So, in light of Axel-chanvii's Secret Santa Present (which is no longer secret) I wondered what to do... I was no good at making images of any sorts, and I thought... I'll have to use the only strength I have, to write a story! And in the end, it turned into this. A Phoenix Wright case, with a twist of fantasy in it. Now, seeing as I have only played the first game, I have used those caharacters as my main stock characters. As much as I would have liked to include other characters, like Apollo and such, I don't know enough about theri characters to actually write a fairly accurate story, so I stuck with Phoenix/Maya/Mia/Edgeworth for the Phoenix Wright characters and then added on top my original characters for the story. Basically, Phoenix is given a client that has links to the mythos of Vampires, duh. And he has to do battle with this evil force... by using his lawyer skills! Just read on, and enjoy the narrative. To note, this was a touh story for me since i'm not use to fan-fic writing at all. I've left a cliff hanger, so if people really want me to continue I ccould since I have some ideas, but only if requested, really, since I doubt I will go back to it. Axel-chanvii, please enjoy! ^^ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Phoenix Wright: Trials of a Vampire 9:08 am, 1st December Wright & Co Offices "Wake up, Phoenix, Wake up!" Ah, sleeping in the office on the sofa was becoming regular for the young Phoenix Wright, on the days when paper work just piled up and up. The firm was usually slow at this time of the year, something about the cold air of December just sent shivers down his spine. "Wake up your lazy butt, Phoenix!" Phoenix was tired indeed, tossing and turning trying to get back to sleep. But Maya wouldn't let up, the sun was bright and it was time for another day. Another day trying to scrape together enough money to keep him in business. The cases, as they say, were cold. Just like these cold mornings. "Come on Phoenix, it's a client!" Hmm? Did he hear her right? The drool was slipping down his face and he wasn't paying enough attention. "We can't be late, it's a murder right in the middle of a park, and it's weird!" She poked and prodded him to awake with no luck and instead resorted to shoving him hard to get him conscious again, but was instead pushed on to the floor with a thud! Phoenix shrieked an 'Ow!'of pain into the air, much to Maya's amusement. He rubbed his head and yawned whilst Maya stood with hands on hips starring angrily. "Lazy bum, our client is waiting!" "Wha- What client?" "Our new weird client, he called this morning. How didn't you hear the phone?!" "I... ugh... Was sleeping?" "The phone is right next to the sofa... Right next to where your head was sleeping." "Um, I'm a really deep sleeper?" He giggled from embarrassment whilst rubbing his hair back and forth. "Hmph, whatever... Lazy bum..." Phoenix stood up from the floor, brushing his trusty blue suit down. Sure, he had slept in it and wasn't going to change but sometimes you just have to 'go with the flow' and anyway it's not like it's the first time he's done it, heh... "So just who is this client of ours?" "Oh right... You'll never guess this guy's name!" Phoenix sighed, "I don't know, Lotta Guts? Spencer Dolla? Something like that, right? "His name... is Dracula!" "What? Are you kidding me?" "Nope, he really called himself that, his first name is Lordie. So his full name is Lordie Dracula! Weird, right?" "Yeah that is... strange. But what's he want us to defend him against?" "Murder! isn't that obvious by now?" "Well, not all our cases have been about murders." "Just think about it... And name me three cases we've had that haven't involved murders." "Um..." Phoenix stands there and thinks for a moment, rubbing his chin as he goes through the cases. And then stops to look at Maya, who reads his thoughts and smiles. "Ok, ok, Maya, it's a murder case! We're famous for these by now." "Exactly! Now Mr Dracula... Wow that sounds weird..." "Will you stop saying 'weird'!" "Oh, alright! So Mr. Dracula, he's been accused of murdering one of his employees in a park uptown. And this is where it gets weir- I mean strange, Phoenix. The victim was found pale white, slumped on the side of a stature with two holes in his neck, in a pool of blood and all on the night of a full moon!" Phoenix scratched his chin."Wow, that is