Once again, Franziska found herself waiting in the main hall of the courthouse waiting for her brother arrive. Maya noted that Franziska was still noticeably silent that morning like she was the night prior, and every once and awhile, Maya would peek out of the defendant lobby window to check on Franziska in the main hall. Daniel looked concerned as well, but Maya told him to not worry about it.
Eventually Miles walked into the courthouse, spotting Franziska and not paying her too much attention as he walked passed her and towards the stairs, "Have you come to gloat before the trial?" He said in passing.
Franziska shook her head, "No. I came to ask you something."
Stopping in his tracks, Miles turned to glance over his shoulder at his sister, "Is that so? What is it?"
"Why didn't you ever tell me that it was going to be this hard?" Franziska asked. Her voice was weaker than it usually was, and it lacked the bite it normally did.
Miles turned fully to face Franziska, and his expression was solemn. While it did seem like Franziska was only referring to the challenge of working the defense, Miles knew what it really was about. "I didn't want to discourage you, Franziska. It's something that you must do. I didn't want you to quit before you even began."
Franziska crossed her arms, gaze fixated on the ground, "I… I've never felt so many conflicted feelings. Everything I've learned up until now…it feels like a waste! I don't know what any of it means anymore!"
"That's something you have to find out for yourself. You need to find the meaning to everything on your own, Franziska. I can't help you." Miles responded.
"How long must I suffer until I find it?!" Franziska burst, "I don't even know if the answer is worth all of this pain and confusion!"
"I can't answer that for you." Miles sighed, "You must figure it out for yourself whether you want to continue or quit. This journey is not easy. I would hope you'd have the fortitude to see it to the end." And off he walked, leaving Franziska in the dust.
Left on her own, Franziska was quiet for a moment, a million thoughts running through her head. Eventually she grew fed up with it all and let out a distressed growl before stomping off back to the defendant lobby. She did her best to bring her expression and demeanor under control in front of Daniel and Maya, but they still got the impression that something was off about her.
Daniel just smiled a bit upon spotting Franziska, sitting up from the couch and walking over, "Are you ready for another day in court, Ms. Franziska?"
Franziska nodded once, forcing a neutral expression, "If my assumptions prove correct, the trial will come to its end today. Hopefully it does so in our favor."
"Right." Daniel shoved his hands in his pockets, and averted his gaze for a moment, clearing his throat awkwardly, "Well, if you think that's true… then I guess now's as good a time as ever. I should thank the two of you for everything you've been doing for me in this case. I know it's not an easy one, but you two still took it, even when Mr. Wright couldn't. I don't know what to say."
"Aww, Danny…" Maya stood from the couch, moving to Daniel's side, "We're happy to help! It's what we do, after all!"
"Besides, you haven't seen anything yet." Franziska said, a twinkle in her eye and a slight grin to her face.
Daniel grinned widely, "I'm sure of it, Ms. Franziska. You know I believe in you."
Franziska's expression fell and she just stared at Daniel for a moment before slowly nodding her head. The bailiffs appeared to escort Daniel away for the trial, leaving Maya and Franziska on their own for a few moments.
Maya turned to Franziska, a curious look on her face, "With how you just spoke with Danny, I'm assuming we have an ace up our sleeve?"
"Hah…I think I'm taking after Phoenix Wright too much for my own good..." Franziska said weakly, "I was bluffing."
Maya's eyes shot wide and her mouth dropped, "What?! You, bluffing?! Oh god. This is not looking good."
"Stop reminding me!" Franziska snapped, but quickly calmed herself, "...I'm sure the opportunity will arise where I corner Miles once and for all, however…"
Just nodding like she understood, Maya stayed behind as Franziska was then led into the courtroom. She placed a hand over the magatama around her neck and sighed. A few moments later, she finally left.
Court was back in session for another day, and as quickly as it began, Franziska felt her stomach drop just by who was called to the stand first.
"The prosecution calls…" Miles even seemed to swallow harshly at the thought of it all, "…Jeffrey May to the stand."
Franziska considerably winced at the mere thought, and her face only contorted more into a grimace upon setting eyes on the man. She has come across some strange witnesses in her career, and she was certain that this one was going to make a strong competition for her Top 5. Even worse, she was going to have to be the one to deal with the cross examination. That was never her problem before… she just hoped that the universe would show mercy on her in that moment.
"State your name and occupation for the record…" Miles began, treading carefully.
