December 4, 11:04 AM_

Colliseum Convention Hall_

The day before, the Colliseum Convention Hall had been packed with all manner of people (And for Phoenix, the term 'people' was starting to be stretched thin). The noise level from a crowd that size was barely contained within the building, and hearing your own thoughts was an arduous task.

But when Phoenix and company arrived at the Hall that morning, the throngs had been replaced by a vast emptiness, giving the building the feeling of a ghost town under a roof.

"Whoa, what happened to everyone?" Maya gaped at the scene.

"The police must have obviously closed off the premises so they can investigate the murder properly," Rozalin said pointedly, "One can only imagine how difficult that would be with yesterday's crowds."

Adell punched his palm. "Okay, what's our first step?" He asked Phoenix.

"First, we need to get a look at the scene of the crime," Phoenix explained, "We should also talk to the officer in charge of the investigation and see what the police have already uncovered."

"Just like that?" Adell eyebrow rose. "I didn't think the police liked defense attorneys around here."

Maya smirked confidently. "Leave it to us. We'll show you how the experts do it!"

("And hopefully, without having to punch someone's lights out…")

Episode 3

Gathering Within the Darkness

December 4, 11:07 AM_

Colliseum Convention Hall

Phoenix looked about at the deserted booths. Compared to how colorful and festive the entire place had been yesterday, they now looked like skeletons.

"Okay, apparently the murder had took place somewhere in the North Quarter," Phoenix said, and scratched his head. "Where was that again…?"

"Oh, Nick, where would you be without me?" Maya sighed dramatically. After a moment, she pointed in one direction. "I think it's that way…I mean, that way!"

Rozalin rolled her eyes. "Mindlessly guessing will accomplish nothing. Obviously, neither way is right."

"Oh, you know where to go, huh?" Adell challenged, giving Rozalin a look through half-closed eyelids.

"Of course!" Rozalin put on her haughtiest 'I'm an aristocrat, let me look down on you' posture. "We're going to the North Quarter, so we need to go north."

"You have no idea either, do you…?"

("Okay, we're in trouble. This place looks so different without people that we'll never find our way around.")

"Um, excuse me…" A young lady in a maid uniform walked up to Phoenix and crew. Phoenix recognized her as the person Edgeworth had spoken with the day before. "I'm sorry, but due to to the murder, Hero-Con is cancelled for today. The management will gladly reimburse you for your tickets if you bought multi-day passes yesterday."

"Sorry, but we're not here for the convention," Phoenix explained, and displayed his attorney's badge. "My name is Phoenix Wright. I'm the defense attorney for the

murder that took place here. I need to investigate the scene for my client."

Oh, I see…but," The maid took a moment to lick at her lollypop ring. "The police are still investigating, and have asked not to be disturbed by anyone."

("Of course they have.")

"Aw, can't you at least tell us where to go? We're kinda lost," Maya asked, "We promise not to touch anything!"

"I'm sorry, but you're not allowed to go over there to the North Quarter." The maid's eyes widened. "Ahh! I shouldn't have told you that!"

Taking a lock of her hair, the maid whipped out a small pair of scissors and prepared to cut it. She seemed to freeze at the decisive moment. The rest just stared at her.

("Oooookay, now what?")

"Listen," Adell said, getting the maid's attention. "My little brother is the prime suspect. We need to build a case if we're going to clear his name. Could you please help us?"

"You're…brother?" The maid stared into Adell's eyes for a moment, and then lowered her scissors. "…All right. If it's for family, I'll do what I can. After all…" The maid trailed off, a far away look in her eye.

("Hmm? Did something happen to her?")

(PLAY ACE ATTORNEY INVESTIGATIONS, DOOD!)

"I never gave you my name. I'm Lauren Paups," the maid introduced, taking a lick of her lolly-ring. "It's a good to meet you."

"Likewise. And I am Rozalin, the daughter of Overlord Zenon." Rozalin returned, giving Lauren a nod.

Lauren's tilted her head in confusion. "Over…lord?"

("Okay, this conversation is going places I don't like. Time to get us back on track.") "Ms. Paups, were you the one who discovered the body?" Phoenix asked, changing the subject. He had no more doubts that his clients were demons, but didn't want anyone to find out and start a panic. He especially didn't want Maya to know. There was no telling how the spirit medium would react.

