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He hated Dress Up Balls. But he wasn’t here to enjoy himself, he was here to catch a criminal.
Having donned on a Prince costume in an attempt to blend in, along with other undercover police who were also wearing costumes, they had to mingle with the other guests to keep a lookout for The Rising Phantom who send his calling card just yesterday, claiming he will steal his latest piece during this event.
Rising Phantom… such a ridiculous name. Sounded like an amateur who was trying too hard to sound mysterious. But in these past months while working to catch this criminal, Edgeworth learned that this was by no means an amateur.
He’d send a calling card, one that had a symbol of a red bird on each one, making it known that it was the real deal. They have gotten a lot of copycat cards, but since the information of the red bird wasn’t released to the public, if was always easy to tell the fakes apart from the genuine.
It was like that Phantom was mocking them with these cards. Letting them know that he plans to strike but not usually when. But the latest one was very specific it will be at Redd White’s lavish Ball that he sometimes he loves to host. If anything to flex his fortune around those he invites. Those absurd costumes everyone was wearing was an eyesore. Some were even dressed as The Phantom himself, due to his popularity. The guests wearing those had no idea of today’s heist so they seemed confused when some of the undercover police where eyeing them closely.
But Edgeworth knew they weren’t the real ones. He had seen the actual Phantom up close. Many times…
“Your Majesty.”
Edgeworth turned around to a familiar voice.
“May I have this dance?”
Before him was a man, dressed like The Phantom, holding out a hand towards him. But Edgeworth knew he wasn’t dressed up. It was the real deal. He could recognize the actual Rising Phantom since he had seen him up close more than anyone else. The blue suit, black cape, black mask and the spikey hair. There was no mistake.
This would be the perfect opportunity to raise the alarm. Let the police know he was here.
Instead he took the man’s hand and allowed himself be brought close into his arms.
“Certainly, Phantom… still a silly name if you ask me.”
“What can I say,” The man grinned as he put a hand on Edgeworth’s waist. “I’m a man who loves dramatics.”
It wasn’t a fancy dance that he led him into, but one that allowed them to move away from the larger crowd so they can get into their own space to talk privately.
“What do you intend to do?” Edgeworth asked in a hushed tone.
“Didn’t you get the card?” The Phantom joked.
“You usually go for valuables, now your note says it’s coming for evidence. What kind exactly?”
“Now, if I told you that, would you stop me?”
“I should…!” Edgeworth bit back a curse. “You are a criminal. I should have you arrested by now.”
“Hmm… yes.” The Phantom seemed to agree. “I'm indeed doing illegal things. But I know you, Mr. Demon Prosecutor. I know you researched your victim and the stolen goods. So you must know, Mr. White is a even bigger criminal than me, yes?”
Edgeworth paused. Yes, he did look into it, something he remembered White himself didn’t seem too keen that the police were giving him all the attention. Yes, the victim was always Redd White but the things stolen where kept in different places so the public didn’t make the connection there was just one target from the Phantom.
“Those items you stole… they used to belong to other people. Some even who are now deceased.”
“And why do you think that is,” The Phantom leaned into Edgeworth’s ear, whispering earnestly. “A lot of them had reason to ‘give’ such valuables to Redd White, don’t you agree?”
“There could have had other means…” Edgeworth stopped, knowing it was pointless to argue as he knew the truth.
“Yes, Redd had a lot of enemies yet those said enemies where nice enough to leave their most precious and pricy things to the man who wanted to destroy them. How conveniently nice of them.”
“Tell me…” Edgeworth gripped at the hand holding his. “You are one of his victims, aren’t you?”
“Mmm… not directly, no.” The man replied. “But he took someone very important from me. By his own hands, I might add.”
Edgeworth blinked.
“You saying he murd-“
“Shh,” The Phantom took his hand off Edgeworth’s hips to place a finger on his lips instead. “Might want to keep this under wraps for now. I am very close to actual proof of his shady history. You can take over from here when I obtain it to get him locked up for good.”
“And why should I help you?” Edgeworth challenged him.
“Because you want justice, don’t you?” He leaned in. “You want to take down those in power who love to abuse it, don’t you?”
“You have no reason to trust me.” Edgeworth retorted. “When I first heard of your crimes, I was determined to bring you in. Why should it be any different?”
