129 The Wind Beneath My Wings

A/N: This is dedicated to my sweet friend ThePudz who may get a kick out of my OC … and to my clairvoyant friend and fellow writer The Freelancer Seal, which
answers something he asked a few chapters back. This is shorter than the others have been as I write the reunion chapter which will be out this week so I cut it up due to length. 🙂

If you’re lonely
And need a friend
And troubles seem like
They never end
Just remember
To keep the faith
And love will be there
To light the way

Anytime you need a friend
I will be here
You’ll never be alone again
So don’t you fear
Even if you’re miles away
I’m by your side
So don’t you ever be lonely
Love will make it alright

When the shadows are closing in
And your spirit diminishing
Just remember
You’re not alone
And love will be there
To guide you home

If you just believe in me
I will love you endlessly
Take my hand
Take me into your heart
I’ll be there forever baby
I won’t let go
I’ll never let go

Maya Fey and Pearl Fey
Darwin, Australia
April 21, 2026, 8:30 AM

Maya released an exhausted sigh as she leaned back against the passenger seat of the car, reveling in the coldness of the air conditioning. While she was accustomed to hot weather, having lived in southern California her entire life, Nitmiluk National Park, where she and Pearl had been training for the past seven days, situated in the Northern Territory of Australia, was an entirely different realm altogether! Although it was still early morning, it was already close to 33 Celsius! The Feys had commenced wilting the moment they had left the comparatively refreshing 39-foot-high Edith Falls, which was located nearly 300 km outside of Darwin, the closest major city to it.

Pearl and Maya had truly appreciated the stunning outdoor scenery of the land down under. Nevertheless, both Feys were still immensely relieved to finally be heading back home and to civilization, with electricity and cell phone towers, after being in the middle of nowhere for what had felt like forever!

“Those waterfalls were absolutely beautiful, Dylan,” Pearl gushed to their Outback companion from the backseat, her eyes shining as she took in the breathtaking natural beauty that they were speeding past on the long three-hour journey back towards the airport. “Thank you so much for being our tour guide this past week!”

“It’s always a pleasure to keep the company of lovely ladies in my line of duty,” Dylan replied sunnily, smiling at Pearl in the rearview mirror. “I can’t believe how tanned you both have gotten just this past week, compared to when you first arrived!”

“Too bad I can’t keep this bronze glow until my wedding in June,” Maya lamented with a rueful laugh. “There’s not enough sunlight in mountain-laden Kurain to let me keep my skin souvenir, so I’ll be back to being Casper the Friendly Ghost long before I walk down the aisle!”

“You and me both!” Pearl piped up, also a fellow member of the Fey family pale gene. “Although our village may not have as much sun, it at least has flushing toilets and showers!”

“Pearly!” Maya flushed deeply at how much of a spoiled princess the teen sounded like, but Dylan just chortled good-naturedly.

“Mystic Maya and I aren’t exactly city girls, you see,” Pearl continued to prattle on. “We live in a distant village, but we have grown quite accustomed to at least having cell phone reception, satellite TV, and life’s other little luxuries despite being up there in the boonies!”

And this is why most countries hate us Americans! Maya moaned softly. Hush your mouth, child! We were here testing out Australian potential for being a spiritual training retreat, not a luxe vacation!

“I deal with a lot of spoiled tourist princesses in my line of work,” the teenage boy admitted. “So even though you two aren’t accustomed to living off the land, I’m very grateful you were still both such good sports upon discovering the only luxury items we had all week were bug repellent, soap, and toilet paper!”

The Master sagged in relief that their amiable guide had shown no offense to her daughter’s ramblings.

“Canned food cooked over a campfire, sleeping in tents… bathing in the stream…this was the closest Pearly and I have come to “roughing it” in some time,” the spirit medium confessed laughingly. “The last time I’ve been this far off the beaten path from society was the fortnight I spent in a secluded retreat atop Mount Koya in Japan seven years ago!”

As soon as the words left her mouth, the Kurain Master sharply bit her lip, as a flood of painful memories suddenly filled her mind. As much as she yearned to forget, she was fully conscious of the fact that this very past week, seven years ago, her remote training location had kept her out of touch with anything related to the rest of the world back then, as well! Consequently, she’d had no clue that Phoenix had been disbarred, and had only gotten the rude awakening when she had finally gotten arrived back in Los Angeles.

