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Welcome to the Velvet Room, my dear guests. From here, you may use this for ease of access to the beginning of the story, the current chapter, or any point in between.
  May you now sit back, relax, and enjoy your reading. I look forward to your next visit, and our next meeting.

Latest Chapter:
Chapter 7-3: Back to Business    April 13th, 1:19 pm     Cafe Leblanc Attic     I'm woken from my brief daze as I catch my phone's notification light blinking in the corner of my eyes. I reach over to pick it up to see what's up. Mishima: Text me when you get a moment k?    "What is it?" Makoto asks.     "Looks like Mishima sent me a text at some point," I answer. Better ask what this is about. ---Music: Suspicion (Persona 5) --- Akira: What's up? Mishima: Hey Akira! Mishima: Heard you're off the hook, so congratz. Mishima: Sounds like they never mentioned your past during the trial, either. Mishima: I was keeping a close watch on the P...
Contents:
The Phantom Thieves Meet Phoenix Wright: A Proviso There are stories innumerable of countless different worlds.     There are spellbinding tales of comedy and tragedy, as different as night and day.     And yet there are legends of figures not too disparate from one another.     Even within the boundaries of fiction, these plays may sometimes share the same stage.     This story is one of those grand performances, and is one such work of fiction.     This story may seem similar to your own world, but any relations are certainly coincidental.     Any spectators who accept the fantastic nature of this drama are cordially invited to attend.     Find your seats, settle down, lie back, rela...
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Prologue 0-1: A Thieves' Heart-to-Heart    April ???, 9:02 pm ??? ---Music: Recall~Hint --- One by one, I can see the lights within the building shut off. I can practically hear the echoes of loud, metallic clicks as the breakers somewhere within are flipped, shutting off power to various utilities. This is just what I've been waiting for. I'm careful to make no noise as I crawl out from under the nearby brush. Only a few more moments until my best shot at pulling this off. The final lights shut down with a clank. The building is as dark as the night surrounding it, only barely illuminated by proximity to the intense street lights pointed downwards at th... Prologue 0-2a: Tokyo Turnabout    April 9th, 7:01 pm Shibuya Subway Train My name is Phoenix Wright. "I'm a defense attorney" would be the short way to sum up my life, even though it's a lot more complicated in practice. Sometimes events I get wrapped into involve the supernatural, other times things just get plain ridiculous. At the end of the day, however, I'm a pretty straight forward person, and so are my values. I believe everyone deserves someone they can turn to for help in their times of need, and as a lawyer I am prepared to stand in court to defend just such people. Come to think of it, I began my career about two and a half years ago. It has been a ... Prologue 0-2b: Tokyo Turnabout April 10th, 7:55 am Tokyo District Court, Defendant Lobby No. 5 ---Music: Courtroom Lounge ~ Neverending Overture --- "So, to sum things up so far," Maya begins, "We're defending Mr. Mishima, who we know nothing about, for a crime that we have no details about, after not having been allowed to view the crime scene... and the victim is some big shot, so people are riled up to get Mr. Mishima convicted." Nothing like a good dose of harsh reality to wake you up in the morning. "Sounds about right," I confirm, scratching my chin. "But, Miss Sae seems really reasonable and holds a high opinion of Mr. Mishima. I feel like I ... Prologue 0-2c: Tokyo Turnabout    April 10th, 8:35 am Tokyo District Court, Courtroom No. 5    The surprise witness, Toranosuke Yoshida, takes the stand, and prepares to deliver a speech on what he witnesses last night. -- What Toranosuke Saw -- ---Music: Cross-Examination ~ Allegro 2004 --- "It was just turning 7:00 and I was finishing up with a speech I was giving.   From where I stood, I could see and hear two men having a disagreement of some sort. Whatever they discussed was upsetting enough for one of them to run away, and the other gave chase. I noticed that either one, the other, or both of them had dropped items on the ground. I p... Prologue 0-3 (Bonus): A New Path April 10th, 10:15 am Los Angeles District Court, Outside ---Musice: Great Revival ~ Miles Edgeworth --- "Prosecutor Edgeworth, a moment of your time?" a reporter calls, one of many trying to get my attention in similar fashion. I can barely make out one voice over another. As I descend the staircase in front of the courthouse building, news outlets of all shapes and sizes want a chance to interview me. I'm not one for such novelties, but on occasion I do indulge the media briefly. I approach the nearest reporter, and suddenly dozens of arms holding microphones jolt outwards and towards my head, almost giving me the...
