Chapter Text
December 15, 2028. 1:52 P.M.
Hope Springs Airport Lobby
Apollo sighed tiredly as he plopped down on one of the sofas in the lobby of Hope Springs Airport. He closed his eyes briefly and ran a hand through his hair. He thought he would’ve been able to catch some z’s on the plane, but the crazy amount of turbulence on the flight made that nearly impossible. His troubles didn’t stop at the gate, either--in his sleep-deprived state, Apollo nearly took the wrong suitcase off the baggage carousel. Who could blame him, though? The suitcases were nearly identical. The rightful owner of the suitcase didn’t think so, apparently--they just about yelled his ears right off, and could’ve given his Chords of Steel a run for their money.
This was not how he wanted his return back to Los Angeles to go.
His eyes fluttered back open as he felt his phone begin to vibrate in his jeans pocket. He pulled it out and flipped it open, bringing it to his ear.
“Apollo here,” he muttered, stifling a yawn.
“Hey there, Polly!” came a chipper voice from the other end.
Apollo smiled. “Hey Trucy. What’s up?”
“Daddy just wanted me to let you know that we’ll be at the airport in a few minutes! Mr. Edgeworth offered to drive us to pick you up!”
“That’s very generous of him,” Apollo said (he could’ve sworn he heard a harrumph from the man himself). He craned his head to look up at the digital clock near the lobby entrance. “My flight actually landed a bit early, so I’m already in the lobby,” he told her.
“Really?!” Trucy’s squealed, causing Apollo to pull his ear back briefly from the phone to salvage his poor eardrums. “Why didn’t you say so? Mr. Edgeworth, hit the gas! Polly’s already in the lobby!”
“Trucy, sit back down!” he heard Mr. Wright reprimanding her.
“Don’t you worry, Polly! We’ll be there before you can say, Magic Panties! ” Trucy said.
“Sure, just… try not to get Mr. Edgeworth pulled over, okay?”
“Like I said, don’t worry! See you soon!”
Before Apollo could get another word in, the call ended with an abrupt ‘click .’ He shrugged and flipped the cellphone closed, laying his hand in his lap. He watched people coming and going from the lobby. Some were clad in neatly pressed suits, most likely heading out on a business trip. Others welcomed back their loved ones with warm, loving embraces. A smile formed in the corner of his mouth.
It had been several months since Apollo chose to stay in Khura’in to help reform the country’s legal system. Even with the dissolvement of the Defense Culpability Act following the dethroning of the previous queen, Ga’ran Sigatar Khura’in, progress was slow. There were 23 years of wrongful convictions to sort through, after all, and an endless list of clients to help. At the rate things were going, it might be another 23 years before Khura’in could fully recover.
Apollo cringed visibly at the thought. I’ll end up with gray hairs just like Mr. Edgeworth at this rate, he groaned inwardly. It was hard enough to set aside time off so he could fly back to the United States for the holidays. Datz gave him his word that he’d look after the office while he was gone, and Apollo trusted him--he was Dhurke’s right hand-man, after all.
His phone vibrated. Apollo flipped open his phone--it was a text from Trucy.
Pulling into the parking lot! It read.
Meet u out there, Apollo texted back.
Grabbing the handle on his suitcase, Apollo rose from his seat and made his way across the lobby to the front entrance. The chill of winter rushed to greet him as the automatic sliding doors opened. Apollo shuddered at the sudden drop in temperature and adjusted his scarf so it was more snug around his neck and face.
Although the sky was overcast with a thick covering of clouds, Apollo still found himself squinting as he adjusted to the light outside. He scanned the line of cars pulled up front. He vaguely remembered what Mr. Edgeworth’s car looked like, but for all he knew the Chief Prosecutor could’ve gotten a new one in the time he was gone.
It didn’t take him very long to find it.
“Polly! Over here!” Towards the back of the line, he saw Trucy leaning out the window of the backseat, waving her hand.
As Apollo made his way over, his former boss and mentor, Phoenix Wright, emerged from the passenger-side door. “Good to see you again, Apollo!” Mr. Wright said, extending his hand out.
Apollo shot him a wide grin, grabbing his hand and shaking it firmly. “Same! Feels good to be back,” he told him.
“Here, lemme put your suitcase in the back,” Mr. Wright offered. Apollo gratefully accepted and handed his luggage over. He walked around the car so he could get into the backseat from the left-hand side. He barely managed to sit down before Trucy leaned over and hugged him tightly.
