Chapter Text
October 7th, 2022
5:33 AM
Wright-Edgeworth Residence
Phoenix and Miles’ Bedroom
Phoenix groaned a bit as the sound of keys clacking on a laptop dragged him out of sleep, wincing at the pale glow of a screen that greeted him when he opened his eyes.
“Miles...?”
His husband started, then smiled softly when he turned to look at him.
“Phoenix... I’m sorry, did I wake you?”
“Mm...” Phoenix yawned as he sat up, then leaned on Miles, draping an arm around him. “Why’re you awake? The sun’s not even up yet...”
“I’m aware of that. I was simply getting a headstart on some work. Go back to sleep, I’ll go work in the living room.”
“Miles, it’s not even six, you should still be asleep...”
Miles shook his head.
“No, I’ve got to get some of this done. I’ll feel a bit better when I do...”
Phoenix frowned, looking at the screen. He blinked when he saw the title of the report.
“The UR-1 Incident...? Why’re you up before dawn looking at that, it’s a solved case.”
“Solved, but not closed. The killer is still at large...” Miles sighed. “Two years, and we still have nothing...”
“Eh? Oh, right, today is...” Phoenix smiled a bit sadly. “That’s right, Trucy, Juniper, and Pearls are spending the whole day with Athena...”
Miles made a sound of acknowledgement, then yawned, his head drooping a bit.
“Miles, you look exhausted.”
“I always look exhausted, the bags under my eyes are a bit of a permanent fixture.”
Phoenix rolled his eyes, then gently took off his husband’s glasses.
“Miles, get some sleep. You’re not gonna solve this while you’re about to pass out.”
Miles shook his head.
“‘M fine... this is more important than sleep...”
Miles... ever since Metis was killed, he’s been determined to find the Phantom and bring him to justice... I can still remember the look on his face when Athena came into the agency begging for my help...
Phoenix sighed, leaning over and kissing Miles on the temple as he closed his laptop.
“It’s not more important than sleep. Just sleep ‘til seven at least, then you can get back to work.”
“Phoenix...” Miles sighed, then laid down sideways, facing him as his cheek hit the pillow. His eyes were drooping even as he gave Phoenix a look of fond irritation. “I’ll try, but I doubt I’ll sleep much now...”
Two minutes later, his husband was snoring softly. Phoenix chuckled, kissing his forehead and laying down with a contented sigh.
After a moment, he frowned, sleep eluding him as memories came crawling back.
The UR-1 Incident... we were there that day, watching the HAT-1 Launch... none of us could have known what was about to happen, but maybe... no, there’s no way we could have stopped him... or known who it was that he was impersonating.
October 7th, 2020
2:33 PM
Cosmos Space Center
“Come on, come on! We’re gonna miss it!”
“Dude, the launch isn’t even for another half an hour.” Apollo informed Clay tiredly as the latter pulled him along.
“I want good seats!”
Phoenix laughed as he locked the car up, taking Trucy’s hand as they walked across the parking lot.
Clay’s really excited about this... probably cause he’s been working here part-time since he started high school, and Aura and Metis were kind to him after his mom died...
“There’s a lot of people here to watch the launch, huh, Daddy?”
“Yup. Ever since they built the new center near the city, it’s been pretty popular. This is the first launch, too.”
“Is that why Mr. Detective is here?”
“Eh?” Phoenix blinked when he looked over at the entrance. Gumshoe was talking to a woman that Phoenix vaguely recognized from the police department, looking pensive. “Detective Gumshoe?”
“Huh? Oh!” Gumshoe grinned. “Hey, pals, good to see you! Here for the launch?”
“Yes, and if these slowpokes don’t hurry up, we’re gonna miss it!” Clay complained.
The woman with Gumshoe chuckled.
“I don’t think you’ve got too much to worry about there.” She smiled at Phoenix. “Detective Candice Arme, by the way. I just transferred to Criminal Affairs last month.”
“Oh, nice to meet you, I’m-!”
“Phoenix Wright, attorney at law. I know.” She smiled again. “Wouldn’t be much of a detective if I didn’t know who the husband of the office’s top prosecutor was, now would I?”
Phoenix chuckled.
