Story: Obscure Fate
Summary: Sequel to Shocking Disclosure. Phoenix takes yet another crazy case, and both he and Miles Edgeworth find themselves in the middle of something they never imagined could be true. (Original court case!)
Characters: Detective Gumshoe, Franziska von Karma, Miles Edgeworth, Other- Witness, Phoenix Wright, The Judge
Genres: Drama, Original Court Case

Link: http://www.idletheme.com/objection/viewstory.php?sid=130&warning=16+

A/N: I've decided to post this story here since it contains an original court case which Raku (my rp partner) and I have put a lot of effort into and we hope you guys will enjoy it! Now, if anyone wants to read the 4 stories in the series that come before Obscure Fate, you can find the whole series at this link: http://www.idletheme.com/objection/series.php?seriesid=6

Finally, here it is!!

Chapter 1

How do I get myself wrapped up in these types of cases all the time? Phoenix thought to himself dryly as he approached the scene of the murder involved in his case.

The large, old, rickety house lay before him in the twilight, and as he looked at it, he felt a little shiver, never much fond of houses that looked like they were haunted. Slowly he made his way to the door, swearing he heard the whole house groan as he made his way inside.

Well, the quicker I finish my investigation, the faster I can get out of this place...Phoenix thought to himself.

From what his client told him, the murder took place on the second floor, in the room at the end of the hall. Phoenix took a big gulp as he examined the stairs, almost feeling like they would collapse the minute someone stepped on them.

* * *

Miles had finished work a little earlier than usual. He was now sitting at home planning what to cook for dinner.

I wonder when Phoenix will be home...? Maybe I should call him. Miles thought as he gave a quick glance at his cell phone.

All Miles knew was that Phoenix had to investigate for a case today. It seemed that whenever Miles had free time, Phoenix didn't. It was the same when Phoenix wasn't busy.

* * *

Phoenix carefully stepped on each step, every one of them creaking like nobody's business. He let out a sigh of relief when he safely made it to the top. He made his way down the hall to the room where the murder took place, and he found a horrific scene waiting for him.

There seemed to be blood everywhere. Phoenix was just glad that he hadn't come when the bodies were still here.

How could someone do something like this? Phoenix thought, feeling horrified and disgusted by the scene in front of him, How could someone disrespect human life this much...?

Phoenix hesitantly stepped into the room to start his investigation. Almost immediately, the room began to shake. It started like a little quiver, but it got bigger, almost knocking Phoenix off his feet.

An earthquake?! In here?! Phoenix thought in shock, realizing this was probably the worst place to be in an earthquake.

The house was creaking and groaning loudly due to the quake, and this didn't help Phoenix's nerves much either. He just tried to stay standing, when suddenly there was a loud cracking noise. His eyes shot upward, realizing the noise came from a loose rafter above him that was just about to fall.

I...I have to get out of here! Phoenix thought, trying to get himself into movement.

But all this did was make him lose his balance. As he tried to get back on his feet, the rafter finally cracked and broke, falling on his leg.

Phoenix screamed in pain when it fell on him, almost certain that something in his leg must have at least fractured. He was glad that the house had finally stopped shaking.

But now how do I get out of here? Phoenix thought, trying to think of what he could do, but the pain from his leg kept clouding his thoughts.

* * *

The earthquake had caught Miles totally off guard. As unwelcome memories of the fateful day his father died flooded his mind, he felt like curling up somewhere safe when a thought passed through his mind, Where's Phoenix?

So many possibilities came to mind and he became more and more worried. Instead of hiding away cowardly, his hand instantly shot for his phone and was dialing Phoenix's number.

Miles found that this time, he was more afraid of what happened to Phoenix than being afraid of the earthquake itself.

Why do I have a horrible feeling when I think of him? He thought as put the phone to his ear, listening to it ring, Oh god, please pick up, Phoenix...

Pess ran to him when the earthquake started and he hugged the dog tightly. His heart was pounding furiously and he felt as though his whole body went numb. But he had to find out what happened to Phoenix.

Damn it! Just hurry and pick up your phone so I can know you're ok... Miles thought started to doubt that was the case.

* * *

Phoenix heard his phone ringing, and he frantically looked for it in his coat to ask whoever was calling for help. He realized the phone had bounced out of his pocket during the quake and it looked like the phone was just out of his reach. He tried his best to stretch out and grab the phone, but he just couldn't get it and his leg was in absolute agony.

