In this chapter, the investigation starts, shenanigans happen, and people apparently can't stay in the place they're supposed to be.

I'm very sorry for the delay on this chapter! I hope you enjoy it anyway!

March 08 2028 2:45 pm

Wright Anything Agency

"Quite the trial this morning, you two," Mr. Wright said. Athena grinned.

"Pretty good, wasn't it?" she said. "Although Prosecutor Gavin was a bit mean there."

"Told you not to underestimate him," said Apollo. He was sitting on the sofa, one leg slung over the other. He closed his eyes. "At least now we know it probably wasn't Mrs. Huang."

"You believe it was Mr. Yuki?" Mr. Wright asked. The question was carefully neutral. Athena didn't really want to be the one to answer it, but Apollo didn't look like he was going to.

"He still hasn't told us the whole truth. The noise level never went down to zero. He's definitely hiding something."

"And yet Maya trusts him, you know," Mr. Wright pondered. "She was pretty upset that you two accused him. Ranted at me about him and everything."

Athena felt a stab of guilt. They were accusing a good friend of Miss Maya, after all. Could they really say he was guilty? But nothing about his testimony added up.

"Be as that may," Apollo cut through her thoughts, "he's far more suspicious than Mrs. Huang ever was. He actually has the means to kill Ms. Sammons the way she described and he definitely knows more than he's letting on."

Mr. Wright hummed. "You're very sure Mrs. Huang didn't do it."

"She couldn't possibly have summoned a dragon."

"Ah, yes. And how do you know she isn't one of those psychics Mr. Yuki talked about?"

Apollo stilled, as did Athena. "We never asked that. We never got the chance to have her testify again."

Mr. Wright reclined in his seat. "Then maybe you should start there, huh? The detention center is open for another three hours."

"Yes, all right." Apollo got up and grabbed his jacket. "I want to talk to Mr. Yuki anyway. You coming, Athena?"

Athena followed him into the hallway and down the stairs, but when they reached the parking lot, Apollo stopped.

"You know," he said, "Mr. Wright is, well, right." He unlocked his car from a distance. "But I think we should go to Paseo Del Mar first. We haven't been able to investigate anything yet."

"Sure, but why?" Paseo Del Mar wouldn't be going anywhere, while the detention center wouldn't let them in if they arrived too late.

"I want to talk to some other people first. Something about this case has been bothering me. We didn't ask if Mrs. Huang was psychic, and we should've, but we had Mr. Yuki's testimony to deal with and I'll admit I was distracted." He fell silent for a few seconds. "But why didn't Prosecutor Gavin ask?"

Ah. "Maybe he forgot?"

"Trust me, he wouldn't."

"Then it benefited his case more if there wasn't a dragon," Athena decided. After all, Prosecutor Gavin had all but said as much.

"No, no, that's not it either…" Sighing, Apollo made his way over to his car. Athena followed. "It would've made her look suspicious either way. And Prosecutor Gavin isn't the type to hide evidence or testimony."

"You trust him a lot."

Apollo smiled reluctantly. "He can be a complete pain and his music's awful, but yeah, I guess. You can be pretty sure you've got the actual culprit at the end of the day if he's prosecuting." His smile turned bitter. "For better or for worse."

Athena had, while still in Europe, heard about the Misham trial. It had caused great upset in the three-day-trial system, and back then, she'd been very interested in studying it. At the time, Kristoph Gavin had been just another name. A famous lawyer, sure, but not one she'd ever been too concerned about. Now knowing that both Apollo and Prosecutor Gavin had been on the Misham trial, she couldn't help but wonder how both of them were dealing.

"You think he'll be at Paseo Del Mar?" she asked for a change of subject. "Not the Prosecutor's office?"

Apollo shrugged and got into his car. Athena did the same. "We need to go check out Paseo Del Mar anyway. Might as well go there first."

"You think Mr. Yuki did it?" she asked when Apollo pulled out of the parking lot. He didn't answer until they were out on the road.

"Right now? There's no way he was in Norway until last night. I don't see why he would even tell us that, though. He should know we'd see right through such an obvious lie."

Widget had shown… nothing specific when Mr. Yuki had talked about his friend in Norway. Happiness, which had been expected. Little else. No anger or surprise, nothing that indicated that he had been lying in the slightest. She told Apollo as much.

