Disclaimer: I don't own the Ace Attorney franchise, but I'm going to have fun twisting it around.

For Want of a Badge

Chapter 2: Family Ties

"Nick, hello Earth to Nick." Maya's voice cut through the daze that he was in. He looked up at his friend and assistant and made a grunting noise that signified him asking what she wanted. "Are you okay Nick? You haven't even touched your burger."

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine Maya. I just have a lot on my mind is all." That was probably the understatement of the year. His mind was still reeling from today's trial. True, Zak Gramarye had been innocent and he'd managed to get him off for murder, but he'd nearly lost his attorney's badge presenting false evidence. If it hadn't been for Maya being there things would've have ended a lot worse than they had.

Not that things had really ended all that well anyway. Shadi Enigmar aka Zak Gramarye was on the run from the police on obstruction charges. Leaving his eight year old daughter Trucy essentially an orphan. Phoenix stole a glance at the young girl who was also sitting at the table with him and Maya. Trucy seemed like a happy, energetic girl. It made Phoenix wonder if she actually understood what had happened today.

Honestly he hadn't despised a client like this since Matt Engarde. Of course Matt Engarde had been guilty and his actions had led to Maya's kidnapping, and Mr. Enigmar had been innocent. Phoenix just couldn't find it in his heart to forgive a man who would abandon such a sweet girl. He'd have to make some calls to see if Trucy had any family she could stay with, but considering it had been her father's plan for him to take her in he doubted that Trucy had any other family left.

Maya didn't say anything at first, but the look in her eyes told him that she understood what he was thinking about. That didn't surprise Phoenix in the least, they'd been friends, no, best friends for years now, it would be kind of silly if they couldn't tell was going on in the each others heads. "Everything is going to be fine Nick, it always works out in the end. You should know that by now." She said finally.

Phoenix nodded, she had a point he supposed. "Just don't eat too much, the budget is going to be a bit tight this month. After all, since. Mr. Enigmar ran off I didn't get paid for today's trial. I have enough saved from... my last trial to pay the bills, but like I said, it's going to be a bit tight."

Maya looked a bit downcast at that. "But Nick, you know how hard it is to get burgers in Kurain. I have to eat them when I can. Besides I just saved your career, I think the least you can do is pay for a few extra burgers."

Nice guilt trip Maya. "A career doesn't do me any good if I spend so much money on burgers that I can't pay rent and lose my home and office. You're head of the Fey clan now, you of all people should understand the importance of saving money. Your clan has a whole section of its sacred writings dedicated to it. '108 ways to save money' remember?"

"It's actually up to 112 ways now." Maya said. Phoenix wasn't surprised by that in the least, the list had a way of expanding. "I guess I see your point Nick, I just really like burgers." Phoenix chuckled at that.

"I know Maya, I know."

"Wait, daddy didn't pay you old boy? That's not like him at all." Trucy said speaking up for the first time. Phoenix was sweating bullets now, How was he going to explain this to a girl who had for all intents and purposes had just lost a father she idolized. He should have been more careful about what he let slip around Trucy. Thankfully for the second time today Maya was there to save him from his mistakes.

"I'm sure he just forgot. I bet he'll send the money in the mail. Also, you can just call him Nick instead of old boy, he likes that." Trucy brightened up immediately.

'Yeah, I bet that's it. Don't you worry Mr. Nick, daddy will pay you soon."

"Yeah, I bet that's it." Phoenix said scratching the back of his head nervously. Both he and Maya knew the truth though. Shadi Enigmar wasn't coming back. Phoenix turned to Maya next. "I hate to ask such a big favor of you Maya, but could you let Trucy stay in Kurain for a bit while I look for a more permanent solution? I know it's a lot to take on with your training and all but since Trucy and Pearl are about the same age I thought it might be good for them to spend time together. Pearl doesn't get much of a chance to interact with other children after all."

"That's a great idea Nick. Pearl would love having a playmate. I don't think it would be a problem so long as Trucy is okay with it. Kurain can handle having another kid around for a little bit." Maya said.

"Daddy told me I could trust Mr. Nick. If he thinks I'll be safe where you live then I'll go with you Ms. Maya." Trucy said.

