Chapter 2

March 16, 2019

Wright & Co. Law Offices

2:40 PM

Phoenix sat at his desk in the office. The clouds had begun to gather outside, and it was bound to rain soon. He watched the broadcast on the news, of how his childhood friend and former rival Miles Edgeworth had just taken down an international smuggling ring.

The news anchor began speaking. "A key role in this recent case was played by Los Angeles local Larry Butz, who assisted in the investigation." Phoneix spat his lemonade out onto the desk upon hearing this, and decided to turn the TV off when they mentioned the security lady.

While he was scrubbing the sticky beverage off of his desk, Maya arrived, carrying a large bag. "Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiick!" she screamed, "Look what I've got!" Phoenix grimaced at this. Whatever it was, it couldn't be good. Maya reached into the bag, pulling out a copy of the Steel Samurai Video Game, smirking while she did so.

She scrambled over to the TV, and turned it on to be met with Wendy Oldbag being interviewed on the news. "Ahhhhh! Look, Nick!" she yelled.

"I know, I've seen it already." Phoneix said.

"Then why didn't you tell me?!" she complained.

"Maya," Phoenix said, "You've been here for about 20 seconds. How could I have possibly have told you about this when all you've been doing is yelling at me?"

"Whatever, Nick." She said "I want you to play the Steel Samurai game with me."

"I can't, Maya." Wright said "I'm trying to clean up the mess I've made."

"Well, I guess you money will go to waste." Maya looked away to hide her smile.

"WHAT?!" Phoenix screamed, "You spent my money on a stupid video game?"

"It isn't stupid!" Maya crossed her arms and pouted. "It's The Steel Samurai! Ergo, it's the coolest thing ever!"

Phoenix let out a quiet laugh at her choice of vocabulary. "Maya, you've been watching the news too much. Edgeworth is rubbing off on you." He paused for a moment, now cheered by her spunky attitude. "Okay, I'll play,"

Maya reached into the bag, pulling out a custom Steel Samurai arcade stick. She began to hook it up, haphazardly tangling wires around the game console. Phoenix was stuck using a regular controller, putting Maya at a distinct advantage.

At the character selection screen, Phoenix randomly picked the Nickel Samurai. "Ha!" Maya laughed. "Way to pick a top tier character right off the bat!" Phoenix didn't bother to answer. Maya picked carefully, settling on the Steel Samurai.

The first two rounds ended with both of them gaining a win. The third round would decide the winner. At the climax of the round, Maya's lifebar was nearly empty. Phoenix, who was amazed at his knack for fighting games, used his super move to finish her off.

Maya's eyes widened, and she clenched the joystick, and perfectly blocked every one of Phoenix's hits. Countering with her own super, Phoenix was instantly defeated.

"YEEEEEEEES!" Maya screamed. "Loser has to clean up the mess you made!"

Phoenix sat on the floor, remembering the lemonade that had been setting into the carpet this entire time.