It happened on a Thursday night. Wright was staying late at the office working on a personal project. He already send Trucy home with Apollo since he was coming late. Athena tried to stay behind to help with what he was working on, but he managed to convince her to go home. You just had a trial today kid, go home and rest...
Besides, he couldn't disclose what he was working on, at least not yet. A few months ago he stumbled across an interesting case. A new staff member at Cosmos Space Center was accused of murdering Yuri Cosmos. The defendant, Galaty Andromeda, a short woman with dark skin, curly, long black hair put in a bun, kind green eyes and a sticker obsession, was the new robotics scientist after Aura Blackquill went to prison. She went on a lunch break at 12:30 with the victim and at 13:04, Yuri Cosmos was found dead after repeatedly being ran over with his own Galactic Scooter. Furthermore, the defendant's fingerprints were found on the handle. This case was known as the MX-3 case.
Luckily he was able to prove her innocence when a few seconds of camera footage showed the back of someone's astronaut costume enter the door to where the body was found before the power was cut due to reparations that were happening that day. Unfortunately they were unable to find the true culprit that killed the Assistant Director.
But it wouldn't be Phoenix Wright if he just let things be as it is. So he started investigating in secret and what he stumbled on was a bigger mess then a simple murder. The first person Phoenix looked into was the current director Constantin Scorpius, a tall man with greying black hair in a small low ponytail, thick mustache and black sunglasses. His black trench coat and striped suit give him the air of a mafia boss.
What he found was not pretty. Before becoming the space center director, he worked at the infamous Bluecorp as a secretary. Sound familiar? He was Redd White's right hand man of sorts and inherited the company after his boss' arrest before selling it to an Argentinian firm. And it seems the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, because he also found himself intertwined in the string of blackmail. He had the governor, a few politicians and the ministry of finances under his thumb. No wonder the Space Center was getting all of those fundraises with this guy around...
This guy had most of LA at his beck and call. At least this time he knew the prosecutor's office was safe with Edgeworth around. But! He really doesn't want to think what a man like Scorpius would do to Miles when his husband inevitably refuses his demands. And so he kept on digging, calling his old underground contacts from his disbarment days and built a hefty case. He suspects Scorpio killed Cosmos and then framed Miss Andromeda. He couldn't think of a motive, but if he finds justice for Yuri Cosmos as well as getting this city rid of one more corrupt person, it will be worth it.
At 9pm he prepares himself to go home, puts his old hidden camera from his beanie on a shelf overlooking the office to record if someone breaks in at night, and gets his thick folder about Scorpio, ready to hide it under a floor board, when the door to his office swings open.
He expects it to be Edgeworth, here to drag him home before he remembered that he was dining with Franziska tonight. No, instead in his office steps the man of the hour, Constantin Scorpius. And he looks pissed. Wright gulps nervously before giving an uneasy smile.
"Hello Mr. Scorpius, you're coming in a bit late, I'm afraid that the Wright Anything Agency is closed right now. If you want us to take your case you'll have to wait until morning. We open again at 7."
"I'm not looking for a lawyer."
"Well if you're here for a source of entertainment the same rules still apl-"
"Cut the chit chat Mr. Wright, you know what I'm here for."
"I don't think I follow?"
"The papers Wright, the folder full of names..."
"What folder?"
"ARGH! STOP PLAYING DUMB! The folder Wright, the one that has all of my crimes and people I've blackmailed. I know you've been looking into me and building a case over it. I can't have that make its way to the prosecutor's office. So hand it over."
"..."
"You can't have it..." answered Phoenix, his eyes burning with cold determination.
"GIVE IT TO ME!"
"NEVER!"
At Wright's refusal, Scorpius lunged at him in blind anger. Phoenix dodged and the angry man hit his office table, scattering papers and cracking the small framed photo that Wright has of himself, Miles and Trucy, with the crack completely covering his face. He then tried making a run for it with the folder, but Scorpius cornered him near the window, armed with Trucy's crystal ball. With no options left, Wright balled his fist and swung at Scorpio. He managed to punch him in the face and throw his sunglasses off before Scorpius caught his arm and kicked him in the stomach. Phoenix gasped as his back collided with the wall below the window.
"*cough* Wh-why...Why are you doing this?
"The same reason I killed Yuri Cosmos, he found out things he shouldn't have so I had to dispose of him. But don't worry, you can ask him what he found yourself-" As Scorpio raised the ball above his head, Wright raised his arm to try and protect himself. "-after all, you'll be joining him soon. IN HELL!" He brought the crystal ball down on Phoenix's head, shattering it upon impact.
How fitting it was, that the legendary Phoenix Wright met his end the same way his mentor Mia Fey did. Under the window overlooking Gatewater Hotel, with a bleeding head, staring at his office with tired eyes.
Trucy...Miles...Maya...I'm sorry...I'm going to Mia soon...
...
The next morning Trucy and Apollo were climbing the stairs that lead to the Wright Anything Agency. Trucy was holding a bag containing Phoenix's breakfast since he never made it home last night.
"Come on Apollo, daddy probably just fell asleep at the office again. It wouldn't be the first time he did it. You didn't have to spend the night with me, I'm old enough to be home alone y'know. I'm sure Klavier and Clay missed you..." said Trucy teasingly.
"Yeah, yeah...I know, but I promised Mr. Wright I would look after you until he returns and...I dunno I just had bad feeling. Also those two won't die without me for one night."
"A bad feeling? What do you mean?"
