*Changes have been made/added as of 9/22/19**
It's been quite some time since I've posted a new story on here, and even longer since I've posted a completely new story from a completely new fandom I've never written in before. So, first I'd like to say a few things about myself and how things are going to work:
1) This, as yáll have surmised, is my very first Ace Attorney story; however, I am quite familiar with the storyline as I've played and/or watched LPs of the Trilogy, AJ, DD, SoJ, and the Investigation Games, and the anime.
2) This story will start from Phoenix's disbarment and pre UR-1 to my own version of what I believe the story could be post-canon SoJ (with my own twist due to happenings not canon in this story that is mixed in with canon.) So, that being said: SPOILER ALERT!
3) My favourite thing about writing is being able to take characters and put them in situations they aren't in in canon. My favourite is post-canon where I can completely make things up as I'd like to have them or feel they should be based on the content of said story; however, this story will mostly deal with in canon situations, and thus, will be an AR (alternate reality) of what we know. Honestly, I haven't done many of these types of stories, so I'm looking forward to this!
4) Like everyone, I have preferences on pairings and characters. That being said, I have no desire to bash, trash-talk, or treat any character or any pairing with disrespect, and I hope y'all will do the same. I have no time for that nonsense. I do things for a reason.
5) This story will contain strange and unusual pairings. Some are OTPs, others are not. I have an open mind in most cases about pairings as long as its not incest or pedophilia. That being said, I have no issues with Franziska and Miles, Gumshoe and Kay, or Athena and Simon being together as long as the girls are of age!
6) I write in first-person omniscient. For those of you who don't know, that means I write in first-person in many different perspectives. So there will be quite a bit of going back and forth between POVs and what's going on!
7) I have absolutely no idea when I'll update this. I'll try to update at a timely matter, but I cannot make any promises. The earliest I'll update is bi-weekly.
8) At the end of every chapter, there will be a preview for the next one.
9) I ensure that I always have 5-10 chapters written out before I begin posting any story. This story is currently on chapter seven! If I so happen to update more than I write, I will halt my updating to ensure I'm back on track!
10) I'm not going to go through any trials. I'll mention them and their aftermaths, characters' thoughts, interactions, but that's about it.
11) I absolutely despise SoJ. Even so, I must go through that part of AA for this story; however, I'll be focusing on other characters who don't show up more because I'd rather not have this be a chore. And the LA part so there will be no Khura'ain (I'm pretty sure I butchered that) whatsoever in this story. Just mentionings here and there. So, I apologize for anyone who loves the game. I'm not writing any of those characters. They serve no purpose to the plot of this story, and the only reason I'm even going through that part of the timeline is that for some reason, there was no time between DD and SoJ!
12) I'm not very well versed in the names of shippings and some of them I believe don't even have official shipping names? So, I've just put down Name/Name in my shipping list below. Sorry if that annoys anyone.
Disclaimer: I do not under any circumstances own Ace Attorney. This is just for fun!
Warnings!: Sexual content, suicidal thoughts/attempt(s), spoilers, and all other AA worthy warnings!
Dedication: To my wonderful and beautiful fiancée, Shadow Spirit Dragon-wolf. She's the reason I even got into Ace Attorney in the first place and helped me give life to this story!
A special thanks to JordanPhoenix for betaing and giving your thoughts on the story thus far!
Pairings:
Phoenix/Franziska
Miles/Maya
Gumshoe/Kay
Simon/Athena
Apollo/Klavier
Larry/Iris
Sebastian/Courtney
There may be other "side pairings" I may put in the story, but as it stands, these are the couples I'm going to be focusing on.
Now then, please enjoy! :)
Thunder
Chapter One: Embers
Franziska
Defense Attorney Phoenix Wright stripped of his attorney's badge for presenting forged evidence.
It was all over the news. Phoenix Wright, the man who took down my Papa. The man who changed Miles. Changed…
And now he's… he's…
I grip my whip as I wait for Miles to finish making our tea. He hands me my cup and sits across from me in the recliner of his lounge room at his house. I'm sitting on his couch. A coffee table between us.
"Thank you for coming, Franziska," Miles says, blowing his tea and taking a sip.
