AN: Yo! We're back with the next installment! Oh, and don't worry. This one is just ridiculous, it's not dark and heavy like the last chapter! I'm glad you guys liked the last arc, cause I'll tell ya I was hoping for the best results. In any case, the next chapters are taking a departure from cases as we get closer and closer to Phoenix's last case. I got some stuff brewing, that hopefully ya'll will like or at least find entertaining like I do... muahahahaha. So as usual, thanks for reading, reviewing, faving, following and your support in general!
NNinja: Oh really? It's been a while since I played 999 haha. I vaguely remember some of the endings to 999, but the ones I do recall well, the creepiest ones imo, where you have NO IDEA who killed you and everyone else. It's cool that it reminded you of it, though. Thanks a bunch!
AuraRaven: :( I feel that. Well, I was pretty inspired by it hehe...
OBSERVER01: Agreed...
Hellfire000: Heh, glad you think so.
opalander: Naw, it's not canon thankfully.
0: I felt a bit sad writing this. Me too~
Jack54311: It would be a real stinker. That would be an interesting premise, albeit sad. Thanks!
Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan Miller: Haha, I like that. Same here, it'd be a bleak ending.
Confinamiento solitario: I'm glad you liked it! It's very inspired by Danganronpa and those punishments. Hmmm, it's hard to say. I think it worked well for this scenario closed off, we're trapped somewhere and can't escape scenario. Other bad ends probably won't match the level of, aw man we screwed up bad...but if something works well enough I may consider it.
Guest: Gotta feel that despair sometimes. Breaking that kokoro hahaha. But here's the new chapter that shouldn't be so saaaad.
Gilgamesh The King of Heroes: Ah, that series is so funny XD. I feel like something like that would happen haha. It might have already, who knows lol. Thanks!
October 18th, 12:37 AM
Morningside Clinic, Waiting Room
I had never felt so bad for Mr. Edgeworth. When I dragged him into the police car, it was evident that he didn't like the change in surrounding as he kept trying to break through the windows of the car. I told him the car was actually a rickshaw, and that sorta helped calm him, but not for too long. For as soon as we stepped foot into the hospital, he flipped out, claiming that the place was crawling with evil minions. I didn't think he trusted the hospital staff because they were all dressed identical scrubs and doctors coats.
When I checked him into emergency the nurse and a security guard took him away immediately, to start trying to get the poisons out of his system. Of course, it wasn't without a struggle...he kept refusing to 'be taken prisoner' and claimed that I would 'come and fight by his side'. I promised I would do so later when I was allowed to visit him.
Since then, I was just sitting in an almost empty waiting room. The officer who brought us, had orders to return to the crime scene so he promptly left after our arrival. Then, it was just me and other worried people in a beige sterile room with ugly looking paintings meant to sooth, hoping for the best possible outcome. At least at home, whenever I had to go to the hospital emergency room I wasn't alone. I was with some other family member. The TV was on, but I couldn't focus on it.
The doctor had come by a few minutes ago, informing me that they were going to pump Mr. Edgeworth with charcoal to help cleanse his body of the toxins. So, it would be some time before I could see him.
I shifted in my chair uncomfortably, switching what leg to cross. How long would this take? Would he be alright…? I didn't know what effects these poisons would have long term on him. I prayed that it would be nothing permanent. Please God. If he was fucked up even after the hospital stay, I wouldn't know what I would do. He was too brilliant. Imagine that mind...gone?
I drummed my hands on the arms on the wooden arms of the chair. I wondered if this is how he and Detective Gumshoe felt when I was in the hospital? This was like being suspended, like waiting in limbo. Or maybe like Schrodinger's Cat? No...I was definitely over thinking it. He'd turn out fine. I hoped. I really hoped.
There was nothing to do, but wait. And I was tired. This whole night was a far cry from what we all expected. The night didn't even feel like a night, it felt more like days had passed at that mansion. To think, that we had barely got out of there alive. To think, I had a gun pointed at my head maybe an hour ago. To think, that I believed Mr. Edgeworth to be dead...It was all entirely too much for me. Who the hell would think something like this would happen a freakin' fancy dinner party?
Sighing, I closed my eyes. I figured that since it would be a while and that the nurses and doctors seemed busy, I might as well try to get some rest. It'd stop me from thinking so much anyway.
A hand shook my shoulder gently. "Ms. Doom?"
"Huh?" I wiped the drool from the corner of mouth. Looking up, I saw the blue scrubs and dainty face of what I assumed was a nurse.
"It will be alright for you to visit Miles now."
I shot up immediately, even though I was still a bit groggy. Seeing that I was up, she opened up the doors leading into the patient's room areas, showing me the way. I scurried behind her.
October 18th, 2:35 AM
Morningside Clinic, Patient's room
The room was tiny, a bit cramped even. It was your standard hospital room. Mr. Edgeworth lied in bed in a gown. He was muttering to himself, as his hands made this motion that looked as though he were rolling something up.
"Miles, you have a visitor," the nurse said brightly.
The prosecutor ignored her, continuing to roll up whatever is was he believed he was rolling.
"Miles..."
"What?" he replied snappishly.
The woman remained just as calm as though she were used to it. "Your friend, Lyn is here to see you."
