My #aatwtsecretsanta gift for scylights on twitter!
As the sun peeked over the horizon, people began to trickle into Hope Springs Airport. They shuffled about as they piled onto the security lines, many only barely feeling the effects of their morning coffee. As each passenger entered the waiting area, the mechanical ambiance of luggage wheels and footsteps was quickly replaced with the bustle of voices, their quiet whispers growing louder, matching that of a local cafe. They took their seats on the various lavender-hued benches and chairs spread out in each area, and immediately became entranced in either their local newspaper, or their smartphone. They periodically shifted their gazes to the modern timetable above the counter, a large billboard displaying up-to-the-minute flight timings. The attendant stood underneath - a woman dressed in all white, save a blue scarf. She was typing away at a computer, and answering the various questions her passengers would have.
Everything seemed normal.
Yet, one passenger in particular stood out. Her loud heels, bold professional attire, and cold gaze turned the heads of everyone whom she passed. The woman's short, greyish-blue hair bobbed with every step as she rolled her suitcase towards the waiting area.
As the woman reached the counter, she looked up.
Flight D-24 - Boarding in 30 minutes
With a nod, Franziska Von Karma stepped forward, selecting a seat as far away from everyone else as possible. As she sat, the woman decompressed, slouching down for a mere second before stiffening her back to sit up straight. Franziska let out a quiet sigh.
Her back hurt, but that was expected. She's been working long hours recently; having to fly out of Los Angeles and back again within mere days.
And, now that another part of the international smuggling ring has been exterminated, she had to take yet another flight.
She was honestly tired of all this work, but it had to be done. And she was the one who had to do it. Interpol only accepted the best prosecutors, and that's what a Von Karma was. The best.
Her father drilled that into her head at a very early age. That losing was a fallacy. That you should strive to get to the top, no matter the cost. However, her father could not escape his sins, and was put in jail for murder after losing his first court case. And she couldn't avenge him, losing to the same attorney that had handed her father his first loss.
So she tried again, this time accepting a different position. She needed to show everyone that she was better than her father; that she could somehow scrub away the deep, red stain that he left on their family name. That was the true burden of her father's image on her.
Franziska stretched her arms forward, continuing to mull upon her situation. She may have been mistaken; There was another factor in her inability to stop working, even for a second.
Him. Her adoptive brother.
Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth.
While she was pursuing her own career path, Miles was growing as well. Most recently, he gave up his prosecutor's badge in the pursuit of truth, and, upon discovering it, he earned the badge back again. Quite a feat, but Franziska wasn't going to let her rival pass her, either.
Their competitiveness was nothing new to her. She recalled a case, many years ago, in which the two of them competed to see who could solve it the quickest. She was only thirteen at the time…
It was also when she first met that girl-
"Ms Von Karma!"
The woman's head jolted up, her eyes refocusing on the airport scene. Almost obscured from view amongst the crowd was a girl, jogging calmly towards her on the worn mahogany tiling. She squinted, unable to believe her eyes, however upon closer examination, it appeared to be someone other than the girl she was imagining.
The girl donned a tall, white lab coat, shorts, and striped stockings, resembling that of a dark candy cane. A pink hat and white sunglasses adorned her head. Her long, brown hair abounded as she ran towards the prosecutor.
Franziska shook her head. She wasn't in a position to let Ema Skye's bubbly attitude ruin her last few moments of peace and quiet before her next job.
However, she didn't really have a choice in the matter. As Ema approached her with a wide grin, Franziska spoke up with a smirk.
"Ah, Ema Skye. Quite the coincidence, I see."
The girl let out a chuckle, "Yeah… Looks like we've both got flights…"
Not wanting to continue the conversation, Franziska slowly nodded her head. A few seconds of silence ensued, which were broken awkwardly by Ema.
"Didn't know you were leaving so quickly…"
Franziska turned to the side, crossing her arms.
"Interpol has another assignment for me, so I must go. My schedule is unfortunately ruled by them…"
"Even after everything that just happened?... They're not even giving you a break?"
If she'd have asked for one, Interpol would have surely given it to her. However, that was against her policy. She couldn't stop, not even for a moment. Or else he'd pass her...
