"That's the second time you lost your case, and to the same defence attorney, Miles Edgeworth."
Miles throat was completely dry, and his hand lightly shaking as he held the telephone towards his ear, hearing the judging works from that man.. His mentor, adopted father.. Manfred Von Karma.
Taking a moment Edgeworth breathed deeply, to find his most secure voice before he even dared to respond. "Yes." He replied. "I'm sorry, please forgive me."
"Miles, this just wont do for one of the Von Karma house hold." Von Karmas voice sounded, seemingly soft, but a hidden edge hidden underneath it. "I have half the mind to come over there myself."
"There is really no need." Miles told, biting his lip, careful not to let his voice slip up.
"What is your explanation then?" Von Karmas voice asked sternly. "Why did you loose not just one, but twice!" he asked in a angry sneer, and even through the telephone line, Miles could hear the sound of that snapping finger.
Miles swallowed as he felt the sweat drops forming on his forehead, and tried not to groan as he lifted a hand to his forehead. "Well." He hesitated. "The defendants they… They were innocent." He told quietly.
"What was that?" Von Karma asked.
"The defendants." Miles then told again. "They were innocent, it was proven with hard evidence."
For a moment there was quiet, dead quiet, then an angry sneer came. "Innocent you say?" Von Karma asked, in what sounded like a pleasant voice, but so honey sweet that it ended up sounding way more threatening than sweet. "Have you forgotten what I taught you, Miles Edgeworth?" he asked. "No one is innocent! You just need to dig up the right piece of evidence in their past. And first then, WILL YOU HAVE YOUR JUSTICE!" he stated another snap sounding from the other side. "Think carefully Miles Edgeworth, your words and your behaviour is unworthy for the prosecutor title and especially the Von Karma name."
"I'm sorry sir.. Please forgive me sir." Miles asked in a hollow voice.
"I wasted years of my life on you." Von Karma spat. "This is not the time to disappoint me, you will pull yourself together Miles Edgeworth, or the consequences will be severe!"
"Yes sir, I understand." Miles told. "Thank you for you patients with me." He thanked, to hear the line be cut from the other end, and Miles could finally lay down the phone as well.
When he did, he could finally break together as he felt all the tense energy leaving him as he fell back in the chair as an exhausted rag doll, bringing both hands up to his face, rubbing his face exhausted. "Damn you Phoenix Wright." He hissed. "Damn you, what have you done to me?!" he asked grabbing his head as his eyes widened and he gritted his teethes together.
Emotions bobbling to the surface, a yell and a cry sounded from his inner ear no one else could hear.
"DON'T HURT HIM! LEAVE MY DAD ALONE!"
"No one is innocent, Miles Edgeworth!"
"Truth and justice, that is my creed!"
"You can't do that Miles! You just can't! What would your father have said?!"
"Prosecutor Edgeworth!" "Edgeworth!" MILES!" Littlebrother!" "Sir!" "Mr. Edgeworth!" "Miles Edgeworth!"
"ARGHH!" Miles shouted standing up, banging his head with his hand. "Get out of my head!" he exclaimed. "BE QUIET!"
But the voices would continue, different flashes and different emotions with them, and it was impossible to stop it.
"I DON'T WANT TO REMEMBER!" Miles shouted grabbing the window frame. He had done good, for fifteen years, he had managed to suppress his memories, not to think about his father and not to think about that day.
He had sworn that he would never ever be so weak, ever again, so he didn't have to feel such weakness or such pain!
He had been fighting for fifteen long years, to assure that he would never be so powerless.
But as it turned out, he was indeed powerless to his own mind, he couldn't even control it, his own head! The warm memories of his father standing in court, so sure, speaking of justice, the justice system was there to help the people, so they never had to be alone in their hour of need, that had been Gregory Edgeworths ideal.
Miles had forgotten it until now, but now he remembered, Phoenix hadn't worked to bring Miles down personally, he had worked to get the truth out and help the people around him, he had. "I don't think I defeated a demon prosecutor I just.. made sure the true came out, and that's good.. right?"
"Dammit." Miles grabbed his head with both his hands, burring his fingers into his silver lock. How had Phoenix Wright gotten into his head like that?! HOW!
And Miles didn't have the time to deal with this, he had to pick up his own slack or Von Karma would be extremely cross with him, there was no telling what Von Karma would do!
Miles breathed deeply, trying to recall all that Von Karma had taught him.
He would not be weak…. He would not be weak.. no one would ever be allowed to see his weakness… no one.
He was Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth, the man who brought criminals to justice, a man to be feared.. He had the power in his hand, to get that verdict!
