You promised..." I managed to breathe out slowly struggling to keep myself propped upwards.

"You made a lot of promises yourself. And look where that got you." he responded coldly. "This was only fair."

My eyes were drooping, with my vision getting a bit hazy. My assailant, I saw was carrying the files and casually walking out of the room- like nothing had happened shutting the door behind him, leaving me with a knife lodged in my back to die.

Everything was silent. I was alone. Just me in this office, by myself at night. Slowly dying.

(What...what just happened?)

I tried my best to stand up, but the pain was unbearable. It was all coming from my stomach. I noticed all of the blood that was seeping through my white blouse. The iron smell was filling up my nose. It was making me sick. I raised a hand to try to carefully feel under my shirt, and saw all the cut marks all over my arm and hand. How had that happened? I looked at my other arm and noticed the same thing, all these cuts and blood everywhere. It was like I was swimming in my own blood. I didn't realize people had so much of it. I eventually put a hand underneath my shirt, nervously. It felt disgusting. Skin was supposed to be smooth, but it felt torn and rough and bloody... I pulled the hand out and looked down. As I suspected, my gut area wasn't doing well.

I was so damned dazed, I didn't know what I should even do. Everything, at that moment in time seemed to be moving in slow motion.

(Wait!... I need an ambulance...I need my phone...)

That's right. Someone would come for me. Someone would save me. With the most energy I could muster, I put a hand down my pants pockets and vest pockets looking for my phone. It wasn't in any pocket. It wasn't in any fucking pocket.

No.

This wasn't happening. That fucking phone had to be somewhere. I checked again and again, turned my head around looking at the ground for any indication or sign, but not a damn thing.

I felt hot tears starting to build up in my ducts. Was this it for me? Was I actually...dying?

No. I couldn't die. It was impossible. I couldn't die. There had to be a way out. There was always a way out. I couldn't die here. It simply wasn't possible. I tried to yell, but nothing came out besides a mangled sounding gasp. I coughed. It was out of the question, I couldn't yell for help either. No one would hear me. But then again, who would hear me around this time at night anyway?

It was hopeless, wasn't it? I couldn't push myself up. It was harder to breathe, and more and more blood was spilling out of me. I tried to hold my stomach, but it just hurt so much more when I did it. What should I do? Was there even anything I could do? There was a knife in my back. I couldn't pull out even if I wanted to. I didn't think I should or should I? I wasn't sure? I just knew that having it go in and out over and over made me prefer it to be in one spot. I shuddered. I had never felt so helpless in my entire life. I don't think I had ever felt so lonely my whole life. I weakly, turned my head in the direction of the door. No one was there. No one was coming. I wanted that door to open, for someone to come in. I didn't want to die alone. I didn't want to be another crime scene. Just another victim. I didn't want to be here covered in my own blood, having nothing to do, but wait. Wait for the inevitable end. My arms gave out and I hit the floor on my back. I gasped from the shock of hitting it. Now, I was just lying there. It made me feel like I was a dead fish, that had been trying to get some water, flailing at first, only to lose that will to fight and die. Just end up still as a board, out of their element, left out to dry.

I didn't understand. I didn't complete my goal. I didn't do what I came here to do. I died before I could even get anywhere near the time I was supposed to act. How could that be? I was never told it was going to be this dangerous. I wasn't supposed to die here. Why would anyone want to kill me?

My eyes were starting to feel heavier, and everything was growing more and more unfocused and blurry. The rest of me seemed heavy. I felt cold. Really cold.

"Help...somebody help me..." I said to myself, as my eyes closed shut.

Date ? Time?

Location?

It was bright. Everything was so bright. I couldn't help but smile. The day was nearing it's end. The sun was setting. The sky had this hazy, purple hue. It helped illuminate the lights radiating from the massive ferris wheel, the merry go round, bumper cars, house of mirrors and all of the other rides and games in the carnival. And it was all for me. There was not a single soul there besides me and I was happy. It was all so pretty. So very pretty.

I entered the carnival without a care in the world. I felt the cool breeze pass through, lightly blowing my hair and my dress a bit. I giggled, feeling as though I was being tickled by the wind. The wafting smell of cotton candy and popcorn was carried by the gentle winds as well as the upbeat accordion. I didn't think I could like an accordion, but it sounded really exciting even enthralling.

The merry go round was the closest ride to me and the one I wanted to ride the most, so I picked that one first. It had been forever since I had been on one, not since high school. I walked towards the ride, observing the cutely, but masterfully painted horses made to ride on. They were something that a prince would ride on in a fairy tale I was certain. I eagerly jumped on the platform and onto the horse, holding on to the pole that was down the middle of it. The ride knew I was here because that's when it turned on. It's base was slowly rotating picking up more and more speed as time went on. The horseys were moving up and down as I held on to the pole.

I was happy. Nothing was better to feel the movement of the ride and to feel the wind blowing through your hair, without a care in the world. It seemed as though time would never stop for me on the merry go round, because it never stopped turning. And I didn't want it to. I just wanted to keep doing this and never go home.