Damn it. Phoenix thought, feeling a little hopeless.

* * *

Miles must have called him at least ten times by now. Each call, he became more and more afraid of Phoenix's current condition. He finally let the arm with his phone in it drop lifelessly to his side.

Wait! Someone has got to know where Phoenix is. Miles thought as he called the first person that came to mind: Phoenix's cousin, Mai. She should know what case Phoenix took or at least the current cases that are available. Phoenix always tended to take the most ridiculous ones he had ever heard of.

Luckily the both of them pinned a list of important phone numbers to their refrigerator, Mai's number obviously on there. He quickly dialed her work phone number.

I'll find where you are...no matter what it takes.

* * *

Mai's phone had been ringing off the hook all day, especially with the new murder case that had just come in. The autopsy report had just been completed, and since she knew Phoenix had taken this case, she thought she could just drop by his office to give it to him.

At least that'd give me a little break from all of this craziness...Mai thought, feeling very tired all of a sudden.

Suddenly her phone rang, and she almost didn't want to pick it up. But she knew that this was all part of the job, so after a couple rings, she willed herself to.

"Detective Wright speaking." she said very unenthusiastically, just expecting it to be someone adding on yet another thing for her to do today.

"Ms. Wright do you know where Phoenix is?" Miles hurriedly asked with no introduction of himself, his voice sounding urgent and extremely worried. "I need to know this instant." He'd apologize for his rudeness later, but right now the only thing that was on his mind was Phoenix.

By now, Miles had forgotten that the earthquake was the cause of this worry. He hadn't realized that he had stood up and now was pacing the room he was in nervously. Why do I feel like this one phone call will decide everything?

Mai was shocked to hear Miles's voice on the phone and she responded saying, "Oh, did you try his office phone, or his cell phone?"

"I tried his cell phone," he said, leaving the part out of exactly how many times he did call. "I just need to know where he went." He must still be at the crime scene...

"The only place I can see him being is at the scene of that murder that happened yesterday. He did take that case after all." Mai said, noting that Miles seemed to sound worried as he spoke to her on the phone, "If you don't mind me asking...is...something wrong?"

Miles thought for a second before the location clicked in his mind. He had passed by that house many times. It was easy to remember as so many people around his house talked about it countless times. Of all the places he could be! He knew very well the condition of that house and an earthquake could easily destroy it.

"I'm going to hang up now. I need you to call an ambulance right after I hang up." He knew he would have to give her reasons why, so he told Mai about the house and its current condition.

"Oh, God...you don't think..." Mai said in shock.

"I'm going to hang up now." Miles didn't wait for a reply as he hung up his phone. Miles soon found himself running out of his house heading towards the crime scene. He called Phoenix one final time, although he was pretty sure it would be a waste of time.

* * *

Phoenix heard his phone ringing yet again, trying to reach for it, but still failing. He wished that he hadn't been trapped under the ceiling beam on his stomach, that way, he could have at least tried to push the beam off of his leg. But now, there was nothing he could do but wait. This was especially hard since there was nothing to distract him from the pain in his leg.

God, I hope someone comes in here soon...Phoenix thought, groaning in pain.

* * *

Miles hung up, putting his phone in his pocket, as he ran inside the creaking house without hesitating. As he quickly scanned the place, he spotted the staircase. He would check upstairs first. It was the most dangerous area and he'd rather go through there now instead of later. As Miles quickly ran up the stairs, one of the steps broke under his foot. He fell painfully, also yelling in surprise. He quickly got up, and hurried onto the second floor, not wanting to find out if the staircase would cave in or not.

Phoenix thought he heard someone's voice from down the hall, so he yelled, "Is anyone there!?"

He was so glad someone had finally gotten here.

So he is up here...Miles ran towards where he heard Phoenix's voice. As he stepped into the room the first thing he noticed was all the blood. It sent shivers down his spine just thinking of the possibilities of what happened. He then noticed Phoenix stuck under the rafter.

"Phoenix!" Miles was relieved the other wasn't in any critical condition, but seeing him like he was still scared him.

"Miles!" Phoenix said, so happy to see Miles, "The beam...it fell on my leg during the earthquake."

