Waiting for Time

It was mid-February, and winter was still holding off spring with all its might. After a brief spell of warmth in January, the cold had come back to dig its heels in a little more, pushing most people off the streets and back into the comfort of their various dwellings. The city ached for a touch of spring, one that appeared unlikely to come for some time.

Yes, it February the 18th, 2029, and it seemed colder than ever today. Most wouldn’t notice any difference (it wasn’t like anyone was outside, after all), but for Phoenix Wright, February the 18th, 2029 was a day in which both all his hopes and all his fears would cumulate.

The Wright Talent Agency was mostly deserted, as it had been for the past few months, leaving Phoenix alone in his office. Trucy Wright had left home for more professional training as a magician, and Apollo had moved on to bigger things. Both were still in contact with Phoenix – the last he heard was that Trucy had joined, to his surprise, the Berry Big Circus, whilst Apollo was apparently studying in France at a distinguished law school. He didn’t regret their choice to leave, and he was happy to see them doing what they loved the most.

As for Phoenix’s so-called “Talent Agency,” it was nothing more than just the Wright residence now. Without Trucy to read his opponents, his career as a poker player ended, meaning that he had to get by doing odd jobs ranging from a short occupation as a window cleaner to being a door-to-door salesman. It was easy sustaining for one, though, and instant noodles always seemed to taste better in a pinch. Phoenix’s life was far from being on track, but he was happy enough most of the time.

Now though, he sat at his writing desk, deep in thought, expressionless and seemingly detached from reality. He had not ventured outside for about a day, and had whiled away the time reading and reflecting.


(“I just don’t know anymore. Honestly, I don’t.”

“No! Please, d-don’t walk away yet, it’s just five more years and then-”

“And then what? Do you think we can just say sorry and make up like nothing ever happened?”

“No, no, of course not, but in five years-“

“I’ll have moved on in five years. I can’t hold on to this one hope forever. It’s been over ten years, and…I’m tired. Tired of all of this. It should have come to an end after your trial. Whenever we try to talk about…about us, it just becomes too much. The…hurt, I mean.”)


He checked his watch. It was 2 PM. He waited.

The desk was in a right state. His papers, old and new, were scattered across it, disorganised and messy. Books were heaped on top as well, of all genres and styles – here on the left lay Hardy’s The Mayor of Casterbridge and on top of that, a detailed book about some changes to the legal system enforced in 2022. The surface of the wooden desk was barely visible under all of this.


(“Sir?” It was the security guard. “Time is up. You’ll have to go now, if you please.”

“Yes…yes, just a moment,” replied Phoenix, picking up his hat and rising from the chair.

“Wait! Don’t…!” She put her hand to the glass separating her from Phoenix.)


Ten years, he thought to himself, ten years of anticipation and dread. The thought that she wouldn’t come here now
was once his last hope and the worst punishment he could ask for. But, he had stayed true to his word for five years, and he saw no reason why she shouldn’t.


(Phoenix stared at her. Her eyes stared right back, and for a moment, the passion in those great orbs nearly overwhelmed Phoenix.

I-I’m sorry. I…” he sighed, “I just can’t handle this pain anymore. I’ll…come back, but…I can’t talk about…this…I don’t know, this emotional baggage anymore. It’s done. Finished. We just aren’t meant to be.”

“Why should I be able to handle this “pain” any better than you? Why won’t you even give us a chance?”

“You know as well as I do.”)


“Why?” he asked the world in general, “Why should I feel remorse? She betrayed me. She betrayed me, god damn it! Her and that damned sister of hers…”

He stood up and started pacing. He no longer meant the words he had spoken, though he wished he still did.


(Nonsense! Of course it’s true. She’s not worthy of your trust.)


But he knew he was wrong. His own mind was the one no longer trustworthy.


(“I-I said I was sorry...” Tears were brewing in her eyes now.

Phoenix walked to door fairly briskly, and as he pulled it open, she spoke up again, more forcefully. She appeared to have regained her composure.

“I won’t give up on us, whether you like it or not. There’s nothing else in this world I have to cling on to. Dahlia’s gone, and I can’t spend the rest of my life with Bikini.”

