Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

There was an enchanted forest filled with wonders, magic and familiar tales we all know. Or think we know. One day, the inhabitants of this world found themselves trapped in a place where all their happy endings were stolen, in a land without magic… Our World. This is how it happened…

Everything was dark. It was dark and cold. He was alone. He stared at himself in the mirror. Dark gray hair fell limply into his face. His eyes held no spark to them. He already looked dead. The mirrors surrounding him shifted their images. Multiple people were reflected back at him, with the exception of the one mirror he was facing.

This is all your fault! I will never forgive you for this! NEVER!

“It wasn’t me… I would never hurt you like this.”

I never want to see your face again.

“I didn’t want to say that.”

You can’t do this. It’s not who you want to be. You’re not a murderer!

“I didn’t want to do that. I just wanted the pain to stop.”

Then I guess you win.

“I didn’t want to leave you alone.”

This room was nothing but a fearful reminder of all the pain he had caused in his lifetime. The king was right. This place was his eternal torment. He was trapped in the nightmares of his regrets. Echoes of the outside world kept him connected, but he himself couldn’t move. He couldn’t see. He couldn't tell them that he was alright. He couldn’t do any of that. He was trapped.

“Miles!” The man’s heart skipped a beat. That voice… He knew the voice that was calling his name. After all that time… trapped for who knew how long… He had finally found him..“Open it.”

“I’m sorry… He’s gone…” He wasn’t. Miles wanted nothing more than to reassure the voice that he was right there. That he wasn't dead.

“Maya… Please… just… let me say goodbye…” Miles didn’t want him to leave. Not again. There was the sound of something being moved. Something heavy. Miles could feel an invisible hand on his face.

He felt something soft across his mouth. The world around him turned white. Something rushed over him. It lifted up his heart, filling him with a welcoming warmth. Magic.

Cold air rushed into his lungs. Miles sat up almost immediately, coughing at the sudden burst of oxygen that had returned life to him. He was awake. He was free from his prison. As soon as his steel-colored eyes found the man kneeling beside him, Miles smiled.

“Phoenix…” Phoenix leapt forward, wrapping his arms around him. He was holding on as if his life depended on it. Miles had returned the embrace, almost tighter than Phoenix’s. There had never been a moment before when he had felt such relief. He didn’t want to let go. “You found me…” Phoenix gave a small laugh as he and Miles separated.

“Did you doubt that I would?” Miles looked at where he was. A glass lid… and the bed-like place where he had been resting. Oh gods. They really thought he was dead, didn’t they?

“Truthfully, the glass coffin gave me pause.” Phoenix was grinning as widely as possible. He planted another kiss onto Miles. This one was longer, much more deeper and passionate. He didn’t want to let go. The kiss broke after what felt like a minute, but in reality was a few seconds.

“Well, you never have to worry. I will always find you. I promise.”

The little girl leaned back into the seat on the bus. It was bumpy, and she was cold, but there was her distraction from all of the harshness reality was throwing at her. Her bright blue eyes were trained on the illustration in front of her: two men, one with spiky black hair, and the other with dark gray. They were locked into a passionate embrace. This had to work. She knew that this would work.

“Is that a good book?” The girl looked up to the woman who was sitting next to her. With a proud smile, she nodded.

“Yeah,” said the girl. “But this is more than just a book.” The woman opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by the bus’s loudspeaker blaring to life.

“ Seattle, South Station. ” The girl shut her book and hopped off her seat.  This was her stop. It had taken a couple of hours, but she was finally here. She hummed to herself as she stepped off the bus. Seattle was a lot different than the small town she had grown up in. There was one more step left in her plan.

Justice , she thought to herself. I need to find Justice . It couldn't be that hard to find someone with that name, right? It might have helped that she also had the address to his apartment written down on the palm of her hand.

It felt like forever until that happy day came. The day the Prince would finally manage to seal his happy ending and marry his true love.

“I do,” said Phoenix, smile as wide as it was the day he found Miles.

“And do you, Miles Edgeworth, promise to take Phoenix Wright to be your husband, and love him for all eternity?”

“I do.” His heart felt lighter than air.

“I now pronounce you husband and uh… husband.” There was a roar from the crowd as the pair sealed their vows with a kiss. Phoenix couldn’t blame them for celebrating as loudly as they did; this was a long time coming.

The happy occasion was interrupted with a loud bang. All eyes fell on the entrance into the chapel. In strolled a man in his sixties. Phoenix felt Miles grip onto his suit. He did the same. The only difference was that Phoenix had done this as a method of reassurance. Miles had been done what he did in fear.

After all, it was not everyday that the man who ruined your life and tried to kill you several times showed up to your wedding.

“Sorry that I’m late,” said the man. He approached the pair. Two of the guards tried to stop him. With a wave of his hand, they were flung back into the crowd. As he grew closer, Miles reached around Phoenix. He grabbed the sword that hung at his husband’s waist and drew it. The blade was pointed at the man, who came to a halt.

“Von Karma’s not a king anymore,” said Miles, trying to keep his voice steady. The only open hand he had was still holding onto Phoenix. “He’s nothing more than an evil devil!” Phoenix placed his hand on top of Miles's, lowering down the sword’s point.

“Don’t stoop to his level. You’re better than this,” Phoenix said in a hushed tone to him. He glared daggers at the former king. “You’re wasting your time. You’ve already lost.”

“Have I?” Von Karma’s cackling laugh drew chills from Phoenix’s spine. “Actually, I’ve come to give you a gift.”

“We want nothing from you!” Miles snapped. His hold on Phoenix and the sword grew stronger.

“But you shall have it!” said Von Karma, using a simple snap from his fingers to silence Miles. “My gift to you is this happy day. Come tomorrow, my real work begins. You have made your vows, and now I make mine. Soon everything you love…” Von Karma’s eyes fell upon the frightened crowd. “Everything that all of you love… will be taken from you. Forever.” Phoenix’s fingers tightened on Miles's hand. “Out of your suffering shall rise my victory. I shall destroy your happiness. If it is the last thing that I do.”

The evil king turned and headed for the door. Without warning, Miles stepped forward, sword still in hand.
"Hey!" He shouted. Von Karma turned at this attention, giving Miles his chance to throw the weapon directly at him. Unfortunately, the King disappeared into a cloud of smoke before the blade could even nick him. Phoenix went up to meet his husband. The pair held each other close. His heart was beating loudly. He didn’t want to let go of Miles.

Things were supposed to get better. That was just a fantasy now. In truth, they were about to get worse… far worse.

There were moments where he hated his job. This was one of them. Getting all dolled up for no reason was not a fun thing. He briefly stopped in the elevator to make sure everything was in place. Hopefully, the two spiked horns made from his hair wouldn’t make people stare. It wasn’t his fault that he couldn’t keep them down. With a heavy sigh, the man exited the elevator as the doors opened. It didn’t take long to spot who he was looking for.

Having clients that went both ways made his job somewhat easier. The man sitting at the table he approached looked up to him.

“Apollo?” questioned the man. He nodded. Apollo slid into the chair opposite to him.

“I take it that you’re Ryan?” The man nodded. Okay, so he got it right on the first try. “You look a bit relieved.”

“Well, that would be the internet. Pictures can be…”

“Fake? Outdated? Stolen from a Calvin Klein catalogue?” Apollo laughed. That had been the case last time. But now, it was time to get down to business.

“So um… tell me something about yourself, Apollo.” That was first. Not many people usually asked him about himself when he was on the job. He had to come up with something quickly.

“Today’s my birthday,” said Apollo without thinking.

“And you’re spending it with me!” Not like I had much of a choice… “What about your friends?” Apollo shrugged.

“Kind of a loner.”

“And your family?” Now that struck a chord. Apollo fought back the urge to ball up his hands. Once slight movement could give this all away.

“Don’t have one.”

“Come on, everyone has a family.”

“Uh… technically speaking. Though, not everyone knows them.” Let’s see, Dad is dead. Mom is… somewhere. Don't know where, and don’t care where. “Ready to run yet?”

“Oh, not a chance.” Huh. This was going easier than Apollo thought it would. If everything went according to plan, he would be back home in less than an hour with enough of a profit to last him until rent was due. “You, Apollo, are by far the sexiest, friendless orphan I’ve ever met.” Apollo smirked.

“Okay. Now it’s your turn,” Apollo said as he began to lay out his trap. “Um… you’re handsome… charming…”

“Go on…” This guy was eating up his words.

“The kind of guy who — and now, stop me if I get this wrong — embezzled from your employer, got arrested, and skipped town before they were able to throw your sorry ass in jail.”

“Uh… no! No. Not at all.” Apollo smirked as the man’s fingers ran over his neck. The thick, golden bracelet Apollo wore tightened on his wrist. He smirked.

Gotcha .

“You know, the worst of it is your wife,” Apollo said with fake sympathy. “She just loves you so much that she bailed you out of jail. This is how you repay her loyalty?”

“Who are you?” He was getting defensive. It was time to spring the trap.

“I’m the one who put up the rest of the money.” The man's eyes went wide.

“You’re a bail bondsman.”

“It took you long enough to figure that out.” There was a split second of silence before the man began to panic. He flipped the table, sending all that was on it crashing down on Apollo. The bondsman stood up immediately. Apollo’s concentrated brown eyes narrowed as he watched the man run out of the restaurant. He rolled them. Why did they always run?

Calmly, Apollo followed the man out of the restaurant. If he was right, his connections down at the Seattle police station had come in handy. He strolled out to the car his client had tried to use to escape. He grinned. The boot on the tire was keeping it from going anywhere.

Apollo leaned up against the open car window. It was another job well done, if he had to say so himself.

“You don’t have to do this,” the man pleaded. “I can pay you! I got money!”

“No, you don’t,” fired back Apollo, dropping the previous act he had put on to gain the man’s trust. “If you did, you should have given it to your family, hmm?”

“The hell do you know about family?” That did it. Apollo smacked the man in the back of the head. The force of the blow slammed his face in the steering wheel.

“That’s none of your damn business.”

Shortly after the police had arrived, Apollo collected his money. Alone, he trudged back home to his apartment. The moment the door shut behind him, Apollo sighed. Another job on another day. That’s all that happened. It was like clockwork for him.

Apollo threw his keys on a nearby chair. He made his way for the kitchen. Loosening the tie around his neck, he pulled open the fridge and took out the small box inside. It was his birthday after all. It was not everyday someone turned twenty-two.

He flipped open the box and placed it on the counter. It was a small cupcake. It was really all Apollo could afford as of this morning. It wasn't like he had anyone to celebrate his birthday with either.

He took out the cupcake. It was a sweet victory, and so far the only good thing about this day. Apollo stuck a candle in dead-center of the small cake. In a moment, the candle was lit.

Apollo sighed as he leaned up against the counter. The flame flickered in his eyes. Like the year before, and the year before that, and almost all years before that, Apollo would have to spend his birthday alone. He could faintly remember being surrounded by people he loved as a child on his birthday. The sounds of laughter and singing… all of it gave Apollo a nostalgic smile. That smile quickly faded. He had been alone for years now. Day of childhood were far away and long gone. Apollo sighed. He closed his eyes.

“I wish… I don’t want to be alone anymore…” The flame on the candle went out with a single breath. The second the candle went out, there was a light knock at the door. Apollo straightened up. That was odd. He thought he wouldn't have anymore clients today.

“Coming!” Apollo made his way towards the door. It was probably just a package or something that was delivered straight to him. Yeah, that had to be it.

When Apollo opened the door, it wasn’t a package he saw. Standing in front of Apollo’s door was a young teenage girl. She had a placid smile on her face and a large book pressed close to her chest.

“Uh…” Apollo blinked, staring at the girl. “Can I help you?”

“Are you Apollo Justice?” asked the girl. Apollo only continued to stare.

“Yeah,” he said with a slow nod. This was getting weird. Please tell me this girl isn’t a client. “Who are you?”

“My name’s Trucy. I’m your sister.” Apollo stared. His sister? That was impossible.

Still stunned, Apollo didn’t stop the girl from cheerily making her way into his apartment. He blinked. It took a moment for him to come to his senses.

“Wait,” said Apollo, still trying to comprehend what was going on. “Kid. Kid!” He finally found the little girl sitting at the kitchen counter, patiently swinging her legs. “I don’t have a sister.” He sighed, raking his hands through his hair. This had to be a prank or maybe she was lost. Yeah, that was it. That had to be it. “Where are your parents?”

“Nine years ago, a woman disappeared,” said the little girl. She was serious for someone who looked like she was twelve. “That woman was my mother. She’s also yours. Her name is Thalassa Gramarye.” To Apollo, this definitely had to be a prank. A very very intricate prank if this kid went as far as to learn his mother's name.

He began pacing back and forth across the living room. This wasn’t happening. Apollo’s fingers grazed over the intricate detailing of his bracelet. Why this was, Apollo never really understood, but it would grow tight on his wrist whenever someone was lying in his presence. That girl… it hadn’t reacted with her. Apollo looked to the cupcake that sat untouched. He had wished not to be alone. Was this the universe’s cruel joke, or was it finally giving him a break?

Apollo looked over at the girl. He couldn’t fully remember his mother, but he did know what she looked like from an old picture. Both she and this girl had a similar hair color. And her eyes were eerily like his mother’s… he might have to compare if he could find that photo again.

“You know, we should probably get going now.” The little girl hopped off of the stool she had taken up. Apollo stared at her.

“Going where?” he asked.

“Duh. Home. I want you to come home with me.” At this point, Apollo had chosen to believe that this was a prank. It wasn’t a very good one. Well constructed, yes. But not good.

“Yeah… I’m calling the cops.” Apollo reached for the phone in his pocket.

“I’ll tell them you kidnapped me.” Apollo stopped. He looked over at her.

“You’re not gonna do that.”

“Watch me.” Apollo smirked as his bracelet tightened on his wrist. He took the phone out of his pocket. Once again, someone underestimated him.

Gotcha.

“I’ll give you one thing. You’re pretty good.” Apollo told her. “But here’s the thing. I have something you can call a superpower.” Apollo tapped his bracelet. “I can tell when anyone is lying. And you are.” The little girl’s eyes lit up. That was a first. Normally either people panicked when Apollo told them this,  or they just flat out didn't believe him. “Your eyes dart around when you’re lying. You didn’t look at me once when you said that.”

“See!” exclaimed the little girl. “You are my brother. We share the same superpower!”

“Huh?”

“I can tell when people are lying, too!” Apollo rolled his eyes. This had gone on long enough.

“I’m calling the cops.” Apollo went to dial 911. Quick as lightning, the little girl was in front of him. She grabbed his wrist to stop him from inputting the last number.

“Please don’t,”she begged. That look in her eyes… she looked desperate. Apollo lowered his phone. “Just… come home with me.” Apollo sighed. Those eyes. They were filling him with guilt. He sighed, pocketing his phone.

Damn those puppy dog eyes.

“Where’s home?” he said, finally defeated. The girl smiled as Apollo went over to grab his keys. Where did he toss them again?

“Storybrooke, Oregon.” Apollo blinked. He looked over at the girl. Did she just say Oregon? More importantly, Storybrooke ?!

“Storybrooke?” Apollo repeated. He must have heard that wrong. It was probably Stonybrooke or something. Unfortunately, the little girl nodded.

“Yup! Storybrooke!” Apollo groaned.

“Alright.” The sooner he could get this girl out of his life, the better. “Fine. Let’s get you home to Storybrooke.” He finally found his car keys. The little girl was bouncing as Apollo led her out of the apartment.

This had to have been one of his weirdest birthdays ever.

Phoenix leaned up against the balcony. It overlooked the entire forest — an entire forest that was counting on him for protection. The events of the wedding had not left his mind. Von Karma’s threat…

He fiddled with the golden ring on his finger. A pair of arms wrapped around him in an attempt of comfort.

“What's wrong?” Miles asked, resting his chin on Phoenix’s shoulder.

“Nothing,” Phoenix answered flatly. Miles pulled away.

“I know you rather well, Phoenix. I know when something is wrong.” Phoenix bit down on his lip.

“I can't stop thinking about… it . Von Karma… what he said.” Out of the corner of his eye, Phoenix could see Miles getting uncomfortable. “See? This is why I didn't tell you.”

“You can't let this get to you.” Miles joined Phoenix at his side. “You have to let it go.”

“This coming from you… you haven't been calm since our wedding either.”

“You’re letting him get what he wants — to get in your head. But they’re only words. He can’t hurt us now.”

“He poisoned an apple because he thought you were smarter than him.” Miles stared at the ground. He couldn't deny it after having lived through it. “I have plenty of an idea of what he’s capable of.”

“What can I do to ease your mind?” Phoenix thought about it. There wasn’t much Miles could do. There was no way to stop Von Karma. At least in Phoenix's head there wasn’t. The only way to defeat him know was if they could predict his next move. Wait…. predict.

“Let me talk to him, ” Phoenix told his husband. Miles knew who he was talking about. His eyes grew wide.

“No,” was Miles's immediate response. “Absolutely not!”

“He can see the future, Miles. He’ll know what Von Karma is planning.”

“There’s a reason we locked him up, Phoenix. He can do far worse than Von Karma.”

“But it’s worth the risk.” Phoenix took Miles's hands in his, running his thumbs over the soft surface of his skin. “Please. For me. I want to know that our kingdom… our people… that you will be safe. And he can guarantee it.” Miles sighed, resting his forehead up against Phoenix’s.

“Alright. For our kingdom.”

Apollo could not believe how this day was going. First there was traffic that morning, he had a job to work, the dry cleaners nearly lost his suit, he tripped on his way down to his car this morning and fell down a flight of stairs as a result. That wasn’t even the worst of it. A strange little girl had shown up at his apartment, told him that she was his long-lost sister and forced him to drive her down to Oregon. Well, she hadn’t forced him. Apollo did that of his own volition. He was still questioning why.

“I’m hungry. Can we stop somewhere?” said the little girl from the passenger side seat. There had been an argument over whether or not she should even be allowed to sit in the front seat. She had proudly stated that she was fourteen to Apollo when he questioned her age and told him that her “Daddy” (Apollo found that rather strange that she called her father this) let her sit in the front. Hey, whatever got her home faster.

“This is not a road trip,” Apollo said, still frustrated by this child. “We’re not stopping.” The little girl muttered something under her breath. Apollo didn’t want to know what it was, but he knew what it meant. “No complaining. I could have put your butt on a bus… And you know that I still could, kid.”

“Stop calling me kid,” said the little girl. “I have a name. I told you. It’s Trucy. Trucy Wright!” Apollo rolled his eyes. Okay. Whatever. He glanced over at the girl… Trucy. She had that book open in her lap. Her cheeks were puffed up. She was mad. Of course she was. Apollo bit back a groan.

“What are you reading, ki—” Apollo sighed as he turned back to the road. “I mean… Trucy. What are you reading?” Trucy slammed the book shut.

“You’re obviously not ready for it.” Apollo glanced down at the book. On the cover in thick, gold letters were the words ONCE UPON A TIME .

“Fairy tales?” Trucy nodded at Apollo’s guess. “I’m not ready for those? Ki… Trucy, I’ve been reading those since before you were born.”

“They aren’t fairy tales!” Trucy protested. She ran her fingers over the leather bound cover. “They’re true. All of them. They all actually happened.” For someone who was fourteen, Trucy believed heavily in this stuff. Unfortunately for her, Apollo had stopped believing in fairytales when he was nine.

“Of course they did…” Apollo said, trying not very hard to hide his annoyance.

“Use your superpower. See if I’m lying.” Apollo needed his eyes for that. At this point, it had grown dark enough that he needed his full attention on the road.  If he turned away for a second, the result would be disastrous.

“Look, just because you believe something, it doesn’t make it true.”

“That’s exactly what makes it true.” Apollo’s grip grew tight on the steering wheel. Maybe he should drop the kid off at a mental hospital rather than drive her home. “You should know more than anyone.” Apollo raised an eyebrow.

“And why is that?”

“Because Mommy’s in this book.”

Apollo almost slammed on the breaks right then and there. Her mother and according to Trucy, his mother. She thought their mother was supposedly in the storybook. He made a noise that sounded like a combination of both a groan and a sigh.

“You got problems,” said Apollo. This day was already getting to be too much.

“Yep. And you’re gonna fix ‘em!” Apollo wasn’t sure about that. He couldn’t even fix his own problems. What made Trucy think he could fix hers?

Phoenix Wright was now instantly regretting his decision. The dungeons below the castle were dark and dreary. It wasn’t even a proper dungeon. It was just carved out tunnels crafted from the abandoned mines under the castle. The entire place made him uncomfortable. Well, at least he had Miles by his side. It made the situation more bearable. He wasn’t alone.

They got to the end of the tunnel. All the light was provided by spread out torches on the walls. With the dim lighting, Phoenix could only make out the silhouette of the only prisoner in these parts of the dungeons.

“Stay out of the light,” warned the guard that had lead the royal couple down there. “Whatever you do, do not let him know who you are. If he knows your name, he will have power over you.” The pair both nodded. The guard stepped up to the bars. He banged on them.

“Blackquill…” The figure remained still. “Simon Blackquill!” The silhouette slowly lifted his head. “I have a question for you.” The prisoner chuckled darkly from the place he was sitting.

“No, you don’t,” he said, his voice hoarse and gravelly. “They do. Miles Edgeworth and Phoenix Wright.” Phoenix could see his cold eyes gleaming in the darkness. “You both insult me. Step into the light.” The pair exchanged glances with one another. Miles looked just as worried as Phoenix was. Carefully, they did as they were told, revealing their faces to their prisoner. “That’s much better, isn’t it?”

“We've come to ask you about the—” Miles started. In a flash, Blackquill was at the bars. They both stepped back.

“I know why you’re here,” sneered the man. “You want to know about the King’s threat.”

“Tell us what you know,” Phoenix asked despite the lump forming in his throat.

“It’s going to cost you something.” Of course it was. It was always like this with Blackquill. Things for him were always worth something. Information… magic. Everything had its price.

“This is just a waste of time…” Miles whispered into Phoenix’s ear. “We should just go.”

“What do you want?” Phoenix asked, ignoring his husband's wish.

“All I want in return is a single name.”

“Absolutely not!”

“Deal!” Phoenix could hear Miles groan. He didn’t care at this point. He had to know. After all, it was just a name. And the prince was given the information he wanted.

“Manfred Von Karma has in his possession a powerful curse. And it’s coming,” said Blackquill. “Soon, we’ll all be imprisoned… imprisoned by time. Time will stop. We will all be trapped in some place horrible where everything that we hold dear will be ripped from us. The king will celebrate while we all suffer. No more happy endings.” Phoenix swallowed down the bile rising. No. No, this… this couldn’t… he wouldn’t let it… He drew a breath to calm down.

“What can we do?” Phoenix asked as relaxed as he possibly could be standing there in that dungeon.

“We can’t do anything,” Blackquill answered. There had to be some hope. There was always hope.

“Is there anyone who can?” Phoenix relaxed more as Blackquill gave him a nod. “Who?”

“The magician. Magnifi Gramarye.” Phoenix knew him. He was a master of illusions, and a conman according to Miles. Despite the prince’s words, the Troupe Gramarye was known across all the kingdoms. Phoenix had even met them personally once… a long time ago. “His daughter. That girl is our only hope. You get her to safety…” Blackquill gripped the bars in front of him. He looked to be in terrible pain. “You get her to safety… On the Savior’s twenty-second birthday… the Savior… the one born out of true love… will find us. The final battle will begin.” Blackquill loosened his hold on the bars. Miles wrapped a hand around Phoenix’s.

“We have to go,” he told him. Phoenix nodded. This news was more than disturbing. The former king’s twisted plan made Phoenix’s blood boil.

“Hey! No! We had a deal!” Blackquill shouted as the two swiftly made their way toward the exit. “I need that name! Give me the name of the girl! I want her name!” Phoenix let his hand slip from Miles's. He turned back to face Blackquill. They had made a promise. He was taught never to break a promise.

“Phoenix, don’t—”

“Thalassa,” Phoenix told the imprisoned man. “Her name is Thalassa Gramarye.” Even in the dark, Phoenix could sense a twisted smile on Blackquill’s face. He and Miles left as quickly as they could. While the encounter had been uncomfortable, it gave them what they wanted.  had bigger things to deal with. They had to prepare for a curse.

After four hours of driving, Apollo finally saw the sign for Storybrooke. It was tucked away in the forests of Oregon near the coastline. If it wasn’t for the town sign, Apollo might have believed that Trucy was hiding the town’s location from him.

He drove into the town. It was like something that a person would picture as the perfect, rural town. It seemed small enough that it would be considered that kind of place where everyone knew each other. At least to Apollo it did. All he had to do was drop Trucy off, drive back home and hopefully get back to Seattle before the sun rose.

“Okay, Trucy,” said Apollo as he drove into what he thought was the center of town due to the clock tower coming into view. “What’s your address?”

“Forty-four Not-Telling-You Street.” Apollo slammed on the brakes this time. Trucy braced herself against the dashboard as Apollo got out. Trucy followed suit. Apollo stared down at the girl.

“Look. It’s been a long night,” said Apollo, frustrated beyond belief. “It’s almost… huh?” Apollo glanced up at the clock tower. It read 8:15. That couldn't have been right. It was almost 7:00 when they left. And if Apollo’s math was right, it should have been at least a quarter to eleven.

“That clock hasn’t moved in decades,” said Trucy as she leaned up against the hood of Apollo’s car. “That’s because time's frozen here. Well… sorta. I don’t think that rule applies to me because I wasn’t affected by the curse.”

“What?”

“The Evil King did it with his curse. See?” Trucy ducked back into the car and came out with her storybook. She opened it and showed an illustration of an old man to Apollo. Even by just seeing a picture of him, he could tell that the character was meant to be an evil one. “He sent everyone from the Enchanted Forest here.” Trucy shut her book. Apollo just stared at her.

“An evil king sent a bunch of fairytale characters here?” he repeated. Trucy nodded.

“Yeah. They're trapped.”

“Stuck in time… trapped in Storybrooke, Oregon.” Apollo wanted to scream. This was ridiculous. He wanted to slam his head into the wall. “Okay, if this is true… then why don’t they just leave? Hmm?”

“They can’t.” Trucy gripped her book tightly. “If they try, bad things happened. I was only able to leave because I wasn’t born in the Enchanted Forest. Mommy was.” Apollo opened his mouth to argue against her. He was cut off by someone calling out Trucy’s name. A middle-aged woman with short, graying hair, jogged up to them. A dog nipped at her heels.

“Trucy!” called out the woman. Apollo noticed the guilty face Trucy made as the woman got closer. “What are you doing here? Is everything alright?”

“I’m fine, Miss Deauxnim…” Trucy said flatly. Miss Deauxnim finally took note of Apollo. He gave her an awkward wave.

“Who is…?”

“He’s my brother, Miss Deauxnim. We share a mom.”

“Oh… I see…” It sounded like she bought the story as much as Apollo did. Well, this was someone who knew Trucy. Wait, if she knew Trucy, than that must have meant the woman knew where the little girl lived.

“Um, hey,” said Apollo, jumping into the conversation. “Do you… Do you know where she lives?”

“Of course. It’s on Westlake Street. Just turn right and keep going until you see the sign. It’s house number seven.” Apollo nodded. Miss Deauxnim turned her attention back onto Trucy. “Hey, Trucy.” Trucy didn't look up from the pavement. “Where were you? I haven't seen you since our session yesterday.”

“I might have um… gone on a little field trip.” It wasn't a total lie. It didn't get any sort of reaction from Apollo.

“Okay!” said Apollo, placing his hands on Trucy’s shoulders. “I should be getting her home. It’s… um… what time is it?” Miss Deauxnim glanced down at her watch.

“10:41.” Great. It was that late. Apollo bit back a groan. “Have a good night. And be good, Trucy.” Trucy didn’t look at Miss Deauxnim as she walked away, her dog following after. Apollo watched her go.

“Who is she?” Apollo asked Trucy as they got back into the car. Miss Deauxnim had mentioned that Trucy had a session with her. Only one plausible thought came to mind. “Is she your shrink?” To Apollo’s surprise, Trucy nodded.

“Daddy thinks I need help… but I swear! I’m not crazy!” Trucy protested as Apollo began driving in the direction Miss Deauxnim had pointed him in.

“Did I say that? No. It’s just… She doesn’t seem all that cursed to me.”

“That’s because she doesn’t know. None of them do. They don’t have their memories.” Apollo bit down on his tongue. Trucy was frustrating him more… if that was even possible at this point.

“Convenient…” Apollo muttered under his breath. He saw the sign for Westlake Street. Now all that was left to do was find house number seven. “Alright, I’ll play along. Who is she really?”

“A queen.” Apollo heaved out a breath. Really? “She has very powerful magic.”

“Right…”

“I’m not lying!”

“Of course you’re not.” Apollo’s words were dripping with sarcasm. “You just believe in this way too much.” Apollo could feel Trucy’s eyes digging into him. She pressed up against the window, obviously disappointed. Apollo didn’t care. He was almost rid of her. The sooner, the better.

Every one of Phoenix’s and Miles's allies that they had made were gathered around a table at the castle. The curse they had been told about had the princes in a frenzy. The logical thing was to find a way to stop Von Karma’s curse before he could cast it. So far, no one had found a plausible solution to the problem at hand. Mostly there had been a lot of debating (for lack of a better term) over what they should do.

“I say we fight!” said Phoenix, slamming his hands down on the round table.

“Fighting is a bad idea,” countered Maya. “You know what the king can do. His forces will outnumber us. Not to mention, he has people we care about. He’ll kill them if we even try!” Phoenix sighed. He knew Maya was right. Not all of their friends and loved ones had been lucky enough to keep themselves out of Von Karma’s clutches.

“Then we need to find some way of taking out Von Karma before he can enact his curse.”

“Can we even trust Blackquill?” asked Thalassa. It had been a complete hassle to find her in the first place. It was another story for another time. The teenager looked nervous, her hands shaking a little. “I don’t feel like I’m any kind of Savior.”

“We have allies on the inside,” Phoenix told the magician’s daughter. “The report I received from them matched up with what Blackquill told us. This is going to happen unless we do something!”

“There’s no point, Phoenix,” groaned Miles, his head in his hand. “The future is written. I heard it as clear as you.”

“No. I refuse to believe that. Good just can't lose.”

“Maybe it can.” Phoenix got down on his knees to Miles's level. He took his husband's hands in hopes of putting him at ease.

“No,” he firmly stated. “Good will never lose. Not as long as we have each other.” Phoenix switched his position so he could hold Miles's face instead. “If you believe him about the curse, then you must believe him about Thalassa. She will be our Savior.” Miles tried to smile. Phoenix had known him long enough to tell when he was faking it.

The mock council session was interrupted by a loud bang. The doors to the hall opened, making Miles and Phoenix turn. Guards entered, dragging a giant tree behind them. With them was Ema Skye: a girl that had rooted a deep trust with Phoenix and Miles.

“What the hell, Ema?” Phoenix asked as he stood back up. Ema’s ideas were usually more reasonable than this. The crazy ideas belonged to Maya and more than half of the people at the table, Phoenix himself included.

“This?” Ema said as she tapped the tree’s trunk with her knuckles. “It’s our only hope of saving everyone.”

“A tree?” said Kay Faraday, one of Miles's closest friends. “Our entire fate rests on a tree?” She laughed. “Okay. What were you saying about fighting again?”

“The tree is enchanted, Kay,” stated Ema. “If crafted into a vessel — according to my calculations, a wardrobe — it can save our Savior from the curse. Larry.” Larry Butz, a rather eccentric man, looked up from what he was working on. “You think you can build it?”

“Hey, if I can draw a map from looking at it only once, I can do anything, especially with my number one assistant,” Larry replied, turning to the girl with a pretzel-like hairstyle next to him. “Isn’t that right, Pearls?” The girl, Pearl Fey, nodded.

“You bet!” Ema sighed. She turned to Phoenix and Miles.

“This will work. We all must have faith.” She bit down on her lip. “But… there’s a catch. We all can’t go through. The tree has only enough magic to protect one.” Phoenix felt his heart stop.

No matter what was going to happen, he was going to lose everything they had fought so hard and so long to protect. His hand tightened around Miles's.

It didn’t take Apollo long to find number seven. He had to admit, the house looked inviting enough. He pulled up in front, getting out of his car. Trucy followed along behind him. As soon as they stepped through the front gate, Trucy came to a halt. She was staring at the car in the driveway. Apollo stopped, looking back at her.

“Is something wrong?” he asked her. Trucy swallowed down something.

“Please don’t take me in there…” She sounded worried, almost scared.

“Trucy. What is it?” He follow her line of sight. “Does it have something to do with that car?” Trucy nervously nodded.

“It’s the mayor’s…” Apollo’s eyes widened.

“The mayor’s?! You mean your dad is the…” Trucy shook her head.

“No. He’s really good friends with her… but…” Trucy shook her head again. “I don’t like her! She’s evil, Apollo! Evil! She only pretends to be friends with Daddy. She helped hurt him. She helped cast the curse!” Apollo sighed. Trucy seemed really scared of this woman, whoever she was. She must have done something wrong. Casting a curse seemed a little bit unreasonable, and it was most likely made up. Trucy believed in it hard enough that Apollo’s bracelet didn’t react.

“Trucy…”

“Trucy!” Apollo turned back to the front door. A man with spiky black hair was already racing out. He looked relieved to see the girl.

“Daddy!” Trucy separated from Apollo. She ran towards the man, who immediately pulled her in for a tight hug. So… this was Trucy’s father. Apollo caught sight of Trucy's grip tightening on the man. He could guess why.

Standing the doorway was a woman short, silvery-blue hair. Hung at her side was a whip, something that Apollo could not believe himself had he not seen it.

“Trucy, are you okay?” asked Trucy’s father once they seperated. “Where have you been? You had me so worried!” The woman stepped out from the doorway and approached the two. Trucy nodded.

“I’m fine, Daddy. Apollo took me home.” Her father’s eyes wandered up to the man standing in front of him. Apollo sheepishly laughed.

“Um… hi.”

“And who exactly are you supposed to be?” said the woman. Her voice was laced with a thick German accent. Trucy took a small step away from her.

“Um… Apollo… Apollo Justice.” He held out his hand. No one took it. This exchange was growing more awkward by the second. Apollo lowered his hand. “According to her, we share a mom.” Trucy’s father’s eyes briefly widened. The woman was unfazed.

“So… you’re her…?”

“Brother? Yes. At least she thinks so.”

“Because he is!” exclaimed Trucy. She pulled away completely from her dad. She was now yelling at the woman. “Apollo is my brother! So you… you leave him alone, you mean old witch!” Trucy ran into the house. Her father stood, mouth agape.

“I am so sorry, Mei!” he said feverishly. “This isn’t like her. I’ll… I’ll go check on her. Again, thank you for everything.” He went inside the house, shutting the door behind him. Apollo was left alone with Mei, as she had been called.

“You.” Apollo felt cold the way she said it. He couldn’t tell if it was because of the October air, or if it was something else. “Thank you. For bringing Trucy home, Mr…?”

“Oh. Uh…” Apollo expected her to be harsher, especially with the description Trucy had given him. “Justice. Apollo Justice. Um… no problem. And you are?”

“Mei Karuma, the mayor of this town.” Apollo gave her a simple nod.

“So…” Apollo was never good at small talk. “How did she find me?” Karuma shrugged.

“No clue. Though she was adopted when she was eight years old… all records of her parents were sealed by the state. Including any prior family.” By the state? Apollo back tracked. Did she just say adopted?

“I’m sorry…” said Apollo. “Did you just say Trucy was adopted?”

“Yes. I apologize, I thought you knew.” Apollo shook his head. Trucy was adopted? He was curious about the topic now. What had happened to her parents?

“No. She just told me that her mother vanished. Or, our mother as she thinks.” Apollo sighed. This had been a long day.

“I’m sorry that she had dragged you out of your life,” said Karuma. She was calm in the way she spoke. “I don’t understand what’s gotten into her. Trucy is usually so well-behaved. Not to mention she’s never been as hostile as she has been towards me lately.”

“She’s probably just going through a rough patch in her life. It happens.” Karuma sighed.

“Most likely. However, the other day, when I came over for a visit, she called me evil out of nowhere.”

“It’s probably because of the fairytale thing.” Karuma focused her gray-eyed stare on Apollo. Her eyebrow was raised.

“What fairy tale thing?”

“Her book. She thinks that everyone is a character from it. Like, she told me that she thinks her shrink is some sort of magical queen.” Karuma was silent. After a moment, she sighed.

“I… see…”

“Yeah. She thinks that you helped hurt her dad or something…” Karuma looked down at her feet. Apollo took a small step back. “I should… probably get going. It’s a long drive back to Seattle so…” He turned and made his way to his car, giving Karuma a small wave as he did.

“Wait.” Apollo turned back. “That bracelet…” He glanced down towards his bracelet. “Where… Where did you get that?”

“This? It uh… It belonged to my mother.” For second, Apollo saw Karuma tense up. “Is something wrong?” The woman grabbed at her sleeves.

“No. It’s… It’s nothing. Goodnight, Mr. Justice.” Karuma turned on her heel and headed for the door. Apollo got back into his car. He stared down at his bracelet. It had tightened on his wrist as Karuma spoke. She was lying. But… why on Earth would she be lying?

Apollo didn’t want to think about it. He just wanted to get back to Seattle and sleep in tomorrow morning. Then, he had to look for his next client. It was better to do it now when he had just gotten paid. He could put up more money that way. More money meant more pay to him in the long run.

Apollo was nearly out of Storybrooke when the rain started. It was coming down hard. He had made a turn when he heard a thud coming from the floor of his car. Apollo glanced down in the passenger side. On the floor was Trucy’s storybook. Apollo groaned.

“Sneaky little…” Apollo looked back at where he was going. Suddenly, standing in the road was a creature. Apollo couldn’t tell what it was. It was a large animal of some kind. He didn’t have the time to get a good look. He made a harsh turn to avoid it. The slickness of the road made his car skid. There was a terrible screech, followed by a crash.

The last thing Apollo remembered was slamming his head against the steering wheel.

As the days went on, the wardrobe neared its completion. With each new morning, Phoenix felt himself grow more and more tense. Each passing day meant that Larry and Pearl were closer to finishing the wardrobe, yes, but it also meant that they were a day closer to Von Karma enacting the curse.

“I don’t want to do this,” said Miles one day as he and Phoenix were discussing what to do on the day of the curse if the wardrobe was not been finished in time. Phoenix looked over at him. Miles was slowly shutting down. He had his own ways of dealing with stress. They weren’t good ways, but they were coping methods nonetheless.

“This is the way it has to be,” said Phoenix. He approached his husband, sitting down on the bed they shared beside him.

“I’m not leaving you.” So that’s what it was. To be honest, that was what had been upsetting Phoenix too. He wouldn’t admit it. He had to remain the picture of strength for those around him.

“It’s the only way.” He took Miles's hand to try and calm him down. “Miles, I don’t want to lose you either but… Blackquill told us it would be on her twenty-second birthday. Look on the bright side. Thalassa isn’t that far away from turning twenty-two.”

“Phoenix, she’s fifteen.”

“What’s only seven years when you have eternal love?” Phoenix pressed a kiss to Miles's forehead. “I have faith. And in the new land, I swear to you on thing. Nothing, not even a curse,  will be able to tear us apart.” That got a smile out of Miles. His husband relaxed. The two shared a pleasurable kiss that made Phoenix’s heartbeat quicken.

Soon, pain blossomed out from his chest. It wasn’t the kiss that made his heart rate rise. Phoenix grabbed at the stitch in his chest. His muscles turned tense. He screamed, dropping down onto the floor.

“Phoenix!” Miles got down to his side. He helped get Phoenix back on his feet. The pain did not stop. Phoenix dug his nails into Miles's shirt. Then, a distant cry fell on his ears.

“The curse! It’s here!” Just by looking at him, Phoenix could tell that Miles's heart had sunk. Phoenix felt terror pulsing through his veins along with the electrifying agony.

The world was pain. It was nothing but utter pain when Apollo came to. He was dizzy. His head was pounding. There was a bandage on his forehead. Apollo blinked. There was a sharp whistling in the air that made his head hurt even worse. Apollo lifted his head off of the pillow it was laying on. Wait… pillow?

Apollo sat up in a hurry. He looked at his surrounding. Bars. Prison bars. But… something was off. The room Apollo was locked up in looked more like an office that anything— an office with two jail cells hastily plopped into it. Apollo glanced over at the other cell. Sitting inside of it was a girl. A purple scarf was wrapped around her neck. She whistling a tune as she worked on the lock. The girl paused in her work. She looked over at Apollo with narrowed emerald eyes.

“What are you looking at?” she said rather harshly.

“Mikumo.” The girl dropped her tools outside of the cell. Apollo’s eyes fell on another woman in the room. A pair of pink-lensed glasses were perched in her brown hair.

“Be nice,” said the woman as she picked up the tools off of the ground. She looked towards Apollo. “So, you are… Trucy’s brother, right?” Apollo slowly nodded. Word travelled around fast in here. “I think it’s great that you're in her life now.”

“Um… Actually, I was just dropping her off….” said Apollo, rubbing at the bandage on his forehead. He winced. “Uh… what time is it?”

“Just about 10:15.” Apollo groaned. So much for getting back to Seattle before sunrise.

“Hey, if it helps, I don’t blame ya for ditching the kid,” said the girl with the purple scarf. The woman had called her Mikumo if Apollo heard her right. “I woulda done the same thing.”

“Well, I think siblings are the best,” countered the woman. “Like my older sister. Though…” The woman was interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Apollo watched as a beautiful woman with long brown hair entered the office… jail… thing.

“Mikumo,” said the new stranger as she walked in. Mikumo hid her hands behind her back, trying to look innocent. “Are you ready to leave? Akane posted your bail.” Mikumo sighed as the stranger opened the door. She sent a grin towards the glasses-wearing woman (her name had to be Akane, right?). The two women left. Apollo was left alone with the stranger.

“As for you…” The strange woman turned to him. Apollo blinked. “How’s your head?”

“Um… fine. I think…” said Apollo. “What happened? All I remember is driving out of town… it started raining… ugh.” Things started to hurt there. The woman took a seat at a desk nearby.

“It started raining pretty hard last night, and that little sister of yours got worried.” Did everyone seriously think that Trucy was his little sister? “So, her dad asked me to make sure you left the town okay. I found you crashed into the town sign. Can you tell me how that happened?”

“Um… I got… distracted…” He remembered Trucy’s book. Maybe that’s what took his eyes off of the road. “Then when I looked back… there was… there was something in the road.” That creature… what exactly was that thing? “I think it might have been a wolf?”

“A wolf?” The woman laughed. “Sorry. But wolves normally don’t come out this close to the coast.”

“But…” Apollo had sworn he had seen a wolf. It had to be a wolf… right? Maybe he had just imagined things.

“Chihiro!” Oh no. Apollo recognized that voice. Into the office stormed Karuma, her whip in hand. The mayor looked positively pissed and worried at the same time. “Have you seen…” Karuma’s eyes fell upon Apollo. “What is he doing here?”

“I had to take him in last night after he crashed,” the woman, Chihiro as Karuma had called her. “Mei, is everything alright?”

“No. Everything's not alright!” That was a different side of Karuma than Apollo had seen last night. She was more demanding. And more intimidating. “Trucy didn’t go to school this morning because she was complaining about not feeling well. As a favor, I went to check on her after a meeting. When I got to the house, she was not there!” Apollo stood up, almost tripping over his own two feet as he rushed to the bars.

“What?!” he exclaimed. “Trucy’s missing?!” Karuma nodded.

“You wouldn't happen to know anything about this, would you?” Apollo shook his head.

“No. I haven’t seen her since I dropped her off.” Apollo stopped for a moment. Why did he care? He wanted to be rid of Trucy so badly last night. Still, he couldn't help but think about what could have happened. “Did you try her friends?” Karuma and Chihiro exchanged a look.

“She has very few friends her age,” Chihiro explained. “They would all be in school about now. Harumi is not the type to skip classes — I would know if she did. Yumeni would freak out if she even thought about it.” Chihiro sighed.

“Did you check her computer?” Apollo suggested. “If she’s close to someone else, she could be emailing them.”

“And you know this how?” Karuma asked. She was much colder than she had been the night before. Apollo couldn’t figure out why.

“I’m a bail bondsman,” Apollo answered with a sigh. “Finding people is part of my job description.” An idea came to mind. “How about you let me out? I can help you find her.”

Chihiro agreed, and after some major convincing, so did Karuma. Karuma took Apollo back to number seven, Westlake Street while Chihiro stayed behind in case Trucy came by the sheriff’s station where she worked. Lucky for them, Karuma had a skeleton key (she claimed that it was strictly for mayoral purposes) and that Trucy’s father was at work. Apollo wondered if Karuma had told him that his daughter was missing.

Apollo had no problem getting into Trucy’s computer. She had left herself logged into it. The case had also been the same in terms of her email. Apollo groaned when he opened her inbox. It was empty.

“She’s a smart kid,” Apollo muttered. “But I’m smart too.” He began to type quickly into the computer.

“What are you doing?” said Karuma.

“It’s a little bail bonds trick. A hard disk recovery tool. The quicker I get my man, the quicker I get paid.”

“Is that all you care about?” Apollo rolled his eyes. One thing popped up under Trucy’s recently deleted emails.

“She has a receipt for… whosyourmama.org?” Maybe that’s how she found him. Trucy had found her mother’s name and all her records… including the hospital record for Apollo’s birth. Apollo opened the receipt. “Looks like she paid for it with a credit card.”

“She doesn’t even have credit.”

“Well, she used one.” Apollo clicked. He opened up the transaction record. It showed everything, including the owner of the card. “Ryuichi Naruhodou…” Apollo read aloud. He turned to the mayor. “Who’s Ryuichi Naruhodou?” Karuma sighed, her eyes narrowing and face going into the palm of her hand.

“That would be Trucy’s foolish father.”

Apollo drove down the high school under Karuma’s directions. Lucky for him, she could get his car out of the shop early. Being mayor had its perks.

He followed Karuma as she stormed into the school. She still was holding onto her whip. It made Apollo incredibly uncomfortable. Why the heck did she have a whip in a school? With children around her?

They came to the classroom where Ryuichi supposedly taught. As they got closer, Apollo could hear his voice.

“And, as we work on this birdhouses, I want you all to remember that you’re making a home. The bird is free and will do what it will. This is for them… not for us. They are loyal creatures. If you love them… and they love you… they will always find you.” As soon as Apollo and Karuma got to the door, there was the shrill ringing of the school bell above. The students flooded out of the classroom. Well, it made this confrontation a lot easier with no kids in the room.

Karuma marched in there. She was mad about something. Apollo thought due to Trucy’s disappearance. And there was no mistake about this; the teacher was the same man that Apollo had briefly encountered last night.

Ryuichi turned when he heard the two enter his classroom. He stared at the mayor with curiosity.

“Um… Mei?” he said. He even sounded confused. “What are you doing here?” Confusion swapped out for concern. “Is Trucy okay?!”

“I wouldn’t know,” said Karuma. The grip on her whip tightened. “Once again, the foolish girl is missing.”

“She… what?!” Apollo stepped forward.

“Sir, please calm down,” he said, trying to reassure the worried parent. “I’m sure Trucy's fine.” She did make it over 240 miles fine on her own. Ryuichi stared at Apollo.

“Weren’t you the… um….”

“The one who brought her back?” Ryuichi nodded. “Yeah. And before you ask, I have nothing to do with this. I have a solid alibi.” Karuma ignored Apollo. Instead, she cracked her whip. It struck the floor at Ryuichi’s feet.

“She took your credit card,” she said.

“She…” Ryuichi reached into his back pocket. He pulled out his wallet. He opened it, groaning. Apollo could guess why. Trucy probably still had his card. “That clever girl…” He sighed, shutting his wallet and sliding it back into his pocket. “Why did I give her that book…?”

“What the hell is this book I keep hearing about?!” Karuma sounded even madder than before.

“It was just some old book I found while cleaning out my closet the one day…” Ryuichi explained. “They were just some old stories and I thought… Look, both you and I know that Trucy is a special kid. She’s so smart and creative. But… she’s been having problems lately. She’s gotten to that age where kids are… really nasty towards one another. She doesn’t have many friends, so I thought she needed something…”

“I get it,” said Apollo. He had been there himself a long time ago. There was a sharp crack as Karuma struck her whip against the tile of the floor again.

“What she needs is a dose of reality,” said Karuma. “This is a waste of time.” She turned on her heel and left the classroom, but not before cracking her whip again. It struck a pile of books, sending them scattering on the floor. The door slammed shut as the mayor left. Ryuichi sighed as he went to collect his fallen books. Apollo rushed over to help. Well, Karuma was pissed off.

“Um…” Apollo stood up once the books were all collected. He placed them back on the desk they were sitting upon. “Sorry for bothering you.”

“No, it’s…” Ryuichi sighed as he added the books he had picked up to the collection on the desk. “It’s fine. I suppose it's partially my fault for giving her that book. She loves that thing but… it’s been causing all sorts of problems lately. She thinks Mei is evil… that Miss Deauxnim is some sort of queen… the list just goes on.”

“How exactly was it supposed to help anyway?” Ryuichi shrugged.

“Those stories… I thought that it would help her deal with the world around her. That It would give her some escape. See, Trucy hasn’t had the easiest life from what I can tell.”

“Yeah… Karuma told me that she was adopted yesterday.” A detail from that conversation came back into Apollo’s head. “What did she mean by the state sealed the records of her parents?” Ryuichi’s expression turned grim.

“When I adopted Trucy… the state told me that her mother had disappeared three years prior to her being put up for adoption. And her father… was arrested. For murder.”

“M-Murder?!” Apollo tensed up. This conversation just went from zero to one hundred real quick. Ryuichi nodded.

“The murder of her mother apparently. I don’t remember what her name was… I guess it wasn’t that big of a deal. But there was reason to suspect foul play. Anyway, during his trial, her father just… disappeared.” Apollo ran his fingers over his bracelet. Ryuichi wasn't lying. That only meant one thing; Trucy had been abandoned, too.

“Without anyone to care for her, Tucy ended up in the system. It was actually because of Mei that I adopted her.”

“Really?” Now that was kind of odd. Maybe that’s why Karuma cared about Trucy so much. She must have been like a mother figure to her. Ryuichi sighed, running his fingers back through his hair.

“Look, about the book… I gave it to her because I wanted her to have the most important thing anyone could have. Hope. Believing in the possibility of a happy ending… it’s a powerful thing.”

Apollo let that information stick into his head. He couldn't believe the story. But… Ryuichi wasn’t lying. Apollo’s bracelet got no reaction. It was the truth. Apollo felt a sense of guilt strike his heart like an arrow. The school bell rang. Ryuichi groaned.

“Can you go get her?” he asked Apollo. The students filed back into the classroom. “I would but…”

“No, I understand. Wait. You know where she is?” Ryuichi sighed.

“I have a theory…”

Phoenix felt pain tear him apart. It made him want to scream. Of all times, why did this have to happen now?! He cursed Von Karma's name.

He struggled to stand, leaning heavily on Miles for support.

“I can't…” Phoenix could barely move. His weakness wasn't going to stop the curse. “I have to…” He had to protect his people. Phoenix lost his balance. He let himself scream again. Miles tightened his hold on his husband.

The sound of pounding footsteps rushed to the bedroom. Phoenix was relieved to see Larry at the door. Thalassa was trailing behind him.

“It's…” Larry said, still trying to catch his breath. “It's ready.” Phoenix pulled away from Miles. He tried to stand up on his own.

“I'll take you…” Another wave of pain burst across him. Phoenix cried out, collapsing down onto his knees.

“Your Highness!” exclaimed Thalassa. Miles pulled Phoenix back up with assistance from Larry. Phoenix settled down on the bed, using a bedpost as a support.

“You are in no state to move!” said Miles. He was right. Like this, Phoenix was useless. But they had to get Thalassa to the wardrobe.

“Larry, go find the others… make sure they're okay.” Larry didn't argue. He ran out of the room. Phoenix didn't want him to hear his true wish. “Miles… you have to take her.” Phoenix felt Miles grip get stronger on him. “Get Thalassa to the wardrobe…”

“Are you out of your mind?!”

“Please…” A shaking hand took hold of Miles's. “It's the only way.”

“No… no, no. You don't know what you're asking me to do.”

“I do. We have to believe…” Tears pricked Phoenix’s eyes. It wasn't from his physical pain.“We have to try… and I believe in you.” Miles was trying his best not to let his feelings show. Phoenix knew him all too well for something like that. Just like his partner, Phoenix's heart was breaking. He pulled Miles in for one last, desperate kiss. He didn't want it to end. If it ended, that meant it would all end.

Miles had been the one who pulled away. He took a sword off of the wall. He didn't take his eyes off of Phoenix as he joined Thalassa.

“Goodbye…” Phoenix forced out. Miles shook his head.

“No. I refuse to say goodbye. I will find you, Phoenix Wright. I will always find you… I promise.”

Phoenix let the tears fall as Miles left the room.

Apollo had to hand it to him, Ryuichi knew his daughter well. He told Apollo that she would be down at her ‘castle’ on the beach. Apollo had been initially confused, but went along with it anyway. It all made sense when he saw that the castle was really just an old, wooden playground. Sitting on it alone was Trucy.

He pulled up next to the castle. Apollo could see what was still laying on the floor of his car. It was about time to return it. He picked up Trucy’s book and got out. Trucy didn't notice Apollo walking up.

“You left this in my car,” said Apollo, holding up his paper hostage. Trucy’s eyes lit up when she saw it.

“My book! You brought it back!” Apollo felt happy at the smile on her face when he handed her back her book. He felt guilt when that smile soon disappeared. Trucy was left holding onto her book. She returned her stare back to where it had been focused on before Apollo got there. Apollo followed her line of sight. She was staring at the clock tower. It still was stuck 8:15.

“Still hasn’t moved, huh?” Trucy shook her head.

“No…” she sighed. “I was hoping that when I brought you here… things would change.” Trucy ran her thumbs over the cover of her book. “That we would find Mommy and bring her back here. Then the final battle would begin and…”

“Trucy, do you really think our mother… your mother is the type of woman who would fight any sort of battle?” After a moment, Trucy shook her head. She quickly changed that to a nod.

“Yes. We have to look for her, Apollo!” she said. “It’s our destiny. Together, we're going to help bring back everyone’s happy endings…” Apollo rolled his eyes. First it was the sister thing, then it was the curse, and now this? Yeah right.

“Will you cut that out?”

“No!” Trucy huffed. “You don’t have to be so hostile. I know you like me. You came back, didn’t you?” Apollo opened his mouth to speak, only to close it. She was right. He could have just driven back to Seattle that morning after Chihiro let him go. So why was he still here?

“Trucy…” Apollo groaned.

