Reconciliation

Well, hello again! Nice to see you after all this time.
I haven't updated this in a long time, thanks to my other fanfics, school work, procrastination, more school work, homeowrk, clubs and various other things. Sorry about that. *blows accumulated dust off my fanfic*
This will, unfortunately, be the final chapter of Reconciliation BUT there shall be an epilogue chapter some time soon, so keep watch! :)
I've made this pretty long and nice for you, so grab a cup of tea, coffee or whatever drink you prefer and perhaps a biscuit before you come to read this chapter. :D
I've enjoyed writing Recon and it's been a pleasure to see all of your wonderful reviews come up in my email. Thanks, guys, for all the support! :D
I hope you enjoy the ending to Reconciliation. :3

Chapter 5: There is Life Outside of Your Office

After Larry's fateful visit (which had ended much more unpleasant than usual), Franziska had turned on her heel and left, chuckling heartily to herself as she stepped outside and walked away.

Everyone had known Franziska was going to enjoy her revenge on that complete and utter fool- that, admittedly, Phoenix and Edgeworth were sometimes ashamed to call their best friend- but it had still made a chill creep down their spine at the thought.

Once they had finally shut the door and got used to the warmth inside the Wright Anything Agency, Phoenix and Edgeworth had sat in an awkward silence, glancing at each other every so often and twiddling their thumbs. Indeed, even with the mass of magic tricks and mysterious magical artefacts littered around the place to keep everyone busy (which Edgeworth had firmly resolved to clean up later), both of them were...bored.

Bored, out of ideas, and therefore a little annoyed with their predicament.

Edgeworth looked back over at Phoenix, who was half-heartedly grabbing his seventh bottle of grape juice and swallowing it with remarkable speed. Some dribbled onto his grey, worn-out hoodie, but he didn't seem to mind at all.

Edgeworth crossed his arms in annoyance and frowned at Phoenix, then Phoenix's grape juice bottle.

"You are addicted to that stuff, Wright. It isn't healthy for you." Edgeworth pointed out, and couldn't help feeling a little jealous that the purple, sickly liquid was receiving all of the attention.

Chuckling lightly, Phoenix placed the empty bottle back down onto the coffee table and looked back up at Edgeworth.

"You're addicted to the Steel Samurai, but I don't complain."

Edgeworth gasped.

"I-I….Hmph. It's much better than your drink of choice, Wright."

"No, it isn't."

"Yes, it is."

"No, it isn't, Edgeworth."

"Wright," Edgeworth began, a devious smirk on his face, "If you're that desperate, we could always have another bet…"

Phoenix's face fell; the last bet him and Edgeworth had done together ended up with Edgeworth winning, and even though Phoenix desperately wanted to win this time…

No, Phoenix. You'll just lose another dollar to Mr. Super Smarty-Pants Edgeworth over there.

And besides, you never know when the next earthquake will strike…

Phoenix gave a start at the phrase 'the next earthquake', his eyes widening. After all the things they had done together that day Phoenix had totally forgotten about the reason why Edgeworth was here in the first place. And if Phoenix himself had forgotten…

Yes, Phoenix, stated the mocking voice in Phoenix's head, finishing his thought for him, there's a chance that Edgeworth over there has forgotten, too. I wonder what will happen when the next earthquake strikes, and he has no idea that it will do that? He'll be cowering in fear, Phoenix…

Shaking his head, Phoenix began to protest, his thoughts repeating themselves over and over like a broken record as a minuscule bead of cold sweat snaked down the side of his face.

No, that won't happen.

I won't let that happen.

I won't let that happen…

To Phoenix's horror, the voice in his head returned- and he knew it was only because he was extremely anxious for Edgeworth's well-being, but the thought didn't make Phoenix feel any better.

And how, pray tell, will you manage that?

You have no idea of what to do next, you're too lazy to get off your backside and do anything-

It's hopeless!

Phoenix suddenly envisioned Kristoph Gavin laughing at him, hurling insults left, right and centre, and remembered what he- and many others- had experienced, thanks to that man.

Shuddering, he tried to get rid of the voice and the corresponding image of Kristoph that was scaring him more and more each second it spoke out, its words like sharpened knives that repeatedly attacked his sanity and very slowly destroyed it.

It didn't work, and Phoenix was desperate for something that would distract him, something to-

"Wright?"

Edgeworth's voice rang out in the surprisingly quiet room, full of worry and confusion at Phoenix's prolonged bout of silence; from Phoenix's perspective, his prolonged mental battle.