I drink a mouthful without the unnecessary blowing. It scorches my mouth and warms my throat as I swallow it.
"Well, I would have come sooner, but the news came right in the middle of an important case," I say, taking another sip and setting my tea down in the matching saucer.
"It is fine. How much do you know about the situation?" He asks, doing the same.
"The news just stated Phoenix Wright was disbarred for presenting forged evidence. I haven't had the time to fully investigate."
"Nor have I. I do know that Phoenix would never do something so stupid. Something is definitely wrong."
"Naturally. Neither you, Papa, or I would be defeated so easily by such a fool. Especially since…" I trail off, gripping my whip harder than before.
"Franziska…"
I close my eyes, shaking my head. There's no need to think of Papa. He's long gone. My entire family is gone. Except for Miles. My Kleiner Bruder.
Damn, and there I go thinking in Deutsche! I'm in America! Papa said -
Why do I care what Papa said anyway? He was wrong! Besides… he never said I couldn't think in Deutsche.
I jump a bit when I feel pressure on my hand. I look up to see Miles standing beside me, touching my whipping hand.
"Miles…"
"Let's focus, Franziska. We need to help Phoenix the way he helped us."
"Of course. My apologies. I was…"
Stupid! Why do I have to keep thinking…?
"It's alright. I'm here if you need to talk."
I smile as Miles returns to his seat. Miles has always helped me. More than I could ever help him. I didn't deserve it. Still, don't.
"Alright, so we know that the fool didn't do it, so how do we go about proving that? We both weren't present during the case. Have you heard from Phoenix Wright at all?"
Miles takes another sip of his tea, holding the saucer and cup. "I haven't heard from Wright since before that case. I have tried countless times to contact him but to no avail."
I take a few sips of my tea before placing it down. "And I assume his other foolish friends have as well?"
Miles gives me a look. "Yes. I even asked if Iris could contact him from prison."
"Well, I hope you paid for that, Miles Edgeworth. That poor woman's been through enough," I say, whacking my whip across the floor.
"Of course, and please refrain from hitting my floor. Gumshoe just polished them."
I arch a brow, curling my whip. "Scruffy…polishes the floors in your house…?"
Miles waves me off. "He begged me to do it."
"I… I see…"
Scruffy, what in the…?
"Anyway, shall we get back on topic?"
"I'm not the one who got off-topic this time, Miles Edgeworth," I smirk.
"Still a Sass Queen," he teases.
"Miles Edgeworth! Focus!" I exclaim, whacking my whip across the floor. My eyes widen. "Sorry…"
"It's okay. Now then, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this matter."
"The fact you fools can't contact another fool? Hmm. Well, it seems Phoenix Wright doesn't want to talk to anyone. It could be possible he doesn't even have his phone-"
"Objection! Phoenix's phone goes to voicemail with his voice message. If he did not have a phone, it would not ring and would instead say "the number you are trying to reach is no longer in service," Miles says, pointing at me.
I chuckle. "Okay, fair point. So we can rule that out at least. So he must be ignoring everyone."
"I thought the same thing. But why is the question? I suppose it's because of the incident. I just wish he'd let us help him."
"You know how that foolish fool is. He thinks he's less than we are and wants to solve everything by himself. It's clear someone needs to go over there and knock some sense into him. Ignoring everyone isn't going to solve anything. You'll be too nice so -"
"And what of the others?"
"Well, Iris is obvious. Larry Butz will only speak of himself. Maya Fey may be too busy with being the Master of Kurain, and she isn't an expert on the law. Scruffy will be too nice and start cleaning his house. Of course, that probably would help him feel better…"
"So in short, you're saying you need to go to knock some sense into Phoenix? Do you not think that could cause more harm than good?"
"Well, I wasn't actually going to whip him. I have to assess the situation first. I don't whip dead horses."
"I know, Franziska."
I stand up, finishing my tea in a single gulp. "I shall be back to update you on the situation."
"Thank you. I could go if you'd like."
"I think it's best if I go alone. We wouldn't want to overwhelm him."
"Right, of course," Miles says, finishing his off and taking my cup and saucer.
We go into the kitchen. Miles rinses the dishes and places them in the dishwasher.
"I shall be back, Miles Edgeworth."
