#well except for the edgeworth franziska and gumshoe they got off fine

[mekatrio]

ace attorney... is so bad.... except when its good.... otherwise its really really bad.... ohh

[rivalsforlife]

one more ahaha but the cherry blossom scene at the end of catch up game ch 3 because i'm still thinking nonstop about it all the time 👀👉👈

ABSOLUTELY I CAN also for anyone reading this go look at Mika’s art which inspired this scene. It’s the tumblr version so you can reblog it too, which you should do, even if you don’t read my long rambling,

okay once again rambling below...

Traditionally, Larry Butz arrived at any social gathering anywhere from half an hour to three hours later than the time he was told, so all things considered, he was actually early. Phoenix wasted no time informing him of the latest betrayal among their small elementary school friend group.

this is a direct callout to one of my friends from high school, where we started seriously considering telling her that any social event we were planning started an hour earlier than it actually did so that she’d make it there on time. We never did in case this turned out to be the time she actually made it on time, but still.

“Larry, remember that one time we were trying to make that gigantic hopscotch game, and we ran out of chalk?” He pointed an accusatory finger at Edgeworth, who sighed. “It turns out, Edgeworth hid it all along!”

Larry blinked, then shrugged. “Oh yeah, right, that. Well, I kind of had an idea…”

“Wh — You hid this from me too?! D-Death! The death penalty for the both of you!”

“Why does this all sound so familiar,” Edgeworth commented under his breath.

I think this part is mostly there so Larry actually does something because I couldn’t find any real way to fit him into this fic...? Anyways the dialogue there with Phoenix threatening the death penalty on Miles and Larry is pretty much directly lifted from the end of Turnabout Goodbyes, which is why Miles comments on it sounding familiar. 

They continued on in that vein for some time, dredging up old elementary school memories. Phoenix proclaimed to be the only innocent member of that group, before Edgeworth brought up a set of very nice gel pens Phoenix reportedly stole from him. Phoenix and Edgeworth got caught up in their argument, and barely even noticed when Larry wandered away, joining Maggey and Gumshoe at the fishing pond while Franziska critiqued them.

This sort of familiar banter was normal. As Edgeworth teased in that same way he had ever since Phoenix first faced him in court, he had to wonder if he’d just imagined the way Edgeworth had been looking at him during the party. Maybe everything was fine, after all.

Not pictured: Phoenix and Miles leaning in closer to each other as they argue. too close. Larry tries to comment but neither of them hear him. Eventually he just walks away because he’s sick of third-wheeling with these two. It’s my firm belief that if there weren’t the court benches in the way that they need to slam, these two would slowly walk closer and closer to each other as they argue because they. uh. want to “intimidate” each other. that’s why they’re nose to nose like that. the whole courtroom is suddenly very uncomfortable.

Haha anyways also I think these two would pick the dumbest things to argue about all the time? Never seriously arguing, the just like bickering because they don’t know how to hold conversations about their feelings.

“You still haven’t explained exactly what happened to my gel pen set,” Edgeworth accused, as they circled around the argument for the third time.

Phoenix threw his hands up in the air. “I just forgot to return it! I didn’t know you were so bothered by it. You should have brought it up!”

“Back then? You were so sensitive. If I brought up that you might have upset me in the least, you would have burst into tears.”

“I wasn’t that sensitive.”

Edgeworth sighed. “Wright, you cried when I got a question wrong on a spelling test, because you thought I would be sad about it.”

“And you were!” Phoenix retorted. “You cried for like an hour!”

“Because when you started crying, I thought it was something I had to be ashamed of!”

More bickering, pretty much! Also I do think Phoenix cried A Lot and was super sensitive up until the whole Dahlia trial which traumatized him pretty badly... 

Anyways the REAL story behind this incident which I am making up just now is probably that Miles was on the verge of crying because of Getting Something Wrong -- which I totally get, I absolutely almost cried over spelling tests as a baby -- and Phoenix picked up on this and realized his best friend was sad and started crying, which made Miles start to fully cry, and it just became a mess.

Meanwhile Larry with the 3/10 on his spelling test was just like “I don’t get what you guys are so upset about a 9/10 is great” which just makes them cry even more.

(Then Gregory probably found out about this incident and sat Miles down and gave him a speech about “everyone makes mistakes and it’s okay to not be perfect all the time, this is a learning opportunity and it shows you what you need to work on!”

:)

That sentiment didn’t last very long.)

Wow I’m getting off topic, moving on --

Phoenix crossed his arms. “I remember this whole thing very differently than you do. You cried first.”

