This is a (Grand)Cross-Over with Castlevania as you might guess. Comments are appreciated. I think this kind of thing isn't something that would come foremost to mind for most people. Familiar faces from both universes show up and also some self made ones. Takes place about four months after Trials and Tribulations.

Name: Chaotic Turnabout Part I: Awakening Legacy
Genre: Action, Drama, Humor
Status: Incomplete
Pairing: None... for now
Summary: One night rising of the red moon signaled a beginning of changes in Franziska von Karma's life followed by a dream with a message. Phoenix, Edgeworth and Franziska face a strange case where people start to vanish all of a sudden. It is found out that culprit is not an ordinary person at all and that capturing this person would require someone with special talents, and in the end it is Franziska who has to take care of this task after she learns incredible things about herself... Life will never be same again and it would be just a beginning. Still a whip would remain as her strongest weapon...

Last edited by Vecekio on Tue Apr 17, 2007 4:38 pm, edited 11 times in total.

I: Omens and strange dreams

June 2nd in 2019, Sunday, Franziska von Karma's apartment, 11:55PM

BGM= Metamorphosis II from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

It was a warm summer night, prosecutor Franziska von Karma was standing on the balcony of her apartment watching city's going ons. She looked to the sky where full moon was looming over the city and her gaze was almost like guided towards it.

"It is just a full moon, nothing special!" She said to herself "... But why it is red? There shouldn't be lunar eclipse at this time... It is almost glowing..." Franziska felt cold shivers "And why looking at it is giving me the creeps?" She asked herself. "This makes no sense... absolutely stupid!"

BGM= Prologue from Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness

"Blood red moon... a vampire..." Franziska shook. "What am I talking about? Vampires are fictional! They don't exist... or do they? She slapped herself. "Stupid fool... Von Karma doesn't think about stupid mythical creatures which have no place except in some foolishly foolish fools foolish folklores!... Just where that thought got into my head?!"

Once again her gaze transfixed on the red moon.

"Stupid moon, you get me to think totally stupid things!" She shouted.

She was silent for a while... squeezed her fist and closed her eyes. Suddenly her eyes blinked open. "There is someone here!" She said and seemed to notice some movement in the corner of her eye and quickly snatched her whip into her hand.

"(Wait a minute... why I'm reacting like this?)"

"In the edge of balcony's fence was something dark. It was a black thing with long ears which seemed to look at Franziska with interest.

"A Bat?... What it's doing here?" She wondered.

Bat's nose was sniffing the air and it looked Franziska into her eyes. She felt cold shivers yet again.

"Are you here trying to mess up my thoughts too?!... you... bathead!!" Franziska yelled and raised her hand over her head and proceeded with downward strike aiming directly towards the bat sitting on the fence and hit it into stomach.

"Ouch!" The bat screeched and fell down.

"...Ouch!?... Bats sound sound like that!" Franziska said. "(... That was a very precise hit... What did I say? A bathead, what kind of insult is that?)"

Moment later the bat rose again to balcony level flew stationary for a while and then flew into night.

Franziska felt wind breeze and heard something in her ears.

"I found you."

"!!... What was that?" She asked scared. "I found you... did someone say something? Who or... what found me?.."

"I better go to sleep, it will pass... Calm down Franziska, everything is alright." She calmed herself and left the balcony.

Monday, June 3rd Gourde Lake 12:15 AM

Redheaded young woman was gazing at the red moon.

"So you sensed me, but I also sensed you... We might face each other after all!" She said her voice hissing and walked towards the beach area.

Time: Unknown:, District Court, Defense Lobby

Franziska fell asleep quickly, but the dream she saw was something else entirely.

BGM= First Prelude from Cadenza Magical Trick Society

In the dream Franziska noticed that she was at the courthouse. She started to look around.

"There you are Franziska, I was wondering where you had gone." Said a familiar
voice behind her.

Franziska turned around and noticed Phoenix Wright in front of her.

"The Trial is beginning soon, We'd better go." He said.

Franziska started to look at herself. She noticed that she wasn't wearing gloves and her dress was different too. She was wearing a white lax buttoned shirt. It had some sort of pattern in above her chest and she was also wearing blue miniskirt.

"(What is this)"She wondered. "Is there a mirror somewhere?"

"I have... What do you need it for?" Maya wondered and gave Franziska a mirror. She looked at it and back at her looked stranger's face. Her expression was kind, hair reached shoulders and it was combed back. Her hair color was almost golden yellow.

"(...Is that... me?)" Franziska looked surprised.

"Mr. Wright and Franziska shouldn't we move to courtroom before someone starts to wonder why we are absent?" Asked black haired man wearing equally black stylish suit. He seemed to be some sort of businessman.

"You are right Mr. Arikado. We better go before verdict is passed simply because of defense is absent and that pleasure we're not giving to Reaper." Phoenix agreed.

"(Defense is absent... wait a minute now...)" Franziska wondered. "Reaper?"

"Garim Reaper, the prosecutor who we are up against." Phoenix replied.

"Ah yes..." Franziska said "(Am I a defense attorney?)"

"Is everything okay Franny-Annie?" Maya asked.

"Franny-Annie?!" Franziska got mad brought her hand to her belt to pick up her whip, but it wasn't there.

Maya was surprised by Franziska's sudden reaction.

"Where is my whip?!" She asked.

"Where it always is Franziska... You won't need it at a courtroom. As far as I know there aren't any monsters which would require 'special attention' in there except Reaper of course, but we can take him down with some suitable objections." Phoenix said and grinned.

"Good luck Mr. Nick and Ms. Franziska. We keep our thumbs up." Pearl said.

"Well... let's go then." Franziska said bit uncertainly and walked after Phoenix to the courtroom.

Date: Unknown, District Court, Courtroom n.13, Time: Unknown

BGM = GS 2 Court Suite - Trial Begins part from Gyakuten meets Orchestra

Courtroom had full audience as always. Judge was waiting for them and the prosecutor was already standing in his own place.

"I'm sorry that we are a bit late, Your Honor." Phoenix said.

"About time for you to arrive." Said hooded figure with a gritting voice who was standing at prosecution's table.

Judge banged his gavel and said. "Court is in session. Now we begin handling a case of Mr. Arikado vs. Mr. Tepes
... Are each of you ready?

"Defense is... ready... (I guess?)" Franziska said.

"Prosecution has been ready for some time already." Said prosecutor Reaper.

"(Why I'm standing behind... this table?)" Franziska wondered.

"Is everyone allright Ms. Schneider?" Judge asked.

Franziska shout. "I'm still Von Karma!"

BGM= Questioned from PW Justice for All

"Von Karma?! What the heck you are talking about Franziska?" Phoenix asked.

"And shouldn't you be standing in here Phoenix Wright?" Franziska asked.

"What? I'm assisting you Franny-Annie." Phoenix said. "We did agree that you handle the actual defense for Genya."

"Franny-Annie... What kind of name is that?! Franziska asked.

"It is you nickname, which was Maya's idea... What's wrong?" Phoenix asked.

"What's up with Annie?" Franziska asked.

"Have you lost your memory of something? Have you hit your head or did some other person hit you?" Phoenix asked
worriedly.

"... I don't know... Everything is confusing!" Franziska replied. "(What on Earth is this?!)"

The Judge raised hand to his forehead. "It seems like the defense has a problem."

"Indeed, this trial is very important, so I suggest that we postpone the trial for a bit later, one hour. Hopefully the defense can get their memory back in that time." Said prosecutor Reaper.

"Mr. Reaper is correct... We shall reconvene in one hour. Mr. Wright, please try to brighten Ms. Schneider's memory." Judge said and banged the gavel.

"People left courtroom, Phoenix and Franziska walked to defense's office and soon were joined in by Maya, Pearl and Mr. Arikado.

Date: Unknown, District Court, Defense Office, Time: Unknown

The Four were looking at Franziska with worried expressions.

Phoenix sighed, shook his head, sat down and turned towards Franziska.

"How much do you remember?" Phoenix asked.

BGM= Elegy of Security Cameras from PW Justice for All

"Difficult to say... Who... am I then?" Franziska asked. "(I know very well who I am!)"

"You are Franziska Annabell Schneider, daughter of Thelma and Bernard Schneider, a prodigy, fast learner. You have been working as a defense attorney in Wright & Co. Law Offices together with me for couple of years already. Maya, sister of my passed-on former boss Mia is also working in there as an assistant for us."

BGM Logic and Trick from PW Ace Attorney

"(Franziska Annabell Schneider? Thelma and Bernard?)" Franziska wondered. "What year it is now?"

"2019 of course." Phoenix replied.

"(Time seems to be the same)" Franziska thought. "When did we start working together?"

"You started in summer 2017. Our first case was defending Maya because of murder which happened in Kurain.
She was setup as a murderer and we proved it a fact." Phoenix replied.

"(But, I was the prosecutor and not the...?!)" Franziska thought.

"You are defense attorney like your father... But you also are something more..." Phoenix said.

"(What does he mean?)" Franziska wondered. "What is this case about? This isn't trial against state... who is this Mr. Tepes exactly?"

"He is my father..." Arikado replied. "We don't get along, he accuses me of betrayal... And that's why we are here, Mr. Reaper is representing him.

BGM= Echoes of Darkness from CV: Dawn of Sorrow

Suddenly everything went dark and Franziska heard a voice.

"You have a great power as disposal... You have no knowledge how to use it, but
you always had it."

"I have a power? What power?" Franziska asked.

"Power with which you are capable to fight against creatures of the night and other supernatural threats." The voice said. "This power which use Manfred von Karma didn't want you to master... even though you have learned the art of using the whip."

"Why father didn't want me to use something like that?" Franziska wondered.

"You would have become a threat. I thought that the vision before would have been enough to make you understand..." The voice said.

"A vision? Did you show me that? Why?" Franziska asked.

"Yes... That was a vision from what could have been." The voice replied.

"Could have been?..." Franziska wondered.

"Don't you understand... Who you are?" The voice asked.

Before she could answer Franziska woke up to the sound of an alarm clock.

Last edited by Vecekio on Sun Apr 29, 2007 1:43 pm, edited 7 times in total.

II: Vanished without a trace

June 3rd, Police station, 10:25 AM

BGM= Opening '2001' from PW Ace Attorney

Franziska arrived to police station and was surprised when she saw that Phoenix Wright and Miles Edgeworth
were both there. You could see from duos expressions that they weren't in a good mood.

BGM= Core '2001' from PW Ace Attorney

"So, let's go this over one more time. Larry was painting a moon scenery in Gourd Lake and he should have returned by midnight. When nothing was heard from him Larry's girlfriend called his cellphone... No answer. Police went on the scene. All painting equipment were in place, but man himself had disappeared
No signs of conflict... nothing!" Edgeworth said.

"Larry takes his art seriously, there is no way he would just leave his stuff lying around." Phoenix said.

Franziska decided to crack her whip to make her presence known.

"Aah!" Phoenix flinched "Do you always have to appear like out of nowhere?"

"What? I have been standing here a while already!" Franziska snapped. "What has happened?"

"Larry Butz, vanished last night in Gourd Lake without a trace. He was there painting a moon scenery and I guess he got it ready. He was supposed to return by midnight according to Larry's girlfriend Claire Discus. When he was not heard of Claire called Larry's cell, but nobody answered. After this she called a police and Gumshoe went to the scene to check things up. Larry had disappeared, but his equipment were still there." Phoenix explained.

"Not to mention there are no eyewitnesses, no signs of struggle, Larry has simply vanished without a trace." Edgeworth added.

At same moment Maya ran to the scene. "Nick!, Edgeworth... You have to... Oh, hi Franziska." Maya drew breath.
"You have to hear this! We have an eyewitness who was there, and saw... Not everything, but enough!"

BGM= Suspense from PW Ace Attorney

"Who is it then?" Edgeworth asked.

"Lotta Hart." Maya replied.

"...Oh no!" Phoenix said.

"That 'talented' freelance-photographer, right?" Franziska asked.

Then Lotta walked in a bit nervous expression on her face.

"You look like you have seen a ghost miss Hart." Edgeworth said.

"Pretty close call... I didn't want to tell anything about this to police because this ain't normal!" Lotta said.

"Alright, let's find an empty interrogation room for ourselves." Edgeworth said.

Bit later Franziska, Phoenix, Edgeworth and Maya were sitting at table opposite to Lotta, she seemed still a bit nervous.

BGM= In the Midst '2002' from PW Justice of All

"Lotta, calm down... What happened?" Phoenix asked.

"And everything is absolutely true! I swear it!" Lotta said. "I was at Gourd Lake myself practicing nighttime photography with my new camera, when I noticed that Larry Butz was also there, but he was painting of course... Suddenly a pale, red haired girl appeared behind him and suddenly Butz stopped painting. This girl started to speak something and Butz stood up, turned and walked to her"

"Doesn't sound weird to me." Franziska said and took a sip from her coffee.

"It wouldn't be otherwise, but it looked like Butz was in a trance or something. Because his walking pace was pretty slow." Lotta said.

"So Larry was hypnotized?" Phoenix asked.

"That's what it looked like... And now the other part. I really returned to my former paranormal photography with a bang!
This girl bent Butz's head backwards and..."

"And... what?" Edgeworth asked.

"Spit it out already!" Franziska snapped.

"When she... opened her mouth her teeth weren't normal... S-she had fangs I swear it!

"HOLD IT!" Franziska yelled. "Do you mean that... she bit him?!"

BGM=Core '2002' from PW Justice for All

"Y-Yeah exactly!" Lotta said. "I managed to take some pictures, but there is only Larry Butz, the girl isn't there!" Lotta took the photographs from her bag and put them of the table.

First picture showed Larry painting, in other picture he stood up, in third picture Larry's face was visible and fourth picture
showed Larry in weird position with his head bent.

"... Why the girl isn't visible?" Edgeworth asked.

"Oh no... Can't be... it is... No matter how incredible this sounds and feels." Maya said.

"I think... I know what is going on..." Franziska said and swallowed. "Ms. Hart, how pale was this girl exactly?"

"Very pale... white like a ghost I tell ya." Lotta replied.

"... Somebody who would burn in sunlight pretty easily." Phoenix added.

Edgeworth shouted. He looked at everyone in the room and then said. "I can see where you are going with this.
with this. It is impossible!... Franziska, what do you think about this?"

"Mr. Butz vanished because of this incident she was attacked by red headed and very pale girl who had fangs, presumably
hypnotic powers and she can't be photographed... Plus in addition there was a red moon last night, only one conclusion... Larry Butz was attacked by a vampire!"

BGM= After Confession from CV: Dawn of Sorrow

"What?! You too?" Edgeworth asked surprised.

"Evidence 'little brother'... the evidence." Franziska replied.

"V-vampire? That can't be true! They don't exist!" Edgeworth said stupefied.

"Then why the girl isn't visible in the photos Miles?" Franziska asked and pointed at one photo. "You should notice especially this last photo Larry Butz seems to be in normally unnatural position. Clearly some invisible force is holding him, otherwise he would have fallen.

"I'm suprised by your sudden interest to such matters, Franziska von Karma." Edgeworth said.

"I have to admit, you would be the last person to make a statement like that." Phoenix said.

"What happened afterwards?" Franziska asked to avoid having to reply.

"Well... they started to walk away and that's when I ran like hell. I didn't want to be there for a second longer!" Lotta replied.

"Just how far you were?" Phoenix asked.

"About eight meters away and hiding..." Lotta replied.

"If that vampire was out to hunt... then she would have found you anyway." Franziska said

"Well... I reckon that might be true..." Lotta said nervously.

"Thank you Lotta, I think we have learned enough, you can leave now... By the way could you get some zoomed in shots from these photos?" Phoenix asked.

"Sure, what do ya need?" Lotta asked back.

"I'd like to see Larry's face more clearly." Phoenix replied.

"OK, I bring it later today. See ya later." Lotta said and left the room.

Silence filled the interrogation room there was no sound until Phoenix started tapping his fingers on the table.

"Stop it Wright. That's annoying!" Edgeworth said.

"Back to Butz, he has vanished, but is he still alive?" Franziska asked.

"If Larry has been bitten, well... Not as a human... For long at least." Maya said.

"Likely... otherwise Gumshoe would have found a body drained from blood." Phoenix said.

"What if that vampire was... gathering followers?" Maya suggested.

"Then... Butz would be the first one." Franziska said.

":holdit: Are you serious with this?" Edgeworth asked.

"Can you explain it in some other way?" Franziska asked back.

"Well... I think... some mentally unstable." Edgeworth suggested.

":objection: She had hypnotic powers." Franziska said.

":holdit: That isn't certain yet... That is one reason why I want to see clearer shots of Larry." Phoenix said.

"And what about the red moon?" Franziska asked.

"What is so special in lunar eclipses?" Edgeworth asked back.

"The fact that there wasn't a lunar eclipse! That wasn't a lunar eclipse!" Franziska shouted.

"Then what was it?" Edgeworth asked.

"A Sign... of activity." Franziska replied.

Phoenix was looking at Franziska intently. "Did something happen last night?" He asked.

Last edited by Vecekio on Sun Apr 29, 2007 1:46 pm, edited 3 times in total.

III: Just A Coincidence?

"I go get some tea, Wright, do you want anything?" Edgeworth asked and stood up.

"Coffee would be nice." Phoenix replied.

"Alright, I'll be back in a bit." Edgeworth said and left the room.

"So Franny-Annie, did something happen?..." Maya asked. She wasn't expecting any kind of reaction. But Franziska did react.

She yelled.

"W-what is it?" Maya asked surprised.

"Maya Fey... How do you knew that name?" Franziska asked.

"Err..." Maya began.

"Do you mean you both know that name?" Phoenix interrupted.

"Do YOU also know it?!" Franziska asked.

"Yes I do." Phoenix replied.

"B-but what... how?! This is... impossible!" Franziska stammered.

"I saw a dream." Maya said.

"What? I saw one too." Phoenix said.

"Same here... What is going on?" Franziska said.

"I have no idea." Phoenix said and turned to Maya. "Maya, do you know what that name was?"

"It was a nick name... Which I supposedly came up with." Maya replied

"That sounds familiar." Franziska said.

"Yes it does..." Phoenix admitted.

"And to whom that nick name belongs?" Maya asked in turn.

"Franziska Annabell Schneider." Phoenix replied. Maya opened her mouth in astonishment and looked at him.

Franziska yelled and at the same time Edgeworth who had returned back, almost spilled the drinks he was carrying.

"HEY! WATCH IT!" He yelled "By the way here's your coffee. Wright I almost spilled it and my tea on my suit...
Now what the heck is going on here? Why are you yelling like that Franziska? He asked a bit annoyed and sat down to his chair.

"Something quite interesting." Phoenix replied "It seems that me, Franziska and Maya we all have seen the exactly same dream..."

"Are you sure, Nick?" Maya asked.

"We could always check that." Phoenix replied.

"And how we could do something like that?" Franziska asked. "This is a dream we are talking about here. MY dream."

"Simple... continuation story. I tell a part of it and you both resume if you think you know how things progress." Phoenix explained.

"Sounds plausible enough." Franziska said and nodded.

"OK...now. Firstly the dream took place in a courthouse... And I was looking for someone." Phoenix said and nodded Franziska to continue.

"... I was looking around when you came, Wright. You had been looking for me." Franziska resumed. "Maya, your turn."

"Okay... There was a trial beginning soon and Franziska was missing... she reacted strangely when I called her with that nickname."

Franziska yelled. "This is getting even weirder..."

"How so?" Edgeworth asked.

"We didn't only see the same dream... the way you two told that and referred yourself as 'I' seems like we all were in that dream together!" Franziska said.

"You mean... You were... wait a minute... You did insist you were Von Karma and I told you otherwise... What the heck?!" Phoenix said confused.

"Nick and myself were as ourselves, but you were another person... Somehow your name was Franziska Annabell
Schneider not Von Karma." Maya said. "Question is... why?"

"Wasn't your cousin, Pearl there too?" Franziska asked.

"Yes, she was... Did Pearly see it too? I better ask her about it next time we see." Maya replied.

"Genya Arikado... was the man who we were supposed to defend in there... And our opponent was prosecutor named Garim Reaper."Phoenix said.

"Correct, and I were there as the defense! And you were assisting me." Franziska said to Phoenix.

"And it wasn't a regular trial... It was between two men... Mr. Tepes, Arikado's father was accusing him of something... If I remember correctly it was... about some kind of betrayal." Phoenix recalled.

"What happened in there?" Edgeworth asked, because he was starting to get interested.

"We didn't get that far... Dream ended strangely before the trial started." Franziska replied.

"Yeah, and you seemed to space out for some reason." Phoenix said.