"I dunno, he's just been very closed off the past months...Like he's hiding something. I haven't seen him like that since-"
"Since Mr. Gavin." Apollo looked down at Trucy slightly surprised and concerned. Trucy kept on looking straight.
"Yeah, I noticed...Papa's a bit concerned as well..."
Apollo put a hand on Trucy's shoulder and squeezed it reassuringly. "Well, I'm sure if something wrong, Mr. Wright will tell us eventually."
Trucy's face broke into a grin before she started sprinting up the stairs. "Yeah, you're right! Let's go wake up that sleepyhead Apollo!"
She burst into the lobby-turned-office-for-Athena/Apollo exclaiming "Time to wake uuuup daddy! Your favourite daughter brought you breakfast!"
When she opened the door to her father's office she dropped the bag and screamed.
...
After hearing Trucy scream, Apollo also raced up the stairs and entered the office just in time to hear Trucy's heartbroken cry of "D-daddy?..." before she dashed inside the office. Apollo followed suit and what he found inside made him freeze.
Mr. Wright laid dead in front of the window, dried blood on his forehead and cheek, bloodied shards of glass in his hair and on his suit. Next to him were the remains of what originally was Trucy's crystal ball, no doubt the murder weapon. Trucy was on her knees next to Mr. Wright's corpse, a heartbroken and shaken expression on her face. Her hands were stretched towards her father, stopping short of touching his face, as if she was afraid that he would shatter. Tears were streaming down her face and she was shaking.
"Daddy? Daddy, w-wake up! Wake up! This isn't funny anymore! Wake up! DADDY!" She lunged at Mr. Wright to try and hug him, but Apollo got his hands around her waist and pulled her away before she can accidentally tamper with the crime scene. The shorter man never thought he would have to drag Trucy away from a crime scene while she kicked and flailed, screaming for her dad, yet here he was doing just that.
"NO, NO LET ME GO! POLLY LET ME GO! LET ME GO TO DADDY!"
"TRUCY! TRUCY, CALM DOWN! LISTEN!...listen to me...he's dead, its over...he's gone."
"n-no...nO! NO! HE CAN'T BE! NO!...HE PROMISED, HE PROMISED HE WOULDN'T LEAVE ME POLLY! HE SWORE...HE CAN'T BE DEAD..." She turned around to look Apollo before she shoved her face in his chest and cried. "I want my daddy back, Polly...I want him back..."
"...I'm sorry Trucy"
Eventually he managed to calm the magician down enough for Apollo to call the police and Mr. Edgeworth. While they were waiting, Athena also arrived at the office and was now consoling a devastated Trucy, despite herself also crying. The chief prosecutor actually managed to arrive before the police, with a woman with silver-blue hair in tow. Both of them took a seat next to Trucy and Athena, Edgeworth opened his arms and Trucy jumped in the hug. Edgeworth hugged his daughter and the woman put her hand on Trucy's shoulder.
"Papa...Auntie Ziska...d-daddy is...daddy is-" and she choked on another sob before crying her heart out in her papa's arms.
"Shh...shhsh...It's ok, we'll find out who did this and we'll make them pay...It'll be alright." his voice was soft and hushed. "Me and Franziska will look into it alright?"
"Of course we will. Your father's killer will not go unpunished! That I promise you." said Franziska. Unfortunately the family moment was stopped by the arrival of the police and detective Gumshoe and Ema Skye. Gumshoe went to inhabitants of the office while Ema left to the crime scene but not before dropping a bag of Snackoos on Trucy's lap. The detective asked questions, how did they find the body, when, things like that. Eventually they had to leave the office to let the police do their investigation. Apollo offered to drive Athena to prosecutor Blackquill's house, neither defense attorney wanting to be alone right now, before he himself went home to his boyfriends. Edgeworth and Franziska took Trucy home, the poor girl crying herself to sleep in Franziska's arms in the backseat, while Edgeworth drove them home.
...
When Apollo arrived home it wasn't even 11 yet he felt like a whole day had passed already. He felt drained, he was tired. This day was miserable and it only just started. He opened the door to his apartment, took his shoes out, body on autopilot while his mind raced. Mr. Wright was dead...it almost felt surreal...someone broke into the office last night and killed him...shattered a glass ball on his head...he was watching movies last night without anyone being the wiser on what transpired that night in the Wright Anything Agency...did he even manage to call for help? did anyone hea-
"Schatzi?"
Apollo's head snapped up to look at Klavier, who had a free day, come out of the bedroom, still in his pajamas while Clay's head poked out of the doorway.
"You're back early. Did Herr Wright forget to unlock the office again?"
"He-...I-" however he didn't manage to get any words out, because at the mention of Mr. Wright the dam broke and the floodgates opened as Apollo crumpled to the ground, like a puppet whose strings have been cut. Becoming a mess of tears and whimpers. He felt arms wrap around him as his boyfriends came to ask him what was wrong.
"Pollo? What's wrong? Did something happen?" asked Clay.
"Mr...Mr. Wright is dead...someone killed him in the office...last night..."
Klavier took a sharp breath, before gently asking "Did they find a culprit?"
Apollo shook his head "No...me and Trucy found the b-bo- Mr. Wright when we came in at 7."
The trio stood there on the ground for what felt like hours, hugging and whispering sweet nothings in Apollo's ears. Eventually he managed to calm down and stop crying.
"Are you feeling better?" asked Clay, arms still around Apollo's shoulders.
"A little bit...sorry and thanks..."
"Nein, none of that. You have nothing to apologise for liebling. Someone dear was taken from you, it's only natural to react."
