I can't believe it's been nine months since that case... I was so worried about Maya's safety... I'm so glad she got out alive. Ever since Gumshoe said that...

"Oh yeah, pal! I just remembered! I picked up four items from de Killer's hideout!"
I have wondered what he meant. We never found Gumshoe's coat. No coat, no evidence. Well, I shouldn't worry about it. It's all behind me now.

Maya now lives with me, but sometimes Pearl comes around to visit. In fact, she is here right now.
"Mister Nick! Maya burned the hamburgers again!" Shouted a child's voice from the kitchen.
"It's not that burnt, Pearly!" Shouted a woman's voice. "A hamburger is still a hamburger!"
"Ewww! That's gross!" The child screamed.
I
walked into the kitchen to see what was happening. Maya was making hamburgers for all of us. She burned one of the patties, but ate it anyway, causing Pearl to scream in disgust.

"Mister Nick! Maya ate a gross hamburger!" Cried Pearl, now nine years old.
"It's alright, Pearls." I said in a calm voice. "Maya can eat whatever she likes."
"See, Pearly! He's on my side!" Maya teased while poking her tongue out.
"Waaaaaah!" Pearls cried. "Stop being mean! Just because you're in love with him!"
"Pearly!" Screamed Maya with a blush. "I told you not to say that any more!"
"You can't hide the truth, you know." Pearl laughed.
Maya looked over at me, still blushing. She looked into my eyes and said.
"Do you really--"

"WE INTERRUPT THIS PROGRAM WITH A BREAKING NEWS STORY!" Yelled a man on the television.
"Ahhhhh! Turn it down!" Pearl screamed. "It's too loud!"
I rushed to the living room and turned the volume down. I decided I should watch the so-called 'breaking news story' for myself.
"Local woman Maya Fey has been accused with murder!" The news anchor yelled. "Police are still looking for her as I speak. More on this breaking story at five!"

My eyes widened in shock, my heart raced. Did I hear that right? Maya accused with murder? I thought it was all a bad dream... I realized it wasn't when I heard a knock from the door. I walked over, trying to remain calm and opened the door. It was a police officer.

"Do you know this woman?" He asked with a stern tone, holding up a photo of Maya.
"N-no! I don't!" I replied.
"Who is it Mister Nick?" Asked Pearls from behind me.
"N-nobody, Pearls! Keep making th-those burgers!" I blurted out quickly.
"Hey! That's a photo of Mystic Maya!" Pearl exclaimed with excitement. "Are you going to keep it?"
"Do you know this woman, little girl?" The police officer asked.
"I sure do!" Replied Pearls cheerfully. "That's her over there!"
Pearls pointed to Maya, who was still in awe of her cooking.
"Thank you." The officer said, tilting his cap. "You have been of a lot of help."
The officer pointed at Maya and a SWAT team rushed in. The officers put handcufs on Maya and dragged her out of my house.
"WAIT! You can't arrest me! I haven't done anything wrong!" Maya screamed as she was dragged outside. "NIIIIIIIICK! HELP ME!"

The last glimpse of her I saw was her in the back of a police car crying. I suddenly got a rush of emotions. I didn't know what to think, let alone say to Pearls. I just sat down and thought. What was I going to do? Maya accused of murder... again. Tears rushed to my eyes and streamed down my face. I closed my eyes and looked down hopelessly. I had no idea what was in store next...

To be continued...

I had no idea what was going on. Is it illegal to burn hamburger patties? Where were they taking me? After a long drive, I was at the detention center. The police officers dragged me in and put me in a holding room. I was scared... and hungry. The next day they let me see Nick. Nick looked so sad, it made me want to cry.

"Maya..." He said, staring into my eyes. "Why did they arrest you?"
"I-I don't know!" I replied, trying to hold back the tears.
"It will be alright, I will make sure you get a 'not guilty' verdict in tomorrow's trial."
"Promise?"
"I promise."

I don't know what came over me. Looking into his eyes as he spoke filled me with happiness. Everything seemed better when I was with him. I also had some feelings I had never felt before for Nick. Is this what those people in the movies call 'love'?
"Where is the crime scene?" Nick asked, still looking into my eyes.
"I don't know!" I replied. "Ask Detective Gumshoe."
"I will, after I'm finished here."
Nick tried to pull a smile, but just couldn't make it.
"How's Pearly?" I asked, even thought it wasn't the right time to ask.
"She's still shook up." He sighed sadly. "She's being hard on herself."
"Why?"
"She's the one that got you arrested."
"You mean she accused me of murder?!"
"No! No, no, no! She was the one that told the police where you were."
"Oh..." I sighed, looking down.
"Are you feeling okay?" He asked sweetly.
Nick obviously cared a lot for me. I decided I should tell him straight.
"Nick... I..."
"What is it, Maya?" He asked, perhaps a little excited.
"I think I lo--"
"Visiting hours are over!" Shouted the guard. "Get outta here, spiky head!"
"Hey! My hair isn't that spiky!" He yelled back.
I couldn't help but laugh. Nick looked at me when I laughed and smiled.
"Everything will be alright. Hang in there."
"I will!" I replied, filled with confidence.

Since visiting hours were over, I was escorted back to my room. It was dark and scary. I remembered Nick's words. The words he said to me filled me with confidence and suddenly my fear disappeared. I wasn't tired, but I wanted to sleep. I wanted to see Nick again as soon as possible. I lay down on my bed, pulled the blanket up, closed my eyes and fell asleep smiling.

The next day I woke up from the guard knocking on my door.
"Come on, missy, wake up." He said through the door. "Get ready."
"Get ready for what?" I replied, confused.
"You're the defendant for tomorrow's trial, right?"
"Yeah..."
"Then get dressed in clean clothes. Those look dirty."
"They are not dirty!"
"Whatever, just get ready."

The guard walked away from the door. I looked down at my robes to look for dirt. There was some dirt on the back of my Kurain channeling robe. I looked out the door window to see if there was anyone around that could see me. Luckily, there was nobody. I took off my robe, leaving me in just my underwear. I looked around for some fresh clothes, but there was only prison clothes. I sighed and put one of those stripy long-sleeved shirts and stripy pants. I looked down at myself to see how I looked. I looked like an inmate from an action movie. I looked at the door and saw a big creepy man with pink hair and missing teeth at the window.

"The detention doctor is here for inspection." The guard said through the door.
The door slid open and the strange doctor walked into my room.
"Wow, you sure are a pretty one." Said the doctor with a scary grin.
"Umm... Thank you?" I replied. "D-did you see me just now?"
"I sure did! You have nice--"
"Anyway! Why are you here."
"Bend over."
"Why?!"
"I need to inspect you."
I sighed and bent over for my inspection.
"Oh yeah. You have a nice--"
"Get on with it!" I yelled at him.
"Okay, okay. Here we go."
"Hello, I'm doctor Andrew Seth. I'm here for Maya Fey." Said a voice from outside the door.
"Oh, Doctor Hotti is already in there, sir." Explained the guard.
"Doctor Hotti?"

The guard burst through the door so quickly, I jumped in shock.

"Get out of here!" The guard shouted at the doctor.
"Right away, sir." Replied the doctor wit ha cheesy grin.
"Sorry for the disturbance, ma'am." The guard said, tilting his cap. "Here is the real doctor."
"Thank goodness..." I sighed in relief.
"Are you ready for your check-up?" Asked the doctor with a smile.
"You bet I am!"

The doctor put this stick in my mouth and looked down my throat. After that, he checked my blood pressure or something, then he left. The guard let me out and I was escorted to a police car where I was taken to the courtroom. One of the police officers said I might be testifying. I hoped I would, since I was innocent. We arrived at the courtroom and I was taken inside to the defendant lobby. Nick was waiting for me in the defendant lobby. When he saw me, his face lit up. Pearly was also there.

"Maya! Are you okay?" Nick asked me with a concerned look on his face.
"Yeah, I'm fine." I sighed back.
"Mystic Maya!" Pearly shouted at me.
"Pearly!" I shouted back.
"Is Mystic Maya okay, Mister Nick?"
"I think so." Nick replied.
"Court is about to convene." The bailiff said to Nick.
"Well... I better get in there and defend you." Nick said with a sad frown. "Stay safe."
"Wait!" I blurted out quickly.
"What is it?"
"I... love..."
"Mister Wright! Quickly!" Yelled the bailiff.
"Alright, alright, I'm coming.

