DECEMBER 28, 8:50 AM
DISTRICT COURTHOUSE
DEFENDANT LOBBY #7

After entering inside the Defendant Lobby, it wasn't long before I heard the door open. I saw Wendy with Robert Hammond, who was anything but happy. Wendy was certainly quick to bring that man over. Though, she did run out to get him only five minutes before the Judge called for a recess. Because of this, Chief (1) arrived here right after recess was called. This would give me the time I needed to prepare him for testimony.

"Thanks, Wendily," I said.

"Pff that was hardly much. I have to say, Miles is a savage little beast. Called out Mr. Hammond for throwing the Prosecution petty insults," Wendy smirked.

"That's my son for you," I replied bashfully, rubbing the back of my neck. Miles is a sweet kid, but when someone is being a jerk to him or his loved ones, he can throw them a new one and make them look stupid or pathetic. (2)

"Not really something to encourage the boy on," Chief stated.

"I wouldn't consider using Miles' trauma against him encouraging either. That's low, even for you," (3) I replied as Chief glanced over to the side guiltily.

"I'll let you two talk it out. Gotta make sure those whippersnappers don't make a muck in the courthouse," Wendy said, taking her exit. I guess she wants to avoid the drama.

"I never meant to hurt Miles. You know I'd never..." Chief stated.

"I know. You didn't hurt Miles as much as you're making him worry. He knows you're not acting like yourself and is worried you're being threatened. Considering what that man did to my son and Manfred, I'm not going to ignore that possibility. What is going on, Robert? (4) What's the real reason you're defending Blaise?" I asked demandingly. I could spot some hesitation.

"Mr. Hammond..." Misty muttered.

"As Defense Attorneys, it's our job to defend our clients. I doubt Blaise is going to find any Defense Attorney anytime soon. I thought I'd take the job," Chief replied, showing a bit of his smirk. I noticed Misty behind me giving him a glare that seemed to be staring right into his soul.

"I can see three psyche-locks," Misty stated.

"Really, Misty?"

"You're lying, Mr. Hammond. You gave me the duty to help Mr. Edgeworth. If it means using this against you, I will," Misty replied, revealing the green stone in her pocket.

https://youtu.be/W-3BS9GjrW0

The green stone began to glow and I could see green swirls inside Chief's eyes. I stared at the stone, then Chief's eyes with question and curiosity. Misty turned to me, showing brilliant confidence in her expression.

"The magnatama's power is to reveal secrets. I can see the secrets in the form of psyche-locks in Mr. Hammond's heart. To break the locks, first the magatama uses the psyche-locks to chain the target in place. This way, he cannot break free or escape. From there, you are to question him. The closer you are to what is inside each psyche-lock, the harder it will be for the target to resist. Right now, those psyche-locks are guarded by willpower. Though, be careful when you question him, if you stray from the truth, the power of the magatama will break and the target will escape," Misty instructed as I nodded. "Right now, there's three. I will trust you to question Mr. Hammond."

"Thank you," I nodded. I looked at Chief. I will have to use my interrogation methods from my Detective days. "So, you say that you took in Blaise as your client as an act of mercy?"

"That is our job, isn't it? We are the guardians of mercy," Robert replied.

"I'd hardly call you merciful, Chief. I don't remember seeing you pay a visit to Manfred when he was the defendant," I stated as Chief began sweating. He looked like he was mentally fighting against something. The green in his eyes were glowing slightly brighter. "I don't think your job had anything to do with defending Blaise."

"I-Is that so? Co'mon Greg, what else could there be for why I'd take on any client?"

"For any client, yes I would say your job, but for Blaise? I can only consider it has more to do with me," I replied as Chief began shaking and the green in his eyes glowing much brighter. I'm guessing I'm right on the mark. "You did say that you wanted to defend me, but knowing that I would refuse your help, you went for Blaise. After all, if Blaise is proven Guilty of his crimes, I would also suffer the same fate, if I'm proven Guilty."

"Yes, you're being accused of being an accomplice thanks to your big mouth!" Chief blurted out, clasping his mouth before the bright green in his eyes flashed, then turned much dimmer. (5)

"You broke one psyche-lock," Misty stated.

"L-Listen, you've got a trial right? You should p-prepare?" Chief asked, his face looked to be struggling. (6)

"Keep going. As long as you are closer to what he's hiding inside the two remaining psyche-locks, Mr. Hammond cannot escape," Misty assured me. I nodded.

I really hate doing this to my own mentor, but I know he's being difficult. It's just like how I was being difficult to Damon. I was scared and my fear was keeping my secrets locked away. I was trying to escape my interrogation, but I couldn't with Damon. He knew me way too well and knew what made me tick. Though, after confessing, I felt as if much of the weight I've been carrying for so much of my life had been lifted. Chief will not like this, but I don't want him to feel like he has to carry so much for my sake.

