A/N: This is the last main story chapter for this story. I don't think I have words to say at this point, besides that I am proud to have been able to reach this point. So for the last time: enjoy, my readers!

June 7th, 2029

3:00 p.m.

District Courthouse, Defendant Lobby #1

A part of Juniper wondered if she was dreaming as she stepped into the defendant lobby. The past few hours had been some of the most surreal madness she'd ever personally experienced, and Juniper had once been in an exploding courtroom.

"Congratulations on the Not Guilty verdict, Bailey," Juniper said, sticking with a formality to ground herself. "What do you plan to do now?"

"I'm unsure. My life is currently like a blank sheet of paper," Bailey said. "My employment as a maid at the Smokes' manor is over. However, I have a feeling I won't have a career as a bailiff now that Tony's deception has been exposed."

"It would be so unfair if you got fired because of something you had no part in," Juniper said, frowning. "If you want to keep your job as a bailiff, I will definitely fight for you to keep it."

"You've finished a long trial and you still feel an urge to help people. You definitely get that from our mother," Bailey said, a small smile on her face. "I have yet to decide what to do with myself. But before that, there is something I must do first."

Bailey bowed at the waist in front of Juniper. "I apologize for how I've treated you up until now. I meant to do this sooner, but there was no time."

"You don't need to apologize, Bailey. I know how hard it is to trust someone you don't know," Juniper said. "And we only got to know each other recently."

"That is no excuse. When Mother told me to keep an eye on you, I knew that she wanted us to get along, as friends and as sisters. But when she died so abruptly…" Bailey lowered her maid headband so it covered her eyes. "I didn't know what to do with myself, and my heart raged in an uncontrollable storm. I had no outlet, and so I took it out on you. I convinced myself that I had to help shape you into a strong attorney, but in fact all I was doing was venting my anger."

"In other words, you didn't know how to cope with the grief of losing your mother." Athena entered the defendant lobby, having heard the conversation up until this point. "Not to excuse how you treated Junie, but I do get how irrational those feelings can be. So if you ever need a healthy way of dealing with your grief, I can always give you a therapy session."

"Hello there, Miss Cykes. I do not believe that we've ever had the chance to meet," Bailey said, uncovering her eyes so she could face Athena. "I will definitely take you up on your offer, after I've had some time to reflect on everything that's happened."

"I think I need to reflect as well. I've only barely begun my career in the legal system, but I've already seen so much," Juniper said, clutching her hands in front of herself. "About how defense attorneys still have to fight for every inch to save their clients. But also how prosecutors are forced to carry a lot of weight, needing to forgo even their own emotions to be able to do their jobs. And most of all, how as a judge must be able to mediate all of this, in every trial."

"This trial really showed us how deep the cracks run in the prosecutor's office. When I was watching the trial from the gallery, I heard everyone's emotions. What stuck out to me the most was what I heard from Miles Edgeworth," Athena explained. "He truly did have a genuine desire to push the legal system to be the best that it could be."

"It's hard to know what to feel about the Chief Prosecutor after everything," Hugh said, entering the defendant lobby as well. Slowly, everyone else trickled in: Robin, Bailey, Sheila, Myriam, and Klavier. "He is truly unrelenting and cold when he is against you."

"But Herr Edgeworth is only like that because the type of enemies that he faces demand no mercy," Klavier said, running his fingers through his hair. "It's the reason that he has removed vast amounts of corruption from the legal system."

"If it weren't for Edgeworth, I never would have been able to save Simon, or been able to expose my mother's killer," Athena said, looking much more conflicted. "And yet… having to carry so much on his shoulders has left him feeling deeply lonely inside. That's what I heard in Edgeworth's voice, as he talked about how he wanted to keep the people's trust in the legal system."

"When we were investigating the case, I heard about how isolating it is to be Chief Prosecutor," Robin said, also looking troubled. "About how Edgeworth slowly drifted away from all of his friends. I can't even begin to imagine how that feels!"

"Yet Mr. Edgeworth was beginning to lose himself," Ema said, as she entered the defendant's lobby. "Having to carry the weight of the legal system was starting to break him."

"Detective Skye! I'm surprised to see you here," Juniper said. "I thought you were being questioned about how you withheld evidence."

"I was, but I asked Mrs. Newman for special permission to be here. I was surprised when she actually granted it." Ema fidgeted in an uncomfortable manner. "Still, there's something I absolutely need to say."

Ema got on her hands and knees. "I am… I am absolutely sorry for everything that I've done!"

"Woah, you don't have to go that far, Ema!" Athena exclaimed. "Get back on your feet, please."

Ema did stand back up. "I know all of you must be furious with me. But I really believed that Edgeworth had everyone's best interest at heart, and helping him would help everyone."

