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For the first time since she’d arrived, Franziska felt lonely. Miles Edgeworth was off giving a tour of the town to Phoenix Wright, and Adrian Andrews. Franziska wished she’d gone with them now, as the frosted graveyard just felt like a nightmare.

The frosty grass crunched beneath her feet, as the prosecutor made her way over to a medium sized headstone, near the middle of the garden.

Manfred Klaus von Karma. 1951 - 2017

‘The only goals should be of perfection.’

The headstone next to it was smaller.

Nadine Else von Karma. 1957 - 2003

‘Love is more powerful than hatred.'

Seeing the two graves together, it was obvious to tell how each of her parents thought. Franziska left the bouquet of flowers on her mother’s grave, and kicked a rock at her father’s.

The pain of all this was too much.

It had been 16 years since her mother’s death, and Franziska still knew nothing about it. When her parents had split up, Anika went with her mother. Shortly after that, it was revealed that Nadine was dead.

It had always been labelled an accident, but Franziska was scared the open the topic. Bringing up her mother’s death led to the reason they divorced. And the reason they divorced led back to 11 year old Miles Edgeworth… and that opened memories Franziska had spent forever trying to forget.

As long as I don’t think about it…

Franziska left the family plot, closing the iron gate behind her. Just as she did, three figures emerged from the fog. Adrian had spotted Franziska, and was already running towards her.

The two women met in an embrace, and Franziska had never been so happy to be Adrian’s wife. Even when things were dark, Adrian had always been able to let the sun shine out again.

“Are you feeling any better, Frannie?”

Franziska nodded, even though she was lying. There was no need to foolishly burden Adrian with her troubles.

Besides… I am no longer a von Karma. I am Franziska Andrews, and I am proud.

Still, her heart weighed down heavily in her chest.

Trying to ignore the pain, Franziska joined everyone for dinner that night, at some lavish restaurant of Miles’ choosing. But she couldn’t eat. She’d been here before, when the family was still held together.

Now, Franziska’s memories of this place were full of darkness.

She ate, of course. If Adrian or Miles had noticed her lack of appetite, they’d be onto her in a moment. Franziska didn’t need this kind of foolishness.

They’re just worried about you. A little voice inside her head whispered.

Franziska just felt hollow.

~

That night, they all returned to the von Karma manor, where the couples split into separate rooms. Adrian passed out almost instantly, but Franziska remained awake, her thoughts scattering in the darkness.

At around 2am, Franziska got out of bed. She clearly wasn’t falling asleep anytime soon. Carefully, she bundled up in a thick coat, and decended into the night air.

It was chilly, and as Franziska made her way across the garden, she wished she’d dressed warmer. At the end of the garden, she opened the gate into the family plot.

Franziska could hardly see the graves in the darkness, and tripped over a few of the smaller ones. She cursed slightly, angry at her own foolishness. She hadn’t brought a flashlight, and the mist surrounding her was making everything worse. She could hardly make out the moonlight above her.

Suddenly, there was a crack behind her. Franziska whipped around, startled, “Who’s there?”

A flashlight clicked on, and the shadow of Phoenix Wright’s face came into view. Franziska scowled.

“What is a foolish fool like yourself doing out here, Phoenix Wright? It’s 2am!”

Phoenix lowered the flashlight onto the ground, “I could ask you the same question.”

Franziska said, “My parents are buried here. Is it unnatural to visit them?”

“It is when it’s 2 o’clock in the morning!”

“Fool. I have an excuse. You are the one without an alibi.”

Phoenix sighed, “I heard the door open. Couldn’t sleep. It’s October 3rd. …I think.”

Franziska rolled her eyes, and grabbed the flashlight out of his hands, “Come with me, Phoenix Wright. There’s a bench at the side.”

The two walked over the frosted ground, and sat down on a white wood bench, on the left side of the graveyard. Franziska clicked it off, and then said, “Alright, Phoenix Wright. You brought this upon yourself. Why are you out here?”

Phoenix shifted, “You wouldn’t understand.”

Franziska snorted, “Such a fool you are, Phoenix Wright. Why my brother loves you, I will never understand.”

“We’re both in a graveyard at 2am. It says a lot about both of us.”

“My parents are buried here.”

“It’s 2 in the bloody morning.“

“And you have no family here. Why are you out here, Phoenix Wright? Is this display of foolishness to make fun of me?”

Phoenix recoiled, “No!”

Silence befell them for several minutes. Then Phoenix spoke again.

