The door to Room 1202 of the prosecutor's office was burst open.
"M-mr. Edgeworth!" The renowned prosecutor was greeted by a familiar face. He set his papers aside.
"Have a seat."
The kettle began to whistle. He mixed in some tea leaves and left it to steep. Edgeworth prepared a chilled cup and filled it with the fragrant tea. He mixed in a spoonful of sugar and nudged the cup across his desk.
"Now then, Ms. Fey. What was it that you wanted to discuss?"
"H-have you been able to get in contact with Nick?"
"Cutting straight to the chase, I see. Yes, I spoke with him last week."
"How is he?"
"I was able to coax some information out of him. Obviously, he wasn't involved in the forgery."
"I know that, Mr. Edgeworth! It's just… I don't know what to do about it." she began to sniffle but refused to let herself cry. Edgeworth sighed.
"He hasn't returned your calls?" A simple nod confirmed his suspicions. So, he hasn't taken what I said to heart. It seems he's adamant on "protecting" her.
"Did you get anything else from him?"
"I told him that he should get in contact with you, which he clearly isn't doing. Honestly, that man is too stubborn. The obvious solution is to show up at his office and speak with him."
"Is he doing alright?"
"Physically, he seems fine. His hand was bandaged and there were fragments of glass on the floor, so I can only assume that he might've gotten a little bit rough with a bottle of grape juice."
"B-but is he ok?"
"Emotionally? I doubt that he's doing well. He lost his livelihood; His drive in life. It'd be best if you went and talked to him. As for me, I have no intention of leaving. I'm needed on several high-profile cases, and as such, I will be here at the prosecutor's office most of the time." Edgeworth's expression softened. "If you ever need help with Wright, feel free to come to me."
"I'm going to go down to the office right now." Maya lifted her hands. "Thanks for the help, Mr. Edgeworth."
"Think nothing of it, Ms. Fey."
Phoenix Wright sat in his office. He stared out of the window, feeling downcast. There wasn't very much left for him. He had fallen from his job. He was a great lawyer who had lost everything. One of the only things that kept him going was-.
"I'm hooooome!" Trucy Wright tossed her bag on the couch and ran to her father. He opened his arms, and the two exchanged a long hug.
"Hey, Truce. How was your first day back at school?" Trucy smiled.
"I showed Ms. Maylife some magic tricks!" Phoenix lifted a finger to his chin.
"Ms. Payten Maylife?" Phoenix lowered his finger. She was so gloomy at the meeting. It was a pain to get Trucy into a new school so late in the year and she didn't make it any easier.
"A few of the kids gathered around me… one of them called me a faker." Her cheerful grin faded. Phoenix's blood began to boil. He took a deep breath.
"What was the kid's name?" Phoenix gave her a concerned look. "You could probably report her."
"Ayame Ablly. I've heard that she's a mean bully." Phoenix sighed.
"If you ever need my help, I'm here for you, Truce." Phoenix smiled.
"I know." Trucy smiled. "Oh! I have to get to the Wonder Bar to set up for the show tonight! I'll see ya later!" She ran and grabbed a small bag of props and ran off to the theater.
"Bye Truce!" Phoenix smiled. That girl is really special. W-wait, what is this feeling? Is this… parental pride? It's… a good feeling. I know that she's gonna do well.
Trucy ran out the front door and was greeted by a slim woman wearing a yukata. She paused.
"Hello. Is Ni-Mr. Wright here?"
"Yes, daddy's here. Why do you ask?"
"I w-wanted to talk to him about something. E-excuse me." Maya Fey scurried inside, too confused to speak. What the hell? Nick's a dad!? Since when?
It didn't matter. She'd ask him about it later. For now, her focus was on Phoenix Wright.
She opened the door, letting herself into the office. Maya immediately recognized the man she knew. Phoenix's eyes darkened. He pulled his beanie over his forehead to cover them.
Maya could barely hold it together.
"N-Nick." Maya's shaky voice paired with her solemn demeanor could've broken Phoenix.
"Maya." It was a miracle that he didn't stutter.