really weird." "Hey, how come you can say it?" "Forget it... So what's the victim's name?" "Well... You won't believe it..." "Try me." "Frank N. Stein." she said slowly. "Frank N. Stein? As in Frankenstein? And you're telling me this is a real case Maya?" He peered into her large eyes to see if she was telling the truth, but she stood their calm and adequate with herself. "Of course, I'm sure!" "Right, we should get moving, we need to talk to this client and find out what he knows. I have a bad feeling about this day." "Oh Kay, Let's get going!" Phoenix and Maya picked up their things and rushed on. -------------------------------------------------- December 1, 9:32 am Detention Centre Arriving at the Detention Center, both Maya and Phoenix were let into to see their new client. That Attorney's Badge was like a meal ticket into this place. Sitting on the opposite side of the secured glass was a man dressed in a smart suit, with assorted reds and blacks dotting the colour scheme of his immaculate clothing. He wore a short cape over his smart and refined jacket, whilst under that his waistcoat gleaned nicely cleaned, trousers descended to the bottom of his longs legs, where they meet a pair of shiny black shoes. He had dark features with a wide chin, strong build and jet black hair down to his shoulders, all topped with a deep grin. Maya felt so tiny in his gaze, she shrunk to the size of a pea and was shaking in her boots. Phoenix as well had to take a step back at the imposing man, but this was HIS client, he was the one to determine his fate. Phoenix asked hesitantly, "Mister... Um... Dracula, correct?" Angered, he stood up and announced "I am Lord Lordie Dracula of Transylvania! Descendant of an ancient bloodline! Man of passion and vigor! I am no mere mister, how dare you call me so, peasant!" They both sat. Their shocked and taken aback by the loud speech made in front of them, Phoenix*whispered to Maya "Gah, what's the deal with this guy?!" "I don't want to know..." she whimpered. "So who are you, the two peasants before me?" Lordie Dracula proclaimed.* Maya began, "We peasants are- I mean we're your lawyers, Si- Lord Dracula..." "Ah yes, of course! My butler told me he had called, how you say, the best lawyers he could find, in order to defend me." "That's us, heh" Phoenix proclaimed, worryingly. "Hmm, tis good, since I don't settle for less than the best! My, um, innocence must be kept like an arrow, straight and true through the sky, piercing the, how you say, boundaries of this world!" Maya and Phoenix must have thought the same thing; 'Does this guy ever sit down quietly?!' With their expressions stuck in place as if molded into that fearful look. Lordie started his realization, that his audience was stunned and speechless through his... Expressive nature. He cleared his throat, backed away from the glass separating them and sat back down, calmly folding his arms together and waited. There was an awkward silence for a time, neither side was speaking until Phoenix finally started up the bizarre conversation again. "So... What is it that you do, Lordie?" "You dare call me by my first name alone?!" "B-but we're your lawyers! "Hmm" he thought on this for a small time, and started to smile and giggle, "You're right boy, we are comrades in arms now. We need to, how you say, stick together! It will be cold on this winter day alone." "So, um, Lordie..." "Da?" "What is it you actually do? As a career?" "I take care of my subjects! We Lords deal with politics back in the motherland!" "But I've been told the victim was one of your employees?" "Da, this is true. His name was Frank N. Stein. He was a friend of mine, and worked out my finances and... Things. All I know is that I never had any troubles when he was in charge, and when we talked together, and laughed, but now..." Lordie looked pained as he talked about his friend and but didn't want to cry. You could tell he was holding back his tears. Poor man. "Aww, it'll be alright Mr. Lordie. We're here!" "Thank you little one."