"So, what are you saying? Do you not have faith in the student you taught to handle himself that you feel you have to give the culprit a lighter sentence to save him?" I asked.

"Of course not! I know you can handle it, but I thought I could help on the other end," Chief replied with his own confident smirk. The green in his eyes was dimming slightly. That means that I was wrong. Does that mean...? (7)

"Then, you weren't intending on giving Blaise a lighter sentence and I doubt it was to give him a Guilty verdict," I stated, then I noticed the green in Blaise's eyes began brightening again. "Considering you prevented my son from testifying, I can assume you're trying to give your client an acquittal."

"Y-Nmgh I suppose... that's what Blaise would want, but that's not how it always is. The police will likely hand that man a life imprisonment sentence."

"I don't remember the courts ever mentioning that. In fact, knowing Manfred, he'd likely favor the Death Penalty. That was why I had originally thought you were aiming for a lighter sentence, but that would be expecting me to get a Guilty verdict for being an accomplice." (8)

"That's true. Knowing you, you will find yourself out of this mess," Robert grinned confidently. The glow in his eyes didn't change. So, he doesn't expect me to get a Guilty verdict or...?

"You expect to get Blaise a Not Guilty verdict. But, what if you did that and I was proven Guilty?"

"Th-That wouldn't... happen," Chief stated, the green in his eyes now becoming brighter.

"But, if it did? Then, I would be charged as an accomplice without a culprit and that would place me on hold in the Holding Cell until the culprit was found. That's the only reason I can think as to why you would want to get Blaise a Not Guilty verdict."

"Why would you think I'd doubt you? You're my student! I taught you everything I know about being a Defense Attorney!" Robert asked, the green in his eyes glowing brighter. I just needed to hit the mark. The question isn't why I'd doubt Chief, but why he'd want Blaise to get a Not Guilty verdict. If it's not to lighten my sentence, then...

"It isn't that you doubt me. If Blaise and myself were to be given Not Guilty verdicts, then he can scapegoat me as the culprit and be the Prosecutor for that case. Then, if that was to happen, Blaise can interrogate me brutally and destroy evidence like he did with Rachael." (9)

"Th-That's..."

"The question isn't why I would doubt you or want me to have a Guilty verdict, but why you'd want Blaise, of all people, to be given a Not Guilty verdict? Why not allow Blaise to be Guilty and me Not Guilty or both of us be Guilty?"

"... ngh... Gregory, I... I just..."

I began thinking, watching those green eyes glow almost as bright as the sun. I needed to answer the question: why would Robert Hammond want to give Blaise a Not Guilty verdict?

"Blaise is threatening you. Somehow, he's got something against you that is making you do this. Since you don't have a wife or children, I can only guess that it's me. After all, I am a former smuggler and if I was to leave with a Not Guilty verdict, Blaise can call his men to kill me. He already sent his men after Raymond. I'm certain you knew about that too. Isn't that what made you decide to become his attorney?" I asked.

"You know that former members that blab are killed and you began opening your mouth the moment your so called client was given a Not Guilty verdict! Of course that man is going to kill you! He already tried before in that elevator!" Chief blurted, yet again, as the green in his eyes flashed, then became dimmer.

"The second psyche-lock broke. There seems to be one last one," Misty said.

https://youtu.be/-WlUEmESObA

"No, forget it. I give," Chief sighed, then the green in his eyes disappeared. "Greg, you're right, I did intend on giving Debeste an acquittal. I thought it was the only way to keep everyone safe, but now I don't know anymore. By doing this, I'm hurting your son too." (10) His facial expression was filled with dread.

"Miles?"

"During Raymond's testimony, he said that Debeste had been aiming to kill your son, because he's untouchable. I didn't even think about that."

"..."

"You knew... You knew, didn't you!?" Robert asked, flashing me a glare.

"It's why I've been trying to hide my son from Blaise's eyes," I admitted as Robert's eyes widened. "The moment he tried to end Rachael, while she was pregnant, I knew Blaise would try to end my baby at all costs. He had to. Even with all the power he had against me, he had nothing against Miles. I made sure of that. I made sure that if anything were to happen to me, Miles would know everything. He'd be given my journal that revealed everything that happened to his mother, the location of the evidence and how to open it. He'd be given an inheritance that would send him to a special school in Germany, so that he would be far from Blaise's eyes. (11)

"If I had died in that elevator, Miles would be forced to live with my sister, but only for a short time before being sent to a boarding school. No one would touch him. He'd learn how to take care of himself and succeed. He'd follow his own path no matter the cost. My last request would be for him to take that evidence I hid and expose it to Timely News. After that, my son would be safe to return home without fear of Blaise going after him, because he'd be too busy trying to rebuild his so called reputation and would be on fire from the ring after being exposed like that."

"Greg, why do you always hide these things from me!? From all of us!? I can't protect you as your teacher. I..."

