(A graceful skyscraper twinkles in the evening light of Mekkai. The door to the apartment slides open. Palpitoad walks into the corridor, where two Nova Knights are exiting the elevator. He recognizes Bolo and shakes his hand.)

Palpitoad: Bolo, it's a pleasure to see you. How have you been?

(Bolo smiles.)

Bolo: It's good to see you, too, Palpitoad.

Palpitoad: Oops! Where are my manners? Excuse me, Master Bolo.

(Palpitoad notices Bolo's apprentice.)

Palpitoad: (continuing) ...and this, I take it, is your apprentice... Wait a minute... Koga? Is that you? Young Koga? (Looks at Koga) You've grown... Almost exactly a foot and a half! Koga!! I can't believe my eyes!

Koga: Heh... Hello, Palpitoad. I trust you've been keeping well?

(Palpitoad grabs hold of Koga and envelops him in a big hug.)

Palpitoad: Yes, I have! You've been doing well, too?

(Erika is in a conference with Miles Edgeworth and Cynthia. Palpitoad enters the room, followed by the two Nova Knights. Erika and Edgeworth rise as Bolo and Koga stop before the senator. Bolo steps forward as Koga stares at Erika. She glances at him.)

Bolo: It's a great pleasure to see you again, M'Lady.

Erika: It has been far too long, Master Scuttle. I'm so glad our paths have crossed again... but I must warn you that I think your presence here is unnecessary.

Bolo: I'm sure the Clockwork Star Council have their reasons.

(She moves in front of Koga.)

Erika: Koga? (stares) My goodness, you've grown.

(They look at each other for a long moment.)

Koga: (trying to be smooth) So have you... Well, grown more beautiful, I mean.

(Bolo looks disapprovingly at his apprentice. Erika laughs and shakes her head.)

Erika: Oh Koga, you'll always be that little boy I knew on Paldea.

(This embarrasses Koga, and he looks down. Bolo and Miles Edgeworth smile.)

Bolo: Our presence will be invisible, M'Lady.

Miles Edgeworth: I am very grateful you are here, Master Kenobi. The situation is more dangerous than the Senator will admit.

Erika: I don't need more security, I need answers. I want to know who is trying to kill me.

Bolo: (frowning) We're here to protect you, Senator, not to start an investigation.

Koga: We will find out who is trying to kill you, Erika. I promise you. *Thinks: So ein mist, not again.*

(He's done it again. He bites his lip in frustration and shame. Bolo gives Koga a dirty look.)

Bolo: We are not going to exceed our mandate, my young clockwork star.

Koga: I meant in the interest of protecting her, Master, of course.

Bolo: We are not going through this exercise again, Koga. You will pay attention to my lead.

Koga: Why?

Bolo: What??!!

Koga: Why else do you think we were assigned to her, if not to find the killer? Protection is a job for local security... not Nova Knights. It's overkill, Master. Investigation is implied in our mandate.

Bolo: We will do as the Council has instructed, and you will learn your place, young one.

Erika: Perhaps with merely your presence, the mysteries surrounding this threat will be revealed. Now if you will excuse me, I will retire.

Everyone gives Erika a slight bow as she and Cynthia leave the room.

Miles Edgeworth: Well, I know I feel a lot better having you here. I'll have an officer on every floor and I'll be at the command center downstairs.

Palpitoad: I'm absolutely happy to see you again, Koga. These are terrible times... Very terrible.

(Miles Edgeworth leaves.)

Koga: She didn't even recognize me, Palpitoad. I thought about her every day since we parted... and she's forgotten me completely.

Palpitoad: She's happy, I assure you. More happy than she's been in a long time.

Bolo: Koga, you're focusing on the negative again. Be mindful of your thoughts. At least she was glad to see us. Now then, let's check the security here.

Koga: Yes, my master.

(Meanwhile, the vast Nova Knight Temple sits on an endless flat plain, silhouetted against the traffic-filled sky. Android 17 and King DeDeDe slowly walk down the long hallways, silhouetted by a lit room at the end.)

Android 17: Why couldn't we see this attack on the Senator?

King DeDeDe: This disturbance is masking the future in the Memes.

Android 17: The prophecy is coming true, for the Dark Side is growing.

King DeDeDe: And only those who have turned to the Dark Side can sense the possibilities of the future. We can only see by going through the Dark Side.

Android 17: It's been ten years, and the Soul Lords still have not shown themselves. Do you think they are behind this?

King DeDeDe: ...They are out there. That's for sure.

Android 17: Do you think Bolo's apprentice will be able to bring balance to the Force?

King DeDeDe: Only if he chooses to follow his destiny.