3 DAYS LATER
WRIGHT ANYTHING AGENCY
7:30 AM
"Good Morning, Rissy!" Phoenix said cheerfully as his girlfriend emerged from the bedroom.
Fiancée, a voice in his head corrected.
Just the thought made him smile.
"Oh! Feenie!" Iris exclaimed in surprise. "What are you doing awake?"
Phoenix grinned mischievously. "You're not the only one who can get up early," he teased.
"I-well-" Iris blushed a delicate pink.
Phoenix got up from the sofa, and walked towards her. "Haha. I'm just teasing, Rissy."
He picked her up in his arms. "I thought we could spend some time together this morning." He smiled.
"Okay, Feenie," Iris agreed, resting her head against his arms and staring into his soft brown eyes.
She still couldn't grasp that this warm, caring, gentle person was hers. Her Feenie. Who had forgiven her for deceiving him in the worst way possible without a second thought. Who had put himself through seven years of agony for her.
"I don't deserve you," she whispered.
Phoenix laughed. "You've got that backwards, my dear Rissy."
He put her down on the couch, and then sat next to her. He placed his arm around her and pulled her towards him, closing the gap on the sofa.
Iris leaned her head against his shoulder and sighed contently.
Phoenix kissed her forehead.
"So," he began, his breath tickling her ear. "What would you like to do today?"
"Whatever you want, Feenie," Iris murmured.
A serious expression came over his face. "Well…I was thinking…."
"Hmm?" Iris asked, lifting her head to look at him.
"Well, after I was disbarred, I cut connections with everyone I knew. So now….I thinks it's time to meet them again. Reconnect. After all," he grinned, his tone now teasing. "We can't have only two people coming to our wedding."
Iris giggled. "You're right, Feenie. So, where do you have in mind?"
"Well….I was thinking Kurian Village. Maya probably thinks I disappeared or something. And I'm dying to see Pearls, too."
"That's a great idea, Feenie!" Iris said.
Phoenix smiled. "All right then. It's settled. I just hope they forget me or anything."
He stood up, and Iris along with him.
"To Kurian!" he announced loudly.
###
KURAIN VILLAGE
9:30 AM
After two hours by train, Phoenix and Iris finally arrived at Kurian Village.
"Man. I don't know why it's so far away," Phoenix muttered rubbing his head.
"Yes," Iris agreed. "And Hazakura is even further…"
Phoenix scanned the village, but there wasn't a soul to be seen.
"Where do you think everyone is?" he asked.
"Hmm…." Iris thought about it for a minute. "Wait…what…date is it today?"
"20th of March," Phoenix replied.
"Ah! Then, they are probably at Hazakura. Every 18th, 19th, and 20th of the month, all the intermediate acolytes will leave and go for intense training."
"Oh." Phoenix looked disappointed. "But…hey! The Master wouldn't leave, would she?"
"No, I dn't thinl so." Iris answered.
"Oh, alright then. So we might be able to meet Maya. It would be a pity if we didn't since came all this way….maybe we should check the Main Hall:
"Okay, Feenie," Iris said, following him into the largest room of the Fey manor.
As soon as the walked in, it became apparent that the hall was empty. The channelling chambe was unlocked and uninhabited, and there was no-one in the winding way, either.
They returned to the hall, and, with a defeated sigh, Phoenix dropped to the floor, crossing his legs. Iris seated herself next to him.
"I-I'm sorry, Feenie. I should have known. The training-"
"Rissy, it's not your fault," Phoenix smiled and took her hand. "Come, should we go?"
They stood, and were about to leave, when a chirpy voice from across the room stopped them in their tracks.
"Oh, hello! I didn't see you there! Welcome to Kurian Vi-" the voice trailed off.
"Nick?" it sounded again, quietly.
The couple spun around to face a young woman in a kimono, the master's tailsman fastened around her neck.
"! Maya!"
She looked very different from seveb years ago, Phoenix noted. More like a cross between her normal self and when she was channelling her older sister, Mia.
"Nick!" she said again, louder this time.
"Uh..well….here I am!" Phoenix replied, a goofy grin on his face. "See, I was – OW!" he stepped back, rubbing the red slap-mark on his cheek. "W-what was that for?"
"For ditching your best friend for seven years, that's what!"Her tone appeared angry, but Maya's eyes had that mischevious glint in her eyes that gave her away.
"Yeah…um…about that," he said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "It's a long story. A very long one. Maybe we can sit down..?"
"Sure!" Maya smiled, and then turned to Iris.
"Iris! It's great to see you again," she said happily.
