Disclaimer: As a young boy, I want to avoid legal action (otherwise I might have Apollo defending me!) so I'll just state that all of the characters used in this fanfic belong to the amazing people at Capcom. I doubt Capcom are people who would sue me just because I didn't put a disclaimer in my fanfic but you can never be too careful :P
Author's Note: Yes, Larry died. I felt that my tear ducts were acting up as I wrote the part when Phoenix stroked Larry's scar and it's quite a cold story. If you love Larry or hate violence for any reason, I'd guess this story isn't for you.
Oh and I'd like some reviews please! Some with constructive critism if possible!
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Phoenix didn't move for a few moments. As the doctors shuffled out of the room, yet again defeated, Phoenix could only stand there, emotionless. A few moments later, his knees gave in and he fell to the floor. Tears welled up in his eyes and he sobbed quietly to himself. As he slowly got up, the tears still streaming down the sides of his face, he took off his hat.
"Larry..." he whimpered. He moved his friend's arms and put his hat on his chest. He then moved the arms back so that they held the hat in place.
"From me to you..." sobbed Phoenix. He continued crying for a few seconds but then he wiped the tears off of his face. He wouldn't let Larry's killer get away.
Phoenix stood up and exited the room, walking quietly back to reception and past the receptionist.
"Sir." the receptionist said. "I'm sorry for your loss." Phoenix nodded slowly. He suspected the doctor told her to mark Larry off of their patient records since he was now deceased. Phoenix drove back to the Wright "Anything" Agency and parked his car in his usual space. He tried to quietly enter his office but Apollo was still sitting at his desk.
"How did it go, Mr Wright?" Apollo asked.
"He died whilst I was there." Phoenix sighed. It took most of his strength just to say the words. Apollo gasped loud enough for Trucy to hear, who was watching Valant on television.
"Who died?" Trucy enquired loudly. Phoenix sighed and felt he would cry again. Apollo gestured to Trucy to calm down.
"Mr Wright, they've apprehended the suspect. They rung me up just after you were gone." Apollo flicked through his diary.
"Who is the suspect?" Phoenix demanded. Apollo flinched.
"Ah. You might not be in the best of moods to..."
"Just god damn tell me!" roared Phoenix angrily. Apollo cringed.
"It's Miles Edgeworth..." Apollo whimpered. Phoenix stood up straight. His lower lip quivered at such a speed Apollo hadn't seen before.
"But he's in Europe investigating court systems in foreign countries." Phoenix shook his head. "He was still there a month ago."
"He returned last night. He was hiring the room from across the crime scene." Apollo said. "Apparently they had incriminating evidence against him."
"How many times have I heard that?" complained Phoenix.
"Daddy, are you okay?" Trucy asked.
"Go back to watching television, Trucy. I'm in a bad mood." Phoenix turned to Apollo. "I want you to take his case, Apollo."
"What?" Apollo asked, confused. Phoenix was asking him to take a case, just like that.
"It's important. If two of my friends go down in the same two days, I'll swear I'll be the one on trial." growled Phoenix. He rubbed his forehead angrily and took out a bottle of Jack Daniels.
"Are you sure alcohol is the awnser?" Apollo asked.
"It's the best solution I can think of." Phoenix responded by tipping the bottle upright, allowing a whole amount of alcohol to tumble down his throat. "Apollo, go and defend Miles Edgeworth."
"But, sir..." Apollo began.
"Just do it!" yelled Phoenix. "I am your boss and unless you want to be living in a cardboard box looking for food in trash cans next year, do what I say."
Apollo solemnly left the office. Larry's death had had a giant effect on Phoenix anyways and with the news of Miles Edgeworth being suspected, Apollo was worried Phoenix would end up drunk. Apollo never thought Phoenix would be a heavy drinker but the case had certainly taken it's toll on Phoenix. Apollo didn't have a car. Not that he couldn't afford one, it's just that he preferred using pedal power. He sat on his bike and sped off to the detention centre.