Jeffrey had his index fingers aimed to both temples, and he closed his eyes in concentration, "Shhh… I'm getting a message."
Maya groaned loudly. Franziska just placed her hand over her face and sighed.
"I am Jeffrey May… head of the House of the Eternal Light…" Jeffrey finally uttered, "The light has permitted me to speak…so I speak."
"Ah! How kind of the light to do so." The judge said, unfazed somehow, "Could you please testify as to what you know about the night of the murder?"
Jeffrey was silent for a moment and then he nodded, "Yes, I hear no objections from the light. Well, I was asleep that night. During my slumber, I had a strange dream about Daniel Tanner being taken by the darkness. It startled me so much, it woke me up in a fright. I called Daniel to check up on him, because I believe that the light gives me messages through my dreams. I called his home phone a few times to no response. I then tried his cell at around 1:55, and he picked up. He sounded bothered when he answered. Something must've gotten on his nerves around then."
"Your Honor," Miles began, hint of a smile on his face, "The defendant only answering his cell and not his home phone opens up the possibility that he indeed was not home at the time, which falls in line with the time of the murder of Ireland Boyd."
"I see…" The judge stroked his beard.
"I may be a man of the cloth," Jeffrey said, and Franziska scoffed audibly at that, "but I have to admit… Ireland Boyd deserved what he received...for the sake of his dear wife, he deserved every bit of wrath the light gave him. The light sees all...especially the darkness of others."
Franziska gritted her teeth and clenched her fists. Maya was looking pretty on edge herself, and she looked over at Franziska.
"That evidence is circumstantial at best…" Franziska muttered, "Yet… I cannot fight it…"
Maya stayed quiet at that, instead just looking over the deposition desperately for anything. Sure, the deposition itself was an alibi, but taking the word of a fleeing witness wouldn't pass over well in court.
"The defense may begin its cross." The judge instructed.
Franziska couldn't bring herself to speak for the first few moments, but eventually she managed to just ask a question to stall for time if nothing else, "You've stated that the defendant was bothered when picking up the phone?"
"Yes. There was a roughness to his voice that I had never heard before. Part of me wondered if the darkness had already taken over him!" Jeffrey looked shocked at the thought.
Franziska slowly nodded, figuring it best to not press on that part of the response, "Right… Well, the phone call was at 1:55 in the morning. Couldn't it be that Daniel Tanner was sleeping before you picked up? That would explain the annoyance and the fact it took numerous calls to wake him."
Jeffrey shook his head, "I don't know."
The judge narrowed his eyes, "Unless you have proof to state that Daniel Tanner was indeed at his home, Defense, I will have no choice but the dismiss the witness and issue my verdict."
Letting out a shaky sigh, Franziska lowered her head into her hands and tried and wracked her brain for any answers. She didn't know how she could prove it, and she couldn't believe how she was going to lose her case over something so circumstantial.
Maya was still skimming over the deposition as quickly as she could, and soon enough she came over the 'sock-puppet reject' joke. She let out an amused exhale at that, but she noticed something in that section, and she then nudged Franziska in the side to try and grab her attention. Once she got it, Maya pointed at the statement following the insult, "Look!" Maya whispered, "Dawn heard the home phone ring. It all makes sense now!"
Franziska snatched the deposition out of Maya's hands and read it over before looking up at the judge, "Your Honor, the defense can prove that the defendant was indeed home at the time!"
"Then state it quickly." The judge shot back.
"In my hands I have a deposition from Dawn Jennings, who is the defendant's significant other. She was present at his home at the time of the murder and she can vouch that Daniel Tanner never left his room upstairs once arriving at home at 1:15 am." Franziska looked over that particular passage one more time, "Dawn Jennings states in this deposition that she heard the home phone ring and chose not to answer it because… Well, I do not believe I can repeat these words on the record, but for reasons, and then she heard Daniel's voice shortly after coming from upstairs. This proves that the defendant was indeed home at the time of the phone calls!"
The judge instructed the bailiff to bring the deposition over to him, and he read over the contents for a moment, "…My, you're correct. This woman has quite a mouth on her…" He shook his head, "But this is acceptable evidence. How does the prosecution respond?"
Miles closed his eyes and crossed his arms, "It does not matter what this alleged girlfriend stated, because we still have a witness who will confirm Daniel Tanner's guilt. It's the wife of the deceased herself: Mary Kay Boyd."