He replied by finishing rolling. I guessed he thought it was a cigarette or something like it, since he was holding up two fingers like a smoker would, blowing imaginary smoke.
The nurse turned to me. "So, as you can see, he's still recovering. The charcoal we pump helps remove the poisons from the system and we give barbiturates to help lessen the delusions. It helps to try to keep him reminded of where he actually is."
"So...how long is he going to be like this? Did anything affect him permanently?"
"With the proper treatment Miles will be fine anywhere between twenty four to seventy two hours. He won't remember the past few days, but luckily for him, you brought him in quickly. It could be far worse. Many others arrive days later, after stints in jail or what in the middle of nowhere, with no recollection of what they've done in the past week, all suffering from the effects of datura. If given too much, some of these people die. As for permanent effects, only time will tell. Patients have recovered from the poison only to occasionally suffer from hallucinations months and even years later. How it will affect one person is different from how it will affect another, so it's hard to say."
Hallucinations for years? That would be so creepy, to keep seeing things that no one else was. I hoped that wouldn't be the case for him.
"At least he seems better now. He put up a fight coming in," I sighed.
She chuckled. "I've fought with Terminators and Rambos but never a samurai. I was half worried that we'd have to put him in restraints."
I tried to imagine the usually calm and serious demeanored Edgeworth strapped down to a bed, like some kind of mad man. Suffice to say, I'm glad that that didn't have to happen.
She must of seen the look of horror on my face. "Restraints are a last resort. Putting them on patients who are suffering from breaks in reality makes it worse. Just imagine seeing a monster in your hallucination and not being able to get away from it or even fight back because you're strapped down. It only further agitates them."
"Yeah, that would be scary…"
"So, they're free to walk around in their room and down the hall a bit."
I nodded.
"Just be sure to keep reminding him of who you are and where he is right now. I have to check on other patients, but there are other nurses outside if you need anything."
"Thank you," I said as I watched her leave out into the hall.
It was just me and him now. I wasn't sure if I should be happy or sad because now, the demon prosecutor took it upon himself to hack up loogies and spit on the ground.
"Ew...Mr. Edgeworth! Don't spit on the floor! Have some respect, this place is taking care of you," I chastised.
"Okay," he said. He decided to spit on the wall instead.
I sighed. This definitely wasn't my Mr. Edgeworth. He'd be absolutely mortified if he could see himself now, acting so...uncivilized?
Then he lifted up the covers of his bed, placing his hands underneath them, feeling around for something. He climbed out of the bed, and began to wander the room looking and patting down the walls. "Where's my spoon?"
"Your spoon?"
"Yes, the spoon. I need it for my Cap'n Crunch," he growled.
"Mr. Edgeworth, there is no spoon…" And even if there was, why would it be in the wall?
He ignored me, continuing to look for this spoon until his search led him to outside of his room. I knew I needed to make sure he didn't do anything ridiculous so, I hastened behind him into the hall.
October 18th, 2:51 AM
Morningside Clinic, Hall
When I trotted out into the hall, I looked around in all directions. I saw people sitting at desks on their computers, doctors walking around, patients being wheeled in on stretchers...it seemed like everyone was here except Edgeworth. Where the hell had he gotten to so fast?
Quickly, I walked past all other patient rooms peeking my head in through the doorway to see if Edgeworth had made an unexpected visit to anyone. But in every room I checked...he wasn't there.
I ran a hand through my head. A disappearing act with all these people around? Someone had to have seen him. I was about to ask a nurse sitting at a computer, when I was interrupted by a loud slam. Through, the big doors to get into this section of the ER was a security guard, roughly pushing Mr. Edgeworth back into the ward. There was a red mark on his face, as though he had been struck.
"Hey! What did you do to him?" I demanded as I grabbed Edgeworth by the arm.
The guard flexed his bulging biceps. "My job."
"And that's roughing delusional patients up?"
"Hmph. This twat was harassing visitors. That was my message to stop," he said placing hands on his hips.
Stupid muscle head. He probably got off on beating up anyone with an excuse. The guard huffed, glaring at Edgeworth before departing through the big doors. I'd have to make sure Edgeworth stay far away from that guy at all costs. I turned around taking him back into his room.
October 18th, 3:01 AM
Morningside Clinic, Patient's Room
"Mr. Edgeworth, are you alright?" I asked.
The prosecutor was muttering things to himself walking around in circles the room. "That's a stupid idea, Larry."
What the heck was he seeing now?
"What's that, Wright? You think you can beat me?" he shook his head, now looking at the wall. "My swimming abilities are unmatched by the likes of you."
(A swim contest...?)
"Mr. Edgeworth, you're not swimming, you're at the hospital…"
Edgeworth climbed back up on his bed, now standing up straight.
"Uh, what are you doing?" I asked sweating. I walked over to the side of the bed, to try to drag him off or to at least make him sit down, but it was to no avail.
"I'll show you, Wright!"
I heard the springing of the mattress and thud on the ground. My vision was suddenly colored grayish blue, as some fabric now covered my head. I felt up top and removed it. In my hand, I was holding...a hospital gown. My eyes darted to the floor.
My face burning up like midnight oil. There lied Miles Edgeworth face down on the floor, arms outstretched and moving as though he were swimming in a lake...naked. I was staring directly at Edgeworth's bare ass.