"Apparently not…"
Before the girl could respond, Franziska looked back up at her.
"I didn't expect you to leave so quickly, either."
Ema grabbed the brim of her cap as she exclaimed.
"I can't slack off now. I gotta go back to school, so I can be a real forensic scientist! I want to help Mr Wright, and Mr Edgeworth, and everyone else as soon as I can!"
Franziska smirked again, "Well, they surely need it…"
The girl's cheeks puffed out, "H-Hey! They're both professionals! They know what they're doing."
"Sometimes it doesn't seem so…"
Ema let out a nervous chuckle, "W-Well, yeah… But remember yesterday? Was it yesterday?... Edgeworth didn't even need my help to find another part of that secret smuggling ring!"
"I would've found that smuggling ring myself, if he didn't get in my way… After all, it was my assignment… And a Von Karma never fails."
"But Mr Edgeworth didn't get in your way - he helped you!"
"A Von Karma doesn't need anyone's help."
"Not even from Detective Gumshoe? I thought detectives and prosecutors worked together."
Franziska snapped back at Ema, her demeanor getting the better of her. This wasn't the conversation she wanted to have today...
"Scruffy is not my assistant. I only use his services because I'm too busy to do the menial tasks that I assign him."
The girl could only sigh, "Is… Is this why you took this Interpol job?...To work by yourself? Wh-What about us? What about your friends?"
"I work best alone. You should know this already."
"I… I do, but… I thought you'd-"
"I'd what? Grow into a pansy like that fool of an attorney?"
Franziska's sharp words pierced Ema like a bullet, and the girl's eyes widened in response. Stunned, she remained silent for a few seconds. Ema grabbed her arm, looking off to the side as she spoke, this time much quieter.
"I thought you'd see the value in teamwork…"
The prosecutor shrugged, but replied quickly. She didn't intend to startle the girl, but there was no point apologizing now. The least she could do was continue the conversation.
"There is none."
"But… I just thought… seeing them work together so well… You'd finally realize…"
Franziska knew full well who Ema was referring to. But she wouldn't acknowledge their success… She couldn't… Franziska crossed her arms, closing her eyes in contemplation, as she's done countless times at the prosecutor's stand.
Miles was her rival. And the more she thought about all that he's accomplished, the higher she'd have to climb to surpass him. That feeling of quicksand, the constant downward pull from both Miles and her father, forcing Franziska to struggle relentlessly to keep up with them and their expectations. And every time Miles solved a case that she couldn't, every smuggling ring that he captured instead of her, she sunk deeper and deeper into her own pit of misery.
Ema's voice broke Franziska out of her trance. The girl turned around, taking a seat next to the woman.
"Mr Edgeworth and Kay… I'm really glad they met…
"When I first saw them, at that amusement park… The two seemed like exact opposites. Mr Edgeworth was always very stern and calculated… But Kay… She was lighthearted, and impulsive… J-Just a cute girl, y'know?"
Franziska glanced at Ema, whose face turned the lightest shade of red, prompting a smile from the prosecutor. Upon seeing it, the girl shook it off, and continued, looking away.
"A-Anyways, a prosecutor, and a thief… Like, how could you get more opposite than that? Kay had that super cool simulation thing, which was used to steal - and Mr Edgeworth had his logic, which was used to catch criminals…
"But seeing them work together… Using Little Thief in combination with Mr Edgeworth's powers of deduction… They solved a case that they couldn't solve otherwise! Two different people, using their skills to help each other in ways they couldn't on their own! That's what's so great about-"
"Objection!"
Franziska instinctively slammed her hands against leggings, raising her voice as she would against that foolish attorney whenever he'd propose an impossible theory. Ema jumped at the sudden movement, clenching her fists.
"We're not in court, Ms Von Karma!"
She was right; they weren't. They were in an airport waiting area. Everyone looked up from their smartphones and newspapers towards her, and apparently, it was her turn for her face to redden. She couldn't help but slink back in her seat, justifying her outburst to Ema.
"I-It's only natural to speak one's mind. I'm just used to doing so this way, as I do in court."
