~~Hi everyone! This is my first entry after being unable to get Edgeworth and Phoenix out of my head for the past week. Events take place during and after Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney. Please review and leave comments, they are much appreciated!~~


Chapter 1: Blindsided

April 19, 2019: Approximately 7 Years Prior

Face drained of all color, Phoenix Wright entered the Wright & Co. Law Offices, unsure if his heart palpitations would continue, worsen or suddenly halt resulting in his death. The matter of life and death…he was even more unsure of which he preferred at this moment. I lost a case. Hell, I don't care if I lost the case. Did I even…can you lose if the defendant vanishes before the verdict is given?

Phoenix's mind flooded with the recent events of the Magnifi Gramarye murder trial, where he represented Shadi Enigmar, better known as Zak Gramarye. Furthermore, he experienced such embarrassment in front of that thoroughbred prosecutor, Klavier Gavin, who seemed to anticipate the disastrous turn of events. Fabricated evidence? Passed to me through a girl about Pearls' age?! Who would do that?! WHY? It would take really son-of-a—

Phoenix felt a gentle tug at his hand, "Um, Old Boy? Are you listening?"

Phoenix looked down and weakly met the large, curious eyes of the Pearls-sized, unwitting messenger bearing tainted goods, Trucy Enigmar. Little Trucy, who had just lost her father in a vanishing act… Little Trucy who was likely used to magic bringing wonderful things into the world, not taking them away. He sighed, feeling suddenly very selfish and inconsiderate, kneeling down so their eyes were level.

"I'm so sorry, Trucy. There were a lot of surprises today that even I couldn't keep it together and it's…amazing I even made it here I think. What were you saying?"

Phoenix felt the girl's probing eyes burn into him, accompanied by a beaming smile he was positive she put on for his benefit alone. Surely a part of her training as a magician and entertainer, she's shining it on like a professional. He returned the smile weakly, biting the inside of his cheek to inhibit any tears creeping in the background.

"Well, Daddy's gone away for a bit. What should we do? I bet he would –"

Phoenix was distracted by a small red envelope he eyed on his desk, sealed in wax. "Trucy, take a seat on the couch. There's a remote on the coffee table, you can watch something. I just need a second if that's okay." He patted the young girl's gloved hand and gently nudged her by the shoulder toward the sofa, where he'd spent years watching a certain spirit medium take in a plethora of Samurai-related entertainment.

Trucy nodded, ever-beaming, situating herself on the couch "Let me know if you need any help! I'm right here, Old Boy."

"Just call me…never mind." Phoenix cautiously approached the desk, wary of being ambushed again by letters, pieces of evidence. Nevertheless, he reached his fingers underneath the flap of the envelope, gently loosening it to maintain the integrity of the seal. He fished out a small parchment-colored letter and hastily unfolded it, reading silently.

~ Mr. Wright, I know my sudden disappearance from court was not the intended nor desired outcome for you, though it was impossible for a verdict to be declared as I had stated. Despite the cruel and unjust circumstances we experienced in the trial, I must make a final request. To avoid endangering my daughter further, I ask that you look after Trucy for the time I am away. Your level of character and integrity is undeniable, and with Valant's transgressions, there is no one I trust enough with this task. If you feel pressured to reveal this note to the police for their investigation, do so and be assured there are not traces left to track. Please accept this modest sum as payment for your services. -S.E. ~

Ten 100 dollar bills were carefully tucked into the envelope. A thousand dollars, far exceeding what was expected given the lack of notice, preparation, and victory. Phoenix's hand clamped the edge of the desk to avoid trembling, but his white knuckles would surely give him away. 'Til he returns, huh? So, I'm the replacement dad? Phoenix shook his head, tempted to strike the desk and object. Instead, he removed his badge, that beacon of pride that was now suddenly tarnished by the memories of that day. He would never again be the champion of the forgotten in court, never investigate with Maya and Pearls, never collaborate with Gumshoe, never share the intense gaze of his dearest friend and rival in the heat of battle to search for the truth…

Phoenix's head collapsed against the desk and he felt the sting of tears. Oh Mia…this was your place, you trusted me with it and I –

He felt a gentle hand on his shoulder and looked up to the bright-eyed Trucy, unaware of the magic she inhabited with every glance and smile.

Unable to hide the truth, the attorney Phoenix took a deep breath and spoke in measured words, "Your father left me a note. It seems like you and I are going to spend more time together. Would you like to stay with me?" Force your biggest smile, Phoenix. Sell it. "And you can call me Phoenix. Or Nick…if that's easier."

Trucy's eyes clearly fought back her own sense of loss, but she seemed to take Phoenix's lead and beamed back at him. "You're Daddy's understudy in the show? Then I'll just call you Daddy."

Before Phoenix could protest, a dignified yet insistent knocking at the door caught both of them by surprise. Phoenix held Trucy back and held a finger to his lips, unsure of who would be coming to see him at this hour and not eager to invite further bad luck.

The knocking repeated nearly identically, accompanied by, "Wright, this is Miles Edgeworth."

Phoenix felt his stomach lurch and nearly jumped out of the office chair. Realizing Trucy's presence, he gestured for her to sit in his chair instead as he approached the door with an indescribable combination of dread and longing. His hands shook as he turned the lock, then the knob, his transparent blue eyes slowly meeting the fiercely guarded grey ones through the crack in the door. Phoenix shook his head, hopeless, feeling incapable of opening the door further, realizing for once he was the one afraid of being seen or found out and Edgeworth would surely pursue the truth this time.

Edgeworth's eyes narrowed, finger tapping at his right temple. His voice, low and intense, resounded "Wright, I am not accustomed to social calls nor waiting on anyone's doorstep. I demand that you let me in."