“Guess not... what’re you guys doing here, anyway?”
“Extra security. GYAXA is worried about the launch going smoothly, so we’re keeping an eye on things.” Arme frowned, looking at her watch. “Although, it would be easier if the new guy actually showed up on time.”
“Aw, give him a break, he’s not that late.”
“He was supposed to be here ten minutes ago.”
Gumshoe cringed, then laughed nervously.
“W-Well, maybe he got held up at the bank or something.”
“I don’t think that kid’s the type to go to the bank right before work.”
“You’re a lot younger than he is, ya know.”
Arme shrugged.
“Well, I’ve been a detective longer than he has. I’m his superior officer.”
Gumshoe sighed.
“Kids these days... man, how am I supposed to handle one...”
“Eh? You say something, Gumshoe?”
Gumshoe blinked, then quickly straightened, the world behind him flashing as chains and three Psyche-locks appeared.
“N-Nothing! Don’t worry about it, pal!”
Phoenix quirked an eyebrow, his hand going to his pocket as he grabbed the magatama.
“Detective Gumshoe, that’s clearly not-!”
“I-I’m here! I’m here, sorry!”
Phoenix blinked, turning around and letting go of the magatama as he looked at the newcomer. A man wearing sunglasses and a white suit was panting as he ran up to them, hunching over as soon as he got onto the sidewalk.
“Ah, there you are, Bobby.”
“Detective Fulbright, you’re late.” Arme said, crossing her arms. “I told you to be here by 9:20.”
“I-I know, ma’am, sorry, ma’am! Th-There was a problem at the bank...”
“Ha!” Gumshoe declared. “I knew it!”
Trucy, Clay, and Apollo snickered, and even Phoenix couldn’t help but chuckle.
“I see. Well, don’t let it happen again.”
Fulbright nodded, saluting.
“Y-Yes ma’am!”
Geez, it must be weird getting bossed around by someone that much younger than you... wait, I know exactly what that’s like, Maya and the kids boss me around all the time.
“Alright, come on. We’ve got work to do.”
Gumshoe told them that he’d get them good seats if they stuck with him, and Clay was practically bouncing off the ways as he lead them to the spectator area.
“Trucy!”
Trucy gasped, grinning as she turned around.
“Thena!” She squealed, running over and tackling her friend in a hug. “I missed you!”
“You two saw each other last week.” Blackquill commented.
“It felt longer!”
Phoenix laughed as the three walked over and joined them.
“Hey, Athena, Prosecutor Blackquill. Where’s Aura and Metis?”
“My sister is looking over the rocket, and Dr. Cykes is finalizing a profile that I asked her to create for a case.”
“Aw, so they’re busy? I was gonna ask if Thena could sleep over tonight.”
“I-I’ll go ask!” Athena stated, sounding determined. “Right after the launch, I’ll ask!”
“Okay!” Trucy agreed, grinning from ear to ear.
Uh, don’t I get a say in this...? No, I don’t.
“D-Detective Gumshoe, sir!”
“Eh? Oh, Fulbright. What’s up?”
Fulbright saluted.
“Detective Arme went to go check on the launch security, so I’m supposed to... stay with you...”
Fulbright’s face suddenly turned pink, his eyes no longer on Gumshoe. Phoenix pursed his lips, following his line of sight until he saw a rather flustered looking Blackquill.
What’s with them?
“Oh, right. Fulbright, this is Prosecutor Simon Blackquill. You’ll probably work with him at some point.”
“I...” Fulbright swallowed hard, then stuck out his hand to Blackquill. “B-Bobby Fulbright, sir! A pleasure to meet you!”
“A-Ah...” Blackquill cleared his throat, his face still pink as he shook Fulbright’s hand, looking away. “Likewise.”
Phoenix heard Trucy giggle, and when he turned, she and Athena were looking at a holographic display with matching grins on their faces.
“See, this green one means Simon’s really happy...” Athena smirked. “Simon and Bobby, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-!”
“Athena!” Simon cried as he turned bright red.
“Feelings don’t lie, Simon, that’s what you taught me.” Athena teased.
Phoenix couldn’t help but chuckle.
