A/N: Hi guys! I'm back with another chapter! This one is kind of important in my opinion, because it sets up Turnabout Serenade, and reconciles one of my favorite friendships (JUST FRIENDSHIP) from the series, even if Clay and Apollo's friendship is quickly taking over that spot…
ANYWAYS! Here we go!
…
Chapter 19: Truce
July
The bookshelves of the Courthouse Library towered over me as I crouched over a table near the back of the room. Spread out on the table in front of me were files from Kristoph Gavin's cases before his incarceration.
Despite being half-drunk that night two weeks ago when I was talking to Ema, I realized that what I said was true: I want to save Dad. I want to prove that he was set up, because I truly believe that's what happened.
And that thought lead me to remember an exchange Dad and Mr. Gavin had during the Shadi Smith trial…
…
"You were planning this all along, weren't you, Wright? Just because you wanted to drag me into your little murder trial…"
"The only thing I want… is the truth. As I did back then… and now."
"Is… this your idea of revenge, Phoenix Wright?"
"Revenge…?"
"Revenge for the events that took away your attorney's badge seven years ago!"
…
Kristoph Gavin was a lot more connected to that case then at first glance. It was also a little odd, I thought, that Gavin was the only one to vote against the decision to take away Dad's badge. But the only investigating I could do into him, right now, was his past cases.
They didn't really tell me much I didn't already know: he was considered the 'Coolest Defense in the West' for his unflusterable demeanor and skill in court. But that's about all.
With a sigh, I stood, replacing the files, and heading towards the door.
"Herr Forehead. Fancy meeting you here," an annoyingly familiar voice said, and suddenly Klavier Gavin was standing in front of me, his hands on his hips as he leaned in a little too close. I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Prosecutor Gavin," I said curtly, going to step around him.
"Ah, wait, please?" he asked, catching my shoulder. I looked over at him. "I would just like to talk, ja?"
"I'm sorry, Prosecutor Gavin, but I'm busy, and…" I trailed off, surprised by the serious look Gavin was giving me.
"Please? It won't take much of your time," he said. I sighed.
"Alright," I finally relented, allowing the man to lead me to the lunchroom in the courthouse. After getting drinks (coffee for him, soda for myself), we sat down.
"So, what is this about?"
"First, I would like to apologize for last month," Gavin started, throwing me off guard.
"Apologize?" I asked.
"Ja. I… made some comments that were out of line. About your father…" he said. I looked down at my Coke, staying quite. "I also… realize that I was the prosecutor on the case in which Zak Gramarye disappeared and Phoenix Wright lost his badge, which lead to Herr Wright adopting you. I can imagine that hasn't made life easy…"
"What, Dad adopting us?" I asked sharply.
"Nein, of course not!" he said quickly. "That your father disappeared and the man who adopted you was jobless," he said. I hesitated, before sighing.
"I… sorry. I jumped the gun," I sighed. "And… for the record, Zak wasn't my biological father. He was my step-dad," I said. Gavin nodded. "Life was hard, to be honest. Me and Trucy had to work too, just for the three of us to make ends-meet. But… I can't say it was necessarily bad," I explained. He nodded again. "And, I understand that you were just doing your job as a prosecutor and working with the information you had on hand." I looked up at him, surprised at myself. For years, I held onto this anger at him. I hated him for his involvement in Dad's disbarment and Zak's disappearance. I despised him.
But… he helped me bring Alita Tiala to justice. He did his job in that case seven years ago, and I honestly don't think Dad hates him anymore. After all, Dad himself bought down lawyers who presented false evidence and were corrupt. I would have done the same myself in his or Gavin's shoes.
Perhaps… It was time to let go of this grudge.
"I forgive you," I said simply. Klavier Gavin smiled brightly at that.
"I'm glad, Herr Forehead. I can tell you fight for the truth, and I would hate for us to be real enemies," he said with a smile. I chuckled softly.
"You're right, I guess," I agreed.
"I do have a favor to ask of you, though," Gavin said, leaning forward on the table.
"Uh… what is it?" I asked.
"Well, I have a concert coming up later this month, and Lamiroir—have you ever heard of her?" Gavin cut himself off to ask. I nodded.
"Yeah, Trucy uses her music in her magic act," I said. I secretly loved Lamiroir's music. It was soothing, bringing up happy, warmer memories from my past, when Mom was still around.
"Well, Lamiroir will be part of the concert. And, I have this idea, of two stages, one at the front, one at the back. I want her to disappear from the front stage, and her cloak to fly across the venue, to the second stage, and her to appear as it gets there," Gavin explained. I leaned back, putting a finger to my forehead. "I know you used to be Apollo Gramarye, part of Troupe Gramarye, and that you actually performed with them on stage. I was hoping…"
"That I could help you with that bit of complicated magic?" I finished. The man nodded with a large grin, his blue eyes bright with this vision. I closed my eyes, envisioning the trick he described. The logistics of it would be quite complicated, and it would take a lot of set up beforehand.
"I… I don't know, Mr. Gavin. I'm more… sleight of hand then big stage magic…" I said, looking up at him. He looked crushed.
"Please, Herr Forehead? I want this to be a truly magical experience for my fans, ja? Er… no pun intended," he added. I chuckled slightly at that.
"I understand that. I just… that's a lot of planning and beforehand set up. Plus, we'd have to let a lot of people know the trick, which means we'd need to put it in their contracts not to tell anyone. And, despite a contract, someone could always let slip what happened," I explained, approaching this show much how I remember Grandfather doing it. "Besides, if the trick goes wrong, it might ruin your concert…"
"Achtung, baby!" Gavin suddenly announced, causing me to jump. "If anyone can do it, Herr Forehead, it's you! After all, you have the mind for it, ja? Who else would have thought of the murderer being in the Noodle stand, or a secret passage behind a cupboard?"
"Er…"
"Besides, you trained with the best magicians in the history of stage magic," the man continued. "Beyond that, you are one of them! You're a Gramarye! I believe you could do this and pull it off smoothly," he said. I stared up at him, surprised at the passion in his voice, and at his words. I then smiled.
"You know what? You're right. I can," I said, my smile growing. "But it's a little too much for just one magician. If you can get a hold of someone who's dropped off the radar for the last seven years, we'll be in business," I said with a grin, leaning forward.
"Oh? Who's that?" he asked.
"Valant Gramarye."
…
A week later, I walked into the Sunshine Stadium, dressed in my magician outfit of the red cloak and top-hat. Dad, Clay, and Trucy thought that if I was going to create a magic trick, I should dress the part… even if it was a little uncomfortable for me.
Gavin met me back stage.
"Wow, Herr Forehead. This is quite… different… from what you normally wear. I could almost believe you and Fräulein Wright were siblings," he joked. I smiled slightly, giving a shrug.
"Well, she's the one going into magic, not me," I said, walking alongside him. And she got REEEAAALLY jealous when she heard what I was going to do…
"That's right," Gavin mused, before shrugging, opening a door for me. "Our second magician has arrived," he said into the room. I looked up, noticing a room full of people, before seeing one and gasping, darting forward.
"Uncle Valant!" I called, throwing my arms around the man. He laughed warmly, hugging me back.
"Hello, Apollo!" he said, and for a moment, I was thrown back in time to when this man would teach me little card ticks. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, taking in his familiar warmth.
Maybe, doing this for Gavin wouldn't be such a bad thing after all…
…
A/N: And there we have it! In case you can't tell, this changes Turnabout Serenade quite a bit from the game's version.
Well, that's all for today! The next chapters are going to be long again, haha.