I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
I heard the shuffling of footsteps outside the room. "How are you doing Mr. Prosec..."
I turned to see Agent Lang standing in the doorway, just as dumbfounded and embarrassed as I was. His face had turned a dark shade of cherry as he began sweating bullets.
"Uh, hi Agent Lang. You...wanna help get him up and back in his gown?" I asked trying not to look at the spectacle Edgeworth had created.
The wolfman slowly nodded as he fully entered the room. He approached Edgeworth carefully, as though he were stalking prey in the forest. With a forceful hold, Lang brought the prosecutor, who still believed he was swimming, up to his feet. I averted my eyes, as I extended my hand out with the hospital gown. I felt the cotton fabric slip out of my hand.
"Mr. Prosecutor, let's put this on…" I heard him say. "Hold still."
I didn't dare look in that direction. I didn't want to see anything else I shouldn't.
NOT SO FAST!
Lang growled. "Stop swimming! We're in a hospital, not a pool! Now, stick one arm in at a time."
Despite the weirdness of the situation, I couldn't help but chuckle. The 'not so fast' phrase in the games were used in such a cool way. Hearing it right now, in this moment was just weird.
"Alright, it's safe to look," Lang said a bit gruffly.
I turned back. Phew. Edgeworth had the gown on tied all the way up in the back and side. No more bare ass in view as he walked around the room, muttering about how the pool suddenly vanished. Thank goodness.
I cleared my throat. How did someone start a conversation after witnessing something like that? "So...how's it going?"
The agent pulled out a green scroll, opening it up to read. "Lang Zi says: To see the place where the sun shines not, is to enter an expanse of utter darkness."
"Uh, I see."
(I...guess he's not happy about seeing Edgeworth naked? Not like I blame him...)
"Have you finished the investigation?" I asked hoping for an answer that was more comprehendible.
Lang put the scroll away and shoved his hands in pockets laughing, slightly pointed teeth showing. "You're eager, pup. The investigation is nowhere near complete, with the amount of casualties present. But the assassin's being processed as we speak. Soon enough, we'll be waiting for a trial date."
I guessed the games weren't kidding about how quick Lang's people were. He was on the ball. Perhaps, that was why Franziska liked working with him.
"And the good news is that Sis will be prosecuting. That bastard won't stand a chance," he smirked with a hand out.
(Stand a chance as in conviction? Or stand a chance as in being whipped to death?)
"I'm glad," I said turning my attention back to Edgeworth who was now sitting back on his bed, kicking his feet off the right side back and forth as he hummed to himself. I was going to ask if he knew where he was, but I heard the clacking of heels from the outside of the room.
It was Franziska. She arrived looking just as pristine as ever.
"You're back sooner than expected," Lang said.
"You should know by now to expect nothing less than the best of a von Karma," she said as she wagged her finger. She then turned to Edgeworth and then to me, looking peeved. "The foolish nurse didn't describe the details of my foolish brother's hospital stay. Explain."
I gave her the quick rundown of what the nurse described to me. Franziska grit her teeth as she pulled on her whip, beads of sweat dripping down from her forehead. She walked closer to the bed and lashed him a couple of times with the whip. "Miles Edgeworth, how dare you get poisoned instead of apprehending the criminal! That is pathetic!"
Edgeworth just yelped, holding up his arms to block the whip. Afterwards, he moved from humming to singing. "Is this the real life is this just fantasy, caught in a landslide no escape from realityyyyyyyyy..."
Franziska frowned for a second, but then folded her arms. "No matter. It only goes to show who is the most superior when it comes to stopping criminals."
"Ms. von Karma? Can I ask what's going with the investigation?" I asked.
"...Actually, I have a few questions myself."
"About Mr. Hardwick...was he an Interpol agent?"
"Hardwick was one of our best agents, even if he was kind of a manwhore," Lang said off to the side. "It's one of the reasons why Sis will definitely make that assassin pay."
"We had been working together for a couple of months," started Franziska. "After tracking a smuggling ring, I saw that there was a connection to another criminal organization. Mr. Hardwick and I were investigating it together."
"So, you're saying that he was at the dinner party because you thought that there were people involved with the criminal organization," I said putting it together.
She nodded. "He called to inform me of the happenings during the night. So I was aware of the events up until his murder."
(So, they knew something was up a while ago…)
"Anyway the wind blooooowwwss doesn't really matter to meeeeeeeeeeeeeee..."
I briefly looked at Edgeworth who was swaying from side to side on the bed. "Uh, wait a second. Interpol is international, so is this criminal organization you're looking at now, world wide? What's their goal?"
"...It's confidential information," she said tapping her fingers on her arms.
"What?" I shook my head. "A madman had a gun pointed at my head at point blank range, I think I deserve to know what exactly is happening!"
"Come on, Sis. It wouldn't hurt."
The blue haired girl closed her eyes for moment. "...Fine. But you'd best keep it to yourself or else you'll be receiving a thousand lashes from my whip."
I raised my hands up in the air. I did not want to feel that kind of pain. "Of course. My lips are sealed!"
"This organization, they like to call themselves Seeker. They have some rubbish goal of wanting to deliver true justice to world because they believe that the law system has failed."
"Failed?"
