hetalia_kink

Hetalia/Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney crossover. Any of the games can work.

I hope I'm not alone here. ;A;

Muse attacked me, so you get a prologue. The rest of the story will come when I get free time again.
***

BANG!

He took off running, not thinking or caring about what exactly he was doing. All he knew was that there was a gunshot and he was around to hear it and hopefully he could get there in time.

BANG!

Shit…

When he turned the corner and dashed down the alley where the shots came from, he was met with the last sight he expected to see…well maybe not the last, Matt riding a dinosaur while shouting profanities in Spanish with Francis calmly sipping tea from the sidelines and Arthur praising French culture would probably take that spot, but this was definitely in the top ten, possibly even the top five.

“You…what…” before he could get a coherent sentence out he saw a quick movement in the corner of his eye, but when he turned to look there was nothing there and when he turned back, he was alone in the alley.

Well, except for the Congressman lying on the ground that had just been shot twice. He was still there.

“Hold on!” he wasted no time switching to hero mode and kneeling by the man’s side and pressing his hands to his chest to try and stop the bleeding. “You’re going to be fine, just let me-”

Before he could say anymore, a hand shot up and grabbed his wrist tightly. “D-don’t…”

“No, you’ll be fine! Just let me call for help-”

He shook his head. “I-it’s a trap…g-get out…” The dying man violently coughed up blood before taking his last, labored breaths and died.

“N-no!” He started beating his chest. “Breathe damnit! You can’t die on me now!”

Eventually he realized it was too late, that nothing would work, that he was gone, and fell backwards away from the body, shock setting in.

Lights, headlights, shone behind him, sirens were blazing. He heard someone shouting something at him, but he couldn’t quite make it out…

“I said stand the fuck up and put your hands in the air!!”

He saw no reason not to, so he complied. Instantly he was shoved face first into a nearby wall, hands cuffed behind his back. It started to rain, washing the blood off the ground, off the body, off of everywhere but his hands.

“Alfred F. Jones, you are under arrest for the murder of Congressman Smith. You have the right to remain silent…”

OH BOY, I AM EXCITE.

DUDE YES! So happy right now that you are filling this.

Also, arresting your own country? Even if you didn't know you were doing so, that's pretty hilarious.

Holy crap, this is going to be awesome. Though I don't know how they're going to try their own country. Especially since American court cases like this are listed as United States vs. ______________. xD

OH MY GOD I DIDN'T REALLY THINK ANYONE WOULD FILL THIS LOL.

AUTHOR ANON PLEASE BEAR MY CHILDREN. I BEG OF YOU.

My name is Phoenix Wright, and I’m a defense attorney. I get some really weird cases sometimes, and this last one probably tops them all…

March 15, 9:00AM. Wright & Co. Law Offices.

I was lounging around my office, not a care in the world, when my assistant and resident spirit medium, Maya Fey, suddenly burst through the door.

“Hey Nick, are you…do you still not have a case yet!?”

“It’s just a lag. Things’ll pickup when we get into the murder season.”

“There’s a season for murder? Huh, never knew that. Must be autumn.”

“Why do you say that?”

“It goes by the code name ‘fall.’ Autumn is definitely planning something…” She looked around the office, which was a complete mess. “Maybe if you picked up around the office a little, you’d stop scaring all the clients away…”

(Isn’t that your job? And most of it is your mess anyway…)

“Oh, by the way,” Maya continued, “who’s this guy? Is he friend of yours?”

“…What guy?”

“The guy standing right here.”

I looked to where she was pointing, and sure enough, there was a man with silky blond hair sky blue eyes, and glasses shuffling around nervously right by the door.

“Oh, there. Um, sorry, I didn’t see you…”

“It’s alright, I’m used to it,” he smiled slightly and stepped forward, “but, um, you are the defense attorney, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, how can I help you? You don’t look like the type of guy to get into trouble…”

“It’s always the quiet ones Nick…” Maya whispered.

(You’re one to talk…get your hand away from my wallet!)

“No, I’m fine. It’s, well…my brother, Alfred Jones.”

Maya went wide eyed and gasped. “You, you’re…you’re related to that creep?!”

(Why do I have the feeling I’m missing something important…?)

“It’s all over the news Nick! You really should keep up on the current…political stuff. Anyway, Alfred Jones is a demon! He’s the one who killed that Congressman in DC the other day in cold blood because he likes watching people suffer. He knows he’s guilty too, so he keeps refusing defense lawyers, even the ones the state’s providing!”

(You've been reading the tabloids again haven't you?)

“No no! Sorry, but that’s just the way the media’s spinning it. He didn’t kill anyone, and he’s refusing defense lawyers because he’s an idiot.”

