Chapter Text
Phoenix fidgets with his scarf
‘Why in the world is Edgeworth a prosecutor now?’
Miles was a hero like his father was and Phoenix was aware how much they got paid due to both Maya and Mia also being heroes so it doesn't make sense as to why he'd become a prosecutor on top of a hero.
Phoenix traced the purple patterns on his scarf in thought and turned the TV on for the news.
“I can assure you the flame feathers are being dealt with…”
Phoenix stopped, frozen…
‘They’re back? No no no. This is bad’
He heard glass breaking… He turned to see a smiling face and a symbol he knew too well.
A Flame Feather. Phoenix was sure they were gone. All of them.
Phoenix couldn't hear the noise from the outside, only feeling adrenaline when the flame feather ran at him. With a needle.
“PHOENIX!”
Who was that? Phoenix can't remember. His vision was blackening again…
But what Phoenix does know is that his body was heating up and fast.
Phoenix’s trance was broken once he heard the screams and smell of someone burning. He took his arm away from the Flame Feather. He saw multiple Flame Feathers when he looked out the window and saw a hero he immediately recognized bleeding.
‘No no no… I stayed away to make sure he wouldn't get hurt…’
Pheonix can't go near him. He can't hurt anyone again. He doesn't want to hurt anyone again.
But Edgeworth was bleeding from a nasty wound… Phoenix saw another flame feather try and get up to the office.
“You can't-”
The woman couldn't finish her sentence as suddenly her feathers were on fire.
‘escape or save’
At one time escaping. Running away was the same as saving. He was saving Edgeworth and Larry. He didn't want them in the crossfire.
The flame feather already near Edgeworth tried to get to him.
“It's not too far. At least for someone with wings.”
Phoenix gave the person a cold glare and he threw the flame feather out the window and heard the person scream and various flapping noises, rolling his eyes before going to Edgeworth.
Phoenix for once lets his feathers be seen. He gently and slowly let blue fire flow from his hand to the wound
“Phoe-”
Phoenix cuts him off
“Shut up. Why did you even go after him?”
Miles looked at Phoenix. Phoenix Looked worried and nervous. Miles could feel himself getting healed and quickly as well.
“Because he was going after you.”
Phoenix’s eyes widened for a moment before trying to focus on the wound that was healing
“We haven't seen each other for years. Why now do you suddenly have the need to come into my life?”
Phoenix suddenly heard footsteps into the office from the broken window.
“Nick! What happened?!”
Phoenix didn't glance, knowing who it was
“Maya. It was nothing just-"
Maya shook her head
“NICK! It wasn't nothing! The Flame Feathers are back. Me and Mia knew.”
The fire stopped
“You knew before the announcement you mean?”
Maya looked away
“We'll talk about this later”
Maya looked worried immediately
“Nick-”
Phoenix felt Miles’ hand hold his arm when he went to look at Maya. Phoenix pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Later.”
Phoenix had irritation in his voice. Maya and Mia were supposed to tell him any information about the flame feathers if not for his own safety then at least as a warning.
Maya looked concerned but looked away. Miles got up.
“I need to leave and you both need to report back. Don't go after me.”
Phoenix didn't stay long to hear either of the two calling out. Phoenix walked out of the office and the walking turned to a run once he was in a disolent place until he was there.
“Here again…”
He was surrounded by stone. Phoenix was tired…
“The Order of the Flame Feathers are back. Just great. Mia and Maya didn't even consider telling me?!”
Phoenix finally let go and most of his body became fire with his back having formed large blue fiery Wings.
He yelled in anger. In upset. In fear.
After a while the bright blue fire cooled down with Phoenix tiredly looking up at the sky, sitting on his legs.
There were clicks of boots on the stone floor. The person carefully approached Phoenix and didn't say anything. They sat next to the man.
Phoenix sighed and just leaned against him. The person let him
“M'sorry.”
Phoenix mumbled out clearly having just cried. The person sighed
“You didn't change at all, Nix.”
Phoenix just hummed
“They promised, you know. They promised that they would've told me anything about the Order of the Flame Feathers. How… How long?”
Phoenix’s eyes didn't have a glow. Just… dull. It hurt him.
“A year.”
Phoenix didn’t get angry or anything, he just sighed.
“They’ve been out there for a year and didn’t tell me? Are they insane?”
Miles looked at Phoenix
“They promised me the day they stopped the Order that they’d tell me if anything happened. They were the ones who made the promise. I… I don’t want to see them. Not right now.”
It was his chance.
“Then stay with me.”
Phoenix looked at Miles in the eyes
“Phoenix, you’ve been isolated except for when you had to do your job. You haven’t been in society in years.”
Phoenix looked away
“They said it was safer that way.”
And they were the only ones I trusted at the time...
“Maybe it was true once. But now even if you weren’t isolated this would’ve happened, but you froze.”
Please, let me save you.
“I probably wouldn’t have frozen up if I knew. If they just kept that damn promise…”
Not if it hurts other people…
Miles stands up and pulled Phoenix up
“I promised once, unlike them I intend on keeping that promise.”
Who cares, if you’re the one who gets hurt?
Phoenix with Miles’ help got up.
“Promise…?”
Phoenix’s shine slowly came back and he chuckled.
“Oh. That silly promise when we were kids?”
Miles nodded. Phoenix remembered that all too well. It was one of the last times he saw either Miles or Larry.
“I promise! I’ll protect you!”
“What about me Edgy! Come on!”
“Larry-“
“You can save yourself and you know it.”
“Oh come on you’re not still mad about me losing it are you?”
“Yes I am actually Larry. At least Phoenix wouldn’t lose it!”
“Finally deciding to take me away huh?”
Fine. Save me then, show me what I need to be saved from.
Miles rolled his eyes at Phoenix’s dramatics.
“It’s not that far of a walk fortunately.”
Gladly, Phoenix.
Phoenix walked with Miles for the first time in what feels like forever. No more isolation.