"Yes, Edgeworth?"

"I have an idea of what we should do. Let's go for a walk, shall we?"

Phoenix laughed loudly.

"You're not one to go outside your office, Edgeworth-"

"And neither are you. You need to get outside, Wright! I walk my dog on a regular basis, just in case you were thinking that was extremely hypocritical of me…"

"You have a dog?"

Edgeworth chuckled a little, folding his arms and looking at nothing in particular as he remembered his faithful pet.

"His name is Pess. He's a dear little Pomeranian, and he's best friends with Missile from the police department."

Phoenix smiled warmly as he thought of Missile and Pess racing about the hallways of the all-too familiar precinct, Detective Gumshoe close at their heels. It sounded like a job Edgeworth would tell the detective to do, anyway.

"Say, I wonder what happened to Detective Gumshoe? I haven't seen him around for ages now…"

"He hasn't changed a bit. Still as absent-minded as ever, Phoenix." Edgeworth pointed out, suddenly startled by both his use of Phoenix's first name again and Phoenix's bemused expression.

"Am I called Phoenix or Wright? Before we do anything else, Miles, I think you should decide what to call me." Phoenix laughed aloud, causing Edgeworth to abruptly cross his arms and let out a disgruntled, "Hmph."

After some time of thought, Edgeworth spoke up.

"I'll call you Phoenix, as to not cause confusion- but tell me, Mr. Hypocrite, what am I called?

"You will be henceforth called Tobias Grimley," Phoenix laughed, almost doubling over when he saw Edgeworth's ensuing expression.

"You have got to be kidding me."

"You don't like it? How about Reynard Bartholomew Johnson, Esquire?"

"Wri- I mean, Phoenix…"

"No? Xavier Robertson is still available, you know." Phoenix was literally killing himself laughing at this point, clutching the edge of the sofa for support so that he wouldn't fall forward. Edgeworth, however, was thoroughly annoyed and slammed the empty grape juice bottle on the coffee table down, producing a loud bang that instantly snapped Phoenix out of his bout of laughter.

"OK, OK. I'll call you Miles." Phoenix smiled weakly, a look of hurt in his eyes.

It seemed that the sound had startled him and although he had carried on and on, he had only been joking and wanted Edgeworth to laugh along with him.

It feels like forever since we were kids, laughing and playing together, all so care-free.

…This is no time to dwell on the past, is it?

Phoenix's smirk appeared once more, lighting up his face.

"But, if you ever need a change of name, you know who to call!"

Before Edgeworth could flash one of his trademark glares in Phoenix's direction, a loud, repeated banging sound could be heard from upstairs. It seemed to descend further and further down until it reached the front door- and as suddenly as the noise had stopped the door burst open, revealing a grinning Trucy from behind it.

"Hello, Daddy! Hello, Mr. Edgeworth!"

"Hello, Trucy," said the two men, in almost perfect unison.

"I heard what Mr. Edgeworth said from upstairs, Daddy," Trucy began, turning to Phoenix with a devilish smirk on her face, "and he's right! Besides, I would love to go to the park with Mr. Edgeworth."

Trucy's remark caught Edgeworth off guard; after all, Trucy had only known him for a few hours, if that.

What makes her want to go with me, of all people?

"Thank you, Trucy."

All of a sudden, Phoenix stood up and clapped his hands together. It seemed like he had something to say, so both Edgeworth and Trucy whirled around to face him, fingers crossed and eyes gleaming with hope.

"That settles it, then! We're going to the park." Phoenix exclaimed, watching the other two high-five and smile warmly at one another.

"But, Miles...there's one little thing I should tell you..."

Edgeworth's breath caught in his throat as a very familiar sinking feeling took over his stomach.

Oh no...what is it this time?

Phoenix took a deep breath and exclaimed, "Drum roll, please!" to which Trucy answered by using her knees as the 'drum' and her hands as the drumsticks.

"...You'll be going around with Trucy while we're there, and I'll be with Apollo, if that's OK."

Trucy squealed in delight, ran up to Phoenix and hugged him as hard as was physically possible, oblivious to the look on Edgeworth's face.

"Phoenix, I have absolutely no idea how to-"

"You'll be fine. Anyway, Trucy's 15! Not 6. She's perfectly mature enough for your liking," Phoenix explained.

Edgeworth crossed his arms and turned to face the wall, dissatisfied. It was quite a habit of his.

"Well, if she's so mature, can't she look after herself? I mean-" Edgeworth began to point out, but abruptly stopped himself when he saw Trucy looking at him hopefully, almost begging him to go.