"When was that?" Franziska asked.

"After Nick, told who you were... I mean who Franny-Annie was... Ahh! Why I'm so confused?!" Maya said frustrated
and shook her head.

"Very confusing dream indeed." Phoenix said and scratched his chin.

"No. It wasn't a dream, not exactly..." Franziska started. "At the end I was in a void of some sort, everything was dark and I heard a distant voice. It told me that the dream was... a vision of something that... could have
been."

"A vision?" Edgeworth asked.

Phoenix began to ponder something. "Let's see... Franziska Annabell Schneider, could have begun working with me in... 2017 bringing another attorney to the office, once again... First case, defending Maya in Kurain case... This could have happened if... what?"

"Yes, but who would have been the prosecution then... ME! I was the prosecution in that case." Franziska reminded.

"Maybe not... In fact in this sense Franziska von Karma wouldn't exist." Maya said.

"How that could be possible? What would erase Franziska von Karma from existence and replace her with that another person..." Edgeworth wondered.

"Edgey! I think you are on right track with that one!" Phoenix said excitedly.

"Yeah, Franny-Annie and Franziska do look alike... except her hair was longer and brownish yellow, almost golden in color." Maya said.

"You mean... if I wouldn't exist Franziska Annabell would exist?!" Franziska asked shocked.

"Calm down, There is surely more to it than just that..." Phoenix said with calming voice.

"Basically you two seem to be one and the same." Maya added.

"Schizophrenia?... No, certainly not." Edgeworth said.

Franziska was silent. "(Why that doesn't seem to surprise me?... I did experience my share of weird things.") "The voice said some other things too... It told me that I had some sort of... power. To put it simply, it was to fight against dark forces... creatures of the night... or something like that, and that Manfred von Karma didn't want me to master it. I still have mastered using a whip... But since when whips have played a part in fighting against dark forces?"

Maya's eyes opened wide in surprise. "N-no way... can't be!"

"What is it Maya?" Edgeworth asked.

"Franziska, that last thing you said... I have read stories." Maya said excitedly.

"If they are stories I doubt it would help..." Edgeworth said, but Franziska raised her hand.

"Go on Maya."

"... Well there are stories of... a vampire hunter clan who's members and descendants have been using a whip as their main weapon. This Belmont clan has been fighting against lord of darkness, Count Dracula for a long time. Dracula has been resurrected many times along with his demon castle known as Castlevania."

"Dracula... the vampire, Vlad Tepes Dracula?" Edgeworth asked.

Maya, Phoenix and Franziska all slammed their hand to the table scaring Edgeworth.

"What the heck got into you?"

"Tepes? Vlad Tepes?... Uh oh... No way!" Franziska said and shook her head.

"Mr. Tepes, Mr. Vlad Tepes Dra... No... absolutely not!" Phoenix said.

"If... Mr. Tepes is him then Arikado would be... Alucard!?" Maya said.

"Alucard?... Who is he?" Phoenix asked.

"Dracula's son who turned against his father." Maya replied.

"A case concerning betrayal that's it!" Phoenix shouted.

"So I was defending Dracula's son against his father... In a court?!" Franziska yelled.

"There are many stories about them... For example one tells that the first world war was Dracula's doing, more precisely it was caused by his niece Elizabeth Bartley killing some monarch. She wanted to resurrect his uncle and managed to to do it, but she and Dracula were defeated by two brave men, John Morris and Eric Lecarde.

John's son Jonathan in turn had to stop Dracula with his friend, a young mage named Charlotte Aulin in 1940s in a time of World War II. The final battle against Dracula took place 20 years ago in 1999..." Maya told.

"Maya... How much you know about this?" Phoenix asked. "You haven't told me anything about these things before!"

"I would have, if somebody could begin showing this stuff in television, that would be soo great!" Maya said excitedly.

"Morris is one of descended families right? Are there any others?" Franziska asked.

"Only five are mentioned, two are entirely different families with no relation to Belmont's buuut... Unrelated ones are Baldwin and Graves...then there are Belmont, Belnades clan of witches when Sypha Belnades married Trevor Belmont, Fernandez descended from Belnades before Sypha, powerful all the same, Morris clan and Schneider..." Maya replied.

"SCHNEIDER?!" Franziska yelled.

"... Schneider... Whoa!" Maya realized.

"Well as we are dealing with a vampire here... should we say that they are not just fairy tales?" Phoenix asked.

"What about Schneider then, what did they do?" Franziska asked.

"Reinhardt Schneider wielded the Vampire Killer in 1850... or was it 1860s he destroyed Dracula together with young Carrie Fernandez at that time." Maya replied.

"If it is so, then Franziska Annabell would be Reinhardts descendant." Edgeworth figured out.

"Yes... And we are dealing with a vampire here... we need a hunter." Franziska concluded.

"And who could that be?" Phoenix asked and looked at her with clever expression.

"... That would be... me." Franziska replied nervously.

Last edited by Vecekio on Sun Apr 29, 2007 1:48 pm, edited 2 times in total.

IV: Schneider Mystery

" " Edgeworth yelled. "You are not a..." He began but Franziska cut him off.

" " She yelled. "You don't know what happened to me last night BEFORE I went to sleep! And I supposedly have power to do that. "Firstly, there wasn't scheduled lunar eclipses at that time... that red moon... It was something else... It made feel uncomfortable and for some reason the very first thing that came to my mind was vampire activity!"

Everybody were listening.

"Secondly, there was a bat sitting on the left side of the balcony... not to mention, I somehow sensed it's presence
beforehand... accused it for messing up my mind too and... I whipped that... bathead... When the whip hit it the bat fell
down and I think it let out an 'ouch'... It did get back up and flew stationary for awhile and then disappeared into the night... I felt a breeze and I think I heard something... like 'I found you'."

Everybody was silent. Maya was first to speak.

"Who would have guessed... You have sensitivity to such things, you can sense when something is wrong... You are
definitely a hunter according to what I have read!" Maya said. "Did you say... a bathead?"

"Yes I did... I did wonder what kind of insult is that." Franziska replied.

"That's a Belmont trademark insult for Dracula, 'Goddamned bathead' to be precise." Maya said

"W-what? I don't even know such a..." Franziska held her head. "WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!" She shouted.

"Way too many coincidences here to be just coincidental don't you think?" Phoenix asked.

"I have to admit... This is quite a mystery you have discovered." Edgeworth said.

"But, how to solve it. What could we do?" Phoenix asked.

"We should go and do some field research, on the information highway." Maya suggested.

"Internet investigation, huh?... It might be our best bet." Edgeworth said and crossed his arms.

"Then let's get started right away... As there is nothing to do here." Phoenix said and stood up.

"Yeah, let's return to office and fire up messengers." Maya said.

"Sounds like a plan." Franziska admitted.

Everyone left the interrogation room. They encountered detective Gumshoe in corridor, he seemed troubled.

"Anything new, pal?" He asked.

"Unfortunately no..." Phoenix said regretfully "How about you detective?"

"No, nothing... This is case is impossible, pal." He replied.

"No wonder..." Franziska whispered.

"We are going back to the prosecutor's office. Call us if you find anything new information... And call Wright too." Edgeworth ordered.

"Yes, sir." Gumshoe said and walked away.

"We need more information to make any sort of report about this..." Edgeworth said.

"True." Phoenix agreed.

"Okay, see you on the field." Maya said and waved to prosecutor's and after that turned to Phoenix waiting for their cab.

Both nodded and went to their cars.

After Edgeworth and Franziska returned to prosecutor's office they told that they were in the middle of important
investigation and they didn't want to be disturbed.

Prosecutor's Office, Franziska von Karma's Office, 12:30 PM

BGM= Detective Gumshoe, Pal from PW Ace Attorney

Franziska sat down behind her desk and woke up her computer from it's sleep mode.

"(Just yesterday I would have considered this as foolishness, but now for some reason it feels like very sensible)" Thoughts were racing in her read.

"And the power I haven't learn to use... Is it really it?" Franziska wondered.

She started internet browser and instant messenger program where Miles Edgeworth was already online and soon Phoenix also came online along with Maya.
They were all in the same conversation.

"Maya, could you give me some of those links of yours?" Franziska asked.

"Sure... wait a moment." Maya replied.

"Now that we all are here... How should we proceed, Meaning who searches and for what?" Edgeworth asked.

"Nick and me get digging on hunters." Maya replied.

"There's plenty for two." Phoenix added.

"I think... I try to find information about Schneiders." Franziska replied.

"I try my luck with Arikado... ." Edgeworth typed.

"It is decided then." Franziska typed.

She streched his arms and said. "Alright Franziska Annabell Schneider, lets see what I can find out about you."
Franziska typed 'Schneider' for search engine.

Very soon there results came up.

"Too many results, obviously." She said and tried again.

Schneider, Franziska, Annabell were the words this time.

Franziska browsed results page and saw a link which had three names in bold text, she clicked it.

"Found you... Franziska Annabell Schneider, date of birth May 5th 199...9?! We would be exactly the same age!"

It was a birth certificate.

"Franziska Annabell and me would exactly same age!" She typed.

"Makes sense." Phoenix replied.

Franziska noticed something. "!!... What? Dead?! Died September 14th in 1999!"

BGM= Case DL-6 (Reminiscence) from PW Ace Attorney

She begun typing again. "Seems like Franziska Annabell is already dead." and added a link...

"She was only four months old?" Edgeworth replied.

"... What could have been, is this it?" Franziska thought.

"The dream could have happened if Franny-Annie was alive?" Maya asked.

"In that case that dream would have been quite illogical... Especially when you were her" Edgeworth replied. "But then again when dreams are logical, very rarely."

"This dream wasn't any normal dream." Franziska typed.

"True we all four were involved in it, but why... Why to show us something from a possible life of a dead girl?" Maya wondered.

"But I was her... this wouldn't make any sense if Franziska Annabell was already dead?" Franziska asked.

"You should find some information what has happened." Phoenix suggested. "This hunter business... how to say... There are some very detailed information here... Way too detailed to be just a tale."

"Well, Nick you did read that this is a part of so called 'secret wars', they are battles average people are not aware of." Maya typed.

"Maya could you send me some of those links too?" Edgeworth asked.

"Sure... give me a moment." Maya replied.

"Thank you." Edgeworth replied.

"Have you found anything yet, Edgey?" Phoenix asked a bit later.

"Something... It seems Mr. Genya Arikado is a business man dealing with surveillance technology." Edgeworth replied.

"He is also mentioned to be involved in the final battle of 1999. It was known as The Demon castle War." Maya added.

"Arikado, obviously isn't just some ordinary guy, especially if he really is this Alucard." Franziska typed. "Is there any photo about of him?"

"Yes, I put a link." Edgeworth replied.

Franziska clicked the link and saw a picture of charming pale man with a black hair in a ponytail wearing equally black stylish tuxedo. "It's him." She typed.

"No doubt it, that's our man." Phoenix added.

"But why?.. Shouldn't we contact him?" Maya asked.

"Maybe, but for now it's too early... especially what would we ask from him?" Edgeworth replied.

"We would make ourselves seem foolish." Franziska said. "(That was just my first fool today)"

"I tried to find information about Garim Reaper, can you guess what I found?" Phoenix asked.

"Lots of hits?" Edgeworth asked.

"There were those too, but the search engine asked did I mean Grim Reaper." Phoenix replied

"Hoh." Edgeworth typed.

"Not funny!" Maya protested. "Death is Dracula's number one man!"

"What?!" Phoenix typed.

Franziska began a search for information about Franziska Annabell's death. She noticed a link which lead her to news archive site and started to read.

"September 14th in 1999, Schneider family mansion burned last night for now still unknown reason. Defense attorney Bernard Schneider and his wife Thelma Schneider-Fernandez deceased in fire, also their 4 month old firstborn Franziska Annabell is presumed dead."

"Fire? And where this happened?... In Germany!"

Franziska added a link to conversation.

"Oh!.. Bernard's official job was defense attorney. Franziska Annabell would have possibly followed her fathers footsteps." Phoenix typed.

"Defense attorney by day and vampire hunter by night... quite a career." Edgeworth commented.

"Franziska Annabell did exist, same for her parents and Genya Arikado is real as well... What is next?" Franziska asked.

"What you and her have in common." Edgeworth replied.

"That would be... same birthday, same first name..." Franziska typed.

"What?!... Her mother was a Fernandez?" Maya asked surprised.

Franziska started to browse one of the pages in links which Maya gave her.

"The strongest family of vampire hunters is no doubt old Belmont clan, their abilities to fight against the powers of darkness are second to none, everybody else are easily left in their shadow. Belmont's special trait is a powerful whip called the Vampire Killer!"

"Leon, Christopher, Soleil, Trevor, Simon, Juste, Richter, Reinhardt Schneider, John Morris, Jonathan Morris, Julius Belmont... There is so much to read here it would take at least a full day." Phoenix typed.

"Oh... Reinhardt Schneider and Carrie Fernandez, it was 1852." Maya typed.

"Fernandez, Belnades family branch. They have powerful magical powers with which they have fought against Dracula. Especially Sypha Belnades who together with Trevor Belmont, Grant Da Nasty and Alucard, Dracula's son, defeated the king of vampires in 15th century." Phoenix typed.

"Fernandez wasn't even 15?!" Edgeworth wondered.

"Brave girl ... It asks courage from Reinhardt too... as what I quickly read about that Castlevania it can be easily described with one word... Deathtrap" Phoenix typed.

"If Franziska Annabell's mother was a Fernandez then... she would also have great magical powers as her aid!" Franziska typed.

"That girl would have become quite a package as a vampire hunter." Phoenix commented.

"Cough... Yes... You really need to have guts if you intended to go to the castle... Not a nice place at all... Variety of monsters around every corner." Edgeworth commented.

"What are you doing?" Franziska asked.

"Reading different takes about Castlevania written by various people... Everyone seems to hate castle's clock tower for some reason." Edgeworth replied.

Franziska resumed reading. "Dracula was resurrected in... 1999 which also meant the beginning of Demon Castle War! Julius Belmont destroyed the count for good and sealed his power. Afterwards Castlevania was sealed in an eclipse with a ritual..."

"There is interesting mention from 1999, namely Dracula's vampire hunter purge... Many families were destroyed and Schneider's are listed here." Phoenix typed.

"That would mean that the fire wasn't an accident." Edgeworth typed.

"But why I would have... vampire hunter's power?" Franziska asked.

"Did Von Karma family had... any secrets?" Phoenix wondered.

"I haven't heard anything like that, and bloodline also won't connect with any of mentioned vampire hunter families." Franziska replied.

Phoenix had discovered something. "Huh... Von Karma?!" Phoenix typed. "September 21st 1999, Prosecutor Manfred von Karma terminates the investigation of Schneider estate fire. He claims it as a waste of time especially for the reason that there was no crime involved. 'The fire was simply an accident nothing more' He said."

"Interesting find Wright. So Von Karma was involved in the case." Edgeworth commented.

"September 20th... Schneider Estate fire... first born missing?!" Maya typed. "DNA sample from the remains of tiny corpse don't match with parent's DNA. It is likely that Bernard and Thelma Schneider's daughter, four month year old Franziska Annabell WASN'T in the mansion in time of fire!"

"She survived somehow, but went missing?" Edgeworth asked, he opened a new window and wrote to Phoenix only. "I think I can guess where this is heading."

"It seems so..." Phoenix replied.

"I made a search with Bernard Schneider and Manfred von Karma... and I found this, they have gone head to head, several times." Edgeworth typed.

"What?!" Franziska was surprised.

"Every single time for a ritual murder case, Bernard lost every time though." Edgeworth typed.

BGM= Suspense from PW Ace Attorney

"Ritual murder?... I'm getting creeps." Phoenix typed.

"Ritual murders in 1999... Hmm, very creepy." Maya added.

"How so?" Franziska asked.

"Ritual murder points to human sacrifice which would mean a dark mass finally resulting in... resurrection of Dracula!" Maya replied.

"Now I'm getting the creeps!" Edgeworth commented.

"Hm... And Manfred von Karma was prosecutor in EVERY case... very suspicious..." Phoenix typed.

Phoenix started to write to his and Edgeworth's private discussion. "Manfred von Karma knew Schneider, Franziska Annabell disappeared in fire, Manfred von Karma didn't wan't our Franziska to learn to use her powers but she can use the whip... What do you think about this?"

"Same as you I guess... They are one and the same." Edgeworth replied.

"Franziska Annabell would still exist if the tragedy wouldn't have taken place!" Maya typed in their public discussion window. "Oopsie!"

"What do you mean by that?" Franziska asked.

"... We have these clues: Franziska Annabell wasn't in the mansion, Fire wasn't accidental, Bernard Schneider was a vampire hunter and Thelma a Fernandez clan witch which would give their daughter a great potential. Franziska Annabell disappeared, Manfred von Karma and Bernard Schneider weren't strangers. You possibly have this power sleeping in you AND you can use the whip." Phoenix replied.

"Franziska Annabell Schneider disappears and Franziska von Karma appe... No way! That is absolutely foolish!" Franziska said shaking her head violently.

"I... I'm Von Karma there is NO WAY!" She said and typed.

"I wouldn't know... You were already two years old when I moved in." Edgeworth typed.

"There is no way I could be... adopted... My hair isn't yellow or brown." Franziska typed. "Besides there are no adoption records."

":objection: Franziska Annabell DISAPPEARED she definitely wasn't adopted in.... official ways." Phoenix countered.

"She was taken away... by whom?" Maya wondered.

"You forgot why Maya... If this has something to do with Dracula, then I'd say something to prevent the girl from ever discovering her true roots, learning about her powers and especially how to use them." Phoenix said.

"Good point there Wright and if this indeed is Manfred von Karma then how Dracula fits to this equation?" Edgeworth asked.

"Manfred and Dracula?! This is nuts!" Franziska said.

"Well... knowing his habits of using made up evidence. I'd say Manfred set up some innocent people as a guilty party during those ritual murder cases in order to cover for his... associates." Phoenix typed.

"I hate to admit it but... that makes sense." Franziska typed. "Who are these associates then?"

"Some dark priests perhaps?" Maya suggested.

"Maybe." Edgeworth replied. "By the way... there is one person who might know the truth about Franziska's identity..."

"Really? Who is it?" Maya asked.

"Ingrid, Franziska's older sister."Edgeworth replied.

"Ingrid... yes, she is after all older than me. She was 12 when I... came to picture." Franziska typed.

"Can you call her?" Phoenix asked.

"You mean right now?" Franziska asked.

"That is up to you." He replied.

"I guess... hopefully I'm not disturbing her, although this is important."

"Alright we keep digging some more." Maya typed.

"Why I have this feeling that this might be the most important call of my life?)" Franziska thought and
picked up her cellphone from the table and selected a number.

Last edited by Vecekio on Sun Apr 29, 2007 1:55 pm, edited 4 times in total.

I'm arrived *khhhk* (Vader's breath) here now too and I've now read on my "freetime" (as my kitten gives me to) this massive awakening storyline. Good work, Bro and keep up writing that indeed so exciting * khhhhhk* adventure you've constructed ! This is just a starting point for many many ideas and I'm looking for that what shall happen next in it !! I also try to let you work alone so that I wouldn't desturb you all a time .

Yes, and you know best after me what is happening next. Don't worry after chapter V: Suspicions and revelations... We finally get to completely new ... and more interesting stuff.

Alright finally, it took longer than I expected to add and change some things in the next chapter... Anyway here it is.

V: Suspicions and revelations

Franziska listened for a while, but nobody answered.

"(Cellphone isn't answering... I better try to call her home.)" Franziska thought and
chose another number.

"Hello?" Said girl's voice from the other end.

"Hi Clara, Aunt Franziska here... is your mom close by?" She asked.

"She's in the kitchen." Clara replied. "Do you want to speak with her?"

"Yes... Is she too busy?" Franziska asked.

"No, I'll just take the phone to kitchen..." Clara replied and next Franziska heard patting of feet "Mom! Aunt Franziska is on the phone!"

"Oh? give it here." She heard a voice. "Franziska, what a surprise!"

"Hopefully I'm not disturbing anything important... sister." Franziska said.

"No, I just finished preparing food for family." Ingrid said. "Now what's up little sister?" Ingrid asked.

"I have something very important to ask of you." Franziska replied.

"Your voice is shaking a bit... Is something wrong?" Ingrid asked.

"You could say that... " Franziska replied. (Now how to ask?.. What the heck, I just ask straight.)" She decided. "Ingrid... Am I Von Karma?"

BGM= Case SL-9 (Reminiscence) from PW Ace Attorney

"Eh? What kind of question is that?" Ingrid sounded surprised.

"What I mean is, Am I Von Karma by blood, have I born into family?" Franziska asked again.

