Chapter Text
Phoenix Wright stood alone and cornered in the center of his classroom. He’d give anything for the wings at his ankles to sprout big enough for him to fly away and never return. The entire class was ganging up on him and he was aware that he must look like a baby for crying but he didn’t really care right now. He was about to shuffle over and apologize when.
“Objection!” A young voice shouted from across the room, silencing the accusations and insults.
Phoenix looked up to see the voice’s owner, it was the new tiefling kid. He had little horns peeking up from behind his bangs and an odd skintone somewhere between a light grey and that of a pale human. But what stood out to Phoenix was the shining determination that came from his silver eyes.
“He shouldn't have to apologize! The only thing that belongs in a trial is evidence! Anything else has no place! You should all be ashamed... amateurs!" He spoke with a confidence and precision that Phoenix had never seen from another boy his age. The tiefling boy, Miles, he faintly heard his teacher say, turned and spoke to him in a softer tone.
“It wasn’t you who stole my money was it?”
“No.” Phoenix sniffled. He heard Miles defend him again until the rest of his classmates started shouting again. Another voice cut through them and he saw the Butz also shouting to defend him.
The class trial ended in a blur after that, Phoenix was vaguely aware of the teacher calming down the class and giving Miles her own money then everyone moved their desks back into place. When Phoenix looked to either side of him he saw that Larry and Miles had switched desks to be on either side of him. He looked at them in turn, smiling, if still a little snotty from all the crying.
“Thank you guys.”
Larry slung his arm around Phoenix from above putting just enough weight on him to make him unsteady before pulling them both back to a stable point, a goofy grin coloured his face.
“No problem dude, they always gang up on me so I can’t just stand by while they do it to someone else.”
Miles walked closer to the other boys a bit more awkwardly, Phoenix noticed not only that he had a tail, but that it was wrapped around his leg. The confidence he had radiated a few minutes ago seemed nearly gone.
“You were innocent so it’s only natural that truth should prevail.” He spoke in a shy tone.
“Ahh don’t be like that!” Larry shouted, pulling Miles into what had become a group hug. Miles’ tail stood on end in surprise and Phoenix developed a slight blush that didn’t fade until Larry let go of the both of them.
From that day forward the three of them were inseparable, any spare second was spent together in or out of school.
“Hey Nicky what’s up with the wings on your ankles?” Larry said out of the blue on a summer evening. He stood on the massive log that had become one of their favourite spots.
“Oh these? I was born with them.” He responded a little caught off guard. Proudly he stretched them out to show them off better.
“Can you fly with them?” Larry asked excitedly.
Phoenix caught Miles shooting an annoyed look in Larry’s direction.
“Obviously not look at how small they are, they couldn’t possibly carry the rest of his body.”
“Miles is right, my dad calls them…” Phoenix hesitates for a moment. “Vestical… versatile… vest-eh-jee-al.” He finally sounds out.
“Then why do you have ‘em if you can’t fly with ‘em?” Larry asked bluntly.
Phoenix looked around awkwardly, a bit uncomfortable with the line of questioning.
“I- uh, I guess just cuz my dad’s a guardian angel I inherited them from him. I mean he says all vigils have them. It’s like the feathers on my shoulders”
“Oh yeah I always forget about that.” At that moment Larry happened to notice how low in the sky the sun was. “Oh shoot my mom’s gonna kill me if I’m back after dark again, it’s no fair you guys live so much closer.”
Larry ran off to grab his bicycle while the other two boys shouted their goodbyes at him. When he was out of earshot Miles turned to Phoenix.
“He just doesn’t get it does he?” He huffed.
“I mean it’s not really his fault, he doesn’t know better.” Phoenix supplied trying to calm his friend down.
“Even being a human he should know it’s rude to ask those things.”
“I honestly don’t mind the wing stuff but my dad says that in a few years I’ll get a halo too.” He said while pulling himself up to sit on the log.
“I think a halo would suit you.” Miles said, an affection creeping into his voice. He climbed up the edge of the log and scrambled down it to be beside Phoenix.