"Well now that that's settled we should finish our food. I'll do what I can to find Trucy a place to live, but I can't guarantee that it will be fast or ideal." Phoenix said.

"Don't worry about it Nick, I can handle looking after Trucy until you find something." Maya said.


Trucy was surprised as she and Maya arrived at Kurain village. It was so small. She was used to traveling with her father's troupe and they only performed in big cities. She'd never been anywhere like Kurain before. Maya seemed to notice her staring. "Is something wrong Trucy?" She asked.

"I've just never been in a place that's so tiny. I'm used to living in cities Ms. Maya." Trucy said. Maya smiled at her.

"Yeah I suppose this would be quite a change for someone who traveled with Troupe Grammarye. The people of Kurain aren't like normal people Trucy. My family, the Fey clan, are spirit mediums. We can call upon the spirits of the dead for various reasons. We live secluded from everyone else so that we can train in peace and hone our spiritual power." Maya said.

"Calling upon the spirits of the dead? That must be one heck of a magic trick. You'll have to teach me some time. That would be way cooler than Mr. Hat or even my magic panties!" Trucy started bouncing around excitedly. Maya turned her face away from Trucy.

"It doesn't exactly work like that Trucy, spirit channeling is kind of a family thing. I can't really teach it to you. Also, did you say magic... panties?" She asked.

"Oh I see." Trucy was disappointed that she couldn't learn how to be a spirit medium, but she brightened up immediately when the subject turned to her magic.

"Yeah, I can pull anything out of my magic panties, the crowds are going to love it! Do you want to see them Ms. Maya?" Maya started.

"N-No, that's okay Trucy. I don't need to see your panties." She said quickly.

"Aw, okay." Trucy said hanging her head.

"Don't feel bad Trucy, I'm sure my cousin Pearl would love to see some of your magic. She loves that kind of thing. I'm going to leave you with her while I train for a bit. Please behave Trucy."

"Don't worry about me Ms. Maya. Daddy always said that I was a very responsible girl." Trucy said with a smile. The pair stopped in front of one of the many small housed in the village and Maya slid open the door to reveal a girl about Trucy's own age in a pink version of Maya's outfit and brown hair that was styled into a bow at the top.

The girl turned toward them and upon seeing Maya her face lit up and she ran forward and hugged her. "Mystic Maya you're back! How was your visit with Mr. Nick? You have to tell me all about it." Maya let out a laugh at this.

"You know Nick, he just can't stay out of trouble, I had to help him out again." Maya said.

"Well of course you helped him. Mr. Nick is your special someone." The girl who Trucy had gathered was Maya's cousin Pearl said while peeking out at them through her hands. Trucy could have sworn that she saw Maya blushing a little.

"Pearl, this is Trucy, she's going to be staying with us while Nick find her a new place to live. I have to go train so I need you to look after her while I'm busy okay Pearly?" Trucy didn't miss how quickly Maya changed the subject. Maybe there was something to what Pearl was saying.

"You can count on me Mystic Maya!" Pearl declared. Maya laughed a little and went on her way leaving Trucy and Pearl alone together. "So Trucy are you a friend of Mr. Nick?"

"Yeah he helped my daddy in court. He's such a nice man. You called him Ms. Maya's 'special someone', what does that mean?"

"Well it means that Mystic Maya and Mr. Nick are in love of course. Mr. Nick was all Mystic Maya would talk about when she came back from the city two years ago and just a couple of months ago, he ran across a burning bridge over a dangerous river to try and save her. It's all so very romantic." Pearl was doing that thing where she peaked at people through her hands again.

"Yeah I suppose it is. So Pearl do you want to see a magic trick?" Trucy asked.

"You can do magic?" Pearl asked excitedly.

"Yep, I'm a professional magician." Trucy quickly pulled out Mr, Hat. "this is Mr. Hat, he's my favorite trick."

"That's amazing Trucy! We have to show Mystic Maya when she's done training."

"Don't worry we will."


April 26, 2019, Criminal Affairs Department:

Phoenix tried his best to wait patiently for his appointment. Someone was supposed to meet him here, but they were a half hour late. He hoped that they hadn't forgotten, but given who it was that he was waiting for he wouldn't have put it past them. Still this was important, so they needed to show up soon. At least there were comfortable chairs to sit in.