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Chapter 1-1: The Phantom Thieves of Hearts April 9th, 7:00 am Akira Kurusu's Appartment ---Music: Beneath the Mask (Instrumental) ---    "You know, sleeping in every once in a while is good for you, too," I hear Morgana suggest as I open my groggy eyes. I smile as I swing my legs off the side of my bed and stand up, wishing deep down that I could follow his advice. "I guess I'm just too conditioned to waking up early," I joke. Morgana licks his wrist habitually. "The life and struggles of a former student, huh..." I guess I should mention that Morgana is my talking cat. "I'm not a cat!" I can perfectly imagine him shout in response, though I guess... Chapter 1-2: Invitation of a Crazed Room    April 9th, 8:10 am Manager's Office    ---Music: Logic and Baroque --- The first ten minutes of this interview have comprised of me sitting in increasing discomfort as the hiring manager in front of me silently reads over my paperwork. So far neither of us have said anything other than basic greetings, and I wait patiently for the conversation to begin properly. "Kurusu-san, you have quite the work history," the man laughs in the sort of way that conveys cautionary politeness, "You've worked more jobs as a young adult than most work as adults." "That's right. I have experience in many different environments." "Y... Chapter 1-3: Following the Meta    April 10th, 3:20 pm Big Bang Burger, Shibuya ---Music: Maya Fey ~ Turnabout Sisters Theme 2002 --- "Look, Nick! I'm the Captain now!" Maya declares proudly, puffing out her chest to display the fancy badge she just won for completing the Big Bang Challenge. How she ate that massive burger, I'll never know... "That was honestly one of the more impressive things I've seen in my life, I'll admit," I smile at her endearing antics. Carefully holding both sides of the rocket-shaped badge with the edges of her fingertips, she adjusts the angle back and forth, probably enamored by the way the light in the room reflects of...
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Chapter 2-1: The Start of the Investigation    April 10th, 11:56 am Cafe Leblanc Opening the front door to this coffee shop rings a small bell, and it sends a shiver down my spine hearing it again. This is the ring I used to hear every time I came home from school, work, or exploring the city. For that crucial year of my life, Cafe Leblanc was my home. And a home away from home for my friends, at that. So many pleasant memories of using the place as our hideout... So it was no surprise when Ann texted me telling me that was the location we would meet at. ---Music: Beneath the Mask (Instrumental) ---    I can tell I have a big, dopey grin on my face as I enter the... Chapter 2-2: Dueling Destinies    April 10th, 7:32 pm   Shibuya Station    ---Music: Tokyo Emergency --- Life has continued moving on for the city, that's for sure. Despite the high profile state of affairs going on in Koridai, those walking the streets have long since returned to their daily routines. In fact, things are so busy, I happen to have gotten separated from the others during one particular rush of people. We were trying to board one of the trains back home, and while some of us made it, the doors closed on the rest of us. Looks like Yusuke, Ryuji, and I are all out of luck and have to wait for the next train. Ryuji kicks his leg in frustration... Chapter 2-3: Something Smells at the Sniffsonian    April 11th, 10:45 am Gatewater International I let out what is quite possibly the biggest yawn of my life. I haven't slept in this late for years. But I suppose the recent events have taken a toll on me, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if my internal clock is still out of whack after jumping across so many time zones. Maya's already up and watching TV it seems. "Finally awake, Nick? You've gotta check this out!" she calls to me enthusiastically, pointing at the screen. It's none other than the Steel Samurai, though it seems to be the Japanese dub. ---Music: Steel Samurai --- I can understand what they are saying... Chapter 2-4: The Circumstances Change    April 11th, 2:05 pm Sniffsonian Museum Atrium Third Floor As the museum's curator leads us up the staircases and balconies, I take some time to think to myself so I can analyze my situation. The sole reason I am here is still because Masayoshi Shido has informed me of the existence of that strange pearl. Even he doesn't know what it is or how it can help, but as it stands this pearl may be the only clue we have towards learning more about the Metaverse. I still feel in my gut that there is foul play at work with all of the extremely uncanny deaths in the news, and if someone is using Cognitive Psience to commit crimes, the...