“I never cried in fourth grade.”

Phoenix leaned in and whispered into his ear, “Origami.”

“Do not bring that up!” Edgeworth hissed as Phoenix reared back, laughing.

I don’t know if you need to lean in super close and whisper that in his ear though Phoenix, that might be a bit unnecessary. Miles got lucky here in that his Eternal Shame over not being able to fold an origami crane in fourth grade overrode whatever reaction he undoubtedly would have had about Phoenix’s face being very close to his face.

Anyways this banter is here in the fic mostly because I really wanted to show them being all comfortable and happy with each other. That was a major thing I wanted to push as much as possible in these earlier chapters, that they do care about each other a lot even before we enter the more outright romantic territory.

“Regardless, I am certain you took my gel pen set, so don’t try to blame faulty memory on that one. I bet you carelessly used them all up, didn’t you?”

“Hardly! I wouldn’t even touch it after you left. It reminded me of you.”

Some of the fight left Edgeworth’s stance. “Really?”

“Well… yeah.” He wasn’t sure why the admission suddenly felt like a confession of an entirely different sort.

aw man Phoenix you brought feelings into your banter NOW what are you going to do.

I’m preeetty sure I have books that I lent to my friends in fourth grade that they never gave back so it’s of course not an inherently romantic thing, they probably just forgot it was mine and obviously aren’t going to bring it back now ten years later, but for Phoenix in this case it was probably more like “I borrowed these gel pens from Miles and then keep forgetting to give them back but was going to after winter break, and then he left, so I need to hold onto them until he comes back”. Miles was taken from his life so suddenly it probably had a huge effect on him, especially since he had few friends at the time and Miles made such a big impact on him.

The two of them sat underneath the tree in a sudden, serene quiet. They’d both discarded their suit jackets at some point, down to their dress shirts and waistcoats. Phoenix pretended not to notice the way Edgeworth’s eyes darted across the line of his shoulders and lingered longer than they should have.

I don’t ever really pay much attention to what people are wearing or what they look like at any particular time when I’m writing, but in this case I took extra care to make sure they were in the same outfits as in the art that inspired this!

Maybe I’ll ramble a bit more about that! Pretty much the “theme” of narumitsu week this year was “cherry blossoms”, so I wanted to find some way to incorporate them into this fic somewhere somehow. I decided to have that as a focus on Free Day because I enjoy having structure and wasn’t sure what to have for the day.

Some of this scene, mainly the picnic, is inspired by that one official art here. The first iteration of this chapter had everyone in it (with the obvious exceptions of Diego and Mia) but then I took out Maya and Pearl for reasons I explained when I was talking about the scene in chapter 6 where I decided to cut a lot of Maya’s scenes out of this fic... even though I love her a lot.

And of course when I thought about cherry blossoms and narumitsu I thought about Mika’s art, yes I am linking it again, which I believe she posted about a month or so before I started planning and I was Thinking About It Constantly. It’s gorgeous and since there was the perfect opportunity to use it here I just couldn’t resist and here we are.

Back to the paragraph: Miles attempted to subtly check Phoenix out. It was not subtle.

“Do you still have those gel pens?” Edgeworth asked, softer. “I think you owe me them, after everything.”

“Oh, shut up,” said Phoenix, but it was difficult to have a heated argument right now, for some unknown reason. “If I still have them, they’re in a box somewhere. Plus, they ought to have dried up by now.”

“I doubt it.” A faint smile was beginning to crawl on Edgeworth’s face. “Those gel pens were state of the art.”

“Sure they were,” Phoenix dismissed. “And, what, you’re going to use them? Sign your fancy prosecutor documents in bright pink?”

“What makes you think I don’t do that already?”

“You wouldn’t — oh, wait, of course you’d have customized ink in the same colour as your entire wardrobe, who am I even talking to…”

“Mhm.” Edgeworth brushed his bangs from his eyes, a motion that Phoenix’s brain decided to fixate on for some reason. “But really, you went to all the trouble of keeping the set, and you never used any of them?”

(Miles voice) “oh so you kept something as trivial as that for so long because they reminded you of me? Tell me more. Why do you want a reminder of me. What exactly do you think of me, Wright,”

hm pretty much as soon as Phoenix brought Feelings into this conversation the atmosphere kind of changed and you can now imagine Miles staring with the most adoring expression at Phoenix while Phoenix is ignoring this with such intensity that it doesn’t even show up in his narration. But he also watches the way Miles brushes his bangs from his eyes, so he’s not much better.