"Hey pal," A voice called and Phoenix turned to see a scruffy man in a green coat approaching him and smiled, "sorry to keep you waiting, the department's been a bit swamped trying to tie up the loose ends on the Zak Gramarye case on top of our regular workload."

"It's alright Detective Gumshoe, I know you're busy. Thank you for meeting me like this. I want to tie up the loose ends on the Zak Gramarye case as much as you do. Any luck on that subject I asked you to look into?"

Gumshoe shook his head. "As far as we've been able to figure out Trucy Enigmar has no living relatives outside of her father, and you and I both know he isn't coming back pal. He's got the whole department scratching their heads with his escape from the courthouse."

Phoenix sighed. "I was afraid you'd say that, looks like plan B is the only option." Phoenix really wasn't a fan of plan B, especially since it involved playing right into Zak Gramarye's hands, but at this point he really didn't see any other option. Besides, this was about Trucy, not her father, and he wasn't about to turn his back on that sweet little girl like her father had.

"Why'd you have me look into this anyway? My job is to investigate crimes, I don't usually go around digging through the public records like this."

"I know it's a little bit out of your wheelhouse Detective Gumshoe, but you're the only one in the department that I trust enough to do this. I know we're often on the opposite sides of things, but we've helped each other out of enough scrapes that I think I can truly call you my pal."

Gumshoe was positively beaming. "Ah, gee thanks, don't spread this around, but I've gotten rather fond of you and Maya too. That's not going to stop me from trying to get one up in you in court though pal."

"I wouldn't expect anything less Gumshoe." Phoenix said with a laugh. As bumbling as Gumshoe could be at times he was a truly good man and Phoenix was proud to call him his friend. Now if they could just get the poor guy off of the instant noodle diet that would be something.

"Where is Trucy anyway, and what's this plan B you mentioned? I assume you have some sort of living arrangement planned for the poor girl. Being abandoned by her father like that his to be rough, I hope she'll be okay."

"Trucy is staying with Maya in Kurain Village right now, she needed some place to go while you were looking to see if she had any living relatives and I figured Maya could handle looking after a kid for a little while, she does look after Pearl after all. As for my plan B, well, I'm going to adopt Trucy."

"What? Are you serious? Adopting a kid is a huge responsibility, are you sure you can handle it pal. No offense, but you never struck me as the fatherly type." Gumshoe said with a start.

Thanks for the vote of confidence Gumshoe. "I know it's not ideal, but I don't see much choice. The only other option is that the poor girl goes into the system and frankly I think Trucy has been through enough already. Trucy needs someone in her corner and right now I'm the only one who can help her, and you know me, I've never been one to turn my back on someone in need, no matter how dire the situation. Right now I'm just waiting on the paperwork to be approved."

"Yeah, I suppose that's true pal, good luck with that. If there's anything I can do to help just let me know." Gumshoe said, but Phoenix shook his head.

"It's going to be a bit tight, but if I take more cases I should be fine. Anyway, you've done plenty Detective Gumshoe, thank you, all I ask now is that you keep me up to date on any developments in the Zak Gramarye case. Which reminds me, any leads on that forged diary page that almost cost me my job?"

Gumshoe looked away sadly. "Sorry pal, but the department's coming up empty on that front too. Whoever ordered that forgery made sure to cover their tracks really well. We're going to to keep looking, but the odds that we'll find the guy are pretty slim."

"I figured as much, don't worry about it. I'll do some investigation of my own." In truth Phoenix had a pretty good idea who had ordered the forged diary page from Drew Misham, but like the police he was going to have a hard time finding any proof. That didn't mean he wasn't going to try though. "Thank you for your time Gumshoe.

"Not a problem pal." He replied.


April 26, 2019, Gavin Law Office:

Klavier smirked as his brother flicked the light to the law office on. He'd had the distinct impression that Kristoph had been trying to avoid him since he'd lost to Phoenix Wright in the trial of Zak Gramarye, but there were loose ends to that trial, questions that needed answering and Klavier had a sneaking suspicion that his brother could answer those questions.

