az: Set post GS4/Apollo Justice. The Japanese localization version is posted on my writing journal, Nashigoren. Feel free to read both version if you want. Some of the translations may be off... as some terms on both English and Japanese are different. Locations and all. And some bits will be different. Feel free to read which versions you liked better.

Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer applies. Because I'm lazy to type long ass disclaimers. Gyakuten Saiban was created by Shuu Takumi. AU pertaining to whatever future plots this game would have.

Rise from the ashes

Turnabout fate

by Izumi Ishtar alias izzu

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Apollo was frustrated. It has been three weeks since that fateful case, yet nothing much has changed. He thought after that case, something big would start to happen around this place. Or so he hoped. That day after the case, Mr. Wright had said that perhaps he would try retaking the Bar Exam to become an attorney again. That one statement of his had made him happy; because after all, Phoenix Wright had been his idol all this time. For the legendary attorney to return into the courts is something like a dream come true. He, of all people; would never let such chances to slip past his fingers! He wanted to learn more of Mr. Wright's skills and knowledge as a defense attorney. Reading up on his old cases just will not do, he needed to see him in action by his own eyes!

That one statement had spurred back his hopes of seeing the legendary Phoenix Wright back in action. It raised his hopes so high, he could have gone singing aloud using his Chords of Steel!

But alas, after three weeks waiting in anticipation... the only thing that Apollo had observed happening around the agency, was for Mr. Wright to start taking a proper piano lesson and actually made some progress on his piano playing. Well, err... sort of. So far, Mr. Wright had only managed to play some simple songs smoothly. He still could not manage to play a lot of the harder tunes aside from some children songs. But Trucy seemed happy about that. Well, at least someone was happy.

Still, he could not help to feel a tad bit disappointed. He had wanted so much to learn even more from Mr. Wright. He had thought about it really. If Mr. Wright becomes an attorney again, he would be able to see how he does his.. err, defending job. And then he would try observe the way he handled a case and learn from it. At least that should be easier for him to pick up rather than having to figure out the meaning of Mr. Wright's encrypted clues. Mr. Wrights past cases reports did not satisfy his curiosity for knowledge enough, despite how concise and detailed his reports were. He had never wrote in detail on what did his Magatama really do or how did he had collected his information and other stuffs like that. Not to mention why most of his cases had involved a certain Fey clan...

Also, Mr. Wright was not one to write his thoughts in his reports as well.

"Aaaaaah! It was so FRUSTRATING!"

"What's so frustrating to you... Apollo? Is there any problem assaulting our dear young attorney now?"

Apollo jumped as he looked up just to find Phoenix Wright staring down at him in amusement.

"Ah!"

The older man eyed him again in concern. Trucy suddenly popped up from behind him as she smiled at him.

'What's the problem, Polly?" said the younger girl.

"Ah! Mr. Wright... Trucy! N-nothing at all!" he said nervously as Phoenix's stare remained unwavering.

"I don't believe you—you must've been hiding something." said the man as he gave him a knowing look. "—Fess up, Apollo. Or do you want me to do it the hard way?"

Apollo started to break a sweat as he looked around for escape. It was only that time that he noticed that the two of them were a bit different today.

"Err... eh! Trucy! It was seldom to see you wearing something other than your magician costume. Going somewhere?" Apollo exclaimed nervously as Trucy shrugged.

"We're going to the funfair! Wanna join us? But Polly... you shouldn't avert the topic just like that. You haven't answered daddy's question!"

Apollo grinned nervously at her. Busted.

Phoenix just shrugged.

"Never mind that... Apollo didn't need to say it aloud any way; I know what's bothering him. I don't even need to break any Psyche-locks to find out about it." said the man coolly.

Apollo blinked. "Y-you... knew, Mr. Wright? Then why did you still asked me about it?"

Phoenix just glanced sideways.