I missed another chance to say it... I hope he gets me that not guilty verdict... And if he does... I will confess to him. Even in front of Pearly if I have to.

"Are you Maya Fey?" Asked a voice behind me.
"Umm... Yes. Who are--"
"Come with me."
"Wait... What are you doing! STOP! NIIIIIIIIIIIIICK!"

To be continued...

"Mister Wright! You will stop this foolishness immediately!"
"B-but Your Honor!"
"That's enough! There is no longer any need to prolong this trial."
"Please! Your Honor! Maya is--"
"Mister Wright! Cease this arguing or you will be held in contempt of court!"
"Maya..."
"I find the defendant, Maya Fey, GUILTY!"

I suddenly woke up, drenched in sweat. It was the worst nightmare I had ever had in my life. It seemed all too real. Maya's trial is today, I better stay calm. I stood up and walked to my wardrobe to get my clothes. I only sleep in my singlet in boxers, so I needed to get some clothes on. I put on my trademark blue suit with a purple tie. Suddenly Pearls burst through the door.

"Mister Nick! Get ready!" Pearls shouted at me.
"Pearls, I am getting ready." I replied, trying to stay calm.
"Is Mystic Maya going to be okay?"
"I hope so... I hope she isn't too lonely in that cell."
"Do you want Mystic Mia to help you today in court?"
"I guess we will just have to see what happens."

Several hours later...

The bailiff opened the door for me and I walked in. I stood at my desk and waited for the judge to announce the court's proceeding. I looked over at the prosecutor's desk and saw a familiar face, Franziska von Karma. She glanced back at me then looked at something on her desk. I had no idea what it was, but I think she almost smiled at it. The sound of a gavel echoed through the courtroom and all sounds were silenced.

"Court is now in session for the trial of Maya Fey." The judge announced. "Are the defense and prosecution ready?"
"The defense is ready, Your Honor." I replied, still trying to stay calm.
"The prosecution has been ready for quite a while." Franziska huffed in reply.
"Very well. The prosecution may begin with it's opening statement."
"I promise you, Your Honor, I will get a guilty verdict TODAY!" Replied Franziska cockily.
"If that is all, you may call your first witness."
"Prosecution calls the defendant, Maya Fey to the stand."

There was a long, awkward silence filling the courtroom. After several minutes, the judge had enough.

"Bailiff!" The judge screamed. "What is the meaning of this stalling?!"
"It's the defendant, she's missing!" Explained the bailiff.

I was in shock. Maya, missing. I thought her being accused of murder was bad, but now she's missing! I grasped my hair and shouted out in despair. The jury started yammering wildly about this new announcement.

"Bailiff! Inform the police immediately!" Shouted the judge.
"Your Honor, I request a thirty minute recess to search for the defendant." Suggested Franziska to the judge.
"Very well," Sighed the judge. "court will adjourn to a thirty minute recess."

The judge banged his gavel and left the stand. The jury also left, leaving myself and Franziska alone. I looked over at her and she looked at her desk again. She took what appeared to be a card and walked over to me. She looked me in the eye and spoke.

"Mister Wright, we may be enemies, but I have something for you." She sighed while passing the card to me.

I looked at the card. There was a familiar pink shell on the card, but it had a face and hair drawn on it. Next to the shell it said "Nick" on it. I looked back at her and asked.

"Who drew this?"
"It was the defendant, Maya Fey."

My eyes widened at the sound of Maya's name. I looked back at the card and looked o the other side. On the other side was the note she wrote while kidnapped by Shelly de Killer. I knew for sure this was hers.

"Wh-where was this?" I asked quickly.
"It was in Scruffy's coat pocket." Franziska replied without looking at me.
"She drew a picture of me? Why?"
"My sources tell me it was to keep herself sane. Without you, her spirit would shatter."
"She... depends on me?"

I felt an all too familiar rush of emotions. I looked down at the card once more and smiled. The fact she depended on me that much overwhelmed me. I burst into tears right in front of the woman I was fighting in courtroom. She sighed at my crying and walked off. I slipped the card into my pocket and wipes away my tears. Now I had to worry about Maya's safety.

Meanwhile...

"Stop screaming and I will let you go."
"Please... Let me go..."
"Cease your crying!"
"Nick... please... help me... I love you..."

Back at court...

I walked into the defendant lobby and saw detective Gumshoe talking with the police.

"This is the same as last time, pals!" He commanded to them. "Go find her!"
"Yes, sir!" They all replied in unison.
"Oh, hey there, pal!" He spoke with a smile to me. "How you goin'?"
"Not too good..." I replied. "Is your head okay?"
"It will be fine." He replied with a smile. "Don't you worry about it, pal!"
"Well... if you find any leads, call me."
"Will do!"

25 minutes later...

"Court will now reconvene." Announced the judge. "Has the defendant been found?"
"Not yet." Franziska replied with a straight face.
"Then the trial cannot continue!"
"Not true, Your Honor. I still have a back-up witness."
"A back-up witness? And just who would that be?"
"Why, the one who witnessed the crime of course!"
"Just who is that?" I asked.
"Foolish fool who foolishly asks foolish questions. None other than--"

Suddenly my phone started ringing. I picked it up and answered.

"H-hello? Who is this?" I asked.
"WE GOT A LEAD, PAL!" Gumshoe yelled.
"Wh... WHAT?!"
"We found the crook! We're at his hideout right now!"
"Have you found Maya yet?"
"Not yet, pal. We haven't even found the kidnapper."
"Ring me when you find the creep or Maya."
"You got it, pal!"

I hung up. All eyes in the courtroom were on me.

"Mister Wright!" The judge exclaimed furiously. "Save your phone calls for afterwards!"
"S-sorry, Your Honor." I sighed in reply. "It was important."
"If there is no more interruptions, would the prosecution call it's witness?"
"Prosecution calls Lotta Hart to the stand!" Franziska yelled at the top of her lungs.
"Volume, Miss von Karma." Sighed the judge.

Lotta Hart approached the court with her trademark three thousand dollar camera, which I "bought" for her after that case.

"Witness, your name and occupation." Commanded Franziska.
"Lotta Hart! Professional photographer!" Replied Lotta with a grin.
"You say you witnessed the murder. Am I correct?"
"Reckoncourse!"
"What was that just now?" Asked the judge.
"Reckoncourse! Y'know! Like 'Ya reckon? Of course!' in one word!" Explained Lotta.
"Oh yes, that word again." The judge sighed. "Please testify to the court what you saw."

My phone suddenly rang again. I picked it up and answered it quickly.

"GUMSHOE! Have you got him?!" I shouted into the phone.
"Not really, pal!" Replied Gumshoe sadly.
"What's wrong?"
"We just know WHO the kidnapper is. We haven't actually nabbed him, pal."
"What do you mean? Who was the kidnapper."
"..."
"Detective Gumshoe?"
"It was Edgeworth..."

To be continued...

"Miles Edgeworth! We have you surrounded! Come out with your hands up!"

That was all I could hear. I think the police had found me and the kidnapper. I really hoped Nick was with them. Then again, he was probably still at the trial defending me. The man holding my mouth was wearing a ski mask, so I couldn't see his face. He looked out a nearby window but quickly flinched and looked down at me.

"You called them didn't you?" He asked me.
"N-no! I didn't!" I replied, trying to stay calm.
"Then who called them?!"
"I-I don't know!"
"Tell me!"

The kidnapper pulled out a gun and pushed it into my head.

"TELL ME!"
"P-please... Don't kill me..."
"I won't if you tell me who called them!"
"N-Nick... It was Nick..."
"Who is Nick?"
"..."
"TELL ME!"
"O-okay! P-please don't hurt me..."
"Tell me who Nick is! Now!"
"He's m-my friend... I-I love him..."

When I started crying, the kidnapper pushed me to the floor and opened a door. He pointed his gun at me again and pointed to the door.

"Get in there!" He yelled at me.
"B-but..."
"NOW!"

I had no choice. I wiped away my tears and walked into the room. I could hear the sounds of the door closing and locking. I banged on the door and yelled.

