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  April 11th, 9:54 pm
Suramā Prison Facility, Interrogation Room

Was I... hearing things? I could have sworn I just heard a voice. I listen quietly to see if I hear anything else.
"Thou shall find secrets doth not reside here, to thou nor I."

---Music: Cross Examination ~ Moderato 2013 ---

That was definitely a voice. It's strange and deep, yet smooth. In fact... it almost sounds sinister, in a way. Each word carries a foreboding sensation.
Akira has lowered his head and closed his eyes as if in deep meditation, and his lips certainly aren't moving, so it isn't him speaking to me. Still, I can tell the voice is coming from his direction.
  This entire experience is way beyond bizarre. Something must be going wrong here...
I let go of my Magatama with the intent of returning things to normal. However... the world around me is still black as ink, and nothing changes. The chains surrounding Akira--
  Ok, this is new. The chains around him are slowly, subtly vibrating. Each is independent from one another, like living beings, and their grip around Akira loosens little by little, as if nothing truly holds him at all.
The strange voice continues. "There is but one ensnared here, and thou shall find the bindings on thyself of thy own design, and far more real than these illusions."
I have no clue what is going on right now, and I don't really know how to respond.
"Man of law," the voice addresses me, "Thou who carries a torch of righteousness. A noble effort, but such a torch shall inevitably burn to ashes. And where will thy hand stay whilst the flames die? Will thou still stubbornly grasp at the dying wood and be burned with it?"
"I don't understand what you're trying to tell me!" I fire back.
  "Consider this an invitation to unleash thy true self, without consequence," the voice elaborates, "Thou art bound by shackles of misguided morals. Discard thy reluctance! Bear thy heart and relish freedom!"
I don't even know who is trying to talk to me! "Who exactly are you?!" I question.
"Behold, the strength of will of one who hast conquered doubt," it answers, and--

---Music: Trifle of Fate ---

  Ack...!! At the very tips of the chains where they taper off into darkness, several flashes of light nearly blind me, and icy-blue flames ignite. The fire rapidly spreads from link to link, and in less than a second, the chains have been lit ablaze with fire burning between shades of azure and cyan. The motions of movement increase until the chains are whipping back and forth, undulating as freely as waves in the ocean, and they spit bright blue embers into the surrounding darkness as they crackle.
I see what look like slender black fingers with talons materialize from the shadows, aggressively clutching the sizzling chains and effortlessly tearing the links apart with a mighty rip--
No way! Akira's clothes catch fire! From the combination of the sparks created upon metal shattering and the still-burning chain links flying haphazardly, his entire form explodes into a raging, cerulean inferno! I leap out of my seat and nearly head towards him instinctively, but I stop and try to think how I should act. I don't know what to do! I need to try and put out the fire, or something! Stop, drop, and roll, Akira!
But... Akira is still perfectly still. Even as flames rage around him, he remains sitting, still in meditation. In fact... he is not moving at all, and he looks almost grey. He's completely frozen, it seems.
  The flames start to get bigger, and bigger, and it's as if... as if a giant plume of flames is rising above his head. Like some sort of giant thought-bubble from a comic extending from the flames around his body... and within those blue flames, I see a few bits of standard, orange fire. The orange cycles between yellow, and settles upon a rusty red color, and forms... a face! They form a pattern separate from the surrounding blue, and I can clearly see what looks to be two slender marks resembling angry eyes, and jagged teeth forming the shape of a curved smile. Or, more like a malevolent grin...
And now I'm certain it's a mouth, because it moves in unison with the strange voice, and begins laughing. "Ha ha ha ha... Aha ha ha ha! HA HA HA HA HA!"
Two obsidian wings protrude diagonally on each side of the flames, swirling like vortexes until suddenly spreading with such force that an assault of wind pressure pushes me backwards. Mixed into the gale are large particles of blue ember, heating my face and skin as they pass by me as if the source of the flames has fully erupted! The wings are clearly attached to this thing's back, and they begin slowly and methodically flapping, each movement spreading almost-shock waves of fire across the ground in all directions.
There's... a figure! Standing, or maybe hovering, behind Akira! The gigantic smirking face of fire has disappeared, but now an identical yet shrunken face is upon the head of the thing in front of me, and that head is wearing a ridiculously tall, black hat. It's dressed... a lot like Edgeworth, actually, with a decorated red suit and even a cravat upon its neck...? This thing dresses human, but it definitely isn't.

---Music: Will Power ---

This thing is just one step shy of being downright terrifying, if it weren't for the goofy outfit. I've never seen ANYTHING like this before, and I can't help but feel fear.
I'm so overwhelmed right now that I can't process what's happening. But... I feel strange sensations... it's like how sometimes when you are dreaming, you just inherently understand certainties that wouldn't make sense in reality. And those certain feelings... impulses, even, are thrashing about. I feel panic run through my body, and somehow I feel as if, with absolute certainty, that my way of life is being attacked. And that doesn't even make sense! It's just, an extreme abstract from my gut...
But, from that panic, I feel strengthened resolve welling up in myself. I stand my ground, and raise my voice.
"Akira, what in the hell is going on here?!"
He stays locked in his contemplative pose, still faded as if in black and white, and the creature behind him addresses me instead. Its mouth doesn't seem to move or ever change from that creepy grin, but I know the sound is coming from it.
"Thy who hath consigned thyself to the extent of human law. That is not power. It is limitation! Thou art holding back... release thy juvenile subservience to thy laws and thy rules!"
My blood is pumping, and I'm overheating like I'm standing on the surface of the sun with such massive blue fires around me. I grit my teeth and repeat my earlier question, not as inquiry, but a demand. "Tell me who you are!" I shout.
"Thou art a wise weaver of words. An individual of great intellect. Yet thou fall fool to self-imposed morality," it speaks, completely ignoring me.
I feel frustration boiling up! I'm not one to get so riled up, but there's just some kind of energy in this room that I can't explain. I don't know what is happening, but... I'm trying desperately to hold onto my composure. "I don't know what freaky Metaverse nonsense is going on, but you are you going to answer me. Tell me what this is about, Akira!"
"Thou-"
"You! Shut up!" I interrupt, because I'm about to lose it, frankly. "I'm talking to Akira, now!"
There is a gap of conversation where no one speaks, and the only sounds are from the loud flames burning brightly.
"Ha..." the thing laughs, once at first, but then the flood gates are open, "Ha ha ha ha ha!! Yes! The urges within... accept them. Understand them. And embrace them!"

---Music: Awakening ---

Ughrk... ugh... ow, ow ow ow! My head is throbbing, it's painful enough to make me want to scream! I feel like... there's a presence inside of myself. Trying to communicate with me. It's so distant... wait. That's because... it's not within me...? This force... this pressure...
I can tell I'm losing my balance. While I stumble, trying to keep my footing, I clutch my head tightly in response to an intense headache which feels like earthquakes with each pounding pulse. I feel closer and closer to a breaking point, and I know I can't take much more. I grit my teeth and try not to scream, but I feel like I'm holding back an explosion.

---(Music End)---

Suddenly... the pain stops, completely. Everything goes away. I had been feeling an endless carnival of different emotions and feelings, and suddenly... it's all gone. I feel peace?
  There's, another voice. And I recognize this one...!!
"That's quite enough," Mia Fey shouts with authority.