Franziska's eyes shot wide and she clenched at her arm's sleeve. Maya just grimaced. The universe seemed to grant Franziska mercy by having Jeffrey act tamer than usual, but in repayment, the universe just royally screwed her case over.
Mary Kay Boyd was then escorted to the stand, and before she spoke, Miles addressed the courtroom, "Before we begin, the prosecution would like to state that the witness has been offered full immunity for her testimony in this case."
"Immunity?" The judge repeated, "For what?"
"Conspiracy to commit murder." Mary Kay interrupted, "I helped Daniel Tanner kill Ireland, because I wanted him out of the picture so me and Daniel could finally be together. I've been having an affair with him ever since he moved into town."
In the heat of the moment, Franziska's gaze shot over towards Daniel, who just vigorously shook his head. Normally Franziska's purpose in the courtroom was to cast doubt on others, but in this situation, all she could do was believe in who she was representing. She never really believed in anyone before, but just the terrified and disgusted expression on Daniel's face was enough to make her put her trust in someone, even if it was just this once.
"Why come forward now?!" Franziska shouted, slamming her hand on the desk, "The trial is nearly over. Why jeopardize yourself by confessing to a crime when the end is already in sight?"
"Detective Rice cornered me." Mary Kay said simply, "He said he'd help me if I was honest with him."
Franziska growled, "Knowing that idiot, he was probably bluffing to see if he could get something to destroy my case… I'd take Scruffy over that foolish fool for a detective any day…"
"Now, if we could get on with the testimony, Your Honor?" Miles turned towards the judge.
"Yes, yes. Let's get to that." The judge agreed, "Witness. We're waiting."
"Daniel has always been obsessed with me, ever since he found out about my...situation with Ireland. Ireland constantly abused me and my kids, and Daniel found that out quickly. Daniel always checked in on me whenever I got into a bad fight with Ireland...and it became obvious that he was making passes at me in doing so. I couldn't help it. I fell for him. We then came up with a scheme to kill Ireland because he was getting worse and worse. Daniel killed him, and I lied to the police to keep him safe...until the police found me out." Mary Kay stated, barely expressive during her testimony.
"That's so gross…" Maya grimaced, not even able to look Mary Kay in the eye.
Franziska nodded weakly in response, and she gave Mary Kay a quick glance over. She placed Mary Kay at around fifty years old, which was probably being nice. Narrowing her eyes, Franziska just continued staring at Mary Kay, something which caught Maya's eye.
"What are you doing?" Maya said in a hushed whisper, glancing between Mary Kay and Franziska uneasily.
"I'm assuming you know of the belief that some of the evilest people are those who can locate and seamlessly attack someone's deepest insecurities?" Franziska asked simply, not tearing her eyes away from Mary Kay.
Maya scratched her cheek, "...Yeah?"
"Well…" Franziska stood up straight and sighed, "If we're to follow that mindset, let's just say that I'm about to become one of the most despicable people on the planet for what I'm going to do."
Wincing at the thought, Maya just nodded and didn't press issues further. In her mind, Maya made a note to never get on Franziska's bad side. Ever. That would end in one of the most eloquently put but viciously assembled personal attack in history.
"So, witness…" Franziska walked out from behind the bench, crossing her arms and closing her eyes, "We're to believe that you've been having an affair with Daniel Tanner?"
"It's the truth." Mary Kay shot back.
"Mmm… Yes, right." Franziska nearly rolled her eyes, "Would you mind telling me when this alleged affair began?"
Mary Kay furrowed her brow in thought, "About a year ago, I'd say."
Despite herself, Franziska nearly gagged from that revelation. That would put Daniel at around 17 or at least close to 18 when the affair began if that were true...and Mary Kay was definitely at least 50. Regardless, Franziska tried to push that imagery to the far back of her mind and she continued, "And you have two children, correct?"
"Yes." Mary Kay nodded, "One is fifteen, and the other is thirteen." Mary Kay stated.
"And Daniel Tanner still pursued you even if he was young enough to be your children's sibling?" Franziska asked cautiously. The entire notion of an affair between the two of them was rancid.
Mary Kay narrowed her eyes, "Yes. I don't understand it either."
"But that didn't deter you the slightest…" Franziska commented, now instead pursuing another direction for her questions, "There's something else I'm curious about. Since Ireland Boyd was a horrible person and a drunkard, I doubt he made much money for the family. Did the income mostly rely on you, Ms. Boyd?"