"Klavier, how did you get in here? I could have you arrested for breaking and entering you know. You're lucky you're my brother." Krisoph snapped.

"Oh I very much doubt that you could have me arrested considering I had a warrant issued. You see the police don't want to leave any stone unturned in the Zak Gramarye case, even if its relation is only tangential. Since you were Gramarye's first defense attorney before he switched to Phoenix Wright you have a connection to the case and I am well within my rights to investigate."

"Tread carefully Klavier, you've already disappointed me once. I handed you Wright and Gramarye on a silver platter and you still manged to bungle it up, perhaps you should drop this case and save yourself any further embarrassment."

"You lied to me Kristoph, you told me that Herr Wright had that diary page forged, but that's impossible, he only became Gramarye's attorney the night before the trial and Gramarye himself never had the time to have it forged either. Phoenix Wright is a good man and you had me disrespect him and nearly destroy his career, why?"

"You would really believe Wright's claims over mine? I'm your brother, you have cut me deep Klavier. Though it boggles my mind how Wright got off for his forgery. He should have been disbarred and Gramarye should be rotting behind bars right now, but they aren't because you failed."

"Zak Gramarye did not commit that murder, and Herr Wright has an airtight alibi that proves he did not order the forgery. That much was proved with the help of Maya Fey and her spirit channeling. It disturbs me that you are so eager to see innocent men punished for crimes the didn't commit Kristoph."

"You've disappointed me yet again Klavier. Spirit channeling, you let Wright and Gramarye get off because of some parlor trick? Have you forgotten everything I taught you? Evidence is the only thing that matters."

"I was skeptical of the power of spirit channeling at first, but then I gained the best kind of evidence, an eye witness account. My first duty is to the truth above all else and Gramarye and Herr Wright were innocent. Though Herr Wright did raise an interesting theory for me to investigate: He proposed that you might have been the one to commission the forged diary page from Drew Misham. I see no point in beating around the bush, did you?"

To Krisoph's credit he didn't even flinch at the question. Though that was to be expected, he wasn't called the Coolest Defense in the West for nothing. In truth Klavier often found his brother's demeanor infuriating, this was one of those times. "Even if I did what would it matter?"

"What would it matter? It would make you a criminal Kristoph!" Klavier sputtered.

"It would at that, but what do you have to base this accusation on other than Wright's assertions? Without decisive evidence you have no case against me. Now, if that is all I'm afraid I must ask you to leave Klavier, you see, I have work to do." Klavier said nothing as he departed. He would get to the bottom of the Zak Gramarye case.


May 3, 2019, Wright & Co. Law Offices:

Phoenix took a deep breath as Maya and Trucy sat down in his office. He wasn't looking forward to this conversation, but at this point he had no choice. "Trucy, there's something we need to talk about. It's been two week since your father... disappeared. We need to start thinking about... your future. I, um, did some calling around. This is hard to say, but, you have no living relatives." Phoenix had to stop and take another deep breath before continuing.

"So... I was wondering if you wanted to stay with me for a while. Just until your daddy comes home. It won't be long. Uh, of course, it's totally your choice. If you don't like it here, you can go wherever you'd like. I could look up some places you might like to stay at..." This was so awkward, and Trucy was just sitting there silent. He was almost glad when Maya broke the tension.

"Nick are you saying what I think you're saying? Are you going to adopt Trucy? Are you sure you can handle that?" Maya asked. Phoenix was about to retort when Trucy spoke up.

"Mr. Nick. Daddy told me about you. He said I could trust you."

"Huh? Really?" Zak Gramarye had barely known him and yet he'd told his daughter that she could trust him? Then again this had been part of his plan all along so he supposed he shouldn't be surprised.

"So, if I stay here does that mean you'll be my family?" Trucy asked

"Huh? Uh... Um... I guess so?"

"Um... Mr. Nick?"

"You can call me Daddy if you'd like. It doesn't have to be today, or anything."

"OK! Say, Daddy?" The transition was so quick it gave Phoenix whiplash.

"Yes?"