“My mother is dead. I was 12, and dumb. My father… I haven’t seen him in years, and I don’t want to see him. I don’t know how they got married. He hit her, and never contributed anything. It hurt her so much.

“One day, it killed her. He hanged her, in the garage. And I watched.

“I was afraid. I’d always ignored the abuse, because she told me it was nothing. I should have spoken up. Instead, I got to see her die, in front of my very eyes.

“I thought I’d be next. I ran, and I ran. I just had to get away. If I didn’t have Larry, I don’t know what I would have done. His parents called the cops, and they found her.

“But they never found my father. He’d scrammed before the police even knew. I don’t know what happened to him, and I don’t care. I just hope he’s miserable.

“It happened on October 3rd. That’s today.

“That is why I’m in your graveyard at 2am.”

Franziska didn’t say anything for a while. When she found her voice, she whispered, “Oh…”

Phoenix kept his eyes on the ground, “You are now the only living person who knows this story.”

“I… I’m sorry, Phoenix Wright.”

“Don’t be.”

“I know how it feels to lose everyone you care about.”

Phoenix looked up, “It’s too common a theme. I don’t think anyone I know has a normal family anymore.”

Franziska’s voice was quiet, “When I was four years old… my parents got divorced. It was over something awful. My mother had always let Papa’s imperfections slip, but this was too much. She lost it, and left, taking Anika with her.

“When they finalized the divorce, I went to her new house, and I got to see my older sister again. It seemed alright. Papa was being gentle, and Mother polite. I thought everything was fine.

“Anika found her dead in the kitchen.

“And… and… I remember… I saw her… lying on the floor. S-she wouldn’t move.”

Phoenix was quiet for a moment. Then, he pulled something out of his pocket. A glowing green rock, in the shape of a nine. Franziska recognized it. The Fey girls all wore them on necklaces.

So what is that fool doing with one?

“This is called a Magatama.” Phoenix said, as if he was reading her thoughts, “It was a gift from Maya. It… It can detect secrets.”

“What foolishness is this?”

“I’m serious.” Phoenix replied, “When someone tries to keep a secret, a red ‘Psyche-Lock’ covers their heart. The more precious the secret, the more locks there are.”

Franziska scoffed, “As if such a thing exists.”

“Miles can vouch for me. He’s seen them.”

“My little brother is your boyfriend. Of course he’ll vouch for you!”

Phoenix pretended he didn’t hear her, “But there are also black Psyche-Locks. Black locks only appear when the secret is so deep, and so engraved in their psyche, that the person doesn’t know it exists. Red locks represent secrets people are trying to hide. But black locks… they are signs of a horrid, traumatic event.”

Franziska was quiet, before saying, “Why are you telling me such foolish drivel?”

“When you talk about when your parents got divorced, one lock appears, right over your heart.”

“…”