“So why are you here Mr. Jones?” I asked.

“Eh? Oh, sorry, I never gave you my name did I? It’s Williams actually, Matthew Williams, but you can just call me Matt, or That Guy Canadian Guy, or even Who…I’ll respond to anything really. But Mr. Wright, I’ve heard about you. You take on seemingly impossible cases with some of the most idiotic clients, and believe me when I say Alfred didn’t kill that man, he just wouldn’t do something like that!”

“You came all the way out here just to hire me? Does your brother even know you’re here?”

“Well, no. He can be a bit…stubborn, sometimes. And it’s not that far. I live in Ottawa, but I had something to do in Vancouver until yesterday, so it’s kind of on my way. I was supposed to be in Washington today anyway…”

“What were you doing in Vancouver?” Maya asked, “Isn’t that kinda far?”

“Not from here no…it’s in the same time zone anyway. I work for the government, so, um, I can’t really talk about what I was doing there. Sorry.”

Matthew Williams
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Defendant’s Brother. Works for the Canadian Government. A bit on the shy side.

“That’s fine, but, why me?”

“Well, um…Kiku, he’s my friend and he recommended you, well, he said that you, um, were a bit of an idiotic idealist…”

(Great, now people I’ve never met are making fun of me…)

“…I’m sorry; it’s just what he said. Please don’t make that face…its fine though, because my brother is the king of idiotic idealists. You don’t have to say yes yet, just come to Washington with me and meet him. I’ll pay for the flight and the hotel!”

“Free vacation! I say we go. I’ll get my bathing suit.” Maya cheered.

(Do you even know where Washington DC is?)

“I can’t just drop everything and fly across the country. I’ve got work to do…”

“No you don’t Nick, you haven’t had a case in months! We’ll go!”

“Thank you! It means a lot to me! My flight leaves in about an hour, so if you could get packed quickly…I’ll just be waiting outside.” With that he left.

“Why did you do that Maya? I thought you didn’t like this guy.”

“Mattie’s nice; his brother’s a cold-hearted demon man though. And you don’t have to take the case, just the free plane ride and hotel room!” She ran around the office, tossing random things into two suitcases she pulled out of…somewhere. I didn’t even know we had them in the office.

“Maya, this won’t be a vacation you know…”

“We’re taking a plane, and we’ll be staying at a hotel. Of course it’s a vacation! Now, should I bring red one, or the blue one?”

(Why do I get the feeling this is going to be one crazy trip?)

You're writing it in the style of the game *_* That's so awesome and you even have the profiles and stuff :D You really have their voices down and gah, I hope you update soon <333

I love you so much for this! I just got into the Ace Attorney series (yeah, I'm late).

I love how you have it in the game's style! That's so cool! I can't wait for more!

This is great. The fact that Kiku recommended Phoenix makes my life.

JUST CAME BACK FROM SCHOOL AND MY KNEE STILL KINDA HURTS
BUT
READING THIS...
ASDFGHJKLKJHGFDSASDFGHJKLKJHGFDSA *foams at mouth*

*also has no words to say, so will just say that she loves you, wants to marry you and also leaves with a gift basket of fruit, cake, chocolate, and an Internet*

Also:
“Well, um… Kiku, he’s my friend and he recommended you, well, he said that you, um, were a bit of an idiotic idealist…” LOL I'm pretty sure he'd know. |D

March 15, 5:00 PM. Detention Center.

Matt, as it turned out, knew almost everybody at both airports, and they trusted him enough to let us all bypass the security measures so we could get to the capitol as quickly as possible. As soon as we landed, he insisted that we go meet his brother right away.

“So we don’t waste time. If you do take the case, then you’ll need time to prepare your defense and if you don’t, well, I’ll need to arrange your flight home. We can go to the hotel right after…”

“But I’m tired…” Maya complained, “I think I have lag jet.”

“I think you mean jet lag, and you can go on ahead to the hotel and rest if you want. I can meet him by myself.”

“They might not let you in,” Matt said, “They’ve increased security so much since the media picked up the story…here I’ll write you a note.”

“Thanks.” I put the note in my pocket for safe keeping.

“I wrote the address of the hotel for you too, so just meet us there when you’re done.”

So they left me to face Alfred Jones alone, and getting at him was as hard as Matt had predicted. The place was crawling with press.

“Are you the new defense lawyer?” A lady with a microphone asked me.

“Um, I guess…”

Wrong answer. They swarmed.

“How do you sleep at night knowing you’re letting another monster haunt the streets?”

“Is it true that Mr. Jones keeps rejecting lawyers because he eats they refuse to sell him their souls?”