His face felt like it was burning when The Phantom reached his hand out to move a silver strand of hair that was in his way.
“You’re different.”
Different? Oh. Yes, Edgeworth knew what he was likely referring to.
It was during a stakeout for the third heist that was to take place in a bank. One would think it was going to be a bank heist but the calling card claimed he was coming for something more valuable. He wasn’t always specific.
At luck would have it, someone else seemed to have the same idea to plan a heist at this very bank. But since the three robbers who barged in weren’t expecting a large number of police to be there already waiting, in a panic they grabbed a young child who was there with his father, pointing a gun at the poor boy and threating to shoot if they weren’t allowed to leave.
Of course they weren’t going to leave without a hostage either to keep the police at bay, and Edgeworth who was there at the bank in hopes to apprehend the Phantom, felt a twinge of pain at the sight. The sight of the father begging the robbers to let his son go, the young child in tears, calling for his father.
It felt too real. It reminded him too much of the tragedy what happened to him years ago.
He recalled taking a step forward, announcing himself loud enough to be heard by the robbers.
“If you need a hostage, why not take me instead?”
The three men stared at him, gun still pointed at the boy.
“The hell would we take you? This twerp would be a much valuable hostage.”
“Oh really?” Edgeworth crossed his arms. “You don’t suppose if anything happened to this child, you would get off scot free, would you? That could mean life or even the death penalty for you.”
The three men started looking at each other, pondering this.
“Whereas me, if something happened to a grown adult, perhaps the charges would be much less… deadly.”
One of the men scowled, looking at the fearful boy and at this posh man who was starting to piss him off.
“Fine!” One of them snapped. “Come over here!”
“Will you let the boy go?”
“Yeah, yeah, just get over here – and no tricks!”
Edgeworth did what he was told, approaching them cautiously so they don’t see any movements of his as an attempt to trick them in any way. Once he got close enough, one of the man grabbed him and placed a gun on his head. Much to Edgeworth's relief, the robber who was holding the child was now tossing him towards the floor, who quickly scrambled up and ran towards his father.
“Daddy!” The boy cried as he ran into his father’s arms.
“Michael! Oh, thank god, thank god…!” His father was also in tears as he held his son tight.
It was worth it. It almost didn’t bother Edgeworth that he felt the cold barrel of the gun pressed hard on the side of his head. Almost.
“Alright, we’re taking our leave!” The robber who gripped tightly onto him announced. “Anyone trying to come after us, know this guy here will have his brains blown out, understood?!”
The crowd did as told, not moving an inch. Even with the police, they knew they robbers weren’t joking around nor did they want to risk any harm coming to Edgeworth by acting recklessly, especially when he was someone who was valuable in helping with their cases.
Edgeworth admit he didn’t remember much afterwards. It was a blur, mostly the men screaming angrily at each other on how this all went wrong, him being thrown in the backseat of their car as they started to drive off with top speed.
What he did recall much more clearly is him being forced into a chair in what seemed to be their hideout. Gun was still pointed at him.
“Don’t you dare move, wise guy! We need to figure out what to do with you!”
“Tsk, just kill him!” One of them snapped.
Edgeworth felt his blood run cold. He didn’t regret his decision but he wasn’t ready to die just yet.
“Idiot, if we do that then we’re in for jail house for sure!”
“Well, we can’t keep him around! Nothing good will come us keeping him alive!”
“And if he wounds up dead, the cops will already know who did it!”
As all three of them were arguing on about his fate, Edgeworth’s head was racing for ideas on how to get out of this. He could try to do a surprise attack but the fact that there were three of them all equipped with guns, made the odds not good. Even if he could take down one, the other two can very easily shoot him before he could do anything else.
Suddenly there was a noise that almost sounded like a pop, and the room immediately was filled with white smoke, making it near impossible to see what was in front of him.
(‘A smoke bomb?’)
“Hey, what the hell is going on-Argh!!”
He heard a loud sound and then a thud.
“What is thi-“
Another thud. Then another.
He quickly stood up from the chair, thinking of taking this opportunity to flee. But where? He had no idea where to go with this mist surrounding him. However, it didn’t take too long for it to clear up.
Edgeworth had to blink a few times. He couldn’t believe his sight. The three men who were just threating him, were now lying unconscious on the floor. To say this was a turn of events was an understatement.
“How-?”