He could not afford weaknesses! Emotions, were a weakness, so they should be locked away, and no one should know.. No one.
Especially not that naïve, gullible Phoenix Wright.. Even if the things he said, and the way he worked.. Were admirable.
That was something Miles had to admit, whether he liked it or not, he had begun to develop a strange sort of respect for the young rookie attorney.
Which was just all the more reason that Wright was the one person whom shouldn't know.
Not now, not ever.
He was the demon prosecutor, a person most people only had good reason to fear, and he liked it that way, Miles would continue his path, he had to!
The sound, of a great BANG coming out of a gun barrel.
Followed up, by a second one, a second. BANG!
A figure toppled over, and fell down.. and in front of him, stood a tall silver haired prosecutor, holding a gun in his hand, wide-eyed looking at the man whom had fallen in front of him.
"Wha.. What?!... WHAT WAS HAPPENING?!"
As the police cars pulled up, and Miles was lead into a car to be driven to the detention centre, he still couldn't control his mind.. he was scared.
He couldn't remember the last time he felt like this.. This was a lie, he did remember, fifteen years ago.
And like then, he was in a similar situation where no one would listen to him.
He knew he hadn't done it, he had not shot the man.. but no one believed him.
Like then, Miles was… powerless, defenceless.. Alone.
And this time, he had no one but himself to blame.
"Edgeworth."
The name, was spoken with such sincerity and such concern, slowly Miles looked up, to meet the black eyes of that name, Phoenix Wright, looking at him with his puppy look, filled with deep concern, his voice trembling.
"Please!" Phoenix begged, yes… it was definitely a genuine plea. "Let me defend you! Please!" he pleaded, his eyes wet.
Edgeworth looked at Phoenix, his stone face in place, his eyes glaring, he would not show weakness, especially not now, especially not to him.. No.. he wouldn't.
Phoenix should not be dragged into this! Keep him out of it.. FOR GOD'S SAKE KEEP PHOENIX OUT OF IT!
What Phoenix remembered mostly, from his first meeting with Miles Edgeworth, was the feeling of being, utterly alone.
Standing alone in the class room, crying, while all the others pointed fingers at him, yelling at him for being a thief, even though Phoenix knew that he wasn't.
He had felt so alone, so defenceless, and then that other boy had spoken up for him, stood beside him, and Phoenix felt better, because he was not alone anymore.
Mia Fey had reminded him of that, ones again, Phoenix had felt so alone, him against an accusing world that all pointed at him and yelled words at him, accusing him for being a murder though he knew he wasn't! He knew he wasn't, so how come no one else knew?!
And then she had been there, saying she was with him, and again, Phoenix felt a bit better, because he wasn't alone in this.
That was the feeling he remembered from those two, the feeling of not being alone, as long as just one of them were there.
Phoenix would do just about anything to return the favour. Anything.
Phoenix swallowed as he was sitting in the detention centre, looking at that silver haired man on the other side of the glass.
It felt like any progress they may or may not had had doing these last few months, were completely gone, vanished into thin air.
"Please." Phoenix begged again. "Let me help you, I want to defend you."
The glare Miles send Phoenix was deep filled and hateful. "Why would I get a green rookie like you to defend me?" he spat, the words hit home, and Phoenix felt like he had just been kicked in the stomach. "Get lost, Wright." He sneered. Then just managed to look away as he bit his lip.
Phoenix's eyes widened as he suddenly in flashes, saw emotions cross the prosecutors face, anger, sadness, despair, before he found his ice cold façade again and glared at Phoenix.
That's when Phoenix realised, this man in front of him, Miles Edgeworth, the strongest most inspirational person he had ever known.. Was scared, he was barely holding it together.
Phoenix bit his lip, he needed for Miles to break that façade, he needed to be let in! "Edgeworth.." he spoke quietly. "I don't believe for a second that.. That you did it." He told. "Even if you wont let me defend you, I.. I want you to know, I'm here for you." He told. "I'm going to be here, whether you like it or not, okay?" he asked in a light smile that was meant to be assuring.
But, if Phoenix had hoped that his words would bring comfort to the prosecutor, he had been wrong, the ice façade broke instantly all right, but it was to reveal a face pall with sheer horror and spilled up gray eyes. "No.." Edgeworth whispered. "No you wont." And then the anger came back, filling up his face features. "Why wont you just leave me alone Wright!" he spat.
Maya shifted uncomfortably next to Phoenix, it was clear she was deeply intimidated by the angry prosecutor, and honestly, Phoenix couldn't really blame her.
"Miles.." Phoenix barely whispered.