"...Yes." Mary Kay was visibly growing curious with the line of questioning.
Nodding, Franziska stopped pacing around and settled a foot or two in front of the witness's stand, placing a hand on her hip, "Interesting. Well, Ms. Boyd… Would you consider yourself Daniel's….girlfriend?"
"In juvenile terms, I suppose that's accurate." Mary Kay sighed.
Franziska grinned and lifted her chin, shooting a smug look Mary Kay's way, "Funny. I didn't take Daniel Tanner as the type of guy to have two girlfriends at once."
"There's another?!" Mary Kay recoiled from the witness's stand, shocked.
Miles narrowed his eyes at Franziska, crossing his arms. Franziska could feel his gaze on her, but she didn't falter. Even if what she was going to do was a really, really dickish move, Franziska would be lying if she said she wasn't going to enjoy it and having her brother watch.
"Uh-huh…" Franziska's tone was dripping with amusement, "Her name is Dawn Jennings. Not only does she not have two kids, but her family is overrun with money." Franziska walked up to the witness's stand and placed a hand on it, leaning closer to Mary Kay with an intimidating amount of confidence, "And I must say, she quite the attractive one…especially with that rebellious, youthful air to her. But none of that really matters, does it? Because according to you, Daniel Tanner chose you."
"H-He did…" Mary Kay stuttered, trying to remain strong in this standoff with Franziska.
Franziska only shrugged, and quickly her confident words were replaced with a voice laced with venom, "I find it strange, though… If Daniel Tanner captured the eyes of a woman who was young, hot, and rich...why would he ever settle for an old, basic, used lady like you?" She essentially delivered that last part in a sneer, and she pushed off the witness stand and started walking away.
Maya looked at Franziska with a hand over her mouth, unable to believe what she was hearing right now. Miles had a similar feeling himself, but he wasn't showing it as deeply. Mary Kay was bewildered beyond belief.
"How dare you?!" Mary Kay shot back, "You know nothing about me!"
Franziska came to a stop and slowly turned around, "Oh, I know enough." She pointed at Mary Kay, expression reading like a scowl, "I know you're nearly three times his age. I know you're a mother of two. I know you're supporting your entire family off your income alone. I also know that no teenage male would ever think of entering a relationship with someone like that. It's too much responsibility. No one in the right mind would pass up on what Dawn Jennings has to offer, either. I know something else, too… It's that you, Mary Kay Boyd, are lying."
Mary Kay just growled, but she couldn't bring herself to fight back.
Letting out a sigh, Franziska shook her head, "I also found something else that Dawn Jennings has that you don't, just to add to the long list already. Unlike you, she can actually stand up for herself." With that, she simply went back to behind the defense's bench and waited.
That seemed to be her breaking point, as Mary Kay slammed her hand down on the witness's bench, filled to the brim with anger, "I can stand up for myself! I'm the one who orchestrated the whole murder! I'm the one who freed myself from Ireland's abuse! You have no right to say I don't hold my own when I so clearly can!"
"And I'm sure you're right there, Ms. Boyd. You have the perfect reason to want your husband dead. I don't doubt that you had something to do with the murder, but I know my client wasn't involved in it, either." Franziska retorted.
The judge pounded his gavel, bringing the confrontation between Franziska and Mary Kay to an end. "That's enough! Defense… if you so claim that Daniel Tanner wasn't involved, but Mary Kay was, who do you think the true murderer in this case is?"
"That's obvious, Your Honor. It's…" Suddenly her eyes shot wide. She spoke too soon in saying she knew the murderer's identity. She couldn't think of a name, and Franziska slowly placed her hands on the desk, the courtroom falling under silence.
"That's what I thought…" The judge sighed, "Then I believe it's time for my verdict."
Franziska's worst nightmare suddenly came into fruition, and she hunched over the desk, widened eyes trained on the wood below her, appalled by how yet again, she was on her way for another loss. She failed, and not only did she fail herself, but she failed Daniel Tanner, Maya…. and even Phoenix Wright. She gritted her teeth and squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for perhaps the only time in her life she would be crushed by a guilty verdict...but before the forsaken word was uttered, something threw the courtroom into a screeching halt.
"HOLD IT!"