“You have to help me find our mom!” said Trucy, full of hope. “Since she’s the Savior, she can save everyone, right? Because she's the product of true love. That's what the prophecy said. She'll come back and break the curse and save everyone!”

“Listen to me, Trucy,” said Apollo, his hands clenching up into fists. “My mother is no savior. She…” Apollo was still tense as he tried to calm down his tone of voice, as well as the volume of it. “My mother was no Savior.” He sighed. “Come on. Let's get you back to your dad. Then I can finally leave.” Apollo walked away. He only made it a few paces before something jerked him back. Trucy had grabbed his jacket.

“Please don't go…” She sounded like she was about to cry. “Just stay in Storybrooke for one week. That's all I want! Just one week. If you think I'm still crazy…” Trucy loosened her grip. She let go. “Then… you can leave and forget about all of this.” Apollo sighed. She was really determined about him staying in Storybrooke.

“Trucy, come on. I have to get you back to your dad.” Apollo made his way towards his car. Trucy trudged behind, holding her book closely to her chest.

“Please, you don't know what it's like! My life… it sucks! Daddy really tries but… No believes me! They all think I'm—”

Apollo lost it.

“No, you know what sucks?!” he shouted, finally fed up with all this bullshit Trucy kept spouting at him. “Being abandoned by your mother! My mother is a coward. A coward who ran away from her problems instead of dealing with them and abandoned her husband and son and left them to die! She left us to die in a fire that destroyed our home! I lost everything that day, Trucy! I was barely even a year old! And guess what? I eventually ended up in the foster system. Unlike you, I never got adopted. I just kept getting shipped around to different people that didn't even want me!” Apollo was breathing heavily after his rant. Trucy just stared at him, her mouth gaping like a fish. He sighed. “Look. Your dad is trying his best. I know that it's hard. But at least he loves you.” He walked to his car. He had his hand on the door when Trucy spoke again.

“Mommy loved you, Apollo.” He groaned. “No matter what you think, she loved you.”

“Sure she did.” He was too tired to argue. He opened the door. “Come on, Trucy.”

Miles Edgeworth was raised a prince. A part of his childhood as a prince included learning how to swordfight. He never realized how grateful he would be for those lessons until now.

The bodies of guards were scattered throughout the hallway, painting the floors red. He couldn't let them get to Thalassa. She was their only hope left now.

He was closer to the wardrobe. Two guards dressed in black were blocking his way. He recognized the uniforms. They were once loyal to him, but now pledged their service to Von Karma. That meant one thing: Von Karma was here. He was trying to stop them.

Miles dodged as one of guards came at him. It was easier to fight when you only had yourself to protect. But Thalassa was the intended target. He was just an obstacle to be discarded like a used tissue.

Throughout his entire life, people underestimated Miles. The fight was no exception. He managed to dispatch one of the guards easily. The other had snuck up upon him.

“Your Highness!” Thalassa had shrieked. It was her cry that saved Miles from a worse fate. The guard's sword sliced through Miles's shoulder. He wanted to cry out. He had learned long ago that was never to be done. Not until Miles was alone.

Both guards soon laid defeated at his feet. Miles took Thalassa by the hand, ignoring his stinging shoulder. They had made it. They had finally made it. Miles kicked open the door to the room. He rushed over to the wardrobe and flung open its doors. He ushered Thalassa inside.

“Good luck…” he said. Thalassa looked like she was about to cry. Still, she put on her bravest face. She nodded. Miles shut the doors. There was a rush of magic that cut through the air.

He didn't notice two more guards enter the room. By the time he did, it was too late. The steel had done its deed. Miles felt his flesh cut like it was nothing. The guard pulled out the sword. The prince dropped to his knees. He collapsed. Blood began to pool at his side.

Miles's vision began to slowly fade. His glasses cut into his temple. He watched the wardrobe. He watched the guards try and successfully break it open. He saw what was inside, or rather, what wasn't. Miles had enough strength to put a smile on his face. They were victorious. Thalassa had vanished from her place in the wardrobe.

Miles's eyes grew heavy. They closed.

Ryuichi was relieved when Apollo brought Trucy back to him. Trucy, like the night before, ran to her father and tackled him in a hug.

“Thank you again, Apollo,” said Ryuichi. Apollo shrugged. He watched Trucy run back inside the house.

“It's no problem. Trucy’s a good kid.”

“Yeah… I can see that she’s taken a liking to you.” Apollo didn't want to say anything. Ryuichi was right.

“You know what’s kind of crazy?” Ryuichi hummed in response. “Yesterday was my birthday. And for the first time in a while… I… I made a wish. I didn't want to be alone any more. Then, Trucy showed up at my door. I don't know what to make of it.” Ryuichi laughed.

“It's a mystery how things work out like this.” He turned and made his way to the door. “Hey, Apollo?”

“Yeah?”

“If you want to… you can come and visit Trucy anytime. I know she would like that.” Apollo bit down on his cheek. He only nodded. Deep down, Apollo felt something.

He didn't feel alone anymore.

He had the chance to drive back to Seattle and leave Storybrooke behind. As he got into his car, Apollo felt guilty about leaving. He couldn't understand why.

He looked up at the house. Sitting in one of the windows was Trucy. She and Apollo locked eyes. She waved.

Apollo waved back.

The pain soon dulled. Phoenix regained enough strength to walk. He had to help. He had to get Thalassa to the wardrobe. He had to find Miles before the curse got to him first.

The moment he stepped out into the hall, a wave of nausea hit Phoenix. Blood. Blood and the bodies of dead guards. Something tightened around his heart.

No. He couldn't be dead. He couldn't.

Phoenix ran. He ran as fast as he could. He ran to the wardrobe. He pushed open the door. The sight before him made his heart shatter.

Lying on the ground was Miles. His own blood had formed a small puddle around him.

“No!” He cried. Phoenix rushed to his side. “No! No! No!” He didn't care that blood was staining him or his clothes. He found the deep stab in Miles side. He pressed his hands on it. He had to stop the bleeding. He had to stop it.

“Miles… please!” Miles didn't open his eyes. “Miles…” He managed to wake him up from death once. Phoenix, desperate, kissed Miles. It didn't work. Tears started to rapidly pour down his face. “Miles… please… Come back to me…”

He heard footsteps behind him. Phoenix looked up. The person did nothing to help relieve him of this heartache, but brought him comfort.

Walking into the room was a young woman with silvery-blue hair. There was a whip hanging at her side. Princess Franziska Von Karma.

She was an ally. She was Miles's sister. She would help.

“Franziska! Help!” Phoenix begged. The princess just stood over him, watching the prince desperately trying to keep Miles from losing any more blood. “Please!”

“Don't worry, Phoenix Wright,” said Franziska as she began to walk closer. She stared at Miles's body. “In just a few moments, you won't remember him, let alone loved him.”

“What?” This wasn't Franziska. This wasn't one of those who helped fight against her father. Something was wrong. Something was off.

“You really think that is was Papa who cast the curse?” Phoenix froze at Franziska’s cackling laugh.

“You?” Franziska nodded with a snide grin. “You did this?! Why?!” She took her whip and cracked it. It wrapped around Phoenix’s wrist. She jerked him forward.

“Because this is my happy ending.” Two of Von Karma’s guards entered the room. “Where is the girl?”

“She's gone, milady. She was in the wardrobe, and then she was gone. She is nowhere to be found.” A small spark of hope ignited in Phoenix.

“She got away…” he said, relieved. Their plan worked. “Thalassa got away!” Franziska cracked her whip again, striking the nearby wardrobe in fury.

“Your plan is going to fail,” Phoenix told the princess. “Good will win. Good will always win!”

“We'll see about that.” The wind outside picked up. There was a loud thunderous roar. The ceiling began to break apart. Thick, black smoke crawled into the room. The wind twisted it up, forming a tornado around all those in there. Phoenix tightened his grip on Miles.

“Where are we going?!” he said, panicked. He remembered what Blackquill had said. He felt fear making his heart pound.

“Somewhere horrible,” said Franziska. The smile on her face made Phoenix sick to his stomach. “Absolutely horrible. A place where the only happy ending will be mine.”

The windows shattered. The smoke filled the room. And that was the last thing Phoenix Wright would see of his home before waking up in the small town of Storybrooke, oblivious of what had just transpired mere hours ago.

Ryuichi walked into the pristine building, Trucy trailing at his side. The two were often volunteers at the hospital. Trucy would perform small magic tricks for the younger children. Ryuichi himself would help the staff. But, there was one thing that would always do before he and Trucy left.

Flowers. For some odd reason, Ryuichi always felt compelled to bring a fresh vase of flowers to one patient. It was a man with dark gray hair.

Ryuichi rearranged the flowers in his latest gift. He glanced over at the man. He didn't know his name. In fact, no one did. He had been in a coma as long as Ryuichi could remember, so it wasn't like he could ask.

He stared at the coma patient. He took a small step forward. There was something familiar about the man. It was like Ryuichi has seen him before. He reached out to brush away some of the hair in the man’s face.

“Daddy!” Ryuichi stopped. Trucy. She was ready to go. He backed away from the man. He went to his daughter. The stranger wasn't probably anyone he knew, or even cared about. After all, if he was so special to him, how could Ryuichi forget about him?

Apollo couldn't believe what he was doing. He drove up to a small inn he had gotten the address to thanks to Chihiro. She had been overjoyed when she heard that Apollo decided to stay. The inn seemed cozy enough. It was looked like something you would expect of a quiet town.

Inside was another story. As soon as Apollo opened the door, he could hear two people arguing.

“You're out all night doing God knows what, and now you're going out again!”

“I should have moved to Los Angeles!”

“I'm sorry that me getting shot interfered with your plans to steal everything you could as you made your way down the West Coast!”

Apollo stepped inside the inn. He recognized one of the argue-ers. It was the girl who had been locked up with him that morning. If Apollo remembered correctly, her name was Mikumo. And if he had to guess, the man whom Mikumo was arguing with was most likely her father.

The door shut loudly behind Apollo, cutting off the fight between father and daughter. He cleared his throat.

“I’d like a room,” he said, a bit uncomfortable at what he had walked in on. There was a pause before the innkeeper came to his senses. Mikumo’s father rushed behind a counter

“What's your name?” he asked, opening a large book. It was blank for the most part. He handed a pen to Apollo for him to check in.

“Uh… Justice. Apollo Justice.”

“Justice?” Apollo whirled around at the new voice. It was hoarse and gravelly. It matched it speaker.

Standing behind Apollo was a man. His long, thick black hair was tied back. The one thing, well one of the many things about him that was noticeably was the white patch in his bangs. He was pale enough to look dead.

“... what an interesting name,” continued the stranger. His cold, dark eyes pierced Apollo’s very soul, sending shivers up his spine.

“Thanks.” Mikumo’s father disappeared for a moment. When he returned, he handed the scary looking man a thick envelope.

“It's all here.” The man opened it. Inside was several hundreds dollars. Satisfied, the man returned the cash to the envelope.

“Thank you,” he said before turning to Apollo. “Enjoy your stay… Apollo Justice.” He turned and left without a word. The chill was still crawling over Apollo’s skin.

“Um… who was that?” He asked as he signed his name in the registry.

“Jin Yuugami,” said Mikumo with an extreme distaste. “He owns this place.”

“He owns the inn?”

“Try the whole town,” said Mikumo’s father. “So. How long will you be staying in Storybrooke?”

“Um…” How long did Trucy say she wanted him to stay? A week? “It’s a… just about a week.” Mikumo’s father nodded. He took a key off of the wall and handed it to Apollo.

“Welcome to Storybrooke.”

No one knew it at the time, but the second Apollo took that key, something extraordinary had happened in the sleepy town of Storybrooke.

The clock tower moved.

Chapter Text

For the past two days, Mei Karuma was not in the best of moods. Her anger carried on a third day as she marched down the main street. It would not be until later that she could relieve her stress. First it was Trucy, and now it was this Justice boy and his goddamn bracelet. Mei knew she had seen that bracelet somewhere before. She just couldn't figure out where.

“Looks like those rusty old gears finally managed to straighten themselves out.” Mei froze. She turned towards the speaker. It was Miss Elise Deauxnim.

“What are you talking about?” Mei asked the woman. She had startled the psychiatrist with her presence.

“Oh! Um… Miss Karuma. Good morning.” Mei sighed. She was not in the mood for this.

“Answer the question, Miss Deauxnim.”

“I was talking about the clocktower. It’s started ticking again.” Mei tensed up. No. No, that was impossible. The clocktower couldn't have been moving. If it was moving that meant…

She looked up at the clocktower. Her heart almost stopped. The clock wasn’t stationed at 8:15 anymore. No. No, no, no, no no. The clock was moving.

“How about that….” said Mei, internally beginning to panic. She marched on, heading towards her office. Despite her destination, work was far from her mind. The town clock was moving. Time was ticking.

Time was supposed to be frozen. Mei knew that. Why would the clocktower be moving? Only one possibility came to Mei’s mind. This wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for Justice. Justice...

Justice’s bracelet. Mei knew she had recognized it somewhere. That little brat had a pair of bracelets just like it. No. It couldn’t be. The time had elapsed. It had been twenty-four years since they had come to Storybrooke. Mei was in comfort for seventeen of those years after the seven year gap had passed. The girl wouldn't be twenty-two now. That's what she had been told. The Savior would come on their twenty-second birthday.

Wait. This all started when Justice came to town. How old was he? If he was twenty-two… and his birthday was that same day Trucy ran away… Mei was in trouble. She knew what she had to do. She couldn’t give up on everything she had worked so hard to create. Her life here… she refused to give it up.

Apollo groaned. This had been the first good night’s sleep he had gotten in a while. And now he was woken rudely from it by someone repeatedly banging on his door. Wait… banging? It wasn’t his landlord, was it? Apollo had just paid the rent!

It took Apollo a minute from the time that he opened his eyes to realize that he wasn’t in his apartment in Seattle. He sat up. The past two days had come back to mind. Right… he was staying in Storybrooke at the inn under Trucy’s request.

Damn those puppy dog eyes.

The banging at the door continued. Apollo kicked off the blankets that were covering him.

“Um… coming!” He stumbled out of the sheets and grabbed his discarded shirt off of the floor. He rushed over to the door, pulling it over his head. His shirt was finally back on when he got the door open. Apollo stared at who had been knocking. Mei Karuma stood at his door. The smile on her face did not put him at ease. She was holding a basket of apples in her hands.

“Um… Good morning?” Apollo said. This was a first. Yesterday she had been cracking her whip like Indiana Jones. Now, she seemed like the woman Apollo had met when he dropped Trucy off the first time.

“Good morning, Mr. Justice,” said Karuma. She held out the basket to him. “Did you know that there is an apple tree outside of my house? I’ve been tending to it since I was a little girl.” Karuma plucked one of the apples out of the basket and handed it to Apollo. Hey, to him, free food was the best kind of food. “That tree can survive low temperatures, for example forty below and still keep growing. It can even weather any storm. And the fruit is delicious, if I do say so myself.”

“Thanks.” Apollo took the apple from her. He hadn’t really eaten much since coming to Storybrooke. And the apple did look so good...

“I’m sure that you’ll enjoy it on your drive home.” Someone hadn’t gotten the memo.

“Actually, Miss Karuma, I’m gonna be staying in Storybrooke for a little while.” Apollo took note of Karuma tensing up at that statement. “Trucy… she wanted me to stay. It’s just a week but…” Apollo wasn’t sure how he would feel after that week.

“Oh really? Imagine that…” Apollo stared at the woman.

“Is that all?” Apollo really wanted to go take a shower. Karuma hesitated. She took a step back.

“Just one more thing,” said the mayor. Her grip tightened on her basket. “Mr. Justice… can I ask you something?”

“Uh… sure…?”

“How old are you?” Apollo blinked. That was a rather strange thing to be asking.

“Um… twenty-two. Why?”

“When is….” Karuma was froze like a deer in headlights. “Your birthday wouldn’t happen to be October 12th… would it?” Apollo slowly nodded. Now this was getting weird.

“Is something wrong, Miss Karuma?”

“Oh. Um… It’s nothing.” Karuma was gripping her sleeve. Apollo felt his bracelet tighten on his wrist. “Have a good day, Mr. Apollo Justice.” The mayor of Storybrooke turned on her heel and left, leaving a very confused Apollo behind.

There it was again. For the second time, Karuma had lied to Apollo aout something. Apollo had a feeling. He didn’t feel good about said feeling.

Karuma was hiding something. What would the mayor of a small town be hiding? Apollo sighed. He was thinking too much about this. Right now, the steamy hot water of the room’s shower was calling his name.

Franziska Von Karma had a love-hate relationship with her life. She had everything a princess could want, except for the one thing she desired most in the world: her freedom. Like everyone else in the castle, she was trapped under the ruthless thumb of Manfred Von Karma. He was her father, a man whom may called ‘the evil king’ or — the Huntress’ personal favorite — ‘the phony king’.

As a small spot of smoke filled the room, Franziska took a step off to the side. Nearly inches away from where her head once was, a sword embedded itself into the wall. That had been too close for comfort. Out of the smoke appeared Franziska's father. Also standing in the room with Franziska was the Huntress. Though, Franziska preferred to call her by her actual name.

“Can I get you a drink, Your Majesty?” said Mia Fey from beside the princess. It was what she normally asked. After all, Mia faced the plenty of death if she so much went against a simple order. That's what Franziska had been told.

“Do I look like a I need a drink?” Von Karma snapped.

“I was only trying to help…” Mia muttered.

“I see Miles Edgeworth was more than happy to leave you with a parting gift,” said Franziska, still staring at the sword. She and Mia had been watching the wedding of Miles Edgeworth and Phoenix Wright through a mirror. They had seen everything that had just transpired thanks to the woman trapped inside of it.

“It was an awfully large threat,” said that woman. If Franziska remembered correctly, her name was Lana Skye. “You’re going to destroy everyone’s happiness? How exactly do you plan on accomplishing that?”

“Simply, Miss Skye,” said Von Karma. Franziska didn’t like the look on her father’s face. “The Dark Curse.” If Franziska had something in her mouth, she would have surely choked on it.

“The Dark Curse?” she repeated. “Are you sure about this, Papa?”

“You swore that you would never use it!” said a panicked Mia.

“You made a deal when you gave away that curse,” added Lana. She was as scared as the rest of them, but had more control over showing her emotions.

“She won't be happy to see you,” Franziska finished. This couldn't have been a good sign.

“Since when do I care about anyone’s else happiness but mine?” The answer to that question was never. “Fey!” Mia snapped to attention. “Prepare the carriage. We're going to the forbidden fortress.” Franziska watched as her father strode out of the room. She pulled Mia off to the side.

“Mia, you have to—" Mia held up her hand to stop Franziska right then and there.

“I'll send word to them about this at once. Now go. Before your father starts to suspect something.”

“Franziska!” Franziska grabbed the whip from off of a nearby table.

“Coming!” With one last glance towards Mia, Franziska rushed out of the room and after her father. The feeling of dread had not left her.

Mei was close to screaming. She tapped her pen on the desk of her office. Justice was twenty-two. His birthday was October 12th. It was the day he entered the town. It was the day things started changing. It matched the prophecy she had been given perfectly. Now that he had decided to stay, the tight grip Mei had upon the town would slowly start to unravel. It already had begun to do so.

She was so lost in her thoughts, Mei didn't notice someone enter the room. That wasn't until said someone had dropped a newspaper in front of her.

“This is what you asked for, isn't it?” Mei looked up. Standing in front of her was a woman with long, light brown hair and a red scarf around her neck. Mei looked down at the paper. On the front page was a picture of Apollo Justice.

“You're late, Tomoe.” Tomoe Houzuki bit down on her lip.

“My apologies. I assure you, though. This is one of my better jobs.” Mei scanned the front page. It didn't have much about what she wanted. She groaned.

“What did you find out?”

“To be honest, there wasn't much I could get to.” That was never a good sign. “He spent a lot of times in foster homes after the age of nine. He got into some trouble when he was seventeen… but as I said, I couldn't get to those details.” Mei could fix that in a heartbeat. “But, since then, he's been clean. He appears to never stay in one place for long. A couple of months at most.” Mei groaned. Hopefully he would leave by the end of the week. Before she could dismiss Tomoe, there was one bit of information Mei needed.

“Did you find out anything about his parents?” Mei asked, folding the newspaper in half.

“A bit. I didn't put it in the article because it seemed like too much of an invasion of privacy, even by my standards.” Mei raised a brow. This was getting interesting. “They just appeared on the map one day. No records, nothing.”

“... when was this?”

“It was about… twenty-four years ago I believe.” Mei’s grip grew tight on the paper. She was piercing it with her nails. No. “Anyway, his father was a popular musician. He was making quite a name for himself, actually.”

“Was? What happened?”

“Apparently, shortly after Mr. Justice was born, a fire started in the home they lived in and burnt it to the ground. His father perished in that fire. Mr. Justice was taken in by a family friend until he was nine. I don't understand why, but he found his way into the foster system a short while later.”

“Ah.” Well… Mei hadn't expected that. “And his mother?” Tomoe shrugged.

“She disappeared. And after all my research, I do believe that Trucy was right about them being related.”

“Why do you say that?”

“I suspect that their mother was lead to think Mr. Justice died in the fire as well. So, she left.”

“She… left?”

“I don't blame her. She didn't know the truth. A few years later, she married to a man named Shadi Enigmar. If you remember, that was the name of Trucy’s father.” Mei went stiff. No, no, no. She thought she didn't have to worry about Trucy. She hadn't altered anything in Storybrooke. But Justice… Justice had.

“Did you find out her name?” Mei asked. Tomoe nodded.

“Yes. Her name was Thalassa.” Mei wanted to really scream. Thalassa. That little brat that had gotten away. She was Justice’s mother. Trucy was right. Oh God… Trucy. She was the brat’s daughter. Oh God.

“Um… Mei?” Mei blinked. She shook away the thoughts in her head. They would have to be dealt with later.

“You may go now, Tomoe,” Mei said with a wave of her hand. She was getting a headache. Tomoe was almost out of the room before she turned back.

“Mei…” said the reporter. “I am curious about something.” Mei groaned. She didn't have time for this. “I discovered that Trucy was living at a foster home in New York before she was adopted. Might I ask how she ended up here in Oregon?”

Fate? Destiny? My inability to look at goddamn files?!

“Tomoe.”

“Right. Leaving.” Mei groaned as the door shut. Apollo Justice was quickly becoming a problem. She had to figure out something to get rid of him soon. Otherwise…

Mei shook her head. No. That wouldn't happen. No one knew the truth. Even if the curse did break, no one would know… wait. Someone did know. He knew. That foolish Phoenix Wright! He knew!  How could she have been so stupid!? Why did she tell him that she had cast the curse?!

She couldn't let the curse break. She couldn't! Then, everyone would know the truth. Phoenix Wright would tell them all just who had been the one to make them suffer truly was.

Mei would have to run Apollo Justice out of Storybrooke at any and all costs.

Franziska and her father hurried to a castle hidden in the mountains. She stood beside Von Karma as she sat beside a fire with his… friend.

“How are you dear?” asked the one woman who actually tolerated Von Karma’s company.

“I’m doing fine,” Von Karma replied.

“Are you? If it were me, I’d be simply tortured watching that Miles Edgeworth so happy.It feels like yesterday that you thought you had finally won when you… well...” Von Karma’s expression grew sour. “You know.” Franziska raised an eyebrow. What was she talking about?

“Yes, it was about the same time that your benevolent sister got the best of you, my dear Ga'ran.” Ga’ran narrowed her eyes.

“I soldiered on, as you will too. Hopefully.”

“Enough games. You know why I’m here. I need my curse back.” Franziska bit down on her tongue. She wanted to tell Ga’ran not to give up the curse. She knew what that curse could do.

Don’t give him the curse.

“It’s not yours anymore,” said Ga'ran. “A deal’s a deal. I traded you my sleeping curse.”

“Which failed. Undone by a pathetic kiss. Now, return what’s mine,” Von Karma ordered.

“I would do what he says…” Franziska muttered under her breath. “The consequences can be rather… harsh.”

“But the dark curse? Really?” Ga'ran said with surprise. “You must know that not even its unholy power can’t do anything for you. It can't give you ultimate power. It can't bring people back form the dead.” Franziska felt Ga’ran’s eyes on her as she said that. “Have you considered a pet? They can be quite comforting.” She looked over at Franziska as she patted the small unicorn beside her. “Then again… you already have several, don’t you?” Her eyes had fallen upon Franziska. The princess gripped her sleeves.

“The only comfort for me is Miles Edgeworth’s suffering.”

“Well, it’s his wedding night,” Ga'ran said with a smirk, “I doubt he’s suffering right now.” Franziska’s face drained of some of its color. She didn't need that image stuck in her mind right now.

“I need that curse. I know you keep it hidden in the orb above your staff.”

“Hidden for the good of all, old friend. Whoever created that monstrosity, makes the two of us look positively… moral. … Who did give it to you?”

“Where I got it’s none of your concern. Hand it back.”

“Must we do this?” Ga'ran asked, standing up.

“Alas, we must,” answered Von Karma as he stood as well. Franziska put her hand on her whip. So, this was going to happen the hard way.

The fire from the fireplace fell under Von Karma’s control. He aimed it at Ga'ran, but the former queen deflected it with a simple wave of her hand. Von Karma went to attack with the flame again. Only this time he didn't direct his aim at Ga’ran, but rather towards her pet unicorn.

“No!” Ga'ran yelled. She jumped in front of her pet, casting a magic shield between her and the flame. Franziska tightened her grip on her whip. If she didn't do something, the whole place was going to burn down. The princess’s eyes fell upon the chandelier hanging above Ga’ran.

She took her whip. It cracked, wrapping itself around the hook the chandelier’s rope was tied ro. She pulled. The knot came off with ease. The chandelier came crashing down on Ga’ran. Her staff rolled away from her. Franziska placed her whip back at her side before going to retrieve it for her father.

“Love is weakness, Ga'ran. I thought you knew that?” Von Karma said as Franziska gave the staff to him.

“If you’re going to kill me, kill me!” Ga'ran shouted.

“Why would I do that? You’re my only friend.” Von Karma wasted no time. He shattered the orb on the staff. Out of the broken glass, she pulled out a scroll which held the dark curse.

“Don’t do this,” Ga’ran begged. She was struggling to get out from under the chandelier. “This… curse. There are lines even we shouldn’t cross. All power comes with a price. Enacting it will take a terrible toll. It will leave an emptiness inside you. A void you will never be able to fill.”

“So be it.” Von Karma turned to leave, taking Franziska with him.

Apollo was grateful that the innkeeper (he discovered that his name was Kurou Ichijou) had also run a diner in town with the help of his daughter, Mikumo. That was probably where all of that money came from. The place was positively crowded when Apollo arrived. A lot of people seemed to enjoy being here. And lucky for Apollo, he managed to snag a booth to himself.

Apollo had snatched a discarded newspaper from an empty seat. He still had the apple Karuma have him. As he said before, free food was the best kind of food. After he saw the article on the front page, Apollo was starting to have second thoughts.

Maybe that's why Karuma had been so nice to him this morning.

Apollo looked up from his reading when Mikumo came around. She placed a mug in front of him. He stared at it. The familiar scent of hot chocolate hit his nose.

“I didn't order this,” he told the waitress. Mikumo shrugged.

“I know you didn't,” she said. “Someone else did for you.” Apollo rolled his eyes. Well, he wasn't really one to deny a blessing in disguise. He had barely gotten a sip from the mug when Apollo found himself in the company of another person. Only instead of the waitress, it was the sheriff.

“So,” said Chihiro as she sat down opposite Apollo. “You decided to stay after all. I almost thought you were bluffing.”

“And you're very observant.” Apollo sighed. “Look, the cocoa was a nice gesture if you're trying to make me feel welcome. And I will admit, I am impressed that you managed to guess that I like cinnamon on my hot chocolate because most people don't.”

“Oh, I didn't guess.” Apollo blinked as Chihiro laughed. “I wasn’t the one who sent it to you. That would be the little girl who I dropped off.” Little girl…

Apollo looked behind Chihiro at the door. Standing there was Trucy. She gave Apollo a small wave. Apollo groaned. He walked over to the door and to Trucy. He caught a glimpse of the pleased grin on Chihiro’s face as he did.

“I like cinnamon, too,” Trucy proudly stated when Apollo came to greet her. Apollo took note of the backpack and uniform she was wearing.

“Trucy. It's Tuesday,” he said. “Don't you have school?”

“Duh. I want you to walk with me.” Apollo couldn't believe this. He agreed to stay. That was it. He still had yet to make the decision about whether or not it would be a permanent move.

“Trucy, your dad is a teacher at the school.”

“He knows where I am. I asked him if it was okay.”

Great.

Apollo let Trucy drag him out of the diner. She walked a few paces in front of him, acting like Apollo’s service dog and guide.

“Okay. Now that Miss Ayasato isn't here, we can talk safely,” said Trucy once the diner was out of sight. Miss Ayasato? Apollo assumed that was Chihiro.

“Talk? About what?” he asked as if he didn't already know.

“About the curse. Duh.” Of course. Trucy’s imaginary curse. “We have to find Mommy and get her back here to break it.” Was she still on that? “Lucky for us, I have a plan. I'm calling it Operation Cobra!”

“Operation… Cobra?” Trucy nodded. She seemed really proud of that name. “Trucy, that has nothing to do with fairy tales.”

“I know! So, if someone's in the room when we're talking about it, they won't know! Pretty clever, huh?” Apollo had to admit that it was a smart idea. “Our enemies have eyes and ears everywhere!” Apollo rolled his eyes.

Whatever you say, Trucy.

“Okay. I'll play along,” said Apollo as he and Trucy turned a corner. “Everyone here is from magical world and are characters in your storybook. They just don't remember.” Trucy nodded.

“Yup. That's the curse. Time stopped. At least until you got here. See?” Trucy pointed up to the clock tower as they passed it. Apollo almost dropped the apple he still had in his hand. It wasn't stuck at 8:15 anymore.

Apollo’s stomach growled. He tightened his fingers around the apple. He needed to eat this. Apollo took a bite. Oh sweet Lord, that apple was good.

“Where'd you get that?” Trucy asked as soon as she heard the bite. Apollo looked down at her as he swallowed.

“Karuma came by this morning and—” Trucy jumped up and slapped the apple out of his hand. “Hey!”

“You can't eat that!” Apollo groaned loudly.

“Why not? What is it, poisoned?” Apollo, of course, had been joking. Trucy had not.

“Maybe!” Wait, what?

“Trucy. What are you talking about?” Trucy bit her lip. She looked around before pulling Apollo in close.

“Her dad. Her dad is the Evil King.” Oh… Trucy thought that Karuma was… well, that explained quite a bit. “Her dad poisoned Daddy’s true love with an apple!”

“Your dad’s true love?” Trucy nodded again.

“Yeah. I'll show you later.” Apollo really wished she wouldn't. “I tried to tell Daddy about it, but… he didn't believe me.”

“Because he doesn't remember?”

“Yeah. Their pasts are all blurry. Just ask anyone anything. You'll see.” Apollo sighed.

“You mean to tell me that for decades people have been walking around here in a haze — not aging might I remind you — with screwed up memories because they're stuck in a cursed town?” he summarized. It sounded crazier out loud.

“I knew you'd get it!” said a happy Trucy. Apollo really didn't. He could see the school coming into view. “That's why I need you. Together, we can find Mommy.”

“Because she’s the only one who can break the curse. Because she's the product of true love.”

“Yes. And right now, we're at an advantage.” Apollo raised an eyebrow. “Miss Karuma doesn't know that. She doesn't know who Mommy is.” Right. Trucy’s records were sealed by the state when she was adopted. No one would know who her mother was unless they asked Trucy herself.

They finally reached the front gates of the school. Trucy came to a stop and took off her backpack. To Apollo’s surprise, she pulled out her storybook. She held it out to him.

“The hero never believes at first. Read this and you'll know everything.” Trucy forced the book into Apollo's hands before he could deny it. “Whatever you do, don't let Miss Mei near that book! If she finds out about what we're doing, that would be bad. Really bad.” Trucy zipped her bag closed and put it back on.

“I'll find you later!” called out Trucy as she walked towards the school. “I knew you would believe me!” She turned and ran inside the building.

Apollo sighed. Sooner or later, he would have to break it to Trucy that he really didn't believe in this whole ‘Storybrooke is cursed’ thing. Apollo was prepared to leave until he noticed one of the school’s teachers walking up to him.

“You know, it's really good to see her smiling again,” said Ryuichi, having caught sight of Apollo. “It's all because of you. She was excited to see you this morning when she found out you had decided to stay. She begged me to let you  walk her.”

Damn those puppy dog eyes.

“I didn't really do anything,” Apollo said, tucking the book under his arm.

“You stayed.” Apollo sighed. He was starting to question what had been going through his head when he made that decision. Apollo glanced down at the book. What was it that Trucy said? That Karuma was evil like her dad? Well, she was pretty hostile yesterday.

“Ryuichi, can I ask you something? About the mayor.”

“Fire away.”

“Is she always so… aggressive? I mean… she doesn't seem like a people person. How the hell did she get elected?” Ryuichi only offered Apollo a small shrug.

“I don't know. She’s been the mayor as long as I can remember. No one has tried to run against her. They are not brave enough. Mei inspires a bit of… fear.” It was probably due to the whip she carried around with her. Ryuichi sighed. “I think I made that worse by giving Trucy that book.” He gestured to what Apollo was holding. “Now she thinks that Mei’s an evil princess who hurt everyone in town.”

Apollo looked down at the book. One of the first things Trucy had told him about Karuma was that she had helped hurt her father. And now, her dad apparently poisoned Ryuichi’s supposed true love, whoever that was. Trucy said she tried to tell him…

“Who does she think you are?” Apollo asked, acting out on a brief spell of curiosity.

“It's pretty ridiculous,” Ryuichi said, unable to contain a small bit of laughter.

“I just got about ten minutes of ridiculous. Lay it on me.”

“Trucy says that I'm some sort of… ‘Prince Charming’. She said that my real name is Phoenix Wright. I mean, who would name their kid that? Pretty ridiculous, isn't it?” Apollo blinked.

“Wright?”

“Yeah. Why?” The night he first met Trucy came back to mind.

“When Trucy told me her name, she called herself as Trucy Wright . I just thought it was her birth name. But…” Ryuichi groaned.

“Great. She's taken it up a step…” he muttered before turning back to Apollo. “What about you? Who does she think you are?”

“Just her brother. I’m… I'm not in the book.” He left out the part about his and her apparent mother being in the book. That was a whole other level of crazy meant for a therapist. Wait…

“Ryuichi, can I ask you a favor? Trucy mentioned that she's in therapy. You wouldn't happen to know where her doctor would be right about now, do you?”

Franziska and Mia stood beside Von Karma, along with multiple other characters, at the edge of a forest around a fire. They had no choice. When she had asked about this, her father had told Franziska it was to ‘witness this marvelous event’. The princess watched as Von Karma threw various items into the fire. She watched with narrowed eyes as he addressed the cast around them.

“Who among us is tired of losing? That’s why I called you here,” he explained. “To put an end to our misery. Today, we claim victory and move to a new, better realm. A place where we can finally win.”

“And we’ll be happy?” asked a witch.

“I guarantee it. But first, I need something from you. A lock of hair from those with the darkest souls. You must trust me. Because if you don’t, there are other ways.” The trees around them start to grow taller until the group is completely surrounded. The people in the group relented, and each gave up a lock of their hair. The former king cast them into the fire.

"All that remains is the final ingredient. The prized heart from my best steed." Mia held out a box that Von Karma had given her. Von Karma opened it. Franziska almost gagged. Her father had made a habit of removing people’s hearts, but that was always done by magic. The heart her father withdrew from the box was an actual heart, not a magic one.

"The glorious beast whose passing will fuel our victory. Let my wrath be unleashed." Von Karma casted it into the flames. A large pillar of smoke appeared. The curse. Franziska’s dread disappeared as quickly as it came, along with the smoke. What just happened?

Laughter rang on Franziska's ears as she exchanged glances with Mia. Von Karma wasn't pleased by this turn of events. He even turned one of the cast around him into stone.

Thanks to Ryuichi’s assistance, Apollo was able to find Miss Deauxnim’s office. He left the book in his car and went up to talk to her. Maybe the therapist could shed some light on this whole situation.

“Apollo Justice. I was just… uh… reading about you,” said Miss Deauxnim when she saw who came to call. Apollo made note to have a chat with the reporter who wrote that article. “Let me guess. You're here for a little help with post traumatic stress?” Apollo shook his head.

“I'm here about Trucy,” he told the woman. She instantly tensed up.

“I apologize. I… I really shouldn't—” She tried to shut the door. Apollo stopped it with his foot.

“I know I should be prying but… I have to know. This whole… fairytale obsession. What caused it? I mean, she thinks everyone is a character from her book. It's crazy.” Miss Deauxnim eased the door open.

“I hope you don't talk that way around her. Calling her fantasy crazy could be quite damaging.” Apollo made a mental note of that.  “These stories… they are kind of like her language. She has no idea how to express what she's feeling. This is her way of… translating it. She's been using it as a coping method for all she's been through.”

“How long ago did she get the book?”

“A-About a month ago.”

“Has she been seeing you longer than that?” Miss Deauxnim hesitated before finally answering.

“For about a year… or three… if you wish to know more about it, I can give you her file.” Apollo nodded. Miss Deauxnim disappeared for a moment. When she came back, she had a thick manila folder in her hands. She handed it over to Apollo. Apollo stared down at it.

“Why are you doing this?” he asked her.

“We talked about you at our last session, a few days before she ran off. She was very excited to find out she had a brother. After all that I've seen… you're extremely important to her.” Apollo sighed. That was going to be a heavy burden to bear. “And for her sake… please be careful. Damaging Trucy’s imagination would be… it would be catastrophic to say the least.” He nodded.

“Uh… thank you.” Apollo turned to leave.

“Please make sure that I get that back!’

“Alright!” Apollo called back. He had quite the bit of reading to do.

Apollo sat on his bed in the inn. The papers from Trucy’s file were scattered around him. It was the only thing he had been reading. The infamous storybook still sat untouched in his car. He had no plans on reading that.

Though, his current bit of research was yielding results. They were interesting, but they also made something tighten around his heart.

Trucy had started therapy three years ago. She was being bullied by her classmates for being — as the girl herself had put it — ‘weird’. She had an intense love of magic, even before the fairy tale thing started. There was a small note from Miss Deauxnim about her skills in magic tricks. Apparently it had been learned from her birth parents and was rather good at it.

Apollo was starting to wonder what Trucy’s life was like before her mother…

Wait. Did Trucy even know that her mother had been murdered? Was their mother even dead? What had happened ten years ago?

… did Apollo just refer to Trucy’s mother as his own?

Apollo was snapped out of his thoughts by a knock at his door. He placed down the file he had been reading and answered. To his surprise, Chihiro greeted him.

“Chihiro?” Apollo said, confused. “What are you doing here? I swear, I did not disturb the peace or crash into any more signs.”

“It's not about that,” Chihiro said, shaking her head sadly. “I got a call from Dr. Elise Deauxnim. She said that you had a bit of a fight earlier when you visited?” What?

“No. I mean, yeah. I spoke with her earlier but…”

“She says that you demanded to see Trucy’s files. When she refused, you came back and stole them.”

“But she gave them to me!”

“Miss Deauxnim is telling a different story. I have a warrant to search your room.” Apollo sighed. He stepped to the side. There was no point in hiding it. The papers from Trucy’s files were out in the open.

“That what you're looking for?” He asked. Chihiro sighed, but nodded.

“Unfortunately. Mr. Justice, I'm afraid you're under arrest.” Apollo didn't fight against Chihiro. He calmly put his hands behind his back, allowing the sheriff to handcuff him.

Why the hell would Miss Deauxnim lie? She had given him those files. Heck, he didn't even have to ask. It had been her idea. What could have happened to make her lie? The only plausible reason would be that someone forced her.

Wait. Who hated Apollo enough to do such a thing…? It didn't take him long to figure it out. There was only person in Storybrooke who had shown any animosity towards him since he arrived.

“You know I'm not lying, right? Someone’s setting me up.” The cuffs were put on a little too tightly around his wrists.

“And who would set you up?”

Trucy was enjoying her day. Firstly, Apollo had walked with her to school. And he listened to her when she talked about the curse. That was the best part. He was going to read her book and finally understand. Then, they would find their mom. With her, they could break the curse. They would bring back the happy endings.

Not to mention Daddy was filling in for her science teacher, despite not knowing anything about science himself. He was the art teacher for a reason. Right now he was outside in the sun (claiming it had been a nice day out, so why not have class outside?) trying to explain the water cycle to a bunch of fourteen year olds.

Out of the corner of her eye, Trucy caught sight of an all too familiar car pulling up the the school. An all too familiar person stepped out. Trucy gripped her skirt.

“Mr. Naruhodou.” Daddy stopped his poorly constructed lecture and turned as Mei Karuma strolled up to the class. “May I speak with you and Trucy for a moment?”

“Umm…” Daddy did a double take between the class and Miss Mei. “We're in the middle of a lesson.”

“It is of the utmost importance.” He sighed. He called over Trucy. She came to her father’s side. A knot grew in her stomach. This couldn't be good. They walked out of earshot of the class.

“Mr. Naruhodou,” began Miss Mei. “I have some bad news. About Mr. Justice.” Trucy knew it. This wasn't a good sign. “He's been arrested.”

“What?!”

“He broke into Dr. Deauxnim’s office and stole Trucy’s files. I suspect that he's a conman, trying to get close to the both of you in order to scam you.” Trucy shook her head. She didn't believe her. After all, Miss Mei was an evil, evil woman. Trucy knew better.

She wasn't lying to Apollo when she said that they shared the same superpower. Trucy caught sight of Miss Mei clutching her sleeve. She balled up her hands. She knew what it meant. Miss Mei was lying.

“That’s not true!” Trucy shouted. Her father placed a hand on her shoulder. “There's no way Apollo would do that!”

“Trucy,” said Daddy. Trucy shook her head again. Miss Mei got down to Trucy’s level.

“Trucy, I know you think otherwise, but it's the truth.” Trucy saw her grab the edge of her sleeve. It was a small gesture that would go unnoticed by most people. But, then again, most people weren’t Trucy. Miss Mei was lying.

“No, no it's not!” Trucy tore away from her father. She ran away from him and Miss Mei. It wasn't true. It wasn't. She had to be doing this on purpose. That meant she knew. She knew about what Apollo and Trucy were trying to do. What other reason would she want to get rid of Apollo so badly? Only one question remained. How did she know?

Trucy came to a stop quite a distance away. Her legs were burning. She dropped onto the grass, panting heavily. Apollo… Karuma had gotten to him to.

“Trucy!” Trucy lifted her head. Daddy had come after her. She stood up. “Trucy…” He was sweating. How far did Trucy run? “You can’t… You can't just… oh my God, you run fast…”

“She was grabbing her sleeve…” Her father lifted his head.

“What?”

“She was grabbing her sleeve,” Trucy repeated. Her father didn't believe her about her book, but he did believe her about her special power after Trucy proudly demonstrated it to him when they first met. “That's how I know it's not true…”

“Trucy…” She turned to him.

“We have to help Apollo! He's innocent, Daddy. He didn't do it!” He sighed. Trucy knew just what to say to get him to help out her brother.

Apollo hated being in jails, which was ironic considering his job. What he hated more was being the one put in jail. His persuasive skills had not done Apollo well on the passive-aggressive ride with Chihiro. And now here he was: standing in the sheriff’s station with the sheriff taking his mugshot. Apollo still had yet to back down from his argument.

“You know that the shrink is lying?” said Apollo.

Let me be alone in a room with her. We'll get the truth.

“To the right.” Apollo followed the order. “I've known Elise Deauxnim for years. Why would she be lying?”

“I don't know. Maybe someone put her up to it. Someone who scares her… Maybe Karuma?” Apollo made note of the small pause Chihiro took. “So it was her.”

“To the left.” Apollo followed. “Mei is intimidating, I'll give you that.” Apollo still put partial blame on the whip. “But I've known her long enough to know that she would never frame someone. Or force someone to.”

“How well do you even know her? I’m betting that she has her hands in everything.”

“Of course she does. She's the mayor.” Apollo rolled his eyes. That's not what he had meant.

“Hey!” Apollo turned around as the door to the sheriff’s office slammed open.

“Trucy! Ryuichi,” said Chihiro, in a small bit of surprise as the father-daughter duo rushed into the station. “What are you two doing here?”

“Um… Mei told us what happened,” Ryuichi explained. Apollo fought the urge to groan. Of course she did.

“Look, Trucy,” Apollo said before Trucy could go off on him for getting arrested. “I don't know what Karuma told you but—”

“I know.” Apollo blinked.

“Excuse me?”

“I know you’re innocent, Apollo. You didn't steal those files, right? I told you, I can spot lies too!” Huh. Apollo hadn’t really believed her about that. “Besides, I think I know why you really were with Miss Deauxnim.” Uh oh. “You were gathering intel from her for Operation Cobra. And Miss Mei wanted to stop you.” Well… Trucy was about two-thirds of the way right.

“I am very lost,” said Chihiro. “Operation Cobra?”

“It's a need to know basis, Miss Ayasato. But what you do need to know is that Daddy’s gonna bail him out!” Apollo looked up to Ryuichi.

“You are?" He asked. The school teacher gave him a nod. “Why?”

“Because um… well…” said Ryuichi. “I trust you.” Apollo didn't want believe that, but his bracelet gave off no reaction. Ryuichi really did trust him.

Apollo turned, holding his handcuffed hands out to the sheriff.

“If that's the case, they can you release me? And quick question. Where does Karuma live? We need to have a little chat.”

Mei had no more reason to worry. Apollo Justice would be locked away. After the sentence was carried out, which would only last a few days, he would be gone. There was nothing to be concerned about anymore.

That's what she thought until she caught Apollo Justice cutting off the branches of of her beloved apple tree.

Mei snatched up her whip and stormed out of her house. She was beyond furious now.

Justice only stopped when Mei cracked her whip against the ground. By then the damage was already done.

“What the hell do you think you're doing?!” Mei exclaimed. Justice simply dropped the chainsaw he had been using, reached up and plucked off one of the apples from the still attached branches.

“Oh, I'm just picking apples.” He took a bite out of it. The smug look on his face only infuriated Mei further.

“You are insane.”

“No. You are if you think that some second-rate frame job is gonna scare me off. You're gonna have to do better that that.” Shit, he knew. “If you come at me one more time, I'm gonna come back for the rest of the tree. Because Miss Mei Karuma, you have no idea what I am capable of.” Mei grit her teeth together as Justice turned and walked away. He still had the apple. “Make your next move, I dare you!”

Mei’s frustration was built to the point where just was on the brink of screaming.

Franziska winced again as she heard another book hit the floor. It had come from several rooms away, but the thud was loud enough to echo throughout the entire castle. Being unable to cast the dark curse had made her father furious. And when Von Karma was mad, it was better that everyone stayed out of his way. That unspoken rule was something Franziska learned at a very young age.

“Maybe it's for the best that he doesn’t find out how to cast the curse,” said Mia — who after having been Franziska’s main source of company (and link to the outside world) for the past few years — decided to stick close to the princess. “That curse can summon dark forces. More than dangerous than anything we have ever seen before.” Franziska sighed. She trusted Mia’s intuition on these things.

“But he’s going to be like this forever if he doesn’t figure out how to cast that curse!”

“If he comes after you, Franziska. I’ll be right here to protect you.” She knew that. Mia had claimed it was a promise made long ago to someone both she and Franziska cared about. Franziska didn't want to question who the Huntress was speaking of.

“I know. It seems like you’re the only one who does now.” Especially since Franziska was alone in this castle. “This whole thing would be over easier if he could just figure out why that curse didn’t cast!” It was Mia’s turn to sigh. She put her hand on Franziska’s shoulder.

“Franziska…” Franziska brushed Mia away from her. She didn’t want to be touched. “... if you want to know why the curse isn’t working, go to the source.” Go to the source? If Franziska remembered… her father had gotten the curse from him. She swallowed a lump in her throat.

“Then that’s what I’ll do.” She took a few small steps away from Mia. “If Papa asks, I’m in the library.” A dull, silvery mist surrounded Franziska. As soon as it faded, Franziska Von Karma was gone.

Mei picked up the bruised apples from off of the ground. Damn that Apollo Justice. He had solidified himself as a problem now, the brat’s son or not. He could go to Hell for all Mei cared.

Mei heard someone walking up behind her. She knew who it was. After all, she had called Chihiro after the incident had occurred.

“He destroyed city property,” Mei said through her teeth. She picked up another apple and stood. “I want him arrested.”

“Again?” Mei turned to face the sheriff.

“Yes again! What are you waiting for?”

“I’m not so sure that this is the right plan, Mei,” said Chihiro. Mei could hear the exasperation in her voice. “And I’m not talking about the tree. I know that Apollo didn’t steal from Miss Deauxnim. Trucy told me.”

“Trucy?” Come to think of it, Trucy had yelled at her repeatedly that she was lying about the circumstances under which Justice had been arrested. Naruhodou always said that Trucy had the ability to tell if people were lying. She was starting to think he was right. That only made things worse.

“Yes. That, and Apollo looked pretty shocked when I told him about the charges.” Of course he did. Mei rolled her eyes.

“Criminals don’t like being caught, Chihiro.”

“Or maybe it was because he was being set up.” Mei gripped the apple in her hand. “If he was, that means Miss Deauxnim is lying. And we both know that she wouldn’t do that unless someone asked her to. Or threatened her. Are you really confident that woman’s conscience won’t get the best of her eventually?” Mei’s hands were shaking she was holding onto the apple so firmly. Chihiro placed a hand on Mei's shoulder to put her at ease. “If you want me to arrest him again, I will.”

“Then do it!”

“But you know he’s going to keep coming at you. And you'll continue to clash heads with him, and you will do whatever you can to get rid of him. There's only a slim chance you will succeed.” Mei batted Chihiro's hand away.

“No. I will succeed.” Chihiro sighed, taking a few steps back.

“If that’s what you believe. But if this goes any further, you know more people are going to get hurt. Like Trucy. She already hates you, Mei.” That reminder stung. “Please don’t make things any worse.” Chihiro turned and took her leave. Mei was left alone with her thoughts. She knew Chihiro was right. People were going to get hurt. Mei had already hurt so many people just by casting the curse. And then there was Trucy.

Wait… Trucy. Trucy was the key.

She was still not the best at casting a teleportation spell or at magic in general. So, when Franziska materialized in her intended location, she was surprised. Surprised and dizzy. She slumped up against the wall. This dungeon was dirty and not really the best place to take a break. Franziska forced herself forward. He had to be here somewhere.

She kept walking down the dark tunnel with her hand along the wall. Why was it so dark down here? She couldn’t see anything. She thought about casting a spell to give her light but soon found it unnecessary once she reached the end of the tunnel. There was a dimly light torch that gave light to the prison cell carved into the rock. Franziska stayed out of the light. She couldn’t see anything there, with the exception of a figure. That had to be him. It had to be.

Franziska felt her stomach twist up into a thousand knots. She wasn’t so sure about this plan now.

“You realize that I can see the future, do you? I know you’re there. That and you’re not very quiet, Princess Von Karma.” Franziska swallowed down the fear in her throat.

“You are braver than you think, Franziska. After all, fear is only stronger than you if you let it be. And you are the strongest person I know.”

The princess drew a breath and stepped into the light. She hid her fear as she came face to face with Simon Blackquill. The aura of darkness he carried shook Franziska down to her very core. It was hard for her to believe that they were the nearly same age.

“That’s better isn’t it?” said Blackquill. “Now, to what do I owe this pleasure?”

“That curse my father received a long time ago. The Dark Curse,” Franziska told him, forcing out each word. “It isn’t working.”

“Oh. So that’s what’s troubling you, isn’t it?” Blackquill’s eyes were drilling into her. They sent chills down the princess’s spine. “No. It’s not you. It’s your father. His behavior is worrying you, isn't it? I would even say it's terrifying you.” Franziska fought hard to keep her face blank. Blackquill spoke the truth. She would never admit it to him.“You are just as frightened as Miles Edgeworth and his husband.” That broke Franziska's expressionless mask.

“Miles Edgeworth…?” Him. Of course. It had to be Miles Edgeworth.

“They paid me a visit not too long ago. They were very anxious about the curse. They wanted to know how to stop it.”

“What did you tell them?”

“The truth, of course. Nothing can stop the darkness.” Franziska didn’t know if that was a good thing or not. “But… no matter how powerful they are, all curses can be broken. And this curse is broken by one person. All hope lies in Magnifi Gramarye.”

“Gramarye?” Franziska could remember that name. Both her father and Miles Edgeworth often ranted about him when she was younger.

“Or rather, I should say his daughter. Thalassa. You'll recognize her by the bracelets she wears.” Blackquill held out his hand. In it formed a misty image. He showed Franziska the girl. She was far younger than Franziska, with long, light brown hair and beautiful grayish-blue eyes. Blackquill had been right. Around both of her wrists were thick, gold bracelets, engraved with intricate details.

“The family has very… unique ability,” Blackquill continued. “They can sense the small, subtle habits people have when they lie. It would be impossible to manipulate one of her bloodline with falsified truths. As for what I told them… I told them that their Savior will find us on their twenty-second birthday. They seemed satisfied enough with that.” Franziska blinked.

“Why are you telling me this?” she asked. Blackquill dissipated the image.

“Oh… you never know when information like that would be useful.” Franziska could barely see the smirk on Blackquill’s face in the dim light. “Now… back to business. You want to know about the curse.” Finally.

“Yes,” Franziska said with an nod. “How do you cast it? What did Papa do wrong?” Blackquill chuckled.

“If it’s information you want, there’s a price to pay.” Franziska felt her hands shake.

“... so be it.”

“If the curse is successfully cast, I want a promise from its caster.” That would be hard to do. Von Karma was not a negotiable man. “In this new land, I want a good life. In this new land, should I come to them for whatever reason, they must heed my every request.” Franziska sighed. It’s not like was going to matter.

“You do realize that if this curse is cast, neither you or I will remember this.” Blackquill laughed once again.

“It’s always worth the chance.” Franziska bit back her lip.

“Alright,” she said. Blackquill took her hand to seal the deal. Even if it was only for a second, Franziska became unsettled by the touch. “What do you need to do to enact this curse?”

“You must sacrifice a heart,” said Blackquill. Franziska groaned.

“But that’s what he did. He used the heart of his prized steed.” Blackquill reached through the bars, pulling Franziska in close by grabbing her bodice. Another shot of fear filled Franziska's system.