---Music: Cross Examination ~ Allegro 2013 ---

"Mia...!!" I cry out in shock.
She places her hand on my shoulder, and feels as real as anyone else. "Just take a few deep breaths, Phoenix," she encourages with a smile. I feel as if my blood pressure has instantly dropped back to reasonable levels, and my breathing has normalized. I'm not sure how she is here, but I feel so much better that she is.
"Mia, how is it you are here?" I question.
"There's an extreme amount of chaos within this room," she begins to explain, "It's chaos of the heart, from both of you. I'm here because you hold me in your heart, and there's no chance I'd stand back and watch while you face such a desperate struggle."
"Please, Mia... tell me you've been watching all of this, or something. PLEASE tell me you can make sense of what's happening here."
"This is just my hypothesis, but the two of you must be experiencing powerful feedback from when Akira touched that Orb earlier tonight."
She has me considering the Orb in relation to what's happening. "Is it that the Orb of Heart is too powerful for us to touch...?"
"Not for everyone," she shakes her head, "But Akira is different. He has a power within himself that most people don't. With that power, coming into contact with that Orb... well, that Orb has half of an entire universe locked away within itself. With even a small fraction of that energy disturbed, it's no surprise that Akira has lost control of the power within himself. And speaking of that power..."
Now she's turning towards the tall creep in the hat, and her gentle smile flips into a sharp frown. "So, my name is Mia Fey. Consider me an old friend of Phoenix. And, it's common courtesy to introduce one's self before polite conversation," she asserts.
Color flushes back into Akira's being, and he begins breathing and moving again. he opens his eyes, but keep his gaze fixed downwards at the table. "Arsene."
"Excuse me?" I question.
"That's his name. Arsene," Akira clears up, "Named after the famous thief in literature. I apologize for that outburst. It's been a while since I've called upon him myself."
"Well, what in the heck IS he?" I press.
"He's me. A part of me, rather. A 'Persona,'" is the explanation we receive. "They are an aspect of oneself that can take form in the Metaverse for certain individuals."
I start trying to piece all of this together. "And this 'Persona' came from your heart?"
Akira nods. "A Persona is a reflection of one's inner values, and only comes into existence when a person has conquered their own weakness and accepted who they are. So allow me to answer your question earlier: if you side with me, you will be working with someone society considers a criminal."
He's just going to answer the question like this is a normal conversation again? I feel whiplash as if I had been in a sixty mile an hour car and stomped the breaks. Here I am standing with my dead mentor next to me before a giant, flaming, bird-creature... thing. And not to mention the swirling blue infernos. I'm dizzy and fatigued from everything happening, and he's... finally ready to talk. I take a rather large sigh, but gather my bearings.
  While I'm adjusting to the change in tone, Akira speaks further. "Arsene is proof that I have made the decision to rebel against any injustice."
Arsene speaks this time. "Yes... proof of unbreakable determination, unwilling to bend to any man or law. Ours is a proof of courage to brave the pits of Hell, if that is what it takes to uphold true justice."
Mia's looks forward with furrowed brows and an inquisitive face. "So, this Arsene represents your inner feelings. What he says is what you truly feel?"
"... You could say that," Akira nods, but his voice fluctuates a tad, seemingly not so sure of the answer himself.
"There you have it, Phoenix," Mia smiles, as she turns to me, "You wanted to judge his character. I believe both Akira and Arsene are ready for their questioning."
Despite this still being an extremely high octane environment with scalding blue flames and floating bird alter-ego 'Persona' things, Mia's help in straightening things out gives me the chance to take a breath of fresh air and for this to get back on track. "Thank you, Mia," I nod.

---Music: Cross Examination ~ Moderato 2001 ---

What questions do I even ask at this point? I still feel woozy from whatever the hell was happening earlier, so I'm a bit disoriented. Well, I better make sense of the situation at present. "Just to reaffirm, you are ok with being a criminal and breaking the law, as long as it's in the name of 'true justice?'"
"Unmistakably so," Arsene answers with no hesitation, "To imagine falling in line to paltry restrictions of society's design is quite a jest, indeed! One which does not match our sense of humor, at that."
The more Arsene talks the more I'm starting to worry that the two of us will not be able to reach an understanding. "What validates such a disregard for the institutions we have in place in our society?"
"Corruption is an ever looming risk. Thou hath witnessed recent events, correct? Are thou so blind as to ignore the politicians dancing along the very edges of their own laws for personal gain? Justice decided upon by such criminals masquerading as public servants is no law of ours to abide. Why should thou?"
I... can see that as a valid point, admittedly. It's incredibly cynical, but a point nonetheless. I know he's referring to everything we've investigated as of recently. It's very likely the top of this conspiracy is lead by someone, or some people, who are in powerful positions. Powerful enough to be making key political assassinations to further some agenda.

---(Music End)---

  "So, now that I understand your general stance on society, I can somewhat make sense of the cryptic advances you have been making this entire time. The things you've said and done have been fairly straightforward in goading me to adapt to a similar value system as you. Correct?"
For a moment it's as if Arsene's already-creepy smile intensifies even further. "Ha ha ha ha... to see clearly with thy own eyes is exhilarating, is it not?"
"So, Arsene, what is your 'true justice,' and what makes it right?"

---Music: Cross Examination ~ Allegro 2001 ---

"An unnecessary question," the figure in the top hat scoffs, "Thou know as well as we what is right and wrong."
I shake my head. "We can grandstand ourselves all we want, but at the end of the day, we're just two people in a world of billions. Even if we know true justice in our core, it doesn't matter if society thinks that we're in the wrong."
Arsene's tone of voice curls, and I could tell that if he had an eyebrow, he would be raising it. "Thou wouldst place stock into the opinions of the masses over thy own truth? Our sufferance has limits shorter than thy measure of absurdity."
I shake my head once more, and look Arsene in the eyes. "It's not that I don't trust in what I believe is right. In fact that very trust is why I have faith in the law. Society is made up of people like you and me--" I begin, before recognizing the relative scarcity of dapper flaming bird-men in society, "Well, uh, people like Akira and me. Regardless! The law is something that we have all worked on, and placed our values and truths into. They can be flawed, and there is always the risk of corruption. However, I trust in the law knowing that my values align with it. At the risk of sounding cliche, if we break laws, we're just common criminals like you said."
The intensity of the atmosphere rises, as the conversation has become even more tense and dangerous than the blue flames raging around us. "Disapproval is but an irritation, not a deterrence. Would thou willingly follow an unjust law in blind submission? When breaking that law would be just and right? Thou art much wiser and more clever than such."
"If there's an unjust law, then it's our duty to fix it," I argue staunchly, "A disregard to the system is a disregard to the wishes and faith we, as people, have placed into our fellow people. Saying that we can just ignore something we don't agree with isn't justice, it's irresponsibility. Breaking laws doesn't change those laws for the better, it just makes things worse."
Arsene's voice raises, and he sounds slightly annoyed. "What gravity pulls thee to such aggrandized superiority? To what end dost thou uphold the restrictions of law? Death already dances in front of thy eyes. Art such stakes not justification enough to accept breaking of rules? The minds and means to save lives are shared in this very room. Yet thou wouldst reject pragmatic heroism on the basis of rigid morality. Thy apprehension of the grounds between right and wrong will be more to blame than wrong itself. Art thou so afraid of dirty hands thou wouldst rather cradle corpses with clean palms?"
I can't tell if the accusations are getting under my skin or if I'm just finally getting heat stroke, but I can feel a lot of sweat on my forehead. "And where is the line drawn? When does it end? At what point can you just, completely disregard the law and lose any trust in it? If we do find out who is responsible for this conspiracy, are you going to kill them then and there? Is murder excusable in place of fair trial just because you consider yourself and your judgment above the law?"
"When that time comes;" Arsene speaks forcefully, forgoing conclusion, "When we meet such a villain face to face... dost thou not trust in thy own judgment of what action to take? Law was not designed with such moments in mind, with a dangerous threat cornered," Arsene explains, before raising his voice once more, at this point shouting. "No jury can exist to pass approval! The decision shall be ours and ours alone. Justice must be taken in thy own fist and doled with impunity! Whether that means such a monster deserves life or death... who else but we shall be equipped to make such a choice?"
This is where I need to put my foot down, but... I'm intimidated. This thing has been getting more and more aggressive, and I can't really be blamed for having a little bit of fear when staring down what looks like some sort of demon out of a horror movie.
I feel a hand on my shoulder, and turn my neck to see Mia looking at me. Her determination expresses itself with a nod of approval, and that coaxes my own determination out.
I am, without a doubt, going to stick to my beliefs. "I don't care what kind of justice or reasoning you claim to have. I will not work with people who think they have the right to decide on who lives and who dies, regardless of morality!"
The flames around Arsene spike violently and he aggressively fans his wings, and I think he has finally lost his cool. "If this is so: so be it! We do not seek thy approval! We reject the constraints of such shortsighted altruism! Parade thy dogmatic justice as thou wish! Be the tragic troubadour of the tribunal, ever fated a pitiable performer--powerless to escape the oppression of thy own weakness! Reach the twilight of thy wits, and blame thyself at the edge of sound mind!"

