Several days later, on his way out of the courthouse, Phoenix found a surprise voicemail from Maya.
"NICK! They're showing a super special ONE NIGHT ONLY remastered version of the ORIGINAL Steel Samurai movie down at Spotlight Cinema next weekend and I am coming down and you are GOING TO GO WITH ME." The message ended there.
Phoenix stared down at the phone and shook his head.
On the day of the movie, Phoenix met Maya and Pearl at the train station and helped carry their bags back to his apartment. As soon as they got their luggage inside, Maya leapt at Phoenix and threw her arms around his neck. He laughed and hugged her back.
"How long has it been, Nick?" Maya said with a grin, rubbing his hair out of place.
He batted her hands away and smoothed his hair back into perfect spikes. "Too long, Master Maya."
She smiled and spread out her arms to show off her Master's robes, as she did every single time she visited. It was downright disturbing how adult she looked, even if she was the same old Maya underneath.
"Thanks for letting us stay, Nick. This is gonna be off the chain!" She punched the air.
"Uh, yeah." Phoenix gave her a sheepish smile. "I hope you don't mind if Trucy comes with us."
Maya shot him a sharp look. "God, of course not! She's the one who told us about the whole thing."
Phoenix blinked. "She did?"
"Sure! She said you've been working too hard and I needed to help get you out of the house."
Phoenix blinked twice. "She did?"
"Yup! And by the sound of it, you haven't been giving her the proper Steel Samurai education she deserves. Don't worry, I'll make sure she knows her stuff by the time I'm through." She rolled up her sleeve and clenched her fist.
"Uh, thanks?"
Just then, Pearl ran over and hugged him around the waist. "How's everything been around the office, Mr. Wright? Any grisly murders lately?" she asked.
"It's pretty calm right now. Surprisingly few murders."
"Oh, that's good! Bad for business, I guess, but good."
Phoenix squeezed her shoulder. "Trucy should be home any minute now. She just wanted to get more food for later."
She crossed her arms. "I came to see you too! You're my special uncle Nick, after all."
Phoenix grinned and picked up Maya's bags so he could lug them over to his room, which she was taking over during her stay.
"Thanks for letting me sleep in your room, Nick," she said while rummaging through her suitcase. "You're sure you don't mind?"
Phoenix laughed. "Maybe you forgot, but I used to sleep on the couch all the time back at the office. In fact, I'm pretty sure you tucked me in a few times."
"Oh trust me, I remember. It's just that, well, you're an old man now and I wouldn't want you to strain your brittle bones for my sake."
He stood with a blank expression on his face, and then pulled one of the pillows off the bed and whipped it at her head.
"NICK OH MY GOD," she yelled, grabbing the pillow from the floor and throwing it back at him with staggering force. Another pillow got involved somewhere along the way, and the skirmish kept gaining steam until Pearl poked her head into the room, and just managed to avoid getting a pillow to the face.
"Is this what adulthood is like," she whispered, clutching the doorframe in fear.
Phoenix and Maya looked at each other and burst out laughing, panting and hunched over. When he caught his breath, Phoenix walked over to Maya and gave her a squeeze around the waist.
"Geez, I've missed you," he said.
"Of course you have," she replied, resting her head on his shoulder.
Pearl cooed from the doorway and Maya groaned at her. She herded Pearl and Phoenix into the living room. "None of that, now," she said to Pearl in a soft, chastising voice. "We've talked about this."
Pearl lowered her head. "Yes, Master Maya."
Maya sighed and patted her on the shoulder. "Sorry girl, it's just not gonna happen. Speaking of…" She turned her attention to Phoenix, and he gulped. "Any romance in your life lately? Lovers? Prospects?"
Phoenix laughed nervously, scratching his cheek. "Why? What have you been told?"
Maya laughed too. "Nothing. Why, is there something to tell?" She leaned in a little too close and fixed a scrutinizing eye on him.
He rubbed his head. "Not really. My love life is pretty much the same as it's always been." A bright flush of pink settled on his cheeks.
