Disclaimer: None of the Phoenix Wright characters belong to me, but the people they do belong to are lucky bastards.
A/N: So yeah...definitely a little nervous here. This is my first Phoenix Wright fic, and I am definitely more than a little nervous. This story will have 4-5 parts, depending on how I write it and also on how well this first part is receieved. Now, I don't care how many comments I get, but if every comment is some kind of horrible flame, I'll probably just take the story down. Don't get me wrong; I don't mind critcism, but I didn't come here to get my self-esteem smashed in with a metaphorical hammer. If you have a problem with the story, just be polite and point it out; that's all I ask. Also, if you like, feel free to tell me that too! ) The dialogue during the case, starting with the repeat of Cody's testimony to Edgeworth's reply to Phoenix's insult is directly from the game; I take no credit for it whatsoever. However, the rest of this part as well as the rest of the fic will be completely my own dialogue, so don't think you'll be reading a play-by-play of the game; that would be kind of pointless. Anyway, I'd like to dedicate this fic to three writers: Spoodlegamer, Tarma Hartley, and SoWrightSoWrong for being absolutely amazing authors and giving me the inspiration to write this, and also because Spoodlegamer has started an amazing PxE role-play with me, for which I am eternally grateful.Okay, I think that's everything; I hope you enjoy!
The atmosphere of the courtroom was tense, at least from where Phoenix was standing. The case had always seemed rather hopeless and it felt even more so now with this particular witness on the stand. Phoenix never thought he would be so scared of a child, yet it was a child, one Cody Hackins, to be exact, that could the deciding factor in this trial.
Everyone seemed to believe that his client was guilty, and Nick was starting to believe it too, despite himself. Thus far, he had barely kept him out of prison and, even with all the evidence he had collected, it still seemed that he was the only logical culprit that could have committed this crime. Nick knew that if he didn't find a contradiction in Cody's testimony and fast, there was nothing more that could be done. The trial would be over, and that would be that.
Despite that disheartening fact, the defense attorney was barely paying attention to the testimony. Instead, his focus was on the man across the room. Miles Edgeworth's lips were curled into a triumphant little smirk, and as he met Nick's gaze, his grey eyes flashed in pure satisfaction.
Nick grit his teeth in frustration and anger, giving his rival a fierce glare in return. As the prosecutor, Edgeworth knew better than anyone the kind of position Nick was in, and he took every opportunity to rub it in. Not in words; Edgeworth was far too elegant a man for that. But it was portrayed all too well in his stance, as well as his expression. At the moment, Nick wanted nothing more than to wipe that smug look off of Edgeworth's face. Suddenly, something in the testimony, and his gaze turned to Cody. "I'm sorry; could you repeat that last statement Cody?"
The second grader glared at Nick, but repeated himself. "If I had my camera with me, that woulda been the time for a shot, I tell you."
A wave of relief washed over Nick and he smiled inwardly to himself; finally, fate had decided to smile down at him. "Cody, what you just said seems, well, a little strange." Nick saw Edgeworth's gaze subtly change out of the corner of his eyes, but he pointedly ignored him. "Didn't you just say before that you always bring your digital camera wherever you go? You were quite clear about that."
"Huh!?" Cody's eyes widened in surprise as he realized he may have been caught in his lie, and a soft murmur began to run through the crowd. Nick smiled triumphantly and turned to look at Edgeworth. The prosecutor's eyes had narrowed to grey slits in anger, and if looks could have killed, Nick would have been dead. However, the defense attorney was quite used to the expression by now, so he just smiled a little wider before turning back to Cody. "Cody, you shouldn't lie here. You understand that, right?" His tone was gentle, not wanting to upset the young witness.
Before Cody could answer, the judge called Nick over, asking to explain the digital camera. Nick did so patiently but as quickly as possible, trying to keep his line of questioning fresh in his mind. He felt exultant and confidant once more; this was the chance he had been waiting for, and if he stayed on this track, there was a good possibility that he could prove Will Powers innocent after all. He finished the explanation and focused his attention back to Cody, who was looking considerably more nervous. "Anyways Cody, I can't believe you wouldn't bring your camera on a trip to the studios!" Nick looked even more intently at Cody, who began to squirm nervously on the stand. "You did bring it, didn't you?"
"Objection!" Edgeworth's voice rang out through the courtroom and Nick tensed, looking at his rival and wondering what he was planning. Edgeworth was looking at Nick as a parent looks upon a disobedient child and he had a chiding tone to his voice. "Mr. Wright! How cruel you are, to terrorize a poor child so!"
