"Alright princess, nap time's over." The spirit deadpanned as it continued to prod Edgeworth with its scythe. "It's late and I wanna go home, so let's make this quick."
Edgeworth grunted as he got up from the ground and popped his back. "Very well, Spirit. So do I just grab your staff or-?"
"Ha…! Hey pal, we just met." The spirit slyly responded. "At least buy me dinner first."
Edgeworth sighed and reworded his question "So how are we going to fly this time?"
"You have legs, use 'em." The spirit chuckled.
"Listen here! Tonight has been a long and torturous night for me and I-" Edgeworth's rage fueled rant was cut short by the spirit brining up its scythe to Edgeworth's throat.
"Do you feel in charge?" The spirit's voice had changed from the bored, sarcastic tone into something terrifying. Edgeworth could not see the spirit's eyes from underneath the hood but he could still feel their glare, a glare so strong that he didn't need to see in order to fear. Edgeworth was terrified and was barely able to shake his head to signal the word "no". "That's because you aren't." The spirit continued "This isn't your place… It's mine, this is my domain and I'm in charge. Got it?" The terrified prosecutor looked down to the ground in fear, "Look at me…" The spirit demanded "LOOK AT ME!" Edgeworth's eyes looked upon the spirit's obscured face and nodded. The spirit lowered its weapon and used the wooden staff to shove the prosecutor forward signaling him to start walking.
"W-where are we going?" Edgeworth asked, but his question was greeted with silence as he continued to march forward through the darkness. As he continued to trek into the darkness as wind began to form. The wind was cold and bitter and grew harsher as Edgeworth kept walking. Finally the wind began to carry snowflakes along with it as the harsh winds knocked Edgeworth to the ground. In place of hard darkness, Edgeworth had managed to land on some snow. The spirit walked past him and stopped in its tracks, observing its surroundings.
"Welcome to home, Miles Edgeworth." The spirit said as Edgeworth got up from his fall and looked around. The two of them were in a grave yard that was covered in snow. Edgeworth dusted himself off as he walked over to stand next to the spirit.
"A vision of events yet to pass…" Edgeworth muttered.
"The future." The spirit commented.
"Knowing too much about one's future… It's dangerous." Edgeworth said as he looked at the spirit standing next to him.
"In this case… It's necessary." The spirit said as it placed its hand in the snow and scooped up a handful. The spirit released its grasp on the snow and allowed the wind to carry it off. "Follow it." The spirit told Edgeworth. Edgeworth thought to question the spirit but deemed it unwise considering what happened last time. The wind gently carried the snow as Edgeworth followed it. He watched as the snow fell atop a grave where a group of people attempted to comfort a sobbing man who lay hunched over the headstone, clutching it desperately. Edgeworth kept his distance as he watched a poorly shaven man in a grey hoodie and a blue beanie clutching a bottle walked over to the man and gave him a hug in an attempt to comfort him. Despite his sincerest efforts, this did not comfort the grieving man. The man in the grey hoodie walked back over to the rest of the group; which consisted of a young girl clad in a magician's outfit, a young man in a red waist coat with an unfortunate haircut, and a woman in a trench coat that he could not recognize from this distance.
"Apollo," The man in the hoodie spoke "Why don't you and Trucy go get some hot chocolate. It's freezing out here." The man's voice was eerily familiar but Edgeworth was certain that his mind was just playing tricks on him.
The young man in the waistcoat took hold of the magician's hand and they walked off leaving only the man in the grey hood, the woman in the trench coat, and the sobbing figure. The man and the woman in the trench coat knelt down next to the sobbing figure and helped him off of the ground. Edgeworth's eyes widened as he saw the face of the sobbing figure; it was Detective Gumshoe. His face was aged and his eyes were flushed from all the tears he had shed but Edgeworth knew that it was him without a doubt. The man in the grey hoodie used his body to support Gumshoe and help him get situated on his feet. Gumshoe wiped away his tears with his massive but gentle hands. Edgeworth's eyes began to tear up as well. Gumshoe was always so cheerful and optimistic, and it wrenched Edgeworth heart to see the gentle giant reduced to a sobbing mess.
"C'mon, let's go catch up with Apollo and Trucy. If we stay out here any longer we'll be popsicles." The grey hooded man said as he placed his bottle in the snow to use both of his hands to stop Gumshoe from collapsing on the floor. Gumshoe tried to speak but was too ridden with grief to do so, he managed find his footing. The grieving detective wrapped the man in a hug and cried in his shoulder as the man patted his back. Gumshoe let go of the man and wiped his tears as he walked away leaving only the man and the woman behind. "Why do bad things happen to good people?"
"Because life sucks." The woman responded. "I don't suppose I can join you all for hot chocolate, too."
The man shook his head sadly and took a deep breath "I'm sorry." The woman merely nodded understandingly before hugging the man before her. The man looked around for signs of anyone else before giving the woman a kiss on the head. "I have to go."
"I understand." The woman replied as she kissed the man's cheek. They both stood in front of each other for a while before taking off in opposite directions.