"The man we arrested a few hours ago, known as 'J' the assassin was employed by the organization. According to testimonies I've collected thus far, it aligns with the goals of Seeker. He killed those, who the law did not touch," she raised the whip over her head. "If I had those cases, I would have gotten the proper verdicts. Allowing criminals to go free is not only incompetency at its finest, but utterly appalling."
I had to agree. While I didn't condone what happened at the dinner party, those people should have been adequately punished for the crimes in court. But I guessed there were and still are holes people can slip out of...
Franziska cracked the whip on the ground. "What's more they want to start something called the 'Dark Age'. I'm not sure what it entails, but it will be crushed soon enough."
A Dark Age…? In Apollo Justice, Phoenix had said dark times were coming for the legal system. That couldn't be it, could it? Was this organization a part of the dark times Phoenix thought would happen?
"They take it upon themselves to improperly deliver justice and I won't allow it," she wagged her finger. "No matter how many countries they are active in, I will track them down."
She looked damned serious too, with this fiery glare, look of determination. If she tracked down that smuggling ring, I was certain she could pull this off too. It was pretty badass to be doing this stuff at only...what? Nineteen? She'd accomplished more than I could dream of at that age.
"That should satisfy your curiosity," she said. "Now, I need you tell me your version of what transpired at the mansion."
I sighed as I began to tell them the story of what was and continued to be the longest night of my life. I was just grateful it didn't turn out to be the worst night of my life in the end. Or the end of my life, when I really thought about it...When I finished the story, Franziska glared at me for a while and then struck me a few times with the whip.
"YEEOWCHHh!" I cried feeling the huge sting from the lashes across my chest, arms, and legs. "T-The hell was that for?!"
"To so brazenly stake your life and others on a game is the most foolishly foolish thing I've ever heard of!"
Lang howled with laughter. "Looks like this pup's bark matched its bite in the end, huh?"
Franziska pointed at me. "That must be why you're my little brother's subordinate, to add to the already foolish behavior he has!"
"H-hey, I'm sorry! I just did what I could…" I wasn't entirely sure if it was because I knew the killer would be amused by a huge risk like that. If it hadn't turned out that Edgeworth were alive… I didn't know what I would do. Would it really be fair if it was me who kept living instead of him? Someone who wasn't even a real part of this world, getting to keep going on ?
I saw the whip about to come down on me, and closed my eyes to brace for impact once more. But it never came. I opened my eyes to see Lang holding the whip in his hand, saving me from the red marks it would leave behind on my person.
"Isn't that enough? She's experienced a lot for a night."
Franziska looked pissed, but after a few seconds, straightened up, demeanor calming. Lang let go of the whip.
"I suppose, that besides the foolish dare you took, you have been a good little subordinate," Franziska said arms folded. "It's time for you to go home."
"But I want to sta-"
She cracked the whip on the floor in front of my feet. I hopped.
"Go. Home. I shall look after my little brother myself," she said whip raised over her head. "I will have a police escort take you to where you need to go."
I swallowed as I looked up at the whip. Lang had saved me that time, but I couldn't be guaranteed a second time. I took a glance at the bed, Edgeworth had passed out on top of the sheets, curled up in a ball. I guessed he would be okay...I slowly, made a move to the door.
HOLD IT!
"H-huh?"
Franziska motioned for me to come over to her. She asked me for my phone and we exchanged numbers. I honestly never thought, I'd be exchanging numbers with Franziska von Karma, but it was happening…
"Now. I will contact you, when it is time for him to leave the hospital. Do not return," she pointed. "Lest, you'll have another taste of my whip."
"...Alright," I said suddenly feeling too tired to argue with her. I said goodbye to her and Lang, and walked out of the door, heading down the hall, but I turned around and peeked my head through the doorway.
Lang had his hand down the small of Franziska's back as they looked at Edgeworth. They were speaking quietly, so I couldn't exactly make out what they were saying, but she didn't look annoyed that he was touching her at all. Probably sensing something with his animal senses, Lang noticed my presence.
"What're you doing back?"
Franziska readied the whip. "Go. Rest. NOW."
"I-I will," I said hands raised. "It's just um, watch out for this security guard. You've probably seen him around, looks like a muscle head steroid using jerk. I caught him using Mr. Edgeworth as a punching bag so…"
"Is...that so?" she asked raising the whip over head. She seemed calm...yet I could feel a red hot anger flowing through her in that moment. "I'll be sure to handle it."
I nodded nervously. I guessed despite the rivalry she had with Edgeworth, she did seem protective of him. I figured it was now time to leave in case Franziska decided to change her mind about whipping me. Besides that, I was really, really tired at this point. I walked out the room and back through the doors taking me into the waiting room area, where an officer was there ready to give me a boost to the hotel.
October 18th, 4:44 AM
Monolith Hotel, My Room
I had fallen asleep in the car on the way back. My feet barely carried me back to my hotel room. Once I stepped through the door, I fell straight down on the bed. I buried my face in my pillow. I was too exhausted to bother changing into any pajamas.
It was hard to believe that I was actually back in this room. It was surprising. Perhaps, even a miracle at this point. Who would have guessed that a simple dinner party would turn into a slaughter fest? All those people dead...
And Mr. Edgeworth.