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Chapter 3-1: Brave and Brazen    April 11th, 10:40 am Cafe Leblanc ---Music: Restlessness --- "Haven't we waited long enough?" Ryuji whines. Haru sips her cup of coffee. "They say that for each timezone you pass through, it takes a day to readjust your internal clock." "Yeah, I was trying to be considerate," Futaba explains, "After they didn't pick up the first time, I figured I would give them some time to sleep. I didn't want to wake them up." "It's almost eleven," Ann points out, "They're probably awake by now." Morgana walks to the center of the table and taking a seat, "Lady Ann is right, we should hop to it." He stretches his b... Chapter 3-2: The Art of the Heist    April 11th, 2:07 pm Sniffsonian Museum Atrium    ---Music: Investigation ~ Middle Stage 2004 ---    The three of us mingle our way into the crowd of people at the ground floor of the atrium. In no time at all, we look completely incognito as normal museum patrons. Morgana is even able to stealthily meet back up with us, climbing right back into my bag. "Is the coast clear? Did you guys make it out ok?" Haru asks. "Yeah, nobody saw us," Morgana confirms. "Yeah. That was a close call..." Ann remarks, before looking at me. "What were you taking a picture of earlier, Akira?" I pull out my phone to pull up... Chapter 3-3: End to Prologue, Prelude to Destiny    April 11th, 9:16 pm Sniffsonian Museum Curator's Office So that's how it all went down. The plan was smoother than expected. I climbed the truck that Haru had prepared, slipped right in through food storage, ran my way through a tangled series of paths... not to mention lock-picking the door to Hebi Hibiki's office, and then figuring out the code on the security keypad on a second door within the office. As I stand here at the back of this room-within-a-room, the briefcase I have been looking for lays right on the table in front of me. This is the suitcase that the pearl we seek is--or, was--being stored in. However, ...
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Chapter 4a: Logic and Trickster    April 11th, 9:40 pm Suramā Prison Facility, Visiting Area ---Music: Detention Center ~ Rhapsody of Darkness --- "I didn't expect to be back here again so soon," Maya comments as her eyes wander to observe different parts of the room. "You and I seem like magnets for detention centers, huh..." I conclude. This room is much eerier while masked in the darkness of the night. The tension feels higher, too. It was one thing feeling anxious about meeting a potentially dangerous criminal like Shido, but the uneasiness I feel right now is of a different nature. I'm actually kind of upset, to be frank. "I thought normal... Chapter 4b: Logic and Trickster    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 c...
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Chapter 5-1: The Scene of the Crime    April 12th, 8:57 am Sniffsonian Museum Entrance ---Music: Investigation ~ Core 2002 --- Well... here we are again. Standing outside of the Sniffsonian Museum after what has happened has given the entire building a slightly different feeling. Needing to obtain the Orb of Heart was one thing, sure, but visiting a crime scene to investigate a murder... well, that's a sensation I'm a bit more familiar with. This is the kind of tension Maya and I are used to. The two of us have our game faces on as we prepare to enter the front lobby and head towards the atrium. I feel a vibration in my pocket and notice that I've gotten ... Chapter 5-2: The First Intermission    April 11th, ??? pm ??? ---Music: Trial (AA4) --- My eyes open and I awaken within my own dream, once again drawn to the intoxicating gravity of the deep and mysterious blue room. I'm in... a sitting position, in a chair. My head feels light, and focusing feels difficult. However, the world around me is very crisp, and clearly defined. There's no longer the sense of foggy mirage surrounding me like the last few times I've visited. My intuition is telling me that I'm not in Igor's "backstage" at this moment. To describe it most quickly, I would have to say that I seem to be inside of an incredibly distinguished opera h...
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Pre-Chapter 6: Recap and Evidence List ---Music: Is It Boring --- Profiles Defense: Phoenix Wright, Maya Fey, Sae Niijima Prosecution: Not Yet Known Suspect: Akira Kurusu, former leader of the Phantom Thieves. Victim: Austin Translation, the mysterious man in a business suit. Other Key Figures: Ritsu Chitsujo, a local detective. Alibaba(?), our mysterious hacker friend. Hebi Hibiki, the Sniffsonian curator. Yurui Kuchibiru, security guard at the Sniffsonian. Mask☆DeMasque, AKA Ron DeLite, world famous phantom thief. Evidence Crime Scene Photographs • First Photo: The scene of the crime as the police arrived. Austin Translation is laying on his stomach, dead. There are chu...