“I missed you so much, Polly!” Trucy said jubilantly.
Apollo patted her back affectionately. “Heh, I missed you too.” He pulled back from her just as he heard Mr. Wright close the trunk with a loud thunk.
“How was the flight in, Mr. Justice?” Mr. Edgeworth asked, looking back at Apollo through the rearview mirror.
“Could’ve been worse, I guess. There was some crazy turbulence for a good while,” Apollo remarked with a grimace, arms folded. “I can't believe people actually slept right through that.”
The front passenger door opened, and Mr. Wright hopped in with a huff. “Alright, we’re all set!” he announced, buckling his seatbelt. “You mind dropping us off at the Agency, Miles?”
Miles? Since when did Mr. Wright start calling Mr. Edgeworth by his first name?
“I suppose so,” Mr. Edgeworth said, shifting the car into drive and pulling out of the line of cars.
Mr. Wright grinned. “Thanks. Remind me to treat you sometime for helping us out.”
Mr. Edgeworth’s face flushed a bright scarlet. “I-It’s no trouble at all, Wright,” he stuttered, fidgeting with his glasses.
“Did I miss something?” Apollo leaned over and whispered to Trucy.
Trucy giggled. “Awh, Daddy! Didn’t you tell Polly the good news?”
“Hmm? Oh!” Mr. Wright laughed, running a hand behind his head. “Sorry, sweetie, I completely forgot!”
“Daddy!” Trucy scolded, her left cheek puffed out and her fists resting on her hips. “How could you forget to tell him something so important?”
Mr. Wright lifted his hands up in defense. “Hey, I said I was sorry! It kind of happened suddenly…” he said.
“...Can someone please tell me what’s going on?” Apollo asked.
Mr. Edgeworth cleared his throat as the car came to a stop at a traffic light. “I’ve invited Wright and Trucy to live with me,” he explained.
Apollo blinked. “Huh?”
“That was my reaction too when Miles first asked me,” Mr. Wright told him. “All I said was it would be nice if we lived closer to Trucy’s school.” The traffic light turned green. “Most of the apartments I looked at were either out of my budget or needed TLC.”
“And I had ample room in my own home to accommodate their needs,” Mr. Edgeworth added. He flicked the turn signal on and turned right. “It seemed like a logical solution,” he said.
“Aw, c’mon, Miles. Just say that you love me,” Mr. Wright teased.
Mr. Edgeworth made some kind of strangled sound, followed by him chiding Mr. Wright about not to distract him while driving.
“Wow. Um, congratulations, I guess?” Apollo said.
“You should totally come over and see my room sometime, Polly!” Trucy said. “It’s huge! I have my own TV and everything!”
“Sure! Oh, if it’s okay with you, Mr. Edgeworth?”
“It’s quite alright, Mr. Justice,” Mr. Edgeworth reassured him with one of his rare smiles. “It is just as much their home as it is mine now.”
The rest of the car ride was spent asking Apollo about Khura’in, how his work was going, how Nahyuta and Rayfa were doing, and whether he was eating and sleeping well. Apollo tried to answer as best as he could--work was exhausting but rewarding, Nahyuta and Rayfa are fine and dandy, and yes he was getting enough food and sleep (he slightly fibbed about the sleeping part, though, but wasn’t pressed any further about it).
“Here we are,” Mr. Edgeworth announced suddenly. Apollo looked through the window and saw the familiar building of the Wright Anything Agency, where he had previously worked for almost two years. Even now, it still felt like a second home to him.
Mr. Edgeworth pulled the car up alongside the street. As Apollo and Trucy exited the vehicle, Mr. Wright went around the front and propped himself against the driver-side door. Mr. Edgeworth rolled down the window and leaned out.
“I can assume that I’ll be picking you up later?” Mr. Edgeworth inquired.
“That’d be great. I should be finished up around four, if that works.”
Mr. Edgeworth hummed in agreement. “I can do that,” he said. “How does minestrone soup sound for dinner tonight?”
“Sounds good to me.”
Apollo and Trucy came up around the side once he got his suitcase out of the trunk. “Thank you very much, Mr. Edgeworth,” Apollo said.
“You’re welcome, Mr. Justice. I look forward to seeing you at the winter banquet Sunday evening,” Mr. Edgeworth said.
Apollo cocked his head to the side slightly, his bushy eyebrows furrowed. “Uh… what banquet?” he asked.