Phoenix tried to gesture towards the beam, but he had a little trouble since he was face down on the floor.

"I can see that." Miles ran over and started pulling the beam off Phoenix. He didn't care if the wood dug into his palms or how heavy it was as long as he got it off.

Miles found that the beam was a lot heavier than he thought and hoped. But he was able to lift the beam high enough to have Phoenix get his leg out from under it.

Phoenix quickly tugged his leg out from under the beam before Miles dropped it and it crashed to the floor again.

"God, I'm so glad you came." Phoenix said, trying to smile, but the pain in his leg only making him cringe.

"We need to get out of here." From what he could tell, Phoenix probably either fractured or even broken his leg. He could probably carry Phoenix, if he tried. It wouldn't mean that it'd be easy as he would have to carry him down a fleet of stairs that could break at any given moment. But Miles probably didn't have much of a choice for that matter.

Putting Phoenix's cell phone in his pocket, Miles kneeled next to Phoenix. He put Phoenix's arm over his shoulder before lifting him up, keeping as much as Phoenix's weight on himself and away from the injured leg.

Phoenix could feel Miles's muscles really tense when he picked him up, and for some reason, he suddenly wished he weighed just a bit less.

"How are we going to get downstairs? I mean, those stairs..." Phoenix said as he tried to balance himself on one leg and Miles's shoulder.

"I'd tell you if I knew..." Miles wasn't sure himself. Hopefully the ambulance would be here soon. "I know how weak those stairs are, you probably heard me yell..."

"I was wondering about that..." Phoenix said, now that it made sense, "I guess we could try getting down slowly..."

But Phoenix's voice sounded unsure since he thought the steps would cave in even when someone wasn't trying to step heavily on them. He sometimes wondered why this house was still standing.

"I suppose we should just wait for the ambulance to come instead. It would be stupid trying to get down those stairs in your current condition." He didn't want Phoenix to get hurt even more, and it would be bad if he also got injured himself.

"Yeah, I think you're right." Phoenix said, noticing that his one leg was getting tired from most of his weight being on it.

As if it was right on cue, they began to hear sirens outside the house.

---

Chapter 2



Miles slowly sat Phoenix and himself back on the ground.

"You know, you really worried me when you didn't pick up. Enough for me to forget about the earthquake itself." He felt his eyes water suddenly as he realized just how important Phoenix was to him and how much it hurt thinking that one more earthquake could have caused the loss of yet another loved one.



Phoenix immediately noticed Miles tearing up, so he scooted himself closer until he was facing Miles and he softly said, "Miles..."

He raised his hand to Miles's face slowly and he gently wiped the tear away.



Miles didn't want to say anything more, finding himself emotionally strained. He was glad that everything would almost be over and he could relax now.

"Don't ever scare me like that again..." Miles said, not looking at Phoenix, knowing that if he made eye contact with him, more tears may escape his eyes.



Phoenix gave Miles a small smile and said, "I don't plan on it."

Suddenly they both heard a lot of noise downstairs and then they heard someone yelling, "Is anyone there?!"



"We're up here!" Miles cleared his throat as he replied to the people downstairs. He looked at Phoenix. "Glad that this is almost over. Although you probably won't be doing much with that leg for a little while."



"But I have to go to court. I can't let Jones be falsely convicted." Phoenix said with conviction.

They heard more noise downstairs as the paramedics quickly realized that the stairs were not really fit for use.

"The stairs seem rather weak, so we're going to just send one person up to help you. How many of you are up there?" one of the paramedics asked.



"There's two of us up here," Miles said, answering the paramedic's question. At least they're smart enough not to all go up the stairs...

Miles saw the determined look Phoenix had in his eyes and he knew that it would be useless to convince him of otherwise.



He sighed, saying, "You're going to be hospitalized for sure. So...I'll take your place for the trial. I'll have your cousin fill me in on the details and I will need all the evidence I can get." He wondered how everyone would react to the demon prosecutor suddenly being a defense attorney for a trial.



Phoenix was momentarily surprised by Miles’s suggestion, but he decided that he wouldn't argue with Miles over this, realizing that they probably wouldn't let him out of the hospital for at least a couple of days.

"Alright." Phoenix finally agreed, but he continued speaking with a grateful tone, "Thanks..."