Chapter 6a: Wake Up, Get Up, Turnabout There    April 13th, 7:45 am    Tokyo District Court, Defendant Lobby No. 2 These last two nights, I've gotten this strange sensation that I've been sleeping through something important. Very peculiar... I'm really not certain what would cause me to get such a feeling.   But, regardless, here we are now. This defendant lobby is the same as any other, with a small couch and a table as well as some potted plants and other basic decorations to make it feel more cozy. Though I can tell you from experience, when you're accused, a defendant lobby is anything but cozy. Despite the uncertainty and fear that a defendant usually feels, Aki... Chapter 6b: Wake Up, Get Up, Turnabout There    April 13th, 8:24 am   Tokyo District Court, Courtroom No. 2    All of us at the defense table are extremely tense. As detective Ritsu takes the stand once again, this time to testify about Akira directly... we all realize that there's roughly millions of ways that this could go poorly for us. We'll just have to wait and hear what the detective says, and pray that the prosecution hasn't found anything to truly link to Akira. -- Night in the Woods --   ---Music: Bonfire (Persona Q) ---     "At the scene of the crime, we found a museum security guard and the museum's curator. They heard a loud crash, the guard pulled the... Chapter 6c: Wake Up, Get Up, Turnabout There    April 13th, 8:47 am   Tokyo District Court, Courtroom No. 2    ---Music: Mask☆DeMasque ~ Please Listen! --- This must be some kind of joke, right? Am I being pranked right now? Mask☆DeMasque himself just flew into the courtroom from the skylight on the ceiling. And he's currently flying around the room effortlessly while maintaining somewhat of a T-pose... how in the world DOES he do his flying trick?! I'm starting to think the guy can actually fly . "No matter how many years I've overseen trials," the Judge reminisces in his state of surprise, "And no matter how many times I've thought I've seen everything, somehow there... Chapter 6d: Wake Up, Get Up, Turnabout There    April 13th, 9:02 am   Tokyo District Court, Courtroom No. 2    ---Music: High Pressure (Persona 5) --- The Judge tries to pull everyone back into the trial with quite a few gavel strikes. "Miss Yashin, what have you been thinking withholding such a crucial piece of evidence?!"   "I wanted to leave nothing uncertain by giving the defense ample opportunity to try and prove me wrong. And, I'll be honest, you almost had me by establishing that the murder could have happened on a different floor. I was even starting to think that this Mask☆DeMasque character may have had something to do with the murder. But, even if the location ... Chapter 6e: Wake Up, Get Up, Turnabout There    April 13th, 9:37 am   Tokyo District Court, Courtroom No. 2    ---Music: Blood of Villain ---   Maya tries to talk to me, which I can barely hear over the outrageous stir the audience is in. "I thought the curator was suspicious BEFORE he just had a fit of extremely-obviously-evil laughter," she says as she punches her open palm aggressively. "Plus, he only came out of left field with this accusation when Yashin mentioned searching his office. Nick, there's no way he's telling the truth about Kuchibiru-san!"   I, in turn, look at Yurui Kuchibiru, who I'm fairly certain is literally tearing up. "I mean, even if we don't know hi... Chapter 6f: Wake Up, Get Up, Turnabout There    April 13th, 10:05 am   Tokyo District Court, Courtroom No. 2    The audience continues on in hushed whispers as the dust settles from what looks like the end of it all. In a few moments here, Akira Kurusu is going to walk away a free man. We're off the hook, no more suspicion will be coming our way, and we'll be able to investigation and stop this potentially global conspiracy. I don't think any of us feel right about how this is going to end, though. Jack Canary, still standing at the witness stand, seems to have lost all hope. What can we do, though? He might actually be the real culprit. The facts are all pointing to that c...
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Chapter 7-1: Meet the Ace Attorneys    April 13th, 10:43 am   Tokyo District Court, Defendant Lobby No. 2 ---Music: Swear to My Bones --- This is a sublime feeling. For the last few days, I've been stressed to the point of nearly wanting to give up. The thought of going to prison again, especially at a time like this when my team needs me the most, almost broke my spirit. But here I am, walking side by side with Niijima-san, Mr. Wright, and Miss Maya, and with Morgana on my shoulder. All five of us triumphantly leave the courtroom and go back to the lobby. "Akira!" I hear Futaba shout, wasting no time in tackling me with a hug within the same few seconds of he... Chapter 7-2: The Past, and Their Futures   April 13th, 12:35 pm Cafe Leblanc The bell attached to the front door chimes as the three investigators make finally make it to the cafe. I take a mental role-call in my head, just as a general awareness check as to who exactly is involved at this point. ---Music: Suspicion (Persona 5) --- Sojiro is at his usual spot behind the bar, and I'm beside him with my arms crossed and propped on the counter as I hunch slightly. Morgana walks back and forth across the counter eyeing everyone, and I get the impression he is taking a tally like I am.   Sitting at the chairs in the front of the bar are Sae, Phoenix, Maya, and... Chapter 7-3: Back to Business    April 13th, 1:19 pm     Cafe Leblanc Attic     I'm woken from my brief daze as I catch my phone's notification light blinking in the corner of my eyes. I reach over to pick it up to see what's up. Mishima: Text me when you get a moment k?    "What is it?" Makoto asks.     "Looks like Mishima sent me a text at some point," I answer. Better ask what this is about. ---Music: Suspicion (Persona 5) --- Akira: What's up? Mishima: Hey Akira! Mishima: Heard you're off the hook, so congratz. Mishima: Sounds like they never mentioned your past during the trial, either. Mishima: I was keeping a close watch on the P...