"Yeah, my bracelet didn't react either. But he has to be lying, right?" Apollo took a sharp turn left. "It's impossible."

"You think it's a psychic thing?"

"What, cross two continents and an ocean in less than half a day?" Apollo started to laugh, then paused and glanced at her. "You know? The worst part is that we've probably seen weirder. After the dragons, that doesn't even sound implausible anymore."

"I worry about our lives sometimes."

"Tell me about it."

They fell silent. Apollo grew more distracted as he neared Paseo Del Mar, the same weird agitation she'd felt coming from him in court now resurfacing again. He'd been out of it in court, not enough to jeopardize their case, but Mr. Yuki's testimony had left him on edge. Even the appearance of the tiny brown spirit hadn't shocked him as much as it had the rest of them.

"What had you so distracted today?"

"Huh?" Apollo slammed the brakes for a stop sign. Athena winced as the seatbelt locked up and cut into her shoulder. "Distracted?"

Like that, yes. "You seemed a bit out of it."

"Ah, yeah." Apollo didn't elaborate.

"Well?"

"I'm not sure yet. I'll tell you when I figure it out," Apollo said. He pulled over abruptly. "We're here anyway."

Saved by the bell, buddy. But I'll get it out of you somehow.

The side of the road was still littered with police tape, but now, two days after the murder, only a few lonely agents were stationed to guard the place. They glanced at the two of them suspiciously, but their guard duty had left them in no mood to argue. For once, those attorney badges seemed to be good for something.

"So this is where Ms. Sammons was murdered," Apollo pondered. The spot, outlined with more police tape, looked as innocuous as it got.

"It's funny," one of the agents said. She walked over to them. "No blood, no tracks, nothing. But I'm sure you already know that."

"The crime photo didn't really give us a good idea," Athena replied. "It's helpful to see it in person."

"You'd think she appeared here out of thin air," the agent continued. "Clever murderer. But I guess she was killed by a scientist."

"Mrs. Huang is innocent," Athena bit out. The agent shrugged.

"If I had a dollar for every lawyer who ever told me that, I wouldn't be standing here doing guard duty for a patch of grass."

For that, Athena had no reply she was willing to utter in front of the police. Instead, she looked back to Apollo, who'd bent down low and was studying the grass.

"You know, I don't think she was killed here," she said. It was practically the only thing that made sense.

"Mmm?"

"Almost no blood, despite the fact that she's missing half her body. No tracks apart from the imprint of the body. No reason for her to come here."

"Fräulein Cykes is right," Prosecutor Gavin said. Apollo shot up so fast he almost hit Athena.

"When d'you get here?"

"And here I thought you were so perceptive." Prosecutor Gavin grinned, but quickly grew serious again. "I thought you'd be interested in hearing that Ms. Sammons' car was found three blocks away from her apartment, in a parking lot."

The new information was enough to placate Apollo. "Did she have to pass by this street to get to work?" he asked. Prosecutor Gavin shook his head.

"No, Industrial Illusion's buildings are on the other side of town. She was headed into work. She had no reason to be here." The Prosecutor looked around. The few police agents had wandered closer. He gave them a cheerful wave. "Take five, guys! I can handle it here for the moment."

It said a lot about their mood that none of them even tried to argue. The Prosecutor gestured them closer.

"So you're saying she was killed elsewhere?" Athena asked. "But why are you telling us, Prosecutor Gavin?"

"Okay, first off, we're not in court, call me Klavier. Second, candid moment here," he glanced over his shoulder. The police agents had well and truly gone. "Look, we all know that the odds of Longxin Huang killing her are close to zero."

"You do?" Apollo cut in.

"Keep up, Herr Forehead, of course we do. As far as we know there's no reason for her to have committed the crime and no way she could've either."

"So did Judai Yuki do it, then?"

Klavier sighed. "You know, I was on board with your idea this morning, but we had his alibi investigated. He was in Norway until yesterday evening. His friend confirmed it and there's even camera footage of the two of them in a nearby grocery store."

"That makes no sense whatsoever."

Klavier laughed. "Don't I know it?" he said. "But it's true. And what's more, the chairman of Industrial Illusions himself is vouching for him. The guy's got connections in high-up places."