And thinking about it now this scene really went on for too long about gel pens hahaha... 

“Objection!” Phoenix declared. “I used the blue one to write you letters at first.”

“Ah, of course you did. I never got any of those… How many did you send?”

“I don’t even want to know…”

Edgeworth hummed and looked off into the distance, where Gumshoe was demonstrating how to cast a line. “Your level of dedication is something else,” he said, as if to himself.

“Well, yeah. You were my only non-Larry friend. You were…” Phoenix swallowed. “You were important to me, you know? You saved me.”

“You keep bringing that up. You’ve more than returned the favor, you know that, don’t you?”

“I’m inclined to disagree.”

I don’t have a consistent headcanon about whether Miles got or read the letters, in this fic presumably von Karma intercepted them and got rid of them... and then presumably Miles ignored any that were sent to him as an adult.

Also these two are going to have ridiculous arguments about who saved who until they’re on their deathbeds, I’m sure.

Edgeworth turned back towards him as if to retort, but stopped halfway, his eyes widening slightly as he stared at Phoenix.

“... Something on my face?” Phoenix asked, trying to quell the feeling of some sort of anxiety that bubbled up when Edgeworth stared at him like that.

insert mikacherryblossomart.png

Miles turns away for one second and then suddenly oh no he’s even more gorgeous now

Edgeworth was silent for some time. Then, very softly, he said, “You have cherry blossom petals in your hair.”

“What? Do I?” He reached a hand up to brush them out, but Edgeworth stopped him by grabbing his wrist, freezing Phoenix.

“With your hair, you’ll never get them out like that.” With his spare hand, Edgeworth began to pick each individual petal from his hair. “You look so — silly, Wright.”

Partially a callback to the beginning of chapter 3, when they were kids:

“Y-Your hair,” Miles managed to say through stifled laughter. “One of the flowers fell into it.”

Phoenix hands shot up into his hair. “Really?”

“You look so silly, Phoenix.” When Phoenix failed to find the flower, Miles reached out. “Here, let me.” 

 Phoenix remained still as Miles reached up to the top of his head and picked the flower out of his hair. “Your hair’s really soft,” Miles said quietly, before handing it over to Phoenix. “Here you go.”

because Miles apparently remembered that it was difficult for Phoenix to get the petals from his hair the first time, and also, wanted an excuse to touch Phoenix’s hair again.

But also the dialogue and interactions are ONCE AGAIN INSPIRED BY MIKA based on this reply to my reply to the art on twitter. look at that you can go and retweet the art on twitter too!

Overall this gives us an accurate Thoughts to Speech translator for Miles:

Miles: You have cherry blossom petals in your hair and it is going to kill me.

Phoenix: What? Do I?

Miles: No, wait, don’t brush them out, I want to touch your hair because it is soft and this is the perfect excuse. You look so captivating.

if Miles had said that out loud though it would probably have killed both of them.

Phoenix let out an awkward, low laugh, starting somewhere deep within his chest. “R-Really.”

“Mhm.”

Edgeworth’s eyes locked with Phoenix’s, and time seemed to freeze. There was a sudden thrum of tension in the air, as if Phoenix were in a play and he’d suddenly forgotten his lines, forgotten he was supposed to be in a play at all.

(chanting) “kiss kiss kiSS KISS KISS --”

But before either of them could break the sudden spell over them, a fishing hook whirred through the air, and —

“Ack, I — I think I got it stuck!”

but of course that needs to be interrupted at the worst possible time because this is fanfiction and this is how things work!

“In the tree?! How did you even manage to get it that far?”

“Don’t worry about it, Maggey, I can climb up the tree and get it unstuck, just hang on —”

“No, no, if I just give it a big yank—”

“Maggey—!”

I broke the first rule of writing dialogue because I can’t really remember who’s supposed to be saying what. I think that Maya had a few lines here and then I didn’t change them since there were no dialogue tags...

Pretty much -- Maggey with her eternal luck tried to fish but released the line too early as she was swinging back so the line went back and got caught in the tree branches directly above Phoenix and Miles.

I think the dialogue progression goes Maggey -> Originally Maya but now either Larry or Franziska -> Gumshoe -> Maggey -> everyone going MAGGEY NO!!!

I remember going fishing with my grandpa once a long time ago and either I or my brother did get the fishing line stuck in a tree. would not recommend.

The branch above Phoenix and Edgeworth jostled, and pink petals burst all around them, fluttering down and catching in their hair and on their clothes. One petal even fell behind Edgeworth’s glasses.