But that was then, she tried to assure herself, once again trying to ignore the impromptu knot once again resurfacing in her gut, which had been getting harder and harder to ignore ever since their arrival in Australia. This is now. My fate stopping being entwined with Phoenix Wright’s over a year ago! I can’t possibly go on living the rest of my life this way, and assume that every time I’m cut off from civilization, some god-awful threat or danger is going to happen to him!

A mental image of her former lover, caught in some sort of atrocious peril that was even more vivid and disturbing than all the ones preceding it, suddenly flashed through Maya’s mind, causing shortness of breath in her lungs. She had to force herself to take in several long, calming intakes of air before her thudding heartbeat gradually subsided.

I am being ridiculous! This overly hot weather must be affecting my psyche in more ways than one, and hence, my sixth sense must be getting soft, because these Australian waterfalls just weren’t cold enough to enhance our spiritual powers! Yes, that’s all it is! I’m just mistaking paranoid imaginings of worst-case scenarios for psychic visions! Regardless, I am going to be a married woman in less than two months and have absolutely no business thinking along these lines anymore! Nick belongs to Iris now, Maya Fey! When are you going to finally accept the fact that Phoenix Wright is no longer your concern?

A lump formed in her throat.

Easier said than done. I can’t help it… I still miss him so much. He was more than just my lover, he was my best friend.

Pearl seemed to be reading her mind, as it appeared the anniversary date of her ex’s misfortune hadn’t escaped the teen’s mind either. Looking uncomfortable, she bit her thumb and looked away upon hearing Maya’s blurted-out words, staring morosely out her window.

There was an awkward silence in the car.

As though sensing something was awry, Dylan attempted to restore things to their happy order and fill the sudden void.

“We still have a ways to go before we get to the airport, ladies,” he announced cheerfully, turning on the radio. “Perhaps some music to help pass the time until then? Thankfully satellite radio seems to work even out here in the sticks!”

The harmonious Mariah Carey ballad, “Any Time You Need a Friend” began to play.

If you’re lonely
And need a friend
And troubles seem like
They never end
Just remember
To keep the faith
And love will be there
To light the way

Anytime you need a friend
I will be here
You’ll never be alone again
So don’t you fear
Even if you’re miles away
I’m by your side
So don’t you ever be lonely
Love will make it alright

A wave of tears flooded Maya’s eyes at the poignant lyrics, which were a bit too close to the heart for her at the moment, and she quickly changed the channel, cutting it off mid-song.

Here’s hoping the next melody playing will have nothing to do with the protagonist telling her love interest that anytime he may need a friend, she will be there unconditionally for him!

The melodious sound of the classic tune, “That’s What Friends Are For” filled the car next.

And I never thought I’d feel this way
And as far as I’m concerned
I’m glad I got the chance to say
That I do believe, I love you

And if I should ever go away
Well, then close your eyes and try
To feel the way we do today
And then if you can remember

Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure
That’s what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I’ll be on your side forever more
That’s what friends are for

Well, you came in loving me
And now there’s so much more I see
And so by the way
I thank you

Oh and then for the times when we’re apart
Well, then close your eyes and know
The words are coming from my heart
And then if you can remember

Keep smiling and keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure
That’s what friends are for
In good times and bad times
I’ll be on your side forever more
That’s what friends are for

Mystic Ami help me! Two in a row?! Is this some sort of sick, twisted joke?! Is the universe trying to give me some sort of subliminal message, or just torture me about the fact that I’ll forever be mourning the loss of the man that I once thanked God for, who was the wind beneath my wings?!

Maya choked back the inexplicable sob forming in her chest and abruptly turned the knob to power the radio off, her lips trembling. She was in no mood to be reminded about the loving power of friendship at that particular moment, not considering the nostalgic and melancholic train of thought she had just been in!

The park ranger turned and studied her with concern.

“I guess you aren’t a fan of either Mariah Carey or Stevie Wonder and Dionne Warwick?” He joked in his charming Aussie accent, trying to lighten the mood. “Did you know the latter original song was sung by Rod Stewart in 1982, but only became popular when those two soulful singers did the remake, alongside Gladys Knight and Elton John, three years later?”