"It's good to see you too, Mystic Maya."
"Sooo, Nick, I see you contacted Iris before me. Nice," she teased.
He turned a little pink. "W-well, er…" he placed an arm around Iris' waist.
Maya noticed this, and smiled slyly. "So you finally took my advice, Nick?"
Phoenix chuckled. "If you can call singing that 'sitting in a tree' song all day for several weeks 'advice', Maya, then I guess, yeah."
She snickered. "Nick and Iris, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G," she sang.
Both Phoenix and Iris blushed a deep shade of red.
"Come on, then. We can sit in the side room."
They followed her up the Winding Way to the side room. Maya gestured for them to take a seat around a large oak table in the corner, and they did.
"Alright, Nick. You've got a lot to tell me," Maya grinned.
Phoenix shook his head. "I guess I do. Where to start…?"
Maya placed her hand on her cheek at an angle. "How about…after that trial?"
Phoenix took a deep breath. This would be hard, but he could do it. He owed Maya that much, if not a lot more.
"After that case," he began. "I lost everything. Well, almost. I lost my badge, I ost my name, I lost myself. And it was tough. It was a terrible time for me. And I didn't want yoy guys – any of you – you, Maya, or you, Iris, or Pearly, Edgeworth…to have to put up with that for me. So I pushed everybody away. I thought…I thought it was for the better."
Phoenix swallowed. "But I was stupid. So stupid." He sighed.
"Feenie…" Iris said with concern, placing her small, smooth hand over his larger, warm one.
Phoenix took it, and smiled at her. He then turned back to Maya and continued.
"It was rough, those seven years. I kept working towards it – clearing my name. And, a month ago, I did, with the help of my subordinate, Apollo Justice. But…I missed you guys. A lot." A single tear escaped, but before Iris could react, he hastily wiped it away and went on.
"So, around three weeks ago, I went to Hazakura. I went to beg forgiveness, and Iris –" he looked Iris in the eyes and smiled. "-being the kind, loving soul she is, gave it to me."
"A-ah! Feenie-" she blushed furiously. "I-"
"Shhh…" he said gently, reaching over to tuck a lock of her raven hair behind her ear, causing her to flush even darker.
Phoenix looked back to Maya. "Like I said, it's been three weeks since then. I reclaimed my badge. I just solved my first case, actually."
"Really?" Maya exclaimed. "That's great, Nick!"
"Thanks, Maya." His eyes shone.
"And…we're getting married. In three week's time."
"R-really?" Maya looked stunned. "I'm so happy for you guys! Hey, can I come for the wedding?"
Phoenix rolled his eyes. "You're seriously asking that?" he said teasingly. "Of course!"
Maya nodded and laughed. "That's great! I'm so glad everything's coming together, finally…If there's anything I can do…." She trailed off.
There was a short silence, which Iris timidly broke.
"Um…Mystic Maya….will you…w-will you be my Maid of Honor?" she stammered.
Maya beamed. "Of course! I'd be honored!"
"T-thanks." Iris blushed yet again.
"My pleasure."
Phoenix opened his mouthe to say something, but was interuppted with the sudden sound of footsteps and hushed voices approaching.
"Oh!" Maya jumped up. "They're back!"
Iris frowned in confusion. "But..it's only morning. Don't the acolytes usually stay the night?"
Maya shook her head. "No. I don't mean the younger ones. The advanced acolytes just finished their training at Hazakura for the month. I just got back a day ago, myself…"
She was interrupted, however, with a loud "Mystic Maya!" A young gild just about Trucy's hieght danced into the room. She was dressed in acolyte robes and had light brown hair twisted into a pretzal-shaped bow.
"Ah! Pearly!"
She looks so different, Phoenix thought.
"Hello Mystic Maya! I'm ba-" Pearl froze when she saw the others in the room. Her eyes widened until they were as riund as saucers.
"Mr…Mr. Nick?"
Silence. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Then: "Mr. Nick! I knew you woulod return! I knew it! You've come to confess your love to Mystic Maya, haven't you?"
It was only then did she see his hand. And whose it was holding. She took in the shining ring on her sister's finger.
Slowly Pearl's face began to darken until it was a deep scarlet.
Oooooh, this is going to be bad….Phoenix thought.
He realeased Iris' hand and stood.
"Pearls," he began cautiously. "Calm down, and let me –"
"Mr. Nick…you….I…betray…."
Oh boy.
Pearls jumped at him. Phoenix staggered a bit, but Pearl latched on, screaming at the top of her lungs.
"How dare you betray Mystic Maya! No! No no no no Mr. Niiiiiiiiick!" she cried, slapping him after every word.