---(Music End)---

"That's enough," Akira shouts with absolute authority, and Arsene's physical outburst seems to reel in. The flames simmer until the burning blue illumination is gone completely, and we are back in an empty world of darkness.

---Music: Confession Secret (Piano Version) ---

Akira slowly shakes his head while facing downwards, as if disapproving himself. "I'm sorry, Mr. Wright. I... wasn't even aware that I had feelings like these deep in my heart. I guess I'm more bitter than I thought."
The absence of excitement is filled with uneasy anxiety, as if I've been shell-shocked by everything that had just happened. I'm still panting and sweating from the heat, even! I can't believe a few moments ago I was standing my ground and yelling at a flaming imaginary demon creature. I felt like... that argument was life or death. Maybe not physically per say, but so much weight laid on his justice against mine. I'm proud that I held to my beliefs, but... I was close to cracking, at times.
Mia fixes her sight on Akira enough for him to sense it and raise his head in response, and he looks up to meet her gaze right as she speaks to him. "With the way you think and act, I get the impression this is not your first time being judged as a criminal."
"You don't know the half of it," he chuckles with that sense of self-spite once more. "Miss Fey, was it?"
"That's right," she nods.
"Mr. Wright is lucky to have such a caring and supportive friend," he smiles weakly.
I... sit in silence. Even after all these years, losing her still hurts. Maybe it's just that my emotions and adrenaline are running on max from this entire ordeal, but just thinking about Mia again waters my eyes until I start to feel a few tears down my face.
And of course, she notices. She was always uncannily observant. "It's alright, Phoenix," Mia closes her eyes and smiles with a level of cheer that's infectious. "You know that, no matter what, I'll always be watching out for you."
Akira must be reading the room and recognizing that Mia is not actually a living person. "I'm... sorry. I didn't mean..."
"It's ok," I sniff, wiping my eyes with my sleeve, and preparing to segue back on topic, "What matters now is the present. And I won't mince words here, Akira: I'm afraid that our outlooks on everything--this investigation, the upcoming trial...--may not be entirely compatible."

---Music: Reminiscense ~ Each of Their Feelings ---

Now it's Akira's turn to sit in silence--for a brief moment, at least. He seems to have collected his thoughts enough to resume the conversation, now. "Since Arsene's outburst, I've been thinking very hard about the things he said. The things that I must feel on the inside. And seeing the trust and support that Miss Fey gives you reminds me of my friends and how they've supported me. I don't suppose you might have heard about my own situation, before all of this happened, have you?"
"Not that I recall," I confirm.
"Well," he sighs, "The only reason I went to Tokyo in the first place was because I had to relocate after a legal incident. One night, I saw a man trying to force himself on a woman, and I acted to help her. I pushed the man down and injured him. It was much later I discovered that man was Masayoshi Shido."
Now that's a familiar name. "You two have quite a history, I'm assuming."
Akira nods. "He used his status and influence to force the woman I was trying to save to testify against me, and I ended up with a criminal record for assault. I had to move out of my old town to the only place anyone would take me, a small little coffee shop run by a man who I would come to know as the closest family I have."
I can tell by his smile that he chuckles not spitefully, but warmly. "I have so many memories of the days spent in that coffee shop. Do you like coffee?"
"Now there's a bittersweet question, indeed," I slightly smile back, "I didn't originally. However, after my experiences with... well, I'll call him a friend--coffee grew on me."
"That's good. I'm sure you'll love Leblanc," he laughs a little more openly. "Well, the owner of that cafe, and so many others... pulled me out of that hopeless spot and showed me that I could still live and enjoy life. We went on to become Phantom Thieves, targeting irredeemably evil people like Shido and changing their hearts to try and make the world just a little bit better for everyone else. You can call that breaking the law, and maybe it was. Sorry to disappoint you."
I take a deep breath, because this is a lot to think about. "I didn't really have any context like that. I didn't realize life dealt you a terrible hand from the start."
His smile slowly fades away back to the slightly negative look he's been holding for most of the night. "Well, if tonight is anything to go by, it doesn't look like I've drawn a better one."
This is uncomfortable ground to tread. Unlike the pushiness Arsene showed me, Akira is much more down to Earth. I feel like he's really opening up to me. I'm still in the dark perception of the Magatama, so Psyche-Locks will appear the moment he tries to lie to me. I have a hunch, though, that he isn't going to try.
"So, Akira... was Arsene serious? About, you know, the murder thing..." I ask for important clarity.
"I would never take a life," Akira returns decisively, "Arsene can think what he wants. He has a mind of his own. But, he's still a part of me, and I'm the one calling the shots."
He sighs. "Not that it matters. The best I'll be able to do is wish everyone good luck while I'll be serving a sentence in a cell."
"I understand that this is a terrible situation to be in," I sympathize, "And between the history you are telling me, and how I know you had good intentions by breaking in to the museum tonight... well, I'm still listening, if you have anything you still want to get off your chest."
He hunches forward and rests his face on top of his connected hands. "For everything I've done, for all the good I've tried to uphold, for all of the effort and trust my friends put into a lost cause like me... for that to feel like it all amounted to nothing is actually scary. I've never felt more hopeless, in fact."
Akira's disposition has certainly taken a turn. I've gotten all kinds of mixed signals from him tonight. He has been everything from confident and professional to cynical and weary. But... just now, he sounded like he has accepted defeat.
"Tell me more about that," I request, "What do you mean it all amounted to nothing?"
  "Many people put life, limb, and reputation on the line to try and support me and to clear my good name. Yet, here I am again, sitting in an interrogation room as a criminal. And even before tonight, I'd been having problems trying to find work or get accepted into any universities because my identity as a Phantom Thief isn't exactly a secret to anyone who digs deep enough."
He actually buries his head into his palms, ruffling up his hair in the process. "If there's anything I'm thankful for it's that none of their identities got out. When the Phantom Thieves came to an end, I took any of the falls left to take to keep them safe. Still, as you can see, I'm very convinced by this point that I don't have a future. And I've been that way since well before tonight."
He sneers with a quick laugh. "I guess I can see why Arsene is so bitter. I just got him back and I'm already arrested. I bet he was encouraging you to try and pick up for my slack."

---Music: Cross-Examination ~ Moderato 2016 ---

"An amusing proposition, but yet thou and I both know it to be untrue," the figure returns back.
"I'm surprised you aren't in my head screaming at me to get a hold of myself and crying something dramatic about facing hell itself," Akira mumbles back.
Is he, uh, talking with himself, technically...?
"I am thy passion, and thy rage, but am still a reflection of thou. Thou have... been in a rut, equal parts exhausted and subdued. And I am thou." Arsene returns back, plainly.
Yes, yes he is.
Akira shakes his head. "You claim you aren't going to give me a pep talk yet you certainly had enough energy to shout at Mr. Wright a bit ago, where exactly did THAT come from?"
  "There is no need for concern towards thy situation, though thy attitude is irksome," Arsene deflects, "Thou hath already pledged to me unbreakable dedication to fight for thy own justice. I simply trade words with the lawman to persuade him to our cause. I do so in thy place while thou wallows in self-pity. Here I stand in wait for the instant thou reclaim thy courage."
I think Arsene just told Akira to get over himself.
Akira is holding his head as if he's unable to accept the situation for what it is. "My own Persona is telling me I've lost my edge. Imagine that."
"Ha ha ha..." Arsene cackles, "There has been nothing lost which cannot be reclaimed. When thy bravado rekindles, the fiery rage of rebellion shall too, and the two shall rejoin as one. So here I shall stay in wait for Akira Kurusu to return, awaiting his next decision with tantalized anticipation."
Akira sighs. This guy clearly has a lot of baggage to get sorted out. But, if Arsene is to be believed, then...

---(Music End)---

"It sounds to me like you haven't truly given up, yet," I comment, "Which I must admit I would more readily expect from the leader of an internationally known group intent on changing the world."
"Maybe," he shrugs passively. "Maybe the true me would never give in so easily. But as you can see he and I aren't on the same wavelength right now."