As a prosecutor, evidence and facts were what drove her to victory. She was able to see the connections every since she was a child, and pointing out flaws in her opponents' theories still stimulated her to this day. That feeling of superiority, outsmarting your opponent… It was one of the many reasons she continued in her line of work even after losing her first case.
Even if this wasn't a court room, Franziska would treat it as one. Using facts, she'd disprove Ema's flimsy logic about teamwork.
Because if she didn't, then she'd have been living a lie her entire life.
Franziska smirked as she responded, waving a finger towards Ema.
"As I was saying, If I had access to such a tool, I would've been able to solve that case without anyone's help. People are more than just the tools they can provide."
Ema could only giggle, "Wow, Ms Von Karma! So you do care about people after all!"
The woman scowled, rolling her eyes at Ema. Hiding her face, Franziska turned to the side before responding.
"I was merely referencing your example. It doesn't qualify as teamwork if one person merely provides a tool for the other to use."
Ema continued, her voice raising as if she'd just discovered a luminol reaction.
"Yeah, so you should know! Just that last case, there was so much teamwork! Between Mr Edgeworth and Kay and Detective Gumshoe and Sebastian and even yourself and Mr Lang! Everyone has their own experiences and perspectives, who knows what would've happened if you all weren't there?
"And-And-And the time before that? When everyone worked together at that Embassy? I heard Mr Edgeworth even volunteered to be your assistant that time!"
Franziska's head bobbed slowly. Miles volunteered - begged, actually - to have Franziska accept him as an assistant in her smuggling ring investigation, all so that he could continue to seek the truth. To her, it was the perfect opportunity - having her rival accept a position that was distinctly beneath that of herself. Knowing that, in that moment, she was better than him… Validating her life's work… Quite frankly, Franziska couldn't resist.
However, Miles had no qualms about the position, and worked tirelessly to solve the case, with the help of Franziska, and everyone else… What initially seemed like a sweet treat had soured with every passing hour… By the end of the night, she didn't see him as any lower. It was quite the opposite, actually…
Franziska responded before Ema could push any more absurd logic onto her.
"Yes… That is indeed true… I did treat him like an assistant… But it was only temporary."
Franziska eyed Ema, who seemed to be in deep thought, pressing her finger against her chin. As soon as the girl's eyes began to sparkle, Franziska steeled herself.
"Ms Von Karma, I think you should get an assistant! Like, a real one!"
Franziska responded with an aggressive whisper, ensuring the other passengers didn't give them any more undue stares.
"What?"
"An assistant. Like, what Kay is for Edgeworth. So you can see what real teamwork is like."
"I don't want one. Especially not one like her."
As Franziska shook her head, Ema's cheeks puffed out. She leaned in towards the prosecutor, placing her hands on her own thighs for leverage.
"H-Hey! Why not? Wh-What's wrong with Kay?"
"I have little patience for those who can't focus. And, even if they could, it would only slow me down. My line of work is very difficult."
"But having an assistant isn't about getting jobs done quicker."
"Hm?"
Franziska raised an eyebrow at the girl. She knew what Ema was going to say - the same things they all say. But she wanted to hear it anyways. She wouldn't let this argument end until a victor was decided.
Ema continued, "Having an assistant is about having someone there for you, another person to talk to, and to help solve problems. They'll have your back when you mess up, and you'll have theirs. And you'll learn and grow from working with someone different, because nobody knows everything. And then, when you're old and know a lot, you get to teach everything to a new assistant!
"That's what my professor says! He always tells us to work in pairs."
The prosecutor nodded slowly at the girl's explanation. A smile began to rise onto her face, as she realized how easy this was to refute. Her voice rose playfully as she replied.
"Is that what he says?"
"Y-Yeah! My professor knows a lot!"
"And did this professor ever work in the law industry?"
"Well, no, he teaches forensics-"
"Did he ever work in the forensics industry?"
"Um, no…"
Franziska shook her head in jest, raising her arms. If she wasn't sitting down, she'd have bowed to her audience of one.
"So how can you accept your professor's word, if he's never been in your position?"
"Well… Um…"
The girl's eyes widened as she searched for something to refute Franziska's claim. However, Franziska knew how she'd have refuted it, had she been in Ema's position. Ema has, in fact, lived through her professor's words.