No answer for awhile then Franziska heard. "Honey, could you go play to your room, me and auntie Franziska need to have some private chat." Ingrid said with a serious voice. Then she asked. "Franziska, why are you asking such a thing?"

"There's something weird going on." Franziska replied "Sister, have you ever heard about a girl who's name was Franziska Annabell Schneider?"

"WHAT?!... How do you know that name?" Ingrid asked shocked.

"So you know... Perhaps you could tell me some more about her." Franziska said.

Silence followed, but soon Ingrid said. "I think I can tell you now the whole story... As that monster is dead!"

BGM= Classroom Trial from PW Ace Attorney

"Monster? Who do you mean?" Franziska asked surprised by her sister's venomous tone.

"Monster who I called father!" Ingrid growled. "I should have told you this long ago."

Ingrid too a breath and began. "It was almost 20 years ago..."

September 14th in 1999, Von Karma Manor 2:30 PM

12 year old light gray haired girl was sitting in large library reading a book when she heard a front door opening, soon afterwards she heard a voice.

"Ingrid! Where are you?" Called Manfred von Karma.

"I'm in the library father!" Ingrid yelled.

"Come to the foyer, I have something to show you!" He yelled.

"Alright, I'll be there shortly." Ingrid yelled in reply.

Soon Ingrid came running and noticed her father was carrying a basket.

"What is that?" She asked curiously.

BGM= Case DL-6 from PW Ace Attorney

"May I introduce you to the new member of our family..." He said and pulled the blanket off revealing baby girl with golden hair. "This is Franziska, she is going to live with us from now on... Her parents perished in a fire last night."

"Terrible!" Ingrid said. "So she is an orphan?"

"Yes, a sole survivor. But that is something that mustn't be ever revealed to her. She must not feel herself as an outsider." Manfred replied.

"I understand father." Ingrid said.

"Franziska will be your little sister from now on." Manfred replied.

Ingrid stepped closer and looked at sleeping girl "She is so cute!" Ingrid cooed.

"Ingrid, manners." Manfred said.

"But... she is cute." Ingrid stated.

"What I have said about showing too much affection?" He asked.

"Yes... Sorry, father." Ingrid replied.

"You are Von Karma, perfection personified... never forget that... You can return to... whatever you were doing." Manfred said. "What were you doing?"

"I was in the library, studying." Ingrid replied.

"Very well... you may go now."

Ingrid bowed and returned to library while her father climbed the stairs carrying the basket.

Franziska was silent for awhile.

"So... it is true... I am adopted." She said quietly.

"I wouldn't say it like that... you were not adopted... as there are no records of it." Ingrid corrected.

"Yes, I know." Franziska said still quietly.

"What do you know exactly?" Ingrid asked.

"Why are you asking?" Franziska asked back.

"... This story isn't your everyday normal thing. I think you might not accept it..." Ingrid said a bit hesitatingly

"I do know that one particular blood sucker resurrected in 1999 is to blame." Franziska replied.

"So you know about Dracula then..." Ingrid said.

"Ingrid, HOW long have you known?!" Franziska asked sternly.

"... Since I was fifteen. Believe me Franziska, I wanted to tell you... But I was scared that he might do something to me if he found out..." Ingrid said quietly.

"Somebody would do you harm? Who is that?" Franziska asked.

"Father of course... I came to know his secret and I secretly hated him since then!" Ingrid shouted and took breath. "Manfred von Karma was in reality much more vile than anyone thought possible..."

"I have a hunch..." Franziska said.

"And that hunch just might be the right one." Ingrid replied.

"I had taken notice that on some days father seemingly disappeared from the manor. He was nowhere to be seen. It had really started to bother me, therefore I wanted to solve that mystery." Ingrid began her tale.

May 20th in 2002, Von Karma manor 3:00 PM

15 years old Ingrid was walking in a corridor.

"(Father is still at work and Miles is in his room... this is perfect opportunity.)" Ingrid thought and looked at the door ahead her left. "(Father's study... He always goes there before his disappearance. It has to be the key)"

She peered to her right and left to confirm that there was no one around and turned the handle, opened the door, stepped in and quickly closed it after her.

Von Karma Manor, Manfred's study 3:10 PM

BGM= Core '2002' from PW Justice for All

Manfred's study was quite spacious, there was a large book shelf and a large worktable which always had some papers on it and this time wasn't an exception. Ingrid's attention turned to closet at the back of the room.

"That's the closet where father goes... and does something." Ingrid said.

"How did you know where to go?" Franziska asked interrupting the story.

"I had looked through keyhole several times and confirmed father's actions. I simply didn't know what he did." Ingrid replied. "But I came to know that soon enough..." She resumed the tale.

Ingrid walked to back of the study to a tall wooden closet and opened the door. What was inside surprised her greatly.

"Wow!... A dragon!" She said in awe. It was a statue of ferocious dragon one half of it was silver, and the other half black. It's tail divided in two, silver and black.

"This is... very detailed, I wonder who made this." Ingrid said. "I had no idea father had interest in these kind of things."

Ingrid noticed that statue couldn't be moved. "It seems that it has been attached to it's place for good." She took a closer look. "Huh? There is gap where that tail goes..." She said and took hold of it. It seemed to give in.

"It feels loose, maybe I can pull this..." She said and pulled the tail out until she heard a click and after that rumbling. Ingrid turned around and gasped when a part of stone wall in the study moved aside revealing a dark passage. She felt a cool breeze.

"A secret passage in the study?!" Franziska asked.

"Yes... It was too dark to go there without light so I left the study to get a flashlight and quickly returned back." Ingrid replied.

Ingrid flicked the switch turning the light on and pointed it towards the dark passage.

"(There isn't much room to move, it isn't very wide...)" Ingrid thought and stepped in. She looked to her sides and saw another dragon ornament in similar to design of the statue in the closet.

Von Karma Manor, Secret Passage 3:30 PM

"Hmm... I wonder." She said and tried to push the tail. It moved and began to pull in following by closing of the wall. That gave
Ingrid her next surprise.

"What?!... I can see through it to the study?" She said. It seemed like there was nothing between the passage and the room, only wavering of visual would tell you that there indeed was something in between. She touched it and confirmed it was solid.

"Is this some kind of trick wall... You can't see through from study side... only from here." Ingrid said.

"But... that is a stone wall you shouldn't be able to see through it!" Franziska said.

"Yes, but I found out later what caused it." Ingrid replied.

Corridor took a turn downwards which told Ingrid that she was going underground. Soon she appeared to a wooden door with a floor mat in front.

"Hm? Why is this here?" She wondered and opened the door. Once again she felt a breeze. Ingrid heard a sound of dripping water, she pointed the light to the new room and looked around.

Cavern 3:40 PM

BGM= The Abandoned Pit from CV: Symphony of the Night

"This is a cavern, not a room." She said. It was quite large at first glance.

Ingrid saw some movement in shadow above her an pointed the light upwards. She saw a couple flapping leathery wings.

"Oh, sorry... I didn't mean to disturb your slumber." She said when she realized what they were. "Bats, so there must be a hole to the surface here somewhere."

Ingrid looked down and noticed that it was quite a fall. "Ten meters at least... I guess I could get down there somehow..." Then she noticed something. "Those rocks look like... stairs although they seem pretty uneven. I'd better be careful."

Ingrid started to descent the stairs carefully. She heard a splash.

"...Now I know why that doormat was there... Water went into my shoe, damn!" She looked down. "Quite a puddle I better watch where I put my feet from now on."

Ingrid took couple steps forward and suddenly stopped.

"What was that?!" She said terrified. Ingrid felt something on her leg. She looked down carefully and saw that a small lizard was climbing her leg.

"Shoo! Begone! Go away!" Ingrid yelled and chased the lizard away. It started running and quickly disappeared behind a rock.
"I hate lizards." she said and resumed her descent. Then she once again felt something, but this time she heard accompanying hissing. She gritted her teeth. "(Why did it have to be a snake?!)" Ingrid thought and stayed put for awhile.

"Go on, don't mind me." She said quietly looking at the snake which slithered over her shoes. When the snake disappeared, Ingrid sighed and continued her descent while avoiding puddles of water and possible small critters. Soon she reached the bottom.

"Phew... and...EEK!" She screamed when something jumped to her vision. Ingrid fell on her behind directly to small puddle of water. "Just great..." She muttered and stood up.

"What was that?..." She pointed the light to the ground and heard a sound." *ribbit, *ribbit* Ingrid sighed and said "You scared me little guy." It was a frog, a harmless frog that probably had leaped from somewhere above her.

"Oh boy... So not only did you wet your shoes, you dirtied and drenched your dress too." Franziska said bit amused.

"Well... There was some incidents, but in the end it definitely was worthwhile." Ingrid said.

There was something dark in front of Ingrid, she pointed the light at the object. It was a black door.

"I guess I have reached my destination... Hmm, there is a symbol on it... Circle, dragon with two heads, crescent moon, stars and... a skull?... What is this?"

"Ingrid, hold for a second." Franziska said.

Franziska went back to her keyboard and checked the messenger program. Phoenix seemed to be away for getting something to eat, but Maya was still on.

"Maya, can you check something for me?... It is a symbol of some sort." She typed.

"What kind of symbol?" Maya asked.

"Dual headed dragon, skull, crescent moon, stars..." Franziska typed.

"...Sounds like a devil forge master... or at least a symbol regarding Dracula's underlings. I check it out." Maya replied.

"Thanks." Franziska typed.

"No problem." Maya replied.

"You can continue now, sorry about that, I had to check something." Franziska said.

"All right." Ingrid said. "Where was I?... Yes.. I took hold of the handle and opened the door. It opened almost without a sound."
She resumed her tale.

"I expected loud creak... I guess hinges are oiled well." She said.

Mysterious corridor 3:50 PM

BGM= Road to Enemy from CV II: Belmont's Revenge

Ingrid stepped through the door and immediately noticed that it was warmer inside than in the cave.

"I wonder is there electricity down here?" Ingrid said and looked around. She was in a corridor it's walls had several pairs wooden sticks with cloth material wrapped around them. "Those would be a torches... therefore it's safe to say that no electricity."

Ingrid passed first pair of torches and they lit up.

"Huh? Did they just lit up on their own?" Ingrid said surprised. She passed another pair of torches which also lit up when Ingrid passed them.

"Okay, this is creepy..." She said a bit nervously.

Corridor intersected right and left in halfway. "Three doors and no descriptions what is behind them..." She pointed light to the door on her left.

"No wait... There is a metallic plate with a carving, I have to go closer." Ingrid said and went to the door.

The plate had a carvings of a bottle and test tube on it "I guess that would be some kind of laboratory, I might as well check it out first." Ingrid said and opened the door.

When she entered torches in the room lit up.

"This can't be normal..." She said a little scared.

Hideout, Laboratory 4:10 PM

She noticed that she was right. The room was a laboratory. There were quite a bit of bottles laying around. Large wooden
table was in the center and on sides of the room there were several larger closets and smaller cabinets.

"There is quite a bit of equipment in here..." She said. There was a book on the table which had a cloth piece marking it's page.

"Let's see..." Ingrid became curious and opened the book. "Permanent color transformation solution to permanently change color for something... Multiple time applications needed to ensure full effectiveness, preferably used in conjunction with... an enchantment?." Ingrid noticed a bottle next to the book. "I wonder what makes that kind of substance useful..." She was about to touch the bottle. "No, I better cover my hand first. I'd better not to leave any evidence around from my visit here...
Father wouldn't like it." Ingrid wrapped sleeve over her hand and then raised a bottle. There was some substance in it.

"Strange... that bluish gray color... It is almost like...!" Ingrid put the bottle back. "No! It is exactly same color as... Franziska's hair! This has to be the reason why she doesn't have her golden hair anymore." Ingrid started to think. "But why to do something like that?.. Of course she does look more like Von Karma that way... That has to be it!" Ingrid went silent. "Did father do this as not to rise any suspicions... But why, what would occur if it was discovered that Franziska was adopted into the family?"

Franziska was listening Ingrid's story with great interest. "(I can think couple of things about that... If it was found out that Franziska Annabell Schneider was alive and living with Von Karmas... that would have put Manfred into tight spot. I'm sure there would have been a place for me in case the worst took place... and it did.)"

"So I have naturally a yellow hair and... this is a dye?" Franziska asked.

"More like a substance that has transformed your natural color to your current one." Ingrid replied.

"When did this happen?" Franziska asked.

"About a year later after your arrival, I don't remember exactly but sometime in the year 2000. Before Miles came to picture anyway." Ingrid replied. "I decided to check out the other rooms, but I was certain I had found an important clue." She resumed the story.

"This will do for now, I better check out the other rooms too." Ingrid said and left the laboratory. The torches died at the instant she left. She passed the intersection and walked to the door directly ahead of her. She looked at the plate on the door, there was a carving of a book. "... This has to be library of sorts." Ingrid said and opened the door.

Hideout, Library 4:30 PM

Once again the torches lit up when she entered.

"This is like... magic." She said.

Ingrid looked around, there were three bookshelves in the room filled with books and there were several tables next to a wall. There was a door in the back.

"I wonder what kind of books there are... Titles are in latin good thing that I have studied it, let's see here..." She started inspect one of the bookshelves Ingrid's eyes opened wide with shock of what she read. "D-demonology? Creatures of the Abyss: guide for those who desire to become familiar with the underworld?! Chaos Magic?, Curses and Hexes? Vampires the hunters of the night?!, Vampire Hunter: The Enemy?!, Necromancy: command the dead?!" Her face turned pale. "W-what is this?!... There books are father's?!" Ingrid took breath. "W-what is he doing?!" Ingrid moved to the door in the back of a room and opened it.

BGM = To the Black Souls Requiem from CV: Aria of Sorrow

Behind the door was a small simple room with lantern, nightstand and a bed. "I guess this is a resting room or something..." Ingrid said. Something caught her attention, there was a book on the stand. "What's this?... Seems like a clip book." She pointed flashlight towards the book and opened it. "This is a news paper article." Ingrid said and started to read. "September 14th, year 1999. Last night the estate of Schneider family went ablaze and burned to the ground for a reason that is still unknown, defense attorney Bernard Schneider (25) and his wife Thelma Schneider-Fernandez (23) deceased in the fire, It is presumed that also their firstborn daughter, 4 months old Franziska Annabell died. Investigations have begun."
Ingrid went silent. "No, she didn't!" On the other page was another article.

"September 21st 1999, Prosecutor Manfred von Karma closed the investigation on Schneider estate fire, he stated that. 'Investigation would be waste of time and resources there are more important matters at hand... Tragedy already happened and it would no use to resume investigation,' According to some eyewitnesses it is possible that reason of fire was that it was set on purpose and not accidental. Despite this investigation was closed." Ingrid stopped reading, "Hmm... something stinks here... definitely a clue." She said. " She looked at drawers in the stand.

"I wonder what's in here she said opened upper drawer. "Nothing here..." She said and opened the lower one. There was something, a book.

"A diary..." Ingrid swallowed and opened it.

"I tell you a summary what I read there." Ingrid said. "I wrote this at later date when I visited there again."

"1998 somebody found out about a dark rites taking place and informed police, investigation started. Father needed scapegoat to cover up the truth .He faced defense attorney Bernard Schneider... this happened several times. He considered Schneider a meddling fool. Schneider lost every trial though."

"(So, Phoenix was correct in his assumptions, yet again.)" Franziska thought.

"1999, Dracula's resurrection a glorious days according to father... vampire hunter purges began."

"September 14th 1999, a day... father had awaited impatiently as now he could get rid of that meddling fool who was discovered to be a Belmont spawn and her wife a Belnades spawn... There was an attack on Schneider estate... They fought valiantly but in the end fell. Bernard was slain by Death and... father personally killed... Thelma. Ingrid took breath.

"House was set on fire... Schneider's corpses were thrown in and their daughter was brought out. Master's minions had plans to kill her, but father stopped them. He would raise her as his own and ensure she wouldn't become a threat. Death agreed but warned that even though he might feel tempted to corrupt Schneider child, her inheritance might retaliate if he tried to sway her towards dark arts." Ingrid's voice started to break up.

"Year 2000, The night Franziska's powers were sealed. Now it is safe to say that Franziska von Karma is here to stay and Franziska Annabell Schneider is gone for good... Even though I'm not allowed to teach her anything regarding my... darker arts, there are other ways she can be corrupted."

"G-g-go on..." Franziska said quietly her eyes were glistening.

"Are you all right?" Ingrid asked.

"NO!" Was Franziska's very straight forward reply. "Go on, finish the story!"

"Okay..." Ingrid said.

Ingrid put the book down, she was furious. "... Is this... my father's... TRUE NATURE?!" Ingrid turned around. "He is a monster! No wonder he has all those books!... He destroyed a family literally!" She remembered while back. "Sole survivor in a fire which he ordered to be lit. Her parent's died because of him, Franziska is orphan because of him... AND SHE IS GOING TO SUFFER BECAUSE OF HIM!" Ingrid yelled and slammed her fist to a wall.

"Ouch, calm down, concentrate... There is still one room left." Ingrid said and simply breathed for a while calming herself.

She exited to resting room and quickly passed the library and returned to the intersection. She turned to the right.

"The final door." Ingrid said, she walked to the door and looked it's carving.

"Five pointed a pentagram... I think I can already guess what it behind this door!" Ingrid said and opened it.

Hideout, Ritual chamber 5:00 PM

BGM= Curse Zone from CV: Symphony of the Night

Once again torches lit up one after another in a large circular room. There were five candelabras in the center in pentagonal formation which lit up. Lines of a pentagram on the floor became visible.

"Father's ritual chamber... For whatever monstrosities he has in mind!" Ingrid said. "There isn't much to see here, it's mostly empty space."

Then she remembered something. "Oh no, the time!" She said and hastily looked at her watch. "5:10 PM... I better get out of here!"

BGM= Hotline of Fate from PW Justice for All

She hastily exited the ritual chamber, closed it's door firmly and ran to the door leading to the cavern.

"Now, most important thing is to get out here... If father would catch me... I'd be most likely dead!" Ingrid said and started running up the rocky stairs. She opened the door at top and wiped her shoes on the doormat as carefully as she could. She had to walk in the passage because otherwise she would have ran to a wall.

"(I better take my shoes off or I leave some very discriminating evidence of my being somewhere where I shouldn't be.)" Ingrid thought and took her shoes off. She pulled the dragon ornament's tail and the wall opened. She quickly stepped to the study when there was enough space and immediately pushed the tail back in closing the wall.

After the wall clicked into place Ingrid let out a sigh of relief.

[color=green] Von Karma Manor, Manfred's Study 5:20PM

BGM= In the Midst '2002' from PW Justice for All

"Safe and sound... Now to get these clothes to washing room." Ingrid said and opened the door leaving the study.

"Ingrid, you are dirty." She heard a boys voice behind her. Ingrid turned around and saw 10 years old Miles Edgeworth.

"Yes I know... I tripped and ended up in a puddle...heh!" Ingrid said.

Edgeworth shook his head. "At least your father isn't here to see this... You better get cleaned up before he comes home."

"I am already going." Ingrid said and resumed her walking.

"Since then... I was always glaring at father's back... you asked me couple of times why I'm like that and if I recall right Miles did
too once..."

"And you replied...'nothing'" Franziska said.

"Yes... Now you know the real reason. I was glaring at the back of a monster! There would have been so many more crimes he would be accounted for in addition to that when father killed Miles' father!"

"Ingrid... My battery is dying... Thank you." Franziska said.

"By the way... You seem different from your usual self..." Ingrid said.

"M-maybe Franziska Annabell Schneider is awakening?" Franziska suggested.

"... That would be a very sensible reason actually." Ingrid admitted. "How did you find out about this in the first place?" She asked.

"That would take too long... I tell you some another time." Franziska replied.

"If you want to see the that... accursed place yourself, give me a call as I must come with you."

"Why is that?" Franziska asked.

"The switch is locked to Von Karma blood signature, the passage can't be opened by anyone else." Ingrid replied.

"I... really need to quit now... I call you later." Franziska said.

"Alright, it was good to hear from you... and I'm sorry I was quiet for so long."

"I might not have believed you." Franziska said.

"That might be true, bye." Ingrid said and cut the connection.

Franziska wiped her eyes.

BGM= Eneomaos Machine Tower from CV: Curse of Darkness

"The most important call of my life." Franziska said quietly.

"The man who I looked up to... who taught me everything I know... Is nothing more than a monster who destroyed a life I would have otherwise!" She yelled.

She recalled the words the mysterious voice said to her in a dream. "What would have been... If my real parents would still live... Do you know who you are? I though I knew myself no... Franziska von Karma was a result of Manfred von Karma's teachings... my true identity: Franziska Annabell Schneider who is in fact NOT DEAD!"