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Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

Welcome to the Velvet Room, my dear guests. From here, you may use this for ease of access to the beginning of the story, the current chapter, or any point in between.
  May you now sit back, relax, and enjoy your reading. I look forward to your next visit, and our next meeting.

Latest Chapter:
Chapter 7-3: Back to Business    April 13th, 1:19 pm     Cafe Leblanc Attic     I'm woken from my brief daze as I catch my phone's notification light blinking in the corner of my eyes. I reach over to pick it up to see what's up. Mishima: Text me when you get a moment k?    "What is it?" Makoto asks.     "Looks like Mishima sent me a text at some point," I answer. Better ask what this is about. ---Music: Suspicion (Persona 5) --- Akira: What's up? Mishima: Hey Akira! Mishima: Heard you're off the hook, so congratz. Mishima: Sounds like they never mentioned your past during the trial, either. Mishima: I was keeping a close watch on the P...
Contents:
The Phantom Thieves Meet Phoenix Wright: A Proviso There are stories innumerable of countless different worlds.     There are spellbinding tales of comedy and tragedy, as different as night and day.     And yet there are legends of figures not too disparate from one another.     Even within the boundaries of fiction, these plays may sometimes share the same stage.     This story is one of those grand performances, and is one such work of fiction.     This story may seem similar to your own world, but any relations are certainly coincidental.     Any spectators who accept the fantastic nature of this drama are cordially invited to attend.     Find your seats, settle down, lie back, rela...
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Prologue 0-1: A Thieves' Heart-to-Heart    April ???, 9:02 pm ??? ---Music: Recall~Hint --- One by one, I can see the lights within the building shut off. I can practically hear the echoes of loud, metallic clicks as the breakers somewhere within are flipped, shutting off power to various utilities. This is just what I've been waiting for. I'm careful to make no noise as I crawl out from under the nearby brush. Only a few more moments until my best shot at pulling this off. The final lights shut down with a clank. The building is as dark as the night surrounding it, only barely illuminated by proximity to the intense street lights pointed downwards at th... Prologue 0-2a: Tokyo Turnabout    April 9th, 7:01 pm Shibuya Subway Train My name is Phoenix Wright. "I'm a defense attorney" would be the short way to sum up my life, even though it's a lot more complicated in practice. Sometimes events I get wrapped into involve the supernatural, other times things just get plain ridiculous. At the end of the day, however, I'm a pretty straight forward person, and so are my values. I believe everyone deserves someone they can turn to for help in their times of need, and as a lawyer I am prepared to stand in court to defend just such people. Come to think of it, I began my career about two and a half years ago. It has been a ... Prologue 0-2b: Tokyo Turnabout April 10th, 7:55 am Tokyo District Court, Defendant Lobby No. 5 ---Music: Courtroom Lounge ~ Neverending Overture --- "So, to sum things up so far," Maya begins, "We're defending Mr. Mishima, who we know nothing about, for a crime that we have no details about, after not having been allowed to view the crime scene... and the victim is some big shot, so people are riled up to get Mr. Mishima convicted." Nothing like a good dose of harsh reality to wake you up in the morning. "Sounds about right," I confirm, scratching my chin. "But, Miss Sae seems really reasonable and holds a high opinion of Mr. Mishima. I feel like I ... Prologue 0-2c: Tokyo Turnabout    April 10th, 8:35 am Tokyo District Court, Courtroom No. 5    The surprise witness, Toranosuke Yoshida, takes the stand, and prepares to deliver a speech on what he witnesses last night. -- What Toranosuke Saw -- ---Music: Cross-Examination ~ Allegro 2004 --- "It was just turning 7:00 and I was finishing up with a speech I was giving.   From where I stood, I could see and hear two men having a disagreement of some sort. Whatever they discussed was upsetting enough for one of them to run away, and the other gave chase. I noticed that either one, the other, or both of them had dropped items on the ground. I p... Prologue 0-3 (Bonus): A New Path April 10th, 10:15 am Los Angeles District Court, Outside ---Musice: Great Revival ~ Miles Edgeworth --- "Prosecutor Edgeworth, a moment of your time?" a reporter calls, one of many trying to get my attention in similar fashion. I can barely make out one voice over another. As I descend the staircase in front of the courthouse building, news outlets of all shapes and sizes want a chance to interview me. I'm not one for such novelties, but on occasion I do indulge the media briefly. I approach the nearest reporter, and suddenly dozens of arms holding microphones jolt outwards and towards my head, almost giving me the...