* They smiled quickly at each other before Phoenix had to clear his throat, in preparation of a question he had to ask every single one of his clients. "Right, sir, I have to ask this question, and I'm sorry I have to ask... But did you do it?" "Kill?! Never!!" "then why were you out at that park so late at night, Mr Dracula?" "I like, moonlight walk, as you call it, I enjoy moonlight very much, and these cold nights remind me of home. I wanted to get out of my room, and the park is the closest walking space to me. Is no crime" "But you were found in the park, by the victim. Did. You. Kill Him?" Phoenix needed answers, he knew Lordie was holding something crucial back. "Never, it's... that there was too much... Blood!" "Too much blood for... Lordie Dracula?" Maya was holding back a laugh in herself, it was too funny of an idea for her as Phoenix asked him "Da, I have Haemophobia. I fear blood. The very sight of blood and I..." He started to look pale and tired as he wobbled back and forth in his chair.* "It's just... Disgusting!" Phoenix rubbed his chin in thought; 'Is Haemophobia even a real term?' Gasping, Maya spoke out;*"The victim was found in a pool of blood, so I really doubt that he could have made anyone bleed, let alone murder." "You're right" Phoenix responded "That must be how Lordie passed out. When he saw that blood on the floor, his mind couldn't take it and just shut down, and must be why he fell unconscious. I think it's time we find out who the murderer really is." "You will do your best, da comrade? You'll find out who hurt my friend?" "We'll do our very best, sir!" Maya was pumped and ready to get going! The fire of a case, of the money, of the thrill, it burned in her!*Phoenix knew it was time to investigate the funny case ahead. His blood boiled ready for the action of the crime scene, of the court, of the whole case ahead of him. "You know, I'm worried" began Dracula "I've heard of this, how you say, hot shot Attorney who will be prosecuting against me..." "We've got your back! Hiya! No one can stop us now!" Maya was making punching actions in the air all whilst smiling with confidence. "This is good, you have confidence, you can beat this Niles Cornersworth... Or something like that." "Wait, do you mean 'Miles Edgeworth'?" "Da, that's the one, you know him?" Phoenix's face went cold and he felt his body going heavier as he slumped forward. Maya's arms stopped punching the air, and she stood to attention at the name. "You've got to be kidding me..." -------------------------------------------------- December 1, 9:57 am Crescent Park Both of them arrived at the scene, shivering in the freezing cold air. At least they both packed scarfs and ear muffs before they left, well Maya was being more motherly, since she had to pack Phoenix's gear. Crescent Park was a man-made park, designed to be in the shape of a crescent moon shape. The park wasn't too vast, you could see one end to the other easy enough but there was a lot in between. Bushes lined up next to the ins and outs of the pathways that crossed each end of the park, in the laid a huge pond full of fish whilst different trees dotted the landscape. During the cold of December snow layer everywhere, even atop the tree's branches, whilst the pond was frozen over with a thick layer of ice.* A lovely winter scene you'd see on a postcard, simply lovely. That is apart from all the cops around the place. The police presences was high, but thankfully no sign of Dick Gumshoe, intrepid defender of justice who got in the way, really. It was a packed crime scene, the police were patrolling all across the pavements, the grass and the waterfront to keep away any unauthorized people.* Detective Gumshoe was letting his new protégé take on this high profile case. Her name was Detective Mint-Hoof, a rookie who had only worked with gumshoe for a month and seen Phoenix in the last case he was working on. She walked over to Phoenix and Maya, and put her hand out. "Glad to see you again, Mr.... Wrong?" "Um, actually it's Wright, Phoenix Wright." He shakes her hand. "Hey!" Maya shouted out, "Phoenix, aren't you going to introduce me to your girlfriend?" "No! I mean she's.... This is Detective Mint-hoof, she's Gumshoe's protégé" he grinned, "You know, like you are to me. A kind of lawyer in training." "Oh... Hey, but you've never let me go on a case solo before, like her!" "Yeah, you're still just a kid, Maya!" "I am not! I'm an adult, I am smart and I am very mature!" Wright laughed out loud, whilst Maya was infuriated at him, even stamping her feet. Mint-Hoof observed the strange sight in front of her, she'd never act this way with Gumshoe! Still she tried to remain professional in front of these veterans.