The flicker. The light. The flame. The soft smell of sweetness in death. He took a hard draw, letting the grey smoke fill him. The exhale, the loss of adrenaline, the gentle breeze. It's been four years since Mia's death, but yet the memories still stung. He promised her, he promised Maya, that he would never let himself fall back into his previous addictions. But here he was, hunched over the balcony, exhaling death to ease his anxieties, with Maya asleep just above him. If she looked out her window, she'd see him, and he'd hurt her once again. He followed people passing by on the street below, tracing their footsteps, he became so lost in his thoughts and watching the pidgeons or the people, he didn't hear his biggest anxiety come true.
Two blue eyes watched him from the door of his room, filled with sadness as she saw the ashes fly away. She tried her best to be there for him, she always tried to subvert his addictive personality. Whether it be the adrenaline of a case, to the warmth of his bed, she was there to lift his anchor and keep him moving. Maya watched him closely, and retreated as the black spikes lifted, and the giant trembled the Earth.
He heard his door close, and he knew. His eyes fell and he brushed his teeth. Maybe he could convince her it wasn't him. He knew it wouldn't work, but he might as well try. Almost losing her to De Killer was such a blow to him, she had to know he couldn't forgive himself for being so careless...
Maya doodled on Phoenix's sketchpad, trying to forget what she had seen. Mia was never far away, but it felt like she was alone. She couldn't stop him, nor could she save him, she just had to be there. The rope to the bucket, and the world was the well. She heard feet shuffling, no, pacing themselves perfectly to be devoid of emotion, up close to her door. The small knock was enough to break the glass.
"C-come in-n,"
And he saw the crying girl, his partner in crime, holding back tears. He frowned, and moved his way to the bed. He sat next to her, and she grabbed him tight. He was used to it, her unforgiving bear hugs. He held his breath as she let loose tear after tear. It was his fault, he knew that, and he ran his fingers through her hair to do anything, anything at all, even just a simple reaction. She slowly stopped shaking, and he breathed out, "I'm sorry." The colours of the room, the hasteful daylight, mirrored the pair in spirit. The violet of the fading sun, the blue of the paint, and the dull neons of familiar signs. The hues of life splashed the walls, and refracted in their tears.
She quickly forgave him, under the condition of her flushing them down the toilet. He didn't watch, as the tickle of withdrawl crept up his skull. Maya finished, and met her depressed friend. She wished she could just make it vanish, but the lack of clients kept any hope of medication away. If someone attacked them, the hospital bill would surely break the bank. Suddenly her fire was alight again.
"Nick! Nick!" She bounced back into the main office with her usual glee. Phoenix looked up and tilted his head, her smile and bright eyes beaming into him. "We should get a furby!" She exclaimed, remembering one Mia had snuck into Kurain village many many years ago. "Excuse me?" He asked, his spirits lifted. "Yeah totally! I think I saw one at the pawn shop downtown!" Her excitement about the robotic owl cat hybrid confused him. "Why do you want one?" "Well duh! They're cute, they talk, they dance, they sing and they love you!" Phoenix was bewildered at her sudden want for something so creepy. A robot that never shuts up? He knew that these things would happen, Maya always had a childish interest. And in lieu of him allowing her a dog or a cat in the loft, he guessed a robot couldn't hurt anything, if not to give her goldfish some company.
As they headed to the pawn shop, Maya blocked his view by sitting on the handlebars. She's been doing that ever since he won her her freedom in Mia's murder trial. He didn't resent it, as Maya, despite being well, Maya, was pretty skilled in navigation and always told him where to turn. If she was tired or just didn't want to steer, she'd sit on the back and watch the buildings pass. He thought about buying a two person bike, just to give her a real seat, but she objected. Nick never really understood why, but paid it no mind. He enjoyed the close company and time together either way.
With the pawn shop in sight, Phoenix realised something. "Maya, if this thing costs more than 15$, i don't know if we'll be able to afford food with the bills.." Maya's eyes fell, but she shook it off. "I'm sure we can haggle the price down!" and bounced into the store. He followed her, but the five second head start she had, lead her already to the prized toy. She grabbed it and jumped up and down, shouting "Nick! Nick! Look! It's only $10!" He smiled, and she beamed back. The owner looked at them weirdly. "Is that your daughter, sir?" Nick became flustered, "No, no, She's my partner, she just really likes toys.." Maya didn't seem to hear the owner, and he assumed that was a good thing. They paid for it, and soon were heading back to the lofts.