A look of understanding crossed her face and she nodded. "I'm sure it'll happen for you, Nick. Something's gotta give eventually, right?"
He didn't quite understand what she meant by that so he tried to shrug off the topic, but she kept staring at him with that significant look.
To Phoenix's relief, Trucy came trudging through the door, weighed down with groceries. When she saw her friends she dropped the bags in her excitement, and he was there ready to catch them.
Trucy was a little nervous around Maya at first, since she wasn't as used to Maya's visits. But pretty soon she was chattering away, curious as always about Maya's own special brand of "magic".
After a quick lunch, the girls started getting ready. Maya kept her robes on, but she adorned her forehead with a special headband featuring the Steel Samurai logo. Pearl put on a pretty little necklace with an emblem of the Pink Princess dangling from the center.
Trucy emerged from her room wearing a colorful oversized Steel Samurai shirt over her normal clothes.
"That's quite a look," Phoenix said, quirking his eyebrow.
She spun around and glared at him. "And where's your fan spirit, daddy?"
He pointed to the gray beanie on top of his head.
"That isn't licensed merchandise," Maya said, crossing her arms.
"No, but the color is on theme," he asserted.
She tilted her head.
"Gray? Steel? Steel Samurai?" he said.
"Try harder, Nick," Maya said, smacking him upside the head as she passed by.
"Hey!" he said, rubbing his poor skull. He grumbled and pulled on his long black coat, and they left to catch the next bus.
When they got to the theater, there was already a long line wrapped around the front. It was filled with young children, but several unaccompanied adults dotted the line as well, shameless in their life choices.
Maya was practically dancing on her toes by the time they reached the back of the line.
"Yes!" she said, barely able to contain her excitement. "This is gonna be so cool! I never got to see the original in theaters. Oh man, it's gonna be rad!"
Phoenix shifted on his feet, starting to feel some of that excitement welling in his chest. He heard a sudden strangled yelp.
"Gah!" Maya yelled out. "Is that who I think it is?!"
Phoenix watched Maya dash out ahead of them until she reached a familiar silver-haired head.
"…seriously?" Phoenix said out loud.
"What is it, daddy?" Trucy asked.
"Nothing," Phoenix said, hissing out a long breath through his teeth. "Looks like your friend's here."
She peered around him. "Ah!" she said, slapping her hands to her face. "Mr. Edgeworth!"
"Oh!" Pearl chimed in, scanning the line. "Is he a Steel Samurai fan too?"
Phoenix snorted. "I should have known."
"Pearl and I will keep our spot if you wanna go say hi," Trucy said, stepping forward and trying to edge him out.
Phoenix glanced over just in time to see Maya throw her arms around Edgeworth's shoulders. "I guess I should…"
"Alright dad. Have fun!" Trucy gave him a small shove and waved.
Phoenix walked up the line to Edgeworth and Maya, surprised to see that Edgeworth had a companion.
"Prosecutor Blackquill?" he asked, taken aback.
"Wright-dono." Simon gave a small bow and Phoenix nodded in respect.
Edgeworth's eyes were staring at him sadly over Maya's shoulder, in the grip of a painful-looking hug. Phoenix took pity on him and tugged on the neck of Maya's robes.
She pulled away and had the self-awareness to give him a guilty grin. "Sorry about that. Wouldn't want to harm the Chief Prosecutor," she said with a proud gleam in her eye.
Edgeworth's glasses sat crooked on his nose. He blushed and straightened them out. "Thank you, Master Fey. I'm pleased to see you looking well."
"You too, Chief! I haven't seen you in forever! I'm liking the glasses. You're turning into a real silver fox." She slapped him on the back and he cleared his throat.
"Yes, well," he said, searching for a response. After a long pause, he turned to Phoenix. "I see you decided to attend, Wright."
"Yup," Phoenix said. "Trucy and Pearls are here too." He hiked his thumb over his shoulder in their direction.
"How nice," Edgeworth answered, his voice earnest.
"So…who's the pirate," Maya said, nodding towards Simon.
"The who?" Edgeworth said, following her gaze. "Ah. This is Simon Blackquill, one of my finest prosecutors."