“A horse?” he said. His tone was more than menacing. “It’s going to take more than a horse’s heart to enact the curse to end all curses.” He pushed the princess away from him. “The heart must come from something precious. For example… the thing he loves most.” Franziska felt her blood run cold. There weren't many things her father actually loved in his own, twisted way but… there was one she could think of.

“That would be…”

“You. Then again… you could always do something about it.” Franziska stared at Blackquill. What could she do? “You could always enact the curse yourself… if you wish to spare your life.” Franziska clenched her jaw. She couldn't. Not even if she wanted to. “You and I both know your father isn’t fit to enact the Dark Curse. But you… You are.”

“I can’t, even if I wanted to.” Franziska's fingers rested on the golden chain she had around her neck. Hanging off of it was a ring. It was something she would hold onto forever. “What I love most died because of Miles Edgeworth.”

“Are you sure there’s no one else your truly love? Tell me something. Why is it you stay with your father? Is it out of fear? Plenty of people have stood up against him and lived. I don’t need to name them. You know who they are. So, why don’t you leave?” The truth hurt Franziska to say. “Is it because, deep down, you love your father? Even though you fear him? Despise him even? Tell me princess. What lies in that heart of yours?” Franziska shook her head. There was no way that was going to happen. It was impossible.

“Thank you.” Blackquill relaxed.

“Princess Von Karma,” he said as Franziska took a step away from the prison cell. “If you do heed my advice, remember this. Things like this… they are never easy. It’s all for the sake of vengeance though. For your happy ending.” A happy… ending? Her happy ending? Was that still possible? “How far are you willing to go to get that?” Franziska's fingers wrapped around her chain.

“As far as it takes to heal these scars.” Blackquill's smirk grew wider.

“Then you know what you have to do.” Franziska nodded. She took another step back. It was time to tell Von Karma about this new information that he had been desperately searching for.

Silvery mist wrapped around Franziska. And like that, she was gone.

Apollo was ready to bang his head against the nearest wall. First, due to ‘city ordinance’ he had gotten kicked out of the inn. Apparently, the mayor called to remind them of their ‘no felons’ policy. Then, Apollo found a boot on his car. Well, looks like he was going to be walking everywhere for a while.

He had just kicked the boot when his phone started ringing. Apollo didn’t recognize the number.

“Apollo Justice,” he said, answering his mysterious caller. The grip he had on his phone tightened at the voice on the other end.

“Mr. Apollo Justice, I’d be happy to continue demonstrating my power if you wish,” said Karuma. How the hell did she get Apollo’s number?! “Am I right in guessing that your resolve to stay is growing?”

“Exponentially.” Apollo said, trying not to let his mounting frustration be heard.

“Well then. I believe it's about time for us to make peace.” Wait, what? “Why don’t you drive over to my office? … or walk, whatever suits you. It’s not that far from the sheriff’s station. I’m sure you’ll find it without a problem.” Apollo hung up there. Karuma better have a damn good explanation for all of this.

Apollo marched down to Karuma’s office. He had built up several dozen questions on the single walk. He found Mei relaxing in her office. She didn’t even react when Apollo stormed in.

“I wish to apologize, Mr. Justice,” were the first words out of the Mayor’s mouth. Apollo blinked as he slowly sat down opposite of her.

“Huh?” Apollo felt his bracelet tighten around his wrist. Okay, what was Karuma hiding this time?

“You heard what I said.” Karuma shrugged, leaning back into her seat. “I have to accept the reality that you are here and that you’re going to be staying. It’s because of Trucy, isn’t it?”

Damn right .

“I didn’t know that she existed until a few days ago. But the kid got in my head. I want to make sure that she’s okay. She’s…” Apollo thought back to what he had read in Trucy’s files. “She has some problems.”

“You think she has problems?” Apollo nodded. What was she getting at?

“Well, yeah. Ryuichi has her in therapy, that was my first clue. And I read a few of the pages from her files before you had me arrested. Seriously, though. The biggest thing is that she thinks that everyone in this town is some sort of character out of a storybook.”

“And you don’t?”

“How can I? Trucy can’t tell the difference between fantasy and reality. It’s only getting worse. It’s crazy.” There was a loud thud as the door suddenly opened. It made Apollo’s heart stop. He stood up, whirling around. Standing in the open doorway was Trucy. She was staring at Apollo with wide-eyes. They were quickly filling up with tears.

“You think I’m crazy?” Trucy said, her voice wavering.

“Trucy…” Trucy let her tears fall. Apollo felt his heart break into two. She turned and ran. “Trucy!” Pain mingled in with rising anger. Apollo turned on Karuma. “How long was she there?”

“Long enough,” said Karuma, a smirk on her face. It dawned on Apollo what Karuma had been doing the entire time.

“You knew that she would be here.”

“Did I know that Ryuichi Naruhodou had to go back to work after bailing you out? Yes. Did I know that he wouldn’t get home until late because of it? Yes. Did I know that he asked me to take Trucy to her therapy session in his place? Of course.” She stood up, striding over to Apollo. “It’s your move, Mr. Apollo Justice.” Apollo grit his teeth. She had planned this. She didn’t want to make peace.

“You have no soul,” he said to her. “How the hell did you get like this?” Apollo raced out of the office. He had to get back to Trucy. He couldn’t stand to see her upset as she was.

He didn’t notice Mei’s fingers clutch at the golden chain around her neck.

As soon as Franziska got back to the castle, Mia had found her. She was trying to get the young princess’s attention. Franziska didn’t answer any of her questions. She just marched on forward towards her father’s study. She pushed open the door.

“Papa!”

“Franziska. I thought I asked not to be disturbed.” Franziska slowed her pace to come to  stop. Mia was right behind her.

“I went to talk to Blackquill.” That got Von Karma’s attention. He slowly turned to face his daughter. “I found out what went wrong with the curse.”

“And?” He was genuinely interested. Why did it have to be about this? Franziska wrung her hands together. She thought about what Blackquill had said. She swallowed down her hesitation.

“The heart. He said the heart did not suffice.” Franziska drew in a shaky breath. “To cast the Dark Curse… you have to cut out the heart of the thing you love the most.”

“You.” She slowly nodded. There was a heavy pause. Franziska had known her father long enough to know what he was going to do. Von Karma walked forward to his child. Franziska shut her eyes. He wanted his revenge. He would stop at nothing to get it, even if it meant killing his own daughter.

I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die. I don’t want to—

“No!” Franziska’s eyes snapped open.

She respected Mia Fey. Mia had been like an older sister to her. She had been her guardian. Never once did Franziska Von Karma believe that Mia Fey would stand between her and her murderous father. But there she was, holding the old man’s arms behind his back. Another was secured around his neck. She was trained as several things, including several forms of fighting. She could kill anything.

“Get off of me, you pathetic girl!”

“Franziska, run!” Franziska stood still, watching the struggle. She felt conflicted. She could run, but she wouldn't be able to get away so easily. She could run to Miles Edgeworth. He  thought she was still on their side. She was an exceptionally good actress. But… her true love had died because of Miles Edgeworth. She would never forgive him for that.

“Things like this… they are never easy. It’s all for the sake of vengeance though. For your happy ending.”

Franziska made her choice. She dashed forward towards her father. She had seen him do this hundreds of times. She knew the spell well. She plunged her hands into her father’s chest. He stopped struggling. Mia let go. Franziska watched his gasp. He stared at his daughter with shock at her betrayal.

He fell to the ground as Franziska withdrew her hands. In her palm was a crystalline heart, pulsating with vivid red and deep black. Franziska stared at the heart. She stared at her father’s body.

What had she just done?

“Franziska!” The princess snapped out of her thoughts. She glanced up at Mia. The huntress looked afraid. “Are you alright?” Franziska slowly nodded. She looked down at the heart in her hands. What was it Blackquill had said? She could cast the curse with this heart if she truly wanted to… all for the sake of her happy ending.

“Franziska. You don’t…” Franziska tightened her hold on the heart.

“I can’t keep living like this, Mia Fey,” said the princess. Her fingers rested once again on the gold chain and its ring. “What Miles Edgeworth took from me… it's eating me alive.”

“Franziska…” Mia sighed. “About that… There’s something you should know…” Franziska ignored her.

“I just want to be happy again. I can be happy… just not here.” Franziska kept a hold of the heart. She summoned her cloak and her whip from her room. Mia yelled after her. All of her words fell deaf upon Franziska’s ears. She had a mission in mind.

The princess was going to be the one who would cast the Dark Curse.

Apollo didn't know what to do. Trucy probably hated him now. He hadn’t been able to catch up with her in time. Just remembering that look on her face… it kept tripling the pain he was feeling. There was only one thing Apollo could think of to do. There was no reason to stay in Storybrooke anymore. However, there still was unfinished business to take care of.

He made his way over to the school. Karuma said that Ryuichi was working late. Apollo fiddled with the envelope in his hands. If he remembered the number correctly…

He knocked upon the open door to the classroom. Ryuichi looked up.

“Apollo?” he asked. The man looked like he was about ready to leave. “What’re you doing here?” Apollo held out the envelope. That was nearly half of his money that he had gotten from his latest client.

“Paying back the bail money,” he said as Ryuichi took the envelope. The man gave Apollo a suspicious look as he slipped it into his coat.

“I may not be a guidance counselor, but you look like you need to talk.” Apollo leaned up against one of the desks. There were several things on his mind that he did want to get off of his chest.

“You said you trusted me. Why?” Ryuichi shrugged.

“Trucy seems to trust you. And you seem like a good person so…” Oh, so Ryuichi was that kind of person. Apollo felt relieved that he did trust him. “I know it’s crazy.” And Apollo’s mood dropped again.

You think I’m crazy?

“I’m starting to reevaluate my definition of crazy,” Apollo muttered.

“And for what it’s worth, I know you’re innocent.” Apollo looked up at Ryuichi. “Um… Trucy. She can um… I don’t know how she does it. She can spot those things people do when they lie. Those… subconscious habits, as Miss Deauxnim told me.” Apollo grabbed his bracelet.

“So she was telling the truth.” Ryuichi gave him a strange look. “Trucy said that we share the same superpower.”

“You can…?”

“Yes.” Ryuichi chuckled nervously. Apollo sighed. “Thank you. For believing in my innocence. And thank you… for everything. But I don’t think it’s for the best. It seems like if I stay, Trucy is only going to get hurt.”

More so than she already is…

“I think that’s the very reason you want to stay.” Apollo stared at him. “Not hurting her but… just Trucy in general. She trusts you, Apollo. She loves you.” Probably not anymore. Apollo stared at the ground. “Um… before you leave, why do you go pick up Trucy from her session? I have to um… do something here.” Apollo felt his bracelet tighten.

“Tell me the truth.” Ryuichi sighed.

“Just… give it one last thought. Or at least say goodbye to Trucy if you’re going to leave.” Apollo swallowed a lump in his throat. He rubbed his bracelet.

Trucy wasn’t in the mood for talking. She had been sitting at Miss Deauxnim’s for over an hour. She had barely even said a word. Miss Deauxnim was trying her best, and Trucy appreciated that. But she didn’t want to talk. She just wanted to cry. And when Miss Deauxnim had told her daddy that she was getting better.

“I have an idea.” Miss Deauxnim pulled something out from under her shirt. It was a talisman that was decorated with various golden symbols and designs on a silk cord. “This has been in my family for generations. It looks like something a royal would own, wouldn’t you say?” Trucy slowly nodded. “Is that why you think I’m a queen?”

“I don’t think you’re anyone…” Miss Deauxnim sighed. It’s not like Trucy wanted to be difficult. It was just that… well…

Apollo thinks I’m crazy .

The door burst open. Trucy didn’t flinch. Miss Deauxnim stood up. Trucy didn’t have to guess why.

“Mr. Justice!” Trucy tried make herself look smaller. “I can explain. The mayor… sh-she forced me to—”

“I know,” Trucy heard Apollo say. He came into her line of vision. He had her book with him. Trucy almost forgot she had given him that this morning. He crouched down to her level. “Trucy, I’m so sorry.” Trucy refused to look at him.

“I don’t want to talk to you.”

“Trucy.” He sounded upset. Well, so was Trucy. “There’s only one, single reason that I stayed here. And it’s you.”

“You think I’m crazy.” Being reminded of that simple fact hurt even more.

“No, Trucy. I think the curse is crazy.” Trucy glanced up at him. He wasn’t lying. There was no tells. “And it is. But…” Apollo sighed. “It’s a lot to ask anyone to believe in. But then again, there are a lot of crazy things in his world.  And what do I know? Maybe it is true.” Trucy sat up.

“But you told Miss Mei—”

“What she wanted to hear. If the curse is real, Trucy…” Apollo took her hand. Daddy did the same thing whenever Trucy was upset. “If the curse is real… the only way to break it is by tricking our enemies into thinking that we’re non-believers. That way, they won’t know what we’re planning. Isn’t that what Operation Cobra is all about?” Apollo gave her a smile. Trucy returned it, only times two. He didn’t think she was crazy. He believed her. He believed in the curse. He believed in her.

She leapt forward, wrapping Apollo in her arms and nearly knocking him to the floor. Someone actually believed her. Apollo hesitated before returning it.

“Thank you…” Trucy said, her voice muffled by Apollo’s jacket. She was so happy. They pulled apart.

“Trucy, this book is very dangerous for me to have right now.” Apollo placed Trucy’s book back into her hands. “Karuma is going to come after me, no matter what. It’s better that you keep it. She won’t come after you.” Trucy closed her fingers around the book.

“I knew you were here to help me.” Apollo nodded.

“And you can bet nothing — not even Karuma or any sort of curse — is going to stop me from staying here with you.”

This time, Trucy really did knock Apollo to the floor.

Franziska had made up her mind. No one could change it now, no matter how hard they tried. She returned to the cliff where her father had attempted to enact the curse. The remains of the fire were still there. All it took was lighting the flame again. Franziska felt her hands shaking. There was no backing down from this now. She tossed her father’s heart into the flames.

A large pillar of smoke grew and twisted around the flames. This time, it didn’t disappear. Now there was definitely no going back. But Franziska had one more place to visit before the curse took over the whole of the forest.

She soon stopped before the small memorial she had crafted years ago. A single rose was in her hand. She placed it in front of the empty grave. They never found the body. This was the only way anyone could remember what had occurred that fateful night.

“Goodbye…” said Franziska, nearly unable to keep her voice together. “My sweet…” She couldn’t finish that sentence. Franziska turned away, her fingers once again on the gold chain she wore. The curse was doing its job. It was time for Franziska Von Karma to reap the seed of her victory.

It took nearly all day for Mei to clean up the damage the foolish Apollo Justice had cause to her tree. Her anger had settled, but hadn’t disappeared completely. Well, at least the branch was out of her yard. She would figure out something to do with all of those apples later. Her diet would consist of them for a while.

“What a mess.” Only one person could have a voice that hoarse in Storybrooke. And Mei was not in the mood for dealing with him. She turned to face Jin Yuugami. He looked as arrogant as ever.

“What could I do for you?” Mei asked, not really in the mood for formalities.

“I was just in the neighborhood. Thought I’d drop by. Lovely to see you in such high spirits.” Mei rolled her eyes at his sarcasm.

“I guess you could say it’s been an… eventful day.” Mei smirked at the last conversation she had with her little problem. “I just rid the town of an unwanted pest.”

“Apollo Justice?” Mei nodded proudly.

“I imagine he’s halfway back to Seattle right now.”

“Oh, I wouldn't bet on that.” Mei froze. What did he just say? “I just saw him strolling down the street with Miss Naruhodou. Thick as thieves, they looked.” Mei grinded her teeth together. “That’s not a very good habit you know. You might want to take care of that. Either way, you should have come to see me. If Justice-dono is a problem for you, I’d be more than happy to help… for a price.” Mei growled. Even here, everything cost something.

“I’m not interested in anymore deals with you,” she hissed. Mei turned to go back towards her house.

“To which deal are you referring?” Mei came to a stop. She slowly turned to face Jin Yuugami. His smugness had not faded. Her heart skipped a beat. Did he… “Oh, yes. The deal where you were the middleman.” Oh thank goodness. “The one concerning Trucy Naruhodou… or as she likes to all herself lately, Trucy Wright.” Mei sighed. Great. That was a thing now. “That was an incredibly generous act of you to do, I must say. Something rather out of character.”

A thought came to mind. It had been Yuugami that helped her and Naruhodou find Trucy. He brought her here to Storybrooke.

“You did this on purpose,” Mei accused. “You knew who her parents were. You wanted Apollo Justice to come to town, didn’t you? Finding Trucy wasn’t an accident.”

“Whatever do you mean?” He was good at acting, Mei would give him that.

“How did you find her? Do you know something I don't?”

“I have no idea what you’re implying.” Mei’s hands balled up. This had been a frustrating day, and Jin Yuugami was only making it worse.

“I think you do. what do you know about their mother?”

“Other than she disappeared without a trace? I only know as much as you do.” Mei growled again. Yuugami was unfazed by her anger. She really wished that her whip wasn’t inside. “If you excuse me, I feel as though I overstayed my welcome.” Jin Yuugami backed away from Mei. He left her yard.

As soon as Mei got back inside of her house, she finally released all of her pent-up rage and anger from that day in one loud scream.

Chapter Text

Phoenix Wright was not in the happiest of situations. Yes, he loved his fiancée but… he didn’t know. If they were going to be tied together in marriage, why did something feel wrong? He loved the princess, that's for sure. He couldn't figure it out. Phoenix just sat in the carriage, staring out the window. The redheaded woman beside him had been silent for a long time. Phoenix broke the quiet by clearing his throat.

“What do you think of the view, my dear Dahlia?” he asked her. Dahlia rolled her eyes. It was clear to him that she was annoyed.

“I’ve seen better,” she said, slightly peeved. “This is taking forever. I told you that the Troll Road would have been quicker.” Yes, but Phoenix knew the reason why it was called the Troll Road. And it scared the living daylights out of him. “Are you even listening to me?”

“Of course I am.” Before they could continue their conversation, the carriage came to a sudden stop.

“Now what?” Dahlia was mad now. Phoenix gave her a reassuring glance. He got out of the carriage to investigate himself. Luckily for him, it wasn’t that big of a deal. It was just a fallen tree.

He and the guards walked over to it, prepared to move it out of the way so that the prince and Dahlia could continue. However, upon investigating the tree, Phoenix discovered something… odd. Very odd. Extremely odd.

“My lord?” asked one of the guards and the prince examined this obstacle. “What is it?” Phoenix traced his thumb of the base of the tree. Something was off.

“These markings,” he said. He knew why they looked familiar. “The tree was cut.” But why would it be… oh. Oh no. “This is an ambush.”

In the next instance, there was a scream. That was Dahlia. Phoenix spun around just in time to see a cloaked someone pulling something out of the carriage. Phoenix quickly checked his person. Oh no. He had left it in there.

He rushed towards the carriage. It was gone. Shit. This could not be happening. Phoenix watched as the thief unhitched one of the horses. They saddled themselves upon it and took off. Phoenix wasted no time in grabbing the other horse. He mounted it. The chase was on.

Phoenix was faster. He soon caught up with the thief. Phoenix leapt off of his horse. He tackled them to the ground. The pair went rolling in the grass. Finally, Phoenix had the thief pinned. He went for the hood they wore.

“Show me your face, you coward!”  He finally got it and tore it off. Phoenix froze. Dark gray hair… steel gray eyes. That face…  this man. He knew who the man was. “You…” His eyes were wide. “You’re…”

“No one.” The thief grabbed a rock. He struck Phoenix in the face. The blow stunned the prince long enough for the thief to kick him off. By the time Phoenix came back to his senses, the thief was already back on his horse. He was long gone.

“I will find you!” Phoenix shouted towards the thief. He put his hand to the stinging cut on his chin. “Wherever you are, I will find you!”

Apollo was cold. Not like he would admit it, but he was. After everything that had happened with Karuma, Apollo had decided to stay in Storybrooke for good. Part of it was to piss off the mayor. The other was because he couldn’t let Trucy go. He wasn’t lying when he said that Trucy had touched his heart. She really did. She was starting to grow on him.

Unfortunately, because of Karuma, Apollo had nowhere to stay. On top of that, he had to look for a new job. So yeah, staying in Storybrooke might not have been the wisest choice, but Apollo felt like it as the right one.

In fact, Apollo had been sitting in his car, reading over the wanted ads when someone knocked on his window. He looked up. It was a bit of a surprise to see Ryuichi standing outside of his car. Apollo rolled down the window.

“You okay?” Ryuichi asked. Apollo shrugged.

“Out of all of tight spots that I’ve been in — which are a lot — crashing in my car seems like a normal thing,” he told him.

“Wait, you’re sleeping in here?”

“Until I find a place… and a job.” Ryuichi grinned.

“You decided to stay.” Apollo nodded.

“For Trucy.” That just made Trucy’s father happier. Apollo glanced down at the clock installed in his car’s system. It was 11:39. “Speaking of Trucy, it’s pretty late. Shouldn’t you be at home with her?” Ryuichi’s face fell. Probably wasn’t the best thing for Apollo to ask.

“I might be a single father, but that doesn’t mean I can’t date. That usually what the term ‘single’ means.”

“From the looks of things, I guess it went well.”

“As well as they ever do.” Ryuichi groaned, leaning his head up against the car door. “I’m starting to think that falling in love will never happen.” He sighed. “Well, if true love was easy, we’d all have it.”

“Couldn't be more right.” Ryuichi looked around Apollo’s car.

“You know, if things ever get cramped… I do have a spare room that I don’t use. I know that Trucy would love it if you stayed with us.” Apollo thought about it. A home would be nice… but… he had been on his own for so long. He shook his head.

“Thanks but… I’m better off on my own.” Ryuichi slowly nodded.

“Well, if you ever change your mind, my offer still stands.” Apollo watched as Ryuichi walked away from his car. He sighed. Job first, then lodgings.

Ryuichi really wished he did not stay out as late as he did. He had completely forgotten about having to chaperone some students on a trip to the hospital. It was meant to cheer up some of the patients. The younger kids were even decorating the ward. While there, Ryuichi thought he would stop by his favorite coma patient a little bit early that week.

He didn’t expect Trucy to beat him there. She was staring at the John Doe, blue eyes filled with fascination and wonder. She didn’t even notice him enter the room.

“Trucy?” said Ryuichi, getting his daughter's attention. “What are you doing here?”

“Just saying hi,” said Trucy. She walked away from the coma patient. “Daddy? Is Mr. Doe gonna be okay?” Ryuichi stared at her. He glanced over to the coma patient. The name on the chart was John Doe. Oh.

“His name isn’t John Doe, sweetie.” Ryuichi messed up Trucy’s hair. “It’s what they call people when they don’t know who they are.”

“Do you know who he is, Daddy?” Ryuichi stared at the John Doe. In the back of his mind, he felt like there was something familiar. But he couldn’t remember a time when he had ever spoken to the the man. Well… not with the man awake anyway.

“Nope, I just bring him flowers.”

“What’s wrong with him?” Ryuichi shrugged.

“I don’t really know. He's been here as long as I can remember.” Trucy looked back at the coma patient. “I don’t even know his name.”

“What about his friends and family? Haven’t they come to see him? They have to know where he is!” Ryuichi sighed, shaking his head.

“No, Trucy.” It was a sad situation indeed. Maybe that’s why Ryuichi came to visit him so often; because he knew that John Doe was alone. Yeah. That had to be it.

“So he’s all alone…” Trucy bit down on her thumb. “Are you sure that you don’t know him, Daddy?” Ryuichi nodded. He couldn’t remember ever having a two-sided conversation with the man before.

“Positive.” He patted Trucy's shoulder. “Come on, Trucy. You really shouldn’t be in here anyway.” Trucy gave the coma patient a quick glance before following after her father. Ryuichi failed to notice the smile growing on her face.

Apollo was more than glad to pick Trucy up when Ryuichi asked him to due to him running the art club at the school. He didn’t mind. He actually was starting to like spending time with her. She took Apollo down to the beach and her ‘castle’. Trucy was very excited about something. Apollo plopped down next to her. Trucy had her book open in her lap. She was quickly flipping through the pages.

“So, Trucy,” said Apollo as Trucy intently skimmed her book. “Anything interesting happen at school today? Your dad said that you guys decorated a hospital ward.” Trucy nodded.

“Yeah, we did. But that’s not the exciting part.” Apollo raised an eyebrow. “I made some progress on Operation Cobra!” Apollo bit back a sigh. Right. That was still a thing.

“Okay. What did you find out about Mom?” he asked, expecting it to be about their mother.

“Nothing.” Apollo stared at her. “Ah-ha! Here it is!” Trucy had opened to the illustration of a young man. He had gray hair and eyes. “I found him!” Apollo looked over Trucy’s shoulder to get a better look at the picture.

“Trucy, who is that?” Trucy flipped through another few pages. She stopped on another illustration. This time, it was of the same person she claimed to have found. He was with someone who looked suspiciously a lot like Ryuichi. They were locked into a kiss.

“He’s Daddy’s true love.” Apollo stared at the image. He groaned.

“Trucy…” Trucy flipped back to the last picture. This was a bit out there, even by Trucy’s standards.

“He was in the hospital. He’s in a coma. And they look exactly alike, I swear. They have the same gray hair.”

“So? Lots of people have gray hair.”

“In the same style? And he looks pretty young. Why would someone at his age have gray hair?”

“It’s called stress, Trucy.”

I wouldn’t be surprised if you started giving me gray hairs by the end of the month. Trucy rapidly shook her head.

“No. It's not that,” she stressed. “Don’t you see what this means, Polly?” Apollo stared at her. Polly ? “The curse is keeping them apart. It put him in a coma so they can’t be together.” Trucy shut her storybook. “Okay. We have to tell Daddy.” Apollo groaned.

“Trucy, does he even—” Before Apollo could finish his sentence, Trucy nodded.

“Yeah. I double checked. Daddy likes both guys and girls.”

But what about Mr. Coma Man?

“Trucy,” said Apollo. “Telling someone that their soulmate is in coma is not a good idea. Especially when said person is your dad.” Trucy slipped her book back into her backpack. “Giving someone unrealistic hope is not a good idea, either.”

“But what if I’m right?” Trucy asked. She and Apollo hopped off of the castle. They began walking back to Apollo’s car. “We know who they are. Now we gotta tell them.” Apollo saw one little problem with that plan. Actually, several, but there was one he could tell Trucy.

“Trucy. He’s in a coma.”

“I’ve figured that out.” Of course she did. “We get Daddy to read their story to him. Then, Daddy will be reminded about the truth. He’ll remember who Mr. John Doe is. Maybe Mr. Doe will remember, too!” Apollo sighed. That was her plan? Reading to him? Compared to most of her ideas, that one seemed pretty tame.

“Okay,” Apollo said with a shrug. Trucy blinked.

“Okay?” she repeated. Apollo nodded.

“Yeah. Why not? But…” Apollo and Trucy came to a stop. “Let me talk to your dad.” Trucy paused for a moment. She agreed.

Apollo felt crazy for doing this, but he went along with it. Trucy reminded him of the plan as he pulled up to number seven. He wasn’t going to get out of this so easily. He bid Trucy goodbye when she ran into the house. Well, now was a better time than any to tell Ryuichi of Trucy’s idea.

“She wants me… to read to a coma patient…?” Ryuichi repeated when Apollo told him about what he and Trucy came up with. Apollo nodded.

“She said that it might help him remember who he was. Or even you,” he said.

“And um… who did she say he was?” Apollo opened his mouth to answer. That’s when he realized; Trucy never told him what the real name of the coma patient supposedly was. Well, that was just great.

“Trucy really didn’t elaborate… but…” Apollo sighed. This was going to be harder than he thought. “She thinks… that John Doe… might be… your…” he sighed again, “your true love.” Ryuichi's eyes went wide.

“She thinks me… and him…” Apollo nodded with a groan. “That would explain what she was asking me earlier…”

“Look, we both know that Trucy has an overactive imagination. I can’t talk her out of this whole curse thing she has going on. So, we need to show her. Play along. And maybe, just maybe…”

“Maybe she’ll see that the fairytales are just that.” Apollo nodded. Now he was getting it. “She’ll see reality.”

“Bingo.” Ryuichi sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“I do have to admit, it is a good plan. We can get to the truth without hurting her.” Apollo was positive that his plan would work in tandem with what Trucy had in mind. “Okay. I’ll go tonight.”

“Perfect. I told Trucy that we would meet up tomorrow at the diner to get a full report.” Ryuichi nodded. They left each other there. Apollo confident that his plan would work. He saw how badly Trucy had been hurt the last time he had tried (or at least, unintentionally) to tell her that the curse wasn’t real. This plan would work. It had to.

After all, what could possibly happen while reading to a coma patient?

Ryuichi thought that this was crazy. Most of Trucy's ideas were, but she seemed so happy when he had told her of his plans that night.

Damn those puppy dog eyes.

Either way, Ryuichi was confident of Apollo’s plan. Nothing could go wrong. It was foolproof.

Ryuichi opened the door to the coma patient’s room. Nothing had changed. He was still sleeping calmly, hooked up to all those monitors and equipment. With the book tucked under his arm, Ryuichi pulled up a chair next to the coma patient’s bedside.

“Okay, before you say anything… well…” There was a theory that people in comas could hear the world around them, but talking while in a coma seemed ridiculous. Ryuichi sighed. “You know what I mean. It’s weird and… crazy but… I’m doing this for my daughter. So… just… bear with me on this.” Ryuichi sighed as he sat down. Trucy had been very specific about the passage she wanted him to read when he gave him her book.

“The one about you and him falling in love! It’s right here. See? Right here.” Ryuichi did have to admit. The illustrations did oddly look like the both of them, he would say that much to Trucy on the matter.

Crazy as the idea was, Ryuichi still went along with it. He sat in that hospital room, reading from the book aloud. The story was longer than he thought. The moon was high in the sky by the time he was neared the end. All the while, there was no reaction from Mr. John Doe.

Ryuichi yawned. Lucky for him, he had reached the end of the story.

“They didn’t need words to express what they felt in their hearts,” said Ryuichi, reading the ending. Finally. “For it was here, in the shadow of the troll bridge that their love had grown and blossomed into something truly beautiful. Where they knew, no matter how they were separated, they would always—” A small gasp escaped his mouth before the sentence could come to an end. The one thing that Ryuichi thought was impossible had happened.

The coma patient grabbed his hand.

Phoenix Wright was a clever man. It’s how he made it as far as he did in his life. But even so, the thief refused to leave his mind. Not to mention, he still had something very important to the prince. So, thanks to Phoenix’s amazing tracking skills (and the fact that he had grown up knowing every inch of the forest), the prince had managed to set the perfect trap. So, he lied in wait.

After a few minutes, Phoenix heard someone shout and the sound of his trap going off. He laughed in his newfound victory. Phoenix strode out from the tree he had hidden behind. The thief was struggling to get out of the net Phoenix had made, and that was currently keeping him suspended off of the ground. His back was towards the prince.

“I told you that I would find you,” said Phoenix, a little bit smug. “You know, it’s ironic that someone like you would become a thief.”

“Aren't you a real ‘prince charming’?” sneered the thief.

“I have a name. And I know that you know it.” The thief eased his struggle. He groaned.

“I don’t care. Charming suits you. Now, cut me down .”

“I will release you.” Phoenix walked over to the rope the was holding up the net. “On one condition. You return what you stole from me. I want my jewels back.”

“Hmm… not the jewelry type.”

“Yeah, I noticed.”

“Are you insulting me?!”

“Maybe.” Phoenix smirked as he leaned up against the tree. He could practically feel the thief rolled his eyes. Unfortunately, the thief still hadn’t seen Phoenix from the position he was in. That didn’t matter. Now was the time to get serious.

“Where are my jewels?” Phoenix asked. “There’s something in there that’s very important to me. It was my mother’s ring.” The thief paused for a moment. He had stopped struggling altogether. “Where is it? You can keep everything else. I just want the ring.” The thief groaned.

“I… sold them.” Phoenix’s face fell.

“You… you sold them?” he stammered. The thief nodded. “You sold my mother’s ring? I was going to give that to—”

“That witch with the bad attitude?” The thief erupted into laughter. Phoenix didn't know how to feel about it. He forced forward a small amount of anger.

“Don’t insult Dollie. She’s my fiancée.” Or at least, she would officially be once Phoenix got the ring back.

“Well, good luck with that. Must be quite the deal you’re getting.” Phoenix blinked.

“Pardon?” The thief leaned back in the net.

“I grew up around these kinds of things. True love? It doesn’t exist.” Phoenix was willing to call bullshit on that. “In the royal life, it’s all arranged marriages and business transactions. There’s no such thing as true love.”

“That’s not true,” Phoenix argued. He was getting rather mad now. What was between him and Dahlia was true love.

“Oh is it? And who are you to say such?”

“Turn around and see.”

“I would if you didn’t have me tied up.” Oh. Whoops. Phoenix had forgotten about that. The prince sighed. Phoenix had an idea.

“Here’s the plan,” Phoenix said to the thief. “I will cut you down. Then, you will take me to whoever in the forest has my ring.”

“You want me to help you get your ring back. Now, answer my question. Why would I do that?”

”Because I don’t think you want me to tell anyone who you are.” Phoenix stepped into the thief’s sight. He was quiet. Phoenix had a confident grin on his face. “It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? Miles Edgeworth.” Miles Edgeworth stared at Phoenix.

“You,” he said. His eyes were focused on Phoenix’s. “You were the peasant boy who hung around the castle. Phoenix Wright.” Now he had got it.

“Good to see that your memory isn’t failing you, Edgeworth.” Edgeworth rolled his eyes.

“What in the world are you doing masquerading as a prince?” Phoenix didn’t know how to answer that.

“That is a very personal… and very long story.” It was one that Phoenix really didn’t have time for. He had to get that ring back. Otherwise, Dollie would get mad at him. Again. “But I do know that if you want to travel these woods, you’ll need my help.” Edgeworth raised an eyebrow. Phoenix withdrew a paper he was hiding. He showed it to his prisoner. Edgeworth’s face drained of color. It was a wanted poster of him. “I found this while trying to look for you.” He folded up the poster and tucked it away. “Again. Here’s the deal. You help me get my ring back, and I’ll make sure that King Von Karma’s forces don’t capture you.” Edgeworth groaned.

“Well, I wouldn’t want to stand in the way of you getting your true love, now would I?” Phoenix grinned. He cut the thief down. Edgeworth landed on the ground with a loud thud and a yelp.

Well that had gone rather smoothly.

Apollo was in a confident state of mind. He was sitting with Trucy in the diner. She had claimed that her dad had overslept, and that he hadn’t gotten home from the hospital until late. Jeez, did he read that entire book?

He had perked up once Ryuichi walked into the diner. Apollo noticed that he seemed visibly shaken. There were bags under his eyes.

“Hey, don’t get your hopes up,” Apollo told Trucy. Ryuichi took a seat next to his daughter. “So, what happened with reading to your ‘true love’?”

As if I don’t already know the answer.

“He woke up.” Apollo’s face went blank.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“I knew it!” Trucy exclaimed, obviously excited by the report. Oh no, this was bad.

“I mean…” Ryuichi said, stumbling over his words. “H-He didn't ‘wake up’ wake up but…” Ryuichi raked a hand through his hair. “He… He grabbed my hand.” He did what now?

“He’s remembering!” Trucy said, tugging at her father’s sleeve. Apollo was having a hard time believing it.

“What did the doctors say?” he asked. Doctors. Doctors had to make some sort of sense, right?

“They said that I imagined it,” Ryuichi explained. “But I know that I’m not crazy. That man grabbed my hand. I know what I saw… what touched me.”

“We have to go back,” said Trucy, nudging her father’s arm. “You have to continue reading to him! Then he’ll remember and wake up!” Apollo and Ryuichi exchanged looks with one another. Apollo sent him a look.

Please don’t. Please don't do it.

“Let’s go.” Goddammit. Ryuichi got up out of the booth. Trucy cheered and followed. Apollo groaned. He left a small bit of cash to pay for what he and Trucy had ordered while waiting. He raced after Ryuichi and Trucy.

“What?!” said Apollo one he caught up to father and daughter. They were already marching towards Storybrooke General Hospital.

“I-If I got through to him…” said Ryuichi. his pace was fast enough that Trucy had to jog just to keep up. “If… If we made some sort of connection… Apollo, I swear. I did something.”

Well, Apollo knew the saying. Like father like daughter.

Apollo had completely failed on trying to convince both Ryuichi and Trucy that it was just a fluke. The coma patient had grabbed at Ryuichi’s hand, he’ll agree with that. But there had to be some scientifically proved explanation for it.

Still. That didn’t stop the Naruhodou family from making their way to the hospital. Apollo groaned as he followed them into the coma ward. His words were falling deaf on their ears. Why were they so stubborn?

When they got to the coma ward, however, there was a different story. Several doctors were in a single room. Standing outside the door was Chihiro. She held out an arm to stop Trucy from getting closer.

“Chihiro, what’s going on?” Ryuichi asked the sheriff. He sounded genuinely worried. “Is it John Doe? Is he okay?”

“He’s missing.” Apollo’s eyes widened before he looked past Chihiro. There was no reaction from his bracelet when she had said that, but he had to see for himself. Unfortunately, there weren’t just doctors in the room. There was also Storybrooke’s mayor. It seemed like Apollo was constantly running into her. She walked out of the room as soon as she locked eyes with him.

“What the hell are you doing here?” she asked once she stepped out of the room. Apollo couldn’t get the chance to answer.

“What happened to John Doe?” Ryuichi asked once more, sounding impatient. “Did someone take him?”

“That, we don’t know,” shared Chihiro. “Ryuichi, relax. So far, from what we can tell, there was no struggle, but his IVs were ripped out. Other than that, there wasn’t much evidence.” That didn’t do much to calm down Ryuichi. Trucy turned to Karuma.

“What did you do?” she asked. Karuma stared down at Trucy, looking the slightest bit hurt.

“You think that I had something to do with this?”

“It is curious that the mayor is here,” said Apollo. Come to think of it, why was Karuma here? There was something he wanted to know.

“I’m here,” said Karuma with a roll of her eyes, “because I’m his emergency contact.”

“You know him?” Ryuichi asked her. Karuma nodded.

“I know him, but not personally.” There was a moment of Apollo’s bracelet tightening on his wrist. “I was the one who found him,” she explained. “He was passed out on the side of the road a couple of years ago with no identification a couple of feet away from a crashed car. No driver’s license, credit cards, anything. So, I brought him here. I saved his life.” Apollo stared at her. Why the hell was she lying about all that?

“Will he be okay?”

“Okay? The man has been on feeding tubes and under twenty-four hour supervision up until now. He must be brought back here immediately, otherwise ‘okay’ might be a fantasy.” Apollo glanced over to Ryuichi. He looked worried beyond any comprehension. Did he really care about him that much? Ryuichi didn’t even know what a man was! But… Karuma sounded serious. There truly was a life on the line. Apollo made a choice.

“Then we should quit chatting and start looking,” he told the small group. Karuma narrowed her eyes in his direction.

“What do you think we’re doing?” said Karuma. She withdrew her whip from her belt. It did nothing to intimidate Apollo. “You just stay out of this, Mr. Apollo Justice.” She turned to Chihiro. “Find John Doe. Immediately. Time is of the essence.” Apollo watched as Karuma walked away. Like hell he was going to stay out of this. The more people that joined the search, the quicker they could find this guy.

Apollo lent his help to Chihiro. Ryuichi was quick to jump on board the search train after sending Trucy home, stating that this was too dangerous for her to get involved. Though she repeatedly protested, Trucy ended up obeying her father’s wish. Apollo was starting to think that Trucy had gotten to him with all of that ‘mr. coma-patient-is-your-true-love’ crap. Either way, they were given a gap of time in which John Doe had last been seen. Twelve hours. The only place that could help now was the security room.

Chihiro was quick to confront the two security guard that had been on duty: two men name Masashi and Keisuke. The questioning began. Apollo never thought he could be intimidated by Chihiro Ayasato in his life. This moment changed that fact.

“You two were the only ones on the floor at the time,” said Chihiro to the security guards after explaining the situation. “And you saw nothing?”

“Not a thing,” said a nervous Keisuke.

“Did anyone walk by?” Apollo added.

“I didn't see anythin’,” said Masashi. Chihiro groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. She turned to the teacher that had come with them.

“Ryuichi,” she said. “Was there anything strange you saw during your trip yesterday? Or when you visited here last night?”

“Besides the fact that he grabbed my hand?” Chihiro nodded at Ryuichi’s question. He wasn’t going to let that go anytime soon, was he? “Other than that, no.” Apollo glanced over at the security tape they had been watching. There was something about it. Apollo took a closer look.

“Um… if this is the tape from last night…” he said, watching the video. “Where are the decorations the kids put up yesterday?” Chihiro took out the tape. She examined the time and date written on the side.

“This is the wrong tape,” she declared. The two guards turned on one another.

“You left again?!” screeched Keisuke.

“Are you selling me out?!

“I can’t get fired for this!”

“At least I don’t sleep on the job!” Chihiro sighed. This was getting ridiculous… and loud. She pushed the two men apart. Apollo silently thanked her.

“Enough, both of you,” she said, almost sounding like an angry mother. “Where’s the real tape?” It didn’t take much to get the real tape out of the two. It was quickly swapped with the false one. Everyone watched as they saw John Doe get up and walk out the door of his own free will.

“He walked out alone,” said Ryuichi sending out a sigh of relief. “He's okay.” Apollo checked the timestamp on the video.

“Four hours ago,” he said. Apollo looked over at Masashi. “Where does this door lead?”

“The woods,” Masashi answered. Apollo felt a lump forming in his throat. The forest surrounding Storybrooke was large, Apollo had seen so himself when driving in. It would take forever to find John Doe in there. And time was running out.

Miles Edgeworth was hating every second of his life. First, it was the huntress. Then, it was the wanted posters. Now, it was this. That boy from the palace. That same boy he used to run around with, tripping in the gardens and stealing from the kitchens… that Phoenix Wright had roped him into some crazy scheme, all while pretending to be a prince. Miles was starting to think robbing the wrong carriage was a bad idea. Why did he go through with the plan when he realized his mistake?

Wright was trailing not that far behind him. It was a few minutes later that he picked up his pace so they were walking side-by-side. The stare he had on Miles was far more irritating than the silence.

“I thought you weren’t the jewelry type.” Miles glanced down at where Wright was looking. The bottle around his neck. He was relieved that it hadn’t opened when Wright had caught him up in that net. “What’s that?”

“It’s a weapon.” Miles held it out to give the phony prince a better look. “Fairy dust.” Wright continued to stare. “What?”

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t fairy dust usually a good thing?” That was enough to almost make Miles laugh. Almost.

“When it comes from a good fairy yes. But this?” He held up the bottle a little bit higher. “It’s from a dark fairy. I… acquired it from an… old friend.” And by that he meant Franziska stole it from her father’s vaults for him. Wright seemed to buy that. Miles tucked away the bottle. “It can transform even the most deadliest enemies into a form that can be easily squashed.”

“Then why didn’t you use it on me?” Miles blinked. That was a good question. Why didn’t he use it on Wright? Was it because he still saw Wright as that little kid that help Miles escape all of those stuffy balls and actually have some fun as a child for once? That he still saw him as a trusted friend?

No. That was impossible. They hadn’t seen each other in over fifteen years. Not since… Miles pushed away that thought and shook his head.

“It’s very hard to come by,” he finally answered after a while. “And I’m uh… saving it for someone special.”

“Someone special?” Miles clenched his hands together. Even just thinking about that man made his blood boil.

“Von Karma.” Wright nodded.

“You have a lot of anger there, don’t you Edgeworth?” Anger wasn’t the right word to describe it.

“All those charges on his posters are lies. I didn’t do anything. I didn’t kill anyone. But, that didn’t stop him from sending a huntress to kill me before I could take the throne.”

“What happened?” Miles shut his eyes as the moment resurfaced in his mind. It was not a pleasant memory, but one that he wouldn’t forget as long as he lived.

“Not all people under Von Karma's employment are heartless beings. She let me go.” And Miles would forever be grateful for that. “I’ve been hiding out here ever since. I'm trying to get enough of a fortune to leave this place, to go somewhere isolated.” Somewhere far away where he could never be hurt.

“That seems pretty lonely.” Miles softly chuckled. This coming from the man so blindly in love with whoever this ‘Dollie’ was.

“No lonelier than an arranged marriage?”

“Hey, it’s not arranged… completely.” Miles bit back more laughter. Wright had always been a hopeless romantic, even at a young age. It was good to see that hadn’t changed. “And I’m not the one who's become a thief. I thought you hated that kind of stuff… criminals and bandits and all of them.”

“It’s not theft if it truly belongs to you to begin with.” Wright just stared. How clueless was this man? “I’ve only ever stolen from Von Karma’s caravans. No one else ever uses that road.”

“... We took the scenic route.”

“All I’m doing, Wright, is what it takes for me to survive. That man wants me dead.”

“Why? What did you do to him?” Miles sighed. That was the thing. He didn’t exactly know. The man had taken him in — raised him. And then he tried to kill him. Miles could really only think of one possible solution. It was the thing that tied all loose threads together.

“I believe I pose a threat. I can usurp the throne from him. You know as well as I do who the rightful heir to that kingdom is.”

“You?” Miles nodded.

“Yes.”

The pair continued on. Miles had enough to get away already. He knew that. The only problem is that Wright had taken it all from him when he had caught the prince. He had to think up a plan, and quick. Nearby, Miles could hear the rushing of a river. That was it.

As soon as they came to that river, Miles gestured towards it.

“May I?” Wright followed to where he was pointing. The make-believe prince didn’t suspect a thing. Both he and Wright crouched down by the river. While Wright was drinking from it, Miles saw his chance. Quickly, he took the bag back from Wright. Before the man could react, Miles kicked him over into the river. He didn’t once look back. He could hear Wright shouting at him. Miles didn’t care. He had gotten away with his prize.

As soon as he thought he was safe, Miles came to a stop at the road, trying to catch his breath. He looked into the bag. All he needed was that small bag filled with gold coins. They would be enough. Unfortunately, Miles would never get to it. Someone grabbed him from behind. Miles viciously kicked at the ground, trying to get away. This could not have happened at the worst possible time.

“Well, well, well. Look at what we have here.” Miles was running out of strength. He looked up at who had spoke. He sneered. Them. Those people he had avoided for so many years. Why now of all days did Von Karma’s guards have to be competent?

“Bite me,” Miles hissed. He struggled and fought against the holds the two guards had on him. Their leader was fairly close. He was close enough for Miles to spit in his face. Which he did.

“You little…” The guard grabbed Miles by the throat. “There’s nowhere for you to hide anymore. The king wants your heart. And we’re not going to disappoint him, now are we?” Miles felt himself tense up.

This day was just getting worse and worse.

The search party for John Doe had moved out into the woods. Apollo had lost track of time. Even if you asked him, he wouldn't be able to respond how long he, Ryuichi and Chihiro had been searching. Chihiro, who was leading the party, came to a halt. Everyone else stopped behind her.

“What is it?” asked Apollo.

“The trail runs out here,” Chihiro said.

“You sure? Because I thought tracking was one of your skills.”

“Just give me a second. This is my world. I got it.” Chihiro ran off forward. Apollo leaned up against a tree, watching her go. He had to admit, she was dedicated to her job.

“Isn’t finding people your thing too?” Ryuichi asked once Chihiro had disappeared behind a bush. Apollo shook his head.

“Probably not anymore. I don’t think many people get arrested around here for me to bail them out.”

“Unless you’re Mikumo, than no.” Apollo chuckled. Now, that was funny… and it would probably explain why she was in the jail cell with him on the first full day Apollo had in Storybrooke. “It is an interesting job… being a bail bondsman. How’d that happen?” Apollo bit down on his tongue. Okay, that was a story he didn’t have fun telling.

“Well um… looking for people… it’s something that I’ve always done.” Well, looking for one person. Apollo really didn’t make that his job until he was about nineteen. But Ryuichi didn’t need to know that.

“Your parents?” Apollo shot Ryuichi a look. The teacher held up his hands in a defensive position. “Whoa, hey. Trucy told me about your mom. How the plan is for you two to look for her and all that. I just assumed.” Apollo sighed.

“My mom? Yes. My dad. I know where he is. He went to Heaven.”

“O-Oh.” Apollo nodded.

“Yeah. I-It’s a personal story. I don’t want to talk about—” Apollo was cut off by the sound of a stick breaking. Hoping it was John Doe, he and Ryuichi turned around. Unfortunately, it wasn't the missing person.

“Trucy!” exclaimed Ryuichi as his daughter ran down the hill to meet them.

“Did you find him yet?” Trucy asked. She was acting like she was supposed to be here.

“No, not yet,” replied Apollo. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“But I can help! I know where he’s going.”

“And where’s that?” Ryuichi asked. Trucy turned to him. There was that look in her eyes. That small spark of innocence and hope.

“He’s looking for you.”

Miles fought against his captors. The two guards that had caught him slammed him up against a tree. He kicked against the ground as the leader of the guards pulled out a dagger.

“Hold him still.” Miles would not be still and just let someone kill him. This wasn’t how it was going to end. Not like this. The guard held the dagger over Miles's chest, ready to strike.

I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die. I don’t want to—

There was a thud. The dagger-wielding guard feel to the ground. A knife was sticking out of his back.

“Hey!” Wright. Phoenix Wright, the boy who used to cry when he fell in the gardens, had just thrown a knife at someone and saved Miles's life. He wouldn't admit this out loud, but Wright did have impeccable aim.

The hold the guards had on Miles slackened as Wright ran towards them, drawing his sword. Miles took the chance to wretch himself out of the hold the two remaining guards hand on him. They outnumbered Wright. Lucky for the pretend prince, Miles was raised as a real one.

And that he noticed a sword hanging off of the saddle of one of the guard’s horses. He ran for it. Unfortunately, fate was a cruel mistress to Miles Edgeworth that day. He had forgotten there were two guards.

The guard seized Miles, pulling him up onto the horse and riding away. Shit. This was no the way it was going to end. Miles Edgeworth refused to let it. He had to get the sword. If he would just the damned sword…

There was the whizzing of an arrow. The guard that held Miles captive fell off of the horse. Miles felt relief wash over him. He righted himself upon the creature and eased the horse to a stop. His heart was beating wildly. That had been too close. Miles saw his savior.

Wright ran towards him, ditching a bow that Miles suspected he snagged off of one of the guards.

“You alright?” Wright asked as the horse calmed down. Miles nodded. That had been far too close for comfort. He stared at Wright.

“You…” he said, still trying to understand what had just happened. “You saved me. Twice.”

“It was the honorable thing to do.” Wright was smiling as he unnecessarily helped Miles off of the horse. Miles stared at him, eyebrow raised.

“What’s with that look?”

“Nothing. I guess you can say that we’re even. You saved my life, so I saved yours.” Miles stared at him. When had Miles ever saved Wright’s life?

“What are you talking about?” Wright’s face fell for a moment. It was a split second before it returned to that stupid grin.

“Are you ready to go?” Wright held up something. It had been that bag Miles was looking for earlier. If it wasn’t damaged, all the gold he had gotten would still be in there.

“Right,” said Miles. The two walked on forward. “You have a wedding to prepare for.” Wright nodded. “The trolls that I sold them to aren’t that far from here.” Wright paled.

“Uh… trolls? D-Did you say trolls?” Miles looked over at Wright as they strolled through the forest.

“Yes. Why?” Wright was quiet. “Wright, are you… are you scared?”

“What? Me? Scared? Scared of what? I’m not scared of anything!” Miles gave him a look. “Okay. Maybe a little bit.”

“Given your skill with a sword, I wouldn’t be worried.” Wright grinned. Miles could see a small blush to his face. “Where did you learn how to do that?” Wright shrugged.

“That… is a very long story. Let's just say someone was doing something bad, and a friend helped me out.” Miles softly laughed.

“You’re full of stories, aren’t you?” Wright shrugged. Oh well. It wasn’t like Miles didn’t have his own ‘long stories’ that he couldn’t tell either. “What I’m saying is, that all you need to do is stay calm, and you’ll be fine. Let’s hurry.”

“Yes. You’ve got an isolated area you need to get to.”

“And you’ve got a ringless fiancée to please.”

“... yeah…” Miles stared at Wright as they walked down the road. There was something about him. There was something… different. It didn’t look like the same Phoenix Wright he knew when he was younger, but inside — his heart— was still the same. It was a good thing to see that there was still some innocence in this world. It brought back sweet memories. Much more pleasant memories that surfaced in Miles's head, things that he thought he had pushed down. Happier memories… his father… his childhood… the day he had met Wright.

Wait… Miles glanced over to the man next to him. Is that what he meant when he saved that Miles had saved his life before? Yes… That had to be it. It was a rather eventful ball, if Miles had to say so himself. Miles had met his greatest childhood friends that day. He had met Wright.

Phoenix Wright. The boy who had made living at the palace more bearable. Miles had dwelled on those memories, keeping them close to his heart while stuck in that miserable place. One was kept particular close, and was lived over and over again in the past.

The day that Wright and his mother moved away…  Two eleven year old boys running towards one another… it had been raining… a soft kiss.  Miles felt his face flare up at the memory.

“Huh? Are you okay, Edgeworth? You’re looking a little bit… red.”

“Y-Yes. I’m fine. Don’t worry about it.”

He bit down on his tongue. No, Phoenix Wright was engaged. Those were ridiculous feelings from his childhood. It had been fifteen years. Miles thought they would have gone away by now.

Wright was engaged, and that was that. Miles just had to remind himself of that fact over and over again until it stuck.

Together, Miles Edgeworth and Phoenix Wright marched on towards the troll bridge.

Apollo, Chihiro, Trucy, and Ryuichi were still searching for John Doe. Trucy was still with them. They couldn't get the girl to return back into town. She was still trying to argue for pro-curse. Trucy really believed that she was right about the reason John Doe woke up.

“You’re the one who woke him up, Daddy!” Trucy argued as they continued on forward. “You were the last one he saw! You read the end of the book, just like I did. He wants to find you!” Ryuichi came to a stop. He turned, getting onto his knees to face his daughter at her height.

“Trucy,” said Ryuichi, putting his hands on her shoulders. “He’s just… He’s lost a-and confused. He’s been in a coma for a very, very long time.”

“No! It's because he loves you, Daddy! You need to stop chasing him and let him find you. That was the promise he made to you. He said he was going to find you. You need to let him find you!” Ryuichi sighed. Apollo turned back to help the father convince his daughter.

“Trucy, it’s too dangerous out here right now,” he said, trying to use the most logical argument to get Trucy to go home. “You need to go. Like… right now.”

“No!” Apollo groaned. She was as stubborn as he was. Maybe they really were related.

“Guys!” shouted Chihiro in the distance. The group ran over to where the sheriff was. She shined a flashlight upon her discovery.

Caught on a plant was a hospital bracelet. It was speckled with red, but the name was clear to read. It was John Doe’s. There was a trail of large, red droplets beyond it.

