Chapter 3:

Out From the Ashes

Miles' mind was driving at full speed. He had only started to accept that spirit channelling could happen, but he was far from comfortable around it whenever it happened. It just seemed to cause more trouble, with the channelled spirits doing whatever they pleased in the host's body before returning to whatever plain of existence they came from. If they committed a murder, then it was the spirit channeler who got the blame rather than the spirit. Whatever just happened to Phoenix, Miles wasn't okay with it. Watching your closest friend go up in flames while dying from a stab wound, only to leave a pile of ash and no way of catching the killer who did this! Phoenix had to go out with a fire, didn't he?! Miles was suddenly tempted to get in contact with Maya and demand that she channel Phoenix's stupid soul so he could tell him off! Before he did anything though, he needed to get his emotions in control…he needed to grieve over the loss of Phoenix, his closest friend, his rival, the man who pushed him to become a better person…no one in the courtroom fought like Phoenix did. He should…he should tell Maya the news before calling Dick Gumshoe to try and get any information to try and track down the killer.

How would he tell Maya what happened to Phoenix? In the same office her sister had her life stolen…Phoenix had made an enemy who stole his life. Mia Fey had made an enemy too…Miles gripped his arm, emotions he wouldn't have felt all those years ago surfaced. The sadness of the loss of life, the anger at the unknown murderer who took his friend away, the guilt that he'd be the one to tell Maya of her loss. He glanced to the potted plant that was silently thriving under Phoenix and Maya's care. The only other loss that had felt this bad was when he lost his father…his grip on his arm tightened as the tears continued to fall. Damn it Phoenix Wright…why did he had to perish?

The sound of something coughing lifted him from his raging emotions. He looked around before his eyes caught movement from the ash pile. He froze on the spot as tiny fingers emerged from the ash pile, stretching out for something or just simply breaking free from the ash pile. As more ash was moved, Miles watched as a young child pushed through the ash pile until they could breath the air without inhaling ash through their nose or mouth. Most of their body was covered in ash, making their skin look a dark grey colour but if there was something Miles would recognise anywhere, it was the hair. Their hair (despite the ash) was pointing backwards while mimicking the look of spikes themselves. The same hairstyle that Phoenix had for his entire life. Just what the hell happened?!

The child tried to push himself up onto his legs but soon lost his balance and fell forward. Miles was quick to catch him though, supporting him back down on his knees. The child (Phoenix Junior, as Mile's brain had decided) looked up at him with mis-matched eyes. Miles noticed the heterochromia immediately; the left eye was a coal black while his right was a rich blue. Miles scanned the room before his eyes landed on the blue blazer that had been discarded by Phoenix earlier that night and stood up. He felt Phoenix Junior watching him with interest but remained where he was, his body too weak at this moment to support itself. As Miles picked up the blazer, he felt the weight of the magatama in one of the pockets. Without thinking on it too much he removed the glowing, green magatama from the blue blazer pocket and put it in his. It was going to cause him to hallucinate those locks but maybe he could use it to get information out from Phoenix Junior? Later, now wasn't the right time. He returned to Phoenix Junior and draped the blazer over him to give him some form of dignity.

"Thank you," Phoenix Junior beamed at Miles and wrapped himself up in the blazer, it covered him nicely. His gratitude answered one of Miles' questions too, would he be able to communicate.

"You're…welcome," Miles spoke, trying to keep himself calm but still not sure what exactly had happened. Wait…he now had the magatama. He could ask and see what would happen. Might as well start with a simple question then, huh? Asking for a name couldn't hurt, right? "What is your name?" He kept his voice as neutral as possible. Phoenix Junior tilted his head at Miles.

"That's easy~ I'm…" Phoenix Junior paused. His mind drew a blank at that…what was his name? He looked up at Miles who was waiting patiently for an answer. "I…I don't know…" Phoenix Junior finally responded. Miles wasn't sure what he was waiting for. The magatama to vibrate intensely and summon the psyche-locks and chains or was glad to feel and see nothing like that. The magatama wasn't reacting to that so maybe Phoenix Junior really didn't know his name.

'Well, I'll be paying for Phoenix's cleaning bill for that blazer…that's for sure. I should probably call Miss Fey while we're at it too,' Miles thought to himself, watching Phoenix Junior struggle to desperately remember his own name.

"Erm…mister?" Phoenix Junior spoke up, gently pulling Miles out from his mind.

"Yes?"

"Who…" Miles watched as the child squirmed, uneasy himself about asking this question. "Who are you?"

"You don't remember?" Miles raised an eyebrow at Phoenix Junior. Was this another case of amnesia? Or was the universe just doing this to laugh at him? It wouldn't be the first time the universe did something like that to him.