"Let me out! Please... Nick..."

I felt so useless. I slumped to the floor and looked down. I just kept thinking about Nick. I prayed that he would come and rescue me. I just wanted to see him again...

"Miles Edgeworth! Come out with your hands up! We have you surrounded, pal!"

I heard the voice again. It sounded like detective Gumshoe this time. It was dark in the room I was in so I couldn't see anything besides the door. I tried to listen closely to the kidnapper and detective Gumshoe.

"You'll never take me alive, coppers!"
"Look, we don't want to hurt you, pal! We just want to talk!"
"Is the girl safe?"
"She's fine. Now get off my property!"
"Not until she's safe with us!"

I could hear the door unlocking. The door swung open and the kidnapper walked in. He grabbed me by the collar and dragged me into the room he was just in. He pushed me to the window and put the gun to my head with his arm around my neck.

"You better get off my property, or the girl gets it!" He yelled to Gumshoe.
"Easy, pal!" Gumshoe replied with a frown. "We don't want to--"
"Get off my property!"
"Not without the girl!"

The kidnapper pushed the gun harder into my head and put his finger on the trigger.

"Don't... think... I won't do it..."
"Look, all we want is the girl, pal. We want her to be safe."

I saw my chance! I elbowed the kidnapper in the face, which sent him to the floor. I grabbed his ski mask and pulled it off. I looked at the man's face and my eyed widened. It was Edgeworth... He was the one that kidnapped me...

"Now that you know who I am, I'm afraid I can't let you live..." He sneered at me.
"W-wait! What happened? Why did you kidnap me?!" I asked in confusion.
"None of that matters now. Any last words?"
"No... Just finish it... End my misery..."

Edgeworth pointed the gun at my head again and squeezed the trigger.

"That's it, pal! We're goin' in!"

The door broke down and the police rushed in. A police officer handcuffed Edgeworth and took him away. I looked at Gumshoe and he smiled at me.

"You ready to go back home?" He asked, still smiling.
"Yeah..." I replied, still shook up.
"Come with me, you'll be fine, pal!"

Gumshoe escorted me to his unmarked patrol car and drove off. We arrived at court after a few minutes and Gumshoe helped me inside. We arrived at the defendant lobby and waited. I could hear voices from the courtroom. One was a southern accent and one was Nick's. It sounded like they were arguing. Then I heard the judge's voice quite clearly.

"Mister Wright! You will stop this foolishness immediately!"
"B-but Your Honor!" Argued Nick in reply.
"That's enough! There is no longer any need to prolong this trial."
"Please! Your Honor! Maya is--"
"Mister Wright! Cease this arguing or you will be held in contempt of court!"
"Maya..."
"I find the defendant, Maya Fey, GUILTY!"

My eyes widened. Me... guilty of a crime I didn't commit. I waited for the trial to end. Nick came in, but he wasn't his usual self. He looked so sad. I felt like crying myself when I saw him this gloomy. He looked at me, but his image stayed the same. He walked over to me and stretched out his arms. Was I seeing things? Did he want a hug? I walked over to him and he wrapped his arms around me gently.

"I tried my best... but... It wasn't enough..." He sobbed on my shoulder.
"Wh-what will happen to me?" I asked, fighting back the tears.
"I don't know..."

The both of us cried on the other's shoulder for quite a while. Once both our shoulders were drenched, we both separated. He looked at me in the eyes and I looked into his. I then saw this was my chance to say it.

"Nick... I... love... you..." I said with a blush.

I looked away from him and waited for his response. I think it took a while to sink in. After a few seconds, Nick grabbed both my shoulders. He pulled my body into his and kissed me tenderly on my lips. I was in shock. This was a side of Nick I thought I would never see... But I liked this side. I closed my eyes and savored the moment. Nick pulled his lips away from mine and looked away blushing. He cleared his throat and spoke.

"Well... I... uhh... I hope you stay safe..."
"I will try my best..." I replied, almost crying tears of joy.
"I love you, Maya..."
"I love you too, Nick..."

Nick sighed and wiped a tear from his eye. He headed for the door, but heard a voice.

"HOLD IT!"

Nick's eyes widened and he rushed back into the courtroom. I sat down and touched my lips. I still couldn't believe he did that... Now I wondered what was going on in the courtroom.

To be continued...

I hung up my phone and put it away in my pocket. Again, the judge glared at me for answering my phone during the trial.

"Mister Wright!" He yelled at me. "I will have to penalize you for disobeying me!"
"But it was important!" I replied angrily.
"Enough! The witness will now testify what she saw on the day of the murder."

Before Lotta began, I looked at the court record again. There was a knife, a coat with a vertical cut in the back and the autopsy report. Lotta began her testimony.

"I was minding my own buisness, then suddenly..."
"HOLD IT!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.
"Mister Wright." The judge sighed. Please let the witness finish her sentence before pressing her."
"S-sorry, Your Honor..." I sighed back at him.

"this guy lunges at some other guy with a knife!"
"HOLD IT! What were you doing before that?"
"I was takin' photos."
"Of what?"
"Stuff..."
"Witness, please add what you were doing to your testimony." Commanded the judge.
"Fine..." Lotta sighed. "I was takin' photos of suspicious picnickers."
"Why were you doing that?" I asked her.
"Objection!" Yelled Franziska. "That is none of our buisness, Mister Wright!"
"Mind yer own buisness, son!" Lotta sneered.
"S-sorry..."

"The guy with the knife stabbed the man in the back!"
"HOLD IT! Did you see the knife go into his back?"
"Reckoncourse!"
"Not that word again..."
"I even took a photo of it!"
"Wh... WHAT?!"
"Miss Hart, where is this photo?" Asked the judge, wide-eyed.
"In this 'ere camera case!" Lotta chuckled, holding up her three thousand dollar camera's case.

Lotta handed the case to the judge and he opened it. The judge took out a photo and glared at it.

"This does appear to be a photo of the crime in progress." He said with a frown.
"You may continue your testimony, Miss Hart." Franziska stated to Lotta.

The judge added the photo to the court record. It was a photo of a man stabbing another man in the back. However, their faces could not be seen.

"Then the guy who stabbed the other guy ran like the scolded dog he is!"
"Hold it! Did you see where he ran to? If you did, don't say reckoncourse!"
"I'm 'fraid I didn't see him run."
"So much for that..."

"I even got a look at the killer's face!"
"Hold it! Who?!"
"Who what?"
"Who was the killer?"
"Why, it was that handsome lawyer who you fight with all the time."
"WHO?!"
'Mister Edgeworth..."

The jury discussed this new information angrily. The judge banged his gavel.

"Order! ORDER!" He screamed. "Miss Hart, WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!"
"It was him! I saw him!"

Edgeworth... First you murder a man, then pin it on Maya, and now you kidnap her. This has gone on long enough... I lost all control.

"Your Honor, I request we bring Miles Edgeworth to the stand!"
"But he isn't present in this building." Replied the judge, shaking his head.
"Well, WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING!"
"Mister Wright, control yourself!"
"NO! I NEED TO TALK WITH EDGEWORTH!"
"Mister Wright! If you continue, I will strike this witness' testimony from the record!"
"NO! YOU WON'T DO THAT!"
"You brought this on yourself, Mister Wright. The witness' testimony will hereby be stricken from the records!"
"NOOOOO! YOU MONSTER! I'LL KILL YOU!"
"Mister Wright! Control yourself or I will declare my verdict!
"You wouldn't dare!"
"I would. Are you calm?"
"Yes, Your Honor."

I totally lost it. The thought that Edgeworth was the one that did all this sent me into a blinding fury. I tried to calm down as best I could.

"Your Honor, I would like to find Edgeworth personally."
"You will not find Mister Edgeworth. It is for the police to worry about!"
"But I want to find him!"
"Mister Wright! You will stop this foolishness immediately!"
"B-but Your Honor!"
"That's enough! There is no longer any need to prolong this trial."
"Please! Your Honor! Maya is--"
"Mister Wright! Cease this arguing or you will be held in contempt of court!"
"Maya..."
"I find the defendant, Maya Fey, GUILTY!"

