A simple story [Wrightworth/ Narumitsu]

Just missed

Phoenix and Edgeworth ran back down to the car park, Phoenix clutched Pearl in his arms and rushed towards the car. He kept yelling at Edgeworth to hurry up whilst fiddling with the car door. Edgeworth hurriedly walked behind them huffing and dabbing his hand on his head. They sat down and sped off.

During the entire car ride Pearl was asking endless questions about what they were going to do whilst Phoenix kept telling Edgeworth to speed up, the silence between the two of them was painful.

"Wright I'm going as fast as I can! Please we can't get stopped for speeding, not now."

"I know I know Edgeworth but what if Maya's already gone? We need to catch that man before it's too late!"

Edgeworth nodded and sped up slightly more, it didn't take them long to reach the house. When they did, Phoenix pulled Edgeworth out of the car and let Pearl run in front of them. Phoenix fumbled for the keys his client had given and swung the door open, he rushed into the room and his heart sank.

"Edgeworth, she's not here..."

Phoenix's skin flushed, he clenched his hands and could feel a small amount of tears pooling around his eyes. Edgeworth walked in and Phoenix looked straight at him.

"D-don't panic just yet. I just called the precinct, this place will be surrounded. There is no way that man is escaping with Maya ok?"

Edgeworth placed his hand on Phoenix's shoulder, Phoenix nodded and wiped away the tears at the corner of his eyes.

"Mr Nick? Look at that door over there. Maybe Mystic Maya is in there?"

Phoenix ran over and began fiddling with the door handle but it wouldn't budge. He banged his fists on the door and began screaming Maya's name, waiting for an answer or even just a noise. Edgeworth walked over and pulled his arm, telling Phoenix to calm down. 

"Edgeworth I need to knock this door down, I need to get in!"

"Wright please calm down. We don't know where Maya is in that room, what if you accidentally knock the door onto her? She could get hurt."

"Mr Nick look there's a mini door in the big door. Maybe I could fit through and open it from there?"

Phoenix chuckled a little, even if the situation was horrible Pearl always found a way to make him laugh. He knelt down to talk to her.

"I think that door is for the cat Pearl, it might be a bit to small for you."

He turned around to Edgeworth and gave him a stern look.

"And that's why I need to break the door down. That way at least we'll know if Maya's in there."

Edgeworth looked back and forth before crossing his arms and sighing.

"Fine. I'll help break down the door."

They both rushed to the door and knocked it down in a matter of seconds Phoenix rushed inside.

"She's not here!'

"From the looks of this room I'd say this is Engarde's private lounge. Look in the corner Wright."

"An antenna, it has a tape deck. Quick check it maybe there's something there!"

Edgeworth checked every deck and drawer near the desk but came back empty handed, he sighed at Phoenix who already had his head in his hands.

"No, not again she has to be here!"

"I'm sorry Wright."

Out of the corner of his eyes Phoenix saw something. It looked like a door hidden between a bookshelf. It looked unlocked so it would be unlikely that Maya was in there but Phoenix knew she was smart. Maybe she had left something behind, a clue that could help them find her.

"Wait. Look there's another door there! We have to check it. Pearl, please stand outside. Who knows what's in there. I don't want you getting hurt."

Phoenix grabbed Edgeworth by the hand and led him to the door, they both looked at each other and gently pushed it open. To their disappointment no one was inside. But there was a small picture frame on the floor. A woman with a message on the picture.

With love.

Even if Maya wasn't here this was still new evidence they could use. Edgeworth told Phoenix that they should head out, that it was ok that they hadn't found her. It wasn't Phoenix's fault.

Whilst walking back into the room Phoenix saw Pearl nervously shuffling in the doorway holding a small object in her hand.

"What's this?"

"I- I don't know Mr Nick. When you and Mr Edgeworth went into the room I wanted to look around and I found this... I think it's supposed to be a teddy bear but it has all these lines on it."

Phoenix took the bear and looked at it. It couldn't be opened but these lines were very out of place, for a teddy bear this object was hard and definitely not fluffy.

"Wait, Mr Nick. Can you please turn the picture frame over?"

Phoenix turned the picture around and saw a long message written on the back. 

"Look! It's Mystic Maya! I knew she'd write a message."

Phoenix's eyes widened, he examined every word on that paper, maybe there was a code or something he could use. Maya had written about how she was ok, and that if Phoenix didn't get this client a guilty verdict she'd never forgive him.  

The tears surrounded his eyes again as he clutched the paper tightly in his hand, Edgeworth came to comfort him and gave him a light tap on the shoulder.

"This is all I have for tomorrow."

"We searched the house and every room, there's nothing more. Even so, I think you'll do great Wright."

"I- I don't know Edgeworth what if I fail? What if it's all for nothing? I need Maya to be safe and sound. I don't think I could ever forgive myself if I don't stick to her promise."

Edgeworth sighed and looked at Phoenix, his cheeks were blushing ever so slightly and his eyes had a certain warmth to them.

"Wright... Remember- remember last year?"

Phoenix didn't want to but he listened anyway.

"Remember how before I left you helped me. When I was suspected for murder. When I was held at the detention centre because everyone believed I did it? You were the only one there for me at that time. You barely had any evidence, practically everyone was against you. You were even up against Von Karma. It seemed like there was no hope for me, and whilst I sat there doing nothing but just grieve, you actually helped me. Your amazing Wright. You can defend your clients and get them declared innocent with barley any evidence. All you need is to truly believe they are innocent."

"I don't understand. What is it your trying to say Edgeworth?"

"I'm saying your client broke that trust. Even so, I know that you'll figure this all out. Whatever happens I know you and I know that you'll figure it out. You'll get Maya back."

"Thanks Edgeworth. That means a lot coming from you. Now come on Pearl lets head back."

"Do you want me to drive you to the office."

"If you wouldn't mind."

Phoenix went back the same way he came, the car ride wasn't silent this time. Though everything else in his life was tense in that very moment Phoenix felt a sense of relief. He felt like there wasn't as big of a weight on his shoulders. He felt ok for the first time in a while.

Phoenix entered the office with Pearl and waved Edgeworth goodbye. Gumshoe was still out trying to get a record for the listening device and Phoenix hoped he'd return soon.

I hope i'm ready for that trial tomorrow.