“How much are Jones’s people paying you to defend him?”

“Are the rumors about mafia involvement true?”

“Can you tell us why the government is trying to suppress this story?”

“What planet is Mr. Jones actually from?”

“Enough! No more questions!” A familiar voice shouted. Someone grabbed my shoulder and dragged me away from the media mob, but that only seemed to transfer their questions to him instead.

“Mr. Edgeworth, is it true that the President asked you personally to step into this case?”

“Mr. Edgeworth, has Mr. Jones or his men made any threat to your life as of yet?”

“Mr. Edgeworth has Mr. Jones really been eating all of the other prosecutors’ livers with some fava beans and a nice Chianti?”

“Mr. Edgeworth?”

“Mr. Edgeworth?”

Edgeworth slammed the door to the detention center behind us after he dragged me through it.

“This is a high profile case, Wright, the kind they eat up. You can’t let your guard down for a second or answer any of their questions if you can. It would be troublesome if this case got any more publicity than it already has. What are you doing here anyway?”

“Alfred’s brother asked me to defend him. What are you doing here?”

“Apparently not only is the defendant refusing to take a defense attorney, every prosecutor in the city and the states of Virginia and Maryland refuse to take this case. So they called me in.”

“…He’s not actually-”

“No, he isn’t eating anyone. They all have some convoluted notion that he’s actually innocent. Preposterous. I’ve seen the case file Wright; the boy is guilty.”

“You say that about everyone.”

“The police already have a mountain of evidence against him. The murder weapon was his gun, found with him at the crime scene. There’s a witness as well. Just check the autopsy report.”

Ben Smith
Age: 52
Gender: Male
Victim. Congressman from New Jersey. Was working on some anti-mob legislation before his death.

Cause of death: One bullet wound to the heart. Bullet recovered matches the gun found on the scene.
Time of death: Between 9-10 PM on March 10.

“Allegedly Jones works for the government as well, but no one knows what it is he does.”

“Then you’re here because…”

“Everyone in the local Prosecutor’s Office won’t let me on the case until I meet with him for some reason.”

“So you haven’t met him yet?”

“No, have you?”

“No…I’m not even officially on the case yet.”

“Well I suppose that makes two of us then.”

We were able to get in to see Alfred Jones easy enough, despite it being past visiting hours. They were expecting Edgeworth and my note from Matt was all I needed to convince them of who I was. I didn’t even need to show them my badge. We didn’t have to wait very long before they let us see him
Alfred looked almost exactly like his brother, except his hair was shorter and had one sticking out where his brother’s just curled, the glasses were a bit different, he gave off a far more confidant aura, and, despite his circumstances, was still smiling.

Alfred F. Jones
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Defendant. Works for the US Government. Has a hero complex.

“Are you the new lawyers? I know they’re having trouble finding a prosecutor, but did they really need to send two?”

“He’s your new defense, I’m the prosecutor,” Edgeworth said, as if he was insulted that I would even be mistaken for his colleague.

“I told them I don’t want a defense lawyer.”

“Do you think you can actually defend yourself satisfactory then?”

“It’s not that. It’s just…well, I don’t have the money.”

“That’s why the state can-”

“Yeah, but that’s the taxpayer’s money! I don’t want to use that either! We’re in the middle of a recession you know!”

I was stunned. Edgeworth must have been too. I don’t think he’s ever heard that one before.

“Mr. Jones, your brother offered to pay me already, so…”

“Well, I don’t want Matt to pay for my lawyer either. He’s having money problems too. It’s not that I don’t appreciate your help, I really do. It’s just the money for my lawyer could go to so many other things. Why waste it on me?”

(So that’s what Matt meant by being and idiotic idealist…I’m not that bad am I?)

“Mr. Jones, are you even aware of the situation you’re in right now?”

“I’ve been falsely accused of murdering a Congressman. It wasn’t me though and I can prove it!”

“Really?” Edgeworth was skeptical. “Do tell.”

“The last words he said to me, ‘It’s a trap,’ that means I’m being framed!”

“So you admit to being there when he died?”

“Well, yeah, but-”

“And no one else was around to hear this ‘final words,’ correct?”

“Yes, but-”

“So how do I know you aren’t lying?”

“Because I’m not.” There was something in his eyes that made me believe that that was the truth, and I’m sure Edgeworth saw it too, but being Edgeworth, he probably didn’t believe it.

“What about the gun? The murder weapon is your gun, correct?”

“Yes, but I’m not the one that shot it. Someone stole it from me.”

“And you didn’t notice?”

“Well, I have a lot of guns…and a tank.”