They stared at each other for a moment, stunned, Edgeworth’s hand still loosely wrapped around Phoenix’s wrist, as Maggey shouted apologies from the distance.

There are no cherry blossom trees where I live so I have no idea if we’re even in the right season for this or if cherry blossom trees even behave this way - but I’m basing it off of... you know when it’s that point in fall where if you shake a tree branch leaves will just scatter everywhere? That. 

Also RIP to the other four who were just having a grand old time fishing and then turn around seeing these two sitting really close to each other almost holding hands about two seconds away from a kiss... which they’d just interrupted...

And then — the most incredible thing happened, and Edgeworth began to laugh.

Phoenix could have catalogued all the laughs he heard from Edgeworth: the usual, short laughs often mistaken for a scoff by those who didn’t know him as well as Phoenix did; the triumphant, smug, courtroom laughs when he thought he had Phoenix cornered; to the quiet, restrained ones in private that were more of a hum than anything else. This laugh was new.

This was a full-on fit of laughter bubbling deep in his chest and spilling from his mouth, which Edgeworth quickly covered with his free hand, with the additional bonus of covering his reddening face. It wasn’t something hidden or faked or triumphant, it was genuine, and open, and Phoenix could swear it was one of the most beautiful sounds he ever heard.

Miles here is going through an emotional rollercoaster having been two seconds away from finally kissing the love of his life only to be interrupted at the worst possible time, which is just so on brand for the two of them that he can’t help but start laughing hysterically. Plus Phoenix probably looks absolutely shocked suddenly covered in petals, which doesn’t help.

Then the next two paragraphs are brought on by Phoenix Pining and also me wanting Miles Edgeworth to laugh more... 

From my notes for this scene:

They stare at each other for a moment and laugh, and Miles’ laugh just utterly captivates Phoenix and makes him fall so completely in love immediately and oh no he is screwed he is utterly screwed.

So pretty much I had to encapsulate the “falling so completely in love immediately” part which I decided to do by focusing on Miles laughing. I wanted to draw a lot of attention to that which is why there are so many paragraphs dedicated to Miles laughing and Phoenix thinking about Miles laughing.

Trucy’s laughter always made the world feel a little brighter, and made Phoenix feel stronger. Edgeworth’s laugh did the opposite; it dislodged something inside of him, it weakened him, it made the whole world go soft and fuzzy around him. Instead of illuminating all the good in the world, it turned Phoenix’s world into one person.

More focus on Miles’ laughter but also... kind of drawing attention to Phoenix’s reaction to this being different from his reaction to other people he cares about laughing? Because feeling warm and happy when seeing someone you care about non-romantically laugh is normal, but then I wanted to make it clear that this is a different sort of feeling for Phoenix. 

Also Phoenix has to realize this is a different sort of feeling for him because otherwise he could brush it off like he’s probably dismissed all of his romantic feelings throughout the years as “oh I’m just glad my friend is happy, and I rarely ever hear Edgeworth laugh so him being relaxed enough to laugh like that makes me feel happy too,” but it’s not what he’d expect if he just sees Miles as a friend. And it’s described as weakening in the paragraph because right now the subject of his romantic feelings for Miles isn’t something that Phoenix can fully or easily accept right now (as chapter 5 would indicate).

Edgeworth’s fit of laughter subsided, and he shifted his hand so he could look at Phoenix again, the hints of a shy grin peeking out between his fingers, his hair and his shirt and his face adorned with a sweet, gentle pink. It was like looking at an entirely different person — or, no, the same person, but with all armor off, all guards lowered.

Miles is very embarrassed right now but kind of... in a good way...? Like again, almost kissed the love of his life then rudely interrupted at the last possible moment, plus Phoenix’s whole reaction to the thing gave Miles the impression that Phoenix wanted to kiss him as well, so he’s feeling a little giddy. Plus he was just laughing a lot when he normally doesn’t do that. Overall he’s not used to expressing his emotions so he’s embarrassed and a little shy about it...

The part about Miles’ “hair and shirt and face adorned with a sweet, gentle pink” refers to both the cherry blossom petals (in his hair and clinging to his shirt and a bit on his face) and also him blushing quite a bit.

It all feels a little out of character honestly haha because Miles isn’t really the type to be blushing hardcore like this and be a little shy, buuut in this case I let myself get away with it because he’s dealing with romantic feelings he hasn’t ever dealt with at this level before, and it’s also out of character just enough to really strike Phoenix in the heart. You can just imagine him staring at Miles with the most lovestruck expression on his face because he hasn’t seen this side of Miles before and he loves it.