* "It's a shame to come to such a lovely park on a day like this. This winter scene had only started this morning, if you had been here just yesterday and you would've seen a lovely autumn scene!" Maya raised her eyebrows, "Oh, yeah... This place is still beautiful though. I love the look of all the snow!" "Quite right" she grinned and wiped her upper lip with her finger. "Crescent Park is lovely all times of the year." "Brrgh, this place is cold enough..." Phoenix utter and sniffled. "Where's the crime scene already? Can we just get it over with?" he said trying not to shiver on the spot. "Well, it's down the path by the pond. He was lying by the statue there. You'll see the outline once you're down there." "Oh Kay!" Maya said, ready for action, and not in the least affected by the cold one bit. Phoenix followed her, shuffling along the path as she simply skipped on and on. They arrived right where Mint-Hoof had described, the large pond, it may even be considered a small lake with its size and breadth, but as true as she had said, the lake was thick with a layer of ice. It glistened beautifully in the daylight, in contrast to the dark scene next to it. A white taped outline in the shape of a human was left slumped on the side of a pedestal, on top of it was stature.* It was of a man holding his arms in the air, even though it was old, worn, in disrepair, it still held as a powerful symbol. Phoenix rubs the dirt from a plaque on the pedestal, it reads 'Oni Slaya, an ancient warrior who defeated the evil bloodsucking Hanaya that roamed this land. We owe him our lives.' 'Impressive' he thought 'seems like he use to be holding something in his hand not too long ago.' Phoenix had a look around the scene, a pool of dried blood lay in perfect circle near the taped outline. *'Like Maya had mentioned earlier...' Phoenix checked over the police report, 'So the on-site coroner says that he died from the two punctures in his neck causing him to bleed to death, and that he stumbled into the statue before collapsing on it.' He rubbed his chin. "Hmm, what would cause that puncture shape?" Maya was looking out at the lake "Maybe a vampire came and attacked him!" "Yeah, and I'm a werewolf and you're a fairy..." "Phoenix, look over here!" Maya shouted as she knelt at the side of the lake. He followed her directions and observed under the sheet of ice something sparkling and shimmering, how strange in an otherwise dark lake. "Wonder what it could be, Maya. Why would we even get under there, too cold if you ask me." "My, my what an interesting park. Why have I never been here before?" Phoenix thought for a minute; 'That was the voice of Maya... But those words... They weren't like Maya at all, they sounded more like another Fey...' He turned to see, and yes it was Mia again! "Woah!! Mia, could you stop doing that! One of these days I'm gonna die from you knocking me out with your... Two big... Eyes!" "Aw, cute as ever, Mister Phoenix."* She winked at him. Phoenix's nose gushed out a waterfall worth of blood, his embarrassment higher than ever. He wiped the red waterfall coming out of his nose, whilst continuing to talk, "Anyway Mia, what are you doing here? It's not like I've ever needed your help looking at a crime scene before." "Indeed, there's something far worse in the works than a simple murder. Maya's powers can feel it too, there's something evil afoot." "Evil? So it's not my client who's the murderer for sure?" "He may be rich, powerful and have a massive ego about himself, but he's all politics and business. This murder, it doesn't profit him in anyway." "You're right, by Victor Riaz dying, he stands to lose lots more money than make it. Someone's trying to frame*him!" "It seems that way, but you need to find some suspects first, otherwise only your client will be left to take the fall." "I know that Mia, but thanks for the help..." Aw, Phoenix... You've done a lot for the Fey family. You solved my murder, you took in my sister when she needed someone... I should be thanking you." He blushed bright red from her comments, embarrassed how much she thought of him. "It's time I get going..." "Oh, I understand..." "Before I go Phoenix, remember what Horse-Mint told you." "About what?" "She lived here before, and she's seen all the seasons of this park. Spring, summer... Autumn." Phoenix's mind clicked into place, instantly he knew what she was talking about. Mint-Horse, she said 'This winter scene had only started this morning, if you had been here just yesterday and you would've seen a lovely autumn scene!' Of course! The snow, the ice! When the murder happened this was a clear autumn day, the lake, it wouldn't have been frozen at all! Phoenix peered his head over the lake again, to see the shining image once more. 