“Is that…” said Ryuichi, pulling in Trucy close.

“Blood,” Apollo finished for him. Their countdown clock just got cut in half. They had to be quick and find John Doe before it was too late.

Phoenix had been shaking from the moment Edgeworth mentioned the word ‘trolls’. Trolls. Why did it have to be trolls? Why couldn’t have been a twenty-foot dragon? Phoenix new that he could handle one of those and not get himself killed. But trolls? Phoenix felt like he was going to die. But… Edgeworth seemed like he knew what he was doing.

Edgeworth held out his arm to stop Phoenix from going any further. They had come to the edge of an old, dilapidated bridge.

“Follow me and keep quiet,” Edgeworth said, his tone a warning one. Phoenix didn’t feel like he had room to argue. The pair quietly crept onto the bridge. Phoenix looked around. It looked like a normal, rundown bridge.

“Where are they?” Phoenix whispered, slightly confused.

“Oh, they're here. Just watch.” Edgeworth took the small pouch Phoenix had been keeping a hold of. He dumped a small amount of gold coins into his hand before placing them on the edge of the bridge. He gestured for Phoenix to step back. The prince almost screamed when the large, disgusting looking creatures crawled up from under the bridge. Edgeworth was surprisingly close to Phoenix.

“Why're you here?” growled one of the trolls towards Miles. He was keeping surprisingly calm. Phoenix was internally panicking and trying to keep his hand from going towards his sword.

“I want to make another trade,” Edgeworth told the creatures. Phoenix felt a shiver run up his spine as one of the trolls made eye contact with him.

“I’m not talking in front of him. Who is this guy?”

“He’s no one you need to be concerned about.” Phoenix balled up his hands. “I just want to buy back the jewels I sold you.”

“Who is he?” Phoenix bit down on the inside of his cheek to keep himself from talking. One single word out of him was all it could take.

“That is none of your concern,” said Edgeworth, a bit more forceful this time. “I’ll give you back all of the gold you paid me. Just give me the ring. You can keep everything else.” Phoenix felt the most tense as one of the trolls went to give him back the pouch Edgeworth had stolen in the first place.

“Thank you,” said Phoenix, reaching out to take the pouch back. “I appreciate the help.”

“He’s too eager.” Oh no. “This is a set-up.”

“It’s not!” Edgeworth protested.

“He’s a royal!” Oh shit. The trolls seized Edgeworth. Quick as he could, Phoenix drew his sword.

“Let him go!” he commanded, trying not to show his fear. That didn’t stop the subtle shake of his sword hand.

“No!” Edgeworth wasn’t fighting against the trolls like he had been the guards. “You can trust me! I promise! If I wanted to set you up, I would have!”

“The time for dealing is done,” said one of the trolls. He turned to Phoenix. “Seize him!” Phoenix didn’t have time to react. The trolls grabbed him. He lost his grip on his sword. It clattered onto the stone bridge. Phoenix didn’t stop struggling as they searched his person. Phoenix cursed himself for being so stupid as to not ditch the wanted poster as the trolls found it.

“Miles Edgeworth.” The troll who had pulled it out held it up next to Edgeworth's face. “The Exiled Prince. Quite the reward. Take him.” Phoenix felt himself grow tense. His heart picked up its pace. No. No, no, no. He didn’t want them to take Edgeworth. He couldn't let them.

Phoenix pulled himself off of the trolls. He sntached up his sword off of the ground. It was instinct that was only guiding him now. He attacked the trolls holding Edgeworth captive. He watched as Edgeworth ran from them. Phoenix struck another one of the trolls, knocking it off of the bridge. He ran to chase after his former prince.

Or he would have, had it not been for one of the trolls grabbing his legs and tripping him.

Phoenix was inches away from falling off of the bridge. It was that, or get his head bashed in by the trolls. Either outcome didn't look good.

“Royal blood is the sweetest of all…” Phoenix was seconds away from death. And he would have been killed too, if it wasn't for a cloud of dust surrounding the troll that was about to turn his skull into an unrecognizable mess. The troll had disappeared.

Standing on the opposite side of the bridge was Miles Edgeworth. He held the bottle of fairy dust. The dust itself was in his other hand. The remaining trolls came at him. Edgeworth blew the dust into their faces. Just like their companion, the trolls disappear. Phoenix scrambled to his feet, picking up his sword. It was then he realized the dust hadn’t made the trolls disappear. It had done its job.

When Edgeworth said that the dust would make an enemy ‘easy to squash’, Phoenix didn't expect it to turn them into bugs.

Edgeworth walked over as Phoenix sheathed his sword. Phoenix looked up at him as he dusted himself off.

“You…” said Phoenix, still trying to catch his breath. “You saved my life.”

“Now we’re even,” said Edgeworth. He walked over to the fallen supplies. He picked up the pouch the trolls had dropped. “You’ve saved my life twice, now I’ve saved yours twice.” Phoenix smirked.

“So you do remember?”

“The first time? Yes. How could I forget? It’s how we met.” Phoenix grinned. It was a bittersweet memory, but he loved the end result. He had gotten one of his greatest friends out of the situation. Edgeworth looked down at the bottle he had in his hands. It was empty.

“Anyway, how could I let you die?” Edgeworth continued. “...Charming.” Phoenix felt his heart skip a beat as Edgeworth called him that.

“I um…” Phoenix stammered. “Thank you. Again.” They locked eyes for a moment. Phoenix felt his face heat up as he stared at Miles Edgeworth. It wasn’t like Phoenix had ever forgotten him. He hadn’t forgotten the way he made him feel. It was just that… he didn't remember how it truly felt. Memories couldn’t replace the real thing. Memories… Memories of two boys in the rain. Phoenix was redder than an apple.

“We should go.” Edgeworth broke the stare. Phoenix felt his face slowly return to normal. “There may be more.”

“Oh. Right.” The two strolled off of the troll bridge. Phoenix was glad to be rid of that place. And he was glad to have Miles Edgeworth by his side in the shadow of the bridge.

The four were still combing the woods. They had to be quick. If they were even a second too late… Ryuichi really didn’t want to think about that.

They followed the trail of blood spatter down the Storybrooke’s old toll bridge. It had been out of use for as long as anyone could remember, despite the bridge being in perfectly usable condition. The water of a river rushed underneath. The group leaned over the edge of the bridge before exploring the water.

“Where is he?” said Ryuichi, shining a light over the water. It had grown dark outside very quick. “Can you see him?”

“The trail dies at the waterline,” Chihiro said. Ryuichi thought about this. He couldn’t have just disappeared. People don’t just disappear under normal circumstances. He shined the light over the water. If he wasn’t on the shore, then he had to be…

Ryuichi spotted a familiar silhouette. His light felt upon it. The blue hospital gown was more than a cause for alarm. He dropped his flashlight.

“Oh my God!” he cried out. It was the only thing he could think of to do. Instinct took over. He, Chihiro and Apollo rushed over to where John Doe was laying in the water. It had been shallow, which had to be a good sign, right? Right? He had to be okay. He just had to.

“I need an ambulance!” called Chihiro over the small radio she had attached to her shoulder. “At the old toll bridge, A.S.A.P!” The three adults made it to the man. With their combined strength, they were able to pull him out of the water. The trio carried him to shore. That’s when Ryuichi noticed something. The man wasn't breathing. Panic took over.

“No, no, no, no, no! No, no, no! I found you!”

“It’s going to be okay,” said Apollo.

“Help Is coming,” Chihiro added. Their words fell dead on Ryuichi’s ears. John Doe wasn't breathing. That kept the panic flowing.

“Is he okay?” asked Trucy. Apollo turned to her, shielding the girl away from the sight.

“Trucy…” said Apollo.

“Is he going to be okay?”

“Trucy, don’t look. Okay? Don’t look.” Ryuichi could think of only on thing to do. He began repeatedly pushed down on the man’s chest with his hands in a desperate attempt at CPR. It was the only thing he could do now. After several attempts, nothing happened.

“Come back to us,” he muttered, choking on his own voice. “Come back to me.” There was one last thing to do. Ryuichi put his mouth to the John Doe’s as a last resort to revive him. There was a beat. No one moved.

When it seemed like death was inevitable, John Doe started breathing again. He coughed up the water in his lungs, sputtering it back out. He looked at Ryuichi. He felt his heart skip a beat.

“You saved me,” said John Doe.

“He did it. He did it!” cheered Trucy. “He woke him up.”

“Yeah, Trucy,” said Apollo. “He did.” It seemed to be a miracle. There was no plausible way John Doe should have been alive.

“Thank you,” said John Doe to Ryuichi.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“I don’t know.”

“It’s okay. You’re going to be okay.”

Not long after the John Doe had been resuscitated, the ambulance finally arrived. Ryuichi had only felt so relieved one other time in his life, and that was only a few days ago when Apollo returned Trucy to him. He watched as the John Doe was taken care of by the hospital’s medical staff. He was okay. He was going to be okay. And Ryuichi could never feel happier.

Without so much as a warning, a woman with dark hair pulled back into a bun pushed past Ryuichi and into the room. He stared at her. What the heck just happened? He couldn’t hear what she was saying, but the look on her face was enough. She was crying. The smile on her face made it appear to be tears of joy. Ryuichi was even more confused.

“Um… what?” said Apollo. He, Chihiro and Trucy were still at the hospital with Ryuichi. They appeared as oblivious as the art teacher was.

“Who was that?”

“His wife.” All four turned. Miss Karuma was standing right behind them.

They didn’t stop for what felt like hours. Phoenix wanted to put as much distance between them and the trolls as possible. He really didn’t want to have to deal with them again. Phoenix looked down at the pouch he was still holding. As they left, he had taken back the gold coins Edgeworth initially offered up to the nasty things.

“You might want this back,” said Phoenix. He held the pouch out to Edgeworth. He stared at it for a moment.

“Right,” said Edgeworth. “The gold. And you can’t get married without this.” He handed back the jewels. They swapped between one another. Phoenix opened the small bag. Ah-ha. He took out the ring. It was still there. Thank the heavens. Edgeworth was staring at it.

“Not exactly your style, is it?” Phoenix said, trying to make it a joke.

“Well, there’s only one way to find that out, isn’t there?” Edgeworth took the ring from him. He slid it on to his own finger. Phoenix felt his heart skip a beat. It had been a perfect fit. Something deep down inside of him wanted to keep the ring on that finger.

Edgeworth took the ring off.

“You're right, it's not for me at all,” he said, a little bit too quick. He deposited the ring back into Phoenix’s hand. “I'm sure that your fiancée will love it.” Phoenix blinked. Fiancée? He didn't have a…

Oh. Right. Dahlia. How could he forget about her? He was in love with her after all… right? Something constricted his heart as he thought about his engagement. It brought more pain than happiness now.

“If you need anything else…” said Phoenix, holding out the bag to Edgeworth. “You can take the rest. I just need the ring." Edgeworth forced that bag back into Phoenix’s hands.

“No. I'm fine, thank you.” There was an awkward pause. “It looks like we got what we both wanted.”

“Well, wherever it is you're going… be careful.” Phoenix didnt want him to go. “… If you need anything—”

“You'll find me?”

“Always.” Phoenix could feel the sincerity in Edgeworth’s smile.

“I almost believe that.” They started to walk in opposite directions.

“Well…” said Phoenix to the prince. “Goodbye, Miles Edgeworth.” Why was that so painful to say?

“Yes… Goodbye… Phoenix Wright.” The parted right then and there. Phoenix looked over his shoulder. Edgeworth hadn't looked back.

As he watched Miles Edgeworth leave, Phoenix felt his heart sink. He was starting to second guess his engagement. The relationship between him and Dahlia Hawthorne… Phoenix was starting to think that wasn’t true love at all.

He was starting to believe that true love was the pain he was feeling watching his former prince walk away.

Apollo couldn't believe the truth behind the John Doe. Well, he could. It wasn't like he wanted to. But Karuma had given all the information she had to the doctors. The mystery woman collaborated her story. It was time for her to tell John Doe's rescuers.

“His name is Reiji Mitsurugi. And that’s his wife, Ichiru,” explained Karuma, gesturing to the room behind her. “And the joy on her face, well, it’s put me in quite the forgiving mood.” At that moment, Ichiru walked out of the room.

“Thank you,” she said with a tear-filled smile. “Thank you for finding my husband.”

“I-I don't understand,” said Ryuichi. He seemed to be in as much disbelief as Apollo. “You didn't… You didn't know he was here?”

“A few years ago, Reiji and I… we got into a pretty bad fight. It was my fault, I know that. I was being difficult… And I told him that if he didn't like things, he could leave. And he uh… he did. When they found his car totaled on the side of the road, I thought I had lost him forever. But… now, I get to do something I've wanted to do forever. I get to apologize.”

“That’s… That's wonderful.” Apollo felt his bracelet tighten. He looked over at Ryuichi. Though there was a smile on his face, Apollo could tell that he had forced it. There was an obvious pain in his eyes. A doctor stepped out of the room.

“Well, it’s something of a miracle,” he told them.

“He’s okay?” asked Ichiru.

“Ah, physically, he’s on the mend, um, his memory is another issue. It may take time to return. If it returns that is.” Apollo sighed. They had made it. They had cut it rather close, but they had made it. Reiji was going to live.

“What brought him back?” asked Ryuchi. He was asking the right question here. Apollo put a hand over Trucy’s mouth before she could give her own explanation, which would probably be something about Ryuichi being his true love and all that.

“That’s the thing,” said the doctor. “There’s no explanation. Something just… clicked in him.”

“He just got up and decided to go for a stroll?” said Apollo. It didn’t seem all that believable. Trucy took Apollo’s hand off of her face.

“When he woke up, and he was delirious. His first instinct was to go find something, I guess.”

“Or someone,” whispered Trucy, looking to her father. Ryuichi just patted her hair.

“Can I see him?” Ichiru asked the doctor.

“Yeah, of course,” They disappeared inside of the hospital room. As soon as they were gone, the smile on Ryuichi’s face was gone, too. Not soon after, Karuma disappeared down the hall. A thought popped into Apollo’s head. How did Karuma find Ichiru? It made no sense. And how did the woman not know that her husband was even here? Apollo’s train of thought was cut off by a sigh. It had come from Ryuichi. Apollo was right. By that sound, he was incredibly disappointed.

“Come on, Trucy,” he said to his daughter. “Let’s go.” Trucy tugged on her father’s sleeve to stop him.

“Don't believe them,” she said. Trucy was still so optimistic about Reiji being her father’s true love. “You were the one he was looking for.”

“Trucy…” said Ryuichi, an expression of annoyed pain on his face.

“He was going to the Troll Bridge. It’s like the end of the story.” Ryuichi shook his head.

“Trucy, he was going there because it’s the last thing I read to him.”

“No, it’s because you belong together.”

“Trucy…” Ryuichi looked back at Apollo. Both were at a loss for words. Father and daughter soon left. Apollo hated seeing his friend like that. Wait. Friend? Did he just… he saw Ryuichi as his friend. And right now, his friend was hurting.

Apollo had a choice to make. Who should he go after? Karuma or Ryuichi and Trucy?

Ryuichi sat on staircase. He had woken up today feeling so good about what had happened last night. And then… he lost it. He had lost it as quickly as he had gotten it. As if he had it to begin with  He was actually starting to believe that Trucy might have been right. It would have explained why he cared about John Doe… Reiji so much.

But he was married. He had a wife. It didn't matter how Ryuichi felt. He had to stiff upper lip and move on. Why the hell did Ryuichi care so much? They hadn't even exchanged words until today.

Had Ryuichi fallen in love with a coma patient? No, that was crazy. It sounded like something out of a soap opera.

“Daddy?” Ryuichi looked at the top of the stairs. Trucy was standing there. He sighed as she came down the stairs to sit next to him.

“Hey Trucy,” he said. “Did you finish your homework?” She nodded.

“Are you okay?” Ryuichi sighed, pulling in his daughter for a one-sided hug.

“Yeah. Daddy’s just… a little hurt is all.”

“Is it because of what happened today?” Ryuichi slowly nodded. “Do you think I was right?”

“I don't know, Trucy.” The whole concept seemed ridiculous. But if it was ridiculous, why did it hurt so much? “There's nothing we can really do about it now.”

“Because of Mr. Mitsurugi’s wife?” Once again, Ryuichi nodded. “She was happy to be with him again. I don’t want to make her upset…”

“I know, Trucy.”

“I was just trying to help. He’s your true love.”

“I know.”

“I wanted you to be happy… But now you’re sad.” Ryuichi sighed, pulling in his daughter close.

“I’m not sad.” He was lying. But if Trucy couldn’t see that, she wouldn’t know the truth. “It’s just… going to take a while to understand these things and figure out what to do. Okay?” Trucy nodded into his shirt. Good. If Trucy wasn’t upset, that would make things easier.

The small father-daughter moment was interrupted by a knocking at the front door. Truy wriggled out of her father’s hold and ran over to the window to see who was waiting. Her face lit up.

“Daddy, Apollo’s outside!” Ryuichi raised an eyebrow as he got up off of the stairs. What was Apollo doing here? The man opened the door. Sure enough, Trucy had been telling the truth. Standing outside Number Seven was Apollo Justice.

“Apollo? Is something wrong?” Apollo was quiet for a moment. Trucy came around to the door. He glanced down at her before clearing his throat.

“I was in the neighborhood and um…” Apollo stammered, rubbing his hand over his bracelet. “I-I’m really sorry to bother you and all but…”

“Apollo, you didn't bother us. What’s on your mind?” Apollo sighed, dropping his hands down to his sides and looking up to Ryuichi.

“I was wondering… is that spare room still available?” Ryuichi smiled.

“Does that mean you’re staying in Storybrooke?” asked Trucy with a small gasp. Apollo nodded.

“Yeah.” Trucy squealed before tackling Apollo onto the porch in joyous laughter. Ryuichi felt his mood lift. Maybe today wasn’t all that bad.

Chapter Text

Phoenix loved when his mother would be hard at work with the ovens. He also loved it when she let him help. He loved it when Larry stayed with them while his father was off on business. The boy loved most of all when all three happened at once. Larry seemed to think otherwise.

“Why are we doing this?” Phoenix’s friend groaned as his mother took out the pastries that have been thoroughly baked in the oven.

“Because, Larry,” said the woman. She placed them on the table in front of the two boys to let them cool. “The king is hosting a ball tonight in honor of the prince’s birthday.” Phoenix blinked.

“A ball?” Phoenix repeated. His mother nodded.

“It’s another name for a fancy party. Everyone who is invited gets all dressed up. There’s music and dancing and food.” She swatted Larry’s hand away from the cooling plate with a small rag. “That’s where we come in.”

“So…” Phoenix looked around the kitchen. The treats and goodies that his mother had made — along with help from Phoenix and Larry — throughout the day were still sitting in the kitchen. And there was more than enough to feed at least the whole kingdom in Phoenix’s mind.

“Yes,” said his mother, sounding a bit irritated. “And, because we were commissioned by the king, we get invited too.” Phoenix's eyes lit up.

“Really?” His mother laughed at her son’s enthusiasm.

“Phoenix Wright, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you are excited to go to this ball.” Phoenix could hear Larry snickering beside him. “Larry, you’re coming too.” That put a stop to his laughter quickly. “Both of you. I’m going to start loading these up to get delivered. You two go get dressed. And make sure to dress nicely!” Phoenix ave his mother a nod. The two boys ran out of the kitchen.

He had heard stories of people who went to balls. They were mostly from nobles that would come in and out of bakery who had stopped by because they had heard of how delicious their goods were. Tales of beautiful ballgowns and dazzling suits… of princes and princesses dancing the night away. It seemed so magical to Phoenix.

He wouldn’t admit it to Larry, but Phoenix was more than excited to go to the ball tonight.

Now that Apollo had made himself a permanent resident of Storybrooke, he didn’t feel quite as strange walking down the street anymore. He already had a place to live, and that was with Trucy and Ryuichi. All that was left was to look for a job. Well, look for a job and wait for his stuff to arrive from Seattle. Now that he thought about it, his belongings should be arriving in Storybrooke that day…

But that really wasn’t what Apollo was concentrating on right now. He was listening to Trucy talk as he walked her to school. Apollo had told her that she really didn’t need to beg Ryuichi the way she had been doing the past few days for Apollo to walk her. The thing was that Ryuichi was a teacher at the school. He usually was out of the house by the crack of dawn.

It didn’t make sense for Apollo that he and Trucy left at different times. Trucy had explained that her dad got to the school about a half an hour before her, and usually rode a bike there (she had told Apollo that he didn’t have a license, despite the fact that the man was thirty-three). Apollo was still wondering about this when he caught the tail end of Trucy’s rant.

“Hey, do you think that we need codenames?” Apollo blinked. He looked over to her.

“Codenames? For what?”

“Polly, have you been listening at all?” Again, she’s calling me that. “Apollo!”

“Yeah… yeah…” Trucy’s glare pierced him. Dammit. She could tell when people were lying too. That wasn’t going to work on her. “No, not really. I got… distracted.” Trucy groaned.

“Should we have codenames for Operation Cobra? Duh.” Right. Trucy’s plan for breaking ‘curse’ on the town.

“Yeah, but isn't ‘cobra’ our codename?” Apollo asked her. Trucy shook her head.

“Nope. That's just our mission. I mean codenames for you and me.”

“Oh.” Apollo was actually thinking about this. He shrugged. It didn't seem like an important detail. “Just call me Apollo for now, okay?” They had reached the gates of the school. Trucy nodded.

“Okay then. I'll see you later!” Trucy waved goodbye to him as she rushed into the school. Apollo sighed. Trucy was still on the whole Operation Cobra thing. He thought that he and Ryuichi would put that flame out without hurting Trucy. Then again, Reiji Mitsurugi waking up from his coma probably didn't help with that at all.

Apollo turned to leave when he heard the loud, brief call of a police siren. He jumped before catching sight of the police car in front of the school. Chihiro was getting out of it.

“Nice job on giving me a heart attack,” Apollo said as the sheriff walked up to him. His heart was still pounding. “Are you arresting me again?” Chihiro shook her head. Well, that was a weight off of Apollo’s shoulders.

“I'm thanking you, actually,” said Chihiro as she leaned up against the car. Apollo blinked. “For helping us find that coma patient the other day.” Oh, right. That was a thing that happened. “I owe you one. Actually… I think I can give you one.”

“One?” Apollo asked, giving Chihiro a look. “One what?”

“How about one job? Rather a job.” Apollo stared at her, eyes wide. Was she being serious? “I heard you talking with Ryuichi yesterday. The two of you aren't exactly the quietest people. And there's not a lot of bail bonding going on in Storybrooke.”

“What about sheriffing?” Chihiro laughed. She held out a piece of paper to Apollo. Written upon it was a series of numbers. A phone number.

“If you ever change your mind, give me a call.” Apollo looked down at the number as Chihiro drove away. He sighed. He really did need a job. But his first priority right now was getting settled into Storybrooke. He pocketed the number.

The night sky was lit up in a colorful array of explosions. Phoenix had found the perfect spot to watch them. It had been high up on a balcony, away from the ballroom. He could watch them from a spot that was almost close enough to touch them. It was truly magical.

“What are you doing out here?” Phoenix jumped, not expecting anyone to find him there. Standing at the door to the balcony was a young boy around Phoenix’s age with dark hair. The boy was dressed far more fancier than Phoenix was. He looked familiar. He was probably a nobleman’s son or something.

“I… I was just… Sorry,” was all Phoenix could muster. The boy stepped out from the entryway and walked over to Phoenix. “J-Just watching the show…” He looked back up at the dancing lights.

“They're just fireworks,” said the unknown boy with a shrug.

“To you, maybe. I used to be able to watch them from my house. It's so different seeing them up close…” The boy joined Phoenix’s side. “It's like magic.”

“Magic?” Phoenix nodded.

“Yeah. What about you?” The boy stared at Phoenix. “The fireworks.” The boy just gave a little shrug.

“They are… loud.” Phoenix bit down on a small giggle. “What's so funny?”

“If you find them so loud, why are you out here?” The boy opened his mouth, but shut it quickly. Phoenix had a decent point. “You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.”

“I’d rather not.”

“Then just sit here and watch the fireworks with me.” The boy gave Phoenix a stare. Phoenix returned it. “What?”

“Nothing,” said the boy. He hadn't left Phoenix’s side.

“You don't have to go back to the ball right away, do you?” The boy hesitated in his answer.

“Well… I have to. I don't want to, but I have to.”

“You don't have to do anything.” The boy stared at Phoenix like he had grown a second head. “No one can make you do anything you don't want to do. Everyone has a choice.” The boy was quiet. He sat down next to Phoenix on the balcony.

“No one has ever told me that before.”

“Really?” Was noble life really like that? Phoenix would hate having his freedom taken away. He wouldn't even have the choice to go where he wanted. The boy nodded. Phoenix grinned. He held out his hand. “My name's Phoenix, by the way. Phoenix Wright.” The boy stared at Phoenix’s welcoming gesture. He hesitated before shaking his hand.

“Introductions aren't necessary. I think you know who I am.” Phoenix really didn't. He shook his head. “You don't recognize me?” Phoenix nodded. The boy stared at him, bewildered for a moment. At long last, he seemed to relax. “I'm—"

“Nick!” Phoenix recognized that voice. It was Larry. He was standing at the door. “Your mother is looking for you.” Phoenix groaned. He didn't want to leave the balcony. He sighed.

“Well… I got to go.” He got up off of the smooth ground. “It was nice meeting you!” The boy never got to tell Phoenix his name.

Phoenix left the balcony, following after his friend. But Larry had always been quicker than him. It wasn't long before Phoenix lost sight of Larry. He groaned. Now he was stuck in a large palace alone with no idea where he was going.

He turned the corner to find a long hallway. He was sure this was the path he had taken to get to the balcony in the first place. As soon as Phoenix entered the hall, he heard something hit the floor. His curiosity only grew.

“Hello?” he called out. There was no answer. Phoenix caught sight of a blurry figure duck away from the hall. He shook his head. He had to have been imagining things.

Phoenix walked forward. He was halfway down the hall when he found what had made that clanging noise. Sitting on the floor were several bejeweled ornaments. Phoenix got down on the floor and picked them up. He wasn't thinking.

He didn't notice someone had caught him with the jewels in his hands until it was too late. A servant girl had walked out of a room. She saw Phoenix.

“Thief!” cried out the servant girl. Phoenix snapped to attention. “Thief!” He was shaking. No. No, that wasn't right. The jewels clattered to the ground. “Thief in the palace!”

Apollo felt like that day in Storybrooke was going to be normal, and he was damn sure to keep it that way. No crashing into signs, no being arrested and no coma patients wandering around in the woods.

Mikumo placed his coffee order in front of him. He took it with pleasure. And then his morning was promptly ruined by Mei Karuma sitting across from him as soon as he took a swig from the mug.

“How was your walk with Trucy?” asked Karuma. Apollo almost choked on his coffee. “Don’t act like that. I'm the mayor. I know everything.” Well that definitely wasn't creepy at all.

“What do you want?” Apollo asked after his his near choking fit had ceased.

“You no longer worry me, Mr. Apollo Justice.” Apollo didn't feel his bracelet tighten. Despite the fact that Karuma telling him the truth, Apollo still didn't quite trust her. Any hopes of trust between them had been lost when she had tricked him into hurting Trucy a few days ago.

“What?” said Apollo, taking another swig from his coffee cup.

“I did a little digging into your past.” And Apollo choked on his coffee again. Please tell me she didn't… “It call comes down to the number seven.” Apollo sighed. She didn't know.

“Seven?” he asked.

“Besides being the address of your current residence, it is also the number of addresses you've had in the past ten years. And yes, I'm counting all of the foster homes you have lived in. The longest place you've stayed anywhere is two years. Really, what did you enjoy about Orlando so much?” Apollo tightened his grip around the mug in his hands.

“If that's what you're concerned about, don't bother. I've found a place to stay in this town.”

“Yes, with Ryuichi Naruhodou and his daughter.” Damn, she really did know everything. “But that's not my point, Mr. Apollo Justice. If you want something to grow, you have to give it roots. And you? You don't have any.” Apollo was holding onto his coffee a little bit too tightly.

“You don't know me.”

“No, I think I do.” Apollo was dangerously close to breaking the mug. He let go of it. “All I ask is for you to consider those around you. Mr. Naruhodou, Trucy… Chihiro. Perhaps consider breaking it off cleanly. It's going to happen anyway.” She got up from the table. “Enjoy your morning.” Karuma left the diner. Apollo slammed a fist against the table. His mug had been a little too close to the edge.

Apollo stood up as the hot liquid drenched his shirt. He caught the mug before it hit the ground, but that didn't stop him from getting first degree burns. Mikumo rushed to Apollo’s aid, handing him the dish towel that she had tucked away in her uniform pocket.

“You okay?” she asked as Apollo took the towel from her. It didn't do much to remove the stain, but it got off the scalding excess.

“Yeah…” Apollo stared down at the brown mark. He groaned. Okay, it was no big deal. Just one bad thing. It was a normal thing for people to knock hot coffee off of tables. But still. It was going to be hard to walk around with the obvious stain all day. “You have a laundry room I can use?”

“Yup. In the back.” Apollo got up from the table. He handed the towel and mug to Mikumo.

“Thanks.”

Before he could comprehend what was going on, Phoenix was dragged away from the scene of the crime by a pair of guards. Now here he was: standing before his mother, his friend, the servant girl who had caught him, the boy from the balcony and the king — Gregory Edgeworth himself. It turned out someone had stolen from the palace, having used the ball as an opportunity to sneak in. Phoenix had unknowingly been the scapegoat. And now all of those who had been involved were assembled in a small room away from the main party.

Though Phoenix couldn't understand why the boy from the balcony was there. It wasn’t what he was focused on at the moment. He was more concentrated on holding himself together.

“I-I didn't…” Phoenix said, barely even about to get the sentence out without panicking.

“Let my son go!” his mother cried, only to be held back by one of the guards from getting to her son. “He knows better than to steal from anyone.”

“Ma’am, please,” said the king. “I believe you.”

“But I saw him! I saw him holding the jewels in his hand!” protested the servant girl, pointing a finger at Phoenix. “He's the thief I tell you! He's the thief!”

“Your Majesty,” said one of the guards holding up a shaking Phoenix, “there was no one else in the area at the time of the theft. We only found the boy. There's no other person who could have done it.”

“But the penalty for theft from the palace would be…” the king said, growing pale.

“Death.” Phoenix felt his heart stop. His mother cried out again, Larry shouted something and both had to be restricted. Phoenix was barely holding on.

“But I didn't do it!” he said, his voice wavering as he did. “Please! You have to believe me! I didn't do it!”

“Thief! He's a thief! Have him hanged!” Phoenix began to struggle against the hold he had been put into.

“N-No! I-I-I didn’t! I just found them there! I swear! That was it! I didn’t do it!” There was no argument made. There was no way to prove Phoenix’s innocence. The guards grabbed him. Phoenix fought to get away, but they were too strong for him. “Pl-Please! I’m innocent!”

“Wait!” The proceedings came to a slow halt. Out from behind the king came the boy from the balcony. He pushed the guards (or at least tried to) away from Phoenix. “Let him go!” Phoenix stared at him.

“You…?” Why would he be helping him? Did it have something to do with why he was even here?

“Miles!” said the king to the boy. It didn't stop him from trying to bat away the guards. Wait… Miles? That was the name of the prince.

“I said let him go!” The king sighed. The boy would not give up on this. With a nod from him, the guards released Phoenix, who dropped to the floor. His legs felt too weak to stand.

Phoenix stared at the boy in front of him with wide eyes. This boy. He was the prince — Miles Edgeworth. He had been talking to the prince like he was one of the boys from the village and hadn't even realized it.

“Y-You're the… the…” Phoenix stammered. He was still trying to process the whole thing.

“It wasn't you who took the jewels, was it?” said the prince. Phoenix swallowed down something before nodding.

“I didn't take them! I just found them there, I swear!”

“Then hold your head up high.” The prince held out his hand. Phoenix hesitated. He took it, allowing the prince to pull him up on his feet. “People have been shouting that you did it. But there's no proof that you did.”

“What?! But I saw him!” shouted the servant girl. “I saw him picking up the jewels!” The prince was on her quicker than a wolf on its prey.

“And?”

“And…? Wh-What else do you need?” The girl was faltering. “I-I saw him! He's the thief!”

“Did you see him take them?” The girl was quiet. She simply crossed her arms over her chest. “No. There's no evidence but your word.”

“Miles…” The king made a reach for his son. It wasn't the prince who spoke next.

“Leave him alone already, will you?!” exclaimed Larry. Phoenix’s mother had to hold him back. “He said that he didn't do It! A-And Nick was with the prince! He couldn't have done it! I saw ‘em!”

“Larry…” Whether it be getting in trouble with the older kids or being threatened with the dungeon, Phoenix knew he could count on Larry to help.

“That's how it is, isn't It? Everyone finds one person to pin the blame on and attacks them!” The king knelt down besides his son, a hand on his shoulder.

“Miles, is this true?” he asked him. The prince slowly nodded.

“Yes, Father. He was with me at the time of the crime.” said the prince, his hands balling up. He turned to his father. “I refuse to let a witch hunt like this happen. I will be king one day. And when that day comes, no such criminal shall be sentenced to death without proven guilty. That promise starts now. Father, that boy is innocent!” The king looked towards Phoenix, then to his Phoenix’s mother and then towards his son. The king looked almost proud.

“I trust you.” He stood. “Let the boy go. And search the palace top to bottom before anyone leaves. I want the true thief found.”

“Yes, sir!” Phoenix looked over to the prince. Their eyes met. The boy swiftly left after the guards did.

Phoenix followed after.

Apollo was never more than happy to get that call from the post office. His things had finally arrived. That meant he could finally change out of the clothes he had been wearing for the past three days straight.

After the school day ended, Apollo picked up his two new roommates to help him collect his things. It wasn't like there was much.

“This is amazing, thank you!” said Apollo. He picked up two of the three boxes that had been placed on the counter in front of him.

“Somebody is glad that his stuff is here,” said Ryuichi.

“You don't know the half of it. So far, this seems to be the better part of my day.” Ryuichi stared at the two boxes Apollo was holding. “If you're wondering if I can manage, the answer is yes.”

“Um… no. That wasn't it. It's just… is this all your stuff?” Apollo glanced over at him.

“What do you mean?” Ryuichi took the remaining box.

“Is the rest in storage or something?” Apollo looked at the three boxes. He shook his head.

“Clothes, personal things and… others,” said Apollo, listing off what was in each box. “Nope. That's all of it. I'm not real sentimental when it comes to most objects.”

“Well, must make things easier when you have to move,” said Ryuichi, laughing nervously.

“Apollo Justice.” Oh God, those chills were back. Apollo and Ryuichi turned to see a pale man behind them. Apollo had encountered him upon first coming to Storybrooke — Jin Yuugami. “I believe we met briefly upon your arrival. Might I have a word?” Apollo glanced at Ryuichi. He really didn't want to be alone with Yuugami.

Ryuichi took the top box off of Apollo’s stack.

“Well, I'd better get to Trucy before she learns how to hotwire a car!” he said. Apollo glared at the man as he left, leaving him alone with Yuugami.

“Can I help you?” Apollo asked him, shifting the remaining box in his arms.

“I have a proposition for you.”

“... what is it?”

“I've discovered that you've decided to stay in town.” Apollo looked down at the box in his arms. That was kind of obvious to tell just by looking at him. “But, if I’m correct, that means you need a job. I might be in need of assistance at my shop.” Why did Apollo not have a good feeling about that? He stuck his hand in his pocket. He could feel the piece of paper Chihiro had given him that morning. And it gave him an idea.

“Actually, I already have a job!” Apollo said quickly, not really thinking about his response before he said it. Yuugami raised a brow, staring at him.

“Oh?” Apollo silently wished for someone to come and save him from having to explain this. His wish was answered in the form of Trucy walking into the door.

“Apollo!” she said, walking up to him. “Daddy said to hurry—” Her eyes fell on the tall, looming man in front of Apollo.

“Hello, Trucy. How are you?” Trucy exchanged looks with Apollo as Yuugami spoke to her.

“I’m okay…?” said Trucy, utterly confused. Yuugami gave her a short nod.

“Good. Give my regards to your father. And Justice-dono, if the job doesn’t work out, my offer still stands.” Trucy and Apollo watched as Mr. Yuugami left, almost as quickly as he came. Apollo could only use one word to describe the whole situation, and that word was ‘awkward’.

“Do you know who that is?” Trucy asked as she and Apollo made their way to the door. Trucy held it open for Apollo. Her dad had already put the boxes into his car and was patiently waiting for the his daughter and Apollo.

“Yeah, of course I do.”

“Who? Because I’m still trying to figure it out.” Right Trucy’s storybook theory. She thought that Apollo had read it… Huh. Apollo thought Trucy had everyone pegged.

“You mean who he is in your storybook?” She nodded. Apollo just shrugged. “Dunno that.” Trucy opened the car door for Apollo. She looked at the boxes.

“Is that all you bought?” Apollo packed the box into the car. He ushered Trucy inside.

“Wasn’t much to bring the first place.” He shut the door behind her.

Phoenix went chasing after the prince. Their first meeting had been an awkward one to say the least. But he had saved him. The prince had saved his life. He barely even knew Phoenix to begin with! The prince was coming into view. He was alone again. Good. Phoenix picked up his pace to catch up.

“Your Highness!” The prince slowly came to a stop in the middle of the hall. Phoenix had finally caught up to him. “Your… Highness…” The prince cringed as Phoenix doubled over, panting. He never was a good runner.

“Please don’t call me that,” said the prince with distaste. Phoenix looked up at him. “I have a name. I would prefer to be called it.” Phoenix straightened up. Did he not like being called by his title?

“Oh. Um… Miles.” The prince… Miles seemed to relax at being called by his name. Phoenix bowed before the prince. “Thank you. For believing in me.”

“That won’t be necessary either.” Phoenix rose. He really didn’t know how to act around a prince at all.

“Um… thank you. Either way.”

“There was no evidence to prove your guilt,” said Miles, crossing his arms over his chest. “That was all. You really should be thanking your friend for providing the information on where you were in the first place. I only defended it.” The prince was grabbing at his elbow and staring at the ground.

“But still.” Phoenix gave him a wide smile. “Thank you.” It was hard to think of what to say next. Phoenix had already thanked Miles for saving his life. “I really hope… that in the future…” Mies looked up to Phoenix “... we get to see each other again.” Phoenix briefly bowed towards him. “Thank you again, your High— … er… Miles.” For the first time that night, Phoenix saw the prince smile.

“I hope to see you in the future again… Phoenix Wright.” The boys smiled to one another

And that night would start many other like it. Nights that while the adults mingled and danced, a small few children would get up into misadventures of stealing from the kitchen, running around and tripping in the gardens. And with each new memory made, Phoenix Wright grew closer and closer to Miles Edgeworth.

But not all is meant to last.

Trucy was more than happy to help Apollo move into the room across the hall (well, across the hall from hers as she proudly stated) as her father left to get takeout for the three. Apollo felt like she as the one who was more excited with the situation. He was just happy to have a place to sleep that wasn't his car.

Trucy unlocked the door to the room. It looked like it hadn’t been used in years. Apollo made the note to do a thorough cleaning of this place in his free time. He carried two of his boxes into the room, depositing them on the floor.

“You know Apollo,” said Trucy as she followed in with the remaining box, “you’re different.”

“Different how?” Apollo asked as he struggled to open the box of his personal belongings.

Damn the tape.

“You’re the only one who can do it. I was thinking about it on the drive home.” She handed him a box cutter. Apollo didn’t question where she had gotten it but was extremely grateful.

“Can do what?” He cut open the box. Nothing inside seemed to be damaged. He sighed. The things he actually felt were worth holding onto were tucked in the box.

“Leave.” Apollo glanced over at Trucy as he pulled out a small blanket from the top of the box’s contents. “You’re the only one who can leave Storybrooke.” He rolled his eyes. Obviously someone didn’t hear about the car crash Apollo had a few days ago.

“You left and found me in Seattle.” He draped the blanket over his arm.

“But I came back. I’m fourteen. I had no choice.” Apollo opened one of the nearby drawers. Great, even the inside of the drawers were covered in dust. How was that even possible? “But you can do whatever you want. If people here tried to leave, bad things would happen. But you… you can go.” Apollo blew off some of the dust from the top of the dresser before placing the blanket on top. Trucy reached into the box, pulling out something. Apollo looked over at her. She was holding a picture frame.

“Hey, Trucy,” he said. “You can put that…” Trucy was staring at the photo inside of the frame. She slowly sat down on the bed. “Trucy?” She was still quiet. Apollo walked over to her. He leaned over to get a look at the picture itself. A young woman with light brown hair and two, thick gold bracelets — one on each of her wrists. Apollo knew who that was a picture of.

“That’s my mother,” Apollo told Trucy. He sat on the bed next to her. He thought about why Trucy could be so focused on it. She did claim that they had the same mother, after all. Did she recognize the woman? “... Trucy?” Trucy hummed. “Do you have a photo of her? Your mother.” Trucy sighed. She put the picture on the nightstand.

“I did. Daddy…” She cut herself off for a moment. “My first daddy. He gave me a locket with her picture in it. But…” Trucy traced her fingers over her collarbone. “The chain broke shortly after Daddy adopted me. And I lost it.” She was staring at the picture again with sadness in her eyes. Once again, Apollo felt a pain in his chest. He hated seeing her like that.

Okay. Think of something. Quick! Uh…

“Do you remember what she looks like? Your mother.” Trucy nodded. She hopped off of the bed and disappeared from the room for a moment. When she returned, she had her storybook with her.

“Okay, we’re back with the the book,” said Apollo as Trucy sat down next to him again. She opened her book and flipped through its pages before coming across a picture of a young girl in a wardrobe.

“That’s what Mommy look like when she was younger,” Trucy told him. “When Daddy and Mr. Mitsurugi sent her through the wardrobe.” Apollo looked at the picture he had and then at the illustration.

“I do have to admit… there is some resemblance.” It even matched down to the bracelets. “But…” Apollo would only say there was a resemblance. That was all. He knew that his mother had abandoned him a long time ago. She was gone forever. She had disappeared, and she was gone.

“You still don’t think it’s her.” Apollo wouldn’t tell her that. “That’s okay.” Wait, what? “You believe in me so… that’s enough.” Trucy shut her book.

“Really?”

“Yeah.” She brought her book up to her chest. “Apollo? Do you remember her? Mommy.”

“You mean my mother?” Trucy nodded. Apollo leaned back on the bed. He couldn’t really remember her. He was just a baby. But… If Apollo had tried. “I don’t remember her well. Like I said, Trucy. I was just a year old when… you know.” That bit of information had come out in a less savory way. “I very, very faintly remember…” If he focused hard enough… “There was guitar playing. And a woman’s voice. She was singing some song…” Trucy leaned up against Apollo’s shoulder.

“She used to sing to me too. When I was upset or couldn't sleep.” Apollo looked down at her. She really missed her mother. He didn’t think she understood what actually happened. Ryuichi had said that her birth father had been put on trial for the murder of Trucy’s mother. Did she even know her mother was dead?

“Trucy,” said Apollo. “What do you remember about her?” A faint smiled fell upon Trucy's face.

“Mommy was so pretty…” she said, her tone of voice low. “She was an angel up on the stage.”

“On stage… you mean she was a performer?” That matched up with what Apollo knew about the woman. Trucy nodded.

“Yep! She was a magician.” Right… Trucy’s file said that she had learned magic tricks from her biological parents. “She would perform amazing feats of magic with my first daddy and my uncle Valant… She was always up there, smiling!” Trucy’s own smile faded. “But then… she went away.”

“Went away?”

“It was a grand illusion… but she made a mistake. She vanished… and I guess she didn't know how to get back.” Her voice was cracking. She turned to face Apollo. He could see the tears forming in her eyes. “Hey, Apollo? You won’t…”  She pulled him in close. She was crying into his shirt. Jeez. She really was scared of losing him, wasn’t she? Maybe that’s why she was so scared over him leaving Storybrooke. He sighed, wrapping his arms around her.

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to vanish.” Apollo hoped he could make good on that. “I promise.”

“I miss her, Apollo. I want to find her and bring her back.” His chest grew tight. Apollo didn’t want to tell her the truth. And judging by Trucy’s knowledge, no one in the town had the heart to tell her.

They stayed like that until Trucy had calmed down. How long that was, Apollo had no clue. It was Trucy who had pulled away. Apollo patted her hair.

“Hey, come on,” he said to her. “Let's get this room setup, alright? Your dad should be home with dinner by the time we’re done. Okay?” Trucy nodded.

“Okay.” Apollo sighed. She was okay. He was okay. They were both okay.

Two years had passed since Miles Edgeworth met Phoenix Wright. And if you asked anyone in the palace, they would tell you it was for the better. The prince had slowly started to come out of his shell since that night. And it was all thanks to the peasant boy. Miles was finally able to be the person very few people knew.

Miles stood outside the entrance to the courtyard. The rain was starting to come down heavily. He had no doubt that everyone was shut up inside their homes. Anyone who was outside at this time had to be insane.

Miles straightened up when he saw something through the rain. No… not something. Someone. Someone was running through the rain and towards the palace. What kind of idiot would be out in this rain? The person got closer.

“Miles! Miles!” Miles recognized him. That was his idiot. The prince ran out from underneath the protective arch. He met Phoenix halfway.

“Phoenix!” exclaimed Miles as the two met with one another. He wasn't exactly quite used to running. “What are you… What are you doing here?”

“I have to talk to you.” Was that really what he came running here to do?

“Phoenix Wright, it is pouring! Come on.” Miles took him by the hand and attempted to take Phoenix inside. The young boy wouldn't budge.

“No, I can't.” Phoenix’s hand fell out of Miles's. “I have to go.” Miles looked towards his friend.

“Go? Why?” He had just gotten here. For the first time since his arrival, Miles noticed Phoenix’s bloodshot eyes.

“My mother and I…”Phoenix was barely holding himself together. “We're leaving.” Those words echoed in Miles's head. Something twisted around his chest.

“You're what?!”

“We're leaving,” Phoenix repeated. “For another kingdom. We haven’t been doing so well… money wise. So, she thought this was for the better. I’m sorry.” His voice was breaking.

“But I…” Miles didn't want him to leave. He was the first friend Miles had ever had.

“I don’t want to go. I want to stay here.”

“I… I…” Miles didn't want him to go either.

“I want to stay… but I can't.” He knew why. Phoenix had told him why.

“You have to stay with your mother.” Phoenix nodded.

“I don’t want to leave her… not like my father…”

“I…” He was a prince. He had to show no weakness. Miles lowered his head so that Phoenix wouldn't see his face. “I understand…” His friend took his hands.

“We'll be friends forever, right?” Miles couldn't bring himself to say anything. He just nodded. “I'll write you everyday!”

“... And I’ll write back every time I can.”  Phoenix’s hands grew tighter around his.

“Take care of yourself. Alright? Miles Edgeworth.”

“You, too…” said the prince. “Phoenix Wright.” He hesitated. He didn't want to let go. Miles let his hands slip of put Phoenix's. He turned to leave.

“Wait, Miles!” Phoenix grabbed his hand again. Miles turned to face a surprise. Something soft and wet pressed up against his lips.

Miles felt his breath get caught in his throat as Phoenix pulled away. He had just kissed him. Phoenix Wright had kissed him.

“You just…” said Miles, still a bit stunned by what had just happened.

“I will find you,” said Phoenix, squeezing Miles's hand. “I will always find you. We will see each other again.”

“Do you promise?” He wanted to see Phoenix again. The baker’s son nodded.

“I promise.”

Apollo had gotten Trucy to calm down. She was fine. He was fine. They had gotten the room done after Ryuichi had gotten home. It was pretty late into the night when that happened.

“Sun.” Trucy looked back at Apollo. She was ready to go to bed in the room across the hall. “My uh… My codename. I was thinking like… Apollo’s the god of the sun, and it's my name so… Sun.” Trucy thought about it for a moment before shaking her head. “You got a better one?”

“Yep. But I don't think you're ready yet.” She turned to go back into her room. Apollo stopped her again.

“Hey, Trucy?” he asked her. “What you said earlier… about me being able to leave?”

“Yeah?” He grinned.

“I don't think I'm going anywhere.” Trucy smiled at him. He could tell her worries were gone. Trucy disappeared behind her bedroom door.

Now, there was only one thing left to do in order to solidify his position in Storybrooke. Apollo took out the number Chihiro gave him. It took a few rings before she finally picked up.

“Hello?” The sheriff of Storybrooke sounded absolutely tired.

“Hey, it's Apollo.” Apollo began fiddling with the paper in his hands. “I was just thinking. Maybe some roots wouldn't be so bad. That deputy job still open?”

“Absolutely.” That was last thing that Apollo checked off of his list. He finally had a home and a job.

“Then count me in.” A second thought came to mind. “Is Karuma gonna be okay with this?”

“I really don't care what she thinks. It's my department. I make the rules.” Apollo laughed. “I'll see you tomorrow morning.”

“See ya.” Apollo hung up. He felt relieved. There was some place for him here. This was the beautiful start of what Apollo would hope to finally be a normal life for him.

Chapter Text

The Kingdom of Kurain was known for many things. One of the was the extraordinary spiritual magic carried by its rulers. The Queen Fey was gifted with an exceptionally strong version of this power. She healed the sick and the injured, and ruled over her land with a sense of grace and elegance. She loved her people. And no one saw more of this love than her two daughters.

Mia and Maya Fey sat in their mother’s lap. Misty was known for many things. The small shows of magic she created for her children weren’t one of them. She laughed as she watched Maya chase around the light-made crickets as they leapt around the room. She stumbled on the carpet, almost tripping under her own two feet. Luckily, her big sister Mia was there to catch her.

“Be careful, Maya,” Misty told her youngest as Mia righted the four year old. “Before you know it they might just disappear.” With a wave of her hand, a few of the crickets dissipated into the air. Mia picked up her sister, carrying her back over to her mother.

“I love crickets,” said Mia. She sat down next to Misty on the floor. “They get to do whatever they want. Hopping all over the place…” Misty took Maya from her. “They’re free.”

“You're free too, Mia.”

“Yeah, to be queen one day.” Mia groaned, laying her head down on Misty’s lap. “I don’t want to. I want to stay here and catch crickets with you and Maya. Or even make them myself!”

“Mia. Look out the window. Tell me what you see.” Mia glanced up at her mother. “Humor me.”  The princess listened to her mother's words. She walked towards the window, staring out of it.

“I see snow. Like there always is during the winter.”

“Exactly.” Mia turned back towards her mother.

“What’s the point of this?”

“The point—” Misty ushered Mia back to her side, “—is that each snowflake is like a person. They’re unique. And like each snowflake, no two queens are alike. You can be anyone you want to be.” Misty pulled both of her girls in close. “Both you and Maya can. There’s no changing that.” Maya was sitting on the floor.

“Does that mean I can make crickets too if I wanted?” she asked, trying to repeat the movements Misty had done to make the magic crickets appear. Misty laughed. Maya was young. She had her small flickers of magic, but had yet to begin her training like Mia had.

“Maybe one day.” Mia crawled forward to her sister.

“We can do it together,” she said, taking Maya’s hands. Their faces screwed up in concentration. There was a spark of orange and purple between their combined hands. Forming in the center was a small cricket. It hopped onto the floor. Maya cheered with her sister, hugging Mia tightly. Misty grinned.

“Maya!” The woman pulled in her youngest. “I’m so proud of you!”

“Maya, you did it!” The cricket hopped around the room, joined by the purple and white created by her mother and sister.

Trucy was getting better and better with her sessions, according to Daddy anyway. For example, she was talking proudly with Miss Deauxnim about her week so far when she brought up Apollo staying. She was happy enough to talk about their plan to break the curse after that.

“You weren’t always a queen, you know,” Trucy said to Miss Deauxnim. “You gave up your throne.”

“I weren't always…” Miss Deauxnim stared at Trucy with curiosity before getting that look of realization Apollo had about halfway through most of his conversations with Trucy. “Oh. Right. Because you think I’m a magical queen. Why do you… Why do you think that, Trucy?”

“It’s just because of who you are,” Trucy said with a shrug.

“Who I am?”

“Like in the book. You’re kind and caring. You protect people when they need it most. That’s why you gave up your throne. To protect your daughters.” Miss Deauxnim’s eyes briefly widened. Whoops. Trucy guessed she shouldn’t have told her something she wasn’t quite ready for.

“I… I have children?” Trucy slowly nodded. She really wished she had her storybook on her right now. Then she could show Miss Deauxnim. However, it was nestled in her dresser in her bedroom. She had to find a better hiding place for that thing.

“Yeah. You used to like making crickets with magic together.”

“So… all the crickets here are made with magic?” Trucy shook her head.

“No. There aren’t even any crickets here. I’ve never heard them.” Trucy sunk back into her seat. She missed hearing the crickets in the park when she still lived in New York. She shook her head. No. That was back then in the past. She was happy with her Daddy, and now with Apollo.

“Is that enough proof for the curse?” Trucy shook her head again.

“No. But that’s what I’m gonna be looking for.” She had to prove it one hundred percent to Apollo before they could get started on finding their mom. That was the current plan. It sounded like a good plan.

“Trucy, I asked you think once before and you’d said that you would think about it,” said Miss Deauxnim. Trucy shifted in her seat. “Why do you think it’s so important that this curse is real?” She leaned into the chair.

“I… I don’t know.” She thought it was important. She wanted everyone to be happy, that was about it. She wanted Miss Ayasato to be happy. She wanted Apollo to be happy. She really wanted Daddy to be happy. Even Miss Karuma deserved to be happy… as long as it didn’t involve ruining anyone else’s happiness. “It just is.”

“Alright. Just… keep thinking about that, Trucy. I think that there is something buried there.”

Buried… Trucy kept that word in mind.

Apollo glanced up at the clock. It was almost eight. It was his turn to go and get Trucy from her therapy session. But, after his first day on the job, Chihiro wanted to gift her new deputy something special. Apollo hoped it wasn’t filing more paperwork.

She held out a uniform to him.

“A tie?” said Apollo, taking the uniform from her. “You really think I can get any respect from wearing this?” Chihiro didn’t even wear a uniform herself. She was more open in her means of dress, usually showing off a decent amount of her collarbone.

“You think you can get people to respect you by wearing that red jacket?” Apollo tugged at his jacket. It made him look good. At least, according to an old friend it did.

“The jacket is cool. The jacket stays.” Chihiro laughed as Apollo placed the uniform on his desk. It made him wonder how many people actually wore that uniform.

“Well… at least wear the badge.” Chihiro held out the deputy’s badge to Apollo. He stared down at it. “Go on. Take it. If you really want to be part of this community, Apollo, you have to make it official.”

