"Trucy, wait," Pearl managed to get out, before her lips were once again taken by Trucy. They moaned into each other's mouths as their tongues flicked together, and Pearl had to push Trucy away before she lost her mind. "Mr. Nick's gonna be back soon!" she said in a hushed tone.

"But we haven't had a chance to be alone together in so long," Trucy said, trying to kiss her girlfriend again, but Pearl put up a hand to stop her. "Peeeeeeearls…"

"It's too dangerous. Just… try to hold on a little longer, okay? When we get to the party, we'll find somewhere more private."

Trucy sighed, but nodded her head. "It's not fair. There's no privacy at all here at the agency, and there's always someone watching you at the temple."

Despite her protests, Pearl understood and shared Trucy's frustrations. The two had been going out secretly for six months now, but they'd barely progressed beyond kissing, and even that was spread out to maybe once or twice every few weeks. Any time Pearl was able to come to visit, there would usually be a case that the two would help with, or either Phoenix or Athena would be hanging about the office.

The only real privacy they had was the few times they were able to have a sleepover, but even that offered little privacy with the thin walls the office had. At best they could kiss quietly in bed, but they couldn't risk going beyond that for fear that Phoenix Wright would hear them.

At first Pearl didn't mind, Trucy being the 'thirsty' one between them, but even for her, six months with little progress was just too much. She wanted to get more intimate with Trucy, and more importantly, she didn't want Trucy to start getting bored of her.

"Maybe we should just tell the others we're dating," Pearl suggested.

"I don't mind, but what about your village? You could be excommunicated if they found out."

"Well… maybe it'd be worth-" Pearl found a gloved-finger suddenly placed over her lips.

"Don't say that," Trucy said with a stern look. "I know how much important the Kurain Channelling Technique is to you. I don't want you giving that up just because of me."

Pearl gasped. Was this it? Was this… her first break-up? Tears started to well in her eyes. "Then… are you saying…"

Trucy bopped her girlfriend's forehead gently. "Baka. I'm not dumping you." Trucy smiled. "I'm just saying, don't go doing anything rash. We can come out to everyone when the time is right. There's no rush."

Pearl breathed a sigh of relief, happy that she was mistaken… again. This was perhaps the tenth time now she had misinterpreted something simple as Trucy attempting to break up with her. "I guess you're right. And you have exams coming up so, it would be bad to add any extra stress onto that."

"Though having said that, it is difficult trying to keep my hands off you when we're together," Trucy said, a devious grin across her face.

Pearl frowned. "Trucy, sometimes you sound like a boy."

The two stared at each other for a few seconds, and then began to laugh in unison. It was at that time that the door opened, and Phoenix Wright walked in with Athena Cykes. "What's up? Did we miss something funny?" Athena asked as she walked in, dressed in a red Santa outfit.

"It's a secret," Pearl said, winking to Trucy, who winked back.

"A secret you can't share with your old man?" Phoenix asked. Trucy turned, and saw that her father was dressed in a reindeer onesie.

"Wow Daddy, are you gonna be pulling our sleigh to the party?"

Phoenix laughed at that. "I'll just be driving tonight. Athena insisted I wear this." He sighed, and mumbled, "Even though I wanted to be the one playing Santa this year…"

"You dressed up as Santa last year, Daddy," Trucy said.

"What are you talking about?" Phoenix said, rubbing his neck the way he did whenever he was trying to hide something. "I was out visiting Edgeworth-"

"Daddy, I'm seventeen. I know Santa's not real."

Trucy heard a sharp gasp to her side, and shivered as her head slowly cranked to the side, where she found a distraught Pearl staring horrified at her. "H-He isn't?"

The room was silent for a few seconds, before Trucy immediately jumped out and grabbed Pearl's shoulder. "O-Of course he is! I just meant that- I mean, you know, he's so busy so of course that one wasn't the real Santa, but Santa is real, and he um-" Trucy stopped as she heard Pearl stifling her laughter. "Pearl?"

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!" Pearl clutched her stomach as she laughed, wiping tears from her eyes. "Sorry, Trucy, I was just joking," she said. "Of course I know Santa's not real. I'm not a child anymore." Trucy huffed, moving away and crossing her arms. "Awww, don't get mad," she said, poking Trucy's cheek to get a response. Trucy simply turned her head away.