I knew he'd be fine, at least with Franziska and Lang there now. But I wanted him to go back to normal. To be sane again. I prayed it would happen soon. As crazy as it was, I wanted to stay over there. I didn't want to leave...but it was nearly five in the morning. I couldn't fight the tiredness and closed my eyes. Before I knew it, I had drifted off to sleep.
October 19th, 3:23 PM
Morningside Clinic, Patient's Room
I had tried my best to listen to Franziska, but I gave into my urges. I mean, I had stayed away for a day. Even after I woke up from passing out in the morning...I was pretty tired still. It seemed as though sleep wasn't helping cure the mental exhaustion. Honestly, it was hard to focus on rest when you were thinking and worrying about things. I didn't think I'd be able to get a good night's rest until Edgeworth was himself again.
I entered the room expecting to see Edgeworth, but was instead greeted with a grimace from Franziska. She hit me with the whip once. "What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you not to come back?"
I recoiled, sucking in my teeth. "I know, but I really wanted to come...I'll only stay for a little bit."
The whip was held over her head. "Hmph. You look terrible. Are your eyes even open?"
"They are," I replied folding my arms. "...I think."
Franziska sighed, lowering the whip and now folding her arms. "...Don't worry about him. Although he is foolish, my little brother is durable. He would dishonor the von Karma name otherwise."
"It's just that...he said he wouldn't let anything happen to me in that room and…"
"And he kept his word, did he not?"
I nodded. "...Yeah."
"Then it was his decision. There is nothing to blame yourself for."
Was she...trying to make me feel better? The way she said it, made me know that she had the last word and that I should drop it. It was a round about way, but that was nice of her.
I decided to change the subject. "Hey, if you guys are working on the investigation shouldn't be at the mansion?"
"Hmph. Don't be foolish. I spend a few hours here and the rest of my time is spent investigating and preparing for a flawless trial."
"Ah, I see."
The bed was empty and the bathroom was opened wide up with no one inside. "So, where is he now?"
"He and Agent Lang are taking a walk, though it has been quite some time. I was about to look for them."
October 19th, 3:28 PM
Morningside Clinic, Hall
Together Franziska and I left the room. As we walked down the hall, I saw the muscle head guard. I was prepared for a stare off, but as soon as he saw me with Franziska, he bowed so low I thought he'd break his back. When Franziska walked by him she told him that she was impressed by how quickly he learned like a good subordinate should and claimed he wouldn't receive another one hundred lashes. He was whimpering at the suggestion. Once we passed, the guard quickly turned around and went off in the other direction sweating bullets. I blinked in confusion, before I remembered that the other day I had told Franziska about this dude. I smirked to myself. I guessed she didn't forget to handle it.
As I reeled in amusement, Franziska stopped walking and staring at Lang who was entering and exiting rooms, quite fast. I noticed that Edgeworth wasn't with him.
Franziska by no means looked pleased. "Where is he?"
Lang stopped and looked at her, sweating bullets. "I don't know. I turned around for a second and then he was gone."
She cracked the whip on the ground. "Find him, immediately!"
The agent moved like a dog sent to go fetch a ball. He returned to his search moving even faster than he had been. I couldn't blame him. I too, would not want to deal with an angry Franziska. She took off, searching the room closest to her. I didn't bother following her for my own safety. I decided to look in rooms uncovered by Lang or Franziska at this end of the hall. It didn't turn up much besides other patients… I sighed. Why couldn't he just stay in his room and be out of it, there?
(Actually, maybe I should go back to his room. He could have wandered back in by now.)
October 19th, 3:43 PM
Morningside Clinic, Patient's Room
I returned to an empty room. I frowned. That would have been too easy. But where could he have gotten to? When did Edgeworth gain ninja skills? I was about to go back out into the hall, to see if Franziska or Lang had any better luck, when they reentered the room dragging back a still confused looking Edgeworth.
"Where did you find him?" I asked.
"Foolishly wandering around another patient's room muttering something about a dog."
A dog? Well, he had mentioned his dog back home before. Maybe that was it.
Whereas Franziska and Lang fully entered the room, Edgeworth didn't. He remained lingering in the door frame, sliding his hands up and down the entryway.
"Miles Edgeworth," ordered Franziska. "have a seat."
He ignored her and kept pressing into the doorway with his hands, as though he were feeling it up. Then he bent a leg, extending it. "Would you like a samurai dog?" he asked in a low seductive voice.
Before any of us could respond to the weirdness of the question, Edgeworth opened up his gown and...
"J-Jesus Christ!" I said staring at the...his… No. This wasn't happening. I was not seeing that. I was not looking at Edgeworth's…
Edgeworth walked over to me, still showing his...thing, as though it were some kind of offering. I averted my eyes. "Would you like a samurai dog?"
I took a step back, face burning up. "I-I'm all g-good. Thanks. All full. Don't want it."
He turned to Lang and asked him the same thing. Lang flushed, as he opened up his scroll. "Lang Zi says: ...No."
Edgeworth didn't get a chance to ask Franziska because by this point, the woman lashed him so many times that I lost count.
"MILES EDGEWORTH!" screeched Franziska who was the reddest I would probably ever see her. "End this shameful display this instant!"