Franziska's head snapped upward at the voice. She couldn't place it, and she knew that the courtroom was empty aside from the counselors, the judge, the witnesses, and the defendant. Instinctively her gaze flew around the room and soon settled looking to her right, and Franziska was surprised to see that her co-counsel was suddenly a lot taller than she was just a few moments ago.
"It's...you?" Franziska trailed off out of disbelief. She heard the tales about this woman, and she's even seen her once or twice in the courtroom at Phoenix's side… But Franziska never imagined Mia Fey would show up to assist her of all people.
Mia turned towards Franziska, a little bit shocked, "How strange… Did I somehow end up on the wrong side of this courtroom...?"
Franziska weakly shook her head, swallowing harshly. Maya was a smart one, pulling out their final trump card at the last minute. "Long story…"
"...I won't ask." Mia sighed, quickly moving on, "But I have to say, I'm disappointed. I cannot believe that someone like you didn't notice it sooner. Here I thought you were a prodigy, and yet… The truth evades you still."
Furrowing her brow, Franziska shot Mia a glare, though it lacked the normal intensity to it, "Are you simply going to speak in cryptic messages all day and be a nuisance, or are you going to help me?"
Mia shook her head, "You have to figure it out for yourself, but I will say this." She pointed to her temple, "You can't look inside the box for a solution. You have to find out who else other than Daniel Tanner would be involved with Mary Kay to kill Ireland. The only way you will find your answer it to turn your thinking about, Franziska."
Noticing the disruption to the verdict being announced, Mary Kay cut in, "Daniel was involved! No matter what you say, it's obvious that he did it! The light sees all!"
The judge slammed his gavel, "Ms. Boyd! If you continue to interrupt this courtroom, I'll have no choice but to hold you in contempt!"
At Mary Kay's outburst, Franziska's eyes shot wide in realization and the entirety of the trial ran through her mind. "'The light sees all…'" She repeated, and she immediately straightened herself out, "Ms. Boyd! Are you a follower of the House of the Eternal Light?"
"Of course!" Mary Kay scoffed, "The light's been my salvation ever since my relationship with Ireland went south! He's what keeps me going through my days!"
"He's…?" Franziska crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes, "You wouldn't happen to be talking about Jeffrey May, would you?"
Mary Kay went silent at that, merely clenching her jaw and cutting herself off from speaking any further.
A grin rose to Franziska's lips, "All's becoming clear to me now… I can only think of one thing that is left to be answered before the truth comes out…"
"The trial has already ended, Franziska." Miles interjected, "It's too late."
Turning her head towards Edgeworth, Franziska just shot him a baleful glance, "Hypocrisy doesn't compliment you, Miles Edgeworth. For someone who's been trying to ingrain in me that the role of a prosecutor is to uncover the truth, it's shameful that you would deny me of that very chance to show it in this courtroom." Franziska lifted her chin and sneered, "Or was everything you've told me just a lie?"
That seemed to submit Edgeworth into silence, and Franziska took that as her cue to press on, "Jeffrey May! I need to only know one thing… What color is your truck?"
"Ms. Wright!" The judge shouted, "Need I remind you that the cross-examinations of these witnesses are over!"
Franziska simply blew the judge off, "Answer me!"
"R-Red!" Jeffrey stammered.
Even though that was the answer Franziska wanted to hear, she still slammed her fist down on the defense's bench, "Am I surrounded by some lot of hypocrites today? Jeffrey May, you have some nerve to stand here today and let an innocent man be convicted of murder! A man who came to your church to rehabilitate himself! A man who respected you! Have you forgotten the key element to your faith? The fact that 'the light sees all?' Don't consider it blind to you simply because of your standing! It still sees your sins!"
"Ms. Wright! That's enough!" The judge slammed his gavel.
Franziska finally abided by the judge's instructions and she quieted herself, but she still stared right down at Jeffrey May. His head was in his hands, and he was clearly conflicted about something. Franziska clenched her hand and waited, "Come on…" She said beneath her breath, "I'm so close…"
Mia looked between Franziska and Jeffrey, somewhat downtrodden, "Was it not enough after all? Was I too late?"
The judge shook his head, "Well, this has been delayed long enough…"
"W-WAIT!"
And then the judge hung his head, "And what disturbs these proceedings now?"
Jeffrey May stood up, nervously fiddling with his collar, "I-It was me! I killed Ireland Boyd!"