'How we gonna get down there?" Maya, with her evil grin, shoved Phoenix over the edge and as he fell his arms waved about in the air trying desperately to keep himself from falling... but failed as he fell face first onto the icy lake. His face turned red in pain as he saw little chicks float around his head, he was heavily dazed from the impact, with even his eyes turning in his head. "Wha.... Ughhhhh...." He started emitting noises, as he drooled down his own cheek. "Phoenix, I'm sorry I didn't mean it, wake up!" Maya was shouting at him from the side of the lake. He awoke from his dizzying state, in time to realize that his face was starting to stick to the ice. "Bah! Sooooo cooooold..." He sat up, shaking and shivering and moving from side to side as his teethe chattered. And meanwhile, with all that moving... he heard cracks from beneath himself. "Oh nooo!2 The ice escaped from under him and he came dropping down into the freezing cold lake. Phoenix couldn't feel any of his body, he was numb, he was starting to get tired... he was starting to give up... But that flashing light under the lake... it awoke something within him and with his eyes firmly fixated, his heart burning, Phoenix dashed in the water to the light. Struggling and struggling to move his body, he reached out to grab it. Maya was dumb struck, and stunned in fear as she watched her friend plummet into the cold water. "NO, PHOENIX!" The next thing she knew, Phoenix was flying out of the lake onto the shore, held on tight by Detective Horse-Mint He sat up and coughed the water out of his lungs, gasping for a little bit of breath to relive him of panic. "Tha...Thank you..." He said still gasping for breath. "I once got lost under the ice. Sure isn't as cold as I remember, but as soon as I came over to check on you to, it seemed to just take over." The Detective laughed out loud, proud of what she has done, still dripping wet in her uniform. "PHOENIX! PHOENIX! PHOENIX! PHOENIX! PHOENIX! PHOENIX! PHOENIX!"Maya Rushed at him, hugging his wet suit as she started to cry. "I'm so so so so sorry! I never meant for you to fall in "It's alright... now Maya..." He said patting her back and still gasping for air, both only from the water in his throat but Maya's massive bear hug. "Well... you'll sure... make one... heck of a detective... Mint-Horse..." "Thanks kid "Hopefully this'll be enough to go to court with... Something strange was going on in this park... And I don't think everything is quite as it seems..." Maya gulped, "Ok, Phoenix, now to starting to scare me a little." She was shivering, and not only because of the cold. "Well, time to defend Lordie, goodness knows he needs any help. We've got the murder weapon, but will that be enough" ------------------------------------------------- December 1, 2:41 District Court Courtroom No. 2 "Court is now in session!" The Judge knocked his cudgel three times, ands silence came over the room, as people settled down for the trial. "The trial of Lordie Dracula is before us today." Edgeworth grinned a sinister grin from across the room. he was looking quite ragged today, surprising Phoenix considering the man always looked his best, to day, he looked ill. His skin was lighter than usual, his smile showed his pearly white canine teeth well and his eyes had a bloodlust about them, maybe just to see the case through? At any rate, he began to call out. "The prosecution is ready, Your Honour." Phoenix cleared his throat, and declared, "The defence is ready, Your Honour." "Mr Edgeworth. please give your opening statement for the trial." "Hmm, of course... Your Honour." The giant grin across Miles Edgeworth's face would not let up, it was stuck there like he was mad, and his word cut through you like butter they were sweet, and you listened to every word in fine detail... "Achoo!" Phoenix sneezed out loud into the Courtroom. "Ugh, sorry, Your Honour..." He rubbed his nose with a tissue in his pocket. "Now, ladies and gentleman of the court, the defendant, Lord Lordie Dracula, was discovered at the very scene of the crime. We have witness reports that the two old friends were having a difficult relations at present, and part of the statue near the victim was found to have been removed, an old ceremonial weapon that could have been used to murder the victim! We the Prosecution have no doubt that these facts show Lord Dracula's guilt." "Why of course, Mr Edgeworth, you are right." said the Judge entranced by his delicious words. "I don't even see why this case should go on any further." 