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The earth shuddered and Miles felt his gut wrench. Panic bubbled up into his chest, that sickening feeling were the world disappeared around him coming in waves. Closing his eyes, he wasn’t in the courtroom anymore.
They were trapped in the elevator again- he can't breathe, can't breathe-
Instinctively ducking below the prosecution’s bench, he curled up for protection. Screams shot out around him, hurried footsteps and panicked voices. It’s a big one, and the world goes dark. Though, not because he passes out. Not this time, somehow, though it feels like he should. Miles blinked, trying to clear his eyes, before he realized the courtroom was now completely dark. The lights- they must have been broken.
The gallery gave out another round of surprised yells, storming out of the courtroom. He heard shouting- “get out of there!” - “evacuate the premises!” - “we have to move!” - but it was just too overwhelming, too loud, he was frozen in place. Until something- someone touched his shoulder.
“Edgeworth,” the voice started, familiar and gentle. “Hey, Edgeworth. Come on, we have to go.” It was calm, not panicked, not judging.
“Wr- Wright?” He croaked, finally looking up. The spiky hair silhouette was all he could see in the darkness of the room, the only light slipping through the open court doors.
“Yes, it’s me.” Phoenix confirmed, reaching out to him. “Hey. It’ll be okay.” He leaned down. “Hold onto me and I’ll get you out of here.” Wright took hold of Edgeworth, lifting him up to his feet. He slung one of them Edgeworth’s arm around his shoulder, holding him around the waist.
Once he could stand, Edgeworth felt a bit of sense come back to him. He took in his surroundings- the courthouse was still shaking, though the tremors beneath his feet weren’t as bad as the start. Still, each time a strong aftershock trembled, his knees gave way- and poor Wright struggled to hold him while navigating the darkened courthouse. But unbelievably, he wasn't upset, not even teasing Miles, his words tumbling out, a comforting, encouraging stream. “It’ll be okay, Edgeworth. Just keep moving. Stay with me, here. We’re almost out.”
Painful, sharp, sunlight. It was a relief, exiting the courthouse, the entrance between two pillars. He closed his eyes, fumbling down the courthouse steps as Phoenix kept him steady. Another heavy shock made the earth shake, and Edgeworth felt physically ill. But something was wrong. A threatening noise filled the air.
Creeeaaak.
Crack!
“Miles, run!” The shout was accompanied with a push. Miles stumbled forward, barely catching himself, as the weight shook when it came down behind him. His face paled, the shaking feeling like another jolt. But it wasn’t from the earthquake. Miles’s eyes widened, the panic that had shut him down replaced by panic that propelled him to stand, turning back. “Wright?!”
One of the marble pillars had cracked in the shaking earthquake, and crumbled into chunks, falling down. He couldn’t see him, but he knew Phoenix had just been there. But now he was nowhere to be seen. The crumbled material was there instead, blocking the courthouse's entrance. Miles blinked, eyes darting in utter confusion. And then his mind finally caught up- Phoenix had pushed him out of the way. But he didn't move out of the way himself.
Edgeworth felt his chest tighten as he struggled to see anything against the broken brown and white, rushing to the mess of broken marble. Where was he? Miles desperately pulled what he could off, and he gasped with shock when he caught sight of something blue. Fabric. He scrambled over chunks of rubble, even as he heard people yell at him. No. No, no, no! Not again, don’t take another person from me! I can’t lose someone else like this! Arms reached out and grabbed for Miles, the green sleeves of a large coat ringing vaguely as familiar- but not familiar enough to stop his struggle, thrashing out and grabbing another slap of marble. He only stopped when he saw him. Phoenix. Pinned under the rubble, pale faced and bleeding. "Wright!"
A shuddering breath escaped Phoenix, his eyes fluttering open. "M-Miles... I can't... I can't breathe..." He was dazed, clearly in shock.
No, no, no. “It's okay, Wright. You'll be fine. Stay with me." Miles said, reassuringly. Phoenix let out a whimper, staring up at Miles with glassy eyes. They started to drift, and he blinked slowly, as if sleep was about to take him. "C’mon, Phoenix, stay awake!”
Phoenix let out a pained gasp, reaching up and grasping Miles' hand. But the air left him, and the light left his eyes. "No- No! Phoenix! Wake up! Wake up!"
Miles was still yelling for him to wake up, when Gumshoe pulled him away from the scene.