Mr. Edgeworth looked at Mr. Wright incredulously. “Are you serious, Phoenix?”
Mr. Wright blanched visibly. “I-I completely forgot!” he yelped. “Sorry!”
Mr. Edgeworth groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “ Please be sure to inform Mr. Justice once you’re inside,” he instructed. “It would be a shame if he were to miss out due to your negligence.”
“I said I was sorry!”
As Mr. Edgeworth rolled up his window and drove away, Mr. Wright slumped over. “Today just hasn’t been my day,” he mumbled.
“It’s okay, Daddy.” Trucy patted his arm reassuringly. “These things happen sometimes.”
“Thanks, Trucy. Glad to know you’re on my side.”
Apollo shivered. “Hey uh, mind if we go inside? It’s getting kind of chilly out here,” he said.
“Of course! Right this way, Polly!” Trucy said, bounding forward with a pep in her step. Apollo grabbed his suitcase and together, the three of them made their way into the building.
December 15, 2028. 2:27 PM.
Wright Anything Agency
As Apollo had expected, the office of the Wright Anything Agency hardly changed since he left back in May. Trucy’s props still claimed just about every possible surface, minus the two sofas. Someone had recently tended to Charley the plant, too, and it was looking much more vibrant than the last time he was here.
No sooner had he sat down on the sofa, he was greeted by two other people who had missed him greatly.
“Apollo! You’re back!” came the excitable cry from his former co-worker, Athena Cykes. She ran towards him and tackled him into a hug.
“Ack!” Apollo cried out, nearly falling over. “Easy there, Athena!”
“ Lo siento! I just….” Athena sniffled, clutching her fists in front of her, “...really, really missed you!”
So glad you’re back! Widget beeped.
“Ah, Mr. Apollo!” came the sound of another voice, this one more lithe and polite. Pearl appeared from the corner of his eye. She held her hands clasped in front of her chest. “It’s wonderful to see you again!” she said.
“It’s good to see you too, Pearl,” Apollo replied.
Athena moved over to make room for Pearl so she could sit next to Apollo. Trucy and Mr. Wright took a seat across from them on the other couch.
“Where’s Maya?” Apollo asked.
“She had an important meeting in Kurain Village, so she couldn’t come to see you,” Pearl explained.
“She made sure to have us let you know that she said hi,” Mr. Wright told him. “You’ll see her at the winter banquet.”
“The banquet that you forgot to tell Polly about,” Trucy reminded him with a jab of her elbow to her adoptive father’s ribs.
“You forgot to tell him, Boss?” Athena exclaimed.
“Even I got invited to the banquet,” Pearl commented.
Mr. Wright held his head in his hands, mumbling something incoherent. Trucy sighed and pulled out her Magic Panties from… somewhere. “Don’t worry Polly, I got this,” she reassured him. “Three, two, one… ta da!”
A small pamphlet popped up from inside the Panties. Trucy handed it over to Apollo for him to examine.
“ You are cordially invited to attend the annual winter banquet hosted by the Los Angeles Prosecutor’s Office ,” Apollo read out loud. “ The banquet will be held at the Gatewater Imperial Hotel at four PM. Guests will be allowed in at 3:45 PM. Invitees are allowed to bring one additional person. ” He set the pamphlet down in his lap. “I have absolutely nothing to wear to this,” he realized.
“There’s a pretty decent shop nearby where you can rent some nice suits,” Mr. Wright noted, holding his chin thoughtfully with his thumb and index finger. “I’m sure you can find something there for the banquet.”
“And I can help you pick it out!” Trucy offered. “Something that just screams ‘Apollo Justice’!”
Apollo’s eye twitched. Why don’t I like the sound of that, he thought.
“Well, you young ones can keep chatting; I have some case files to go over,” Mr. Wright said, excusing himself.
“You’re literally walking only a few feet away, Daddy,” Trucy remarked.
Mr. Wright waved a hand at her as he ambled his way towards his desk. He sat down in the chair with an audible creak, picking up a pile of documents and shuffling them into a slightly neater pile.
“ Speaking of nice things, Apollo,” Athena began, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I can see that you got Junie’s latest package.”
Apollo immediately felt his cheeks burning. “Oh, uh, yeah,” he said, hooking a finger on the scarf he was wearing. “I just got it a few days ago, actually.”
“I was wondering where you got that scarf, Polly!” Trucy said. “Red may be your color, but the pink hearts are definitely a surprise.”