That's when the first shake sounded under their feet's, Mayas eyes widened. "What.. What was that?!" she asked.
"Just a minor earth quack, don't worry about it, it happens from time to time in this region of the city, it's never really serious." Phoenix told Maya in a comforting tone then looked at Edgeworth and his eyes widened.
Edgeworth, had grown more pall than Phoenix had ever seen him, his eyes spilled up with fear.
"Edgeworth?" Pheonix asked.
Miles didn't even seem to hear him, or be the tiniest bit aware of was happening around him as the new shook sounded, instead his stood up making his chair fall down on the cold floor.
"Edgeworth are you all right?" Phoenix asked.
Miles stumbled backwards in uncontrollable movements, breathing harsh hollow breaths that did not sound natural at all, his eyes were not focusing on anything, they were just spilled up before he stumbled and fell down on the floor.
"MILES!" Phoenix shouted standing up.
"Prosecutor Edgeworth!" Maya gaped as they both saw it, the otherwise so strong and proud man, pressing himself up against the corner of the cell, pressing his hands against his ears and his eyes squinted close while light sobs escaped his lips as the shakes of the earthquakes rambled beneath them, it didn't even look like he had any idea where he was, there was nothing funny about this image at all.
"Miles." Phoenix swallowed embracing the girl in front of him, scared over having seen such a raw display. "What happened to you? Please, I beg of you, let me in." he asked in a low whisper only he himself could hear. "Let me help you." He asked. "Please."
Phoenix did his investigation.. and found out, Edgeworth would indeed have.. have a motivation for the killing, and the reasoning made Phoenix sick to his stomach.
Oh god! God no.. Fifteen years ago, Gregory Edgeworth had been shot to dead, right in front of Miles's eyes. That was why he hadn't returned to class, his father was.. was dead!
And Phoenix had been such an idiot asking about it, he felt like kicking himself over and over, what had he done?
"Poor Mr. Edgeworth." Maya swallowed. "Was he all alone back then?" she asked.
Phoenix swallowed as he looked at the old case file in his hand. "I'm afraid so." he told. "It doesn't look like he had anything left, no family no.." he halted. "He was adopted to Germany after that it seems." he told closing is eyes.. so this, was the mystery being solved, it wasn't pleasent.
"But, even if that man was the defence attorney. Mr. Edgeworth wouldn't do something like that!" Maya exclaimed. "Ri.. Right?"
Phoenix hesitated, it was true afterall, he didn't really know Miles Edgeworth that well afterall, he didn't even know about his father.
"OF COURSE HE DIDN'T DO IT!" Gumshoe exclaimed. "Edgeworth is not that kind of a man!" he told. "And even if he did it, he would confess at ones, that's the kind of man he is, he would never lie about justice!" he told. "NEVER!" he boomed.
Astounded and wide-eyed Phoenix looked at Gumshoe, the detectives words were so sure and his tone couldn't be more convinced, Dick Gumshoe really believed in Edgeworth, and that made it slowly edge around Phoenix's lip, he was glad to hear this, now he could believe again.
"Pall you got to defend him! You got to!" Gumshoe pleaded.
"I know, I know!" Phoenix told. "But he wont let me! He wont even let me anywhere near him!" he told.
"Oh god!" Gumshoe looked pall as a sheet. "I don't get it!" he then fully admitted. "He wont talk to anyone!" he told. "Not me either, and I know I'm not.. so smart you know, but we worked together for years! Mr. Edgeworth and I have seen things together."
Phoenix swallowed, so it wasn't just him, Miles wasn't letting anyone in, not one single person.
And the people Edgeworth did ask to defend him.. They had all turned him down, every single one.
There was no one it seemed.. No one.
Phoenix could not stop now! He would stay with his old friend, to the bitter end, no matter what or.. at least he would try.
Taking in a deep breath Phoenix moved to the detention centre again, readying himself to face him ones more.
Face Miles Edgeworth again, having decided that he would continue asking to defend the man, until he either broke or Phoenix was thrown out, he would not leave! Not now, not while Miles truly needed someone like this.
Phoenix lost it a bit as he saw the prosecutor again, the man behind the glass, well.. Phoenix didn't believe he had ever seen a person being so alone.
Yes, Miles looked like a person, utterly alone, tiny behind the glass, someone whom had given up hope.
But still, he still refused Phoenix.
"I told you to leave me alone Wright!" Miles snapped.
"Edgeworth! Please let me defend you!" Phoenix begged. "PLEASE!"
Miles averted his eyes as he bit his lip, looking down.
"Edgeworth, what is it you wont tell me?" Phoenix asked. "Is.. Is it about the DSL9 incident?" he asked.