"Yeah...I still can't believe he's gone...I...I had a conversation with him last night..."
"Shh...It'll be ok schatz. Now, how about Clay & I go make us some pancakes while you go take a bath and relax for a bit, eh?"
"Yeah, I'd like that. I'll go take a shower." He walked towards the bathroom but stopped in front of the door. "Oh, and guys? I love you."
"We love you too, Pollo."
And if Apollo took a 2 hours shower nobody said anything.
...
Once they arrived home, Trucy got her shoes off and dashed to her room, locking herself in it. Miles tried to go after her but a hand on his shoulder and a shake from Franziska's head told him it was better to leave her be for now. And so, now that he didn't have Trucy to console anymore, Miles Edgeworth was left alone with his spiraling thoughts. He took a seat on the couch and put his head in his hands.
God...
Wright- No, Phoenix was gone. Dead, killed in his own office. The light of his life, the only man he ever and would ever love...was gone. Just like that. What was he supposed to do? How was he supposed to cope? His husband was dead and there was nothing he could do. He didn't even know how he died, he just took Trucy and ran from the crime scene. Did it hurt? Did his killer make him suffer by giving him a slow and agonizing death? Or was it quick and painless, a bullet to the brain and end of story? Somehow thinking about Phoenix's brain splattered on the wall didn't make him feel any better. He hoped he died painlessly, at least that. God he loved him so much...
Love...
He just realized, he never got to tell Phoenix he loved him. The last conversation they had was about his latest case, Thursday morning. Such a mundane and boring conversation. Pess had come down demanding to go on a walk so he was obligated to leave. By the time he returned, Phoenix had already left for the office. They didn't get any I love yous, or goodbye kisses. At the time he didn't think it was such a tragedy, it wouldn't be the first or last time either of them did this. Now though? Now he regretted it dearly. He should have told him. He should have held him tightly and never let go. Kiss him dearly and prevent him from going to the office. Maybe then he would have lived. Maybe then this wouldn't have happened. Maybe then he still would have been here.
His brain registered wetness on his palms, he paid it no mind. He had half a mind to take Trucy away and run to Germany. Hide away and cower from here, never deal with this cursed city of Los Angeles, a city that took so many good people away from him. Trucy already know the basics of german, learning it would be easy. It would be so easy to just hide away. But no...Phoenix wouldn't want that. He had to stay and find his killer. If not for that, then for Trucy and Wright's unofficial adopted children.
He was interrupted from his mussings when a cup of tea was dropped on the coffee table. He looked up to see his sister pouring him tea, before handing it to him, pouring her own cup and taking a seat on the couch.
"I thought you might have needed it."
Miles swallowed dry before taking the cup "Yeah...Thank you Franziska. As always you think of everything."
"Of course. As expected of a von Karma."
"..."
"If I may be so bold...What do you plan on doing now, Miles Edgeworth?"
"Today? Nothing. Trucy needs me, and I believe I'm allowed to mourn my husband's passing." he fiddled with his golden band as he said the word husband. "After that, I believe I have a murderer to put on trial. Your assistance and wisdom will also be greatly appreciated if you decide to be my co-counsel for this case."
"Under normal circumstances I wouldn't even think being part of a co-counsel, let alone actually do it. However, I believe it is only fitting that you lead the prosecution in finding the truth for your foolish husband's murder. Wer das getan hat, wird bezahlen."
(A\N: Wer das getan hat, wird bezahlen = Whoever did this, they will pay )
"Thank you Franziska. I believe I should also call Miss Fey and give her the news."
"I already called Maya, she's getting the first plane from Khura'in. I believe she'll arrive on Saturday. I also took the liberty and called that fool Wright associated himself with, Larry Butz."
Edgeworth was about to thank his sister again when he was interrupted by the doorbell ringing. He quickly got up and opened the door only to be met with Gumshoe looking like he would rather be anywhere else, and 4 police officers behind him.
"Detective? What brings you here?"
"Uh...hello sir. I'm afraid I come bearing bad news..."
"And what would that mean?"
"Uh...the murder weapon that was used to kill Mr. Wright...fingerprints were found on it...and they match Trucy Wright's. I'm afraid I have to arrest her...sorry sir."
Edgeworth froze. What? They were accusing Trucy? That's impossible! She would never do something so horrible. Especially to her father. Edgeworth was ready to argue with the detective when a heartbroken cry startled him.
"W-WHAT? I DIDN'T DO IT! I WOULD NEVER HURT DADDY!" said a clearly devastated Trucy. Edgeworth sent a desperate look to Franziska, silently begging her to deal with the police, while he went to try and calm down Trucy. His sister understood the message clearly and went to the door.
"Trucy, Trucy sweetheart. Listen to me dear. I know you didn't do it. No one believes you would hurt your dad." He heard Franziska arguing with the police and the police starting to force their way through in the background. He ignored them. "I know you're innocent, but...these people don't believe us. So you'll have to trust me on this that I'll find the true culprit. Until then you'll have to go with them and be strong for me and your dad. Can you do that for me?"
Trucy, her face full of tears, nodded before hugging Edgeworth tightly. The prosecutor returned the hug. "I don't wanna go Papa...I'm scared..."
"I know...but you'll be fine...you're so much braver than me...I know you can do this...I promise I'll come visit with your Auntie Ziska later today. Alright?"
"Mhhm. I love you papa."
"I love you too sweetheart." and then Trucy put on her bravest face before walking towards the policemen gathered there. They put her in handcuffs and walked away with her.
"Real sorry sir...if I could have done something about it I would have..." said a very dejected Gumshoe.
