A/N: Get ready for the trial of a lifetime with an explosive start to Ace Attorney 7! (It'll be Athena-centric, by the way, though Phoenix gets first case) But what will come from the aftermath… (I don't own Ace Attorney, that's Capcom) Anyone you can't find on the wiki is my OC (Of which there will be many) And before you ask, yes, this scenario is possible via the "for this one case" clause (I'm going to assume New York has such a clause, given its liberal status (and the fact it's 2029)

Athena Cykes: Ace Attorney: (Scales of Themis)

Turnabout for the New Year

8:59 PM PST (11:59 PM EST)
December 31st, 2028
Times Square

A camera turns on, zooming in on a reporter. "In just a few seconds, that ball up there will drop and 2029 will be upon us! Everybody count down with me now…"

"TEN!"
"NINE!"
"EIGHT!"
"SEVEN!"
"SIX!"
"FIVE!"
"FOUR!"
"THREE!"
"TWO!"
"ONE!"
"HAPPY NEW-*BZZZT!*"

As the ball drops, a body drops with it, before landing in a broken heap in the middle of Times Square there is screaming, and people begin charging out of the building. The authorities are notified (not that they needed to, they were already on the scene) and reports are already starting to flood in about the murder on New Year's Eve…

9:05 PM PST (12:05 AM EST)
January 1st, 2029
Wright Residence

"DAD!" Trucy belted out from the living room. "What is it, Trucy!?" Phoenix shouted back. That was not the response Maya wanted, as she dragged him over to the couch and let him watch the TV. On screen, a newscaster reported, "Reports are flooding in about the dead body dropped with the ball on New Year's Eve, and the police already suspect homicide. The body has yet to-Wait. Breaking news! The body has been identified as… Justine Courtney! Police suspect the murderer is a certain Raymond Shields, long time friend of Chief Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth, and this will be his first offense on record."

Phoenix stared, jaw wide open. "Wh-wh-WHAT!? I've heard stories from Edgeworth, and Ray's a nice guy! He'd never do anything like murder a judge! For Edgeworth's sake, I hope he isn't prosecuting…" Then his phone rang. "Hello, Phoenix Wright speaking." Ray picked up. "Is this Phoenix? Thank goodness! You gotta defend me! Miles recommended you, and I trust him. Oh, by the way, call me Uncle Ray. You're a friend of his, right?" Phoenix, stunned by the rapid-fire response, simply spluttered out, "Uh, yeah, sure, I'll defend you! When's the trial?" Ray responded, "Let me see… The 4th! You think you can get a case by then?" Phoenix thought. "I'll most certainly try! I know you'd never do that! Mark my words, I'm going to get you that 'Not Guilty' verdict no matter what it takes!" Ray was delighted. "That's the spirit! Let's do this!" With that, he hung up, and Phoenix, now surprisingly exhausted, went to sleep.

9:00 AM PST
January 2nd, 2029
Wright Anything Agency

After getting to the office, Phoenix called Edgeworth to tell him he would be defending Ray Shields. When he did, Edgeworth immediately gave him access to his private jet, as well as booking a room in New York hotel. And that was when Apollo and Athena came in. "BOSS!" Startled at the outburst, Phoenix flinched, before turning around. "What is it, you two?" Apollo started: "We all saw the news! So the question is, you taking the case or not!?" "I most certainly will! Mr. Shields is a friend of Edgeworth, and a friend of Edgeworth is a friend of mine!" Phoenix replied, emphasizing his point. Then Athena asked, "Can one of us be your co-counsel? Or investigative partner? Please…" Phoenix stared. "Sure, but don't trash the jet. It's Edgeworth's, and he'll be very pissed if he finds out. Now, which one of you…" Suddenly, Maya and Pearl burst into the office. "NICK!" shouted Maya as she lunged at him. "This about the case? I'm taking it, don't worry. The real question is who to bring with me…" Then Trucy piped up. "That TV contract is still in effect! I was going to go for a show anyway!" Phoenix processed her words. "Great! Trucy, pack your things! We're headed for the Big Apple!" Trucy pumped her fist. "YAHOO! Thanks, Dad! I'll get on it right away!" With that, the two bolted out of the office, leaving everyone else dumbfounded. Apollo spoke first. "Did he just…" Athena finished. "Yes he did Polly, yes he did." Maya was now very dejected. "Aw… I always wanted to go…"

1:30 PM PST
January 2nd, 2029
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Phoenix and Trucy arrived at LAX and, after explaining to the staff that they were associates of Chief Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth, were directed by an attendant to his jet's hangar. There, they boarded, and after a few minutes, set off for New York.

2:15 PM PST (5:15 PM EST)
January 2nd, 2029
Edgeworth's Private Jet

Once onboard, Phoenix and Trucy were left to explore the jet as they saw fit, but after a short once-over, Phoenix realized there really wasn't much. But then Trucy opened up a drawer that was underneath the large flat screen TV, to reveal… a Steel Samurai box set! "Hey, dad! I didn't know Mr. Edgeworth was a Steel Samurai fanboy! Let's watch!" Phoenix groaned. "I've done this too many times with Maya. Don't even-" But before he could finish, the disc was already in, and the episode they were up to was selected. In moments, the theme song was heard throughout the cabin. Phoenix just facepalmed, then flopped onto the couch to watch it with Trucy.