April 11th, 8:00 AM
Outside Detention Center
Miles checked his watch, just to make sure he wasn't misreading the time or if there was any mistake. Though, he knew it couldn't be, because he had checked it about 3 times already.
He's late... Then again, I'm not surprised. One gets used to it when it comes to him.
The prosecutor sighed. He hated to wait, not because he was particularly strict with time, but because two minutes felt like an eternity to him. It must be some anxiety problem or something of the sort...
To try to pass the time, he started to mentally complain about the man he was waiting for.
When I get a case, he pops up out of nowhere and screws my witnesses up. But when I personally ask him? He decides to stop existing.
Miles crossed his arms impatiently.
If only I could cut his salary-
HONK!
"Hey, you! Watch where you're going with that bike!"
The prosecutor to his right at the T-shaped street ahead. There seemed to be a commotion with a couple cars and a man on a bike. Could it be...?
"Sorry! I'm so-"
HONK! HONK!
"Get out of the way, porcupine head!"
Yep, it's him alright.
I suppose this time he wanted to make a grand entrance.
The sound of multiple wheels screeching against concrete filled the air, and it felt slightly uncomfortable to Miles's ears.
Sure as the blue in the sky, there was the (in)famous blue-suited attorney, dodging the honking cars with his trusty bicycle. He was right in the middle of a jam between at least 10 cars. At this point, Miles couldn't tell. Was he a lawyer, or a BMX biker?
The demon prosecutor had seen that accursed bicycle many times in the courthouse parking lot, and when it was a nice day outside and he arrived and saw that bike, that was his signal for 'Today, Mr. Edgeworth, you will experience major stress and disappointment'. Sure, porcupine head over there might be a clever attorney and solve the most difficult cases, but no one sees how much suffering he causes the prosecutors in the process. Especially one certain prosecutor.
The blue-suited BMX biker somehow maneuvered his bike through the cars, almost falling a couple of times and even causing one car to crash into another's side. Two other cars almost crashed into him or another car, and all that was audible was the sound of rubber on concrete. The level of destruction was incredible, Miles thought.
"Sorry! I promise I would pay the damage, if I could afford it!"
Miles pinched the bridge of his nose, looked away and sighed.
I don't deserve this... At 8 in the morning...
In the midst of the honking cars and sirens, porcupine head spotted the prosecutor a few yards away. "Hey, Edgeworth!" With some effort, he pedaled to the worn-down sidewalk, adjusted his small backpack and got off his bike.
Miles walked up to him, a glare fixed on his face. "And this, Phoenix Wright, is why I advise you not to get a car so soon. If you could cause this uproar with only a bicycle-"
Phoenix started doing wild gestures with his arms, in an attempt to justify his little incident. "H-Hey, cut me some slack! I came as fast as I could! And then, there was a car... Then another, and another, and it all became... Yeah, you know. And I don't think I can afford a car so soon either."
...I am truly concerned about this man's future.
Miles looked around and noticed Phoenix was alone. "...Where is Maya? Is she not always with you?"
The attorney shifted around a bit. "She had to go to Kurain with Pearls for a few days. She'll be back soon, I hope."
Miles crossed his arms. "...Anyway, this doesn't change the fact that you're late."
Phoenix frowned and huffed. "Well, I'm sorry I'm 5 minutes late, Mom."
The Demon Prosecutor pointed a finger at him. "I'm not your mother. And it would be fine if you really were 5 minutes late."
The blue-suited attorney's eyes widened and he looked up at the clock up on the wall above the detention center door. "...H-Half an hour?!"
The prosecutor started tapping his index finger on his arm, cocking an eyebrow. "Well, Mr. Wright, how do you explain this glaring contradiction?"
Phoenix scratched the back of his head and grinned sheepishly. "I guess I... accidentally forgot the alarm clock... C-Can we change the subject now?"
Miles only grunted in response. "Very well. I think you're aware of why I asked you to come here."
"Yeah, you said there was a new case...? Something about a haunted house...?"
"Indeed, but this... how can I say this..." The prosecutor directed his gaze to the floor. "The real reason I called you last night... it's because of the defendant."