"Then what made you change your mind?" Juniper asked. "You talk about the victim's letter, even knowing it would sink you too."

"Because I noticed a change happening in Mr. Edgeworth. I tried to ignore it, but it got worse and worse," Ema said, looking at the ground. "Just as you were all saying- Mr. Edgeworth was slowly becoming more and more isolated, and there was nothing I could do to change that. And I tried as hard as I could to be there for him."

"I'm sure that Das Chief appreciated your efforts, in his own way," Klavier said in a reassuring tone. "But he's never been good at expressing himself."

"I know what you're trying to do, Gavin, but you don't have to do it." Ema bit her lip. "I can't be in denial anymore. That's why I told the truth about the victim's letter in the end- it was my way of trying to save Mr. Edgeworth, by putting it all out there."

"That was very brave of you, Ema," Athena said, smiling at her. "You definitely have my gratitude."

If I may say something here! What my parents were doing was wrong too!" Robin cried out. "They kept committing more and more crimes, and they weren't going to stop until someone forced them to stop!"

"Yet it's hard to hate your parents, even when you know what they do is wrong," Hugh said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I haven't talked to my parents since I learned they were paying for my grades, but… they did that because I failed so often before."

"I knew that I could have stopped my mother by reporting her to the police, or prosecutor's office. But I could never bring myself to do that! And I think it's because everything they did was for my sake!" Robin clenched her fists, tears leaking out of her eyes. "So I'm grateful that you finally made them face the truth, Juniper!"

"I didn't do it alone. Everyone contributed to getting the full truth from both Mr. Edgeworth and Mrs. Newman." Juniper reflected on everything that happened in the trial. "And neither Edgeworth or Mrs. Newman are really bad people. But both of them tried to change the legal system in their own way, and went astray in the process."

At this point, Sheila spoke up. "But why does it have to be like that? Why does the legal system have to make people so sad?"

"I know that since your sister is a mechanic, you might think that everything can be fixed," Klavier said in a gentle voice. "But the legal system is a little more complicated than that."

"You're right, Prosecutor Gavin. The legal system is certainly complicated. However, I think I've realized what a good first step to fix the issues," Juniper said. "And that's for everyone involved in the legal system to reach out to each other."

Klavier focused his attention on Juniper. "Do tell, Fraulein Woods. What epiphany have you arrived at?"

"More than anything, Prosecutor Edgeworth wanted to change the Prosecutor's Office for the better. But instead, he became obsessed with making prosecutors into machines that never made mistakes. Instead, it might be for the best if prosecutors could trust defense attorneys to catch their mistakes, and prevent false charges," Juniper said, reflecting on all her court cases until this point. "That way, prosecutors will be less pressured to be perfect."

"But it goes both ways. There are defendants that are guilty, but only committed their crimes because they had no other choice," Hugh said. "So defense attorneys need to reach out to prosecutors, so the defendant's punishment isn't overly harsh."

Shelia's expression fell at hearing this. "When someone does a bad thing, it also hurts the people around them."

"And as a Judge, I want to be able to keep both the defense and the prosecution in line," Juniper said, her eyes filling with determination. "So that neither side becomes desperate, and feels the need to use underhand tactics to win."

"So you wish for a kinder legal system, that doesn't leave behind defendants that suffered under the way things are now," Klavier said, a serious expression on his face. "Are you sure you can handle this, Fraulein Woods?"

"By myself, I certainly couldn't do it. Which is why I want to trust prosecutors like you, and defense attorneys like Thena and Hugh," Juniper said, looking around the room. "I think that this way, with everyone lending a hand, we can truly begin to make a legal system that the public can trust."

"Don't forget about me! The media is the connection between the legal world and the public!" Myriam declared. "And I'm going to write an article all about what happened in this trial! It will be titled, 'secrets uncovered in exhilarating trial mark bold new change for the legal system', sss sss sss!"

"Now that I've heard that, I need to make sure that my defense office is at the forefront of this new change," Hugh said, smirking. "Of course, we are getting a new defense lawyer soon."

"About that, Hugh! I have bad news!" Robin's loud voice commanded the attention of everyone in the room, not just Hugh. "I won't be joining your office as a defense attorney after all!"

"Surely you don't plan on joining the Wright Anything Agency," Hugh said in a teasing voice. "If we're rival defense attorneys, then I will have no shame in sniping clients from you."

"No, I'm not going to be a defense attorney after all. I am going to take the bar exam again, to earn my prosecutor's badge back," Robin explained. "I don't know how long it will take, but I'll find a way!"

Everyone in the room looked surprised at this. Klavier was the first to speak up, asking, "What made you decide to stick with the prosecutor's path, Fraulein Robin?"