"I know that! All of you always tell me you want to protect me when I'm not deserving of it. Do you have any idea how hard it is to not push any of you away from my life?"I asked, openly glaring at Robert, who stared at me with a single glare. "Ever since I left that stupid ring, all I've ever thought about was that beautiful little boy. He's the reason why I get up in the morning, shower, put food on the table and go to work. I do it to see him smile and talk about his dreams. He's become my everything, my reason to live, work and give him everything I never had. The moment I lost Damon and Wendy, I had truly believed I lost my worth. I only had the ring. They were my family and hope, then I lost that too. Now, I have my son and am looked to by those that have left the ring and are in hiding.

"My baby looks to me and it terrifies me. Half the time, I find myself wondering what will happen if I do find worth. My father thought he found worth and look where that brought him. There's nothing good about me, Chief. The only good thing about me are the people I love and hold dear. Without them, I am nothing but another common criminal."

"That's not true, Greg. You've..."

"Changed? No, I haven't. Only my aim has! If the chance came, I would forge and manipulate evidence for the one I must protect. I would return back to the criminal underworld I left behind, if it meant protecting him. I would lie to him and keep that part of myself from his eyes, even when he's grown and becomes a husband and father... maybe. I would never allow Miles to be damaged by me like my father did. I will protect him... from me."

"... Greg, y..." (12)

I only shot Chief a glare, stating, "your boss had every right to not trust me. I'm not someone worth trusting... or protecting."

https://youtu.be/Eo7uikQvy_w

"You're a fool," I heard someone behind me speak. I didn't... I couldn't find it in me to turn around to see who it was. "Everyone has worth and how dare you claim that you are not worth either of those things. The amount of sins you've made does not make you worthy or not worthy. All of us are equally capable of committing horrid acts of evil. One can even say that humans are the most evil species on the face of the Earth. Yet, we are here, living and breathing. Just as we are capable of committing acts of horrendous evil, we are just as capable of committing acts of love and kindness."

"... I thought that. My father claimed he loved me, yet..." I muttered with a cracked voice, my vision blurring as I felt two warm hands take my right hand. They felt rough, yet small and firm. "How can a father love his child and yet allow his friends to hurt him? If he can, does that mean I will hurt Miles? Will the time come that my son will come home hurt because of me?" (13) Tears began rolling down my cheeks. I wasn't the Defense Attorney in my trial, I was the Defendant, so I was allowed to cry. I don't have to be strong right now.

"No, because you are not your father just like Miles is not you. You both are your own person. You are Gregory Edgeworth, a Defense Attorney that defends the weak to find the truth, a father that loves and protects his son, an ex smuggler that is protecting former smugglers from the ring they're running from, a loyal friend to two childhood friends that refuse to leave your side, a student that follows his own path, a mentor to a former victim of kidnapping and child trafficking, a loving and protective boyfriend..." the voice replied, her words soothing me like a lullaby. I closed my eyes and listened to the sound of her voice. I felt her head leaning against my shoulder. "And, a kind man with a tender heart that is growing with compassion and love toward everyone around him with, sadly, little love for himself. Sometimes, I wish you could see yourself the way I see you every time I see you wake up with those fluttering eyelashes that match so well with eyes like tree bark."

I hummed, finding myself leaning in as I felt some weight hugging me and, by reflex, I was holding this person back. I knew who it was, but I didn't know if I had the mental capacity to say it. To allow her name to escape from my lips. All I could do right now was cry, holding her in my arms and allowing my tears to fall on her clothed shoulders that felt like silk she was borrowing from Misty.

"Greg, there's something I want to say... I've been wanting to say for these past nine years. Though, how things are now, I don't know if I should."

"... I... I want to hear it."

"You're my everything. You and Miles. I... can't live without you... move on is a better term. It feels as if leaving you would be leaving a part of myself," she said, then I finally found myself opening my eyes. There she was, that face. Those small silver eyes that were like melted coins. Those ruby lips that made a thin line. The shape of her face that was both narrow and yet small enough to fit into my hands.

"I love you too, Rachael," I finally said, feeling more tears rolling down my face as I watched her smile. "I wish I could kiss you, but..."

"Hahaha Misty has channeled spirits that have kissed their spouses. Still, this is nice," Rachael replied, leaning her face toward my hand that was cradling it.

"Greg, you know, I know a lawyer is not supposed to cry until it's all over, but you're really making it hard," Chief said, shooting me a small glare.

"Oh, you poor thing. Perhaps you should consider getting a girlfriend," Rachael teased.

"Okay. Okay. You got me. It's good to see you back, Rachael. Is Misty going to be alright?" Chief asked.

"She'll be fine, but you've got a testimony to prepare."

"No worries, I'll get it done in five minutes. How's that sound?"

"Sounds alright. Greg, will you be fine with me helping you out from here?" Rachael asked. I took a deep breath, then nodded.