It didn't take Maya long to figure out everything about the strange toy. It was buzzing and whirring and singing, just like she said. She was having so much fun, he hoped she had forgotten, or at least gotten over, the issue from earlier.
But Maya hadn't forgotten. She knew that the cost of the toy would completely drain any left over money for beer or cigarettes from Phoenix. She only hoped it would work. She said goodnight to him as he walked upstairs and into his bedroom. The scruffy hair and old ragged shirt she's seen him wear for weeks to bed told her that he likely was aware of this too. Maya leaned down to the furby, still active and humming. "Do you think he'll hate me for this?" She asked sheepishly, keeping her voice low. The furby stopped for a minute, before spouting out a sound of a kiss. She laid down on the couch, and fell asleep there. She didn't want to pass by his room that night.
When the dawn broke into the room, Phoenix woke up to the furby sitting at his bedside. He jumped out of bed, but before he could say anything, the machine barked out "Do you think he'll hate me for this?" parroting Maya's words from earlier. Phoenix slumped down to the furby, and picked it up. How did this thing remember things like that? He stared into it's plastic eyes for a moment, before realising. He spoke softly to the toy, pouring his heart out. With any luck, it would tell her in time.
"I'm leaving for today. I have a conference downtown. If anyone knocks, you know what to do," Phoenix spoke against the door of Maya's room, hoping she would hear. She heard his words from downstairs, as they echoed softly down the hall. She wanted to go with him, to make sure he was okay, but she knew it would be boring for her. Probably some more boring stuff about legal jargon, she told herself, to ease her worries.
"Oh, i didn't know you were down here. Did you sleep on the couch?" She nodded, and handed him his briefcase. "Did you prepare this?" Maya smiled. "Yeah! I put all of your stuff in it." She said. "Well, thanks," Phoenix smiled, before heading towards the door. The slight scent of burned paper followed him. "Oh! One last thing Maya," She looked at him. "Somehow, someway, that furby ended up in my room." Maya looked puzzled, and her confusion was matched by Wright's. "I didn't put it there." Oh great, he thought, the devil has possessed it. It's going to try and kill us one day.
With Phoenix gone, Maya knew her duties. Wait at the office and see if any new clients came by. Despite the good record, they didn't get much attention. What could a little walk hurt? She would just go around the block and, yknow, maybe find her favorite noodle shop or find the local arcade... Maya broke herself out of her thought, and decided on something better. She was going to find his stash, and either resell it, or dump it.
It wasn't hard to find. Under his bed was a small shoebox containing a few packs of cigarettes and a single bottle of whiskey. "Why would you do this, Nick?" She started crying softly, hugging his pillow. She knew making him quit out of the blue wouldn't work, but she couldn't think of anything else she could do. The furby resting on the nightstand whirred to life. Surprised by it, Maya looked up. "Dear Maya, I know this thing will probably repeat this. I heard your words flow through it this morning. I'm sorry, for everything. You don't need to worry about me anymore. I've protected you as much as I can, I'm sorry, but this is farewell. I will love you, forever, even after I'm gone. Mia and I will always be there for you. I'm sorry, Maya, that it had to come to this."
Maya screamed as she ran out of the office. The sky was dark, and sprinkles of rain kept pouring down. She pulled out her pink cellphone, branded with stickers and charms. She dialed Gumshoe's number hastily, running down the block and trying to find any trace of him. Tears were starting to build, blocking her vision. She kept running as the dialing faded.
"Hey buddy! What's up?" She didn't hesitate to even say hello. "I think Nick is trying to hurt himself!" She screamed, and people she was running past looked at her. Gumshoe yelled, and she heard the sirens from his car start up. "Don't worry bud, Phoenix is gonna be okay, alright? Trust me, we're right here with you. Call Edgeworth. He can help too, he just got back in town." Maya nodded and hung up, stopping to catch her breath for a second and dial the other man's number.