Before he could even say another word, he heard a voice speak up.
“You know, Mr. Demon Prosecutor, you seem alright after all.”
He whipped his head towards the direction where the voice came from. Towards an open window, sat a strange looking man, one with a mask and cape. Wait, but by those descriptions that must mean…
“You…!” Edgeworth glared suspiciously.
“Yes, me.” The man stood up from the ledge of the window and took a bow. “The Rising Phantom, at your service.”
“Then…” Edgeworth looked around at the unconscious bodies still on the floor. “Did you do this?”
“Yeah, didn’t really approve of their methods just barging in and taking what meant to be my moment.”
“What?”
The man just smirked at him.
“Anyway, sorry I couldn’t do anything sooner with the police and those lunatics waving their guns all over the place. Good thing I managed to follow their car somehow even with the speed they were going at. Anyway, I alerted the police to your location so they should be here any minute now to take care of the mess.”
Edgeworth felt he should be suspicious. Why would a criminal help take down other criminals?
“Why?”
“Hmm?”
“Why do this? What are you up to?”
The Phantom just shrugged.
“Eh, I hate it when there are those who try to hurt others for no reason or their own gain.”
Edgeworth didn’t seem convinced.
“Right, and you are aware I happen to work for the police that's trying to capture you?”
“Yeah, I know all about you.” He grinned as he tossed his cape behind his back. “The Demon Prosecutor who will do anything for the guilty verdict, even catching the criminals themselves like me. Yeah, your face is plastered all over the newspapers.”
“Then why bother helping someone like me?” He frowned.
“I mean, I honestly thought before you were some heartless jerk but I see how the media got that wrong.” He smiled at him. “What you did to save that boy, to just offer to take his place… I was so wrong about you.”
What the hell? Why was Edgeworth’s heart racing at those words and that smile. Why did he feel so affected by this from some… some low life thief!
His thoughts were interrupted by loud sirens from a distance, coming closer by the second.
“Ah, seems they’re arriving already.” The Phantom turned towards the window to make his exit. “Looks like they will take it from here.”
Edgeworth stood frozen in place. He should try to stop The Phantom from leaving but his legs refused to move.
“Oh, and do me a favor and don’t tell them I was the one behind the tip. Trying to keep a low profile.”
The Phantom winked at him and blew a kiss before disappearing from Edgeworth's sight.
Edgeworth didn’t seem to realize he was just staring at the now open window dumbfounded until he heard the nearby door swing open.
“Mr. Edgeworth!”
He was unexpectedly crushed into a bear hug from Gumshoe who ran up to him, tears streaming down his eyes.
“Oh thank goodness you’re okay! You have no idea how worried I was when they took you!”
“Nngh! Gumshoe, let me go this instant!”
Reluctantly he did so, puppy dog eyes staring at him with relief which made it hard for Edgeworth to stay mad at him. The rest of the police were entering and already began cuffing the knocked-out criminals.
“How did you find me so quickly?”
“Heh, that was a bit of luck,” Gumshoe grinned. “Got an anonymous text with a photo attached to the car the robbers used to escape, addressed included. Honestly, we were first suspicious if this wasn’t some sort of prank, but we took a chance – and here you are!”
Gumshoe looked so proud of himself as if it was all his idea to follow an anonymous tip. He took the time to look around rather impressed.
"And let me tell you, I'm amazed you managed to take care of these guys by yourself. Ha! Guess they picked the wrong hostage to mess with!"
"Erm... yes..." How was he supposed to explain that he was saved by another criminal they were currently after? “Do you have any idea who send this text?”
“Nah, no clue, pal. Do you maybe?”
Edgeworth opened his mouth to say it was that accursed Phantom they were tracking. But much to his surprise what came out was entirely different.
“I have no idea.”
“Heh,” Gumshoe beamed. “Sounds to me you have a Guardian Angel or something.”
The Phantom…? His Guardian Angel…?!!
“Don’t be absurd!” He spat.
He felt a bit bad when Gumshoe looked hurt by his sudden outburst.
“I mean,” He tried to quickly backpaddle. “Such a concept simply does not exist.”
“Uh… if you say so.”