'WHAT?!' Phoenix screamed in his head as his face was shocked by the words. He knew what he had to do, he knew that the burning words within his soul, the words of a lawyer were coming to the surface. He stretched out one of his arms, pointing to the court floor, and shouted in a heroic voice "OBJECTION!" The whole court switch their gaze to him. "Your Honour, the defence needs time to be given to disprove the facts that the defendant did not do the crime he was charged for, otherwise this would be an unfair trial!" He was furious at the Judge's incompetence. "Oh, yes of course" the Judge seemed to have snapped out of his trance when looking away from Edgeworth. How curious. "The defence may call its first witness." "Thank you, your Honour. The prosecution would like to call Vlad La Impa to the stand." Count Vlad la Impa stepped up to the stand, in his heavy set fur coat reaching all the way down to his ankles, and made him appear larger than life, it was a wonder he could wear such a coat. He also wore dark brown He wore a Ushanka, one of those Russian wooly hats that looks like it has ears, which covered most of his face and large black sunglasses. From the little bit of skin you could see on his face, he was pale white and looked cold as ice. His very presence drained the life out of the room, it chilled both Phoenix and Maya to the bone. "Now um, Mr. Impa... or La Impa, is it?" asked the judged a little disturbed by the witnesses. "You may refer to me as Count, little man." He said with a chilling smile. "Um, yes of course my Count." The judge said whilst rubbing his beard. Phoenix frowned 'What is with this guy, he's even got the Judge entranced! And just who is this guy!?' "Now, tell us, about yourself and your relationship to this case... please?" "I am Count Vlad La Impa, I am head of the La Impa family from my native country, and I am also a family friend of the Dracula family. We've have good relations with each other for generation after generation." Phoenix rubbed his chin, 'Well, if he's a friend of Lordie he must be here to defend him, right?' "So" began Edgeworth, "My dear Count, will you tell us what you witnessed on the night of the murder?" "It is so, ever so, sad of a tale. My dear friend, Mr Dracula, was standing over the body of Mr Stein whilst brandishing a bloody... a crimson red bloody knife in the moonlight!" "LIAR! FILTHY LIAR!" Lordie was standing up and shouting out at his (now old) friend, with his face now turning a pinkie colour from fury and rage. "Order in the court!" the Judge called to order "Anymore outbursts and I'll charge you with obstruction of justice, Lordie Dracula. And you Mr Wright, control your client!" "Yes- Yeah, alright, Your Honour." Phoenix was saddened by this impossible situation. 'Great, not only is my client a loud mouth, he just confessed he would kill the witness. Oh man I'm doomed...' His thoughts were not happy ones, to say the least. "This is rather compelling news.." The Judge closed his eyes and rubbed his beard in thought. "Would the defendant like to Cross-Examine?" Phoenix gulped "Yes, Your Honour!" 'Now, I just need to dig deeper and get something out of him..' Phoenix walked across the court floor for a moment, before stopping still and facing Vlad. "So Vlad La Impa" he said in a slightly shrill voice. Vlad's presence was terrifying, not only was the pale white screen scary, it was if his eyes glowed red behind those glasses of his... creepy. "You say that my client was holding a blood soaked knife, and so he committed the murder... but what you fail to realize" Phoenix began to hope and pray this would work, "That my client has Haemophobia. It's a condition where people have an intense fear of blood that they experience symptoms like light headedness and even the ability to pass out. How could my client commit the murder if he had such an intense fear of blood, hmm?" Phoenix looked over at Maya, who with a worried face, pulled a thumbs up towards him. He'd done alright, but he'd have to see where this went. Edgeworth was poised, shaggy as he was toward, his poise was superb as he was hunting prey. "OBJECTION!" Edgeworth called attention to himself, his grin still holding from before. "What you forget Mr Wright, is that the victim was not killed by loss of blood as the onsite medic discovered." 