In The Wind
emeralddarkness

Summary: An in-between sort of story. Edgeworth's life, after his father dies but before he meets up with Phoenix Wright again. Something of a cross between multichapter and oneshot collection. Spoilers through 1-4, plus Franziska.
Rating: T/PG-13
Disclaimer: Ace Attorney/Gyakuten Saiban and the associated characters, scenarios, settings, etc, are the property of their respective owners; the author hiding behind the penname 'emeralddarkness' makes no claim to any of these. Any original characters and situations are the property of emeralddarkness, and neither she nor they are in any way associated with the owners, creators and producers of Ace Attorney/Gyakuten Saiban. No copyright infringement is intended.
Further Notes: The title is inspired by a saying that I found in A Wizard Abroad, by Diane Duane. "The wind blows, and things get blown along in it." It seemed appropriate. Oh, and feedback is always welcome and highly appreciated.

...

Just sayin.

Prologue: The Fairytale

Once upon a time there was a family.

It was a small family, consisting only of a father and his son; the mother had become sick and died when her child was still young. Still, that hadn't seemed to matter quite so much because the two remaining were so happy. The father was a fierce warrior, honorable and true, and his son thought the world of him. He wanted to be a warrior the equal of his father, and so after every one of his battles the father would come home to his son and would teach him. The boy learned what he was taught quickly and well, and every time he progressed his father would smile. The boy lived for those smiles, and every day strove to be more like his father.

And then, one day, a new warrior entered the region. He was one of the most feared warriors that had ever been known, and he was known for making the law his own. He did so here, and challenged a peasant. The father, who was sworn to protect the weak and defend the innocent, could not let such a battle take place. He challenged the warrior in place of the other and his challenge was accepted. The warrior was arrogant and believed he could not be beaten by one so low as the father. While he was correct, and defeated the father, the father in return wounded the famous warrior, who was well known for leaving each battle without injury. The dutiful son, who had come to watch the battle, sorrowed at the loss, but admiration of his father sang in his heart at what he had witnessed. He ran to his fallen father and helped in what ways he could - he took his father's armor and weapons and helped his father to a coach that was near by. The father was injured and needed to return home to recover, and so they began their journey.

But, before they had the chance to travel far, there was an accident. It was worse because it was unexpected; everything had seemed to be in good condition. The coach crashed and fell into a river, breaking to pieces in the swift current. The horses, who were not free, were drowned, but the splintering of the coach allowed everything inside to spill out, and the people were thrown to the waters. Of the equipment of the father, only his sword was safe, for the son held on to it fiercely. All three managed to gather the strength to reach the edge of the river, but once they did they collapsed. When the son awoke, he discovered the body of his father run through with his own sword – the very sword that that he had saved. But he was not left to consider this; the mighty warrior discovered the scene of the wreck and the newly orphaned boy. He told the child to follow him that he might train him in such ways as he saw fit.

This was the end of the fairytale.