"I'll be fine. Thank you."

"Good, because you're going to need some leftover strength for when you appear for Debeste's trial."

I nodded, then took Rachael's hand into mine. 

8:50 AM
DISTRICT COURTHOUSE
3RD FLOOR LOBBY

Mr. Von Karma and I went back to the lobby. Since Uncle Ray was being taken to prison under Protection Custody, Mr. Von Karma will have to prepare his other witness, Anna Debeste. She was already in the lobby by the time we appeared. I didn't want to speak with her, especially after Uncle Ray's outburst.

"NO! MR. HAMMOND, MR. EDGEWORTH ISN'T THE ONE DEBESTE CONSIDERS A THREAT, IT'S MILES!"

Does Debeste really consider me a threat? Me? I mean, I want to help Father, but I'm so small. Had it not been for Mr. Von Karma, I would never have been able to testify. Why does he want to kill me? If he wants to kill me, does that mean his wife does too? I don't even want to be in the same room as her right now. At least this lobby is big.

I was sitting in one of the lobby chairs beside the door, thinking these things, when...

"Hey Edgey!" I heard Larry, who startled me.

"Aren't you supposed to be with the gallery?" I glared.

"We saw your father's trial and wanted to give you some updates before we headed back," Phoenix said as I sighed.

"I-I see. How's Father?" I asked. "I heard he was able to drag Mr. Hammond in."

"He was! It was incredible! Using your Aunt's testimony, he was able to prove there was some sort of collusion between Pops and the Defense Attorney. Of course, we needed Ms. Oldbag to explain half the stuff we couldn't understand." (14)

https://youtu.be/qFEYHTgCWZQ

"That's good. Uncle Ray was taken to prison under Protective Custody," I said.

"Prison!? For what!?" Larry asked, freaking out.

"Protective Custody. That's when the police take someone to prison, who's life is in danger in the public. They're taken to prison, so the police can protect them."

"Really? The police can arrest someone to protect them?"

"Yes. It's because the police are guards of the public, not personal guards. Uncle Ray isn't rich like Mr. Von Karma, so he has to betaken under Protective Custody in order to get the same amount of protection I'm getting from Mr. Von Karma. I'm doing school at the Von Karma mansion until it's safe for me to go out." (15)

"Is that why you haven't been coming to school?" Phoenix asked sadly.

"Yes. Mr. Von Karma lives in a gated community with guard dogs and bodyguards around. That's why Father is having me stay with him, until this is sorted out."

"Poor Uncle Ray. It must be hard for him."

"Father isn't in any safer position. He was a former member of a criminal ring that will kill him for revealing the ring."

"Pops!? Not Pops! There's no way he would be a criminal!" Larry argued.

"..."

"Miles... Pops isn't a criminal... is he?" Phoenix asked sadly.

"A former criminal... maybe. After Mother gave birth to me, Father left that life, but at the cost of having to hide that life and protect me from it. He's been trying to protect everyone and I want to save him, but I feel like I could lose him at any moment," I confessed, hugging my arms.

"No way," Larry muttered.

Phoenix came up and hugged me, crying, "it's okay, Miles. It's okay. Y-You're going to be okay, okay."

"Nick," I muttered.

"My father is a criminal too," Phoenix confessed. (16)

"What!? Your-!" Larry cried before being cut off.

"Shhhhh!"

Larry shut up, then I asked, "aren't your parents...?"

"...that was a lie. My mom is dead, but..." Phoenix confessed as I stared at his saddened eyes.

"Why?"

"Daddy wants to protect me from his life. He sent me to the orphanage and changed my name, so I can live freely. He still watches me and sends me letters from time to time, but..." (17)

"Nick..."

"This has to be kept between us, alright. The point is, you don't have to give up, Miles. Pops isn't like my daddy. He still spends time with you and does Daddy and son stuff with you. I want to save my daddy, but I know I can't. I believe you still can save yours."

"..."

"He's right, you know. You can still save Pops with Mr. Von Karma," Larry assured.

"But... I'm scared. Debeste wants me dead. He thinks I'm a threat."

"So? That only proves why you can save your father. We believe in you and so does Mr. Von Karma and Uncle Ray. I believe Pops believes in you too," Phoenix said.

"Guys..."

"Hehehe it's alright. You've come this far. Don't give up while you still have a chance."

"Thanks. And Nick..." I said as Phoenix looked at me. "You shouldn't give up either. If your father is in trouble, you should try saving him too. You're more capable than you think."

"Miles, I..."

"Wasn't it you that told me to not give up while you still have a chance?" I asked, showing my confident smirk. Phoenix looked straight at me. "If there is a chance you can save your father, even if it's small, you should go for it. If you do, I won't give up either."

"...okay," Phoenix replied, showing a small smile.

"Alright children, it's almost time for Edgeworth's trial. You boys better get a move on!" Mr. Faraday exclaimed.