"I know Gumshoe, I know...Though I have a favor to ask...look after her while she's there, ok?"
"Of course sir. You didn't even have to ask!"
After that, police left and took his daughter to the Detention Center. Miles watched the cars leave his front lawn before looking at Franziska.
"Prosecutor von Karma. I believe we have work to do."
Franziska nodded before making her way to the study. "I already asked Miss Skye for the crime scene photos and I believe the autopsy report should be here around 4pm."
"Good, let me see the pictures." said Edgeworth once they reached his study.
Franziska opened her laptop before accessing the email from the forensics scientist, containing the crime photos. She download them before opening the first. It showed Phoenix Wright lying dead underneath the window. His head was bowed without support and he was very pale. His hair was messy and caked with blood, a small stream of dried blood was on the right side of his face, starting from a cut on his forehead and going all the way down his cheek and staining the collar of his suit with small red droplets. Tangled in his head were bloodied glass shards, a particularly large one looked lodged in the side of his head while smaller shards were scattered in his raven hair and some seem to have fallen on his suit. His left hand was resting on his stomach while his right one was on the ground, his right sleeve was slightly torn and bloodied indicating that he tried to protect himself from the blow. His right leg was bend with a small shard on his knee, luckily this one was not piercing the skin, a few more shards were scattered around his feet. Next to Wright were the remains of the murder weapon, a glass ball that Trucy occasionally used in her shows and a few scattered papers.
The crime scene was horrific, Phoenix was looking horrible and there was so much blood. Really, Miles should be mad, or horrified, maybe even crying, no one would have blamed him for this one. Instead what he does is laugh. Laugh such a bitter and borderline hysterical laugh that it startled even Franziska von Karma.
"Edgeworth?"
"Ah Franziska...Whoever committed this crime is such an unbelievable asshole...and oh so very cruel..."
"What do you-"
"Mia Fey. This...is the exact same way Mia Fey's body was found on the fifth of September 2016."
"So...what you're saying is that whoever killed Fey, killed Wright as well?"
"No...Redd White has been dead for quite a while now...but whoever killed Phoenix had inside knowledge on how his mentor died."
"You think one of his subordinates might have done this? For revenge?"
"It's a possibility...I believe it's time we visit one April May."
...
It was 3 pm when she found out.
After the stressful morning at the Wright Anything Agency and stressful interrogation, that detective Gumshoe was nice enough to conduct in the agency, Athena managed to hitch a ride with Apollo to Simon's apartment. She send the prosecutor a text saying she's breaking into his house and then proceeded to break his lock. She took of her shoes before throwing herself on his couch and thinking of what transpired that day. Her boss was dead...murdered in cold blood in his own office. Who would do something like that? Why? She heard the stories of Shelly de Killer and Kristoph Gavin, but those incidents were resolved already...So why?...Why was Mr. Wright dead? Why was another person taken from her? It wasn't fair...
Around 12 Simon arrived at the apartment carrying 2 french takeout boxes and snapped Athena out of her misery.
"I heard about Wright-dono...I'm sorry...I know he meant a lot to you..." said Blackquill as he handed her a handkerchief. She ungraciously blowed her nose into it before giving a quiet thank you.
"Have you heard anything? Around the prosecutor's office?"
"Not a lot. I'm not the prosecutor for this case...Edgeworth-dono himself and his sister will be prosecuting...Although they found fingerprints so it's entirely possible they are arresting the suspect as we speak."
"Yeah I expected that much...Mr. Edgeworth and Mr. Wright were married, it makes sense he would prosecute his case...I hope they catch the killer soon..."
The next few hours consisted of Blackquill trying to console Athena by telling her about his latest case, and how much of a pushover the defense attorney was. As well as comparing Payne to a mosquito, when the man tried to be his co-counsel. Athena wasn't gonna lie, it made her feel a bit better. Petting Taka, who was surprisingly mild today, also helped a great deal. His feathers were so soft.
At 3 the news were already talking about her boss' murder. What surprised her was the title however.
Famous Attorney Phoenix Wright killed by his own daughter?
Athena felt sick...
Trucy? Killing her own father? That's...that's impossible...she was devastated upon his death. Who even thought she could do this? Who was the smart detective? She just wanted to talk... Not only that but she knew what it was like being accused of murdering a parent...This wasn't right...
She was gonna defend Trucy in court and prove her innocence. So she called Apollo. Obviously the shorter attorney also saw the news and was thinking the same thing. They agreed to meet at the Detention Center and take Trucy's case. They will get to the bottom of this.
"Simon...I need you to drive me to the Detention Center." The prosecutor nodded and took his car keys, Taka jumping on his shoulder. They got into Blackquill's jeep and drove to the center in tense silence. Once they arrived, Athena jumped out of the car as soon as she saw the building holding her friend, earning herself a disapproving grunt from Simon, since he hadn't stopped the car yet. Her feet kicked the pavement as she ran up the stairs leading to the imposing doors of the Detention Center. She was about to push the doors open when the familiar sound of a motorcycle stopped her. She looked back to see Apollo pull the exact same stunt she did but from a slightly faster vehicle, action that made the driver Klavier Gavin squawk a surprised "Schatzi!". The red suited lawyer wobbled on his feet from the rough landing before running up the stairs to join Athena.
Both lawyers nodded at each other before entering the familiar building. They went through the familiar procedure, signing in the visitors list, flashing IDs and attorney badges and walking down the familiar corridor to the interrogation room. There they saw a crestfallen, hatless Trucy waiting neatly on a chair behind the glass. Once she saw them her face lit up and she waved at them.