"I don't…I just woke up in the ash pile," Phoenix Junior spoke as he glanced towards the large ash pile that had been disturbed as he crawled out.

"Like a phoenix…" Miles muttered.

"I'm not a phoenix though."

'Well, that's strange…?' Miles thought as everything started to darken around him. The sound of rushing chains erupted in his ears and curled around Phoenix Junior, over the chains five, cold, black locks formed. Miles felt the colour leave his face as he stared at the depressing looking locks. He grabbed his phone and quickly called Maya. Phoenix Junior just stared at him confused, he wasn't aware of what was going on, who this stranger was and why after making that comment did he look like he was going to be sick?

Ace Attorney – Chapter 3: Out From the Ashes

Maya was not sleeping but instead binge-watching Steel Samurai, it was her favourite show after all and what better time to watch it than at night with a bowl of popcorn sitting next to her and her expansive collection out in front of her? She jumped up and cheered as the current episode had finished, the credits were playing before she noticed her phone vibrating on the table. She frowned, wondering who had decided to call her during her favourite time. Snatching the pink phone from the table her eyes widened as a familiar name popped up on the screen. Why would Miles be calling her now? The next episode wasn't out for him to reach to her and chat about. Without a second thought, she flipped her phone and pressed the green button.

"Hiya Miles, what's up?" She asked as she flopped back down on her sofa.

"Miss Fey…I apologise for calling you out of the blue like this…but what are…black locks?" Maya could hear the uneasiness in his tone, that could only mean one thing…he was using the magatama on someone. Nick willingly lent it to Miles before so why should she be concerned now? Her face dropped though as her brain registered the request from the prosecutor. Black psyche-locks? Who could Miles be questioning to give those for a response? "Miss Fey?" Miles' voice came again.

"Black psyche-locks indicate that the person who has them has a secret even hidden from themselves. They're not easy to break and if done incorrectly can cause permanent damage to the person on the emotional and spiritual level. Who's got black psyche-locks?" Maya couldn't help but ask. She personally had never encountered a black lock before and hopefully never will, they were terrifying to see and feel.

"…" Miles didn't reply.

"Miles…?" Maya spoke his name again and waited. She could hear the gears grinding in Miles' head, but she learnt to be patient with Miles. Finally, she heard the familiar sigh.

"It's…Wright…"

Clack. The phone had slipped through her hand and landed on the floor.

"Miss Fey? Are you alright?" She heard Miles' worried shout down the phone but she didn't want to reach down and pick it up. There was something Phoenix had either buried deep down inside of him that he had forgotten about it. She needed to know what question had prompted that lock to appear before Miles. Now wasn't the time to be watching Steel Samurai! A warm feeling of determination started to flow through her. She snatched the phone from the floor.

"I'm on my way to Nick's office!" She hung up on Miles before he could even respond. She stopped the DVD player and switched it off before doing the same to the TV. Nick needed her!

Ace Attorney – Chapter 3: Out From the Ashes

Miles felt a panic blossom in his chest. Maya was coming here and then she'd also discover Phoenix Junior, Phoenix Junior had five of these black locks which wasn't a good sign either. All because Phoenix Junior had told him that he wasn't a phoenix. Miles glanced down at his phone before he performed a quick search on the mythical bird and their abilities…that would be the only explanation that seemed logical. If Phoenix (and now Phoenix Junior) really was a phoenix, then everything that had just happened would make sense. Then why the black locks? Surely you'll never forget what you are?! That's just obscured! Miles would never forget the ways of the Von Karma family even if he had torn himself away from those lessons.

But what if he did? Why would he forget? Did he want to forget?

Miles tapped the first article that started going into the history of phoenixes and sadly what happens at the end of their life…combustion and rebirth from the ashes. A never-ending cycle of life and death. Phoenix Junior, no, Phoenix Wright was a phoenix…he had been best friends with a phoenix who didn't know he was a phoenix. That's just typical Wright for you, isn't it?

"Are you okay? Sir?" Phoenix Wright asked him. "You just…looked like you were going to be sick…and now you're looking deep in thought."

"Yes, yes I'm fine. I should…probably get you all cleaned up. You'll be leaving ash footprints all over the office if I don't clean you up." Miles had finally decided on what he should do. First, would be to get Phoenix all cleaned up and ash free. Second, to find him suitable clothes or when Maya arrives, see if she had anything for Phoenix to wear for now. Tomorrow they'd have to get some clothes appropriate for his size. Third, someone had murdered Phoenix, so launching an investigation will be needed, while keeping Phoenix hidden. Fourth, somewhere for Phoenix to stay while he…Miles paused. There had been nothing written down of a phoenix ageing rapidly. Phoenix…will have to re-live his life again. Just thinking about that made Miles' heart sink. No, this was Wright! He pulled everything around and produced 'miracles' as the judge once called them. They all knew better now though. "By the way, your name is Phoenix, okay?"