"Okay, Mr. Faraday!" Phoenix and Larry replied together before hurrying out the door with Mr. Faraday.

I sighed, then I heard Mr. Von Karma call, "Miles!"

"Yes?" I asked.

"I need you to deliver these to your father. It's evidence," Mr. Von Karma ordered, handing me a tanned folder with papers.

"Yes sir," I nodded, then made my way out the door and down the hallway.

8:59 AM
DISTRICT COURTHOUSE
HALLWAY

"THE TRIAL OF GREGORY EDGEWORTH WILL START IN ONE MINUTE!" I heard Ms. Oldbag shout over the megaphone as I ran passed her, looking for Father.

I saw Father exit from the Defendant Lobby with Mr. Hammond and that assistant lady, I'm guessing. I made my way to him, shouting, "Father!"

Father turned to me as I handed the documents, "Mr. Von Karma told me to hand these to you!"

"Ah, thank you," Father said, looking over the files, smiling.

"Hm..." I heard a hum from the lady. Looking up at her, I felt there was something about her. She seemed... I don't know... different and yet... "You have very nice eyes."

"Th-Thank you," I replied bashfully as the lady giggled, petting my head. There was something about her, something... I can't say familiar, but... I felt there was some sort of connection. It made me feel shy.

"We should get going," Mr. Hammond said.

"Right. Thank you, son," Father said as him, Mr. Hammond and the lady left.

https://youtu.be/Eo7uikQvy_w

I stared at the lady as I watched them walk toward the door. As the door opened, the lady looked back at me, this time showing her full face. I felt my eyes water. That... That was Mother. She lipped something to me and I could read it clearly. Then, she left, but not before I lipped something back to her.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

After watching them leave, I closed my eyes, trying so hard not to cry. That was Mother. She was being channeled by that assistant lady, but that was her. I was hugging myself, trembling. That was the first time I ever saw or talked to Mother face to face.

Mother...

"Miles, right?" I heard a voice. I turned and saw the brown-haired girl from earlier carrying a toddler. I nodded. "You were brave out there. I saw you during the trial."

"Th-Thanks," I whispered, trying not to show the crack in my voice.

"There's tea in the lobby, if you'd like some."

"Thanks. Mia, right?"

"Mhm," Mia nodded, then took my hand and led me to the Defendant Lobby where Father was previously at. She poured me some tea, then handed it tome before I took a sip.

"Thank you."

"I've seen the clients Mom takes in that wish for her to channel a dead loved one. Many of them feel what you're feeling afterwards."

"..."

"I also felt the same when I saw Dad for the first time."

I turned to her and asked, "your father is dead?"

"Yeah. He was the only husband in my village that stayed with Mom loyally. Most males in my village often separate or divorce."

"Why?"

"The women in my village are the ones with the ability to channel spirits. Males can be given supernatural powers, but it's not to channel spirits. Because of this, they're often given the short end of the stick and even the males born here often are taken in to be wedded to a Spirit Medium." (17)

"I... see."

"Mom believed in marrying for love and not power. She knew Maya and I would never be as powerful as her, but non of that mattered to her. We were her family."

"She sounds like a nice lady."

"She is. I worry about my Aunt Morgan though."

"Why?"

"Unlike Mom, my aunt was forced to marry her husband. She wanted to marry for love like Mom, but Grandma was very traditional and believed in preserving our spiritual powers. She was given high expectations, so... when her and Mom were tested to see which would gain the spiritual powers and Mom won, it left Aunt Morgan in great distress. Her husband kidnapped her two daughters and Mom has been searching for them with Mr. Hammond." (19)

"Is that why she's with Mr. Hammond?" I asked in surprise.

"Yes. I want to find my cousins. If not, I fear of what will become of Aunt Morgan. Her children mean everything to her like Maya and I are to Mom."

"... I'm sure you'll find them."

"You think?"

"I know you will!"

https://youtu.be/F1ut-eTUMrc

"Miya! Miya!" The toddler cried happily, pulling on Mia's hair.

"Ow, Maya!" Mia smirked, giggling.

I had to grin at that. I asked, "is she a handful?"

"Sometimes. Maya is quite the hyper one. I have to keep her strapped to my back to keep her from making a ruckus."

"She doesn't throw tipy cups at you, does she?"

"No, though she likes to pull on things," Mia said before Maya grabbed my nose.

"Ah!"

"Aww, she likes you."

"Now, I can't breathe," I said as Maya laughed. Both of us laughed, while I was getting the toddler to let go of my nose. At the very least I felt a little better.

The door opened and I saw Dick and Detective Badd enter inside. Maya let go of my nose and I rubbed it. She really grabbed my nose tightly.

"Hey, Edgey! You alright there, pal?" Dick asked.

"I'm fine. Just don't want to be upstairs right now," I said, staring at my feet.

