January 14, 2028 - 5:25 PM

Wright Anything Agency

"Pooooooooolly! Wake up!"

The belligerent noise jolted Apollo Justice off of the couch and to the floor. Rubbing his eyes, Apollo slowly rose off of the ground and turned to face whatever intrusion awoke him from his nap.

"Urgh...Trucy, do you know what time it is? Even I've gotta get my beauty sleep."

Trucy Wright pouted at Apollo, irritated at his laziness. How could someone just lie on the couch so impetuously, especially on her special day?

"Up and at 'em, Polly! You've been lying here ever since we've gotten back from Eldoon's Noodles! You're lucky Daddy went to run errands with Athena, or he would have cut your salary by now!"

(Oh yeah, wouldn't want my tiny salary to get even tinier.)

His mind went to Athena, who so eagerly wanted to prove her worth at the Agency, even by going along to get groceries for the Wright family. Despite only joining the Wright Anything Agency in July, the zealous, young attorney had time and time again shown her ability to turn around a case at the drop of a hat- one of the key tenants of lawyering taught by her mentor, Phoenix Wright.

(Heh...Athena and I have certainly gone through a lot together.)

Suddenly, memories of the month prior began flooding his mind. The bombing of the courtroom, accusing Athena of murder, and the death of Clay Terran.

Clay...Apollo's best friend killed in a flash. The two of them were so close, yet Clay was taken away from him so unfairly. That's what it was. Unfair. Unfair that he was the one who had to die. Unfair that Apollo was forced to live life without him.

His fingers clenched together to form fists. Unable to keep a firm footing on the ground, Apollo moved to the couch and sat down.

"Polly...?" Trucy noted his slouched posture and immediately knew that there was something wrong. "What's going on? Are you okay?" She cautiously moved to sit next to him on the couch as an attempt to comfort him.

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to worry you, it's just..." He slowly turned to look at her. "He was my best friend, Trucy."

She let in a small gasp, hoping it was silent enough so that Apollo wouldn't notice. It wasn't an incident she knew all the details of, but Trucy knew quite well that Clay had been murdered. The incident made a lasting impression on Trucy, which was why it wasn't exactly something she wanted to share with anyone else. Because Trucy knew what it was like to lose someone close to her.

Because she had lost her mother and father.


Trucy Enigmar hadn't always felt like a burden.

At first, life seemed like a fairy tale. Though she was too young to realize what was going on, she could tell that her doting mother and father loved her very much. They were the perfect parents, and at times almost seemed like superheroes. It was like they were impervious to danger. At least, that was what she thought.

Because when Trucy was five years old, something horrific happened.

It seemed like an ordinary day at the house. Her father, Shadi Enigmar, was out working leaving her mother, Thalassa Gramarye, to take care of Trucy until he returned. Trucy had always admired Thalassa because she always seemed to know what was troubling her loving daughter at any given moment. Whether she was hungry or thirsty, Thalassa was there to satiate her needs instantly, providing her with affection- something that deeply satisfied four-year old Trucy.

Soon enough, Shadi returned home with a gargantuan grin wrapped around his face.

Trucy immediately abandoned the toy car she was playing with and bolted towards her father, gripping his legs in an embrace.

"Daddy's home, daddy's home! I missed you!"

Thalassa was not nearly as excited to see him, as evidenced by her look of shock. Because to her, that grin could only mean one thing.

"So...they've decided to go through with it, despite my protests."

Shadi lightly released Trucy's grip on him and pulled her aside, whispering in her ear. "I missed you too, Trucy. But right now, Mommy and I need to talk for a little bit, okay? I promise, after that I can play with you."

"Aww." Trucy crossed her arms and pouted in mock defiance. "Fine! But I'm making you play extra long this time!"

"Ha ha ha! Who am I to refuse my darling daughter?" He tousled her hair gently and she giggled, loving the attention. Finally, she ran off towards the hallway that led to her room.

The instant Trucy left the room, Shadi's grin transformed into a sour frown. He turned to face his wife and slowly stepped towards her.

"Of course we're going through with it. Do you understand what this could mean for the Troupe? The amount of fame we receive will rival Houdini!"

Thalassa's fingers interlocked and her face turned away from her husband. "I understand that. But does any amount of fame matter if I am harmed? Did you three bother to take that into account?"

"To even suggest that we did not is ludicrous. But we are all professionals! There is no chance that-"

"There is always a chance!" Thalassa's voice raised to a scream. Shadi stopped mid-sentence, shocked at his wife's audacity. "You and Valant will be firing from real weapons, yes? And you will be using real bullets? Then there is a risk that I could be hurt...or even...!"

The tense silence hung in the room for some time. From the very conception of this trick, Thalassa had been against the notion that she would be fired at from both Shadi and his partner in Troupe Gramarye, Valant. Shadi had gone to confer with both him, and Thalassa's father, Magnifi Gramarye to discuss whether or not the trick would be performed. She had been told not to go.