"Sheesh, get a room you two," Athena commented.

The two froze at her words as chills passed down their spines. Thankfully, Phoenix spoke up before things could become anymore awkward. "Okay, enough joking around. We'll be late for the party if we don't leave now."

Trucy hopped to her feet and ran to grab her coat. Pearl followed her, and Phoenix asked, "You're staying the night, right Pearls?"

Pearl nodded. "Yes. The elders at the village said it would be okay, especially with how much it's snowing tonight."

Phoenix looked out the window and gave a worried look. "I hope the rental car can make it through all that."

"You rented the cheapest one they had, didn't you?" Athena said in an exasperated tone.

"We don't all make money like Edgeworth does," Phoenix retorted, and the four left for the party.

Upon arriving, Trucy and Pearl were in awe at how festive the place looked. Christmas decorations were adorned everywhere, and there was even a huge tree as the venue's centrepiece. There were many guests, most of them associates or former clients of Phoenix Wright.

"Nick! Over here!"

"Mystic Maya!" Pearl ran over and hugged her cousin. Maya laughed as she hugged back.

"Hiya Pearly! It's good to see you again!" Maya had been on a trip to various temples in Japan, as part of her training, so the two had not seen each other for some time.

"Yo Nick! This is a sweet party!" Larry Butz said, waving as his old friend walked over. "The food is great! Probably too great for my wallet!"

A whip smacked Larry across the face. "Then don't eat, you foolish fool!" Phoenix recoiled at the sight of Franziska von Karma, who curtsied upon seeing him. "Mr. Phoenix Wright, you should be thankful that I have graced your party with my presence! Though I can't say I approve of the rabble you have invited, I also cannot say I am surprised."

"Good to see you too, Franziska," Phoenix replied, laughing nervously. This earned him a whip to the face. "YOW! I was just greeting you!"

"You did it sarcastically! And what is that ridiculous outfit you are wearing?!"

Phoenix looked down at his costume, and then looked at the others, seeing that none of them besides Athena were wearing any costumes. "Athena, didn't you say this was a costume party?"

Athena could barely contain her laughter, and was joined by Maya, Pearl, Trucy and Larry. Franziska simply sighed and shook her head at the foolishness. "It seems Mr. Wright will be demonstrating one of his 'flights of fancy' tonight," Edgeworth said as he approached the group, adjusting his glasses. "Well, better here than in the courtroom."

Detective Gumshoe approached behind him. "Hey, pal! I just wanna say thanks for inviting me! Oh, hey, nice costume! Bet that would keep you warm in a cramped apartment with no heating!"

'Something tells me Gumshoe didn't pay the heating bill this month,' Phoenix thought, but didn't have the heart to ask him.

"I've had just about enough of this foolishness!" Franziska took Edgeworth by the arm and started to pull him away. "Come, Miles Edgeworth! Let us go and sample the buffet before the rabble start to show up!"

Edgeworth adjusted his glasses again. "If you're hungry, you could simply say it."

Franziska did not respond verbally. Instead, she simply whipped Gumshoe. "YOW! WHY ME?!"

As the three left, Phoenix turned to Maya. "So Maya, how've you been?"

"I've been great! My training will be over in a few months, and then I can spend more time with all of you! How about you, Nick? You have a lot of business around the office?"

"Er, kinda… Y'know, it's been the usual. It's been a bit quieter since Apollo left…"

"Hey, my Chords of Steel aren't that loud!" Apollo Justice approached the group, Nahyuta standing behind him. "Hey guys! Long time, huh?"

"Glad you could make it, Apollo! And Prosecutor Sahdmadhi, too."

"I was curious about this celebration called 'Christmas'. We have nothing like it in Khura'in." He looked around the hall, at all of the lights and decorations hanging from the walls and ceiling, to the large tree at the centre, and to the people gathered around a stage where a woman with an afro was singing horribly off-key. "It is very… festive."

"Well, it's about to get a whole lot more festive!" Athena said with a grin. "Once we get this party started! Hey, Trucy, you're putting on a show for us later, right?"

Trucy nodded. "Yep! A special Christmas magic show the ring in the holiday!"