I failed. I failed to defend my client... I slammed my head against the desk and pulled my hair. I couldn't believe Maya was found guilty of a crime with very little leads or evidence. Maya was going to go to prison because of me... I left the courtroom looking down. Maya was there, safe and sound. Even seeing Maya after being kidnapped didn't make me feel better.

10 minutes later...

I couldn't believe it... I kissed Maya... and I confessed my love for her. It was the least I could do for sentencing her to prison. I headed for the door but I suddenly heard a voice.

"HOLD IT!"

My eyes widened and I rushed back into the courtroom. I looked around, but there was only the judge, Franziska and Edgeworth. Wait... EDGEWORTH?! I looked over at Edgeworth angrily. I rushed at him, fists raised. Edgeworth saw me coming, but he sidestepped away from me.

"Your Honor, I would like to announce something." Edgeworth spoke to the judge.
"What is it, Mister Edgeworth?" The judge sighed.
"A few weeks ago, I was in a car accident. I was the passenger."
"What does this have to do about anything?"
"The driver was a friend of mine. His face was badly damaged. After the accident, our licenses were mixed up. They believed he was me. They reconstructed his face to look like mine."
"That is quite a mix-up."
"Anyway, Your Honor, that man is out there. He is the murderer for this case."

It all suddenly made sense. It wasn't Edgeworth who was the kidnapper and murderer, it was his friend that had racial reconstruction to look like Edgeworth!

"My so-called 'friend' mixed up the licenses on purpose. He wants to destroy my reputation." Edgeworth continued. "I hope you all understand."
"I understand, Mister Edgeworth." Replied the judge, nodding his head.
"Hmph. I understand." Franziska huffed.
"I will hereby lift my verdict." The judge announced. "Court will reconvene tomorrow."

Now I knew who the kidnapper was. All I needed to do is tell Maya that it wasn't the real Edgeworth that kidnapped her. I left the courtroom and entered the defendant lobby. I looked around for Maya, but she was nowhere in sight. Suddenly I heard a scream.

"NIIIIIIIIiiiiiiiiiiiiick!

To be continued...

My name is Miles Edgeworth. The real Miles Edgeworth. I have a twin of sorts out there. My once best friend is now my mortal enemy. His facade won't last long. He will be exposed and I will be the exposer. Nothing will stop me from unmasking him. Not even... him... I rushed to my limousine and called out for detective Gumshoe. Gumshoe buckled himself into the passenger seat and I sat in the driver's seat. I put on my seatbelt then drove off to the faker's hideout.

My name is Phoenix Wright. I am merely a defense attorney looking for the woman I love. She disappears when I took my eyes off her. The last I heard of her was her screaming my name in the distance. I never got my license, so I took a cab. It took me to the fake Edgeworth's hideout.

My name is Maya Fey. I have been kidnapped again by Edgeworth. He took me back to his hideout, the place I was at just under an hour ago. Edgeworth pushed me inside and pointed an all too familiar gun into my head. He locked the door and shoved me into the cellar again. All I could think about was Nick, hoping he would rescue me.

My name is Phoenix Wright. I arrived at the hideout and saw a familiar face waiting for me. It was Miles Edgeworth. The real Miles Edgeworth. Alongside him was detective Gumshoe.

"What took you so long?" Edgeworth asked with a snooty tone.
"I took a cab." I answered. "There was a lot of red lights too."
"Why didn't you just ignore the red lights, pal?" Gumshoe asked with a grin.
"Coming from you, I feel less confident in you." Edgeworth sneered.
"S-sorry, Mister Edgeworth, sir."
"Well I followed your directions here. Is this the place?" I asked.
"This is without a doubt his house." Edgeworth replied with a weak smile.
"So what are we waiting for?! Let's get him, pal!"
"Patience, detective." Edgeworth sighed. "We have to find out if he is actually here first."
"Is that him in the window?" I asked, pointing at a window with a head through it.
"That's him..." Replied Edgeworth with a frown.
"So should we go in silently?"
"That would be our best option."

The three of us sneaked to the back of the house. We saw a cellar door and decided we should enter through there. Gumshoe pulled out a lock pick and worked on the lock. After a few minutes, the door was unlocked. Edgeworth opened the door slowly and went in. Gumshoe and myself followed him.

"Maya... Are you here?" I whispered around the cellar.
"NICK?!" Maya screamed.
"SHHHHH!" Hissed Edgeworth. "Keep it down."
"Fine..." Maya replied with a pout.

It was dark in the cellar, but the opened door let in some light. I rushed over to Maya and hugged her.

"Are you alright, Maya?" I whispered her.
"Now that you are here..." Maya whispered back, looking away from me and blushing.
"Hey, pals. The door is almost open." Chuckled detective Gumshoe.

The door crept open slowly and the four of us walked up the stairs. Maya grabbed my hand and wrapped her other arm around mine. I could tell she was afraid. The kidnapper was nowhere to be seen.

"Don't tell me he escaped again..." Gumshoe sighed.
"Again?" I asked. "What do you mean again?"
"When we nabbed him before, he broke free of his handcuffs and ran."
"Well, the door isn't open." Edgeworth commented. "I doubt he escaped."
"What's that over there?" I asked while pointing at a nearby staircase.
"That's a staircase, pal!" Replied Gumshoe happily.
"The kidnapper is probably up there." Edgeworth stated. "I wish to do this alone."
"What? I want to see him too!" I argued.
"I'm sorry, Wright..."

Edgeworth rushed behind me and put me in a sleeper hold. He started choking the life out of me until I passed out.

My name is Miles Edgeworth. I just made Phoenix Wright pass out. I released my grip on his limp body and made him flop onto the floor. Maya rushed to his aid, but I knew what I must do. I knelt down, wrapped my arm around her neck and started choking her. It was painful to watch, but I had to do it. Once she was 'sleeping' I stoop up. I ordered detective Gumshoe to go upstairs. He nodded and went up. I followed him shortly after.

"It's good to see you again, Miles." Cackled a familiar voice.
"I'm afraid I can't say the same about you." I replied angrily.
"Now, now," The voice chuckled. "no need to get snippy."
"I will end this now. Detective!"
"You got it, pal!"

Detective Gumshoe rushed at the man and placed a pair of handcuffs on him.

"I'm going to enjoy this..." I laughed as I walked to the man.

I send my fists flying at the man's face and pummeled him. I continued my assault, even after he begged for mercy. I stopped my barrage of punches after he was knocked out.

"Get him out of my sight..." I commanded.
"Yes, sir!" Gumshoe replied enthusiastically.

Gumshoe dragged the unconscious body of the man downstairs. I closed my eyes, deep in thought. I knew he was going to testify in tomorrow's trial. I went back downstairs and looked at Wright and Maya. I had no remorse for what I had done. It wasn't any of their buisness anyway. They would be fine in thirty minutes. I left the building and entered my limousine. I drove off, leaving the two love birds alone.

30 minutes later...

My name is Maya Fey. I woke up from the choke hold and saw Nick on the floor. He was still sleeping. He looked kinda cute when he was sleeping. I stood up slowly and waiting for Nick to wake up. A few minutes later, Nick woke up.

"Good morning, sleepy head." I laughed at him.
"Good morning, beautiful." He laughed back.

My eyes widened in shock. He called me beautiful. This was the first time he had ever said that. I knew this was the real Nick. He was letting his feelings out. I thought it would only be fair to let mine out too.

"Good morning, handsome." I laughed with a slight blush.
"Good morning." He replied. "Where's Edgeworth?"
"I'm not sure. I took a look around and nobody is here besides you and me."
"So... we are in the middle of nowhere with nobody around?"
"I think so..."
"Then... we can do whatever we want?"
"I guess you could put it that way."
"Maya..."
"Yes, Nick?"
"I love you."
"I love you too."

Nick stood up and wrapped his arms around me. I wrapped my arms around his body and moves my head towards his. He also did the same and moves his had toward mine. Our lips touched and we kissed. We held our lips together for what felt like forever. Nick grabbed my shirt and began to pull it up. I stepped back and pulled it back down again.

"S-so soon? You want to..."
"Maya, I love you so much..."

I blushed and stepped forward again and let him do whatever he wanted. He grabbed my shirt again and pulled it off. Next he pulled down my pants and looked at my body in awe. I didn't mind it at all. In a way, I wanted him to see me like this, in my bra and panties. After a while, he helped me get my clothes back on.