"And I shall be waiting, Franziska von Karma."
I climb several flights of stairs and reach the twelve floor of Phoenix Wright's apartment. 1202. I could have easily taken the elevator, but growing up with Miles and his fear of elevators, I have grown accustomed to taking the stairs or the escalator when available.
The apartment building itself instead anything to brag about, but it's certainly not the worst I've ever seen.
I knock sharply on the door, whip curled at my side. I promised Miles I wouldn't do anything too crazy, after all.
The door opens, but no one is there. Strange. Is the door so weak that a simple knock could cause it to open? Surely, Phoenix Wright would…
"Umm, Ms. Lady? Are you going to answer me or not?"
I look around. Who is that talking?
"Down. You can look down can't you?"
"Of course I can." I scoff. Who the hells thinks they can speak to me, Franziska von Karma like-
I look down and see a small child. A girl. She's wearing strange clothing. A little black button-up dress, red cape, and a red top hat. Did I just knock on a Ring Leader's door of a circus? No, that can't be right. The only circus that ever even comes to this town is Berry Big and that would certainly be more decorative. Besides, I would have heard about a little girl joining. Regina Berry contacts me often.
The little girl puts her hands on her hips. "Look, Lady, if you're just going to stand there, can you do it elsewhere? Daddy's got a bad cold and I'm trying to keep the house comfortable for him. You're letting all the air out that I've gathered."
"My apologies. I seem to have the wrong apartment number." I say, curtsying.
But that can't be right. I even double-checked with Miles…
"Who are you looking for? I can help you with that."
"Phoenix Wright."
"You've come to the right place. Daddy's here."
"Daddy? I don't think you understand. I'm looking for Phoe-"
"Yes, I know. That's my daddy."
I blink. "What…?"
"Just come in, lady."
She turns and we both enter the apartment.
"Sit." The little girl points to the half-broken, dusty couch.
I carefully sit myself down. She jumps on it and nearly sends me flying onto the floor. I grip the arm to steady myself.
"Okay, Ms. Lady, talk. Child Protective Services isn't supposed to come out this soon. So what are you doing here and what do you want with Daddy?"
"I'm no such person. I am a prosecutor."
"Prosecutor hm?" The little girl muses, rubbing her chin with her white-gloved hands. "Wait! You're one of those people who took Daddy's badge! You won't take anything else!" she growls, glaring at me.
"No, no. You're not understanding. I'm not here to take anything from your… Daddy…" I say. I stand up. "My name is Franziska von Karma, the prodigy prosecutor." I introduce myself with a curtsey.
I don't bother to sit back down again.
"Strange name you have there, Lady. I'm Trucy Wright. Magician in training."
"It's Deutsche or German as you Americans call it."
"Oh, you're the crazy whip lady."
Crazy whip lady? What has Phoenix Wright been telling this child? I shake it off. It matters not. I need to know what is going on here.
"You said you're a magician?"
"In training. Daddy was a famous magician."
"Phoenix Wright does-"
"No! No!" she exclaims clapping her hands together. "My real Daddy! Zac Gramarye!"
"Ah, so you're his daughter then? How did you end up with Phoenix Wright?"
"'Cause Daddy said I could trust Daddy so I let Daddy adopt me."
There are too many daddies!
"I see. I'm surprised this country let him."
"Why? Daddy is a good person. He's just sad and gets sick a lot is all. But I'm helping out."
"Helping out… how? How old are you?"
"Eight. Cause I do shows at coffee shops and venues."
"I see."
I can't believe Phoenix Wright is making this poor girl work! I grip my whip. Miles, I don't think I can keep my promise.
"Daddy begged me not to do it, but I love performing and we need money. He's going to run out soon."
"All the fool has to do is contact his friends. We'd be glad to lend him a hand or two."
"Daddy doesn't want help."
"I see. And he's told you this?"
"No. I just can tell."
I suppose it's pretty obvious he wouldn't. This child seems pretty perceptive.
"Where is your daddy right now?"
"He's-"
"Trucy," a groggy voice says. Trucy and I look to see Phoenix Wright, in half-torn blue pyjamas standing in the doorway of his bedroom. He rubs his eyes, a glass bottle in hand. My eyes narrow. "I told you to practice your act quietly. I've got a terrible migraine."