Maya clapped her hands together. "Ahhh! I finally get to see one of your famous magic shows!" She laughed, turning to Phoenix. "The last time I saw real magic was back then, in Labyrinthia. Remember?"

Everyone turned to Phoenix confused. Phoenix simply laughed, and said, "Maya, that wasn't real magic, remember? But that sure does take me back. I wonder how the Professor is doing?"

Athena groaned. "Why do I get the feeling I'm out of the loop, again?"

"Don't worry, Athena," Apollo said, finger pressed to his forehead. "I don't know what they're talking about, either."

Pearl bit her thumb nervously. "I don't, either. What do you mean by 'real magic'?"

"It's… a long story," Phoenix said, already exasperated just from remembering it. "Anyway, let's not just stand around all night. Let's go and mingle!"

Athena pumped her fist into the air. "Alright! I'm gonna go sample the champagnes!"

Apollo sighed as she ran off. "I'd better go after her. You all know how she gets when she's had a drink."

"I'll keep an eye on her, Justice-dono," Simon Blackquill said, startling the group as he seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

"W-Where did-"

Simon grinned at Apollo. "You and your friend have come a long way to enjoy this night. Go and have fun. I'll keep Athena from doing anything too embarrassing."

Nahyuta nodded. "It seems even a vulgar soul such as yours is capable of doing good deeds. Perhaps there is hope for you yet, Prosecutor Blackquill." He turned to Apollo. "Apollo, perhaps you could show me how this holiday is celebrated."

"Well, I guess I could," Apollo said, before turning to the rest of the group. "You guys don't mind, right?"

"It's fine," Phoenix assured him. "We'll catch up later." Checking his watch, he added, "I've actually got some uh, business, to take care of."

Maya tilted her head. "What kind of business?" she asked.

Larry chuckled. "I bet it's some girl! Right, Nick?"

"I'm not you," Phoenix retorted. "I just need to go find someone. I'll meet up with you all later."

"Sure Daddy," Trucy said, taking Pearl's hand. "Pearl and I are gonna go check out the dessert table!"

"Don't eat too much," Phoenix said. "I don't want you waking up with a stomach-ache tomorrow."

"I'll make sure she restrains herself," Pearl said, adding emphasis as she gave Trucy a knowing glance. Trucy simply grinned and stuck her tongue out slyly.

The two girls ran off into the party, as Phoenix walked off somewhere and Apollo and Nahyuta went their own way.

Larry turned to Maya, grinning, and said, "So, Maya… Looks like it's just the two of-"

"Oh, Adrian!" Maya called out to a familiar blonde-haired woman in the crowd, and ran over to her. Larry slumped, feeling dejected as Maya left him standing all alone.

"Hey Pearl," Trucy said quietly, and when Pearl turned to ask her what she wanted, Trucy placed a piece of cake into her mouth. Pearl took a step back, blushing at the sudden action, whilst Trucy simply laughed. "Tastes good, right?"

Pearl chewed and swallowed quickly, so that she could scold Trucy. "What do you think you're doing?!" she whispered. "In public, no less!"

"It's fiiiiine!" Trucy picked up a different piece of cake and held it up to Pearl. "Say 'Aaaaah'."

Pearl was flustered, but she had to admit that the cake did taste good. She glanced around, and then opened her mouth. Trucy fed her the cake. It tasted heavenly, and it almost made her forget her embarrassment.

"Now you feed me," Trucy said, holding her mouth open. Pearl grumbled, but still picked a piece of cake and placed it gently in Trucy's mouth. As she did, Trucy closed her lips around Pearl's finger, startling her.

Pearl yanked her finger out with a yelp as she felt Trucy's tongue flick against her. Trucy simply gave a mischievous grin. "Gotcha," she said.

"Trucyyyyyy!"

"By the way, I saw a janitor's closet over there." Trucy pointed across the room, to a hallway that was closed off for the night. "Wanna sneak away for a bit while we're alone?"

"Won't we get in trouble?" Pearl asked nervously.

"It's fine. It'll just be a few minutes… or more, if you want."

Pearl playfully punched Trucy as the two laughed. "Alright, but let's hurry. And we have to make sure nobody sees us."

The two hurried across the room, weaving between the other guests as they headed towards the hallway. As they neared the velvet rope restricting access, somebody called out, "Hey, that way's off-limits."