(What’s he doing with a tank!? Scratch that, I don’t want to know…)

“The police…didn’t find anything on you when they brought you in…”

“Yeah, I only had one on me that day because I was…doing something.”

“It wouldn’t happen to have been the murder weapon, would it?”

“How did you know that?”

(For some reason I feel like the mountain of evidence collapsed on me…and he’s not officially my client yet.)

“Oh, I get it, you still think I did it,” this only seemed to amuse him, as he grinned even wider. “Well I hate to disappoint, but as I told you, that gun was stolen and it wasn’t in my possession when the murder took place.”

“And you have something other than your word to prove this I assume?”

“Of course I…wait…”

“Figures.”

“Ah! Arthur! Just ask Arthur. He was with me all day, so he’d know.”

(Arthur?)

“Arthur?”

“Arthur Kirkland. He was with me for most of the day.”

“Was he with you when the murder took place?”

“Um, no…”

“Then he’s not very helpful is he? Mr. Jones, you have yet to even slightly convince me that you are not a cold blooded murderer.”

“Well, you’re the prosecutor. You’re not supposed to believe me. But still,” he looked through the glass straight into Edgeworth’s eyes, “I didn’t kill him, I couldn’t kill him. There’s no way I would ever kill one of my own Congressmen.”

And I believed him. There was just something about him that even with that mountain of evidence stacked against him and the media writing him off as some kind of demon, you couldn’t help but believe him. And I couldn’t explain it, but right then, I knew I had to make sure he got off.

“Mr. Jones,” I said, “I’m going to defend you.”

He and Edgeworth looked at me like I’d lost my mind. “I’m not going to pay you…”

“I know. I’ll do it pro bono.”

“…That sounds kinky. You know the prosecutor’s here. That’s really unprofessional.”

(What?)

“That means he’ll do it for free.”

(Is Edgeworth chuckling?)

“Oh, that makes more sense. You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

“No, I want to…”

“This is all well and good, because I’m afraid I believe you to be innocent as well.” Alfred’s smile vanished from his face for the first time all meeting.

“Really? You too?”

“My apologies, but I’m afraid I cannot take your case.”

“What?!” I asked, “Sure you can. You can just, you know, let me win…”

“He can’t! The process won’t work!”

“I would be making a complete mockery of the entire justice system if I prosecuted a man I thought was innocent. Surely even you are aware of that, Wright?”

(Still would make my job easier though…)

“I…doubt you’ll be able to find a prosecutor in America willing to prosecute me though,” he sighed, “At this rate I’ll be in here forever.”

“Really? We’ll see about that. If I can’t prosecute you, then I’ll make it my job to find someone who can.”

At this point, the guards came in to take Alfred back to his cell, but I told him I’d be back tomorrow to talk to him some more.

The mob of reporters was gone by the time we made it outside again, which was good, because I really didn’t need the added pressure after taking on this case…

“Don’t you think it’s strange?” Edgeworth asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“Huh?”

“His last comment, about no one in America wanting to prosecute him. Don’t you think it’s strange?”

“I…guess…”

He sighed. “The media’s playing him out to be some heartless fiend. Alfred Jones is probably the most hated man in America right now, so why doesn’t any prosecutor think he’s guilty?”

“Well, you’ve met him…”

“Exactly. Something about him just…let’s just say in about five minutes I won’t know what I was thinking.”

“So you do think he’s guilty?”

“Yes, no, maybe. I know he is, all the evidence points to it, but…I feel like he isn’t.”

“I didn’t know you could feel…”

“Quiet you! Anyway, I want to look into this some more.”

(Only you would want to look into your emotions…wait-) “But I figured, since you feel his innocent and all…”

“You can do your own job Wright.” He turned and left, shouting, “If he’s really innocent, then you should have no problems,” over his shoulder.

(In theory…now where was that hotel?)


A/N: Thanks for all the kind words! The updates will be kinda sporadic cause I'm a bit busy atm, so sorry for that. Part 10 is almost full too, so the next update might need to go somewhere else...as soon as I figure out how to do that.

“I know. I’ll do it pro bono.”

“…That sounds kinky. You know the prosecutor’s here. That’s really unprofessional.”

(What?)

“That means he’ll do it for free.”

Ahahahaha I was cracking up...which would have been weird for the people around me since I said I was doing homework.

It's pretty interesting so far and I'm intrigued as to how this is gonna turn out.

No prosecutor in America huh? DOES THAT MEAN YOU'RE BRINGING IN FRANZISKA?! :D

Pro bono. Sounds kinky. ROFL

You have no idea how much I love you and this fill. Everytime I see an update on the fills page, all my stress melts away~ I would even offer you my internets and firstborns if I didn't find the whole notion ridiculous.

