The next day, Trucy suggested that now the police weren't looking for Apollo, they should go to his apartment so Apollo could wear some of his own clothes, his hair gel, and whatever else he may want from there. Phoenix agreed that getting some of Apollo's stuff would be a good idea; he couldn't just wear Phoenix's old clothes all the time.
Apollo was reluctant to go at first, but Phoenix and Trucy managed to persuade him that it would be good for him to go out for a while, at least just to get some fresh air and stretch his legs if nothing else. He put on his shoes and stood outside with Phoenix, leaning against the wall.
"Now that you're outside, why not go for a walk?" Phoenix suggested.
Apollo was not talking very much, but he nodded his head and said "Okay". He knew where this was headed and decided to just go along with it.
As they started to walk, Phoenix made another suggestion. "Now that we're walking, why don't we walk to your apartment to get some of your stuff?" Phoenix was expecting a similar response as before, but this time, Apollo didn't nod his head.
"Why do I have to stay with you anyway? I should just stay at my own apartment. I don't want to be a burden," Apollo stopped walking.
"Apollo, I want you to stay with us because I'm worried about you and I want to take care of you, you're not a burden at all. It would be even more troublesome if you were living on your own because I'll worry more if I can't keep an eye on you," Phoenix explained.
"Okay," Apollo said as he nodded his head in agreement to staying with Phoenix and Trucy.
They continued to walk. Meanwhile, Trucy had been left at home all alone. She had promised to make some space for Apollo's things, but she also used this time to put her secret plan into action.
The journey to Apollo's apartment was silent at first, not knowing what to talk about. Phoenix knew he'd have to tell Apollo that he's not a lawyer any more, but he didn't know when the best time to tell him would be. When they were half way to Apollo's apartment, Phoenix asked him what he was going to take from his apartment. There was nothing in particular that Apollo wanted; just a change of clothes and his hair gel was good enough for him.
It felt strange for Apollo being back in his apartment, he felt like he had been gone for months, not weeks. Phoenix stood around looking at random things in the room while Apollo started sorting through his clothes.
"Um... Apollo... I have something to tell you," Phoenix began to speak.
"Yeah? What is it?" Apollo replied as he picked up a small suitcase and dropped it open on his bed.
"You've... lost your attorney badge," Phoenix found it difficult to say this to Apollo. After all, he knows how painful it is to have your precious attorney badge taken away.
"Oh, well that makes sense, I mean, what kind of lawyer stabs someone?" Apollo didn't seem to care, as if he already knew they'd take his badge from him.
Phoenix was surprised at how well he had taken the bad news, but more than that he was upset that Apollo didn't care. Despite the stabbing, Phoenix knew that Apollo was a great lawyer.
He heard the sound of the suitcase being zipped up. "Packed everything already?" Phoenix asked.
"Yeah, it's not like I'm taking much," Apollo walked towards Phoenix carrying the suitcase.
"Here, let me carry that for you," Phoenix kindly offered.
"I'm perfectly capable of carrying my own things," Apollo snapped at Phoenix, glaring at him. 'This suitcase isn't even big; I must really appear useless if he doesn't think I can carry it,' Apollo looked down at the suitcase in his hands.
"Okay..." Phoenix spoke nervously, hoping he wouldn't say anything else to upset Apollo. "So, shall we head back?"
"Oh, wait, I think I forgot something," Apollo dropped the suitcase by the door and ran back into his room.
While he was getting whatever he forgot, Phoenix looked around the room once more. He saw something shine on the windowsill and walked over to get a better look. Collecting dust by the window was Apollo's attorney badge. 'I guess he realised he wouldn't be a lawyer any more and left it here before he ran away.'
Apollo returned after finding what he had forgotten and placed it in his bag. "Now we can go," he said as he reached down to pick up his bag.
The walk back was just as quiet as the walk there.
"Welcome home!" Trucy said as she heard the door open.
"Hey, Trucy, we're back with Apollo's things," Phoenix announced as Apollo dropped his bag on the floor.
"What are you up to?" Apollo asked Trucy, who was standing behind the large box he had previously hidden inside.
Trucy appeared from behind the box and smiled at Apollo. "I think I've finally found a magic trick that will cheer you up."
"I'm not really in the mood for magic right now." Apollo said, wanting to just unpack his bags and get some rest.
"It's just one trick, Polly," Trucy pouted, showing puppy dog eyes.
"Okay," Apollo said. "I'll watch your magic trick."
Trucy's smile grew and she opened the front of the box. "As you can see, this box is completely empty." She closed the box once Apollo had seen that it really was empty. "But now," Trucy opened the box again.
"I'm Clay Terran, and I'm fine," Clay stepped out of the box.
"CLAY?!" Apollo was completely shocked. He hadn't seen Clay since when he first became a lawyer, and he hadn't expected to see him anytime soon. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to see my best friend of course," Clay said with a hug grin on his face.
'Shit, I don't want Clay seeing me while I'm depressed, he'll just hate how I have become. Crap, he must know about me stabbing Phoenix. I really don't want to face him right now. How can he even say we're best friends? Surely he must have found someone he'd rather be with back at the space center,' Apollo thought as he stared blankly at Clay.
"Apollo, I know about your depression, Trucy has told me everything," Clay walked towards Apollo and placed his hand firmly on Apollo's shoulder, looking Apollo right in the eyes. "I'm here for you, man. Apollo Justice is fine, remember?"
"I... I'm fine. Apollo Justice... is fine," Apollo struggled to say, remembering just how easily he used to say it, remembering the time he comforted Clay when they were young. He leant forwards and rested his head on Clay's shoulder. Tears began to drip down his face.
Clay patted Apollo on the back. "You're fine, Apollo. Never forget that."
He so desperately wanted to believe that he was fine because he knew he could trust Clay. 'If Clay says I'm fine, maybe I am,' Apollo told himself still not understanding how Clay could be so supportive and not hate him.
Apollo awkwardly nodded his head while it was still resting on Clay's shoulder. "I'm fine," Apollo said with slightly more confidence. He lifted his head from Clay's shoulder. "Apollo Justice is fine." Apollo smiled slightly.
Phoenix and Trucy felt like they were intruding, and so they decided to give Clay and Apollo some time alone together.
"Did you see that, Daddy? Polly smiled!" She looked extremely please with herself for inviting Clay over.
"Great job getting Clay here, Trucy," Phoenix praised his daughter. "Apollo really needs as many friends as possible right now."
Clay encouraged Apollo to tell himself that he's fine, just as Apollo had told him when they were young. Apollo was soon smiling more than he had in a long time. Trucy and Phoenix could hear Apollo from the other room shouting "I'm Apollo Justice and I'm fine!" They were happy to hear that he was getting his voice back.
"You know, you look kinda funny without those spikes of yours," Clay joked, "It's strange, we've been friends since we were young, yet this is the first I've seen you with your hair like this."
Apollo was beginning to think that his hair will never be acceptable no matter what he does with it, but somehow it didn't bother him. He was filled with too much happiness from being with his best friend that he couldn't feel sad.
With support from his best friend, as the weeks passed, Apollo gradually became happier, louder, and more confident. Eventually, Apollo was able to fully recover from his depression. He knew he was fine just the way he was and learnt to trust his friends more. Things hadn't gone back to the way there were before, but had improved. After retaking the bar, he was able to claim back his badge, becoming a lawyer again. Once again the sound of his Chords of Steel resounded throughout the courts and everyone could hear just how fine he was.
A/N: Well that's the end! I just had to give it a happy ending. I hope you all enjoyed reading it.