"Y-yes sir," Phoenix responded nervously. Well, he wasn't objecting to the name given to him. Giving him a surname just didn't feel right at the moment, instead he would hold off on using a surname. How embarrassed would he be if Phoenix introduced himself as Phoenix Edgeworth…No, Miles discarded that thought immediately.

The sound of frantic footsteps could be heard and before long, Maya was panting in the doorway.

"Where's Nick?!" She demanded and panted, her body trying to regain its oxygen levels from the running she did. Before Miles could even open his mouth to respond her eyes landed on the confused phoenix on the floor. "Nick?" Her eyes widened in shock; she made the connection instantly. It wasn't a surprise seeing as she worked with the man (now child) for most of his cases.

"'Nick'…?" Phoenix looked up at Miles. "I thought you said my name was Phoenix…?"

"Nick is a nickname Miss Fey calls you. Phoenix is still your name," Miles responded to the child.

"Oh…" Came the response. Miles nodded slightly as Maya came to stand in front of him. She was silently demanding answers to what the hell was going on.

"I'll return in a moment; I'm just going to talk to Miss Fey outside."

"Okay~" Phoenix's face brightened up as he smiled. Phoenix often did have the most infectious smiles, Miles felt his own small smile forming. He turned away from it reluctantly as he followed Maya out the office and into the main room so they could discuss what was happening and how they were going to handle it. The less people who knew about this the better…but Miles still wanted the killer of Phoenix to be brought to justice. Would there even be a case without a body to identify? Before he could get too absorbed into his thoughts, Maya clicked her fingers in front of his face, snapping him out before he could get too absorbed.

"Talk. Now," Maya demanded. Miles explained what he saw.

Ace Attorney – Chapter 3: Out From the Ashes

Phoenix was left alone. Sure, the two strangers were only outside the room but already he didn't like being alone. He slowly stood up and tried to take a step but fell once again. No harm in trying again. He found that once his legs had gotten used to supporting him walking became a lot easier. He remembered what that gentleman had said…that he didn't remember. Remember what? What was he supposed to remember but couldn't? The more he tried to think of something, he felt a headache forming which forced him to stop. He wandered around the room, looking for anything to keep himself occupied before the other two came back.

He pulled the blazer tighter around himself. It was warm and comforting, this felt right. He couldn't explain why but he felt like this belonged to him…despite it being oversized. He wanted to stay wrapped up in this familiarity until things started to make sense. His name was Phoenix…or he was called that and then the girl in the strange clothes called him Nick, a nickname. Thinking about it…they both seemed to wear something strange. The man with the frills and the woman with the strange…everything. He decided to try and find what else felt like it belonged to him. A flash of gold caught his attention. He looked down at the blazer and finally noticed it, the golden badge in the shape of a sunflower, a pair of scales decorated the middle. He ran his fingers over the metal, it was cool to the touch but had the same feeling as the rest of the blazer. It looked like it belonged there, he felt like he belonged in the blazer…he'll have to ask the other two when they came back in.

He continued looking around the office, sitting on the chair in the room and looking at the desk. None of the documents made any sense to him. He couldn't read it either…who had handwriting this bad? Or was it because he didn't know how to read? Could anyone read this? He pushed the papers to the side (leaving ash on the paperwork) before his eyes latched onto an incomplete drawing. One person he didn't recognise and then the other was that lady. The art looked amazing from what he could see though. It felt as though the two people in the drawing would spring to life and jump off the page. If that happened then Phoenix wouldn't know what to do. It couldn't happen anyway…right? He did his best not to get any more ash over the desk and hopped off the chair.

He looked around the office some more but failing to find anything else that gave him the sense of belonging, so far it was only the blazer but he had some form of idea on who worked here…and they were messy. Paperwork seemed to be everywhere but where the pile of ash was. He did feel sorry for whoever owned this room because ash didn't look easy to move and clean. The only piece of clothing that had been found in this room was the blazer that he was using now, he should probably ask the gentleman if he could have any clothes that would fit him. As much as he loved this blazer, he couldn't very well just have it, the original owner of the blazer might be looking for it.

Phoenix nearly jumped out of his skin (and blazer) when the door suddenly opened, and the strange woman came in. Seeing that it was her he calmed down rather quickly as the gentleman with the frills came in too. Phoenix opened his mouth but the woman crouched down in front of him and pulled him into a hug.

"Nick, what have you gotten yourself into?" She whispered as she held him. Phoenix blinked confused but the hug was warm. So warm that he felt himself slowly drifting off to sleep…wrapped up in the blazer and this woman's arms.

He felt safe.