Phoenix sighed and dropped his head. “I understand.”

“And please, don’t come back here if you’re just going to close off towards me. That would be worse than if you didn’t come at all.”

“I won’t.”

For a moment there was silence. The woman behind the glass wiped her eyes, and Phoenix sighed one more time.

“Goodbye.”

“Bye.”

The door closed behind him loudly. The officer behind told her that it was time to get back to her cell. She stood up, her eyes still lingering on the door.

“Feenie…”)


Covering up for his own cowardice in refusing to face his own feelings - he was the traitorous one here. And yet he hadn't even been able to pluck up the courage to go back and see her again. And now he was alone. His life had become cold as hell. Even Maya was off up a mountain somewhere with Pearl – she had been going through a seven year Master of Kurain training course for her initiation since Phoenix had met Apollo, though he visited them every few weeks, and she came down at holidays.

He checked the time once more. 2:15.


(Maybe she won’t come...)


But where had did she have to go to? Hakazura Temple? Without any money? No car, no train? No chance.


(You’re forgetting Bikini. Why would Iris…)


The doorbell rang. Phoenix’s heart skipped a beat. He walked to the door and took a deep breath before peering into the spyhole. Maybe it would be Ema, or perhaps even Gumshoe.

No such luck. Slightly sallower and paler, but still just as beautiful, Iris stood, firm-faced, before the door to the Wright Talent Agency.

“Damn…” he whispered, “What other woman on earth but her would come back after what I said…?”

Hesitantly, he opened the door. Iris’ eyes widened for a second when she saw him, but she covered it up, seemingly intent on concealing her emotions. Phoenix couldn’t blame her really. But the Psyche Locks were clear.

“Phoenix.”

“Iris.”

Phoenix breathed deeply. Where to begin? He had always been one to cut straight to the point, and it was the only thing he could think of doing.

“Iris, I need to say to you…well, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for what I said. I was wrong-”

Iris interrupted him, “No. I betrayed you sixteen years ago. You had every right to be angry. I shouldn’t have expected you to just drop all of your emotional baggage immediately.” Her voice was monotonous, but it also was quavering slightly, betraying her emotionless front.

“I was unspeakably rude to you, and if my big head hadn’t got in the way than I would have come to see you in jail again.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” replied Iris, her voice cracking, “I told you not to come.”

Phoenix laughed sardonically. “I knew I was wrong from the very beginning, I just refused to accept it. It was just an excuse to let me bottle up my emotions again.”

Iris blinked, and Phoenix saw a tear sliding down her cheek.


(“Only ten years, huh, Iris?” Phoenix smiled. “You’ll be out in no time. Are you sure you’ll be okay in prison, though?”

“Oh, Feenie,” laughed Iris, “I’ll be fine. Just make sure to visit me, all right?”

It was February the 18th, 2019, and Iris’ ten-year prison sentence started today. She was still in the defendant lobby of the
courthouse, having had her own trial conducted. Due to the circumstances, she was let off with a fairly short sentence of ten years, thanks to Phoenix.

“Once you’re out…I wanted to ask you…” started Phoenix.

“Yes?”

“Can we, you know…start again?” asked Phoenix, feeling his stomach flip, “I don’t mean immediately, and there’s obviously issues we’ll have to sort out, but-”

Iris gently put her finger to his lips and took Phoenix’s hand with her own free one. “I’d been hoping you’d ask me that. I thought I was being naïve, but you haven’t changed a bit, Feenie.”

Iris leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. Phoenix turned red, and Iris giggled.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a shout of “Mister Nick! How could you do this to Mystic Maya!” destroyed the moment, and Phoenix groaned as Pearl slapped him around the head angrily.

“Make to come by and see me, okay?” said Iris, blushing at Pearl’s antics.

“I promise I will. You’ll be sick of the sight of me by the end.” Iris smiled at this comment, before getting up.

“Well, I’ll see you later, Feenie.”)


“Why?” questioned Iris, the tears rolling down her face freely, “Why couldn’t you keep your promise?”

“I ma-” started Phoenix, but Iris cut him off almost immediately.