"It's not like it really mattered after all—"

"Didn't matter? You're one of the best defense attorneys there is in this country! What do you mean it didn't matter if you didn't retake the Bar Exam to become a lawyer again?"

The man smirked.

"Finally, the words came out of your mouth. Was it that hard to say it out loud?"

Apollo could barely keep himself from shaking too hard. But before he could say anything, a knock was heard on the door. Both of them turned as Trucy hurried to open the door. A smile immediately adorned the face of the former attorney as he greeted the visitor.

"Now, this is indeed a pleasant surprise! Is there something special happening today? Or did an earthquake happen somewhere so now you've come to me; tails between your legs, to ask to be comforted?"

Adjusting the glasses resting on the bridge of his nose, the man leaning by the side of the door glared at him before walking into the office.

"Haha, very funny. Is this how you treat a friend who had helped you a lot in the past? That Jurist System of yours wouldn't have materialized out of nothing if you alone had been working on it, you know?"

Phoenix laughed aloud.

"My mistake. It's just that I was a bit amused by this sudden visit. You, of all people would not come visiting my office for no reason... Edgeworth."

Apollo stuttered.

"I wasn't mistaken then! You—! You're Miles Edgeworth! The legendary Demon Prosecutor!" exclaimed the lad as both men glanced towards him.

Phoenix raised an eyebrow at Edgeworth in amusement. "You hear that? You're a legend too!"

Edgeworth grinned. "Throw that sarcasm back at yourself, former Legendary Ace Attorney! And yeah... you're right; I did come here with a purpose."

He cocked his head at him.

"Ah... as expected. I guess you also seek the same answers as Mr. Justice here? And may I guess... you came here as a representative of a certain group of friends who were also concerned about my current predicament?"

Edgeworth smiled.

"Your wild guesses are as accurate as always. I guess there are some aspects of yourself that had remained unchanged throughout the years. So, are you going to give an answer to that?"

Apollo was at awe. This man had been able to say aloud the things that he had wanted to say these past three weeks and doing it so flawlessly the way that he could not imagine of doing. To top it off, he managed to counter Mr. Wright's retorts just as smoothly! It was just proof that he still had a lot to learn, he had only faced a number of opponents in court after all. There was Klavier and that 'Rookie Killer' old prosecutor. And the only other attorneys that he knew were Mr. Wright and Mr. Gavin. He never got to know any other attorneys and prosecutors than these people yet. Perhaps, based on his level of experience currently... he probably could not win against Prosecutor Edgeworth in court...

Phoenix's eyes twinkled as he turned towards Apollo.

"Surprised? Well, don't let that get to you. Edgeworth's an old friend; we went FAR back in the old days. Trucy, would you mind to serve some tea for our guest? I know we still have some at the back kitchen—"

Trucy cried her affirmative as she fled to prepare tea. Phoenix smiled fondly as he eyed the fleeting shadow of his adopted daughter.

"So?"

Phoenix turned to cast a sly glance at him.

"Shouldn't you of all people know of my decision already? The situation that I've faced seven years ago was almost similar to yours in a sense. Just that, our positions were different and the results that happened afterwards were also different. Or, should I also leave a piece of note behind and choose death as an answer?"

"You can't be serious!" Apollo gasped as both men cast a knowing glance towards each other. "Choosing death? What kind of decision was that—?"

"You really are bent on getting your answers, aren't you... Apollo? Are you sure you're up for it?" asked the older man as he turned to face him.

Apollo swallowed. That one statement had no inch of any threatening words, yet the message underlining those words were as sharp. There was no turning back from this any more. He nodded.

"Yes, I won't back off from this... Mr. Wright. I'd like to hear the answers from your own mouth."

A sigh.

"Very well..."

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az: I just love writing. And unfortunately for me... as I get into a fandom I tend to; one write a fanfic or two on it. Two, do a cosplay on it. At which nowadays I tend to do both. Let see if I can complete this and not let it hanging like some of the multi-chaptered fic I had.