"Oh, so he really is a prosecutor?"
Phoenix nudged her in the ribs.
"What?" she answered, and reached out to Blackquill. "Sorry. We used to see all types in court, so I guess I shouldn't be that surprised."
He studied her, and then took her hand and offered a wry smile. "Hmph, I like this lass. You aren't so normal yourself." He gestured to her clothes.
She smiled brightly. "Not even a little bit. You're looking at the Master of the Kurain Channeling Technique and the head of the Fey clan."
"Sounds plenty prestigious," he said. "I'll take your word for it."
She grinned. "So you're a Steel Samurai fan?"
He tossed his head. "You could say I'm a fan of all forms of Japanese-influenced cinema."
"Nice. Sounds like you're almost as much of a nerd as Edgeworth."
Edgeworth gave an indignant cough.
"Oh, sorry. What I meant was, it sounds like you're almost as much of a nerd as Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth."
Phoenix nudged her again more violently, but his cheeks were bulging with suppressed laughter.
"In any case," Edgeworth said turning up his beet red face. "You're welcome to join us, if you'd like."
"Why, Chief…" Maya said, her eyes filled with mischief, "are you encouraging us to cut in line?"
He grumbled. "If we sit together in the theater it doesn't make much of a difference if we merge our group here or inside, does it?"
Maya leaned forward on her toes. "I dunno, that sounds like a serious breach of ethics to me." With a grin, she caught Trucy's attention and waved them over.
The line started moving as soon as the group joined up, and several minutes later Phoenix stepped inside the theater lobby with a severely lightened wallet.
"Thanks for paying, Nick!" Maya said, giving him a quick hug from behind. "I'm sure you're rolling in it now that you've got your badge back."
He glared at her. "When have I ever been 'rolling in it', badge or not?"
"Thanks Nick!" she said again. The scent of popcorn caught her attention and without saying a word she wandered over to the concessions.
"Hey, I'm definitely not paying for that!" he shouted, waving his fist after her. When she was out of sight, he leaned over to Trucy and slipped her some money. "You and Pearls get something. Don't tell Maya." Trucy kissed him on the cheek and skipped off with Pearl.
Phoenix looked up to find Edgeworth watching him. Phoenix shrugged, a lopsided grin on his face, and Edgeworth suddenly became very interested in the flamboyantly patterned carpet.
"You excited?" Phoenix asked, shuffling over to Edgeworth's side.
Edgeworth glanced up at him through his glasses. "You can't mock me for this, Wright. I know you're a fan and you're here too."
Phoenix put his hands up in front of him. "I wasn't going to poke fun, I swear. And Maya, well, you know she's way too big of a geek to be making fun of anyone else. I didn't think you'd be offended."
"I-I'm not! I'm used to being mocked for my hobbies."
Phoenix looked over at him. "So what do you care what I think?"
Edgeworth stammered and pushed up his glasses. "I don't. Forget I said anything."
Phoenix cleared his throat and looked up at the intricate sconces lining the lobby. "Actually, I think it's great when people have hobbies they're passionate about. I mean, unless that hobby is committing crime."
Edgeworth hummed in agreement and caught sight of Simon in the gathering crowd, coming back with a drink and a small bag of popcorn. "Taka will love these seeds," Simon murmured to himself.
The girls followed after him, Maya's arms loaded up with hot dogs and popcorn.
"What?" she said at Phoenix's raised eyebrow. "This is part of the experience! I never get to go to the movies, shut up!"
Phoenix smirked and kept quiet.
They filed in through the dark hallway and found an empty row in the middle of the theater. Simon and Edgeworth shuffled in first. Maya was about to go in after them, but Trucy reached out and grabbed her sleeve. She staggered and caught her hotdog mountain just in time.
"Sorry Maya!" she said, pulling her back to give Phoenix room so he could go next. "I just…I want to sit next to you!"
Maya's brow furrowed but she nodded. "Okay Trucy." She pet the sacred weenies. "My hotdogs are fine so you're forgiven."
Trucy breathed a sigh of relief.