Athena’s usually pretty reticent, but she and Blackquill are as close as Apollo and Trucy. You might think they were siblings if you didn’t know better.
Just then, an announcement that the launch was about to start came over the intercom.
“Okay, I’ll see you guys later! I told my mom I’d go get her for the launch.” Athena grinned. “Have fun, Simon!”
“Athena!” Blackquill shouted, groaning once she’d run out. He glanced over at Fulbright, who grinned at him nervously. “I... I have work to do. E-Enjoy the launch.”
Phoenix laughed as he all but fled the room, as did the kids. He was still snickering as they took their seats, facing the launch pad.
I’m just glad the rocket’s far away enough that the noise shouldn’t be a problem for Apollo and Trucy. I wouldn’t want them to miss out on this... not everyday you get to see a first launch for a space center, after all.
October 8th, 2020
11:06 AM
Wright & Co. Law Offices
“So the guy really made it back to Earth even with like half an engine left?”
“Yup. People are already calling it the HAT-1 Miracle.”
Maya sighed.
“Man, I can’t believe I had to miss that.”
Phoenix shrugged as he sat at his desk.
“You’re about to be the Master of Kurain, Maya, it’s not like you’ve got a lot of free time.”
Maya flinched, then looked away, rubbing one of the ornaments in her hair nervously.
“Er... about that...”
Phoenix frowned.
“What’s up? I thought you were on track to becoming the Master.”
“Well... there’s kind of a problem. In order to be the Master, I... I have to...”
“Maya?”
Maya bit her lip.
“I... I don’t really know how to tell you, Nick... but-!”
There was a knock at the front door, and the relief on Maya’s face was almost comical.
“I-I’ll get it!” She announced, running out of Phoenix’s office. “Hello, welcome to-! Oh, hey, Miles.”
“Miles?” Phoenix asked, getting out of his chair and walking out of his office. His husband smiled back at him, and despite everything his stomach still felt fluttery at the sight.
“Hello. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
“Well, actually-!”
“Nope!” Maya declared. “You’re not interrupting anything, don’t worry about it!”
Geez, she must really not want to talk about it... I’ll ask later when my handsome husband isn’t in my office.
“What can we do for you, Miles?”
Miles held out a folder, which Maya took and handed to Phoenix.
“Chief Prosecutor Newman wants your input on this.”
“Eh? What is it...?” Phoenix blinked. “W-Wait, Gumshoe’s up for a promotion to head detective?!”
“Huh?! Our Gumshoe?!”
“The previous chief is retiring, and while Mr. Badd was in line for the promotion last March, since he’s resigned, Gumshoe is the next most qualified for the position. The chief prosecutor feels that since you’ve worked closely with Detective Gumshoe in the past, your input would be valuable.” He smirked. “Although it’s mostly a formality at this point, he’s the most senior officer in the department.”
What does that say about the police department...?
“Hey, Miles? How come you’re the one who delivered this? Don’t you guys have couriers?”
Miles flushed, clearing his throat.
“Y-Yes, well... I wasn’t really doing anything, so...”
Phoenix grinned.
“Did you miss me?”
“Don’t be smug. You’re my husband, if I didn’t enjoy seeing you it would be odd for me to have married you.”
Or stayed married to me for one year, one month, and one day, for that matter.
He chuckled, leaning over and pecking him on the lips.
“I love you, too. And I kinda think Gumshoe deserves the promotion, honestly. I’ll get this back to you later.”
“Thank you.” Miles sighed. “Now I have to go try and track down Prosecutor Blackquill... he didn’t show up this morning, which is odd for him.”
“Did Detective Fulbright show up?”
Miles blinked.
“Yes...?”
“Well, I’m out of ideas. If neither of them had showed, I’d have guessed they ended up in bed together.”
His husband blinked again, then rolled his eyes.
“Hey, the tension was off the charts when they met at the launch yesterday-!”
“U-Um...”
Phoenix blinked, and Miles moved out of the doorway, revealing a rather upset-looking Athena. She was wearing her headphones, which she’d transitioned to only wearing when she was worried about something, and her gaze was trained on the ground.
“Athena? What are you doing here?” He leaned over, glancing out of the door and into the hallway. “Where’s Blackquill, he usually-!”
