We find ourselves with a change of scenery. What can I say? Yu-Gi-Oh GX got kind of weird at times.

Chapter 5

Date unknown — Time unknown

Place unknown

Klavier Gavin woke up with the worst headache this side of his days with the Gavinners and a distinct taste of sand in his mouth. He groaned and blinked up at the sky. The sun was shining down on him. More accurately, three suns were shining down on him.

"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore," he muttered. Something shifted next to him.

"Oh, you're awake? Thank goodness." Mr. Yuki said. He was standing a few feet away from him, together with the tiny brown spirit he'd summoned in court. Also, with a massive monster that towered at least a foot above him.

"Where am I? What did you do?" He spotted Apollo and Athena next to him, both in recovery position. "What happened to them?"

"They're just unconscious. They'll be fine, I think."

"How long have they been out?" Klavier crouched down next to Apollo. He was still breathing, at least.

"It's only been a minute." Mr. Yuki sighed. "I'm sorry. I should've been far more careful. This isn't a place for you guys."

"Judai, the portal's gone," the large monster said. Mr. Yuki swore loudly.

"Didn't think it'd go out of control like that." He forced a smile. "But don't worry, there's got to be another one nearby. I'll get you kids out of here."

Athena stirred. Mr. Yuki's attention was immediately on her. She groaned and turned over, her hands going to her head.

"Ears… hurts," she managed.

"Lie down for a bit," Mr. Yuki told her. "It'll pass."

Klavier winced. The light and the noise had been painful enough for him already. He didn't envy Athena's hearing or Apollo's eyesight now. Apollo rolled over and covered his eyes with his hands. "W'happened?" he muttered.

"You kids okay to sit up?" Mr. Yuki asked. Klavier looked around. There was nothing but sand as far as the eye could see. In the distance, he thought he saw something circle in the air.

"Judai," the monster said. Mr. Yuki nodded.

"I know. We've got to get moving or we'll be sitting ducks. Can you guys walk?"

Apart from sand in places he didn't particularly want to think about, Klavier felt well enough. Apollo and Athena, however, looked like they were about to keel over.

"Guess that's a no," Mr. Yuki muttered. "Okay, we'll take it slow for a bit. Any questions?"

"Where are we?"

"Desert World. I… guess it could've been worse. There aren't all that many monsters here." Mr. Yuki said. He was keeping a firm eye on the sky. "The portal we came through closed down, but there has to be another one nearby."

Apollo gingerly got up. Klavier held out a hand and pulled him back on his feet. "Okay?" he asked.

"Getting there. Ugh, this light."

"Apollo, right?" Mr. Yuki asked. "And you're… the Prosecutor?"

"Klavier Gavin."

"And she's Athena, right. Now that we've got the time for proper introductions anyway," he pointed at the tiny brown monster, "that's Hane Kuriboh. And over there is Yubel."

"We've met," Apollo muttered.

"Yeah, she still isn't very happy with you." He glanced up worriedly. "This is one of those world where monsters are completely real, so be careful. I've known some hiding in the sand."

Athena sat up abruptly. "Why'd you bring us here?" she asked. "Because if you're just going to try to kill us, we're not gonna make it easy!"

Yubel actually laughed out loud. "Girl, if we wanted you dead, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"Don't be mean," Mr. Yuki told her. "I am sorry. As I told Klavier before, it was not my intention to drag you here. The portal shouldn't have opened so far. But at least there should be more portals around here."

"How do you even know that?" Apollo asked. He and Athena were standing side by side. Klavier joined them. He didn't like their chances against the monster Yubel, but at least it would be three against two.

"Because Cyan Sammons was killed here. Her body exited through the portal at Paseo del Mar, but she didn't enter there. There must be a portal somewhere else in California that also leads here."

"Cyan Sammons' car was found near her house," Klavier recalled.

"Then that's where we should end up."

Apollo raised his eyebrows. "So why should we follow you again?" he asked. Some of the pallor on his face had disappeared, but he still wasn't back to his usual vibrant self. The three suns of this world cast an eery glow over him and Athena, making them look almost otherwordly. Klavier could only hope it was just a trick of the light.

"Because Yubel and I have been here before and know something about this world. Do you?"

Apollo fell into a petulant silence. Mr. Yuki peered into the distance. The sky looked deserted, except for a solitary bird-like creature high above them. Klavier stared at it suspiciously, but it didn't make any move to come closer. It looked like a hawk, maybe an eagle, but he wasn't about to take anything in this world at face value.

