IV.
December 31, 2019
In these past twelve months, Phoenix Wright had lost several things that meant a lot to him. Things he'd never expected to lose, things he'd taken for granted, and things he thought he'd have for many more years to come.
In February, Phoenix came close to losing his life. Or at least that's what would be expected of someone who ran onto a burning bridge only to fall into freezing waters from a quite a considerable height. He also came close to losing his assistant and best friend, but it turns out she'd been in the courtroom with him all along, just not beside him. Nor was she the same person. But Phoenix didn't want to think about that episode of their lives again.
It was in April that he lost his assistant and best friend. Not in the same way he thought he'd lost her back in February, but it might as well have been. At least, that's what it felt like the week after she'd boarded the train and left Los Angeles. It was like two years ago all over again and oh my god the office was just so freakin' quiet.
And since the universe felt so generous, they decided to make Phoenix's life even harder. A few days later, Phoenix Wright lost his badge. Two years before, he would have never imagined having his attorney's badge taken away from him. He would've given you a tight-lipped smile and politely excuse himself. You wouldn't believe this crazy story this person told me today, he'd rant later on back at the office and have a good laugh.
Now normally, losing his badge would have been the last push over his tipping point. He'd already welcomed the dark, depressing thoughts into his mind the moment he stepped out of the courtroom. And he did consider following the footsteps of an old friend and pulling an "Ex-Attorney Phoenix Wright chooses death", but several lengthy phone calls with said old friend and a brief visit from earlier mentioned (now also former) assistant and best friend knocked some sense into him. And thank goodness they did, he'd think to himself later.
Because while the universe took away several things that meant a lot to him, it also gave him the little girl currently perched on his shoulders. The sweet, bright-eyed little girl that got him out of bed every morning and made him read bedtime stories to her at night. Both Phoenix Wright and Trucy Gramarye—no, Trucy Wright—spent the remaining six months moving past what they'd lost (his career, her family) and building the new life they had together as father and daughter.
As he held her high, she ooh-ed and aah-ed over the colorful explosions in the sky. Booms and fizzes filled the air. Wow, Daddy! she exclaimed, awestruck. Did you see that?! Her voice was full of admiration and excitement.
After the grand celebration, he'd carry her back home as she dozed off in his arms, mumbling something about having fireworks in her next act.
And Phoenix would just smile and hold his daughter even closer. In that moment, he felt the weight of the last twelve months dissolve into tiny colorful embers of their own.
All because of the same little girl that, without even realizing it, became all he needed to simply be happy.