I always had to go home so early from the amusement park. It made me sad. I wanted to go on all the rides, especially the merry go round. But it was always me on it by myself, no one else saw the beauty of it. I thought it was fun in it's simplicity. It didn't have the scary height of the ferris wheel, the force of a bumper car, or the thrill of a roller coaster. It was always a steady, easy going joy. Not too intense, but not too slow either. It made me think of life because there are ups and downs, but you keep going on and on, in this circle, like the circle of life. But it eventually comes to an end, obviously.

Just not today. It was my day and I'd ride it forever.

I'm not sure of how much timed had passed on it. I just knew I was satisfied for once. But something was amiss in my paradise. I heard a whisper. A soft whisper, calling me.

"Where are you?" it asked quietly.

I blinked and looked around in every direction, but saw no one.

"Who's there?"

"Come with me," the voice beckoned.

I felt a sense of dread. I tried to ignore the voice, I really did. But, it just kept repeating, getting closer. I looked around again trying to pin point the direction in which it came. Suddenly, a figure came into my view standing in front of the merry go round. It was a man. A scary man. I couldn't see his face. To me he looked like a shadow, covered in complete darkness.

"Come with me," the shadow said.

"Why should I?" I demanded still perched on the moving seat.

"Because this is a lie."

A lie? I looked up at the carousel I was riding, with it's merry music and beautifully painted horses. This was a lie? But it felt nice...so nice. I gripped on to the pole harder refusing to let go.

"Would you honestly choose this lie over me?"

"Over...you?" I squinted. "Who are you...?"

I looked harder. The shadow was a man definitely. The harder I stared the more details I made out. The darkness was seeming to dissipate from around his being. I could make a clear picture of him if I focused hard enough. He was a strange man who wore a long black overcoat. His hair was this grayish color...and his eyes- God his eyes, they were haunting. They were so sharp and piercing, it seemed like this man was staring at me completely exposing every fiber of my being. It made me uncomfortable and nervous. Yet, somehow I was drawn in by it.

"You know who I am. Think," he remarked sharply. "because you clearly aren't doing that right now."

"Hey!" The nerve of that man! I felt my irritation rising- a very familiar sensation.

"Screw, you, Edgeworth!"

I blinked.

(Edgeworth? Edgeworth! Oh! That's right, how could I forget?)

"Mr. Edgeworth...? What are you doing here?"

"I came for you," he said looking behind him momentarily. "We must make haste."

I frowned. "But I like it here. I'm happy here. Nothing is going to hurt me anymore when I'm here."

"It is a lie. None of this is real."

"That can't be," I smiled.

I could feel the metal pole being grasped in my hand, my body perched upon the seat, my feet being lifted off the ground, the breeze through my hair, the scent of candies in the air, the bright lights against the hazy sky- I could feel it. How could that not be real?

"It's too beautiful to be fake."

Edgeworth smiled wryly. "Lies often taste the sweetest, don't they?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." I spat back.

"Yes, you do. You are quite skilled at ignoring reality when it counts."

I gritted my teeth. "Look, this place is real and you're just being a party pooper like always! Shoo!"

He shook his head. "You must come with me, Lyn. Your time is running out."

"I don't understand," I said staring in confusion.

"Yes, you do. Just take a look."

I cocked my head in confusion. I didn't understand what the hell he was going on about. Look around? Everything was fine so I didn't know what he was talking about. But then, I did as he said and gasped.

The world I thought I knew around me, with the beautiful sky, melodious music, delicious smells was gone. The sky was a darkened grey. There was no music, just the loud howling of the wind. A fire and burning odor had replaced the sweet scents previously smelled. The amusement park was in shambles. The rides were broken, dull, dirty and hadn't looked like they had been used in months. The ground underneath was crumbling. I watched the ferris wheel slowly become unhinged and begin to fall into the giant gaping hole, straight to the center of the earth. The sky itself seemed to shatter like glass shards.

Mr. Edgeworth seemed undisturbed by all of the events. He remained standing before me as a quiet observer.

"What? What is all of this...?!" I yelled in shock.

"This is the truth," he said calmly. "This place that you created isn't real."

The fear was returning. I shook my head furiously, starting to feel ill. I began to feel that tightening sensation in my jaw and a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"No..."

"You've been avoiding the truth with this child's play. You can continue living this lie, if you wish, but if you want to live- come with me. "

Edgeworth's eyes were fixated on my being. He didn't change his position once as his hair and coat fluttered in the wind. If he hadn't moved to extend his hand to me, I would have thought him to be a statue.

I saw the hand, but I couldn't take it. I was too afraid to move.

"I..." I shook my head again. "No! Nothing is wrong, everything is fine!"

As I said that, there was the loud crack sound. I immediately, clung harder to the now rusted pole of the horse with chipped paint, shaking. The ride was starting to slow down little by little. It seemed, this place would continue to break to pieces whether I wanted it to or not.

"I see," he said after a long pause. He turned his back away from me and began walking away. "This is your choice."

"Wait! Please...Please don't leave!" I cried.

He stopped in his footsteps for a moment. "I cannot stay. You chose the protection of the lie over me. There is nothing I can do for you in that case."

