DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the installments of Ace Attorney or any of the characters.

ACE ATTORNEY SCRAPBOOK

Chapter 8: A Formidable Opponent

Case Tag: 1-4 (Turnabout Goodbyes)

Quote: (Examining the bookshelves in Nick's office)

Difficult-looking legal books stand in a formidable row. They mock me.
I tried reading one and it made my head hurt. When I closed it, it slipped out of my hand.
Then my foot hurt too.

October 1, 2016, 12:20pm
Wright and Co. Law Offices

It's official, Phoenix Wright considered, his dark navy eyes skimming over the letter in his hands. It was a bittersweet moment when Nick received the legal documents acknowledging the transfer of the office title from the possession of his deceased mentor and friend, Mia Fey, to him. On one hand, he was excited to see his name written on the door, proclaiming to the world that he had become a lawyer, just like he had dreamed for years. However, at the same time, the only reason he had that office so early in his career was because of the tragedy that befell Mia. Then again, as his new assistant, Maya Fey, a spirit medium, mentioned after Mia left a note for her after Maya channeled her spirit, leaving the office in Nick's hands was what Mia wanted.

Standing in the main room of the office, Nick glanced around. Ever since he and Maya began to work together, the office really didn't feel as quiet and lonely. It was nice to have company. Well, company that actually consisted of real people and not just the plant that Mia loved, Charley.

"Well, Charley," Nick walked over to the plant, tossing his blue suit jacket on to the reception desk as he continued sorting through the day's mail. "Looks like it's you, me and Maya now. Don't worry. I'll make sure Maya doesn't drown you by watering you fifty times a day like she has been."

Sitting down in the desk chair, he put the junk mail aside. Discreetly ignoring the "rent due" letter, Nick found that a package had been delivered in addition to the regular mail. It was addressed to the Fey and Co. Law Offices. Mia must have purchased this before she died, Nick mused sadly. Since the Fey and Co. Law Offices was now technically the Wright and Co. Law Offices, he figured he could open up the package. Tearing off the top of the package, Nick reached inside and pulled out a fresh new law book that Mia was planning to add to her already impressive collection.

"The Laws and Rules of Evidence," Nick read the cover aloud to himself.

Mia was always brushing up on her knowledge of the laws and statutes, so Nick figured that it would probably be a good idea to follow in his mentor's footsteps, in that respect at least. Not having much else to do (and trying to put off paying the rent for as long as he could), he cracked open the book and began to skim through some of the pages.

"...The Exclusionary Rule is a key component in the laws and rules of evidence, especially in dealing with the Fourth Amendment, which is protection against illegal search and seizure," Nick murmured as he read. "A part of the doctrine is the Fruit of the Poisonous Tree, which prevents illegally obtained evidence from being presented in court, though there are exceptions to this rule-"

Barely through the first couple of sentences and Nick's eyes were ready to roll back in his head, a nice addition to the headache that was beginning to pester him. Mia may have been more factual and detail oriented, but Nick, admittedly, was more of a "fly by the seat of your pants" type of guy (bluff all the way, baby!). Needless to say, this law book was a mighty adversary that was more suited for combat with a more formidable opponent. Like Edgeworth.

"Let's put you away on the shelf..."

Standing up from the desk chair and closing the book in his hands, Nick dropped the book, which subsequently landed on his foot. Being a book of considerable volume, the collision with his foot was quite painful, even though Nick still had his shoes on.

"YEOOWCH!"

Nick lifted up his foot and began hopping around on one foot, trying to quell the throbbing pain in the other. Balance not necessarily being his strong suit, he only managed to hop a couple of paces before tumbling to the carpet, landing next to Charley.

"Niiiick! I'm baaaack!" Maya called cheerily as she threw the door to the office open and skipped inside.

Taking a couple of steps inside, she stopped at the sight of Nick on the floor next to the potted plant.

"Nick!" she stamped her sandal-clad foot on the floor. "What are you doing? This is no time for a nap! I just bought a bunch of new things for the office so we can whip this place into shape! Let's go, Nick! I'm not going to be the one doing all the work around here!"

"Sorry, Maya," Nick said with a fake laugh. "I, uh, thought Charley, here, looked lonely and decided to keep him company..."

"Good idea, Nick!" Maya agreed, fists raised and a determined look on her face. "I'll go fill the watering can and we'll water Charley and spend some time with him before-"

"Actually, Charley is okay, now, Maya," Nick quickly interrupted.

With a slight wince from his bruised foot (and ego), he heaved himself up and off the ground.

"Let's see what you bought, Maya," he continued.

Maya then began showing Nick with much fervor and enthusiasm, all the things she'd just purchased (with his money). Only half listening, Nick's eyes drifted over to the menacing wall of law books. His eyes narrowed as he glared at the books. I will defeat you, he silently pledged. One day, I shall triumph.

"NIIIICK! YOU'RE NOT LISTENING TO ME!"

This story actually had two quotes for the price of one! Kudos to anyone who caught the reference to case 1-3 where Nick says that Maya overwaters Mia's plant all the time if you examine it in the beginning of the case while at the office:

Phoenix:
Mia's favorite potted plant. Maya has been watering it so much lately it looks a little... swollen. She's either trying to make it grow... or she's perfecting her water torture technique.