ThePudz: Well… I am collaborating with my inspiration… Again. In all seriousness, I'm sure you're all aware how much the ending of Spirit of Justice broke us. So what can we do during the wait until Ace Attorney 7, where they will hopefully bring Apollo back? WE WRITE FANFICTION ABOUT HIS RETURN, WHAT ELSE. So this time, we are writing less magic and swords, and more fluff and feels. We really hope you guys enjoy this. We are excited to see your feedback! Here is the first chapter by none other and yours truly...

Yanmegaman: Hi diddily ho, readerinos! I'm excited to be a part of another collab project with my mate from down under, thepudz! This time around, we're stepping out of the realm of medieval fantasy and tackling our mutual shipping obsession: Justicykes! As I'm sure many others were, we were devastated by the ending of Spirit of Justice. Especially how it pulled our OTP apart from one another! So our solution? Why get these lovebirds back together! This chapter is courtesy of the recovering Violent Little Freak himself, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

(Cover Image Credit: Ticcytx.)

"I've… I've made up my mind. I… I still have so many things to learn from you! But… I've decided to stay in Khura'in."

Athena Cykes' Apartment
May 23, 2030

Athena never knew a single sentence could haunt someone so much.

Two years. It had been two years since Apollo's decision to stay in Khura'in. Two damn years. Athena still remembered the impact of the shock she felt when Apollo said those words… It was as if a truck carrying a hundred tonnes had run into her at full speed and ripped her heart out alongside it.

Apollo's decision to stay in Khura'in was something Athena tried to support. And she left Apollo with a smile on her face, but tears in her eyes. Because in reality, she hated that decision. They'd known each other for a year, they'd grown on one another, they'd gone through so much, and it all melted down to a separation. Their link was broken, everything between them was smashed and Athena had never felt so betrayed in her life.

She'd cry herself to sleep most nights just thinking about it. She hugged Apollo before she left, and she never wanted to let go. She was even tempted to kiss him, but she didn't want to make their last moments awkward. She loved the man. Loved him. But that love was taken and destroyed, because it was obvious Apollo didn't return it. The love she felt for Apollo was completely obliterated and never would be restored.

At least, that's what it felt like.

He promised he'd return. Athena held onto that promise like it was the only damn thing that mattered to her in this world, but she'd let go of that promise long ago. It was clear Apollo was just giving out false hope. He didn't care about Athena, he never cared about Athena. All he cared about was being the big-shot lawyer who saved a country from its legal system. Because being famous was more important than friends to Apollo.

I feel like such a bitch when I think these things… But I'm thinking the truth. Apollo never cared about me… And he never will… Athena wasn't sleeping at two in the morning. She'd barely slept in the last two years, her attitude dropped completely. Now, she was just this empty shell of a woman. Barely recognizable, just skin, muscle and bones. No soul or compassion or anything, just get up, go to work, wait until nine, and go home. That was her life now, a daily routine of doing the same thing, over and over.

Back in the past, work wasn't so dull. She messed around with Apollo when she was bored, if she had to do overtime, she did it with him. There were no silent nights between them, no boring moments. Something was always happening, and that made work enjoyable for Athena in a ways.

Now, even with Trucy and Phoenix, it was just dull.

Athena threw the sheets off her, staring up at the ceiling. She didn't feel tired, but if you looked at her, you'd think she'd be ready to pass out any second. Bags under her eyes, a slump in her step, and an empty bed. She used to share this apartment with Apollo. When she moved from Europe, she had no place to stay, so she crashed at Apollo's for a year. They were roommates, good ones, and they spent nights together. Athena used to love those nights of arguing who was cooking dinner, going out to get groceries, she would start a pillow fight, or Apollo and her would just nap, with her head rested on his lap or shoulder.

Now she regretted those nights. She regretted the fact she never told him the truth. She had more opportunities than she could count to confess to Apollo, but she always chickened out. Now she regretted doing so, because if she did, maybe Apollo would've stayed…

Maybe Athena still would've loved him…

Athena suddenly felt a weight jump onto the end of the bed. She looked down to see her cat, Luna. It had glowing blue eyes that shined in the darkness, and its fur was completely black except for white patches on its body and face. Athena had adopted Luna a month after Apollo left so she could have some company without him. Needless to say, Luna helped a bit. She was cuddly and nice to only Athena, but absolutely despised anyone else.

Luna walked up on Athena's body, and the lawyer smiled slightly, petting behind Luna's ear, to which she purred to. A cat's purr was a beautiful sound to Athena. It always soothed her and made her more comfortable. It was at just the right tone for the girl's sensitive ears.