I whimpered slightly as he continued to walk away from me.

"Mr. Edgeworth, please!" I yelled reaching out to him.

Suddenly, the ride came to a screeching halt. I held on still unwilling to move, but I felt lighter for some reason, as though my weight was shifting. I turned around behind me and to my horror, the ground on which the merry go round was sitting on was crumbling. The sky above was cracking into pieces leaving nothing but a black empty space left to observe. It was all so dark. Where I sat was covered in a shroud of shadow, it was starting to cover me whole, while I watched Edgeworth on the other side less unshaken side get farther and farther away.

"Mr. Edgeworth..."

The ride was sliding back slower and slower and soon it would fall into the bottom. He turned around to look at me with a distant icy expression.

"Say it."

One huge chunk of earth collapsed in, pushing the merry go round back even further. I was almost there, I was about to be plunged into the earth into a never ending pit.

"I- I can't! I'm afraid..." I said. "I'm afraid of what's going to happen when I say it!"

The grey eyes seemed to look beyond me as I held on to what little ground I had left on that merry go round.

"Why?"

"Because I... I don't want you to leave me alone! I don't want-"

I fell over. My one hand holding on to the bar slipped as the whole thing toppled over.

"-to die."

I was falling backward, with my other arms still extended. As though I still had a chance, as if someone to take my hand. My eyes were open, but the world was something I couldn't see anymore. It just got farther away from me. But it's not like it mattered. Everything was falling apart- just like me. There was little to see now. It seemed like I was falling for an eternity and that I couldn't do anything to stop it. Just like how I couldn't do anything to stop myself from dying. I wondered if that's how it was just meant to be.

However, I felt something warm seize my hand tightly. It was somehow pulling me upward. I opened my eyes slowly, in surprise that I was still alive- that I was still a being that could even be touched. I saw that it was Edgeworth pulling me up and out of the abyss. Slowly, I was propelled up to the edge, which probably wouldn't be solid for long. I dropped to the dirt instantly, holding on to myself tightly, breathing hard. Being brought out of there was a shock, like a fish out of water.

"I'm glad you picked the truth."

"But...I'm scared. I don't wanna die! I'm not ready! I don't want to go...!"

"The truth is scary sometimes, but you need it. Denial would kill you, Lyn. If you didn't acknowledge that your death was approaching, you would never see it. You'd ignore it and thus, you would do nothing to stop it. Living in that fantasy would have killed you sooner. Unpleasant truths, must be brought to the light in order to make any type of change."

"But..." I was crying silent tears, holding back the sobs as best I could.

"You don't have to die yet."

I wanted to believe him, but how could he be certain? How could he possibly know what would happen to me?

"Lyn," he said gently. "It's time to go."

I didn't move. My body was paralyzed with fear.

"But...I don't know how it's going end."

"So, you won't try to make any difference?" he shook his head. "You'll make it, I promise. I'll be with you."

"No, you won't. When we die, we die alone. People leave. Everyone leaves. Everyone always leaves me alone to fend for myself and I don't know how and I..." I trembled, but managed to look upward at the seemingly cold demeanor. "I don't want to be left alone. Please don't leave me...please!"

For a moment there was expression of pity written on his face. And for a moment he lightly pressed a hand upon my head.

"I won't go. You can trust me."

I paused for a second, thinking it over. At this point, I had nothing to lose. He was the only person I could rely on, now. So...I would try my best to believe in his words.

"...Okay." I breathed or at least tried to.

Again, he gave me his hand and instead of staring at it, I took it firmly and brought myself to my feet. I was still a little unsteady, but I did it.

"Let's go. Time is of the utmost importance now."

"Where are we going?"

"Away from here. If you are to continue to live, you cannot live in a dream. Especially one that is collapsing in on itself."

I noticed that I hadn't let go of his hand. He didn't make any motions to release me from his grasp either. I looked up into his eyes. For the first time, I thought I could see something in them. It looked like...determination. A quiet form of it. I squeezed his hand tighter. He didn't say anything, but gave me a slight nod.

From there we started running. Running to somewhere far off. I didn't know if we could out run death, but I placed my trust in him, because I had nothing left.

Evidence:

Prosecutor's badge: With this, I can prove I'm a prosecutor. Dunno why we don't wear them on our lapels like defense attorneys though.

Magatama: Magical sacred charm that should allow me to communicate with Mia.

Profiles:

Maya Fey: Age 19. It looks like we're good friends based on what I know.

Miles Edgeworth: Age 26. My mentor? Likes giving me lectures. It seems we're on good terms.

Detective Gumshoe: Age 33. My favorite friendly neighborhood detective.

Larry Butz: Age 25. This guy is insane, how does he even exist?

Raymond Shields: Age 35. The sassy defense attorney I've faced in court.

Judge: Age ?. Old timer judge. No one know his real name.

Mia Fey: Deceased. I guess my guide or inspiration to keep surviving this place, until that very fatal day.

Phoenix Wright: Age 26. The man I'm supposed to be saving, who whooped my ass in court.