The two girls nearly jumped out of their skins. They turned, and found a woman in a white lab coat looking at them. "E-Ema?"

"Oh, it's you two," Ema said, surprised as she saw their faces. She reached into her bag of Snackoos and started eating as she talked. "I didn't *MUNCH, MUNCH* recognise *MUNCH, MUNCH* you. What are *MUNCH, MUNCH* you up to?"

"Uh, we were just… wondering what was down there," Trucy said, Pearl nodding in agreement.

Ema simply shrugged. "Not much, but the owners have requested the party stay in the main hall. *MUNCH, MUNCH* I'm heading up security here. *MUNCH, MUNCH* Even though I was supposed to have today off…" Ema's munching went into overtime as she grumbled.

"I-I see. Well, we'll not bother you while you're on-duty, then." Trucy grabbed Pearl's hand and began to lead her away. "Keep up the good work, Detective Skye!"

"Hey! Tell Mr. Wright I said 'Hi'!" Ema called out, and the two waved back.

"Well, that didn't work out," Trucy said with a frown as they rounded a corner. She looked around the hall, sighing. "There has to be somewhere in this huge place where we can be alone."

Pearl thought. "How about the bathroom?" she asked. "There's one for disabled people that we can use, right? I don't recall seeing anyone who might need it."

"Good thinking!"

Trucy and Pearl approached the bathroom, scanning their surroundings to ensure nobody was watching them. However, as they neared, Trucy noticed that the door was locked and groaned. "No fair," she moaned. She heard two voices inside and raised her eyebrow, placing her ear to the door. "… Is that… Athena and Simon?!" Trucy grinned. "Oh, I am so asking her about this later."

Pearl tugged at Trucy's cape, pulling her girlfriend back. "Guess we'll just have to find somewhere else."

Trucy thought, and then snapped her fingers. "The cloakroom! It'll be dark, and if someone walks in, we can just say we're getting something from our bags."

Pearl nodded, and the two began to walk quickly towards the reception area. As they rounded a corner, they almost bumped into two other people. Two girls wearing matching dresses, with matching purple hair. "Oh! Betty and Bonnie!"

As the twins recognised Trucy, Bonnie smiled and gave a light bow, whilst Betty huffed and crossed her arms. "Oh. You," Betty said coldly.

"It's nice to see you, Trucy," Bonnie said. "How have things been?"

"They've been great. My shows have been big hits," she boasted. Pearl tugged at her cape again, reminding her of what they were doing. Or trying to do, at any rate. "Uh, I'd love to catch up but, I'm sort of in a hurry, so-"

"What, we're not good enough to talk to now?" Betty asked, rolling her eyes. "Guess you think you're that much better, just 'cause you got a few big shows under your belt, huh?"

Trucy frowned. "That's not what I-"

"Ahhh, save it! You'll see! Our duo act's gotten really good! Soon, we'll be performin' circles around you, and then you'll be asking for our autographs!" Bonnie started giggling beside Betty, prompting the batty twin to regard her with an annoyed look. "What's so funny?!"

Bonnie pointed up, and all four girls looked up to find a mistletoe decoration hanging from the wall. "You and Trucy are under the mistletoe," she said with a sweet smile. "Isn't that great?"

Betty's face exploded into a sea of red, and she shove her sister. "D-Dummy! Why would that be great?! Gross is more like it!"

Trucy grinned. "She's right," she said, stepping towards Betty and startling the flustered teen. "We're under the mistletoe, which means…" Trucy closed her eyes and leaned forwards, planting a quick kiss on Betty's cheek. She pulled back, smiling brightly. "Merry Christmas!"

By this point, had stopped working. Her face was brighter than the sun and the only sounds coming from her mouth were unintelligible noises. "How nice for you, Sis!" Bonnie said, which seemed to reset her sister as she found herself being shoved again.

"A-As if! Hmph! C'mon, Bonnie! Let's go… over there!" Betty grabbed her sister's hand and pulled her away, into the party.

As Bonnie was pulled away by her sister, she waved back at Trucy and Pearl. "Merry Chirstmas!" she called out. She turned back to her sister. "Betty, that wasn't very polite."

Betty stopped, turning to her sister with fury in her eyes. "Why did you have to point out the mistletoe?!"