Franziska eased up a bit, crossing her arms, "Jeffrey May owns a red truck, which falls perfectly in line with Glenn Warner's testimony yesterday that a red truck was the one to lure Ireland Boyd to his death. This goes without mentioning that he has exhibited a strange obsession with Mary Kay Boyd from the beginning, and a deep loathing for the deceased. His motive lies with his relationship to Mary Kay Boyd… Jeffrey May disposed of Ireland Boyd so he and Mary Kay could be together in peace."
The judge still appeared on-edge from the constant disruptions, but he at least calmed himself enough to proceed, "Mr. May… Is this true?"
Jeffrey sighed, "Yes… I can hide it no longer. I cannot keep the truth from the light. I was the one who worked according to Mary Kay's plan… It wasn't Daniel."
Mary Kay shot up out of her seat, confronting Jeffrey, "You idiot! We were so close to getting away with it all! Why couldn't you have kept your mouth shut for five minutes longer?!"
"You heard the attorney!" Jeffrey countered, "I cannot keep things from the light! I cannot betray it and be taken by the darkness! I had to tell the truth!"
"Order!" The judge pounded his gavel again, "That's enough! Bailiffs, detain these two immediately!"
The court bailiffs then grabbed Jeffrey and Mary Kay and dragged them away, despite their resistance. Once the shouting faded and the doors to the courtroom closed, all eyes went back to the judge, who was rubbing his head.
"Well, I certainly never found this turn of events coming… Though it leaves me with no other choice. In the case of The People v. Daniel Tanner, the court finds the defendant…Not Guilty. Court is now adjourned." He pounded his gavel and immediately left for his chambers.
Franziska let out a breath she didn't even know she was holding in. Finally, it was all over…
"I must say, Franziska… For someone who doesn't have an ounce of experience as a defense attorney, you did quite well." Mia smiled a bit, "I'm going to assume Phoenix got into trouble again. Was it another fiery bridge?"
Franziska shook her head, "No. His client from his previous case fled, and he left to chase the man down. I somehow got left with cleaning up after his mess."
"Typical Phoenix." Mia shook her head and let out an amused sigh, "Well, congratulations regardless. I bet it was no easy task for you." She grinned once more, "I'm sure Maya will be happy to hear the news, so I won't keep her waiting any longer. May we meet again...but hopefully, on the opposite side of this courtroom." Mia teased, her body illuminating in a white light.
Nodding, Franziska managed to get one last bit in before Mia left, "Thank you, Mia Fey…"
Suddenly the light vanished, and Maya was left standing where Mia last stood, and she was very unsteady on her feet. She nearly fell over, but Franziska caught Maya by the shoulders and steadied her. "What happened…?" Maya mumbled groggily, glancing around, "Did we win…?"
Franziska nodded, "We did. Daniel Tanner's a free man."
Despite her exhaustion, Maya still perked up at that and nearly bounced, "Yay! We did it!" And then she jumped forward, somehow having enough strength to nearly tackle Franziska in a hug, "I knew he was innocent!"
Franziska stumbled a bit, but she quickly regained her balance. She didn't exactly hug Maya back, but she was certainly less hostile than the last time Maya tried hugging her.
Maya picked up on that, and she recoiled away, "Oh… Right… No touching… And I guess you only care for your revenge, not the fact that Daniel was innocent, huh...?"
Lowering her head, Franziska clenched her jaw. Suddenly she remembered how Maya said that she would be there to listen if Franziska ever needed it, and Franziska found herself opening up if only a little, "It's...strange. Although I've worked for so long to defeat my brother… now that I have, I feel...nothing."
Maya tilted her head, quirking a brow, "Not even just a little bit of smugness…?"
Franziska shook her head and sighed, "Nothing. Absolutely nothing."
"Huh…" Maya scratched her cheek, before remembering something, "Oh! I think I have something that can cheer you up! I left it in the defendant lobby. I wanted to give it to you once the trial was over, and hey! I guess that's now!"
Franziska furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, and before she knew it, she was being dragged off into the defendant lobby. Once they were there, Maya kneeled on the couch and reached behind it, rummaging around for a bit before pulling something out, "Found it!" She exclaimed, and she walked over towards Franziska and held the strange item out to her, "Here! For you!"
Taking the item in hand, Franziska just glanced down at it, pursing her lips, "Some...newspapers?" For once in her life, she was trying to find a tactful way to respond, "...Ah. Maybe there's a good story in here. I understand now. Thank you."