Please update soon <33

When you said no prosecutor in America would take the job, I immediately screamed for Franziska! Now I'm thinking of America making a comment about how she uses her whip because of the 'pro bono' comment.

And you brought Edgeworth into the story! I love you so much right now, you have no idea. Can't wait for more writer anon!

YES! Please let there be some Franziska!

Maybe Alfred doesn't need a defense lawyer. All he needs to do is make doe eyes and the whole of America believes him. (And his reason for refusung a defense attorney is so cute!

please continue

“I know. I’ll do it pro bono.” “…That sounds kinky. You know the prosecutor’s here. That’s really unprofessional.”

“Yes, no, maybe. I know he is, all the evidence points to it, but…I feel like he isn’t.” “I didn’t know you could feel…”

I'm dead. Again. From laughing. xD

Also author!anon, it'd no problem if it's all sporadic! We all have lives outside of the kink meme, and they need to be attended to first. Take the time you need, we'll live. ^^

Also, when part 10 DOES max out, you needa post your part here: http://hetalia-kink.livejournal.com/11813.html By how everyone else does it, you can try and copy the format. c:

March 15, 6:00 PM. Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel.

I didn’t have too much trouble finding the hotel, and Matt was waiting for me in the lobby, accompanied by a blond man and a polar bear.

(Is that a real polar bear?!?!)

“Oh good, you found it okay. I was starting to worry you might get lost,” Matt said.

“This is the lawyer? He doesn’t look like much…his hair is so spiky.”

(I’m standing right here! And you’re one to talk with your…silky blond locks of perfection…)

“Don’t look at me like that, Monsieur Lawyer.”

“Sorry, I didn’t introduce you did I? Mr. Wright, this is my friend Francis Bonnefoy. He works for the French.”

“Bonsoir, Monsieur Lawyer. Honestly though, I wouldn’t trust you with our dear Alfred’s case if it weren’t for your charming little assistant.”

Name: Francis Bonnefoy
Age: 26
Gender: Male
A friend. Works for the French Government. Was in town the day of the murder. Likes beautiful things.

(For some reason I don’t want this guy anywhere near Maya.) “Where is Maya?”

“She’s upstairs sleeping. But, um…there’s a problem with the rooms…”

“What?” (You said you’d take care of it!)

“I’m sorry! Just talk to Ludwig, he’s the one who takes care of these things.”

“Where is he?”

“He’s at the bar, with Gilbert, I believe,” Francis butt in, “you should go rest too Matt, you’ve had a long day. I will take care of Monsieur Lawyer for you.”

(For some reason I’m uncomfortable with the way he said that…and the look he’s giving me.)

“Well, alright, I’ll wait for you in the room…don’t hurt him, please. Alfred needs him…” With that, Matt and the polar bear (It is real!!) went over to the elevators.

“Now, come with me. Ludwig shouldn’t be too drunk yet.” Francis forcefully grabbed my arm and dragged me through the lobby.

“I suppose,” he said after letting go of me, “that you are wondering why so many people from all over the world are here, yes? Or did Mathieu explain it?”

“Um…he mentioned something on the plane about a meeting…”

“Oui. Monsieur Lawyer, everybody currently staying at this hotel, save for you and your lovely assistant, all hold the same position in different governments.”

“And what position is that?”

“That’s classified. We were, however, supposed to have a meeting the day after the murder took place.”

“Supposed to?”

“We can’t really have it now that Alfred’s in jail, with him being the host and everything.”

“I guess not. What’s this meeting about anyway?”

“That’s classified.”

(Then why bring it up?) “Can you tell me anything about it?”

“It was supposed to be for a week, but has been postponed until after Alfred’s trial. Most of the others have gone home already. Some are staying for the trial.”

“How many are staying?”

“I can’t tell you off the top of my head…Ludwig should know. I do know that everyone who came early and was here on the day of the murder is still here.”

(That’s…helpful.) “Did a lot of you come in early?”

“Non, just a few, each of us for various reasons.”

“So, you’re one of the ones that came early?”

“Oui. I came early to bug Arthur, who was also coming early.”

(Arthur? Didn’t Alfred mention an Arthur?) “Why did he come early?”

“That, I don’t know.” By this time we had made it to the bar area where I could clearly see two men, one blond with blue eyes and one albino, sitting and drinking, with the bartender keeping an eye on them.

“Oh, Ludwig! Gilbert!” Francis called out. The blond cringed while the albino looked up and grinned.

“Francis! I was wondering where you wandered off to! Who’s the new guy?”

“This is the lawyer Mathieu found for Alfred. Monsieur Wrong.”