"Wh-what happened?" Phoenix wore a smirk on his face.
"You've seen the news stories, right?"
"Of course I've seen them! I've seen them all. I've been looking for any thread of information about you!"
"Well, you know what happened. I've changed. I forged evidence for a client. I was caught and disbarred."
"I-I don't believe that!"
"It's the truth. That's what we were supposed to seek. Heh. Some lawyer I was."
Maya snapped.
"Why can't you believe anything that I say! I trust you, Nick! I trusted you! Tell me what happened!" Phoenix turned away. He bowed his head in shame.
"I-I'm… a different person."
"Don't give me that line of crap!" Maya glared at him. "Did you really leave behind Sis's teachings? Cause if that's the case, then I don't know who you really are anymore!" Maya looked at the ground.
"M-Maya. I-I-."
"Just tell the truth."
Phoenix lifted his beanie off of his head. His spiky hair immediately sprung into its usual position.
"I-I can't do this. I could try and hide this from Edgeworth, but not from you. The only time a lawyer can cry is when it's all over, but it's not all over, not yet. I didn't forge evidence. I never could've betrayed Mia like that. I couldn't betray you."
"I-I-I know. I couldn't believe what had happened. But I knew you were innocent. I knew!" She grasped his beanie with her right hand. "And I was right."
"I-I" He was interrupted by a single knock from the door. He crept towards the door. He squinted, trying to see who was standing at the door. He recognized the figure.
Phoenix panicked.
"Maya," he whispered. "Under the desk."
"Wh-what?"
"Quick!" he hissed. Maya scampered and slid under the desk, still holding the beanie. Phoenix breathed a deep breath.
The former attorney opened the door.
"Ah, Kristoph. How are you doing?"
"I'm doing very well. "How are you?"
"I'm doing good. So, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"
A bead of sweat slipped down Maya's forehead. Who is this German guy?
"I just wanted to see how things are going. How is young Trucy?." Phoenix tensed up.
"Trucy is doing well. ."
"Wonderful." Kristoph adjusted his glasses.
"How did the Bar Association review go?"
"They looked at the post-investigation results," he said. "The final vote was 9 to 3."
"So it's been finalized, huh? Not like I expected that the results would change."
"I came to tell you that and to… check on you." Kristoph's eyes fell under the desk. He squinted, carefully scrutinizing the shadow. Phoenix interrupted the silence.
"Well, I'm glad…" he trailed off. " I'll see you tomorrow night at the club?"
"Where is that beanie I always find you wearing? It's missing." Maya tightened her grip on said beanie.
"I just lost it somewhere. I'll find it later."
"No need. I see it peeking out from under your desk. Allow me to…" He kneeled over and reached for the beanie under the desk.
Phoenix and Maya held their breaths.
Kristoph bent over to grab the beanie. Time stood still. He reached for the beanie and grazed Maya's hand. Her hairs stood on end.
He pulled the beanie out from under and handed it to the former attorney.
"This has been a nice... chat. Goodbye."
As soon as the door was shut, Phoenix's breathing picked up. Maya peered out from under the desk.
"What was that whole shtick about, Nick?" Phoenix gripped his face with his hand. "It's just… that man was terrifying." She lifted her hands. "His hands touched mine when he picked up the beanie. They were ice cold."
"Kristoph is a defense attorney related to the case and my suspect for forging the evidence." Phoenix sat down on his chair.
"So you've been investigating the forgery?"
"I've made good progress. The most dangerous part of all this IS Kristoph, though. He's a defense attorney who's earned the nickname "Coolest Defense in the West', and from what I've seen and heard, he has a knack for tying up loose ends."
"Why do you suspect him?" Phoenix paused.
"He's the only possible suspect. Listen, that's beside the point. What does matter is that you being here is dangerous! Listen, you have to stay away. I've heard some of the rumors about what he does. He'll do whatever it takes to get to me."
"Nick! There is no way I'm leaving. You've done so much for me. I can't just leave you."
"Please, listen to me this once!"
"Kristoph has been keeping an eye on everyone related to the case! He'll do what he needs to keep people at bay."