"W-well... I... uh..." I stuttered.
"We should get back home." He said with a gentle voice.
"Yeah... We should..."

We both went outside and he scooped me up. Nick carried me and walked home. It was about 2 miles away, but he didn't mind. When we got back to our house, Pearly was waiting for us.

"What took you so long?!" She screamed when we arrived. "Mister Scruffy had to take me here!"
"Sorry, Pearls." Nick sighed. "I was just rescuing Maya."
"Mystic Maya!"

Nick put me down onto my feet and Pearly hugged me. The three of us went back inside and had dinner. The dinner we were supposed to have two days ago, hamburgers! It seemed everything was back to normal.

My name is Pearl Fey. Mystic Maya was back home at last! Now her and Mister Nick can get all lovey-dovey together again! Aww... Young love... They both finished their dinner then want into Mister Nick's room. I don't know what they did, but it was noisy. After a long wait, I wanted to see what was going on, so I walked in. Mister Nick and Mystic Maya were sleeping in Mister Nick's bed naked together! It was so cute! I couldn't wait for what would happen the next day! Nick proposed to Maya! Oops... I gave away what happened... Sorry...

To be continued...

I was still in awe about what happened the night before... I couldn't believe we did that. I looked over at Maya, who was still asleep. I couldn't help but smile at her. I got up out of bed, only to realize I didn't have any clothes on. I covered myself up and looked through my wardrobe. I pulled out my usual attire and put my clothes back on. I walked out of the room and went to the kitchen to make breakfast. Pearls walked in, rubbing her eyes.

"Good morning, Mister Nick." Pearls yawned at me.
"Good morning, Pearls." I replied with a smile.
"Where's Mystic Maya?"
"She's still sleeping."
"I'll go wake her up!" Pearls laughed as she ran out of the kitchen.
"Pearls! Wait!"

It was too late. Pearls ran into the bedroom. I could hear Pearls from the kitchen.

"Mystic Maya! Wake up! Don't make me pull your blanket off!"

My eyes widened at what she said. If she lifted up the blanket, then... It was too late. Pearls screamed at what was no doubt Maya.

"Mystic Maya! Get some clothes on!"
"Huh? What are you doing, Pearly?"
"Look at yourself!"

I heard another scream, but it was Maya. Pearls ran back to me crying.

"Waaah! Mystic Maya!" She cried to me. "She has no clothes on!"
"Uh... Really?" I replied nervously. "Why would she sleep without clothes on?"
"Don't play dumb with me, Mister Nick!" She said with a pout and a smirk.
"W-what? I'm not playing dumb."
"You slept without clothes too!"
"N-n-no! No, I didn't!" I stammered with a blush. "Don't b-be ridiculous!"
"What's going on?" Asked a voice from the doorway.
"Mystic Maya!" Pearls screeched. "Nick slept without clothes too!"
"Well of course he did!" Maya replied with a smile. "He and I had s--"
"SAUSAGES FOR DINNER!" I yelled to cut off Maya.
"Why would you sleep without clothes on because you had sausages for dinner?"
"Don't worry, Pearly." Maya said while stroking Pearl's hair. "You will know when you are older."
"But I want to know now!" Pearls argued with a pout.

I sighed and pouted myself. There was no way I was going to tell Pearls about what happened. I left the kitchen to leave Maya to sort it out. I just hoped she wouldn't say something too bad. Besides, I had something special planned for that day anyway. I was going to propose to Maya!

An hour later...

I went back into the kitchen and saw everything was calm again. Maya Pearls was having breakfast. Maya looked at me as I walked in and smiled. I couldn't help but smile back.

"Are you going to eat something, Mister Nick?" Pearls asked without looking at me.
"I'm fine, Pearls." I replied with a cheesy grin. "Don't worry about me."
"I can still worry about you, right?" Maya pleaded.
"Of course you can!"
"Hey!" Pearl argued "Why can't I worry about you?"
"It's a secret, Pearls." I sighed. "You wouldn't understand."
"Why do lovers always keep secrets?" Pearls sobbed.

I had no comment, so I left. I left the house and went to the bus station. I didn't tell either of them I was going, because I was going to get an engagement ring. I waited for a bus and got on. I gave the driver the money and sat down at the back. I looked to my right and saw I was sitting next to Edgeworth. What a coincidence! I wanted to ask him something.

"Edgeworth. Why?" I asked. "Why did you do that to me?"
"It was my buisness and mine alone." He grumbled at me. "I didn't want you to intervene in my plan."
"Yeah, but it's suicidal going alone to get a kidnapper!"
"I had the detective with me, Wright."
"Oh right..."

Suddenly there was an awkward silence. I arrived at me stop, so I stood up and exited the bus. I went into the ring store and bought a diamond ring. Only the best for Maya. I left the store quickly enough to get back on the bus again. I sat at the front that time. I looked to see if anyone familiar was sitting next to me, but to my relief, there was nobody I knew. The bus stopped again and a familiar prosecutor walked in. She whipped the bus driver instead of paying him and sat next to me.

"That card." She sighed without looking at me. "Did you... like it?"
"Of course I did!" I replied with my infamous cheesy grin.
"That girl. She really likes you."
"Tell me something I don't know."
"Hush, you fool!"

Franziska whipped me on the cheek. I yelped in pain and rubbed my aching cheek.

"You didn't have to whip me, you know!" I yelled at the top of my lungs.
"I no longer have any interest in you."

Franziska stood up and walked to the back. She sat next to Edgeworth and they engaged in a conversation. The bus arrived at my house and I left the bus. I put my hand in my pocket and pulled out the ring box. I put it back and knocked on the door. Maya opened the door and let me in. I was so excited, I wanted to do it here and now. I knelt down on one knee and held her hand.

"Maya." I spoke softly. "Will you marry me?"

Her eyes widened in shock. She started crying tears of joy.

"Oh, Nick! Of course I... I..." She said while fighting the tears.
"Yes, yes?" I replied eagerly.
"I... think I'm having a--!"

Maya clutched her chest and fell to the floor. She stopped moving and closed her eyes. My heart rushed at the sight. I ran to the phone and rung 911 immediately. An ambulance rushed to our house and two ambulance officers came in with a gurney. They put Maya in the gurney and whisked her into the ambulance. I couldn't help but cry as I saw the ambulance drive off. Pearls looked at me and started crying herself.

"M-Mystic Mayaaaaa!" Pearls cried at the sight.
"Maya..." I wept softly. "What have I done?"

To be continued...

"Will Mystic Maya be okay, Mister Nick?" Pearls asked me as the ambulance drove off.
"No. She won't." I replied, looking down in shame.
"What happened to Mystic Maya?"
"I... don't know..."
"What will we do now?"
"Celebrate!"
"Celebrate? Why?"
"I always despised Maya. She was always so annoying."
"Mister Nick! Don't say mean things about your girlfriend!"
"SHUT UP!"

I swung my fist a Pearls and punched her in the nose. She fell to the floor, clutching her bleeding nose. I looked at my hands and fell to the floor myself.

I sat up in my bed quickly. I looked around me, but all I could see was darkness. I got up and searched for a light switch. I found one and switched on the light. I was in my bedroom. That horrible dream lingered in my thoughts. It seemed all too real. I looked at my bed and saw Maya. Her having a heart attack was also a dream. I sighed in relief and my nerves settled. I didn't have to worry about anything. Maya and Pearls were safe, I needed some sleep, and Maya was in my bed. I sat down on my bed and rubbed Maya, trying to wake her up. She didn't respond. I pushed her harder, but to no avail. She was lying in her side so I rolled her onto her back.

"Maya. Are you awake?" I asked her softly

I lifted up the blanket and saw a gristly scene. Maya had a knife in her chest and blood was everywhere. I looked around in disbelief and looked closer. I kept wishing that I was asleep. I assumed it was all a dream. I pinched myself to see if this really was a dream, but I felt the pain. It was real. Maya was dead. I fell to my knees and cried at the sight. While I was sleeping and dreaming that she had a heart attack, while in reality, she was stabbed in the heart.

The next morning...