"Just met him a couple times when I was still in high school. Johan knows him better than I do."

They whirled around. Judai Yuki was standing behind them, grinning the same grin he had in court. Very much alone.

"What?" Apollo shouted. He and Klavier stepped back, in front of Athena. Athena muscled her way past them and for a moment they all struggled to decide who was trying to defend whom. Judai Yuki watched it all with amused eyes.

"Calm down, I'm not here to hurt anyone."

Athena saw Apollo's eyes shoot up to a point about a foot above Mr. Yuki's head. He shook his head in disbelief.

"You'll excuse us if we find your presence here… suspicious, Herr Yuki," Klavier said with feigned lightness. Mr. Yuki sighed.

"Yeah, sorry about that, but I really didn't need the company and Yubel wasn't exactly happy that you tried to lock me up." He tilted his head. "You know, they'll probably start looking for me in about five minutes."

"You did not get here from the detention center in less time than it took for them to notice you disappeared," Athena stated. Sure, maybe the guy could summon monsters, but like hell was she going to let him intimidate her.

"Just a little trick of mine. Don't worry about it." He sat down and turned his palms upwards. "See, no weapons."

"Pardon me if I don't exactly believe that, Mr. Yuki," Apollo said. He was still staring at something next to Mr. Yuki, something that, now that Athena thought about it, he'd also been staring at for most of the morning's trial.

"Apollo, was it? First time seeing a monster spirit?"

"I don't know what you mean," Apollo replied. The last time Athena'd heard that coldness in his voice was when Clay Terran had been murdered. It still sent chills down her spine, even now.

But Mr. Yuki was unaffected. "Sure you do. That's Yubel, by the way. My partner. But I don't think she wants to show herself now. Sorry for the scare in court."

"You can see those spirits?" Athena hissed. Apollo grimaced. That did explain the staring, and why he'd been so fast to accept their existence this morning.

"Did your partner help you escape the detention center, then?" Apollo asked.

"Yubel? Oh, no." Mr. Yuki crossed his arms and tilted his head. "Of course, she could've, but then there would've been a lot more collateral damage. I don't really fancy going back, though, in case you were wondering. I just wanted to do some investigating of my own."

"How did you get out of the detention center?" Athena asked again.

"I teleported. Now hush."

Teleport- Apollo mouthed in disbelief. Mr. Yuki patted the ground on his left, then on the other side, then got up again, walked around the three of them, and crouched down next to the spot where Ms. Sammons had been found. Klavier got out his phone and pressed a few keys, then casually followed him.

"Prosecutor-" Apollo hissed. Athena hurried after him. He'd get himself killed doing stupid things like this.

"So, Mr. Yuki," Klavier said loudly. "You teleported out of the detention center? How does that work?"

"Just a thing I do." He got up and turned around. Athena grabbed Klavier's arm and started dragging him back, but he pulled himself loose.

"Hold on, Fräulein," he muttered, and turned the screen of his phone up to her. A call was in progress.

Oh, clever. She let go of his arm and waved Apollo over. "So, Mr. Yuki, did you know Ms. Sammons?" she asked loudly.

"No. Didn't kill her either, if that's what you're asking." He raised one hand, back turned towards them. "Yeah, I was afraid of that."

Apollo hurried over. "What the hell are you guys doing?" he hissed. "Let's get out of here while we still can."

"911," Athena mouthed, nodding her head at Klavier's phone. "Keep him talking."

"Afraid of what?" Klavier asked, once again too loud. Mr. Yuki shook his head.

"Dimensional weak spot. She wasn't killed here, her body was just spat out in this place." He straightened up and faced them again. "I'd bet everything there's another portal between her house and Industrial Illusions. Hold on, I think I can open it."

"Open what?" Athena didn't have to try being loud for that one. "Hold it, what exactly are you doing?"

"Better step back. I'm going to see where this goes. "

The air started shimmering. Athena grabbed the two guys and dragged them away from Mr. Yuki, whose eyes almost seemed to glow gold in the sun. A sun that was starting to look increasingly distorted, as if they were seeing it through broken glass. Mr. Yuki was in the middle of all, right in front of what looked like a hole in the very fabric of the world.