Finally a paramedic made it to the room, and both he and Miles helped Phoenix up and to the stairs.



* * *



After asking the receptionist for Phoenix's room number, Miles made his way to where he was. He walked in seeing that the nurse had already left to help other patients. Phoenix was lying on the bed, obviously wanting to be anywhere else but the hospital.

"Are you okay, Phoenix?" He looked at Phoenix worriedly.



"Miles!" Phoenix said happily, and without thinking he jerked himself in Miles’s direction and suddenly grimaced in pain from his leg.



When Phoenix got himself back in a comfortable position, he said, "Yeah, I'm fine. But, god, I hate hospitals..."



Miles rolled his eyes. Of course he'd react without thinking.

"I know how you feel. So did the doctor tell you how long you'll be wearing that cast?" He didn't need to actually be in one to know that those things were annoying as heck.



"Way too long in my opinion." Phoenix said as he made a face, "They said at least a month."



"We can make the time longer," Miles said, suddenly getting a little irritated, "You're lucky it isn't worse! What would have happened if that beam fell somewhere else?! It could have as easily fallen on your face rather than your leg."



Miles folded his arms. "I was worried about you the whole time too. I was so worried that I didn't give the earthquake that occurred a second thought. And all you're worried about is a month of wearing a cast." It was obvious that a lot of things were starting to get to him.



The sour expression on Phoenix's face which was brought on by news of the cast was quickly replaced with a look of surprise and hurt with Miles's sudden and sharp words. Phoenix now felt terribly selfish.

I shouldn't be here complaining about the stupid cast when it could have been so much worse. Phoenix thought guiltily, And I know what earthquakes do to him...I wish I could have been there...

"Miles..." Phoenix said softly, not knowing what to say.



Miles ran a hand through his hair sighing.

"This is no time to be thinking of ourselves. We have a client to help." Miles seated himself next to Phoenix, a determined look in his eyes. "I'm going to need everything you know, down to the last detail, Phoenix." I promised to help him, but I need at least some type of lead to get started...



Miles knew Phoenix hadn’t done enough investigating to actually get a sufficient amount of information, but he had to know something.

Miles knew that taking over for Phoenix was going to be a lot of work, but he had already agreed and there was no point in beating around the bush about it. What have I gotten myself into anyways?



When Miles took a seat next to Phoenix on the bed, Phoenix reached forward and took Miles’s hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. Then he looked at Miles seriously and spoke.

"Our client's name is Fred Jones. They think he murdered his parents brutally, and they arrested him since they found clothes with his parents' blood all over them in his apartment. That's really all the information I had on it. I was going to investigate the scene when the earthquake happened."



Miles held onto his hand tightly, thinking over what Phoenix had just told him.

"So did you talk to him personally at the detention center already?" Perhaps Miles would get some background history on the whole family. It didn't make sense to him that someone would kill their own parents in such a way. "Did they find anything else at his apartment?" Why did Phoenix have to go and pick such a hard case...



"Yeah, a friend of his begged me to take the case since I seem to have a bit of a reputation with these types of cases. So I dropped by the detention center and discussed this with Jones himself, and after that I went to the scene of the crime. As far as I know, I don't think they found anything else there, but maybe you can ask Mai or Gumshoe for more information if either them were on the case." Phoenix said, wishing he had more to tell Miles about the case.

He knew this case would be long and tiring, and he felt sad that Miles now had the whole burden on himself.



Miles rubbed his temples and thought, The next few days are going to be too long...

"Alright, I'll go pay a visit to the detention center after I call Ms. Wright. I need the autopsy report from her anyways."



I'll get Gumshoe to help too... He knew Gumshoe wouldn't say no to him anyways. He would have to check the crime scene again too. Wonderful, I get to return to a house that may collapse at any second.

"I better be going now." Miles stood up. "I'll see you later Phoenix."



Phoenix was still holding on to Miles's hand, so he pulled him toward himself and gave him a little kiss on the cheek. Then he gave Miles a small smile and let his hand go.

"Come back and update me...I know I'm going to be dying of boredom in here..." Phoenix said.



"Alright, I will." Miles felt a little bad for Phoenix who seemed to always be everywhere. Now he was stuck in one spot with nothing to do.