He dropped the gown, sparing us all the view, as he recoiled from the blows of the whip. I tried to shake it off, to remove the image from my mind. I had officially seen far too much. Just where the hell, had he gotten that idea anyway? ...I wondered if it was from the porno? Well, it didn't matter at this point, considering he'd flashed all of us. ...And other patients. Franziska did say they found him muttering something about dogs in another room. Just how many people to did he present his dangly bit too?
...Actually no. I didn't want or need to know. I wasn't going to dwell on it.
Lang had moved Edgeworth to his bed reminding him of where and who he was. Franziska was still fuming, upset that she had seen a part of her brother she'd never wanted to see. It was then a nurse entered wheeling in a cart of water and drugs. She told me she was coming in to bring the next round of medicines to help with the delusions. I hoped those drugs worked a bit harder than they had been...
After watching for a bit, I decided to leave. I had seen a bit too much today, way more than I bargained for. The nurse said he'd have to rest soon again anyway. I'd probably come back tomorrow to visit.
October 21th, 12:21 PM
Morningside Clinic, Patient's Room
"Good Afternoon," said a cheery voice.
I wiped my eyes and looked up. It was some woman in pink...scrubs? I sat up realizing I was in bed and in a gown. I scanned the room...beige walls, TV hung up, medical equipment next to the bed, arm chair. This was a hospital room? How...did I end up here?
"Why am I in the hospital?"
"That's a good sign," she muttered to herself. "Before I answer, I need you tell me what your name is."
"Miles Edgeworth."
"And what year is it?"
"2018."
"What country are we in?"
"England," I said. "Why are you asking me these things?"
She answered with another question. "What is the very last thing you remember before waking up here?"
"I remember…" What did I remember? The last thing I recalled was...the mansion. I was at the mansion and I couldn't move. Lyn was there and so was the killer..."What happened?! What happened to everyone at the mansion?!"
Did the plan work? Did they get out? Was Lyn alright...?
"You can relax, Miles. From what I heard on the news, the criminal was apprehended and that there were four survivors including yourself and your friend, Lyn who's been visiting."
I exhaled. Thank goodness they were alright and had made it through the night.
"Wait, Lyn visited?" I asked. Why didn't I remember?
The nurse nodded. "You were poisoned with tetrodotoxin, which causes paralysis and a death like state, and datura which causes hallucinations and amnesia. You've forgotten what happened because of that."
I forgot what happened? If the last thing I remembered was being at the mansion, then how much time had actually passed? "What day is it now?"
"You were admitted midnight, when it had just become the 18th. Today it's the 21st."
"What...? That can't be right. I lost that many days?"
"It's alarming I know, but some people forget weeks of what happened from that poison if they're not treated. So, in that regard you're lucky," she said placing a hand on my shoulder. "In any case, I'm going to let the doctor know that you're coherent and probably well enough to go home soon."
I nodded as she left the room. I couldn't believe that. I tried my hardest to recall anything that happened after being stuck in the library of the mansion, but nothing was coming up. It was as though there were a huge hole in my mind where something important should be. What had I been doing the past few days?
I moved out of bed. Perhaps pacing would help me clear my head and remember something. Yet, when I stood, I was surprised at how weak I felt. Sore too. My arms, legs, and chest...as I examined myself I noticed I was covered in plenty of scratches and bruises and other unidentifiable markings.
(I was led to believe that hospitals were places of healing, not places where one sustained more injuries...)
I returned to the bed, wiping my face, noticing the newfound stubble on my chin. I couldn't see it, but that always bothered me. I preferred a clean shaven appearance for one, and two, anything else itched. I wished I had a razor, but then again, if I was delusional as the nurse said, that would have been a poor idea.
In the middle of my musings, the same nurse returned accompanied by a doctor. They explained that I should be okay with a couple of weeks of rest, as it seemed the poisons had been cleared from my body. I was returned my possessions including, my clothes, in addition to some self care guide and a walking cane to help support myself during the recovery. And after explaining a few other finer points, they departed saying that my sister should be over to see me soon.
Sister? Did they mean Franziska? But why was she in England? It had to be case related, that much I knew. I figured I'd find out when she arrived. Until then, I decided to get dressed and wait for her in the waiting room.
October 21th, 12:57 PM
Morningside Clinic, Waiting Room
I had waited for about twenty minutes, before the tornado that was Franziska blew through the doors of the waiting room, past the other visitors, and right up to me. "Franziska wait-"
"Miles Edgeworth," she whipped. "Your actions have been absolutely horrific and a dishonor to the von Karma name! You are no brother of mine!"
I winced from the lash. Well, at least I could now determine the source of soreness I experienced.
"Getting poisoned by the killer and then worrying your subordinate to death is unforgivable," she said as she stretched the whip out in her hand.
"How is Lyn…?"
"Hmph. Not sleeping for days because of your foolishness," Franziska pointed.
I frowned, feeling the guilt setting in. At least she was alive...and at least now, I could apologize.
"And then...acting so…" she flushed as she grasped her shoulder sweating.
"Acting so what?" I asked. I tapped my finger on my folded arms. "I honestly have no recollection of the past few days."
Franziska's eyes widened for a moment, but then she folded her arms. "Ah...that's right. The amnesia."
She lashed me with the whip again.
"Ngh…! Could you at least tell me what I've done to deserve it?"
"I'm certain your subordinate will enlighten you upon your perversions."