Phoenix’s heart stuttered in his chest, and may have stopped entirely.

He was screwed.

He was completely and utterly screwed.

And even Phoenix can’t deny that he’s super in love at this point. 

I think I wrote this part, changed the words “screwed” to “doomed” right before posting, and then switched it back again for no particular reason. The Vibe just felt a little off but oh well.

Then the next chapter skips over the rest of this picnic but honestly Phoenix’s brain skipped over the rest of this picnic as well. Imagine the two of them just kind of standing around in a lovestruck daze for a while. I think Franziska had to physically drag Miles out of there. no one knows how Phoenix got home, not even Phoenix and least of all me!

But thank you Mika for requesting this!! And for drawing such incredible art for me to base the chapter around haha!!!

[rubiaryutheroyal]

Phoenix and the gang hold an intervention for Franziska and her whip obsession. Follow-up to Edgeworth's intervention of the past week.

Franziska: Miles Edgeworth, what is this…?

Edgeworth: It’s about time we addressed the lingering issue, Franziska… about your whipping habits.

[The same crew have gathered again for another round, this time in her office.]

Franziska: Habits? Don’t play dumb, Miles. I only use my whip whenever necessary, and that is to exact deserved punishment for foolish fools who are foolish enough to believe they can fool others!

Phoenix: Deserved!?

Franziska: Yes, Phoenix Wright. *tugs whip* Is there something you’d like to add?

Phoenix: …Maybe later.

Edgeworth: Franziska, please put away the whip. You aren’t helping your case by brandishing it.

Franziska: I am always with my whip, no matter the occasion. This silly ‘intervention’ of yours makes no difference.

Maya: Then could you at least set it aside? P-pretty please? You’re scaring Nick…

Phoenix: (Thanks, Maya. You’re ever the deflective one…)

Franziska: Hmph. I’m not even upset yet; just disappointed. Don’t you have anything more productive to do than to complain to me?

Edgeworth: It’s more like we’ve avoided the issue for so long that we can’t ignore it anymore.

Franziska: Need I remind you that our last intervention was nothing but a waste of time?

Maya: No, it wasn’t! After all, the two of you at least admitted to your problems. That’s progress!

Franziska: And a whole lot of good that did.

Phoenix: She has a point.

Maya: Whose side are you on?

Edgeworth: Franziska, don’t change the subject. We’re talking about you right now.

Franziska: And what about me? Do you naive simpletons truly believe I have an ‘obsession’ with whipping others?

Phoenix: Yeah.

Maya: Yep.

Edgeworth: Perhaps ‘obsession’ would be a strong word, but you certainly have some violent tendencies.

Franziska: …I’m surrounded by idiots.

Edgeworth: We’re simply stating the facts, and they clearly show a problem here!

Franziska: I don’t see how it’s my fault fools crop up everywhere!

Edgeworth: Again you try to shift the blame. How about giving yourself a reflection and asking why you must resort to whipping to make a point?

Franziska: Rather than asking me to apologize, perhaps those fools should ask themselves why they were whipped in the first place!

[The two get into a glare-off again.]

Maya: Um, guys?

Phoenix: This isn’t getting us anywhere.

Maya: What do we do, then?

Edgeworth: Hmm… I didn’t want to have to resort to this, but there’s no getting into her stubborn head.

Franziska: You’re one to talk.

Phoenix: You have something, Edgeworth?

Edgeworth: Franziska, what do you say to a challenge?

Franziska: What sort of challenge?

Edgeworth: If you wish to convince us that you have no need for this intervention, then you should prove it with your restraint. How about taking your current case with Detective Gumshoe by your side… and without your whip?

Franziska: What?

Phoenix: What!?

Maya: Nick, why are you so surprised?

Phoenix: Uh, I was just caught off-guard. (Oh, man. Poor Gumshoe…)

Edgeworth: Those are the only conditions I’ll be asking.

Franziska: You’re already asking for a lot, Miles… You of all people should know how frustrating it is to deal with that incompetent scruff-face!

Edgeworth: That only adds to the challenge. It wouldn’t be one if you didn’t have a worthy restriction.

Franziska: …

Edgeworth: Well? Surely such a trivial task as this would be nothing to someone of your capabilities. It’s just one case with a simple detective.

Franziska: …If I agree to this, will it be enough for you to never bring up this intervention business with me again?

Edgeworth: Fine. Do you accept?

Franziska: …Fine. I do.

