Chapter One: Pre-Trial

The courthouse entrance loomed above, tall and imposing. Next to it, Detective Lana Sky felt small. Weak. Inconsequential. She couldn't shake the feeling as she entered the sacred hall, passing the godlike statue of Lady Justice.

It wasn't her first time here. She'd testified as the lead detective of many a case, from assault to arson, manslaughter to murder. But this case was more.

This case had Ema.

Lana could have avoided this. She knew. If she'd just erased Ema's name, gotten her away from the scene, she could get Joe Darke to finally take the fall for his crimes. He couldn't avoid the law forever. Lana and the police had to lock him up before any more people were killed.

But... she couldn't. Something from another world had stopped her. A warning.

If she broke the law and framed Darke, what made her different from him? They were both criminals. Letting Darke go free would haunt her for eternity, but so would catching him illegally.

So she did the second best thing she could, to save Ema. She let the trial go forward, hiring the best defense attorney she knew.

Mia Fey.

Her friend had had a rough start in the courtroom, but she'd settled into a steady pattern since. A pattern of taking truly innocent clients and doing everything she could to shield them, building a reputation as the fierce-hearted protector of all who sought her counsel. A guardian angel of justice.

They'd known each other since college. That should reassure Lana far more than it did, as she studied the brunette from afar.

"Calm down, Lana. I'm the one standing in court here."

The detective jumped, staring her old friend straight in the face. "I-I just want to make sure Ema's alright. This arrest has been hard on her, she hasn't spoken since. Surely there's no reason to think she actually-"

"I don't believe it for a second," Mia insisted. "Everyone on the police force knows your sister. The only one who can possibly be serious about this charge is that prosecutor."

"Payne," Lana growled. "That fool hasn't been able to prosecute decently since you beat him in court ten months ago."

She knew her aggression towards him wasn't warranted. He was a good prosecutor, even if his defeat against a "rookie" had set him on edge for a while. Another reason she'd matched him against Mia.

No, she was upset with her partner. Damon had been the first detective to arrive on the scene after her. He was the one leading the case against Ema.

How could he? He knew her personally.

"I know Payne hasn't had the best record recently, but that's no reason to underestimate him," Mia replied. "Do you have to testify?"

"I do. I was the first to the scene, after all."

"Are you the first witness?"

"I don't think so. It's probably going to be Damon."

Mia sighed. "Remember: don't hold back. Ema is innocent no matter what you say. If the judge decides you're lying, you could get in trouble, too. That would only make things worse."

"How can I testify against my sister?" Lana cracked, throwing her hands on Mia's shoulders. "I'm her guardian. I'm supposed to take care of her."

"You are taking care of her. By ensuring Ema receives a fair trial that can determine her innocence without any doubts. You did the right thing, coming to me."

Out of nowhere, the bailiff invited Mia into the Defendant Lobby. "Ema's waiting for me."

It was all Lana could do not to run in there. She was her guardian, she ought to be with her.

But she couldn't. She was a witness.

So she walked off to the courtroom gallery, where she would have to sit there. And wait. And worry.

Why was trusting Mia so hard? They'd been friends for years. More than that, at one point. If anyone was going to save Ema, she would.

But in truth, she hadn't seen Mia the same way for months now. Not since that sexist bastard had...

No. She had a trial to wait for. It was no time to think ill of the dead. For the love of her sister, she had to focus on the trial.

She could only hope the police were in alliance against Darke.

"Detective Skye."

Lana turned around, coming face to face with Jake Marshall. He'd been one of the detectives assigned to the string of murders last September. The police referred to the incident as SL-9.

"Detective Marshall. I'm... very sorry for your loss. I worked with your brother on a couple cases before. He was a good prosecutor."

"One of the best, pardner," Marshall corrected her. "He deserved that award. More than that Edgeworth."

It'd been a close call, between the two men. In the end, the Prosecutor's Office had chosen to honor Marshall because he had more experience. Lana was glad, for Prosecutor Edgeworth was said to be a true nightmare to work with. He talked down to every detective who tried to assist him, and every single one walked out with a smaller salary than before. The only detectives who didn't detest him were Gumshoe and Badd.

"I can't believe he's gone. I know I saw it, but... I don't know what to say."

"It's fine, Skye. I know it wasn' your sister. No one's really gonna throw her in hoosegow."

"I hope not. I don't understand why they even arrested her. What was Damon thinking?"

Marshall shrugged. "You two saw the shootdown. Not me. I just wanted to check on you, pardner. And keep an eye on Darke."

"He must be the killer. I just know it's him. He was being questioned, and he wanted to escape. He and Prosecutor Marshall struggled in my office, and he killed Marshall in the fight. Ema was just a witness."

The man in the cowboy hat raised his hands in surrender. "I'm taking your word for it, pardner. I just wanna make sure my brother gets his justice."

"So do I."

But if what I said was true... How was Darke knocked out? It couldn't have been Neil Marshall. He would already be dead. It's the whole reason they suspect Ema. If Mia can find away around that, we can take Darke out once and for all.

And if she can't... I'll never live with myself.

"May all relevant parties make their way to the courtroom for the case of State vs. Skye. It will be held in Courtroom No. 8 in five minutes, Judge Chambers presiding. Once again, my all relevant parties make their way to Courtroom No. 8 for State vs. Skye."

"Showdown's about to start. Let's not be late, Skye."

And with that, they stepped in together. Right before the gavel fell.

A/N's: Expect this story to be pretty short. I just wanted to write a quick case in honor of Turnabout Sisters and Mia Fey, who dies this evening (9/6/2016 at 8:57pm). What better way to celebrate the occasion than showing her in alive court for one of my favorite cases?

I did have to make it a bit AU, though. I can't see Mia ever agreeing to defend Joe Darke. I also took one of my fills on the kink meme and expanded it for the occasion. Anyone who's read the fill, please know I didn't plagerize it.

So, what do you think is going to happen, now that Lana didn't take the bait? How will Payne and Mia handle the case? What are the implications for Rise from the Ashes? All these questions and more will be answered in the next few chapters.

Thanks for reading, please review, and I'll see you on the far side!