The little monster that Mr. Yuki had called Hane Kuriboh chirped and flew off. Mr. Yuki gestured for them. "Come on, Hane Kuriboh's got a trail."

They exchanged baffled looks. Maybe there was something to be said for trusting Mr. Yuki for now, but did they have to believe that the tiny furball could actually lead them out of this?

"Hane Kuriboh's got great instincts. He's been my partner since I was fifteen," told them. There was a certain edge to his voice. Clearly insulting his spirits wasn't a smart idea. Could he read minds? As if Klavier didn't have enough people with freaky powers around him yet.

Speaking of those people, Apollo had also spotted the bird high above them and was pointing it out to Athena. Athena grimaced. She nodded once, quickly, and then ran to catch up with Mr. Yuki and Yubel.

"Um, Mr. Yuki?"

"If we're gonna try to get out of here, at least call me Judai."

"Right, um, Judai." Athena pointed up. "Is that a monster up there?"

Mr. Yuki—Judai—peered up and narrowed his eyes. "Hey Yubel, you don't think that's a Harpie Lady, right?"

Hane Kuriboh squeeked and dove for Judai's arms. He caught the monster and clutched it to his chest. Athena looked over her shoulder and cast him and Apollo a concerned look.

"I don't think it is," Yubel said. "Too small. But I'll go check."

She took to the skies with one massive swing of her wings. Judai peered after her, shielding his eyes against the three suns. "You kids better stay close," he said. "This one's probably nothing, but I can't stress it enough," he waited until Apollo and Klavier had caught up, "this world is dangerous. Yubel and I can handle it just fine, but—"

There was a cry. High up in the air, the bird-like creature attacked Yubel. Yubel didn't even bother dodging; when the bird hit her, it shrieked in pain and fell down. Yubel caught it.

"Wish she'd stop doing that," Judai muttered.

Klavier hoped they'd never have to go up against her. "Ah, your partner," he asked. "She is very strong, nein?"

"You'd think," Judai said, not taking his eyes off Yubel as she descended, carrying the monster. "But she doesn't have any defense points."

"How's that work?" Athena asked.

"She's got an effect—how much do you kids know about Duel Monsters?"

"Twenty-four here," Apollo muttered.

"Ah, but it's because you look so young, Herr Forehead."

"Shut it," Apollo returned. Not one of his more inspired comebacks, but at least the banter felt normal. Klavier had never expected he would be so attached to the idea of normality.

"If you're done?" Judai looked vaguely amused. Yubel landed again. She was holding what, from up close, looked like an eagle with a gold-plated head. "Yubel can be attacked, but any damage she'd take is just reflected back to her attacker."

"That's why the bird knocked itself out?"

"Yep."

"It's an Eagle Eye, Judai," Yubel said. Judai studied the bird.

"Mmm, mostly harmless. It wouldn't have attacked us while we're in a group like this. We'll just let it wake up and fly off."

Apollo cautiously neared the bird. "It's pretty big."

"It's an eagle," Yubel said, her tone quite succinctly expressing her doubts about their collective intelligence. Klavier felt compelled to point out that they had all passed the bar.

"What, you're going to lawyer it to death?"

The bird squeaked. Apollo stumbled a few steps back as it wrestled itself loose from Yubel's arms and took to the air again with shaky wings. It circled them once, twice, until it'd gotten the hang of flying again.

Then it shot at Apollo.

"Apollo!" Athena shouted. Apollo fell back, throwing his arms in front of his face. Klavier tried to grab him, but Judai pulled him back, his eyes glowing the same teal-orange as Yubel's.

"Stay back! Neos!" he shouted. A new monster appeared, this one vaguely humanoid, but white and alien.

The eagle landed on Apollo's chest, wings spread, and stared him straight in the eyes.

"Don't move," Judai whispered, tightening his grip on Hane Kuriboh. "Hold, carefully."

He was moving behind the bird's back. The monster he'd called Neos did the same from the other side. The eagle turned its head and looked straight at them. If they couldn't get it away from Apollo— Its beak alone could take out an eye, never mind its claws.

The bird squeaked once, a high-pitched noise that seemed entirely unfitting for such a massive creature. Then it sat down on Apollo's chest and folded its wings.