Edgeworth winced.

It's not that I don't want to go with you, Trucy, because I do- but what if I mess it all up?

As I stated earlier, I don't understand a teenage girl's feelings, and do not intend to...

"Miles, you'll be fine." Phoenix reassured, as if he had read Edgeworth's mind. "My Trucy won't bite! Well, not hard, anyway."

Edgeworth thought for a moment and was about to interject, however Trucy got there first and almost dragged the two men towards the door, a beam on her face that lit both her face and spirits up to such a degree that Edgeworth couldn't help smiling a little, too. Apollo came down the stairs soon after, putting on his coat and following close behind them.

"Come on, come on! Let's go!"

The group split up at the entrance to People Park, checking the time on their various watches and phones, and affirmed that they would regroup back at the entrance in an hour. Edgeworth and Trucy walked towards the play park, Trucy immediately spotting a group of children playing together and- an excited look upon her face- ran towards them as Edgeworth kept his distance. It was a shock, then, to see that most of the children walked away from her as she approached, giving Trucy a look before huddling in their respective friendship circles and heading somewhere else. Making her way towards the swings with her head partially down, she sat down on the left swing and sighed, waiting for Edgeworth to join her before starting to speak.

"…Don't worry about them, Mr. Edgeworth. They're always like this."

Edgeworth, a concerned demeanour about him, grasped the sides of the swing he was sitting on.

"What do you mean by that?"

Trucy sighed again. "You may not know this, but I'm pretty unpopular in school. People think that I'm weird because of my magical talents… you know, I get the odd 'witch' or 'sorceress', but otherwise they just avoid me at all cost. I have a few good friends, though, and I wouldn't swap them for the world."

Edgeworth subconsciously put a hand on Trucy's shoulder, causing her to look, surprised, back at him.

"I guess that's best for now."

"Yeah, it is."

Trucy sat for a moment solemnly, thinking deeply about something. Edgeworth felt the same way; he, even now, had been left alone and avoided; he, too, had been shunned; he had also been called various things- although, he often thought, this had mainly been brought on by his own actions.

A voice calling out shook both Edgeworth and Trucy out of their thoughts and back to reality, Edgeworth immediately recognising the owner of said voice. Trucy looked at Edgeworth in concern and was shocked to see that his face was rapidly going pale and his eyes had widened a significant amount.

"Edgey-poo! I know you're there, darling!"

Trucy giggled loudly. "Edgey-poo? What sort of nickname is that?"

"One that I beseech you never to use in your life, do you understand me?"

"Yes, sir!"

Edgeworth appeared shaken as he replied. "Good. Now, we have to get out of here."

"EDGEY-POO!" the voice exclaimed, as loud footsteps could be heard heading towards them. Both turned to see an elderly woman with a pretend ray gun and a uniform suit racing towards them, her eyes locked on Edgeworth. "There you are!"

Trucy didn't know for sure, but she swore that the woman was drooling as she stared at Edgeworth- no, she was certain of it.

Edgeworth looked at Trucy, and Trucy looked at Edgeworth. Their eyes met, and both turned away from the elderly lady in unison as they uttered one simple word that conveyed something they both seriously wanted to do, the only thing they could and would do at that moment in time:

"Run."

Phoenix and Apollo sat on a bench together, Phoenix having taken out another bottle of grape juice and handed Apollo his own to drink. As Apollo took a sip, Phoenix grinned and finished a quarter of the deep purple liquid, Apollo's jaw dropping.

"How do you do that?"

Phoenix chuckled as he finished off another quarter. "I don't know. Practise, I guess?"

"I suppose so, Mr. Wright. Hey, have you got any information on when your bar exam's going to be?"

Phoenix rested his finger upon his chin, trying to remember the date an time which the examiners had given him only a few weeks prior. He had not yet divulged this information with Apollo, so it seemed.

"Hmmm…let's see…oh, yes. September 1st."

"Really? That's about a month away." Apollo remarked, answered by a curt nod from Phoenix.

"Yeah. It flies by fast when you're studying, though- and I can tell."

"I'm sure you can."

Apollo turned away and spotted Trucy and Edgeworth running about the park, some other person close at their heels. Tapping Phoenix- who was grumbling to himself about how he should have brought a spare bottle of grape juice- on the shoulder to get his attention, Apollo pointed to the duo.

"It seems like they're having fun, Mr. Wright."