Lauren nodded. "Yes, it was me. I found it while fetching supplies."

"Did you see anyone else there?" ("Please don't say you saw Taro, please don't say that…")

Lauren shook her hood. "No…I'm sorry, it was just the body, along with some merchandise and…" She shuddered. "…A pool of blood. I can't forget how ominous it all looked, the killed but no killer… Ahh! No, Lauren! You're not at the theme park again!" She whipped out those scissors and prepared to cut that lock of hair again.

Maya, who had plenty of experience finding dead bodies, gave Lauren a look of sympathy. Adell, who had similar experiences, also had an uncomfortable look in his eyes.

"Why did the police not suspect you?" Rozalin queried, "Usually the one who found the body is the most suspicious."

Lauren gasped, dropping her scissors. "N-no! I have a clean alibi this time! I was out on the floor for most of the time, and I never went to the storage rooms until I discovered the body!"

Phoenix couldn't help but feel suspicious. There was a level of nervousness in Lauren's voice that seemed to go beyond the trauma of feeding a dead body. As casually as he could manage, he reached into his pocket for the Magatama.

CLANG-CLANG-CLANG!

Unseen by all but Phoenix, several chains wrapped around Lauren, and followed by three Psyche-Locks.

("I knew it…she's hiding something…") Phoenix thought, and said, "Are you sure you didn't leave the floor at any time after Prism Blue left his post?"

Lauren picked up her scissors and took a lick of her lollypop ring. "Y-yes. I…I should go now…" She quickly shuffled off, her legs that seemed to be stuck between walking and running. "Just go left from the food court…you'll reach the crime scene in no time. Good luck!"

Adell narrowed his eyes at Lauren's shrinking figure. "Look at how fast she's trying to get away. Think she knows something?"

Phoenix sighed. "If she does, we can't press her without proof," Turning back to the group, he said, "We'll leave her alone for now. Maybe she'll be called in to testify in court, and-"

CLANG!

Phoenix couldn't believe his eyes. A chain with the thickness of a his arm suddenly wrapped around Rozalin, and was held in place by a Psyche-Lock that was far, far, far larger than any that the lawyer had seen before. In fact, it looked less like a lock and more like giant shield. It had a pattern that reminded Phoenix of a four-leaf clover, with the petals sharpened into spikes.

("Wha…what the heck is that!? I've never seen a Psyche-Lock like that before! What kind of secret could she be hiding?")

"…What is it?" Rozalin asked, "Do I have something on my face?"

"Ahh…no, it's nothing," Phoenix recovered. He let go of the Magatama and the Psyche-Lock vanished. "Sorry about that. Anyway, let's go to the crime scene. We can worry about Ms. Paups later."

Phoenix turned away, preparing a mental reminder to ask Maya about what he had seen. Behind him, Rozalin tilted her head, her eyes narrowing. Whatever Phoenix had seen, it did not feel to her like 'nothing'.

December 4, 11:11 AM_

Colliseum Convention Hall North Quarter_

It didn't take long for the group to find where the police was investigating. A door on the wall had several riot barricades placed around it, with police tape plastered on the door itself.

"This must be the place," Phoenix said, looking around. "Hmm…there's nobody here?"

"How peculiar," Rozalin noted, "You would think that a crime scene would be more secure."

Maya said, "Hey, don't look a gift horse in the mouth! Let's go in before someone catches us!"

"Hey, whaddya think you're doing, pal?!"

("That verbal tic could only belong to one man…") Phoenix thought, a turned around.

The figure approaching was as different from Laura Paups' as night was from day. An adult man clad in a dirty brown trench coat, with a face that was somewhat unshaven, with a single bandage on his chin, Detective Dick Gumshoe would never be mistaken for a maid, even on his best day. He seemed even less maid-like as he stomped up towards them. There was an irritated frown on his face and his hands were stuffed into his pockets. Clearly, Gumshoe was not having the best day ever.

Once he saw Phoenix and Maya, his expression softened a bit. "Oh, it's you guys…thought it was that rock star guy again…"

The defense team exchanged looks. Rock star guy?

"So, what are you doing here?" Gumshoe asked, and his eyes widened when he saw Adell. "Ack! You!"