"If I move here, I have to switch schools, right? And I was thinking, I haven't paid for lunches at my last school... for a year. So thanks, Daddy!"

"Ah." Was all he could mange though he could already hear his wallet crying.

"Oh, and this office? It's a little blah. A little color goes a long way, you know?" Trucy said.

"You know she's right Nick this office could use a little more color, oh I have just the thing back at Kurain. I can give you a few of my Steel Samurai posters!" Maya said excitedly.

"Maya your sister decorated this office, show some respect." Phoenix protested.

"But Nick some Steel Samurai posters would look great on the walls." Maya said.

"Oh, and Daddy? You don't have a lot of money right? Don't you worry one bit! I'll work twice as hard! We'll make it through this!" Trucy declared. "

Trucy... you're only eight years old." Phoenix said, hoping that would deter her from trying to do something dangerous to get money.

"Don't let appearances deceive you! I'm a young professional! Stick with me and you'll do just fine, Daddy!" She declared.

"Ah, thanks." It already felt like Trucy was in charge.

"So, I have an idea. We'll make a new office! Law just seems so stiff, doesn't it? And no one will be my friend at school that way!" Trucy said.

"Well that won't do, I guess. I just don't know much about anything other than law." Phoenix said.

"Maybe the problem is calling it an 'office'. We should run an 'agency' instead!" Trucy suggested.

"You mean... like a talent agency? Forgive me for asking, but doesn't that require 'talent'?" Phoenix asked.

"You've got me, don'tcha? I'm a professional!" Trucy declared.

"A professional?' This conversation was going all sorts of strange places. "Yup! After all, I am directly descended from the famous Zak Gramarye! Oh...! And now I'm directly descended from the famous Phoenix Wright, too!"

"And you have me, Maya Fey, Ace Spirit Medium directly descended from the legendary Ami Fey. This talent agency is going to do great!" Maya said excitedly.

"Maya, don't encourage this! This is a law office not a talent agency! Trucy, Maya, are are you even listening to me?" Phoenix's protests fell on deaf ears however as Trucy and Maya were already discussing about how to decorate the new talent agency. He needed to put a stop to this and fast, otherwise he would find himself without a law office very soon.

"So Trucy... You're... a 'professional'?" He said trying to get her attention.

"Yes! Um... It's like that thing they say! 'Baby frogs grow up to be frogs'?" Trucy seemed unsure.

"They say that?" Phoenix asked.

"I always thought it was funny, though. Aren't baby frogs called 'tadpoles'? Maybe they thought it would be easier to understand that way for kids. How stupid!" Trucy declared.

"Right. So, in conclusion you're a professional magician, Trucy?" Phoenix asked mostly rhetorically.

"That's right! Well? Well? Wanna see a trick?" Trucy asked.

"You're... going to do a magic trick?" Phoenix asked.

"Show him Mr. Hat, Nick would love Mr. Hat Trucy." Maya said. Phoenix had to wonder what Mr. Hat was.

"Actually, I would like to see your trick." He said.

"That's the spirit! Ready? Here goes! Ta dah!" Trucy pulled off her hat and some sort of wooden puppet appeared.

"Hey folks, it's Mr. Hat! I gotta say it's good to be seen!" Mr. Hat said. Phoenix screamed in surprise, though Maya seemed to thoroughly enjoy the trick.

"Whoa... that was... startling." He said

"The Amazing Mr. Hat! Isn't he great?" Trucy asked over Maya's gushing.

"Your friendly neighborhood Mr. Hat, at your service!" Mr. Hat said.

"He... certainly makes an impression." Phoenix said diplomatically.

"Doesn't he? Ha ha ha! I'm so glad you like him, Daddy!" Trucy said with a smile.

"Though my routines do get a bit 'heady' at times! Hah! Get it? Heady!" Mr. Hat joked.

My friendly neighborhood Mr. Hat nearly gave me a heart attack. Though Mr. Hat did give Phoenix a few ideas about how Zak might have escaped the courthouse that he would need to follow up on. Then Trucy asked another question out of the blue.

"Hey Daddy, is Ms. Maya going to be my new Mommy, I'd love to have brothers and sisters." At this even Maya was stunned silent. Just what I needed, another Pearl.