"I can take care of myself!"
Phoenix froze.
"I'm not the same child you met three years ago, quaking over her sister's body! I've almost died twice in the past two years. I've learned how to take care of myself."
"Maya…"
"Nick, if it weren't for you, I'd be in prison right now. I owe my life to you. So please, just let me pay you back."
Phoenix leaned back.
"I-I don't know what to say. I guess I've really lost my edge, huh?" He slipped the beanie back on his head. "Can't even protect you anymore; can't even keep it together in front of you."
"Nick." Maya leaned forward. "I promise I'll be safe. Just cause I want to be there for you, doesn't mean that I won't be safe."
"God, I've missed you so much, Maya." He stood up and jumped at her. Maya yelped as she was captured in his bear hug.
Maya closed her eyes. I haven't seen him in a while.
"I've missed you so much, Nick. You should visit me in Kurain." She smiled widely. "So, burgers?" Phoenix smirked.
"Your treat." Phoenix chuckled at Maya's baffled expression. "What? I can't afford it." She growled.
"I might starve!"
"I might go bankrupt."
"You really should take better care of my health, Nick."
"I'm pretty sure that's your job."
"I see no reason to further prolong this trial. I declare the defendant, Backa Rackter, GUILTY! The accused will surrender herself to the court immediately!"
Franziska von Karma smirked. Another victory.
"Ms. von Karma!" The prosecutor turned to face the distressed defense attorney. Tears were streaming down his face. "D-D-Damn yooooooouuuuuu!"
"What is wrong now, Mr. Rackter?"
"Your Honor, please! Please don't convict my sister! She's innocent!"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Rackter, but your sister must be punished for her crimes."
"N-no, th-that prosecutor! Sh-She must've forged evidence! Y-yeah!"
Franziska's expression turned downcast.
"I left behind that practice years ago," she mumbled, just loud enough for the attorney to hear, but too quiet for the judge or anyone else to hear. She lifted her head up. "I prosecute criminals as I see them, so don't accuse me of things that you can't prove!" The international prosecutor turned her back to the irate attorney and walked out of the courtroom.
"D-Damn it, v-v-von Karma."
She shut the door to the prosecutor's lobby and sat down on the couch.
"Fools. To think they'd accuse me of such foul deeds. I am not him! I am NOT my father."
"You're going to drive yourself crazy, Franziska." Franziska looked up at the standing figure of Miles Edgeworth. "You're not your father."
"M-Miles Edgeworth! What are you doing here?"
"I happen to be here to observe a new prosecutor. The Chief Prosecutor was busy today, so I'm stepping in to observe him. Simon Blackquill, I believe? Anyhow, I decided to check up on you since I heard you were prosecuting a case here."
"Well, I'm doing fine, Miles."
"It seems as though something's on your mind."
"Don't worry about it, Miles Edgeworth!" Edgeworth gave her a concerned glance.
"If you insist, I won't pry into it. I'm afraid I must be going. Mr. Blackquill's first trial as a prosecutor is about to begin and it'd be a shame if I were to miss it. Farewell, Franziska." The genius prosecutor walked out of the prosecutor's lobby.
"D-damn it! H-How does he always manage to stay ahead of me. He finds this 'truth', and yet, it always works in his favor."
"S-S-Siiiirrr!" Dick Gumshoe burst into the prosecutor's lobby. Franziska stood up abruptly but restrained herself from whipping the underpaid detective. Why can't I have a moment of silence?!
"What is it, detective?!" Gumshoe straightened himself out.
"There's a new case. The prosecutor's office decided that you should prosecute it." Franziska whipped the scruffy detective. "OW!"
"You made it sound as though there was an emergency!" Gumshoe gulped and scratched his neck.
"Well, err…"
"Spit it out, detective!"
"The...the defendant is Kay Faraday…"
A/N: Hey, thanks for reading this chapter! If it isn't apparent yet, this story will focus on many characters. Specifically, the ones who I believe could develop more off-screen. If you enjoyed, or you have any criticism, please leave a review!