"OW! Ow ow ow ow!" he protested, while Maya tried desprately to pull her cousin off. "Pearly!"
Iris, not really knowing what to do, tried to help Maya pull Pearl off Phoenix. Several minutes later, they succeeded, leaving him with a very red, slightly swollen face.
Iris put a cool hand to Phoenix's rubicund cheek. It felt good against his raw skin. "Are you okay, Feenie?"
"Fine, Rissy." He smiled. "I'll always be fine. As long as you're here." He took the hand on his cheek in his, and held it to his chest. Iris blushed lightly at his words.
There was a moment's silence, and then Pearl burst into tears.
She didn't cry those loud, noisy tears and sobs like she did when she was younger. Instead, it was more of a miserable weeping which made Phoenix feel even worse.
"Mr. N-Nick….you never…you never loved Mystic Maya, did you?"
He sighed and placed a hand on the young girl's shoulder.
"Pearls. Listen. Of course I love Maya. I always have. But not like that. But of course I care about her and love her – I 'm just not in love with her."
"Yeah, Pearly," Maya piped up. "Nick's like this big brother, you know? A goofy, gullible bug brother, but still."
"H-hey! I'm not gullible!" he protested.
Maya snickered and went on. "Besides, your sister is getting married! Aren't you happy for her?"
Pearl sniffed. "Y-yeah, you're r-right, Mystic Maya." She cracked a smile. "I am." Her tears dried almost instantly as she hopefully asked, "Can I be flower girl? Pleaaase?"
"Sure!" Phoenix grinned broadly. His face was already returning to its normal color. "You and Trucy. Perfect. Oh! Which reminds me. You shoud definitely meet her."
"Trucy?" Pearl asked, confused.
"Yeah. Trucy. M-Our daughter."
Pearl was once again wide-eyed. "D-daughter?"
"Their adopted daughter," Maya explained. "I met her once. Before…." She trailed off.
Before I cut contact, Phoenix finished in his head.
"You two are the same age, actually," Iris said thoughtfully. "I'm sure you'd get along great."
"Yup," Phoenix agreed.
"Pearl!" a voice called from outside.
"Oh! I better go," Pearl said, rushing towards the door. "Goodbye Miss Iris, Mr Nick."
"You can call me 'sis'" Iris smiled. "I…I mean, i-if you'd like…" she added hurridly.
"Ok. Sis." The young girl beamed. "I'll see you both soon, right?"
"I promise you will," Phoenix affirmed.
Reassured by this, Pearl left the side room.
The three re-seated themselfves around the table.
"I'm really glad you came back, Nick," Maya said quietly. "We all missed you. Pearl…she didn't take it so well."
Phoenix winced.
"But you're back now, right? That's all that matters. The great Phoenix Wright has returned!" Maya lit up with one of her contagious grins.
"Right," Phoenix agreed. "Thanks, Maya."
"No problem, Nick." A mischivious smile crept onto her face. "See, I old you, didn't I Iris? You didn't believe me," she teased.
"Huh?" Phoenix asked, confused.
Maya's grin widened.
"Oh? Um, I, er…yes…" Iris blushed for what must have been the eightieth time that day.
"You see, the Master must frequent Hazakura to take the Ultra Course," Maya explained. "So I ran into Iris quite a lot."
Iris flushed a little darker, and looked away.
Maya giggled. "And I bet you can guess what she asked, every time. 'Mystic Maya? H-have you heard anything from Fe-er, Mr. Wright?'" she recounted in a decent impression of her cousin's voice.
Iris was now beet red, staring at the table. "I, er, well, …but…it…"
Phoenix just chuckled. "Oh, Rissy."
She looked up and smiled, the color slowly draining out of her cheeks. "Um, Mystic Maya? Where is the bathroom?"
"Second door to the left, by the main hall," she replied cheerfully.
Iris excused herself and left, leaving Maya and Phoenix alone. Almost immediately, her expression became serious.
"Nick," she started. "I need to warn you. About the urn."
Phoenix knew immidately that she wasn't talking about the old, cracked urn in the Winding Way. No, she was speaking of something far more dangerous.
"Dahlia's urn." He swallowed. "What? Is it…?"
"No," Maya said, shaking her head. "Nothing's wrong with the urn, really. It's more….her spirit. I told you this before, but…a spirit, especially a vegnful one, grows stronger when confined. When it is released, it will be strong enough to perhaps take over a medium against their will. But this spirit….I've never seen anything like it. I contacted my mother. She hasn't experienced anything like it either. Nick, I'm afraid if it gets out, it could even overpower me."
