"Come on, Dahlia," Maya said. "You can't keep it all inside like this."

"It was nothing, don't worry about it," Dahlia said.

"I wish I could believe you, but you've zoned out too many times for me to just label it as 'weird' and move on," Phoenix said. "What's up, Dahlia?"

"Nothing," Dahlia said.

"Are you sure it wasn't another vision?" Pearl said.

Dahlia winced. Pearly, your innocence will be the death of me.

"Vision?" Phoenix said.

Pearl nodded her head.

"It's nothing!" Dahlia said, before Pearl could reveal any more.

"Dahlia, when someone says 'it's nothing' 3 times in a span of 5 minutes," Phoenix said. "It's not nothing. What visions?"

"It's… not important," Dahlia said.

Phoenix held up the diary. "Is that what all these little stories are?"

Dahlia crossed her arms indignantly. "Don't be absurd, why would you think that?"

"Well, you must have had some reason for writing them," Phoenix said.

"You don't know that," Dahlia said.

"Then why did you write these?" Phoenix said.

"Why did I write those?" Dahlia said.

"I asked you," Phoenix said.

"And now I'm asking you," Dahlia said. "You're the one with the Magatama."

Phoenix looked down, apparently deep in thought. "Red petals and black petals, the same face twisted with hate…"

Dahlia shifted uncomfortably, and she felt pressure coming from the chains and locks around her. It worried her that her secrets weren't as safe as they had been, yet she felt lighter with each lock broken.

"Is this about… you and Iris?" Phoenix said.

"Wh-why would you think that?" Dahlia said.

"Red and black, the same face, death, everything can be linked to either you or Iris when you think about it," Phoenix said.

Surprised he had been right; Dahlia flinched and dropped her guard. Another Psyche-Lock dissipated into oblivion.

Phoenix's eyes widened, and she could see the wheels turning in his head.

"I plead the fifth," Dahlia said. "I don't want to talk about this anymore."

"And I don't want to intrude, but I need to know the truth," Phoenix said. "This is the only way."

"I am not saying anymore on this topic, Phoenix," Dahlia said.

"Dahlia…" Phoenix murmured. She tried to shove the guilt away when she saw the hurt in his eyes.

I don't need any more guilt on my plate, Nick! Dahlia crossed her arms self-consciously. "Look, just give this up. We're done."

Phoenix sighed. "But you still have 2 Psyche-Locks left."

"Well, what else is there to discuss?" Dahlia said. "You don't have any more evidence about me."

"Actually, there is. And it's been bugging me for a while," Phoenix said. He presented the black dahlia.

Dahlia stared at it, feeling like she had just been hit with a tsunami of emotions.

"Why does this flower affect you so badly?" Phoenix said.

Dahlia touched the spot where her Magatama used to be, wishing she had it with her.

"That's what I kept asking myself," Phoenix said. "And I think I'm starting to get an idea as to why."

Dahlia listened to her assistant talk, but couldn't take her eyes off the shadowy petals in his hand.

"Dahlia," Phoenix said. "Look at this picture. This is why the black dahlia scares you so much isn't it?"

She looked up at a photo of a girl with long ebony hair and delicate features. It took less than a second to recognize who it was. "That's Iris, when she was a kid."

Phoenix put his head down solemnly. "So this really is why."

"You're wrong," Dahlia said. "What would a dahlia flower have to do with Iris?"

"Look at the picture again," Phoenix said.

Dahlia looked at the picture again and watched Phoenix move his thumb. Underneath it had been a red Magatama.

"That's you Dahlia, not Iris," Phoenix said.

"I-I know that's not me," Dahlia said.

"But do you believe it?" Phoenix said. "Without dyeing your hair, you look exactly like her. Without your red Magatama, not even you could tell the difference between you guys."

Dahlia hunched her shoulders. "That was-"

"Frightening," Phoenix said. "That's why the black dahlia freaks you out so much isn't it? If you took your hat off right now, you'd look just like your sister. You'd be a black Dahlia."

Dahlia felt the fourth lock disappear, exposing her further and bringing her darkness to the light for all to see.

"Mr. Nick, stop," Pearl said. "I think you're scaring Dahlia."

"I'm not scared of anything," Dahlia said.

"Everyone's scared of something," Pearl said. "It's okay."

"Oh, Dahlia," Phoenix said sheepishly. "I'm sorry, Pearls is right, I took it too far."

"Stop!" Dahlia said. "Stop... Talking to me like I'm weak. I'm not weak!"

"Weak?" Phoenix said. "Of course you're not-"

"Just leave me alone!" Dahlia said.

"Please Dahlia, it's okay," Pearl said.

Dahlia stared into her baby sister's innocent, round eyes. She really cares. She just... cares.

