Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Phoenix Wright characters; they belong to Capcom.
Authors note: Well. I always wondered why Edgeworth wasn't in Apollo Justice. It made me think about why he wasn't there. So, I decided to write a short fic about it. (: This will be five chapters long. Contains spoilers for the last case of Apollo Justice. Please, read and review!
The Forged Turnabout
~Chapter One~
R e a l i z a t i o n
Phoenix Wright stumbled out of the courthouse, his mind whirling, and his heart heavy.
What just happened…?
He shied away from the accusing glares, the whispers, the indiscreet pointing.
He looked up at the sky. It was raining – a storm was coming.
…It matches my mood.
Phoenix fumbled for his cell phone – which was in his suit pocket. He turned it on, wiped the rain off the screen, and was just about to call his boyfriend to ask for him to come and pick him up, when he stopped.
…I can't bear to be with someone now…
…I should walk.
I need to be alone.
Phoenix started walking towards the apartment complex he lived in with 'The Demon Prosecutor' – Miles Edgeworth.
The rain was falling heavily – and Phoenix was getting soaked. He continued walking, feeling completely numb.
Eventually, he felt the need to sit down. His legs were wobbling, which made it hard, slightly painful, even, to walk.
Phoenix noticed a park on his left, and saw a bench. It wasn't being sheltered from the wind and rain, but Phoenix was past caring.
He blundered over to it, and sat down.
The rain was pelting down by this stage – and the wind was howling. Phoenix was completely soaked – he was shivering.
Phoenix put his briefcase down on the bench beside him, not caring that it too, was soaked.
He wasn't going to need it anymore.
Phoenix pulled his legs up to his chest, and began rocking. He needed to cry – but tears wouldn't come. Instead, his eyes felt sore.
I can't believe…all these years…wasted.
Phoenix had started the day as he did any other day. He had gotten up, eaten breakfast – Miles had made them both pancakes - , had a shower, teased Miles about his entirely pink wardrobe, kissed the prosecutor goodbye, and watched the large flat-screen TV until he was late for Court.
He hadn't known that a simple mistake of trusting someone to give him evidence would change his entire life.
Phoenix's chest started heaving as he finally realized the consequence of being a generally trusting person. He had not enquired as to where the young girl had gotten the diary page from, and used it.
It had turned out to be forged.
And now…
My attorneys badge has been taken from me.
They all think that… it's my fault…all my fault...
He felt completely empty and raw inside. Aside from Miles Edgeworth, his lover, Phoenix's attorneys badge was the only thing he had.
He had worked solidly for many years, just to earn the small, gold-plated badge. He had saved many people's lives – including his own.
When he was in Court, battling against Miles, he felt alive.
And now… he wouldn't be able to do that.
Ever again.
Finally, the tears started coming. They streamed down his face, dripping off his nose and his chin.
I… it's over.
My dream.
Phoenix buried his head in his hands, and sat there, like that, for fifteen minutes. He gave a muffled moan.
The only thought going through his head was 'It's all over'.
He felt empty.
Phoenix took a deep, shuddery breath, and looked up at the sky. The rain wasn't becoming lighter – on the contrary, it was still pelting down, forming large puddles underneath the bench Phoenix was sitting on.
Phoenix gave a miserable laugh as he realized what a sight he must look. He was completely drenched – his spiky hair hung limply on the side of his face. His eyes were red, and tears were flowing uncontrollably down his pale face. He was curled up on the bench, rocking slightly, and the combination of the heavy rain and his tears, was blinding him.
He was completely alone.
Phoenix knew that he couldn't just stay on the bench for the rest of the night. He had to get back to his home – he had to see Miles.
…Miles.
How will he react when I tell him?
Phoenix was scared of how the silver haired man was going to react.
…What if he doesn't believe me?
What if he thinks that…I actually forged the evidence?
What if he hates me?
In his confused state, Phoenix wasn't thinking straight. His brain told him that it would be better if Miles didn't know about the disaster.
"I can't tell him the truth." Phoenix mumbled out loud.
When he got no reply – not that he was expecting any – Phoenix stood up abruptly.
"I have to lie to the man I love!" he yelled fiercely, frightening a few birds in a near-by tree.