Bonnie yelped and jumped back, but then paused as she noticed something. "Um, Sis? Your nose is bleeding."

Betty gasped, freezing for a moment, before turning her back to Bonnie and reaching for a handkerchief. "N-No it's not! Don't be stupid! I-I'm gonna go get some grub!"

Betty took off into the crowd. "Ah, wait! W-Was it something I said?" Bonnie asked as she took off after her.

Meanwhile, Trucy and Pearl reached the cloakroom, and the former checked around to make sure they were good. "Okay, coast is clear. Let's…" She noticed that Pearl was pouting. "What's wrong?"

"… You kissed that girl back there," Pearl said, averting her eyes. "Even though you already have me."

Trucy couldn't help but smile, and had to supress her laughter. "Pearls, are you jealous?"

"N-No! Just… You could've asked, y'know…"

"It was just a little peck on the cheek," Trucy said, reaching out and patting her girlfriend on the head.

"It was still a k-kiss…"

'Oh my god, she is so innocent,' Trucy thought, her heart aflutter. "Sorry about that. But, you don't have anything to worry about. You're my girlfriend, after all." Her smile took a more wicked turn, as she leaned forwards and whispered, "Besides, the things I wanna do with you make that seem like child's play."

Pearl stopped pouting, instead bringing her hands up to her face as she tried to hide her embarrassment. "D-Don't say things like that," she said, though her smile betrayed how she really felt.

They entered the room, dark with the lights off, telling them that it was empty. Pearl felt around for the light switch and eventually found it. As she flicked it on, two figures ahead of them jumped and turned around. It was… "Daddy?!" Trucy was surprised to see her father looking flustered, and next to him was a young woman with black hair, wearing purple robes similar to Pearl's.

Trucy recognised her as Iris, a woman who had been released from prison one year ago for good behaviour. She knew that the two were close, as Phoenix helped her settle back into her life after being released, and would keep in touch regularly with her.

"T-Trucy! We were just uh, looking for my wallet!" Phoenix reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. "Oh, silly me! It was here all along! Ahahah…"

"Oh, so it was there all along," Iris said, blushing slightly as she adjusted her hair. "You're so silly sometimes, Feen- Um, Mr. Wright."

The two laughed, but Pearl and Trucy simply stared at them in silence. "Do they think they're fooling us?" Pearl whispered.

"I think so," Trucy whispered back. "We should probably just leave them alone…"

"By the way, why are you two here?" Phoenix asked. "Did you forget something?"

"Oh, um, that's…" Pearl began, but she couldn't think of a plausible excuse.

"My wand!" Trucy said suddenly. "For the magic show later! I left it in my purse."

Phoenix laughed. "Oh Trucy, what are you like?"

Trucy simply laughed back. She ran over to her purse and pretended to find her magic wand in there. "Okay, got it! C'mon Pearl!"

Before Pearl could respond, Trucy ran by her, grabbing her hand and leading her back to the party. "Wait, we'll come with you!" Phoenix called after her.

"It's okay! You two take all the time you need!" Trucy called back with a wink, and she laughed as she caught their faces turning red.

As the two re-entered the party room, they sighed. It looked like there'd be nowhere for them to slip away to get any privacy. And there wasn't much time left before Trucy would need to start setting up her show.

"Looks like we'll just have to give up," Pearl said, smiling at Trucy.

"Maybe," Trucy said, feeling defeated. "But we're not gonna have any chances tomorrow, and then you'll be going back to the temple and I won't see you 'til New Year's."

"You realise that's only a week, right?" Pearl said with a deadpan stare.

Trucy pouted. "You're supposed to find it romantic that I'll miss you that much!"

Pearl patted Trucy's head. "I do, but I'm sure you'll survive."

Looking around, Trucy spotted Betty and Bonnie at the dessert table. Gears turned in her head and she had an idea. "We've still got time!" she said, running over to the twins with Pearl following behind.

"What're you planning?" Pearl asked.

"You'll see. Betty! Bonnie!"

Betty and Bonnie turned and saw Trucy approaching. While Bonnie waved back happily, Betty exploded into a sea of crimson and almost choked on the cupcake she was eating. She yelled angrily at Trucy, though it was muffled by the food in her mouth.