“I’m not worried about the halo itself, I’m worried ‘cuz dad says when I get a halo I also get a ward.”
“What’s a ward? If you don’t mind telling me.” Miles asked hesitantly, scooching a little closer to his friend.
Phoenix looked at Miles, earnest curiosity was burned into his face. The setting sun added a shimmery warmth to his not quite grey skin. His bangs blew slightly in the breeze. He would bare his whole soul to this boy if he could.
“It’s a special person I have to keep safe. I’ll know how they feel and what direction they’re in, and if they’re in trouble. But it’s scary to be responsible for someone like that.” Phoenix replied, his voice quavering towards the end. “Dad says it’s like having a soulmate.”
Miles was hesitant to say anything with his best friend so upset. Instead he pulled him into a soft hug. They stayed that way for a few moments and Miles’ tail wrapped around one of Phoenix’s wings.
“If I was your ward I’d keep myself safe so that you would never have to worry about me.” Miles spoke, still holding his friend.
“If you were my ward I’d make sure everyone was nice to you even when they think you look scary.” Phoenix replied.
Slowly and reluctantly they disentangled themselves and began to walk home still connected tail to wing. They spoke of nothing in particular and exchanged soft smiles as far as they could. When the junction in the road came when they could no longer walk together they embraced a final time. Even though they both knew they’d see each other first thing in the morning.
Phoenix went outside one morning in late December to knock on Miles’ door and ask him to play. He was so excited to hear all about what fun he had going to see his father in court. Phoenix didn’t really care about lawyers and courtrooms but it always made him so happy to see Miles’ eyes light up when he talked about them.
He knocked on his best friend’s door and there was no answer. He knocked again and… nothing. That wasn’t like Miles, and it especially wasn’t like Mr. Gregory. He looked around frustrated and noticed a note in the little letter box beside the door that only ever got ads placed in it. The note was addressed to him in Miles’ precise handwriting, cautiously, he pulled it out and read it.
Dear Phoenix Wright,
I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you in person but something happened and I have to move away. They told me I’m going very far and they don’t think I’ll ever get to come back here. I’m going to have to switch schools too. I already miss you and I wish I could say goodbye in person but I’m not allowed.
They told me where I’m going to be living for now and where I’m moving after things get wrapped up, I put both addresses on the back so you wouldn’t get them confused. I really want you to write me letters so I don’t feel so alone. The top one is where I am now and the bottom one is where I’m going in January. It’s in another country so the stamps will be more expensive.
Tell Larry that he’s a prick and that I’ll miss him a lot.
I don’t know what I’m going to do on my own Phoenix. I'm so scared and sad all the time and I know that if you were here you’d make me feel better but you’re not. Goodbye Phoenix, please don’t forget me.
With Love,
Miles Edgeworth
A large portion of the paper was scribbled out very intensely just after the line about Larry and the paper was oddly crinkled in a few small circles, almost like it had dried tears on it.
As Phoenix read the letter a deep fear welled up inside him. He knocked on the door a million times hoping praying this was a prank. He knew Miles hated pranks but he didn’t care. He banged on the door until his hands were sore, then he started kicking it again and again. He even attempted body slamming it a few times. But he didn’t hear a sound from the other side. Eventually he curled up with his back against the door and sobbed over the note.
The sun was high in the sky when Phoenix finally stood up. His fingers and wingtips had lost all feeling a while ago. He walked unsteadily but he did not head home. Even though the second best place to be right now would be his mother’s arms. First of course was Miles’ arms. Instead he made for the nearest post office, a half hour’s walk. He had wanted to show Miles the twenty dollar bill he got in a christmas card but instead he bought as many stamps as he could.
Phoenix watched as the clock ticked closer and closer to midnight. He was about to turn fourteen. On his birthday last year his father had told him that he would get his halo, and his ward, on his fourteenth birthday. He also said that he was saving one last piece of information for just before that.