If I really wanted to be a part of Storybrooke, huh? Apollo took the badge from Chihiro. He clipped it onto his belt.

As soon as badge hit belt, the ground underneath Apollo’s feet began to shake. Chihiro gripped onto the desk. Apollo was nearly knocked off of his feet before he grabbed something to steady himself. The quake was small, and didn’t last for very long.

The second that the earthquake ended, all of the phones in the sheriff’s station started going off.

December was at its end. Misty was with her children out in the snow that had fallen the night before. The girls enjoyed playing in the it. Maya was tossing it up in the air. Mia was practicing her magic, making the snow dance around in the air. Misty felt a warmth in her heart watching the children.

“Your majesty.” Misty looked behind her. There she was. Standing at the entryway was Morgan Fey, Misty’s elder sister. Misty stared at her sister in confusion.

“Morgan?” she said. “You never refer to me as that. What is it?”

“There are… people. Waiting to see the queen.” Oh. The royal half of her was being called. Misty sighed. This was part of being queen. She didn’t exactly enjoy it, but it was necessary.

“Mia! Keep an eye on your sister!”

“Okay!” Mia gave her mother a nod. Misty followed Morgan inside the palace.

The Fey family was special for a reason. Their magic was strong, yes, but there were rumors of their source. It had been said that the Feys were descendants of the Blue Fairy herself. While the royal family never confirmed that rumor personally, they would admit to being descended from fairies themselves. Hence, their name: Fey. Fairy-like.

Among their magic, the Feys had a unique magical power. They could temporarily summon back spirits from the dead for a short amount of time depending on the strength of their magic. It was the reason Misty had been made queen in the first place. Her spiritual magic was by far stronger than that of her elder sister. Misty felt like this was the reason she as being called at the moment.

Misty followed Morgan out into the grand hall. Standing there were two men, one of which beard a symbol from a kingdom Misty felt she ought to recognize. It took her a minute to work out the emblem. They had belonged to the court of the kingdom ruled by the Edgeworth line. Come to think of it, Misty hadn’t heard from them in a while. They were usually on good terms. This visit did not settle well into her stomach.

“Your majesty,” said both gentleman with a deep set bow. Misty bowed in return.

“It’s a pleasure,” Misty replied as she rose, “but might I ask what this is all about? Your king usually visits me himself when concerning trade matters and negotiations.” The men exchanged looks with one another. “What is it?”

“Queen Misty,” said one of the men. “That will no longer happen.” Misty had trouble keeping her cool. Why would Gregory suddenly cut them off like this?
“Is this a matter of… something else?” She was rather hoping this wasn’t a declaration of war. The two kingdoms had been on incredibly peaceful terms for generations.

“Your majesty, we regret to inform you that King Edgeworth passed away on the twenty-eighth.” Misty felt her heart stop for a second Passed away? He wasn't that much older than her. He looked to be the picture of health when she had last seen him. Morgan appeared to be in equal shock as her sister.

“What?” Morgan breathed out.

“He was found with a deadly poison in his system. He died a few hours later.” Misty gripped the edge of her robes. He hadn’t died of natural causes. He had been murdered.

“Thank you for the information, gentlemen, but I don’t see why this warrants a personal visit,” she said, her tone growing much firmer.

“We were hoping that you could use your power to help us find the killer.” Oh. That’s what they wanted. Misty did not relax.

“You do realize that summoning is highly unconventional for a situation like… this.” Misty knew the repercussions if things went wrong. There was always that slim possibility.

“We are at wits end, your majesty. This is our last hope to find the murderer before he strikes another member of our royal family.” Misty knew who they were talking about. Their remaining royal wasn’t that much younger than Mia. “I can promise you that none of this will get out to the public. It will all be kept quiet.” She exchanged a look with her sister. Morgan held a blank expression. This was Misty's choice, and her choice alone.

Misty nodded.

“There's a private room we can use. Follow me.”

It seemed like the whole town knew where the source of the tremor was. As the police cruiser rolled up to what Apollo thought looked like a construction site, he caught sight of the countless civilians who should not have even been there in the first place.

Mayor Mei Karuma seemed to have the same idea as the sheriff’s department. She had already pulled up and was stepping out of the car just as Apollo and Chihiro arrived.

“Everyone!” shouted Karuma, “Stay back, please!” She was not doing well with the crowd control on her own. The moment the car came to a stop, the only two members of the sheriff’s department stepped out. The source of the quake seemed to come from what looked like an entrance to an old tunnel. As he followed after Chihiro, Apollo could hear the gossip from the townspeople.

“Is that a crater?”

“No, there were tunnels – old mines. Something collapsed.” The pair made their way towards Karuma. The moment she spotted them, she looked somewhat relieved.

“Sheriff, set up a police perimeter,” said Karuma to Chihiro before turning to a man nearby. “Kurou, why don’t you help with the fire department?” Her cold gaze focused on Apollo. He didn’t show the uncomfortable he felt from that stare.. “Mr. Apollo Justice, this is now official town business. You’re free to go.”

“Actually, I work for the town now,” said Apollo.

“He’s my new deputy,” said Chihiro. Karuma’s mouth pressed into a firm line as she gripped onto the whip at her side. Apollo felt satisfied at that face. Pissing off the mayor was becoming more and more of a reoccurring habit of his. And damn did it feel good.

“Well, they do say the mayor’s always last to know,” said Karuma. She did not sound pleased.

“I did the math the other day; it’s in my budget, Mei.” Her eyes focused on the sheriff.

“Indeed.” Karuma turned on Apollo. “Deputy, why don’t you make yourself useful and help with crowd control?” Karuma stepped away and stood in front of the crowd of people. Apollo listened to her as he began to help out.

“People of Storybrooke, don’t be alarmed. We’ve always known this area was honeycombed with old mining tunnels. But do not worry. I’m going to undertake a project to make this area safe – to rehabilitate it into city use. We will bulldoze it, collapse it, pave it.” Out of the corner of his eye, Apollo saw Trucy emerge from the crowd.

Wait… Trucy? Wasn’t she supposed to… Apollo saw Miss Deauxnim follow short after. He wondered whether she had come her of her own volition or Trucy had convince her to.

“You're going to pave it?” said the young girl as if Karuma had just committed a crime against nature.

“Trucy, enough. Listen. This is a safety issue.”

“Trucy!” Apollo released a pent-up breath at the sound of Ryuichi’s voice. He had shown up here as well. And luckily, he had caught sight of his daughter intimidating the mayor… or at least trying to.

Trucy stared at the mayor for a moment before turning away and leaving. Karuma turned on the two members of Storybrooke’s sheriff’s department. “The both of you — secure the area. Now.” Chihiro gave her a simple nod. They went to the cruiser. Chihiro gave Apollo a bright yellow roll of tape. In thick black letters, the word “CAUTION” was written repeatedly all over the tape.

Apollo strung the tape over the entrance to the mine that had opened up. He was halfway through when his eyes narrowed at the sight of something. Trucy was crouching down behind a car. As soon as Apollo looked over, Trucy locked eyes with him. She motioned him to come over to the group, waving her arm in his direction. Apollo quickly finished up what he was doing before walking over. Miss Deauxnim was still with her.

“This requires all of Operation Cobra,” said Trucy. “And that means both of you.”

“I-I didn’t realize I was in Operation Cobra,” said Miss Deauxnim. Had Trucy really told her about Operation Cobra? Then again, Miss Deauxnim was her shrink. She probably knew everything about Trucy and what she did in her spare time.

“Yeah, of course you are. You know everything.” Trucy peeked out from behind the car. She was glaring over at Karuma. ”We can’t let her do this. What if there’s something down there?” Apollo rolled his eyes, heaving forth a sigh.

“They’re just some old tunnels,” he said to her.

“That just happen to collapse right after you get here? You’re changing things.” Miss Deauxnim and Apollo exchanged a concerned glance with each other. The same look in their eyes shared a common source. “You’re weakening the curse.”

“That’s not what’s happening,” said Apollo, shaking his head.

“Yes, it is!” Trucy sighed. It was insane, but not like Apollo would openly admit that. Not again. It was like Miss Deauxnim said, Trucy’s belief was very fragile and could easily destroy her if it was broken.  “Did you do anything different today? ‘Cause something made this happen.” The only thing Apollo could think of was…

His fingers brushed over the badge at his waist. Wait…

“Trucy!” That was Ryuichi again. She groaned. “Trucy, come on! It’s dangerous to be out here!” Trucy bid goodbye to Apollo and her therapist. She ran over to her father in the crowd.

“Apollo!” Apollo had never been more than glad to hear Chihiro calling for him. He ran to continue helping out with the effort. The sooner this got done, the sooner things would have a chance to calm down.

Misty sat in the dim lighting of the room. The only other people with her were those who had asked for her help. She didn't feel so sure about this anymore. But she wanted to help. If this was the way to do it… then so be it.

“How does this work?” asked one of the men.

“His spirit will take over my body completely until the time he leaves,” explained Misty. “You will have your answer. I will be unconscious for the time being.” It was a standard procedure. If that was the case, why was she so uncomfortable with summoning this particular spirit?

Misty closed her eyes. She let the world faded around her. She let her spirit slip away and let the other take over. The world became a muffled blur. She couldn’t make out what they were saying. She couldn’t see anything. Everything was dark.

Misty lost track of time in that state. By the time she had come out of it, the men were gone. All that was left was her in the dimness of the room.

She had thought that she had been helpful. But in truth, she had no idea of the catastrophic events that were too follow that simple summoning.

Elise Deauxnim paced back and forth in her office. Confliction was wrapped tightly around her. The mayor had pulled her aside after she had spoken with Trucy and Apollo a few nights ago. She asked one thing of the woman.

I want you to take that fantasy of hers… and crush it.

Elise didn’t know what to do. The thought hadn't been able to leave her mind since then. She saw how Trucy had shut down the first time her belief was threatened. Then there was Apollo to deal with… and Ryuichi… both of which could stand immeasurable force against Elise. Apollo and Ryuichi or Karuma. She swallowed down something in her throat.

“Elise!” Elise pulled herself away from her thoughts. She turned. Standing in the doorway of her office was Chihiro Ayasato. Elise tried to make herself relax.

“Chihiro?” she asked. “What are you doing here?” Chihiro sighed.

“Lunch? Remember? We kind of do this every week.” Elise groaned. She had forgotten about her weekly lunch date with Chihiro.

“Sorry, I forgot…” She had to make up an excuse. She really couldn’t concentrate and that right now. “I have another patient coming in soon. Tomorrow maybe?”

“Yeah, sure. Of course.” Elise was lucky that Chihiro was her more understanding friend. someone pushed past Chihiro. Trucy Naruhodou made her way into Elise’s office. Chihiro bid the child a small greeting before taking her leave. Elise looked at the girl. She wasn’t scheduled to have an appointment today.

“Are you recruiting Miss Ayasato for Operation Cobra?” she asked. Elise took note of the backpack Trucy was wearing. “It’s a pretty good idea. She is your daughter.” Elise’s eyes briefly widened.

“My… My daughter?” Trucy nodded, the proud look obvious on her face. Elise thought of Chihiro as something like her daughter. But the sheriff of Storybrooke wasn’t her actual daughter. Elise had never been married, let alone had children despite what Trucy had told her yesterday.

“Yeah. Your oldest.” Elise bit down on her lip. She gripped at the talisman around her neck. Karuma was threatening her… she could take away her therapist’s license. She could ruin her whole life.

“Trucy… Trucy, look.” Elise got down on her knees to Trucy’s level. “W-We really need to talk about this.”

“I know you’re not convinced. Neither is Apollo. But I know where I can find proof.” Trucy took off her backpack. She showed its contents to Elise. A flashlight… some small provisions… Elise could put two and two together. Trucy was going to go down into the mine. “Apollo’s here. Now stuff is changing. I have to look at it.”

“Trucy. Trucy, no. Stop.” She put her hands on the young girl’s shoulders. “There is no proof. Look… all of this… it’s a delusion. Do you know what that means?” Trucy gave her a nod. “This isn’t real, okay? It’s not healthy. I thought you would outgrow it but… Trucy… this has turned into a psychosis. Th-That’s when you can no longer tell what's real and what’s not. If that goes on… We’re going to have to lock you away, Trucy.” Trucy’s face fell. Elise couldn’t tell what from, but she had a pretty good guess. “This is for your own good. You need to stop.”

Trucy shook her head. She backed away from the doctor. She took back her bag. Elise didn’t see her face as she ran out of the room.

She had done the one thing she didn’t want to do.

Ryuichi was glad that he stayed a hospital volunteer after all that had happened in the forest. He helped him feel little less guilty about his feelings. It also gave Ryuichi was way to spend time with his favorite ex-coma patient.

He had been personally taken back by Reiji’s appearance when he entered that hospital room. he looked much more cleaner than he had been when Ryuichi had found him at the toll bridge. For one, he had been wearing a pair of glasses. Ryuichi felt that they made him look a bit more handsome than usual (something he wouldn’t admit out loud, of course). Reiji had explained that they were nothing more than a spare pair, and that he lost the original in the car crash that nearly claimed his life according to Miss Karuma.

After Ryuichi got over his initial heart-fluttering and stuttering phase of the meeting, he had locked himself into a conversation with the patient. The topic fell upon Reiji’s state of memory. Not much had come back in the past few days, something which Reiji was extremely pessimistic about.

“I’m sure that your memories will come back… eventually,” said Ryuichi, trying to remain positive. “The doctors said that they're sending you home in week. They must think you’re making progress, right?”

“Physically, yes,” said Reiji, still sounding disappointed over the current state of his mind.

“Well, it seems like you’re making new memories just fine.” New memories with Ryuichi in them. That was his favorite part. “Maybe you’ll like these better.”

“Possibly…” There was a knock on the room’s door. A simple glance revealed Ichiru standing there, a box in her arms. Ryuichi stood.

“Am I interrupting something?” she said.

“Mrs. Mitsurugi. I… uh…” Oh, crap. That’s right. Reiji was married. Married happily… at least that what Ryuichi hoped for. It would make things a hell of a whole lot easier on him “I didn’t realize that you were um… I should go. Other volunteer stuff to do.” Ryuichi backed away towards the door.

“Goodbye, Mr. Naruhodou.” Ryuichi mentally slapped himself in the face.

“I am the worst person in the history of ever.” Apollo pressed his phone against his ear as he listened to Ryuichi complain. He had told him that volunteering would only make things worse. But no one ever listened to Apollo. So, this is how he was spending his first night off as deputy. He was waiting for Trucy to get home and listening to Ryuichi complain about his crush on a married man.

“Really?” said Apollo, leaning back in his chair. “That’s a huge overstatement. And Trucy might say otherwise.” He could hear Ryuichi groaning.

“Ichiru is so nice!” he whimpered. “If she was horrible, this would be so much easier.”

“And uh… what exactly would be easier?”

“Oh. Um… nothing.” Though he knew that Ryuichi couldn’t see him, Apollo nodded.

“Good. That’s a good idea. You're a smart man, Ryuichi. You know not to get involved with a married guy.”

“Then why do I want to?!”

“No. We are not going down that path. Just spare yourself the heartache and try to move on.” Apollo caught the noise of the front door unlocking. It opened and then shut. “Hey, I gotta go. Trucy’s back. See you later.”

“Later.” Apollo hung up. He pocketed his phone as he got up from his chair. He went out to met her. The second she saw Apollo, Trucy barreled into him. She buried her face into his shirt. Apollo could hear her softly sobbing.

“Trucy?” Apollo pulled her away. She was a wreck. Her hands were shaking, tears were rushing her face like a river, and her eyes were bloodshot. “Trucy. What happened?”

Trucy told him. She told him everything. By the end of the story, Apollo was furious. Miss Deauxnim had told him not to ruin her belief system. That it would be ‘catastrophic’ if he did. And then she goes and does it? That ground his gears.

So, Apollo dropped Trucy of at the sheriff station with Chihiro. He really didn’t want her to see the confrontation that was about to take place. As soon as he knew that Trucy was safe, Apollo stormed down to Elise Deauxnim’s office. He pounded on the door until she opened it. She immediately tried to close it, only to have Apollo stop her with his foot. He made his way into the office anyway.

“What did you do?!” Apollo shouted. His voice had gone to an unreasonably high volume. “You told me not to take the fantasy away, and what do you do?!”

“If the therapy stops working, you have to adjust it,” was all Elise said, wincing at  the power of Apollo’s voice.

“Trucy came home to me, shaking and in tears, Miss Deauxnim!” There was heartbreak on the doctor’s face. “Who could be strong enough to drown out your own conscious?!”

“I do not need to explain my professional decisions to you.” Good for her, Apollo’s phone going off had saved Miss Deauxnim from Apollo yelling at her further. He answered.

“Hello?” He lowered his volume to spare whomever had called of bleeding ears.

“Apollo?” Chihiro. “We have a problem.” Apollo glanced over at the doctor.

“Oh yeah, we have a problem.”

“So you know?”

“I know who the guilty party is.”

“Apollo, Trucy’s gone.” Apollo nearly dropped his phone.

“She’s what?! I just dropped her off!” There was concern Miss Deauxnim’s face when she heard Apollo’s half of the conversation.

“I disappeared for a second to get water for her. When I came she… she was gone. Did she come after you?” Apollo shook his head.

“No. So, we have no idea where Trucy went?” There was a hum from Chihiro as an answer. Miss Deauxnim put her hand on Apollo’s shoulder to get his attention. It worked, but it came in the form of a glare. And yet, the doctor still spoke.

“I think I know where she is.”

The girls ran in front of Misty. It was a beautiful, wintry day. They could easily go out for a walk in the village. It was the kingdom where they could. There was perfect time of peace. Or at least that’s what Misty thought. It wasn't until something struck her in the back of the head. She turned, looking back at a group of her people. They were all undoubtedly furious.

“Oi!” shouted one of the members of the crowd. “Queen!” Misty just stared with confusion. They threw something else at her. It struck the side of her face.

“Charlatan!” Misty stared at them in bewilderment. Her cheek stung, but Misty refused to let it break her.

“Pardon?” the queen asked.

“That man! He was innocent!” Misty ducked under what she hoped to be a snowball. Innocent… what on earth could they have been… Oh. Oh no. That channeling. It was supposed to remain under wraps. How in the world did they find out about it?! “Your powers are supposed to do good! Not make people suffer!” Something whizzed past her ear. Misty couldn’t believe what she was hearing. It wasn’t her. It wasn’t her fault.

“Mother!” Misty felt Mia and Maya run into her from behind. Misty managed to keep Maya there. Mia was another story. She stood in front of her mother, arms out wide.

“Leave her alone!” Mia shouted. “She is your queen!”

“She nearly sentenced an innocent man to death!”

“That is impossible! My mother isn’t… She wouldn’t….” Mia shook her head. Misty caught sparks of purple flickering from her fingertips. “You’re lying!” Misty pulled Mia back. Emotion was the one thing that could make magic go out of control. Mia wasn’t an exception to that law.

“Your mother is a damned witch!”

“No, she’s not!” Misty's hold grew tight on her daughter’s shoulder. She could hear Maya whimpering. She was scared. Mia was angry. It was not a good state to be in for either of them.

“We should go,” said Misty to the two. She turned, ushering the pair in front of her. It was a way to protect them from the thrown object behind them. It was also a way to keep them from seeing the fearful look in their mother’s eyes.

What had Misty done?

Apollo and Elise sped towards the mine as quickly as they could. Elise bit down on her nail. No. No, no, no. This was all her fault. If she hadn't made Trucy break down, this wouldn’t have happened. She would be safe and sound at home with Apollo, waiting for her father to return.

Apollo pulled up to the mine. The pair quickly got out. There was no sign of Trucy. Along with them came Elise’s dog. She thought that the pup could be of help. it was at one point the dog as supposed to be on the police force, but Chihiro couldn’t complete his training. So, ownership of Missile had passed onto Elise.

“Trucy!”

“Trucy!”

“Trucy!” Elise climbed down to the mine entrance. Trucy couldn't have been anywhere else. This is where she had told the woman she wanted to go. Missile ran towards the closed off hole. He barked repeatedly, digging in the rubble. He brought something out of it, depositing it into Elise’s hand.

“I don’t think she’s here,” said a disappointed Apollo. Elise took a look at when Missile had just give her. It was a candy bar. Elise remembered what Trucy had shown her just a few hours before.

“She is.” Elise held up the candy to Apollo. “She had these on her.”

Without warning, another tremor rushed through Storybrooke. The ground shook, throwing off the balance of the two people above the mine. No. No, Trucy was still down there. The mine was collapsing again.

“Trucy!” Elise shouted in a panic. She was going to get herself hurt. Or worse. The psychiatrist rushed towards the mine entrance.

“Miss Deauxnim!” yelled Apollo. Elise ignored him.

“Trucy, it’s not safe! Trucy!” The  rumbling of the earth was too loud. “Trucy!” Elise wormed her way through the fallen beams and caution tape. She entered the mine as the tunnel started to collapse.

“Miss Deauxnim! Elise!” screamed Apollo at the top of his lungs. “TRUCY!” The sound of rock caving in cut off Elise Deauxnim from the rest of the outside world. She fell onto the ground.

Elise coughed. The mine was thick with dust and dirt. She stood up, brushing herself off. Darkness had consumed her vision. She felt around on her person. There had to be something… ah-ha. She had found it. A small book of matches were still tucked away in her pocket from a previous lunch date with Chihiro.

Elise felt around on the wall. If she was right, there had to be some usable lanterns still hanging on the walls of the mine. And right she was. There was a lantern with just a small enough amount of oil left for Elise to light it. The lantern gave her enough to see. She was relieved. Or she would have been if she had Trucy on her. She looked back at the tunnel. It was closed off.

First, find Trucy. Then escape.

Elise walked on forward, carrying her guiding light.

“Trucy!” she called out. Her own voice echoed back at her. “Trucy! Where are you?!” Elise almost had a heart attack when a blue sweater hit the light of her lantern. Bounding around the corner came Trucy, carrying her flashlight.

“Miss Deauxnim.” Trucy stayed at the corner. Elise sighed. Oh god, she was okay. Trucy looked dirtier than usual, but that was about it.

“I knew you’re here to help me!” said Trucy. Oh no. She was still on that. Elise shook her head.

“No, Trucy, listen. We got to get out of here, okay?” Trucy backed away from her. She was growing defensive again.

“So, you’re still against me?”

“Trucy, there’s no time for that.” Elise held out her hand. “I need you to come with me.”

“You don’t believe me?” Elise was at a loss for words. “You’ll see. You’ll see!” Trucy ran deeper into the mine.

“Trucy! Trucy— Trucy come back!” Elise ran after the young girl. She was going to get hurt if she went on like this. “Trucy!”

Elise had to find Trucy before the mine started to collapse again. If that little girl died because of Elise… that guilt would haunt her to her grave. She would never let herself live it down.

“Trucy? Trucy? Trucy!” shouted Elise. A bright light up ahead signaled that she had finally found her target. Elise made her way towards it. The light was coming from Trucy’s flashlight, which the girl was currently using to get a look down a hole in the rocks.

“Trucy! Trucy, Trucy!” said Elise, getting Trucy to notice her. “You have got to slow down.”

“There’s something shiny down there,” said Trucy.

“Trucy, this is seriously dangerous. We got to get out of here.”

“It could be something.” The girl wasn’t listening to anything her therapist was saying.

“You need to stop this, Trucy.” Elise was begging now. Trucy was more susceptible to getting hurt than she was. Trucy violently shook her head, still staring down the hole. “Trucy, look at me! Look at me!” There was a general feel of anxiety in her tone. Trucy slowly turned her attention on her. “I’m frightened for you, Trucy.” Trucy lowered her flashlight away from the hole.

“Because you think I’m crazy?” she said.

“No! No, because we are trapped underground in an abandoned mine, Trucy. And there is no way out.” The look that fell upon Trucy’s face stabbed Elise in the heart.

One of the best parts about living in a small town like Storybrooke was that you could always count on the members of the community. The mine had cut off its entrance, and when Apollo called for help, nearly half of the town had arrived along with the sheriff and the mayor. Construction crews and firemen were working on unblocking the tunnel entrance.

Apollo unconsciously started rubbing his bracelet out of nervous habit. His state of mind wasn’t being helped by Missile’s incessant barking. It also didn't help that he was still trying to call Ryuichi to tell him what had happened. All he got was voicemail. Of all the times for the man not to answer!

“Elise is smart,” said Chihiro. She put her hand on Apollo’s shoulder to calm him after yet another failed attempt to contact Ryuichi. “She will keep Trucy safe until we get to them.” Apollo sighed. He hoped so. The ground started to shake again. Everybody near the mine backed away as rocks came tumbling down. The rumble threw several people off their balance. “Watch out!”

“Stop! Stop!” said Karuma. The woman had been one of the first people to arrive on the scene. She ran down towards the mine. Her face read nothing but panic. “You’re making it worse!” As soon as the tremor stopped, Apollo regained his balance. He turned on Karuma.

“If you haven’t noticed, we can’t,” said Apollo. “You know why she went down there in the first place, don’t you? Because someone threatened Miss Deauxnim and now Trucy thinks she has something to prove.”

“And why does she think she has anything to prove? Who’s encouraging her?”

“Do not pin this on me.” There was the sharp crack of Karuma’s whip striking the ground.

“Oh, go ahead and lecture me while their oxygen runs out!” Apollo felt his breath get caught in his throat. The gravity of the situation hit him full force. They could very well die down there.

Now with Trucy by her side, the pair trapped down in the mineshaft continued their search for a way out. A noise soon echoed off of the walls of the caves. It was loud and distinctly animalistic.

“Do you hear that?” asked Elise. It was so familiar… She couldn’t quite place where she had heard it before.

“It’s Missile!” said Trucy. Elise’s hope swelled up. If they could hear Missile then...

“Follow the noise!” They both sped up, making their way towards where the bark was coming from.

The entire situation was nerve-wracking. The possibility of death was weighing heavily on Apollo’s mind. Death was permanent. Everyone was permeable to it. The repeating thought would not stop. He tried to distract himself by trying to get a hold of Ryuichi. He had failed enough that he ended up calling the hospital to tell the man the news. He sighed. He could see Karuma wringing her hands around her whip.

“We have to stop this,” said Apollo to the mayor. “Arguing won’t accomplish anything.”

“No, it won’t,” said Karuma. It had to be the first time they ever agreed on anything.

“What do you want me to do?”

“I want you… I want you to help me.”

The darkness of the mines were both soothing and terrifying. Yet, Elise and Trucy still ran in it. They couldn’t see where they were going, but they still ran. The sound of Missile’s barking was getting louder and louder.

“It’s loudest over here,” said Elise. She touched the source of where the barking was coming from. That wall was replaced with metal instead of stone. Elise placed her lantern on the ground and pulled. She pulled back the metal to reveal its true purpose. It opened up into an elevated cage.

“What’s…” said Trucy. “What’s this?” Elise stepped inside the cage, investigating every nook and cranny.

“Looks like… an old elevator. The miners used it to get in and out of here. It goes all the way to the top. That’s why we can hear Missile.”

“Can we make it work?” Elise shrugged.

“Let’s give it a shot.”

Idea after idea was being thrown around. The rescue crew couldn't very well dig their way through. The mine wasn't stable enough.

“We need to find some way to punch through the ground,” said Karuma as she paced back and forth. “We need something big.”

“Like what?” asked Apollo.

“What about explosives?” Chihiro suggested. Apollo turned, his eyebrow raised. It wasn't the safest idea, but it was the best idea they had.

The workers lay down the lines for the explosives. Everyone cleared out of the area, finding cover anywhere they could. This had to work. This needed to work.

“Okay,” said Apollo. “We’re all clear.”

“Come on!” said Elise, struggling with the wheel Trucy ran over to help hers sticking her flashlight in her mouth. Their combined effort turned the wheel. The elevator began to rise. They were almost out.

As soon as here seemed like there was a little bit of hope, the elevator shook and shuddered. Elise instinctively grabbed onto Trucy, holding her tight to protect her from any falling debris. The elevator dropped.

The smoke cleared from the mineshaft. Despite having covered them, Apollo could still hear a sharp ring in one of his ears. He ran towards the entrance. It had to work. It just had to. He cleared away some of the smoke with his hand. His heart sank. No…

“Did it work?” Karuma asked once Apollo returned.

“It didn't open,” replied Apollo. The words cut through the tension like a rusty, blunt knife.

“Then what did it do?” said Chihiro. Apollo felt sick to his stomach. He was rapidly losing hope.

Misty Fey paced back and forth. She didn’t now what to do. The taunts were getting worse. They were throwing things, throwing words. It hadn't stopped there. It wouldn’t be long before they started to throw things at Mia and Maya. Her children. Her beloved children. it was enough to break any mother’s heart.

She sat down on her bed. She was conflicted. She didn’t know what to do now. Tears brimmed her eyes. Her daughters… her darling daughters… they were going to get hurt because of her actions. A tear fell onto her cheek.

“Misty.” Misty looked up. Morgan had entered the room without her even knowing. Misty used the sleeve of her robe to wipe away any tears that she had. “There you are. I’ve been looking for you.” Misty, thought she tried to hide it, broke down. She ran towards her sister, burying her face into Morgan’s robes. “Misty?”

“Morgan…” Misty said, her hands clenching the robes tightly. “Morgan, I don’t know what to do…” Her sister placed a gently hand on her back.

“It’s alright.” Misty hiccuped. This had been a long time coming.

“I made a mistake…” Misty could barely control her sobbing now. “And I don't know how to undo it. What happened with the spirit summoning… everyone’s calling me a fraud… they’re throwing things in the streets…. they’re calling me a fraud…” Misty choked on her own breath. That was barely the worst of it. “My girls… I’m worried they’ll go after my girls… I don’t know what to do…” Her sobs came down heavier and harder. “I have tarnished the family name.”

“Then run.” Misty relaxed her grip on Morgan. She pulled away from her sister. As always, Morgan looked so calm and regal.

“What?”

“Run, dear sister,” repeated Morgan. She wiped away all of Misty’s remaining tears. Misty blinked. She shook her head, pulling back away from Morgan.

“But the kingdom. I…” Misty was the queen. It was her responsibility. It was her duty to protect her people.

“The people no longer trust you, dear Misty.” Morgan pursed her lips together. “You and you… abilities.” Misty shook her head.  Her kingdom hated her eyes but… Misty loved nothing more than her little princesses.

“But my daughters…” Misty choked out. “Mia and Maya… I don’t want them to grow up without their mother. What will they do if I’m not there to take care of them?”

“If you stay Misty, they will be mocked.” Morgan placed a gently hand on Misty’s shoulder. They will be ridiculed for the rest of their lives. And when Mia takes the throne…” Morgan shook her head. “I don't wanna think about that. It will only get worse. She is your daughter. If people doubt you, they'll doubt her. It will only harm her if you stay.”

“My girls…” Misty brushed away her tears. “Morgan, my girls…”

“You don’t have to worry about them, Misty. I’m right here. I’ll take care of them.” Morgan crossed over, holding out Misty’s cloak and her crooked staff to her sister. “It’s for the good of everyone if you run. Run and don’t ever look back.” Misty hesitated. Could she do this? She didn’t want to hurt her daughters. But… Morgan had a point. Staying here would only harm them.

Misty took her cloak and staff.

“Thank you…” he sniffed, “Thank you, Morgan.” Misty left the room quietly. She ever even noticed the snide smile growing upon Morgan’s face.

Ryuichi was just about ready to leave. His volunteer hours were done for the day. Now all that was left was to go home to Trucy and Apollo. It was a normal day. Nothing was wrong. Everything was…

Ryuichi groaned. Who was he kidding? He had problems.

“Mr. Naruhodou.” And there was one of the causes of so many of those problems. Ryuichi turned to face Reiji, who was now standing behind him. He could have sworn he was paper than he was earlier. “Might I ask where you’re going?”

“I'm just… heading home,” said Ryuichi, forcing a smile. It hurt just to be with him. It hurt and filled up Ryuichi will happiness at the same time. “I’ve got… my daughter to take care of…”

“Right. Trucy. You mentioned her in your last visit. She was the girl who helped find me, am I right?” Ryuichi nodded. It had been against his wishes, but it had happened.

“What are you doing up? Shouldn’t you be resting?”

“Actually, my doctor has suggested for me to start physical therapy soon. I’m supposed to walk thirty minutes a day on a treadmill or outside with an escort. However, the hospital is short on personnel because of something that happened at the mine.” Ryuichi hummed. He had heard about that. It hadn't been much more than a passing detail about two people being trapped down there. He didn’t know who exactly.

“Maybe if there was a volunteer who would help…?” Ryuichi grinned.

It wasn’t long before the pair were walking by a small lake near the hospital. It was on the grounds, and open for patients in rehabilitation. It was a beautiful day. Ryuichi seemed to think so as he engaged in a conversation with Reiji again, picking up where they had left off earlier.

“I’m trying to remember this town,” said Reiji as he walked alongside Ryuichi. “It seems like I woke up in a strange world.”

“Is there really nothing coming back?” asked Ryuichi. The gray-haired man nodded. Ryuichi thought back to how this conversation got interrupted before. “Not even when your with your wife?”

“She thinks so.” Ryuichi stared at him. “I may have lied to her about the recovery of my memories…” Ryuichi winced. “Exactly.”

“Why would you lie?” Ryuichi bit down on his tongue as soon as the words left his mouth. He shouldn’t have said that. That was way too personal.

“She’s doing her best. I didn’t want to disappoint her,” Reiji said with a sigh. “None of this feels… right. None of it makes sense. None of it…” he sighed again. “None of it feels real.”

“That sounds… really lonely.” The pair came to a gentle stop.

“Actually, Mr. Naru— … Ryuichi.” Why was it that him saying his name made Ryuichi’s heart skip a beat for each syllable? “One thing does feel real. That would be you.” Now that made Ryuichi’s face turn red.

“What?” he said, able to contain what he truly wanted to say.

“It’s insane, I know. But I can assure you that it is true. You are the only thing in this place that feels… right.” Ryuichi could feel himself burning up. He was getting a bit closer to the hospital patient. If things were going right he was about to…

“Mr. Naruhodou!” Reiji and Ryuichi immediately took a step back away from one another. That had a been a little too close for comfort. Ryuichi mentally hit himself. Reiji was married. Married!

One of the nurses was frantically running up to the pair of them, shouting Ryuichi’s name.

“Um… is everything alright?” said Reiji as the nurse came to a stop in front of them. “I am allowed to be out here. I made sure that I—”

“This isn’t about you… Mr. Mitsurugi,” said the nurse, trying to catch her breath. “Someone called the hospital… with a message for you, Mr. Naruhodou.” Ryuichi put his hand over his pocket. He could feel his phone in there.

“Why didn’t they just call me?”

“He couldn’t get through.” The nurse had finally caught her breath. Right… Ryuichi turned off his ringer while volunteering. Wait… he ?

“Who called?”

“Apollo Justice. He needs you. Down at the… the mines.” Ryuichi stared. Why the hell would Apollo want him down at the mine? It wasn’t like he could do much to begin with.

“It’s not really my place,” said Ryuichi. “I don’t now what I would be able to do. I’m just an art teacher.”

“It’s not that. One of the people trapped down there… it's your daughter, Trucy.” Ryuichi felt his heart stop. No… No, no, no. That couldn’t be right.

“What?!” He turned to he man next to him. “I-I’m sorry. I have to…”

“Go!” said Reiji, “She’s your daughter. Go!”

“I can give you a ride if you need it,” said the nurse. Ryuichi sighed. There would be no way he could bike to the mines shaft quick enough. He nodded. The two ran off. Ryuichi could only hope that Trucy was alright.

Everyone was still gathered around the mine. The explosives had little to no effect on opening the mine. The people present were in a flurry of emotions, especially the Mayor. She knew exactly who to take her anger and frustration out on: the unfortunate Apollo Justice.

“What was that? What the hell was that?!” said Karuma. Apollo ducked several strikes of a whip that cracked over his head. “You said you could do this!”

“Karuma!” said Apollo, trying to calm the mayor down.

“They could have killed them!”

“I know, but this isn’t helping.” Apollo could hear footsteps thudding behind him. He turned. Apollo sighed. Finally, Ryuichi had showed up. Maybe he should have tried calling the hospital first. “Where the hell have you been? I’ve been trying to call you for hours!” Ryuichi stumbled down into the ditch, clearly out of breath.

“I was… I…” he panted. He was really out of shape, wasn’t he? “I’m an idiot who doesn’t turn his phone on when it needs to be. Is Trucy okay?!”

“If we knew, we would have told you,” said Karuma. Apollo had never seen Ryuichi so worried in his life. Then again, Trucy’s life had never been in danger before. At least not that Apollo knew of.

“If we knew exactly where they were, we could drill down to them,” suggested Chihiro.

Apollo couldn’t think straight. Missile had not stopped barking. Whether it was because of the explosion or not, his barking only seemed to increase. They had put him in the fire engine to keep the dog from getting close to the mines when they tried to blow it up.

Wait… Missile. He ran towards the fire truck Missile had been put into to keep him from the explosives.

“Maybe… Maybe rig something to bring them back up. We could drill down.”

“But drill where?” asked Ryuichi. Apollo opened the fire truck's door and let Missile out. The Shiba Inu barked, happy to finally be free.

“Come on buddy!” said Apollo, whistling to get Missile’s attention. “Go!” Missile took off running. Apollo followed the dog.

“What are you doing? We—” said Karuma, catching sight of what the deputy was doing.

“It’s Miss Deauxnim’s dog.” Missile sniffed the ground for a while and began pawing at a spot on the ground. “He’s found something. Look! This is where they must be.” Chihiro and Ryuichi dug away at what Missile was trying to dig up. It was a metal cover. The pair removed it, revealing a hole blocked grated bars. “What?”

“What is that?” Ryuichi asked, brushing back his hair. It looked to Apollo like an ordinary sewer grate.

“It’s an air shaft,” said Chihiro.

Elise and Trucy were sitting in the elevator. It was nothing but quiet. Elise knew that there was a one in a million of getting out of here. The other 999,999 chances ended in death. She couldn’t let Trucy know that.

“I’m really… really, really sorry,” said Trucy. The girl had been quiet for the past few minutes. This was the first few things she had said in a while.

“It’s alright,” said Elise, keeping calm. Any other vocal pattern would make the situation worse.

“I just wanted to find proof. About the curse.”

“You know, it’s really alright, Trucy. And um… I’m sorry too. Look, I… I don’t think you’re crazy.” Trucy glanced up at her. “I-I just… I just think you got a very imagination. And you can let it get away sometimes… and uh… it scares people how carried away that you have gotten. That you’ve put yourself in dangerous situations because of it. Your father is terrified that you’re going to get yourself hurt one of these days.”

“Did he tell you to tell me that stuff?” Elise shook her head. Ryuichi probably didn't have to heart to do something like that.

“No. It was Miss Karuma. She cares about you, too, Trucy. She does, even though she doesn't show it in the best ways.” Trucy crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s natural to be scared. But it’s also natural for you to be able to be free to think the things that you want to think. So, anyway. I… I didn’t mean those things I said. I never should have said them.”

“Then, why did you?” asked Trucy.

“I guess I’m just not a very good person. I’m not the woman I want to be.” She was cut off when the elevator suddenly shifted, sending the pair farther down the shaft.

Ryuichi put a hook attached to the trunk of the patrol car around the grate. Nothing else would be strong enough to get it off.

“Okay. Alright. Gun it,” commanded Apollo. Chihiro started up her car. The pulling weight was enough to pry the grate off with a loud, metallic clang. “That’s good! Alright, we got it. Alright.” The grate was pulled cleanly off. Apollo, Karuma, and Ryuichi look down to the deep shaft. Chihiro got out of her car and joined them.

“So, what’s next?” asked Karuma.

Miss Deauxnim and Trucy were still sitting in the elevator. With impending doom looking over their heads, Trucy was doing her best to keep spirits up.

“I think you can be a good person,” said Trucy. “I mean, you’re a good woman. You gave up everything to protect your family… Who you were… it took you a long time to figure out what was right.” There was a long pause.

“That kind of sounds like me.”

“Now it’s harder for you because of the curse. To listen to your heart. To be who you want to be.” The elevator jerked again and moved farther down the shaft. Trucy hit her head against the metal of the elevator, causing her to cry out in pain.

Everyone was gathered around the air shaft. This new discovery had opened up a possibility for a hopefully safe rescue.

“You need to lower someone straight down, or the line will collapse the side of the shaft,” said Karuma.

“I’ve got a harness,” said Chihiro. This had to be it. This had to be the one that worked. Apollo just knew it.

“Lower me down,” said Ryuichi, taking a step up. Apollo put his hand on Ryuichi’s shoulder.

“No way,” he said. “I’m going. I’m smaller. There is less of a risk of me hitting the walls than you. I can do this.” Ryuichi stared at Apollo. No matter how much he protested, Apollo had been right.

“Just bring her back to me. Back to us.” Apollo gave him a small nod as Chihiro helped him into the harness. He was carefully lowered down into the dark abyss.

Inside the mines, a few more stones dropped down into the elevator. The longer Trucy and Miss Deauxnim were in there, more and more unstable the shaft was becoming. Their eminent demise was all they could think about, and all they could do was avoid the topic was talk.

“Hey, can I ask you again?” said Miss Deauxnim.

“Ask what?” replied Trucy.

“Why do you think it’s so important that your… your fairy tale theory is true?” Trucy stared at Miss Deauxnim. This wasn't the best topic to choose, given why she had gone down in the mines in the first place. Oh well.

“I don’t know,” Trucy said with a shrug.

“Give it a shot.”

She thought about the question. It was all because Daddy gave her the book. She saw the connections. How Prince Phoenix looked so much like Daddy, or how Mia Fey the Huntress looked like Miss Ayasato. The similarities didn't stop there. They were all alike in personality, too. Everyone was.

But Mommy… How she had been in the storybook too… they even used her own name -- Thalassa Gramarye. The resemblance and behaviors the characters and the people she knew couldn't be a coincidence. And Mommy… she was something special. She had heard her first daddy call Thalassa his magical charm. That couldn't have been because she was a magician, right?

Trucy felt that there was more behind it. There was more to everything. There was more to her mother, her daddy, the entire town of Storybrooke. She just knew that there was. Right?

“... I don't…” said Trucy after her long pause. “I don’t think that this is all there is.” Trucy took out and handed her therapist a chocolate bar from her bag.

“I understand,” said Miss Deauxnim.

“I thought if I found proof…” Trucy sighed. “But I didn’t find anything.”

“Well, that’s not true. I was lost and you found me, right?” Miss Deauxnim handed a piece of the chocolate bar to Trucy.

“You mean, you remember?” Trucy asked as she popped the candy in her mouth. “You remember who you used to be? How you were a queen?” Miss Deauxnim shook her head.

“No, Trucy. I… I don’t remember, but I do remember the kind of person I want to be. I just got to listen harder to my heart.” Pieces of rock fell through the grate at the top of the elevator. Some noises erupted from the top. Trucy looked up and saw a light.

“Wh-What’s that?” Trucy crossed her fingers that it wasn't the holy light people claimed to have seen before they died.

“I think that’s the rescue.” From above appeared Apollo Justice, being lowered from an opening at the top. Trucy grinned. He had come after her. He had come after them. He had been their savior.

“You guys okay?” asked Apollo.

“Yeah, we’re…” said Miss Deauxnim, relieved. “We’re okay.”

“Hang on, guys,” Apollo turned to the walkie-talkie he had on his harness. “Okay, that’s good. Stop.” Apollo came to a gentle halt on top of the elevator. The slight movement caused it to unnoticeably shift.

“Here you go,” said Miss Deauxnim, picking Trucy up off of the floor. “Up.” Trucy obliged. Apollo quickly and carefully removed the roof of the elevator. With a boost from Miss Deauxnim, Trucy was soon in the arms of her brother.

“Come on. I got you. Okay. Okay, I got her.” Trucy clung onto Apollo. She didn’t want to let go.

“You got her? Is she safe?” The elevator started to shake. Trucy looked down.

“Miss Deauxnim?”

“It’s going to fall!”

“I’m sorry!”

“It’s okay!”

“Miss Deauxnim!” Apollo and Trucy screamed in sync. The elevator finally gave away, falling down the entire shaft. There was a heavy crash at the bottom. Trucy felt her chest tighten. No… this couldn't be true. Miss Deauxnim was gone because of her. But then the dust settled. Trucy saw the truth.

Miss Deauxnim had grabbed onto Apollo’s leg before the elevator had fallen. They were all alive. They were all going to make it.

With a signal from Apollo to the world above, Apollo, Trucy, and Miss Deauxnim were pulled out of the elevator shaft. Daddy had been waiting for Trucy. She ran towards him, He held onto her tighten enough. Trucy didn't want to let go of him either. Chihiro pulled Miss Deauxnim into a tightly and much welcomed hug.

Trucy buried her face into her father’s shirt, the words ‘I’m sorry’ playing on her lips over and over again. Apollo soon came over, dropping down beside the pair. Trucy didn’t stop, and she didn't let go.

Misty stared at the two children before her. Mia and Maya were fast asleep. She placed a kiss on each of their foreheads. This would be the last time she would ever see them. A tear slid down her cheek.

“Goodbye…” Misty’s voice was a faint whisper as she left the room, quickly shutting the door behind her.

Misty ran. She ran from her palace. She ran from her home. She ran until she was far out into the forest. The queen… no. She wasn’t the queen anymore. The disgraced queen stopped. She couldn't see her home anymore. There was no going back now. She stared up at the moon. It was beautiful and full.

Misty felt her eyes fill with tears again. She leaned up against a tree. Her heart was aching just standing there. She couldn’t go back now. There was no turning back.

Misty fished something out from under her robe. Hanging around her neck was a red talisman on a silk cord, engraved carefully with gold designs. It was the mark of the queen of Kurain. She opened it.

A misty image formed before her. Mia and Maya. They were still fast asleep. They would have no idea that their mother was gone. Misty waved a hand. In the girl’s room, she could see a white cricket form by their beds. Tears slid down her cheeks. She shut the talisman, placing her lips to it.

“I’m sorry…” Misty tucked away the pendant before continuing on her way.

It was night, and most of the town was still at the mine site. Even hours after the rescue, people were still abuzz with chatter. Ryuichi hadn’t let go of Trucy since she had gotten out of there.  At least they were both standing now. She really had freaked him out. Him and Apollo, who had finally gotten back the feeling in his legs. He was surprised Miss Deauxnim hadn’t pulled his legs out of their sockets when she grabbed him.

“You are in so much trouble, young lady,” said Ryuichi, pressing a kiss into Trucy’s hair.

“I’m sorry,” said Trucy.

“You really scared us.” Trucy looked at the ground. Ryuichi sighed.

“You are grounded for the next two months.” Trucy looked up at him. “This is what you get for going into an abandoned mineshaft. Be glad it's not forever. I was very close to doing that. You can thank Apollo for changing my mind. But…” Ryuichi sighed. “I am so relieved that you’re okay.” He patted her shoulder. “Come on, let's get you home.”

“I’ll drive.” Apollo fished his keys out of his pocket. Ryuichi and Apollo were ready to leave. Trucy grabbed their sleeves as they tried to.

“Do you hear that?” All movement ceased. There was a loud but subtle chirping in the air. Trucy was grinning. “It’s crickets!”

“Crickets?” said Ryuichi. “I've never heard them here before.” Trucy took Apollo's hand.

“Things are changing.” Apollo returned a smile to her. Maybe she was right… just maybe.

Outside the mine, the workers and the crowd were chatting with one another and drinking to celebrate their victory over the forces of nature. In their merriment, no one took notice in Storybrooke’s mayor wandering off. Mei made her way over to where the air shaft was. There was no one around it to see what she was about to do. She took out a piece of glass from her pocket.

This cursed shard. It had been uprooted in the recent earthquakes. Who knew that thing would come to Storybrooke with them? All objects from the Enchanted Forest had been placed in Yuugami’s care. Not that the pawnbroker realized what he had, but Mei had trusted him enough with most of those things.

Without hesitation, Mei tossed it down the shaft.

The glass fell. It fell until it landed on the cold rock, shattering upon impact. Next to where the shard met its end was a broken coffin made of the rest of its fragile source.

Chapter Text

The week had gone by in a blur for Reiji Mitsurugi. The next thing he knew, he was being discharged and driven home by his wife. His wife. Hearing those words just still didn’t feel right. Ichiru was his wife. That’s what they had told him. But it didn’t feel like it was true.

Ichiru led him out of the car and up towards their house. It was small, with the numbers 1228 imprinted next to the door. Reiji stared at it with a blank expression. He had no memory of this house.

“You know that you had this same look on your face before we bought this place,” said Ichiru as she lead him up to the front door. “You couldn’t see past that ugly windmill on the lawn. Do you remember what made you change your mind?” He didn't. He shook his head. Ichiru sighed. “Well, nevermind that. Come on inside. Everyone is waiting.”

“Everyone?” Reiji repeated. What did she mean by that? He got his answer as soon as he walked in the door. There was at least half of the town in that house. His wife took him around to most of the people, trying to introduce him, and hopefully trigger his memories.

Reiji appreciated that Ichiru was trying. That was about it. He managed to get away from her. He sighed. This was a bit too much. He was tired. He knew no one here. Wait… Out of the corner of his eye he spot a pair of unmistakable hair-horns. Upon closer inspection, his suspicions were confirmed. Apollo Justice and Trucy Naruhodou were chatting with one another near the staircase. Finally, someone he knew.

“Hi, Mr. Mitsurugi,” said Trucy with a small wave. She had just struck Apollo’s arm in the middle of his sentence when she caught sight of Reiji walking up to them.

“Hello, Trucy.” It was hard to forget about her. Ryuichi had talked vividly about his daughter the day after the mine collapse. “You two are the ones who helped to save me, correct?” Apollo nodded. He hated to admit it but… “You two are the only ones I know here.”

“You can hide with us,” said Apollo. Reiji relaxed.

“Fantastic.”

“So… have you ever used a sword before?” asked Trucy. Reiji stared at her as Apollo quickly covered the girl’s mouth with his hand.

“What?”

“Ignore her, for she is just… very… very tired,” said Apollo quickly. He recoiled his hand, wiping it on his jeans. “Trucy! That is disgusting!”

“That’s why you don’t put my hand over my mouth!” A thought came to mind as Reiji watched the two bicker in an odd, sibling-like way. If Trucy was here… her father had to be around here somewhere, right? Reiji had been told that Mr. Naruhodou had been a regular visitor while he was comatose… actually, he had been his only visitor.

“You both live with Ryuichi, am I right?” Trucy gave him a nod. “Is he… coming to night?” Apollo shook his head.

“No. He’s at the school. Something about birdhouses… I dunno. He un-grounded Trucy for the night so she could go in his place.” Oh. Reiji quickly excused himself from the two. He headed out the front door. He really wasn’t needed at the party after all. What was needed was the fresh air.

The air was cold, and the night was dark. And yet, here Ryuichi was. He was hanging up the birdhouses made by his art students in the school’s courtyard. He wanted to surprise them in the morning. Even if it meant missing out on the welcome home party Ichiru was throwing for her husband. He had sent Trucy in his place. He hoped that it would be enough.

“Do you need some help?” Ryuichi nearly shrieked, fumbling around to get a hold of the birdhouse he had been holding seconds before. He whipped around. Standing behind him was the one person he was going to miss that night. Reiji entered the courtyard as Ryuichi hung up the birdhouse in the tree.

“Good evening, Reiji,” said Ryuichi. That was the last one. The bird feeder was still in his classroom. Oh well, he would have to hang that some time tomorrow. They had already locked up the school building for the evening. “Party end early?”

“No. I just needed to leave.” So he came to the school? “Can I ask you about something?” Ryuichi shrugged. He didn't see why not. “Is there a reason you sent your daughter in your place?” He bit back a groan. He really had hoped that wouldn’t wouldn’t the question.

“Yeah uh… she really wanted to go. So, I un-grounded her for the night and sent her off with Apollo. I’m just… here. Hanging up birdhouses. At the school.”

“Is this about what I told you last week?” Oh, that. That little thing about Ryuichi being the only real thing to him in Storybrooke? Ryuichi hadn't realized exactly what Reiji had meant until after he had returned home and was almost asleep. The mine collapse had taken over his mind for hours. Ryuichi sighed.

“No.” He was lying through his teeth. If he could stay away from Reiji, then those stupid feelings of his might go away. “Either way, you are married. My feelings really shouldn’t matter.”

“So you do have feelings for me?” Ah crap. Ryuichi felt warm against the cold night air. He shook his head. No. Reiji was married. Married!

“You’re pretty smart, aren’t you?”

“Considering I’m a prosecuting attorney according to Ichiru, yes.” So… he was a lawyer, huh? He had to be pretty smart. He did look smart. Especially in what he was wearing now. That hospital gown did not do him justice. Ryuichi felt pink come to his face. He was lucky that it was dark enough not to be able to see the color change. Ryuichi shook his head. No, Reiji was married. Married !

“Uh… I have to go. Trucy and Apollo should be home by now. Um… I uh…” Ryuichi said in a rush. “Goodnight!” He ran out of the courtyard. Reiji was married. Ryuichi had to remind himself of that until it stuck.

The queen was satisfied with herself. She watched her brother fight and slay a brute. It was a normal occurrence for the kingdom. It was means of execution for those more or less barbaric criminals. This time, however, it served a greater purpose. It served to prove to the king of a neighboring kingdom that her brother was more than a worthy candidate for something much greater than imagined.

The brute was slain, and her brother stood victorious. The queen and the visiting king who had watched alongside her made their way to the prince.

“Well done,” said the king as the prince joined them.

“Well done indeed,” said the queen. “He just killed the unkillable.”

“It is a valiant feat, for sure, but it was just a man. Can he do the same to a dragon?” The queen laughed, hiding it behind her hand. The only deal breaker. It had been such a simple request.

“Do fairies sprinkle dust?” said the queen in-between her giggles. “Do trolls live under bridges?”

“Calisto, relax,” said the prince, placing a hand on his sister’s shoulders. “I can handle anything that’s sent my way.”

“My kingdom is plagued by a dragon like nothing you’ve ever faced before,” said the king. “He has killed every warrior that’s tried to slay him.”

“He has yet to face one of our bloodline.”

“Yes,” said Calisto with a small nod. Their family was known for some of the best warriors across the lands. She would have very well gone herself, but Calisto had a kingdom to run.

“My kingdom needs this threat vanquished,” said the king.

“And ours is in need of gold.” Calisto knew the jewels and riches Hawthorne’s kingdom was known for. It was why she had reached out to him in the first place. “I'm sure that we can work something out.” Hawthorne nodded.

“You'll get your payment as soon as the dragon’s head is delivered to me.” Hawthorne held out his hand. The prince shook it.

“It's a deal.”