"Hi again, Trucy. Sorry about my sister, she's just a little shy because of what happened earlier," Bonnie said. Betty raised a hand and bopped her forehead.

After swallowing, Better replied, "No I'm not! It was just so gross I had to get out of there!"

Bonnie, tears in her eyes, answered, "But… you said you weren't ever going to wash that cheek agai-"

"ZIP IT! I DID NOT!" Betty yelled, bopping her sister again.

'Are they magicians or a comedy duo?' Pearl wondered as she watched. Trucy didn't seem at all phased.

"Hey, listen, I got a favour to ask."

Better huffed. "Forget it. Why should I do anything for the likes of you?"

Trucy put a finger to her chin, as though in thought. "Well, the thing is, my magic show is coming up, but there's been a problem and I can't do one of my acts. I was hoping you'd help me." She gave her signature smile, which made Betty flinch. "After all, I'm sure everyone would love to see your act, too! And I'd really owe you one!"

"You'd… owe us one?" Suddenly, Betty grew a demonic grin across her face. "Alright, Trucy Wright. We'll save your little failure of a show. But you['d better believe you'll make it up to us later!"

Trucy clapped her hands together. "Oh, thank you! And, there's one more…" Trucy turned to Pearl. "Pearls, would you like to be my assistant tonight?"

"… Eh?"

The time came for Trucy's show to begin. Everybody gathered near the stage to watch. As the show started, smoke filled the stage, and out came Trucy and Pearl. Trucy started things off simple, performing some of her more well-known tricks such as her magic panties, her stealing Apollo's bracelet and converting it to flowers and confetti, and a comedy routine with Mr. Hat.

She then moved on to the more intense tricks, such as juggling swords, breathing fire, and her cutting a protesting Apollo in half.

Pearl was given some simple tasks to help pull the tricks off, but even with the knowledge she now had, she still wasn't sure just how Trucy was pulling all this stuff off. The audience ate it up, all save for Apollo Justice, who was still worried he'd never see his bracelet again.

"Thank you! And now, as we approach midnight, I would like to welcome to the stage two fellow magicians of great renown! My good friends, Betty and Bonie de Famme!" Betty and Bonnie entered the stage, wheeling a large coffin with them. The audience clapped as the twins bowed before them. They opened the coffin, and Trucy took Pearl's hand and led her to it. "And now, my lovely assistant and I will enter this box, and be sent to another dimension!"

The door was closed behind them, leaving the two girls alone inside the dark box. Now that they were inside, Trucy gave Pearl and wink and pushed against the back wall, causing it to spin. "It's a false back!" Pearl whispered, amazed. Looking from the outside, it seemed there wasn't enough room for something like that.

"We're alone now," Trucy whispered, gazing into Pearl's eyes. "I gave Betty and Bonnie eight minutes for their act." She wrapped arms around Pearl and pulled the girl in closer to her.

Pearl smiled. Outside, Trucy's voice could be heard. "What's-"

"I recorded my lines in advance," she said.

"And now, as we reach the stroke of midnight, let's all sing the magic words that will send us on our way!" Trucy's voice called out. "Are you ready? Three… two… one…"

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

As the 'magic words' were called out by the audience outside, Trucy leaned forwards and kissed Pearl. Pearl closed her eyes and leaned into the kiss, returning it eagerly. The two held each other close, kissing deeply for a long time before parting. "Merry Christmas, Pearls."

"Merry Christmas, Trucy."

Outside, the coffin was opened to reveal the pair of girls had been replaced with rabbits and doves. Trucy's pre-recorded voice announced that they were lost in the 'magical world', and would need some time to find their way back to 'this dimension'. The de Famme twins took over the show in the meantime.

The two continued kissing for the full eight minutes that they were in there, not wanting to waste a single second that they had together. But it wasn't just the kissing that they enjoyed; they each tightened their embrace over the other, enjoying the warmth of being in their partner's arms.

"Ah, testing, testing, one-two-three!" Trucy's voice sang through the speakers outside.

Pearl gasped, and Trucy sighed. "Guess that's it then," she said, gently placing a hand on Pearl's cheek. "I love you, Pearls."

Pearl felt her heart skip a beat, and a tear began to well in her eye. Trucy brushed it away as Pearl said back, "I love you, too."