Phoenix looked at him quizzically. "What about the defendant? Are they a suspect on one of your serial killer cases or...?"
"No, nothing of the sort."
"Then what about them?"
"I... I'm asking you to defend them."
A look of surprise came upon Phoenix's face. "...You're asking me? To defend someone?"
"Well, what is so strange about that? Isn't that what you do on a daily basis?"
"No, it's just... you've never asked me anything like this."
Miles shoved his hands in his pockets. "Yes, well... this is sort of... a personal request-"
"Alright."
The prosecutor looked up at him, a confused look on his face. "...What?"
"I said alright. I'll at least... listen to what they have to say."
Miles didn't know what to say back to him. All he could do is stare at the attorney with a bewildered expression. He knew he was never good at expressing his feelings genuinely, so he decided to go with a pre-programmed response. "Thank you..." He muttered.
Phoenix grinned. "N-No problem! I had no cases anyway. And this will also give me a reason to ask you to do something for me later, like buy Maya her 20 daily burgers or something. Bonus."
The corners of Miles's lips twitched slightly, and Phoenix thought he could see the slightest hint of a smile, but it was soon gone. "...You're deluding yourself if you think I'll buy you 20 burgers."
"It never hurts to try. Or, I'll just take your wallet when you're not looking."
The prosecutor recoiled in shock. "Y-You wouldn't...!"
Who taught him this?! Kay?!
Phoenix chuckled. "Hey, I was joking. Learn to take a joke someday."
Miles glared back, as usual. "I can take jokes. When they're not about stealing wallets, and you have the most serious look on your face."
The attorney, however, could not contain that foolish grin on his face. "Ok, ok. I admit defeat, general. Can we go inside now?"
The Demon Prosecutor sighed and followed his friend/rival/thorn in his side inside the detention center. He wondered what Kay's reaction would be when she met the spiky-haired attorney. She'd probably ask what shampoo he uses to get his hair like that, and probably try to steal one for herself...
April 11th, 8:15 AM
Detention Center
Visitor's Room
Phoenix stepped into the familiar room once again. The lingering smell of rusting metal from the door was always the first thing to greet him whenever he met his clients. However, contrary to what most people would think, he actually liked the smell. It's one of those things that you should hate but end up liking, he thought. Like the smell of gasoline in the air whenever his mother would take the car to refuel.
Miles came in soon after him. "Strange... Where is the guard who is always by the door?"
In response to his remark, Phoenix scanned the room. "You're right... That robot guard's always there everyday, but today he's not." He turned to Miles. "Maybe the detention center is closed today?"
"No, that can't be. We got in through the reception area. If it was closed, the whole establishment would be off-limits as well."
Oh, right... I had to hand over my backpack at the checking station.
Phoenix grinned to himself. "But that guard though... Sometimes I don't even see him. He blends in the wall..."
The prosecutor glared at him. "That guard wears a light blue uniform! How could you confuse that with a grey wall?!"
"I-I dunno! He just... He stays so still that I barely notice him."
Just as Phoenix finished his statement, the rusty metal door slowly creaked open. The defense attorney cringed slightly, as it reminded him of when his old 4th grade teacher would rasp the chalk against the blackboard and make a horrible sound. The previously missing guard stepped through the door, dragging a young girl in just about the strangest clothes he had ever seen. He couldn't believe someone had actually managed to beat Maya in the 'weirdest outfit' contest.
"Aw c'mon, uncle... I'm tired... I don't want any more questioning... I wanna go back to sleep..."
The guard remained firm and kept on dragging her by her handcuffs, while the girl fruitlessly attempted to resist. "Negative. You are requested at the visitors' room."
The whole scene was slightly humorous to Phoenix, until he took a closer look at her face. She looked exhausted. Small bags had started to form under her eyes, and her long dark blue hair with a key through the middle of it was slightly unkept. It seemed she went through a long period of questioning the night before. She wore a pink shirt, a dark blue skirt and a scarf of the same color. The guard sat her down on the chair on the other side of the glass, and Phoenix felt he should take the other one himself. When the girl looked up at him, it was clear in her face that she failed to recognize him.