A strangled sob came out of Athena, and when Phoenix looked down he realized she was shaking, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“A-Athena?” Phoenix asked, kneeling down to her eye level and putting a hand on her shoulder. “Athena, what’s the matter?”
“I... S-Simon...”
“What happened to Prosecutor Blackquill? Do you want me to call him?”
Athena shook her head.
“Y-You can’t... I...”
“Athena...”
She whimpered, grabbing her headphones.
“Phoenix...” Miles started quietly. “I don’t think she can tell us. Not right now...”
“I know, I recognize this... Athena, I’m gonna call your mom, okay? You can stay here til she-!”
Athena suddenly started sobbing harder, letting out a wail.
“Nick, you weren’t supposed to make her cry more!”
“I-I don’t even know what I did!”
“Athena, it’s al-!” Miles’ phone started ringing, and he sighed, pulling it out of his pocket. “This is Prosecutor-!” He blinked, then groaned. “Detective, can it... wait... what?!”
About a thousand expressions passed over his husband’s face as he listened to Gumshoe. After a moment, he cleared his throat, running a hand through his hair.
“I... I see... I’ll tell him. Thank you.” He hung up, then turned to Phoenix. “That was Detective Gumshoe... Athena, I’m so sorry...”
“What?” Maya asked. “What’s going on?”
“Phoenix... you can’t call Metis.”
“Eh? Look, Miles, I find some of her parenting methods a little weird too, but she’s still-!”
“No, I mean... Phoenix, Metis...” He sighed. “She’s dead.”
Athena let out another sob as Phoenix’s heart sank.
“Wh... What?”
“Her body was found after the launch... she was murdered. They’ve already apprehended a suspect.”
“Oh my god... Athena, I’m so sorry.”
“I-I... S-Simon...”
“Simon? What about Prosecutor Blackquill?”
“Phoenix... the suspect is Prosecutor Blackquill.”
Phoenix blinked, then recoiled in shock.
“What?!”
“His prints were found on the murder weapon-!”
“He didn’t do it!”
They all jumped in shock, looking over at a suddenly determined Athena, who still had tears in her eyes.
“Athena...?”
“H-He didn’t kill my...! Please, you have to help him! His heart is screaming that he didn’t do it!”
“His heart...? You mean, his emotions are saying he’s not guilty?”
She nodded.
“P-Please, Mr. Wright, you... you have to help him, I...” Athena’s expression contorted with grief, and she looked at the ground. “I don’t wanna be alone...”
“Athena...” Phoenix swallowed, then straightened, grabbing his jacket from the sofa. “Miles, stay with Athena. Maya, let’s go.”
“Eh? Go where?”
“The detention center. We’ve got no time to waste.”
Blackquill... I can’t sit idly by while an innocent man is imprisoned for a murder he didn’t commit. Nor can I just let Athena be all alone... I don’t know how, but I’m going to help them. One way or another.
October 8th, 2020
12:14 PM
Detention Center
Visitor’s Room
“Geez, it’s been a while since we were here... when was your last case, anyway?”
“Uh... I think it was that assault and murder case a couple months ago? Larry and the defendant really hit it off.”
“Oh, yeah.” Maya giggled. “Anika seemed pretty smitten with him, ya know. Maybe you’ll be a best man sooner than you think.”
Somehow I doubt it, given Larry’s track record.
“Let’s see... Blackquill should be-!”
There was a sudden crash nearby.
“How can you just sit here and do nothing?!”
“Aura, please don’t break poor Clonco. He’s been through enough.”
“Oh, he’s fine! You, on the other hand, are fucking insane!”
Phoenix swallowed hard, taking a step back.
“Er... maybe we should come back-!”
Aura turned, anger in her eyes when she and Phoenix made eye contact.
“You!”
Phoenix resisted the urge to whimper as she stormed over.
“H-Hi, Aura-!”
She grabbed his arm, dragging him along.
“You’re a defense attorney, right? Talk some sense into my idiot brother here!”
“E-Eh? What are you-!” He grunted when Aura forced him into a chair.
“Wright-dono.”
