Okay, this is a small chapter that I came up with on the spot. This is just Athena singing about her current situation. I chose the song Gales of Song from the Belle 2021/ The Dragon and the Freckled Princess movie because I feel like this song fits how she feels and what is going through her mind about the current predicament and how she can't let go of what happened.

Please note: I do not own the Belle 2021 movie or any of the songs. This song was written and performed by Kaho Nakamura, composed by Ludvig Forssell, and sung by Kylie McNeill in the English version. Also, the Ace Attorney series is owned by Capcom. I do not own any of these properties except for Athena's Aunt Hera, Uncle Ash and cousin Arthur.

"I" means current timeline

"I" means flashback

With that out of the way, enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 3: Now That Your Gone

(Athena's P.O.V)

(A few months ago, unknown courtroom)

"I confess, I am the one who killed Métis Cykes."

The whole courtroom is in an uproar over hearing this confession. Everyone is yelling that he needs to be declared guilty.

But I can hear it, his true feelings. He didn't actually kill her, in fact, he is shocked and sad that she is gone. But why is he saying that he did. He's always telling me that I need to be honest and that lying is bad, so why is he lying about killing my mom.

I'm on the witness stand, telling them what I saw on the day my mom was killed, even though I can't remember what I told them anymore. But for some reason, they are still saying that he is guilty.

Athena: "Wait! He...he didn't kill her!"

All of a sudden, I hear everyone in the gallery.

"What is wrong with this child?!"

"This trial is for her mother's murder, isn't it? Why is she trying to defend the killer?"

"The accused studied psychology right? Maybe he did something to turn her against her mother?"

"How sick can you be to turn the victim's own kid against them?"

"We can't trust a word from this child!"

None of them are listening to me. Why aren't they listening to me? I'm telling them the truth!

Prosecutor: "I'm afraid we can't take the word of this witness seriously."

What? But why?!

Athena: "Please! You have to listen to me!"

Defense: "I agree with the prosecution. As much as I hate to say it, her testimonies are inconsistent."

Judge: "I have to agree. With the current state of the witness, I declare that this useless testimony must be docked from the court record."

What?! But I'm telling you the truth! Why aren't you listening to me?! I'm so upset, I feel tears forming in my eyes.

Athena: "He didn't kill her!"

Judge: "Bailiff, please remove this witness from the stand so I can render my verdict."

Athena: "His heart is screaming that he didn't kill her!"

The judge slams down the gavel.

Current timeline

(Morning)

I wake up with a jolt. I'm trying to slow down my breathing and calm my thoughts. I hope I didn't accidentally wake anyone again.

Athena: "Not again."

Another nightmare about that trial. Every time I get these nightmares, it reminds me about the current situation. My mom is gone, he is in jail when he is innocent, and I'm living far away from the only home I have ever known. Just how many times am I going to keep having these nightmares?!

I hear a knock on my door. Looks like I woke them up again.

Uncle Ash: "Are you okay Athena?"

Athena: "Yeah, I'm fine uncle."

Uncle Ash: "Do you need me to come in?"

Athena: "No thanks, I'm good."

Uncle Ash: "Okay, just let us know if you need anything."

I hear Uncle Ash walking away. I flop back down on my bed in my own frustration. I look over at my clock and see that it is 6:30 in the morning.

Athena: "I guess I should get out of bed."

(Morning, Dining Room)

Once again, I woke everyone up because of my nightmares. I know they say it's okay but I don't want them to be losing sleep because of me. Plus, I do get a bit tired of hearing the same thing over and over again. "Your safe now. He can't hurt you. It's all over." I know that they think they are trying to help, but those words don't help me feel better at all.

I look up and notice they are all looking at me. This isn't good. I need to think of something else so they won't be worried. While I'm trying to think of something, I take a bite of my pancake.

Aunt Hera's homemade pancakes are so good! I wonder if she will make these for Christmas? Maybe I can ask her if she could?

Aunt Hera: "Athena sweetie, are you okay?"

Athena: "Hm? Yeah I'm okay."

Arthur: "Are you sure? You seem to be spacing out a lot?"

Athena: "I just really love these pancakes. I was wondering if Aunt Hera could make these for Christmas morning."

Aunt Hera: "I would love to make these for you for Christmas. But is that all sweetie?"

Athena: "That's all."

Uncle Ash: "You sure? Is that all you want to tell us? Not even about your nightmares?"

Uh oh, I've been caught. So much for trying to change the subject. Looks like I can't dodge this question anymore.

Athena: "Did I wake you guys again?"

Arthur: "No, but I did kind of hear you from my room."

Uncle Ash: "You sure your okay Athena?"

Athena: "It's nothing new. Just the same old nightmares. I can handle them."

Uncle Ash: "Well alright, just let us know if you need anything."

Aunt Hera: "We are here for you, don't forget that."

Athena: "I know, thanks."

Arthur: "You know, the schools will be closed for the holidays. If you feel like heading to school, we can help you get ready for it after the New Years."

I know that I need to have a good education, but I wonder if I can really do it. I mean, back home I couldn't go to school as often as everyone else. Maybe I can be homeschooled. I know there is a virtual option.

Athena: "I'll think about it."