"Um," Apollo said. Judai sagged.

"Hold," he told Neos. "Apollo, can you move?"

Apollo carefully lowered one arm. The bird followed the movement with sharp eyes but didn't move.

"Um, bird?" he asked. "Can I get up?"

The bird's look could only be described as long-suffering. It clambered off Apollo and flew up, but the moment Apollo had gotten back to his feet, it settled on his left shoulder.

"Looks like you made a friend," Judai said. He grinned weakly. Apollo looked stunned. He hesitantly moved his left arm. The bird squeaked indignantly and he lowered it again.

"Does this happen often?" he asked.

"Not very. You got lucky." Judai took a deep breath. "Okay, this is Elemental Hero Neos, by the way," he said. The white humanoid alien nodded. "Let's keep moving."

Klavier's pulse slowly lowered to a reasonable level again. First close call, and they'd all survived it in one piece.

"So Herr Forehead," he asked. "What are you going to call your bird?"

"It's not my bird," Apollo said, but Athena had overheard.

"Oh, how about Taka? No wait, that's a hawk. What's 'eagle' in Japanese? You should ask Simon!"

"I am not asking Prosecutor Blackquill about birds," Apollo replied. "Besides, why would I call an eagle, 'eagle'?"

The bird seemed to agree. It nuzzled Apollo's cheek.

"Washi," said Judai.

"What?"

"Eagle." He smiled. "Or did you forget that I am actually Japanese?"

Yubel laughed, a sound that didn't quite suit her, and said something in Japanese. Judai snapped back immediately, grinning. Apollo paid them no attention. He slowly stroked the bird's golden head.

"Chrysta," he muttered after a while. "Do you like Chrysta?"

The bird squawked. Apollo smiled and rubbed its head. "I'll take that as a yes."

"Where's that come from?" Athena asked.

"It's Greek," Apollo said. He looked down, embarrassed. "It means golden."

Athena giggled. Klavier forced a grin. Not the name he would've chosen, for sure.

"I wouldn't have expected you to know Greek, Herr Forehead."

"Just a few words here and there. It seemed interesting, with me being, well." He pointed at himself. Athena tilted her head, thoughtful.

"In that case, maybe I should learn some more myself. Hey, did you know psychology is Greek?"

Klavier nodded, as did Apollo. Judai turned around. "Really? I thought it was Latin."

Athena winced. Klavier felt her pain.

"Ah, no, Herr Yuki," he said quickly. "It is definitely Greek."

"Judai's never been very good with languages," Yubel said. She grinned. "I'm sure his friends still have a lot of stories to tell."

Judai half-heartedly swatted at her and the bird screeched. Klavier couldn't help it. He'd ask about the name later, but for now, he laughed.

March 8 2028 5:30 pm

Paseo Del Mar

Edgeworth's car was already there when Phoenix and Maya arrived, surrounded by a bevy of police cars. The crime scene looked like someone had exploded police tape over it. Phoenix dodged a reporter and headed to the scene, Maya in tow.

"Authorized personnel only," an agent told him. Phoenix groaned. They really didn't have time for this.

"Phoenix Wright, Wright Anything Agency," he gritted out. "Mr. Justice and Miss Cykes are my employees."

"And her?"

Maya drew herself up to her full height. "I am Maya Fey, Master of the Kurain Channeling tradition."

"Look kid, Halloween is over already—"

"Let them pass!" Ema shouted. Phoenix had never been more happy to see her. Maya looked about ready to make her own addition to the crime scene.

"Maya, Mr. Wright." Ema waved them over. "Prosecutor Edgeworth is over there, with the guys who were supposed to guard this place. Seems like that idiot sent them away when he arrived here."

"Idiot?" Maya asked. They followed her through the crowd of agents. The escape of a detainee and the disappearance of a high-profile Prosecutor had brought them out in throngs.

"Gavin."

"When did he call 911?" Phoenix asked.

"The dispatch center got the call at around half past three. That must've been when Judai Yuki arrived at the crime scene." Ema turned on her tablet. "I have the transcript here. They talk for a few minutes, then Judai Yuki tells them to stay back."

"After that?"

"The call shorted out. There's just a lot of noise and then nothing. Here." She thrust her tablet in Maya's hands. "I have to go, but I'll meet you in a bit."