The king took the queen away to discuss details further. She wouldn’t have witnessed it. It was only a few short minutes later that Queen Calisto heard the news. Her brother had been murdered.

Apollo walked in the door around ten o’clock that night. Trucy was lighter than he had expected. Then again, the last time he had carried her was when someone was clinging onto his leg, so there might have been a significant weight difference.

They had driven home from Ichiru’s party. Trucy passed out in the car on the short drive. Apollo couldn't get her to wake up. So, with difficulty, he managed to get into the house and take Trucy up to bed. He had been greeted by Ryuichi with a short call from the kitchen when the man heard the front door open. Upon returning downstairs, Apollo walked in on Ryuichi violently scrubbing away at the dishes in the sink.

“What are you doing?” Apollo asked.

“Washing the dishes — what does it look like?” Apollo walked up next to him.

“It looks like you're assaulting a plate.”

“Yeah, well. The dishes were piling up…” Ryuichi paused. “... and Trucy won't allow me to clean the toilet anymore when I'm frustrated, so there's that.” Apollo thought about it. What could make his technical landlord so aggravated? He had a couple ideas. Actually, he had one. A pretty good one.

“Did you know that Mr. Mitsurugi left about halfway?”

“Did he? Imagine that.” Ryuichi started scrubbing harder.

“He asked about where you were. I told him.” Ryuichi stopped. “I'm not stupid. I can put two and two together. Did he go to the school? And please keep in mind that I know when you're lying.” There was a beat. Ryuichi groaned, dropping the plate into the sink.

“We just…” he stammered. “He just…” He groaned again.

“I know.” They moved to the table. Ryuichi groaned for a third time, holding his head in his hands.

“He made a pretty convincing argument…” Ryuichi said, pushing his hair out of his face.

“He's still married.”

“And that's what I keep telling myself.” Apollo patted his shoulder.

“Good.” Ryuichi sighed. He had it bad. Apollo could tell. “You're doing the right thing.”

“But if it's the right thing, why does it hurt so much?” Apollo didn't have an answer for that. He sighed. “I want to tell him how I feel but… he's married.”

“You want my advice? Stop cleaning. Stop cleaning before you break something.” Apollo was pretty sure that he saw a couple of cracks on the plate Ryuichi was ‘cleaning’ a few moments ago. “I don't know a lot about relationships. But, there is a general thing that I do know. If you think something you want to do is wrong, that's probably because it is. So, just stay strong until he figures out his life.” Ryuichi looked up at Apollo. He was giving off a weak smile. It was faked.

This was going to take a while.

Calisto couldn’t bring herself to look at her brother’s body. She felt like she was to blame. If she had just stayed there a little longer… No. There wasn’t time to think about that. The past was in the past. What had been done was done. But… her brother’s death brought on one more problem.

“Your majesty, there is no time to grieve,” said one of the palace guards. Calisto had been pacing back and forth in the grand hall for what seemed like an hour. “If Hawthorne learns that the prince is dead, he will find another warrior to slay his dragon. We have none left that can do it. You said so yourself.”

“I know…” Calisto said, biting the end of her nail. “I know.” The kingdom had to survive somehow. Calisto already saw to that. Her solution was the reason she was nervous in the first place.

“What are we going to do?” Calisto stopped in the center of the room, trying to relax herself.

“I've already sent for help. It should be here soon.”

“Oh, your help is already here.” Calisto feel the chill run up her spin as soon as he entered the room. She quickly dismissed her guard. She turned. The man in the room held an obvious dark aura. His face was covered by the hood he wore. It was fitting that the title of Dark One fit this man.

“So, this is how you treat your family?” said the Dark One as he circled the queen. “You really must be more careful.”

“He was my brother!” Despite her outward appearance, the queen was hurt by her brother’s loss. It was painful. The Dark One came to a halt in front of her.

“It is a shame that your father is gone… and that your mother… well… They never did find her after she ran off, did they?” Calisto narrowed her eyes. It was hard to tick her off. This man, however, found it rather easy to do. “But, now they both are gone. There is no changing that. I assuming that conceiving another warrior is out of the question since you're not married either. And you’re the last member of the royal family left.”

“Then let’s make a deal,” said Calisto. “Bring my brother back. I need him to do this. I will give you anything.” She was prepared to do anything.

“Anything?”

“Tell me what you want.” The Dark One chuckled. It sent a shiver down her spine. the queen refused to let it show.

“An associate of mine and I… we are looking for a certain woman.” The man began to pace around the room again. “Your kingdom is allies with the one she lives in. She is a member of the court there. I need her location. Her name is Metis Cykes.” Cykes? That name did sound vaguely familiar. Calisto would have to ask her guards if they knew anything else. She concerned her self with the royalty, not with their court members. She nodded.

“I'll give you access to anything you need. Now tell me. How do I bring my brother back?”

“Bring him back? Oh. That’s out of the question.” Calisto faltered. What?! “Magic can do so much. Resurrection is not one of them.” Calisto's hands turned into a pair of fists. She was getting really irritated now. Calling on the Dark One was a mistake.

“But you just said—!” She sighed. She had to calm down. This wasn’t like her. She mustn’t get angry. “If you can’t bring him back… then my kingdom is doomed.” The man placed his hands on her shoulders. Calisto felt instant cold under his touch.

“Oh dear,” he purred into her ear. She grew uncomfortable. “Did I not tell you that your brother would slay the dragon? I am a man of my word, after all.” Calisto blinked. Her only brother was dead. It would be impossible. He couldn't bring raise the dead.

“But he’s…”

“Oh. He is dead. There is no mistake about that. But your other brother…” Calisto froze. Her other what? She slowly turned to face the Dark One.

“My other what?”

“Your younger brother.” She had a second brother? How did she not… “Did no one tell you that there was another?” Calisto stood still. She had a second brother.

“Where can I find him?”

“I would suggest starting out in the Kingdom of Kurain. Not Khura’in. The names get very confusing.” The Dark One started to trade out of the room. Calisto came to her senses.

“Wait!” The man stopped. She had to know. The Dark One never told lies. Not when there was something in it for him. “What is his name?”

“His name….” The Dark One laughed, stepping outside of the room, “... is Phoenix Wright.” The door slammed shut.

The lost of his memory was starting to seem like a permanent one. It had been more than a week since he woke up, and Reiji still couldn’t remember anything prior to that day. Before that car crash… Ichiru had told him plenty of things. She even recommended looking through old photographs to try trigger something.

“You look different,” said Ichiru as she took out a photograph from a trip they supposedly took. Reiji took it from her. “Your hair. You used to push it back all the time.” Even the photo didn’t feel right. “You used to complain about it getting in your face.”

“I guess I got used to it…” said Reiji as he handed the photo back to her. She frowned a she put it back in the box.

“So um… I’m going to bed.” Ichiru closed the box. That was enough failed attempts at jogging his memory for one night. Ichiru sighed. “Care to join me?”

“I’ll… stay down here.” He was going to try something. Even if it was a small memory. There had to be something . Something didn’t feel right.

Ichiru leaned in to kiss him. Before she could get close, Reiji pushed Ichiru away. He finally figured it out.

“This isn’t right.” He got up off of the sofa and left, leaving Ichiru speechless.

The cloud of flour filled the air. Phoenix coughed, waving the dust out of his face. Okay, maybe that hit had been a little too hard into the dough. The young man had been left in charge of the bakery while his mother went to the market. So far, the bakery was empty. Phoenix had nothing better to do.

There was a subtle knocking on the counter. Phoenix looked up. The only customer in the shop right now was waiting for him. They had a pulled over their head and face.

“Can I help you?” Phoenix asked. The customer was still.

“The clock strike nine as royal blood is shed…” Phoenix blinked. He knew who this was. The code had been developed between the pair to identify one another.

“And the killer is written in red,” he said before turning his voice down into a harsh whisper. “Maya Fey, what are you doing here?!”

The young woman grinned. She pulled down her hood to reveal black hair with part of it tied up in a small knot on top of her head. An orange, comma-shaped jewel hung around her neck. Dark eyes were sparkling with her cheeky nature.

“I came here for what I always do,” said Maya as she leaned up against the counter. “It’s the full moon again.” Phoenix sighed. Right… but Maya always came in through the back, why did she risk coming in through the front? He picked up a small bundle of bread from a corner.

“You know if your aunt caught you here, you’d be in big trouble, Maya.” He handed the bundle over to her. Maya rolled her eyes.

“She’s got nothing on me. Besides, the people would rebel as soon as they realized their long-lost princess isn’t so lost. No matter what Aunt Morgan says.” Phoenix sighed again. Why was Maya so difficult? She had to get this from Mia. It had to be that. “So. How’s life been?” Phoenix shrugged as he returned to his work in the kitchen. Maya followed after him.

“Nothing’s changed.”

“Really? No girlfriend? I know that grain merchant is looking for a husband for his daughter~!” Phoenix rolled his eyes before turning to Maya. She was nearly an adult. Phoenix didn’t understand why she still acted like this.

“Maya.” He sighed, leaning up against the table in the middle of the kitchen. “When I marry someone, it will be for love. Nothing else.” Maya opened her mouth to speak. Another voice came through.

“Phoenix!” That was his mother. Phoenix warned Maya to be quiet as he headed out into the shop.

“Hello, mother . How was the—” Phoenix stopped short. Standing next to his mother was a man in armor he didn’t recognize. He knew what it meant though. A royal guard was here. A royal guard was here for something. Phoenix felt something bad sink into his stomach. He sincerely hoped they weren’t here for Maya.

“Nicky,” said his mother. Oh no. She only called him that when she was scared or vice versa. “We have to talk.”

His mother took his back into the kitchens. She knew Maya. She wouldn’t turn her in, right? But that wasn’t the story she told. She told Phoenix something he could not believe.

“I’m a what ?”

“Nick’s WHAT?!” Mrs. Wright leaned up against the table. Phoenix was staring at her, still trying to understand the story she had just told him, and by extension, Maya.

“Your father… was a horrible man, Phoenix,” she said, trying to keep calm. Phoenix shook his head.

“No. No. He was a drunk, Mom, but he wasn’t—”

“He wasn’t your father.” Phoenix went still. “Your real father was a king. And he was… a horrible man. It was an arranged marriage. I didn’t love him, and he didn’t love me. So, he took out his frustration with that on me. I was unhappy so I… I looked for a way out. I-I met your stepfather and he helped me get away… away… but I found out I was pregnant with you before we left and… the rest is history.” Phoenix really need to sit down.

“So, Nick really is a…” said Maya. Phoenix’s mother nodded. Maya was as stunned as her friend was. Phoenix Wright. A prince? It was something that was hard to believe. Words kept getting caught in Phoenix’s throat. Only one understandable thing made it out.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked. His mother turned away.

“Because I thought it was best if you didn’t know the truth.”

“Ma’am?” The guard had entered the kitchen. Maya quickly pulled up her hood to cover her face. Phoenix stared at him. “Time is of the essence.” Phoenix looked to his mother, then back to the guard.

“What do you want?” he asked. There was a slight defensive tone in his voice.

“Not me. The queen. Your sister.” Phoenix glanced back at his mother. She wouldn’t look him in the eye. “She needs you to slay a dragon.”

“Nick?” said Maya, hiding a snicker. “Slay a dragon? He’s no dragon slayer.” Phoenix sighed. It wasn’t like Maya was wrong, but he wished she hadn’t said that out loud.

“The queen is willing to provide a wealthy payment for your services.” Payment? Not many people had been coming in since they moved to Kurain. Ironic, considering that’s what the move was supposed to solve. “And should you survive, you will come home the conquering hero. All you need to do is play the part. The knights will take care of everything else. You just have to deliver the dragon’s head.”

Phoenix looked between the two women in the room. There was worry on his mother’s face. Maya was biting her lip and staring down at the ground. He swallowed something down in his throat. He turned to the guard.

“I don’t have a choice here, do I?” The guard shook his head. Phoenix sighed. “Fine. I’ll play your prince.” The guard held out his hand. Phoenix shook it.

Ryuichi was not having a good morning. He hadn’t slept well the night before. Sleep wanted to claim him. He sat in the diner, have a couple of minutes before he had to head off to work. He needed to clear his head. Apollo was right. Maybe telling Reiji how he felt wasn’t the right thing to do. If anything, it would only make things worse.

“Mr. Naruhodou.” Ryuichi looked up from the cold coffee in front of him. Mei Karuma was standing above him. He groaned, rubbing his eyes. “Might I have a word with you?”

“Be my guest,” he replied. It wasn’t like there was anything to stop her from talking to him. Miss Karuma sat down across from him.

“I want to talk to you about my friend. Ichiru. Do you know her?” Ryuichi slowly nodded. Of course he knew who she was. The information was permanently implanted in his brain. He had to keep reminded himself the woman existed. “More specifically, I want to talk to you about her husband, Reiji Mitsurugi.” Ryuichi stiffened. Oh no. “You don’t belong together. He’s not yours, and he will never be yours.”

“I haven’t done anything.” He wanted to keep it that way. He took a sip from the coffee. Cold coffee was disgusting.

“Really? So he just up and left his wife out of nowhere?” Ryuichi spat out the drink. He did what now? “You seem surprised.”

“That’s because I am! Reiji left Ichiru?!”

“... you didn’t know, did you?” Ryuichi shook his head. What had happened the last night? Is that why Reiji came to visit him? Or was there another purpose? “Either way. Listen carefully. It’s in your best interest if you stay away from him. Reiji Mitsurugi is in a fragile state of mind right now. He doesn’t understand what he is doing. You are oh so very close to wrecking multiple lives. I recommend that your let him remember who he was. Enjoy your coffee.” Mei gave him a smirk before leaving. Ryuichi stared down at the coffee in his hands.

Reiji had left his wife. He didn’t understand. Why would he… Ryuichi sighed. Of course he understood. That conversation last night… Reiji was a smart man. It wouldn't have taken much to figure out the truth. And if Reiji felt the same way…

… he did say he was an attorney, right? Ryuichi was so lucky that there wasn't anything to do after classes that day.

Phoenix was starting to regret his decision. He kept reminding himself that the whole charade was worth it. There would be enough money to take care of his mother… and maybe finally get that bounty off of Maya’s head.

“There he is!” Phoenix snapped to attention. He whipped around the see an unfamiliar king walking towards him. That had to be the king he was told about. “Our savior. The man who is going to tear the dragon limb from limb.” Phoenix had to do everything to keep himself from showing how nervous he actually was. The king put a hand on Phoenix’s shoulder. He handed him a sword. “You do this and you’ll be a legend.” The man walked away. That definitely didn’t put any more pressure on Phoenix. One of the knights came to help him with his armor.

“You fastened this wrong,” he told the baker-turned-prince. He took the sword out of Phoenix’s hands as he adjusted the shoulder plates Phoenix was wearing. He really didn’t like wearing this. It was heavy and uncomfortable.

“How am I supposed to fight without a sword?” Phoenix asked.

“You won’t. You will stay outside, and we will kill the dragon.” He gestured to the other knights around him. “If you don’t come out of this alive, Hawthorne won’t give our kingdom any gold. You may have the title of hero, but not the job.” Phoenix frowned. That wasn’t much of a confidence booster.

Phoenix and the small group of knights the queen had sent with him were soon ready. As they marched up to the dragon’s lair, Phoenix could hear its distant roar. He felt fear jump and latch onto him. This was a real dragon, not the fictional ones in stories. This wasn’t a story either. This was reality. And seeing the charred remains of failed warriors was extremely unsettling.

They soon reached the mouth of the dragon’s cave. Two knights stayed out with Phoenix while the rest entered the lair. Phoenix sighed, leaning up against a rock. Hero indeed.

“Did you know him well?” he asked one of the knights with him in an attempt to pass the time. “My brother. The original prince.”

“Yeah. We knew him,” replied the knight. “He was the bravest man I’ve ever met.” So this unknown brother was pretty brave, huh? Phoenix found that ironic. They were nothing alike.

A loud roar came from the dragon's cave. Phoenix broke away from his thoughts, snapping to attention. Flames shot out of the cave’s entrance. There were screams. The men inside were not winning in their fight against the dragon. Phoenix only had one thought.

“We have to help!” He tried to run towards the cave, but the two knights outside the cave held him back.

“Our orders were clear. You are to stay here!” That didn't stop Phoenix from fighting against them.

“But people are dying!”

“We have to stay back!” Phoenix finally broke free. “Hey!” He guessed carrying sacks of flour to the kitchen from the storage room every day finally paid off.

Phoenix ran towards the cave. It was a stupid decision on his own part, but he wasn't going to stand by and let people die when there was something he could do about it! One of the knights crawled out of the cave, his legs bleeding and burned. Phoenix grabbed a hold of him. He dragged the man away and out of the dragon’s lair. The knight dropped his sword in the process. He pulled him behind a large outcropping of rocks. Phoenix peered out from this hiding place. His heart stopped.

Out of the cave had come the dragon. The beast was more than three times Phoenix’s height. It flew overhead. Even the size of its wingspan was massive. There were more screams as the dragon spouted out fire. Phoenix nearly gagged. The men assigned to protect him laid charred and unmoving. There was no one left who could slay the dragon. Unless…

“Where's your sword?” Phoenix asked the man beside him. The man shook his head. Phoenix looked over to the fallen knights. They still had their swords.

He ran out from behind the safety of the rocks. The sword. He had to get to the sword. The dragon flew back over, creating a line of fire to try and get to the phony prince. Phoenix ducked behind another rock. He was so close.

As soon as the threat temporarily faded, Phoenix dashed out from behind his barrier of safety. He got to the burnt corpses. He went to draw one of the swords. Phoenix immediately reeled back, dropping the blade. It burned his hand through the thick leather glove he had been forced to wear. There had to be something nearby that Phoenix could use.

Lying on the ground a few feet away was the sword the only living knight had lost. The dragon circled back. Phoenix dashed for the sword. He slid into the gravel, grabbing the blade as the dragon tried to turn him to ash. The flame narrowly missed him. He had a sword. Now what?

Phoenix ran. He ran around the dragon as it still tried to turn him into bacon with its fire. The fake prince spotted a small opening in the rock. If he could get through…

Phoenix sighed. Well, it was worth a shot.

He sprinted into the crack. It was big enough for him to slip through. The space behind it was small, just as Phoenix hoped it would be. He turned as he found himself backed against the rock. The dragon had followed him. It was snapping and snarling at Phoenix from the fissure. It tried to pull back. It couldn’t. The dragon was stuck.

“Bet you didn't see that coming, did you?” The dragon growled. Phoenix swung his sword. There was a sickening snap of metal cutting through bone. The dragon’s head was severed. It landed at his feet. Its body went limp.

The adrenaline rush subsided. Phoenix dropped down on to his knees, panting heavily. Wariness was replaced by a victorious grin and the sound of Phoenix’s laughter. He couldn't believe what had happened.

He just killed a dragon.

It took forever to find the prosecutor’s office. That may have been because Ryuichi had been walking at the time and was tired from having to work with highschoolers for eight hours. It didn't matter. Ryuichi wanted to get his facts straight. He wanted to know the truth before he started jumping to conclusions.

The receptionist was kind enough to give him directions up to Reiji’s office. Ryuichi was going through the conversation in his head. How was he going to confront him about this? Ryuichi sighed as he made it to the door. He was going to do this the same way he did most things in life. He was going to wing it and hope for the best.

Ryuichi knocked on the door. There was a muffled voice allowing him in. He took in a deep breath. Here went nothing. Ryuichi stepped inside the office. Reiji looked up when Ryuichi entered. He stood up from his desk, a bit surprised to see the teacher.

“Ryuichi,” said the man. He sounded pleased. “What are you doing here?”

“I uh… I needed to see you,” Ryuichi replied. He wanted to back out. This wasn't going as well as it did in his head and it had been less than a minute. “I-I mean I need to talk to you.”

“About…?” Reiji crossed out from behind his desk.

“... Please tell me you didn't leave your wife because of me.” Reiji leaned against his desk. Ryuichi didn't want that guilt on his shoulders. “I don't want to destroy your marriage.”

“You're not. Don't worry about it.” Ryuichi slowly began to relax. Okay, so he wasn't a homewrecker. “I don't wish to harm Ichiru, but the most hurtful thing I can do is continuing to pretend that I remember her. She needs someone who feels about her the same way you feel about me.” Ryuichi stared at the floor. “You do realize that the feeling is mutual?”

“I'm trying really hard to do the right thing. And to do that I… I have to stay away from you. You already have a life.”

“Yes. One that I don't remember.” Ryuichi sighed. “I am not the man who married Ichiru.” Ryuichi backed up.

“I have to go.” He turned to the door.

“Is that truly what you want? I know how you feel.” Ryuichi froze, his hand on the doorknob. It wasn't what he wanted. He wanted to stay. He wanted to reveal his true feelings. “... Meet me tonight at the bridge where you found me at 8:00. If you don't show, I'll have my answer. But… if you do come… well, you'll know where I'll be."

Ryuichi was still for a moment. He opened the door and left the office. His face was furiously red.

Apollo bent down, picking up a box that had been sitting next on the floor. He took it and sat down at the desk that served as his. Storybrooke was an incredibly boring place on most days. And on those days, Apollo found himself stuck reorganizing old files and what not.

 He opened the box and started going through the files hidden away inside. Before he could even get started, Chihiro entered the room. She was holding out a box of donuts to him.

“Sometimes the clichés are true,” she said. Apollo stared at the box. Something felt off. He knew things like this were often too good to be true.

“What do you want?” Apollo asked the sheriff.

“Remember when I said no night shifts?” Chihiro said. “I need you to work tonight. Just this once.”

“Why?” Apollo droned out, sounding a bit like a disappointed teenager.

“I volunteer at an animal shelter. The supervisor is sick, so someone needs to feed the dogs.” Apollo groaned. He stared down at the donut box.

“You're very lucky you brought a bear claw.” He took the treat from the box and took a bite out of it. Apollo turned to continuing his filing. Once again, however, someone entering had interrupted him. This time it had been Ryuichi.

“Apollo, can I talk to you for a minute?” he said. There was a brief pause as Apollo looked to the other person in the room.

“I'll just… uh… I'm gonna go patrol my office,” said Chihiro. She went into her office, shutting the door behind her. There was silence for a moment before Ryuichi leaned against Apollo’s desk.

“He left his wife,” said Ryuichi once he made sure that Chihiro couldn't hear them. “Reiji. He left her. H-He left Ichiru.” Ryuichi was talking too fast for Apollo to comprehend.

“Ryuichi, calm down.” Ryuichi sighed. He sat down on the desk. “Okay. Now, Mr. Mitsurugi did what?”

“He left Ichiru.” Oh. Apollo hadn't thought that would happen. Then again, he wasn't one to question a man eleven years older than him who had been in a coma for who knows how long. “He knows how I feel. He feels the same way, a-and he wants me to let him at the toll bridge tonight.”

“That's uh… um… wow.” Apollo was never the best one to come to in the case of relationship advice, especially considering how his last, real relationship went.

“I mean… How do I stop this? How can I let him down easy? Apollo, help!” Apollo sighed, leaning back into his chair. Ryuichi had been right the night before. Reiji Mitsurugi did put up an interesting front. Apollo shrugged.

“If I were you, I'd go.” Ryuichi stared at him. “Ryuichi, he left his wife. It's one thing to have unrequited feelings for someone. But he returns them. Mr. Mitsurugi already made his choice. That's all you can really ask for.” Ryuichi groaned.

“Given by the fact that Ichiru made friends with her, I don't think the mayor would be happy.”

“And that's all the better reason to do it!” If Apollo had been in Ryuichi’s place, he would do it. Pissing off Karuma was the icing on the cake. The man sighed, standing up.

“This is really happening, isn't it?”

“You tell me.” There was a pause. Ryuichi left almost as quickly as he came. Apollo sunk back into his chair. He would find out later. Trucy would be happy to hear about this. And maybe Apollo could actually get some work done today.

Phoenix still couldn't believe what had happened. He killed a dragon. He actually did it. Maya would be shocked to hear about that once Phoenix got back.

“We did it,” said the queen once Phoenix had returned with the dragon’s head. She was positively giddy with giggles. “We pulled it off!”

“Does this mean I can go home now?” Phoenix asked as he and the queen entered the grand hall. The king was there waiting for them.

“Not now.” Phoenix sighed. He wasn't ever going to get home, now was he?

“From this day forth, that beast’s head will be a reminder of the valiant warrior who killed it,” said the king in a greeting. “You, young man, are the bravest and most noble prince I have ever met. I am surprised we have not met sooner.”

“Yes, well…”

“He was always a shy one. Never was one for gatherings and such,” interrupted the queen. “Now, about our payment?”

“Yes, you were promised gold. It is gold you shall have,” replied the king. This was almost over with. “However, I did not get where I am today by thinking small. Young man, I was not just looking for a warrior to slay the dragon, I was looking for a hero. Someone I would be proud to call family.” Wait, what?

The king stepped aside. A young woman took his place. She was short, with vivid red hair and gleaming dark eyes. She was beautiful. Phoenix felt himself tense up. His heart skipped a beat. His face turned pink just by looking at her.

“This is my daughter, Dahlia,” continued the king. Even her name was beautiful. “I promised her I would only give her hand in marriage to a companion worthy of her.” Wait, wait. Marriage? Phoenix’s face turned darker.

“He killed the dragon?” Dahlia said to her father. Her voice made Phoenix's heart miss a beat. She looked at him with those glittering eyes. “He’ll do.”

“And, so, your highness,” said the king. Dahlia held out her hand in front of Phoenix. “I offer you my daughter’s hand in marriage.”

“I… uh…” Phoenix stuttered. He was at a loss for words. “I-I-I… um—” He whimpered as a heel dug into his foot.

“My brother,” said the queen as she pulled back her foot. “Always so humble.” She gave him a look. Phoenix cleared his throat. He knew his answer. He took Dahlia’s hand.

“I-I accept.”

Storybrooke was supposed to be a small town. Even if he had his memories, Reiji would still get lost trying to find the toll bridge. He had managed to get there from the hospital easily. Why was it so hard now?

“Good evening, Reiji.” Reiji came to a stop. He had been lost deeper in thought that he realized. He was about to run into Mei. “I apologize for startling you. I was just heading home from work and I saw you looked a bit lost.”

“Yes,” Reiji replied. “I was looking for the toll bridge.”

“Trying to jog your memory?”

“No. Actually, I'm meeting someone.” Mei’s expression turned bitter. She crossed her arms.

“I see you made your choice.” He nodded. Mei sighed. “And there's nothing I can do to change your mind?”

“I can't very well change how I feel.” Mei briefly bit her lip. It had been the truth. Ichiru’s affection felt… wrong. There was no logical way to explain it.

“Of course you can't.” Mei sighed. She pointed in the opposite direction. “If you want to get to the bridge, take this street down to the pawn shop. There, you'll find a fork in the road. Take the left. A hiking trail will lead you directly to the bridge and your… someone.”

“Thank you for understanding.” She and Ichiru were friends. It was surprising that Mei had acted so civil towards him. Reiji followed her directions to the pawnshop. He stopped short.  Maybe she hadn’t been so civil after all. There was no fork in the road.

Hopefully, whomever ran the pawnshop would offer some more accurate instructions. It was almost eight, and Reiji Mitsurugi was a man of his word. He didn't want to be late.

The disorganization of the shop itself as a bit… unnerving. Reiji entered the building, silently closing the door behind him.

“Is there anyone here?” There is no answer. Reiji walked further into the store. He looked around. There had to be something here that would indicate some sign of human life.

Something caught his eye. Laying on a counter as a golden ring, inset with a pinkish-red gemstone.

“Miles.” Reiji backed away from the ring. Standing beside him, as if appearing out of out of where, was a tall man dressed in black.

“I’m sorry?” Reiji said, staring at the man. He looked somewhat familiar.

“The ring. You can’t find another one like it for miles,” said the man. “I can give it to you… for a price.” Reiji shook his head. He backed away from the ring. It had just seemed… familiar to him.

“Actually, I came in here for directions. I’m looking for the toll bridge. The mayor said that there was a fork in the road nearby but…”

“It would seem that Miss Karuma has purposefully lead you astray.” Reiji groaned. He was definitely going to be late now. “If you still wish to head to the toll bridge, you must turn right from here. In about two blocks, you’ll find a trail. You can’t miss it.” So he was going in the right direction. Mei definitely did what she did on purpose.

“Thank you.” Reiji turned to leave. However, once again, something caught his eye. Sitting near the door was an old dusty windmill. There was a sense of familiarity to it. “Where did you get that?”

“That thing?” replied the shop owner. “It's been gathering dust for just about forever.” The man had his eyes focused on the windmill. He winced. Images began to flash in and out of his head in a rapid succession.

“I think… this belonged to me.” He remembered.

He raced home as fast as he could. Phoenix was high on good spirits and the thought of love. He ran home to the bakery. He swung open the door.

“Mother!” There was a small clatter from the kitchen. The woman rushed out, her face covered in flour. She almost cried upon seeing her son.

“Phoenix!” His mother ran up to him. She wrapped her son tightly in her arms. “You're back! You're alive!” His mother pulled back. There were happy tears streaking her face. “Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine and… I did it. I really did it.”

“Look at you!” She examined her son. Since the last time they met, Phoenix had been thoroughly changed in the means of his clothing. “You really do look like a prince!” Phoenix gave her a nervous smile. “Come on back. Oh, Nick. You should see the place! The queen is taking good care of us, and she's already…” His mother had been making her way back towards the kitchen. Phoenix didn't follow. “Phoenix?”

“Um… King Hawthorne. He wants to unite the kingdoms…” said Phoenix, rubbing the back of his neck. This was harder than he thought it would be. “He wants me to marry his daughter.” Phoenix gave her a smile. Dahlia had entered his mind’s eye.  Just the thought of her created butterflies in his stomach.

“What?”

“I accepted,” said Phoenix, still smiling like an idiot. “She's… She's so beautiful, Mom! She's so sweet and adorable and… I… I love her. I love her, Mom!” His mother sighed.

“… you really are happy. Aren't you?”

“Yes, I am.” Phoenix’s smile faded. “But… there's one downside to the whole marriage. I can't return.” His mother’s mouth was agape as she tried to comprehend the weight of the situation.

“… We can’t ever see each other again.” Phoenix slowly nodded. If he wanted to marry Dahlia, he would have to give up everything he ever knew. Everything he cared about.

“And I've already accepted. I didn't come here to stay… I came here to say goodbye.” His mother stared at the ground. It broke his heart to see the one person he had known all his life to look so downtrodden.

“... do you truly love her?”

“Yes. With all my heart.” His mother put her hand to his cheek. Phoenix couldn't stand seeing her on the brink of tears.

“My boy… my sweet, sweet boy…” She pulled back. “If you truly love this woman... then give her this.” She unfastened a leather cord around her neck. Hanging off of it was a golden ring. Set in the metal band was a pinkish-red jewel. Phoenix knew what it was.

“Mom, no.” He tried to push it into her hands the second she held it out to him. “I can't take that.” It was her wedding ring. It was the only thing she had left of his stepfather.

“True love follows this ring wherever it goes.” His mother took it off of the leather that had been holding it. “I had it with your stepfather. I've had it as your mother. Now, I wish for you to have it. Take it.” She held out the ring again. “If it is true love between you and this girl… the ring will let you know.” She forced it into her son’s hands before he could have another chance to deny it.

“Mother…”

“Even if I never see you again, I know that you will find love. I know you'll be happy.” Tears strained her face once more as she embraced her son. Phoenix felt his heart straining itself as he tried to hold it together. He slid the ring into the pouch on his belt.

Ryuichi always hated the cold, but he was willing to bear it if it meant getting closer to the one person who could make his heart skip a beat. He paced back and forth on the old bridge, trying to keep himself warm. It was well past eight. Was Reiji even going to show up?

It was only the sound of running footsteps that gave him his answer. Ryuichi turned as Reiji made his way up to him.

“You actually came…” he said, trying to catch his breath. Ryuichi nodded.

“You sound surprised…” There was something else. “And a little bit disappointed. What’s wrong?”

“I… I remember.” Ryuichi went tense. He remembered? How? It had only been a few short hours since they lost spoke. A few hours ago, Reiji hadn't remembered anything. “I remember everything. Ichiru…”

“You remember you love her.” To his surprise, Reiji shook his head.

“I know that I did at one point in my life. I know now that I don't. However, I do have to honor that fact of how I did feel.” Ryuichi shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket.

“So everything you told me—”

“It's true. All of it. I do have feelings for you. Feelings that I don't quite understand.”

“But you're going back to her.” Ryuichi tried to bit back the pain.

“It's the right thing to do.”

“So… you've made your choice.”

“I—” Ryuichi held up a hand to stop him.

“It's okay. It's fine.” He sighed. “I guess it wasn't meant to be. Now if excuse me, I have to get home.” Ryuichi walked past Reiji. He didn't want to see his face. Not right now. Ryuichi left him alone on that bridge.

Phoenix fiddled with the pouch on his belt. The ring inside felt heavy. He had gone back to the queen as quickly as he could. He didn't want to deal with the pain of leaving his mother behind any further.

Calisto lead him up to where Hawthorne and Dahlia were waiting with a carriage. The princess’s presence was enough to lift his spirits. Mostly.

“Let this moment mark the beginning of a new era,” said the king after greeting the queen and Phoenix. “An era of unity and strength.”

“And a new era of prosperity,” added the queen. The king turned to his daughter and Phoenix.

“I will stay to work out the details of your union with Queen Yew. You two, go to your new home at my palace. We'll be along shortly.”

“Thank you, father,” Dahlia said with a sweet smile. “I trust you know best.” She climbed in the carriage. Phoenix went to follow are her, only to be jerked back by the queen.

“I'm glad you made the right choice, my dear brother.” Why did her saying that make Phoenix uncomfortable? “Smile. You're on the road to true love.”

“Thank you… Calisto.”

“Feenie — I’m tired of waiting!” Dahlia’s nickname… it made Phoenix lightheaded. He climbed into the carriage. And then they were off.

Phoenix sat across from Dahlia. He took the pouch off of his belt. It still felt heavy. That ring… it would show him that Dahlia was his true love when he put it on her finger. It was like his mother said. It would let him know who his true love was. And that person was Dahlia Hawthorne. Phoenix sighed, leaning back. That thought… there was something off about it.

Phoenix Wright loved his fiancée but… he didn’t know. If they were going to be tied together in marriage, why did something feel wrong? He loved the princess, that's for sure. He couldn't figure it out. Phoenix just sat in the carriage, staring out the window, unaware of the events that were about to take place.

Night shift was just as uninteresting as the day shift. All Apollo really had to do was patrol around Storybrooke in the sheriff’s car every couple of hours. It wasn't that big of a deal. Or at least he thought it wasn't until he got to Karuma’s house.

Apollo slowly came to a stop. His eyes had caught sight of a figure leaving the mayor’s house. He pulled over, slowly getting out of the car. He couldn't see the person’s face. He snuck up behind them.

He tackled the figure to the ground. In a flash, Apollo found himself on his back and pinned down onto the grass by…

“Chihiro?!” Apollo nearly shouted, staring at the sheriff of Storybrooke in disbelief. Chihiro stared back. She immediately relaxed.

“Oh my God… Apollo.” She got off of him. Chihiro held out a hand to help him up. Apollo looked to the mayor’s house and back to her. He smacked her hand out of the way.

“This is volunteering?!” Apollo got up himself, brushing away the dirt.

“Uh… my plans changed. Mei needed me to—”

“To what? Sleep with her?!” Chihiro stepped back, violently shaking her head.

“No! No… No! It's nothing Like that, I promise!” Apollo felt nothing from his bracelet. She wasn't lying. Either that, or she was really good at faking it. If it was the truth, then what the heck was going on?!

“Then why were you sneaking around?” Apollo asked. He was determined to get an answer. Chihiro bit down on her lip, not saying a word. “That's what I thought.”

“You can tell I'm not lying!” Chihiro protested. Apollo made his way back to the car. She followed. “I didn't sleep with her! We just… its complicated.” Apollo groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Oh my God.” He really didn't want to deal with this right now.

“... I really do work at an animal shelter.” Apollo came to an abrupt halt as he turned to Chihiro. He took the keys to the police cruiser and threw them to her. He didn't care anymore.

“You can finish my shift.” His anger was far from noticeable. “I'm done working nights.”

Apollo stormed off down the road. Chihiro was left in the shadows of the night.

Chapter Text

The dartboard in the diner really didn’t deserve most of the darts thrown into it. Then again, it was the only way Chihiro Ayasato could truly relieve her frustration. First, it had been plain old stress from her job. Next, Apollo had caught her leaving Mei’s the night before and had not spoken to her since. He probably still thought they were sleeping together. There was a rather chilling thought. Chihiro saw Mei more as a sister than anything.

She threw another dart. It landed right next to its predecessor on the bull’s eye.

“Nice shot, sheriff,” said Tomoe Houzuki, a reporter for the local paper. It had been her idea to go out for a drink that night. “I’ll bet you twenty that you can’t do it again.” Chihiro smirked. She was willing to take that bet.

She picked up another dart and threw it. Her aim was true. Like the others, the dart nailed the bull’s eye on the board.

“Next round is on you, Tomoe.” The bell near the door ringed. Chihiro turned. Apollo was standing in the middle of the diner. He immediately turned on his heel upon seeing Chihiro. Oh no. He was not getting away this time. Chihiro picked up one of the darts and threw it. Apollo had just opened the door when it struck the door frame — right next to his head.

“What the hell?!” he exclaimed. “You could have hit me!” Well, at least he was talking to her.

“I never miss.” Chihiro walked over, pulling the dart out of the wood. Now that she had his attention, it was confrontation time. “You’ve been avoiding me since you saw me—”

“Leaving the mayor?” Chihiro nodded. Apollo sighed. He still had a hand on the door. “I’m not avoiding you, Chihiro. It’s your life. You’re a grown adult. You can do whatever you want. I really don’t care.” He left the diner. There was no way in hell that Chihiro was going to let him get away that easily. She grabbed her jacket and rushed out after him.

“If you don’t care, then why are you so upset?” Chihiro asked once she caught up with Apollo.

“I’m not upset,” protested the young man. Chihiro knew upset when she saw it. And Apollo was bad at hiding it.

“If that were true, you would be having a drink with me and not running away.”

“What you do or who you do in your spare time is none of my business!” Chihiro groaned. There was no doing going on. Apollo still didn’t seem to understand that.

“Wait.” Apollo slowed down before coming to a stop. He turned to face Chihiro. Finally. “Apollo, please. Can we talk about this? I need you to understand the truth. I’m not sleeping with Mei. Our relationship is just—”

“Complicated. Yeah. I know. Look, if you’re having issues, go talk to Miss Deauxnim. I know how close you two are. I don’t want to talk about your relationship with the mayor.” So that was it, wasn’t it?

“Is this because of Mei?” Apollo’s silence told all. “I know I should have told you about it before you took the job but…” Chihiro sighed. “She is nothing more than a really good friend to me. I can promise you that.”

“Then why keep it a secret?” In all honesty, Chihiro thought Apollo already knew about it. “You’re an adult. I’m an adult. You can do whatever you want. Personally, I don’t give a damn.” Apollo’s eyes were drilling into her with a judgmental glare.

“Because…” Chihiro groaned. “Stop looking at me like that!”

“I told you, I don’t care. I’m going home.” Apollo turned to walk away. No, this wasn’t how it was supposed to turn out! Chihiro dashed forward.

“Apollo, wait!” She grabbed his wrist. Her hand tightened around his bracelet. Chihiro’s eyes went wide as soon as her flesh had a firm grip on the metal.

Images flashed through her head in rapid succession. A shimmer of light… a young girl… a man… a knife… a rapid heartbeat...

It all came to an end when Apollo tore himself away from her hand.

“Chihiro, what the hell?!” Apollo exclaimed, cradling his wrist to his chest. The sheriff was still in a daze. What the hell indeed. What was all of that?!

“I… I…” Chihiro shut her eyes, trying to make sense of the new pulsating sensation in her head. “Did you see that?”

“See what?” Chihiro shook her head. It must have just been a figment of her imagination. If it was just her imagination… then why did it all feel so real? Chihiro shook her head again. It was starting to hurt.

“There was a girl… and a knife… and this light and…” Apollo put his hands on Chihiro’s shoulders.

“Chihiro, you are drunk,” he stated simply. That's not what she had been expecting. “Go home.” Apollo walked off. Chihiro stared at her hands. That whole thing… when she grabbed Apollo’s bracelet… it made no sense. It still felt so real. Chihiro grew dizzy. She needed to talk to someone…

Mei. Mei would be able to help her. That's what she was there for. She would listen. She would understand.

Chihiro made her way over there in the dark. It had taken longer than normal because she wasn't driving. She was even more lightheaded by the time she made it to the front door. She knocked, praying that Mei wasn't asleep.

The door slowly opened. Mei was standing there, looking confused

“Chihiro?” said the mayor. “Is everything alright?”

“I… I…” Chihiro’s vision started to blur. “Mei…”

“Chihiro, you're burning up.” Her vision went dark.

“Mei, I'm… fine…” Chihiro collapsed on Mei’s front step.

Dark brown eyes were trained on the deer just a few feet away. She breathed out a simple sigh. Her arrow was trained on her target in front of her. It was one simple loose of the string. And… The arrow whizzed through the air. It stuck the deer in its side. The beast never saw it coming. Then again, Mia Fey was never one to miss her target.

She walked up to the deer’s body. The action alone made small tears slide down her cheeks. She knelt down beside the corpse, brushing her long hair out of her face.

“Forgive me…” Mia muttered, sliding her bow over her back. “You died so that I may live.”

“Mia!” Mia turned her head. Rushing down from the hillside was a young, teenage girl. Mia knew her well.  The girl grinned, looking down at the deer. “Nice shot, sis.”

“Thank you, Maya.” Mia wiped one of the tears from her eye as Maya crouched down next to her.

“Is that going to be enough?” Maya said, sounding worried. “For the both of us. You know, after we sell the skin and stuff.” Mia patted her sister’s shoulder, trying to give her a reassuring smile.

“Don’t worry, Maya. We won’t go hungry tonight.” Mia pulled the arrow from the deer.

Chihiro bolted upright. Her body was drenched in a cold sweat. Her breathing was heavy. Chihiro blinked, rubbing her eyes. She wasn’t in her apartment. She was on the couch in Mei’s house. And Mei was sitting right beside her.

“Chihiro!” Mei said, a bit hurried. “Are you okay?” Chihiro swung her legs over the side.

“I… I-I had this dream…” Chihiro muttered, her face in her hands. “I was in the woods… hunting. I killed a deer… there was this girl…”

“A girl?” Chihiro nodded.

“I swear… I swear I’ve seen her before. She had dark hair… she looked kinda like… kinda like me.” Chihiro didn’t notice Mei growing tense. The mayor put her hand on the sheriff’s shoulder.

“Go back to sleep, Chihiro. You can use the guest room if you like. It was only just a dream. It was nothing to worry about.” Chihiro shook her head.

“No, no… Mei. I wasn’t a dream.” Mei subtly dug her nails into Chihiro’s shoulders as the sheriff looked over to her. “It felt more like a memory.” Mei faltered. She looked worried, almost frightened. What was with that look? Chihiro got up from the couch. Her dizzy spell had disappeared for now. She made her way to the door.

“Chihiro.”

“I need some air.” It was hot in here. it was hot enough that Chihiro couldn’t stand it. “I need to think.” Mei got up.

“Chihiro, please. What you need is rest.” Chihiro shook her head. She dug her hand into her pocket. Her car keys were still there. Good. She hadn’t left them at the diner.

“I left my car behind anyway.” She was at the front door. “I need to go and get it.”

“Chihiro, listen to me.” Mei grabbed Chihiro’s jacket. “It's late. I can see you're tired, and you're not feeling well.”

“I'm fine,” said Chihiro, jerking her shoulder and freeing herself from Mei’s grip. She left the house, slamming the door behind her.

What was that? Mei had said it was a dream. It felt too real to be a dream. Chihiro kept thinking about it as she finally found her car parked right where she had left it. She went to put in her keys into the lock.

“Mia!” Chihiro dropped her keys. She whirled around. There was no one behind her. She sighed, kneeling down to pick up her fallen keys.

She stopped. Standing beside her was a young girl. She was grinning.

“Find me.” The girl turned and ran off. Chihiro’s hands were shaking when she finally picked up her keys.

Apollo was not in the best of moods. He wanted to stay away from his employer. So far, Chihiro had done nothing more than piss him off to new levels. Apollo’s only plan so far was to avoid her. That would be more difficult than he thought. He was dreading going to work that morning.

Apollo walked down the stairs. It had been a fruitless endeavor in trying to wake Trucy from her slumber. He was prepared to give her ten more minutes before he ripped the blanket off. Apollo came to a stop in the kitchen when he saw what was lying in the table. A bouquet of flowers.

“Really?” he muttered under his breath. He picked up the flowers, not noticing Ryuichi entering behind him.

“Apollo, wait!”

“If Chihiro can think flowers work on me…” The flowers were deposited right into the trash. Ryuichi sighed.

“Actually, those were mine.”

“Oh.” Apollo took the flowers back out. Nothing had gotten on them, thank God. “Who from? As if I didn't have to ask. Mr. Mitsurugi?”

“No…” Ryuichi crossed into the kitchen when Apollo put the flowers back on the table. Apollo stared. His prime suspect was out the window.

“Then who?”

“Uh…” Ryuichi slowly pulled out a vase. “It’s from uh… an admirer?” There was that familiar feeling in Apollo’s wrist.

“I'm not stupid Ryuichi,” said Apollo as he handed the man the flowers. “Why are you—” It only took a simple look, and Ryuichi gesturing for Apollo to be quiet did he finally get it. “Are you serious?”

“I know. It's a disaster.” Ryuichi put the flowers in their vase. He left it on the kitchen counter.

“No, not really. It means you're getting over your crush on Mr. Mitsurugi.” Apollo joined him in the kitchen. The pair started working on breakfast.

“Okay, first off: there was nothing to get over.” Apollo’s bracelet said otherwise. “Secondly, it was just a one night stand. A one night stand I don't want you mentioning to Trucy.”

“Oh, please. Do really I look like the kind of guy who would scar someone like that?” Ryuichi gave him another look. “Okay. I'll stay quiet.”

“I feel guilty.” Ryuichi sighed, leaning up against the counter.

“There's nothing wrong with what you did, Ryuichi,” said Apollo, feeding bread into the toaster. “Trust me. One nighters are as far as I've ever gotten.” That would be if he had gotten any at all. Well... there was that one exception. Apollo shook his head. Now wasn't the time to think about him.

“Yeah, I kind of guessed.” Apollo could hear coffee starting to brew. “You're well… Uh…” Apollo slowly turned towards Ryuichi.

“I'm what?”

“Nevermind. Forget I said anything.” The man opened the refrigerator to hide his face.

“No, it's something. I'm what?” Ryuichi sighed, shutting the door. There were eggs in his hands. “Ryuichi.”

“You're… you.” Apollo raised an eyebrow. “I mean, you're just… always closed off. You put up a wall to protect yourself. Believe me. I just lived through it.”

“Just because I don't get emotional—” Apollo said, rolling his eyes.

“Floral abuse tells a different story.” Ryuichi flipped the stove on and began searching through the cabinets. “You are upset over what happened with Chihiro.”

“Come on!” Apollo groaned. “I am not upset!”

“If you're not upset, then go tell that to Trucy.” Apollo was quiet. Trucy would see right through him immediately. “That's what I thought. Your wall is showing.”

“There's nothing wrong with being cautious.” Why was he still talking? Apollo was losing this argument. “And there is no wall!”

“Whatever you say.” Ryuichi finally found the pan he was looking for. “But Apollo. That wall of yours? It keeps out pain, sure. But it also keeps out those who care about you.” Apollo groaned. Ryuichi was right. He didn't want to admit it. He turned to leave.

“I'm going to go wake up Trucy.” Hopefully this time the results were successful.

She was running. Her legs were screaming for her to stop, but she still kept on running. That girl… Chihiro had to find that girl. She had been the same one from her vision. She had been trying to find that girl for hours. The sun had already risen.

“Mia!” There was that girl again. She was calling the same name. Chihiro sped up. Someone was out there. Something was urging Chihiro forward. She had to find her. She had to find the girl. She was close. She was right in front of her, she had to be. Chihiro pulled aside the branches in her path.

Unfortunately, there was no girl. There was, however, a person. Jin Yuugami was standing the in the middle of a clearing with a shovel in his hands.

“Good morning Sheriff,” he said upon noticing the woman’s presence. “I apologize if I startled you at all.”

“No… no, you didn’t,” Chihiro said, shaking her head. “I just… thought you were someone else.” Chihiro looked around. “What are you doing out here?”

“Oh, just a spot of gardening.” Yuugami held up the shovel he had as he approached the sheriff. “And yourself?”

“I was looking for um…” Chihiro realized how heavily she was breathing. Her legs were on fire. How long had she been running for? She shook her head. “I was looking for a girl.”

“You know, to my knowledge, I don’t believe that anybody in Storybrooke lives this far out. Might I ask you why you’re looking in the first place?” Chihiro let out a breathy laugh.

“You are going to think that I’m crazy…”

“Try me.” Chihiro stared at the man. He was a hundred percent serious. She cleared her throat.

“I uh… saw her. In a dream I had. Then I saw her for real a few hours ago.” She looked to Yuugami with a sense of hope. “You wouldn’t happen to have seen anything unusual out here, would you?” Yuugami shook his head.

“No, I’m afraid not.” That dampened Chihiro’s spirit. She could have sworn that the girl had been here. This is where she had heard her voice coming from. Yuugami stared to leave. He turned back towards the sheriff. “You know, Miss Ayasato, there are some people that say dreams are memories. Memories from another life.” Chihiro blinked. Memories?

“What about you?” Chihiro said, turning to face him. “What do you believe?”

“I never rule out anything.” Yuugami took his leave. Chihiro was alone. Her thoughts were swirling around in her head. Was it even possible that the girl never even existed at all? Was Chihiro just sleep-deprived? … Yuugami’s words seemed to be the only thing that made sense to her now.

A memory, huh?

Mia’s least favorite thing about her life was where she and Maya had to stay in between their hunting trips. The taverns around these times were filled with drunken patrons that reeked of so much ale it made her sick. Still, it was the only place where she and Maya could eat and spend the night without having to endure the cold.

Mia sat next to her sister at a near-empty table. She felt herself getting more and more frustrated by the words of drunk men being thrown at her behind her back.

“The girl looks wild. Like an animal.”

“Probably wild in the sheets, too.” It was comments like those that made Mia hate the taverns in this kingdom. But, it had been the closest place they could afford before night fell.

“Smile, honey! Smile over here.”

“Come on, honey!”

“Mia…” Maya said urgently, putting a hand on her sister’s tense arm. Mia sighed. She had to be calm. Small sparks of violet were starting to singe the inside of her gloves.

“Just ignore them, Maya,” Mia told her sister. It was the best she could do. The stench of alcohol grew stronger as one of the men walked up to the Fey sisters.

“Tell me, girly,” said the man as he leaned up against the table. Mia could feel his eyes drifting down towards her chest. She grit her teeth together. “How would you like to get with a real animal?” Mia rolled her eyes.

“You are no animal,” she said flatly. There were noises made from the man’s companions. “Animals have honor. I have it. My sister has it. They have it. Men like you…” Mia turned to face him. “They don’t.”

“Animals have honor?”

“They are pure of heart. Unlike you, they are not selfish and disgusting.” Maya tightened her grip on Mia’s arm. The sparks were burning the inside of her gloves now. She would have to fix that later.

“Sis…” Maya said in a whisper. “Are you really going to let them say that stuff to you?”

“I've learned to ignore it,” Mia replied with a heavy sigh. It was hard to get her worked up enough to act.

“Hey.” The man was speaking again. This time, his eyes were on Maya instead of Mia. “If you won't come and join us, how about the pretty little thing next to you? Come on over here, sweetie. Hang out with the big boys.” Maya moved closer to her sister. “I’m sure big sister won't mind. Isn't that right, kitten?”

That had done it. Mia drew the knife at her side. Her eyes were narrowed.

“Stay the hell away from my sister,” said the Huntress through her teeth.

“Come on, kitten.” That name… to have that name come out of the mouth of someone like this… Mia’s glove had holes in the fingers now. “I was only joking.”

“Don't call me that!” Mia snapped. Her drove the knife into the man. Maya ducked under the table. Here we go.

The men at the bar snapped out of their drunken lust. One of them tried attack Mia. She kicked him back away from her. He smashed into a mirror, shattering it.

Another man drew a knife and approached the Huntress. Mia pulled off her glove. Her fingers were coated in a purple energy.

“You really wanna try that?” The man fled. Mia sighed as she pulled her glove back on. She pulled Maya out from under the table. “Come on, Maya. Let's go.”

The sisters went to their rooms for the night. Mia stayed with Maya until she was asleep. She sighed. They could talk to her anyway they wanted, but Maya was her only family left. She was her only connection remaining with her mother. And being in this kingdom was already dangerous enough.

And that name… No one was allowed to call her that. Well… there was one person. However, Mia had lost him years ago. There was no way to get him back unless she begged Hades himself. There was no doing that. Mia turned to go to her room. There was enough reminiscing for the night.

She would have made it to her room. She would have if someone had grabbed her from behind, a hand pressed over her mouth. She was dragged, kicking for freedom, from the tavern.

Chihiro kept searching through the forest. She knew that the girl was somewhere in here. She hadn't been imagining things. It felt too real to just be her imagination.

“Mia!” There was her voice again. “Mia!” Chihiro raced towards it. She couldn't lose her. Not now. She had come so far! Chihiro burst through the trees. She had come full circle to another clearing. Standing before her was the girl. Her long black hair seemed to float around her.

“Mia!” said the girl, a smile on her face. Chihiro took a few, hesitant steps forward.

“What do you want?” she said, remaining cautious.

“You don’t… you don’t recognize me? You don't remember who I am?”

“I-I’m sorry… Should I know you?” The girl groaned.

“... Right. I forgot. Stupid! Damn Von Karma!” The girl shook her head as she stepped forward. Chihiro stared at her. “Okay. You gotta find this, okay?” The girl pointed to the comma shaped charm she was wearing around her neck. “You have to find it.”

“Who are you?”

“... Please forgive me for this.” Before Chihiro could ask what the girl had meant, the girl put her hand on the side of Chihiro’s face. The other one was over her heart.

Things flickered in and out of the sheriff’s mind. Chihiro shut her eyes tightly. It was too painful to endure. Images ran through her head in rapid succession.There was a man. A very familiar man. Chihiro finally recognized who it was. It was Reiji Mitsurugi. She had a dagger in her hands. There was a symbol… a symbol of something like endless, intertwining knots.