She noticed a message to pop up on the monitor...

"It's from Phoenix... Come to the office. Lotta brought the requested zoomed photos, Maya has something to tell you and Edgey is already here... Oh and by the way if you haven't eaten anything yet we have couple pizza's waiting.

Franziska's stomach crumbled and she looked at time.

"3:0O PM... Where did that time go?" She said. "I'll be there in a bit. I have something to tell you too." Franziska replied and put the computer in standby mode.

"Pizza? well... why not once in a while." She said and left her office.

Last edited by Vecekio on Sun Apr 29, 2007 2:02 pm, edited 5 times in total.

Sixth chapter finally...

VI: Confirmations

Wright & CO. Law Offices, 3:25 PM

Franziska, entered the office and saw that the first room was empty. She heard voices from the room in the back and entered.

Maya bumped into her when Franziska suddenly appeared.

BGM= Turnabout Sister's Theme '2002' from PW Justice for All

"Oops, sorry." Maya said, she was coming from kitchen carrying two dishes with several pieces of pizza.

"We were just starting." Maya said and looked at Franziska who was strangely
silent.

"Are you alright... Franziska?" Maya asked worriedly.

"No... I'm not..." She replied quietly. "You'll know why when you hear what I'm going to tell you..."

"Okay... go on in..." Maya said.

Phoenix and Edgeworth were sitting at the desk. They were browsing something.

"Are those the photographs?" Franziska asked.

"Yes they are... It's official, even I can't argue anymore... Our culprit is a genuine vampire!" Edgeworth replied.

Franziska walked to the desk and looked down.

BGM= Logic and Trick from PW Ace Attorney

"Lotta brought zoomed in shot from every photo she showed us... but these 3 are the most important ones." Phoenix said. "This is the first one... Larry the Zombie, this is the one where he is facing the camera." He handed the photo to Franziska.

Larry's eyes were glazed and it looked like he was staring at one direction only.

"He definitely looks to be... out." Franziska commented.

"Hypnosis confirmed." Edgeworth added.

"In this one he is walking towards the vampire..." Phoenix said. "And this is the picture of attack, zoomed in shot one... and it seems Lotta noticed something and made another enlarged shot showing only Larry's head." He handed
the rest of the pictures to Franziska.

"Bitemarks!" She said when she got to the final photo.

"Two punctures in the neck." Edgeworth said.

"I have to admit... Lotta did a good job for once." Phoenix said.

"True, without her we would be no wiser." Maya admitted.

"And without it... we wouldn't have encountered the other thing." Franziska
said.

"If I wouldn't have slipped Franny-Annie, we wouldn't be here." Maya said.

"You can use that name from now on... as it really seems to be official... I am her."

Office went silent.

"What? It's not like it was a complete surprise!" Franziska snapped.

"... It is a bit shocking to hear that it is true." Maya said.

"Ingrid told me everything... and then some more." Franziska said. She took a plate with a slice of pizza, poured herself a glass of
milk and sat down on the coach. Others had also started to eat.

"(Now where I should start...)" She pondered.

"... September 14th 1999, Manfred brought me to Von Karma manor. Ingrid was there when I was brought in... At that time I had a yellow hair. According to him... I was to never know the fact that I was adopted... supposedly he didn't want me to feel myself as an outsider... But this was a lie... as Ingrid discovered 3 years later." Franziska said and turned to Edgeworth.

"Miles, do you remember one day in 2002 when you encountered Ingrid when she was wearing a rather dirty dress?" Franziska asked.

Edgeworth crossed his arms and started to think.

"I think I do... Manfred wouldn't have liked that." He replied. "She fell in a puddle."

"Yes, but she didn't tell you WHERE." Franziska said and did a dramatic pause. "Did you know?.. Of course you wouldn't, I didn't... (You foolish fool get your act together, this is a very important matter!)

She cleared her throat.

BGM= Confess the Truth '2002' from PW Justice of All
"There is a secret entrance in the Von Karma manor... It is in Manfred's study and it is activated by a rather curious item, this passage leads to cavern and in the bottom of it is a door with a symbol on it."

Maya stopped eating. "Y-you mean that symbol which you told me to look into?"

"Yes, that one..." Franziska replied. "Find anything?"

"Oh yes, I can show it to you." Maya said and stood up. She went to the computer and woke it up. She clicked an image file and the symbol appeared on screen.

BGM= Confess the Truth '2001' from PW Ace Attorney

It was a black and white symbol starting with a circle, within the circle was a dragon with two heads, other was white and the other black. They were holding fanged skull in their claws, the skull had a pentagram on its forehead. Dragons also had black and white wings with each crescent moon and three stars on it, they were mirrored. Dragon had two tails that were wrapped around each other, again black and white.



"It is a symbol which belongs to Dracula's warlocks, nasty bunch... dark magic, necromancy and demon summoning are their expertise." Maya said.

"And... Von Karma is one of them. Wait... he was, I mean." Phoenix said.

"Books that Ingrid found fits to the picture." Franziska said thoughtfully. "Behind that door is a small intersecting corridor with 3 doors, one directly ahead, two on right and left side. Other leads to a laboratory...Where she found a coloring solution which is why my current color is like this."

"So... It is a dye?" Edgeworth asked.

"Not exactly a dye... something more powerful as it can change color permanently." Franziska replied.

"It is irreversible?" Maya asked.

"I don't know... Ingrid didn't say anything." Franziska shook her head.

"What about the other rooms?" Phoenix asked.

"Room in opposite side... had a library filled with books written in Latin about... Evil things... There is a door in the back and behind that room is small bedroom. There Ingrid found a clip book containing two stories about Schneider's... Pretty much the same we found on the web." Franziska kept a pause and swallowed.

"In one of the drawers on nightstand... She found a diary... Manfred's diary." Franziska turned to Phoenix. "Your assumption was correct yet again right, Wright... It was revealed there that Manfred really did cover for his associates when because ritual murder's became public somehow. He had to find a scapegoat and got Bernard Schneider as his opponent... Needless to say Manfred didn't like his meddling... And this happened several times."

"Pretty good guess..." Phoenix said and shrugged.

"He also mentioned Dracula's resurrection, I guess he was there." Franziska said.

"Oh dear..." Edgeworth said.

"And then... the September 14th..." Franziska said. "To put it shortly... Father died in a fight with Death and Manfred personally killed my mother!" She yelled. "After that their corpses were thrown into the house and it was set on fire... I was brought out in the open... It seems they intended to kill me first, but... Manfred sticked to the plan. He would raise... me as his own and convinced Death that I wouldn't become a threat. He agreed but warned Manfred that he shouldn't teach me anything about his dark arts as my inheritance could rise to resist it... And a year later he sealed my powers..." Franziska took breath and continued.

"Ingrid was furious about her discovery and checked final room, she could already guess what was there and she was right... It was a ritual chamber... probably the very same Where my powers were sealed... After that Ingrid noticed the time and she had to hurry back up, she made it but I don't know did she get caught sometime later... As she was able to told this to me only after Manfred's death."

"This is even worse than the truth of DL-6! That man had murdered twice!" Edgeworth said shocked.

"Twice... and he was Dracula's warlock... I'd say he is responsible for more deaths than that!" Maya exclaimed.

"Sometimes I hate it when I'm right... And this is one of those times. But I didn't expect this!" Phoenix yelled. He had his hands raised in front of himself and was doing squeezing motions with his hands. "It is good that he is dead because... I just got an urge to strangle the bastard myself!"

"But is he dead?" Maya wondered.

"How so? Of course he is dead! He was executed!" Franziska said.

BGM= Vision of Dark Secrets from CV: Bloodlines

"Just a phrase that I remembered about Castlevania..." Maya said "All those whose souls are bound to this place, can be brought back." She quoted.

Franziska felt shivers. "Maya, you are creeping me out."

"As long as the seal on the castle remains intact everything is fine, Right?" Edgeworth asked.

"Of course, stupid me..." Maya said.

"Well Edgey, seems you have educated yourself in the subject." Phoenix said.

"That castle is quite interesting thing... A creature that changes form every time it emerges... Because of that the castle has been different every time somebody has traversed it." Edgeworth said.

"Only a foolishly foolish fool would go there voluntarily... I read that much." Franziska said.

"There was never volunteers, everybody always had some reason to go there... for Belmonts it's usually Dracula... and for others, something else." Maya pointed out.

"I also read that part about soul binding Maya... As for many times a same creature has appeared again when castle returned for another time." Edgeworth said.

"Von Karma isn't a monster... Well not in THAT sense... He was a human after all." Phoenix said.

"He did have books on necromancy... No I better not to think about it." Franziska said.

"It wouldn't surprise me if he had skeletons in a closet... in a literal sense." Phoenix said.

Maya chuckled. "Where they all would fit?"

"Hmm... Good point." Phoenix admitted.

Maya took dishes to kitchen after everyone had finished eating.

BGM= Trick and Magic from PW Justice for All

"But now... let's return to the case at hand... Our culprit is a vampire, identity unknown but still... I doubt police could do anything... It might even be too dangerous for them to get involved..."

"I guess I have to hunt... her down, but there is a slight problem with that..." Franziska said.

"That being?" Edgeworth asked.

She sighed. "I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO! Until yesterday I was just a prosecutor... and now it seems I even wouldn't have become one if... They would still live. Father and mother would taught me everything I'd need to know... But now there isn't anyone!"

"Not to forget the seal on your powers... It should be removed first." Maya said.

"Speaking of that... I'd say it's weakening... if you could sense something last night it must have lost it's power for a little at least." Phoenix said.

"You also lack necessary equipment." Edgeworth said. "Who could help us?"

"I think we have to take that chance..." Maya said.

"Right, we are at a dead end here." Phoenix said.

"We have no choice, we have to take that chance... We must contact Mr. Arikado." Franziska said with determined tone.

"I do it..." Phoenix said and picked his cellphone. "No wait, I don't have his number."

Franziska rolled her eyes.

"Nick, go to http://www.batco-industries.com, That is Arikado's company." Maya said.

Phoenix typed in the address Maya told him and was soon was looking at a homepage. "Bat Company Industries... pioneer in security and surveillance technology... Bat company?... Ah, there it is." Phoenix saw the number and made a call...

For short while there was only receiver tone, then...

"Genya Arikado speaking, what is your business with me?" He heard a man's voice asking.

"Erm... Hello Mr. Arikado I am defense attorney Phoenix Wright... I am... well I'm not 100% sure should I be calling you
about this." Phoenix replied nervously. "... My business corcerns a person named Franziska Annabell Schneider..."

There was slight pause. "Mr. Wright... you have contacted the right person." Arikado said "What do you wish to know?"

"Hold on a second." Phoenix said. "Bullseye." He handed his phone to Franziska.

BGM= Faraway Days from CV: Portrait of Ruin

"H-hello?.. This is Franziska... V... Schneider." She said nervously.

"Ms. Schneider, it is really good to hear your voice... Many thought that you were lost and even more thought you dead, this is a relief." Arikado said. "How can I help you?"

Franziska explained the situation. "We have been investigating a case where friend of Mr. Wright and Mr. Edgeworth has vanished. We have... umm... confirmed that a he was victim of a vampire attack..." She asked "If I am hunter then... what I should do?"

"First it would be much easier if we were to meet face to face." Arikado replied.

"Where are you right now?" She asked.

"I'm in the city, to be more specific I'm residing in Gatewater Hotel... The new one, not the one on the other side of the road from Mr. Wright's office." Arikado replied. "Can I expect you to arrive soon?"

"Absolutely!" Franziska replied.

"Well then, We'll be seeing soon." Arikado said and ended the call.

[i]BGM= Cornered '2001' from PW Ace Attorney.

Franziska gave the phone back to Phoenix and said. "We are going to Gatewater Hotel, immediately!" She paused. "Mr. Arikado is residing at the new Gatewater Hotel... we know the place already."

"Then let's get moving!" Edgeworth said.

Everybody left the office in hurry.

Meanwhile... Arikado made a call.

"Theresa, Genya here... I was just talking with Franziska. It is time for you to come here."

"This quickly? Hmm... Very well Adrian, do I book a flight or what?" Woman replied.

"Call my agents I have my private jet standing by for this very occasion... And bring the chest with you... and it is Genya!" Arikado said.

"Alright... Oh what?" Theresa said.

"What is it?" Arikado asked.

"Nothing... he he, Yoko says she wants to come along." Theresa replied.

"Hmm... I don't see why not... She might get bored though." Arikado said thoughtfully.

"I DO NOT!" He heard little girls loud protest.

"We'll see about that, little miss Belnades." Arikado said.

"Hmph! I'm still coming with mommy." Yoko said.

"Okay okay, I have to quit now... I'm expecting some guests." Arikado said.

"See you tomorrow then... Adrian." Theresa laughed and ended the call.

Gatewater Hotel, Reception 5:30 PM

Attorneys and Maya arrived to hotel in record time.

"Here we are again..." Phoenix said and looked around, the hotel wasn't changed a bit. It was as glamorous as ever... not to mention expensive.

"We'd like to know in which room Mr. Genya Arikado is staying." Maya asked from reception.

"Ah, thank you... This way!" Maya said and ran up the stairs others following in her trail.

Soon they were in a corridor which turned out to be very familiar.

"Hey wait a minute... These are the same rooms where Mr. Engarde and Corrida were staying about a year back!" Phoenix said.

"You are right." Franziska said. "Which one is Arikado's room?"

"That one on the right." Maya replied and pointed at door.

Franziska knocked on the door and waited.

"Enter." A man's voice replied.

Franziska opened the door and everybody entered the room. She closed the door afterwards.

Gatewater Hotel, Arikado's Room 5:35 PM

They saw a man dressed in black in front of them, the very same man Franziska, Phoenix and Maya saw in their dream.

"Please take a seat." He said and motioned them to sit.

Last edited by Vecekio on Sun Apr 29, 2007 2:05 pm, edited 7 times in total.

The 7th chapter and easily the best one yet!

VII: Meeting of Destiny

Every one found some place to sit. It was quiet, anticipation was in the air.

BGM= Meeting of Destiny from CV: Portrait of Ruin

"I didn't except us to meet this quickly, but all the better." Arikado said breaking the silence. "Introductions might be in order... I am Genya Arikado, president of BatCo industries... and a member of top secret agency that deals with supernatural."

"I am Phoenix Wright a defense attorney... Some tend to call me The Ace Attorney nowadays." Phoenix introduced himself.

"Yes, You are skilled Mr. Wright. I would definitely ask for your services if I ever were in need of legal defense..." Arikado said with a slightly mysterious tone.

Franziska yelled. "Are you referring to something with that?"

"I am Miles Edgeworth, Hi-prosecutor in the local prosecutor's office." Edgeworth said.

"I'm Maya Fey, Nick's assistant, current leader of Fey family and a spirit medium." Maya said.

Then it was Franziska's turn.

"Do I really have to introduce myself?" She asked.. "Oh well, this is foolish but here goes." She muttered.
"Franziska von Karma, turned out to be Schneider, I am a prosecutor from age of 13 who turned out to be a vampire hunter and
who doesn't know a thing about hunting those blood suckers."

"Now that we have introduced ourselves let's get into business." Arikado said. "This vampire which you mentioned has been
active for couple of months now... In fact she just appeared for the very first time. Our intelligence isn't very good as we only know that it is a she. She has randomly appeared around the country hunting for prey and has caused many deaths... This is the first time when she has taken a person with her and not simply drank his or her blood and left the corpse laying around."

"I... err well... I was wondering, could it be that the vampire has started to gather followers?" Maya asked bit uncertainly.

"That might be possible... You are well informed Ms. Fey." Arikado said.

"But why Larry? Was he some random pick?" Phoenix wondered.

"We wouldn't know that yet as he was the first. After second one we might be able to figure out some pattern for her actions." Arikado replied. "Now... how did you find out about this?"

"Police found nothing on the scene, but the event had a eyewitness... a freelance photographer we know happened to be on the scene practicing nighttime photography with her new camera and managed to capture the moment of attack... Although the photo's didn't help much." Franziska replied.

"Vampires do not appear in photographs..." Arikado said.

"Yes, we know that." Edgeworth said.

"Now, about you Franziska, how did you find about Schneider's?" Arikado asked.

"Why are you asking? You know the answer to that question because you were in there too." Franziska said. "Admit it!"

"Yes... I was there too." Arikado replied.

"Well actually, the dream raised my suspisions, then later Maya accidentally called me with my nickname and it started from there, leading to internet investigation on Schneider's, brief history of Belmont's and Dracula etc... and in the end Phoenix and Miles made a rather bold claim that I was adopted... I was against the idea at first but later I called my... foster sister Ingrid von Karma, who told me everything, especially her discovery in the Von Karma manor." Franziska explained.

"What kind of discovery?" Arikado asked.

"Manfred von Karma served Dracula as one of his warlocks!" Maya said.

"I see, so you know..." Arikado said calmly.

"He has a secret hideout below the manor with all the necessities... Laboratory for potions and solutions, Library filled with evil knowledge and... ritual chamber... for whatever dark rituals they conduct!" Franziska told.

"We didn't know about him at that time, originally I was the only one who came to know about this... When she got in contact with me." Arikado said.

"Who did?" Franziska asked.

"Very same person with whom I set up that little show last night" Arikado replied.

"You... mean the dream?" Maya asked.

"Yes, That vision was artificially constructed with powerful magic. It was made to look like something that could have taken place if everything would still be fine." Arikado replied.

"What about my look?" Franziska asked.

"It was a speculation what you would look like as an adult... She did base it a bit on her own looks."

"Who did?" Phoenix asked.

"It is better than she herself replies to that." Arikado said.

"Huh? What?" Maya felt something nudging in her mind and drew breath.

Mayas frame changed to more mature appearance and also her face changed.

"Is Maya channeling someone?" Edgeworth asked, he had been quiet for a long time and just following the discussion.

"More like someone took over Maya!" Phoenix said. "Who are you?!"

BGM= Elegy of the Guards from Final Turnabout

"Someone who has searched Franziska for so long and finally found her again... You do look like me, except your hair." 'Maya' said with a completely different voice. It was a gentle but sad woman's voice. She turned to look at Franziska. "What has happened to that golden color you were born with... Has it something to do with what that slimy snake Von Karma did to you?!"

Franziska was shocked. "What? Who are you to speak to me like that?! It is not like you are my....." She went silent instantly. Franziska left a lump in her throat and turned her face down.

Arikado looked at her sympathetically.

"What?" Edgeworth wondered.

Franziska raised her face up again. Her eyes were glistening and her mouth was twitching. "..M..M...M-m-mo-mother?" She asked.

At the next moment 'Maya' walked to Franziska and pulled her into a hug which really took her by surprise.

"After 20 years... I see my baby again." 'Maya' said sobbing.

"M-Mrs. Schneider!" Phoenix exclaimed.

"I'm sorry for this sudden intrusion Mr. Wright... I just realized that I could contact you directly via a spirit medium." She said.
"And yes I really am Thelma Schneider-Fernandez, Franziska's mother."

"Where is Maya?" Edgeworth asked.

"She is in the background, but aware of everything what is going on. So there's no need to fill her in." Thelma replied.

"Are you? Then you can probably answer for some questions to make sure..." Franziska said.

"It is her, I can assure you from that..." Arikado said.

"Adrian Tepes! If my daughter wants to ask then she may do so you son of a bathead!" Maya said with a man's voice.

"W-what the heck was that?!" Phoenix said. This was first time Maya could speak with a man's voice.

"What?!" Arikado was taken by surprise. "There is only one person who would call me that... Bernard?"

"Damn right Tepes, OK Franny-Annie ask away." Maya said with Bernard's voice.

"Huh..?! But wasn't it Maya who..." Franziska asked.

"Actually that nickname comes from me." Bernard replied.

Franziska started to think "(What should I ask?) Mmm... When I was born?"

"On a May 5th of the year 1999, a future horror of the night was born exactly at 2:30 PM!" Said Bernard with a theatrically dramatic voice.

"Ha ha... you said the very same thing in the hospital... Nurses looked at you weirdly." Thelma said.

"But... is it true! She is powerful..." Bernard argued.

"I know that... Remember what you bragged to Julius?" Thelma asked.

"I also remember that..." Arikado said.

Everybody were looking at Maya with astonished looks who seemed like to be in dialog with herself.

*Flashback*

July 1999, Schneider Manor, time undetermined

Two men were sitting and having a drink. Arikado was simply sitting with them.

"Hey Belmont, it seems that my daughter is so powerful he could kick your butt when she's grown up." Bernard bragged.

