Chapter Text
February 23rd, 2028
12:00 p.m. (12:00), Wright Anything Agency
Something felt off about Apollo.
“Ever since he’s put that jacket on…it’s like he’s completely changed.”
Athena had said that to Phoenix multiple times in the past few days. Sure, it could be because Clay Terran, the victim of the current case, was Apollo’s closest friend. The bombing of Courtroom No.4 could also have caused him to act differently (that is, if Apollo was capable of surviving an explosion that damaging). Those two incidents could be the reason, but that explanation didn’t sound right. As the case inched closer to its conclusion, Phoenix started to think back to Athena’s words. Was she onto something?
To Phoenix Wright, it now felt as if there were more to this than anyone could’ve imagined. Why- no, how was all of this connected? How was Athena involved in all of this? Was she truly there on the day of the murder? Did he forget any important details? It has been a few months, after all.
For now, Phoenix just sat down on one of the sofas in the Wright Anything Agency. He was alone; it was the first time in years he has felt this lonely. He had an idea of where certain people were: his daughter, Trucy, was looking for Apollo, who was probably still at the space station. Athena was at the detention center— as much as he hated to think about it, she was the newest suspect in this case. The police were probably questioning her right now.
How would he prove Athena’s innocence? If Athena’s truly innocent, then who really is the one behind this murder?
Thought after thought popped up in Wright’s mind, leaving him as fast as they came. One thought, however, stayed through all of this; although he just sat down, the idea caused him to get up and pace around the room. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong here, like he was unknowingly lied to. Just what was wrong here? Did it have to do with Athena? No, that wasn’t it… was it something to do with the victim? At the moment, he wasn’t entirely sure, but something about the victim seemed to bother him.
However, before he was able to follow up on that thought, a loud knocking came from the door. The sound startled Phoenix. Who could possibly be here right now?
As he went to answer, an unsealed envelope was slid under the door.
“An envelope? Is this a letter from someone?”
Phoenix picked up the envelope and took out the letter inside. The paper was a light purple color; it reminded him of a close friend.
> “Hey Nick! It’s been a while, huh? Miss me?”
He recognized the handwriting almost immediately. This was a letter from Maya Fey, a close friend who was now in Khura’in training to become the master of the spirit channeling technique in her home, Kurain Village. Phoenix had been there a few times in the past— Most of the time he went to visit Maya and her cousin, Pearl. There was one time, however, where he had come to visit that led to a murder case. Maya had been accused of murder for the second time, then, but Phoenix was able to prove she was innocent, as he had done with plenty of other clients.
Phoenix continued to read the letter.
> “A lot has happened since we last met. It feels like it’s been foreeever since I last saw you, but it’s only been around two years! Crazy, right? I heard a lot about one of the people you work with recently. I think his name was Apollo? One of the things I’ve read talked about him being your attorney. Some guy with an odd name got killed, and they thought you did it. That’s crazy! I also read about a new judicial system they allowed you to help with. The same guy was the defense there, too…from what I’ve seen, he reminds me a lot of you when we met for the first time. Anyways, I read somewhere that you were holding trial in the middle of an exploding courtroom? That must've really been something, although weird is par for the course with you. I'd love to come visit, but I'm right in the middle of a difficult part in my training. So instead, think of me as you watch those Steel Samurai videos Mr. Edgeworth and I sent. I'm sure they'll cheer you right up!
Yours truly,
Maya Fey
P.S. I bet you've been too busy to clean or take care of the office. So Pearly said she would come help you! Isn't she sweet? You'd better thank her!”
As if on cue, the door in front of Phoenix swung open. He assumed that the person who opened it was Pearl, but he wasn’t able to tell immediately due to the door smacking him in the face, somehow sending him to the floor. The scream following all of this happening confirmed his assumptions, though.
“AAHHHHH!! Mr. Nick, I’m so sorry!!”
It’s been a few months, but Phoenix recognized the voice that he was hearing. It was Pearl Fey, as he had guessed; she is Maya’s cousin and a very talented spirit medium as well, but right now she was standing over him, worried.
“Are…are you alright, Mr. Nick?” she asked. “I can help you get up, if you want..”
“I- agh- I should be okay. Thank you, Pearls.”
Phoenix slowly got back up to his feet, now looking down at Pearl. “Did you only come here to deliver me a letter and help around the office? There’s not much left to do, to be honest..”
“I’m sorry for barging in like that,” Pearl said. “The door was unlocked, and I was worried about you! I thought the office exploded!!”
Phoenix chuckled. “No, the office did not explode. Seems like whatever article you and Maya read had the details off a tiny bit.”
“Oh. I guess we were…um, anyways-” Pearl attempted to change the subject. “You said there’s not much left to do, right? Is there anything I can help with, then, Mr. Nick? Please?”
“Well…” Phoenix thought for a moment. “Would you like to help me investigate a case then, Pearls? I have a few ideas of where to start, and it would help to have someone with me.”
“Yeah, I can do that!! Hopefully I can be helpful to you in some way..”
Phoenix smiled. “You’re always helpful to me, Pearls. Don’t doubt yourself.”
“Alright! Where do you wanna start then, Mr. Nick?”
“Weeell…there are a few people I would like to talk to. I would like to ask Athena a few questions… and while we’re at the Detention Center, I have a few questions for Prosecutor Blackquill and Apollo as well.”
“Why the prosecutor? Isn’t he the bad guy or something?”
“I…guess so? But prosecutors are also great at helping us find the truth. The case that sent him to prison is no doubt related, and I need to understand it to understand the truth.”
Pearl looked down, thinking. “I guess that makes sense…” She paused. “Would starting at the Detention Center be a good idea?”
“That’s a great idea, actually. Since two of the people we need to talk to are probably there now, we should go there first.”
“What will we do when we’re finished investigating there?”
“I guess we’ll figure out what to do when we need to. Are you ready to go, Pearls?”
“Um…I guess I am. Let’s go!!”
As they left and their conversation ended, Phoenix started to think about his theories from earlier. Maybe this would help him figure out what felt so wrong about the explanations for Apollo’s mood shift. Maybe they’d see each other again; that is, if Phoenix and Pearl return to the Space Station. Maybe then he could confront Apollo about the things bothering him.