Phoenix was very stressed about this so he did what he always did when he was very stressed. He wrote a letter to Miles. He was embarrassed to admit it took him almost a year of writing letters that received no reply before he caught on. He didn’t know if Miles wrote the wrong address or was told the wrong thing. Or maybe he was just ignoring Phoenix and stopped caring about him. Probably not that, hopefully.
Nowadays he writes letters as a sort of journal, it felt nice sending his thoughts away to a made up address where they weren’t received or sent to the return address.
Phoenix noticed that the clock had struck twelve, his father would be in the door any moment now to tell him this important info. He was born at 12:22 so he really didn’t have much time left.
The door swung open and he watched his father awkwardly duck his wings down and pull them out perpendicular to his body so he could get through the door.
“Phoenix!” He shouted excitedly. “You ready for your big day?”
His father’s six eyes shone as he as he smiled at his son. Phoenix looked up at him and tried to smile in confirmation but the bags under his eyes and the letter in front of him made it clear he was not exactly thrilled.
“You're writing those letters again…” His dad started a bit concerned. “Nevermind, I have something very serious to tell you about your responsibilities as a vigil.”
Phoenix gave his father a short glare when he mentioned the letters but returned to his stressed neutral when his duties were brought up.
“Shoot.”
“You’re not going to be thrilled I kept this from you but understand it was for your own good. You know that once you connect with your ward you will be able to sense their direction, sense their emotions and know what direction they’re in. As well as knowing who they are generally.”
Phoenix held his breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“But you have one more bond to them. Your life is connected to theirs so if they die… so do you. The reverse isn’t true so if you die, or as is all too common, sacrifice yourself, your ward will be safe.”
Phoenix stared at his father aghast. He had no idea how to feel about this. He started hyperventilating and shouted at his father.
“And you’re seriously telling me this now with ten minutes until I find them!”
His father stood up to comfort his son. Placing a hand on one shoulder wrapping a wing around the other. He allowed his son to calm down for a while before he continued.
“Your mother and I thought it would be best not to tell you too far in advance so you wouldn’t fret over it for years. Listen, most vigils are pretty close in age to their ward so you really don’t need to worry about them. You’ll know if they’re in mortal peril but you really don’t even need to meet them until you’re older. Take a deep breath the only immediate change to your life is you get a cool new halo appearing any second now.”
As if on cue a flash of light appeared above Phoenix’s head a set of two gold chains braided together floated just above his head in the shape of a laurel starting and ending at his temples. Phoenix’s father took a moment to admire it, his own had the chain motif as well but it was a singular one looping in a circle around his head.
“Wow Phoenix that’s divine, if you excuse the pun, Themis must really favour you.” His eyes welled a little. “I’m so proud of you.” The soft comforting hand on Phoenix’s shoulder became a crushing double bear hug with both hands and wings.
Phoenix felt nauseous; his stomach somehow had both rocks and butterflies in it. His mind was swimming not from the holy energy but his new knowledge. It settled in his brain with an increasing certainty. Miles Edgeworth was his ward.
Miles Edgeworth, his childhood best friend, who he’d known for nine months and missed for five years. Who lived across the world in what was supposed to be Germany. Who may or may not be ignoring half a decade of letters from him.
His father seemed to notice something was off and let go of him. Still grasping his shoulders he looked in his eyes.
“Is something wrong?”
“I don’t know.” Phoenix answered honestly. “I- It’s late, I think I should head to bed.”
His father looked disappointed but abated. Phoenix went through the motions and layed in bed awake just thinking about what this meant. He checked how Miles was feeling, pretty bad as it turned out. It was a weird mix of fear and sadness and a lot of stress. He sighed.
“I can’t make sure people are nice to you but please keep yourself safe Miles.” He whispered to himself full of grief.
As the days crawled on Phoenix noticed Miles felt like this pretty much all the time. His heart ached for Miles every night. Occasionally when Phoenix would take a particularly long nap he’d wake up at six terrified. He was certain this too was from Miles.
Sometimes he’d feel a pang, not that Miles was in true mortal peril, but something very controlled was placing him in a dangerous spot. Nothing that posed a threat to his life, but most certainly a threat to his well being. All Phoenix could do was ball his fists and bare it.