BGM= Heart of Fire from CV: Aria of Sorrow

"Speak for yourself Schneider! you are an old fart when that time comes and besides are you sure that she can wield a whip? That would be a first time when a girl might be wielding the Vampire Killer." Replied a man with reddish-orange colored hair wearing a brown long leather jacket, he was Julius Belmont.

"Definitely she can! I'll teach her and Thelma takes care of the other part... And about being an old fart, so are you at that time
by the way!"

"Touché, but really... Belnades abilities have again emerged in a potential hunter... This doesn't happen often." Julius said.

"Last time it happened was with Juste Belmont and that was hundreds of years back... Well it might have something to do with that I married a Fernandez." Bernard said smugly.

"Maybe or maybe not... Even Trevor's and Sypha's son didn't get any magical talent... Although it might have something to do with the fact that your child is a girl." Julius said.

"I have to say that combination of whip and spells would be great asset." Arikado said, he had been quiet for a while.

"At least someone seems to agree with me, Tepes." Bernard said.

"I didn't mean it like that Bernard... but if Franziska's skills grow to anywhere the level of her mother's then who knows." Arikado said.

"Let's go meet some friends." They heard a woman's voice from other room, someone was coming down from upstairs.

Blonde woman wearing a blue blouse and skirt appeared to a doorway carrying a baby girl with a slightly browner hair.

"Hello Thelma, I was wondering when you'd show up." Julius said and grinned. "So... this is the so called 'future horror of the night' and the one who will kick my butt when she's grown up?" He chuckled.

"Where that came from?" Thelma asked.

Bernard stood up went beside her wife and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "How is our angel?"

"She just woke up." Thelma replied smiling.

"Alright, come to daddy Franny-Annie." Bernard said and picked the baby up. "Don't worry these are all our friends." He said and went back to sit. He put Franziska on the table.

Girl looked at two people with curious look on her eyes.

Bernard pointed at Julius. "That is Uncle Julius, he is a vampire hunter like daddy, actually more important one as he is a genuine Belmont. Promise you kick his butt when you grow up, okay?"

Thelma shook her head laughing. "Oh please."

"It seems that your father is already expecting a great things from you little miss Schneider." Julius said and grinned.

"That's Uncle Al... or Alucard, he's a half-vampire and son of bathead but a good guy, he has been a friend of family for a long time."

"Schneider, it is Arikado..." The man in question said a bit annoyed.

"She can't remember that anyway... and she is going to learn it eventually, so what does it matter?" Bernard said.

"T'is a pleasure Ms. Franziska Annabell Schneider." Arikado said.

*End of flashback*

"That was the first and only time when I met you before this." Arikado said.

Phoenix and Edgeworth were listening with interest.

"Month after that Dracula returned and Demon Castle War began. Julius was in front line as expected and many other hunters
were also involved. We decided to stay away, others respected our decision but we kept ourselves in the know what was happening in the field... We had a
very important reason." Bernard said.

"And, w-what was that?" Franziska asked.

"You, of course. We wanted to stay with you and protect you as soon after Dracula's resurrection the purges began." Thelma replied. "... And about a month later..."

BGM= The Siblings' Sad Destiny from CV: Curse of Darkness

Franziska had started to sob, soon sobbing changed to out loud crying.

"It is alright honey..." Thelma said and hugged Franziska again. Tears were also flowing from her eyes.

Phoenix had a very furious look in his face... This was way too much.

"That... THAT BAT LICKING SON OF A BITCH WARLOCK PROSECUTOR SNAKE!" He yelled. And stood up.

"Wright? What the heck?!" Edgeworth was shocked, this was the first time he had seen Franziska as broken and the first
time when Phoenix was this angry.

"Can't you see? I'm furious for the very same reason Franziska is crying right now! From the discussion you could see what kind of people Bernard and Thelma Schneider were... or still are... Two wonderful people and two wonderful parents... who were taken away from her in September 14th 1999... Manfred von Karma, Death and Dracula ALL GUILTY FOR MAKING FRANZISKA'S LIFE HELL IN COMPARISON TO WHICH SHE COULD HAVE HAD OTHERWISE... AND NO OBJECTIONS!"

"I wasn't going to..." Edgeworth said, he was a bit scared of Phoenix now.

"Fury of a Phoenix." Arikado said with a knowing look.

"Phoenix... That was very well put..." Franziska said sniffling.

"For a moment I thought you were going to pick up that chair and throw it out of the window." Bernard said and grinned.

"Hotel management wouldn't have liked that." Edgeworth replied.

"I have to say that was a pretty detailed answer for one simple question." Arikado said.

"And it was enough to convince me..." Franziska said and wiped her eyes. "You really are who you say are, Mom... Dad."

"I really have to ask Maya later how she did that." Phoenix said to himself.

"I think this is enough for today... We'll meet again tomorrow when the item arrives." Thelma said.

"Franny-Annie, lay down that whip... Is it not our way to do such things." Bernard said.

"What? I don't even have it with me father." Franziska replied. "Besides this might the last day I ever carry it."

"Good, because you young lady are going to wield a new one starting tomorrow... See you then, my daughter." Bernard said.

"What, a new whip?" Franziska asked.

"Bye honey." Thelma said and after that Maya reverted to normal.

"Maya? Are you all right?" Franziska asked.

"Yes, quite an experience..." Maya replied. "Are YOU all right?"

"No.... But I will be... eventually." Franziska replied.

"I'm sorry." Maya said and she in turn hugged Franziska.

"You are sorry?... I'm the one who should be sorry... I was deceived and steered wrong by a snake in disguise... Therefore I AM the greatest fool of all!" Franziska replied.

Phoenix looked at the pair and was thinking something and soon he walked towards them joined in the hug.

"Phoenix, what are you?.." Franziska asked.

"I'd say we are in this together. Your role is clear, my role uncertain, but I know this, currently you are the person who needs help the most... I really would have liked to meet those two for real." Phoenix said.

"Same here... They were really nice." Maya said.

"I-I guess this the end of our hostilities?" Franziska asked.

"I'd like that very much as the dream told me Franny-Annie wouldn't be my enemy." Phoenix replied smiling.

Edgeworth was also thinking something. "Franziska, I was thinking... Due to the turn of events you are in my opinion unfit for duty. Therefore Ms. Schneider, starting now you are on one month vacation... And no objections to this either!"

"I'm not objecting." Phoenix said.

"Me neither." Maya said.

"Franziska von Karma would... but Franziska Annabell Schneider doesn't therefore, accepted." Franziska said.

"I'm also not objecting... This will be a good idea as you have a lot of things to how to say... catch up with." Arikado said.
"Things are progressing well as just yesterday I found you."

Franziska turned to Arikado. "You son of a bathead!... It was you!"

BGM=Dracula's Castle from CV: Symphony of the Night

"Huh? What now?" Maya wondered.

"Did you hurt yourself.... Uncle Al?" Franziska asked.

"You don't need to worry... I have been hit with much worse things. You have the technique, but still you need much training..." Arikado said. "And you saw yourself that I could fly back up just fine... And could you please stop calling me like that?"

"He was the bat?!" Edgeworth asked.

"Of course... because he really is Alucard!" Maya said.

Yes, you are correct... Although I don't use that name often. Most know me as Genya Arikado but my associates know me as Alucard." Arikado replied.

"How did you confirm that I was who I was?" Franziska asked.

"Your reaction to the moon was one and second that can't be altered in any way was the scent of your blood." Arikado replied.

"But then... then you are vampire!" Phoenix said.

"Nick... don't you remember the story?" Franziska asked.

Phoenix slapped himself. "Ah, stupid me... he is HALF-vampire, sorry about that."

"I am a half-vampire or a dhampir... I can survive in daylight, although my skin tends to burn easier than a humans but that is all. That is why I usually wear clothing that covers a lot to avoid that nuisance... I mean the burns." Arikado replied.

"But... Adrian Tepes, what was that?" Franziska asked.

"... That is my birth name, Adrian Fahrenheit Tepes." Arikado replied.

"So that's it, now I get it how Mr. Tepes could be your father." Phoenix said.

"And I guess you know who he is?" Arikado asked.

"Yes, Dracula..." Franziska replied.

Edgeworth decided the speak out "I think... we have gotten plenty of answers for one day." He said and looked at a time. It was 7:30 PM.

"I guess we really should be going then." Phoenix said. "Thank you... Alucard."

"You are welcome, 't was a pleasure to meet you all." Arikado replied and nodded. "We'll see again tomorrow."

After good byes the group left Arikado's room.

"What a conclusion for a day... Wow!" Phoenix said.

"You said it, Nick." Maya said.

"I agree Nick." Franziska said.

"...Nick?!" Edgeworth asked.

"If were going to be... friendly from now on I might as well use his nickname." Franziska replied.

"Only if I can call you Franny-Annie." Phoenix said and grinned.

"Be my guest." Franziska replied.

"Larry, Maya, Pearl and now you... This needs getting used to." Edgeworth said as the
group walked out of the hotel's door.

Last edited by Vecekio on Sun Apr 29, 2007 2:14 pm, edited 3 times in total.

THIS RULES
caps show my love for this fic

---

Thanks for the comment. I'm glad that you find this little "brainstorm" entertaining...

Next chapter is pretty much finished... It needs some little bit of tinkering, but I think I can get it up tomorrow.

I really like the story so far. To be honest, this crossover was the first thing I thought of when I saw Franziska with her whip in GS2. When will the next chapter be up?

---

Same here, same here... to me it was Japanese objection generator... Which is partially responsible for this idea.

Monday or Tuesday the latest I came up with some better ideas and it took longer to write the chapter into satisfactory form than I originally thought.

Nice to hear that you like it. Even to get this far I had several different variations thought ready, but decided to go on with this one... and well it works.

Very nice fic! Kept me reading (even if I was in the office >_>). Can't wait for the next chapter.

---

TA-DAH! The next chapter!

Next Adrian drops by... Yes Adrian as in she... as in Adrian Andrews not he... because we already meat THAT Adrian a he... as in Adrian Tepes... I swear I have to make that joke soon... Don't get Adrians' mixed up :P

Adrian Andrews meet Adrian Tepes... well actually that is inevitable as far as storyline
goes...

VIII: Haunting voice

Edgeworth dropped Maya and Phoenix off in Wright & CO. Law Offices.

"Okay, see you tomorrow... I really hope anything doesn't happen tonight."
Phoenix said.

"Fat chance Wright, if we are going to see a pattern then most likely someone suffers the same fate as Larry did..." Edgeworth said.

"Bye, Mr. Edgeworth!" Maya waved as he took off.

"So? What's next?" Phoenix asked turning to Maya.

"Well... Actually, could we go get some burgers?" Maya asked.

"Hmm... well why not, let's pick them up and after that I'm going to surf some more..." Phoenix replied.

"Something sparked your interest?" Maya asked grinning.

"I'd be lying if I said no... I think you'd better give some more of those bookmarks you have..." Phoenix replied.

"Sure thing Nick... Let's go." Maya said and ran ahead.

Franziska made a short visit to the prosecutor's office. She had left her computer in sleep mode so now she shut it down. She also picked up her whip she
had forgotten to take along. She glared at it as she remembered the moment when she recieved it.

*Flashback*

"You lack some qualities in intimidation Franziska, that is why I got something for you."

Manfred von Karma picked up something and handed it to Franziska. "This should fill that gap nicely enough!"

Young Franziska took it. "You mean... this whip papa?"

"Yes... I have a feeling that whip will be a great help to you when you start your career... Use it to get what you want." Manfred replied.

"Thank you, father." Franziska said.

"Now I have something important to take care of... You are dismissed." Manfred said and made a motion with his hand.

Franziska nodded and left the study.

*End of flashback*

"Wait! I met him in the study... he had something important to do... It was one of those times he seemed to... DISAPPEAR!" Franziska said.
"... He went DOWN THERE!"

She left the office and drove home.

"(When I left this morning I couldn't have imagined what was going to happen and now I return as... a different person.)" Franziska thought when she entered the apartment building. She was in an elevator when Franziska heard a voice in her mind and it wasn't friendly.

"(You foolish fool do you really believe that nonsense?)"

"What... was... that?" Franziska froze in place.

"(You are Franziska von Karma and nothing is going to change that!)"

"Am I hearing voices?" She wondered and exited the elevator. She walked to her apartments door and unlocked it.

Franziska von Karma's Apartment, 8:30 PM

"(It is a foolish to try to hunt something which doesn't even exist!)"

Franziska yelled. "(Did I just object myself?) There is critical evidence proving that it is true... unfortunately."

"(Those photos are fake!)"

"Oh really? Then why Ms. Hart appeared to be pretty freaked out then?" Franziska smirked. "And in that sense Uncle Al wouldn't exist either... as he would
be half-something that doesn't exist."

Voice was silent. Franziska walked to the kitchen and put water in the can and flicked switch... Hissing sound told that water was starting to heat up.

"(What are this lies about dear papa?)"

"Lies?! He basically took my life from me!" Franziska said.

"(Ingrid lied to you!)"

"Why would she do that?... Besides her story could be easily checked."

"(Oh... and how that could be done?)"

"By finding the secret passage!" Franziska yelled.

"Am I going crazy? I'm arguing with myself!" Franziska said. "Or am I?"

Suddenly a doorbell rang.

Franziska went to the door and looked through the peek hole.

Blonde woman wearing half-moon glasses was standing on the other side.

"(Adrian... I could use some company)" Franziska thought and opened the door.

"Hello Franziska, I was in the neighborhood and decided to come to see you... Can I come in?" Adrian asked.

"Sure..." Franziska replied and stepped aside letting the woman to enter the apartment.

"Were you on the phone?" Adrian asked suddenly. "It sounded like you were arguing with someone."

"(Just what I needed, a good excuse) I was arguing some details of my current case with Miles, that's all." Franziska replied. She crossed her arms and sighed.

"Busy day?" Adrian asked.

"... You could say so... and not to mention strange." Franziska replied. "Would you like some tea?.. The water is hot." She added quickly

"Okay." Adrian replied and followed Franziska to the kitchen.

Bit later the two sat at the table.

"I heard the news about Larry Butz... he was Mr. Wright's and Edgeworth's friend, right?" Adrian said.

"Yes he was... To just vanish like that... Police still hasn't discovered anything." Franziska replied pretending that she didn't know anything.

"We have no idea is he dead or undead...!" Franziska put her hand in front of her mouth.

Adrian just stared at her with puzzled look.

"I mean... is he dead or alive... (Phew.)" Franziska corrected herself.

"It must be pretty hard for them." Adrian said.

"They weren't exactly cheery in the day. (And same for me although for a different reason.)" Franziska said. "Enough about that... how are things at your end?" She asked changing the subject.

"You mean the Global Studios? Well... we have started planning for a new show... And this will be directed more for teens, as children might find it a bit too scary." Adrian replied. Excitement was evident in her voice.

"Oh?... Some more mature samurai themed show?" Franziska guessed.

"No... not this time... It's something totally different." Adrian said excitedly. "We haven't decided yet what will be it's name, but it is a fantasy show."

Storyline begins in Europe, but branches from there to other places. It is a tale about vampire hunters.

"(Uh-hmm) That is... quite different..." Franziska commented and tried to keep straight face and took a bite from her sandwich.

"Beginning storyline is this. A vampire kidnaps a lover of one man, and this man goes after the vampire to save her, but the vampire already has... corrupted her. Hunter swears an oath that he and his descendants will hunt the vampire lord and his underlings to the end of time... Vampire lord and hunter's descendants face each other many times, task is not easy because vampire lord has a demonic castle which can transform itself from time to time..." Adrian explained. Franziska was just taking a sip and she almost choked.

Franziska slammed her cup to the table instantly. "WHAT?!" She started to sweat.

"Franziska... Are you all right?!" Adrian asked, she didn't expect that kind of reaction from her friend.

"I'm fine... I wasn't expecting that (And I thought I was changing the subject.)." Franziska said. "There is no way that they have come up with that themselves!"

"No, there is source material... I have read some of it myself and... it is very masterfully written... It is almost like something like that has really happened in the past!" Adrian said. "It makes a great base for a show."

"I'm sure that Maya will be ecstatic when she hears this. Franziska said. "Is the original tale something like this?" She asked. "Belmont clan has been fighting against lord of darkness, Count Vlad Tepes Dracula in his demonic castle known as Castlevania. It began with Leon Belmont who went after her betrothed Sara Trantoul to save her from clutches of Walter Bernhard, a vampire residing in a castle surrounded by a forest of Eternal Night!"

"What?! Y-you have read about it too?" Adrian asked curiously.

"... Yes I am somewhat familiar with the subject." Franziska replied quietly.

"Really? I thought you didn't have interest in things like this." Adrian asked surprised.

"It is something we faced... while investigating..." Franziska replied. Officially Mr. Butz had vanished... but unofficially he was attacked and afterwards taken away." Franziska said.

"Sounds pretty official to me." Adrian said.

"Otherwise yes, but... The attacker is something that... you can't put in an official report as many would think that you are joking." Franziska explained. "Do you remember Lotta Hart?"

"Oh yes, that photographer..." Adrian replied.

"Her skills share opinions, but last night she did a great job. Ms. Hart was also in Gourde Lake at that time and for the right time. She took some very helpful photos... Which were taken from Mr. Butz at the time before and the time of assault."

"So there are photos about the attack... Is the assailant identified?" Adrian asked.

"She cannot be identified... because she doesn't show up in the pictures, only Larry Butz does." Franziska replied.

"H-how is that possible?" Adrian wondered.

"It might have something do to with that she... doesn't stand a light... especially sunlight." Franziska replied with a mysterious tone.

"Y-you can't be serious." Adrian said surprised, but noticed Franziska's expression which didn't falter. "You are serious?"

Franziska returned a very serious look. "Do I have to tell you the method of attack?" She asked but didn't wait for an answer. Instead she leaned her head and pointed her neck. "Two punctures here... A bite.

Adrian was getting nervous. "Impossible, But... they are fiction! There are not...!"

"Unfortunately, we three and Maya learned today that vampires do exist... They just presumably don't show up often in present times."

"(As they would have before, such things are nothing but a folklores of foolish fools who know nothing about facts.)"

"(And I thought I got rid of it.) Will you SHUT UP?!" Franziska yelled.

"W-what d-did I say something?!" Adrian asked.

"No... I didn't meant that for you." Franziska replied. "(What the hell is that voice?)" Then she turned her head to the balcony window. "The moon..."
Moon was becoming visible and it was once again red.

"Again? There was a lunar eclipse yesterday and even then it wasn't predicted." Adrian said.

Franziska stood up and walked to the window. "It seems that we are getting our second victim tomorrow..." Franziska said quietly. "Larry Butz vanished last night and it looks like that a second one will most likely follow tonight."

"Is that a hunch?" Adrian asked.

"Pretty much... and whatever happens tonight won't be the end of it." Franziska replied gritting her teeth.

"And police doesn't know anything about this?" Adrian asked.

"No they don't... And even if they know how could they catch her as she appears to and disappears when she likes according to Adrian...!"

"Huh... I haven't told you anything like that!" Adrian said.

"Eh...mmm... (Good going Franny-Annie you are slipping up again!)" Franziska was feeling a bit uncomfortable. "Not you... another Adrian, a man who me, Miles, Maya and Ni... errr Phoenix met earlier today... His group has been tracking this vampire's actions for several months already.

"... Adrian?... Hmm, interesting coincidence, you see there is a man named Adrian in the stories or at least his real name is. He prefers to be called with a name Alucard." Adrian said.

"(And he is the very same person...)" Franziska thought.

"It's almost like... you have a devotion to destroy that vampire... Like you had to do it." Adrian wondered.

"(Bullseye.)" Franziska started to shake.

"You have a whip but,... ah! What I'm thinking... They are just tales, well written but still... forget it." Adrian said.

Franziska stiffened. "You are right... I have a whip and that is all... I know how to use a whip... But that is not enough!" Franziska yelled. "I have no idea how to use axe or dagger or boomerang cross or holywater or... cast spells like raging fire, freezing orb and thunder ball... yet."

"Yet?...But those are hunter's weapons and Belnades' trademark spells!" Adrian said.

"Also for Schneider and Fernandez." Franziska said mysteriously.

"D-do you mean t-that everything which is written about them... i-is... real? It really happened?!" Adrian was shaking.

"Franziska nodded. "Yes, it is all true more or less."

"B-but why you specifically mentioned those two?" Adrian asked.

"Can't you guess?" Franziska asked curiously.

"No... Why?" Adrian replied.

"Then to clear things up, I think that reintroduction is in order." Franziska said.

"Reintroduction?" Adrian had no idea what was going on.