"Because of Anna Debeste, right?" Detective Badd asked as I nodded. "That's... understandable. I didn't expect Mr. Shields to make a big commotion like that."

"You saw too?" Mia asked.

"No. I'm the detective for Gregory Edgeworth's trial, but Prosecutor Faraday has told me to keep an eye on Miles. He found out about the outburst from Prosecutor Von Karma."

"Oh."

"Why does he want to kill me? I can understand Father. There's at least a motive, but I never did anything to him and I thought he only intended on kidnapping and trafficking me to use me against Father. B-But..." I said, feeling my arms shaking.

https://youtu.be/plpCAObZY_c

"It's as Shields said... you're the one thing that Debeste cannot touch," Detective Badd replied, taking out his sucker.

"I don't understand."

"Tell me, Miles. Knowing everything that you know about what happened to your mother, would you bring the truth to court and prove your mother's innocence?"

"Of course I would!" I replied with strong determination. What kind of question is that?

"What if Debeste kidnapped your father and threatened to kill him, if you did?"

"I...I would be scared but... Father would want me to and... I'd find away to save him and bring the truth out. I'm sure Mr. Von Karma would contact the police and track him down."

"And, what if he shot your father the moment the police was called? He is the Chief after all. He'd know if you dialed for the police."

"Then, nothing would stop me."

"And, there you have it. You are untouchable, Miles. The only thing Debeste can hold against you is your father. Beyond that, nothing. You have no criminal record, loved ones he can take hostage without a fight or struggling from homelessness, abuse, etc. You are a perfectly healthy little boy raised by a loving father that has always protected you from harm and, come to find out, had a backup plan for if he was to have been shot and killed in that elevator. All the unemployment your father collected from his years as a Detective, he saved to send you abroad to a boarding school in Europe, along with his own journal."

"Father... did that?"

"It was to protect you. I didn't know at the time, but he gave me that responsibility to see that you would be sent there. Knowing his history, it makes sense now. I can understand what Shields meant when he said that Debeste wanted you dead. He considered your mother a threat, because he could not use anything against her. He tried. Nothing worked."

"..."

"I was never given the specifics, but Damon has told me that your mother was given a 3rd category Interrogation. That's normally used for terrorists and such. Debeste was desperate and, if I had to guess, he was perhaps raising her stress level as a method for miscarrying you."

"That's awful!" Mia cried in horror.

"And yet, that woman endured it and kept her unborn child alive. I have always wondered how Miles was able to take a hit in court so easily. It was like he developed some sort of immunity to harsh talking. He is the kind to feel comfortable around Prosecutor Von Karma... something I'd consider miracle for adults, let alone children." 

"But... I am afraid. Of Debeste especially," I confessed.

"I'm certain you always have been since before you were conceived. The point is, Miles, even while afraid, you can still face him and speak your mind no matter how much he terrifies you. It's never considered true bravery, unless you are able to face the very thing you are the most afraid of. Your father struggles with that... you don't." (20)

"..."

"But, you know what the irony of this is?"

"Hm?" I asked, looking up.

"Perhaps... Debeste is more afraid of you than you are of him."

I felt myself become speechless. Debeste... is afraid of me? But... he kidnapped me, he grabbed me inside the Detention Center to take me away, he made me go into hiding, he...

"You said you wanted to know why Debeste wants to kill you, didn't you?" Detective Badd asked, narrowing his eyebrows at me. "There's your answer."

"Blaise... Debeste... is afraid of... me?"

"He was afraid of your mother too, not because of what she could do behind the bars of the Detention Center, but what she could do inside prison, once given a Guilty verdict. The tape says so. I'm certain you heard it."

I did...

"So she can expose that tape to the inmates... her words are her weapon and that woman's words are very influential. If this gets out, we will lose our trust to the public... If her words can turn the inmates against us, then I won't be the only one going down."

"Debeste was afraid of Mother telling prison inmates about the smuggling and that her influence would result in losing trust from the public," I said.

"He predicted what could happen in time. In prison, your mother could have spread the word around the inmates, which would then go out to their loved ones outside of prison, then eventually to the public," Detective Badd said.

"But, I'm just a kid! No one takes me seriously, unless I have an adult with me!"

"For now... Miles, you are a child, but in ten years, you will be a legal adult, nine in some states. You releasing your mother's innocence to the public now isn't what Debeste is afraid of. He's not thinking of the now. He is thinking of what you would become in the future as an adult."

"..."

"That's why he wants to kill you now... while you are still a child. If he traffics you, your words among the other children could influence them to band together to escape the ring. Taking you hostage will not put you under his thumb for long. Like your mother, you have a strong will. All it would take is knowing the truth about what Debeste did to your mother and father for you to turn against him." (21)

"..."

"That... sounds awful," Mia said sadly.

