DISCLAIMER: Phoenix Wright/Gyakuten Saiban is the property of Capcom. This is a non-profit tribute to the games we've come to love.
A/N: And here we are, four years later!
A couple of reviewers told me I should write an epilogue back in 2011, and I wasn't sure if I would be able to do that. Writing and revising "No Place for a Hero" was a lot of fun, but also quite draining. By the time I got around posting chapter 24 I felt I was through, even if that meant leaving the loose thread from Ema Skye's plotline without closure and the possibility of a sequel a secret.
I should come clean about something. Publishing this has been my biggest literary accomplishment in terms of how much exposure it's received. It's been read by people all over the world, even now! I spent so many hours planning out the fic, writing it, tuning it and making sure it was the best love letter to Ace Attorney it could be, but I wasn't ready to see my work enjoyed by so many of you.
Still, I was embarrassed in spite of loving it so much. I didn't take it as seriously as my original fiction work, even though I gave it my best and so many of you wrote glowing reviews about each chapter that was released. That changed when I got a 3DS in November and was able to play not only Dual Destinies, but the unofficial translation of Gyakuten Kenji 2/Ace Attorney Investigations 2. I remembered why I loved Ace Attorney and why this fic, a monumental effort by personal standards, even existed. So I finished writing this epilogue… and saw that was down for most of the day. Haha!
Love everything you do, guys, and love yourselves for it. Whether it's to practice for that big project that's cooking inside your head or to be a fan and express the monumental love you have for your favorite series and games, never stop writing that fanfiction…. but most importantly, never stop loving it. It's the result of your effort. It's your baby.
This will be a two-part epilogue, meaning there is still a little more to come! So stay tuned. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it, even if it took me so long!
This chapter was written while listening to Daft Punk, more specifically the awesome "Instant Crush".
No Place for a Hero
Epilogue Part I: Blue Sorrow
May 7th, 10:21 AM
Gettewell Hospital – Police Ward
Miles Edgeworth didn't know what evil lurked in the hearts of men, but he could make an educated guess. He was a prosecutor, someone who brought all sorts of bad men to justice, but to say he had seen it all was –by his own admission– naïve at best, conceited and cynical at worst. He'd locked away some of the lowest of the low –kidnappers, rapists, murderers– and still he was prepared for whatever else the world might throw at him.
And yet, the truth was Edgeworth felt naked outside of a court of law. He knew better than anyone else how awkward and emotionally unavailable he could be when it came to close relationships. He had very few friends as a matter of fact; he often was rude and condescending to them without realizing, quick to offend and slow to apologize. Their patience, he thought, was saintly.
Edgeworth was ready for the world in spite of his personal shortcomings, but never for the phone call that informed him of detective Ema Skye's assault and near death experience just two nights ago.
His visit to the police ward of the Gettewell Hospital was a challenge thanks to the elevator ride. Bordering on an anxiety attack, he clutched the rose bouquet meant for the detective with a vice-like grip, unaware that he was ruining the flowers and his suit. It was nothing short of a nightmare, but Ema's plight helped him get through the worst parts.
Crimes are one thing, he thought, but once you are personally invested all bets are off. A friend is in need! You're a grown man, Miles! You're almost there!
No one saw Edgeworth get off the elevator, thankfully. He made a beeline for the nearest bathroom and washed his face.
There were no members of the press to bother him with questions when he got to the waiting room, no incessant yapping to endure about everything that had transpired at the trial of Ned Munny or the Jurist System hearings. He had to thank the hospital's security for that. Edgeworth was thus free to occupy that moment and hold fast to it, regardless of how difficult it became. He was swallowing a bitter pill, but at least it was of his own accord.
"Miles Edgeworth?" said a female voice, its tone a whisper of surprise. "Is that really you?"
Edgeworth waited for someone to take him to Ema's room, but he had no idea it would be Lana Skye of all people. He rose from his chair and opened his mouth, but the words failed to come out. They left along with the color of his face.