"Are they? Let's see, then-" Phoenix began, turning to see what Apollo was pointing at, but stopping short when he saw the person running after them. Phoenix was almost certain that she was…no, she couldn't be. But her hair…and her ray gun… and her deep infatuation with Edgeworth…

"Edgey-pooooooooooooo! I'm getting tired here! Back in my day boys were so polite to their ladies, always fawning over them and giving them this and that, and I remember that when I was a waitress my favourite customer- Gregory, his name was, but I called him Greg- was always so polite to me, and he'd always sit at the same table to please me, and hold open the door for other customers as he walked in, you know, so you should slow down maybe a little so I can catch up with you!"

"I- have- no intention- of waiting- for- you…" Edgeworth stated through gritted teeth, running so fast his legs were aching and he had quite the stitch, but he couldn't care less.
He had to get out of there.

The old woman giggled like a schoolgirl. "Oh, Edgey, you always play hard-to-get with me, don't you?"

That did it. Phoenix burst into uncontrollable laughter, Apollo wondering just what was so funny. As Apollo and Phoenix watched Edgeworth and Trucy running desperately away from their determined pursuer, a grand feeling of shadenfreude filled them and Phoenix continued to laugh, clutching his stomach. Apollo, however, was a little concerned.

"Mr. Wright…will they be OK? I mean, a stranger just chasing them like that…"

Phoenix tried to hold his laughter in for a moment as he managed to choke out, "T-they'll be fine, Apollo. Edgeworth knows the person behind him all too well."

The four of them managed to meet up again in the middle of the park, where Apollo and Phoenix had originally been sitting, the direction of which their pursuer had driven them to. The sight of Edgeworth sweating bullets with face a pale white hue sent Phoenix into another bout of laughter, but to a lesser extent than earlier.

"So, Oldbag's on you, then, Miles? I'd have thought she'd be dead by now, and I really don't mean that in an offensive way. It's just that…"

"I know what you mean, Phoenix. I know what you mean."

Apollo and Trucy's jaws dropped and their eyes widened. "Her name is Oldbag?!"

"Well, Polly, it's pretty fitting, don't you think?"

"…Yeah, you're right," Apollo chuckled, and Phoenix and the others joined in until Edgeworth cried out.

"Run, everyone! She's behind us!"

Everyone began to run, looking over their shoulder at the old woman rapidly approaching; she was actually quite fast for her age and showed no signs of pain or fatigue apart from the cascades of sweat covering her face and her heavy breathing, emphasising her determined attitude. Now even more worried, Trucy looked to the others as they continued to run beside her.

"W-what should we do?"

Apollo was the first to answer, his voice in a more serious tone than usual. "Right, guys, I have a plan. Mr. Wright, you and Mr. Edgeworth head south- we're facing north right now, by the way- but one of you go one side of Oldbag and one the other, and then run back together. Me and Trucy will distract her- won't we, Truce?"

"Sure, Polly!"

"Right, let's go, then!" Apollo exclaimed, as the four friends put their escape plan into action. Phoenix took the left side of Oldbag and Edgeworth the right, confusing her for only a few seconds before she realised what they had done. With a roar of frustration she almost sprinted back up to Edgeworth, but Apollo managed to stop her.

"H-hold it! Leave Mr. Edgeworth alone, you…you old bag!"

Trucy laughed loudly in contempt and clapped her hands together. "Now that's more like it, Polly!"

"Why, you…! WHIPPERSNAPPERS!" Oldbag shouted, Apollo and Trucy turning on their heel and running for it, eventually hiding behind an extremely thick bush they spotted at the edge of the park, exhaling intermittent, heavy breaths as they regained their composure and their ending, trying their utmost hardest to supress the pain of the stitches they had acquired.

They heard Oldbag turning on her own heel after giving up trying to find them and going back to seek out Phoenix and Edgeworth, who- Apollo and Trucy reckoned- were still trying to escape. Both Apollo and Trucy wondered if the two men would make it out OK without having to face the wrath of one Wendy Oldbag that afternoon in People Park.

Phoenix looked over his shoulder and let out an exasperated sigh when he saw the Wendy Oldbag was still following them, and told Edgeworth that they'd have to find somewhere to hide. Fast.

Oldbag was really quick for one her age, and if they were going to escape her wrath and ensuing infatuated attitude they would have to find somewhere pretty good.