Chihiro flashed forward. She opened her eyes. Cold sweat pricked the back of her neck. She was panting. Once again, all those visions… they felt too real — much too real to be any dream. Chihiro lifted her head to ask the girl what had happened. She was left in stunned silence.

The girl was gone.

Mia did not give up on fighting. The man, she had discovered, was one of the king’s knights. The phony king more like it. He had ended up throwing Mia over his shoulder to get her to stop fighting against him. By the time they got to the palace, Mia was exhausted. The guard let her walk.

The man forced her forward. They entered a room. Inside was an older man. Mia knew who it was. The phony king, Manfred Von Karma himself. Mia was quiet as he turned towards her.

“Do you have a name?” he asked, striding up towards the woman. He didn't recognize her. He was about to. “Or should I just call you ‘the Huntress’?” Mia tried to keep calm.

“My name is Mia,” she said coldly. “Mia Fey.” Von Karma stopped shortly in front of her.

“Fey?”

“Yes. Fey.” There was that look in his eyes. He didn't recognize her now. But he knew her name. That was enough.

“You're a tortured one, aren't you Fey?” He began to circle around the woman like a vulture. “Is that because your mother abandoned you and your sister?” Mia held back the urge to ball up her hands.

“You don't know that.” There was no reason her mother would ever abandon her. She refused to believe that Misty Fey had just left them without reason.

“Indeed.” Von Karma stopped in front of her again. His eyes pierced her. “I've always felt that there are two types of people in this world: wolves and sheep. Those who kill, and those who get killed. I must say, Mia Fey… you are certainly a wolf.” Mia fought to remain calm and not leave that very minute. Her magic was strong, but it wasn't strong enough to counteract Von Karma’s.

“You drag me out of a tavern in the middle of nowhere. Why?” Mia left out the part about Maya. He couldn't know that Maya had been with her.

“I'd like you to kill someone for me. Can you do that?” Mia had only ever killed animals up until that point. It sounded like Von Karma wanted her to kill a human being.

“I only kill to survive.” Even so, there was almost nothing on that planet that could get Mia to do anything for this man. “Give me one reason why I should do anything for you.”

“I have so much to offer. For example… a place in my court. You will become my official huntress.” Mia would never. She had already lived that life. It was a life she left behind. She didn't want to be stuck in palaces anymore.

“You have an entire army at your disposal. Why would you hire me?”

“Because my prey is someone who is known and praised somewhat highly throughout the entire kingdom. The court has deemed him fit to rule. I need someone who will have no qualms over carving his heart out and bringing it back to me.” That was what he wanted Mia to do. “Now, tell me. What will it take? What do you want in return for doing this for me? There must be something.” Only one thing came to Mia’s mind.

“You know what I want,” said the huntress. It had been one of the few things in life that she wanted. “Only you can do it.”

“Your sister? Her bounty removed?” Mia nodded. She wanted Maya to be safe. He knew that. “... simple enough. Do we have a deal?” Mia sighed. All she had to do was kill someone. Then, Maya would be safe. This was all for her.

“Deal.” Mia felt something churning in her stomach as she spoke that word. “Who do you want me to kill?” The sickening grin on Von Karma’s face did not put Mia at ease.

Chihiro wanted to make sense of her recent string of confusing visions. She felt like there was only one person now who could help. It had been the one man she knew that she had seen in those images: Reiji Mitsurugi.

Her sheriff’s position never came to so much good use. She was able to get the location of his office fairly easily and fairly quickly. When she knocked on his door, he let her in.

“Miss Ayasato?” said Mitsurugi. He seemed surprised that she was the one who entered. “Is there something wrong?”

“Mr. Mitsurugi, do we… know each other?” Chihiro asked. It was a strange way to start off a conversation. The look she received was a strange one.

“Of course we do. You did save my life after all. I’d say we’re on good terms.” Chihiro shook her head. No… He wasn't understanding.

“No, no. Not like that.” Chihiro bit down on her lip. This was going to sound crazy. “Not from Storybrooke.” The man stared at her. “I mean… like… from another life.” Yes, that sounded even crazier coming out of her mouth. “Um… How long have we known each other?”

“I don’t know.”

“Do you remember when you met almost anyone in this town?” Mitsurugi almost spoke before Chihiro had cut him off. “Because I can’t. I can’t remember when I met any of my friends. Isn't that a little bit odd?”

“I don’t know. I mean, I suppose that it is. But that’s just life,” said Mitsurugi. “Things grow hazy. Then again, I did have complete amnesia until a few days ago, so I’m not the best person to ask.” She knew that she had forgotten something. But still, there was one thing Chihiro still wanted to ask.

“Have you… do you have a memory… a memory of me hurting you?” Mitsurugi crossed out from behind his desk, looking rather concerned.

“None that I have recollection of. What is this all about?” Chihiro didn’t want to sound more insane than she already was leading on to be. She sighed. She had no other choice.

“Reiji, do you believe in other lives? Like… Like past lives.” The man in front of her sighed. Finally. He seemed to get it.

“You’ve been talking to Trucy.” Chihiro blinked.

“Trucy? What does Trucy have to do with any of this?”

“Well, Ryuichi told me that she has this book of stories,” Mitsurugi explained to her as he leaned up against his desk. “She’s been going on about how we’re all characters in it and that we’re from another land. That we’ve forgotten who we really are. It makes no sense. It's like something out of a fairy tale.”

“Right… no. Of course.” Given her current state of consciousness and memory, it made perfect sense to Chihiro. Mitsurugi leaned forward, pressing a hand to her forehead. He immediately pulled back.

“You are burning up.” He turned the woman towards the door. “Go home. You really shouldn’t be walking around.”

“Right… Right…” Chihiro left the office. She had no intention of following Mitsurugi’s advice. Though, he did put an idea into her head.

Knight’s armor was hot and heavy, even for a man. So when Mia had to wear it to complete her disguise, she learned how bad they actually had it. Von Karma had sent her out dressed like this. He hadn’t told her who he wanted her to kill. That question was answered went she was sent with the prince to the forest. Indeed, Miles Edgeworth wasn’t the same little boy Mia knew from small royal gatherings.

Mia messed with the chain link armor around her neck as they walked on. Where in the world were they even going? They had to be deep enough into the woods at this point.

“Can’t breathe?” said the prince to the false knight. Mia shook her head. Edgeworth stared her up and down. “You’re not a knight, are you?” Damn he was smart.

“What makes you say that?” Mia replied, trying to make her voice sound deeper and more masculine.

“I recognize all of the knights, even while they are wearing their armor.” Shit. “Speaking of which, unlike you, they actually know how to wear their armor.” Double shit. Mia sighed. The jig was up. She pulled off her helmet, her hair tumbling down her back. Edgeworth stared at her for a moment. “Oh. You're a…”

“Woman.” The prince shook his head. Mia began to shed the armor. It was no longer needed.

“Unexpected… but there’s one thing that I do understand.” Mia pulled off the gauntlets. They clattered to the ground. “He picked you to take me out here. Why?”

“I think you can figure out why.” She stripped herself of the armor around her forearms.

“You’re going to kill me.” Mia nodded. “But there’s one problem with that.” She paused in her work, glancing over at the prince. “You’re still wearing too much armor.”

Without so much as a warning, the prince roughly shoved Mia, knocking her flat on her back. He had been right. Mia’s armor was too much weight for her. She had to slide out of all of it to actually be able to stand again. Mia looked over her shoulder. The prince was running. He was nearly out of her sight. Mia got up.

The chase was on.

Apollo was furious. Furious or frustrated, he hadn’t quite decided that yet. Maybe it was both. He was working alone today. Chihiro hadn’t shown up. He was left alone to deal with nothing but files for hours. That, and he had set up a dartboard. Which he was currently taking his frustrations out on.

He picked up one of the darts and threw it. Like so many others, it just struck the papers pinned around the board. He emitted a low groan. This was not the best way to relieve his stress, was it?

“I see that our tax dollars are hard at work.” Apollo threw another dart as Karuma entered the room. Great, this day was just getting better and better.

“Chihiro isn’t here,” Apollo said. He was out of darts. “I thought she was taking a sick day. But with you here, that’s out of the question.”

“So you are aware?” He was more than aware. Apollo walk over the dartboard. He began to pluck off the darts. “Good. Because that’s why I’m here. I’m aware of your relationship with her .”

“There is no relationship. She’s just my boss. That’s it.”

“Even better.” Apollo rolled his eyes as he walked back over to his desk. “But, I still have my advice to give.”

“Don’t want to hear it.” Apollo stared down at the files on his desk. He should focus on these, and not on his problems.

“But you shall have it.” Apollo groaned. “Oh, suck it up. Stay away from Chihiro Ayasato. You’re putting thoughts into her head. You’re leading her down to a path to self-destruction. Stay away.” Apollo sent a glare towards Karuma. She grinned before turning on her heel. She left. Apollo grabbed one of the darts and threw it. The dart stuck to the door just as it slammed shut.

Mia had to hand it to him. For someone who lived in a palace most of his life, the prince was remarkably fast. She had lost sight of him quickly. Unfortunately for him, Mia has an expert hunter. She knew how to track anything. People included.

She had finally found him. Mia slowed down to catch her breath. The prince was crouched against a tree, furiously writing something onto a piece of paper. Where did he even get that?

“You stop to write a letter,” said Mia, panting as she leaned up against a tree, “even though I'm trying to kill you?”

“I don't know these woods,” replied Edgeworth. “You'll find me no matter what I do. I don’t have to be a genius to see how this ends.” Mia nodded. She straightened up. The prince held out his letter to her.

“What is this?” Mia asked as she took it.

“Consider it my final request.” Mia looked down at the letter. “Deliver this to Franziska… the princess… for me.”

“What is it?”

“The truth. The truth she needs to know.” Mia read over the carefully written words. Her eyes widened as she did. No. This couldn't be the same person. Could It? “Tell her that I apologize for what I've done… for how I’ve deceived her.” Mia folded the letter in half. She tucked it away.

She couldn't kill him. She couldn't do it. Not after reading that letter. Mia drew her knife. But Maya… She had to protect Maya. Edgeworth shut his eyes. She raised the knife into the air. Something held her back.

Mia dropped the knife. She sighed. She couldn't do it. Instead, she pulled off her gloves. With a small bit of magic, something was created in the palm of her hand. The prince slowly opened his eyes as Mia held out her creation. It was a whistle.

“Sound this when you need help.” Edgeworth cautiously took the whistle. He stared down at it. “It will always bring you help — no matter where you are.” Magic had its usefulness from time to time. “Now run.” The prince stood as Mia pulled her gloves back on.

“I don't understand. You're not going to kill me?”

“I'll explain later. Now, run!” Edgeworth didn't need to be told twice. Mia watched him take off, running deeper into the woods. She sighed. Great. Mia picked up her knife.

She had let him go. Von Karma could not find out about this. But… he had requested the prince’s heart. Why he did was something Mia didn't know and didn't want to find out. She had to do something to keep him from finding out the truth.

Mia spotted an old, thin and decrepit deer nearby. Hello, Plan B.

After leaving the prosecutor's office, Chihiro made her way over to the Naruhodou residence. It was after school hours. Trucy was bound to be home by now. And home alone, if Chihiro was right about Ryuichi staying at the school late. She knocked on the door.

Please let Trucy be home. The sheriff sighed in relief as the fourteen year old answered the door

“Hey, Miss Ayasato,” said Trucy. At least she was civil towards Chihiro, unlike her brother. “Apollo’s not here.” Good, that made it even better.

“Actually, Trucy. I came to see you. I was wondering if you could help me with something.” Trucy tilted her head, staring at Chihiro.

“Help you with what?”

“Your book. Am I… am I in it?” Trucy gave Chihiro a bright smile.

She took the woman by the hand and led her upstairs to her bedroom. Chihiro sat down on the bed as Trucy ran to her drawers. A few seconds later, she was sitting next to the sheriff, flipping through the pages of her storybook. Chihiro explained what had been happening to her as of late, especially about her vision-memory-thing.

“So… when did these visions begin?” Trucy asked, not looking up from her book. Chihiro thought about the night before.

“Um… the first one happened when I touched Apollo’s bracelet.”

“And what did you see?” Now that was a harder one. They had gone by so fast… but there was one staple being throughout the entire thing. The more she thought about it, the more she remembered.

“I saw a girl. A girl with long black hair. A-And I had a knife. I was with Reiji Mitsurugi.” Trucy slowed her page turning.

“Were you about to hurt him?” Chihiro nodded.

“Yes.” Trucy flipped through the pages again, picking up her speed. “How'd you know that?”

“Because this…” Trucy stopped on an image of a gray-haired man, “is him. And if I'm right…” Trucy turned to another illustration. This time, it was of a woman who suspiciously looked a lot like Chihiro. “That would make you her: the Huntress Mia Fey.”

“Mia?” Trucy nodded. “The girl… the one I told you about. She kept calling me Mia. You really think that I could be this person?” Trucy nodded again.

“It makes sense,” said Trucy, casually skimming through her book again. She stopped on a third illustration. It was of the girl Chihiro kept seeing. It looked exactly like her. “Is this her? The girl.” Chihiro nodded. “That’s Maya Fey, your sister.” She stared at Trucy, her eyes wide.

“I-I have a sister?”

“Yeah. And it looks like she's trying to help you. I don't know how but… she’s trying to help you.” Chihiro ran her hands through her hair. This was a lot to take in at once.

“And I’m remembering this because I touched your brother’s bracelet? How is that even possible?!” It didn't make sense.

“Well, it belonged to our mother. She wore bracelets just like it. She gave one to Apollo. And she's the Savior, so there some kind of magic in them. I think it's due to the magic still in the bracelet that you started to wake up.” Magic. Apollo’s bracelet carried magic in it.

“So… I should touch it again?” Trucy shook her head.

“I think your own magic can wake you up all the way. Like an alarm clock. Or coffee” Her own magic? Chihiro had magic? Trucy showed her the picture of Maya again. Chihiro studied it. That charm around her neck…

“That's it.” She pointed to the necklace.  “What is that?”

“That’s called a Magatama. Everyone in your family wears one. I don't know what it does. The book doesn't go in to that far in detail. Why?”

“Maya said I had to find it. Let me see that book.” Trucy handed her book over to Chihiro. There had to be a clue to where she could find that Magatama thing. She stopped on an image. The knotted symbol she had seen was printed on a stone structure. “What's this? I saw that symbol too.”

“The Evil King’s vault,” Trucy explained. “That's where it must be.”

“And Maya wants me to find it.” For the first time, something was making sense today. Chihiro gave the girl next to her back her book. She wrapped Trucy in a tight squeeze as means of a thank you.

“Good luck, Miss Ayasato!” Chihiro left the bedroom. She had to find that vault. She had to find the Magatama. It was the key.

Chihiro was halfway down the stairs when she stopped. Waiting for her at the bottom was Apollo. Dammit. Chihiro walked past him. There would be time for confrontation later. Unfortunately, Apollo followed her. The one time she didn't want him around!

“I heard you're having a rough day,” Apollo said once he caught her outside the gate. Chihiro stopped. “I think you need to go home and get some rest.” Everyone seemed to think that.

“I'm fine.” Chihiro insisted. Her mind was only on one thing.

“No, Chihiro. You're not fine. You just went to see a fourteen year old for help.”

“So far, Trucy is the only one making sense around here.” Apollo stared at with nothing but bewilderment on his face.

“What's going on?”

“I'm waking up.” Apollo sighed, pushing back his hair. It sounded crazy now that Chihiro was saying it out loud, but it was the truth. “I need to find it.”

“Find what?”

“My Magatama.” Apollo blinked.

“Your what?”

“I don't know. She told me to find it.” Chihiro continued on down the street. Apollo ran to catch up with her. She was moving quickly, especially considering the fact that she was wearing heels. They were short heels, but still heels nonetheless.

“Who told you to find it? Trucy?” Chihiro shook her head.

“No. Maya. My sister.” Chihiro could hear Apollo groan. She brushed it off. She was a woman on a mission.

“Chihiro, you don't have a—"

“Mia!” Both Apollo and Chihiro stopped. So Chihiro wasn't going crazy. Judging by Apollo’s reaction, he had heard it to. They both turned. Standing behind them was her .

“Find it!” Maya took off in the opposite direction. Chihiro didn't know where edge was going, but she did know that she couldn’t lose her.

“Maya!” Chihiro ran after the girl. Apollo repeatedly called her name. She ignored it. It was a few seconds later before Apollo came running after.

Chihiro ran. She kept running. The girl… no. Her sister was so close in front of her, but she was so far at the same time. Chihiro couldn't reach her no matter what she did.

By the time Maya finally stopped, it was dark. Her sister had lead them to the graveyard.

“Chihiro!” shouted a heavily breathing Apollo. Chihiro stopped in front of the mausoleum Maya had brought her to. “Chi… hir… Oh my God…” Apollo doubled over next to Chihiro.

The sheriff stared at the stone structure. Chihiro went into her pocket. Inside was a small flashlight. It came in handy to carry some things in her person. And Mei said she was crazy for doing so. Chihiro clicked the flashlight on.

“It’s in here,” she said, shining the light on the crypt. “I just know it.”

“Chihiro! Stop!” Apollo grabbed her jacket to keep her from going further. “Stop this.”

“Apollo, I have to get in there.” She was begging now. There was an ache in her heart she couldn't ignore. “Please, I have to do this!” There was a moment. Apollo sighed. He let her go.

“Fine. Let’s get in there.” She stared at him. One minute he was calling her crazy, and the next he was agreeing with her? Apollo walked forward. Chihiro kept the light focused on the opening. Apollo tugged at the door. It refused to budge. He tried again. There was still no result. Chihiro joined him.

“Together,” she simply stated before putting the flashlight in between her teeth. With both of them pulling, the door came open. There was a large coffin in the center. Cobwebs were strewn about in the corners and over the walls. Dried out and dead flowers were strewn all over the floor and coffin. Chihiro took the flashlight for her mouth and began to examine the walls. There was nothing out of the ordinary. Chihiro crept behind the coffin.

“Chihiro, there’s nothing here,” said Apollo as he looked around the crypt. Chihiro crouched down behind the tomb. There was something underneath. Bracing herself for whatever she was going to touch, Chihiro got down on her knees and searched.

“I’m willing to say otherwise,” Chihiro replied. She felt something solid hit her hand. She pulled it out. Hiding underneath the coffin was a box. It was small enough for Chihiro to carry with one hand. She stood up.

“You were saying, Apollo?” Chihiro said, holding up her box. She crossed out from behind the tomb. She could hear something heavy moving inside of the box.

“Chihiro, put that back. I’m not going to jail for—”

“What do you think you’re doing?” Chihiro stopped at the doorway. Apollo turned. They had been caught by none other than Mei Karuma. She was carrying flowers in one hand, with the other holding her whip.

“I should be asking you the same thing,” replied Apollo. He took a small step back towards Chihiro.

“I came here to pay my respects to a lost loved one. Like I do every Thursday night. In private .” The last part had been said through her teeth. “You are trespassing on private property, Mr. Apollo Justice.”

“Mei, it’s not Apollo’s fault,” said Chihiro as she and Apollo exited the crypt. “It’s mine.”

“What?” Mei’s jaw dropped. Her grip on her whip slackened.

“I was looking for something.” Chihiro held up the box she had found. “And I found it.” Mei’s reaction was enough for Chihiro. She was showing fear. “And now… I’m getting back what I lost.” Mei shook her head.

“No. That isn’t yours.” Mei’s eyes concentrated on Apollo as Chihiro held the box out of the mayor’s reach. “You. This is all your fault!” Mei took out her whip. There was a loud crack, followed by Apollo’s scream. Chihiro turned back. There was a thin cut on Apollo’s cheek.

“Mei!” Before the mayor could strike with her whip again, Chihiro grabbed her by the wrist. “Stop this.” Mei stared at Chihiro. She lowered her whip. “It was me who wanted to come here. Apollo did nothing. This isn't you." Words of the townsfolk echoed in Chihiro’s head. Everything that Mei had done in the past few weeks played in her mind. “… or is it?”

“Chihiro…” Mei was near tears. Chihiro let her go. She had what she needed. As soon as she reached the truth… maybe she would come back. Chihiro didn't know.

She left the graveyard with the box in hand.

Mia returned to Von Karma’s palace. The deer’s heart weighed heavily in her bag. Thank the gods for magic working as a way to remove a heart easily. Its spell always made Mia incredibly uncomfortable, but it was going to spare someone's life then casting it was worth it.

The guards lead her to Von Karma. They were left alone together. Mia put on a straight face. She did this, and Maya would be free. This was all for her sister. She just had to keep that in mind. It was all for Maya.

“Is Miles Edgeworth dead?” was the first thing Von Karma asked. Mia took the bag off of her shoulder. She held it out to him as an offering.

“The young prince's heart,” Mia replied, keeping her voice monotone. “Just as you requested.” Von Karma took it with an eye full of greed. That was one task done. Now for Mia’s second task. She pulled out the letter. The paper felt heavier than the heart. She wondered where the princess was.

The letter was snatched out away before she could even take her first step towards the door. Von Karma had it in his hands.

“What is this?”

“The prince gave that to me before I…” Mia cleared her throat. Even saying the fact that she cut out his heart was a horrible feeling. “He said that he wanted the princess to have it. I was told that it’s the truth that she needs to know.” Von Karma opened the letter. Mia bit down on the inside of her check as she watched him read it. This could only lead to disaster. And she was right.

As soon as Von Karma was finished reading the letter, it erupted into flame in the palm of his hand. The ash fell to the floor.

“Don’t tell me you’re becoming a sheep,” said the phony king through his teeth. Mia stood her ground.

“He put his own safety on the line for someone he had no relations to, and yet you hate him. What did he ever do to you?”

“He did nothing.” Mia felt her blood run cold. He wanted her to kill a man for nothing. “Miles Edgeworth posed a threat. He was a threat to everything I have ever built.” Mia glared daggers at Von Karma as he walked away from her. He pushed open a pair of smaller doors. Mia was prepared to take her leave.

She would have, if it wasn’t for the bloodcurdling scream that made her freeze in place. There was a devastating crash before Mia found herself forced up to a wall. The chill of magic was on her skin. Von Karma stormed over to her. He was gripping the heart tight enough to crush it into dust.

“This isn’t his heart!” shouted the false king. Mia tried to break the spell. She couldn’t. “This isn't a human heart! What did you do?! Did you think you can fool me with the heart of a stag?!” Von Karma threw Mia across the room, releasing the spell as he did so.

“He doesn’t deserve to die,” Mia said, getting back onto her feet.

“That’s not up to you.” The deer’s heart was dust by now. Its remains fell to the floor in a small pile next to the ashes of the letter.

“What are you going to do me?” The smirk on his face made Mia sick.

“Nothing. You are free to go whenever you wish.” Mia blinked. What was going on here? “Unless… you want your sister to pay the ultimate price. She’s currently at the inn where you were resting, am I correct?” Mia went pale. He wouldn’t. Who was she kidding? He would.

“Please don’t!” Maya was the only family she had left. She couldn't lose her.

“Then you are mine. So long as you stay here in my service, your sister will be safe. You will do everything that I say. And if you ever disobey me, your precious little sister… she will be destroyed.” Mia felt her heart stop.

No…

“Guards!” Mia was dragged out of the room. She could feel the tears forming in her eyes. No… this couldn’t be happening… Maya…

I’m so sorry Maya… I’m so so sorry...

“Ow!”

“Hold still and this won’t sting as much.” Apollo muttered several choice words under his breath.

As soon as Chihiro left, Apollo got out of the graveyard as fast as he could. He didn’t want to face Karuma’s wrath when she finally snapped out of the daze she was in. However, as soon as he had gotten home, he realized just how late it was. Ryuichi and Trucy were waiting for him. Apparently Trucy had told her father about Chihiro’s little visit. Upon seeing the cut on Apollo’s face, the man made Apollo sit down at the table in order to properly take care of it.

Apollo felt like he was a little kid again, being cared for by his first foster father after he fell out of a tree or was nearly swept away by a river.

“Did you really think it was a good idea to go against the mayor by yourself?” said Ryuichi. Apollo hissed at the disinfectant applied to his face.

“It wasn’t my intention,” said Apollo. “Chihiro was acting nuts. I didn’t want her to hurt herself.”

“I think you were really brave, Polly,” said Trucy from across the table. Apollo forced a smile to her. His cheek stung worse.

“Thanks.”

“And…” Ryuichi stuck the bandage on Apollo's face. “Done.” Apollo’s fingers grazed over the bandage. It was better than the job Chihiro did when he first came to Storybrooke. And like that one, Apollo hoped this cut didn’t scar. There was a ringing from his pocket.

Apollo fished out his phone. The caller ID let him know it was from the sheriff’s station.

“Speaking of Chihiro…” Apollo muttered. He answered, pressing the phone to his ear. “This is Apollo.” There was a faint sound of laughter from the other end. “Chihiro?”

“I remember…” said Chihiro over the phone. The laughter was coming from her. “Apollo, I remember…” Apollo stared off into space.

“You remember what?”

“I remember everything. I remember my life… all of it! I remember who I am.” Apollo didn’t understand what she was talking about. “Thank you, Apollo. Thank you…. I couldn’t have done this without you.” Was Chihiro crying?

“Um… you’re welcome?” Apollo felt like Chihiro had truly lost her mind. He snapped to attention when there was a crash over the other end of the phone line.

“Excuse me? Hey, you can't be in here! Hey!” There was a shriek. The line went dead. Apollo stood up fast enough that the chair he had been sitting in was knocked over.

“Chihiro!” There was nothing but dial tone. Apollo felt his blood run cold. Ryuichi slowly stood. He and his daughter were looking at Apollo.

“Apollo?” Ryuichi’s voice pulled Apollo back to reality. He shoved his phone into his pocket.

“Something’s wrong,” he said, his voice shaking. “I need to go.” He grabbed his jacket and his keys. He made his way towards the front door.

“Apollo, wait!” Ryuichi caught up with him, holding Apollo back with his shoulder. “What’s going on?”

“Chihiro. Something’s wrong. I know it! She could be in danger.” Apollo opened the front door. “I’m heading to the station.”

“I’ll go with you.” Apollo stopped. He groaned. “There are safety in numbers. And if Chihiro really is in danger…” Apollo sighed.

“Fine.” Ryuichi picked up his own jacket off of a hook. Trucy peeked out from the kitchen entrance.

“Trucy, we’ll be back soon,” Ryuichi told his daughter as he pulled his jacket on. “Go get yourself ready for bed. It’s a school night.” Trucy didn’t nod. She came out from the kitchen.

“Is everything okay?” she asked. Ryuichi and Apollo exchanged looks with one another. That remained to be seen.

Apollo was confident that he had gone over the speed limit getting to the sheriff's station. Chihiro’s scream was repeating in his mind on an endless loop. It drove shivers down his spine. Apollo and Ryuichi couldn't have gotten to the sheriff’s station sooner.

“Chihiro!” Apollo called out. Ryuichi echoed him.

“Chihiro!” They entered the station. It was eerily coated in the darkness of night. Apollo felt something crunch underneath his feet. There was broken glass on the floor. That was never a good sign.

“That’s strange…” said Ryuichi as he and Apollo began looking around. “Are you sure she didn’t go home?”

“No, she couldn't have.” Apollo looked over the desk at the front. “She called me from the sheriff’s station. She used the phone here. She has to be here.” Ryuichi jumped over the front desk. He picked up a metal box lying on its side and opened it.

“The money’s missing…” Apollo gave him a weird look. “The cash she gets from donations, fundraisers and that kind of stuff. It’s all missing.”

“What?” Ryuichi handed the box over to Apollo. He inspected the front of it. The lock was broken. He shook his head. “No. Chihiro… she wouldn't let this happen.” Apollo’s worst fears were coming true. He dropped the box. “Chihiro!” There was a scent hanging in the air. Apollo couldn’t figure out what it was.

“Do you smell that?” Apollo nodded. The scent was sickening. “It smells like…” He figured it out.

“Blood.” There was a strong pause as Ryuichi and Apollo looked to one another. First it was the glass, then the broken lock and now the smell of blood. All of the signs pointed to one thing. Apollo didn’t want to believe that it was the truth.

“Chihiro!” He and Ryuichi raced to the back. If she wasn’t at the front, she had to be there. “Chihiro!” There was an unsettling quiet. Apollo could feel his heart beating loudly on his ears. He pushed open the door to the sheriff’s office and the holding cells.

“Chihiro!”

“Chihiro!” The smell of blood was stronger. Apollo crept into the room after Ryuichi. He followed the man behind Apollo’s desk. His heart stopped.

Slumped up underneath the window was Chihiro. Her hair was draped over her face. She wasn’t moving. An ugly gash marked her skin. Blood dripped down her face. It stained her jacket.

“Chihiro!” Ryuichi screamed. He ran over to her. Apollo’s head was spinning. No… this couldn’t be real. He had just spoken with Chihiro a few minutes ago. She couldn't be… Ryuichi got down on his knees and began to shake Chihiro. “Come on, Chihiro. Chihiro! CHIHIRO!”

She wasn’t breathing. She wasn’t waking up.

Chihiro Ayasato would never wake up again. She was gone forever.

Apollo stood there, stunned in silence. The only thing he could hear was Ryuichi screaming for Chihiro to wake up. Apollo stared at her. This couldn’t be real. It couldn’t. He didn’t want to believe it. Chihiro Ayasato was not dead. She wasn’t dead. She wasn’t… Apollo felt the tears brim his eyes. Ryuichi was in more of a wreck than he was. Apollo stared at her body.

Laying in her hand was a purple, comma-shaped charm on a leather cord.

Chapter Text

It was one of those days for Simon Blackquill. The day was rather stale, with nothing for the young man to do. There was no work to be done, no one was around. So, Simon was left to his own devices as he wandered around the empty castle he lived in. He had supposed that everyone was outside, what with the upcoming festival tomorrow.

Simon stopped short when he heard the sound of footsteps behind him. He barely had to glance over his shoulder to guess who it was. The sound of giggling give her away.

“I know you're there,” said Simon, turning to face the culprit. He walked towards the laughing pillar. “There’s no use in trying to hide.” The sound of laughter increased. A young girl barrelled into Simon’s legs. For someone who was almost ten years younger than him, she was surprising strong for her age.

“You found me,” said the girl. Simon messed up her orange-reddish hair.

“No. You're just not a very quiet person, milady,” The girl frowned as Simon crouched down to her level. “And you'll have to be quiet if you want to see the Knights’ Festival tomorrow.”

“What?” The girl knew what he was talking about. It was the one thing she had been talking about all week: the annual induction of the new royal guard.

“Your mother says that you are not allowed to go… but…” He could see the smile forming on the girl’s face. “... what she doesn’t know won’t kill her.”

“Do you really mean that?” Simon nodded.

“Since when have I ever lied to you about anything?” The girl's bright blue eyes sparkled like the stars.

“Thank you!” she squealed. Simon immediately shushed her. There wasn’t anyone around, but he did know that several people would protest against his plan if they happened to accidentally overhear.

“Quiet, Athena. You still need to work on that.” Athena crossed her arms over her chest. Her smile still hadn’t broken.

“You still need to work on that, too. I can hear your heart a mile away. You’re the loud one, Simon.” A smirk crept up on Simon Blackquill’s face.

“Oh, you are a little…” Before he could even finish that sentence, Simon grabbed Athena. Her shrieks of laughter filled the hall as Simon threw her over his shoulder.

“Simon!” Athena said in-between her giggles.

“And you say that I’m loud.” Athena was still laughing. It almost made Simon laugh himself. Almost.

“What do you think you’re doing?” As if on cue, the one person who could have possibly found Simon on his walk had tracked him down. Athena's laughter faded away. Simon turned. Behind him was a woman with dark purple hair.

“Aura…” Simon said, the obvious annoyance laced into his voice.

“Hi, Lady Blackquill,” said Athena with a small wave as Simon put her back on the ground.

“Princess,” said Aura, directing her attention towards Athena. “This is matter for the grown-ups. Go find your friends.” Athena nodded.

“Okay.” Athena waved goodbye to the younger Blackquill before racing off down the hall. Aura didn’t speak until Athena was safely out of sight.

“What is this about, Aura?” Simon asked the woman remaining with him as he dropped into a more professional one.

“Dear brother, can’t I just have a casual chat with you?” Simon narrowed his eyes.

“Aura.” His sister was never one for casual chats with him. There was always a reason.

Fine,” said Aura with a roll of her eyes. “It’s about the little project you and Lady Cykes have been working on.”

“You mean in tracking down—”

“Yes.” Aura had cut him off before he could even finish his thought. “She believes she’s made a breakthrough. She wants to talk to you about it.

“Does she?” He could have headed over there right now. At least, he would have if it was not for what Aura had said next.

“She wants you to come by nightfall.” Simon stared at his sister. “She’s gone… over the edge.”

“Why do you say that?” He knew that Lady Cykes wasn’t the most sociable of people, but this was rather strange even for her.

“She refuses to leave her study and thinks that she’s being watched. That someone is following her.” Now this was becoming stranger. Simon’s curiosity was starting to get the better of him.

“Did she say anything about who was following her?” Aura offered Simon a simple shrug.

“Lady Cykes wasn’t very detailed but… she said it was a man in a dark hood.” A man in a dark hood? Aura sighed. “Well, I am going to go up the guard count around her chambers. Good day.” Simon watched Aura go. A man in a dark hood, huh? Lady Cykes must be going crazy to be seeing that.

… was she?

His work was rather difficult. Most people would give up after the first attempt. However, if he wanted to maintain his position in this town, it was a necessary factor. The bell at the door rung. He could hear footsteps.

“Yuugami!” Ah, yes. One could never forget those chords of steel. “Yuugami! Are you in here?”

“In the back,” replied Jin. He put the lid back on the substance he had been using. In through the back door came Apollo Justice. He took one step in before screeching. Jin winced a the pitch the deputy’s volume had taken.

“What the actual hell?!” Jin glanced up at Justice. There was a responding screech. Ah, so that’s what Justice had gotten so worked up about: the hawk who had made Jin’s backroom his perch.

“Allow me to introduce my trusty cohort, Taka.” Justice wasn’t going to calm down any time soon. “He seems to have taken quite a liking to the shop. Made it his new home, in fact.”

“Um… okay.” Justice took a step away for the bird that was piercing its gaze into him. He walked over to Jin's workstation. Finally, the strength of the work of the pawnbroker finally hit his nose.

“What is that?” said Justice, the obvious disgust on his face at the scent wafting through the air.

“It’s called lanolin. It’s used for waterproofing and is an… acquired scent.”

“Yeah, well, it stinks.” That was one way to put it. “Can we… Can we talk in the front?” Justice was still locked in his staring contest with Taka. Jin nodded, following the young Justice out of the room. The door shut behind him, cutting off the scent from spreading throughout the rest of the shop.

“Um… Is there a reason you called me?” continued Justice after the scent vaporized.

“I merely wished to express my condolences,” Jin told him. “The Sheriff was a good woman.” His eyes fell onto Justice’s belt. More importantly, he caught sight of what was still on it. “You are still wearing the deputy’s badge.” Justice looked down, as if noticing this fact for the first time. “She’s been gone for two weeks, you know. I believe after acting as sheriff for that long, the job becomes yours. You’ll have to wear the real badge.”

“Yeah… I guess.” Justice fiddled with the badge on his belt before shaking her head. “Is there any other things you wanted to talk about or can I leave? I have to take Trucy to Dr. Deauxnim’s.”

“Ah, yes. I have Miss Ayasato’s things.” Jin placed a box in front of Justice. The deputy stared into it. “She rented an apartment from me, you see. I thought you might want something of hers to remember her by. It’s either that, or all of these things are given to Mayor Karuma and the rest of Miss Ayasato’s relatives here in Storybrooke.” He could see Justice tense up at the mention of her name. His fingers grazed over his cheek.

“I don’t need anything.” Jin could sense the hurt coming from Justice. It was stronger than the lanilon scent. Jin pushed the box towards him.

“You really should take something.” There was something poking out of the box. Jin got an idea. He took out the pair of walkie talkies that had caught his eye. “You and your sister might enjoy these.” He handed them over to Justice.

“I don’t— “ Justice tried to give them back, only to have them forced into his hands again.

“Please.” He had seen Justice and Trucy together. He had seen how close they had become since Justice came to Storybrooke. It reminded him of himself at Justice's age. Or around his age, at least. It reminded him of them . “Bonds like that… they are fragile. You have to make them last while they can.”

“Um… thanks.” Justice finally took them. He took his leave. Jin was swarming with memories inside of his head.

He threw himself back into his work.

Apollo started at the pair of radios in his hands. Yuugami had been awfully insistent about giving him these. He was considering using them. Trucy was sitting next to him being strangely quiet. Apollo held out one of the radios to her.

“Here.” Trucy stared down at the radio. “Maybe we can use them for Operation Cobra.” Talking about her fairytale thing always seemed to cheer Trucy up. But, the girl still had an aura of sadness hanging around her as she took the radio from Apollo. “Oh, come on. what's up?” Trucy was still quiet. “You’ve been like this for weeks. You’re worrying me and your dad.”

“I think we should stop with Operation Cobra for a while.” Even when she did speak, she was quiet. Trucy’s hold on the radio tightened. “You don’t play with the curse. Look at what happened to Miss Ayasato…” So that's what this was all about. The entire town was upset about the loss of their beloved sheriff. Apollo felt like it was the cause of some of Trucy’s sadness, but not this much. She was the one who told Chihiro about her fairytale self. It’s what sparked Chihiro’s actions that night. “She wouldn't have been at the sheriff’s station if I didn’t tell her about who she really was. She wouldn't have remembered if it wasn't for me. And now the Curse stopped her because of it.”

“Trucy. It’s not your fault.” He put an arm around her. “We told you. She was killed trying to stop a burglar. She was hit over the head. Ryuichi and I… we were just too late to save her. You didn’t tell her to go there. Chihiro was there of her own free will. She chose to go there. Not you. Chihiro was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“Okay. Whatever.” Trucy leaned up against him. “I forgot you don’t believe. Good. You won’t listen to me. Then you won’t get killed.” Trucy brought her knees to her chest. Ah, so that’s what the other half was about. “Miss Ayasato was a good person. She died. Mommy was a good person. Then she disappeared.”

“Trucy…” She was near tears.

“Good loses, Apollo. Good always loses.” Her usual, optimistic attitude did a complete one-eighty. “Good has to play fair. Evil doesn’t. I don’t want to lose anyone else!” She buried her face in his jacket.

Apollo returned to the sheriff’s station shortly after his meeting with Trucy. She had left a stain on his jacket. He had yet to notice. He was pretty sure that she was bawling her eyes out to Miss Deauxnim over Chihiro’s death at the moment.

All the blood was gone. The evidence has been collected. It was like a crime had never happened. If that was the case, why could Apollo still see Chihiro’s body laying there underneath the window? The image wouldn’t go away. It would never go away. Apollo sighed. Chihiro was dead. He had to get over it. They had caught who did it. Apollo saw to that personally.

He looked on his desk. The sheriff’s badge had been laying there for over two weeks now. Yuugami said that the job belonged to him at this point. Still… it didn’t feel right. Apollo opened the badge’s pin.

“That doesn’t belong to you.” Apollo groaned. Why did Karuma seriously have to arrive unannounced every single time she came to the sheriff’s station?

“It’s been two weeks,” Apollo reminded Karuma as he turned to face her. Karuma was with a woman with light brown hair. “The job is automatically mine.”

“Unless the mayor appoints someone else in that amount of time. Which I am doing. Today.” Apollo swore that she was doing this just to one-up him. To be fair, given the past few weeks he had been in Storybrooke, it seemed like Karuma's turn to piss him off. “And I’ve chosen the most amazing candidate. Tomoe Houzuki.” Apollo had heard that name before. It wasn’t in a good place.

“You mean the newspaper reporter who dug up nearly everything private about my past when I first came here to try and get me to leave town?”

“That would be me,” said the woman Karuma had came into the station with. Oh… whoops. The woman held out her hand. Apollo shook it. The whole exchange was awkward.

“Tomoe has covered the sheriff’s office for as long as anyone can remember,” continued Karuma. “She’s perfect for the job.”

“And I’m willing to bet that she will do whatever you want her to.” Tomoe’s silence told Apollo the answer. “You just can’t stand that things around here are getting better with me in charge, can you?” Karuma’s whip narrowly missed Apollo’s hand on the desk. He had pulled it away in time before he could earn another gash from the mayor’s deadly aim.

“Better?” Karuma’s voice cracked. “Are you referring to Chihiro’s death as better ?”

“No!” Apollo exclaimed. There was the tension of anger in the air. “She was a great person and cared about the people in this town. She trusted me. She picked me as deputy for a reason!”

“Well, she was a fool for doing so.”

“No, I think she knew exactly what she was doing. She freed this office from your hold. And you are not getting it back.” There was an intense pause.

“Actually, I am,” said Karuma. Her grip tightening on her whip. She snatched the sheriff’s badge away from Apollo. “Mr. Apollo Justice, you’re fired.”

The words echoed in Apollo's head. Fury was tensing up his entire body. By the time he had gotten home, he felt like punching a wall. She fired him. Mei Karuma fired him. That petty little… What did Apollo ever do to Karuma anyway?! She had started this whole rivalry to begin with! Apollo did nothing wrong! … at the beginning anyway. At this point, Apollo really needed to hit something.

Which is why when Ryuichi had picked up Trucy and gotten home, the toaster was a completely array of wrecked parts and stabbings.

Ryuichi and Trucy stood in the kitchen doorway as they watched Apollo in the midst of brutally murdering the toaster. Ryuichi set Trucy upstairs as he approached the young man.

“Hey, Apollo.” Apollo didn’t look up to Ryuichi. He just kept stabbing the toaster. “What are you doing?” Apollo stopped. He blinked a few times before dropping the toaster and the knife on the table in front of him.

“We might to need a new toaster…” Apollo said, finally looking at his handiwork in a bit more detail than he had before in his blind rage.

“Yeah, I can see that.” Apollo groaned. He pushed the destroyed toaster away from him. “Was work really that bad?”

“Karuma fired me.” His nails dug into the woods of the table. “She’s putting one of her own puppets in charge. She’s giving my job to someone else. My job!”

“I never heard you get so passionate over it before.” Ryuichi took the knife off of the table and away from Apollo.

“I want it back.” It had been Chihiro’s job. It had been her place. She left it to Apollo. Maybe that’s why she made him deputy. She wanted the town to be in the right hands when the time came for her… for her to… to…

There was a knock on the door that dragged Apollo off of the thought train. He and Ryuichi exchanged a look. With a sigh, Apollo got up from the table. He went to answer the door.

“If you’re here to give me my job back… Oh.” Standing outside of the front door was Yuugami. There was a thickly-filled binder tucked under his arm. “Hi, Mr. Yuugami.”

“I’m…” Apollo could hear Ryuichi retreating from the kitchen. “I’m going to go help Trucy with her homework…” And there he was rushing up the stairs. Apollo was starting to wonder what Yuugami did to make Ryuichi so afraid of him. He stepped to the side, allowing Yuugami into the home.

“So, what can I help you with?” Apollo asked the pawnbroker. There wasn’t much he really could do at this point, anyway. He held no more authority. Maybe he could convince Houzuki to give him back the deputy position...

“There’s something I wish to discuss with you…” said Yuugami. Couldn’t he have just done that over the phone? “I just happened to hear what had occurred earlier today at the sheriff’s station.” Apollo slammed th door shut. “It’s… forgive me for phrasing it like this, but it is a rather injustice, wouldn’t you say?”

“Yeah, well… what’s done is done and there’s nothing I can really do,” said Apollo in disappointment.

“What makes you say that?” He stared at the guest. There was literally nothing he could do. Karuma had regained her control on the town. Apollo had lost his only edge against her.

“She’s the Mayor. I’m well… I’m me.” All he could do was spot when people were lying. Apollo had no political power or any kind of power in Storybrooke.

“Justice-dono, two people who have a common goal can accomplish many things, but two people with a common enemy can accomplish so much more.” The smirk on Yuugami’s face made Apollo somewhat uncomfortable. “How would you like to make a deal? I could be your benefactor.”

“My benefactor?” Apollo repeated. He and Yuugami sat down at the table. The former deputy was being drawn into this conversation. He would do anything to continue on Chihiro’s work — anything to maintain her legacy.

“You know… It’s quite a miracle that not many people in Storybrooke read the town charter.” Yuugami slid the binder he had brought with him over to Apollo.

“The town charter?” Apollo flipped open the binder. Yuugami actually had a copy of the charter himself. Apollo found it strange, considering that Yuugami worked as a pawnbroker and not as a legal consultant or anything like the sort.

“It’s quite the comprehensive document. And the mayor’s authority? According to this, Mei Karuma is not as powerful as she seems.” Apollo stopped, looking up at Yuugami. Maybe a benefactor wouldn’t be to bad.

“You got yourself a deal.”

Simon never questioned anything Metis Cykes did. She was a brilliant woman, and was rather brave for helping him with his work. Still, he had followed Lady Cykes’s wish. As soon as night had fallen, Simon made his way over to her study. He knocked on the door.

“Lady Cykes.” There was no answer. “Lady Cykes.” Simon knocked again. There was still no answer. He sighed. “For the gods’ sakes… Metis!” With no answer, Simon sighed again. So it was going to be like this. He opened the door himself. He was immediately met with the point of the sword inches away from his face. The wielder of it was a woman, her long brown hair tied back into a tail on top of her head. Metis Cykes.

“Oh my gods. Simon.” The woman lowered the blade away from Simon’s face. “I am so sorry. I thought you were someone else.”

“A man in dark hood?” Simon softly shut the door behind him. Books were scattered about. The desk was an array of papers.

“Aura talked to you,” said Metis. She slid her sword back into the scabbard that hung at her side.

“She was the one who said you want to see me, so naturally.” He slowly entered the study. “She’s worried about you. I can see it. Aura hasn’t always been discrete with her words but not with masking her emotions.”

“That sounds like Aura.” Metis walked over to her desk. Simon followed.

“What exactly do you want me here to talk about?” The woman began to rummage through the papers on her desk.

“Um… yes…” She unearthed a thick book from the pile. “Here.” She turned and put the book into Simon’s hand.

“What exactly is this?” Simon asked, holding up the book.

“Everything.” Metis began to go to work, collecting all of the papers on her desk into one neat pile. “Everything about this… a-and Athena… and… and…”

“All of your findings.” It didn’t take him look to piece together what Metis was trying to say. She nodded.

“My findings. Yes. Every single thing that I have discovered in my research. All of it.” She pushed the book towards him, tucking her collected papers under her arm. “Not to mention… this.” Metis pulled something out from her pocket. She placed it in Simon’s hand. It was a small, ancient looking scroll. It was the sight of it alone that sent a chill up Simon’s spine. Why was she giving him this…?

“I trust you to keep it safe,” said Metis. Simon curled his fingers around the small scroll. He placed it onto her desk. He didn’t want to look at it, not now and not ever.

“Your paranoia is getting the better of you, Lady Cykes.” Maybe Aura was right. Maybe Lady Cykes had finally gone off the deep end.

“Paranoia or not, I feel better knowing that all we’ve worked hard for is safe from those who want to hurt me.”

“Who in this world would want to hurt you?” There was not one single person that Simon could think of who would even think about hurting her. Metis was a caring woman. There would no reason for anyone to hurt her.

“I have made some very… deadly enemies while working on my various… projects.” Metis shoved the papers onto a random shelf. That word lingered in Simon’s mind. Enemies? There was near no one who would have anything against Metis’s work. No one that Simon could think of, anyhow. Lady Cykes’s work was private, and no one questioned what she was doing up in her study for days on end There were very few things that people knew about it her research anyway. “I’ve kept people away with the rumors.”

“You mean rumors over… this?” Simon gestured around the room. Lady Cykes left the books in their places on the hardwood.

“Because of them, many people think that this is done on my daughter.” Simon nearly dropped the book in his hands.

“You love Athena.”

“If they don’t think that, then they won’t go after her. She’ll be safe.” Simon was starting to believe that Lady Cykes had lost her mind or at least was beginning to lose it. “They’ll go after those I care about. It’s better that no one knows the truth.”

“Lady Cykes,” Simon said with a sigh. He placed the book on her desk next to the scroll. This was too much.

“They’re… She’s… He’s…” Metis groaned rather loudly. “ It’s after me.”

“What is after you?” It took Simon a second to come up with a guess. “A man in a hood? There are a lot of men who wear hoods.”

“If you only knew,” Metis said with a sigh. She put her hand on Simon’s shoulder. “My daughter trusts you. I trust you. If anything happens to me, you have to make me a promise, Blackquill.”

“Lady Cykes.” Simon took Metis’s hand off of him. “I’m not going to—”

“Promise.” Metis’s voice cracked on that last bit. She drew in a shaky breath before continuing. She picked up her book and the scroll. Metis shoved both into Simon’s hands. “Swear to me, Simon Blackquill, that if anything happens to me, you will keep Athena safe.” She was speaking to him like this was her last wish. He kept a tight grip on that book and the deadly scroll. Athena was like family to him. Metis had become like family to him. Simon slowly nodded, sliding the scroll deep within the bowels of his coat.

“... yes.”

Apollo had more than an edge against Karuma now. It had taken all night, but he and Yuugami had come up with a plan. The charter stated one thing. It was that one thing that Mei Karuma had overlooked. And something Apollo overlooked was the prospect of the flock of reporters being in the mayor’s office when he went to confront her. Karuma had been seconds away from handing over the sheriff’s badge to Tomoe.

“Mr. Justice, this is highly inappropriate,” said Karuma. Apollo made his way through the reporters and up to Karuma.

“The only inappropriate thing going on here is you appointing Tomoe sheriff,” Apollo stated. Eyes were on him.

“The town charter clearly states that the mayor, myself, shall appoint—”

“A candidate,” Apollo finished. “You can appoint a candidate. This calls for an election.” Karuma rolled her eyes.

“The term ‘candidate’ can be applied loosely.”

“No, it can't.” Apollo hit Karuma’s desk to help emphasize his point. “It requires a vote. And guess what, Karuma? I'm running.”

“Fine.” Malice suited the mayor more than anything. “So is Tomoe.” Houzuki gave the mayor a confused glance. “She is running with my full support. I guess it's time we learn the true will of the people.”

“I guess we will.” Neither Karuma or Apollo were ready to back down. This battle wasn't going to be a pretty one.

Simon really wished his room wasn't halfway across the grounds. He also really wished that he knew what in the names of all the gods he was going to do. He wasn't thinking when he made that promise to Lady Cykes. He didn't have any magic. All Simon had knowledge of was legal proceedings and swordsmanship. That was it. Only the latter seemed useful, but even then Simon would never drawn his sword against another person. He would never kill someone like how…

There was the sound of heavy footsteps that drew Simon from his thoughts. He groaned at the familiar clanging of metal. Simon greatly despised the royal guard. That was for one reason and one reason only.

That reason came in the form of the young man being brutally knocked to the ground by the captain of the guard.

“What do you want?” Bitterness coated Simon’s words as he slowly got back onto his feet.

“Nothing,” the captain replied. “Besides, you have nothing I really want. No money. No influence. No land or title or power. The truth is all you have is loyalty and a sister.” The reminder stung. Simon didn't have any standing in the court. It was only because of Aura’s position that he was even here. The captain made sure enough to remind the younger Blackquill of that every time their paths crossed.

“Leave.” Simon put a hand on the sword at his side. That made the captain laugh.

“Please. We both know you would never use it.” Simon didn't let go of the hilt.

“What makes you say that?”

“Because you allow me to do this.” Before Simon could question what ‘this’ was, he received his answer. The captain brought down the young man with a heavy blow to the stomach and a punch to the face. The man laughed harder at Simon’s pain as he walked away.

Simon was still for a moment, trying to regain his breath. He felt inside of his pocket. Good. Metis’s work and that vile scroll were still safely tucked away in there. That seemed to be the only thing he could actually protect.

Blood dripped onto the ground. Simon pressed pale fingers to his face. Great. The blood was his. At least nothing felt broken. There were another set of footsteps. Simon was relieved that it wasn’t the captain again. An old cloaked man had found his way onto the grounds. He was holding out his hand. Simon stared at it.

“Let me help you,” said the old man who had come to Simon’s aid. “Let me help you get home.” Simon’s room wasn’t that far, but he wasn’t sure if the captain was anywhere nearby.

“Thank you.” Simon took his hand, allowing the old man to pull him back up. “I hope you realize that I can’t repay you.”

“I can think of another way.” The man began to lead Simon towards his quarters. “Just leave me with what you can spare, and I’ll find a way to be your benefactor.”

Fire was a rather interesting thing. It could give life, and it could take away life. It all depended on the person holding it. Which is probably why Mei Karuma grew uncomfortable the second she entered the pawnshop that day. Sitting at the counter was Jin Yuugami, flicking an old lighter on and off. The cap was flipped on top of it when the mayor entered.

“Evening, Mei.” The mayor flipped the sign at the front to display ‘closed’ to the public. Jin felt a bit satisfied with himself. “Do you want me to move some things around to make room for your rage?”

“You purposely ‘found’ that loophole in the town charter,” said the mayor as she marched up to the counter. So that's what she was here for. Good.

“You know. Legal documents have always been a fascination of mine.” Mei glared at him.

“You love to trifle with technicalities.” Jin grinned as he slid the lighter into its place, hidden away in a drawer in the counter.

“Small weapons are my favorite things. Such as a needle… or a pen… or the fine point of a deal. It's a subtle matter, something I know is really not your style.”

“You are a bastard,” Mei seethed as she leaned up against the counter. Jin had been called worse.

“I think your grief is getting the better of you, Mei.” He saw Mei’s hand twitch. She really wanted to use that whip on him, didn't she? She would never. Mei wasn't stupid. “It is a shame what happened to Sheriff Ayasato.”

“Don't talk about her.” Mei rested a hand on her whip.

“She died. There's nothing you can do to change that.” Jin knew she wouldn't dare. He was free to mess with her mind as he pleased.

“Are you really going up against me?”

“Not directly,” Jin said with a small shrug. “We are both invested in the good of the town. It's just that you're on a different side than I.”

“It's not like you to back the losing horse.”

“Apollo Justice has yet to lose.”

“Oh, he will.”

“Never doubt the skill of someone who is acting in the interest of another. Such as the protection of someone they care about.” He had gotten her attention now. “Did you know that Trucy blames herself for Chihiro’s death? She believes that good has lost. Something like Justice winning the election would be enough to turn her pessimism back into its usual optimism.”

“We’ll see.” Mei stormed out of the shop. Jin took out his lighter again. There was work to be done and an election to win. Jin Yuugami knew exactly how to do it.

Although he insisted on walking the rest of the way by himself once the bleeding had stopped, the old man came with Simon to his quarters. It wasn’t the neatest of places, but it was the place he had called home. As a way of paying him for his generosity, Simon had given the man a warm meal. It looked to be the first one had in ages.

