A/N: READ THIS NOW UNLESS YOU WANT THIS CHAPTER TO MAKE ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE!

Hi. I want to say something here. The whole point of this story was to make it as random and referency as possible, so we're throwing in a Phoenix Wright chapter. For any of you who don't know what that is, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is an old DS game that can also be found on the Wii about a man named Phoenix (Nick) Wright who is a defense attorney in a futuristic law system and he works with his mentor Mia Fey until Mia dies, when he starts helping Mia's sister Maya. Eventually, Maya's cousin Pearly starts helping too. Phoenix also has a spiritual thing that Maya gave him called a magatama that shows him when people are lying or keeping secrets. That's pretty much all the info that's needed in this chapter, but if you have anymore questions, review or PM me about it, and I'll try my best to answer. Also, if you completely hate this chapter, please don't waste your time on flames because it was my brother's idea.

Another thing. Stacey is a character in my story The Impossible Demigod who Nico has a major crush on. You'll see why that's important later.

Also, please remember this is in the AU of Asilda's stories: The Death God Alliance, Escape From Camp Half-Blood, and Nico's Quest. Therefore, Nico is possessed by Anubis and a bunch of other weird stuff. If you're confused about Nico-related-stuff, read her stories. They are amazing.

Chapter Four

Nico

What is taking them so long? I thought as I paced in my cabin. When we'd finally come back from our spy mission, I had planned to hang out with Sadie, but apparently she had to give that magician girl orientation, so I was bored. Very bored.

As I walked around my cabin and poked at random stuff with my super-cool magic staff, Anubis gave me a bunch of lectures on patience. I figured he was bored too and was just trying to stall time until Sadie came back, because we both knew perfectly well that I wasn't listening.

A knock on my door made me jump.

"Come in," I called.

Anubis turned into human form as Percy stepped inside.

"Hey Nico," he said. "Hey Anubis."

We both nodded silently.

"Listen, uh, I kinda have some bad news for you," Percy continued.

I frowned. "What is it?" I asked my cousin.

Percy sighed. "I'm really sorry, Nico. Stacey was kidnapped."

My heart froze. No. He had to be joking. Not Stacey. I was gonna ask her out, you know, since Sadie and I just weren't working.

"How?" I demanded. "How did this happen?"

As Percy thought of a way to explain, I felt Anubis search my memories, since he probably had absolutely no idea who Stacey was.

Finally, Percy answered, "She was here. And now she's not."

I face-palmed. Great showing of your intelligence, Perce.

Beside me, Anubis retreated into my head so we could talk. I held up a finger to Percy to let him know we were busy.

Can you find her? I asked Anubis.

Already on it, he immediately replied.

I waited a few seconds while he searched, until finally I sensed his full presence back in my head. I also sensed his discomfort.

What's wrong? I thought, straining myself not to just find out from his thoughts.

She is far, Anubis answered simply.

How far? I asked, trying to be patient.

Anubis sighed. A small village in California. Kurain Village. But you might want to hurry. She's on the move.

That was enough for me. Making sure I had my sword, staff, and assorted magical items, I said to Percy, "Excuse me for a moment," and shadow-traveled away.

When my destination cleared, I stumbled; almost collapsing instantly, but I caught myself.

In front of me were three people: a really tall dude in a blue suit with really spiky hair, a younger girl in some kimono-type-thingy, and a second girl, about four, with a round face and really big eyes.

The kimono girl noticed me first. Her eyes widened.

"Uh, Nick?" she asked Spiky-Hair.

"Not now, Maya," he grumbled back. He seemed to be studying something on the ground.

"But Nick-" Maya said again, still watching me.

"Not now!" Nick interrupted.

The big-eyed girl looked between me and Nick a few times; then screamed at the top of her lungs, "MR. NICK! THERE'S A BOY WITH A DOGGIE HEAD ON HIS STICK!"

Finally, Nick looked up and saw me.

"Who are you?" he asked.

I stuck my staff in my back pocket and crossed my arms.

"Nico di Angelo. Who are you?"

Well, Nico, he's Nick. I thought you already got that, Anubis piped up.

Shut up, you're not helping, I thought back.

Nick stood up and brushed off his suit, studying me. He pulled a green nine-shaped thingy out of his pocket and fingered it nervously. After a while, he stuck it back in his coat and answered my question.

"Phoenix Wright, defense attorney." To prove his point, he showed me a yellow badge from his pocket.

His choice of nickname, Phoenix, was sort of strange, but I didn't blame him. If I had lame name like Nick, I'd want to change it too.

You do know Nico's just Nick in Italian, right? Anubis pointed out.

Once again, not helping.

Just then, I realized something. "Wait a minute. You're a lawyer?" I asked Phoenix.

He nodded and showed me his badge again.

"I might need your help," I told him. He could help me find Stacey!

I stepped forward and fell to my knees. Anubis sent a telepathic wave of concern, but I assured him I was fine. However, I unfortunately couldn't do that as easily with Phoenix and his friends.

"Are you alright?" Maya asked, kneeling down next to me and laying a hand on my forehead.

I pushed her hand away. "I'm fine," I assured her, also reassuring the god in my head. "Just…tired."

Maya helped me stand and suggested, "Let's take you up to the manor. You can rest there."

I looked up to thank her and our eyes met. She had strange, different eyes. They seemed so kind and helpful, yet so full of sadness. For a second or two, I even thought I saw another figure beside her: a woman, practically an older version of Maya herself. I knew she was dead, though. The woman had that kind of ghostly aura to her. Soon, she was gone.

Did you see that? I asked Anubis.

See what? He replied.

Never mind.

"Thanks," I whispered out loud.

Maya helped me walk up a hill to a huge house at the top. Phoenix and big-eyed followed. I was exhausted from shadow-traveling all the way from Long Island and so my eyelids drooped and I just barely made it to the room Maya found for me before I collapsed.