"Huh? Who're you?"
Miles stepped in at Phoenix's side, a worried look on his face. "Kay, are you alright?"
The girl looked to the spiky haired attorney's left. "Mr. Edgeworth? Weren't you here yesterday? And who's spiky?"
Sigh... Why can't anyone just refer to me as something normal? Reminds me of April May... *Shudder*
Kay's expression changed to one that seemed like shock. " Are you... You're going to replace Gummy with this spiky guy?!"
Miles raised his hands defensively, his expression slightly matching hers, but Phoenix knew his face was never made to be very expressive. "N-No, that's not what I intended. This is a... friend of mine, and he is here to help you."
Phoenix understood this as his cue to improvise an introduction. "Uh, my name is Phoenix Wright. I'm a defense attorney."
"Hey, how do you get your hair like that? Do you use a special shampoo or something?"
Noooo... Not the hair...
Kay crossed her arms, and Phoenix heard her mumble something almost inaudible, but it sounded like separate words put together in a phrase including 'Steal', 'Fancy shampoo' and 'I'll make so much money'.
Before Phoenix could respond to any of her previous comments, the blue-haired girl looked at him once again. "So, 'Phoenix Wright', huh? What a weird name."
If I had a penny for every time I heard that...
"Oh! I completely forgot to introduce myself too!" She gripped the dark blue scarf around her neck. "Dark skies of evening, when no other bird dares take wing, one alone remains all-seeing! I'm Kay Faraday, the Great Thief Yatagarasu! But call me Kay, 'kay?"
Phoenix could only stare at her in complete and utter confusion.
What...? Great Thief...? 'Kay...? And what's with that Hollywood film introduction...?
Kay crossed her arms. "So... You're Mr. Edgeworth's friend? I didn't know he had any."
The prosecutor in question gritted his teeth. "That was uncalled for. And you-"
Phoenix decided to intervene at that moment to avoid a heated argument. "-Yeah, we're friends. I guess. We've had many memorable moments together. Fun to remember the good old days."
Miles crossed his arms and gave the lawyer a death glare. "Yes, though you know I absolutely despise the 'good old days'."
Kay looked from blue suit, to red suit, and back to blue suit. "...That's the weirdest friendship I've ever seen."
You can say that again...
Phoenix cleared his throat. "Well, anyway, as I said before, I'm a defense attorney. So, I came to hear you out."
"Oh. But I don't think I can tell you anymore than I told Mr. Edgeworth..."
At this moment, Miles stepped in. "Just fill him in, Kay. You might even remember something else as you do."
Kay gripped the edge of her scarf. "Um, ok."
...
Phoenix started stroking his chin in thought. "So you never went to the house that day at all?"
"No. I was looking at the shops nearby."
The defense attorney looked Kay in the eyes. "...Kay. You didn't do it, did you?"
The girl in question stared back at him. "No. I swear by the honor of the Yatagarasu."
Yata-what?
Miles noticed the blue-suited attorney had his left hand in his pocket, like he was grasping something. He could already guess what it was.
Phoenix turned to the prosecutor. "Well, she's not lying."
Kay started fiddling with her scarf. "Um, Mr. Wright?"
"...Yes?"
The blue-haired girl looked down at her feet. "I...I didn't do it. And I'm sure Mr. Edgeworth knows that too."
Miles tapped his finger on his arm while he listened to her.
"But I know... That Mr. Edgeworth is a prosecutor. I know he wants to help me, but he can't... without your help. I know you're his friend, and he wants you to help... So, will you?"
Phoenix hesitated before answering. But why was he hesitating? Not only did he know this girl was innocent, Edgeworth was counting on him too. However, he had a distinct feeling that something would go wrong.
Maybe I'll regret this tomorrow... But it's the right thing to do.
"...Yes, I will."
Kay suddenly sprung to life. "What? You will?"
Phoenix smiled. "Yeah, consider yourself a not guilty."
After all, when do my cases not go wrong? Screw it!
"Alriiight! Did you hear that, Mr. Edgeworth? He's going to help!"
The prosecutor smirked in response. "Yes, I'm sure you're in good hands."