Miles blinked, then slowly looked up. "How do you know about that?" he asked.
"I." Phoenix swallowed. "I investigated." He told. "The man who got shot, he.. He was the defence attorney whom got Yanni Yogi an acquittal.. Wasn't he?" he asked. "And Yanni Yogi, is the man who shot your father, Gregory Edgeworth, right in front of your eyes, fifteen years ago, in a dark elevator." He whispered. "You were only nine, your world fell apart in front of you, you moved out of the country, and somehow, that path led you.. Right back here, the same nightmare continues. Doesn't it?" he asked. "The nightmare from fifteen years ago, it's only been on hiatus, it's here now, back hunting you."
Miles swallowed as he looked astounded at Phoenix.
"I'm right, aren't I?" Phoenix asked. "That man whom died right in front of you, last night, it was the man whom let Yanni Yogi go free, and Yanni Yogi, is the man who shot your father, you saw it, you were an eye witness!"
Wide-eyed Miles looked at Phoenix then he swallowed. "I.. I erh.." he wettened his lip. "I don't know for sure, what I saw back then." He then admitted.
"Edgeworth please!" Phoenix asked. "this nightmare has been hunting you for fifteen years! Let me help you end it! For good this time, I promise you, if you'll just let me, we can do it, end this nightmare ones and for all! Tell me, tell me what happened! What is it that has been hunting you for all of these years?" he asked.
Hopelessly Edgeworth looked at Phoenix. "It's true, I don't remember much, I never wanted to remember, and what I saw was.. unclear. The lights were out in that elevator." He told quietly. "And the air was thin, it was difficult to breath and I.. I lost conscious." He told.
Wide-eyed Phoenix looked at the man in front of him, could.. Could this really be? Was, was he finally reaching his goal? Was Miles, letting him in?
It was so weird, it felt like Phoenix could almost seem it in front of him, the cracks, cracks in Edgeworths carefully placed and applied façade, and as Miles opened his mouth, the cracks grew, growing all over the mask that Miles had made.
"I.. have had these nightmares.. for a very long time." Edgeworth swallowed, and a crack streamed up over his forehead. "In that elevator, I.. I remember." He swallowed. "The gun, it laid by my hand." He told squinting his eyes, and a piece of the mask fell off and down on the floor. "I.. could barely see, they were fighting, he was hurting my dad.. I wanted them to stop.. That's all I wanted." He told squinting his eyes even tighter, and the cracks tripled. "The gun.. It was in my hand I.. I picked it up, and I threw it.. I just wanted them to stop." He cried another piece of that mask falling down. "It took all of my strength and I lost conscious the moment I threw.. The last thing I experienced was a sound.. a bang, a gunshot." He whispered. "I see it so clearly, these days it's every night.. Can it be real?" he asked. "Could I have?" he asked looking up. "Did I kill my father? I didn't want to remember, but it keeps getting back to me now, it wont stop, it wont leave me alone." He barely whispered and the façade fell apart, crashing down, leaving the face of the true Miles Edgeworth, this icy facade, this mask, Phoenix had succesfully smashed it into tiny pieces that could never ever be brought back together again, leaving only a man. It was the first time Phoenix had seen this person, for seven fifteen years, and he was sitting there with closed eyes, tears, real tears rolling down his cheeks. "Phoenix.." he barely whispered in a hoarsh croaked voice. "No.. Mr. Wright." He swallowed, and this time it didn't sound like a cold insult but a sign of deep respect as he looked up at Phoenix with tear-filled eyes. "Help me." He asked. "No one will defend me."
And that was the quo Phoenix had waited for, he had worked so hard for and he didn't let it go to waste as he smiled at ones, replying without any hesitation nor doubt what so ever. "Of course." He told, and his voice sounded so secure it surprised even him, there was no trace of doubt in Phoenix's eyes as he looked directly at Miles. "We'll pull through this, Edgeworth." He told, knowing how important security and appearance was to Miles, addressing him with respect was important to him! Giving him every little ounce of respect he could. "I swear to you."
Slowly Miles looked up at Phoenix, with his still wet, red puffed tearful eyes, and in spite of the anguish in his face, he also managed a little smile, looking just a little amused. "You always were such a fool, Wright." He sighed lowering his eyes.
Phoenix couldn't help it though, help but smile, beforehand; Miles had looked so alone, all the time! Well, this wasn't much but.. finally Phoenix were getting some-where, and even though Miles's eyes were red and puffy as he now wiped them with his hand, he didn't look quite as alone any-more.
That alone made every-thing worth it,