Phoenix felt a twinge of annoyance. Somehow, he knew what this was about. "Don't worry, Gumshoe, he won't attack anyone."

"Yup, we've got him on a tight leash!" Maya chimed.

"Though we may need to pacify his urge to be a battle maniac eventually." Rozalin

"Hey, stop making me sound like violent thug!" Adell protested, "Just because my only real skills are fighting and I enjoy an occasion to test my skills and pretty much wipe the floor with everyone I meet doesn't make me some kind of battle maniac."

("Oh no? And what does that make you?")

Gumshoe sighed in relief. "That's a relief. I got a message from the station saying you teamed up with some psycho again, but they must have been mistaken."

("AGAIN? When did I team up with a pyscho BEFORE?") Phoenix felt a bead of sweat run down, but chose to press on. "Let's start at the beginning. Gumshoe, meet Adell and Rozalin, the family of the accused."

"Yeah…I remember you guys when we picked up that kid," Gumshoe said thoughtfully, "Sorry about that, I'm only doin' my job."

"Well, couldn't you do it with someone else?" Rozalin demanded, "My own servant is in jail because of your job!"

Gumshoe put on what Phoenix called, 'The kicked puppy look'. "Look, lady, the evidence we found implicates the kid. There's nothing I can do about it, pal."

"In that case, why not let ME do something about it?" Phoenix offered, "You know I'm working the defense for this case. If you'll let me see the crime scene…"

"No can do, pal," Gumshoe replied, "My men are still investigating, and that storage room is pretty small. I can't have you guys tripping over each other."

"Okay, is there anything you can tell us?"

Gumshoe shook his head. "Sorry, but you won't hear anything from me until we're in court, pal."

Gumshoe sounded pretty adamant about it. Phoenix knew that while Gumshoe would never be smartest officer in the force, his determination was the real deal.

Maya, however, didn't see to concerned about the lack of help. Instead, she was looking around with interest. "Hey, Gumshoe, didn't you say something about a rock star around here?"

Gumshoe looked annoyed. "Yeah, I did. There's this obnoxious jerk dressed in white and sequins who keeps trying to butt into the investigation. No matter how many times we throw him out, he comes back for more!"

"Why would a rock star want to investigate crimes?" Phoenix asked, perplexed at not just the subject, but how their discussion was derailed.

"Well, he says he's a big star, but, neither or any of my men ever heard of the guy," Gumshoe admitted, and snickered. "You shoulda seen the way he reacted when I told him that. Looked like he was gonna cry!"

"What was his name?" Rozalin asked. There was something familiar about the description of this alleged 'rock star' Gumshoe was talking about.

The detective thought for a moment before answering. "I think it was…Ack-tul, or something…"

"Axel?" Adell asked, surprised.

"Yeah, that's the guy, pal!" Gumshoe beamed, then gave Adell an inquisitive look. "Why, you know him?"

"…I know a Axel." Adell replied evasively.

"Ah, well, if you see him, tell him to keep away from the crime scene," Gumshoe said, "This job's hard enough without some dumb guy meddling!"

"Tell me about it," Phoenix said, and began to inch for the door. "Well, if there's nothing else to discuss, we'll just check out the crime scene…"

"Sure, go- Oh no you don't, pal! It's still off limits!" Gumshoe gave Phoenix his best, 'puppy doesn't wanna be kicked again' glare.

("Rats. Thought I had him.") "We'll come back later, then…"

"Excuse me, but do you know where Axel is?" Rozalin asked politely.

Gumshoe thought for a moment. "I think I saw him near where the snack bar was, pal."

"Thank you, detective, that will be all," Rozalin nodded, "You are dismissed."

"Glad to be of service, pal!" Gumshoe walked off with a content smile on his face. He then rushed back into place with an annoyed frown. "Wait a minute! I'm not the one who's supposed to leave! You guys are! Beat it!"

11:24 AM_

Colliseum Convention Food Court (Now defunct)_

Rozalin led the group to the food court. The grills and popcorn makers were turned off and abandoned, though the drink dispenser was still working. Most of the chairs were folded up and stacked onto the tables, with one or two unfolded near the said drink dispenser.

"Hmph, it doesn't look like he's here…" Rozalin murmured.

"That Axel guy?" Maya asked, "Why do we need him?" She smiled, "I mean, it'd be cool to meet a rock star, but shouldn't we be looking for another way around Gumshoe?"