---Music: Regret ---

I've listened intently to what he's been saying, but I don't really know how to respond. After a few moments of quiet, he continues on. "Anyway, that's pretty much all there is to me. I took this mission to try and get the Orb because I knew if I got caught I'd have the least to lose. And that still holds true. I don't have much of a life to throw away anyway. And as far as investigating the conspiracy goes... I know that even if I'm in jail, I can trust that my friends and your friends will work to see this investigation through. It won't really make much of a difference in the long term whether or not you defend me in court. And I'll completely understand if you don't want to. The way you stood up to Arsene was... extremely impressive, to be honest. I understand why you hold the values you do, and I've accepted that you won't defend me when I've literally broken the law."
Well. What Akira doesn't know yet, is I haven't made that very important decision yet.
But, boy, what a decision it is going to be to make. Akira is flat out telling me that, despite his good intentions, he's a criminal who understands why I'd want nothing to do with him.
Which brings me to myself. Whether or not I defend him or not... where will that leave me? What type of person will that make me? Akira seems like someone who is just in a really bad spot, and needs help. Helping someone vulnerable and scared like him is what I have always believed in doing. But he actually broke the law... can I enter the courtroom and lie to everyone to try and prove he didn't...?
"Phoenix," Mia calls, getting my attention. "I know you are thinking carefully about this. I just wanted to tell you two things. First, just realize that good and bad oftentimes disguise as one another. Not just outcome, but intention; recognize that the reason for doing something could be more powerful than the opposition to doing it."
"I... will definitely think that over."
"And second... place more trust in your own judgment."
"What do you mean?" I probe.
"How many people have you helped since you started your career? Every last one of those clients that you've advocated for, protected, and proved innocent... do you think any of them doubt your morality or your intentions?"
Well, I mean... when she puts it that way, that certainly does present a different angle...
"You said earlier that you are just another person and that you contribute to the system like anyone else does. But when it comes to your beliefs--your 'truth'--you aren't just one person. You are riding on the support and understanding of every last person you've helped. You have put dangerous criminals behind bars, but more importantly, you've saved innocent lives of countless others. Do you think a single one of them would question your decisions? Every last one of them would agree that you, Phoenix Wright, Defense Attorney, have a kind heart and will make the right choices. And at the end of the day... support from the people, agreement and consensus on what's right and wrong... is that not what law is? Knowing your own values and beliefs... that is your own, personal law. Believe in that law, Phoenix! I know, without a shadow of a doubt, you can trust that your law will always lead you to do the right thing!"
I... I don't know what to say. To hear my mentor lay things out in such a way...

---Music: Announce the Truth 2013 ---

Arsene, who has been quiet up until now, spreads his wings dramatically as he speaks once more. "Right and wrong are but labels, ever changing in both meaning in purpose. What doth not change is both good and ill exist as tools, to be used by those skillful enough to wield them. Whether using those tools in certain ways is right or wrong... that decision is thine to make. Should thou accept the grey of this world and embrace it, not as corruption, but as hope, thou may uncover avenues yet unseen. The journey which lays ahead shall be through a dark and treacherous woods, with no certainty that which paths we take will be the right or wrong one. However, we shall trek whichever path leads to the light at the end of even the darkest path, and implore thee of sharp intellect to find courage to do the same. Should thou be willing to walk the same paths as we... then let us be off. Not as accomplices in crime, but allies in truth."
Huh... I had thought Arsene to be a cathartic avatar of inner emotions. Yet here he is hitting me with a stoic and surprisingly thoughtful call to action. I'm certainly seeing Mr. Scary Demon Man in a much less terrifying light. He certainly has me thinking just as much as Mia does.

---(Music End)---

The four of us are pretty quiet. I lean my head downward and close my eyes while holding my chin. "Hmm..." I think intensely, about everything that has been said in this room tonight.
  My Magatama stops glowing, and the endless void of blackness finally dissipates and we return to the real world. As I anticipated, both Arsene and Mia disappear as well. Until we meet again, Mia...
Sae looks surprised. "Was I mistaken, or did the two of you just freeze for a few moments there...?"
"I definitely saw that too," Maya agrees, "Are you both ok?"
"You... didn't see anything that just happened?" I ask, confused.
"About what?" Maya questions in response, "All you did was ask Akira if he regretted tonight."
I look at my watch, and it's 9:54 pm still. Very strange. It's as if time was frozen the entire time Akira and I interacted. Sae and Maya certainly don't seem to have noticed any of the craziness which just transpired.
"I'm not sure how, but several minutes have passed for us in what must have been seconds for you," I try to explain.
"Was it... the Magatama?" Maya guesses, "Can it even do that?"
Akira raises a possibility. "It may have been the energy from the Orb I touched earlier interacted strangely with Mr. Wright's own special device."
"That's quite remarkable," Sae expresses, "So what happened that we missed?"
"Akira and I had... a chat," I say plainly.
He looks... cautiously optimistic.
"So, what's the plan?" Maya asks directly.
I stop for a moment to think of what I truly want to do.
After a deep breath, I answer her. "Well, Maya, I've thought about a lot of things. And I'm realizing there are a lot of things I don't agree with."
Akira's optimism didn't last long, and he has resumed staring deeply into the table.
Maya looks at me with concern. "Nick... are we not going to...?"
"Mr. Wright, before you go," Akira speaks, still sitting but looking up to me, "Thank you for listening. And thank you for being willing to put you life on the line for the greater good, in the first place. I'm sure Sae can connect you with my teammates, and I know that all of you will put a stop to these murders."
I look at Akira and the two of us lock eyes for the first time without any other crazy interference. We stare for quite some time. "I guess you've made peace with your decisions," I suggest.
"... Yes, I have," is Akira's melancholy answer, though he carries a sense of resolve in his voice.
I take a deep breath. "Well. I guess we're done here," I conclude, getting up from my seat and adjusting my tie.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Sae questions in frantic shock, "What do you mean, you're done here? Are you not going to..." she tries to speak, but trails off, looking dejected.
I can tell Maya doesn't know what to think. She doesn't say anything, but she looks at me like she's expecting something.
"I'm sorry, Miss Niijima, but Maya and I have to get going. It's time for bed soon," I begin explaining with stoicism in my voice... until I crack a slight smile. "Maya and I need to get up early tomorrow. We have things to do..." I suggest. Maya notices my smile and she starts grinning herself.
I hold off on finishing my sentence for just a little moment.
  "... Like, visit the crime scene, for instance. We have to be at the top of our game if we want to get Akira acquitted."

---Music: Phoenix Wright ~ Objection! 2016 ---

*!*
*!*
Heh. Maya's the only one who saw that one coming. Maybe I was just trying to burn off some of the adrenaline all of this craziness had built up, but I felt like being a little dramatic there for a bit. But hey, I got some amusement out of it, and now everyone in the room is smiling back at me.
"You... you had me going, for a moment, there," Sae breaks up into laughter, "I really thought you were serious!"
"I knew you'd agree," Maya smiles brightly, and she gets up to fist bump me.
Akira is the most stunned of all. "Mr. Wright, you're... going to defend me? In court...?!"
"I told you, there's a lot that I don't agree with. I don't agree with breaking and entering. I don't agree with the decisions we've made tonight. However, I also don't agree with leaving an ally to the wolves when he's in need."
The young man sitting at the table with widened eyes is actually speechless for a moment. Then, with sudden movement, he stands up and extends his hand to me. I smile and shake it. "Thank you, Mr. Wright. I... I mean it. Truly."
His smile is the most genuine one I've seen in a while. He shakes Maya's hand as well. "You can count on us, Mr. 'Phantom!'" she promises with a light laugh and a bit of dramatic flair of her own.
"Just... 'Akira,' is fine," he laughs in return.
Sae approaches me with the same gesture, and we shake as well. "You won't regret this decision, Mr. Wright," she assures me, "I'll do what I can to get some information on the victim, for starters. We'll work together on this one and get Akira-kun out of trouble. You can count on it."
"I look forward to working with you," I nod.
"Alright, ready to go, Nick?" Maya asks me, still wound up with excitement, "I think all of us are going to sleep easy tonight. Especially in the super-comfy hotel beds!"
And with that, we part ways. I have a lot to think about, going to bed tonight. There are still plenty of questions up in the air. Who died? What happened? How was Ron DeLite involved? But, for all of the unanswered questions, there's at least one important question I think I've decided on an answer for. And that's whether or not I'm doing the right thing.
... And that answer is, heck yes. Akira, Sae, you two can count on us.

  CHAPTER FOUR END.