'WHAT!?' Both he and Maya felt a ton on their shoulders now, they were pinned into a corner once more. "As you can see, when they conducted an autopsy, the coroner discovered that he has been poisoned and died with minutes of receiving it, likely by it being pumped into his system through a needle or.. other sharp implement...Read the up to date Autopsy Report, would you, Mr Wright?" Edgeworth was licking his lips, comfortable with himself, and he knew that Phoenix didn't have much to come back with. "But.. but your client said that my client was holding a blood soaked knife! Your victim must of been lying about seeing anything!" Phoenix though he might have a solution, but alas Edgeworth tutted out loud at Phoenix. "Tut tut, but the knife was likely covered in the poison used to kill Mr Frank N. Stein. My client's testimony is still solid." He bowed to Phoenix, a maniacal smile on his face as he rose once again. "This is clearly some compelling evidence." agreed the Judge. "Does the defence have further questions?" "Just one your Honour." he pulled out the Silver Knife that he had recovered from the lake bed, he knew this is the moment he almost risked dying over. "This murder weapon is clean of both poison and blood!" Vlad noticeably stepped back in the podium box, frightened by the knife being shown to him. Edgeworth as well changed his chipper expression into a painful one, even slightly slamming his fist on his desk. "This... This is new evidence to us Your Honour. They have no proof that that knife has anything to do with the crime at hand!" "Ah!" Phoenix rebutted, "But this was found in the lake next to the crime scene, close enough for the weapon to likely be the murder weapon itself." "This is weak evidence Mr Wright..." the Judge spoke softly, sounding slightly disappointed by the knife being so loosely connected to the case. Phoenix rubbed the back of his neck, nervously. "Um- I demand we test this for both the victim's blood and the poison your client claims is on here!" "What?! As you can see Your Honour, the defendant is clearly not confident enough in his evidence and-" He was cut off by his own coughing. And as soon as it finished, another cough started again, and again. Mile Edgeworth began to have a coughing fit, he couldn't stop coughing over and over again. He looked more pale, closer to that of La Impa himself. Actually, Phoenix looked over at Vlad for a moment and saw the faint whisper of a grin o the otherwise dead face of his. Edgeworth began to cough harder and harder, and before anyone could come to his help he coughed blood into his handkerchief, it being stained a crimson colour. Lordie, seeing the blood from across the court began to feel dazed and confused, wobbling heavily from side to side, until his eyes spiralled out of control and he fell unconscious with his legs in the air. "What in heaven's is going on here?!" The Judge became distressed, and the gathered procession began to speak out loud, with noise filling the room quickly. "Order! Order in the court!" His cudgel kept tapping loudly till the tide of noise calmed. Phoenix's thoughts raced through his head, and he came to a conclusion on what to do. My goodness, it was the perfect time. 'This is it, I need to use this moment!' "your Honour, I call for a recess in order for both sides to recover from these ordeals, my opposition is in no fit case to petition my now incapacitated defendant." "Very well. We shall have a momentary recess of this hearing, as both the witness and accused recover. This trial shall continue again tomorrow morning!" The Judge proclaimed, and it was done with the taps from his Judge's cudgel. 