They took their seats. It was an old theater, ornate and lush and just a bit cramped, so the seats had very little in the way of breathing room between them. The first issue arose when Phoenix tried to use the armrest at the same time as Edgeworth.
Phoenix jerked his arm away as soon as they touched, his bare hand brushing against Edgeworth's for the briefest of moments.
"Go ahead," he said softly.
"No, no, it's yours," Edgeworth insisted.
"Don't worry about it," Phoenix said. "I'll be…" He looked over at Maya who was gleefully consuming her snacks, using both armrests to store her arsenal. "Fine. I'll be fine," he said, bending his arms inward so he didn't have to put them anywhere.
He somehow managed to settle into a comfortable position, and soon the movie began.
It was a film he'd already seen many times, but the new special effects were dazzling and the quality of the picture was heightened by its fresh technological conversion. Over the course of the movie, he found himself glancing at Edgeworth, whose eyes were unusually wide in the light of the screen, and who kept mouthing dialogue in time with the characters. Phoenix was pretty sure he had no idea he was even doing it, which made Phoenix's heart do a funny little flip flop.
The movie ended and the credits rolled to much applause, and the audience piled out into the lobby, discarding their empty bags and cups along the way.
The group met up in a circle, and it was obvious which of them had been the most invested.
"No matter how many times I see that final showdown, it's always amazing!" Maya said, clenching her fists.
"Agreed," Edgeworth said, breathless.
"And those effects! I felt like the Evil Magistrate was coming right at me!"
"Yes. Yes." Edgeworth was grinning, actually grinning with excitement. "I think that…yes."
Phoenix bounced on his heels, enjoying Edgeworth's unbridled enthusiasm. "So I take it you liked the movie?"
"Oh, don't get me wrong," Edgeworth said, his voice light, still smiling like a fiend, "there were a few editing choices I found ineffectual, and I don't think the CGI had much impact during the final act, but…" He stopped for a moment to take a breath. "It was certainly worth coming to see."
Edgeworth and Maya started to babble about their favorite parts, with Simon chiming in every so often. Phoenix drifted over towards Trucy and Pearl. He put his hand on Trucy's shoulder.
"How'd you like it, Truce?"
She grinned up at him. "It was really good! I have a question though, daddy," she said, rubbing her fingers together.
"What is it?" he asked.
She looked over at the trio of fully grown adults talking heatedly about the thematic nature of the film and its deeper meaning.
"The Steel Samurai is supposed to be a kid's show, right?" she asked.
He sighed. "Just let them have this, okay?"
She grinned. "Whatever you say, dad!"
When the nerds had tired themselves out, they trudged outside and caught the next bus back to the apartment.
Maya spent at least half an hour coaching Trucy on the most important Steel Samurai attack moves, and Phoenix decided to take a shower before bed and leave them to it. The girls moved to Trucy's room, sitting in a circle on her bed and filling each other in on their lives. During a lull, Maya brought her knees up to her chest and leaned towards Trucy conspiratorially.
"So…how's it going with -" She nodded towards the bathroom where Phoenix was getting ready for bed.
"My dad? He's fine. He's a lot happier now that he's a lawyer again, but -"
"No, no, that's not what I meant." She cupped her hand and leaned in closer, whispering. "I'm talking about Nick and four eyes."
Trucy worked on deciphering Maya's question, and then gasped. Pearl echoed her, covering her mouth with her hand.
"No!" Pearl said, dazed.
"How did you know?" Trucy asked.
Maya snorted. "Honey, I've known your dad for ten years. Trust me, I know."
Trucy's jaw dropped. "It's been going on that long?" she said, almost shouting. Maya shushed her and they heard the water in the shower turn off. "It's been going on that long?" she asked again in a hoarse whisper.
Maya nodded solemnly.
"I don't remember exactly when I first noticed, but it's been a very long time."
"But… " Pearl asked, rubbing her chin. "If they've liked each other for so long then why aren't they together?"
Maya sighed. "I don't know, Pearl. It's not always that simple."
"Are you sure Mr. Edgeworth likes him back?" Pearl drew her finger in idle spirals on the bedspread.