“Wright,” I corrected, “Phoenix Wright.”

“Right, you’ll need your room assignment.” The blond put his drink down and shuffled through some papers that were by him on the bar.

“I don’t know…” the albino said, sizing me up. “He looks weak.”

(Who asked you?!)

“It’s the hair, Gilbert, don’t you agree?” Francis asked.

“Must be it. Far too spiky. Would be useless on the field of battle.”
“Do you really work for the government?”

“Not anymore,” Gilbert chugged the rest of his drink before continuing, “I leave all the boring stuff to West here. Isn’t that right?”

“I wouldn’t complain if you shouldered some responsibility every now and then, Bruder…”

“Oh, you know you like it. Wouldn’t have dragged us here early if you didn’t.” Ludwig blushed.

Ludwig Wiellschmidt
Age: 20
Gender: Male
Works for the German government. Was in town on the day of the murder. Seems to be organizing everything.

Gilbert Wiellschmidt
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Used to work for the German government. Was in town on the day of the murder. A bit of a hooligan.

“Why did you come in early?”

“What are we on trial or something?” Gilbert barked, “I know how you lawyer types think, and you’re not getting nothing out of me!”

(…Wouldn’t that mean I’m definitely getting something out of you?)

“I always come a day early,” Ludwig answered, “especially if it’s in America or Italy. They are incompetent with these kinds of things.”

“West, you’re no fun…”

“Do you know who else was here the day before?”

“Why do you need to know?”

I shrugged. “It could help me figure out what Alfred was doing that day…couldn’t hurt anyway.”

“Alfred was busy. None of us saw much of him except Arthur,” he leaned back a bit and stared at the bar, “Arthur and Francis got in before us…”

“Our flight landed at about tenish,” Francis supplied.

“Our flight came in at 11:15. The Vargases landed at noon. That was it for the first day.”

“Are they around? I’d like to talk to them and see if they saw anything.”
“Why?” Gilbert piped in, “You think one of us did it?”

“I’m just trying to piece together what happened…if Alfred was supposed to be with you guys-”

“He wasn’t. He was with Arthur,” Gilbert finished off his beer (Didn’t even notice he got a new one…). “Well, I was here with Francis that night, I think. Ask the bartender, I’m sure he remembers us.”

(You think?!) “You’re not sure?”

“Gilbert was pretty, how you say, wasted that night. He was here though, I can vouch for that, and the bartender definitely remembers us.”

The bartender gave me a nod and a glared at Gilbert, who muttered an apology and ordered another beer.

“I was sightseeing with Feliciano,” Ludwig said, “and we didn’t see anything.”

“So where’s Arthur? And the other Vargas?”

“Around. It’s hard enough keeping tabs on my brother. I can’t know where everyone is all the time.” Ludwig handed me the room key for 204 and looked up something on a list. “Because we booked the entire hotel, there were no free rooms left, so you’ll have to take Alfred’s, since he’s not using it. In order to cut back on international incidents from happening during these meetings, we have managed, through trial and error, to come up with a roommate system that works, for the most part. Since you’re taking Alfred’s room, you’ll be rooming with Arthur.”

(Well, that saves me the trouble of tracking him down…) “Where’s Maya staying?”

“A lot of people didn’t bother coming in when they heard about what happened, so she took one of theirs. She’s staying in room 210 with Elizaveta from Hungary.”

“So her and specs came after all? Kesesese, she told me she wasn’t coming…”

“Probably because she wants nothing to do with you, mon ami.”

“Will you be able to find the room on your own?” Ludwig asked.

“Yeah I should be fine.”

“You just seem don’t seem like a very reliable person. No offense, I’m sure Matt picked you for a reason.”

“There are better lawyers in Germany…” Gilbert muttered.

(Thanks for the vote of confidence.)

“You should go rest, Monsieur Lawyer. You have a long day ahead of you tomorrow, oui?”

March 15, 7:30 PM. Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel, Second Floor.

I took my leave and went up to the second floor and decided to stop by Maya’s room first.

(It was…212 right?) I knocked on the door and a tall blond man with glasses answered it with the scariest face I’ve ever seen.

“S-sorry! Wrong room!” He shrugged and closed the door.

(I wonder where he’s from…anyway, I guess Maya’s was 210 then.)

After knocking on this door, a woman with brown hair answered.

“Oh, are you the lawyer?” she asked.

“Yeah, my name’s Phoenix Wright. Is Maya here?”

“She’s sleeping right now, but I’ll tell her you stopped by. What room are you staying in?”

“204. I’m staying with someone named Arthur…”

“I’m sorry. He can be a bit hard to deal with, especially now that he’s worried about Alfred. I don’t think I’ve seen much of him since I’ve gotten here though.”