(She really doesn't want to discuss it...just what on Earth did I do?)
Then she wagged a finger, smirking somewhat. "But because I am such a good big sister, I will inform you of what transpired before your arrival at the hospital."
She explained most of it. "...And then you returned, believing you were that Steel Samurai character. Your subordinate had to act like some other character from the show to get information from you about the hidden passageways. After those were discovered, she confronted the killer with an explanation of how the crimes were committed."
I flushed. I had believed I was the Steel Samurai? God. How many lines did I spew out? Did I do any of the poses? The attacks? I must have looked ridiculous! How badly had I embarrassed myself? ...Perhaps the memory loss was a good thing.
"And before you ask, I am here to prosecute the assassin as part of an Interpol investigation."
"I...see," I said still thinking about being the Steel Samurai. Despite it being childish...I did, at least, I wondered do the Steel Samurai justice when I believed I was him?
"I've talked long enough," Franziska said. "Let's go."
She walked on ahead out of the sliding doors to the outside. I followed, a bit slower with my cane.
October 21st, 2:17 PM
Monolith Hotel, Lyn's Room
I had been surprised to see Agent Lang was the one driving the car on the way back to the hotel. But I supposed it simply just made it all the more easier for Franziska to focus on berating me the whole ride. I noticed that when either of them brought up what happened with me at the hospital, they spoke in hushed tones. Even Agent Lang, who I considered to be a bit more unshakable...seemed uncomfortable. If a person that crass could be made perturbed, I was worried. I needed to know what I had done.
Franziska despite my protests, escorted me inside. Instead of going to my room, we waited outside of Lyn's door. Franziska said she had texted Lyn, but wanted to give her specific instructions in person.
In a moment the door was pulled open, revealing Lyn in a tank top and pajama bottoms. Her hair was a mess and the bags under her eyes were visible. She barely took notice of Franziska as she stared directly at me with some uncertainty.
"Dune," Franziska started. "You will ensure that my little brother get proper rest and that he stays out of trouble. Understood?"
"I'll... do my best," Lyn said rubbing the back of her neck.
"You have done well," Franziska said bowing.
"Huh? You really mean it?"
"I would not lie," she wagged a finger. "You should be proud that you finished what my little brother only started."
Lyn managed a smile, making her appearance less sullen. "Thanks, Ms. von Karma."
"Now you must do one more thing."
"What's that?"
"I have not described the...events at the hospital," Franziska said folding her arms. "You need to explain them."
Lyn looked at her incredulously. "W-what? Why didn't you tell him?!"
"Do you think I would be the one to explain such nightmarish behavior?!"
"I'm not doing it!"
"YES, you are!"
"NO, I'm not!"
Franziska cracked the whip on the floor. Lyn jumped to avoid the whip hitting her bare feet. She looked almost ready to fight, until her eyes lit up. Then she extended her hand, in a fist. "...Let's do this with a game. Rock, paper, scissors. Best two of three. Whoever wins doesn't need to explain."
"...This is child's play. You will lose," Franziska said balling her hand into a fist.
"We'll see," glared Lyn.
(I would say that I was surprised to see something like this happen, except for the fact that I'm not at all surprised.)
They played two rounds of rock, paper, scissors. Franziska had emerged victorious in the first round showing a pair of scissors to Lyn's paper, as well as the second round where she presented rock to Lyn's scissors.
"Awww," Lyn pouted.
"What did I tell you? I am perfection." Franziska bowed.
"But...he's YOUR brother!"
Franziska lashed her with the whip. "But you are HIS subordinate! Now, do as you're told."
Lyn rubbed her arms, still pouting. "Fine…"
Franziska smirked triumphantly. "Now, I must take my leave to finish preparing for the trial... Be well."
With one more bow, she departed down the hall. Now, it was just the two of us.
Lyn gestured for me to enter the room as she stepped back inside. "Well...there's no need for you to stand out in the hall."
I hesitantly came in. She closed the door behind me, being careful about not getting too close to me. She eyed me warily as she folded her arms. "Who am I?"
"Lyn, of course. A fellow prosecutor...and friend, even if you sometimes are in need of a reality check."
Her eyes widened. "You're really back."
It was then she walked up to me excitedly, only to jab a finger into my chest. "And now that you're back, you'd better listen to me. Why on Earth did you think it was a great idea to chase a madman killer by yourself? Leaving me to figure out that crazy mess alone? Look how you got poisoned. And how...how I thought you were dead! Did you even think of how I'd feel if you actually died? How could you act like your life wasn't that important?"
"Um, well thank you for finishing the investigation and..." I wasn't sure of what to say exactly, but I knew I needed to start somewhere. "...I'm sorry."
"You're sorry? Just sorry?" She stopped prodding me in the chest and looked up at me with red eyes. "You'll be more than sorry if something like that ever happens again. You'll wish you were dead!"
"Ngh..."
I honestly wasn't sure what could be worse than being poisoned, but the look on her face told me she was for once, serious. I didn't want to find out what she would have in store.
"And then you had to make my life harder when you came back to life like the Steel Samurai! Can you believe you thought I was the Evil Magistrate?! You kept attacking me with the spear, and going on about truth and justice..."
I flushed. It sounded like I had a very detailed delusion. Too detailed.