Lana was wearing a blue cardigan, a long red skirt and a smile that embodied the person she had become, a woman free from her past and the shadow it cast over her life. The cold, efficient prosecutor from almost ten years ago was replaced by a soft-spoken motherly figure the likes of which could break a heart of stone.
"Ms. Skye," Edgeworth said flatly.
"My! It is indeed you," Lana said, tilting her head a little and smiling. She bowed politely. "I didn't think I'd be able to see you, considering you probably have a very tight schedule. And you even brought flowers. Thank you for such a kind gesture."
"No, please," said Edgeworth finally, his cheeks burning. "It's the least I could do. Ema is not only a close friend but also a valuable asset and a very brave woman. If she hadn't protected the evidence the truth may have eluded us forever."
Edgeworth exhaled hard, clenching his eyes shut and cursing at himself. He stood before a friend and yet he kept speaking with his official prosecutorial voice, saying all the right things but never how he truly felt. Why should he hide his emotions now?
"I was…" he began. He shook his head and tried again. "When I got that phone call from Wright I felt my body hollowing out like a sandbag that just got a hole punched through it. I couldn't think of anything else.
"I thought as a prosecutor that by devoting myself to my work I wouldn't be affected by personal matters. It took me long enough to realize how pointless that was. Defending friends from criminal charges is one thing, but to think about the possibility of losing one of them…"
"–You weren't ready."
"No. I was not."
Edgeworth lowered his eyes and tapped a finger against the bouquet.
"Somehow I feel I am closer to understanding you, Ms. Skye, closer to knowing how you felt all these years," he admitted as he lifted his gaze.
"I see..." was Lana's reply.
Lana looked away, sadness marring what was otherwise an expression of peace. By looking at her Edgeworth understood he had spoken too hastily, too stupidly. It was possible, he realized, that he might never understand the true depth of this woman's sorrow. And still he tried to. His stubbornness puzzled him to a certain degree. Maybe he saw in Lana Skye the kind of person he was destined to become had he not been rescued from the darkness by Phoenix Wright.
"I still can't believe I had an ankle bracelet on the last time we talked," said Lana in a voice perhaps too casual as she lifted her foot. "House arrest was too small a penalty in hindsight."
Edgeworth interrupted her with a shake of his head. It's true that Lana Skye had committed a serious crime by forging evidence and acting as co-conspirator with former Chief of Police Damon Gant, but for her to say something like this…
"Please don't say that. What happened, what you did… your hand was forced. Your debt to society is paid now," he explained in a quiet voice. "You were forgiven a long time ago, but more importantly I know you will eventually find the strength to forgive yourself. I'm sure Ema of all people feels the same way."
"Edgeworth…"
They said nothing for a while. They looked into each other's eyes in silence, and in doing so said everything that words didn't allow. Unlike before there was no clumsiness, embarrassment, confusion or fear.
Lana was the first to break their connection, though not without regrets. She took a step toward Edgeworth and lifted the bouquet from his hands.
"These are beautiful."
"Yes. Do you think Ema will like them?"
Lana's response was a knowing smile, a mystery all of its own. "We should go. She must be waiting."
Edgeworth took one last deep breath. He dusted off his sleeves and nodded at Lana to lead the way.
May 7th, 10:33 AM
Gettewell Hospital – Police Ward
Ema Skye's Room
Who thought being a detective would turn out like this? Ema Skye wondered as she let out a big sigh. It's so much trouble for something I didn't even want to do…
Her whole body felt sore and heavy but she was too scared to do anything about it, even moving to a more comfortable position; she thought the pain would find a new way to take hold of her if she tried. At least her hospital robes were soft, pleasant and best of all pink, her favorite color.
Ema's hospital room was rather nice, all things considered. The HDTV mounted to the wall had cable and the sheets didn't smell like puke and sick people. Her sister had even saved a small corner for all the "get well soon" cards from people like Chief Gumshoe, Kay Faraday and Mr. Phoenix Wright's agency. They covered the bags of Snackoos her visitors smuggled in pretty well.