Edgeworth looked beside him desperately to find something to hide under, over or perhaps on top of.
Bush, bush, stall, bench, bush, bush, tree, bush, bench, tree, bench, bush, tree…

Tree. That was it; the place they needed to hide. Edgeworth checked Oldbag's proximity; not all too close, but if they stopped running for only a few moments she'd be on them in an instant. Around a coincidentally sharp corner, Edgeworth spotted another tree, clad with a quite large trunk, thick, long branches, and a fluffy coat of leaves that were slowly turning autumnal.

It was perfect.

"Phoenix, over here!" Miles exclaimed, rushing towards the corner and toward the tree. When he reached it, he immediately began to climb it like he used to when he was but a small child, as quickly as he possibly could. Phoenix had some struggle getting up, but with a helpful pull upwards and Edgeworth's strong grip he made it up to one of the branches. In no time at all, Phoenix and Edgeworth had made it to one of the higher-up, stronger branches that would hide them and hold their weight.

They watched closely and intensely as Oldbag searched for them- but, after five more minutes, she gave up and went home, her head down and spirits low. Both men cheered and offered each other a high-five, to which they each gladly took. Phoenix looked at the branch they were sitting on as he smiled a little.

"Nice tree you picked, eh, Miles?"

"Yes, it was, wasn't it? You know, Larry was the one who taught me to climb, when I was- Phoenix, are you alright?" Edgeworth hastily added, spotting Phoenix's face starting to turn pale and his body start shaking a little. The adrenaline rush having completely faded away, Phoenix reached out in front of him and began to move his legs, attempting to hug his knees, but Edgeworth quickly stopped him by placing his hand on Phoenix's shoulder firmly.

"No, Phoenix, you'll fall that way." Edgeworth then noticed that Phoenix was taking deep breaths and showing all the symptoms that he usually had when an earthquake occurred or when he was near- or, in nightmares sometimes, in- an elevator. Phoenix must be extremely afraid of something, Miles thought, but what, exactly?

That was when Miles noticed that Phoenix's eyes were transfixed on the ground below them, his upper lip trembling, and everything fell into place.

Acrophobia…

"Phoenix, don't look down. It'll make the fear worse."

"…Yeah, but…I can't."

"Nonsense. Of course you can."

Edgeworth tugged on Phoenix's hand to get him to try and move. "Come now, we have to get down."

Phoenix's eyes widened dramatically and stared at his friend. "I can't do that, Miles."

"You need to, Phoenix-"

"I can't get down, Miles!" Phoenix shouted almost in exasperation, his voice starting to crack as he looked back down at the ground beneath them. "I just can't do it, OK?"

Biting his bottom lip firmly to stop it trembling, Phoenix tried his very best to stay calm, but as his eyes misted over he knew that he wouldn't be able to do that.

Curse this stupid tree. Miles should go down without me, and I'll find a way down by myself somehow, won't I…?

Phoenix snapped out of his thoughts in surprise as he felt Edgeworth's hand touch the back of his own gently.

"Look, Phoenix…there are times when there are earthquakes here, and I feel exactly like you do right now. I hate them, I want the feeling to stop, I want my memories of that accursed day to stop flooding back and killing me inside- I want to get out of it. But I can't, can I? Earthquakes can't just stop at my command, no matter how much I glare, rage and yell- and neither can I fix the staircase of the Prosecutor's Offices with a few magical words when it's broken, even though I would rather avoid that blasted elevator at all cost. Those days, I have to try my utmost hardest to survive- I have to stay calm throughout the earthquake until it's all over and take the elevator for only a minute's ride up to my office, even though I still tremble and shake and cry. Right now, you'll have to do the same."

Edgeworth's look suddenly changed to one of deep hurt, partially masked by his concerned demeanour- but it was definitely prominent, and Phoenix noticed this.

"A little off-track here, but nonetheless…you've had this since I first met you when we were children, haven't you? Why have you never told me?"

Phoenix sighed with a certain air of sadness and remorse. "I…at the time, I thought that you'd think me a wimp, but when I became better friends with you and I didn't really face any really high places or situations, it never really crossed my mind."

Edgeworth chuckled lightly. "Oh, so that's why you never joined in with Larry's Climbing Trees 101 lessons every other day."

Phoenix nodded, and Edgeworth's look of hurt and concern returned.

"But, Phoenix…you know that you can tell me anything, OK? Best friends do that. And, look… if you think you're a wimp, remember just who nearly wet their pants at a little kid's TV villain."

