Spirit’s Asylum: Chapter 1

“Niiiiiick! Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick!” “Please, wake up, Mr. Nick!”

Phoenix became what he called half-conscious. He could see with half his vision, He could feel half of what he touched and could hear half of what was said to him. “W…. What time is it…”

“Ahh! Nick, it doesn’t matter what the time is, what does matter is you getting dressed and drinking coffee!” bursted Maya, already dressed in her usual medium’s outfit. Nick could vaguely make out a short figure by her… He figured it must be Pearl. “Have you forgotten what today is?”

*WHAP!*

“AHHHHahhahaowowow…” Nick was suddenly awake, thanks to the Pearl Alarm Slap. “Umm, would you be mad if I said yes?”

“Mr. Nick! How dare you not remember the day your special someone becomes Master of Kurain?” Nick’s early morning brain processed this… “Kurain… Maya… Master… WAIT! That’s to- Yes, it is today! I need to get changed, girls, out, please!” Nick sprung out of bed, ushered Pearl and Maya out of the room, “Don’t forget we have also have to go to the Detention Ce-“ Maya’s sentence was cut short by the large maple door in front of her.

Nick, in the somehow inhuman time of 10 minutes, showered, made coffee, got dressed, drunk coffee, and ran downstairs like he’d never ran before. Pearl was watching ‘The Lithium Samurai’ (They’ve really gone too far this time), and Maya was on the computer. And to think, they were telling him to get organised just moments ago. “Maya, Pearl, the train leaves in… 15 minutes! We have to hurry!” Maya turned the computer off, but Pearl was a little less happy. “Nooooo! The Lithium Samurai is about to defeat the Super President!”

Nick grabbed a crying Pearls, got his car keys, ran downstairs with Maya, and turned on his car.

“Nick, Wait!”

“What?”

Maya slowly slid some Aviator Sunglasses on, which accidentally undid her topknot on the way over her ears, turned the car radio slowly to AttorneyRock! FM, turned to Nick and said, in a deep, mock voice, “Let’s kick it.”

“Maya, you have got to stop doing that.” Nick drove off to the train station, with not a doubt in his mind that this would be Maya’s best day ever.

And he was going to be taken along with the ride.

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“So, do we have a deal, Mr. Miles Edgeworth?”

Miles had just had a phone call from his friends in Europe. Apparently, his house was lightly robbed, but was very badly vandalised. Thankfully, his dog scared them away before they took everything. He needed somewhere to stay for 2 months while the house is in a state of repair. “*sigh* I guess I have nowhere else to stay.”

“Good. You sleep in the downstairs room, by the restroom. It will have the facilities you need for sleep.

Miles remembered the downstairs room. It has a window and a bed, and that is all. You’d think Franziska would have every room in the house as completely perfect, but it seems she’s perfect at torture, too. “It’s the least you could do, I suppose. Could I perhaps ask you for another favour, Ms. Von Karma?”

“What do you have in mind?”

“Could you… drive me down to the detention centre later? I have some business.”

Franziska’s face showed a miniscule flash of… was it human kindness? No, she’s too good for that. “I did have some paperwork to fill out regarding my latest 15 cases – which I won – but being the perfect writer I am, I have the spare time to accompany you in your foolish quests. Now, if you don’t mind?”

“Of course.” Edgeworth felt a little saddening in himself in that last sentence. 15 cases in 2 weeks? She’s just like her father. And that’s not good.

Miles decided that later, he’d have to show her some decisive evidence.

Maya was absolutely exhausted. They had to frantically wave to the train driver to get him to open the doors again, and the bumpy train drive didn’t really seem to relax her. However, now was no time for rest and recuperation. This was, and in the rush of the moment, it had only just hit her, the single most defining moment in her life. She was going to be inducted as the master. And as much as the elders hated it, there will be a lot changed around here. For Pearls. For everyone.

“Come on, Mr. Nick! Your special someone is a Master now!” Maya had never heard Pearl so jubilant.

“Ahh, if it isn’t Mystic Maya. Please come i- I didn’t know you had a boyfriend, Mystic Maya.” This was one of the many elders of Kurain Village, known as Mystic D’arcy.

“Ack! No! It’s not like that!” Maya was flustered, and… was that a tinge of embarrassment? "Me and Nick are just great, great friends. I know it’s strictly against Kurain tradition for a man to be present at the induction, but may Nick come in and observe?”

D’arcy looked slightly puzzled. “For you, Master, I will allow it.”

Phoenix just stood there in complete silence for the entire conversation, with a slight smirk on his face due to being called Maya’s boyfriend. Funny. Pearl, with superhuman 8 year old girl strength, pulled (dragged?) Phoenix in through the door, and the scent of the room hit him like a freight train. Petunias. Lots and lots of Petunias. It went well with the red tinted lighting. Phoenix didn’t know it was possible to get so many Japanese Oriental decorations in San Fran. Then again, does this really count as part of America? Suddenly, he felt a hand grab his and guide him to a seat in the back corner, so he wouldn’t be seen.

The ceremony itself was the most gorgeous thing he’d ever witnessed. Maya sat in the middle of a circle, while some of the younger acolytes danced around her in traditional style, scattering petals. Then, after the dancing and music, Maya knelt down, and the Kurain Master’s Talisman, previously owned by the great Mystic Misty, was placed around her neck. Nick could see a puddle forming from Maya’s tears. It was enough to make him cry. And it did. He had to restrain himself from rushing out to give her a great big hug. Sooner than he knew it, the ceremony was over.

Everyone left except Maya, Pearl and another Elder. “We hope we will see you tomorrow for your first council, Master Maya.” “Of course! I’ve got some interesting points I want to bring up anyway. Thanks!” The elder left, seeming to look content.

Now was the time for that great big hug. Nick sprinted over at full speed and picked both girls – (Maya’s a woman now, not a girl) – beaming with joy. “Waaaaaaah! Nick, put me down!” “Never! I’m so proud of you Maya!” And with that, Phoenix put Maya and Pearls down.

“So, Mr. Nick, are you ready to go and see Sister Iris at the Detention Centre?”

“Iris? At the… Oh no! Visiting hours close soon! Why did nobody tell me?”

Maya put on a frowny face and puffed up her cheeks. “Nick, I tried to tell you earlier, but I was greeted with The Amazing Mr. Door!”

Nick stood for 5 seconds, and thought. Train takes that long, drive takes that long…. “We can make it in time!” And with that exclamation, Nick picked up Pearls and engaged in the normal rush to the car.

“HOLD IT!” shouted Maya.

“What on earth…?”

The moment Maya started to slide on the Aviator glasses, Nick pulled them off and threw them outside the car.

“Nick, you’re a real spoilsport, you know that?” Maya moaned, as the car sped off into the dusty distance.

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Franziska was driving her perfect Ford GTX1, which is perfect in every way (except for it’s not German), with her foolish fool of little brother beside her, to the shabby old Detention Centre.

“So, Miles Edgeworth, what is this super-important business you have taken my time to tend to?”

“Franziska, do you remember the incident at Hazakurain only 2 weeks ago, and Sister Iris was found as an accomplice?”

“Yes, but what of it?”

“She’s being released today.”

Franziska was perfectly confused. “But she had a 9 month sentence! How can this be?”

“I’m paying the bail. Wright will be there too. Probably Gumshoe.”

Great, Franziska thought. Two fools are company, but three’s a crowd.