I dragged Maya's corpse outside and wiped the blood off my hands. I looked up at the rising sun an realized it was morning. I went inside to the kitchen to wash the rest of the blood off my pajamas. While I was cleaning myself up, Pearls walked in.

"Good morning, Mister Nick." She yawned.
"Good... morning Pearl." I sighed, trying not to cry. How was I going to explain this to Pearls?
"What are you doing?"
"Just washing my hands."
"Where is Mystic Maya?"
"I don't kn--"
"I'll go wake her up!"
"PEARLS! WAIT!"

It was too late. Pearls ran out of the kitchen and, I assume, the bedroom. I heard a blood-curdling scream and Pearls ran back to me. She wrapped her arms around my leg and looked up at me.

"Th-there is blood in Mystic M-Maya's room!" Pearls sobbed to me with tears in her eyes.
"Really?" I responded, trying to act shocked.
"Come look!"

Pearls dragged me by my pajama pants to the bedroom. The whole left side of the bed was drenched in blood. Pearls hid behind me and grabbed my leg again.

"Who did this, Mister Nick?" She asked with a quailing voice.
"I... don't know..." I replied with tears in my eyes.
"Where is Mystic Maya?"
"I don't know where she is either..."
"I will have a look around for her!"

Pearls ran all around the house in search for Maya. The whole time she searched I wish she didn't look out back. Pearls throughly searched the house, but to no avail. She ran back to me puffed out.

"I... couldn't... find her... anywhere..." Pearls panted.
"Don't look outside." I blurted out, speaking my thoughts.
"OKAY!"
"Wait! Pearls!"

Pearls ran outside and resumed her search. I assumed she found Maya's corpse when I heard another scream. I went out back to look for her. Pearls was crouched down at Maya's corpse, crying. I walked over to her and knelt down next to her. I wrapped my arm around Pearl, but she pushed it away.

"Please, Mister Nick..." She wept to me. "Leave me alone..."

I nodded and went back inside. I wait for about ten minutes and she came back inside. She looked and me briefly and walked off. I heard the sound of a door closing, then silence. I knew she was crying alone in her room. It must have been to much for her, the thought that all of her direct family is gone. Her mother, who was the only one there for her, bar Maya, was arrested earlier this year and now her only cousin was dead. I couldn't help but shed a tear for Pearl's sake.

Later that day...

It was a miracle that we could plan a funeral on such short notice. The trial was canceled due to the defendant's death. Only me and Pearls attended Maya's funeral. It was heartbreaking that nobody else wanted to come to Maya's funeral. Pearls cried at the thought nobody else came. Just before the priest began his speech, a limousine arrived. The driver got out and opened the passenger seat. Edgeworth stepped out of the limousine, followed by Gumshoe.

"Mister Edgeworth!" Pearls cried to them. "Mister Dick!"
"Hey there, little pal!" Gumshoe replied with his signature cheesy grin.

Edgeworth stayed quiet. He glanced over at me for a second, then sat down on one of the funeral's seats at the back, while Gumshoe sat next to him. I sat down at the front and Pearls sat next to me. The priest read from the Bible, then said some words about Maya.

"Maya Fey was a good woman." He began. "Accused of murder three times, but found innocent each time. Her last surviving relative is this young girl right here."

The priest pointed at Pearls. Pearls looked away from the priest and resumed her crying.

"Everyone will now say one thing to Maya Fey before she rests for eternity."

Everyone sat up from their seats. It would be surprising what Edgeworth had to say. Pearls was first to say something.

"Mystic Maya--" She said, only to be cut off by the priest.
"That's Maya Fey, little one." The priest corrected.
"No! It's Mystic Maya!" Pearls argued with a slap.
"Ouch! Okay, okay! Continue." The priest sighed as he rubbed his cheek.
"Mystic Maya was my cousin. She was Mister Nick's girlfriend..."

All eyes were on me, including Edgeworth's. Edgeworth snickered at me, but regained his composure to listen to Pearls.

"I am sure Mister Nick was going to marry Mystic Maya if she didn't die."

Everyone, including the priest, burst into laughter. This was the first time I had seen Edgeworth or Pearls laugh. I blushed at the fact that it was true. I was going to propose to Maya if she had not died. The priest cleared his throat and silence filled the graveyard.

"Thank you very much, young lady." He congratulated Pearls.
"You're welcome, Mister old man!" Pearls laughed in reply.
"Would anyone else like to say something?"
"I would, pal!" Gumshoe shouted at the top of his lungs. "Maya Fey was a hotty! If Mister Wright wasn't already dating her, I would be ALL OVER her!"

The whole graveyard erupted with laughter. Everyone was either laughing at me or Gumshoe, but I think the majority was laughing at me. After about five minutes, the laughter died down.

"Who else... would like to... say something?" Panted the priest, trying to catch his breath.
"I think it would be my turn." Edgeworth stated.
"Very well, young man."
"Maya Fey... She was very important to Wright. I am sure he is most heartbroken. I send my condolences to you, Wright."

I had never seen Edgeworth say something nice before. It was a relief his speech didn't cause any laugher.

"But..."

I knew it was too good to be true...

"It's a shame you two..." Edgeworth snickered. "didn't have se--"
"SENSUAL MASSAGES TOGETHER!" I blurted out to cut him off.

The graveyard erupted in thunderous laughter. I blushed at the fact that Edgeworth was going to say that word... After a while everyone calmed down. It was my turn to say something.

"Maya Fey... WAS important to me, as Edgeworth said." I sighed, teas forming in my eyes. "He had our moments, but we ended up making up in the end. It is true what Pearls said, I WAS going to propose to her if she hadn't died. I will miss you, Maya. I... I love you..."

I sat back down with tears running down my face. It was hard to believe she was really gone. This wasn't a dream, so there is no chance I will wake up with Maya ALIVE by my side.

2 hours later...

Me and Pearls arrived at my house via Edgeworth's limousine and went inside without a word. I went into my room and looked at the blood-soaked sheet. I took it off and went to the laundry room. I dumped the sheet into the washing machine and went back to my room. I took the bloody blanket and went to the laundry again. I put the blanket into the washing machine. I put some washing power into the machine and closed the lid. I set it to high, got a fresh blanket and sheets, then left. I went to my room and put the sheets on my bed. I put the new blanket on and made my bed. I had to live life without Maya as a legal guardian... I felt like my life had no meaning anymore. I went to my wardrobe and opened the doors. I took out a revolver and aimed it at my head. I knew it was horrible for Pearl to live on her own, so I lowered the revolver. I went into the kitchen and saw Pearls washing the dishes in the sink. Tears rushed down my face at the thought of what I was going to do. I aimed the revolver at Pearl's head and fired. Pearls fell to the floor dead. I knew it was my turn next. I aimed the revolver at my head and fired. I fell to the floor dead.

The End?

I woke up in my bed with Maya. I realized that too was also a dream. I was shook up by the nightmare. I couldn't believe I dreamt of killing Pearls and myself. I looked over at Maya and rubbed her shoulder.

"Maya. Maya." I whispered gently. "Wake up..."

Maya's eyes slowly opened. She glanced over at me and smiled.

"Is it morning already?" She asked with a yawn.
"Yes..." I responded with a relieved sigh. "It is..."
"Why are you so sweaty?"
"Just a nightmare. Don't worry about it."

I got up out of bed and left without getting some proper clothes on. I went into the kitchen and started preparing some breakfast. I got a cereal box with the Pink Princess on it and a bowl from out of the cupboards. I poured the cereal into the bowl and went to the fridge to get some milk. I opened the fridge, got a carton of milk, then closed the fridge door. When I closed the door and turned around, Pearls was standing in front of me.

"Good morning, Mister Nick." Pearls yawned with a smile. "Where is Mystic Maya?"
"In my room." I replied without a thought.
"I'll go wake her up!"

Pearls ran out of the kitchen and into the bedroom. I heard a scream, then the sound of rapid footsteps. Pearls ran back into the kitchen and started crying.

"M-Mystic Maya!" Pearls sobbed to me. "She... She..."
"Yes, yes?" I asked in anticipation.
"Has no clothes on!"

Not this again... Now I expected Maya to come in and say what she said last time.