Not too long ago, there was a case in which both Phoenix Wright and Ema Skye were involved - one that Franziska Von Karma had merely read about. Miles Edgeworth had filled in the blanks, as he was the prosecutor for that case. Ema was indeed Phoenix's assistant, and, knowing Phoenix, she'd definitely have something to say about the experience.
This was crucial information, and Franziska wouldn't let this discussion end without hearing it. Perhaps Ema just needed a hint...
The woman smirked, and wagged her finger at Ema.
"Your argument is shallow at best, Ema Skye. Perhaps you have some evidence to back up your statement?"
"E-Evidence? I…"
Ema stuttered, instinctively reaching for her phone, even though the device wouldn't do her any good. Franziska gave the girl a few seconds to think, but decided to speak up after not hearing a rebuttal.
"So you have nothing? I should've figured-"
The girl sighed, shaking her head. Her eyes trailed off as she slouched in her seat.
"Um… I guess I don't… He's never been a forensic scientist, after all…"
Franziska squinted at Ema. She expected a much different response… But she was fed up with beating around the bush. Time was running out…
She responded sharply.
"Yes, you do."
"No, I don't…"
"Ema Skye, it is illegal to hide evidence in a court of law. Please state your case at once."
"Uh… Ms Von Karma, I don't get it… He's never been a-"
Franziska let out a light sigh before replying.
"I'm asking for evidence regarding real-world experience being an assistant in the forensic science and/or law industries."
"I... I don't have-
"WAIT! I got it…"
A wave of inspiration hit Ema as the girl jolted upright, slamming a fist against her hand. Franziska couldn't help but grin at the sudden realization.
Ema took a deep breath before facing the prosecutor.
"T-that time… When my sister was on trial for murdering someone…"
Franziska nodded, "Yes, I do remember hearing about that case… Chief Prosecutor Lana Skye, arrested for murder…"
Ema's eyes seemed to trail off as she continued speaking, slowly and clearly.
"Well… I worked with Mr Wright on that case, and… he taught me a lot…
"That was the first time I used my forensics… on an actual case… And it wasn't perfect…
"But the most important thing I learned from being his assistant… was to always face the truth head-on… no matter how hard it seems… Because if we don't face the truth… We can never move forward."
If we don't face the truth, we can never move forward…
That definitely sounded like something Phoenix Wright would say...
Franziska remained silent, and let Ema continue. A sad smile rose on the girl's face.
"My own sister was being blackmailed… Because she thought I killed somebody… And Mr Wright… Once he realized what happened… He still fought it… Even though the evidence pointed to me… I-If he didn't do that… I'd probably still be in jail right now…"
Ema's eyes began to glisten, and she blinked rapidly in an attempt to dissipate any stray tears. As much as Franziska wanted to hear her story, she didn't mean to upset the girl. The prosecutor lifted a hand and placed it on the girl's shoulder. But before she could speak, Ema shook her head, taking another deep breath.
"I-It's fine… I'm ok…"
Franziska released her hand, patting Ema's shoulder before folding her arms once again. The prosecutor smirked, shaking her head.
"That attorney never did seem to know when to quit, did he…"
Franziska had quite a bit of experience with Phoenix Wright. She fought against him in quite a few trials. In fact, he was the reason she ventured here in the first place. But ever since the first case, she could tell. If Phoenix Wright believed in something, he would never give up. You could put a two-hundred-pound weight on his chest, and somehow, he'd find a way to lift it off.
He'd always appear in court with his assistant, too. Miss Maya Fey. Although the girl didn't know much about law, Franziska could tell. She helped empower Phoenix to fight harder, and move forward. Franziska assumed that Ema would've had a similar experience.
If she had been in Maya's or Ema's place, would she have been able to handle things on her own? She was just as capable - if not more - than Phoenix Wright in the field of law. But when the situations got more complex…
If she had been accused of murder… And may have been the real culprit… How would she feel? How would she react? Would she fight it? Would she be allowed to fight it?
Or, even worse… She thought back to one particular case she worked on... One involving an assassin… And a kidnapping…
Had she been kidnapped instead of Maya, what would she have done? Would she have been able to escape on her own? Could she have survived the mental torture of being confined for days?