"Polly! Thena! You're finally here! I knew you guys would come..."
...
Later that evening, in a solitary cell, a young teenage magician was hugging her knees as she mourned her father. This day easily classifies as the worst day of her life. Not only did she have to find her daddy dead in his office(face so pale, hair too bloody, because he was dead deAD DEA-), but they also convicted her of murder...murdering her own father. She...it's not fair...her daddy was dead. Doesn't she deserve to grieve his passing? Isn't she allowed to be sad? First her old-dad and now her daddy? Who was next, papa? Auntie Ziska? Were they gonna die too? What about Polly? Are him and Athena gonna disappear in a puff of smoke midtrial too? Hasn't she suffered enough?
Does fate hate her so much that she gets thrown in jail for a crime she didn't commit? The cell is cold and the walls are closing in. The window is too small and the bed is uncomfy. She misses daddy's warmth, she misses his hugs and his bad jokes. She misses talking to him and spending late friday nights watching Steel Samurai with him and papa. But now...now she's never gonna see him again...never gonna eat his bad cooking...never gonna see him in the crowd of her shows again...he's dead and never coming back...She hopes whoever did this is happy...happy and proud of how they ruined her life...
Next day at 7 Trucy gets woken up by the guards telling her its time for breakfast. She doesn't feel like eating much, but nevertheless gets up and walks to the cafeteria. She was lucky papa managed to get her a solitary cell so she doesn't have to deal with normal inmates. The cafeteria is large, full of men and women of all ages. The walls are a faded yellow with high windows, the tables and benches are wooden. She gets in line, gets her portion of food( is that supposed to be oatmeal?) and takes the empty table in the farthest corner. She was hoping to eat alone but no such luck, as someone took a seat next to her.
She turned around to see a man with white hair, side burns, a goatee, and dark skin. The upper half of his face is covered by his gray visor, with three horizontal red lights across it. The man smiled and lifted his cup of coffee in greeting. Trucy also waved at him politely.
"I heard you're Trite's daughter..."
"How do you know about that?"
"News travel fast...Heard he got killed in his office, just like Mia..."
Trucy sighed, slightly annoyed. "Look if you came here just to gloat-"
"I came to offer my condolences kid...Trite-...Wright...Was a good man." He takes a gulp of coffee so his last sentence is a bit muffled. "...didn't deserve what happened to him."
"Did you know daddy?"
"You could say that...I prosecuted in some of his cases and he started visiting me after I was sent here. I hope his killer gets caught soon..."
"You don't believe I did it?"
"*short* 'Course not. Anyone with half a brain can tell you're grieving his passing. And if the stories he told me about you are true, you would never do something to harm your father."
"He talked about me?"
"Yeah." He takes another gulp of coffee. "Couldn't get him to shut up sometimes. You could tell he cared about you."
Trucy looked at the prosecutor before smiling down at her half eaten bowl of oatmeal. "Thank you. This conversation made me feel a lot better, mr..."
"Godo- You know what? Call me Diego kid."
"Alright. Thank you for making me feel better Mr. Diego."
"You're welcome, Trite Junior."
"My name's Trucy."
"Whatever you say...Trite Junior."
...
The ride to the courthouse was tense. Franziska could tell this trial won't be a pretty one. She could tell it was gonna be a mess from the moment they arrested her niece. Honestly, such fools. As if a girl as delightful as Trucy Wright could kill her father. The mere thought making her want to whip those officers into place. The courthouse flashed by as Edgeworth's red sports car parked into the parking lot. They both got out of the car dressed in their court attire and made their way to the courthouse. Over the years, Franziska's outfit changed quite a bit. She still donned the same vest and skirt from before, but now her dress shirt was light blue and without the puffy sleeves. She wore her suit's jacket on her shoulders, a beautiful dark blue piece with yellow decals and blue gem like buttons. She traded her white bow-like cravat for one reminiscent to the one she wore in her younger years, except this one had a blue magatama shaped jewel, a gift from her fiancé given to her a few years back when they started dating and replacing her black ankle boots for white knee length boots with light blue laces and black heels.
They made their way to the prosecution's lobby, stopping by at the defendant's lobby to speak to Trucy and give her a pep talk, though it seemed she was in better spirits, before entering Courtroom No. 5. The judge was already in place as the defense and prosecution made their way to their respective benches.
"Well this is certainly a dark day for law. I never would have thought a day would come where Mr. Wright appears in a murder case as a victim. And to think he met his end so similar to his mentor, Mia Fey. Nevertheless we must begin this trial. Court in now in session for the trial of Trucy Wright. Are the defense and prosecution ready?" said the judge.
"The defense is ready, your honor." said Apollo.
"The prosecution is also ready your honor." said Edgeworth.
"My my, it certainly has been a while since I've last seen you with a co-counsel, Prosecutor Edgeworth. And it's Prosecutor von Karma nonetheless. Your opening statement please."
"The victim, Phoenix Wright was found dead on the 17th of March in his office at the Wright Anything Agency. The defendant's fingerprints were found on the murder weapon."
"Objection!" exclaimed Apollo. "Tru- Miss Wright could not have murdered the victim because she was at her home with me the whole time."
"That is true, however security camera footage shows Miss Wright entering a convenience store 2 streets away from the Wright Anything Agency at 8:32pm that day. It would have been easy for her to kill the victim before returning home."
"Oh..."
"If the defense has no more objections...The prosecution calls forth the first witness." The detective in charge of the case made its way to the witness stand. "Witness, please state your name and profession to the court."