Phoenix, Maya: W-what?

Phoenix: (She really went through with it!?)

Franziska: But know this, Miles Edgeworth: I do not accept it because you goaded me into doing so. I do so only because I know I will not fail nor falter.

[She sets down her whip on her desk and turns back to them.]

Franziska: I am a von Karma, after all. I will solve this case perfectly beyond all doubt… and I won’t lose my temper even once.

Phoenix: (She just added another condition herself!)

Franziska: Why so shocked, Phoenix Wright? You sincerely doubt that I won’t have any trouble?

Phoenix: Um. After all our previous encounters… I may have gotten a certain impression of you.

Maya: Me too… N-not that we’d doubt you, hehe…

Franziska: Hmph. No need to flatter me, Maya Fey. You naive fools haven’t seen anything yet.

Maya: *mumble* (She still called me a ‘naive fool’…)

Edgeworth: Very good. Then, I’ll be taking this…

[Whip snatched up by Edgeworth.]

Edgeworth: And I’ll be hearing from Detective Gumshoe about your progress.

Franziska: Go ahead. By the time we’re finished, he’ll be begging to escort me to the airport next week.

Phoenix: (Begging… out of respect or desperation?) You’re leaving?

Franziska: Yes. Unlike some people, I actually have international affairs to attend from time to time.

Maya: Wow. She really is on a whole ‘nother level…

Phoenix: Why are you looking at me?

Franziska: Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a case to oversee.

[And with that, she takes her leave. They shortly exit into the hall as well.]

Maya: Nick, what just happened?

Phoenix: I dunno… but I think we actually managed to sneak away with her whip without any casualties.

Maya: Really? So she won’t snap later and come back to hunt us down?

Edgeworth: I doubt it. If anything, her own pride will be keeping her at bay. She can be quite resilient when she’s so driven.

Phoenix: By the way, Edgeworth, I noticed you were awfully confident when you proposed the idea to her…

Edgeworth: I was.

Phoenix: Almost as if you expected this would happen.

Edgeworth: *smirks* Hmph. Is it really that surprising, Wright? You were there when she joined us for that errand with the chief prosecutor’s daughter.

Phoenix: Well, I thought that was the exception, not the norm.

Edgeworth: Oh, it happens all the time.

Phoenix: (I never would have expected a von Karma of all people would be so easy to manipulate…)

Maya: Wow, who woulda thunk her own pride would be her greatest weakness?

Phoenix: …Now that I think about it, that sounds about right. (And leave it to Edgeworth to find and exploit it.)

Maya: Well, guys, I’m impressed! We actually did good this session! So, how long do you think it’ll last?

Edgeworth: I’d say for the entire case, however long that lasts.

Maya: What? You think it’ll go over a whole day!?

Phoenix: Yeah, I would have figured at most the rest of this one.

Edgeworth: *shakes head and sighs* Franziska was right. You two are naive fools.

Phoenix: Ouch…

Maya: E-even Mr. Edgeworth now…?

–

[And over the next few days of investigation, the precinct didn’t hear a single whip crack. For some time, some people even believed Franziska had left already, so they were stunned to find that she was indeed working with them on a case again. They were further stunned whenever she would get upset, but promptly calm herself without inflicting a single casualty.

From there, though, the atmosphere began to churn. Those at the precinct grew restless in the silence. All the officers familiar with her began to panic - not because they feared she would snap eventually, but because they became disillusioned by her irregular behavior.

Soon, mass panic spread throughout the precinct, and it got so bad that it even reached Edgeworth’s ears. He then begrudgingly returned the whip to Franziska for a moment, so she could crack it in the air to get everyone to calm down. Yet, she willingly left it back in his care and went on as if nothing happened.

At the end of the three days - a mere two for investigations and one for the trial - Franziska was due to depart for a business trip back to Germany. Tears were shed as she left without a word.

And from then forth, a new legend was born. These three days were known as “The Days The Devil Died”.

Ironically, the only detective who didn’t seem too fazed by it was Gumshoe. He was shocked at first, but then went along faithfully. He was even happy to escort her to the airport. Interestingly, she decided that she’ll be back sooner than she had anticipated…]

–

Phoenix, Maya, Edgeworth: …

Maya: Wow.

Phoenix: What the heck is going on at the precinct!?

Edgeworth: I… hadn’t imagined the extent of influence she had on our force…

Maya: Guys, I think we all learned a valuable life lesson today!

Phoenix: Being?

Maya: Never underestimate the power of goading!

Phoenix: …That’s a terrible lesson to learn.