"Don't die now, I'll be mad if you do," Miles said smiling softly.



"Oh, please...you know that would be much too easy." Phoenix replied dryly, but he did smile back at Miles.



As Miles walked out of the hospital he called Mai.

I bet I'm going to hate myself after all of this...



* * *



Mai's phone was ringing yet again, and she almost felt like just leaving it of the hook for a while, not wanting to deal with yet another call having to do with the Jones case. She almost didn't pick up the phone, but then she knew that her boss wouldn't take well to her refusing work calls, so she hesitantly picked up the phone.

"Hello, Detective Wright speaking." she said, sounding very tired.



"Ms. Wright, I need everything you know on the Jones case. I'm taking over for Phoenix." It was obvious in his tone that he was very serious about the whole ordeal.

"I'm about to go meet Mr. Jones at the detention center. If you're still at the police department I'd like to meet you there." Miles unlocked his car door and stepped in. "Is that fine with you?" Miles asked as he backed out of his parking place and was waiting to turn into the street.



Miles was talking so fast that it took Mai a second to realize it was him and then process exactly what he was saying.

"What? Is Phoenix alright? Something happened in that house during the earthquake, didn't it?" Mai said in worry.



Well, he couldn't be all that fine if Miles is taking the case over for him...Mai thought, still getting more worried.



"He's fine. He either fractured or broke his leg. A ceiling beam had fallen on his leg when the earthquake happened and he's unable to continue with the case anymore because of it," Miles said in a reassuring tone. "I was talking to him just a few minutes ago. Aside from that, will I be able to talk to you when I arrive?" He'd talk to Gumshoe there too if Gumshoe was available. He needed as much information as he could, finding that all the odds were against him already.



"Oh, yeah, of course. I'll help you as much as I can." Mai said, sounding relieved that Phoenix was at least mostly alright.



"Alright, I'll there in about half an hour." Miles hung up as he drove towards the detention center. After this I'll have to go back to the crime scene.

He suddenly wondered how'd he get in. They had probably closed off the place since it would be dangerous for anyone to be in the house at the time. He'd think about that later though. After finding a parking place, Miles headed into the building to see Fred.



"Excuse me, I'd like to see Fred Jones." Miles said to the officer who was on the other side of the bars.



The officer looked at Miles in slight surprise, since Phoenix had just been there earlier that day to see Fred.

"Jones seems to be quite popular today. Alright, one moment."

A few minutes later, the officer brought Fred Jones out of the door. Fred looked at Miles curiously, wondering exactly what he was doing here.



Seeing him brought in, Miles took a few seconds to look at Fred closely. He was a skinny man and a little pale. He had a medium brown hair which was cut short. His eyes were of the same color as his hair. From what he could see, Miles guessed that the man was in his late twenties or early thirties. He'd probably ask Mai for his actual age though.

"I bet you're wondering why I'm here. But first let me introduce myself. My name is Miles Edgeworth." He would've said that he was a prosecuting attorney, but it would be a useless detail as he was defending the defendant this time.



Suddenly a look of recognition flashed on Fred's face.

"Miles Edgeworth, as in, that crazy demon prosecuting attorney?" Fred said, now eyeing Miles with suspicion.



I wouldn't say crazy...Miles thought in slight annoyance.

"I didn't say I was a prosecuting attorney for a reason. Due to an accident that happened during the earthquake earlier today, Ph- umm…Mr. Wright is unable to defend you anymore. Because of this, I am now taking over your case."



I come here to help and all I get are suspicious looks...Miles thought in sarcasm, barely resisting the urge to glower at Fred.



Now Fred looked confused, not only because the Demon Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth was telling him that he would defend his case, but also because of how chummy this supposed rival with Phoenix seemed with him.

"What? You're defending me? What happened to Mr. Wright?" he asked in shock.

---

Only Phoenix can get Miles to become a defense attorney for him. I'm surprised that Phoenix didn't give a letter to Miles to take to his client to let him know that Edgeworth is taking over for him while he's in the hospital. I'm sure there is a ton paperwork involved when you have to switch attorney's and I don't know if they would let a prosecutor take a defense lawyer's job on a moment's notice.

Why do I get the feeling that Miles and Phoenix's relationship is going to be exposed to the court room or at least to the cilent and I can't imagine that he would take that news very well.