"...Miles, what are you going to do?" Detective Badd asked me.

https://youtu.be/gZ1rjvbL_0c

"I'm going to help Mr. Von Karma find the truth!" I replied boldly. I looked at Dick. "Dinkey, could you come with me to the 3rd Floor Lobby?"

"Huh? Sure thing, Edgey!" Dick replied, grinning wildly.

"Good. A prosecutor needs his detective with him."

"Uh, but Edgey..."

"Interesting. Stick with him, Dick. It's... rare to find a prosecutor with this kind of loyalty," Detective Badd instructed Dick.

"Sir?"

"Look after him. I must be going," Detective Badd said, leaving the lobby. (22)

"We should get going too," Dick said.

"Okay," I agreed.

"I should be returning back to the gallery. I'll see you there!" Mia greeted, leaving the lobby.

"See ya! Let's go, Dinkey!" I grinned.

"Hahaha okay!" Dick agreed, we both made our way to the elevator as I took a hold of his hand. I still felt fearful, but I had Dinkey with me. As long as he's holding my hand, I can face my fear and anxiety.

AFTER STORY NOTES:

1. I messed up with having Gregory calling Robert Hammond "Robert" instead of "Chief" in some of the previous chapters. That is an oopsy on my part. I did fix the  previous chapter, but I'm not sure how I did with some of the previous chapters before. Just so everyone knows, like how Phoenix always called Mia Fey "Chief," Gregory calls Robert Hammond "Chief" as well. Now, when Gregory was Chief Detective, he called Robert Hammond "Mr. Hammond," while Robert always was more informal with Gregory with calling him "Greg" or "Greggy." 

2. I don't know if you've noticed, but Gregory doesn't believe in condemning Miles for standing up for himself or settling conflicts with his friends by kicking them. Gregory understands that sometimes those kind of things are needed to settle conflicts, especially among friends. Gregory was actually much more rough with Damon and Wendy than Miles is to Phoenix and Larry. Yes, Gregory has hit Wendy quite a few times when they were  young regardless of her gender (Wendy was very rough as a youngster). He did stop when they were older, but that's only because of the drugs. That being said, Gregory does set limits for Miles on when and where he should pick his fights, and how. 

3. Now, Gregory does mention this later, but he is aware that Robert Hammond never meant anything by it. He's known his mentor long enough to know that he cares greatly about Miles. This is just Gregory's way of defending his role as a father to Miles. He's basically telling Robert that if he wants to teach him how to be a father, then he needs to first learn to control what he says around his kid. Had Robert not condemned Gregory for encouraging his son to be savage, then Gregory would have allowed everything Robert said to Miles be water under the bridge. Keep in mind that despite how it may or may not have come across, Miles was calling out Robert for spouting petty insults at Manfred Von Karma, which is not a way for Robert Hammond to behave in court. 

4. Right now, Gregory is purposely calling him "Robert," but only because he's getting serious. 

5. The reason that Robert is blurting out stuff is to kinda explain how Phoenix is able to get the truth out of the people he uses the magatama on. Before the magatama, with Oldbag and Lotta Hart, Phoenix had to drag them both to court to get the truth out and even then, they didn't start being cooperative until the last moment. In Farewell, my Turnabout, however, all it took was showing evidence of what they were after, with Oldbag breaking the rest of her three or four psyche-locks. I consider the magatama to not  just reveal what people are hiding, but also have the ability to unlock them too. This means that Phoenix can blurt the truth out of them, even if they don't want to, thanks to the magatama. It's the same here.

6. Robert is trying to escape from the magatama's hold. He's very aware how its power works, since Misty has worked with him and used the magatama to help his clients like how Phoenix uses the magatama to help his clients. Unfortunately, Robert cannot mentally escape as long as Gregory gets closer to the truth. Now, Robert could've escaped earlier before Misty used the magatama to lock him in place, but she never gave him a chance.

7. Like the penalties, this one is also a penalty for using the magatama. Instead of a ! being taken away or the life bar lowering, the lock on Robert Hammond just loosens. If Gregory gets too many, then Robert will be able to escape the power of the magatama.

8. This is also what Miles had suspected. He thought at first that maybe Robert was intending on lightening up Blaise Debeste's sentence, but he was acting far too fishy for that. The second would be giving Blaise a Not Guilty verdict, and perhaps destroy his reputation along the way. If that was the case, then it would not matter if Gregory gets a Guilty or Not Guilty verdict. It would have more to do with Blaise and what he'd do if he was given a Guilty verdict.

9. Now, that Gregory has laid out the groundwork of what would  happen if Blaise was given a Not Guilty verdict in both cases if Gregory were proven Guilty or Not Guilty, he can answer the question what would happen if Blaise was given a Guilty verdict, while he was given a Guilty or Not Guilty. Gregory can also answer the question what either of those have to do with him.