"Sorry, Daddy. I'm not practicing magic though. Franzeekah came over."
"Franzee…?" Phoenix removes his hand from his eyes and drops the bottle. It shatters, purple liquid sucked up into the saggy carpet at his bare feet. Glass shards lay on top.
"Daddy!" Trucy exclaims, jumping up and running over to her "father".
"Trucy…"
"Go back into the room. I got this, Daddy."
"You shouldn't mess with glass. I'll pick it up-"
Trucy puts her hands on her hips. "That's what you said last time, Daddy! Now, shoo! Shoo!" She says, waving a hand.
Phoenix Wright doesn't even argue further. He just turns and shuts the door.
I follow Trucy to the kitchen. She collects the broom, dustpan, and hands them to me. "Hold this. I have to fill up a pot of hot water and some soap."
I take the items and watch her fill up a small pot with hot water and pour some liquid soap in. She throws a cloth in and we head back into the living area right in front of Phoenix Wright's room.
Trucy takes the broom from me and carefully begins sweeping up the mess.
"It's a good thing you're wearing boots or you'd be cut."
"Oh, I have a show in a few hours. Plus it's always good to wear some sort of foot protection around here. Daddy drops things a lot."
"I see. How long has this been going on?"
Trucy stops, looking up at the ceiling fan slowly moving. "Probably ever since I moved in? It's hard to say," she says, returning to her work. "All I know is that Daddy's phone gets blown up, but he doesn't let me answer it. It died the other day though."
"I assume he just forgot to charge it."
"Yeah. I put it on the charger in the kitchen though. He didn't notice though, so don't tell him."
"I… I wasn't planning on it…" I say. "Should I get the vacuum cleaner? That may be easier to get off the carpet."
"It doesn't work."
"Doesn't work? Why not?"
"I'm a magician in training, not a vacuum mechanic in training," she scoffs. "Hold the dustpan? I'm ready to sweep these shards up."
I bend down, doing as she asked. She quickly sweeps the shards up and I take them into the kitchen, throwing them away in a small trashcan I find under the sink and put the broom and dustpan together, putting them in the pantry where the other cleaning supplies are located then return.
Trucy is already on her knees scrubbing the stains.
"I can do that, Trucy."
"No, I got it. I'm almost done anyway."
"If you're sure…"
This child is very independent. She certainly cares a lot about Phoenix Wright. And he seems to care a great deal about her as well. He didn't even acknowledge my existence.
Well, unless you count dropping a glass bottle as acknowledgment.
Clearly, he does not want me here. So then why doesn't he just tell me to get out? Not that I would, but it would be better than this weird silent treatment he's giving me.
"You're here to help Daddy, aren't you?" Trucy asks.
I look down. Everything is cleaned up and put away.
"I… well, he means a lot to Miles…"
"Oh, you mean the fluffy tie prosecutor?"
"Fluffy tie… prosecutor?"
"Yeah! Daddy told me about all of his friends. He said Miles wears a cravat. I asked him what that was and he showed me a picture. It looks like a fluffy tie to me."
Ï can't help but chuckle. I'll have to tease my little brother later about his "fluffy tie".
"Trucy, do you mind if I talk to you about your daddy?"
"Umm sure. Do you want anything to drink?"
"Water is fine."
"Good cause that's all we have."
I smile as she gets the water for us and sets it on the small coffee table. Why did she even bother asking? I chuckle to myself, shaking my head.
"You shouldn't stand there the entire time. Come sit. I promise I won't jump on the couch and scare you."
"Well, alright," I say, easing myself onto the couch.
"Now then, it all began like this…"
Miles
"Report," I say, cutting my chicken up.
"Miles Edgeworth, I do not take orders from my little brother!" Franziska says, tapping her whip against her thigh.
"Yes you do, Sass Queen."
"Nein!"
I chuckle. "Eat your dinner before it gets cold."
She takes a sip of her wine. "He's in bad shape, Miles. Worse than we could imagine."
I close my eyes, chewing on a piece of chicken. "Explain. I need more details."
"Well, for one, his furniture is horrendous. His apartment needs severe cleaning. Surprisingly it's cleaner than expected. And why didn't you tell me he had a daughter, Miles Edgeworth!"