Maya read the transcript on the tablet. Her face grew more worried with every line. "I guess that does explain what happened to Ms. Sammons." She tapped the screen, where Judai Yuki's words were written down. "Dimensional rift. He told me about them. They're very nasty."

"Wright." Edgeworth spotted them and paused in his dressing down of the agents involved. "Good. Apparently these idiots just heard a lot of noise, and when they arrived, everyone was gone. Prosecutor Gavin's bike is still here, and he'd never leave that thing behind, so it's not like they just left."

"They're not here," Maya muttered.

"Maya," Edgeworth acknowledged with a nod. "Do you have any idea what happened?"

"It's all here," she said, holding up Ema's tablet. "There must've been a rift here and Judai tried to open it. They got sucked in."

"Sucked in to where?"

Maya shook her head. "I'm sorry, they could be anywhere. I guess…" She swallowed. "At least Judai's with them."

"Mr. Yuki was detained for murder," Edgeworth said. Maya rolled her eyes.

"He didn't do it. And it's not like a prison cell could keep him."

Phoenix looked around. No traces of anything out of the ordinary, just the lack of Apollo and Athena. "But how did he get out of the detention center? Without anyone noticing, no less?" he asked.

"It says here, doesn't it?" Maya told them, impatience ill-concealed in her voice. "He teleported."

Edgeworth reeled back. "You can't be serious. That's impossible!"

"Maya, he can't have. Or is this a thing those psychic people can all do?"

Maya sighed. "Judai isn't psychic. Not the way you think."

"Isn't… Maya, who exactly is he?" Edgeworth asked. "What are we missing here?"

Maya bit her lip. "Okay. Judai Yuki was born in Japan in 1989. He spent his high school years at Japan's branch of Duel Academy. Got involved in a few incidents there. After graduating, he started traveling the world in search of people who needed his help. That's how he met my mother."

"When was this?"

"Must've been around 2010."

"Misty Fey had already disappeared by that point, hadn't she?" Edgeworth asked. Phoenix winced. He didn't need to be reminded. Misty Fey had disappeared after the trial for the murder of Gregory Edgeworth, all the way back in 2002.

"Yes. I only met him after I became Master of Kurain." Like Edgeworth, Maya conspicuously avoided talking about her mother's death. "But apparently he and mother had worked together on various occasions. He can see spirits, but he can't channel them."

"You said he wasn't psychic, and yet he summoned a monster in the middle of court," Edgeworth said.

"He… isn't psychic in the conventional meaning of the word. Most psychics can summon monster spirits. Some can do a bit more. But Judai can do way more than that."

"Meaning?"

"He's only psychic in the same way that the sun is kind of warm." Maya took a deep breath. "I didn't believe it at first either, but apparently Judai Yuki is the living embodiment of the force that created the universe."

Phoenix and Edgeworth exchanged looks. Had Maya lost it completely? Had the stress of being Master gotten to her after all these years? Because this was absolutely impossible.

"The good news is that if he's with Apollo and Athena, they have a good chance of making it out alive," Maya said, her eyes back on the tablet. "He's probably the best shot they have."

"When are they going to be back?" Phoenix asked. Another dimension? It didn't even bear thinking about. Apollo and Athena were lawyers. They'd already gone through enough. They weren't cut out for life-or-death situations in other worlds.

"I'm sorry, Nick, I don't know. Could be in an hour, could be next week." Maya swallowed. "Could be never."

Trucy didn't even know Apollo was her brother. Funny, the kind of things he first thought of when everything was going to hell—again. But how would he tell Trucy about this? Lamiroir? Prosecutor Blackquill'd be furious that he'd let Athena out of his sight. And did Prosecutor Gavin even have any family left apart from—

How had their lives become this messed up?

"There's another problem, Wright," Edgeworth cut through his thoughts.

"What now?"

"The trial for Mrs. Huang is resuming tomorrow. We've lost both the prosecution and the defense."

"I'll…" He'd completely forgotten about the trial. Losing both sides at once was nearly unprecedented. "I'll take it. I'm their employer, I should take it."

Edgeworth closed his eyes and nodded once. "All right. I'll get all the paperwork in order."

"Are you—?"

"Yes. Yes, of course."

For reference (remove the spaces):

Elemental Hero Neos: yugioh. wikia wiki/ Elemental_HERO_Neos

Eagle Eye (Chrysta): yugioh. wikia wiki/ Eagle_Eye

Comments, questions and concrit always welcome!