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

A/N: Two prompts for the price of one?! Wow! Anyhoo, this chapter is inspired by two prompts, suggested by Brock's Geodude and Purple Hooded Angel. Thank you both so much and I hope you enjoy! *Virtual hugs*

ACE ATTORNEY SCRAPBOOK
Chapter 27: Back to the Mountain

Case Tag: Post 6-5 (Turnabout Revolution)
Quote: User Suggested Prompt!

September 30, 2028, 7:00pm
Kurain Village

It was good to be back, Maya Fey considered with a contented sigh as she gazed out the window of the train. She'd forgotten how lovely the scenery was as it passed by in a blur of color as the train continued toward its destination. The sight and smell of the green trees and brightly colored flowers in bloom, the scent of the crisp mountain air and the sense of serenity that was felt throughout every inch of Kurain Village; Maya definitely missed that. Even though she had been back in America for a few months now, coming back to Kurain via the train and seeing all of the scenery of the village-her village-was something she'd never tire of. She'd been away from it for too long. Well, they do say absence makes the heart grow fonder.

The train arrived at the Kurain station and Maya departed from her car, stepping out on to the platform and deeply inhaling.

"Ahh!" she smiled and stretched, loving the warm feel of the sun overhead as it shined down over the train station.

Yep, it was good to be home. Well, almost home. She still had to get back to her village.

Her village; that took on a whole new meaning now that she had completed her spirit medium training and was slated to officially become the new Master of Kurain. Maya couldn't deny the feelings of nervousness and anxiety that crept into the back of her mind. It was a big role she was going to be taking on, with big shoes to fill. She wondered a time or ten, during the course of her training, if she was really up to the task.

Her doubts were always quelled in the same way: Nick. Her dear friend, attorney Phoenix Wright, would always tell her that he believed in her fully and with every fiber in his being that she was going to make an amazing Spirit Medium Master one day. Maya made sure to keep every letter he wrote her so she could read them over again and again if she was ever feeling discouraged, worried or homesick. Nick was a great friend.

I believe in you, Maya!

There is no one better suited to become the next Master of Kurain than you, Maya!

You are an amazing spirit medium.

You've saved my butt a bunch of times in court with your skills!

I believe in you, Maya.

I always have and I always will.

I know you can do it.

A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she walked up the long, dusty path toward the village. The first thing she wanted to do when she got settled was to call up Nick and go for a big, juicy burger with all the works. Maya also wanted to thank him for all he'd done for her over the past few years, especially with what transpired back in Khura'in not that long ago. Just like always, Nick had her back. With all that had happened over the last few days in that country, she never got a chance to properly thank him for all his help and encouragement. Plus, with Nick's longtime friend, Larry Butz, getting into trouble yet again (when something smells, it's usually the Butz), they really didn't get a chance to just hang out as friends. Sure, it was great to be investigating again like they did years ago but Maya wanted to just spend some time with Nick as a friend. Now that things were finally settling down, Maya was going to be sure to do so.

"Welcome home, Mystic Maya!"

She was greeted by the residents of Kurain as she passed by. Maya knew it was going to take some getting used to, being the new Master. It had been a long time coming, but now that day was finally here. It was surreal, to say the least.

Reaching Fey Manor, Maya headed inside. She smiled at the familiar surroundings, happy to be back home for the first time in a long time. Making her way through the manor, Maya headed into the Meditation Room. The room was dark, so she flicked on the lights.

"SURPRISE!"

Maya jumped when she heard the word. Turning on the lights, she found that a whole group of people had gathered in the Meditation Room. A "welcome home" banner hung from the rafters and, front and center in the group, Maya spied Nick, holding a large cake that shared the same message.

"Mystic Maya!" her dear cousin, Pearls, happily skipped out of the group and embraced her.

Maya hugged her back tightly.

"Thanks, everyone!" she said afterward. "This was a great way to be welcomed home!"

"It was Mr. Nick's idea," Pearl smiled brightly at her.

The teen brought her hands up to her face and adopted a dreamy look.

"He wanted to make sure his 'special someone' had a proper homecoming celebration,"

"Pearls!"

Nick served the cake and all of the guests that had gathered made sure to officially welcome Maya back while they enjoyed their cake. A little while later, Maya slipped outside into the Winding Way to get a little reprieve from all the attention. It was a bit overwhelming.

"Maya?"

She turned to see Nick standing near the door leading to the Meditation Room.

"Hi, Nick," Maya waved.

"Everything okay?" he asked as he headed over to where she was standing.

Maya nodded, her topknot bobbing slightly from the gesture.

"Yeah, just a lot to take in," she said. "Thanks for this party, Nick. It was a great way to come home after all my training and after what happened in Khura'in recently."

"Well, we're all happy to have you back, Maya," Nick said. "Plus, I remember you saying you wanted a 'welcome home' party when we were helping Larry out of another jam."

Maya chuckled. That was Larry for you. Nick moved his hands from behind his back and handed her a gift box wrapped in blue and purple paper.

"This is for you,"

Maya smiled.

"You didn't have to get me anything,"

"I know, but I wanted to,"

Placing the box on the railing, Maya opened the gift. Inside was a photo album. She flipped open the first page.

"It's from our first case together!" Maya said.

"I had a lot of free time on my hands for a while there," Nick said with his telltale embarrassed laughter, referring to his hobo days. "I spent a lot of time hanging around the office and cleaning and stuff. I found a bunch of old photos from when we worked together, as well as some stuff from Mia. I thought you might like them."

Maya continued flipping through the pages of the photo album. There were some news clippings of cases they solved together, as well as various photos of the two of them, some with their clients and others with friends. Maya could feel the sting of the tears burning her eyes when she found some old photos Nick had stuck into the book from Mia. Her late sister must have kept them in the office after she left the mountain years ago to become a lawyer. It was bittersweet to see pictures of the two of them when they were kids. Maya couldn't help but laugh at some of the pictures, especially one where Maya was about two and crying while Mia, about twelve, pieced the sacred urn of Ami Fey back together.

"Wow," was all she could say.

Maya looked up from the book to look at Nick. She couldn't find the words, so, instead, she just gave him a hug. She was wrong when she said Nick was a great friend; he was even better than that.