  ---(Music End)---

  ---Music: Jingle ~ That's All For Today ---

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  April 11th, 9:54 pm
Suramā Prison Facility, Interrogation Room

Was I... hearing things? I could have sworn I just heard a voice. I listen quietly to see if I hear anything else.
"Thou shall find secrets doth not reside here, to thou nor I."

---Music: Cross Examination ~ Moderato 2013 ---

That was definitely a voice. It's strange and deep, yet smooth. In fact... it almost sounds sinister, in a way. Each word carries a foreboding sensation.
Akira has lowered his head and closed his eyes as if in deep meditation, and his lips certainly aren't moving, so it isn't him speaking to me. Still, I can tell the voice is coming from his direction.
  This entire experience is way beyond bizarre. Something must be going wrong here...
I let go of my Magatama with the intent of returning things to normal. However... the world around me is still black as ink, and nothing changes. The chains surrounding Akira--
  Ok, this is new. The chains around him are slowly, subtly vibrating. Each is independent from one another, like living beings, and their grip around Akira loosens little by little, as if nothing truly holds him at all.
The strange voice continues. "There is but one ensnared here, and thou shall find the bindings on thyself of thy own design, and far more real than these illusions."
I have no clue what is going on right now, and I don't really know how to respond.
"Man of law," the voice addresses me, "Thou who carries a torch of righteousness. A noble effort, but such a torch shall inevitably burn to ashes. And where will thy hand stay whilst the flames die? Will thou still stubbornly grasp at the dying wood and be burned with it?"
"I don't understand what you're trying to tell me!" I fire back.
  "Consider this an invitation to unleash thy true self, without consequence," the voice elaborates, "Thou art bound by shackles of misguided morals. Discard thy reluctance! Bear thy heart and relish freedom!"
I don't even know who is trying to talk to me! "Who exactly are you?!" I question.
"Behold, the strength of will of one who hast conquered doubt," it answers, and--

---Music: Trifle of Fate ---

  Ack...!! At the very tips of the chains where they taper off into darkness, several flashes of light nearly blind me, and icy-blue flames ignite. The fire rapidly spreads from link to link, and in less than a second, the chains have been lit ablaze with fire burning between shades of azure and cyan. The motions of movement increase until the chains are whipping back and forth, undulating as freely as waves in the ocean, and they spit bright blue embers into the surrounding darkness as they crackle.
I see what look like slender black fingers with talons materialize from the shadows, aggressively clutching the sizzling chains and effortlessly tearing the links apart with a mighty rip--
No way! Akira's clothes catch fire! From the combination of the sparks created upon metal shattering and the still-burning chain links flying haphazardly, his entire form explodes into a raging, cerulean inferno! I leap out of my seat and nearly head towards him instinctively, but I stop and try to think how I should act. I don't know what to do! I need to try and put out the fire, or something! Stop, drop, and roll, Akira!
But... Akira is still perfectly still. Even as flames rage around him, he remains sitting, still in meditation. In fact... he is not moving at all, and he looks almost grey. He's completely frozen, it seems.
  The flames start to get bigger, and bigger, and it's as if... as if a giant plume of flames is rising above his head. Like some sort of giant thought-bubble from a comic extending from the flames around his body... and within those blue flames, I see a few bits of standard, orange fire. The orange cycles between yellow, and settles upon a rusty red color, and forms... a face! They form a pattern separate from the surrounding blue, and I can clearly see what looks to be two slender marks resembling angry eyes, and jagged teeth forming the shape of a curved smile. Or, more like a malevolent grin...
And now I'm certain it's a mouth, because it moves in unison with the strange voice, and begins laughing. "Ha ha ha ha... Aha ha ha ha! HA HA HA HA HA!"
Two obsidian wings protrude diagonally on each side of the flames, swirling like vortexes until suddenly spreading with such force that an assault of wind pressure pushes me backwards. Mixed into the gale are large particles of blue ember, heating my face and skin as they pass by me as if the source of the flames has fully erupted! The wings are clearly attached to this thing's back, and they begin slowly and methodically flapping, each movement spreading almost-shock waves of fire across the ground in all directions.
There's... a figure! Standing, or maybe hovering, behind Akira! The gigantic smirking face of fire has disappeared, but now an identical yet shrunken face is upon the head of the thing in front of me, and that head is wearing a ridiculously tall, black hat. It's dressed... a lot like Edgeworth, actually, with a decorated red suit and even a cravat upon its neck...? This thing dresses human, but it definitely isn't.

---Music: Will Power ---

This thing is just one step shy of being downright terrifying, if it weren't for the goofy outfit. I've never seen ANYTHING like this before, and I can't help but feel fear.
I'm so overwhelmed right now that I can't process what's happening. But... I feel strange sensations... it's like how sometimes when you are dreaming, you just inherently understand certainties that wouldn't make sense in reality. And those certain feelings... impulses, even, are thrashing about. I feel panic run through my body, and somehow I feel as if, with absolute certainty, that my way of life is being attacked. And that doesn't even make sense! It's just, an extreme abstract from my gut...
But, from that panic, I feel strengthened resolve welling up in myself. I stand my ground, and raise my voice.
"Akira, what in the hell is going on here?!"
He stays locked in his contemplative pose, still faded as if in black and white, and the creature behind him addresses me instead. Its mouth doesn't seem to move or ever change from that creepy grin, but I know the sound is coming from it.
"Thy who hath consigned thyself to the extent of human law. That is not power. It is limitation! Thou art holding back... release thy juvenile subservience to thy laws and thy rules!"
My blood is pumping, and I'm overheating like I'm standing on the surface of the sun with such massive blue fires around me. I grit my teeth and repeat my earlier question, not as inquiry, but a demand. "Tell me who you are!" I shout.
"Thou art a wise weaver of words. An individual of great intellect. Yet thou fall fool to self-imposed morality," it speaks, completely ignoring me.
I feel frustration boiling up! I'm not one to get so riled up, but there's just some kind of energy in this room that I can't explain. I don't know what is happening, but... I'm trying desperately to hold onto my composure. "I don't know what freaky Metaverse nonsense is going on, but you are you going to answer me. Tell me what this is about, Akira!"
"Thou-"
"You! Shut up!" I interrupt, because I'm about to lose it, frankly. "I'm talking to Akira, now!"
There is a gap of conversation where no one speaks, and the only sounds are from the loud flames burning brightly.
"Ha..." the thing laughs, once at first, but then the flood gates are open, "Ha ha ha ha ha!! Yes! The urges within... accept them. Understand them. And embrace them!"

---Music: Awakening ---

Ughrk... ugh... ow, ow ow ow! My head is throbbing, it's painful enough to make me want to scream! I feel like... there's a presence inside of myself. Trying to communicate with me. It's so distant... wait. That's because... it's not within me...? This force... this pressure...
I can tell I'm losing my balance. While I stumble, trying to keep my footing, I clutch my head tightly in response to an intense headache which feels like earthquakes with each pounding pulse. I feel closer and closer to a breaking point, and I know I can't take much more. I grit my teeth and try not to scream, but I feel like I'm holding back an explosion.

---(Music End)---

Suddenly... the pain stops, completely. Everything goes away. I had been feeling an endless carnival of different emotions and feelings, and suddenly... it's all gone. I feel peace?
  There's, another voice. And I recognize this one...!!
"That's quite enough," Mia Fey shouts with authority.