Maya rolled her eyes playfully, "Nooo, Franzy! That's not the gift! I just used the newspapers to wrap it all. I don't really have fancy gift paper just lying around, y'know."
Franziska just nodded her head and started to unwrap the present. As she was doing that, Maya started to give a bit of explanation regarding the gift, "So… That night when you gave me money for dinner, I saw how much you gave me... Speaking of which, I want to come back to that later, because I have a feeling you really underestimate how much an American dollar is worth… But anyways, I thought I'd use it to get you something nice for all the trouble you went through to help us out."
At that point Franziska had finished unwrapping the gift, and she saw what was inside, "So…it's clothes?" She glanced up at Maya for an answer.
Maya nodded and clapped her hands together, "I felt bad about ruining all of your stuff during our investigation, so I went to Lordly Tailor to get you new ones! I saw Adrian Andrews there, and she helped me find something that would fit your style! She was really excited to help out." She leaned a bit closer, "She also told me to tell you to call her sometime so you two can make plans, or something."
Franziska raised her eyebrows when going over it all in her head, "Oh… That seems reasonable enou- wait! You went to Lordly Tailor for all of this?!" Franziska's eyes widened, "But… But no matter how much money I gave you that night, there was no way you could buy even their cheapest outfit with it! How did you…?!"
Maya scratched her cheek and winced a bit, "Yeah… I found out how ridiculously expensive everything was when I walked in… Remember how I was unaccounted for that night for like, five hours? Yeah… I gambled with your money so I could get more to buy you the stuff… But hey! It worked! Adrian even helped me get a fifty percent discount because I lended them my village's urn for an exhibit!"
Franziska's shoulders slumped and she just stared at Maya in disbelief, "I...I'm speechless….And I can't tell if that's because of the fact you gambled with my money...or the fact that it actually paid off…"
Maya closed her eyes, grinning widely, "I'm taking that as a compliment. I'm really good at cards, apparently."
Shaking her head and composing herself, Franziska managed to force the slightest hint of a grin to her face, "You know...Even though you bought this with my money.. This may just be the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me. So… Thank you, Maya."
"Aww, Franzy!" Maya exclaimed, "Using other people's money yet being completely lovable is kinda my thing...so it was nothing!" She held out her arms, but suddenly remembered something, "Right. No hugs. Got it. I'll just give you a thumbs-up."
Franziska pursed her lips before letting out a sigh and hastily averting her gaze to the side, "You have two seconds. Don't make it awkward, and you will never speak of this to anybody unless you want to taste my whip."
"Wow…" Maya laughed nervously, slowly taking Franziska in for a hug, "This is the most terrified I've ever been to hug someone before…"
"That's the entire point…" Franziska huffed, but she did at least hug back for a split second before pulling away.
At that instant, Daniel Tanner was led into the defendant room, and the grin on his face was gigantic, "I-I can't believe it! You two did it!"
Maya bounced and smiled in return, "I know! Franziska really pulled through for us, huh?"
Daniel looked over towards Franziska and nodded, scratching the back of his neck, "Yeah, for sure! Now that it's over, I gotta admit though… I didn't know if you were sold on me being innocent at first…"
Franziska shook her head, "That's nonsense. As a defense attorney, the only thing I can do is believe in my client's innocence… I knew I had to believe in you from the start, and I did. I saw your eyes when you told us about your brother… That was when I truly could not ever bring myself to doubt you."
Maya just grinned to herself and crossed her arms, "Now there's something I never thought I'd ever hear you say… Today's full of surprises, huh?"
Franziska rolled her eyes and huffed. Just when she was about to say something snappy in return, the doors to the lobby burst open, and in popped in someone clumsily.
"Did I miss it?! Please tell me we won!"
Maya's jaw dropped upon laying eyes on this visitor, and her eyes looked ready to pop out of her head, "NICK?!"
Phoenix spun around, spotting Maya and the others, "Maya! What happened?! How did Edgeworth do?! He won, right?!"
Maya grinned a bit, sneaking a glance at Franziska, "Actually, Edgy lost. Badly."
"WHAAAAAAT?!" Phoenix shouted, taking his head in his hands, "Oh, man! I should've never left! What am I gonna say to Daniel Tanner?! He's gonna hate me… I ruined him!"
Daniel shook his head and laughed, "Hold your horses, Phoenix. Edgeworth may have lost, but that doesn't mean I did."