"If this Axel's been poking around the crime scene, he might have some information we can use," Phoenix noted, looking to Rozalin for confirmation. "Is that what you're hoping for?"

"Indeed," Rozalin replied, and looked away. "Although, it is a risky gamble…"

"I'll say," Adell said, folding his arms. "That clown's so busy showboating that he barely sees the world around him."

("And this is the guy we're going to depend on? Maybe we should go back and have Adell knock out Gumshoe…") "Hold on, you know him personally?"

"Yeah, it's a bit of a long story, though…" Adell muttered, "Let's just say that he used to bug us a while back."

(PLAY DISGAEA 2: CURSED MEMORIES FOR DETAILS, DOOD!)

Just then, a haughty voice caught everyone's ears. "Hahaha! Did someone say they needed to talk to a superstar?"

The lights went out, and a spotlight appeared over the hamburger booth. A rock song neither Phoenix or Maya heard began to play, and a tan young man wearing an open white sequin long coat and jeans with a gold medallion hanging around his neck by a chain jumped on top of the booth. He had blond hair styled like a manga character.

"Wherever there's trouble, he's the one causing it! Doing ding-dong ditches and prank phone calls! Back by popular demand and relishing every minute of it, it's the one and only Dark Horse of Disgaea 2, The Dark Hero Axel!" The man declared, striking a pose.

"Wow!" Maya gasped, her eyes full of stars.

Phoenix was slightly less starry-eyed. ("Wow is right. How long has he been hiding there? Was he waiting for someone to mention his name?")

Adell sighed. "He hasn't changed a bit…"

Rozalin closed her eyes, clearing trying to suppress her irritation. "Well, it's to be expected. It is Axel, after all."

The lights went back to normal, and the music stopped as Axel lost his balance and fell flat on his face.

"Urk!" Axel groaned and quickly pushed himself up. Dusting himself off, he shrugged nonchalantly. "So, I understand that you guys need the help of a great man?"

"Yeah, that'd be nice, but you'll have to do," Adell replied, "Listen, Axel, you know about the murder that happened here, don't you?"

"Of course. I thought the investigation could use my star profile, but alas…that ape-faced detective just couldn't handle being outshone and keeps having me removed from the site," Axel sighed theatrically, "Envy is such an ugly thing…"

("And pride is one of the seven deadly sins.")

"Hey! Gumshoe isn't ugly!" Maya protested, her cheeks puffing out angrily. "Sure, he's a little homely, but that's no reason to insult him!"

("Wait, are you defending Gumshoe or not?")

Axel blinked and stared at Phoenix and Maya as if he was just seeing them. "Huh? Who are you guys?"

Phoenix took that as an opportunity to get back on track. Already this outrageous ham (Wait, his ears were pointed too!) had somehow derailed the investigation more than what was required. Showing off his attorney's badge, he said, "My name is Phoenix Wright, attorney at law."

"And I'm his beautiful assistant, Maya." Maya added.

"No kidding," Axel remarked, "I only thought magicians had beautiful assistants. 'Course, you're not exactly beautiful. Cute, maybe, but not a beauty."

"Hey!"

"Anyway," Phoenix continued, trying to keep the focus. "You already know Adell and Rozalin besides me. They hired me to defend Adell's younger brother, Taro in court over the murder that occurred here." Was it his imagination, or did Axel's expression turn serious? "Since you've been trying to play detective, we thought you might have some clues for us."

"…They think Taro did it?" Axel asked, his voice solemn. After a moment of silence, he said, "Okay, I'll help."

"Really? Thank you!" Maya cheered.

"But, don't tell anyone," Axel added, "If people found out that the Dark Hero was helping someone, it would kill my reputation. Even my star power can't handle a scandal like that!"

"Out of curiosity, why are you, as Mr. Wright said, 'playing detective'?" Rozalin asked.

"Just a little method acting," Axel explained, "I'm fine-tuning one of my own plays- The Dark Detective. It's a one-man whodunnit written by yours truly."

"A mystery as a one-man show?" Phoenix asked, stunned.

"Yeah, what, you do every part yourself?" Adell added incredulously.

"Well, I don't have much of a choice," Axel grumbled, "No one would show up for the auditions."