“Dionne and her niece, the late, great Whitney Houston, seem to have that in common, rebooting an existing song and then having it become iconic.” Maya flashed the boy a grateful smile for the light rapport as she reached into her bag and put on her sunglasses, hoping to mask the torment that was undoubtedly still evident in her eyes. “Did you know that Whitney’s smash hit, “I Will Always Love You,” was originally sung by Dolly Parton, but only became a hit when she sang it?”

“Actually, I did,” he grinned, sensing he’d found a safe conversation topic, as he turned the radio back onto another station. “Whenever I’m not out touring in the Outback, I’m a bit of a music buff. Here’s hoping that third time’s the charm!”

The vehicle was then flooded with the more uplifting, and strangely fitting, given their surroundings, 80’s song by Men at Work, “Land Down Under.”

Hurrah! This is just what I needed! I will ignore the fact that I hate this inane tune! At least it isn’t a lovey-dovey schmoopy song!

“You would get along famously with my fiancé,” Maya told the Australian. “He’s really into the music scene as well. I think he has about 50,000 songs just on his iPod alone!”

Buying bread from a man in Brussels
He was six foot four and full of muscle
I said, “Do you speak my language?”
He just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich

Pearl wrinkled her button nose at the song’s mention of the abhorrent, foul-smelling, poo-looking sandwich spread that was so beloved to Australians, which Dylan had insisted on eating for breakfast every morning. The spirit medium had dramatically pinched her nose each time, claiming that the putrid Vegemite stench would keep away the dingoes and other dangerous wildlife he’d been assigned to protect them from far better than any spray repellents or rifles ever could!

“I’m going to miss you and your beautiful country very much,” the normally gracious adolescent informed Dylan solemnly. “But I’m not going to miss that nasty stuff at all! If I’d been given the choice between eating Vegemite and facing a rabid kangaroo, I gladly still would’ve taken my chances with the big ol’ hoppy creature, any day!”

“Pearly!” Maya admonished lightly. “That’s not polite!”

“No worries, Maya,” Dylan chuckled. “It’s an acquired taste, Pearl! Much like AFL, which is Australia’s version of football, which I profess to also be a big fan of!”

“Thanks for indulging my little girl and her occasional runaway tongue!” Maya flashed him a wry grin. “I appreciate your tolerance and maturity, Dylan, especially being the same age as Pearly yourself. You remind me of Longines in more ways than one in that sense. Little missy here had forgotten her basic decorum and was a real handful with him initially, too! My poor fiancé also had to exercise quite a saintly amount of patience with her!”

“Hey! I wasn’t that bad!” Pearl protested, blushing slightly. “I admit I may not have been overly fuzzy towards Longines in the beginning but I admit he’s since sort of grown on me, somewhat.”

Like a wart! She added silently but wisely kept her peace.

“You remind me a bit of Longines, looks-wise, Dylan.” The psychic reached back into her purse and popped a stick of gum into her mouth, missing the horrified look her statement brought to Pearl’s face. “You both have the same beautiful blue eyes.”

“Oh, heck no, he so does not!” Pearl gasped indignantly, as though their tour guide had just been gravely insulted. Their new friend was most definitely worlds apart from her cousin’s man-betrothed! Just how badly had the scorching sun affected her guardian’s brain?! The Australian wasn’t your garden variety uggo in the least! He was a total cutie, and certainly worthy of greater praise than what he had just been given! “Mystic Maya, you’re comparing apples to oranges! If anything, Dylan, you remind me of my boyfriend, Luke.”

“You mean your city-slicker, nonathletic, gentleman-in-training, with the dark brown eyes?” Maya teased. “That Luke?”

“It’s the accent, I think.” The girl smiled sheepishly. “My boyfriend is from England, so hearing you talk reminds me of him quite a bit. Er, you know… the Australian accent that’s sort of British but not really…”

She sighed dreamily as she thought of her beau’s handsome face. Just one week without communicating with him had felt like eons, and while she couldn’t lie and say she was eagerly anticipating her cousin’s pending nuptials, the sole upshot was the fact that it meant seeing her boyfriend again. Luke was coming down to LA for the big event and Pearl could hardly wait, as she hadn’t seen him since New Year’s.