Maya chuckled. "I'm surprised that you never noticed, Pearl. Maybe you were too focused on Nick and I, but it was clear as day when they were together."
"I don't understand," Trucy said, her lips pursed. "If it's been that long, should I even bother?"
Maya nodded vigorously. "Look, I always assumed that they'd hook up eventually, but it just never happened. Every time it seemed right our circumstances would change. Or Edgeworth would do one of his disappearing acts."
Trucy's eyes grew wide.
"Not like yours, Trucy. There were a few times when he just left out of the blue, with no warning or anything. That always did a number on Nick, even if he wouldn't admit it." She waved her hand. "My point is, things change. People change. And just because they didn't make it work back then doesn't mean it's hopeless now." Maya sighed. "I mean, I saw how they were at the movies today. It's obvious that they still like each other. And I know you see it too."
Maya shot Trucy a knowing glance.
"That's why you're trying to get them together, right?"
Trucy sat up straighter. "Operation Happiness. And it's not just me. I've got everyone in on it."
"Really?" Maya asked, impressed. "Even Apollo?"
"Yup," Trucy said with a proud grin. "Even Simon agreed."
"That terrifying guy with the hair?" Maya asked, gesturing above her head
"Everyone. Everyone except them."
"And us…" Pearl said with a hint of sadness.
"Aw, Pearls," Trucy said, scrambling over to give her a small hug. "I'm sorry, I just wasn't sure how you guys felt about it. I didn't know if you'd want to help out."
"O-of course!" Pearl said, pushing up her sleeves. "Now that I know." She turned to Maya. "Even if you and Mr. Wright aren't going to be together, I've got to do my best to make sure you're both happy."
Maya went over and joined the hug. "Pearl, you're a good kid." She put her hand on Trucy's shoulder. "So… the plan?"
"Already in motion," Trucy whispered. "No breakthroughs yet but I think it's going well." She reached over to her side table drawer and pulled out a notebook. Maya nodded, unsurprised. "I think it might be time to step up our game, though. Daddy-"
Phoenix appeared at the doorway, wearing his pajamas, with a towel draped over his head.
"Yes?" he asked nonchalantly.
"Oh! Sorry, I didn't mean -"
"Looking good, Nick!" Maya said, giving a thumbs up. Trucy let out a small grateful breath behind her. "I like your pants."
His pajama pants were blue and had tiny little gavels all over them. He looked down at them and grinned. "Yeah, Trucy got these for me last year. She said she was tired of me wearing boxers to bed."
"Well yeah. You're a grown man."
Phoenix leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms. "Oh, are we gonna start this again?"
Maya grabbed the corner of a pillow and looked like she was about to launch herself off the bed so Pearl reached out and took hold of her sleeve.
"Anyway," Phoenix said, his lips quirked, "let me know if you guys need anything. I'm gonna try and catch some shut-eye soon. Try not to stay up too late."
"We won't. Goodnight, daddy!" Trucy said.
"Have a peaceful rest, Mr. Wright!" Pearl added with a wave.
"Night, old guy!" Maya said, lying on her back.
Phoenix reached his arm through the doorway and shook his fist, but he left in peace.
When they were sure he was out of earshot, Trucy and Pearl breathed easier.
"That was close," Trucy whispered, taking care to be quieter than before.
"So," Maya said, sitting upright and steadying her hands on her knees, prepared to get down to business. "You were saying something about escalating a certain plan."
Trucy nodded and opened her notebook, her pen ready and waiting in her hand.
On Sunday Phoenix took Maya and Pearl out to eat at their favorite restaurant, and in the evening he helped them get ready for their train.
Outside the station, he hugged them both in turn.
"Take care of yourself, Nick," Maya said, squeezing him hard. She took his head in her hands and held his gaze. "You're allowed to have a life outside of work. Remember that." She gave his cheeks a quick pinch and turned on her heel. He watched her go, baffled. "I'll be back soon! I know you can't survive without me!" she called out behind her. She and Pearl passed through the turnstile, and were gone.