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Chapter 1-1: The Phantom Thieves of Hearts April 9th, 7:00 am Akira Kurusu's Appartment ---Music: Beneath the Mask (Instrumental) ---    "You know, sleeping in every once in a while is good for you, too," I hear Morgana suggest as I open my groggy eyes. I smile as I swing my legs off the side of my bed and stand up, wishing deep down that I could follow his advice. "I guess I'm just too conditioned to waking up early," I joke. Morgana licks his wrist habitually. "The life and struggles of a former student, huh..." I guess I should mention that Morgana is my talking cat. "I'm not a cat!" I can perfectly imagine him shout in response, though I guess... Chapter 1-2: Invitation of a Crazed Room    April 9th, 8:10 am Manager's Office    ---Music: Logic and Baroque --- The first ten minutes of this interview have comprised of me sitting in increasing discomfort as the hiring manager in front of me silently reads over my paperwork. So far neither of us have said anything other than basic greetings, and I wait patiently for the conversation to begin properly. "Kurusu-san, you have quite the work history," the man laughs in the sort of way that conveys cautionary politeness, "You've worked more jobs as a young adult than most work as adults." "That's right. I have experience in many different environments." "Y... Chapter 1-3: Following the Meta    April 10th, 3:20 pm Big Bang Burger, Shibuya ---Music: Maya Fey ~ Turnabout Sisters Theme 2002 --- "Look, Nick! I'm the Captain now!" Maya declares proudly, puffing out her chest to display the fancy badge she just won for completing the Big Bang Challenge. How she ate that massive burger, I'll never know... "That was honestly one of the more impressive things I've seen in my life, I'll admit," I smile at her endearing antics. Carefully holding both sides of the rocket-shaped badge with the edges of her fingertips, she adjusts the angle back and forth, probably enamored by the way the light in the room reflects of...
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Chapter 2-1: The Start of the Investigation    April 10th, 11:56 am Cafe Leblanc Opening the front door to this coffee shop rings a small bell, and it sends a shiver down my spine hearing it again. This is the ring I used to hear every time I came home from school, work, or exploring the city. For that crucial year of my life, Cafe Leblanc was my home. And a home away from home for my friends, at that. So many pleasant memories of using the place as our hideout... So it was no surprise when Ann texted me telling me that was the location we would meet at. ---Music: Beneath the Mask (Instrumental) ---    I can tell I have a big, dopey grin on my face as I enter the... Chapter 2-2: Dueling Destinies    April 10th, 7:32 pm   Shibuya Station    ---Music: Tokyo Emergency --- Life has continued moving on for the city, that's for sure. Despite the high profile state of affairs going on in Koridai, those walking the streets have long since returned to their daily routines. In fact, things are so busy, I happen to have gotten separated from the others during one particular rush of people. We were trying to board one of the trains back home, and while some of us made it, the doors closed on the rest of us. Looks like Yusuke, Ryuji, and I are all out of luck and have to wait for the next train. Ryuji kicks his leg in frustration... Chapter 2-3: Something Smells at the Sniffsonian    April 11th, 10:45 am Gatewater International I let out what is quite possibly the biggest yawn of my life. I haven't slept in this late for years. But I suppose the recent events have taken a toll on me, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if my internal clock is still out of whack after jumping across so many time zones. Maya's already up and watching TV it seems. "Finally awake, Nick? You've gotta check this out!" she calls to me enthusiastically, pointing at the screen. It's none other than the Steel Samurai, though it seems to be the Japanese dub. ---Music: Steel Samurai --- I can understand what they are saying... Chapter 2-4: The Circumstances Change    April 11th, 2:05 pm Sniffsonian Museum Atrium Third Floor As the museum's curator leads us up the staircases and balconies, I take some time to think to myself so I can analyze my situation. The sole reason I am here is still because Masayoshi Shido has informed me of the existence of that strange pearl. Even he doesn't know what it is or how it can help, but as it stands this pearl may be the only clue we have towards learning more about the Metaverse. I still feel in my gut that there is foul play at work with all of the extremely uncanny deaths in the news, and if someone is using Cognitive Psience to commit crimes, the...