“Are they close?”

“Arthur and Alfred?” She smirked and got a gleam in her eye. “Very. They’re relationship is a bit ‘special’ if you know what I mean.”

(I have no idea what you mean.) “Um, okay…”

“Maya told me about you and your prosecutor friend…Mr. Edgeworth? I heard he was supposed to be the prosecutor for Alfred’s trial.”

(That gleam’s starting to scare me…) “Yeah, but he can’t do it. He’s looking for someone else.”

“Is that so?” The gleam got worse. “Well, have a good night, Mr. Wright.”

“You too…” she gently shut the door.

Elizaveta Hedervary
Age: 25
Gender: Female
Works for the Hungarian Government. Good at photography, but prefers her subjects to be men...

I went to my room, only to find no one there. The beds looked like they’d never been slept in and Arthur hasn’t even unpacked his suitcase yet.
Someone had already brought my stuff up, so I just kicked off my shoes and passed out on the bed.

March 16, 9:00 AM. Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel, Rm 204.

“Nick…Nick…” Someone was poking my face, “Wake up Nick…we’re going to miss breakfast…”

“Stop poking me…” I muttered before rolling over and going back to sleep. Suddenly someone snatched the blanket away from my sleeping form.

“What the…oh, Maya it’s you…” I yawned before it hit me. “Wait, how did you get in here?”

“Some eyebrows guy let me in. Said I was being a git, whatever that is.”

“Must’ve been my roommate I guess…was he even here?” A quick look around to room revealed everything to be exactly the same as I saw it the night before, save for a used teacup on the table.

(Did he even use the bed last night?)

“Say Nick,” Maya was saying, “I heard from some of the others that you actually took the case?”

“Um, yeah…”

“What?! But did it!! He’s evil!!”

“No, he’s not, and he didn’t do it. Even Edgeworth thought so.”

“Eh? When did Mr. Edgeworth say that?”

“He was there yesterday…”

“He must have used his evil mind-control abilities on Mr. Edgeworth! It’s the only explanation!”

(Or Alfred Jones could actually be innocent…actually the way Edgeworth was talking yesterday it might have been mind control.)

“You can decide for yourself when we go and see him later. What was that about breakfast?”

“It’s set up downstairs. Most of the others are already there, so if we don’t hurry we won’t get anything!” She grabbed my arm and dragged me out of bed to the door.

“Hold on! I need to get ready first! Just…wait outside!” Reluctantly she agreed, and ten minutes later we went down to the lobby.

March 16, 9:15 AM. Westin Arlington Gate way Hotel, Lobby.

“Wow, there sure were a lot more people here than there were last night.”

“More came in this morning,” Matt said, “mostly for the trial.”

“Oh Matt! Sorry I didn’t see you there…”

“It’s alright, it happens all the time.”

“So, everyone’s here for the trial? Are they all Alfred’s friends?”

“Not really. To be honest he doesn’t have very many friends…everyone else is here mostly to make fun of him. But it’s fine, because they all do that anyway.”

“How sad…” Maya said.

“I thought you hated the guy.”

“I do, no offense Matt, but that doesn’t make it not sad…”

“It’s fine. Al does get on a lot of people’s nerves, unfortunately. He's getting better though."

“By the way, Matt, have you seen the Vargases around? I heard they were here on the night of the murder and I wanted to talk to them.”

“I haven’t really seen all that much of Lovino, but that’s nothing new. Feliciano is probably still at breakfast. Ludwig should know where he is, but I don’t think either of them have anything to do with this.”

“You never know, one of them might have seen something. Thanks.”

He waved as we walked towards where breakfast was being served, and on the way saw Ludwig and Gilbert talking in rapid German to…

“Franziska von Karma?!” Maya exclaimed, “What’s she doing here?”

“She’s probably here for the trial…I’m not really in the mood to get whipped this early in the morning.”

“Then let’s just go. I’ve already eaten anyway.”

(But what about me?)

Just as we were leaving the hotel however, Maya accidentally bumped into someone, making them both to fall to the ground.

“Ve that hurt…” the man exclaimed, rubbing his head as he sat up, “Ah, but you’re a cute girl, so it’s okay. Are you alright Miss?”

“Yeah, sorry, that was my fault…”

“It’s okay, I wasn’t paying attention. I was trying to avoid the scary-whip-lady talking to Ludwig. She’s cute and all, but she’s already whipped me three times, and I just met her, ve.”