(Afternoon, Athena's room)

After the conversation at breakfast, I decided to stay in my room, only leaving to use the toilet and to eat lunch. My aunt, uncle and Arthur have all offered to do some activities with me, but I turned them down, telling them that I'm busy. I wish that were true. I tell them that I'm busy, but the truth is, all I've done in the past couple hours is sit on my bed and stare at my family photo.

Geez, I'm pathetic. My family is offering me chances to do fun things with them, but all I'm doing is turning them down to wallow in my own sorrow. I wonder what they would think if they could see me like this? But, I don't know how to move on from this. Now matter what anyone tells me, I just can't let it go.

All of these thoughts keep swirling in my head and I can't stop it. Yet through all of my thoughts, I start to think of a song I heard before. Maybe singing this song will help me.

"La, la laaaa"

"La, la la, la laaaaaaa"

"Gales of song, guide me through the storm"

After I sing those first few lines, my memories start to flash through my mind.

"On the wings of a small, simple melody."

"Words take flight and soar, they carry me. A world we'll see."

As I continue to sing, I get off my bed and walk over to my desk.

"Looking for a farewell, I pull the threads."

As I get closer, I pick up the picture that I had laying on top. I look at the picture from my birthday, seeing everyone that I care about in it. There's mom, Junie, Aura, Simon, Ponco, Clonco and everyone else at the Space Center. We were all so happy and everything was right back then. But I never imagined that that my eleventh birthday would be the last one I would celebrate with everyone back home.

"A life without you I cannot accept, I can't tell that lie."

As I look at it, I think about how my mom is no longer around. Her life was taken away by someone, and they are still out there. Not only that, but everyone believes that Simon did it. Now, he is paying for the true killer's crime. But, why would he tell them that he killed her when he is innocent? I just don't understand why he did that. The only thing I do know right now is...

"I can't let go!"

I set the picture straight up, as a way to sing to everyone in the picture. I don't care if this looks crazy, but I can't keep my true feelings in anymore, and I just need to share them with someone, even if it's a picture of them.

"But now that your gone, I have to move on. Seems like everyone, just smile staring at the sun."

Deep down, I know I have to move on, but I just can't. Not with the way things are now. No matter what other people tell me, I know that this isn't the end. But I wonder if anyone else actually cares. To me, I feel like they are just trying to ignore everything else and act like everything is okay.

"But what about me? Tell me how I will know where I should go?"

I wish someone can tell me what I should do. Someone tell me how I can fix this wrong. How I can clear his name and find out what really happened?

"Oh gales, you sing and guide me!"

"I walk alone. There's more to life I have to know."

"It's just me, lost so far away from home, alone I shut myself in."

I can't help but feel like I have no one by my side to help me through this. I'm halfway across the world from everyone else back home. I know I'm with my relatives here, but I don't know them that well. I can't even talk to them about this because they are with the majority in believing that he is guilty. How can I talk to them about this without getting judged?

"Still the wind howl, they call, and their voices lead me."

Even though I feel like hope is gone and that I should just give up, there is just something telling me that I shouldn't. A voice telling me that I need to keep going.

"Gales of song, guide me through the storm."

"Let the melody life my high, I'll be me!"

After I sing that out, I look back at the photo and I feel tears forming. I pick the picture back up and stare at it. Even though I'm about to cry, I need to sing out the last few lines, so I can finally get all of my emotions out.

"Gales of song, please stay by my side."

"Winds of love, breathe into my life."

After I finish singing, all I can down is sink down to the floor, hugging the picture close to me. Then I cry to myself, I just sit there crying my eyes out for the next fifth-teen minutes. Doing so made me feel a bit better, but I still don't know what I should do.

As I dry my tears, I hear footsteps coming from outside my room. I hear a knock on the door.

Aunt Hera: "Athena sweetie, are you alright?"

It was my auntie. A dry my eyes on my sleeves and stand back up. I set my picture back on my desk while walking to the door. I open the door so I can see and talk to Auntie Hera properly.

Athena: "I'm okay auntie. Just needed some time to myself."

Aunt Hera: "Okay, well I was wondering if you wanted to come with me to the shopping markets. I need to pick up a few things for lunch."

At first, I was thinking about turning her down. But then I thought, I haven't been outside in some time. Maybe getting some fresh air can help me out. Plus, I can see a little bit of the town. As much as I don't like the fact that I'm far away from home, it's better that I learn as much of my new home as possible.

Athena: "Sure auntie, I would love to come. Plus, it would be nice to get some fresh air."

My auntie looked shocked at first when I gave her my answer. I guess she didn't expect me to agree. But her shock look was quickly replaced with a big smile.

Aunt Hera: "That's exactly what I was thinking! You haven't had a chance to go out and see the town. So I thought, why not have you come with me to help you get use to it. Well, come on, let's go."

I leave my room and follow my auntie out of the house. I still don't know what I should do, but even I know that I can't keep myself cooped up in my room for the rest of my life. Even though I'm still not fully comfortable with things, I know that I have to try to enjoy the good things in life. With that thought, I was able to smile a little.

Another chapter has been finished! I hope you all enjoy it and I'm sorry that it's been so long since I last updated. Don't worry, I haven't stopped writing and I fully intended to finish this story. It is almost to it's end, just one more chapter to go!

Again, I do not own Gales of Song or the Ace Attorney series. Until then, see you next time.