"Maybe, a little," Dahlia muttered.

"It's scary, Big Sis," Pearl said.

"I'm sorry, Baby Sis," Dahlia said.

"It's okay," Pearl said. "I love you."

Dahlia's heart melted on the spot. "Aw, I love you too, Pearly."

"So you'll open up?" Pearl said.

"I..." Dahlia didn't know what to say. She just couldn't let go of her last lock. "I can't."

Pearl hung her head.

"I'm sorry Pearly, it's just…" Dahlia played with her hat.

"Oh, Dahlia," Maya said. "I almost forgot, I was in Mia's office earlier today and I found something."

"What?" Dahlia said.

Maya pulled out an envelope and passed it to Dahlia through a slot.

The defense attorney opened the envelope and pulled out a slip of paper. She unfolded it, and the handwriting brought a tear to her eye. Mia…

Hi Dollie, my favorite redhead. Lately, you've been really worrying me. And I'm sure it's been worrying others around you as well. You're a strong girl, Dahlia. You can out on a brave face and fight through anything. Your whole life, you never let anyone see your fear. It was something I always admired, even when we were kids. Let me tell you a story.

Many years ago, I grew up in Kurain Village with my family. However, I had so many family members I never got the chance to connect with everyone. It felt more like a community. So instead of learning to love everyone, I stayed close to my mother and played with my little sister. But then I met another girl, and Maya and I instantly liked her. So we started playing together, telling each other secrets, sharing experiences, it was like having another little sister. That was you, Dahlia.

Then one day, I saw you with your sister. You looked exactly the same, your clothes, your hair, your faces, you were even both named after flowers. To my surprise, however, you couldn't be more different. You were adventurous, independent, fiery, and strong. Everything Iris was, you weren't. So it shocked me when I discovered you didn't see it. I tried to think of how to make you see that just because you were born the same doesn't mean you are the same. It's the experiences you have and the choices you make that make you who you are. Look in the envelope again, and you'll see your true self.

Dahlia blinked back another tear. Even in death, her cousin knew just what to say. She picked the envelope back up, and reached inside. Feeling something thin and soft, she pulled it out of the envelope.

"Mia…" Dahlia couldn't take her eyes off the red dahlia in her hands. Finally, she let go. The final lock burst into nothing, and the chains unwrapped around her. She was free.

Phoenix smiled, and put the Magatama away.

Dahlia looked up at her best friend, cousin, and little sister. They all smiled at her, ready to support her like they had been the entire time. She smiled back.

"That's a pretty flower," Pearl said.

"Thanks, Pearly," Dahlia said.

"So I guess red really is your thing, huh?" Maya said.

"Yeah, it's way better than this old thing," Phoenix said, knocking the black dahlia off the counter.

"I agree," Dahlia said, twirling the red flower in her hands. "If it weren't evidence, I'd tell you to burn that dumb, betraying flower."

"Betraying?" Pearl said.

"Did I ever tell you about the language of flowers?" Dahlia said. "It's kind of interesting, every flower has a different meaning. Different colors have different meanings too. Black dahlias represent betrayal."

"Oh yeah, you had that book about it in your office," Phoenix said.

"It's kind of silly, but when I saw it I started thinking that maybe I betrayed Mia and killed her," Dahlia said. "I guess… it was all just too much. Mia was dead, I had been alone with her, I kept having those strange dreams day and night. The black dahlia was the final straw. I don't even know why I would do that, I'm so stupid."

"You're not stupid, Dahlia," Pearl said.

"You're sweet, Pearly," Dahlia said.

"What does the red dahlia mean?" Maya said.

"Dignity," Dahlia said.

"Boy does that fit you," Phoenix said.

"Hey, shut up," Dahlia said playfully.

"She's back!" Maya cheered.

"Yay!" Pearl said, hopping up and down.

Dahlia smirked.

"So you're done with the moping and stuff then?" Phoenix said. "Because you got to keep your dignity after all."

Dahlia straightened up. "Yeah. Say, where'd you get all that evidence anyway?"

"A few places, really," Phoenix said.

Dahlia turned to Pearl. "Pearly, where'd the diary come from? Mr. Nick won't tell me."

Pearl shuffled her feet. "Well, it was actually my idea."

"Should of known," Dahlia said. "But seriously, how did you get it?"

"We found it in your mom's hotel room," Maya said. "She and Pearl are staying at the Gatewater across the street from the office."

"Mother had it?" Dahlia said.

Pearl nodded.

"Why would she want it?" Dahlia said.

"Apparently she wanted to learn more about you," Maya said.

"So she read my diary?" Dahlia said flatly.

"Uh-huh," Pearl said. "I had to steal it from her when she wasn't looking."

