A/N: Last official chapter. But for you slash fans, the epilogue will make you happy. :3 Super short ending. I didn't have much to say. XD Ending is pretty corny too.

ALSO: Not caring if the times/dates don't match up. Don't point it out to me. What I say goes. xD

"I'll see you when I get home, Wright," Miles said over the phone. Phoenix, chewing on some Pocky, grunted and hung up the phone lazily. He was coloring in the McGruff book, collar hanging around his neck, Pocky hanging out of his maw. Today was the day Miles was going with his father to the courthouse, and Phoenix had planned himself a day of mindless activity as he awaited the other's appearance. Larry came over after breakfast, and they sat in Phoenix's room, talking idly about nothing.

Larry was checking himself out in the mirror. "I'm a stud."

"Whazzthat?" Phoenix asked, glancing up.

"A super hot awesome dude. A dude who can kiss any lady he wants at any time."

Phoenix rolled his eyes. "Like James Bond?"

Bad idea to implant in Larry's head. The other stood up, slicking back his hair, stood sideways, and held up a finger lightly. "Bond. James Bond," Larry said, imitation horrible. He pretended to pull a gun, and the two laughed. Phoenix offered him a chocolate-covered stick-biscuit, which the other took and sucked on happily.

Larry began to talk about this girl name Angie, talking about her eyes, and her hair, and her face, and some other things, but Phoenix wasn't paying attention. The color of McGruff's overcoat was so much more important, Larry's words weren't even on the same scale.

By lunchtime, the two were outside, playing in Phoenix's front yard and trying to recreate the leafmen from before. Phoenix kept being a spoilsport and jumped into them just as they were starting to take shape, much to Larry's misery. Not long after, it happened.

The world shook, and the two boys flattened themselves to the ground, unable to stay upright at all. Larry fell badly on his elbow and let out a yelp, while Phoenix hit his butt. It was over in a timely manner, but it was still startling. The two boys sat where they were, startled, pale and unsure of what to make of the situation. Phoenix's father came rushing out to check them over, and was pleased they were shaken, but not stirred. They all went inside to help clean up what had been knocked over and broken.

Miles didn't come home that afternoon. He didn't call. No problem for Phoenix--it'd probably been a long day, and maybe he and his father had gone out for dinner, then come back home half-asleep. It was the newspaper the next evening that rocked Phoenix. Phoenix only skimmed, not much caring for anything else.

Defense Attorney Edgeworth Slain

Defense attorney Gregory Edgeworth, of the Ray D Aitor case fame, was murdered today…Son Miles questioned…Boy spontaneously adopted by famous prosecutor Manfred von Karma…Ancient Channeling technique to be used…

Miles was gone. The first week, Phoenix held onto the desperate hope that he would show up one day, to apologize and bring him along. But when the only other news he heard of Miles again was a brief mention when the channeling lady (whoever that was--it wasn't like Phoenix would care about that later in his life), the hope began to fade. He almost repeated what had happened the other week. He almost stopped caring. However, Larry's words hung strong in his head, and Phoenix tried to just push it all to the back of his mind.

The first month, it stung. He mourned. He didn't sleep very well at all.

The second month, it was miserable. He cried almost every night, to himself, pouring over the pages of a book he didn't understand. Christmas barely registered in his mind.

The third month, Phoenix knew that it was hopeless. Miles wouldn't be coming back. It was time to move on. He couldn't bring himself to stop looking at the phone and at the newspaper whenever it rang or was updated nonetheless.

At three and a half months, Phoenix walked outside one day to the garbage can at the end of the driveway. He slipped off the pink collar, and tossed it into the garbage. "The deal is off," he whispered to no one. "I'm a feral dog now." But as he turned his back to that trash can, he clenched his fist, and made a silent oath to himself. He promised himself that he would work his way toward the law career. Eventually, someday, he would see Edgeworth again. If it was from one side of the courtroom, so be it. He'd find Miles again, and he'd force him to remember the deal he had broken.

"My parents would've adopted you too," he whispered hoarsely, unable to resist, and went back inside to finish breakfast. No more mourning. No more tears. Miles was gone, and that was all. He had Larry. He had purpose. He didn't need a master.

Phoenix Wright didn't need Miles Edgeworth. He'd find another lovebird to partner up with. Larry would be that lovebird until college. Dahlia and a few other girlfriends and boyfriends would be his love birds during college. Maya would be his lovebird until he lost his badge. Trucy was his lovebird until she met Apollo. Phoenix would survive, and he knew he would. He did.

Phoenix Wright didn't need a master, and he wasn't anyone's dog. He believed in himself, and didn't need orders to survive. Such was growing up.

The deal was broken.

Phoenix had lost Miles as a friend.

Miles lost Phoenix as a dog.

But they had both changed, whether they knew it or not. They'd left a mark on each other, even during all of the years they were apart.

The dog was man's best friend. And in the end… Phoenix had been Miles' best friend.