---Music: Cross Examination ~ Allegro 2013 ---

"Mia...!!" I cry out in shock.
She places her hand on my shoulder, and feels as real as anyone else. "Just take a few deep breaths, Phoenix," she encourages with a smile. I feel as if my blood pressure has instantly dropped back to reasonable levels, and my breathing has normalized. I'm not sure how she is here, but I feel so much better that she is.
"Mia, how is it you are here?" I question.
"There's an extreme amount of chaos within this room," she begins to explain, "It's chaos of the heart, from both of you. I'm here because you hold me in your heart, and there's no chance I'd stand back and watch while you face such a desperate struggle."
"Please, Mia... tell me you've been watching all of this, or something. PLEASE tell me you can make sense of what's happening here."
"This is just my hypothesis, but the two of you must be experiencing powerful feedback from when Akira touched that Orb earlier tonight."
She has me considering the Orb in relation to what's happening. "Is it that the Orb of Heart is too powerful for us to touch...?"
"Not for everyone," she shakes her head, "But Akira is different. He has a power within himself that most people don't. With that power, coming into contact with that Orb... well, that Orb has half of an entire universe locked away within itself. With even a small fraction of that energy disturbed, it's no surprise that Akira has lost control of the power within himself. And speaking of that power..."
Now she's turning towards the tall creep in the hat, and her gentle smile flips into a sharp frown. "So, my name is Mia Fey. Consider me an old friend of Phoenix. And, it's common courtesy to introduce one's self before polite conversation," she asserts.
Color flushes back into Akira's being, and he begins breathing and moving again. he opens his eyes, but keep his gaze fixed downwards at the table. "Arsene."
"Excuse me?" I question.
"That's his name. Arsene," Akira clears up, "Named after the famous thief in literature. I apologize for that outburst. It's been a while since I've called upon him myself."
"Well, what in the heck IS he?" I press.
"He's me. A part of me, rather. A 'Persona,'" is the explanation we receive. "They are an aspect of oneself that can take form in the Metaverse for certain individuals."
I start trying to piece all of this together. "And this 'Persona' came from your heart?"
Akira nods. "A Persona is a reflection of one's inner values, and only comes into existence when a person has conquered their own weakness and accepted who they are. So allow me to answer your question earlier: if you side with me, you will be working with someone society considers a criminal."
He's just going to answer the question like this is a normal conversation again? I feel whiplash as if I had been in a sixty mile an hour car and stomped the breaks. Here I am standing with my dead mentor next to me before a giant, flaming, bird-creature... thing. And not to mention the swirling blue infernos. I'm dizzy and fatigued from everything happening, and he's... finally ready to talk. I take a rather large sigh, but gather my bearings.
  While I'm adjusting to the change in tone, Akira speaks further. "Arsene is proof that I have made the decision to rebel against any injustice."
Arsene speaks this time. "Yes... proof of unbreakable determination, unwilling to bend to any man or law. Ours is a proof of courage to brave the pits of Hell, if that is what it takes to uphold true justice."
Mia's looks forward with furrowed brows and an inquisitive face. "So, this Arsene represents your inner feelings. What he says is what you truly feel?"
"... You could say that," Akira nods, but his voice fluctuates a tad, seemingly not so sure of the answer himself.
"There you have it, Phoenix," Mia smiles, as she turns to me, "You wanted to judge his character. I believe both Akira and Arsene are ready for their questioning."
Despite this still being an extremely high octane environment with scalding blue flames and floating bird alter-ego 'Persona' things, Mia's help in straightening things out gives me the chance to take a breath of fresh air and for this to get back on track. "Thank you, Mia," I nod.

---Music: Cross Examination ~ Moderato 2001 ---

What questions do I even ask at this point? I still feel woozy from whatever the hell was happening earlier, so I'm a bit disoriented. Well, I better make sense of the situation at present. "Just to reaffirm, you are ok with being a criminal and breaking the law, as long as it's in the name of 'true justice?'"
"Unmistakably so," Arsene answers with no hesitation, "To imagine falling in line to paltry restrictions of society's design is quite a jest, indeed! One which does not match our sense of humor, at that."
The more Arsene talks the more I'm starting to worry that the two of us will not be able to reach an understanding. "What validates such a disregard for the institutions we have in place in our society?"
"Corruption is an ever looming risk. Thou hath witnessed recent events, correct? Are thou so blind as to ignore the politicians dancing along the very edges of their own laws for personal gain? Justice decided upon by such criminals masquerading as public servants is no law of ours to abide. Why should thou?"
I... can see that as a valid point, admittedly. It's incredibly cynical, but a point nonetheless. I know he's referring to everything we've investigated as of recently. It's very likely the top of this conspiracy is lead by someone, or some people, who are in powerful positions. Powerful enough to be making key political assassinations to further some agenda.

---(Music End)---

  "So, now that I understand your general stance on society, I can somewhat make sense of the cryptic advances you have been making this entire time. The things you've said and done have been fairly straightforward in goading me to adapt to a similar value system as you. Correct?"
For a moment it's as if Arsene's already-creepy smile intensifies even further. "Ha ha ha ha... to see clearly with thy own eyes is exhilarating, is it not?"
"So, Arsene, what is your 'true justice,' and what makes it right?"

---Music: Cross Examination ~ Allegro 2001 ---

"An unnecessary question," the figure in the top hat scoffs, "Thou know as well as we what is right and wrong."
I shake my head. "We can grandstand ourselves all we want, but at the end of the day, we're just two people in a world of billions. Even if we know true justice in our core, it doesn't matter if society thinks that we're in the wrong."
Arsene's tone of voice curls, and I could tell that if he had an eyebrow, he would be raising it. "Thou wouldst place stock into the opinions of the masses over thy own truth? Our sufferance has limits shorter than thy measure of absurdity."
I shake my head once more, and look Arsene in the eyes. "It's not that I don't trust in what I believe is right. In fact that very trust is why I have faith in the law. Society is made up of people like you and me--" I begin, before recognizing the relative scarcity of dapper flaming bird-men in society, "Well, uh, people like Akira and me. Regardless! The law is something that we have all worked on, and placed our values and truths into. They can be flawed, and there is always the risk of corruption. However, I trust in the law knowing that my values align with it. At the risk of sounding cliche, if we break laws, we're just common criminals like you said."
The intensity of the atmosphere rises, as the conversation has become even more tense and dangerous than the blue flames raging around us. "Disapproval is but an irritation, not a deterrence. Would thou willingly follow an unjust law in blind submission? When breaking that law would be just and right? Thou art much wiser and more clever than such."
"If there's an unjust law, then it's our duty to fix it," I argue staunchly, "A disregard to the system is a disregard to the wishes and faith we, as people, have placed into our fellow people. Saying that we can just ignore something we don't agree with isn't justice, it's irresponsibility. Breaking laws doesn't change those laws for the better, it just makes things worse."
Arsene's voice raises, and he sounds slightly annoyed. "What gravity pulls thee to such aggrandized superiority? To what end dost thou uphold the restrictions of law? Death already dances in front of thy eyes. Art such stakes not justification enough to accept breaking of rules? The minds and means to save lives are shared in this very room. Yet thou wouldst reject pragmatic heroism on the basis of rigid morality. Thy apprehension of the grounds between right and wrong will be more to blame than wrong itself. Art thou so afraid of dirty hands thou wouldst rather cradle corpses with clean palms?"
I can't tell if the accusations are getting under my skin or if I'm just finally getting heat stroke, but I can feel a lot of sweat on my forehead. "And where is the line drawn? When does it end? At what point can you just, completely disregard the law and lose any trust in it? If we do find out who is responsible for this conspiracy, are you going to kill them then and there? Is murder excusable in place of fair trial just because you consider yourself and your judgment above the law?"
"When that time comes;" Arsene speaks forcefully, forgoing conclusion, "When we meet such a villain face to face... dost thou not trust in thy own judgment of what action to take? Law was not designed with such moments in mind, with a dangerous threat cornered," Arsene explains, before raising his voice once more, at this point shouting. "No jury can exist to pass approval! The decision shall be ours and ours alone. Justice must be taken in thy own fist and doled with impunity! Whether that means such a monster deserves life or death... who else but we shall be equipped to make such a choice?"
This is where I need to put my foot down, but... I'm intimidated. This thing has been getting more and more aggressive, and I can't really be blamed for having a little bit of fear when staring down what looks like some sort of demon out of a horror movie.
I feel a hand on my shoulder, and turn my neck to see Mia looking at me. Her determination expresses itself with a nod of approval, and that coaxes my own determination out.
I am, without a doubt, going to stick to my beliefs. "I don't care what kind of justice or reasoning you claim to have. I will not work with people who think they have the right to decide on who lives and who dies, regardless of morality!"
The flames around Arsene spike violently and he aggressively fans his wings, and I think he has finally lost his cool. "If this is so: so be it! We do not seek thy approval! We reject the constraints of such shortsighted altruism! Parade thy dogmatic justice as thou wish! Be the tragic troubadour of the tribunal, ever fated a pitiable performer--powerless to escape the oppression of thy own weakness! Reach the twilight of thy wits, and blame thyself at the edge of sound mind!"