4:51 pm Outside Courtroom Phoenix rubbed the back of his neck "Well that couldn't have gone much worse..." "That stinking Vlad! He dares accuse me of murdering my own friend! I will have his heart for this!" Lordie's fury and anger were apparent as you could almost see steam coming out of his ears. "Calm down, Mister Dracula!" shouted Maya. "We've got this covered. Phoenix, you need to go back to the park and find any evidence to do with Vlad La Impa being there, and any signs for that poison. So let's get going people!" Both Phoenix and Lordie stood surprised at Maya's outburst. She only realized their intense stares just then, and nervously laughed to herself whilst poking her fingers together. Phoenix walked over to her and patted her on the head, she then looked up at him to see him grinning at her. "Maya, that's some good idea's there. I wouldn't have any better protégé than you..." "Aw, Phoenix..." she grinned back at him, lost in their little moment. "What are you staring at each other for! Go be my lawyers and help me prove my innocent!" Lordie demanded from them, nostrils flaring. " Find out the lies of that deranged La Impa! NOW!" "Ha... On our way, Milord!" said Maya as she rushed back to the offices, whilst Phoenix saluted the man before running off himself. --------------------------------------------------- 8:51 pm Crescent Park Phoenix returned to the crime scene alone. By now it was even colder and extremely dark apart from the street lights dotted about in the park, and even the police presence was gone, though the crime scene was still cordoned off. He needed to find something that connects Vlad to Frank's murder or Lordie's innocence... or something. He would need to find the poison. He checks around the stature with his flashlight, shivering, it was the worst his body had felt since falling in the lake. 'If nothing else, I do the best for my clients...' Phoenix once again, examining the crime scene found nothing that he didn't notice before, still the whit taped outline by the statue, the iced over lake, with a Phoenix shaped hole by the edge, the pool of blood... wait... He checked the dried pool with his flashlight, it shimmering under the focused. 'Frank wasn't killed by those holes n his neck, so how was there a pool of blood here, and why is it still shimmering under light. Dried blood doesn't shine...' He walked over to inspect it closer, and he first of all noticed a smell It was sweet, and fruity, nothing like blood, but something else entirely. 'This must be some of the poison that was used!' "You're in the wrong place... Mr Wright..." a familiar voice came from up the path. Phoenix turned around to see Miles Edgeworth, in his usual suit standing under a streetlight nearby. "Edgeworth, what are you doing here!?" Phoenix was so taken a back his heart was racing. Being scared whilst in a vacant park at night would make anyone fearful. It wasn't until he focused his eyes on Miles Edgeworth that he noticed the two long pointed teeth that protruded from his mouth. And the... the blood on them. "Can you guess what I've recently been... promoted into, old friend?" "Miles, you're a... a...!" "Indeed, Mr Wright. You have discovered the secret of my Master, Vlad la Impa the long dead vampire king!" Gasping, Phoenix had to ask "Wh-Wh-why? What's this all about!?" Edgeworth smiles to himself, "He wishes to take over the justice system, and then he'll have control over the whole country. My master will make a land of vampires!" Miles Edgeworth was involved! That would explain his shabby appearance recently... and Vlad's pale skin... and why he covered up so much. It was all clicking into place as Edgeworth cackled into the dark sky. And his... fangs glistened in the street lights. He darted straight for Phoenix! Stunned in place the young lawyer saw his life flash before him, and never once did he ever remember how to deal with a full blown Vampire in the darkness! That would've really helped right about now! Wait! Those horror movies from the other night... That's right, Silver! Silver stuns them! Edgeworth was closing in fast, fangs out and claws at the ready to attack. "Oh come on, where is it!" Phoenix was searching his bag for that one... Item... And there... Ah, there it is! He pulled out the only silver thing he had. And it was!... Hairspray?!?!* "How did that get in... Maya must of put it in there! Oh man!" He didn't have any more time to get out the silver ceremonial dagger from the crime scene out of his bag. It looks like this is end for Phoenix Wright! To be continued...? -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