The answer was no. She couldn't fend off a trained assassin. And, being trapped somewhere, knowing no one would be there to help you…
That was the real quicksand.
The truth was, Franziska was nowhere near perfect. She still had much to learn. Her self-imposed quicksand was merely a ruse, a defense mechanism she put in place to convince herself that she was the best. That she didn't want anyone else's help.
Just like Ema was saying, she needed to face the truth herself. She needed to stop thrashing in her relentless pursuit of greatness, and give in to the quicksand. To sink to the very bottom, where it wouldn't pull you any lower. Maybe then, she'd have room to breathe…
That case… Franziska had gotten shot and was hospitalized. She remembered it very clearly, the pain she was in…
At that time, she wanted nothing more than to stand in court against Phoenix Wright. But it was impossible. It was because of everyone else - because of Phoenix, Miles, Maya, Gumshoe, even Adrian… That they caught the killer.
Franziska even delivered the decisive piece of evidence herself. Everyone had put their trust in her, and she saved them… That's what teamwork boiled down to, now that she thought about it.
Trusting your friends.
Attention, all passengers on Flight D-24, please prepare for boarding
The intercom snapped Franziska out of her trance. She instinctively turned towards Ema, who jumped as well. The girl was still sitting there, in the same position as before. She must've noticed how deep in thought Franziska was…
As if a judge had just entered the courtroom, the prosecutor swiftly stood up. She placed a hand on her suitcase.
"I must be going."
"Oh, ok…"
Franziska didn't know how she felt about their conversation ending on that note. Nevertheless, she didn't have time to think about it. She could do so when she was on the plane.
The woman took three steps forward, her heels clicking against the tiled flooring. But before she could take her fourth, Ema's voice rose up from behind her.
"B-but wait!"
Franziska stopped, and turned her head, eyeing the girl expectantly. Ema was standing up now, clenching her fists as her eyes focused on Franziska. Had the woman forgotten something? She only brought the one suitcase…
Ema spoke up after a second.
"I-I gave my evidence! I've proven there are benefits to teamwork! So, you should get an assistant!"
Franziska smiled. It seemed she had forgotten something, indeed. She couldn't refute the girl's argument. She had lost.
So, as any honorable prosecutor does upon hearing a not guilty verdict, it was her job to gracefully concede.
"You did prove your case... I will consider it."
Ema smiled back, "Thanks! When you do, be sure to tell us all about them!"
"Alright."
"Have a safe flight, Ms Von Karma! Don't forget to keep in touch!"
Ema lifted her arm into a wave as she watched Franziska step forward. The woman joined the flood of passengers waiting to vet their tickets so they could reserve the best seats on the plane. Thankfully, Franziska was flying first-class, so seating did not matter to her. She could wait as long as she liked, so long as she didn't miss her flight.
Franziska felt something tugging at her. Something she wanted to say…
She turned back towards Ema, and spoke her mind.
"Ema Skye, what is your goal for the future?"
"I… I want to help people as a forensic scientist… So, wherever they need me, I'll go… Maybe even travel to a foreign country to work, too… That'd be cool…"
"Whatever your dream is, Ema, I am sure you will be able to achieve it."
Ema's face lit up like a Christmas tree, even before Christmas. A wide grin rose onto her face as she responded.
"R-Really? Thanks, that means a lot, Ms Von Karma!"
Franziska returned a smile towards the girl. Ema truly deserved it. With a wave, she stepped forward and procured the plane ticket from her pocket, showing it to the flight attendant.
"Safe travels, Ema Skye. We shall hopefully meet again soon."
As Franziska boarded the plane and sat down, there was only one thing on her mind.
Would she actually get an assistant? Who was even in a position to help her? How would she even bring up this assistant thing with Interpol?
Franziska took a deep breath and relaxed in her first-class seat. Those were questions she could worry about once she reached her destination.
For now, she needed rest. The woman reclined and closed her eyes, and, despite it being morning, fell into a deep sleep.
Please we need AA7 or AAI3 with Franziska Von Karma as the protagonist... That would be epic...
Thanks for reading! I really appreciate it, I had a lot of fun with this one.