Looking forward to your next chapter and to more / fluff of course.

More to come on the way! I'm glad you are liking things so far! :)

---

Eeep! Double post

---

Last edited by Syrus on Tue Oct 09, 2007 9:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Chapter 3

"Yes, I'm defending you. He injured his leg while he was doing his investigation. A ceiling beam from the house containing the crime scene had fallen on his leg and he's now currently in the hospital." Miles was becoming impatient. I'm the one who should be asking the questions, not him.

Miles wondered if all Phoenix's clients were like this.

"But, why would you want to defend me? That just doesn't make any sense...aren’t you supposed to be his enemy or something?" Fred said, not able to quite understand why a feared prosecutor would suddenly want to take the place of a defense attorney, who seemed much more like he’d be Phoenix’s foe rather than a friend.

"We are not enemies. Now look, this time can be better spent with you giving me information about your case rather than me discussing personal issues." Miles said slightly sourly, giving Fred a slightly annoyed look.

He had no time for his client to be nosy and curious about his personal life with Phoenix. Fred, on the other hand, was still slightly hung up on this, wondering if Miles was here to sabotage his case or something of the like.

Fred raised an eyebrow at Miles and said, “Why should I trust you? I heard things about you in court, and none of them were pretty.”

This comment caused Miles to lose his cool slightly and he spoke without thinking, his tone annoyed, but yet concerned, “If Phoenix wasn’t so determined to hobble into court tomorrow with a broken leg, then most likely injuring his other leg, I certainly wouldn’t have convinced him to let me take your case.”

When Fred raised his eyebrows in surprise to Miles’s statement, he’d realized that he’d probably said entirely too much, and, very much in spite of himself, he felt a slight blush color his cheeks.

Fred noticed this immediately, and so he scrunched his eyebrows in confusion at Miles, quickly realizing that the relationship between this defense attorney and prosecutor ran much deeper than was depicted on TV.

Miles suddenly cleared his throat and said, all business again, with a touch of sarcasm in his tone, “So now if we can discuss the case, that would be most beneficial for the both of us.”

Fred thought for an extra minute, and finally decided that if Phoenix trusted this person, then there would be no reason not to trust him himself. It wasn’t like he had too many other options since no other lawyer would take his case.

Fred finally let out a sigh and said, "Okay, what do you need to know?"

"Were you at the crime scene at any point of time? Also, what were you doing the day of the crime?"

If he wasn't at the crime scene at all, than where would the guy be? He couldn't have been at his home since the bloody clothes were found there...Miles thought.

"I was never at the house! I was just...out." Fred started out saying defensively, and then ended his sentence vaguely.

"So you were never near the crime scene." Miles pondered at how vague Jones was about where he was, but decided if the man wasn't going to tell him where he was now, he very well wouldn't tell him if he asked again. "You weren't home most of the day, is that right?"

"No, I wasn't." Fred's voice had suddenly turned strangely somber.

"But you have to believe me, I had nothing to do with this. I heard what happened to them...I never...I just couldn't..." Fred started saying when tears started coming to his eyes when he remembered what the police told him of his parents' deaths.

Miles could tell the man wasn't lying.

"Alright Mr. Jones. I have no more questions to ask you." Miles said as he stood up. Although I didn't get much to help me... "I'd also like to know if I could check your home if that's alright with you." I doubt I'll find anything there though...

"I think the police have already torn the place apart, but...sure." Fred replied, sounding strained.

"I'm sorry for the trouble." Miles left and went straight for the police department. Talking to Jones had been almost useless, except for the fact he had permission to investigate his home now. Hopefully Ms. Wright will have more useful information...

* * *

On the way to the police department, Miles’s mind kept sticking to how vague Fred was when he answered his questions, realizing how much more difficult the first day of trial would be for him.

As Miles parked the car in the in the police department parking lot and got out, making sure his car doors were locked, he thought, The more time I spend doing what Phoenix does on a regular basis, the more sorry I feel for him.

Miles entered the police department and suddenly realized he had no idea where Mai would be. She's a detective like Gumshoe...so she probably would have a desk close to his...

Mai was at her desk working on paper work when she saw Miles wandering around, presumably looking for her.

"Oh, Mr. Edgeworth." she said, calling his attention to himself.

Miles walked up to Mai.