Looking around got boring after a while. With nothing good to watch on TV either, Ema turned it off and let her eyes drift to the cast on her broken arm; her arm responded by throbbing in pain even harder. She had to look away. The meds were barely helping, but at least she'd check herself out soon.
On the other hand, the memory of what happened at her apartment –the surprise attack, the struggle and finally the shooting—were too fresh, too sharp. Ema was, for the lack of a better word, mentally tethered to that awful series of events; this would continue as long as she was in physical pain, or at least that's what she thought. Part of her knew she was mistaken, but she couldn't bear accepting that fact. That's why she had turned away the hospital's therapist twice already.
It's okay, Ema. Don't be the victim. she thought, somewhat disgusted. It's not the end of the world. Just chin up and get over it. Don't be weak. You're not a little girl anymore. You won't be saved every time.
A timely knock on the door kept Ema's thoughts from getting grimmer.
"Come in?"
The door opened. Lana let herself in along with a very special guest: Miles Edgeworth.
"Omigosh! Mister Edgeworth!" Ema exclaimed, beaming with excitement. For the first time in hours she ignored the pain and sat on the bed grinning from ear to ear.
Edgeworth smiled, although a slight frown of worry appeared on his always furrowed brow. He glanced at Lana and then at Ema.
"Yes. I'm sorry I couldn't come earlier," Edgeworth said. "I'm flattered you're so happy to see me, but shouldn't you be resting?"
Ema pursed her lips into one of her characteristic pouts and rolled her eyes. "Ugh! Who cares about resting, boss? I've been here only two days but it already feels like forever. Time passes at a snail's pace when you're like this, let me tell you."
"Heh. it's comforting to see you are in good spirits," Edgeworth admitted.
Ema looked at Lana with a tinge of sadness and patted her cast. "I'm… hanging in there, Mr. Edgeworth. Don't worry about it."
Lana walked away from Edgeworth and stood next to the bed. She reached over and ran her fingers through Ema's hair, just like she did when she was younger.
"Are you sure? I know you're trying very hard and you're tired of me saying this, but you don't look okay, Ema. Are you really sure you don't want to see doctor Brown? She told me she can come see you any time you need it."
Ema rubbed at her forehead in exasperation and shook her head.
"I don't need a therapist! I'd just like to get this over with and go home, you know? I'd appreciate it if you stopped bugging me about that too. I'm fine, okay? Just… stop."
Lana resisted the urge to sigh and nodded. "Okay. I will."
"Look… I know you're worried," Ema replied as kindly as she could, "but I seem to be doing pretty okay for someone who just shot somebody dead. I mean–ugh…"
Ema would have continued putting up a strong front, were it not for the horrible knot that caught her throat and forced a sob out of her.
"Oh… goddammit… No… I'm so sorry. Just give me a minute…."
Ema wished she could joke about it. She wished she could be that strong, or at least cold enough to admit it was either him or her that horrible night. But she couldn't do either one of those things. She was supposed to be saving lives, not taking them.
Tired and frustrated, her defenses toppled down all at once. Ema Skye covered her face with her good hand and began to weep,
Lana immediately sat next to her sister and cradled her head against her shoulder. "It's alright, Ema. That's alright. Let it go. Don't fight it," she said, placing a kiss on top of Ema's head while fighting back tears of her own.
Seeing both sisters holding each other like this tugged at Miles Edgeworth's heartstrings like few things ever did. He desperately sought a way to help, as if there existed a hidden button nobody knew about that was capable of rewinding time, destroying bad memories and burying mistakes. Ironically, he thought he could use something like that himself.
What a cruel word, he thought. Now she'll have to carry the memory of what she did for the rest of her days. And to think she only wanted to be a forensics scientist for her sister's sake…
Edgeworth accepted he was out of options and placed the wrinkled bouquet at the edge of the bed. Sometimes the best help one could offer was to stay out of the way.
"I'll be outside," he whispered, politely showing himself out of the room.
Next Chapter: Wine Red Hope
Please look forward to the Author Notes next chapter! I will discuss the plot for the sequel that I never wrote, among other interesting tidbits. Later!