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"Okay, you ready?"
Since his high school days, Saturday nights were movie nights at Clay Terran's house.
Apart from all the sci-fi flicks that had flashed across the screens in the past 50 years, Clay's Blu-Ray shelf consisted of the most significant hits of the film and series world from a variety of genres.
Many of these works he could already speak along with backwards and forwards.
But on this Saturday, it was less about his own amusement than about the mind of his best friend, who was sitting on the couch, lost in thought.
That various black holes had not already opened up in the small living room of Clay's flat was close to a miracle.
"Come on, Apollo! You get to pick!" said Clay as he sat cross-legged in front of his considerable collection.
He couldn't blame Apollo for his mood. If he himself had lost his job a few weeks ago, or failed his astronaut tests, the roles would probably be reversed.
Maybe he should have taken the huge ice cream tub out of the fridge and stuffed his friend's mouth with cold sugar until his stomach ached and he couldn't even think about Gavin, Wright or anyone else.
But that wouldn't solve the problem in the long run.
"I don't know...do we even have to watch anything?" came a growl from the young man on the couch.
Clay sighed.
"Nah of course not, but I thought you might be up for an episode of Arzt Wer or the new Star Struggles?"
Normally, those were two franchises that could always make Apollo Justice smile, the two of them having made a sacred ritual out of never missing a single episode or spin-off in their childhood.
"I'm not really in the mood for anything. Sorry, Clay. Maybe I should just go back home."
"Don't you dare! When was the last time we had time to hang out like this? You stay here and if I chain you somewhere."
With a sharp breath, the young astronaut plonked himself down on the couch next to his friend.
Ever since Clay had been accepted to be part of the next Gyaxa crew and his training had really taken off, the two dreamers hardly ever got around to catching up in person on the latest happenings in each other's lives.
The last meeting had been at Apollo's home, shortly after his boss had been taken away in handcuffs, and Clay didn't really remember that day fondly.
He had never seen the lawyer so distraught.
Even the magic formula "I'm fine" had got stuck in his throat.
Although Apollo had been offered a job by his acquitted client, one Phoenix Wright, Clay knew how much his friend was struggling with this decision. Day after day. Night after night.
"Remember when we went to the movies to watch the special on the 30th anniversary of Arzt Wer? Where they brought back a lot of the old Ärzte and they teamed up against the...um...what were they called?"
"The Rawrleks"
"Right, when they fought them. What had the last Arzt said to his companion then?"
Clay knew the answer and Clay also knew that Apollo knew the answer.
It was that little speech from the weird, trashy, german sci-fi series that had spoken so much to both of their hearts as children.
Apollo took a deep breath and Clay noticed the tremor in his voice as the quote left his friend's lips.
" 'Maybe today is not your day, maybe not tomorrow or the day after or 10 years from now but, dear Whatshernameagain, your sun will rise far brighter than all the stars in the sky put together' Oh Clay..."
" And when it does, I'll be there to make sure your butt doesn't leave this sunny spot anytime soon. Yes, sir!"
Finally, a smile crept onto Apollo's face, which was immediately reflected in Clay's broad grin.
He lovingly patted the lawyer on the head.
"And now! My secret weapon!" he announced proudly, jumping back up from the couch "We both know we've been dodging this for far too long, but today is the perfect Saturday for it. I FEEL that!"
After a quick rummage through his shelf, Clay finally pulled out a slipcase almost as big as one of his arms.
"Game of Cones? Are you su-"
"I've never been more sure! We've got a long night ahead of us!"
Apollo would be fine.
Sooner or later, everything would be fine.
And Clay could hardly wait until that time came.