"It is because of my father's foolish pride that I was not allowed to go with you. He knew I would not agree to this! He needs to understand that my life is worth more than a silly trick! My father-"

"Your father is a genius! A master of illusions! If I had not trained to become his disciple, I would have nothing! Not you, not Trucy! My mentor is the best thing that has happened to my life. Had he not tutored me, I would have never met you, Thalassa."

Her left hand rose to cover her agape mouth. Suddenly, her breathing quickened and her chest heaved, all composure collapsing in on itself.

"Shadi...I-I...!"

Thalassa fell into his arms. The very thought that she could die caused tears to escape her eyes as she buried her head in his shoulder.

"Thalassa. I guarantee that I will protect you, my love. You have my word."

Thus, the magic trick continued as planned. However, it was never performed in front of an audience. During a rehearsal, Shadi, Valant, and Thalassa moved into position. The two men fired their pistols, and Thalassa was critically wounded. Magnifi immediately informed the two to speak of the incident to no one.

The evening ended in tragedy. Trucy never saw her Mommy again.

Shadi was forced to create an excuse as to why Thalassa had suddenly disappeared from their lives, but as Trucy got older, she slowly began to perceive the truth through her father's mannerisms. Though he initially began to grow closer to his daughter as a means of coping with the situation, Shadi soon resorted to practicing magic more and more fervently in order to never cause a severe mistake again, making Trucy an afterthought. As a result, she often went to bed in tears craving affection, and Shadi either didn't notice, or didn't care.

It was during one of these nights that seven year-old Trucy made up her mind: she would begin practicing magic in order to have her father notice her again.

The Internet held many secrets about a variety of magic tricks, but the budding magician knew she had to start small and work her way up. Painstakingly, she searched over and over for easy tricks to practice: card tricks, bending spoons, magically having her stuffed animal rabbit appear in her father's top hat.

Soon enough, Trucy came to Shadi and presented him with what she had learned by creating a magic show of her own. Fascinated that his daughter had learned many tricks at such a young age, Shadi immediately applauded her efforts.

"Ah ha ha! That was absolutely mesmerizing! Kid, you've got the potential to become one of the greatest young magicians of our time!"

As expected, she was showered in adoration. Shadi's attention turned back towards his daughter, as he frantically worked to fulfill his promise of making Trucy one of the youngest magicians to ever grace the stage. Though it took some time, he stitched together a child-sized costume, a red cape to model his own, and a silk hat. Finally, someone could carry on the family name and join the most elite magicians in the world; Troupe Gramarye would always be the greatest!

Or so he thought.

For just one year later, Magnifi Gramarye, the leader of the Troupe, was dying. And on one fateful April day, Shadi received a letter in the mail that entailed a preposterous request.

To my beloved student, Zak.

To you I entrust the task of lowering my life's curtain. Come on the 13th, 11:05 PM. I will ready a gun with which you will shoot, one shot, square in the forehead. You cannot refuse, and we both know the reason why.

Magnifi Gramarye

And so it was. He was tasked with the ludicrous notion of putting his mentor out of his misery.

But when he arrived in the cramped hospital room...he could not pull himself to do so. Rather, he shot the forehead of a clown doll placed on a machine to Magnifi's right. To Shadi's surprise, Magnifi congratulated him; he had passed the "test."

Shadi was informed that Valant had also been called at a later time to perform the same task for a specific reason. Due to Magnifi's death, his magic and the rights to it would disappear forever. However, he wanted to give each of his disciples a chance at these rights through a test: If the man were to shoot the clown's forehead, they would have passed. If the man instead chose to shoot Magnifi himself, the rights would disappear forever. Shadi came to the realization that he was called first because Magnifi had trusted him moreso than Valant and thus offered him the first chance at these rights. Shadi strode out of the room, complacent that he had won the rights to practice some of the greatest tricks in the country, no, the world!

The next day, he was in prison.

Magnifi had passed away, though it was not due to natural causes.

He was shot, square in the forehead.

"I will ready a gun with which you will shoot, one shot, square in the forehead."

Shadi had been astutely aware that Valant also visited the hospital room and knew that he had to be the true culprit. He could no longer face the man that had betrayed and framed him for this crime, lest hatred rise in his heart. Enraged, he devised one final magic show, that would take place in the district courthouse his trial would be held in. This final act would leave Valant behind forever, allowing Shadi to walk away from this crime scot-free.

April 19, 2019 - 9:10 AM

District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 2

"Are you ready, my dear Trucy?" Shadi stood, beaming at his daughter.

"Of course, Daddy! I just know I'm gonna impress you today!"

Today was the day. The day Trucy would perform in her first magic show.

Shadi knew that what he was about to do was despicable. But his mind returned to Valant, and he truly believed that it was justified. Revenge had to be taken.

