Limits of Perfection

Chapter 2:

Perfect Mind

Author's note: Okay…you know the drill. I don't own Phoenix Wright games or characters…and if I did, I'd be swimming in my own pool of money (which would be shaped like a dollar bill!) This part is extremely important to the plot, so bear with me! And thank you to all my reviewers!

BANG!

The sensation was…it was that of floating. As though she was trapped in an empty void of eternal darkness, with no place to go. For those three seconds it took her to realize what had happened, it seemed as though hours had gone by. And then, she hit the concrete with a thud, and all came back to her. As she lay there clutching her shoulder, her life's blood poured from the wound violently. She could hear them now…all those people screaming around her, the jumbled tangle of words that floated in her mind. She saw them. Fleeing, racing, fearing for their own safety. It was when the realization hit her, that her eyes were fully open, and she was fully alert. 'They…they are leaving me to…to…' She wouldn't allow her mind to finish the sentence.

"………KA!"

She moved her head slowly towards the sound, which was being drowned out by the sound of her heavy, frantic breathing. Now, once again, there was that sound, but running feet were now accompanying it. She took a chance and glanced at the gaping wound, before looking away, completely horrified at the sight of her own blood, and the slightly exposed bone. She turned, looking up into a very familiar set of eyes.

"M…Mi…"

Darkness crept back, and she willingly succumbed to it. She fell victim once again to the blackest pit of her mind, not knowing whether or not she would ever wake up again.

'A…A Von Karma…is…is… perfect…'

She had returned to Germany. She had the chance to change her flight, or not even go at all, but there was nothing Miles could do to persuade her to do so. The only glimmer of hope he had, was the fact that she had let tears well up in her eyes before they parted. He only could hope that she would return to America…that she would return to him. It had been over a year, before Miles had ever heard from her again. And when he did, it was only for a brief amount of time. He remembered that phone conversation all too well, and how it had sent him packing his bags, and booking the next flight to Germany, all while outwardly remaining calm and collected.

Date: February 13

Place: Miles Edgeworth's Apartment

Time: 1:56 AM

He had been fast asleep, after a hard day of work. It was true, that he hadn't won a single case against Phoenix Wright, yet, but against the other defense attorneys…he was a machine that could not be stopped. Miles Edgeworth was sprawled out on the couch, the magenta colored suit he normally wore, was draped over the edge of the leather sofa. He saw her face clearly in his dreams, each dream so realistic that he swore once he woke up, she would be right there in the room. Tonight was no exception, but as he reached out as though to take her hand in his, an obnoxious ring tone interrupted. Miles made a mental note to kill Phoenix later, for messing with his phone, and shook himself awake. The prosecutor picked up his cell phone, glancing casually at the number, which he didn't recognize, but answered the call anyways.

"Hello, Miles Edgeworth speaking."

The sound that came from the other end was static. Miles checked the phone, thinking the person must've hung up, but that was not the case. The call was still connected, according to his phone.

"Hello?"

"……………ka…"

"I beg your pardon?" The person on the other end…had they actually said something? If they had…their cell or telephone had HORRIBLE reception.

"………nska!"

"I believe you have the wrong-"

"IT'S FRANZISKA!"

The sound of his Big Sister's voice, agitated at him, made his toes curl, and he jumped slightly losing his normally calm composure. Miles opened his mouth to speak but found that he had lost his voice suddenly. What was he going to say? It had been over a year now, since he had spoken to Franziska Von Karma…suddenly everything that he ever wanted to say to her, was wanting to be said. Entire feelings were forming in his mind that he didn't even know how to express beforehand, let alone now. But Franziska saved him the trouble of speech.

"Come to Germany, little brother."

"…I beg your pardon?" Miles asked, shocked at the sudden proposal.

"Come to………I need your help………case………suspicious……"

Franziska's reception was going out again, and static was prevailing. Miles tried frantically to get whatever it was out of the German that needed to be said, after hearing her jumbled sentence.

"I need your help."

Never in his life had he EVER heard Franziska utter those words. She always had been the first to claim that she never needed anyone, and that she could take care of herself just fine. Especially when it came to him. For some reason, Miles couldn't figure out why, Franziska always believed that she had been hidden in Miles' shadow. So when she did say that she needed help, Miles knew that there was something terribly wrong going on. But what this was…he was never able to get out of her, for the conversation ended with the click of her phone. He tried to call her back again. But the number was said to be disconnected by the monotone operator on the other end.

He had never packed a suitcase and booked a flight in such short amount of time.

So he flew to Germany, but it was about the time that he landed, that Miles realized he had NO idea where Franziska was at. His best bet, as unfortunate as the thought was, was to go to the Von Karma estate. When Miles appeared at the doorway to the large mansion, he paused, to realize just how long it had been since he had been here...and how many memories he had of this place...almost none of them good...

"And this is YOUR room. You will follow every household rule to the absolute perfection for which it was created. This household RUNS on perfection. I will not tolerate you causing my manor to go into disarray. You will be up and ready at five each morning, dressed, combed, showered. You will have your bed made, and any books you might have read, put away in alphabetical order on the bookshelf. Breakfast is served at 5:10 AM. SHARP. Don't you dare come down any later. You are to follow each and every order I give you, or you will be kicked to the curb, Miles Edgeworth. Are we CLEAR?" Manfred Von Karma turned sharply on the young Edgeworth and glared that customary glare that was his, and his alone. Miles, knowing better than to say anything other than the man wanted to hear, shook his head in agreement. "Yes sir." he said in a strong voice, knowing weakness would get him nowhere in Von Karma's eyes. He was right. Manfred Von Karma let a sliver of an evil smile appear on his lips, and he laughed, a low rumble of mad thunder. "Good...good..."

As he explored the house, a young Miles Edgeworth stumbled upon a nursery, where a little female toddler sat in her crib. She looked at Edgeworth with eyes that stared through his own, into his soul, and then back again. They were emotionless...cold...unlike that of a normal child. It appeared as though she had been waiting for someone, and Edgeworth was not it. Becoming braver, or incredibly stupid, Miles walked towards the little girl, with the friendliest smile on that he could muster, considering this toddler had just scared him out of his wits.

"H-hi there...I...I'm sorry to intrude-"
"Miles."

Edgeworth stood, dumbfounded as the toddler spoke. She had just spoken his name before he ever had the chance to say it!

"How...how did-"

The young child stopped in mid-sentence as he heard the thump of a cane against the floor. He knew that Von Karma was coming, and he straightened up instantly. His entire character became different, and if he didn't know better, Miles swore that the toddler was watching him with interest now. Manfred walked into the nursery, nodding curtly to Miles. "I had a feeling that by this time you would have discovered my...daughter." he stated, not bothering to hide his disgust that covered the last word. He made it very clear to Edgeworth immediately that he was NOT fond of even having this child around, and would probably NEVER be. For that one second, Miles felt pity for the toddler, until he felt Von Karma's cane, sharply in his side. He cursed inwardly, realizing that he must have shown his feelings outwardly without noticing it.

"It...it won't happen again...sir..."

Manfred Von Karma gave his traditional sneering smile, and walked off after hearing Miles affirming words. Edgeworth held his side, as it stung horribly. He sat down on the nursery floor, catching his breath through gritted teeth. It was while he was doing this, that he felt a hand on his shoulder...a slightly pudgy hand...When Miles looked up, there was the toddler, standing over him a look of concern on her face. At this rate, Miles didn't even bother to ask how she had even gotten out of her crib, but nodded to her instead. "I'm fine...thank you." The toddler sat down next to Miles, her face once again blank. For a while, there was silence, and then the toddler pointed to herself.

"Franziska."