Edgeworth: …But we have to admit, there is some truth to it.

[rubiaryutheroyal]

Role Reversal! The main AA cast (1-3) switch roles with their 'significant other' (ie. Phoenix/Maya, Edgeworth/Gumshoe, Larry/Fransiska, etc.). Watch as Ace Spirit Medium Phoenix Wright hounds everyman Maya Fey for burgers. And will Franziska ever win the love of her life?

This is a dangerous game you’ll have us play, anon…

???: Let me go, Miles! I refuse to participate in this!

???: C-calm down! You’re not the only one with objections! Do you think I’d appreciate being Detective Gumshoe’s lackey!?

???: That’s your problem, not mine.

???: The least you can do is be fair!

???: Aw, come on, Franny! Don’t worry, it’s gonna be just fine… Eeek!

???: Don’t you dare say another foolish word, you flip-flop fluke of an artist!

???: Aaah! E-Edgey, help!

…Um, please give us a moment. We’ll be right back.

–

[One day at the Wright Fey & Co. Law Offices…]

Maya: *shuffling through the mail* Bill, bill, bill… ugh! Not one. Not one client’s request! What am I supposed to do for the rent this month?

Phoenix: …

Maya: Hey, can you summon up some rich dead person to direct us to a client so we can get paid?

Phoenix: …

Maya: Nick!

Phoenix: *opens an eye* …What?

Maya: Were you listening to a word I said?

Phoenix: Um… something about the rent? And no, guys can’t channel people, remember?

Maya: Okay… then why do you keep training? What’s it for?

Phoenix: Spiritual sensitivity, obviously. If you were one, you’d understand.

Maya: If I were one, I’d probably be able to channel hoards of people.

Phoenix: Haha, very funny.

Maya: But I guess if I channeled people, I wouldn’t really be able to defend if I’m always a different person, basically. So, there’s that.

Phoenix: Yeah.

Maya: But it doesn’t help anything if I can’t get any clients in the first place! I don’t believe that there’s no one out there who doesn’t need help! Maybe we should just walk out and look around for trouble?

Phoenix: No thanks. I’d rather we look for a bite to eat. I’m feeling a little hungry already.

Maya: Geez, Nick. Didn’t you say you had breakfast this morning?

Phoenix: Yes, but that was that. This is this.

Maya: But it’s not even noon yet! How much do you need to eat?

Phoenix: Sorry, but I can’t help it that I’m a grown man who’s also a spirit medium and always has a diet consisting of vegetables! It’s only out here in the city where I can get even a sliver of hardy protein.

Maya: But why do you have to limit yourself? Does eating meat and protein stuff reduce spirituality? Or is it just about eating a lot of stuff?

Phoenix: Uh, I don’t think it works like that. The self-discipline training is just supposed to make you more in tune with the other realm. It’s kind of like getting “closer” to the spirits you’re trying to reach out to.

Maya: …So, you starve yourself so you get to be half-dead and then dead people will listen to you?

Phoenix: No, that’s not… I mean it’s not really like… You know what? Just don’t think too much into it. It’s just tiring and I need energy, please.

Maya: Okay, okay. We’ll hit the usual joint.

Phoenix: Thanks, Maya.

Maya: But you’re making it up to me later, okay?

Phoenix: Uh, sure, but I’m a little short on funds at the moment…

Maya: Oh, I’m not asking for that.

Phoenix: Then what?

Maya: You’re gonna look for trouble so we get a client, of course! Maybe even sacrifice yourself for our cause?

Phoenix: What? No! What’s with that creepy way of putting it!?

–

[Read More]

[[more]]

Officer: Detective Edgeworth, sir!

Edgeworth: Report.

Officer: Sir! We’ve checked into the security footage as you requested. It seems you were correct as usual! There was a period of time that had been omitted from recording that day!

Edgeworth: In other words, our potential suspect did indeed have a window of opportunity to tamper with the scene. That clears him of any alibi he claims to hold.

Gumshoe: So he really was lying! Excellent work as usual, pal! We’ve sealed this criminal’s fate! He’s got nowhere to run!

Edgeworth: Indeed… Perhaps he should have considered that altering security footage is rather damning evidence in of itself.

Gumshoe: Huh? It is?

Edgeworth: …Yes, Mr. Gumshoe, it is. I hope you were paying attention to my explanation earlier?

Gumshoe: Er… Just to be safe, mind running it over again for those not in the know?