Franziska proceeded with reintroduction "I am Franziska Annabell Schneider, hunter apprentice under tutelage of Adrian Tepes."

Adrian had absolutely dumbfounded expression on her face. "I... I have to sit down."

Silence followed.

"Schneider... Where did you get that?" Adrian asked, she was still recovering from the shock.

"Schneider is my true family name... Today I learned that Von Karma is not my real name, my foster sister Ingrid told me everything... Especially the truth about a disguised snake called Manfred von Karma!"

"What about him?" Adrian asked curiously.

"To put it shortly he is responsible for my current situation! Manfred was in a league with Dracula serving him as a warlock... He was one of the leaders of hunter purges 20 years ago and is responsible for deaths of Bernard Schneider and Thelma Schneider-Fernandez... My real parents!"

"(Hoh hoh hoh... Still believing that same nonsense)"

"Shut... the.. HELL UP!" Franziska yelled.

"(Those names are nothing to you.)"

"Excuse me, but my aching heart disagrees, you bastardly voice! Stop haunting me!" She yelled again.

Adrian stood and walked beside her friend and put her hand around Franziska's back.

"*sob* This damn voice has been haunting me *sob*... since I entered a building *sob* It seems like it wants me to forget everything..." Franziska said. "But there is no way I'm doing that!"

Suddenly Franziska stood up and ran to balcony and Adrian followed her.

Franziska was gazing at the moon. "There are two... not one."

"You mean... there are more vampires?!" Adrian asked.

"Yes... first there was one signature then it divided... the other one seems to be moving." Franziska replied.

"So... in that case Larry is not dead but undead." Adrian said referring to Franziska's slip up earlier.

"Err... yes that would be it... But is it the master or... in this case mistress who is moving?" Franziska said. "What the hell?!" She saw something. "Adrian, did you see that?"

"What, should I have seen something?" Adrian asked.

"There was a... dark silhouette of a castle on the moon..." Franziska replied.

"No... I didn't see anything like that." Adrian said. "Are you sure that it wasn't a cloud or something?"

"I don't know..." Franziska replied.

"Why would there be a castle in moon in the first place?" Adrian wondered.

"... Castlevania." Franziska replied.

"You mean that nightmare castle is real too?!" Adrian asked horrified.

"Pretty much... I hope that I don't have to see it and as the castle is under a seal currently... I probably won't... Too much is too much and I... probably wouldn't even be ready for it." Franziska replied. "By the way our tea is getting cold, let's go back in... The moon makes me feel uneasy."

Adrian nodded and the two went to kitchen and sat down at the table again.

"About what you said earlier... You mean that Alucard is instructing you?" Adrian asked.

"Will be... at least that is what I'm assuming... he was the man we met earlier." Franziska replied.

"Oh... in that case it wasn't a coincidence." Adrian said.

"I also had a chance to speak with my parents... with Maya's help and she did something... incredible." Franziska told. "She basically channeled them both simultaneously... It was pretty strange to see her speaking with two different voices when my mom and dad were discussing with themselves."

"Maya speaking like a man... with a man's voice? I almost have to hear that." Adrian said.

"I think you will get that chance... I don't think Uncle Al doesn't mind if you know... You are a friend after all..." Franziska said and finished her tea.

"Well... I guess it is time for me to leave you probably have a busy day ahead too."Adrian said after she had looked at time... it was 10:30 PM

"Not in the office... Miles put me on vacation which I don't mind because I have a lot catch up with hunter business." Franziska said. "Thanks Adrian, I really did need some company... Or that voice would have made me crazy.

"You are welcome... This was rather shocking visit, but now I know among many things that you haven't moved anywhere when Von Karma is replaced with Schneider." Adrian said. "See you later then, Ms. Schneider." Adrian smiled and left the apartment.

Franziska took dishes away and yawned. "(I better go to bed too... I feel sleepy.)" Franziska undressed and laid down on the bed. "Tomorrow we know what has happened." She murmured and closed her eyes.

"(Yesss... Fall asleep and forget everything of this foolishness)"

"SHUT UP! There is no way in hell I'm going to forget anything!" Franziska retorted. Soon after she fell asleep.

[To be continued...]

[Do you wish to save everything that has happened up to this point? ]
[BGM= Beating in the Darkness from Castlevania: Bloodlines ]

Last edited by Vecekio on Sun Apr 29, 2007 2:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
you rule are you a Fran Adrian snipper you seem like one

---

No I'm not, but it turned out to be good idea to get... another Adrian involved in this chaos.

In this case they are just friends.

Sorry but you know

---

Just to report something, next chapter is on the way... and I was planning to create some "case art" for the title but decided against it, as there would be way too much going on. Instead... there will be subtitle picture in the beginning of each chapter. I'm already working on the first one.

Another night, another dream, another vision... and this time not a good one...

IX: Vision from the Past

Date: Unknown, Location: Unknown, Time:Unknown

“(Where am I this time?)” Franziska wondered. She looked around her surroundings. Franziska was standing on a path surrounded by plains. She was in countryside somewhere, and this time as herself.

“Hey... I guess we are in a same dream again...” Franziska heard Phoenix's voice behind her. True enough it was Phoenix followed by Maya and Pearl.

BGM= Inclined Repose of Souls from CV: Circle of the Moon

“It seems so...” Franziska said. “Do you have any idea where we are?”

“Nothing except... that we are in countryside.” Phoenix replied.

“And it is autumn... according to grass and trees.” Maya said.

“There is light ahead... Should we go there?” Pearl asked.

“I don't see path leading anywhere else, let's go.” Franziska said and the four started to follow the road together.

Maya decided to ask something from her cousin. “Pearly, do you know what this is?”

“Umm... a dream where we are all together.” Pearl replied.

“That's right Pearly.” Maya said.

“Were you with us in the dream last night too?” Maya asked.

“Yes I were, but Miss Franziska wasn't there.” Pearl replied.

“Umm... You're wrong Pearly... Franziska was there... she just looked different.” Maya said.

“She was?” Pearl asked curiously.

“Yes she was... Do you remember a blonde woman who was with us there?” Phoenix asked. “Franziska was... is her.”

“Yes and there was also that man in black suit... Who was he? He seemed to know us.” Pearl wondered.

“That's Uncle Al... I mean Genya Arikado.” Franziska replied correcting herself immediately.
“He is real too?” Pearl asked.

“Yes he is... And you are probably going to meet him too.” Maya said.

Soon a wall became visible and an iron gate stood in their way.

“This is where the estate area begins, I wonder if we can enter?” Phoenix wondered and tried the gate, it opened. “At least gate isn't locked.”

“There is a house over there... this area is pretty huge.” Maya said. “Whom does it belong to?”

“There is a sign here... its covered by a branch.” Pearl said and proceeded to look at it. “S-C-H-N-E-I-D-E-R... Schneider.”

BGM= Faraway Days from CV: Portrait of Ruin

“T-th-this is the Schneider Estate?!” Franziska shouted.

“Schneider?... that sounds familiar.” Pearl said.

“This has... to be, Franziska's home... true home!” Phoenix said surprised.

“Come on! Let's go take a look!” Maya said excitedly and ran ahead.

Pearl looked at them questioningly.

“There's too much to explain right now, later Pearls.” Phoenix said.

“Okay, Mr. Nick.” Pearl nodded.

There was a huge lawn and a small garden before courtyard.

“There are targets positioned here and there on the lawn... these might have been used for target practice.” Franziska said.

“That is not a house!... It's a manor. It's huge!” Maya exclaimed.

“There are two floors... no, three in the center and those tower like structures on each side have four floors... Phew!” Phoenix said.

“There's a greenhouse on the right side too.” Maya said.

“Makes sense... if mom was a florist... She probably grew all the flowers herself.”
Franziska said.

“Probably some medicinal herbs too.” Maya added.
Group began approaching the manor.

“This place looks pretty old. I wonder when it was built... Reinhardt's time or even earlier?” Phoenix wondered.

“Who is Reinhardt?” Pearl asked.

“He is my... wait a moment...” Franziska said and started to think. “(Reinhardt killed Dracula in 1860s I assume he was around 20 at that time... he probably lived to 1910-1920's... his children... lived well to 1950's-1980s depending when they were born... and his grandchildren would still live so...)”

“Wait a minute! He isn't more distant than a grand-grand father... Although grand-grand-grand father isn't out of counts....” Franziska replied.

They had entered the manor. Foyer was very roomy, in front of them was a stairway leading to 2nd floor and there were corridors on both sides. There was also doors leading away from the foyer on both sides.

Phoenix whistled. “This IS HUGE... I wonder what it would have been like to live here?”

Franziska sighed sadly. “I wish I'd know...”

“Why we are here?” Maya wondered.

“Good question.” Franziska admitted. “Let's find out.”

Group was climbing stairs to the second floor when they heard singing.

They followed the sound and came to a door which had small plague of an angel, under it read “Franny-Annie”.

“It's your room!” Maya exclaimed.

“Somebody is singing a lullaby.” Pearl said.

“Come on now honey... It's time to sleep.” Was heard from the other side of the door.

“It's Thelma.” Phoenix said. “It sounds like someone doesn't want to sleep yet.”

Franziska's hand was shaking when she was gripping the handle. She turned it
and opened the door. True enough a blond woman was standing in the room with a little baby in her arms. The baby was crying.

“What is it Franny-Annie?... Don't tell me you are sensing something.” Thelma said.
“It's all right there's nothing that could hurt you in here.” She gave a kiss to a baby's forehead. Little Franziska seemed to calm down a bit.

Franziska started to sob.

“She was... a kind woman...” Phoenix said and put her hand on Franziska's shoulder and Maya followed suit.

“Is that Miss Franziska's mom?” Pearl asked.

“Yes... Pearly.” Maya said.

“But, there is no way Miss Franziska would have become so mean if she had mother like that!” Pearl shouted.

“Exactly, the keyword is had... This is all past, this manor won't exist anymore!” Phoenix said.

“This is glimpse of life I could have had.” Franziska sniffed. “I wonder where... dad is?”

Maya saw a calendar on the wall and read it. She paled.

“Mystic Maya what is wrong, did you see a ghost?” Pearl asked worriedly.

“... IT'S SEPTEMBER IN 1999!” She shouted.

“N-no... Not that day!” Franziska shouted.

“Thelmaa!” They heard a shout and sound of footsteps. Somebody was coming by running and fast.

Introduction Part 3 from CV: Legacy of Darkness

Man with shoulder length brown hair and thick mustache rushed in. He was carrying a whip.

“What is it darling?” Thelma asked worriedly.

“We're getting company!.. Seems like that Goddamn bathead has sent some trouble in our way!” Bernard yelled.

“No!” Thelma and Franziska said simultaneously.

“And why is Pearly here seeing this?!” Maya asked shocked.

“Oh my, you are right Maya!” Phoenix said.

“W-what is going to happen?” Pearl asked, she sounded a little scared.

“S-something absolutely terrible...” Franziska replied.

Thelma put Little Franziska in the cradle and ran out of the room following her husband.

“Let's go after them...” Maya said.

Group ran the stairs down and out of the door where Bernard and Thelma were standing and waiting for something to happen.

“When they crash the gate... activate the sprinklers.” Bernard said.

“Did you check the tank before?” Thelma asked.

“Of course... it is filled to the brim with holy water, there is plenty of it. Hopefully it slows them down.” Bernard replied.

Just at moment a huge crash was heard... the gate shattered into pieces.

“Now!” Bernard said and they turned the valves. Water started to sprinkle and they heard first painful moans of the undead.

“Skeletons, zombies, flea men... Doesn't seem to be anything too hard.” Bernard said.

“Dracula probably has his main forces defending against the hunters assaulting the castle... This should be over quickly.” Thelma said.

“I have a feeling it isn't as easy it looks.” Franziska said. “I probably did sense something while back.”

“If you sensed something when you were only four months old... just imagine your power now when it is unsealed... I think you really could kick Uncle Julius' butt!”
Maya said.

“What? Me? Franziska Annabell Schneider more powerful than a Belmont? Oh please.” Franziska humphed. “Besides none of us know how powerful he is.”

“I have no comment's about that.” Phoenix said.

Thelma and Bernard were advancing towards the approaching enemy.

“Let's follow them.” Phoenix said.

“You think it is... safe?” Franziska asked, she was a bit nervous.

“This is only a vision... Right? We should be okay.” Maya said.

“Pearls, stay back... things might get too ugly for you.” Phoenix said.

“(Things might get too ugly for ANY of us.)” Franziska thought.

BGM= Black Shudder from CV: Dawn of Sorrow

“There are skeleton gardener's too... there's now I'm letting them to plant any mandragora's on our lands.” Thelma said.

“Bone throwers, skeleton flails, skeleton blazes, skeleton gardeners, skelerangs, sword skeletons, whip skeletons...” Well this might get a little tough, but we will make it.” Bernard said.

“Why none of them aren't attacking?” Thelma wondered.

“They are waiting for something.” Maya said.

“Or someone... and I'm afraid I guess who.” Phoenix said.

"Those... *gulp* are quite impressive." Franziska said nervously when she looked at army before them.

Soon enough monsters in the center stepped aside forming an opening and through there walked a hooded figure in a black cloak.

“That is a warlock... the symbol matches!” Maya said.

“So Schneider... here we are. I should have expected that you were a Belmont spawn from your name... you have meddled into my business for the very last time!” Warlock said with a spiteful tone.

BGM= Confess the Truth '2002' from PW Justice for All

“Von Karma! You Goddamn slimy snake!” Bernard said.

“I was right...” Phoenix said.

Franziska looked at her foster father with gaze full of hatred.

“I was pleased that Lord Dracula permitted me to lead this attack. I get to see your downfall... personally.” Von Karma said.

“You are the one who will fall Von Karma!... I should have known... I was suspecting something like this when you were accusing random people on participating in ritual murders, especially when you were against me EVERY SINGLE TIME!” Bernard said.

“You are a monster! Nothing else, even in court you don't seem to care whether some one is guilty or not... You might even enjoy convicting innocents for something they didn't do!” Thelma said.

“Weak humans are expendable they won't matter.” Von Karma spat.

“You have no idea how much I want to smash my fist into his face and wipe that grin off!” Phoenix yelled.

“I'm with you Nick.” Maya said angrily.

“And I... I'd like to break every single bone in his body with my father's whip!” Franziska said her voice seething with hate.

“Ouch!... You win.” Phoenix said.

“Oh yes... Your wife was Belnades spawn. Let's see how you fend yourself against me.” Von Karma said.

“Are you done talking?!” Bernard asked gripping the whip with both hands.

“In fact I am... Dracula's minions... Attack!” Von Karma yelled.

Last edited by Vecekio on Sun Apr 29, 2007 2:23 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Fight begins... and reaches it's inevitable conclusion.

X: Fight to the Death

September 14th 1999, Schneider Estate, Front yard, after midnight.

BGM= Evil Invitation from CV: Dawn of Sorrow

After that order, the estate turned into a battlefield. Bernard yelled and started slashing his whip with devastating accuracy denting armor here and there... smashing skeleton into pieces on another side... Simply put Franziska was in awe.

"He is incredible!" She said admirably.

“And I thought you wouldn't need any practice.” Phoenix said.

“That whip looks heavier than the one which I use... I have to train if I'm going to use it as effectively.” Franziska said.

Thelma wielded a two-handed staff which she currently used to get rid of pesky small flea men that were hopping around.

“Behind you!” Bernard yelled.

Thelma spun around and raised her staff to block the blades of skeleton blaze.

"I've had enough of this... Raging Fire!" She yelled and unleashed burst of flame from her hand with scorched some of the flea men and some unfortunate zombies that
were coming at her way and especially the skeleton blaze which obviously is unable to parry spells.

“That has to hurt!” Franziska said.

"They are doing well." Phoenix said.

"But what is Von Karma waiting for?" Maya wondered. "He is just standing there."

"He is probably waiting for Death." Franziska said with a dark tone.

"Well... that's he is definitely going to get if he just stands there." Phoenix said sarcastically.

"No! I really mean Death... The Grim Reaper is not here yet..." Franziska corrected. "He is the one who kills dad if you don't remember!"

"Oh... right *gulp*" Phoenix swallowed.

"Death... oh no..." Maya said.

Thelma shouted and Bernard turned towards her. "Are you all right love?"

"Yes, just a scratch, don't worry about it." Thelma replied, then she spotted some gardeners from a little distance away.

"I thought I said that NO MANDRAGORA'S in our lands!" She yelled. "Freezing Orb!" Thelma unleashed a circle of spheres of cold energy which froze every monster surrounding her including the skeleton gardeners, which she proceeded to smash with her staff shattering them into pieces.

"Belnades trademark spells in action... wow!" Maya said.

"Wow... your mom and dad are strong Ms. Franziska." Pearl said.

"Pearly! Didn't we told you to stay back?" Maya said.

"But... This is exciting! It's like watching those action shows!" Pearl said excitedly.

"Yes... but this isn't a vampire hunter action show, Pearly!" Maya said.

"(Should I tell her now?... No I tell Maya about it when we are awake.)" Franziska thought.

Von Karma looked to sky for some reason... Something was approaching fast, they seemed to be birds at first.

"Heads up! Harpies incoming!" Bernard yelled. True enough, around 20 half-woman half-bird creatures dove down and they weren't alone. Each was carrying a flea man armed with knives.

"There are rippers too!" Thelma yelled.

"Curses!" Bernard yelled. He was dueling with a skeleton which seemed to be more skilled than others.

"Aren't you a persistent fellow?" Bernard asked.

Then a dark aura surrounded a skeleton. Bernard stepped back immediately.

BGM= Etude for the Killer from Castlevania Chronicles

"Oh yes, I am and you can never defeat me completely..." It said with netherworldly echo. Skeleton was surrounded with dark robe and cloak and the sword in it's hand changed form. It's handle was grew longer and it's blade was retreating and realigning it's position. Soon it was back at it's real form.

"Now that is a huge scythe!" Phoenix said.
"I-It's him!" Maya screamed.

"Death!" Bernard shouted.

"Be careful Bernard!" Thelma yelled.

Bernard swallowed nervously while gazing at the face of the new menace. This was not an opponent to be taken lightly.

"Surprised to see me, Schneider?" Death said with echoing voice which sent shivers to everyones spines.

Franziska remembered one of her past cases. “Well... err, If that thing would have interrupted me... I probably would have fled the courtroom.”

“Huh? What do you mean Ms. Franziska?” Pearl asked.

“I think I remember... that was the case with Max Galactica, right?” Phoenix said.

“Yes, and I said once that only death may interrupt me... and there it is!” Franziska said and swallowed nervously.

“I think everyone would have fled courtroom... Actually it would have been enough to make everybody flee from the courthouse!” Maya said. “That gives a whole new meaning for escaping Death...”

“Right.” Phoenix agreed.

Bernard collected his courage and looked at the floating cloaked skeletal figure who wasn't attacking, yet. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be protecting your Master?!"

Death started to cackle. "Ha ha ha ha... You think that our forces will fall apart if I'm for a short while somewhere else?" He asked mockingly.
"Castle's defenses are well organized... You hunter's have fought well until now, but in the end you will fail, especially Julius Belmont! I have always time for special occasions such as this." Death said bringing his scythe to the front.

"So you were already here, why didn't tell me about this before hand!?" Von Karma asked with a demanding tone.

"That would have spoiled a surprise Warlock Von Karma." Death replied. "Bells of fate are tolling... It is time for you to die Bernard Schneider!"

BGM= Big Battle from CV: Circle of the Moon

Death made a horizontal swipe which Bernard dodged with relative ease.
"... He can't fight against anything else right now... Death is too much!" Maya said.

"Mom is in trouble now." Franziska said with shaking voice.

"Damn harpies... Thunder Ball!" Thelma yelled unleashing a volley of spherical homing electric projectiles at the dive bombing monsters.

"Now it's you and me Fernandez!" Von Karma declared and cracked his fists.

"Von Karma enters the battle!" Phoenix said.

Manfred von Karma raised his hands and focused. Dark purple energy has forming in his palms. They grew into balls which he threw at Thelma's back.

"Eeek!" She screamed when she felt the impact of dark energy. Thelma turned instantly towards who ever had done that.

"Von Karma... so this is what you have been waiting for!" Thelma said furiously her hands started crackle and eyes glowed.

"Yes, it will be my pleasure to destroy you personally!" Von Karma said and glared at Thelma menacingly.

"You're welcome to try put I swear that it won't be easy!... Explosion!" Thelma said and casted a spell immediately after, taking the warlock off-guard.

"Graah!" Von Karma flew backwards from the spells power.

"Hmm... If he has experienced something like this... Why he shouted when that bullet hit him... That must have hurt lot more." Phoenix said.