“Thank you, again,” said Simon as he sat down opposite to the man.

“There are no thanks needed,” replied the man. Simon stared down at the floor. His head was spinning. He wasn’t sure if it was from the blow he had taken or from the vow he had made. He felt himself a fool for making a promise to Metis that would be impossible to keep. “Something is troubling you.”

“Let’s just say I made a vow I don’t know how to keep, and leave it at that.” Was Simon really that obvious?

“We have time.” Simon sighed. This was a stranger. He didn’t know who he was. Then again… there was no one else who would understand the problem. He had made the promise to Metis, Aura would probably slap him in the back of the head if he told her, and Athena… she didn’t need to know.

“I made a promise to protect a person. My mentor’s daughter. Only problem is that I don’t know how.” The old man slowly nodded as he listened. “I’m not… much of a fighter. I’m not really anything. There’s nothing I can do to keep this vow.” Simon groaned, pressing his face into his hands. “All I do is care about her daughter. I’m starting to believe that she picked the wrong person.”

“No.” Simon looked up towards the old man. No? “There is always something to be done. You just need to find another way. Choose a different path.”

“Choose?” He nearly laughed. “What choice do I have? I swore to her that I would protect her child. I’m not the most sociable person, and the only thing I have is my mind and a sword. That’s not enough.” He sighed. “No matter what happens, I’m going to lose her.”

“Not if you have power.” That got a small laugh out of Simon.

“You might as well say diamonds.” At least with those, he would have financial influence.

“Get a hold of yourself!” The old man set down the dish he had been eating out of. “Answer me this. What do you know about the Dark One?”

“The Dark One?” The old man nodded. It was a strange question to ask. “Same as everyone else. He’s a powerful being. Some say that he’s the darkness itself.” Stories he had overheard of those who made deals with the Dark One echoed in Simon’s head. “You don’t trifle with him unless you’re willing to pay the price.”

“Did you know that there is a way to control the Dark One?” Simon froze. He heard that correctly, right? It wasn’t just his mind telling him what he wanted to hear?

“... there’s a way to what?” The old man had Simon’s full attention.

“There is a dagger,” explained the old man. “On the blade is written a name — the true name of  the Dark One. If you find and steal the dagger, then you control the Dark One yourself. Then no one would be able to harm who you care about so long as you hold the power in your hands.”

Those words repeated in Simon’s head over and over, even long after the old man left his room. There was actually a way for Simon to fulfill his promise to Metis. He pulled out her book. There must have been something on the Dark One in there, right?

Apollo ran over to the diner to meet with Trucy. He had been so busy with the election, he had almost forgotten that they had agreed to meet at the diner the other day. He pushed open the door to find Trucy sitting at one of the booths. Good. She hadn't left.

Apollo walked over to her. She was reading a paper. She didn't look up when Apollo sat down across from her.

“Hey, Trucy,” he said in a greeting. “How was school?”

“It was okay,” Trucy said with a little shrug. She was still reading that paper.

“You're reading that paper pretty hard.”

“Miss Houzuki wrote it.” That didn't bode well. Trucy handed the paper to Apollo. His eyes narrowed at the article. Printed in bold letters on the front page were the words: EX-JAILBIRD — FORMER CONVICT RUNS FOR SHERIFF.

“Is it a lie?” Trucy asked. Apollo skimmed over the article. He sighed. Dammit. Dammit all.

“No, it's not.”

“You went to jail?!”

“Yes,” Apollo groaned, sinking down into the booth. “I did something stupid a few years ago. It wasn't big. I wasn't in there for more than a year. And these records were sealed when I got out because I was underage.” He looked to Trucy. “Please tell me I haven't scarred you for life.”

“I'm not,” Trucy said as she shook her head. “Well, not by this anyway.”

“Good.” Apollo folded the paper in half. “We'll get rid of this and get our news from somewhere more reliable. Like the internet.” Apollo wasn't going to get rid of it. He was going to present it to the only person in town who had the ability to uncover this.

“This is what I've been trying to tell you. Good can't beat evil. We can't play dirty. That's what Miss Karuma does. That's why you can't beat her. Ever.” Trucy brought in her knees. “Maybe we should just stop altogether.”

“Stop? Stop wh—" It took a second for it to click.

“Miss Karuma is going to win no matter what we do,” said Trucy sadly. “There's nothing we can do to save everyone. It's hopeless.”

That had been the final straw. Karuma had been hellbent on destroying Trucy’s belief system. Apollo was still positive that it was her who tried to get Miss Deauxnim to crush it. Doing it this way? He was done. This was the third strike.

Apollo marched into Karuma office. She didn't look up from the work she was doing at her desk until Apollo threw the newspaper in front of her.

“This is a juvenile record. It was sealed by court order,” said Apollo, his anger seeping into his voice. “I don't know how you got it, but I have a feeling that this is an abuse of your power!”

“Oh, I'm sorry.” Karuma got up from her desk, leaving the newspaper where it was. “Did you not want the entire town to know that you made a shiv from a plastic spoon?”

“I don't care what people know. I care about what you're doing.”

“And what exactly would that be?” The mayor gathered her belongings.

“Trucy. She’s a different kid since Chihiro’s death, and you're making it worse by doing shit like this.”

“Don't bring Chihiro into this!” Karuma snatched up her whip, attaching it firmly on to her belt. “We all lose people we care about Apollo Justice. Heroes included. It's time she learned that.” She stormed out of the office. Apollo wasn't letting it go that easily.

“That's not the point!” Apollo said, following after Karuma. “I know you care about Trucy. You're not good at hiding that you do.” Even if her methods of showing love were a bit messed up. “She's lost her mother, her biological father, and now another person close to her. Trucy is depressed already. She doesn't…” It hurt to even conjure up this thought in his head. However it must have taken a huge impact for Trucy to give up on Operation Cobra. Apollo wasn't one to support it, but to Trucy it had meant everything. “She's lost hope. Why can't you understand that? It’s… it's the most important thing a person can have.” Karuma finally came to a stop, Apollo following suit shortly after.

“All I did was expose her to the truth,” she said as she turned to face him. “As for the legality, I have access to files like those if someone is going to be working under my jurisdiction. The position of sheriff falls under that. And as for anything else, you're free to get into it with Tomoe at the debate tomorrow.” Apollo stared at her.

“Debate?”

“Yes, Mr. Justice. There is a debate. You can talk about jail time all you want. Maybe even after your new association with Jin Yuugami.” Apollo went stiff as a snide grin grew on Karuma’s face. “He's a snake, Mr. Justice. You need to be careful who you get in bed with.”

“I'm not getting into bed with anyone! All I'm doing is fighting fire with—” Mei opened the door to the exit.

The moment Karuma opened the door, there was a loud bang. The room on the opposite side exploded with a burst of flame. The force of the explosion knocked back Apollo and Karuma. Apollo could feel the heat.

He slowly sat back up. The town hall was being engulfed in flames. There was a scream. Karuma was pinned down under debris from the explosion. Apollo steadily got to his feet, pushing the burning beams off of Storybrooke's mayor.

“Come on, we gotta go!” Karuma tried to stand, only to collapse under her own weight. “Come on, we gotta get out of here!”

“I can't!” shouted Karuma, holding back a cry. “I can't move!” Apollo looked towards the burning door. Nearby was a fire extinguisher. Growing up, if he learned anything about fires… well, he was lucky that his foster father was never a good cook.

He picked up a board and broke the plastic cover. With the fire extinguisher in hand, he managed to get the fire somewhat under control.

Apollo ditched the extinguisher. Now there was the only remaining problem: getting himself and Karuma out of here

“Can you stand?” he asked.

“If I could stand, then would I still be here?” Apollo sighed. He bent down next to Karuma, sliding his arms under her legs. She wrapped her arms around his neck to help with the support. With the mayor safe in his arms, Apollo ran out of the town hall, kicking the door open. There were sirens. Apollo sighed as the fire department and an ambulance pulled up in front of them. He set down Karuma.

“Ow!” hissed the woman. “Set me down gently.” Apollo let her down on the grass nearby.

“Are you seriously complaining about how I saved your life?” said Apollo, coughing a bit from the smoke he had inhaled.

“The firemen are here.” Karuma gestured over to the truck pulling up beside the town hall. The fire had started to attract a crowd. “We weren’t in any real danger.”

“Fine,” Apollo groaned. “Fine. Next time I’ll… I’ll just…” He shook his head. “No, you know what? Next time this kind of crap happens, I’ll do that exact same thing. You know why? Because that’s what good people do.” Apollo walked away from Karuma, covered in soot, and toward the familiar faces in the surrounding crowd. Ryuichi found him almost immediately.

“Did you really save Karuma?” he asked. People began to swarm him like a moth drawn to the flame. Before Apollo could answer, Trucy came running up next to her father.

“He did!” said Trucy. She was smiling. She was smiling for the first time in weeks. “The fireman said it. They saw it!” The group began to talk. It all was simple chatter on Apollo’s ears.

“You’re a hero.”

“We should see if they have a picture of the rescue.”

“We could make campaign posters.”

“Oh, people would love that! That’s a great idea. Wait, so…” The bunch walked away, absorbed in their own ideas. Apollo was left with Trucy. He ruffled her hair.

“See, Trucy?” Apollo told her, getting down to her level. “This is how good wins. You do something good, and then people see it. Then they want to help you. We don’t have to fight dirty.”

“Maybe you’re right.” The smile had not left Trucy’s face.

Out of the corner of his eye, Apollo caught sight of the debris the firemen were pulling out of the town hall. Broken and burnt pieces of wood, singed metal fro the door… all normal things you would find in the ruins of a fire. But there was one thing that stood out. Apollo sent Trucy off to her father before he got investigating. He kicked away some of the wooden shards. Underneath was a tied up piece of cloth. Apollo picked it up. The scent coming off of it was strong.

Apollo went stiff. He knew the smell. He would never forget it. He knew where it came from. Pride was replaced by fury. He snuck away from the crowd and made his way over to the pawnshop.

Yuugami was standing at the shop’s counter when Apollo entered. He was acting like he had had done nothing wrong. He was wiping something from his hands, probably ash and soot.

“It seems that a lot of people have been coming in and out all day” he remarked. Apollo slammed the door behind him. “I do hope you’re not going to break my little bell.”

“You set the fire,” Apollo said, quickly getting to his point as he marched up to the counter.

“I’ve been right here, Justice-dono.” Apollo deposited the evidence he had discovered at the scene of the crime. The rag.

“Smell it. It smells exactly like that crap you were using yesterday.” All Yuugami did was stare at the burnt scrap.

“Are you sure about that? I believe there's a bit of construction going on at city hall at the moment. There’s plenty of flammable materials and solvents used in construction.” Apollo grew irritated. He couldn’t spot a lie in any of what Yuugami was telling him. He was avoiding the topic.

“Why did you do it?”

“That is ‘if’ I did it.” Apollo was certain that he did it. There was no other possibility. “Justice-dono, you cannot win that election without something big happening. Something like… being a hero in a fire?” Apollo couldn’t believe what he was hearing. This entire thing… this is what Yuugami meant by being his benefactor.

“How did you even know that I would be there at the right time?!” There was a bird-like screech from the backroom.

“Please lower your volume,” said Yuugami. “I’m an intuitive person, and you’re not the type of person who would leave someone behind to be burned alive… especially given the circumstances of your father’s death.” Apollo stared at him, wide-eyed. How the hell did he know that?! No one knew. It hadn't been published in either article about him. The only person who knew that was Trucy, and she wouldn’t tell anyone about it. She wasn’t that type of person.

“I'm not going along with this,” said Apollo firmly.

“You just did.” Apollo stood there, staring at him. His nails dug into the wood of the counter. “This is the price of a victory, Justice-dono.”

“And it's a price I'm not willing to pay.”

“Alright then. Go right on ahead. Expose me.” Yuugami leaned onto the counter and closer to Apollo. “If you do, think about what you'll be walking away from.”

“I've made my choice.” Apollo turned and headed for the door.

“Think about who you will be disappointing.” Apollo froze with his hand on the doorknob. Trucy. She had just found a small bit of hope thanks to Apollo’s actions. She believed in good again. If he exposed Yuugami… Apollo threatened to destroy that all over again.

Apollo threw open the door and left.

Simon stole away from his room in the early hours of the morning, Metis’s notes tucked under his arm. It was still in his coat. He didn’t feel comfortable with it, but he didn’t want to leave that little scroll unguarded either, considering what was written upon it.

The castle was quiet. It would be hard to find that peace later today. Simon nearly cringed at the thought of the repetitive noise that was soon to come. He pulled himself away to a well-lit, barely used hall. He leaned up against the wall and began to read.

Hours must have passed. He was nearly finished with that book. There was nothing about the Dark One or any dagger. It was a fruitless and hopeless endeavor. But if he had asked anyone else, they would all think that Simon Blackquill was up to something dastardly.

“What are you brooding about now?” Of course. He cursed the strange ability that his sister had which allowed her to find her brother wherever he was.

“I’m not brooding,” said Simon. He snapped the book in his hands shut. Aura's eyes fell upon it.

“Why do you have Lady Cykes’s belongings?” Aura tried to snatch the book from Simon’s hands. He held it out of her reach. She may have been older than him, but their height difference was enough to be an adequate advantage.

“Because she gave it to me.” Simon still held it out of his sister's reach, even after she stopped trying to grab it. “She is paranoid, I’ll give you that. She does truly think that someone is after her.”

“Great.” Simon had lived with his sister long enough to detect her special brand of sarcasm. “That doesn’t explain why you have her notes.” She tried to get at the book again. Simon slid into into the pocket of his coat.

“Because she made me promise to protect them.”

“Them?” Simon cursed himself. That word slipped out. He sighed. What was in his coat and in his hand grew heavier. The beating of his heart quickened. Three. That’s what he had to protect The book, the scroll and...

“Protect her. Athena.” A small groan escaped from Aura. Simon sighed again. “I believe that she does think that something — or even someone — is after her.”

“I’ll have a talk with her.” Aura cleared her throat. “But, that is for later. On to business. I have something to ask of you.”

“And that would be…?”

“The opening for the festival is about to start.” Simon bit back a groan. He knew that he had made a promise to go, but it didn’t mean that he wanted to. “I can’t find the little princess anywhere. I was wondering if you knew where to look.” Princess? As far as Simon knew there wasn’t a… oh, right. Athena.

“No, I haven’t seen her all morning.” Actually, Aura had been the only person he had seen all day. “I was expecting to see her at the festival.”

“Unless someone finds her, that’s not going to happen. I tried to ask Metis, but she isn’t in her chambers like I thought. I’ve been searching up and down this place looking for her.”

“Lady Cykes has gone missing?” Aura nodded. Simon found it impossible. “I just spoke with her last night, how could she be missing?”

“Do I look like her keeper?” Simon stared at his sister. A snide smirk crossed his face as he chuckled softly. Any laughter for that thought was quickly dispersed when Aura rapped him on the shoulder. “Stop giving me that look, Simon. I know what that look means, and I don’t like it.”

“So what’s your plan?” said Simon, still skeptical of Aura’s true intentions of trying to find Athena. “Tell the guard and hope they’ll fix it?”

“Not yet. There’s no reason to rouse the guard.” Gods. Simon didn’t want to see them today until he had to. “We'll look for them.” Wait, what? “I'll go search for Metis, and you go search for your little princess.” Wait, what?!

“She is not—”

“Oh please,” said Aura as she rolled her eyes. “That girl has you wrapped around her little finger.” Simon made no movement to argue. “Will you do it?” He sighed, cursing Aura in his head.

“You go and search the grounds,” he said after making up a brief plan. “I’ll go see if Athena went to find her mother. We’ll meet back here in an hour.” Aura gave him a nod before continuing on down the hall. Athena had to be somewhere. She most likely did go to find her mother. The question would be where would Lady Cykes would be at this moment.

Lady Cykes’s study wasn’t that far from here. Perhaps he should start there first. After all, there would be no harm in checking, right?

Click. Click. Click. Ryuichi forced the staples into the poster repeatedly until it was stuck up on the board. Considering the fact that they were made in less than a day, the posters for Apollo’s election campaign had turned out pretty good.

He walked over to the other side of the bulletin board. Someone was already there, hanging up the posters promoting Tomoe. Ryuichi nearly turned back when he saw who it was.

He stood next to Reiji, beginning to staple up the poster beside him. He kept his fingers crossed that the man didn't notice he was standing there.

“Ryuichi.” Shit. “It's a pleasure to see you here.”

“Reiji, hi!” Ryuichi pressed in another staple into the board before turning to the man beside him. The smile he gave was genuine. “I was just uh…” He held up the poster in his hand.

“What a coincidence. So am I.” This was growing incredibly awkward as the two men continued to put up the posters. The last time they had spoken was at the toll bridge. That whole thing had its own bitter ending.

“So… um…” Ryuichi really wanted to say something. The silence was deafening. “How has work been going?”

“It really hasn't. Because of my extended stay in the hospital, I’ve been assigned to deskwork.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” There had to be something else. The air around them was nearly suffocating. Ryuichi looked over at the poster Reiji was hanging up.

“So I take it you're supporting Tomoe in the race?” He pressed a few more staples into the bulletin board. Reiji nodded.

“Yes. My wife and I are friends with Mei… so…” His wife? Wait… Ryuichi mentally slapped himself in the back of the head. Dammit. How the hell did he forget that Reiji was married? Shit.

“Speaking of which, how is Ichiru?”

“She's fine. She's meeting me here later.”

“That is wonderful.” There were a few short clicks. Ryuichi had driven enough staples into the one poster that he was now out of them. Shit. It seemed like a bright side to this. Now he could get out of this awkward conversation. “Well, I'm all out of staples. I should go and get some more. I'll see you later."

Ryuichi rushed away from the bulletin. Reiji watched him go. The schoolteacher was cursing himself over and over in his head. Reiji was a married man. Married. He thought that the pain of the night at the toll bridge would finally eradicate his feelings for the man. That wasn't the case.

Ryuichi Naruhodou would be in that awkward state between friends and lovers with Reiji Mitsurugi forever.

Simon’s heavy footsteps echoed throughout the hall as he made his way over to Lady Cykes’ study.

“Athena! Athena!” Only his own voice answered him in a series of echoes. The one time he didn't want Athena to be quiet, she was. “Athena!” Simon came to a halt in front the study. He knocked on the door.

“Lady Cykes?” he called out, hoping to get his mentor’s attention. “Lady Cykes, are you in here?” There was nothing but silence to answer him.  Simon groaned. What was it with Het is not answering him? “Sweet merciful heavens, Metis!” He went to open the door. It was surprisingly unlocked. “Have you seen Athen—”

Simon opened the door. He stopped like a deer caught by a huntress. The room was in utter disarray. Papers were scattered, books were knocked from their shelves and a glass was shattered. That wasn't what made Simon grow cold.

Lying on the floor was Metis Cykes. Her eyes were like the broken glass. Blood stained the front of her. Discarded by the woman’s side was her own blade, the tip thick with blood. Also covered in blood and standing over Metis’s body was Athena.

Simon stood still for a moment. He was trapped by the fear of the sight before him. Metis Cykes was dead, slaughtered by her own sword. Simon Blackquill finally found the strength to move.

“Metis!” He ran into the room, kneeling at the body of his fallen mentor. “Lady Cykes…” It would be a vain effort to try and save her now. She was long gone. “My gods…” From beside him, there was a soft thud. Athena had collapsed in the blood of her mother. Simon shook her shoulder. “Athena… Athena, come on. Wake up.” The young girl didn't stir. “Athena!”

“She’s not injured,” said a low voice. Simon froze. Slowly, he stood. Standing in the room behind him was a man in a dark hood, his face obscured. “Though… I can't say the same for her mother.” A man in a dark hood… the one Metis had been afraid of. She was telling the truth.

“You…” Something in the man’s hands caught the light. Simon felt something rising in his throat. The man’s hands were covered in blood. He was holding an intricate, wavy dagger. There was a name printed on the blade. Simon didn't have to guess who the man was. “You did this. Lady Cykes wasn’t going crazy, was she? You killed her. The Dark One.”

“Clever boy,” chuckled the man. “One out of two isn't all that bad. You know who I am.” Simon felt his hands clench tight. He drew the sword at his side. “Do you really think that will work against me?” Simon’s answer was the blade of his sword hitting the dagger.

Whoever the Dark One was, he wasn't a very skilled fighter. Simon easily managed to disarm him, knocking the dagger away with a simply planned strike. He got a hold of it before the Dark One could.

“Tell me,” Simon said to the disarmed man. “Why did you do this?!”

“I didn't kill her,” hissed the man. Simon felt a glare on him. “My associate… wanted something of hers. Something she had in her possession. The Dark Curse.” Simon felt the scroll in his coat grow heavy. That curse… she had given it to him, and now it was his fault that she was dead. He had what the murderer wanted. If only she kept it…

“When he couldn't find it… well… look at the state of the room,” the Dark One laughed again. “Our deal changed when she walked in. He wanted Metis Cykes. And I delivered.”

The man was being rather cooperative. It was a strange thing. Simon looked down at the dagger he was holding. Wait a minute… what had it been that the old man said? Whoever has the dagger controls the Dark One.

“This is it, isn't it?” Simon asked, holding up the blade. “Your dagger. The one that controls you. Answer me.”

“Yes, I can do anything for you so long as you hold it,” said the man with a low nod. “I can bring you the head of my associate. I can make this whole mess vanish. You made a promise to the girl’s mother, hmm?” Simon felt his grip tighten on the dagger. How in the hell did he know that? Only two people knew, and the other one was dead. “You saw the scene. They’ll blame her. I can fix that. Tell me. What would you want me to do?”

This man… this man was a murderer. He was a killer. He led Metis to her doom. Simon’s blood began to boil. Anger clouded his mind. He killed his mentor. He killed Metis. He murdered her in cold blood. He slaughtered her without a second thought. This man didn't even care when the deed was done. Simon knew exactly what he wanted him to do.

“Die.” Simon dropped his sword. He drove the blade of the dagger deep into the Dark One’s chest. The force of it brought both of them to the ground as the man collapsed. He had to pay for his crime with his own life.

Simon went still. The man’s hood had come off. The man was laughing as Simon felt his blood stain his hand. The Dark One was the old man from the previous night.

“I don't think you're going to do that again…” the man weakly laughed. Simon’s hand was shaking. It was stuck to the dagger. He couldn't move.

“You tricked me,” Simon said when he finally found his voice. “You knew who I was. You knew!”

“I knew who I need to get to. You let me in.” Simon wanted to deny it. He wanted to deny the truth. “This is your fault.”

“No… I didn't…” He didn't know.

“Magic always comes with a price. And now, it’s yours to pay. You never should have let me in.” The man placed a shaky hand on Simon’s. “Now… the darkness belongs to you. You kill the Dark One… You become the new Dark One.”

“Why me?” This wasn't happening. This couldn't be happening. “Why me?!”

“Because I know how to recognize a desperate soul.” The man stopped moving. His hand fell. His eyes rolled into the back of his head. Simon went still. This couldn't be happening. This had to be a dream. This wasn't real. This wasn't… He was only fooling himself. This was real… No! No!

Simon pulled out the dagger. The name wasn't the same as before. Printed clearly in dark letters was the name SIMON BLACKQUILL. He nearly dropped the dagger. What had he just done?

Simon had to do something. He stood, his hands still shaking. He looked back. Two bodies… Athena… The man wasn't lying when he said she would be blamed. She was the only one who was in the room… and if someone found her… He didn't want to think about that.

“Swear to me, Simon Blackquill, that if anything happens to me, you will keep Athena safe.”

Simon seathed the dagger where his sword once was. A plan was circulating in his frenzied head. He walked over to where Athena lay. He picked her up, holding the little girl close. He walked out of the room, covered in the blood of his mentor and his predecessor. It looked like Simon Blackquill would be able to fulfill his promise after all.

Apollo paced back and forth in the backstage of the town’s meeting hall. He was great at bluffing his way through anything. With the debate though, Apollo felt more unsure than anything. If he exposed Yuugami as the arsonist, then he would surely lose the election. He would lose everything he had worked for. Then again, if he didn't, he would win. However, the guilt of failing to expose the truth would stick with him forever.

I'm Apollo Justice, and I'm fine. I'm Apollo Justice, and I'm fine. I'm Apollo Justice, and I'm fine. I'm Apollo Justice and I'm… who am I kidding? I'm not fine!

Ryuichi jogged up to him, face pink from the cold. He handed a bottle of water to Apollo. Apollo downed half of it in one go.

“I'm not going to win,” he said, screwing the lid back on the bottle.

“What are you talking about?” said Ryuichi. Apollo gave the bottle back. “Everyone’s talking about what you did in the fire.”

“No… no, Trucy was right. I can't beat Karuma.” Apollo shook his head. “Not with the way she fights.”

“Is this really about beating Karuma?” Apollo pulled back a bit of the curtain. Sitting up in the front row, next to an empty seat was Trucy. She caught sight of Apollo. She flashed him a smile. “So, this is about Trucy.”

“I want to show her that good can win.” Apollo let the curtain fall back into place.

“That's why you want to win the election, isn't it?” Apollo nodded.

“I just want to show her that a hero can win. And if I'm not…” he sighed. “If I can't be a hero for her, then what part do I have in her life?” Ryuichi put a hand on his shoulder.

“You are her brother,” Ryuichi told him. Apollo still didn't believe that. “That's your role. All you have to do is be there for her. I know you'll do the right thing.” The question here was if Apollo could do the right thing.

The debate was called to start. Ryuichi left and the curtains opened. Apollo found all noise going white on his ears. He couldn’t expose Yuugami. He would lose everything. But… it wasn't the right thing to do.

“Mr. Justice.” Apollo snapped to attention as his name was called. “Your opening statement.” Apollo stepped up to the podium. He stared out at the crowd. All of those eyes… He could see the entire town was in attendance. This was going to be harder than he thought.

“Um… you all know that I have what you would call a uh… a troubled past. But, you've been able to overlook that because of the um… the hero… thing…” Trucy was watching him. Her eyes… they were so big and bright. They brought out the guilt in Apollo. He couldn't hide it. He couldn't fake being a hero when he really wasn't. That would only do more damage than the opposite.

Thanks for your puppy dog eyes, Trucy.

“But there's something you all should know. The fire. It was a setup." A murmur fell over the crowd. Apollo didn't dare look at Trucy. “Jin Yuugami agreed to support me in the race, but I had no idea that meant he was going to set a fire. I don't have any definitive evidence, but I'm sure.” It was getting harder to speak. “And the worse part is… I let you think it was real. I refuse to win that way. I'm sorry.” Apollo left the stage without another word.

Apollo didn't want to face anyone. Lucky for him, he didn't have to. Everyone had been at the town hall. They were most likely voting Tomoe Houzuki sheriff right at that moment. He sighed. Yes, he had done the right thing. But at what cost?

Mikumo slid a drink in front of Apollo. He took it without hesitation before thanking her. Half of it was gone in a few seconds.

The door to the diner opened. Apollo didn't have to look up from glass to see the Naruhodous walking into the dinner. They both sat on opposite sides of him. He spoke to neither one of them. They were probably disappointed that Apollo had gone through with Yuugami’s plan in the first place.

“You know, Apollo,” said Ryuichi after a few minutes of quiet. “That was pretty amazing. What you did.” Apollo glanced over at him. “The way you stood up to Yuugami like that.”

“Yeah, well… he did something illegal.” Apollo finished off his drink as Trucy took something out of her bag.

“It also—” Ryuichi was cut off when Trucy held something out to Apollo. It was one of the walkie talkies he had tried to give her the other day.

“It’s also what heroes do,” said Trucy as Apollo took the radio. “They expose the bad stuff like that.” She beckoned him a bit closer before whispering to him. “I should never have given up on Operation Cobra.” Now that made Apollo smile. She was back to herself again. That was the real victory here.

Once again, the door to the diner opened. This time, Karuma strolled in with Tomoe trailing along behind. Apollo’s mood went down again the moment they stepped into the diner. They walked right up to the three.

“I thought I might find you here,” said Karuma. She was mad about something. Apollo sighed.

“Here to card me, officer?” he asked Tomoe. The woman shook her head.

“Not at all,” she said. “In fact, I think I might just join you.”

“Are you sure? I think they’re setting up victory party in the back.”

“Well, you’ll just have to tell me what that’s like.” Apollo froze in place. Wait… was she saying what he thought she was saying? Karuma pulled the sheriff’s badge out of her pocket. She slapped it down on the counter in front of Apollo.

“Congratulations…” she said through her teeth. “Sheriff Justice.” Apollo looked at the two sitting next to him.

“That’s what I was trying to tell you,” said Ryuichi. The door to the diner opened. The citizens of Storybrooke started to flood in. “Exposing Yuugami like that also won you the election.”

“It was a very close vote…” Apollo felt his bracelet tighten on his wrist for a brief moment. “But… people seem to like the idea of a sheriff brave enough to stand up to Yuugami.” Karuma leaned in closer to Apollo, lowering her voice.

“You didn't pick a great friend in Jin Yuugami, Apollo Justice, but you did make a superlative enemy,” she whispered before she walked away without so much as another word. Apollo was still for a moment. He picked up the sheriff’s badge. There was a grin on his face.

Maybe good could win after all.

The castle was in utter chaos. It seemed as though Metis’s body had finally been discovered. Simon stuck to the shadows. He had just gotten Athena to a safe place. It had taken a few tries, but he had managed to remove any trace of blood from her hair, skin and clothing. The magic of the Dark One was already pumping through his veins. This wasn't a dream.

Simon left Athena. There was one more thing he had to do. There was one more promise he had to keep. It was the most important promise he had made in his twenty-one years. He strolled out into the shadows of the courtyard. The captain of the royal guard was talking feverishly with his underlings.

“Find him,” he said in a voice so stern Simon thought it was forced. “I want Lady Cykes’s killer found now!” It was now or never.

“You won't have to look very far,” said Simon, his voice almost like an echo. The guards whirled around. Their defense rose. Simon was covered in blood thanks to Athena and his predecessor. Perfect.

“You…” stammered out the captain. “Who are you?”

“My dear captain, how could you not recognize me?” He gave a low laugh as he slowly stepped into the light. “Then again, I'm not the most recognizable without your fist in my face, now am I?”

“Simon Blackquill.” Simon had never seen the captain look so afraid. It was time to put his plan into motion.

“You should refer to me by my official title.” Simon put on a false smirk. “The Dark One.” The captain turned fifty shades of pale.

“You. You're the… the…”

“Of course. Do I not look it?” He casted a narrowed glare at the guards in front of him. “Morons, the lot of you. You never suspected that the Dark One was hiding under your noses the entire time, hmm?”

“You. You did it. Didn't you? You killed her!” The one question everybody wanted to know the answer to. If everything went according to plan, they would never find out the truth.

“Oh yes,” Simon told him, forming a false persona around him. “I killed Metis Cykes.”

“No!” That scream… His outer shell withered for a moment. “No… no, Simon!” Over his shoulder, Simon could see her. Athena. Aura was right behind her. A guard caught the girl before she could get any closer.

The child was in tears. Whether it was because of her mother’s death or because of what she was witnessing, Simon couldn't tell. All he knew was that she wasn't supposed to be here. Aura stared at her brother, wide-eyed.

“Simon.” Her voice had cracked. “What has happened to you?” It would be painful to do this to his own flesh and blood.

“Oh Aura, didn't you know?” He kept up with his prideful tone, acting as if though he was boasting a great victory. “I killed Lady Cykes.” The look of betrayal from Aura would never leave his mind.

“Lady Blackquill…” One of the guards tried to step between the brother and sister. Aura just pushed him out of the way.

“That’s a lie, Simon, and you know it!” she shouted. He knew why she was so upset. If she wanted proof… that would be easy enough to fake.

“Is it?” Simon pulled the dagger from the seathe. It was still coated it the blood of its previous owner. It wasn't like anyone could tell the difference. “I'm a murderer, Aura. I killed Metis Cykes.”

“No. I refuse to believe it!” One of the guards was able to restrain Aura.

“Guards!” shouted the captain, a finger pointed at Simon. “Arrest him!” The knights surrounded him.

“Please! You have to listen to me!”  cried out Athena, kicking the air and trying to get herself free. “He didn't kill her! His heart is screaming that he didn't kill her!” No. He couldn’t let this happen. He couldn’t let them know the truth.

“The child doesn't know what she’s saying,” Simon hissed. No one would understand what Athena was talking about. And even if they tried to explain, they would need Metis’s notes to prove their claim. Simon still had those, along with the Curse. He held up the dagger again. “I am a murderer. I protected what I cared about. And I'm not scared of anything.”

“No! No! No, no, no! Simon!” Athena was fighting just to get free. The guard was struggling to restrain her.

“Hold still you little brat!” The knights closed in around Simon. He wasn't sure if this would work. But, it seemed like now was a better time than any to put a little bit of that magic to good use.

“Good luck trying to catch me.” With a snap of his fingers, a thick black smoke encircled Simon. He could feel the magic take effect.

“Simon!” Athena’s heartbroken shriek echoed in his head. It made his façade crack. He protected what he had cared about. He wasn't afraid of the following consequences. Simon Blackquill wasn't afraid of anything.

Apollo had a fresh feeling when he entered the sheriff’s station that morning. There was something about the atmosphere that seemed different. It felt like freedom. He had freed the sheriff’s office from Karuma. Apollo felt like he could take on anything. He hoped that wherever she was, Chihiro was proud of what he had done.

He walked over to Chihiro’s office. Well, his office now. It had been hers once, too. Maybe he should hang up a picture of her somewhere as a small memorial. Apollo had only taken a few steps in when he noticed something that should not have been there. Hanging on the coat rack was Chihiro’s jacket. It was the same one she had been wearing on the night she was murdered.

“Got that back this morning. Since the case is closed, they're giving back some of the evidence.” Apollo froze. Shit. He turned to see Yuugami standing in the doorway. “Don't worry, I got the blood out of it. Took forever, but I have a magic touch when it comes to removing things like that.”

“You do realize I’m armed, right?” Apollo was lying, of course. He was just trying t get Yuugami out of his office. The man was surely not happy about Apollo having ratted him out.

“Oh, is this about that stunt you pulled at the town hall?” Apollo stepped back as Yuugami chuckled quietly. “You have no reason to fear, Justice-dono. It’s all part of the act.” An act? That was all an act?! “You see, political theatre is a real theatre. And I know how human beings work. How they think, how they act. I knew that no one was going to vote for you unless you had some extraordinary quality — in this case, courage. I’m afraid saving Mei Karuma’s arse from a fire wasn’t going to just do that. No, we had to go a step higher. They had to see you defy me. And they did.” Apollo couldn't believe what he was hearing.

“There is no way in hell that you planned that,” he said. It was impossible. No human on the planet could do that.

“Everyone’s afraid of Karuma,” said Yuugami with a simple shrug. “However, they are more afraid of me than they are of her.” Apollo could give about ten reasons why. “By standing up to me, you won them over.” Apollo went slack. The pieces clicked together.

“You knew that I would agree.” The prideful look on Yuugami’s face was enough to give Apollo his answer.

“That’s because I know how to recognize a desperate soul.” Apollo fought back down against the growing frustration he was mounting.

“Why?” he said. “Why did you do this?”

“Because we made a deal when I became your benefactor.” Right… “And in a deal, both participants usually get something out of it.”

“Alright.” Apollo sighed heavily. “What do you want?” He wanted to get this over with as soon as possible.

“Oh, I don’t know just yet.” Yuugami shrugged again. “Let’s just say that for now, you owe me a favor. I know that can be a bad feeling — owing someone. Now that you’re Sheriff, I’m sure we’ll find some way for you to pay back what you owe me.” He was smirking again. “Congratulations.” The new sheriff felt tension build up in his body as Yuugami left the sheriff’s station.

Apollo was finally starting to understand why the town of Storybrooke feared Jin Yuugami.

Chapter Text

Her hands were shaking as she held tightly onto her bag. Pale gray eyes were focused on the floor as the girl with light brown, twisted hair walked up to her friend. She tapped Trucy’s shoulder to get her attention. Trucy put down the comic book she had been reading a few minutes prior.

“Ready, Harumi?” she said, keeping her voice low. Trucy slung her own bag over her shoulder. Harumi nodded.

“Come on, let's go,” Harumi replied, her tone equally as hushed. Trucy and Harumi made their way towards the door of the store.

“Where do you two think you're going?” Both girls stopped cold. That was exactly what Harumi was afraid of. Harumi and Trucy turned as Mr. Suzuki rushed up to the pair. “Open up your bags.”

“What’s wrong?” said Trucy, trying to feign innocence.

“Don’t think I didn’t see you rob me. Open your bag.” Harumi bit down on her lip. They were certain to get caught now.

“I didn't take anything!” Still, Ms. Suzuki took Trucy’s bag. Upon opening it, the contents inside were revealed. Among Trucy’s books and school supplies, several items from the store had been poorly shoved inside. Trucy and Harumi exchanged a look with one another. They were as good as caught.

Ms. Suzuki had called Mr. Naruhodou. She had tried to call Harumi’s mother, but lucky for Harumi, her cousin’s phone had finally been disconnected. She couldn't give her the real number. She couldn't. So, she gave that one instead.

Mr. Naruhodou seemed to be in shock at the fact that the two girls had been shoplifting. However, the evidence being laid put on the counter was pretty convincing. Anything the girls took had been quickly confiscated. Even with that evidence, Mr. Naruhodou still didn't believe it.

“I'm sorry, Ryuichi,” said Ms. Suzuki when Mr. Naruhodou denied the claim again, “but your daughter was shoplifting.” He turned to the two girls.

“Were you?” he asked. Trucy shook her head. Harumi didn't respond. She felt bad for having to lie to him.

“Just look for yourself.” Mr. Naruhodou stared at the pile of the counter. He sighed. Harumi stuck her hands deep into her pockets. She felt really bad now.

“I know these girls. They know better than to steal.” Trucy and Harumi exchanged looks with each other. They did know better. However, Trucy had already used her father’s credit card once, and said she could try to get it again. To Harumi, even thinking about using it would be a great risk. They were both broke. Shoplifting had been the only way.

The door to the store opened. Harumi only glanced up as the sheriff — Apollo Justice walked in. Trucy inched behind her, despite being the taller of the two. So this was the brother she talked about.

“Hey, guys,” said Apollo. He seemed so nonchalant. “What happened?”

“Mako says that she caught Trucy and Harumi stealing,” explained Mr. Naruhodou. The sheriff looked over to the girls, stunned.

“You did what ?” Trucy stared at the ground. He groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Ryuichi, just… just take Trucy home. This is a first offense, and they’re minors. I’ll deal with it. You can handle Trucy’s punishment. You’re her father.”

“But I'm already grounded from the thing down at the mines!” protested Trucy. She joined her father’s side.

“Yeah, well…” Mr. Naruhodou sighed as he and Trucy began to walk out of the store. “Just be glad that the circumstances here aren’t as bad as they were last time.” There was a brief pause.

“At least no one almost died.”

“Trucy.” The door shut behind him. Through the glass, Trucy gave Harumi a look that was meant to be reassuring. Harumi tried to force a smile to show her that it was okay. But it really wasn't. She was far from nervous.

“Did you call her parents?” Apollo asked Ms. Suzuki. There it was. Harumi tried to make herself look smaller.

“The uh… the number she gave me was disconnected,” Ms. Suzuki explained. Apollo looked over at Harumi. She bit down on her lip.

“Did you give Ms. Suzuki a fake number?” Harumi didn't want to speak. She shook her head. “Then why was it disconnected?” Harumi had to be careful about this. Trucy told her that both she and the sheriff could spot when people were lying.

“Because the bill wasn't paid…” It wasn't technically a lie. The bill wasn't paid because the owner of the phone was dead. Apollo took a look at what Harumi and Trucy were trying to take on the first place. Toothpaste, some of the essentials, food. The sheriff’s eyes softened.

“You were just trying to help out, weren't you?” Not necessarily. But he couldn't know that.

“Please don't arrest me,” Harumi begged. She couldn't be arrested. Apollo would call her mother. And Harumi didn't want that happening. “It will just make things worse.”

To Harumi's surprise, Apollo paid for the stolen items. He lead her to the patrol car on the promise of taking her home. Harumi began to relax. Maybe she wasn't caught after all.

She ran. She stumbled over the logs in her path in desperation to catch up. Eventually, the small, ten year old girl broke through to the small clearing. The black-haired woman she had been following had come to a stop in front of a large bush filled with bright berries. The woman crouched down in front of them, examining the ripe fruit.

“These are perfect,” said the woman with a faint smile. “I believe that Blue could make some use of these.

“Iris!” the girl shouted. The woman looked up as the girl joined her by her side. “Can I help? You said you wanted me here so that I could help.”

“So I did. Well…” Iris slid one of the two baskets she had off of her arm. She handed one to the little girl. “Why don’t you take this basket and go fill it with wildflowers? I believe I saw a few back there.” The girl looked over her shoulder. She nodded.

“Okay.” She took the basket from Iris. She turned back towards the trees.

“Wait!” The girl came to a stop as Iris pulled something off of her neck. “I want you to take this.” She placed it over the small girl’s head. She took a look at it.

“Your compass?” questioned the girl, running her fingers over the glass cover. Iris nodded.

“It’s one of the few things I managed to enchant, remember?” The girl quickly nodded. “When you think about a person, it will always lead you to where they are. A family like us… we always need to be able to find each other, Pearl.”

“Okay.” Pearl let the compass drop. It hit her chest, resting right over her heart.

“Go. Be safe.” Iris sent Pearl off to complete her task.

Pearl happily walked through the forest, making sure to not stray too far away from where Iris was. It didn’t take her long to find the flowers Iris was talking about. Pearl went to work. She didn’t understand why Iris wanted her to collect these flowers, but Pearl believed that there would be some use for them.

It didn’t take long for the small child to fill up her basket. She walked back towards the clearing where Iris was surely waiting for her. It was getting late. When Pearl arrived in the clearing, she froze in place. Her basket dropped to the ground. There was no one but her in the clearing. A basket was sitting by the bushes. It was turned over, the fruits of hard labor smashed into nothing. And Iris was nowhere to be seen.

This is where Pearl had left her. Why wasn’t she here? Where was Iris? What had happened to her? Pearl was starting to panic. Her hands were shaking.

“Iris!” Pearl shouted, hoping that Iris was somewhere nearby. “Iris!” The only response Pearl got was her own echo.

No. No, Iris wouldn’t just abandon her like that. She knew what would happen if Pearl was found. they would take her back to her mother, even if it was against her will.

Pearl remembered the compass. She fumbled with it before getting a firm grip. She looked down at the compass. All she had to do was think about Iris. The needle wavered before finally pinpointing a direction. Pearl thanked the gods above for letting one of Iris’s spells actually work. She ran in that direction.

She paid no attention to the trees or anything else as she rushed past them. Her only focus was on the compass. She needed to find Iris. No, she had to find Iris. Pearl couldn't go back. She wouldn't go back.

Pearl finally broke through the forest. She came out onto a road. The compass said that Iris was here. Before Pearl could re-evaluate where she should go, there was a loud noise. Pearl had run right in front of several armed guards on horseback. The sudden appearance of the girl had startled the creatures. Pearl backed up, trying to get away. She tripped, falling flat on the ground. There was a crack.

Pearl didn't have time to check what had broken. Two of the guards had pulled her to her feet. She kicked at the air, trying to get herself free. She couldn’t. The guards dropped Pearl in front of the carriage they were escorting. It was only when she looked up that Pearl truly felt fear. She could never forget Von Karma’s face; not after what he had done to the Feys.

“What are you doing in my forest?” was the only question he asked. Pearl unsteadily got to her feet, brushing the dirt off of her skirt.

“P-Please. Forgive me,” said Pearl, her hands uncontrollably shaking. “I just… I lost my sister.” She wanted to run. Fear kept her feet in place.

“A helpless child, lost and alone. A family torn asunder.” Pearl felt something spark at her fingertips. “Such a sad and moving story. Guards — seize her!” Von Karma was stronger than the Fey magic. But luckily, it wasn’t him that Pearl had to fight.

The rocks at her feet glowed a bright blue before shooting off in the directions of the guards, striking their helmets. It was enough to disorientate them. Pearl ran off in the opposite direction as fast as her feet could carry her. She darted back into the forest.

Pearl didn't get very far. She tripped, sliding into the cool dirt. She couldn't get back up. Thick vines had wrapped around her legs. Pearl struggled to free herself. She even tried her magic. It just reflected off the vines. It didn't the long for Pearl to figure out why when Von Karma finally found her.

“Struggling is useless. My magic is more powerful than that of any Fey,” Von Karma reminded the girl as he stood over Pearl. “You are foolish, but also very brave.” Pearl eased in her struggling. What was going on? “That bravery may have just saved the lives of you and your sister.” With a snap of his fingers, the vines released their grip on Pearl. Pearl stood. She still wanted to run.

“Y-You're letting me go?” Pearl was suspicious. This was the man who had torn her family apart.

“I'm going to do much more than that. I'm going to find your sister.” Pearl’s wariness didn't fade.

“Why?” She didn't understand. Why was he being so generous after everything he had done?

“Because you are going to do something for me.” Pearl had a very bad feeling about this.

Harumi sat in the back of squad car, the plastic bag pushing up against her leg with each turn Apollo made. The ride ‘home’ was quiet, aside from the few small questions the sheriff was asking. Harumi answered each to the best of her ability. He couldn't look back at her to see if she was lying. Trucy had told Harumi that their ‘superpower’ relied on eyesight. If Apollo couldn't see her, then he wouldn't spot her lies, right?

Apollo pulled up in front of the random address Harumi had given him. It was close enough to where she was actually staying that she could walk there.

“Is this it?” Apollo asked as the car came to a stop. Harumi nodded. The sheriff made the move to get out.

“No!” Harumi exclaimed without thinking first. Apollo looked back at her. “Please… no. If my mother sees you…” It wasn't a total lie. Her mother would be furious if she saw Harumi with Apollo in this situation.

“Did Trucy tell you about our superpower?” Apollo leaned against the car seat as Harumi picked up her bags. “How we can tell if someone is lying?”

“A little bit…”

“Then tell me the truth. Money problems aside, is everything okay at home?” Harumi hesitated. She swallowed down something thick in her throat before nodding.

“Yes. Everything's great.” Harumi tightened her grip on the bags. “May I please go?” Apollo nodded, letting her out of the car. She waved goodbye to him, waiting patiently until the sheriff’s car was out of sight. Harumi finally could relax. That was too close for comfort.

She walked around to the back, shoving the plastic bag into her school bag. Harumi approached the fence and threw her bag over it. With the slightest bit of difficulty, she managed to get over the fence herself. She picked up her bag and walked to the house on the other side. It had been abandoned as long as anyone could remember. And it was lucky for Harumi that no one ever bothered to lock the back door when they left.

She opened the basement doors and crept inside, shutting them softly behind her. The house was old and creaky and cold at night, but it helped her survive for the past three weeks. Harumi quickly began to unpack what Apollo had bought for her.

The sound of footsteps from above nearly stopped Harumi’s heartbeat. No one was supposed to be here. She wasn't even supposed to be here. Harumi slowly made her way up the basement stairs. She pushed the door at the top open. She crept into the kitchen.

“You know that you run your thumb over the rest of your fingers when you're lying?” Harumi yelped. She nearly lost her balance spinning around to face the speaker. Apollo Justice was standing there, leaning up against the door frame. Harumi felt uneasy.

Oh no . She was caught. She was caught, and now she was in trouble.

“Why did you lie to me?” Apollo asked as he walked over to her. “Where are your parents?”

“M-My dad…” It was harder for her to talk. “H-He’s gone. And Mother…” Harumi shook her head. She didn't want to think about her mother. She didn't want to go near her mother. Apollo reached out a hand towards her. Harumi flinched as he came closer, wrapping her arms tightly around herself.

“Harumi?” Apollo took a step away from her. The small girl was shaking.

“I… I...” Apollo was going to take her back. She didn't want to go back. She couldn't go back. Harumi shook her head again as tears formed in her eyes. “I ran away from her!”

Apollo couldn't believe what Harumi had said. The girl was shaking like a leaf, something which only got worse when Apollo made a quick stop at the sheriff’s station. Something was up. He saw the way Harumi had acted back there. And Apollo had a feeling that one person could help him right now other than the file he had taken from the office.

Harumi’s shaking was put at ease when she saw Apollo had taken her to Number Seven, Westlake instead of inside the sheriff’s station. Apollo quickly explained the situation to Ryuichi when they came in. Now, Trucy had her friend distracted at the table while the two adults conversed with one another.

“Do you know her?” Apollo asked Ryuichi. He received his answer as a nod.

“Yeah. She and Trucy are pretty close,” he explained. “Harumi’s one of the few friends Trucy actually has. I didn't think anything of it when they started spending more time together during school hours.”

“Did you know that she ran away from home?” Apollo flipped open the file he had grabbed earlier.

“I had no idea. I don't think anyone did.” The sheriff picked up one of the papers in the file.

“Harumi Ayasato… Wait. Ayasato…” Wasn’t that her last name? “Is Harumi related to Chihiro?” Once again, Ryuichi nodded.

“Yup. Harumi is…” He caught his mistake. “I mean, she was Chihiro’s younger cousin. She used to spend a lot of time at her apartment now that I think about it. She was always there whenever I went to visit.” Apollo read a little more into the file.

“Says here that her mother is someone named Kimiko Ayasato. It was her that Harumi ran away from.” Apollo shut the file. “Is there anything I should know about her? A reason that her daughter would leave?”

“She is a…” Ryuichi sucked in air through his teeth. Was she really that bad? “... Mrs. Ayasato is a very, very intense woman. I know several people on the PTA who would gladly fight her.” Apollo gave Ryuichi a look.

Why am I not surprised that you’re a part of the PTA?

“What about her father?” Apollo continued. He didn’t see anything about him in the file besides his name.

“There was one once,” Ryuichi said with a shrug. “That’s all I know.” Apollo groaned, pressing the file against his face.

“It seems like her mother is her only living relative now that Chihiro…” Apollo sighed. She’s been gone for almost three weeks now. It was still hard to say that she was dead.

“What did she say when you called her?” Apollo glanced at Ryuichi from behind the file. There was something that he hadn’t exactly told Ryuichi. The look was enough. “You didn’t call her, did you?”

“There’s a reason Harumi ran away.” Apollo lowered the file from his face. He had lowered his voice to assured that Harumi wouldn’t hear him. “She seemed terrified when I asked her about it.”

“Apollo, she’s her mother,” said Ryuichi, matching Apollo’s volume. “She probably doesn’t even know that her daughter’s alright. Trust me, a parent’s instinct is a lot of things. And that is one of them.” In this case, Ryuichi’s instincts were wrong.

“Yeah, well… something’s up.” Ryuichi must have grown up in a far different situation that Apollo. “I've seen her type of behavior before. Kids act like that — no matter what age they are — when their home life hasn’t been a happy one. She flinched when I reached out to try and calm her down. She flinched like I was going to hit her. I’ve seen that in kids, Ryuichi. Kids who came from abusive homes.” Ryuichi’s eyes went wide as he did a double take between Harumi and Apollo.

“You don’t seriously think that her mother abused her, do you?”

“It seems that way, yeah.” Apollo saw it in several of his roommates from time spent in foster care. He had experienced some of it himself from the more neglective homes he lived in.

“What are we going to do?” Ryuichi was on his side now. One more person would make this a whole lot easier. “By law, she has to go back to her legal guardian.”

“I know that… but it doesn’t have to be her mother.” After the whole mess with the election, Apollo made sure to have the town charter memorized, as well as any other legal documents he could think of. Thanks to that, he had come up with a plan. Now it was time to relay that plan to Ryuichi. “I’m going to look for anyone living in Storybrooke that she is related to. There has to be someone. They might not even know she even exists.”

“And you think if they know about her, they’ll take her in?”

“I don’t know,” Apollo said with a shrug. “But what I do know is that it’s my best shot or—”

“Are you going to send me back to her?” Shit . Harumi was staring at Apollo with tears forming in her eyes. He put down the file and sat down across from her.

“No,” he said, trying to calm her down. It was rare moments like this that Apollo was grateful for the experience being in foster care gave him. “No, Harumi, I’m not gonna let that happen.”

“Please. Please don’t let it.” Trucy hugged her friend from behind. “I don’t want to go back. I can’t go back!” Apollo exchanged a glance with Ryuichi. There was possibly more to this story than he originally thought.

“Harumi, Trucy.” Ryuichi rushed over to the girls and Apollo. “Can I talk with you guys for a minute? Come on, in the living room.” Trucy didn’t let go of Harumi as she lead her out into the other room. Ryuichi turned to Apollo. The plan was being put into motion.

“Where do I start?” Apollo asked. Ryuichi sighed.

“I would check the town records. It has birth certificates, everything.” Ryuichi scribbled down the address and handed it off to Apollo. “Maybe you can dig something up. I’m going to stay here and see if I can calm Harumi down.” Apollo nodded.

He quickly left the house. He wanted to get Harumi to safety as swiftly as possible and away from her mother. He didn’t know how long he had until that woman found out where her daughter was. It could have been days or a couple of hours. Apollo hoped it was a couple of days.

Apollo was grateful that Ryuichi gave him the address of the record hall. He was able to drive over there quickly. Apollo stuffed away the small piece of paper as he entered the office. It was getting easier to navigate Storybrooke.

He walked up to the front desk of the record keeper. Said man was sorting through files. Apollo rung the bell on the desk to get his attention.

“Excuse me?” The man looked up to Apollo. “I was hoping to look at the family records of the Ayasatos.” Apollo flashed his badge for a moment. He hoped that this would be the only time he would ever have to pull rank like this. “I'm the sheriff.”

“Alright. Just uh… fill out these forms.” The man handed a stack of papers and a pen to Apollo. As much as Apollo hated paperwork, he would do anything to get Harumi away from her mother. All hopes of that were dashed before Apollo could even put pen to paper.

“I'm very sorry, Mr. Justice,” said the man as he sorted through a filing cabinet. “Those documents have recently been removed.”

“By who?”

“Mei Karuma.” Apollo dropped the pen. What the hell was going on?

At this point, there was only one pace to get the answer to this baffling question. Apollo made his way over to Karuma’s office. The mayor was surprisingly calm when Apollo confronted her about having taken the files.

“I’ve already contacted Mrs. Ayasato,” said Karuma as she sorted through the papers in the Ayasato file. “It turns out that her daughter has been missing for almost three weeks now. ”

“How did you even know?” Apollo hadn’t filed his report or anything about the incident earlier that day. How the hell did Karuma know about Harumi?

“I have eyes and ears everywhere.” Of course she did. “Her mother was relieved to hear that you had found Harumi.”