Maya hummed. "Hey, do you need a leading lady?"

("Maya, don't encourage him.")

Axel gave Maya a not-so-apologetic grin. "Sorry, but that role's been taken. I gave it to my new girlfriend."

"You have a girlfriend?" It was Rozalin's turn to sound incredulous. "I did not imagine someone with such low standards exist. What a large world it is."

"Yeah, but it was only a matter of time until some lucky girl hooked the Dark Hero," Axel remarked, "But, could you keep it to yourselves? It might hurt my female fanbase if they knew about it."

("Weird…it's like Axel only hears what he wants to hear.") Phoenix thought, and decided to get down to business. "Alright, Mr. Axel-"

"Please! 'Mr. Axel' is what my secretary calls me," Axel interrupted, "As my newest fan, you can just call me Axel."

Phoenix gave the so-called star a withering look. "…Axel, can you please tell us what you've uncovered."

"Ha! I don't need to show you anything! I'll take you to the crime scene personally!" Axel replied.

"You will?" Maya asked, confused. "I thought the police was watching the door."

"Heheheh! Check this out!" Axel whipped out and unrolled a large paper from his jacket. "My girlfriend gave this to me. It's a schematic of the entire building. See, the convention center is built in the shape of a circle, with the main hall, which we're in right now, on the inside. Around us one big, interconnected hall which leads to the employees-only areas, like supply closets and so on. The cops are only guarding the door closest to the crime scene," Axel marked a point on the map with a marker. "All we have to do is use one of the other doors and just follow the hall until we get there."

Phoenix took the map and studied it. If the map was accurate, then the nearest door to the outer-hall was in the east quarter. There were also similar doors in the other quarters. "Axel, do you mind if we keep this?" He asked.

"Sure. I've already got a spare handy." Axel replied off-handedly.

"Thanks." Phoenix said as he added the map to his evidence. Having their own map of the building would be useful for building their case, and would cut down on the need to talk to Axel.

"Hey, why do you have a map of the building?" Adell asked.

Axel chuckled knowingly. "Let's just say that a big star like me needs to know the layout of the stage he performs on."

"Stage? What are you up to this time?" Adell's eyes narrowed with suspicion.

"That's for me to know, and you to not find out," Axel replied, causing Phoenix, Adell, and Rozalin to exchange looks. You didn't need a Psyche-Lock to see that Axel had a few secrets of his own. "But enough about me, let's get back to MY investigation!"

"Okay!" Maya cheered, caught up in Axel's passion.

11:31 AM_

Colliseum Convention Outer Hall East Quarter_

("This is one dark hallway.") Phoenix thought as he and the gang stepped through the door.

Okay, he was exaggerating. True, the lights could have been brighter, and maybe the walls could have been painted in brighter colors, but it wasn't as if they would been blindly groping about.

"Okay, gang, let's split up!" Axel declared.

"Why would we need to do that?" Rozalin asked, "Would it not make more sense to remain together?"

"Well, i don't know…" Axel admitted, scratching the back of his head. "But that's what you usually say when you go looking for clues, isn't it?"

("I wonder how many Scooby Snacks it would take to keep him quiet.") Phoenix thought. It was becoming increasingly clear that if they were going to make any progress in their investigation, Axel would have to go. "Okay, Axel, why don't you take a look around the rest of the building while the four of us check out the crime scene."

"Huh?! By myself?" Axel asked.

"Well, I figured that a big star like yourself wouldn't want little people like us dragging you down," Phoenix lied, putting on his best poker face. "It would be a shame if one of us did something to embarrass you…"

"You're absolutely right!" Axel declared, pointing a 'finger of declaration' in the the air. "A big star like me can't be weighed down by supporting characters! I've got to soar to new heights! I'll investigate the storage rooms while you guys do your thing!"

And with that, Axel took off as his theme song blared from an out-of-sight speaker. It must have been hidden somewhere in his jacket, as it got softer as Axel form shrank from sight. Once he was gone, Adell turned to Phoenix with an impressed look on his face.

"That was incredible," The red-haired battle maniac said, "I'd never thought we'd get rid of him."

"I have plenty of experience with troublesome guys." Phoenix replied, thinking of his first defendant.

(Somewhere at his latest job, Larry Butz sneezed.)

