Disclaimer: Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer is owned by DreamWorks Classics. I am in no way affiliated with this company in any way, shape or form in the production of this non-profit fanfic. I know that this may be a little excessive, but I'm just covering all of my bases.
After Manfred, Edgeworth, and Franziska spend a few hours baking up a batch of gingerbread cookies, Franziska decides that she wants to have one of the cookies. However, right before she can grab one, Manfred quickly slaps her hand.
"What was that for, Papa? I thought that we baked these cookies so that we could eat them." Franziska said with a startled look on her face.
Manfred then justifies himself in the way that she and Edgeworth were familiar with.
"These cookies are not for you, Franziska; they are for Santa Claus. If you don't have cookies ready for Santa, then you will end up on the Naughty List. Do I make myself clear? While we are on the topic of Santa, did you two mail your Christmas lists to the North Pole like I told you to?"
Franziska vigorously nods her head. "Yes, Papa. I wrote and mailed my Christmas list the day that you informed us to do so."
Manfred grabs and squeezes his sleeve. "Good. Miles, did you mail your list to Santa?"
In an uncharacteristic fashion, Edgeworth actually openly opposes Manfred. "No, sir, I didn't mail my list because Santa Claus doesn't exist."
In the von Karma household there were two phrases that were never to be uttered under any circumstance: "Santa does not exist" and "I want to be a defense attorney." Needless to say, Edgeworth was about to learn the hard way what it meant to truly anger Manfred von Karma.
Manfred grinds his teeth. "What did you just say, boy?"
"Santa does not exist, sir. As a world renowned prosecutor, this should be an obvious fact."
Manfred then grabs Edgeworth by the collar of his shirt, lifts him off of the ground, and brings his adopted son up to his eye level. Manfred then asks his next question in a low growl.
"And why is that, Miles…?"
Edgeworth, who was utterly terrified and knowing full well that Manfred was more than capable of destroying him right then and there, used his years of training to contain any fear and respond in a calm and collected tone.
"Mr. von Karma, how could a single man travel around the world and give presents to every single person in a single night?"
"Since the Earth is constantly rotating, it is always night somewhere; hence, Santa is able to utilize time zones and thus, rendering your argument moot."
"Then explain to me how a man who eats nothing but milk and cookies is able to lift a heavy bag of toys while on a diet consisting exclusively of cookies and milk and not suffer from any health issues?"
"Obviously, Miles, Santa does intensive workout sessions during the other 364 days of the year; this allows him to be in peak physical condition. Plus, his belly is not that way because of fat, but rather because of large quantities of eggnog, that he has to drink in order to brave the sub-zero conditions of the North Pole, which give him a beer gut."
"Okay, I can accept your reasoning for the last two points; but how can a man that lives in a desolate artic wasteland produce have the capabilities to produce commercial brand merchandise without the companies suing them and causing an international scandal? Plus, how is Santa omniscient in that he can see who is doing good or bad deeds at all times."
Manfred then puts Edgeworth down and crosses his arms. "Christmas magic, Miles, Christmas magic."
A look that is a combination of confusion and mirth spreads across Edgeworth's face as he hears this strangely vague answer from his mentor.
"'Christmas magic?' If some attorney tried to use that excuse in court against you, sir, then you would have told them that it was nonsense and to stop wasting the court's valuable time."
"No, if that attorney used the argument of Christmas magic in the proper situation, then I would sadly have no choice but to yield. Thankfully, no attorney has ever used that reasoning on me."
At this point, Edgeworth's face is starting to get red with irritation after seeing Manfred not even being remotely fazed by his logic and is starting to raise his voice.
"Even if all of your reasons were correct; how do you explain the fact that you had us mail our Christmas lists to the Los Angeles Prosecutor's office?! If Santa truly does have 'Christmas magic' at his disposal, then why doesn't he warp the letters straight to the North Pole!? Try explaining that to me, sir!"
"Santa has us send our Christmas lists to the Prosecutor's Office because he has us run background checks on all of the people to see if they are naughty or nice; hence how Santa is able to know this information at all times, insolent child!"
Manfred then snaps his fingers. "Hans! Heinrich! Take Miles to the Christmas Room until he learns how to properly appreciate the holidays!"
Two large butlers then come into the room as Edgeworth's face starts to pale. Edgeworth knew very well that Manfred's Christmas Room was where he put prosecutors and police officers who didn't share Manfred's views on Santa; needless to say, all of the people who have had to endure that room never wanted to describe their experiences, so Edgeworth did not want to find out for himself. Edgeworth then uncharacteristically gets on his knees and begins to grovel at Manfred's feet.
"Please, Mr. von Karma, don't send me to the Christmas Room! I've learned my lesson! I believe in Santa now!"
"I don't believe you, Miles. Take him away!"
Manfred then slams the end of his cane on the ground to assert his point. Hans and Heinrich then drag Edgeworth off to the Christmas Room without saying a world while Edgeworth drags his feet and tries to wriggle free from the iron tight grip of the hulking butlers.
"No! No! Let me go! Pleeeease!" Edgeworth's voice then slowly trails off until he is out of hearing distance.
Manfred then directs his attention to Franziska who was left wide eyed and speechless from the whole ordeal. Manfred's jovial holiday attitude then returns as quickly as it had left.
"How about we watch Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Franziska?"
"O-Of course, Papa. It is the holiday season after all."
Manfred and Franziska then go into the living room and sit on a large leather couch as they proceed to watch the movie. For most of the movie, Manfred is silent; but he begins to commentate at the island of Misfit Toys scene.
"You know, Franziska, Santa had the right idea here: send all of the imperfect people to an island far away from humanity where they can't bother us with their foolish antics. I could just imagine the real life version of it now… An island full of defense attorneys, telemarketers, and that one waitress from who put one too many ice cubes in my beverage when we went out to eat that one time."
"Papa, I think that foolish waitress learned her lesson when you yelled at her for ten minutes straight and made her cry."
"She was asking for it! When I ask for exactly 5 ice cubes in my beverage and the server gives me one that contains 6, then there is a price to pay. On a brighter note, how are you enjoying the movie?"
"I like it, Papa; but it would be more enjoyable with Miles Edgeworth here. What exactly is happening to him in the Christmas Room?"
Manfred then reverts back to his normal, stern self. "I do not desire to reveal the nature of the Christmas Room, Franziska. Let's just hope that you never have to experience it for yourself…"
At this moment, Franziska realizes that maybe her father was better at this time of the year. Normally, he was always demanding her to study and to be perfect, which made her feel like she was unworthy of his love; but not now. Now, Franziska felt that her father truly loved her and wished to spend time with her. At this moment, she felt like she had a father, and not a teacher.
A huge smile spreads across Franziska's face as she proceeds to hug Manfred. "I like this quality time, Papa."
Manfred then hugs Franziska back. "And so do I…"
Meanwhile, Edgeworth is tied to a chair in a room that is painted red and green that has a television, a music player, and a coffee brewer in it. Edgeworth's eyes are taped open as Hans and Heinrich force him to drink coffee, in order to keep him awake, while forcing him to watch Christmas movies while listening to Christmas carols. If Edgeworth tries to look away from the movie that he is currently being forced to watch or refuses to drink the coffee, then he receives an electrical shock from a Taser. Edgeworth screams and grunts in anguish as he is forced to endure this grueling punishment for the entire night.