A New Canvas

An Ace Attorney Fan Fiction

About Vera Misham

Chapter 1: A New Chance

"How long has it been?" She wondered to herself. "It seems years… Centuries. Yet, it didn't happen long ago."

Vera wandered through her father's old studio. She had so many memories here, in fact, she didn't have much other memories, it was not like she went outside much… Or at all. It had been a while since she wandered in here. She had to remain in the hospital for a while. To ensure she properly healed from her poisoning.

As she walked around, the memories flooded back in. She remembered the time when her father first asked her to forge a drawing, when she finished high school… And that one night 'it' happened. She was heartbroken about her father's death and just when she got herself together, the authorities busted in, to arrest her for his murder. She couldn't believe it: why did they think it was her? She resisted all she could, until they agreed that she could bring her lucky charm. The "lucky" charm that almost became her death.

She was confused, filled with all kinds of emotions. As she browsed through her father's paintings, she felt nothing but grief as tears streamed down her face. She couldn't do it; she just couldn't live here anymore. The entire place was filled with frustration, grief and sadness.

Vera loved her father to death, but at the same time she felt frustrated that he made her forge evidence and paintings. It took her a long time to understand, but it just wasn't right. What she was doing was illegal and she almost got convicted for it. If Apollo didn't help her out again, she would still have to go to prison: not for murder, but for forgery.

Fortunately, he could prove that Vera had no clue what she was doing. They couldn't convict her if she didn't know she was committing a crime. But now, her time in court was finally over. No murder, no forgery… Nothing.

Instead, she could finally begin her new life, but the memories still lingered. She finished up looking through her dad's paintings and moved upstairs, to her own room. She was shocked as she opened the door. Nothing was left untouched. Her drawings were all on the floor and nothing was as she remembered it. Why did they do that? Why did no one tell her about it? And her diary… It was gone. Nowhere to be seen. It was probably taken away as 'evidence.' As for her art pieces? Maybe they wanted to search evidence there as well. Everything to expose her of 'her crimes.' That's how the police worked in this country; she knew that well enough.

There was not much to salvage anymore, except one drawing that lay before her feet. She picked it up and took a good look at it. It was a simple drawing, it showed a family: her mother, father and herself in between. She remembered when she drew it, it was long ago. Before her mom left, before she was kidnapped, before the murder…

She put it in her leather messenger bag and continued looking around. She didn't really care about what else was in her room. It was either forged or didn't have much meaning to her. And her diary? They took that from her, apparently. She wouldn't get it back.

She sat on her old bed and thought for a moment. She initially thought she could come back to this place and face her past. But it seemed impossible for her. The entire house was painted full of painful memories. She had enough, it would be better to move elsewhere. But where? She only had one person who she could call in this kind of situation: Apollo.

She dialled the number on her cell phone and after a moment, he took up. "Apollo Justice, Wright Anything Agency, how can I help you?" He asked, in his usual voice serious voice.

Vera hesitated a moment, but eventually began talking. "Hello Apollo… It's… It's me, Vera." She says, insecure. Ever since her murder trial happened, Vera became more confident in herself. Especially towards those she trusted, like Apollo. Still, talking was hard for her and she still had to learn it.

"Oh, hello Vera." Apollo responded. "Can I help you with something?"

She sighed. "Well, I am at my old house… I…" She became silent once more. "I can't stand this place anymore. Everywhere I look there are bad memories. I need to get out… I need to move out. But I am not sure how."

Apollo sighed as well, he sounded troubled by her message. "I was afraid that this would happen…" He says. "I hoped it wouldn't, I wanted to give you a chance to return to your old life…"

She shakes her head in disbelief. "There's nothing left for me to go back to… Everyone has either left or is dead."

Apollo remained quiet for a second. The silence was uneasy, almost unbearable. Maybe he didn't have an answer either? "Actually…" He responds. "I know there's a studio available for sale, not too far from my office… Perhaps you would be interested in moving in?"

Vera became hopeful. Maybe this was the opportunity she had been waiting for? She thought a few seconds, but quickly made her decision. "Yes." She says, almost enthusiastic; which was very rare for her. "I… I gladly move in! I just… Want to forget about what happened and start a new life."

On the other end, you could hear Apollo chuckle for a moment. "Very well." He responded. "I'll give you the name of the owner of the studio."

After she had written down the address of the person, she thanked Apollo and hung up.

She looked around the old house. It would probably take a while, but in time, she could leave it and move on. The door to her future, finally seemed open.