"My name is Dick Gumshoe, sir! I'm a homicide detective down at the precinct."
"Please explain the details of the murder, detective."
"Sir! I will use this floor map of the office to explain! The body was found near the office window. The autopsy report states that the victim died on the 16th of March circa 9pm from blunt force trauma to the head and external bleeding. The murder weapon was a crystal ball found next to the body, sir! It was heavy enough to be a deadly weapon, combined with the fact that it was fragile, it is the perfect way to end someone's life. Miss Wright killed her father by bringing down the crystal ball on her father's head."
"Very well the defense may start the cross-examination." said the judge.
"Yes, your honor." said Apollo. "Detective, you're saying that Miss right killed her father by bringing down the crystal ball on his head. However Mr. Wright is 176cm tall. It would have been impossible for Miss Wright, who is 152cm, to kill her father due to the height difference."
(A\N: 176cm = 5. 9ft, 152cm = 4. 11ft)
"Objection!" said Edgeworth. "Miss Wright could have pushed her father down, making it entirely possible to kill him."
"Objection! No signs of struggle were found on the body!"
"Uh, Apollo?" said Athena. "The autopsy report says there was a large foot shaped bruise on Mr. Wright's body. Indicating he was kicked down..."
"Oh...damn it."
"If the defense is done with the cross examination, the prosecution calls the defendant to the stand." said Edgeworth.
Jesus...How was Mr. Wright dealing with this guy in court? "The defense has no objections..." said Apollo. Trucy made her way to the stand, it seemed she managed to recover her hat.
"Witness, please state your name and profession to the court." His voice was surprisingly soft.
Trucy, ever the performer, put on a smile and answered "Hello ladies and gentlemen and in betweens. My name's Trucy Wright. I'm a magician and I work at the Wright Anything Agency. Come see my shows one of these days!"
"Miss Wright, can you tell the court what you were doing the night of the murder."
"Ah, well, I was at home with Polly. Daddy sent us home around 7pm that day, so me and Polly put on some movies. I didn't know what happened to daddy until we came into the office the next day at 7."
"Why were seen at the convenience store at 8:32pm?"
"Well...before putting on movies, I wanted to rehearse a magic trick. However it didn't go so well and I ended up breaking papa's steel Steel Samurai statue. While Polly cleaned up I snuck out of the house to get some glue since we were out. That store was the closest one I knew of..."
Well this case was going just wonderful. So far everything pointed that her niece did it. If this continues they'll receive the guilty verdict. But that wasn't what she wanted. Franziska wanted the truth to come out.
She wouldn't say she liked Wright (that notion was kept for a very small number of people), at best she tolerated him. However she swore that she would see to it his killer doesn't go unpunished. If not for him, then for Trucy, who she promised. And it would be unbecoming of a von Karma to back down on her word.
...
For a while the trial didn't progress much. Trucy got asked a few more questions and almost broke down crying on stand when she had to describe the crime scene. A new witness took the stand, going by the name of Earsi Goodhearing. She heard 2 men arguing from the floor from above the agency at about 9pm. For a while, Apollo and Athena stuck on this inconsistency but it was mostly useless. The situation seemed hopeless, when in burst Ema Sky, yelling about finding more evidence. The court exploded with whispers coming from the gallery.
"Order! Order in court!" exclaimed the judge. "Miss Skye! What is this all about?"
"Your honor. Further investigation endorsed by Prosecutor von Karma revealed the footage of a hidden camera that was planted by the victim on the night of the murder." said Ema.
"Well this is certainly important. I presume the defense and prosecution have no objections regarding viewing this footage?" Both Edgeworth and Apollo gave their approval of viewing the contents.
The recording started with Phoenix struggling to put the camera in place. After retracting his hands, his face was shown smiling, heterochromatic eyes twinkling in the dim light of his office lamp. "Lets hope I won't be needing this after all..." Oh, the irony thought Edgeworth, heart clenching at the sight of his husband. Next he was seen walking to his office table and taking a very thick folder in one of his hands, when suddenly in came a man with a trenchcoat. Phoenix seemed to recognize him, as he addressed the man by his name, Scorpius. The resulting conversation revealed that Wright was secretly gathering information on Scorpius' crimes and blackmail history. At Wright's refusal to hand over the folder, Scorpius lunged at the man and crashed into the table. A small chase transpired around the office before Scorpius managed to corner Wright near the window, crystal ball in hand. Faced with no other option, Wright balled his fist and swung at Scorpio. He managed to punch his glasses off, before Scorpius kicked him in the wall under the window. Edgeworth heard a gasp from the defense bench, he paid it no mind as he watched his husband raise his arm to defend himself from the blow that was coming. He let out a whimper as he saw Phoenix's hand fall dead. His attacker took the folder that had fallen from the man's grasp before making an exit. Detective Skye fast forwarded the video to 7am, when Trucy entered the office. It showed the girl run to her father's corpse and desperately calling for him, before getting dragged out by Mr. Justice. It was heartbreaking to say the least.
"Detective Gumshoe." said Edgeworth, tone cold as ice. "Bring Constantin Scorpius to the courthouse..."
"Yes sir!"
"The court calls for a 20 minutes recess." said the judge as he baged his gavel.
...
In the defendant's lobby, Franziska was holding a crying Trucy in her arms while Edgeworth left with the detective to go and arrest Constantin Scorpius, the chief prosecutor planning to bring the killer to the courthouse himself. The recording of her father's murder bringing the young magician on the verge of a panic attack. Next to the german woman was Apollo who was holding one of Trucy's hands and rubbing comforting circles. The young girl was inconsolable as she kept muttering 'daddy' and 'why did you leave' over and over again. At some point she started hyperventilating as she brought one of her hands to her chest.