* * *
Apollo locked his bike on the bike rack outside the park square and walked to the detention centre. The place was cold and unforgiving; Apollo regularly hated visiting the place. He slid his ID card into the sensor and the door electronically opened. Apollo walked through to the Visitor's Room.
"I'd like to see Miles Edgeworth." he requested. The guard nodded and babbled something into his transceiver. Then, the door opened and a well built man came through. He had jet black hair with a parting and some light facial hair. He wore a purple jacket with a blue tie that must have cost an expensive amount.
"Miles Edgeworth..." Apollo mumbled.
"Yes? You see I'm a very busy person and..." Edgeworth said.
"You're Mr Wright's friend, aren't you?" Apollo questioned. "I've seen you in videos. You're quite a bit older now, though."
"Mr Wright?" Edgeworth said, confused. "You don't mean Phoenix Wright, do you." Apollo nodded eagerly. "This is strange. How come he isn't here? Right now he would be trying to convince me to let him defend me."
"He's not a lawyer anymore." Apollo looked down. "I'm his apprentice, you see."
"Phoenix has an apprentice?" Edgeworth asked in disbelief. "What's your name?"
"Apollo Justice, Attorney." Apollo smiled. "I've got a 100% record, so you don't need to worry."
Edgeworth frowned. "It doesn't matter how good you are. I will choose the attorney I see fit."
Mr Wright won't like this..., Apollo thought. He fiddled with his attorney badge, a habit he had recently acquired when he was nervous.
"If you're Wright's apprentice, then you've got to be good. Fine. You can be my defence attorney." Edgeworth assured him. Apollo threw his fist in the air in celebration. As much as it sounded bad, he actually enjoyed going into court.
"Okay. Let's start simple." Apollo began. "What happened on the night of the murder?"
Edgeworth fixed his tie. "I heard cries from the room across and, at first, I thought it was a baby bawling. After I heard a shriek, I decided to take action."
"What do you mean by action?" Apollo questioned. Edgeworth frowned.
"I went over there. But when I got there, I saw Larry in a chair, handcuffed and beaten. Then, on the back of his neck, I saw the bullet hole. He was bleeding badly."
"I called the police, as a good citizen should, but I did something completely and...." Edgeworth stopped.
"Go on." Apollo pressed.
"...I picked up the pistol. I don't know why but I wanted to see how much bullets had been fired. I should have left it to the police but when they arrived, I was holding the gun. It's only natural to arrest me, isn't it?" Edgeworth sighed. "Why the hell did I do that?"
So that's their incriminating evidence, is it?, thought Apollo and then he sat up straight. "It seems you've been caught up in something much, much worse than you could imagine. Larry died at midday."
"What?" Edgeworth let his head hang. "Now it's a murder charge..."
"But you don't need to worry." Apollo clenched his fist. "I'll capture the real killer. You'll get an acquittal, don't worry."
* * *
Miles and miles away, a car, notably a taxi, pulled up to bank. A man stepped out. He was black, well built, with a crème suit on. He flipped open his mobile phone and dialled the first number he could.
"Alright, I want my money." he demanded.
"Calm down, Mr Green. You'll get your money when I see fit."
"When will that be?" spat the man.
"When I have the money myself."
Mr Green was impatient. "What the hell does that mean?!"
"Goodbye, Mr Green."
Those three words triggered a flash. More like an igniter inside Mr Green's phone. The flame trailed to a microscopic bomb which exploded whilst it was next to Mr Green's ear. The explosion caused his hand to tear off and it sent ripples, fracturing his skull as well as destroying his left ear. Mr Green fell to the floor, instantly dead.
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Yeah, I couldn't bring myself to give 'Mr Green' a name.
And Edgeworth has a beard! Shock horror! Yeah, well he'd be thirty-four so I wanted to change him. I guess getting facial hair would be a good way to picture that.