“But when you mention your mother’s death… Five black Psyche-Locks surround you.”

~~~

Franziska tightened her jaw, “Don’t be ridiculous, Phoenix Wright. This is nothing more than foolish whispers.”

“I can really see them.” Phoenix said softly, “Besides, you believe in spirit channelling. Why not this?”

Franziska muttered, “Because I cannot see them myself.”

“I’ll show you one day. The thing is… These locks can’t be broken. If they are broken by force, it will shatter the person’s soul.”

“Nonsense.”

Phoenix nodded, “It’s true. The only way to break them… would be for you to break them yourself.”

Franziska scoffed, “I will not be privy to such foolishness.” But as she said it, things rushed through her mind. Gripping her head in her hands, Franziska began to hear things. Things she wished to forget.

Four year old Franziska von Karma sat at her desk in the drawing room. Her test on German law sat in front of her, and she went over it again, desperate to correct any and all mistakes she may have had. She’d misspelled 'pharmaceutical’ on her last exam, and it had worsened her score considerably.

She had to master German law before her fifth birthday, so she could move onto Western law, for when she visited the Americas. She also had to learn English fluently in that time period. At the moment, she could only strong rough sentences together.

As she went over Question #497 again, there was a sudden commotion from her father’s study. It was a loud sound, and a very sudden, *BANG*.

Nervous, Franziska put down her pen, and ran out of the room, as fast as she could. As she dashed through the echoing corridors, her mind was only on finding this distraction, and ending it.

She burst into the study, out of breath. But the scene in front of her caused Franziska to pale considerably.

Eleven year old Miles Edgeworth was kneeling on the carpet in front of the fireplace, clutching his shoulder in pain. Her Papa stood in front of him, a smoking gun hanging from his hands.

In a moment of shock, Franziska darted forward, towards her little brother, “Miles! Miles Edgeworth! Miles!” She shook him, but he screamed, and slumped over, his fingers turning white as they dug into his right shoulder.

Manfred von Karma loomed over both of them, grinning evilly.

Franziska held onto her brother, her voice shaking, “Miles… Please…”

The doors burst open again, and Nadine von Karma stepped in, her face aflame.

“Manfred! What in the holy hell is going on here?” Her voice shook, but with anger, instead of fear.

Manfred glared, and folded his arms, “Hmph. I was teaching Miles. He will need to learn to survive in the field, if he will ever become a prosecutor.”

“You shot him!” Nadine replied, “Look at him! He’s eleven years old! Were you trying to kill him?”

Manfred laughed, “Kill him? Oh no… Then it wouldn’t be interesting.”

Nadine raised her fist, “I have put up with this ever since Anika was born. I have put up with your abuse since the day we met! But this has gone too far! You have shot our son!”

“He is no son of mine.” Manfred said darkly, “He is my student, and I am his mentor. There is nothing beyond that.”

Nadine slapped Manfred.

As he turned around, fifteen year old Anika von Karma darted in front of Franziska’s view, “Come with me, quickly. Let Mama and Papa fight.”

She picked up Miles, who had fainted, and the three left the study out the opposite door. As Franziska locked the door, they heard a crash, and a horrid scream. Franziska shivered, and Miles stirred slightly.

Anika desperately guided them back into the drawing room, and sat them all down. Miles slumped over, still out of it, while Franziska gripped the chair rigidly.

While Franziska tried to go over her exam, the words began to swim in front of her, and she couldn’t read. All she could think about, was why her Papa had just shot Miles in the shoulder.

“I… I can’t focus on this.”

Anika looked up, and walked over to where her little sister sat, “It’s alright Franziska. I have the answer key. Do you want me to mark it?”

Franziska nodded, and curled up in a ball. Her eyes went out of focus, as she heard Anika’s pen scratching her paper.

After a while, Anika broke the silence, “498 out of 500. That’s very good.”

Franziska’s voice caught, “What? No, that’s not good enough! It needs to be perfect!”

“You need to calm down.” Anika said, “You’re four years old. You don’t need to be surrounded by this madness.”

“I must be perfect, in every way, Anika.”

Anika put down the exam paper, “Franziska. Papa doesn’t control you. You don’t have to become a prosecutor, and you don’t need to overwork yourself by trying to find perfection. It’s an abstract concept that doesn’t exist.”

Franziska scoffed, “Do not try to fool me. I will be a prosecutor, and I will be perfect. You will too, Anika. Do not deny it.”

Anika shrugged, “I don’t know how to convince you. But I can assure you that I am not following in Papa’s footsteps. I have no interest in what he preaches.”

“Foolish fool.”

The von Karma sisters became quiet. Over the next hour or so, Miles woke up, and quietly sat in her chair, constantly clutching his shoulder.

Finally, Nadine opened the door to the drawing room, “There you are. Manfred, they’re in here. Come.”

Manfred von Karma entered, his largest legal book under his arm. Before staring the conversation, he placed the book on one of the tables.

Nadine said, “Manfred and I are getting a divorce.”

Anika gasped, “W-what? Mama, you can’t be serious!”

“I am.” Nadine nodded, “I have put up with this for too long. I will leave, and you will come with me, so we can live good lives.”

Anika lept to her feet, “I will accompany you. Franziska? Miles?”

Franziska shook her head defiantly, “Papa knows what he is doing. I will achieve perfection, and be the world’s most brilliant prosecutor.”