Phoenix laughed weakly. "I'll keep that in mind, Miles. But…I still can't…"

Phoenix was shocked when Miles slipped his hand into Phoenix's and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Phoenix felt a small tear snake slowly down his face; his eyes couldn't take anymore liquid welling up by the second, and he was still extremely scared, but Edgeworth was trying to comfort him. That was more than enough for him to warrant a full-on crying session, but Phoenix didn't do such things.

For a fleeting moment, he wondered if anyone could hear him and Edgeworth talking to each other.

Another squeeze of the hand, and Phoenix realised that he had been silent for ages and that may have been taken the wrong way. "Come on, Phoenix. Let's go down together, and- if you need to- you can hold my hand, or just squeeze it, if needs be. I really don't mind."

Edgeworth swore he could feel his eyes misting over as he continued to speak. "As long as I'm here, you're not going to fall. I'm here, alright? That's what matters right now."

Phoenix thought for a moment, his eyes closed and head down. When he had finished, he smiled weakly and nodded back at Edgeworth, squeezing Edgeworth's hand back. Both made their way down the tree, going extremely slowly and, although shaking violently, Phoenix managed to regain his composure- albeit a tiny bit. When the two had reached the trunk, Edgeworth beckoned Phoenix to sit down and turned to him.

"Phoenix, we're going to have to jump down now. It's not that long a way, and it's not that far."

Phoenix's heart seemed to stop as he shook his head, a cold sweat returning to his face. "No, no, no, no, I'm not jumping…"

"Yes, you are. You've come all this way, you brave person, and yet you aren't going to get to the ground with one simple jump? Come on, we'll slide off while sitting, and we'll do it together."

Yet another squeeze of the hand almost managed to convince him. Almost.

"Miles, what if we…you know…"

"We're too low down to hurt ourselves. Phoenix, you're doing great."

"Am I, Miles? Really?"

"Really. Now, are you ready?"

Phoenix pondered over this for a moment. "…Yes, I am, Miles. Lets do it together."

Holding hands, the two of them counted down from three to zero and then slid off the trunk, landing on their feet with a small thud. Looking at each other and smiling warmly, the two did not let go of each other's hands until they heard a small bout of applause. Turning around rapidly, they spotted Apollo and Trucy just a few feet away from them, smiling and clapping at them.

"Truce, Apollo…" Phoenix was the first to speak. "Were you standing here the whole time?"

"Most of it! From the part where Mr. Edgeworth said about not looking down. You were so very brave, Daddy." Trucy went on, hugging her dad. Apollo, on the other hand, was amazed at how good friends these two were, despite being polar opposites, and also how Edgeworth managed to 'save the day again', so to speak.

Edgeworth checked his watch. 4:30pm. It came as a shock; the time had mist certainly flown while he was with Phoenix, Trucy and Apollo. Now saddened, Edgeworth straightened his cravat, at least- if only a little- happy that he looked presentable.

"Phoenix…I have to leave now. I'm sorry."

Trucy ran over to hug Edgeworth, her expression on of great sadness and despair. "Noooo! But I don't want you to go, Mr. Edgeworth! I want you to stay with us for a little longer... please?"

Apollo paused, before speaking up. "Me too, Mr. Edgeworth. Please stay."

"I can't; I have a job to get back to," Edgeworth began, laughing a little, "but I will visit again."

"Really?!" Trucy looked euphoric.

"Really."

The four were silent and smiled as they made their way to the entrance of People Park, stopping when they arrived there. Phoenix stood in front of Edgeworth, and looked warmly at his friend; Edgeworth did the same.

All of a sudden- and neither of the two knew who started it- Phoenix and Edgeworth felt their arms wrapped around each other in a tight hug. Phoenix grinned as said hug was carried out, closing his eyes and beginning to speak.

"Thanks, Miles. For everything."

"There's no need to thank me; I should be the one thanking you for everything."

"No, you shouldn't. You've done lots for me while you were here."

"And so have you."

"You did much more for me today than I for you."

"Yes, but you've been there for me my entire life. That most certainly warrants a thank you."

"Still."

Both laughed as they let go of each other, Edgeworth walking away slowly and then turning around to shout back at Phoenix, "Come visit sometime, Phoenix! Perhaps it'll give you an idea of what a real office should look like."

"Very funny, Miles."

"I was joking. Anyway, good luck with your bar exam!"

"Thanks, Miles!"

As Edgeworth walked away much happier than he was mere hours ago and disappeared around the corner and eventually out of sight, Phoenix felt ecstatic.
It was nice knowing you had a good friend, who would always be there for you, no matter the cost, and help you get through anything.
It seemed his act of reconciliation had ended successfully.