"Hello Ms. Wright." He was glad he didn't have to walk around aimlessly too much. "If it isn't too much trouble to ask, may I have whatever evidence you have for the Jones case at this time?"

She gave him a half smile and said, "Well, I'm sure you know the drill...I'm really not supposed to be helping you, so you better keep to yourself how you got the information. I want to help since I know Phoenix wouldn't defend someone he knew was guilty. There's only a few things I can tell you right now. The analysis on the murder weapon came back and, thankfully, it had no recoverable fingerprints that matched Jones. But there is one witness we know about for sure who called in on 911 who saw Jones fleeing the scene."

Mai spoke grimly, knowing this would be a tough case for the defense.

Great, there was a witness...

"I see." That's odd...he said he wasn't near the crime scene at all, and it didn't seem like he was lying either. Something is definitely up... "Ms. Wright, could you find whatever information you can get on Mr. Jones family and himself and..." He paused for a second before continuing, "Do you think you can give me permission to investigate the crime scene again?" He knew it was dangerous to go in there and Mai might object to it, but he had to check the house for any stray clues.

"I'll get you whatever other information I can, but going back to the crime scene...I don't know, Mr. Edgeworth..." Mai said, sounding hesitant, "We saw what happened to Phoenix..."

"I know there's something back there that's been overlooked. I need to check it out Ms. Wright." Miles wasn't planning on going to the second floor though. "I don't intend to check the second floor. There might be something on the first floor..."

Mai let out a little sigh and said, "Oh, alright...but be careful, okay? It's my head if anything happens to you."

"Don't worry Ms. Wright, I'll be alright. Thank you for the information and the permission to investigate. Please call me if you find anything on Mr. Jones and his family." Miles knew there were some important clues somewhere in that house, and he intended to find them.

As Miles was leaving, Mai said, "Good luck, Mr. Edgeworth."

"Thanks, I think I'm going to need it." Miles left back to his car and went straight to the old house. Parking his car near the scene of the crime, Miles looked at the house with utter dislike. Well, here goes... Miles locked the doors to his car and entered the old house.

Miles started investigating. He entered the living room. It's so dusty here...The only thing that wasn't as dusty was the floor, which had many footsteps everywhere. I guess the police did a quick investigation down here.

Miles checked the living room carefully, but found nothing. He then walked into the hallway. From the hallway he could check the kitchen and any of the first floor rooms.

"This is ridiculous..." He said quietly to himself, now feeling the pressure of the case bearing down on him.

As Miles walked into the hallway, something caught his eye. When he came to it, he found that it was something that looked like an arm. He picked it up, looking at it with confusion. What the...

"What...is this?" Miles he muttered, looking at it closely. It was part of something for sure, as it looked like it was ripped from a larger item.

As he looked at it closely. He took in everything about it, the shape, size, color, anything that could help him find out what it was. It's small so it belongs to something anyone could hold. The color is similar to skin, although the thing seems old and faded. He also took in the fact it was fabric and it had cotton stuff into it. Wait...is this a doll part of some kind?

"This...is a doll arm. But if this is an arm..." Miles spoke out loud to himself as he looked at it, feeling more confused than when he didn't know what it was. "Where's the rest of the doll if this is a doll arm?" There was something about this house that he couldn't put his finger on, but he got the feeling that there was something that was missing that might be vital to this case.

Miles decided that he would keep the item for now, it might come in handy eventually. With that in mind, he checked the rest of the first floor. He found nothing of importance to his dismay. I guess I'm done here then... He decided that he wouldn't go to the second floor and left the house. I guess I'll check out Mr. Jones home now...

***

The search at Fred's home was even worse than the search at the crime scene. He found absolutely nothing. I guess I really am going to be Phoenix tomorrow. Relying purely on luck...

He wondered if Mai had found anything that he could use later to help him. For now, any evidence found was going to be against him unless something in the testimonies that said otherwise.

***

Miles walked into the court lobby tiredly. He hadn't gotten much sleep, too busy preparing for the trial. And yet, I'm relying on my luck to get through today... Miles also had a distinct feeling if he did sleep more, it would have been plagued with nightmares of earthquakes and losing Phoenix.

He also realized he had no idea who the prosecutor for this trial would be.