Miles nodded. It was the first time he had spoken since the shooting, “Franziska is correct. Sir, you are correct in your teachings, and I have never doubted you. I will stay, and learn to be a prosecutor.”

Nadine paled, “Miles, he just shot you! You can’t seriously still want to live with this!”

Miles was silent.

In a matter of days, Anika and Nadine had packed up, leaving Franziska and Miles alone with Manfred von Karma.

Franziska drove herself even further into her essence of perfection, desperate to be the child her Papa wanted.

Miles on the other hand… well, Franziska ended up treating his knife wounds in the middle of the night. He claimed he was fine, and it was all a part of his training, but Franziska knew better. Papa had never hurt her like this.

For months, the two siblings grew together, their minds being twisted by Manfred’s ways. Slowly but surely, Franziska became more ruthless, and demanding, often violently attacking others.

And then… it happened.

~

Six months after the divorce, the von Karma family met up one last time, this time in Nadine and Anika’s new house.

Franziska rested in the library, while Miles dug deep into a foreign law book, that he’d brought with him.

Anika joined them after a while, and they waited, while Manfred and Nadine finalized the divorce papers.

“Franziska?”

The young girl looked up at her sister, “Yes?”

Anika paused, then said, “Are you sure that you and Miles don’t want to live with Mama and I? If you say no… then Papa will have permanent custody over you forever.”

Franziska sniffed, “There is nothing wrong with that. I am a von Karma, and perfection is the only option. You should be begging to return to us, Anika.”

Anika turned away, “I was just trying to protect you…”

The siblings fell back into silence. Anika left the room shortly after, as if she was trying to hide her tears from her sister.

The clock ticked by, and Franziska soon became bored. Miles was still immersed in his book, and Anika had yet to return. The young girl stood up, and walked out of the library, leaving her brother behind.

As she wandered through the new house, Franziska heard a crash from the kitchen. Her legs pulled her in different directions, as she ran through hallway after hallway, in pursuit of the commotion.

When she finally pushed open the door, a horrible scene was in front of her. Manfred had his hands around Nadine’s throat, his eyes menacing.

“Any last words?”

Nadine’s gaze was defiant, as she croaked, “Your cowardice will destroy you.”

This was the last straw, and Manfred threw her on the floor, cracking her skull against the hard ceramic. Heart beating, Franziska hid behind the door, as Manfred burst through it, likely going for Anika.

Franziska dived into the space between the door and the doorframe, and entered the kitchen. It was a complete disasters. Pots and pans lay about, many bashed in places. A shattered vase was on the counter, coated in blood.

Nadine’s body was broken in places, and her limbs were twisted in unnatural angles. Franziska ran over to her, knocking her father’s legal book over in the process.

“Mama! Mama wake up! Mama!”

Franziska’s screams echoed through the house, as her voice became more an more panicked. She held her mother’s dead body, while sobbing.

Anika burst into the room shortly after that. When she saw the scene in front of her, she paled, and quickly grabbed Franziska.

“H-help me…” Franziska whispered. Anika hugged her tightly, as she carried the little girl out of the room. Franziska fell asleep shortly after that, as her brain shut the memory away so tightly, she could never find it.

For the next 16 years, Franziska pretended it never happened. She pretended that the horror had been a dream. Somehow she convinced herself of it, and lost herself in her studies.

She no longer had morals. Her mind was solely dedicated to perfection.

Franziska even forgot her sister, in a desperate attempt to forget everything associated with her mother’s death.

It was very dark inside her heart.

~

Franziska shuddered, as the horrid flashbacks finally ended. Her mind was raw. For all this time, her mother’s death had haunted her. Now she knew why.

“Franziska? Are you okay? The locks… they’ve broken.”

“I… I… Phoenix Wright…”

Phoenix looked at Franziska nervously, “What did you see?”

“I saw… I saw…” Her voice became shakier and shakier.”

Finally, Franziska swallowed, “Papa… he shot Miles. In the right shoulder.”

Phoenix widened his eyes, but said nothing.

“My parents… my mother left… and then… months later…”

Franziska’s throat was tight.

“Papa killed her. And I saw it.”

This time, Phoenix let out an audible gasp.

Franziska shut her eyes, and began to cry, tears streaming down her face. Everything that she had bottled up inside was free, and her mind was racing.

Phoenix gently put his arm around her, “Let’s go in, Franziska. I’m sorry I made you-“

“No, Phoenix.” Franziska said softly, “Thank you. Thank you for letting me see… the truth.”

Quietly, the two made their way back into the house. Franziska slipped back into bed, next to Adrian, who stirred slightly. While Franziska still felt hollow about the whole affair, it was over.

She had her true family.

Adrian, Miles, even Phoenix and the Fey girls… they had all contributed so much to her life.

“Thank you… All of you…” Franziska murmured, before her eyes shut.

“Thank you for believing in me.”

~

A room away from Franziska, Phoenix Wright moved in the bed with Miles Edgeworth.

Miles turned, as Phoenix made himself comfortable, “What happened to you?”

Phoenix shrugged, “Couldn’t sleep. Too much happened, I guess.”

Miles nodded, “We’ve all had times like this. Each one of us. But in the end, this is what makes us brave, is it not?”

Phoenix grinned, and snuggled close to Miles.

The four occupants of the von Karma mansion were all asleep. Up in the stars, a woman stared down, and smiled at her daughter.

Nadine von Karma was finally at peace.

The End