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Chapter 3-1: Brave and Brazen    April 11th, 10:40 am Cafe Leblanc ---Music: Restlessness --- "Haven't we waited long enough?" Ryuji whines. Haru sips her cup of coffee. "They say that for each timezone you pass through, it takes a day to readjust your internal clock." "Yeah, I was trying to be considerate," Futaba explains, "After they didn't pick up the first time, I figured I would give them some time to sleep. I didn't want to wake them up." "It's almost eleven," Ann points out, "They're probably awake by now." Morgana walks to the center of the table and taking a seat, "Lady Ann is right, we should hop to it." He stretches his b... Chapter 3-2: The Art of the Heist    April 11th, 2:07 pm Sniffsonian Museum Atrium    ---Music: Investigation ~ Middle Stage 2004 ---    The three of us mingle our way into the crowd of people at the ground floor of the atrium. In no time at all, we look completely incognito as normal museum patrons. Morgana is even able to stealthily meet back up with us, climbing right back into my bag. "Is the coast clear? Did you guys make it out ok?" Haru asks. "Yeah, nobody saw us," Morgana confirms. "Yeah. That was a close call..." Ann remarks, before looking at me. "What were you taking a picture of earlier, Akira?" I pull out my phone to pull up... Chapter 3-3: End to Prologue, Prelude to Destiny    April 11th, 9:16 pm Sniffsonian Museum Curator's Office So that's how it all went down. The plan was smoother than expected. I climbed the truck that Haru had prepared, slipped right in through food storage, ran my way through a tangled series of paths... not to mention lock-picking the door to Hebi Hibiki's office, and then figuring out the code on the security keypad on a second door within the office. As I stand here at the back of this room-within-a-room, the briefcase I have been looking for lays right on the table in front of me. This is the suitcase that the pearl we seek is--or, was--being stored in. However, ...
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Chapter 4a: Logic and Trickster    April 11th, 9:40 pm Suramā Prison Facility, Visiting Area ---Music: Detention Center ~ Rhapsody of Darkness --- "I didn't expect to be back here again so soon," Maya comments as her eyes wander to observe different parts of the room. "You and I seem like magnets for detention centers, huh..." I conclude. This room is much eerier while masked in the darkness of the night. The tension feels higher, too. It was one thing feeling anxious about meeting a potentially dangerous criminal like Shido, but the uneasiness I feel right now is of a different nature. I'm actually kind of upset, to be frank. "I thought normal... Chapter 4b: Logic and Trickster    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 c...
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Chapter 5-1: The Scene of the Crime    April 12th, 8:57 am Sniffsonian Museum Entrance ---Music: Investigation ~ Core 2002 --- Well... here we are again. Standing outside of the Sniffsonian Museum after what has happened has given the entire building a slightly different feeling. Needing to obtain the Orb of Heart was one thing, sure, but visiting a crime scene to investigate a murder... well, that's a sensation I'm a bit more familiar with. This is the kind of tension Maya and I are used to. The two of us have our game faces on as we prepare to enter the front lobby and head towards the atrium. I feel a vibration in my pocket and notice that I've gotten ... Chapter 5-2: The First Intermission    April 11th, ??? pm ??? ---Music: Trial (AA4) --- My eyes open and I awaken within my own dream, once again drawn to the intoxicating gravity of the deep and mysterious blue room. I'm in... a sitting position, in a chair. My head feels light, and focusing feels difficult. However, the world around me is very crisp, and clearly defined. There's no longer the sense of foggy mirage surrounding me like the last few times I've visited. My intuition is telling me that I'm not in Igor's "backstage" at this moment. To describe it most quickly, I would have to say that I seem to be inside of an incredibly distinguished opera h...
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Pre-Chapter 6: Recap and Evidence List ---Music: Is It Boring --- Profiles Defense: Phoenix Wright, Maya Fey, Sae Niijima Prosecution: Not Yet Known Suspect: Akira Kurusu, former leader of the Phantom Thieves. Victim: Austin Translation, the mysterious man in a business suit. Other Key Figures: Ritsu Chitsujo, a local detective. Alibaba(?), our mysterious hacker friend. Hebi Hibiki, the Sniffsonian curator. Yurui Kuchibiru, security guard at the Sniffsonian. Mask☆DeMasque, AKA Ron DeLite, world famous phantom thief. Evidence Crime Scene Photographs • First Photo: The scene of the crime as the police arrived. Austin Translation is laying on his stomach, dead. There are chu...