Phoenix's shoulders sagged, and there were beads of sweat gathering on his forehead, "...I don't get it. I left your defense in his hands!"
That managed to get a confused look out of Daniel, and he looked off at Franziska and weakly pointed her way, "Then why did…"
Franziska shook her head and crossed her arms, "Phoenix Wright. Your blind trust of my little brother nearly cost Daniel Tanner his life… It was reckless, and foolish. Your little plan was in shambles because Miles was the appointed prosecutor for this case." She smirked, "You're quite lucky that I came along and saved your case for you."
"You were the defense?!" Phoenix looked like his heart was beating a thousand times a minute, "...Oh my god. Mr. Tanner. I'm so sorry!"
"Hey!" Franziska growled, "What's that supposed to mean, you fool?!"
"And what are you apologizing for?!" Daniel panicked, "She did great!"
"How many times did she whip you? Did she leave any scars? Please tell me you're okay!" Phoenix was shaking Daniel's shoulders incessantly at that point.
"...Whip me?" Daniel grimaced, shooting a look over at Franziska, "...My defense team was a bunch of lunatics… How am I alive…"
Franziska clenched her fist and bared her gritted teeth, "I'll have you know that my whip was confiscated, Phoenix Wright! I couldn't do anything, even if I wanted to!"
Maya wagged her finger, "Nuh-uh! You totally tried you use Miles' cravat as a stand in!"
"I thought you were on my side!" Franziska shot back, "Did these past few days mean nothing to you?!"
"...I'm so sorry! Please don't whip meeeeee!" Maya shrieked.
"OKAY, GUYS! I THINK WE SHOULD SETTLE DOWN!" Daniel finally shouted, looking pretty panicked and weirded out.
Once everyone calmed down a bit, Phoenix rubbed the back of his neck and flashed a sheepish grin, "Seriously, though… Thanks, Franziska. For everything. I couldn't live with myself if Daniel got convicted because of me."
"Well, I certainly did better in this case than you ever could." Franziska sighed, "How did the meeting with that one client of yours go? Did everything work out?"
Phoenix closed his eyes and laughed nervously, "Yeah… It's all good! It went better than I thought it would!"
Just when Franziska was about to nod as her response...something unimaginable happened. The color to her vision inverted, and suddenly chains shot out and wrapped around Phoenix, before three locks appeared on those chains. The breath was nearly knocked out of Franziska at the sight, and her eyes went wide and her lips fell slightly agape. She just stared at Phoenix in disbelief, unable to move, unable to say anything. It was the last place she expected to see those 'Psychic Locks,' but…
A hand at her wrist knocked her out of her thoughts, and Franziska looked behind her to see Miles, who she didn't even hear come in.
"A word, Franziska?" He asked quietly.
Franziska just swallowed, pushing what just happened to the back of her mind and shaking her head to fix her vision. She didn't say anything, she just walked with Miles out of the defendant lobby and turned to him once they were alone.
"Good work in there, Franziska." Miles said as a preface, "I'm impressed. Your knowledge and understanding of the law has changed considerably since the last I've seen of you. It looks as if your journey down this path is paying off." He grinned slightly, something that would be easily missed if Franziska wasn't so observant.
Franziska just crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes, "Enough with the idle chatter, Miles. I know you're just stalling." Her expression took on a much more urgent and angered shade, "I demand to know what secret you've so dared to keep from me since this trial began!"
Miles sighed, "Business as always with you, I see… How should I put this…" He straightened his back and closed his eyes in thought, "I received the most curious letter a few days ago– one on the topic of you, Franziska."
"And?" Franziska raised an eyebrow, tapping her foot, "Why should I care?"
"It was from someone who was interested in meeting you, and they came to me first because they knew I was closest to you and…well, they considered me more approachable, it seems." Miles explained.
Franziska only rolled her eyes, "If it's another suitor, then I'm not interested. You of all people should know that."
Miles let out a defeated sigh, "It's not a suitor, Franziska. The person who wishes to meet you is someone named Amelia…Amelia von Karma."
That snapped Franziska into finally paying attention; her eyebrows knitted together in confusion and her mouth slightly parted, "No… That can't be right…"
"Franziska…" Miles's voice was lowered into one barely above a whisper.
Franziska clenched her jaw and swallowed. She knew the only way that she could possibly be related to this mysterious woman, but she couldn't accept that possibility as reality…at least until Miles cemented it and made it impossible to ignore.
"…You have a sister."