Athena cursed. The rift was expanding quickly - too quickly. Mr. Yuki lifted both hands. For a moment, the expansion stopped. Then it exploded.

"Run!" she shouted. Apollo dragged them both towards the road.

"Car's over there!"

"It's not fast enough!" Klavier shouted.

"You didn't even come here by car!"

"Less talking, more running!" Athena yelled. The noise behind them grew louder, until it overtook everything and made her stumble, blindly, as the pain became too much and her head felt like it was going to burst. Someone shouted her name; it might have been Apollo but she couldn't hear, couldn't see, the noise was everywhere and she was losing track of everything around her and she fell, and there were other people around her but she couldn't find them, couldn't hear and see and feel and she hit something hard, but there was nothing she could hang on to. The pain, unbearable before already, got even worse. Then there was sand, and rock, and then nothing at all anymore.

March 8 2028 4:12 pm

Wright Anything Agency

The office was deserted when Trucy and Pearl entered it. Trucy threw her book bag on the sofa, earning her a pout from Pearl, and flopped down next to it.

"Daddy? You there? We're home!"

"Just a second!" Daddy's voice came from the back. He appeared, drying his hands on a towel. "How was school? Hey, Pearls."

"Boring," Trucy said. "Where's Polly?"

"He and Athena left two hours ago. They're investigating."

"Why did they arrest Mr. Judai?" Pearl asked. "He was only trying to help! I know he didn't do it!"

"I know, Maya was furious," Daddy said. "But if he's innocent, I'm sure everything will be fine. They've gone to talk to him and Mrs. Huang at the detention center."

"Did they say when they'd be back? Are they staying for dinner?" Trucy asked. Daddy shook his head.

"No and no idea. Pretty sure they're going to check out the crime scene too, but why don't you call them and ask?"

Trucy brightened. She got out her cell phone and dialed Polly's number.

The number you are trying to reach is not in use. Please check the number or try your call again later.

"That's weird."

"What is?" Pearl asked. "Are they not picking up?"

"It says the number doesn't exist."

Daddy shrugged. "Probably just a hiccup in the system. Try again later."

"Mmm, yeah." Trucy stared at her phone. There was no way she had the wrong number. Her latest text message to Polly had been sent last night. It had worked just fine then.

"I'm going to see Mr. Judai," Pearl said. She clearly wasn't over the accusations yet. "Maybe they're at the detention center."

"I'll come with you."

Daddy frowned. "Trucy, don't you have homework? Your math test is tomorrow, isn't it?"

The one time daddy decided to pay attention. Trucy resolved not to mention any more tests in the future.

"I'll be back before dinner, Daddy. I'll have all evening to do my homework, I promise!"

Daddy looked conflicted. "All right, but I'm coming along."

He was just putting on his coat when the office phone rang. Trucy got there first.

"Wright Anything Agency, Trucy Wright speaking."

"Trucy? Can I speak to your father?"

"Oh, hello, Mr. Edgeworth!" Trucy covered the horn with one hand. "Daddy, it's for you."

Daddy hurried over, only one arm in his coat. He took the horn from her.

"Yeah, it's me. What's up?"

Trucy couldn't hear what Mr. Edgeworth was saying, but daddy's face grew angry.

"He what? How is that possible?"

More talking. Mr. Edgeworth's voice sounded more and more agitated.

"What? When?! Where are they?"

Loud voices in the background, and then Mr. Edgeworth's voice again. Daddy clenched his hand.

"Right, I'll meet you there. I'm calling Maya."

He all but slammed the horn down again and turned to her and Pearl.

"You two, I need you to stay here. Do not leave the building under any circumstances, is that understood?"

"Not even when it's on fire?"

"Trucy, this is serious!" Daddy shouted. Trucy cringed. Daddy took a deep breath and put his hands on her shoulders.

"Please, just promise me you won't do anything dangerous. Either of you."

"Mr. Nick, what's happening?"

Daddy looked away. "Judai Yuki disappeared from the detention center, and Prosecutor Gavin called 911 from the crime scene. Apollo and Athena were with him."

Trucy covered her mouth. "Where are they? Are they okay?"

"The call cut off abruptly. When the police arrived, they were all gone."

Comments, questions and concrit are much appreciated!