10. That's why Robert was so hesitant after Raymond Shields blew up about Blaise wanting to kill Miles. For Robert, he realizes that giving that man a Not Guilty verdict would make Miles a target for Blaise to take out. So, he was struggling to decide if he wanted to protect Gregory or Miles. 

11. This also becomes understandable why Gregory doesn't condemn his son standing up for himself. He's not just raising Miles to be kind, but also to not be a target for abuse like he was. Even with using Gregory against him, Miles still cannot be touched and you will see later why. I do sorta hint what the reasoning was, but even that doesn't completely explain how Miles can still not be touched even when his loved ones are used against him. 

12. For Robert, hearing Gregory state that he would protect Miles from himself makes things conflicting for him and there is a reason. You will see why in the next chapter.

13. This is one of the most difficult questions. If a parent can hurt their child and yet still love them, would that mean that the child they raised are just as capable of hurting their own children when they're older? Does that mean any parent can hurt their child and still love them? I'm  not talking about a spanking or hurting their feelings. I mean mentally scarring them for life. Believe it or not, this is a question both my parents and myself have had to figure out in our own ways.  

14. Remember when Wendy left, saying that someone had to make sure those whippersnappers don't make a muck in the courthouse? She's talking about Larry and Phoenix.

15. That's why Miles doesn't need Protective Custody. Manfred is rich and has bodyguards. This is also why Blaise couldn't use Manfred's family against him and the only time he could... well... he got the wrong kid. Even if Blaise drove by the Karma Detective Agency and tried to take Fredrick hostage, he'd still have to go passed some bodyguards. Fredrick has his agency, home and family under security. It's the same with Serena. Also, I haven't mentioned this because I think it kinda goes with the job, but Fredrick has a gun license and knows combat.

16. *spits coffee out* Spiky-hair boy say what?

17. Welp,  now you tell me!

18. I've often wondered what happens, if Spirit Mediums in that village give birth to boys. I have a head cannon that sons of Spirit Mediums are carriers to the gene of becoming a Spirit Medium. In other words, they're often set to be married to other Spirit Mediums to give birth to powerful heirs. That's how come Pearls came to be. I've always suspected that Pearl's father might've been selectively chosen as a son of a Spirit Medium to marry Morgan and give birth to a child that would be the future master. Maybe a distant cousin? I know, incest, gross, but that kind of thing does happen in some cultures. I find that very possible, especially when you consider the fact the village was founded by Amy Fey. So, I wouldn't put that out of the realm of possibilities.

19. If I do make a sequel, I will definitely go into that. This alternate version of DL-6 will change EVERYTHING, including the backstory of Dahlia Hawthorn and Simon Keyes. 

20. This kinda  hints why Blaise  considers Miles such a huge threat, even if he was to use his loved ones against him. The later chapters will go more into this, but what Detective Badd is trying to say is that even though Miles is afraid of Blaise, he is still willing to face him in court. Gregory never wanted to face Blaise or allow his child to face him. Miles, on the other hand, will fight him in court and settle matters. This is what Gregory raised Miles to be like. That's why Gregory allows his son to act savage toward Robert Hammond and kick his friends outside, if there's a conflict. Whether or not Miles shouldn't have attacked is irrelevant. Gregory does not want his son to be the kind to take any hits from anyone or be a target of abuse. He wants his son to be the kind that will end Blaise's career after being kidnapped before making him look like a fool. This is something Miles can do, but Gregory can't, because he is afraid of Blaise Debeste. Both him and Miles are, but Miles will fight that man, unlike his father. 

21.  THIS is why  Gregory didn't want to reveal that Miles was his son and not Manfred's. He knew that the moment Blaise found out that Miles was his son, Blaise would kill him. Blaise wanted to traffic Manfred's kid, but only because Manfred Von Karma is just as much a family man as he is a prosecutor. But, Gregory on the other hand, is a former smuggler and knows the ring from the inside and out. If Miles was trafficked, as Gregory's son, he'd spread the word out to the other children about his father and Manfred before pulling a Mafia Edgeworth. So yes, in a What-if scenario where Blaise trafficked Miles, I can see him eventually growing up to become Mafia Edgeworth. Anyone, who wants to use that idea, message me XD

22. Originally, I wanted Detective Badd to mention about his regret in breaking his relationship with Gregory, after he left, but I felt it would be OOC of Detective Badd to admit something like that, especially early after just deciding to forgive him. So, I will give it to you here. Detective Badd now regrets breaking his relationship with Gregory, who was his Chief and mentor. Since Dick Gumshoe is now creating a partnership with Miles, Detective Badd wants his student to stick with him now and always. This creates a parallel. Just like how Gregory was Detective Badd's mentor and Chief, while he was still a young adult and still much younger than him, it's the same with Dick Gumshoe with Miles Edgeworth. Now, that Detective Badd is seeing this parallel relationship within his student and Gregory's son, he doesn't want this relationship to end on a bad note like his did with Gregory Edgeworth.