The next few days were a confusing one. Edgeworth couldn’t fantom why a criminal thief would bother to help him. Not to mention a day later of the event, a painting that hanging in an office in the same Bank went missing where it all happened. So The Phantom kept his word and still stole what he threatened to take even after all the commotion – which was just a painting. An expensive one maybe but not so much worth as all the money in the Bank.
But even so, he is still a hardened criminal and needs to be caught by any means.
Edgeworth started to get in his head that maybe this was all a setup. That maybe the robbers and The Phantom were working together somehow – for what reason he didn’t know but it made more sense to him this way.
A long interrogation with the robbers debunked that theory quickly. They weren’t the brightest bunch, thinking they were only tough because they had access to guns that they were powerful. All they did was quick to point fingers at each other, blaming each other and the usual ‘it was his idea!’ and so on. Yeah, no. If they somehow worked with a fourth party, they would be quick to mention that, no doubt.
He continued his investigation, continued to be at a stakeout of the latest calling cards, and a lot of times, he would get a glimpse of the Phantom. And he seemed to be the only one. Was he taunting him?
There were times when he would appear from the shadows when Edgeworth was alone, chatting to him casually as if he was an old friend.
“Still at it, huh?”
“Of course.” Edgeworth frowned. “You must be stopped.”
“Yeah, yeah, for justice and all that.”
Whenever Edgeworth tried to reach for his cell to inform the police, the Phantom would make it clear he will disappear from the spot if he so much tried it. And is was no denying he was good at disappearing.
“Wouldn’t you rather talk to me and try to coax all information out of me as much as you can? Maybe I’ll say something that will clue you in for your investigation.”
Then he goes on and on about talking nonsense, asking him how his day was, what was his favorite food, does he have a girlfriend maybe? Boyfriend?
This was so insulting. Edgeworth would ask him questions too, hoping the smallest thing could link him who this man was. The Phantom would sometimes answer, but not enough to really be any use for his investigation.
The more it happened, the more they talked, the more Edgeworth would forget that he was suppose to try and get this man captured. In fact, he began to look forward to his sudden appearance, just the chance to talk again.
What the hell was wrong with him?
During those times he indeed investigated every stolen goods The Phantom took, linking it all to Redd White. And his shady history. His very much criminal history. How wherever this man went, bodies followed. Mostly sited as suicide but Edgeworth began to doubt it was all just a coincidence.
Now here he was at present day, dancing with The Rising Phantom, something he told himself that it was to get close enough to gather evidence.
“So how are you capable of alluding the police for so long?”
“Have a bit of help.” The Phantom replied. “Someone whose also close the person Redd took from us, had some trinkets and powers that makes it easy to sneak about.”
Edgeworth scoffed.
“You expect me to believe that?”
“Believe me, I wouldn’t have believed it myself a year ago.”
Edgeworth knew there was an accomplice in his crime. He spotted a girl with long black hair, also wearing a mask, at one point in attempt to confront The Phantom. Was she the one who helped him by giving him… powers?
Oh, don’t even entertain this notion!
“If all goes well, this will be my very last heist.”
Edgeworth felt his heart sank by that statement. Why? Why would he feel that way? Was it because it would be the last chance he has to try to capture him. That if he fails, a criminal might get away with all of it? No, Edgeworth knew the truth.
“Does that mean I won’t see you again?”
“I don’t know…” The Phantom muttered. “If I hang up the mask, would I truly stop stealing?”
“You want to continue committing crimes?” Edgeworth muttered, disappointed. “What else would you want to steal?”
“Oh, something much more precious than anything in the world.”
When he wanted to ask what the hell he means, he paused when The Phantom moved his face close to his. And he wasn’t stopping. Without thinking, Edgeworth eyes closed, waiting with anticipation.
And quickly came to his senses, forcing himself out of The Phantom’s arms. He breathed out loudly, nearly ashamed what he allowed to happen. The Phantom looked… sad. But he quickly replaced the sorrow look with a small smile.
“Hmm, haven’t quite gotten it yet, it seems.”
“What?” Edgeworth gasped, trying to regain control to himself.
The Phantom just approached him, running a hand through Edgeworth chest tenderly.
“It’s fine. If you wish it, then we will meet again.”
He wanted to say something but Edgeworth got distracted by a loud commotion that came from upstairs.
“It’s gone! How the hell!!??”
That had to be Redd’s voice. He turned to face The Phantom again but not to his surprise, he was gone. How does he keep doing that?