“Yeah that sounds like Franziska…”

“You know her? Oh, you must by the lawyer-guy Francis amico was talking about! My name is Feliciano Vargas. I’m just a silly little Italian boy who likes pasta and pizza, and I didn’t kill anyone, so there’s no need to talk to me…”

(Why does everyone think I suspect them?)

Feliciano Vargas
Age: 20
Gender: Male
Works for the Italian Government. Was in town the day of the murder. Likes pasta, painting, and cute girls.

“Uh, no, I don’t think you did it, I’m just trying to figure out what happened.”

“Oh, okay. Then ask me anything!”

(He’s suddenly more cooperative…)

“So, did you see Alfred at all on the day of the crime?”

“Um…not really. My flight came in from Italy late and I was hungry and the airplane guys wouldn’t let me eat anything until after we landed…oh! Alfred was at the airport!”

“He was?”

“Yeah, he was the one who drove us to the hotel.”

“Does he usually do that?”

“Not for meetings like this, when there’s all of us. Sometimes if it’s just me and Fratello coming in he’ll meet us though. Now that I think about it, he wasn’t really talking very much the ride over…”

“What happened after he dropped you off at the hotel?”

“Um…I found Ludwig and we went to lunch with Gilbert…”

“What did Alfred do? He didn’t just leave you there did he?”

“He said he had a meeting with Arthur later, but I don’t really know much about that.”

“So, what were you doing that night?”

“Ludwig and I were just sightseeing.”

“Did you see anything out of the ordinary while you were out?”

All of a sudden he clammed up. Chains appeared out of nowhere followed shortly by four locks, but he didn’t see them. They were the psyche locks that my magatama lets me see, and it meant that Feliciano had a secret in his heart that he was trying desperately to hide.

“W-we didn’t hear or see anything suspicious at all. Nope. Nothing odd or misplaced. Ludwig wouldn’t stand for something like that you know. Not at all.”

(He’s lying…but I have no clue why or what it could possibly be, so I’ll press him on that later, I suppose.)

“Oh! I remember something! Right after we got to the hotel Alfred went to talk to Fratello about something!”

“Do you know what?”

“Probably about tomatoes or something.”

“…tomatoes?”

“Yeah, Fratello likes tomatoes.”

(I don’t think that would be a topic of discussion for two government officials…but there are no psyche locks this time. He really doesn’t know…or Lovino does actually like tomatoes.)

“Do you know where your brother is? I’d like to talk to him too.”

“No, sorry. He left right after breakfast. He might be in our room if you stop by later though. Room 226, just knock and someone will let you in!”
“Okay, thanks for your help.”

“Ve, no problem. I don’t want to see Alfred get in trouble for this, so I’m happy to help.”

“Really?” Maya asked, confused, “The way Matt was talking about it made it seem like not a lot of people liked him.”

“Well, it’s not like I hate the guy…I’ve never spent much time with him and he’s really very scary if you’re on his bad side. But even so, I doubt anyone here actually wants Alfred to be found guilty.”

“Why’s that?”

Feliciano blinked, then smiled. “It just wouldn’t make any sense!”

(…what does that mean?!)

“Oh, scary-whip-lady is gone, so that means Ludwig is free! Ciao!” With quick kisses on several cheeks and a hearty wave he ran off to talk to the Germans.

“So now what Nick?”

“I think we need to talk to Alfred again.”

March 16, 10:05 AM. Detention Center.

The media mob hadn’t shown up yet, and Maya and I were taken to see Alfred right away.

“Oh hey! You’re back! Guess what? Edgeworth found a prosecutor who thinks I’m guilty! Isn’t that great?”

“You’re…happy about that?”

“Yup! Now we can go to trial! It’s tomorrow, by the way. I’m not sure if anyone’s told you yet.”

(They haven’t…)

“He got you there Nick.”

“Oh, is this your assistant?”

“Yeah, this is Maya. Maya, this is our client Alfred. Feel free to pass judgment on him.”

“…You think I did it?”

“Yes. Well no. Maybe? I’m not sure anymore.”

“Hahaha! The media has been going all out with this. I’d like it if you made your own judgments on me, Miss Maya.”

“…No, I think you’re innocent.”

Alfred smiled. I was just confused.

“You were convinced of his guilt just five minutes ago.”

“Yeah, but he smells like freedom. You can’t not trust a guy who smells like freedom. I like him.”

(I don’t think freedom has a smell…)

“Anyway, Mr. Jones, do you mind if we ask you a few things?”

“Ask away! I’m here to help.”

“Mr. Jones, what were you doing the night of the murder?”

“Well, I was being arrested for a murder I didn’t commit…”

“No, before that.”

“…running to an alleyway to witness a murder?” He tried. I internally facepalmed.

(Perhaps I should try something else?)