"Maybe... maybe not." Franziska said.

Bernard and Death were in intense duel.

"Even though you have no experience from real battle I have to admit you fight well ... How about this?!" Death said and made a motion with his bony arm.

"Oh no! That sickle trick!" Maya said.

"What sickle trick?" Franziska asked.

"You'll see soon.” Maya replied.

Suddenly rotating sickles started to appear out of nowhere and Bernard was definitely ready for it. “And I was wondering were you fighting fair for a change.” He said.

Sickles rolled stationary for a while and then flew towards Bernard one after another and more kept appearing all the time. “Two can play that game!” He said and made a huge leap into the air and threw several bottles of something at Death below. They shattered on impact and liquid in the bottles erupted into blue flames.

“Aargh!” Death grunted.

“Was that holy water?” Phoenix wondered.

“Has to be... I don't know any other bottled weapon that hunter's use.” Maya said.

“One of those chain-spike all thingies carrying skeletons is attacking Ms. Franziska's father's back!” Pearl said.

One of the flail carrying skeleton's was attacking against seemingly unaware target, but only seemingly.

“I know what you are trying to do.” Bernard said and threw a silver cross-like item towards the attacker. It spun around in the air and hit the armored skeleton to chest area, shattering into pieces. Afterwards the cross came back to it's owner and immediately sent it towards Death.

“Boomerang cross... Is he going to use the whole arsenal?” Franziska wondered.

"They are fighting for their lives... Probably." Phoenix said.

Thelma was in trouble, several harpies had her pinned down.

"Bernard, help me!" She yelled.

"Damn!" He picked a pocket watch, opened the lid and pressed the button. Everything seemed to freeze in place expect Bernard who rushed to help his wife only echoing ticking was heard. Even Death didn't move.

"The Stop watch... It does literally stop time!" Maya said.

Bernard threw several daggers and an axe at frozen harpies. Weapon hit their target's but nothing seemed to happen.

"Shouldn't they get hurt?" Pearl asked.

"They will when time starts to flow again.” Franziska said.

Bernard ran to Von Karma who was about to cast a spell and attacked his shoulder, after that he rushed back to Death and hit him few times, third hit connected just when time started to flow again 10 seconds later.

"UWAAARRGH! Who did it?!" Von Karma shouted. His spell was terminated.

Harpies screamed, fell to the ground and burned away.

Thelma smiled knowingly and stood up and resumed fighting "Chain Lighting!"

"Stop watch?... Don't think that you can use that trick on me again..." Death said.

"Shoulder... again?... What is with Von Karma's and getting a shoulder hit?" Phoenix wondered.

"That was another shoulder, not the one he got shot." Maya said.

"I'm sure that, this hurts more." Franziska said.

"SCHNEIDER!... You will pay!" Von Karma roared in pain. He pointed his hands towards Bernard. "Nightma...UuuuuuuUUUU." Another spell was terminated when Thelma whacked the warlock into nuts with her staff. Von Karma fumbled back while gasping.

Maya said in approval.

“Go mom!” Franziska said.

"I...I... Object!" Von Karma said. He regained his composure. “I... *gasp* will kill *gasp * you... witch bitch!”

"Warlock von Karma... Wasn't there something else for you to do here?!" Death asked while still fighting against Bernard.

"Oh yes... Thank you for reminding me friend..." He said with a sinister grin. "Get the girl!" He shouted and several harpies left the battle and flew towards the manor.

They were heading towards second floor and one window on the left side.

“They are going for... FRANNY-ANNIE!” Bernard shouted and started a mad dash towards the manor.

“It isn't wise to leave your back unchecked!” Death said and threw his scythe towards Bernard.

He looked behind and saw enormous scythe rolling at him coming closer and closer all the time.

“Holy shit!” He yelled. Bernard noticed that more sickles were appearing.
“This isn't good I can't dodge it!” He said. He took the stop watch again and clicked the switch. Death's scythe and sickles stopped moving in the air and he continued running.

But Death himself was coming after him unaffected by time freeze and made his move grabbing the frozen scythe. “End on line Schneider!” He yelled and next Bernard felt very painful slash at his side. When time started to flow again blood poured out from the large cut.

BGM= Introduction Part 4 from CV: Legacy of Darkness

Thelma saw her husband fall to the ground. “Bernard... NO!” She screamed.

Pearl was terrified.

Next a sound of shattering glass was heard from the direction of the manor and soon harpies flew back, one carrying a crying baby in her talons.

“Franziska!” Thelma yelled.

“Time for the grande finale!” Von Karma sneered. “Powers of the Abyss heed my call, send me demons of fire to scorch the Earth!” He bellowed. Soon a dark portal opened and through flew several horned blazing flying creatures which started to circle the area... After them followed a green long nosed goblin-like beings carrying something which looked like giant spoons with a fire on it.

“You bastards!” Thelma yelled and rush towards Von Karma wildly spinning her staff. With several hits warlock was down.

Thelma was right over him... her hands began to glow and orbs of energy were forming in Thelma's hands. “I will destroy you!” She yelled.

Von Karma revealed that he had a sword which he now plunged into Thelma's stomach. She fell to the ground clutching the wound.

BGM= Scars Carved by Fire from PW Justice for All

“There is no way in... Hell you get... away with this! *cough*” She said and coughed blood.

“Oh yes I will, I assure you.” Von Karma said.

Little Franziska saw everything and began to cry even more.

Franziska's eyes shimmered.
“I-I-I saw my mother's death on that day!” She said her voice shaking.

Maya was holding Pearl who was pale and shaking.

“What we do to the girl? Shall we kill her?” One of the harpies asked.

“NO! Give her to me... We will follow the original plan..” Von Karma said strictly and turned to demons behind him. “Ukobacks and flame demons, burn the place to the ground!” He bellowed and turned to some skeleton warrior's who were still in one piece. “You there! Throw these hunter spawn's inside the manor and lock them up... It must look like that they died in fire.” Skeletons made salute and and raised bodies of the parent's who were nearing death.

“Burn in Hell Manfred Von Karma!... You won't get away with this... Our spirits will not rest... not until our daughter is back again and when on your part the justice is served!” Bernard shouted with a painful voice while he was being carried in.

“It will be done... You will see *cough*, monster!” Thelma shouted while being carried in a similar fashion.

“Empty threats from the weak...” Von Karma spat.

Tears were flowing from Franziska's eyes and Phoenix had to restrain her or she would have tried to attack the diabolical man standing there.

“Nick, Let me go...So I can... KILL HIM!” She yelled.

“Franny-Annie it's only a vision... It wouldn't be any use.” Maya said gritting her teeth.

“At least these so called empty threats came true.” Phoenix said.

“Take one flea man and put into a cradle... This way we have an illusion that the daughter perished as well.” Von Karma said.

“Yes, warlock.” Harpy said and grabbed a flea man and flew back to the manor and soon came back carrying nothing.

Flame demons started throwing fire balls at the manor and ukobacks entered through the door setting up fires as they moved forward. Soon flames started to come out from the windows.

“What are your plans for the baby, Warlock von Karma?” Death asked. He was floating in the air next to Manfred von Karma admiring their accomplishment, the burning manor. One hunter family was again destroyed. One obstacle less for Count Vlad Tepes Dracula to become the ruler of the world. Little Franziska was crying when she saw her life burning into ashes in front of her...

Last edited by Vecekio on Sun Apr 29, 2007 2:25 pm, edited 2 times in total.

This chapter is more relaxed compared to the last one.

XI: Snake's confessions

BGM= To the Black Soul's Requiem from CV: Aria of Sorrow

“My plans?” Von Karma asked. “I intend to corrupt her, something that hasn't been attempted since my ancestor, dark priest Shaft...”

“... Von Karma's ancestor is... Shaft?!” Phoenix exclaimed. “This is bad!”

“Shaft... I can see where the evil comes from.” Maya said. “This is important.”

“Yes, I remember that time... he took control of Richter Belmont.” Death said. “What are you planning to do exactly? It is no use to control a mind of a such young child.”

“I raise her as my own... she will have my name and I teach her my ways.” Von Karma replied. “ When day comes newspapers report Schneider's death alongside death of their daughter... When she comes into public knowledge. Her name will be Franziska von Karma... but that will be far in the future!”

“He is so... GUILTY!” Maya said.

“That snake is very much confessing everything!” Franziska said gritting her teeth.

“Teach your ways?... I wouldn't suggest that as her Belmont blood might oppose it and in the end she would turn rebellious and even turn against you.” Death warned.

“Yes I'm aware of that and I'm not even going to try it. I will seal her powers first and continue from there. You know my friend, there are other ways to corrupt her, rest assured Franziska wont become a threat to Lord Dracula under my upbringing.” Von Karma said. “I already have a successor in mind and that plan is already in motion... The family tradition continues, as my daughter, Ingrid has studied Latin for some time already... Under my orders of course.”

“I-Ingrid?!” Franziska said shocked.

“Ah... Interesting...” Death said.

“It is only a matter of time when she gets suspicious of my disappearances and discovers the chamber of rites... in the same way as I did originally. By the tail of the dragon, a passage opens if you are of worthy blood.” Von Karma said.

“Some tradition!” Phoenix exclaimed.

“Ingrid only has to pull the dragon from it's tail and she will find pathway leading to great powers...” Von Karma said grinning menacingly.

“So... he already had plans even for her own daughter's future? To make Ingrid a follower on the path of darkness?!” Franziska yelled.

“But she didn't, did she?” Phoenix asked.

Franziska shook her head. “No, Ingrid became a doctor instead... her Latin studies became useful after all.”

Suddenly the baby started fade and vanished.

“Err... Why is that bird-thing looking at us?” Pearl asked nervously.

“What do you mean, it can't see us Pearly.” Maya replied.

Harpy in question turned her head and said. “Warlock von Karma, Master Death... It seems we have some witnesses here!”

“What?!” Maya said.

“It can't mean us... can it?” Franziska wondered.

“Oh... really?” Von Karma said. “Then what you are waiting for... kill them!”

“ They can't mean us!” Phoenix shouted.

“There are four of them one man and three girls... all unarmed, this will be easy.” Said one of the remaining skeletons.

“It's us!... W-what?! this is a vision... There is no way!” Maya said scared.

BGM=Festival of Servants from CV: Symphony of the Night

“They are coming at us!” Franziska yelled. “We have to do something.” She was glancing back and forth between approaching enemy and the whip her father used a little distance away on the ground. “What am I thinking?... There is no choice.” Franziska said and snatched the whip to her hand.

Phoenix was also thinking something. He was looking at the sword which one of the skeleton swordsmen had dropped. “What the heck I'm doing?” He wondered and picked the sword up. “What else I can do, they are coming at us!”

“I have to protect Pearly!” Maya said. And then she caught a sight of Thelma's staff.
Once again she was glancing back and forth. “I have watched enough samurai shows to know how to use this, even though it is not a spear!” Maya said and picked the staff from the ground.

One skeleton was charging towards Franziska who lashed the whip hitting it to the spine shattering it in two. Skeleton's remains fell to ground and burned away.

Several zombies were advancing towards Phoenix.

“Ok, calm down... There are just zombies *gulp* There could be some much worse things *gulp*” He raised his hand at ready.

He yelled and made a horizontal slice cutting the zombie in two. A little blood spurted out and the carcass fell to ground and burned away.

Maya was harassed by two skeletons while Pearl was hiding behind her back.

“Get away you boneheads!” She yelled and struck to the side of it's skull. Skull was sent flying... several meters at least.

The Skeleton stopped and raised it's bone hands to feel it where it's head was, there was nothing and next it gave Maya the finger and walked away only to be introduced to Franziska's whip. Which shattered headless skeleton into pieces.

“Did it just... what I think it did?” Franziska asked.

“Yes, it seems they can do that.” Maya replied. “There's a zombie behind you!”

Franziska turned around and attacked. The tip went directly through zombie's chest.
It groaned and fell the to the ground and started to burn.

Suddenly another zombie grabbed her from behind. Franziska was startled and dropped the whip.

“No!... I wasn't supposed to do that!” She panicked.

“No you don't!” Phoenix said and proceeded to cut zombie's hand. Angrily it turned around towards Phoenix only to have it's head cut off.

“GRAAAARRGHH!” It shouted and burst into flames.

Franziska picked up the whip from the ground and looked Phoenix with a questioning look.

“What's wrong?” Phoenix asked.

“... Since when you have used a sword?” Franziska asked.

“Err... since now?” Phoenix suggested.

“Are you sure..? It didn't seem like a first time.” Franziska said.

“I don't know... how... I just did...” Phoenix said shrugging. “Harpy incoming!”

“I got it... ” Franziska yelled and slammed the whip to harpy's side sending it down screaming.

“I'd say you are a natural at this.” Phoenix commented.

“Nick, watch out!” Maya shouted.

“What A?!... OUCH!” Phoenix shouted when a bone hit him in the chest. “That is leaving a mark.” He said while catching breath.

”Who did that... Who will be sentenced to my whip?!” Franziska asked. She got an answer by form of bones coming at her.

“Goddamn bone throwers.” She muttered and started breaking bones. “I have to say that these are more annoying than scary!”

“Wouldn't it be easier to say boner instead of bone thrower?” Pearl suggested all of a sudden.

“Pearly... what are you talking about?!” Maya asked shocked.

“Well there are gunners who use guns and those throw bones, so why they can't be boners?” Pearl asked.

“Err... Well I guess that would be... logical.” Phoenix replied.

“All right... Let's pop those boners!” Maya yelled.

“Maya... do you have any idea how wrong that sounds?!” Franziska grinched and smashed one “'boner”.

“Any way... Let's kick their butt!” Phoenix said and smashed another.

“What did you say, Mystic Maya?” Pearl asked.

“You know Pearly... that word has another meaning originally... and you are not old enough to know that yet.” Maya replied.

“Oh, all right.” Pearl said. She didn't seem so scared anymore.

“It seems that our... witnesses can handle themselves well, too well in fact, better than we expected.” Death said. “I think it is safe to say that she has become a threat after all.”

Everyone turned around... they almost forgot presence of the leaders, Death and Manfred von Karma.

“So it seems, How it could have been possible... That seal was perfect! It was carefully prepared!” Von Karma said angrily.

“Uh oh... I forgot that they can see us too... What is going on here exactly?!” Franziska yelled.

“No idea... Until we were noticed it was the vision what was happened, but now...” Phoenix wondered.

“Hopefully we don't have to fight them.” Maya said. “Why Von Karma is paler now that he was before?”

“It is time to finish this... Don't forget that we still have two other teams here.” Von Karma said. “Ukobacks, flame demons, Attack!!” He shouted.

“When did he get those fangs?” Phoenix said.

“All those whose souls are bound... *gulp*” Maya said and swallowed.

“... You mean HE IS BACK?!” Franziska yelled.

“And they are here... in this vision... for real! We need some help!” Phoenix yelled.

“About time Phoenix, I was getting bored off my ass here.” Said a voice of a man. Immediately after Bernard, Thelma appeared with a man long flowing white hair and regal clothing which made him look like a royalty.

“Mom, Dad...” Franziska said with relief and ran to hug them. “But who are you?” pointing to a man with flowing hair.

“Hmph... you should be smarter than that Franny-Annie... that's Uncle Al of course.”
Bernard chuckled.

“Whoa, what a hair.” Phoenix commented.

“So this is Alucard as himself.” Franziska said.

“Yes, that is correct.” Alucard replied and turned towards one of the leaders who he knew all too well. “DEATH!” He shouted and pointed his sword towards the skeletal figure.

“Alucard!” Death's voice lowered in tone.

“What is going on here?!, Answer me!” Alucard yelled.

“No! It can't be... I wasn't expecting this!” Von Karma said a bit panicked. He was sweating. He had been totally surprised.

“Don't worry honey... we were watching all the time.” Thelma said to Franziska and turned to Maya. “Good work Maya.” and pulled and identical staff and spun it around.

“Time to crash this party!” Bernard said smugly and took a whip from his belt.
“I agree with Phoenix you are a natural, and when you start to learn things I think you really could give Uncle Julius a run for his money.”

Several ukobacks were approaching with their “spoons on fire”. “Whipping is on me.” Bernard said.

BGM=Gallery of Labyrinth from CV: Portrait of Ruin

“On us.” Franziska corrected.

“Right, shall we?” Bernard asked.

“After you dad.” Franziska replied.

“Charge!” Bernard shouted and promptly smashed some ukobacks to the ground. Franziska following in trail.

“Flame demons... Their weakness is so obvious.” Thelma said. “Ice Needle!”
Series of ice spikes started to circle in front of Thelma's hand. She moved it towards targets and squeezed her hand to the fist unleashing the freezing power. Spikes flew straight to flame demon's who didn't have a time to dodge any more. They shouted as they felt freezing spikes puncturing themselves. Many disappeared to whirling vortexes and returned where they came from.

Phoenix, Alucard and Maya were making short work of zombies and skeletons.

“Your skill is pretty impressive for a beginner Mr. Wright.” Alucard said.

“More like a total newbie, as this is basically a first time I'm using a sword.” Phoenix replied.

“Even more greater reason.” Alucard said slight smile on his face.

Franziska chased one ukoback and got one of her bigger surprises.
“What the hell... Can those things walk in the air?!” She asked.

“Yes they do, and their fires can also float in the air so you better be careful with them or you get burned.” Bernard replied and just then stepped on one flame that suddenly appeared.

“Goddamn fire burning bathead's ass!” He shouted.

“Bernard!” Thelma reproached her husband. “There is a child here, watch your language!”

“Sorry darling.” Bernard said and then spotted laughing creature pointing it's finger at him. “You are so Goddamn dead you long nosed green pyromaniac!” He roared.

Soon all hostiles were destroyed and only Manfred von Karma was remaining.

“Where did the bastard go?” Alucard asked, he was referring to Death.

BGM= The Man who Destroyed Dracula, Part 2 from CV: Curse of Darkness

“I have to say that your skills greatly exceeded our expectations... Especially yours Mr. Wright.” Von Karma said.

“What, me?!” Phoenix asked.

“Yes, It seems that you are something more in addition to disposable defense attorney... I'm sure that milady will be very interested from this development...”

“Milady?! Who are you talking about Warlock?!” Alucard asked.

“That is for you to find out... besides you son of Dracula, will stay out of this, as this doesn't concern you.” Von Karma said.

“If it is a Goddamn vampire then it is his business you snake of bad karma!” Bernard yelled.

“Grr... we will see about that.” Von Karma said and disappeared.

BGM= Name Entry from CV: Portrait of Ruin

“The party's over... Everyone can go home now.” Bernard said, attached his whip to the belt's holster and slapped Franziska to the back. “Well done Franny-Annie... now all that remains is to see you in action for real.” Then he turned towards Phoenix.
“And you will help her, right Phoenix?”

“Well... it seems that I have no choice here... according to what Von Karma said.” Phoenix nodded. “I have a bad feeling that I have been... marked.”

“Hmm... there was a powerful magic at work, but luckily we were on look out.” Alucard said. “We will discuss more about this at daylight. I will call you when everything is ready.” Alucard said and vanished.

“All right see you later then Ms. Horror of the Night.” Bernard said grinning.

“Dad... I'm still quite Horrified of the Night myself, and will be for a long time.” Franziska said.

“Yes, but you better believe it, that there will be a day when those Goddamn blood suckers are deadly afraid of YOU.” Bernard said.

“Don't go too much ahead in the matters darling. Remember that our little girl has to learn some things which she should have been learning for ten years already, it won't be easy.” Thelma said. “See you later honey.”

“Bye...” Franziska said.

After that the Schneiders vanished.

“What we do now?” Pearl asked.

“I think there is nothing left to do here than to wake up.” Phoenix said.

Soon their surroundings began to waver and disappear. Bit later four people jumped sitting on their beds in different locations... They wouldn't be falling sleep again anytime soon.

Next: Day 2 begins.

Last edited by Vecekio on Mon Apr 30, 2007 6:13 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Well what can I say... I'm on the roll here!

Next chapter.

XII: Early morning shivers

June 4th , Tuesday, Franziska von Karma's Apartment, 5:10 AM

BGM= Nightmare from CV III: Dracula's Curse
Franziska woke up with a start. “*Gasp*...” She was warily looking at her surroundings and realized that she was safely in her own bed.

“What time is it... 5:12 AM?... There's no way I'm sleeping anymore, not after that...” Franziska said and rose from the bed. “Might as well start the day early.” She walked to the balcony in her nightgown and looked to the horizon, the sun was rising. She instantly felt more at ease. “From now on nights will be most uncomfortable time, I'm sure of it.”