The guests were obviously confused at the sudden turn of events. Interrogation followed, Redd White himself screaming at anyone who would listen to catch the thief that stole what was under lock and key. Oddly enough he never got into detail what was stolen but he kept shouting over and over, “Just catch that crook already! What are you all being paid for!?”
More like crooks. Edgeworth was positive that the young woman he spotted with The Phantom once was the one who took care of it behind the scenes, since The Phantom had been with him the entire time. Was he trying to distract him the whole time?
He would have fully believed it in the beginning but now, he felt if anything The Phantom just wanted to be close to him by any means. Or was he just being naïve?
“Geez, pal… what a disaster this turned out to be…” Gumshoe lamented as questioning was going on throughout the night.
“Yes, not sure if anything will be accomplished either with Mr. White refusing to tell us what was stolen.” Edgeworth mused.
“By the way,” Gumshoe scratched the back of his head. “I think I saw you slow dancing with one of the guests… um, he was dressed like that Phantom guy, I think.”
“Oh yes,” Edgeworth had to admit he wasn’t pleased that he’d been seen doing that. “I was suspicious, thinking he might have been the very Phantom in question so I had to get close to know for sure.” After a brief pause, he added. “It appears I was wrong.”
Wonderful, now he put himself on a list of accomplices.
“Heh, yeah I’d figure that would be too easy.” Gumshoe grinned. “Why would The Phantom dress as himself in a costume party? Would be kind of foolish.”
So it seemed but so was The Phantom. Given he claimed it was his last heist, and there had been other guests attempting to try to imitate his outfit by little description the public or the police knew about – perhaps it didn’t matter.
And if it was truly over, Edgeworth couldn’t find himself to be happy about it. But maybe it was for the best. What good is a prosecutor who can’t even do his own job?
*
Edgeworth was tired. Even more so when he got phone calls from Gumshoe who was exclaiming that Redd White was arrested when undeniable evidence appeared that tied him to many crimes – one involving murder. He hung up the phone when he told Gumshoe he will be there in the morning to go through this.
He will likely learn more about this and said evidence. The Phantom succeeded it seemed. Whether if he’ll learn his ties or true identity when he’ll look into it… well, he had to wait it out and see.
It was past midnight and all he wanted to do was sleep and maybe think about it tomorrow. No doubt the heist and Redd White’s arrest will plastered all over the news in the morning.
Still, as he took off that accursed costume, he just borrowed out of a whim for tonight, he felt unsatisfied. And maybe even a bit down. Was it all over? Will they ever meet again?
His trail of thought stopped when a card fell out of his pocket. He knew from the look and the red bird symbol who it’s from. Hands shaking, he picked it up and read the words that were printed on.
‘My Dearest Prosecutor,
I admit I have taken a great interest in you nearly since it all begun. If you are reading this, I likely have achieved my last heist and got the bastard who took my dear friend from me and from my accomplice (I know you know about her). I could say we can rest easy now, perhaps the same for you. However, there is just one more heist I wish to preform before I retire for good.
If anything, I want to get to know you better – perhaps tell you my true identity. But to do so, I cannot simply drop everything about myself out of the blue. Therefore, I will come someday to steal your heart.
When I do – and if you allow me to take it – then I can finally tell you everything. And perhaps we could go out for coffee if you’re interested?
With all my heart – Rising Phantom.’
When did he -?
Oh, it was likely when they finished the dance while touching his chest. Crafty bastard must have slipped it into his pocket then.
He could hand it over to the police as evidence. But one, he really didn’t want to explain the awkward context of this latest Phantom Card. Two, he didn’t want to give it up anyways. This was for him, correct? Only fair to keep it.
(‘Now I’m really an accomplice…’)
A few months ago, he would have chided his future self for being so foolish. He would have probably denied up and down that he would ever consider aiding a criminal letting alone loving him-
Loving?
Love.
That’s right… that damned Phantom probably already knows that he stole his heart. If he had any sense of dignity, he would tear that note into pieces.
Instead he held the card up to his lips and gave it a soft kiss. As a way to return the one that they almost had during their dance.
He was indeed a fool, yes. But he will await The Phantom to come and claim what he promised to take. He knew it wouldn’t be long before he will appear in front of him again, and this time, Edgeworth wasn’t going to hesitate to let him steal his treasure.