Edgeworth: *sigh*… To recap, the suspect has claimed that he was unable to access the curator’s office where the master key was kept. As most of the doors in the building are accessed by electronic lock, it would have been impossible to pick them. However, the one to the security office is different. It requires a passcode instead and there happens to be a spare master key kept in there as well. But only those who work in security would know this code.

Gumshoe: Oh! Then, it could only be one of the security guards on duty that night who could have committed the theft!

Edgeworth: Exactly.

Gumshoe: But wait a sec, pal. Didn’t our guy’s patrolling partner say no one accessed the room on that night?

Edgeworth: It’s also security protocol for this museum that the guards work in pairs, to ensure one of them doesn’t default on duty.

Gumshoe: Yeah, that was what I was thinking! And we even did a check on that other guy, but he was clean! So how could this guy have pulled it off?

Edgeworth: Ah, but recall that our suspect’s partner received an urgent call regarding a relative of his that evening, so he had to cut his shift early. Because he didn’t want the curator to know he had left, he left it to his partner to call in a replacement.

Gumshoe: Aha! So that’s how!

Edgeworth: Precisely. If the replacement he called was an accomplice to the theft, things would work out perfectly for them. They wouldn’t be bothered by any other guards, as it was their shift to cover.

Gumshoe: Oh ho ho ho! Another thorough investigation, Detective! Sounds to me like you’re due for another raise this month!

Edgeworth: …With all due respect, sir, didn’t you say the same thing last month? I don’t think there’s been a difference in my salary.

Gumshoe: Huh? Really? But I always told the guys at the PO to help things along…

Edgeworth: *nerve pops* Mr. Gumshoe… Normally, you don’t ask other prosecutors to raise a detective’s salary when they aren’t in charge of it! You should know that!

Gumshoe: O-oh, yeah. I was wondering why no one seemed to listen to me…

Edgeworth: *groan* (Looks like I’ll be looking forward to another month of disappointment yet again.)

–

Franziska: …You, the artist.

Larry: Yes, Franny, dear? How may I help you?

Franziska: I, um… wish to ask you something.

Larry: Ask away!

Franziska: …

Larry: …

Franziska: …

Larry: …Um?

Franziska: I… have to admit. You’re not as terrible of an artist as I’d long thought you to be.

Larry: Oh, um, thanks?

Franziska: And I’ve been thinking…

Larry: About… me? *wink*

Franziska: *twitch*… In a way.

Larry: Aw, Franny! No need to be shy! If you’ve got something on your mind, just say it!

Franziska: Fine… Um, w-would you… like to go on a date…?

Larry: *gasp* Oh, sweet, lovely, innocent Franny… of course I would love to go-

*crack*

Larry: Yeowww! W-w-what the heck!? What gives!?

Franziska: You and your foolishness! I can’t believe I was almost fooled by the most foolish of all fools!

Larry: W-what did I do…?

Franziska: I’ve said my stupid line! You’re supposed to reject it! It’s right there in the script!

Larry: B-but! The way that goes is too tragic! A young lady wishing to earn the admiration and care from the one she loves, only to be rejected! It’s just so… so…

*crack*

Larry: COLD!?

Franziska: Enough with your fanciful prancing! If you expect me to go through with this, then you do what you’ve been told! No exceptions!

Larry: B-but I was just… I was just using a little creativity! I-is that so wrong!? *sob*

Franziska: Hmph! If it’s creativity you’re looking for, then perhaps I can offer something different to that tasteless script? How does 100 lashes each to front and back sound!?

Larry: Eeeeek! Not good! Not good! I’m sorry, Franny! Please don’t hurt meee!

Franziska: *sigh*… In any case, I’ve played my part and it was going perfectly as planned until you ruined it. Since it would be troublesome to start it over, I suggest we put this pointless charade to rest and forget this ever happened.

Larry: Yes, ma’am…

–

…Well, that was disappointing.

Franziska: What did you expect? That fool‘s foolishness knows no bounds.

Maya: I thought it was alright.

Franziska: …

Maya: Er, of course it still could be better. Like maybe… if it wasn’t Larry?

Larry: Aw, Maya! You don’t really mean that, do you? I tried the best I could!

Phoenix: Actually, I have to agree. It would be better without Larry.

Edgeworth: He tends to ruin things when plans are arranged. That is the nature of the Butz.

Larry: …What are these people we call “friends“ anyway?

Those who are closest to you have the best excuse to mock you anytime.

Maya: Ooh! That’s deep. I’m keeping that one in mind.

Phoenix: (…In other words, she’s scheming. Oh, the horror…)