Phoenix stood atop the bridge, looking down into the water. His reflection was faint, and he gazed up into the sky. "I'm sorry, I've gotten her into so much trouble.." His words trailed off into the sound of rain. For a second, the clouds above formed the shape of a face, and he saw the break resemble streaks of tears. If there was room for any regret, it was now. He looked back down to the river, and balanced himself. People driving by didn't seem to notice him, the figure balanced off the edge of the rails. His eyes were dark, glooming towards the water.
Edgeworth picked up Maya, and they were speeding down the blocks, frantically scanning every last nook and cranny of the earth and buildings. "Channel your sister, Maya, she may know where he is." Maya nodded, struggling to breathe, and shaking violently, She started whispering the rites. Edgeworth knew it would be best if Maya was unconcious for what may happen. The girl was already traumatized from the kidnapping, she didn't need to witness the chase, let alone her partner's suicide. Mia came through, dialing Gumshoe immediately. "He's at the bridge, crossing the river. The big one, across from 11th street." Edgeworth nodded at the words, steering the car in that direction. He glanced over, and saw Mia starting to cry, mirroring Maya's reaction. "He's going to be alright, or you will have to torture him in heaven." This made her smile, softly.
The cars screeched up the bridge, blocking the traffic. Mia rushed out and ran up to Phoenix, stopping at the first pedestrian railing. "Phoenix! What are you doing?!" She yelled out, and he looked caught off guard. Mia's voice rang out and surprised him, but he didn't turn around. "Don't you understand, Mia?" he started, looking out onto the depths below. "I've caused everyone too much pain."
"You're wrong about that!" She screamed, desperation in her voice. Phoenix shook his head, and took a step forwards. Edgeworth and Gumshoe jumped over the railing, trying to grab his coat or anything to stop him, but they miscalculated. Phoenix Wright was now falling over the edge.
Mia faded, and Maya came to. Maya screamed and ran to the edge, watching Phoenix fall. In her tears and screams, her voice crackled and her knees bent, and she had fainted. Edgeworth caught her, and both of the men were fighting back tears.
The splash, breaking the surface tension. The drop shattered their last hopes of any survival of the man.
With Maya in an ambulance, and Edgeworth just staring at the blacktop, Gumshoe collected Phoenix's briefcase, and opened it. Inside were all of his papers, old case data, his wallet, and a lunch box. He opened the box, and saw a small note from Maya. The swirly and elegant handwriting told him it was hers, as he read the note. "Nick! Good luck at the conference today! I know you won't need much luck as it isn't a case or anything, but don't forget your notes again, alright? I love you!" It ended with a small heart and a doodle of the furby and her goldfish, Sparker.
Maya awoke to a bright light, and an IV in her arm. Gumshoe, Larry, Will Powers, Edgeworth, and even Franziska were all waiting for her to wake up. The collected room of saddened voices quieted down as they noticed her come to. She scanned the room for any sign of Nick, praying that it was just a dream. She couldn't find him. "Larry.. Edgeworth.. Gumshoe.." She started, speaking softly as her vision became cloudy. "Where is Nick?!" The cry of desperation pierced the air, and everyone averted their gaze from her.
Gumshoe was the first to speak up. "Maya.." He started, "If it's any good news, the police searched under the bridge, but they couldn't find a body." Von karma quickly smacked the detective. "You shouldn't tell her that now!" Maya's face fell and her eyes just looked downwards. "P-please, give me some space.." she muttered, and everyone obliged. Before they left, she noticed that Larry was crying, and everyone soon followed after.
The nurse knocked on her door, and entered. "Well Ms. Fey, you gave us a good scare," Maya didn't care. She didn't want anything but to know that Nick was alive. It didn't matter if he was hurt, she just wanted to know he was okay. The nurse's voice travelled to her ear, "You know, fainting isn't good when you're pregna-" Maya shot up. "What did you say?!" Her voice faltered. "W-well, Ms. Fey, We had to check your vitals, and we did a blood pregnancy test to make sure we wouldn't give you anything that may harm an embryo, and," The nurse cut to the chase. "You're one week pregnant, so we couldn't give you certain medications." Maya started to feel faint again. First Nick jumped, and now she had to learn she was pregnant, and the child would never know their father.