"You stole it from Mother?" Dahlia said, unable to believe what she had just heard.

Pearl nodded her head, looking guilty.

"That's my girl," Dahlia said.

Pearl smiled.

"It really is strange that Morgan would take your diary," Phoenix said, scratching his chin.

Dahlia shrugged. Yeah, well my mother is-"

"Um, Pearly maybe we should go outside," Maya said.

"But Mystic Maya and I want to stay with Dahlia," Pearl said.

"Actually, Pearly, I think Maya might be on to something," Dahlia said. "It's just, you know…"

"Mother is crazy?" Pearl said. "I know."

"You what?" Dahlia said.

Pearl crossed her arms. "She wouldn't help us, even after we told her we were doing it for you. But she said she wanted to help you. That's what you call crazy, right?"

Whoa, when did Pearly grow up? Dahlia shook off the momentary shock. "Uh, yeah, I guess it is."

"Weird," Pearl said.

"Eh, my whole family's nuts," Dahlia said.

Maya cleared her throat.

"Direct family," Dahlia corrected. "You know, like the ones that were there for my birth."

"As in your mother and your sister," Phoenix said. "Hey, if you don't mind me asking, why don't you get along with your sister? I mean, I get it now what with her being a murderer and all, but it sounds likes you never liked each other."

"You know, I'm really not even sure what happened," Dahlia said. "I remember not minding her too much when we were really little, but even then we were nothing alike."

"Wow, really?" Phoenix said.

"Yeah," Dahlia said. "What I really couldn't stand was that Iris always wanted things her way. Then she learned how to make people do whatever she wanted, and it just got worse from there. And she was a complete Daddy's Girl. Even though our father wanted nothing to do with us, Iris was able to just brush that aside and get what she wanted."

"She really was absolutely nothing like you," Phoenix said.

"She was insufferable," Dahlia said. "And despite all this, she wanted to be with me anyway. 'Oh, we're twins! We have to stay together.' 'Dahlia! Why won't you just be like me?' 'Stop being so mean! We're sister.' Blah, blah blah, blah blah."

Maya whistled. "Yep, she's feeling better."

"We were total opposites," Dahlia ranted. "But she wanted us to be exactly… the… same…"

Suddenly, she felt her head throb. Gah! Again, already?

She began losing sight of the people in front of her, and soon everything faded to an empty black.

Iris rode the snowmobile through the crisp, clear night, feeling the limp body behind her quickly losing the remaining heat.

She watched the snowmobile and its 2 passengers curiously. It was confusing, she didn't know what was going on. Suddenly, she felt another presence there. A malicious presence that understood exactly what was going on. It scared her.

Iris wiped her brow, and look up at the stars. The ebony-haired girl's eyes wandered, and they looked straight through her. It shocked her, but in the distance she felt an urge to smirk.

"What…" she breathed.

Iris gasped.

She felt a malevolent impulse surge through her, and she tried to fight it off. What could it be?

"Look at her, she's pathetic," she whispered. "You know it's true. Just look at her, bending to the will of others."

She listened to her curiously, unsure what to make of the situation.

"Iris is going to be punished," she said. "And this time, it won't be her fault. Or maybe it is. After all, she walked right into this situation."

She watched Iris shake her head, and turn back to the snow path before her.

"Hee hee hee, what an ignorant little twit," she said. "You're nothing like Iris."

Slowly coming back to her senses, she tore her gaze away from Iris and turned around.

A silky pink dress flowed down around her ankles, and in her hands was a parasol as pretty and delicate as her all too familiar face. Her red locks were braided on her head like a crown.

"But you and I," she said. "We are the same."

Dahlia gasped, returning to the world around her. Forever burned into her mind, however, was a demonically sweet smile. What… was that? It was like… a nightmare. An evil clone, or a demoness. Like something I would have to battle.

"This isn't your little nerd game, sweetie," the demoness said.

"Shut up," Dahlia said under her breath.

"Hmm?" Phoenix tilted his head.

"2 in 1 day?" Pearl said. "Wow."

"It's nothing to be proud of, Pearly," Dahlia said, playing with her hat. That was so weird. And creepy.

"Are you shaking, Dahlia?" Pearl said.

"No, I'm fine," Dahlia said. "Just, don't tell anyone about this okay guys?"

"Aw, lighten up Dahlia," Maya said. "You're more interesting than TV."

"It's certainly an adventure," Phoenix said.

"Y-yeah," Dahlia said, feeling a little out of her element.

Pearl stood up on her chair and stamped her foot. "Mr. Nick, Mystic Maya! Be more sensitive! Don't joke about my big sister like that!"

"Sorry," Phoenix and Maya said in unison.

Dahlia found her smile again. What am I so worried about? I've got Pearly to protect me.