"This may shock you, Mr. Wright, but Axel was actually less troublesome this time than he was before," Rozalin said as they walked down the hall, "At the very least he gave us direction to the crime scene."

("You mean he used to be worse? Good lord…") "I wonder what he's up to, thought," Phoenix said aloud, "It seemed like there was something else besides that 'Dark Detective' show of his."

"If it concerns us, then we'll know about it soon enough," Rozalin decided, "We should focus on collecting evidence that will clear Taro's good name."

Phoenix nodded. "Right. Let's go- before Axel gets back!"

11:37 AM_

Colliseum Convention Storage Room (North Quarter)_

It didn't take long for them to find a doorway that had several police tape and fences around it. The door was ajar and held in place by a single brick that had the words "DO NUT MOOVE" scrawled on the top in blue glitter. Oddly enough, there was also a distinct lack of policemen.

"Huh? Where is everyone?" Phoenix blinked, "Didn't Gumshoe said that his men were still investigating?"

"Maybe it's their lunch break?" Maya suggested.

"But there's no one here," Adell pointed out, "I mean, wouldn't they leave at least one guy on guard?"

"As odd as this is, does it not work to our advantage?" Rozalin asked, "Now we can investigate without having to explain ourselves."

Phoenix nodded. "Right, it's take a look in."

The inside of the storage room was not as small as Gumshoe had claimed it had been. But it was quite messy. Several boxes had been knocked over and torn in places, and apparently were made to contain rolls of toilet paper. The shelves along the walls had a few cans of some product called 'Deluxe 4 U', one of which had been knocked over. The floor had a large red stain, as well as a chalk outline of a body, presumably Prism Blue's.

"Boy, what a mess!" Adell commented.

Rozalin sniffed with disdain. "Hmph. You would think that the police would take more care when looking for clues."

"I don't think this mess came from the investigation," Phoenix replied, bending down. Was this red stuff blood…? "Looks like a struggle happened here. Whoever murdered Prism Blue had a real fight on their hands."

"Then it couldn't have been Taro," Rozalin said with a finality that brokered no argument, "I've trained him to be more than a match for any Prism Ranger."

("Yeah, that'll convince the courts of Taro's innocence.") Phoenix thought sarcastically, still looking at the stain. (Hmm, if this is blood, then Prism Blue must have been for a bit before the police took his body away.")

Maya, however, was more interested in the contents of the shelves. "Deluxe 4 U? I wonder what that is?"

"I could not tell you," Rozalin replied, "However, judging by how few cans there are, it seems as if they were in high demand yesterday."

"Funny, I don't recall seeing this Deluxe stuff out in the convention last time." Adell commented, and reached over Phoenix to grab a can. He read the description on the back. "Says here that it's for 'getting that rotting zombie smell out'."

"Z-zombies!" Maya gasped, then clenched her fists in determination. "I knew it! I just knew it!"

"Knew what, Maya?" Phoenix asked.

"That weird feeling I had yesterday!" Maya cried, getting more worked up. "My spiritual senses must have been trying to warn me about the coming zombie apocalypse!"

"Zombie apocalypse?" Phoenix asked, thinking, ("Maya's been spending too much time on that TV Tropes website…")

"In fact-" Maya went on, "I'll bet Prism Blue figured out what was going on- and was killed to keep quiet!"

"Wait, who wanted him quiet?" Adell asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Duh! Whoever's trying to raise the dead, of course!" Maya pointed dramatically at Adell while speaking, "So, we need to focus our investigation on the zombies! Once we find the zombie mastermind, we'll find Prism Blue's killer!"

"Oh, Maya don't be silly," Rozalin replied dismissively, "There are more effective heroes to worry about. If this alleged mastermind of yours really did kill Prism Blue, it would be over something far more frivolous, I'm sure."

("So, it's a question of motive?") Phoenix thought, getting up. He noticed an odd crack in the wall. "What's that?"

"Huh?" Adell blinked and looked where Phoenix was pointing. "Look's like a crack in the wall to me. Though…"

"What's wrong?" Maya asked, "Is it a zombie?"

"Maya, would you forget about the zombies?" Phoenix sighed, "There's something off about this crack in the wall."

"So? This is probably an old building, nothing wrong there." Maya replied.

"Perhaps it was made in the fight between Prism Blue and his killer," Rozalin suggested.