“You made a promise to me! You said you would come and see me! You said we could try again! Were you lying? Can I even trust you?” Iris continued this incoherent stream of angry questioning until she had no breath (or Psyche Locks) left, at which point she flung herself at Phoenix, knocking him backwards.

“Feenie…I don’t know what to do,” she mumbled, wiping her streaming eyes on his jumper. “Everyone I love or believe in is dead, except for Bikini, and I feel like I’m going to have to lose you as well.”

Phoenix was so surprised at her emotional outburst that he could hardly answer. “I-I don’t know what I can say except…sorry. I guess I just needed more time to get over what happened to me at college. I pushed you away. I’m truly, deeply sorry, Iris.”

“I…accept your apology, really, but… it still hurts…I’m sorry…” Iris raised her head to look at Phoenix. “Even so, I know…I know you’ve been having a hard time throughout the last ten years. I guess opening up that can of worms wasn’t the best idea at that point, what with the responsibility of Trucy and the loss of your job. I’m just as much to blame.”

Phoenix gave her a listless half-smile. “No, you don’t need to take any blame. I should have been stronger for you.”

Iris paused for a moment before resuming speaking. “Maybe…maybe it’s just my naivety speaking, but I made a promise to you as well, which I intend to keep. Five years ago, I said I would stand by you. For better or worse, I can’t leave you behind. It’s the same as I said in prison. You’re all I have left.”

Phoenix chuckled softly. “Maybe you have too much forgiveness.”

“Please say you’ll try, Feenie,” said Iris quietly. She looked at Phoenix intensely.

“W-well, I d-d-don’t really – that is to say, I’m not totally…well, o-okay,” replied Phoenix, her emotive eyes rendering him unable to refuse. “I am the one asking for forgiveness, after all. But…I need time to catch up with you, Iris.”

Iris, unable to resist, smiled, lighting up her whole face. “We can go as slow as you like.”

Phoenix smiled back at her, and she blushed, reminding him of happier times.

Suddenly, Iris slapped him hard, leaving a red mark on Phoenix’s cheek.

“Ow! Why d’you do that?” exclaimed Phoenix.

“So you don’t ever leave me alone in a prison for five years ever again!” Iris answered, but she was laughing, as Phoenix was a few seconds later.

After the pair had gathered their senses, Iris spoke once more.

“I have missed you, Feenie.” Iris put her arms around Phoenix and squeezed him as she said this, holding him tightly. Phoenix returned the hug in the same manner. After ten seconds or so, they released their grip on each other. Phoenix scratched his head and spoke up.

“So, where are you staying?”

Iris frowned. “Well, Bikini was here in town – she greeted me when I was released – but she said that I would be staying in town, and that if I came back to Hakazura Temple, she’d give me a good talking to. I tried to ask her about it, but she just said that I knew what to do and left. I was confused at first, but I think she wanted me to come here.”

Phoenix raised his eyebrows. Bikini was more perceptive than he’d thought.

“You’re welcome to stay here, in the spare room, at least until further notice. It’s not like anyone’s around here anymore.”

“I’ll think that offer over, Feenie,” laughed Iris, “but why don’t you just take me out for coffee at that café near Ivy University? It’s been so long, I’m sure you’ve got lots to tell me about.”

“I think I’ll take you up on that,” Phoenix grinned, “Rissy.”

As the newly reincarnated couple stepped out on to the streets, Phoenix realised, with some surprise, that the afternoon sun had pierced the grey sky, and was raining warm sunbeams on to the parched pavement. The sudden warmth made him become conscious of something within him, something that had changed, after five years of coldness. He felt no guilt or anger, no pain or sadness. Phoenix smiled once more, confident in himself for the first time since he had lost his job.

Iris took no notice of this realisation. She was off in her own world, blissfully hopeful as she ever was, though perhaps more justified in it this time. Her mind was in a future paradise, a dream that she had barely believed possible only a few hours ago. And Phoenix, though he didn’t even know that dream existed, was fully prepared to make it happen.

It was February the 18th, 2029, and spring had finally arrived.

Anyway, they did research! YOU CAN'T BATTLE WITH EVIDENCE! (unless the jurist system is in place).