Apollo never snored. Athena didn't know why, but every time she heard Luna's purr, that was what her thoughts were. She used to get an easy night of sleep because that man was as quiet as a mouse when he slept. Of course, when he woke up to do his daily Chords of Steel, it was a different story. But surprisingly, he never snored.

Even two years later… As much as I try, I really can't get Apollo out of my head…

It looked like it was going to be another all-nighter. Athena had plenty of those. Whenever Apollo came to her head, she could never sleep, because he'd just latch onto her brain and refuse to let go. She hated him so damn much, yet she could never stop thinking about him…

The woman swung her legs over the bed, putting on a long yellow shirt that covered her down to just below her waist. It was her lazy shirt that covered the necessary parts and it was comfortable enough. She walked down the hallway that led to her kitchen and longue room, rubbing her eye with her palm as she did so to remove the sleep. She used to have pictures of her and Apollo all over the apartment, but they were removed soon after he left. She'd rather do her hardest to forget him, even if it was so hard.

He was never coming back, and Athena needed to accept that.

Athena lied down on the couch, grabbing the charging Widget and wrapping it around her neck. It lit up a deep blue, and Athena sighed. "Emotion reading off."

The blue faded, and Widget was just a basic white. Every time Athena put Widget around her neck, it just lit up blue, and the lawyer got rather sick of being reminded she was depressed. She heard rain outside, and it was heavy. It bucketed down, which used to make for easier sleeps for Athena, but now it just reminded her of her emotions currently.

She scrolled throughout the multiple applications Widget had, not picking a single one. She didn't even know why she did this, but it was better than falling asleep and risking a dream… No, a nightmare about Apollo.

Suddenly, Athena saw headlights shine through the front door window. A car? Who'd be coming here at two in the morning? Athena went over to the window to see someone getting out of a taxi and paying a driver. Athena couldn't see whoever it was since it was so dark out, but it was most likely a tourist or someone just staying temporarily. Athena lied back down on her couch, and she heard Luna meow at her.

"It's no one. Don't worry." Athena croaked to the cat. It did a soft, low meow in response, before going back to its own bed. Athena heard the footsteps on the stairs that lead to the upper level apartments. She felt sorry for anyone who was sleeping right now, because those steps would surely wake them up. The steps went in Athena's direction, and just when she thought they were going to go past, they stopped right outside her door.

Then, Athena heard knocking.

What the… Athena got up, going over to the door to unhook the bolt and undo the lock. She cracked open the door slightly.

"I hope I didn't wake you." A male voice came from the other side. Athena froze. That voice, it sounded so… Familiar… Athena fully opened the door, and her eyes widened at the sight before her.

Two horns for hair… Grown a slight stubble… That cute face…

Oh my god… This is Apollo…

For the first time in two years, the pair laid eyes on one another. Her deep blue eyes gazing into his own dark brown ones. He'd grown a little taller, had a bit more muscle, but he was still the same, dorky Apollo. There was silence. Lots of it. Too much of it. "A-Apollo…"

Apollo smiled at Athena, who was still trying to take all of this in. Here he is, 2:00 AM on a Friday morning, standing outside Athena's apartment, smiling at her. Her emotions erupted… Joy, sadness, shocked, nervousness…

But the biggest of all was rage.

"I take it you're not happy to see me?" Apollo sighed as he took notice of Athena's glare. She turned around, walking away to comprehend all of this. She placed the tips of her fingers against her forehead, and Apollo took the opportunity to step in, turning on the lights.

"No… No, I'm not happy at all." Athena hissed. Apollo expected this reaction, and he attempted to place a hand on Athena's shoulder, trying to comfort her.

"Athena, I understand-"

"Understand? You… You understand?!" Athena quickly turned, staring at him as if he was the biggest idiot in the world. Apollo slightly backed up, and Athena didn't hold back. "You understand how I've been the last two years, huh?!"

Apollo tried to find some way to make it up to this girl. He crossed his arms, sighing. "Athena… I'm so, so, so sorry. I really am. You need to trust me on this… I hated leaving you just as much as you hated it."

"Then why did you leave in the first place?!" Athena screamed. This was the explosion Apollo was bracing for… "For the last two years, I have suffered! We were partners, Apollo! Partners never abandon each other… I guess being some big-shot lawyer was way more important to you than I was."

"Athena, c'mon. That's not true." Apollo said in a comforting voice. Suddenly, he heard a sharp hiss, and looked down to his feet to see a cat putting on a death stare and shooting it directly at him. "Y-You… Have a cat?"