"No…it looks to clean…" Phoenix reached out for the crack, trying to step over the red stain on the floor. His finger just barely brushed the edge of the crack when it suddenly closed up! The defense attorney backed away in shock. However, there was a box in his way, and Phoenix quickly found himself falling, his impact softened marginally by his backside. "Oof!"

"Whoa, are you okay?" Adell asked, kneeling down to help Phoenix up.

"Yeah…I'm fine…" Phoenix mumbled, looking at his hand. Good, he had all the fingers he started out with. ("I'm just lucky I didn't lose my pointing finger. Can't go into court without that.") "What happened?"

Rozalin hummed thoughtfully. "Maybe that crack was in fact an opening for a secret passage. I have read about them. You usually find such things in most back room murders."

Maya gasped, and then smiled with understanding. "Yeah! And I'll bet whoever killed Prism Blue used the passage to escape!"

("Hmm, actually, that might be something to consider,") Phoenix thought, and filed the crack/secret passage(?) under something to investigate further. ("I wonder if the police know about this…knowing Gumshoe, probably not.")

Adell pulled out the map and began to look at it. "Figures. There's no sign of any hidden doorways or paths from this closet on the map. I guess that's the limit to Axel's help."

"We should mark what the passageway then," Rozalin decided, "If only to remind us that it was here."

Taking the map, Rozalin drew an X on the map near the closet and wrote "Secret Passage" down next to it. As she did, Phoenix kept looking around the closet.

"Do you think Laurin knows about the secret passage?" Maya asked thoughtfully.

"I'm not sure…we can ask her when we see her next time," Phoenix said, looking around. "Hold on…which one of you is doing that heavy breathing?"

Adell, Rozalin, and Maya exchanged looks. Turning around, they saw a policewoman running up. She seemed to be out of breath, and her cap was on askew.

"You guys…" She said, pausing to take breaths. "Shouldn't…be here… This place is…off-limits…to civilians."

"We're not civilians!" Maya protested, "We're the defense team!"

"And just who are you?" Rozalin asked, "The officer on duty?"

Catching her breath, the policewoman straightened her. "Officer Hammer. I was assigned by Detective Gumshoe to guard the scene of the crime."

"Then where the heck were you?" Adell asked, raising an eyebrow.

Hammer groaned, looking embarrassed. "Well…this little person- I think it was a kid in a penguin costume- ran by and took my gun. I chased after him and before I knew it…"

"…You abandoned your post." Phoenix finished, causing Officer Hammer to flinch. He stepped out of the storage to better talk with her. "Did you get your gun back?"

Hammer sighed. "Yes, the little penguin-guy dropped it. I hope no one finds out… Now, come on, get out of there. The crime scene is off-limits."

"But, I told you!" Maya's cheeks puffed as she got angry, "It's okay for us to be here, we're on the defense!"

Phoenix showed Hammer his attorney's badge. "I'm Phoenix Wright, defense attorney. I was hired by the accused's family-" He nodded at Adell and Rozalin. "-to represent him in court."

Hammer regarded Phoenix's badge and a look of recognition appeared on her features. "Oh! You're THAT guy? Detective Gumshoe told me about you!"

Phoenix couldn't help but grin smugly. So, Gumshoe had told the new girl about him, huh? ("Sounds like my legend is growing!")

"You're the lawyer who's always showing people his badge, even when it's pointless!" Hammer affirmed, looking somewhat triumphant for figuring it out.

That let the wind of Phoenix's balloon. The lawyer in question felt his hair-spikes droop slightly as he slumped. ("That's what I'm known for? Pointless badge-showing?")

"Officer Hammer," Rozalin stepped forward, getting the policewoman's attention. "We were told by Detective Gumshoe that the storage room was still being investigated. Where are the other officers?"

"Oh, that? We finished the investigation a little bit ago. I was left to watch the crime scene when that little penguin guy came through here." Hammer answered.

"So, does this mean you know about the secret passage?" Phoenix asked.

Hammer blinked. "Secret passage? What are you talking about?"

("She doesn't know… So that means the rest of the police don't know either. If the passage wasn't opened until after the police left-")

"Ahhh!"

Phoenix was pulled out from his thoughts by Hammer's exclamation. She was now looking into the closet and had seen the mess. The officer whirled on the defense team, a look of righteous fury in her eyes.