Phoenix relented, opening the door and avoiding the eyes of what truly felt like the Demon Prosecutor. Edgeworth stepped in confidently but was taken aback by the sight of the young girl in a magician's cape and hat grinning at him from Phoenix's desk. She eagerly ran up next to Phoenix, holding his hand.

"Edgeworth, this is Trucy Enigmar, my client's daughter. Trucy, this is Prosecutor Edgeworth."

Trucy's widened further, "Oooh, are you one of Daddy's friends? Pleased to meet you!"

Trucy extended her hand eagerly while Phoenix face erupted crimson as he avoided Edgeworth's gaze, unable to approximate the neck scratch and goofy grin he often did when embarrassed. Edgeworth knit his eyebrows together, surely taking in multiple unexpected variables, and gently shook her hand, "A pleasure, Miss Enigmar. I wish it were under better circumstances."

Phoenix managed to get to the neck scratching phase of embarrassment, "Um, Trucy? Why don't you sit on the couch and watch some Kids' Masterpiece Theatre? Pearls- this girl your age, really likes it. Mr. Edgeworth and I need to talk about some court stuff in the other room. Do you need anything?"

"No Daddy, I'm fine, take your time with your friend." She sat again on the couch, turning on the TV, but more concerned with the playing cards she had fished from her hat, perhaps fashioning a new magic trick.

She's handling this so much better than I am. Sure I'm going to lose my badge, but who knows when her father's coming back and I have to raise her? She got the short end of the stick. Phoenix became alert again when sitting next to Edgeworth in Mia's old office in older, brown-leather chairs that could not possibly meet the prosecutor's aesthetic standards. Mia always said to spend money on the stuff the clients use but not her own. A long, tense silence passed between rivals, between friends.

Finally, Edgeworth, pinching the bridge of his nose, exhaled, "Wright."

Phoenix's breath shuddered as he struggled to take it in. "Yes?" He responded anxiously. Edgeworth looked up and met his gaze, comprised mostly of bewilderment.

"Edgeworth, I didn't…"

"Wright, I know you didn't forge evidence! …Especially after the hard time you gave me as Von Karma's protégé."

Phoenix, momentarily taken aback by the prosecutor's interjection, shook his head, "How do you even know what happened?" Silence.

He sighed, defeated, "They're going to take my badge. I look like such a hypocrite, the Bar Association ethics committee is probably foaming at the mouth…"

Edgeworth's wheels were turning as he crossed his arms. "Detective Gumshoe called me first, then I talked to Gavin when he returned to the Prosecutor's Office. He, too, appeared unconvinced of your culpability in preparing that evidence, given your candid reaction in court, no doubt."

Clenched jaw, the prosecutor continued, "Wright, where did you get this evidence? Why did you fail to vet it out?"

Phoenix painfully described the course of the trial including Trucy's role as messenger as well as her father's letter and plea. Edgeworth's neutral expression was largely maintained, his eyes cool and distant, occasionally meeting Phoenix's gaze, enigmatic, though the defense attorney wondered if there was a shred of melancholy somewhere hidden.

"Wright, I—" Edgeworth shifted uncomfortably in his chair, his right hand gripping his left bicep tightly as he appeared to mull over his words. "If the evidence had been forged by someone else and Gavin was warned of this…Wright, I wish I had been the prosecutor in this case."

"But c'mon Edgeworth, you would never share information in the middle of a –" Phoenix paused as Edgeworth's eyes narrowed.

"Don't be foolish, I would have warned you. I have no desire to watch you fail from your own unconventional methods so tragically. But this lack of preparation…even for you Wright…"

"I won a card game with my client and he insisted I take the case."

Edgeworth sighed and rubbed his temple, "Wright…" Edgeworth eyed the clock ticking in the corner, shaking his head. He met Phoenix's gaze again, the prosecutor's grey eyes softening slightly.

"I must get going soon, Wright. But… I will do all in my power to help you save your badge. I doubt they will let me serve on the Committee for your hearing…as you know those rumors still float about the Prosecutor's Office."

Phoenix smiled slightly, feeling suddenly light with the knowledge that he and his rival weren't quite colleagues at the moment. The prosecutor's shoulders stiffened before relaxing slightly. "They won't let you on the Committee because we're close."

Edgeworth's cheeks flushed slightly, "What on earth are you speaking of, Wright?"

Phoenix laughed, a little gravelly, as his deep sea blue eyes, ever transparent, met Edgeworth's "Nothing. I- Thank you, Miles. For believing in me yet again."

Edgeworth's eyes weakened again, that hint of melancholy, as his lips fought an almost-smile,

"You taught me how, Wright."

Edgeworth averted his gaze suddenly, clearing his throat and exiting the room. Phoenix followed quickly after, a sinking pit in his stomach as his friend was departing so soon.

"I'll check in the next couple of days. I suggest you take some time to visit Miss Fey in Kurain Village before the hearing and perhaps seek her advice on your sudden guardianship."

Phoenix nodded in agreement and reached out to Edgeworth's shoulder over the threshold of the front door. He feared his words would overflow and he would have no control over them. It never felt like they had enough time.

"Miles…"

Edgeworth nodded curtly, "Until next time." His gaze drifted over to Trucy on the couch, "Goodnight, Miss Enigmar."

And Edgeworth turned on his heel before Trucy could respond, his dark trench coat and maroon suit vanishing all too quickly into the twilight hour.

"Daddy? Have you considered running a talent agency?"


~~I really appreciate any reviews or comments, as this is my first work and I would like to grow and improve! Thank you for taking the time and I plan to update on a weekly basis at the very least.~~