With that, everyone was gone from the graveyard leaving only Edgeworth. Edgeworth walked over to the headstone to see whose death Gumshoe was grieving. Snow had covered the headstone leaving only a singular letter visible on it, the letter 'M'. The name of whoever died began with the letter 'M'. Edgeworth reached out to wipe away the snow to discover whom the grave belonged to before stopping himself, dreading what he might see. Edgeworth knelt before the grave and wiped away a tear.
"Life sucks." A voice rang out, startling Edgeworth. Edgeworth looked up and saw the spirit standing over the headstone clenching its scythe. The spirit started to hit the head stone with the scythe's handle, causing the snow to fall off of it.
"Spirit, what are you doing!? Please, don't!" Edgeworth pleaded as the snow fell off of the headstone revealing more letters. "Please, I beg of you! I already know too much! Stop!" Edgeworth shouted as he stood up and grabbed hold of the scythe to prevent the spirit from revealing anymore to him. However the spirit over powered him and tossed him aside causing Edgeworth to bump into the headstone causing all of the snow to fall off of it. Edgeworth breathed heavily as he looked up at the headstone and began to read it. His heart dropped to his stomach once he did. "Miles" He read "Gumshoe… Miles Gumshoe?"
"He named his son after you." The spirit spoke "That's how much he admired you. There were complications… His wife, Maggey Gumshoe, died giving birth to their son. Shortly after, little Miles Gumshoe passed on too." The spirit said as it lifted the bottle that the man had left behind in the snow; it popped the top off with its scythe and took a swig of the drink. Edgeworth's eyes swelled up with tears and he pounded the floor with his fist.
"Spirit, are these the visions of events that may be or will be!? Can they still be changed!?" Edgeworth pleaded with tears flowing from his eyes.
"Not if the path you walk on remains unchanged… Justice will be served, however." The spirit said as it slammed the end of the scythe down on the ground as a dark shadow began to engulf the world around them. "We're going to have a trial for the murder of Miles and Maggey Gumshoe! Right here, right now!"
"What!?" Edgeworth questioned, backing away from the spirit.
"You, Miles Edgeworth, stand accused of murdering the family of Detective Dick Gumshoe!" The spirit once again slammed its scythe into the ground causing several figures consumed in shadows to spring forth from the ground. "The evidence is stacked against you! You cut his pay to the point where they couldn't afford a decent hospital! Where he couldn't afford to pay for the child's medication! You killed them, Miles Edgeworth!"
"No, no!" Edgeworth clutched his head in his hands "Stop it!"
"Has the jury reached a verdict?" The spirit asked.
A shadowy image of a woman holding a baby in her arms stepped forward and spoke, "Guilty" was the only word that escaped her lips.
"Very well then." The spirit said "This court finds Miles Edgeworth, guilty!" The spirit then stabbed its scythe into the ground and ripped a hole leading to fire and brimstone.
"No, please! I can change! Let me help him!" Edgeworth pleaded as the spirit took hold of him. Edgeworth clutched the spirit's cloak for dear life as the spirit shoved him into the hole. The cloak ripped off of the spirit and revealed the same man Edgeworth had seen earlier, the man in the grey hoodie with the blue beanie on his head. Edgeworth held on to the edge of the pit, desperate not to fall in. As he attempted to pull himself up, Manfred von Karma reached out from the hellhole in the ground and took hold Edgeworth's leg. "SPIRIT! HELP ME, SPIRIT!"
"Life sucks, Edgeworth." The spirit said as it looked down at him, his eyes full of sorrow. "You and I know this better than most people." He said as he took a final drink from the bottle and began to poor its contents on Edgeworth's face. It wasn't alcohol like Edgeworth suspected, it was grape juice. As the juice continued to poor on his face, Edgeworth's grip loosened from the edge of the pit and he fell in. He tumbled through the darkness and was about to hit the fires of Hell until he was surrounded by darkness.
"HELP ME, SPIRIT! HELP ME!" Edgeworth shouted until he felt himself hit the bottom of the pit with a thump. Edgeworth opened his eyes and found himself on the floor of the prosecutor's office. He looked around in a daze. "He let me live… HE LET ME LIVE!" Edgeworth rushed up from the ground and ran over to the window of his office. He opened it and looked outside to see Cody Hackings riding his bike through the streets.
"You! Boy! What day is it!?" Edgeworth shouted from the window.
"It's Christmas day! Man, for a grown-up you sure are dumb!" Cody shouted back.
"I didn't miss it! Haha! I didn't miss it!" Edgeworth laughed "Cody, can you do me a favor?" He asked.
"Depends, how much are you willing to pay?" Cody responded. Right on cue a giant wad of cash hit him in the face, "What do you need, sir!?"
"Go down to Q-Mart, buy the biggest turkey you can find, and deliver it to the address I wrote down on the paper at the bottom of the stack!" Edgeworth replied. Cody immediately saluted and rode off to get the turkey. "Spoiled brat." Edgeworth muttered under his breath.