My eyes shoot open. Whether from the crack of the whip or the question, I cannot say.
"A daughter? I do not know what you refer to."
"Trucy Wright. Apparently, our little friend adopted the daughter of the defendant in that case. How are you not aware of this?"
"How are you not?"
I suppose it was stupid on both of our parts that we didn't look into anything beyond the case. Both of us either too busy with cases of our own or worrying about Phoenix.
"Really, I'm surprised your country let Phoenix Wright become her father. It's clear that he isn't fit to be her father. She seems to take care of him more than he takes care of her."
"Don't call anyone on him. I'm sure there's a reason he adopted her."
"Well, he could tell me instead of ignoring me."
"Ignoring you?"
"Yes!" Franziska exclaims, eating some mashed potatoes. "He only came out of his room because he thought Trucy was doing her magic act-"
"Magic act?"
"Yes, she's some kind of magician," my sister says, waving me off. "She said she had some sort of show tonight. I dropped her off."
"How sweet of you," I smirk.
"Don't make me whip you, Little Brother."
I chuckle, continuing to eat my food. "Continue."
"Anyway, as I was saying, Phoenix Wright only came out of his room because Trucy was "being too loud". He broke his bottle when he saw me. He never acknowledged me with words, however."
"Bottle of what?"
"Some alcohol? How should I know? Trucy cleaned it up and your friend went to pout. Trucy said he had a cold."
"Cold, huh? Why am I not surprised."
"Because he's a fool," Franziska says, sipping her wine. "Still, this looks bad."
"Yes. CPS won't like the conditions."
"Well, I don't like them and I'm not CPS."
I smile slightly. When it comes to adopted children, Franziska's always had a soft spot for them and their well-being. I suppose it has to do with the fact I was adopted and brought into her life.
"Then we need to remedy the situation before they take Trucy away from Wright. I shall look into when they're scheduled to come."
"I think that's wise, Little Brother. Surely, Phoenix Wright knows when that'll occur. Of course, asking him will be of no use."
"Agreed. Is there anything else you wish to report?"
"Trucy is a very intelligent little girl. Though, I highly doubt she understands completely what has happened to her new "daddy". She also mentioned something about "gathering air", but I didn't question it."
"Probably a trick?"
"To make Phoenix Wright feel better? She'd do something like that. We need a plan, Miles Edgeworth. Do you have one?"
"Hm. The first thing to do, as I said before, is to find out when CPS is coming out then we need to read up fully on that case."
"That sounds like a plan. But you're forgetting something important, Miles Edgeworth!" Franziska exclaims, slapping her whip on the table.
And now she's going to break my table. Gumshoe will be sad when he sees the scratches.
"And what is that?"
"Phoenix Wright, of course! We have to make him talk!"
I frown. I can't exactly make him talk. Still, Franziska's right. We need to get him talking so we can help him. If he expects to keep this child then he'll have to get a job.
"Yes, of course, Big Sister. How about you take care of that? Trucy seems to trust you enough."
"Well, you haven't really tried, but it seems so. Speaking of her, she knows of you. Knows of all of us, actually."
"Oh?"
"She refers to you as the prosecutor with the "fluffy tie"."
I nearly choke on my food. I grab my wine, taking a gulp and clearing my throat. "Fluffy tie?"
"Yes, it seems your cravat is a fluffy tie, Miles Edgeworth." Franziska teases.
(I never get a break.)
"I see… well," I say, wiping my face. "I could go over there if you'd like me to, but perhaps one of us at a time would be best."
"Hmm. Maybe. We wouldn't want to upset him in such a fragile state after all."
"Indeed. Which means you shouldn't try to go over there every day."
"Who has time for that? I want to find out what happened, in that case, to make that fool lose that sunflower of his."
"I could use your help on that. How long can you stay here?"
Franziska smirks, standing up. "As long as I wish, Miles Edgeworth."
I stand up as well, shaking my head. She hasn't changed one bit.
Preview
Gumshoe
"Umm... Ms. von Karma?" I say carefully as we descend. "You never told me…"
"Quiet, Scruffy! You have ruined my perfect plan."