Phoenix took a step, and slipped on a mossy cobblestone, and fell backwards. He landed in the big, muddy puddle, and lay there, shivering.
…I'm such a mess.
Phoenix lay in the puddle for what seemed like ages. He couldn't find the strength to sit up.
Phoenix longed for Miles at that moment. He needed to see the man he loved.
But…he couldn't tell Miles the truth. Because if Miles' reacted badly, then everything they had would be over.
It made sense to Phoenix.
Slowly, Phoenix got up off the ground. He brushed himself down, although it made no difference.
He turned around, and started walking out of the park. He continued walking – his arms clutching his stomach, until he reached his apartment building.
He was just about to enter the foyer, when he realized that he couldn't exactly go tramping through the corridors in the state he was in. He was dripping wet, and was very muddy, thanks to his clumsiness. He had a few random leaves stuck to his attire – not a very classy look.
The apartment that he and Miles lived in was very classy – and expensive. Miles had insisted on paying the money needed for their residence. His logic was; that he was the one who had wanted desperately to live in such an expensive apartment complex, so he would be more than happy to pay for Phoenix.
Phoenix felt guilty, so every month he insisted on paying the electricity bill by himself. The rest of the bills they shared.
They had a happy life.
A 'no-secrets-kept,-truth-always-told' kind of life.
And it was all about to change.
Phoenix pondered about how he was going to become clean. He decided that he would just call Miles – who was only in the building in front of him – and ask him to bring him a towel, so Phoenix could dry off.
Phoenix fumbled for his phone, and dialed Miles' number.
"Hello, Phoenix." Miles answered.
"M-Miles…" Phoenix cleared his throat and tried to sound relatively normal. "Er, I walked home-"
"In the rain? Phoenix, you'll get a cold. Why didn't you call me? I would have picked you up." Miles said, sighing.
"Um, w-well, you see, I was already really wet…" Phoenix trailed off lamely.
"…Alright. I will never understand your logic. Well, why are you calling me now?" Miles asked.
"I fell." Phoenix said simply, wiping at his eyes.
"Are you hurt?" Miles said anxiously.
"N-No…"
Yes.
My heart is broken…
"But I'm all muddy. C-Can you bring me a towel, please? I'm outside the apartment…" Phoenix said, trailing off slightly.
"Of course. Hold on, I'll be a minute." Miles hung up.
Phoenix wiped his nose on his suit sleeve – he wasn't going to need it anymore – and dried his eyes. Miles would want to know why he was crying – and what excuse could he come up with?
Phoenix waited numbly, not noticing anything, until Miles burst out of the door, holding an umbrella and a large, fluffy towel.
Although recent events had left Phoenix feelings incredibly depressed, the sight of his boyfriend running out in the rain for him, made Phoenix smile affectionately.
But only for a second.
Miles rolled his eyes playfully as he eyes Phoenix's ruined suit.
He held the umbrella over the two of them, and started drying Phoenix off – making him look slightly less appalling than he had previously.
"…Thanks, Miles." Phoenix choked out.
…This might be hard to not tell him the truth.
I…think it is for the best.
"No problem…"
The two walked up to the apartment, and stepped inside. Miles closed the door, and his arms automatically snaked around Phoenix's waist. He leant in to kiss the no-longer defence attorney, and was slightly concerned when Phoenix dodged, and instead pressed his face into the crook of Miles' neck.
"Is something bothering you?" Miles asked, pushing Phoenix's wet hair out of his face.
"Er, no… I'm just…tired." Phoenix mumbled, avoiding eye contact.
"How was the trial?" Miles asked.
Phoenix's heart started thumping painfully. He took a shuddery breath in.
"Er…The defendant ran away…" he whispered.
It was true, after all. But Phoenix couldn't really care about that now.
"Oh. I'm sure no one blames you." Miles said gently.
He thought that this was the reason for Phoenix's miserable expression.
"Hey, I don't, er, feel so well… I think I'll go to bed." Phoenix said quietly.
"You might want a shower." Miles said, smirking.
"Ha, yeah." Phoenix gave Miles a weak smile.
He stumbled over to the bathroom, locked the door, and collapsed on the ground, a new flood of tears dripping onto the floor.