"Trucy...I need you to listen to me liebe Nichte. Take a deep breath and tell me 5 things you can see. Can you do that for me?" asked Franziska calm and softly.
Trucy shakingly nodded as she started talking. "Your face, earrings, Polly, Polly's b-bracelet and...plant."
"Well done. 4 things you can feel?"
"Polly's hands, your arms, my hat and your hair."
"3 things you can hear."
"Your voice, the door opening, steps." In came Athena, holding a bottle of cold water.
"2 things you can smell."
"Your perfume and...coffee?"
"1 thing you can taste."
"*sniff* tears..."
"Well done Trucy. Are you feeling a little bit better?"
Trucy sniffed again before nodding and taking the water bottle from Athena, drinking it entirely. "What's gonna happen now?"
"Well, once that fool is brought in front of the court he will likely testify before the judge will hand down the not guilty verdict for you, obviously. Then, when his Trial comes, I will personally prosecute him and make sure he gets the death penalty he deserves."
"Thank you Auntie Ziska...for taking care of me. And sorry."
"You have nothing to thank me for, Trucy Wright, you're a delight to be around."
"Ms. von Karma is right, Trucy. Your feelings matter, so never apologize for something like this again. God knows you suffered so much, you're allowed to cry." said Athena.
However Trucy shook her head in response. "Nu-uh. Daddy used to say a lawyer can only cry when its over. I may not be a lawyer but I should try and keep my tears at bay, at least until the trial is over. The show must go on you know?"
Franziska sighed. "As you wish. However do know that nobody will be holding it against you if wish to let it out. And if someone does dare to do so, I will personally whip them until they faint!"
This made Trucy snicker lightly. It seemed that Miles Edgeworth chose that moment to enter the lobby. This action prompted Trucy to run from her aunt's arms and crash into her papa's chest as she hugged him. He immediately returned the hug.
"Did you get him papa?"
"I did dearest, he'll be testifying soon so we need to go."
"Just one more minute, please."
"Alright."
...
After recess both the prosecution and the defense were ready to end this trial. Prosecutor Edgeworth slammed his hand on the bench as he glared at the witness.
"State you name and occupation."
The man in question didn't seem bothered in the least by the hostile behavior as he nonchalantly answered. "Constantin Scorpius. I am the director of the Cosmos Space Center. What business do you have with me?"
"Mr. Scorpius." said Apollo as he slammed his fists on the table. "We have found evidence incriminating you of killing Phoenix Wright. Please state what you were doing at 9pm on the 16th of March."
"Very well. On the night of the murder I was at my office in the space center, doing paperwork."
"Objection! Camera footage shows you clearly murdering Mr. Wright with a crystal ball as it can be seen on the screen."
"Then why did you ask me what I was doing if you have that?"
"It's protocol..."
"Either way it doesn't matter. That security camera footage could easily have been hacked, it is possible with current editing softwares. Or it could have been faked by having a different man dress as me. I say that evidence is invalid."
"What? No it isn't!" exclaimed Athena.
"Who's to say girl...Did you check the video to see if it was tampered with?"
"Well no, but-" started Athena.
"Then you have no proof. I didn't do it, I have security camera footage to back me up on it..."
"Objection! You could have tampered with the footage just as easily!" said Apollo.
The man in question merely smirked and shrugged. "Guess so...Either way it seems you need to investigate further before accusing me of anything boy...Now if that is all, I'll be taking my leave."
Mr. Edgeworth looked like he wanted to stop him but someone beat him to it as a familiar voice rang through the courtroom.
"Objection!"
Everyone looked up to the defense's side of the gallery to see Phoenix Wright himself wearing a traditional Kurain channeling robe , with his chest slightly exposed and long black hair, indicating that Maya was channeling him. His finger was pointing down at the director and he looked absolutely livid.
"B-boss?" "Daddy?!" squacked both Athena and Trucy. Apollo looked just as shocked, while Mr. Edgeworth looked proud and Ms. von Karma merely rolled her eyes, as if they were expecting this.
"Scorpius! You know what you did. You know what I have gathered on you. So unless you want that case to finally arrive at the prosecutor's office, you will confess to your crime! Either way you lost! Give up!"
Constantin Scorpius looked livid. He lifted his fist in the air before bringing it down angrily on the witness stand. "Phoenix Wright...curse you, you noisy lawyer! Fine! I confess! I went to the Wright Anything Agency on march 16 to get a folder. When he refused I pushed him down and hit him with that ball. I knew I should have just pushed him out of the window! Then it would have looked like he committed suic-" He never got to finish that sentence because Franziska got out her whip and hit him straight in the face, cracking his glasses in two.
The man brought a hand to his nose, wincing slightly when he touched the blood. The judge declared Trucy not guilty, but it seemed the young lady wasn't done just yet. She turned around from where she was standing near the defense bench and looked at Scorpius with an emotionless expression.
"Why did you kill my daddy?...Was that folder really that important?" asked Trucy. Scorpius didn't say anything. By this point she was shaking slightly and her hands were covering her diamond shaped brooch. "...Please answer me..." His continuous refusal to answer made the young magician snap, as she ran after him with angry tears. "...all because of the MX-3 case! First you kill an innocent person-" Apollo came behind her and was holding her down for the second time in 2 days. "And now my father!"