"Um, but can we practice before we do it, Daddy? I-I'm a little nervous."

"Ha ha ha! You know these nasty old guards won't let me walk freely around the courtroom. But do you remember how you entered this room?"

Trucy struck a pose with her hands firmly on her hips, imitating her father. "Ha ha ha! Of course I do, Daddy! I entered through the doors!"

Though he was usually jovial, Shadi looked displeased with his daughter. "Yes, Trucy. But it is vital that you understand that you must come back to this room. Look for the plate on the door. It has a two on it, remember?"

"And I have to use Mr. Hat, right?"

"Mr. Hat" was fashioned onto the back of Trucy's costume, hidden by her cape. On command, a cloaked, adult-sized wooden figure could appear and speak whenever Trucy willed it to.

"That's right. You need to use it and run right back to this room! That's all! And if you do that you can impress the bailiff with your magical powers!"

"Hee hee. You really think so, Daddy?"

Shadi bent down on his knee to bring his face to his daughter's level. "Of course I do. Keep watch from the gallery upstairs, and when you see that flash of light, run back to this room with Mr. Hat."

He couldn't bring himself to say anything more. Looking her in the eyes knowing what he was about to do was near impossible.

In the next moment, the then 26 year-old Phoenix Wright entered the room. Having been appointed to Shadi's case only a day before, he was feeling less than prepared. Nevertheless, the trial proceeded as such, with Wright defending to the best of his ability.

Unbeknownst to him, Wright had acquired a piece of forged evidence that he had presented in court not knowing that fact. To Shadi, it merely gave him more reason to flee the trial. In order to interrupt the verdict, Shadi ran out of the courtroom and put his plan in motion. Naively, Trucy assisted in his disappearing act and while Trucy distracted the court bailiff, Shadi had gone without a trace.

"Daddy! I did it! I did exactly what you said!" Her ever-widening smile displayed her clear sense of accomplishment as she ran around the courthouse, searching for her father.

But he would not be found. For seven long years, he would not be found.

Disbarred and disgraced ex-attorney Phoenix Wright chose to take Trucy in as his own because she had no one left to care for her.

Trucy did not take it well. Though she emanated a sense of joy that she always showed to her new Daddy, her mental state was collapsing in on itself.

(Why did Daddy have to leave me...? Is it my fault? Did I not do a good job? I should have practiced more! If I had done that, he never would have left!)

Trucy's self deprecation continued well into her teenage years, and although the passage of time healed her wounds to an extent, their scars were ever present.


Trucy Wright's brief hesitation was enough to catch Apollo's notice.

(My bracelet's tightening...)

On Apollo's left wrist bore an unordinary bracelet that was built out of a special alloy. This enabled the bracelet to fit perfectly on his arm. However, Apollo could detect the nervous tension pent up inside of a person, which caused his bracelet to shrink as a result.

"Trucy, when I told you about Clay, my bracelet tightened."

"...What?" There it was again. Just the slightest of hesitations.

"Trucy, if there's something on your mind...you know you can tell me. Right?"

She was stunned. Was he really trying to perceive her? She had to divert the seriousness from this conversation. Letting her guard down around Apollo was something she could not do.

"Well you know what they say, Polly!" She bounced off of the couch and looked down towards him, bouncing on the tips of her toes. "Dwell too much on the past, and you're sure to come in last!"

(I have never heard that in my life.)

"You're thinking about the past?"

Trucy's left hand rose to cover her mouth in surprise. "Ah!" How could she have been so stupid?!

"Apollo...I didn't mean to try and hide things from you. B-but..." She struggled to keep herself from tearing up. She had to keep it together. "I was thinking about my parents. Well, my dad really. And how...he abandoned me."

Apollo was taken aback. Seeing such a vulnerable side of Trucy was rare. Had she always been hiding behind this wall to keep her true emotions bottled up?

"Hey, you don't need to stress, Trucy." He slowly got up off of the couch and embraced her in a hug. "You haven't been abandoned. You've still got us. Me, Mr. Wright, Athena...we're all here for you. You'll never be abandoned again. Not while we're here."

Though he didn't know it yet, that would be one promise that he wouldn't be able to keep.


Hello there! It's me, the author! This is my first time writing a fanfic, and I'm a little nervous. I'm constantly looking for ways to improve, and thus, feedback is always appreciated.

This serves as the first chapter, but more importantly fleshes out previous backstory and puts it in the perspective of another character: Trucy. I felt that she didn't get enough exposure in Dual Destinies, so I'm developing a story that will largely focus around her.

That being said, I'm excited to develop this story and see what you all think of it! Like I said, any and all feedback is helpful to me as a writer. Unfortunately, I'm not very good with deadlines, so I don't like to set them at all. I'll try to keep updating on a timely basis, but please don't be too disappointed if it takes me awhile to reconfigure certain story elements or such.

Well then! I hope you enjoy what is The Magician's Turnabout!