---(Music End)---

"That's enough," Akira shouts with absolute authority, and Arsene's physical outburst seems to reel in. The flames simmer until the burning blue illumination is gone completely, and we are back in an empty world of darkness.

---Music: Confession Secret (Piano Version) ---

Akira slowly shakes his head while facing downwards, as if disapproving himself. "I'm sorry, Mr. Wright. I... wasn't even aware that I had feelings like these deep in my heart. I guess I'm more bitter than I thought."
The absence of excitement is filled with uneasy anxiety, as if I've been shell-shocked by everything that had just happened. I'm still panting and sweating from the heat, even! I can't believe a few moments ago I was standing my ground and yelling at a flaming imaginary demon creature. I felt like... that argument was life or death. Maybe not physically per say, but so much weight laid on his justice against mine. I'm proud that I held to my beliefs, but... I was close to cracking, at times.
Mia fixes her sight on Akira enough for him to sense it and raise his head in response, and he looks up to meet her gaze right as she speaks to him. "With the way you think and act, I get the impression this is not your first time being judged as a criminal."
"You don't know the half of it," he chuckles with that sense of self-spite once more. "Miss Fey, was it?"
"That's right," she nods.
"Mr. Wright is lucky to have such a caring and supportive friend," he smiles weakly.
I... sit in silence. Even after all these years, losing her still hurts. Maybe it's just that my emotions and adrenaline are running on max from this entire ordeal, but just thinking about Mia again waters my eyes until I start to feel a few tears down my face.
And of course, she notices. She was always uncannily observant. "It's alright, Phoenix," Mia closes her eyes and smiles with a level of cheer that's infectious. "You know that, no matter what, I'll always be watching out for you."
Akira must be reading the room and recognizing that Mia is not actually a living person. "I'm... sorry. I didn't mean..."
"It's ok," I sniff, wiping my eyes with my sleeve, and preparing to segue back on topic, "What matters now is the present. And I won't mince words here, Akira: I'm afraid that our outlooks on everything--this investigation, the upcoming trial...--may not be entirely compatible."

---Music: Reminiscense ~ Each of Their Feelings ---

Now it's Akira's turn to sit in silence--for a brief moment, at least. He seems to have collected his thoughts enough to resume the conversation, now. "Since Arsene's outburst, I've been thinking very hard about the things he said. The things that I must feel on the inside. And seeing the trust and support that Miss Fey gives you reminds me of my friends and how they've supported me. I don't suppose you might have heard about my own situation, before all of this happened, have you?"
"Not that I recall," I confirm.
"Well," he sighs, "The only reason I went to Tokyo in the first place was because I had to relocate after a legal incident. One night, I saw a man trying to force himself on a woman, and I acted to help her. I pushed the man down and injured him. It was much later I discovered that man was Masayoshi Shido."
Now that's a familiar name. "You two have quite a history, I'm assuming."
Akira nods. "He used his status and influence to force the woman I was trying to save to testify against me, and I ended up with a criminal record for assault. I had to move out of my old town to the only place anyone would take me, a small little coffee shop run by a man who I would come to know as the closest family I have."
I can tell by his smile that he chuckles not spitefully, but warmly. "I have so many memories of the days spent in that coffee shop. Do you like coffee?"
"Now there's a bittersweet question, indeed," I slightly smile back, "I didn't originally. However, after my experiences with... well, I'll call him a friend--coffee grew on me."
"That's good. I'm sure you'll love Leblanc," he laughs a little more openly. "Well, the owner of that cafe, and so many others... pulled me out of that hopeless spot and showed me that I could still live and enjoy life. We went on to become Phantom Thieves, targeting irredeemably evil people like Shido and changing their hearts to try and make the world just a little bit better for everyone else. You can call that breaking the law, and maybe it was. Sorry to disappoint you."
I take a deep breath, because this is a lot to think about. "I didn't really have any context like that. I didn't realize life dealt you a terrible hand from the start."
His smile slowly fades away back to the slightly negative look he's been holding for most of the night. "Well, if tonight is anything to go by, it doesn't look like I've drawn a better one."
This is uncomfortable ground to tread. Unlike the pushiness Arsene showed me, Akira is much more down to Earth. I feel like he's really opening up to me. I'm still in the dark perception of the Magatama, so Psyche-Locks will appear the moment he tries to lie to me. I have a hunch, though, that he isn't going to try.
"So, Akira... was Arsene serious? About, you know, the murder thing..." I ask for important clarity.
"I would never take a life," Akira returns decisively, "Arsene can think what he wants. He has a mind of his own. But, he's still a part of me, and I'm the one calling the shots."
He sighs. "Not that it matters. The best I'll be able to do is wish everyone good luck while I'll be serving a sentence in a cell."
"I understand that this is a terrible situation to be in," I sympathize, "And between the history you are telling me, and how I know you had good intentions by breaking in to the museum tonight... well, I'm still listening, if you have anything you still want to get off your chest."
He hunches forward and rests his face on top of his connected hands. "For everything I've done, for all the good I've tried to uphold, for all of the effort and trust my friends put into a lost cause like me... for that to feel like it all amounted to nothing is actually scary. I've never felt more hopeless, in fact."
Akira's disposition has certainly taken a turn. I've gotten all kinds of mixed signals from him tonight. He has been everything from confident and professional to cynical and weary. But... just now, he sounded like he has accepted defeat.
"Tell me more about that," I request, "What do you mean it all amounted to nothing?"
  "Many people put life, limb, and reputation on the line to try and support me and to clear my good name. Yet, here I am again, sitting in an interrogation room as a criminal. And even before tonight, I'd been having problems trying to find work or get accepted into any universities because my identity as a Phantom Thief isn't exactly a secret to anyone who digs deep enough."
He actually buries his head into his palms, ruffling up his hair in the process. "If there's anything I'm thankful for it's that none of their identities got out. When the Phantom Thieves came to an end, I took any of the falls left to take to keep them safe. Still, as you can see, I'm very convinced by this point that I don't have a future. And I've been that way since well before tonight."
He sneers with a quick laugh. "I guess I can see why Arsene is so bitter. I just got him back and I'm already arrested. I bet he was encouraging you to try and pick up for my slack."

---Music: Cross-Examination ~ Moderato 2016 ---

"An amusing proposition, but yet thou and I both know it to be untrue," the figure returns back.
"I'm surprised you aren't in my head screaming at me to get a hold of myself and crying something dramatic about facing hell itself," Akira mumbles back.
Is he, uh, talking with himself, technically...?
"I am thy passion, and thy rage, but am still a reflection of thou. Thou have... been in a rut, equal parts exhausted and subdued. And I am thou." Arsene returns back, plainly.
Yes, yes he is.
Akira shakes his head. "You claim you aren't going to give me a pep talk yet you certainly had enough energy to shout at Mr. Wright a bit ago, where exactly did THAT come from?"
  "There is no need for concern towards thy situation, though thy attitude is irksome," Arsene deflects, "Thou hath already pledged to me unbreakable dedication to fight for thy own justice. I simply trade words with the lawman to persuade him to our cause. I do so in thy place while thou wallows in self-pity. Here I stand in wait for the instant thou reclaim thy courage."
I think Arsene just told Akira to get over himself.
Akira is holding his head as if he's unable to accept the situation for what it is. "My own Persona is telling me I've lost my edge. Imagine that."
"Ha ha ha..." Arsene cackles, "There has been nothing lost which cannot be reclaimed. When thy bravado rekindles, the fiery rage of rebellion shall too, and the two shall rejoin as one. So here I shall stay in wait for Akira Kurusu to return, awaiting his next decision with tantalized anticipation."
Akira sighs. This guy clearly has a lot of baggage to get sorted out. But, if Arsene is to be believed, then...

---(Music End)---

"It sounds to me like you haven't truly given up, yet," I comment, "Which I must admit I would more readily expect from the leader of an internationally known group intent on changing the world."
"Maybe," he shrugs passively. "Maybe the true me would never give in so easily. But as you can see he and I aren't on the same wavelength right now."