Pearl gasped. “Mr. Apollo! Does this mean… you have a special someone? ” she cupped her cheeks, looking absolutely smitten.
Apollo laughed sheepishly, carding a hand through his hair. “Well… I’m not sure about that… ” he said rather unconvincingly.
“Aw, c’mon Apollo! Don’t be so modest!” Athena said, her blue eyes twinkling. She was still grinning like a cheshire cat. “I mean, you and Junie have become pretty close since you left for Khura’in.”
His face was on fire now. Apollo sunk back into the couch with folded arms, hoping that the furniture would swallow him up. The scarf rode up and covered his mouth and nose. “She’s just… making sure I’m doing okay,” he tried to counter. It wasn’t a complete lie, either. He really appreciated Juniper’s care packages and the letters that she would write to go with them.
“That’s so nice of her! Your friend is a really kind person, Athena,” Trucy said.
“She really is,” Athena agreed, petting her ponytail bashfully.
“H-how is she doing, by the way?” Apollo asked, hoping to change the subject.
“She’s doing great!” Athena said, flashing him a peace sign. “Actually…” Uh oh, was she about to pull a fast one on him? “Why don’tcha ask her yourself?”
Apollo frowned. “I thought she lived in the mountains?”
“Right, I knew I forgot to mention something to you!” That seemed to be a recurring theme today, Apollo noted. “Junie and I actually have a small apartment together. It’s right smack in the middle of where I work and where she’s going to college!”
“When did that happen?” Apollo asked.
“Only a couple of weeks ago, actually,” Athena said, playing with her moon rock earring. “We just finally got the last of the stuff moved into the place.” She placed her hands on her hips. “It’s not too shabby, actually. All the more reason for you to come over today!”
“Today?” Apollo repeated. “I mean, I wouldn’t mind, but I promised Trucy…”
“Don’t worry about it, Polly! You can come over and visit us anytime!” Trucy reassured him. “Besides, I’m sure it’s been quite a while since you last saw Juniper. She’ll be so happy to see you.”
Well, she’s not wrong about that. “You sure it’s okay?” he asked.
Trucy winked, tilting her magician’s hat. “Sure I’m sure.”
Apollo pondered this for a moment, index finger pressed to his forehead.
“Yeesh, try not to think too hard about it,” Athena said.
“...Alright,” Apollo finally said. “I’ll need to stop by Gatewater Hotel first to check in… but after that, I’ll be good to go.”
“ Wunderbar! ” Athena cheered. “Junie will be so happy!” She whipped out her cellphone and almost immediately began to text the good news to Juniper.
“It’s a good thing the hotel’s right across the street! You can check in super quickly!” Trucy said.
“And it’s only a short bus ride from here to our apartment,” Athena added. She finished texting and sent the message. “Okay!” She jumped from the sofa and onto her feet. “Let’s go, Apollo!”
“What, now?” Apollo asked.
“Yeah, why not! It wouldn’t be fair to keep Junie waiting for us, after all!” And there was that mischievous grin of hers back.
“Athena,” Mr. Wright suddenly spoke, using his Dad voice. “Don’t you still have case files to review?”
Athena flinched. “Oof… right…”
“Lemme guess, you forgot?” Apollo quipped.
“NO!” she barked. “I was just… gonna get them done later!”
Mr. Wright sighed and leaned back in his chair. “I know we’re all excited that Apollo is back, but there’s still work to be done,” he reminded her.
“I know, I know,” Athena mumbled, looking rather dejected.
“Well… I guess I could always go on ahead,” Apollo suggested.
Athena bolted up straight, hands hovering in front of her face. “Wait, really?” Her eyes were wide with shock.
“Sure. I mean, like you said--it wouldn’t be fair to keep Juniper waiting,” he explained.
“That is so sweet of you, Polly!” Trucy gushed.
“What a gentleman…” Pearl cooed.
At this rate, Apollo was sure his face was going to be permanently stained beet red. “I-I’m going now!” he announced briskly, standing up as he stuffed the banquet invitation in his pocket. As he made his way out the door, luggage in tow, he heard the girls calling out to him, shouting words of encouragement.
They were never going to let him live this down, he knew that much. But, if he had to endure that for the sake of seeing Juniper again after a long time… well, then that wasn’t so bad, was it?
At least the thought of seeing her again helped keep his body warm against the chill of winter.