“I’ve been compared to worse,” Dylan replied affably, not at all daunted by any of this somewhat offbeat comparison to people he’d neither before known nor seen. “I reckon being correlated to any man that’s worthy of your heart Pearl, or yours, Maya, can’t be all too terrible!”

Pearl leaned forward in her seat and put her face between Maya and Dylan’s while beaming prettily at him.

“Well, you are pretty terrific.”

Her parental figure raised an eyebrow.

Has she already forgotten she’s got a boyfriend?!

“You’re just so laid-back and easy-going!” The youngest Fey trilled. “It’s too bad that you live so far away because you’d be perfect for my best friend Trucy! The two of you would be so compatible! Her birthday is in a few months. She’s a super friendly and outgoing Gemini – you’d just love her!”

The diviner groaned inwardly, barely resisting the urge to facepalm with embarrassment at Pearl’s effusiveness.

Dylan lives thousands of miles away on the other side of the world and probably doesn’t give a fig about astrological compatibility, my little Cupid!

However, the tour guide’s response surprised her.

“A Gemini you say? Me too!” He grinned back. “Is Trucy as pretty as you are? That might be enough to prompt me to visit the States shortly!”

“She’s beautiful!” Pearl gushed, already in matchmaking mode. “She’s got big blue eyes just like you, and she’s not so much just my friend; she’s more like family. For the longest time, she was more like my sis –”

The teen caught herself just in time and glanced uneasily at her kinswoman, coughing slightly with discomfort at what she had nearly said.

“Um, I mean, she’s like my cousin.”

The near slip-up was not lost on the Master, who forced herself to smile over the painful lurch in her heart it’d unwittingly caused, and she was supremely grateful for the dark shades that masked her pained expression.

“You have our emails, Dylan. We’d be delighted to keep in touch, and perhaps can send you Trucy’s email address so that you two might get better acquainted…” She said stiffly. “Pearly will do so as soon as we finally get to a place that allows us to have a cell phone signal.”

“I will definitely remain in correspondence with you great Sheilas. By the way, we are now approaching Darwin International Airport, departures gate!” Dylan announced. “You should have cell phone service right about now.”

“Thank you so much, Dylan, for everything!” Maya smiled warmly as she grabbed her wheeled suitcase, stifling a giggle as Pearl made a point of pressing a friendly goodbye kiss on the blushing teenage boy’s face before grabbing her baggage and joining her cousin.

“So long, mate!” The girl called, waving at the tour guide until he had driven out of sight, before turning back to Maya with a puzzled look. “You know, the entire time we’ve been here, I haven’t heard any Australians use the term ‘G’day Mate’!”

“I think it’s just your stereotypical presumed local lingo,” Maya shrugged as she powered on her cell and impatiently waited for it to get a signal. “Sort of like how everyone assumes that Canadians always say ‘eh‘ at the end of every sentence.”

Pearl had her phone out as well and was already dialing into her voicemail as they headed towards the baggage check.

“What is with this bizarre text message from Longines?” The village leader muttered distractedly, as she tried her weave her way through the crowded terminal without bumping into anybody. “Let me know your schedule ASAP when you get back in town so I know when you’re free to meet up with the wedding planner?!”

She frowned at her phone screen.

“What wedding planner?! We were supposed to have a small, no-fuss, intimate ceremony at Hazakura Temple! Sister Bikini went to the trouble of getting ordained online so she could officiate!”

Thoroughly confused and annoyed, the necromancer tucked her mobile away and was just about to go check in their luggage, as they had reached the front of the baggage lineup, when she glanced over and saw that her cousin’s mien was as white as a sheet, despite her new tan.

“Pearly, what is it?” She asked in alarm, putting a hand on the dazed teen’s shoulder. “What’s the matter?”

“I – I just listened to a voice message that I got from Trucy,” Pearl whispered shakily, staring at Maya with distraught gray eyes. “It – it’s about Mr. Nick!”

Bette Midler – The Wind Beneath My Wings (chapter title)
Mariah Carey  – Anytime You Need A Friend
Dionne Warwick – That’s What Friends Are For
Men At Work – Down Under