"That's because me and Nick had s--" Maya said from the doorway, with clothes on.
"Sausages again for dinner last night!" I yelled to cut off Maya, with the same excuse.
"I don't know what you do to those poor sausages without clothes on..." Pearl sighed.
"It's nothing!" I spoke with a cheesy grin. "Don't worry about it!"
"Whatever you say, Mister Nick..."

Pearls grabbed a bowl from one of the cupboards and poured herself some cereal. I still had the milk, so I put it down on the counter. Pearls poured milk into her bowl while I opened one of the drawers and got two spoons. I dunked one of the spoons into her bowl and she walked to the table. I poured myself some milk and put the other spoon in. I sat down next to Pearls and Maya sat next to me with her own cereal shortly after.

"So what happened to the trial?" Pearls asked eagerly.
"It got postponed." I replied. "They needed to investigate more."
"Sounds logical..."

I noticed Maya hadn't spoken, besides when she almost revealed what happened last night. While thinking of Maya, I remembered the ring I bought for her. I put it away in my room. I thought long and hard about how I was going to propose to her. I was so excited, I wanted to do it now, in my underwear. I laughed at the thought of proposing like this and decided I needed some clothes on. I rushed to my room and put on some fresh clothes. I didn't put on my attorney suit, I put on my street clothes: Black t-shirt and jeans. I went back to the kitchen and Maya was gone.

"She went outside." Pearls sighed while pointing at the door that lead to the backyard.

I opened the door and looked outside. Maya was on her knees in the backyard. I went over to her and crouched down next to her.

"What are you doing out here?" I asked with a gentle tone.
"Nothing..." Maya replied abnormally. "Don't worry about me..."
"If something is wrong, you can tell me. I will listen."

I looked her in the eyes to speak again, but I noticed the tears trickling down her face.

"Why are you crying?" I asked in concern.
"I told you, it's nothing..." She replied.
"If something is wrong, I can try and help."

She was looking down, so I sat down in front of her, put my hand under her chin and lifted her head up so she looked at me.

"Please Maya..." I spoke gently. "I'm here for you."

Her eyes widened and she outstretched her arms slowly. I knew what she wanted, so I outstretched my arms and leaned forward. We embraced and hugged each other. I could feel her disappointment pressing against me among other things. I leaned forward a little too far and fell on top of Maya. She fell back and landed on the grass with me on top of her. She looked me in the eyes and smiled. Her misery suddenly went away. We grabbed each other and rolled around together on the grass, merrily laughing. When we got tired, we stopped. She was on top of me this time. I looked her in the eye and smiled. She smiled back, closed her eyes, and leaned forward. I closed my eyes and leaned forward too until our lips gently touched and we kissed in the backyard with her on top of me. It seemed like forever, but we finally got out of the lip lock and she sat down on top of me again. I felt this was the right time. I signaled her to get off me, and she did so. She and I both stood up and I told her to wait. I went inside and into my bedroom. I looked in my pairs of shoes and found the box in one of the shoes. I ran back outside where Maya was still waiting and told her to close her eyes. I knelt down on one knee and spoke.

"Maya Fey... Will you marry me?"

I opened the box the ring was in and showed it to her. Maya stared at the ring without any emotion.

"Phoenix... I can't..." She sighed without looking at me.

I couldn't believe it. She rejected me. She didn't want to spend the rest of her life with me. I fell to my knees and tears formed in my eyes. Maya went back inside without a second thought, leaving me alone in the backyard. It seemed like she didn't care... But then suddenly I realized something...

To be continued...

Something didn't seem right about Maya. She was suddenly acting differently, plus the fact she rejected my proposal. Her voice was also different when she rejected me. I went back inside and looked for Maya. Pearls was still eating her cereal, but Maya was nowhere in sight.

"She... went... that way..." Pearls said between munching, pointing at the front door.

I went to the front door and opened it. Maya was out the front talking to someone. I decided I shouldn't let her see me, so I pressed my back against the wall. I didn't see who she was talking to, so I decided to listen to what they were saying.

"Do you think he suspects anything?" Asked the other person.
"Not at all." Replied Maya. I think.
"When should we get him...?"
"In due time."

My eyes widened in shock. From the sounds of things, the person she was talking to was going to "get" me in some way. I listened again closely.

"I can't wait to really give it to him!" Maya cried excitedly.
"Yeah..." The other person replied with a sly tone. "It will really knock his socks off."
"BUT I WANT TO KEEP MY SOCKS! I ONLY HAVE ONE PAIR!" I blurted suddenly.

I don't know why I yelled that. I guess it was a human reaction to hearing something like that. Maya through the front door and looked at me.

"Eavesdropping are we, Phoenix?" She asked me.
"E-eavesdropping? N-no!" I stammered in reply, without looking at her. "I-I would n-never do that!"

I turned to look at her and realized her body was different. Her body was larger, as well as some other things. Her face had also change in appearance. The only thing that was the same was her hair and clothes. I realized that it was Mia.

"Ch-chief!" I yelled in her face.
"Easy, Phoenix." Mia sighed. "No need to yell."
"So... I proposed to you?"
"Maya accidentally channeled me while you were frolicking in the backyard."

Everything suddenly made sense. The reason that 'Maya' rejected me was because I was proposing to Mia instead. I then thought to myself that I should propose to the true Maya when she stopped channeling Mia. For the meantime, I had to think about HOW I was going to do it.

"Phoenix," Asked Mia. "are you feeling okay?"
"Never better!" I replied confidentially.
"I guess you want my sister now, right?"
"How did you know?"
"I CAN read your thoughts, Phoenix."
"Oh yeah..."
"Good luck with the proposal!"

Maya's body changed back to normal. She looked up at me and smiled.

"NIIIIIIIICK!" She squealed while lunging onto me.
"Oh no!" Screamed a voice from the kitchen. "Mystic Maya! I'll save you!"

Pearls ran to the front door expecting Maya to be in trouble, but instead saw her lying on top of me while I blushed. Pearls looked on on shock and held her cheeks with a smile.

"Oh, Mystic Maya." Pearls giggled like the little girl she is. "I didn't think you would admit your love for Mister Nick so early! We have to celebrate!"
"I... don't think that's necessary, Pearls." I sighed. "It's been going for a while now."
"You mean you showed your love for Mystic Maya without telling me?!"

Pearls rolled up her sleeve with an angry frown. I felt like my head was going to explode, as well as something else on my anatomy. I had to get Maya off me before things got harder. No pun intended...

"Easy, Pearly!" Maya laughed with a smile. "Nick's too shy to tell anyone."
"In that case," Pearls smiled. "We need to teach you to be confident in your love."
"Now, Maya..." I spoke while struggling in vain. "Could you get off me?"
"Not just yet, Feenie." Maya giggled as she leaned her head forward.

Feenie... I hadn't heard that word for years. Memories came flooding back. Bad memories. Before I could worry any more, Maya's lips touched mine. Maya kissed me right in front of Pearls. I looked over at Pearls and she was in utter shock. Maya continued her lip lock and I could feel Maya's hands rubbing across my chest. I could feel her hands going lower and lower. Her hands reached my navel, but they didn't stop there. Her hands ran softly down my navel and down to my pants. I felt my heads were going to explode. BOTH heads! Maya's hands slowed down, but still continued going down my body. She slipped her hands into my pants and then...

"MAYA!" I cried out in shock. "I think you should stop!"

Maya pulled her hands out of my pants. Thankfully she didn't touch anything in there.

"Why not?" She whined at me.
"Her." I sighed as I pointed at Pearls.
"Oh, right."

Pearls was shaking from the sight. She looked like she was going to faint. I had never seen Pearls like this until now. She backed away slowly and ran back into the kitchen. I realized that this was my time to get up. I looked into Maya's eyes and waves my hands to my right. She got up and sidestepped to allow me to stand up. I stood up slowly and dusted myself off. I held her hands and spoke.

"Maya. We have been through good times and bad..." I spoke softly. "But in the end, things turned out for the best. But now, I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

I knelt down on one knee, put my hand into my pocked, pulled out the small box, showed it to her and opened it up.

"Maya... will you marry me?" I asked.

Tears ran down Maya's face. I could tell she was almost speechless. She opened her mouth, but no words could come out. She smiled at me while crying tears of joy.

"Oh, Nick..." Maya spoke, still with her smile. "Of course I'll marry you!"