In that moment, something in Nick snapped. He was so close to making some headway and now that arrogant upstart of a prosecutor was trying to snatch the chance away, all because he couldn't stand to have a bruised ego. Perhaps all the rumors were true, and Edgeworth really was just a cold, heartless creature who would do whatever it took to win. Phoenix hadn't wanted to believe it, but now he was simply too angry to care. Slamming his hands down upon the stand, his smoldering blue eyes bored into Edgeworth's grey. "I don't care if he's a child or a prosecuting a attorney! No one should lie in court!"
As soon as the words left his lips, Nick regretted them. Edgeworth's face went pale and an unrecognizable expression passed over his face; something that Nick could have sworn was hurt. But as quickly as it appeared it was gone, and Edgeworth was staring at Nick, pure, undisguised hatred etched into his very being.
"What do you mean 'or a prosecuting attorney!?'" Edgeworth's voice was cold as ice, yet there was heat in every word. Nick found himself speechless, a knot of shame growing in the pit of his stomach. He knew he had crossed a line when he had uttered those words, and at that moment he wanted nothing more than to be able to take them back, or at the very least apologize. However, he couldn't very well turn back time, and this would be the worst moment possible to start blathering out apologies, so he did the only thing he could think of. Ignoring Edgeworth completely, he turned back to the witness, focusing on the matter at hand.
The rest of the trial passed by without incident. In the end, Cody's testimony was proven faulty and, without any decisive evidence, the judge had to extend the trial for one more day. As Nick left the courtroom, he wished he could feel some sort of triumph at the occasion. However, all he could think about was what he had said to his old friend, and the man's expression afterwards. Scanning the lobby, he saw the prosecutor disappear through the doors, and quickly hurried after him, catching up with him just as he reached his car. Still feeling a little apprehensive, Nick took a deep breath; if e didn't say anything now, he knew he'd never have the nerve later. "Edgeworth, wait!" The defense attorney stopped behind him, his eyes serious and concerned. "Can we talk for a second?"
"I have nothing to say to you Wright," Edgeworth responded, not even turning to face the defense attorney. He set his briefcase on the seat beside him and went to get into the car.
The knot that had formed in Nick's stomach returned with a vengeance; he knew he had wounded his old friend deeply. Of course he had heard the rumors about him (who hadn't?), but he had been determined not to believe a word of them, had been determined to stand by Edgeworth no matter what. But in the end, he had let his temper get the best of him, sunk down to the level of every tawdry journalist, and he hated himself for it. Swallowing his fear once more, he reached out and gently rested his hand on Edgeworth's arm, feeling the man tense. "Edgeworth, I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I shouldn't have said what I did, no matter how angry I became, and no matter what the circumstances. It was completely uncalled for, and I apologize."
Having got out what he needed to say, Nick let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding and felt rather relieved on the whole. The feeling quickly dissipated however, when there was no response. "Edgeworth?" He waited for a few more moments, and yet there was still no answer forthcoming. In fact, the man hadn't even moved, not even to shrug Nick's hard off his arm. Frowning, Nick gave him a little shake. "Edgeworth, please say something." He gave a small little smile. "Miles..."
Whatever else Nick was going to say was lost in that instant. Turning around, Edgeworth, stared at him with fire in his eyes, hands clenched and trembling. "How dare you? What right do you think you have to call me by that name; who do you think you are, Wright?"
Nick stood there, completely stunned and he stared at Edgeworth, floundering for words, his mouth slight ajar. "I-I'm sorry," he stammered, his blue eyes wide and fixed on his old friend's stormy grey. "I didn't think...I mean, because we..."
"What Wright; you think because we knew each other god only knows how many years ago that you can talk to me with familiarity, especially after you humiliated me!?" A harsh laugh escaped the prosecutor's lips and he abruptly turned back, getting into his car. Starting it, he turned to face Nick one more, who was now staring at him with a mixture of shock and hurt on his face. "Now you listen to me; our friendship, whatever it was at one time, is non-existent now. You have no place in my life, and the sooner you realize this, the better off you'll be."
The words hit Nick like a knife in the heart, and he could only stare silently as Edgeworth's car sped away. He stood there even after the car was out of sight, the words replaying in his head, stinging a little each time. Had Edgeworth really meant what he said; had their friendship really meant so little to him? The more the defense attorney thought about it, the more likely it seemed, but a part of his mind stubbornly denied it. Somewhere deep down was the Miles Edgeworth he had known all those years ago, and Nick knew it.
"Nick? Nick, what are you doing out here?" Maya's voice cut through Nick's thoughts and he turned to look at her. "Come on, we've got a lot of work to do; we've got a hero to save! Remember, evil never sleeps!" Maya had a determined look on her face as she stared at Nick expectantly.
Slowly nodding, Nick shook himself out of his thoughts and smiled at her. "You're right, and we haven't got a lot of time, so let's get going." The defense attorney headed down the street, but as he did he knew he had two cases to solve and he planned on finishing one that very evening, come hell or high water.
End Part 1