Prologue: The View from On High
If one were to call the sights beheld atop a mountain a negligible experience, the only fitting denotation would be 'unadventurous'. A thin mist adorned a view so vast one could gaze upon a merchant a whole day before their arrival. A soft melody of birds melting into the soft flowing of the nearby waterfall. A soft smile crossed the face of Phoenix Wright as he took a deep breath, filling his lungs with what one could call the freshest air around.
He rode on horseback, and even still, climbing the mountain was no small feat. No, it was an extreme challenge for both horse and rider. He gently rubbed the mane of the horse. The horse nestled itself into his palm, serenely.
"Let's head back, Charlie."
Phoenix gripped the reigns and Charlie turned. With barely a warning, the horse burst into a sprint down the somewhat steep downhill. The wind whistled by, and the world seemed to shift beneath Charlie's footsteps. The vast view grew thinner as the treeline and neighboring mountains blocked out the sights. And soon too came the end of the journey as they met the foot of the mountain.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU RODE DOWN A MOUNTAIN AT FULL SPEED!?" Mia Fey scolded loudly, grasping Charlie's reigns tightly. She rubbed the horse lovingly, all while giving Phoenix a cold glare.
"Yeah… hah hah." He said, scratching his neck and grinning sheepishly.
"Don't 'hah hah' me!" She turned now to the horse and offered a sympathetic smile. "Charlie, honey, I'm so sorry you had to deal with this lunatic. You're safe now."
"Hey! It's not like a tried to ride him off the Cliffs of Abendawn!" Phoenix defended. "At least he's safe!"
"And thank the gods for that," Mia said, fondly petting Charlie. "Don't pull a stunt like that again, Phoenix."
"Yeah…."
"Yeah?"
"Of course!"
"That's more like it." She smiled earnestly. "You're forgiven."
"Thanks, chief…" he trailed off.
"No need for thanks. Instead, you can pay me back."
"Huh?"
"Maya's visiting for the next few weeks." Mia elaborated. "If you cover all her meal costs, then I'd say we're even."
"You'd probably be in debt to me by the end of that!" Phoenix muttered exasperatedly.
"Haha. Only joking. I don't think you could do that without literally not eating for the next month. I'm not sure what you can do quite yet. I'll keep you posted on that." She offered. "In the meantime, I'd say you ought to take Charlie back to the stables. Fair?"
"Y-yeah! Thanks, chief!" He complied, gently taking Charlie's reigns and nudging him off. Mia glanced up at the sky. She squinted for a moment before realization she struck and she hurried off. She wondered how she let it slip her mind. The village elders had summoned at her at precisely midday!
"I'm so sorry I'm late!" Mia declared, kneeling respectfully.
"Ah, not to worry, m'dear." Marvin Grossberg offered kindly. "The elders could have no reason to resent you. But... ahem I'll allow them to explain the situation and why you may find it... relevant."
"We've called you here for a very specific reason, Mia Fey. The news we shall deliver is of the utmost importance. Use it well."
"The colors of the world give it beauty." Another spoke words so simple, and yet, his tone was austere and his heart heavy. "Yet, at the same time, they fill it with disgust. The deplorable colors of Red and White fill our world with darkness."
Mia stood up suddenly, clenching her fists.
"The colors of Red and White force silence upon us." Another riddled. "Overcome them."
Mia paused for a moment, remaining perfectly still, until finally... "Where."
"Eiton." Grossberg provided. "Far north. Be quick, m'dear. He never lingers in one place for too long."
She gazed up at them and nodded, her resolve made firm. "Thank you for your kindness. I promise to surpass your expectations."
Phoenix once again rubbed Charlie's mane. Charlie seemed to smile.
"Phoenix!" Mia ordered. He jumped in shock. She hardly responded and locked eyes with him. "I'm going out on a mission. Sorry to go back on what I just said, but can you bring Charlie back out again?"
"A mission? Where are you off to?"
She turned away, a pensive sadness on her face. "I can't tell you that, Phoenix. Know that is something I have to resolve on my own."
"But I can help you, chief!" Phoenix countered. "At least tell me!"
"I can't drag you into this." She offered, guilt forcing her to turn her gaze away.
"What about Maya?" He struck back.
"I trust you to look after her Phoenix. Someone has to be there to treat her when she gets here." She said with a regretful smile. "Before I go, I need you to know something, Phoenix…"
"Wh-what is it?" He stuttered.
"I have been thrust into a situation where there is but one way forward for me." She gripped Phoenix's shoulder and offered him a kind smile. "But never forget that you stand on a world as vast as the sun and as mysterious as the moon. So long as that truth remains in your heart, you will always be able to grow, to change, and to keep moving forward. See the world, take in everything to behold, and pass it on. Show the sights to another."
"Ch-chief…" She took the reigns from his grip and mounted the horse, never breaking eye contact with her pupil.
"I'll see you around, Phoenix."
And she was gone. The trot of the horse grew quieter and quieter, more and more distant, as the well of anxiety welling within grew more and more tormenting.
A/N: Short prologue, but I really wanted to get the ball rolling on this project. I've been doing a lot of planning for this fic in particular and I wanted to make sure I had all my ideas outlined before I started dropping chapters. Either way, the basic premise is here, so if you're intrigued, stick around!