Chapter 6a: Wake Up, Get Up, Turnabout There    April 13th, 7:45 am    Tokyo District Court, Defendant Lobby No. 2 These last two nights, I've gotten this strange sensation that I've been sleeping through something important. Very peculiar... I'm really not certain what would cause me to get such a feeling.   But, regardless, here we are now. This defendant lobby is the same as any other, with a small couch and a table as well as some potted plants and other basic decorations to make it feel more cozy. Though I can tell you from experience, when you're accused, a defendant lobby is anything but cozy. Despite the uncertainty and fear that a defendant usually feels, Aki... Chapter 6b: Wake Up, Get Up, Turnabout There    April 13th, 8:24 am   Tokyo District Court, Courtroom No. 2    All of us at the defense table are extremely tense. As detective Ritsu takes the stand once again, this time to testify about Akira directly... we all realize that there's roughly millions of ways that this could go poorly for us. We'll just have to wait and hear what the detective says, and pray that the prosecution hasn't found anything to truly link to Akira. -- Night in the Woods --   ---Music: Bonfire (Persona Q) ---     "At the scene of the crime, we found a museum security guard and the museum's curator. They heard a loud crash, the guard pulled the... Chapter 6c: Wake Up, Get Up, Turnabout There    April 13th, 8:47 am   Tokyo District Court, Courtroom No. 2    ---Music: Mask☆DeMasque ~ Please Listen! --- This must be some kind of joke, right? Am I being pranked right now? Mask☆DeMasque himself just flew into the courtroom from the skylight on the ceiling. And he's currently flying around the room effortlessly while maintaining somewhat of a T-pose... how in the world DOES he do his flying trick?! I'm starting to think the guy can actually fly . "No matter how many years I've overseen trials," the Judge reminisces in his state of surprise, "And no matter how many times I've thought I've seen everything, somehow there... Chapter 6d: Wake Up, Get Up, Turnabout There    April 13th, 9:02 am   Tokyo District Court, Courtroom No. 2    ---Music: High Pressure (Persona 5) --- The Judge tries to pull everyone back into the trial with quite a few gavel strikes. "Miss Yashin, what have you been thinking withholding such a crucial piece of evidence?!"   "I wanted to leave nothing uncertain by giving the defense ample opportunity to try and prove me wrong. And, I'll be honest, you almost had me by establishing that the murder could have happened on a different floor. I was even starting to think that this Mask☆DeMasque character may have had something to do with the murder. But, even if the location ... Chapter 6e: Wake Up, Get Up, Turnabout There    April 13th, 9:37 am   Tokyo District Court, Courtroom No. 2    ---Music: Blood of Villain ---   Maya tries to talk to me, which I can barely hear over the outrageous stir the audience is in. "I thought the curator was suspicious BEFORE he just had a fit of extremely-obviously-evil laughter," she says as she punches her open palm aggressively. "Plus, he only came out of left field with this accusation when Yashin mentioned searching his office. Nick, there's no way he's telling the truth about Kuchibiru-san!"   I, in turn, look at Yurui Kuchibiru, who I'm fairly certain is literally tearing up. "I mean, even if we don't know hi... Chapter 6f: Wake Up, Get Up, Turnabout There    April 13th, 10:05 am   Tokyo District Court, Courtroom No. 2    The audience continues on in hushed whispers as the dust settles from what looks like the end of it all. In a few moments here, Akira Kurusu is going to walk away a free man. We're off the hook, no more suspicion will be coming our way, and we'll be able to investigation and stop this potentially global conspiracy. I don't think any of us feel right about how this is going to end, though. Jack Canary, still standing at the witness stand, seems to have lost all hope. What can we do, though? He might actually be the real culprit. The facts are all pointing to that c...
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Chapter 7-1: Meet the Ace Attorneys    April 13th, 10:43 am   Tokyo District Court, Defendant Lobby No. 2 ---Music: Swear to My Bones --- This is a sublime feeling. For the last few days, I've been stressed to the point of nearly wanting to give up. The thought of going to prison again, especially at a time like this when my team needs me the most, almost broke my spirit. But here I am, walking side by side with Niijima-san, Mr. Wright, and Miss Maya, and with Morgana on my shoulder. All five of us triumphantly leave the courtroom and go back to the lobby. "Akira!" I hear Futaba shout, wasting no time in tackling me with a hug within the same few seconds of he... Chapter 7-2: The Past, and Their Futures   April 13th, 12:35 pm Cafe Leblanc The bell attached to the front door chimes as the three investigators make finally make it to the cafe. I take a mental role-call in my head, just as a general awareness check as to who exactly is involved at this point. ---Music: Suspicion (Persona 5) --- Sojiro is at his usual spot behind the bar, and I'm beside him with my arms crossed and propped on the counter as I hunch slightly. Morgana walks back and forth across the counter eyeing everyone, and I get the impression he is taking a tally like I am.   Sitting at the chairs in the front of the bar are Sae, Phoenix, Maya, and... Chapter 7-3: Back to Business    April 13th, 1:19 pm     Cafe Leblanc Attic     I'm woken from my brief daze as I catch my phone's notification light blinking in the corner of my eyes. I reach over to pick it up to see what's up. Mishima: Text me when you get a moment k?    "What is it?" Makoto asks.     "Looks like Mishima sent me a text at some point," I answer. Better ask what this is about. ---Music: Suspicion (Persona 5) --- Akira: What's up? Mishima: Hey Akira! Mishima: Heard you're off the hook, so congratz. Mishima: Sounds like they never mentioned your past during the trial, either. Mishima: I was keeping a close watch on the P...

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