---Music: Regret ---

I've listened intently to what he's been saying, but I don't really know how to respond. After a few moments of quiet, he continues on. "Anyway, that's pretty much all there is to me. I took this mission to try and get the Orb because I knew if I got caught I'd have the least to lose. And that still holds true. I don't have much of a life to throw away anyway. And as far as investigating the conspiracy goes... I know that even if I'm in jail, I can trust that my friends and your friends will work to see this investigation through. It won't really make much of a difference in the long term whether or not you defend me in court. And I'll completely understand if you don't want to. The way you stood up to Arsene was... extremely impressive, to be honest. I understand why you hold the values you do, and I've accepted that you won't defend me when I've literally broken the law."
Well. What Akira doesn't know yet, is I haven't made that very important decision yet.
But, boy, what a decision it is going to be to make. Akira is flat out telling me that, despite his good intentions, he's a criminal who understands why I'd want nothing to do with him.
Which brings me to myself. Whether or not I defend him or not... where will that leave me? What type of person will that make me? Akira seems like someone who is just in a really bad spot, and needs help. Helping someone vulnerable and scared like him is what I have always believed in doing. But he actually broke the law... can I enter the courtroom and lie to everyone to try and prove he didn't...?
"Phoenix," Mia calls, getting my attention. "I know you are thinking carefully about this. I just wanted to tell you two things. First, just realize that good and bad oftentimes disguise as one another. Not just outcome, but intention; recognize that the reason for doing something could be more powerful than the opposition to doing it."
"I... will definitely think that over."
"And second... place more trust in your own judgment."
"What do you mean?" I probe.
"How many people have you helped since you started your career? Every last one of those clients that you've advocated for, protected, and proved innocent... do you think any of them doubt your morality or your intentions?"
Well, I mean... when she puts it that way, that certainly does present a different angle...
"You said earlier that you are just another person and that you contribute to the system like anyone else does. But when it comes to your beliefs--your 'truth'--you aren't just one person. You are riding on the support and understanding of every last person you've helped. You have put dangerous criminals behind bars, but more importantly, you've saved innocent lives of countless others. Do you think a single one of them would question your decisions? Every last one of them would agree that you, Phoenix Wright, Defense Attorney, have a kind heart and will make the right choices. And at the end of the day... support from the people, agreement and consensus on what's right and wrong... is that not what law is? Knowing your own values and beliefs... that is your own, personal law. Believe in that law, Phoenix! I know, without a shadow of a doubt, you can trust that your law will always lead you to do the right thing!"
I... I don't know what to say. To hear my mentor lay things out in such a way...

---Music: Announce the Truth 2013 ---

Arsene, who has been quiet up until now, spreads his wings dramatically as he speaks once more. "Right and wrong are but labels, ever changing in both meaning in purpose. What doth not change is both good and ill exist as tools, to be used by those skillful enough to wield them. Whether using those tools in certain ways is right or wrong... that decision is thine to make. Should thou accept the grey of this world and embrace it, not as corruption, but as hope, thou may uncover avenues yet unseen. The journey which lays ahead shall be through a dark and treacherous woods, with no certainty that which paths we take will be the right or wrong one. However, we shall trek whichever path leads to the light at the end of even the darkest path, and implore thee of sharp intellect to find courage to do the same. Should thou be willing to walk the same paths as we... then let us be off. Not as accomplices in crime, but allies in truth."
Huh... I had thought Arsene to be a cathartic avatar of inner emotions. Yet here he is hitting me with a stoic and surprisingly thoughtful call to action. I'm certainly seeing Mr. Scary Demon Man in a much less terrifying light. He certainly has me thinking just as much as Mia does.

---(Music End)---

The four of us are pretty quiet. I lean my head downward and close my eyes while holding my chin. "Hmm..." I think intensely, about everything that has been said in this room tonight.
  My Magatama stops glowing, and the endless void of blackness finally dissipates and we return to the real world. As I anticipated, both Arsene and Mia disappear as well. Until we meet again, Mia...
Sae looks surprised. "Was I mistaken, or did the two of you just freeze for a few moments there...?"
"I definitely saw that too," Maya agrees, "Are you both ok?"
"You... didn't see anything that just happened?" I ask, confused.
"About what?" Maya questions in response, "All you did was ask Akira if he regretted tonight."
I look at my watch, and it's 9:54 pm still. Very strange. It's as if time was frozen the entire time Akira and I interacted. Sae and Maya certainly don't seem to have noticed any of the craziness which just transpired.
"I'm not sure how, but several minutes have passed for us in what must have been seconds for you," I try to explain.
"Was it... the Magatama?" Maya guesses, "Can it even do that?"
Akira raises a possibility. "It may have been the energy from the Orb I touched earlier interacted strangely with Mr. Wright's own special device."
"That's quite remarkable," Sae expresses, "So what happened that we missed?"
"Akira and I had... a chat," I say plainly.
He looks... cautiously optimistic.
"So, what's the plan?" Maya asks directly.
I stop for a moment to think of what I truly want to do.
After a deep breath, I answer her. "Well, Maya, I've thought about a lot of things. And I'm realizing there are a lot of things I don't agree with."
Akira's optimism didn't last long, and he has resumed staring deeply into the table.
Maya looks at me with concern. "Nick... are we not going to...?"
"Mr. Wright, before you go," Akira speaks, still sitting but looking up to me, "Thank you for listening. And thank you for being willing to put you life on the line for the greater good, in the first place. I'm sure Sae can connect you with my teammates, and I know that all of you will put a stop to these murders."
I look at Akira and the two of us lock eyes for the first time without any other crazy interference. We stare for quite some time. "I guess you've made peace with your decisions," I suggest.
"... Yes, I have," is Akira's melancholy answer, though he carries a sense of resolve in his voice.
I take a deep breath. "Well. I guess we're done here," I conclude, getting up from my seat and adjusting my tie.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Sae questions in frantic shock, "What do you mean, you're done here? Are you not going to..." she tries to speak, but trails off, looking dejected.
I can tell Maya doesn't know what to think. She doesn't say anything, but she looks at me like she's expecting something.
"I'm sorry, Miss Niijima, but Maya and I have to get going. It's time for bed soon," I begin explaining with stoicism in my voice... until I crack a slight smile. "Maya and I need to get up early tomorrow. We have things to do..." I suggest. Maya notices my smile and she starts grinning herself.
I hold off on finishing my sentence for just a little moment.
  "... Like, visit the crime scene, for instance. We have to be at the top of our game if we want to get Akira acquitted."

---Music: Phoenix Wright ~ Objection! 2016 ---

*!*
*!*
Heh. Maya's the only one who saw that one coming. Maybe I was just trying to burn off some of the adrenaline all of this craziness had built up, but I felt like being a little dramatic there for a bit. But hey, I got some amusement out of it, and now everyone in the room is smiling back at me.
"You... you had me going, for a moment, there," Sae breaks up into laughter, "I really thought you were serious!"
"I knew you'd agree," Maya smiles brightly, and she gets up to fist bump me.
Akira is the most stunned of all. "Mr. Wright, you're... going to defend me? In court...?!"
"I told you, there's a lot that I don't agree with. I don't agree with breaking and entering. I don't agree with the decisions we've made tonight. However, I also don't agree with leaving an ally to the wolves when he's in need."
The young man sitting at the table with widened eyes is actually speechless for a moment. Then, with sudden movement, he stands up and extends his hand to me. I smile and shake it. "Thank you, Mr. Wright. I... I mean it. Truly."
His smile is the most genuine one I've seen in a while. He shakes Maya's hand as well. "You can count on us, Mr. 'Phantom!'" she promises with a light laugh and a bit of dramatic flair of her own.
"Just... 'Akira,' is fine," he laughs in return.
Sae approaches me with the same gesture, and we shake as well. "You won't regret this decision, Mr. Wright," she assures me, "I'll do what I can to get some information on the victim, for starters. We'll work together on this one and get Akira-kun out of trouble. You can count on it."
"I look forward to working with you," I nod.
"Alright, ready to go, Nick?" Maya asks me, still wound up with excitement, "I think all of us are going to sleep easy tonight. Especially in the super-comfy hotel beds!"
And with that, we part ways. I have a lot to think about, going to bed tonight. There are still plenty of questions up in the air. Who died? What happened? How was Ron DeLite involved? But, for all of the unanswered questions, there's at least one important question I think I've decided on an answer for. And that's whether or not I'm doing the right thing.
... And that answer is, heck yes. Akira, Sae, you two can count on us.

  CHAPTER FOUR END.

  ---(Music End)---

  ---Music: Jingle ~ That's All For Today ---

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