"It looks like we're able to come back now! But we need a little more help from the audience again!"

Trucy pushed the false wall, revolving it so that they were back on the other side of the coffin. "Get ready," she said.

"Everyone, on three, let's say the magic word! You all know the one! One, two…"

As the door opened, Trucy, Pearl, Betty and Bonnie, and everybody in the room yelled, "OBJECTION!"

As the magic show wrapped up, the four girls took their bows. The venue manager loved what he saw and approached Trucy to ask her to perform for him again. Trucy declined, instead pointing him to Betty and Bonnie, who were more than happy to accept.

Trucy returned Apollo's bracelet. Apollo could barely contain his tears as relief washed over him. The rest of the group praised them on how great the show was, though Edgeworth and Simon seemed the least interested… but also the most curious as to how the tricks were all performed.

With it now past midnight on Christmas Day, many party-goers opted to leave. Simon Blackquill approached with a drunken Athena slung over his shoulder, complaining that she was 'totally fine' and how 'the night was so young'. He offered to take her to her home, much to Phoenix's relief.

Pearl yawned, and Phoenix decided that they should also leave. They bid farewell to their friends and returned to the office, feeling the intense cold even in the cheap rental car. In the backseats, Trucy and Pearl used the cold as an excuse to cuddle up close… though it was cold enough that they may have done that anyway.

"It was nice seeing everyone again," Trucy said.

"Especially Mystic Maya," Pearl added, and Phoenix nodded.

"Yeah, it sure did take me back, all those familiar faces in one room…"

Trucy held Pearl's hand, and whispered, "Of course, the best thing about tonight was being with you."

Pearl blushed, nudging Trucy slightly. "Baka," she whispered back, though she was smiling. "Sorry we couldn't have more time together."

Trucy shook her head, closing her eyes as she nestled against Pearl's shoulder. "It was more than enough. Just being able to share Christmas with you…"

The rest of the drive back was peaceful, albeit very cold. As the three entered the office, Trucy and Pearl wasted no time running to the sofa, sitting themselves down inside a blanket and pulling over the nearby heater to warm their hands. They sighed pleasantly, and Phoenix had plans to join them as he began to take off his costume, before his phone started to ring.

Out of habit, he answered it, cursing himself mentally as he did so. He wondered who could possibly be calling so late. "Hello, Wright Anything Agency, Phoenix Wright speaking." … "Oh. I-I see. He did that, huh? Well, what do you want me to- Huh? But I just- What about Prosecutor Edge- …" Phoenix sighed. "Alright, fine. I'll come and get him. Sorry for the trouble."

As he put down the phone, he noticed the girls looking at him with curious gazes. "That was the police," he told them. "They have Larry down there right now. Turns out he had a little too much to drink and got into a fight with some guy, after he hit on his girlfriend."

Pearl sighed, shaking her head, whilst Trucy simply smiled sheepishly. "Did he at least win?" Trucy asked, but she already knew the answer.

"It's Larry. Of course he didn't," Phoenix answered, half-smiling, half-grumbling as he finished taking off his costume. He put his coat on and headed for the door. "Since it's the holidays, they're letting him off with a warning, but they want me to pick him up and make sure he gets home safely. Will you two be okay on your own?"

The two simply nodded at first, before it dawned on them what he had just said. They exchanged glances, smiles creeping onto their faces. "A-Alone?" Pearl asked, turning back to Phoenix.

"Shouldn't be any longer than an hour, if the traffic's not too bad."

"Alone for an hour," Trucy said, giving Pearl a half-lidded stare.

"Will that be alright? I can call Edgeworth or Athena if you-"

"We'll be fine, Daddy," Trucy said. "Besides, it'll take too long for either of them to get here, anyway. You go take care of Uncle Larry."

"Well, alright then." Phoenix opened the door, shuddering as the cold flew in, and waved goodbye as he left.

As they waited for the sound of his car to start, Pearl and Trucy stared into each other's eyes. As the engine roared, Trucy moved her hand under the blanket onto Pearl's. "So," she began, "Wanna go to my room, or just stay he-"

Before she could finish, Pearl pounced forwards, pushing Trucy down against the sofa and pinning her down as she kissed her deeply.