Phoenix almost thought he was hearing things. It was rare when the Demon Prosecutor gave a compliment, after all, even a subtle one.
Kay pointed to him. "...But, what are you going to, Mr. Edgeworth?"
Miles seemed perplexed at the question. When he didn't respond, Phoenix decided to ask him himself.
"Yeah, what are you going to do?"
The prosecutor crossed his arms. "I... confess that I haven't thought to that extent."
Prosecutor Edgeworth not thinking ahead? Is the world going crazy?
Kay grinned. "Well, why don't you go with Mr. Wright?"
Miles looked at her as if she had just grown another head. "...What?"
Phoenix stroked his chin. "Actually that's not a bad idea. You know Kay better than me, and since Maya's not around..."
The Demon Prosecutor crossed his arms. "W-Well, I would, but... I'm quite busy with a few cases I'm working on..."
The spiky-haired attorney grinned. "Stop lying, Edgeworth." Miles stared at him, startled. "Would you be standing around for half an hour outside the detention center if you were so busy?"
"I was waiting for you, you twat!"
"You know I always arrive late! You were standing around for no reason!"
"I wasn't 'standing around for no reason'! I was reviewing some case files while I was waiting."
"You might be many things, Edgeworth, but a good liar's not one of them."
"Why, you little...!"
As Kay watched the argument unfold before her, she couldn't help but find it all so funny. "Yep, weirdest friendship ever." After a few moments, she realized that if she didn't say something, they'd probably argue forever and forget about her. "...Uh, guys!"
Both men (surprisingly) stopped arguing and turned to look at her.
"...So, Mr. Edgeworth, you'll go with Mr. Wright, ok?"
After receiving expectant looks from Kay and even Wright, the prosecutor finally conceded. "Ugh...Alright..."
All of a sudden, Phoenix pumped his fist in the air. "Yes! We get the car!"
Miles recoiled in shock. "Is that the reason why you wanted me to come with you?!"
The blue-suited attorney swallowed. "W-Well... No! I needed your... expertise!"
The prosecutor scowled. "You...! I can't believe this!"
Kay grinned. "Anyway, I overheard the guard guy saying that the trial is tomorrow morning. I'd get going if I were you!"
Miles crossed his arms. "...Yes, you're right. Wright, if we go now, we'll have more time to investigate."
Phoenix nodded. "Ok. Then... we're taking the car?", he asked giddily.
The prosecutor sighed. "...Yes, Wright."
"And... we'll go faster than if we went by bike?"
"Yes, Wright."
"And you'll stop replying to me in that tone?"
"Nrgh! You're absolutely insufferable!"
Kay giggled at his response. "You two take care of yourselves. Oh, and Mr. Wright!"
Phoenix looked at Kay at the mention of his name.
"Don't worry! If anyone can do this, it's Mr. Edgeworth!" She leaned closer to the glass and put a hand opposite to her mouth, as if telling a secret. "...He's a real genius, but he never admits it."
Phoenix chuckled. "Looks like someone really admires you, Edgeworth."
The prosecutor didn't respond, but even under his neutral expression, Phoenix was sure he could see some... joy in his eyes after Kay's comment. One thing few knew about Edgeworth was although he appeared to never smile or show emotions very clearly, most of the time it would show in his eyes. If Phoenix hadn't realized that, he could have also assumed Edgeworth was just an inexpressive robot like most people did.
Miles cleared his throat. "...Anyway, we'll be going now. Don't worry Kay. As I promised you before, we'll do everything in our power to prove you innocent."
Kay nodded enthusiastically. "See you, Mr. Edgeworth! And Mr. Wright, too!"
After closing the door, Phoenix turned to Miles. "So, where to?"
The prosecutor smirked and tapped his temple. "I believe the first order of business will be to pay a visit to the crime scene."
I'm so sorry it took so long. Writing this chapter was no easy, and there's the school factor as well. I apologize, this is a fic that I will finish eventually, I have the ending sketched out, but I can't guarantee an exact release date for each chapter. I just ask that you guys are patient, because this story's too good to drop. Aria the Alpha, over and out.