Why do I get the feeling that something bad is about to take place... Miles pushed that thought out of his mind as it went back to how he was going to win this case.

* * *

Franziska had waited for this moment where'd she go against Phoenix Wright again. This is my chance to beat that foolish fool. I'll make sure he has no where to run this time! She would confront the defense attorney to warn him that he wasn't going to win this case before they were called into the courtroom.

Franziska finally heard someone entering the courtroom lobby, so she tightened her grip on her whip and raised her head to make sure Phoenix Wright would make no mistake about who would emerge victorious from the courtroom today. But her mouth almost dropped open when her eyes settled on none other than Miles Edgeworth.

"Miles Edgeworth?" she asked in complete shock, forgetting for just one moment to be calm and collected.

Well this explains my bad feeling. Of all the people he had to go against, it had to be Franziska.

"...Franziska," Miles said with a mix of surprise and sleepiness. He would have looked surprise himself if it weren't for the fact he was worried about the case. "So you’re the one who took this case."

Franziska is sharp, she'll find out why I took Phoenix's place somehow... He'd worry about that later, he wasn't worried she'd corner him today, as he had so many things to do that he wouldn't have time to answer her questions anyways.

Franziska narrowed her eyes at him, the confusion on her face gone as she went into analytical mode.

"What are you doing here? Where is Mr. Phoenix Wright?" she said, bluntly getting to the point.

Always to the point...Miles thought.

"Wright injured himself yesterday and is unable to do the case. At such short notice, no one else would probably take it, so I decided that I would take it." He remembered not to use Phoenix's first name this time, as that would be suspicious, especially to someone like Franziska. Not that taking the case in the first place wasn’t suspicious...

"But you are a prosecuting attorney!" Franziska bit out, knowing that there had to be much more to this than Miles was letting on.

Finally her mind came to the conclusion it had been so desperately trying to avoid the moment that Miles stepped through the door of the courtroom lobby.

"Oh, no...you couldn't possibly be taking this case because...?" Franziska said slowly, almost afraid that saying it would make it true, her lip curling slightly in disgust.

Damn, she thinks a lot faster than I thought she would. Miles was pretty sure he knew what Franziska was thinking. I should have known this was going to happen the second I saw Franziska though...

"Well you see," Miles started to say, "I...”

Suddenly their delightful exchange was interrupted by the court bailiff, who had also brought Fred Jones with him in handcuffs.

"Both of you can come in now." he said, opening the door to the courtroom.

Miles felt extremely relieved when they were told to enter the courtroom. I have no idea what would happened if I told Franziska now...

Although relieved, it didn't make him much more energetic as he walked into the courtroom. I'll win this case somehow...I have to for Phoneix… He wished he knew how though.

Miles, Franziska, and Fred walked into the courtroom, Franziska throwing Miles one last questioning glare before she took her place at the prosecuting table. Miles awkwardly walked over to the defense side, feeling extremely out of place. He put all these emotions out of his mind, now only wanting to focus on his case, knowing that the whole trial hinged on this day. If he found no contradictions in the witness testimonies, he was through.

But with Franziska preparing the witnesses, this will be no easy feat... Miles thought, preparing himself for the fight he knew lay ahead.

The courtroom soon went quiet as the judge walked in, sitting where he always sat.

"Court is now in session for the trial of Fred Jones," said the judge, still oblivious to who the new defense attorney was.

The judge paused before continuing.

"Are the prosecution and defense ready?"

Franziska gave the judge a haughty stare and said, "Of course."

Miles looked slightly unsurely at the judge, cleared his throat softly in an attempt to purge his nervousness and said, "Ahh, yes, the...defense is ready."

The judge looked like he might have died from shock. The whole courtroom was soon in a loud murmur as the judge tried regaining his composure.

"Wasn't Mr. Wright taking this case?" It was obvious that the question the judge really wanted to ask was, "…And aren't you a prosecutor Mr. Edgeworth?"

"Well, Mr. Wright was in an accident and so he was unable to come to court. I am merely filling in for him this time." Miles said awkwardly, as he felt all eyes in the courtroom on him.

The judge said nothing for a minute or so, finally shaking his head, banging his gavel to bring quiet to the courtroom, and continuing to speak.

"...Miss von Karma, your opening statement, please." There was nothing much else to say but to continue the trial.

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