Phoenix stared, wide eyed. "But you're..."
Maya sighed, and rubbed her temple with one finger. "Yes, I know. But we have nothing to worry about, as long as that urn is kept safe."
Just then, the door swung open and Iris reentered the room.
Phoenix pasted a fake smile on his face, and signaled for Maya to do the same. She shot him a look - you didn't tell her? Phoenix shook his head ever so slightly before turning back to his fiancé.
"Iris," he said, greeting her as calmly as he could, and doing his best to make his smile appear genuine. He didn't want Iris to know, for several reasons. He was scared; afraid of would do if she found out. She would be in pain, he knew, if she found out her sister's spirit had been locked in an urn. But most of all, he didn't want to worry her. It hadn't even been a month yet. It was completely unnecessary burden her with something that probably wouldn't happen. That's what he always told himself.
Iris seated herself next to him again, apparently not noticing anything, or the shift in mood.
Phew. Maybe I'm getting better at this. I should have a perfectpoker faceby now, after all...anyway, she doesn't have to know, and worry...
"Do you want to talk to her?" Maya asked abruptly.
Phoenix, whose thoughts were still focused on the urn, misunderstood. "What!" he asked incredulously.
"Sis. I meant Mia." Maya replied calmly.
"Er...oh! Um, yeah, t-that would be great!" He grinned.
"Okay. Give me a sec..."
In the time it took Phoenix and Iris to blink, the woman sitting in front of them was no longer Maya.
"Chief," Phoenix said with a smile. "It's been a long time."
Mia sighed. "Yes. Yes it has. And you've got a lot of explaining to do, Phoenix. What happened to you for seven years?"
He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Not much, Chief. C'mon, I haven't changed that much."
"Not now. Now...you're better. But for the past seven years? I know. I've been watching." She smiled. "Anyway, I'm glad you've...recovered. It would have been a shame to put all that I taught you to waste. Your apprentice, that Mr. Justice. He's a good lawyer, but sadly, he'll never be able to achieve what you have, Phoenix. And that's why you need to keep going."
He nodded. She was right, and now that he had found himself, he could do just that.
Mia then turned to her cousin. "Iris. It's a pleasure to meet you again. The only time we met was in court that day, if I'm not mistaken. It's good to get a chance to actually speak to you."
"It's good to see you too, Miss Fey."
"You can call me Mia," she said with a smile.
"Um, o-okay..."
Mia turned back to Phoenix. "Alright. You've got a story to tell."
"Right," he said.
Phoenix once again recounted the tale of the past seven years, all the way up to the part of re-visiting Hazakura.
"So you just accepted evidence like that?" Mia asked him sternly after he had relayed the events of his last trial.
"Er...I guess," he responded, abashed.
He then went on to tell her f his trip to the Eagle Mountains, and the events of the past month, with Iris piping up now and again with any details he had forgotten.
Finally, when he was done, he took Iris' hand in his and rested their arms on the table in front of them.
"Chief...we're getting married," he told her, anticipating her reaction.
Mia beamed. "That's great! I knew you would get around to it eventually. Congratulations, to the both of you."
Phoenix blinked. "You're not...?"
"Surprised?" Mia finished. "No, not at all." She chuckled. "After all, I'm the one who had to literally drag you from the detention center after your trial. And then five years later you find out what you had was real? What was I supposed to think? It was pretty predicable."
Phoenix blushed slightly, but recovered just as quick.
"I think I need to go now. Maya's been channeling me for over an hour. She's capable of much more, but I don't want to tire her out...oh! One last thing. Can I come to the wedding?"
"Of course!" Phoenix and Iris exclaimed simultaneously.
"All right then. I'll be there...watching. Nice ring, by the way." Mia smiled once more, and began to fade away.
"Hi guys!" Maya greeted them cheerfully, once she had returned to normal.
"Hey Maya," Phoenix replied. "Thanks. It was great to catch up with you and Mia."
"No problem," she said. "Wait...you have to go?"
"Yeah. It was fun, though. I promise, we'll visit more often. And stop by the off- uh, agency any time!" Phoenix grinned and gave her a thumbs-up.
"Okay!" Maya said happily.
"Goodbye, Mystic Maya. It was great to meet you," Iris said as she stood up.
"Great to see you too, Iris." she said with a grin. "Bye, Nick!"
"See ya, Maya," he replied.
Maya watched them go, pleased with the idea that they would visit again. She had missed Nick, without a doubt. He was her best friend, and her brother in all but blood. But now Nick's back! And things can return to normal once again.