I did it. I finally did it. I guess the third time is the charm, even though the first time was a dream, while the second was me proposing to Mia. I stood up and we embraced once more. Our lips met each other once again while I heard footsteps.

"Awww..." Pearls giggled. "How sweet..."

Maya stopped her kiss and turned to Pearls, still holding me.

"Nick asked me to marry him!" Maya shouted in astonishment.
"REALLY?!" Pearls shrieked, astounded. "HOW CUTE!"
"I said yes..." Maya said with a smile, then looking back at me.

We looked each other in the eye and we both smiled in sync. We were soon going to be man and wife! A real couple! Little did I know what the wedding had in store for me...

To be continued...

I was ready. It's been two months since the proposal, everything is prepared and I'm wearing sunglasses.

"Take those silly things off!" Pearls shrieked at me. "They look hidious!"
"But they make me look cool..." I moaned in reply
"Just take them off!"

I took off my sunglasses with a sigh. I stood in front of the mirror in my room and looked at my tuxedo. I hadn't seen Maya all day. I straightened my tie and walked out of the room with Pearls following me. I looked around for Maya, but she was nowhere in sight. She might have been trying on her dress somewhere else.

Three hours later...

I was in a taxi cab waiting to go to the church where me and Maya were going to get married. Pearls was with me too. The driver looked pretty scruffy and bulky. For some reason, there was someone in the passenger seat. He was wearing a purple tuxedo with a cravat and he had spiky hair. He looked familiar. Even the driver seemed familiar. I couldn't quite put my finger on--

"Where to, pal?" Asked the driver.
"Do I know you?" I asked.
"Please, Wright..." The passenger chuckled. "Don't tell me you really are that imbecilic..."

That voice... It could only mean one man... Miles Edgeworth.

"Edgeworth..." I sighed. "I still can't trust you after what happened in Chapter 5."
"What do you mean by 'Chapter 5'?" He replied, obviously confused.
"Never mind..."
"The church, pal?" The driver asked me.
"You're right. Take us there."

It was Gumshoe. Detective Dick Gumshoe.

"Hello, Mister Dick!" Pearls laughed cheerfully.
"Please," Gumshoe sighed. "don't call me Dick..."

Gumshoe started the engine and drove off. After a thirty minute drive, we arrived at the church. It was packed, even on the outside with familiar faces which were both good and bad to see. As soon as I stepped out of the cab, all eyes were on me. The place erupted with cheering and applause. I couldn't help but smile at the thought that for once, everyone was on MY side. I went to the back of the church where the wedding was being held, in a garden. There was an hedge in the shape of an arch with roses all over it. In front of the arch was a series of folding chairs for the "audience" to sit. The isle was a red carpet that went from the arch to the back door of the church. Looking at the red carpet made me feel famous.

"Mister Nick." Pearls whined at me. "Where is Mystic Maya?"
"Inside is my guess." I replied confidentally.

Pearls, without a thought, ran inside. Suddenly I was approached by the only man not wearing anything formal, Larry Butz.

"Hey, Nick!" He hollered with his signature 'thumbs up' pose. "Dude, you're in the ZONE!"
"Ummm... Thank you?" I replied in confusion, wondering what "the zone" is.
"So how many kids are you planning to have?" He asked slyly. "Ten? Twenty?"
"I'M NOT IN IT FOR THE SEX!"

Suddenly all eyes were on me again. Everyone looked at me with a confused look on their faces. I blushed at the thought that I shouted that word out loud. Even though I did "have it" once before...

"Whatever you say..." Larry snickered at me.
"I'm serious, Larry..." I replied coldly.
"Whatever..."

Larry then went over to a group of women and attempted to flirt with them. I wondered if he would ever get a girlfriend that either wasn't a model or would at least stay with him for a full week without breaking up with him. I decided I shouldn't worry about Larry's messed-up love life and focus on my marriage. The priest walked out of the building with a Bible in his arm and went to the arch. He looked like he was around sixty years old. He turned around and opened up his Bible with a smile.

"The wedding will begin shortly." The priest stated happily with an Irish accent.

Everyone roared with chatter. Exited chatter. Everyone sat down on the chairs and continued their chattering. I couldn't wait to see Maya again. The priest closed his Bible and walked up to me.

"It is time." He said with a smile.

The priest walked back to the arch while I trailed behind him. We both stood under the arch and faced the crowd. I was so nervous. All eyes were on me for a third time. Suddenly some music started playing and the church doors opened. Out walked Larry, the best man. He was still in his normal clothes. I wished right now I picked someone else to be the best man. It was too late now. Larry walked up to me and stood at my side.

"Sex." He snickered at me.

I ignored him and looked at the opened door again. Out walked Pearls, the flower girl. She was wearing a purple dress with a white rose on the right side of her collar. She was carrying a basket of roses of all colors, besides black. Pearls walked up to the arch and stood opposite to me and Larry. Next came Cody Hackins, the ring bearer. He was wearing a black tuxedo with a green shirt underneath. He carried a red silk pillow with the rings to the arch. When he reached the arch, he stood beside the priest.

"Sex." Larry giggled at me.
"Quiet." I hissed at him.

Finally, "Here Comes the Bride' played and all eyes were suddenly shifted from me to the door. Everyone waited for Maya to come out. I was so excited to see her in her wedding dress. Everyone kept watching the door, anticipating the arrival of the bride. Everyone was clearly excited, but it died down quickly. Maya wasn't coming out. I started to worry. After a few minutes, the music stopped. The priest went inside to see what was going on.

10 minutes later...

The priest came out of the church and returned to the arch. He faced the crowd once more and apologized.

"I am sorry for the wait." He sighed with disappointment.

The music started playing again. This time everyone wasn't as excited. But suddenly, Maya walked out in a white dress. The whole garden erupted with cheering and applause louder than my reception. I was kinda jealous... Then again, I wasn't jealous because a crowd reception doesn't matter, I'm going to get married. Maya walked down the isle with her bride's maids. One was Ema Skye and the other was Franziska von Karma. It was strange seeing Franziska wearing a bride's maid's dress. She clearly hated it. Maya walked up to the arch and faced me. I faced her and looked her in the eyes.

"I'm sorry..." She sighed in disappointment. "I was just so nervous..."
"It's alright." I replied, trying to calm her down.

The music stopped and the priest opened his Bible again.

"Dearly beloved, we gather here in God's church to unite Phoenix Wright and Maya Fey in holy matrimony." He spoke with a smile. "If anyone objects to this commitment, speak now or forever hold your peace."

The garden was filled with a chilling silence, to my relief.

A few minutes later...

"You may read your vows." The priest stated happily.
"I wrote my own vows." Maya said cheerfully as she pulled a sheet of paper from her pocket. "Nick, I promise to always be there for you, at your side, even if it costs me my life."

A huge sigh filled the garden. Everyone, including me, obviously found that to be sweet.

"Mister Wright," The priest spoke. "your vows?"

I pulled a piece of paper from my pocket, unfolded it and read it out loud.

"Maya, from the day we first met I was infatuated. When I first looked into your eyes, I knew it was love. I have saved your life many times, and I would do so over and over again, even if it means I lose my job. I could not live without you."

I got a softer sigh than Maya's. I felt like everyone perfered her.

"Phoenix Wright, do you take Maya Fey to be your wife, to have and to hold, through sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?" The priest asked.
"I do." I replied with a smile.
"Maya Fey, do you take Phoenix Wright as your husband, to have and to hold, through sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?"
"I... I..." Maya stammered.

All eyes in the garden were on her, anticipating her answer. Maya looked down, covering her face with her hair, and after a few seconds, replied.

"I don't."

A huge gasp filled the garden. My eyes widened in shock, my heart racing. I couldn't believe it. She said "I don't" on our wedding day. Maya walked away from the church. I couldn't help but cry. I fell to my knees and wept. In front of all my friends. I couldn't believe my ears. I was heartbroken. Something didn't seem right about her. I felt like this thing had happened before.

That was the end. I never saw Maya again. I didn't know what happened to her, but I knew she didn't love me. After that, I started taking piano lessons. It cost me all my money, so I spent the rest of my days as a hobo. A piano-playing hobo. Until that case... On our wedding day, her voice...