"Her name is Luna. You want to know why I have a cat?" Athena walked up to Apollo, her face mere millimeters away from his. That's when Apollo spotted the tears in her eyes, and he'd never felt such guilt in his life. "It's because I was lonely without you Apollo… I needed someone to comfort me…"

Apollo wasn't sure if he was allowed to hug Athena, but he didn't get the chance to as the woman walked away. "We were friends… For a year… I… I lov- I really liked you, Apollo! I forgave you for accusing me of murder because you were doing everything you could to trust me… But what was the point in leaving me?! I've felt horrible for the last two years without you… Look at me, Apollo! I'm a goddamn mess!"

She was. She really was. Her skin was pale, she was skinnier then when he last saw her and the bags under her eyes were strong. Athena looked away from Apollo, and she started to sob. "Athena… I had to stay in Khura'in. Someone needed to fix their courts, and I was the only one who could do it… Please, you have to believe me, I never wanted to abandon you… But I had to, Athena."

"No…" Athena looked up to Apollo, tears in her eyes and some streaming down her cheeks. "You didn't have to stay. You made the choice to stay. And that choice ruined me forever. Remember when I held your hand, Apollo? You were scared of heights, and I held your hand to comfort you… That wasn't the only time. But when my hand needed holding, when I needed comforting… You held it, and then…"

Athena sniffed, and she glared at Apollo. "You let go."

The cat hissed yet again at Apollo, and it seemed it was going to claw at his throat any second. "Now, Apollo… Get out."

"Huh?" Apollo looked up at Athena. She wanted to push him, but she didn't want to touch him, so she simply pointed to the door, looking away from Apollo. "Get out, Apollo. I'll see you in the morning, and we'll talk more then."

"Athena, come on. I've got nowhere else to go." Apollo sighed.

"And I had nowhere to go because I was lost without you!" Athena screamed her lungs raw. "So maybe you'll understand what it's like! GET OUT!"

Apollo took Athena's hand in his own, and Athena froze. His hands were rough and coarse, and they contradicted her smooth, beautiful ones. She looked up at Apollo, her mouth slightly open. "Athena, I'm sorry… I really am."

Athena was frozen. But she shut her eyes, and took her hand out of Apollo's. "W-We… We'll talk more in the morning. Get out."

Apollo wanted to comfort her, but it was obvious she wasn't in the mood to listen to him. She got impatient, and placed her hand on Apollo's chest. It had gotten stronger, buffer. He obviously did some work in Khura'in, because holy crap, he had certainly got stronger.

Athena snapped out of that state and starting pushing Apollo. She gently shoved him out of the door. "Maybe I didn't make myself clear. For the last time, Apollo…"

She grabbed the door, screaming as she slammed it. "Geeeeeet OUT!"

The door slammed in Apollo's face, and he was already getting drenched in the rain. "Athena, it's raining out here. I'll freeze."

"Too bad!" Athena screamed from inside.

"Athena, I swear I can make all of this up to you. I'll do anything. You know I kept a picture of you on my desk in Khura'in… You never left my mind, ever. I wasn't trying to forget you, I never wanted to forget you. You were the most precious thing I had in Khura'in, right next to my attorney's badge." Apollo called out. There was some silence, and Apollo silently prayed what he had said had gotten to Athena.

Suddenly, Apollo heard the lock being undone, and Athena opened the door for him. "You're taking the couch."

Apollo sighed with relief, and he stepped in to the apartment again. Apollo closed the door behind him, and by the time he had stepped in, Athena was already at the door of her bedroom. "Athena-"

"We'll talk more in the morning." Athena said as she opened the bedroom door. Apollo sighed, before trying to smile for Athena.

"Okay. See you in the morning, Tiger." Apollo called out. Athena froze at that nickname… She hadn't been called that in two years. She looked at Apollo, and the man could've sword that for a nanosecond, she smiled.

"Apollo…" Athena sighed. She closed her eyes. "I'mreallygladthatyou'reback."

And with that burst, Athena shut her bedroom door. Apollo didn't catch a single word, but he shook his head. He lied down on the couch, and he saw Widget on the coffee table next to him. He hadn't seen that gadget in so many years… He took it in his hand, and suddenly, he felt something jump onto his legs.

It was Luna.

Luna hissed at Apollo yet again, before curling up on his chest, locking Apollo into place. The man couldn't move unless he wanted to die, so he simply put Widget on charge. And with the uncomfortable weight on his chest, Apollo fell asleep in his apartment for the first time in two years.

The morning is certainly going to be interesting… But I'm happy I can finally see her again. It's been so long, not even a call or anything… I feel so damn bad for abandoning her like that… But it had to be done…

Hopefully everything will be sorted out tomorrow… I didn't come back for her to hate me.