Simon looked absolutely exhausted, his hair messy and the bags under his eyes even bigger than the ever-present set under Miles’. A small streak of white hair contrasted sharply with the rest of his jet black hair.
“Uh, what happened to your hair?”
“Hm? Oh.” Blackquill shrugged. “I woke up with it like this. Perhaps it’s the shock.”
“Y-Yeah, I can see why you’d be out of sorts... Athena came to my office earlier.”
Blackquill’s expression was a mixture of guilt and concern.
“How is she...?”
“She’s... well, she’s devastated. She was crying too hard to explain at first... Miles is taking care of her, he’s got experience with what she’s going through.”
“The DL-6 Incident...” Blackquill still looked guilty, but smiled a bit. “Thank you, Wright-dono. Athena... she doesn’t have anyone else.”
“Well, she has you. Don’t worry, we’ll figure this out and you’ll be out of here in no time.”
Blackquill sighed, shaking his head.
“I’m afraid not.”
Phoenix blinked.
“Eh?”
“I won’t be leaving anytime soon... or ever. I’m pleading guilty.”
He blinked again, then recoiled.
“What?!”
“I told you he’s an idiot.” Aura muttered. “Simon, what’s wrong with you?! You’d never kill anyone, let alone Metis! You idolized her, and you know how I...” She swallowed hard, hugging herself. “H-How I felt about her...”
Aura...
“Regardless of what you think, Aura, I’m pleading guilty.” He chuckled. “Though I doubt it’ll matter much... GYAXA is technically part of the government, making Dr. Cykes a government employee... I’m sure capital punishment will be on the table.”
“Mr. Blackquill...” Maya murmured. “Nick, do you think he really...?”
Phoenix narrowed his eyes, putting his hand in his pocket and grabbing the magatama.
“Prosecutor Blackquill, tell me the truth. Yes or no: did you kill Metis Cykes?”
Blackquill blinked, and the world behind him flashed, chains and five Psyche-locks appearing on him.
“Yes. I did it.”
So Athena was right... but why is he pleading guilty if he’s innocent?
“Wright-dono.”
“Eh?”
“I thank you for listening to Athena’s request, but I’m afraid it should be clear to you that you can’t take this case. The defendant is guilty.”
“You’re the defendant, though...” Maya muttered.
“Yes. I’m sorry to have wasted your time.”
“Prosecutor Blackquill...” Phoenix chuckled.
“What?”
“It’s just... three years ago, I took on a case with a prosecutor as a client. The chief prosecutor, in fact. She was pleading guilty... but she was innocent.” He shrugged. “Of murder, anyway, she did do a whole bunch of shady stuff...”
“State v. Skye. I’m familiar with the case.” Blackquill arched an eyebrow. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because Lana Skye was just as adamant about her guilt as you are now, and I can telling your guilt is a big fat lie too.”
Blackquill blinked, surprised.
“I don’t know why you’re pleading guilty, but if it’s anything like that case, then there’s something fishy going on here.” He stood. “And I plan to find out what it is.”
“Wright-dono...”
“Mr. Blackquill?” Maya interjected. “Athena’s really upset about this, you know. If you won’t change your plea for yourself, then... then do it for her. You said it yourself, she doesn’t have anyone else...”
Blackquill was silent for a moment, then sighed.
“Fine. But it won’t change the outcome. I’m going to be found guilty.”
“We’ll see about that.” Phoenix took Blackquill’s letter of request, chuckling again.
“What now?”
“Nothing, I just... this the third time I’ve defended a prosecutor.”
“You ended up marrying the first one.” Maya mused.
“Yup. Best decision ever.”
Blackquill rolled his eyes, then bid them farewell as he was called back into questioning.
“Wright.”
Phoenix paused, turning back to look at Aura. Her expression was unreadable.
“Aura?”
“I...” She bit her lip. “Thanks. For talking some sense into him...”
“Of course. He’s innocent.”
“I know... and just so you know... I don’t have anyone else either.”
Before Phoenix or Maya could say anything else, she left, Clonco trailing behind her. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Well, what are we waiting for, Nick?” Maya clapped her hands together. “Let’s go! The space center won’t investigate itself!”
Phoenix tried to protest, but Maya was already dragging him out the door.