"What did you guys do here?!" She demanded, "This place is a mess!"

Phoenix blinked. "Isn't it always?

"No! I mean, there wasn't all this toilet paper scattered about!" Hammer growled, "Wait until Detective Gumshoe hears about this!"

"But the investigation was finished, right?" Rozalin asked, tilting her head quizzically. "So, it should not matter what someone does in there from now on."

"That doesn't mean you can do whatever you feel like!" Hammer took out a walkey talky. "I'm calling for back-up!"

"Wait, wait, it wasn't us!" Phoenix cried. The last thing he wanted now was to get in trouble with police again. Adell's being trigger-happy with his fists had already weakened their standing with the law.

11:43 AM_

Colliseum Convention Hall_

Although they were able to convince Gumshoe that they hadn't done anything to cause the mess, the whole debacle had convinced the detective that the defense team had worn out their welcome. It didn't take long for the group to be unceremoniously (But officially) booted from the crime scene. With nowhere else to go, they returned to the entrance of the convention hall.

"So, did we learn anything or was that all completely pointless?" Adell asked, crossing his arms.

"Well, we know that the storage room has some sort of secret tunnel," Phoenix summarized, "And that someone went out of their way to disrupt the crime scene."

Rozalin made a noise that was a combination growl and groan. "That is not much. How can we prove Taro's innocence with such minute evidence?"

Phoenix gave Rozalin a reassuring look. "Rozalin, my mentor once told me that just as a single thread can unravel a sweater, so can a single piece of decisive evidence unravel a case. You'd be surprised how often that one thing everyone's overlooked can turn a trial around."

"Speaking of overlooked things, what do you think happened with Axel?" Maya asked thoughtfully, "Do you think he found anything?"

"No." Adell said instantly.

"Axel? You must have him mistaken for someone more useful." Rozalin said disdainfully.

"Heeey!" Axel cried, causing everyone to jump. "I go out of my way to help, and this is what you think about me!? I'm hurt, guys!"

"Uh, sorry, Axel," Phoenix apologized, "I'm sure they didn't mean it. How did you find us?"

Axel shrugged, smirking. "My girlfriend told me. She saw you guys heading this way and told me," He chuckled. "Man, she's great! She's been helping me out with my own plans all weekend!"

"All weekend?" Adell repeated, "So, you were here yesterday?"

"Oh yeah," Axel shrugged nonchalantly, "She and I were putting together a little something that would make the whole world forget about the Prism Rangers."

"So, you were here when the murder took place?" Rozalin asked thoughtfully, "Then, did you see anything?"

"Nah, probably not," Axel replied, and glanced at his wrist. "Listen, I gotta run. I've got a meeting with my director. Been nice see in' ya, good luck in court!"

("And with that, he leaves.") Phoenix thought, watching Axel run off.

"What do we do now?" Adell asked, "I don't think we're allowed here anymore."

Phoenix sighed. While the day wasn't a total waste, the attorney couldn't help but feel that they could have accomplished more.

However, he had now knew that someone had tampered with the crime scene. The police had missed something, and someone wanted to make sure it stayed missed. Phoenix put that in the Court Record, and checked his watch. He realized that it was almost time for Taro's trial. He wasn't sure what kind of evidence the prosecution had against Taro, and he knew that he certainly didn't have enough evidence to Taro an acquittal- yet. But maybe, just maybe, this secret passage thing and the messed up crime scene might give him an advantage.

("I'll just have to do what I do best- Defend by the seat of my pants!")

Episode 3

End

Maya: The zombie apocalypse is upon us! What can we do?!

Adell: You're not giving this zombie thing up, are you?

Maya: Mystic Maya confronts the zombie master, in his secret lair within the dark colosseum! With her Sacred Sword of the Kurain, she strikes him down!

Adell: It's over already?

Maya: However, he rises from the dead to threaten the world anew, as the undying lord of evil!

Adell: So you just made it worse!

Maya: Next time, on Mystic Maya, episode 4; "Trial and Error!"

Adell: Here we go again...

(A/N: Sorry it took so long to update, I had the most wicked case of writer's block. Part of the problem was that I had many ideas, but putting in all of them would make the story somewhat jumbled.)