Eventually he got used to the short quiet alarms in his head and the gentle pull he had telling him what direction Miles was in. He hated that it had become simple and mundane to sense these things but he couldn’t do a thing about it.
His halo garnered him more attention too. People whispered as he walked by, knowing he was the product of a tryst between a guardian angel and the person they were sent to protect. They looked at him as walking indiscretion because in their mind, that’s what his parents union was. It was easier to ignore as a kid but now, it’s not omnipresent but it’s definitely more common.
Overall his fourteenth birthday present from his father left much to be desired.
At around twenty Phoenix felt two interesting things happen to his connection. The first is that he began to wake up at 3:00 in the morning as if he was having a nightmare very often. It was only a minor inconvenience as he could go right back to sleep but it was very strange. He checked how Miles was feeling in these moments and his suspicions were confirmed. He was terrified.
The second is that the direction would actually change now. Before Miles’ presence would only shift a few degrees. Now he felt him in all directions, North, South, East and West.
He concluded that Miles must be back in LA, they were in the same time zone and both moving around the city. A few months later his suspicions were confirmed when he came across a newspaper article about his childhood friend.
The headline read; dark suspicions surround DEMON PROSECUTOR. The page supported a glossy photo of the man his friend had become. A concern overwhelmed Phoenix seeing his face. His gorgeous warm almost grey skin looked pallid and tired. His horns had grown smooth and curled in on themselves just slightly causing them to spiral upwards. The spark that lit up his silver eyes had become a determined fire, a dangerous one fuelled by anger and fear.
The headline alone filled Phoenix with disgust. Of course the media had decided to brand him based on his demonic lineage. Not seeing anything of the hard work and passion he was certain Miles must have put in to get here. A cool sense of shame washed over Phoenix as he continued. It was obvious, to him at least, that Miles was in a bad way. He couldn’t help but feel responsible. It was his job to protect him but he had ignored it for years. He knew for a fact that Miles wasn’t happy. On occasion he’d sense pride or confidence from him but he’d never sensed him feeling joyful or loved.
He recalled something that Miles said in the note from all those years ago. I know if you were here you’d make me feel better but you’re not. He hadn’t been there, even as he knew what Miles felt he hadn’t been.
He knew he’d failed him as he read the article. Noting how he’d become a prosecutor when he was certain that he wanted to be a defence attorney like his father. It was hard to tell if the allegations of forged evidence were because he was genuinely suspected or were an attempt at playing up the demon prosecutor persona by the author. Either way Phoenix was determined to get back into his life and fix his mistakes.
Actually getting in contact with Miles was a lot harder than he anticipated. He spent months on false leads until he gained access to the DA’s records and got Miles’ work email. He sent a million emails and didn’t get a single reply.
“Feenie do you think maybe it’s time to let go of him? I know he’s your ward and you really admire him but he’s clearly not interested in you.”
His sweet Dolly gently asked.
“I know you feel responsible for him but you’re killing yourself here.”
She didn’t get it. How could she? She had never had to be responsible for saving another’s soul like this. She wasn’t hell-bent on protecting someone no matter what. Phoenix brushed her off the same way as every other time she tried to convince him to let go. A kiss to the forehead and a simple statement.
“I have to try.”
Almost everything was like that for them. Well worn and routine. Dolly would ask for the necklace back, Phoenix would laugh and deny her. Phoenix would show off how wonderful she is, she’d shyly reject his praises. It was comfortable.
He thought they were perfect.
Until the trial. Mia Fey had opened his eyes that day and being in court had given Phoenix an idea. He could force Miles to acknowledge him by becoming a lawyer himself. In the process he could become a light in the tunnel for other people falsely accused. The next day he changed his major to law and after a suitable amount of begging Mia took him on as a protégé.
Phoenix was giddy in every class excited for the opportunity to help not just the defendants but his ward. His old best friend. The thought alone brought colour to his cheeks. He was thrilled to finally be able to help his ward. To finally be able to help Miles.