Limits of Perfection

Chapter 11:

Perfect Price to Pay

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!) However! I DO own Marty Cruss and Herr Volker. No touchie!

To the reviewers:

LazyCatfish27: Yup! Poor Franziska...

Lu Vox: I won't walk away from the story! I promise!

Jade: Hahah, I really didn't think about the whole Maxamillion thing...it wasn't clicking at the time!

Here's a challenge for you! If anyone can figure out what criminal from Law and Order SVU Marty is based off of, I will write them a story of their request! And here's three hints!

1.) They share the same occupation
2.) Riddles
3.) Season 6

AND NOW...TO THE STORY!

Her heart pounded hard in her ears as she heard Marty's words. The sheer terror reflected in her eyes was apparent by the stiffness in her body. Marty's hand was tighter upon hers now, and she vaguely registered the fact that they were moving. Actually, it was more like Marty was moving and pulling Franziska along the platform. It was...a blur...colors were starting to jumble...to basics...white...then black. She faintly felt herself falling and remembered the hard way she bit the concrete...and then she remembered.

Miles...

Never had anything hurt so bad as when Miles got angry. Sure, his anger was childish and it maybe consisted of a punch to the arm, or a slap on the wrist...but nothing ever hurt as bad. Physically...she could handle it...she'd handled her father's temper rather well. But mentally...when Miles was made at her, her world collapsed inside. She'd never show it, no. She was a von Karma. She had no such feelings as being hurt...or being lonely...or scared. When he got mad at her...it was in those earlier stages...before her father had made Miles' own iron-clad curtain. When he...when he had such human feelings.

"It's not fair! It's not fair, Franziska!" A young Miles Edgeworth shouted, slamming his book shut. "How do you know so much more than me? You're so much younger! How can you-" " I. Study." Franziska, now four, stated to Miles, her eyes narrowing with agitation. He was interrupting her studying! The fool. "It's a concept foreign to you, apparrently. Studying...the process of opening a book, reading the words in it, taking notes, and then moving on to the next section. You on the other hand, have fallen asleep twice today. Honestly, Miles Edgeworth...I am beginning to believe that you are truly not worthy of my father's title of apprentice." In a flash, Miles was beside her, his eyes flashing. "What are you going to do? Hit me?" Franziska asked dryly. "You've seen what Father does to me. You think I wouldn't endure you?" Her words made Miles stop dead in her tracks...but only for a moment. He hit her on the arm before running away, his feet pounding against the stairs. Franziska sat still as a statue for several moments, before she reached up and touched the spot where he had hit her. It didn't hurt but it left a deep wound on her heart. He was the only one she had left in the world...

"F-fool...stupid...stupid fool..."

It was dark. Still so very, very dark. But it was at this point that Franziska realized she had come back to consciousness. She opened her eyes to find nothing but complete and total darkness still. She wouldn't panic. Franziska closed her eyes and thought for several moments. She tried to move her hands but found that she was bound. There was...something against her face...something soft...clothing? She..was in a closet? No...not a closet...she was laying down. Before she had a chance to think it over any more, she heard a voice...

"Oh Franziska...!"

The prosecutor narrowed her eyes and she would have clenched her hands into fists if she could have. How DARE he make a mockery of her while she lay here, helpless! That sing-song voice of his irritated her to the very core. She struggled against her bonds as maniacal laughter rang out. Apparently Marty had figured out that she was now conscious.

"Oh Franziska...Franziska...you can struggle all you like...but I'm not going to kill you...not yet anyways..." Marty stated as he stood in front of the large clothing box that Franziska was laying in, a sadistic grin on his face. "But you'll be able to hear everything that goes on! You lucky thing you!" He kicked the box, but she wouldn't say anything. She refused to say anything and waste her air.

"...so that's the plan." Gumshoe stated, leaning back in his chair. "And once we find his apartment, we'll-" He stopped when the sound of a phone rang throughout the office. He checked his pockets and pulled out his own phone. It wasn't ringing. Phoenix reached in the breast pocket of his suit and pulled out his phone. It also wasn't ringing. Both of them turned to Miles, who had his phone in his hand...and was shaking. On the screen, the call showed up as coming from Franziska's phone. It was on it's third ring now, and Miles finally did what Phoenix had expected he would do.

He snapped.

When Miles Edgeworth picked up the phone, suddenly his facade of coolness and composure faded. He was now...he now seemed human, almost. "Hello?! Hello?! Franziska! Franziska is that you?!" he cried, his voice filled with overwhelming emotions. Gumshoe was on the edge of his seat, and Phoenix leaned in to hear more...but they both became alarmed when Miles' face paled drastically. He pulled the phone away from his ear, and pushed a button.

"...Y-you're on speakerphone now..." he stated almost robotically. The other two men in the room didn't have to wait long until they were graced with the voice of the person who was really on the other line. "Ah! Thank you ever so much, Mr. Edgeworth!" Phoenix shuddered. This man's voice was...creepy. That was the only way to put it. "Now...I imagine that I'm talking to at least one policeman...that's rather expected consider who I have in my possession..." Miles' blood ran cold at the words spoken by this man. "...Possession?" he questioned, his hands shaking. "Where is she? Where's Franziska!?" "Patience...patience, my friend." the voice replied with a sinister laugh.

"I'll tell you...but it's going to cost you something..."