BGM= Premonition from CV: Aria of Sorrow

Franziska walked to the kitchen and filled the water can, but she changed her mind. “Morning coffee is better in this case.” She filled the coffeemaker for 5 regular cups and clicked the switch. In the mean time as the coffee was brewing, Franziska went to get her notebook and pen, sat to the table and started taking notes on the events in the dream.

When the coffee was ready Franziska made some bread for herself and sat back down resuming her note taking. She was startled when her cellphone suddenly came alive. “Aren't you jumpy today Franny-Annie?” Franziska said to herself and looked who was calling. She already could guess who it was.

“Phoenix, who else.” She said and pressed the answering button.

“Hi, errr... did I wake you up?” Phoenix asked.

“No, I have been up for awhile already... Having difficulties to sleep?” She asked.

“I'm not sleeping again today... at least not until night falls. You know it is very good that we didn't get hurt there...” Phoenix said.

“Except you... you did get hit by that bone.” Franziska said.

“Yes... and guess what? I have that bruise.” Phoenix said.

BGM= Suspense from PW Ace Attorney

Franziska went silent. “T-there's no way that..!.” She was getting nervous.

“I have a black spot at the exact same place in my chest where that bone hit me... What would have happened in the dream, would have happened to us for real.” Phoenix said with a serious tone.

“W-we c-could h-have d-died in there!” Franziska said voice shaking.

“Yes... in the worst case.” Phoenix said. “Maya was pretty freaked out... and so was I.”

“And now me too... It's a good thing that we were careful then.” Franziska said.

“And it is good that there wasn't any more powerful creatures than that.” Phoenix said.

“Where is Maya now?” Franziska asked.

“She's sitting at the table making notes, she isn't going to sleep again either.

“Nick!” Maya said panicked. Franziska heard her voice on the phone.

BGM=Dark Clouds from CV: Dawn of Sorrow

“What is it Maya?” Phoenix asked.

“I...I just realized something.” Maya said nervously. “Von Karma is back... and Death was with him, why this isn't good?”

Franziska was thinking. “The fact that he is back?” She replied.

“What is bad in it?” Maya asked.

“Hmm ... I'm sure it has something to do with soul binding.” Phoenix replied.

“He is bound to the castle... Therefore it is impossible to bring him back... without the castle!” Maya said.

“But... That would mean that somebody is controlling the castle!” Franziska said, she started to feel chills in her spine.

“It has a master and... if Death is involved this isn't good at all.” Maya said.

“Oh no!... Now I get it!... The female vampire who comes and goes as she likes appearing one night in another city and next night she could be at the another side of the country... She rests in Castlevania!” Phoenix said.

BGM= After the Confession from CV: Dawn of Sorrow

“Von Karma called her milady... So it is safe to assume that he serves her... and that tells us something about this vampire lady's power... I'm... in... trouble!” Franziska stated.

“If the vampire who attacked Larry is the new master of the castle then... WE are in trouble.” Phoenix corrected.

“We'd better discover that pattern so we know what she is up to.” Maya said.

“What ever it is, it can't be good.” Franziska agreed.

“Is... Alucard aware of this possibility yet?” Phoenix wondered.

“He didn't say anything like it yesterday, but then again we didn't know that Von Karma is back yet.” Maya said.

“Has Castlevania ever had a mistress I mean a female vampire in charge?” Franziska asked.

“Not exactly, although two female vampires are mentioned... Lady Camilla who is one of Dracula's servants and the other is his niece, Countess Elizabeth Bartley...” Maya replied.

“Clearly it can't be either of them as Uncle Al told us that she appeared just several month's ago and both of them are already known, she has to be entirely new face...” Franziska said.

“We really need to ask him about the castle later today.” Phoenix said.

“I agree it really would clear some things up.” Franziska said.

“Oh... damn I forgot to put my phone in charger... See you later an the police station in case something has happened.” Phoenix said.

“Something has happened, I sensed it.” Franziska replied.

BGM= Echoes of Darkness from CV: Dawn of Sorrow

“Can you tell about it more clearly?” Phoenix asked.

“... Nothing except that there were two signatures, two vampires were moving and I'm sure the another was Larry.” Franziska replied.

“And another was the mistress... I really need to quit now, my battery is nearing empty. See you Franny-Annie.” Phoenix said quickly.

“Bye Nick.” Franziska said and connection cut off. She resumed her breakfast. “There is no way I'm going to sleep again... This situation is developing way too fast!”

She looked at the time it was nearing 6 AM. “I have to remember to make that call to Ingrid later... I'm sure she doesn't know any of it what we heard.”

Franziska finished her breakfast and went to bookshelf to read something. She was about take one of her law books but decided against it.

“No... Law books aren't helping me one bit... I really should have taken some printouts so I wouldn't have to boot my desktop.”
Franziska sat down and started her computer. Operating system started up and when system was ready to receive commands she started the web browser.

“Goddamn foolish fool!... You don't have the links on this system!” Franziska said frustrated. “Oops. (I'm really starting to sound like dad...)”

She sighed. “Damn!..” And proceeded to check her e-mail there was one from Maya that was sent last night. It had a subtitle “Just in case ;)”

Franziska opened the e-mail.

“Hi Franny-Annie I sent these just in case you might need them. Happy reading.”
Franziska read and saw a list of Internet addresses below.

“Thanks Maya...” She said and sighed in relief. “I think... I better get to know the castle better.” Franziska said and clicked one of the links and proceeded to read.

BGM= Dracula's Castle from CV: Symphony of the Night

“Castlevania the Demon Castle, is a creature of Chaos which changes form every time it is manifested... It appearances has had very little logic and it's layout is usually nothing short of frustrating. It does have some reoccurring element's. Four areas are always included in the layout of the castle. These are the entrance hall, the clock tower usually watched over by Death, Dracula's confidant and second-in-command. Remaining two are the castle keep which is final line of defense and the throne room where Dracula usually resides. The keep and the throne are often the pinnacle of the castle. Rest of the areas can be... pretty much anything and absolutely nonsensical defying any logic.”

“Sounds pretty... bad.” She admitted.

“It isn't known exactly does Dracula have any control over the castle... Although why else it would be known also as Dracula's Castle (I think answer would be yes). When the castle appears, it is usually sign of the dark lord's return. (If I see it I'm in trouble.) Although there have been two exceptions. When Countess Elizabeth Bartley was resurrecting her uncle the castle remained as ruins.

BGM= Thirst for Blood from CV: Portrait of Ruin

In 1944 a vampire named Brauner raised the castle using the tormented souls of the victims of the World War II, to use the castle's power for his own gains. He was an artist... and controlled the power of Castlevania by his magical paintings. In the end he was foiled by vampire hunter Jonathan Morris and magician Charlotte Aulin. When his control of the castle failed... Dracula was resurrected and subsequently defeated by the duo... He did swore to return fifty years later.”

“1999, The Demon Castle War!” She said. “But wait... Brauner was an artist?” Franziska crossed her arms and started to think.

“This Brauner used paintings to somehow control the castle... Why would this milady need Larry Butz...” She wondered and then realized. "Goddamn it, he is an artist!” She yelled.

“No... wait a second... don't go making too hasty conclusions... There has to be some other reason as the vampire is probably already the mistress of the castle and has been for a while. She wouldn't need Larry for that...”

“But how it is possible that she could have become the mistress of the castle even though it originally belongs to Dracula?” Franziska wondered. “He is... dead... So of course the position would go vacant, ah... stupid me...” She looked at time again... it was nearly 7 AM.

“(Morning news will be on soon, there has to be something in there.)” She thought and turned on the TV.

Chapter 13... and with this original RTF-document crossed the line of 100 pages.

XIII: Blood suckers on April's fools

When clock showed 7 AM, the morning news began.

“Good morning, two bizarre deaths happened last night in Black Berry Hills residential area. Two bodies, a man and woman were discovered in the nearby woods completely dry from blood. They have obviously died from a blood loss. It is suspected that the two were killed by draining their blood by punctures on their necks as no other signs were discovered. Police is currently investigating this incident... It is likely that this has been a murder.”

“There we go...” Franziska said and poured herself another cup of coffee adding some milk and sugar.

“There has been prison break in the city prison... Ms. April May, convicted during Redd White case two years ago back has escaped, the prison warden has this to say from the incident:”

“I don't think this could be called a prison break exactly... As it seems that Ms. May has just vanished somehow... She was in her cell last night but had suddenly disappeared. Ms. May has behaved...eh well, so I can't believe this has happened on her own accord...”

“So it begins... I mean continues.” Franziska said. “Not much to report for obvious reasons... Because anybody else has no idea what the hell is going on!...” She snapped “Well of course there wouldn't be many people who would take this seriously... Of course in the past I would have also considered this as foolish nonsense... And here I am, today taking first steps on a new path... Following my father, real father to the path of vampire hunter... Unfortunately for me they are already around and vampires have the advantage.”

Franziska finished her coffee and put the cup into kitchen sink.

“What I'm facing... for now there are two vampires, two people ended up as their... lunches.” She grinched “and Ms. April May as the second vanished... not to mention things are most likely going to get worse. ”

She looked at time it was nearly 7:30 AM

“(I won't get anything accomplished here... better get to the police station)” Franziska thought while dressing up. Soon she was ready and left the apartment.

Police station, 8:05 AM

When Franziska arrived, the police station seemed to be in quite a buzz. Detectives were running back and forth, it seemed like last night's events had stirred something.
She saw several constables laughing at Detective Gumshoe who was walking away embarrassed.

“Oh, sorry, pal... M-Ms. Von Karma!” Gumshoe startled realizing to whom he has bumped into.

Franziska grinched from the mentioning of the name.

“It's fine Detective.” She replied calmly.

“R-really?” Gumshoe asked nervously, Franziska was unusually calm... not to mention she didn't have her whip.

“Yes, really... Actually you might be able to tell me some more details what happened last night.” Franziska said.

“Detective Gumshoe, wait! We want to hear it too!” Maya yelled running towards the two waving her hand, Phoenix following not far behind.

“All right... are there any empty interrogation rooms where we could speak without anyone overhearing us?” Franziska asked.

“Sure there are, pal.” Gumshoe replied and started walking, others following in his trail.

Police station, Interrogation room N. 2, 8:32 AM

Group sat at the table, everyones eyes on the detective who looked a bit nervous.

“So... err... What do you want to know, pals?” He asked.

“What is known about Black Berry Hills murders?” Franziska asked.

“I guess you watched the news then... Well not much actually, bodies were found in the woods next to Black Berry Hills, completely bloodless nothing else was found except... the two... punctures on their necks.” Detective said, his tone changed and the final two words.

Franziska raised her eyebrow.

“When I said this to constables they started to laugh... But this is something that happens in the movies you know, pals... It's almost like they were attacked by... a... vampire...” Detective said quietly expecting room to burst out in laughter.

Instead Franziska casted on him a very serious look. Phoenix and Maya didn't flinch either.

“What's wrong?” Gumshoe wondered.

“Nothing... For once you are right, detective except there were two vampires, not just one...” Franziska replied seriously.

“W-w-w-what?... You mean... Are you serious... Pal?!” Gumshoe asked.

Then they heard a knock in the window. Group turned around and saw that it was Edgeworth, Phoenix motioned him to come in.

“I thought that you were coming in later.” Phoenix said.

“Couldn't get my mind off this... and the news didn't make it any easier.” Edgeworth replied.

“Welcome to the club...” Franziska said.

Edgeworth sat down and noticed the horrified look on detectives face.

“I assume that you heard something shocking just now, detective?” Edgeworth asked.

“Real vampires!” Gumshoe yelled.

“I stand corrected.” Edgeworth grinned.

“What about Ms. April May... did anyone see anything in the prison?” Phoenix asked.

Gumshoe seemed to calm down a bit. “Not much, pal... Ms. May did have a visitor... This was pretty unusual as it was after visiting hours... Some guards reported that they saw a pretty redheaded and pale young lady.” Gumshoe replied.

“Redhead?... It has to be the 'milady'!” Maya exclaimed.

“Milady, who is that, pal?” Gumshoe asked.

“The vampire lady who was also responsible for attack in night before... Attack on Larry Butz.” Franziska replied.

“... But he had vanished!” Gumshoe said shocked.

“Yes, but there was an eyewitness with camera at ready... Attack has been documented and while taking note of the situation I'd say the evidence is pretty outstanding.” Phoenix said, opened his case and took the photos out. “These photos were taken on Monday night by Lotta Hart who happened to be in Gourde Lake as well at that time.” Phoenix laid the photo's on the table for Gumshoe to see.

“There are original shots and enlarged versions which we got later yesterday.” Maya explained.

Gumshoe looked at the pictures.

“Has Harry Butz taken something, here, pal?” He asked pointing to the enlarged photo where Larry's face was completely visible. “He is staring somewhere.”

“You might think so... but according to what Ms. Hart told us, he was walking in trance thus...” Franziska said. “That Goddamn bathead bitch had hypnotized him!” She exclaimed.

Gumshoe and Edgeworth stared at Franziska. Phoenix and Maya were chuckling.
Franziska realized what she had said. She put her hands to the sides of her head.

“... Damn... I'm really starting to sound like... dad.” She muttered a bit embarrassed.

“What the heck, pal?... There's no way Butz could be in this position... He is hanging in the air!” Gumshoe said when got to the final picture.

“Larry isn't hanging in the air... He is being supported by a person who can't be seen in the picture.” Edgeworth said.

“Person that cannot be photographed.. *glup*” Gumshoe said and swallowed. Then he looked at enlargements of the same picture. “B...bite marks!...” Gumshoe said shocked.

“Yes... at this time I'm guessing that there are now three vampires... Or at least will be, and two people have ended up as lunches... and believe me situation is going to get worse easier than better.” Franziska stated.

“What do you mean Ms. Von Karma?” Gumshoe asked.

Franziska grinched again. Every one noticed this.

“Detective... there is another thing. I'm assuming that Franziska wont be using Von Karma name for long... therefore it is better if she could be called with her true name instead.” Edgeworth said.

“True name?” Gumshoe wondered.
“Yes... I would prefer that if you called me Ms. Schneider from now on.” Franziska said.

“Where did this came from, pal?” Gumshoe asked.

“Yesterday... Truth came to light with a bang and evidence is outstanding.” Phoenix replied. “This incident is quite old...It happened in Germany on September 14th, 1999. Schneider manor burnt to the ground... Thelma and Bernard Schneider died in a fire
along with their daughter Franziska Annabell... This is the official version.” Phoenix explained and took breath.

“Unofficial version is this... Warlock Manfred von Karma was overlooking an operation to destroy Schneider family... They succeeded, Bernard Schneider was killed and Von Karma himself murdered Thelma Schneider! After the massacre Von Karma took their daughter away... And later she came to public knowledge with another name... She wasn't Franziska Annabell Schneider... but Franziska von Karma!” Phoenix's voice raised in volume.

“Is this... true?! Von Karma as a warlock?!... That sounds really... bad... Was he acting on his own or was there something bigger behind it?” Gumshoe asked.

“Oh yes... Extermination of as many vampire hunter families as possible to make sure that Count Dracula would be facing least possible opposition!” Franziska replied angrily.

“D-D-DRACULA?!” Gumshoe yelled startled.

“Yes... Dracula, king of vampires, lord of darkness and Goddamn bathead!” Franziska replied. “But enough about that... you wanted to know why the situation would go worse... Answer is quite simple. This vampire lady is settling in and has started gathering followers. For now there are two: Larry Butz and April May and more will most likely follow... So prepare for more reports on drained bodies and vanished people in the future.” Franziska explained with a very professional tone.

Gumshoe looked at her mouth open. “B-but what can we do about it... We are the police! We should be able to help people, pal!” He said panicked.

“Currently nothing... I think dealing with undead doesn't fit to police duty and how do you think you would fight against a vampire anyway? ... Especially a very powerful vampire which I'm suspecting this 'milady' is?”

“Well... Crosses, holy water, stakes, garlic, silver bullets?” Gumshoe suggested.

“You still would need to practice using them at first.” Franziska replied. “Although silver bullets might not be a bad idea at all detective... Good thinking.”
“Well.. err, thanks Ms. V... Schneider.” Gumshoe said.

“Franziska is praising detective Gumshoe for something... Run to the hills!” Maya said jokingly.

“We'd like that you would keep this for yourself for now... Report any new findings to us if you discover anything... You are dismissed detective.” Edgeworth replied with a firm tone.

“Yes sir.” Gumshoe saluted and left the interrogation room.

Edgeworth turned to Franziska. “Since when you have spoken about vampires like a professional?” He asked.

“Since this morning... If I'm going to be a vampire hunter then why shouldn't I begin to speak like one?” Franziska replied smirking.

“Look who is confident?” Maya said and grinned.

“Well... doing well in a dream fight can boost ones confidence... Skeletons are more annoying than dangerous.” Franziska said.

“Expect if those boners manage to bone you... No! Forget I said that!” Phoenix said.

“Nick!” Maya said disapprovingly.

“If they manage to hit you with their bones...” Phoenix corrected himself, grinning nervously.

“To think that Pearly started it.” Maya said shaking her head.

“But it is logical... It isn't her fault that boner... already has a meaning.” Franziska said.

Edgeworth raised his brow. “And what is this about?`” He asked.

“The reason... Why we have been up from about 5 AM today.” Phoenix replied.

“We simply didn't want to sleep anymore... Or didn't dare to... would probably be correct.” Franziska added.

“Didn't dare to sleep is more correct.” Phoenix said.

Edgeworth was about to ask again when Maya explained. “We were again in a dream... or vision together... This took us to Schneider estate at the very date... We witnessed everything from the Franny-Annie's parents fight, to their death and the fire... and then things got hectic as we got involved in the fight.”

“And that wasn't supposed happen I reckon?” Edgeworth asked.

“Exactly.” Phoenix replied. “ Franziska grabbed her father's whip, I ended using a sword and not to mention I did it well and Maya grabbed Thelma's staff to protect Pearls...”

“What?! Pearl was there too!?” Edgeworth asked shocked.

“Yes, she was... and we have no idea why... Pearly was scared at first but... adapted quickly.” Maya replied grinning..

Phoenix resumed his explanation. “We ended up whacking, smashing and slashing... couple dozens of skeletons zombies. Skeletons are more annoying than scary and... zombies are not actually that bad either, if you remember to keep your distance.” .

“Yeah... it is good that they are slow and clumsy.” Maya added.

“Wow... well I guess you had quite a busy night then.” Edgeworth commented.

“Not to mention...” Phoenix said and started taking his shirt off.

“Nick... what are you?... Oh, I get it” Franziska was about to ask, but realized what was going on.

“Wright... it isn't that hot in there.” Edgeworth said.

“It is not about that...” He said and pulled his T-shirt up revealing his chest. “It is about this.” Phoenix pointed darkened spot on his chest.

“Where did you get that?” Edgeworth asked.

“I got that in the dream, when one of those bone... throwers managed get a shot at me.” Phoenix replied.

“But that was in a dream... That would be...” Edgeworth said and then he realized. “YOU COULD HAVE DIED THERE!”

“Exactly... luckily mom, dad and Al were observing and joined in saving us a lot of trouble not to mention bruises and burns.” Franziska said.

“That one zombie almost managed to bite you... Nick was there just at a nick of time.” Maya said.
“Was it that bad?!” Franziska asked.

“Yes... I managed to distracted it when I cutted it's arms off.” Phoenix replied.

“So... you saved my life.” Franziska said little shocked.

“Yeah... maybe.” Phoenix replied.

“Wright... since when you have used sword?” Edgeworth asked.

“I asked the very same question back there.” Franziska said.

“That was the very first time... and even Alucard praised my skill's as a beginner... I think I better get practicing If I'm going to be any help to you.” Phoenix replied.

“But how did you have that skill in the first place?” Edgeworth asked.

Phoenix shrugged. “I have no idea, Alucard might know something...”

“I did pretty well with that staff too according to what your mom told me.” Maya said looking at Franziska. “I think it might be good idea to get a staff and really start practicing, as nights... might get a bit dangerous from now on.”

Then Phoenix's cellphone came alive.

“Phoenix Wright.” He answered.

“Good day Mr. Wright... I'd like you to come to the hotel as the item and the one who brought it in has arrived.” Arikado said.

“Okay, I'll tell this forward.” Phoenix said and ended the call. “It was Alucard he wants to meet us as soon as possible.”

“Then it is better that you don't keep him waiting... Get going.” Edgeworth said.

“What? You aren't coming with us?” Phoenix asked surprised.

“Unfortunately I can't, I have work to do in the office.” Edgeworth said. “Be sure to inform me if you find out something important.” He said and left the interrogation room.

“Okay, then. My car is waiting outside, let's go!” Franziska said and left the room followed by Maya and Phoenix.