"Trucy!" However Trucy was beyond reasoning right now as she continued struggling in his grasp.
"SCORPIUS! WHY? WHY DID YOU KILL MY DADDY?" Tears were openly flowing down her face and she was shaking. She elbowed Apollo in the ribs, forcing him to release her and ran after the director. "SCORPIUS! ANSWER ME, SCORPIUS!" She never got to reach him because the courtroom doors got closed right in her face. She started at them angrily before she felt her papa's hand on her shoulder. She turned around and crashed into his chest and let out a scream. A scream so raw and full of anguish and pain, full of sadness and grievance for the man she lost. She screamed until her throat was raw and she choked on her tears as her remaining parent hugged her tight.
Eventually, she composed herself enough to go to the defendant's lobby where channeled Phoenix was waiting for them. At the sight of her daddy, Trucy ran and tackled him to the ground. The attorney chuckled as he held his daughter close. Miles also made his way to the duo and immediately got pulled into a hug. Apollo, Athena and Franziska were watching from afar as the family of three momentarily got reunited.
"Daddy! What happened? Why did Mr. Scorpius kill you? Why didn't you tell anyone about this?" asked Trucy as she pulled back.
"I would also like to know that, Wright." said Miles as he crossed his arms.
"Alright alright, I'll talk. You see I wasn't exactly satisfied with the MX-3's verdict. While I am glad we got the not guilty verdict, I didn't like that we didn't find the killer. I didn't want another 'phantom' on the loose. So I started looking into people around the space center, specifically Scorpius. And that's when I found of his underground career." said Phoenix as he stood up, before extending his hands to his husband and daughter.
"Blackmail." said Apollo.
"Exactly, he has the governor, a few politicians and the ministry of finances under his thumb. Or rather, had...since he's going to jail now."
"But Mr. Wright, why didn't you tell anyone? We could have helped." said Apollo.
"Ah...That's because I knew it was going to be dangerous. You see, my mentor Mia Fey, also pursued a similar man back when I was just starting my career as a lawyer. His name was Redd White and he was Scorpius' boss. The chief managed to get information on White and his crimes before she was killed almost the exact same way as me, just replace the crystal ball with the statue of "The Thinker. Funnily enough we both ended up dying in the same spot."
"Why didn't you tell me?" asked the chief prosecutor softly.
"Because Miles...I didn't want to endanger you. I knew Scorpius was eventually gonna set his eyes on the prosecutor's office. I didn't want to think what he would do to you when you refused his demands so I started digging in hopes of catching him before that day comes." He raised his hand as he started caressing Miles' cheek. "If me dying meant keeping you safe then it was well worth it..."
The chief prosecutor's eyes watered as leaned into the touch before puting his head on the crook of Wright's neck and hugged him softly. "Never say that again..."
"Sorry."
"Did it hurt daddy?"
"What?"
"Th-the blow to the head...Did it hurt?"
"Oh Truce..." said Phoenix as he pulled his daughter close. "Only a little bit, I blacked out very quickly so mostly I didn't feel a thing."
"G-good...At least...at least that." said Trucy on the verge of crying.
"What's gonna happen now, boss?" asked Athena.
"I'm not the boss anymore Athena. I'm leaving the agency to you three. I'm sure you'll do a great job, even better than I did."
"Mr. Wright..." said Apollo, eyes watering. Athena also started sniffing.
"Come here you too." He said as he opened his arms for his 2 junior employees. The 2 readily took the hug. "You'll be fine. You don't need me telling you what to do. You're both already such great lawyers and I'm very proud of you." Phoenix broke the hug as he looked at the last resident of the room, who all this time has been silently watching. "Franziska."
"Phoenix Wright. I'm sure you'll be glad to know that I'll be prosecuting Scorpius' trial."
"Well with you in charge I can rest easily knowing that justice will be served."
"Hmpf. But of course, I'll make sure of it!"
"Thank you Franziska. For everything." Phoenix took a step back as he addressed everyone. "Looks like times up. I'm being pulled back on the other side. This feel awfully weird..."
"Daddy! Don't leave me!"
"Sorry Truce, but it's time to go. Don't worry, I'll always be with you, in your heart. But for now, this is goodbye..." He looked at the people in the lobby before his eyes also watered. "I love you guys..."
"We love you too Phoenix." said Miles sneaking one last hug with him.
"Bye daddy! I'll miss you.."
"Goodbye boss." "Bye Mr. Wright I promise to take care of the office." "Rest well Wright."
"Goodbye! Oh and tell Maya that me and Mia say hi." And with that, the channeling ended and Maya came back to the world of the living as she fell forward, only to be caught by Franziska.
"Nick..."
"He and Mia say hi." said Franziska.
"Of course that's all they have to say to me, the assholes. Like mentor like protégé." At this, the occupants of the lobby started laughing.
...
After Wright's death and Scorpius' trial (that he was found guilty on), Edgeworth took his family on a 1 month vacation in Germany to properly grieve. They sold their house and moved into an apartment closer to the agency and the prosecutor's office. It was for the better, that house was too big for 2 people. Franziska and Maya also had a shotgun wedding, just signing the acts and a small dinner with Edgeworth, Trucy and Pearl. Later that month, Apollo left for Khura'in, started a revolution, got reunited with his long lost family and opened a law office in there for 5 years before returning home to the Wright Anything Agency. In this period of time many more lawyers and performers got employed to the agency. As they all wondered why only the name Wright when 3 people were running the agency, all they received was the cryptic answer of "It's named after a lawyer we used to know."