"Who do you think sent it, sir?" Maggey asked as she watched Gumshoe carry the massive bird that had just been delivered to them by Cody. Gumshoe placed it on top of the table in his apartment and rubbed his hands together.
"I don't know but I can't wait to dig in, pal! I can finally use that old Gumshoe family recipe!" Gumshoe said. Just then there was a hard knock on the door. Gumshoe felt a cold sweat drip down his face as the knock sounded again. "B-be right there, pal!" Gumshoe opened the door and in the doorway stood a very angry looking Miles Edgeworth
"I thought I had said that you were working today, Detective." Edgeworth scolded as he walked in the room uninvited. The detective stammered but no coherent words came out of his mouth. Edgeworth raised his hand to shut Gumshoe up, "You know Detective, I've put up with a lot. And today's the day where I reached the breaking point! This sheer disregard of authority has left me no choice but to, hehe… ahem, no choice but to… heheheee… but to give you a raise." Edgeworth said as he smiled warmly at the detective and gave him a pat on the back. "Don't worry about work today. Enjoy Christmas with those close to you." Gumshoe and Maggey stood there staring at the prosecutor with their mouths agape, staring in disbelief as Edgeworth hummed and danced his way out of the apartment.
"Here goes nothing…" Edgeworth mumbled to himself as he stood outside the door to Wright and Co. Law Offices. With a deep breath Edgeworth knocked on the door and waited. The door opened and at the door stood Maya Fey wearing the locket around her neck with the trademarked "Maya Smile" in full force.
"Edgeworth!" She greeted as she hugged the prosecutor. "I didn't think you'd show up!"
"Well, I figured that no harm could come of it." Edgeworth replied. "I'd be more than happy if you'd allow me to spend Christmas with your… family."
"Awww, Edgeworth… You're family, too!" Maya replied as she let Edgeworth in. "Let me let Nick know you're here… HEY NICK! THE GRINCH IS HERE TO STEAL CHRISTMAS!"
"It's a good thing we nailed everything down, then!" Phoenix's voice sounded from upstairs.
"Yes, humorous indeed." Edgeworth muttered to himself as Phoenix's footsteps sounded as he came down the stairs. Edgeworth's expression changed from his usual dry demeanor to one of shock as his eyes widened when he saw Phoenix. Phoenix was wearing the grey hoodie, the very same one that the spirit in his dream wore. "No…" Edgeworth mumbled under his breath.
"D-do you like it?" Maya nervously asked as she clutched her locket. "I-I know it's lousy compared to the present you got me but…"
"I love it!" Phoenix said. "It's the most comfortable thing I've ever worn! You said you made this?" He asked.
"With some help from the village elders…" Maya replied modestly, still clutching her locket.
Edgeworth thought back to the spirit's appearance and voice… It was Wright. How could he not have seen it before? What happened to make him so… miserable? So bitter? Edgeworth thought heavily on this as his eyes shifted from the duo to the trash can that sat next to him; he looked inside and found the card that Maya had decided to throw away. Edgeworth picked the card out from the trash and read its contents; smiling to himself he placed the card in his pocket as he looked up and watched the couple share a hug. Any problems that would arrive in the future would have to wait, today was Christmas and Edgeworth was going to spend it with his family (Well, aside from Franziska, she'd whip him and call him a fool for partaking in such a foolish holiday).
"Oh I love you Mystic Maya! I love you too, Mr. Nick" A small voice rang out as Pearl walked down the stairs, playing with her two new dolls that Santa got her.
"Hey Pearls, can you get Mr. Edgeworth his present." Phoenix asked.
"Ok!" Pearl responded cheerfully as she pulled out Edgeworth's present from under the tree. She walked over and placed the gift into the prosecutor's hand.
"To our favorite prosecutor from the Wright-Fey family" Edgeworth read the card aloud. "You really didn't have to, I mean I didn't even get you all any…"
"Hurry up and open it!" Maya exclaimed. Edgeworth submitted and opened up his gift. Inside the box was a picture of his father and mother holding an infant Edgeworth, and a pair of glasses. Edgeworth's hand trembled as he pulled out the photograph and looked at it.
"We did some digging and found an old friend of your dad who had this picture. We thought you might like it since we know you didn't have any pictures of your family left after… Well, you know." Phoenix explained.
"Also, we saw you struggling to read some papers the other day so we got you a temporary pair of glasses. They're the type your father wore." Maya said as Edgeworth put them on.
A single tear dripped down Edgeworth face as he smiled at Phoenix and Maya. He went over to them and did something unusual for the prosecutor, he hugged them. "Thank you." He muttered as he held them both.
"Weird" Phoenix mouthed to Maya.
"I know right" She mouthed back.
Edgeworth let go of his two friends and wiped the tears from his eyes, "So, what do you two want to do?"
"Let's watch A Christmas Carol!" Maya suggested enthusiastically.
"NO!" Edgeworth raised his voice. "I mean, let's watch something else…"
"Awww, but Pearly loves the line at the end of it." Maya looked at Pearl "What was it again, Pearly?"
Pearl cleared her throat, "Merry Christmas and God bless us everyone!"