"And...and...you're...so stupid…" she sighed as her expression softened somewhat, as tears welled up in her eyes.
"I'll find someway to make it up to you-"
She buried herself in my chest and wrapped her arms around me tightly. If not for the cane, she might have knocked me off my feet. "Just tell me that you're alright."
"...I'm fine."
"You really mean it? That you're okay?"
"Yes, I mean it."
Lyn didn't move. I wondered how long she would hold on to me. I was unaccustomed to anyone hugging me like this. It rarely happened, if it all. But I didn't hate it. It felt nice...and she was surprisingly soft.
"I'm glad you're back," she said slowly releasing me. "I missed you."
"But I never left."
"No! The normal you...the regular serious, mean, mom like you. The you who nags me like no tomorrow, law nerd, arrogant you. That you."
"That's such a flattering description of my person."
"Just being honest," she grinned cheekily.
Just who did I turn into? I had already heard of my stint as the Steel Samurai, which was embarrassing nonetheless. I suspected there was more because Franziska refused to discuss it with me.
"...At the hospital, what was I like?"
Lyn froze. Her eyes darted toward the floor, refusing to meet my gaze. "Hm, how about we get some tea? You must really be craving it now."
"Lyn…"
"I found a really good place for biscuits too-"
I glared her down. She sighed. "You, sure you really want to know?"
"Yes. Not knowing what I've done for three days is...disturbing to say the least."
"Okay...well. There's a lot," she cocked her head to the side. "At one point you believed you were swimming with Mr. Wright and Larry. And...you 'skinny dipped' in the hospital room, meaning you kinda hopped off your bed onto the floor, while taking off your gown. You wrestled with Agent Lang after that, and erm, later you were trying to sell your…'Samurai Dog'. I'm pretty sure Franziska whipped you then. If not many times later. A security guard punched you...and you thought you were Arnold Schwarzenegger for a while, you screamed 'get to the choppa!' a lot while running in and out of different rooms. You tried to attack some people, using bad one liners too. Oh, you also thought you were smoking cigarettes and you kept spitting. You sang lots of Queen and Journey songs really badly... And if anything else happened, I wouldn't really know."
I was cringing. This all sounded...awful.
"...What do you mean by 'Samurai Dog' ?"
Lyn placed a hand on the back of her neck. "You sure you don't want to get that tea?"
I folded my arms.
"You know. Your...thing."
"What thing?"
She bit her lip for a moment. "Your...dinglehopper. Tallywacker. Johnson."
I looked at her. Just what gibberish was she spouting?
"Naughty bit?" Lyn was sweating up a storm. She then took a breath. "... Penis. Penis! You showed people on the floor your penis!"
I recoiled as my face turned red. I did what?! "NGHOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooo!"
"You kept offering it like it was food," Lyn said blushing.
Suddenly, the thought of being dead didn't sound all too bad. "...Y-you saw?"
"I mean…" she rubbed the back of her head. "You just kind of whipped it out all of a sudden, that I didn't have time to... not...look…"
I covered my face with my hand.
"Uh, but hey. I mean, there's nothing to be embarrassed about," she said in a poor attempt to make me feel better about the situation.
"How could I not be embarrassed when I flashed my privates to everyone on the floor?!"
"...Erm. Well, uh, it's not bad. You...you got a lot happening for you, you know," she said sheepishly pressing a finger into her cheek.
There was a long silence.
"...Uh, I've said entirely too much, haven't I?"
"No," I snapped. "I don't think you've said enough!"
"Hey, it's not my fault you presented it like a badge!"
I flushed even harder. "It is of the utmost importance that you forget everything you saw."
"Believe me, I've been trying."
Despite the shame, now I could at least identify some of the bruising I had. "You wouldn't have any idea where this mark on my neck came from?"
Lyn shrugged. "Iunno. Maybe you got it after you showed someone else your 'Samurai Dog'."
I didn't think it was possible to blush any harder, but I did. This was horrendous. I wasn't sure if I could even look at her at this point. "I'm going back to my room."
I reached for the door knob and opened the door, heading out. As I was making my escape, I felt a tug on my free hand. I looked back.
"Hey, it's alright," she said gently. "I know that you like to appear perfect all the time, but...it's alright to be a mess sometimes too. I don't mind."
"...Thank you," I said because it was the only thing I could manage to say. I still felt embarrassed to be seen like that, but I could tell that she meant it.
"Just get some rest."
"You too," I said. "And don't worry about me anymore."
"...I can't make any promises," she said with a smile as she closed the door.
I stood outside the door for a moment before going down the opposite end of the hall to my room. As I walked back, I could only wonder why she had said that with a smile.
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. Probably my best friend at this point.
Miles Edgeworth: Age 26. My mentor. When he's not giving me a hard time, he's kind of nice.
Detective Gumshoe: Age 33. The guy who's saved my hide more times than I can count.
Larry Butz: Age 25. My favorite wannabe casanova.
Judge: Age ?. Old timer judge. No one know his real name.
Mia Fey: Deceased. My spirit guide who pops by occasionally to give advice.
Phoenix Wright: Age 26. The man I'm supposed to be saving. Pretty awesome dude.
Franziska von Karma: Age 19. Whip happy prosecutor who came to our rescue.
Shi-Long Lang: Age 26. A totally badass Interpol agent.