"During the last stretch of the trial, when my Mom's crimes were being deliberated, I found myself tapping into my inner prosecutor. I knew that I couldn't let her get away with framing Bailey!" Robin cried out. Then her expression grew more serious. "I also remember that being at the prosecutor's bench is what allowed me to save Andres from a false charge. Both these events proved that my Dad was right- I'm truly a prosecutor to my very core! To deny that would be to deny my very being!"

Klavier played a lick of air guitar. "Achtung! What a poetic declaration! I admit, it did get very quiet in the office without you. But are you truly sure that you want to return, even with the difficult trials that lay ahead?"

"Yes, I'm completely s-u-r-e! I've never been the type to run from a challenge in my life," Robin said, as she began emitting a fiery aura. "I will become a new kind of prosecutor, and help change what it means to be one!"

"At the beginning of this case, I had been offered the prosecutor's bench. However, I refused," Klavier said. "And that's because I suspected that Mrs. Newman was involved in the crime. I let her take the bench, so that when her crimes were exposed she couldn't run back to Khura'in. Yet, I didn't begin to suspect what she truly had planned."

"It was Mrs. Newman taking on the prosecution of this case that allowed Miles Edgeworth to be exposed as the true killer," Athena said, playing with her earring as she mulled over her own words. "She knew full well she would also get arrested, but she went through with it regardless. I don't approve of her methods for doing it, but it would have been wrong for that truth to stay buried too."

"Then all of us in this room have to work to make a legal system where such methods aren't necessary," Juniper said, seeing all her friends paying attention to her words. "We come from different parts of the legal system, and even have different viewpoints on what's right. But we've all worked together despite all that. That's why I believe that it's possible that all of us can lay the foundation for a legal system that won't leave vulnerable people behind."

"Yes, that includes you, Detective Skye!" Robin added, seeing that Ema had been drifting away from the group during Juniper's speech. "You've always come through when it really matters! So once I get my prosecutor's badge back, let's work a case together again!"

"How bold of you to claim Fraulein Detective for yourself," Klavier said in a teasing voice. "What if I wanted to work a case with her, for old times sake?"

"Hey, don't discuss me like I'm some piece of meat!" Ema snapped. Then her expression grew somber. "After everything that's been revealed in court today, I'm probably not getting let off with just a slap on the wrist. But if by some miracle I manage to keep my job, I wouldn't mind working with you again, Miss Newman."

"Looks like everything worked out, then!" Athena said, grinning. "But we can't stand around the defendant lobby! Let's go out and celebrate Bailey's exoneration!"

"I'm sure I could pull some strings for a fancy restaurant that could accommodate our large group," Klavier said, snapping his fingers. "Such an occasion deserves some extravagance, ja?"

"Ah, but we get going, I'd like everyone to group together," Myriam said, as she took out a camera from inside her trench coat. "My upcoming article needs a good photograph!"

"I don't see why not," Athena said. "Okay, everyone. Let's try to group together so everyone shows up in the photo…"

As everyone stood in front of Myriam for the photo Hugh, Juniper, and Robin all got an idea at the same time. The three of them looked at each other, and knew they were on the same page. They made sure to be at the front and center of the group.

The three of us have come so far since we were students at Themis Legal Academy, so many years ago. Despite everything, we've managed to stay friends. I'm glad the three of us have managed to reunite, and keep our promise. And I hope that this bond can continue on like this forever…

Myriam put her finger to the camera's shutter. "Okay, everyone. I will take the picture in three, two, one-"

The moment Myriam took the photo, the three of them drew their arms back and pointed forward, shouting the same word:

"OBJECTION!"

My name is Juniper Woods, and this is the end of one chapter of my life, and the start of a new chapter, filled with potential.

Juniper Woods: Ace Attorney

End Credits

"Hmm? You're asking about a defense attorney named Juniper?" Stephanie Payne asked. "I faced her during her very first case, as it happens. She handed me a pretty bitter defeat."

Stephanie patted her coiffed hair. "However, with change on the horizon, I'm determined to bring new honor to the Payne name! Miss Woods should be ready the next time she faces me!"

Presented by Team Juniper's Council

"Filming has wrapped up for 'The Steel Samurai vs. the Plumed Punisher'. Now we need only wait for the movie to release," Emmet Strong said, as he scribbled in a notepad. "However, it will not do to remain idle. I shall find a new movie for you to act in right away."

"Settle down, Emmet. We don't need to find new work right away," Starlight Moon said. "After all, we still need to give V.I.P tickets to Hugh and his friends, as thanks for when he defended me."

"Then I will make sure to give them the most exclusive tickets for the night of the premiere," Emmet said, adjusting his visor. "It's the least we can do for them."

Starlight confidently smiled. "And then after that, we can continue to take the movie world by storm."

Original Concept and Main Writer

Snowthefirst/HinataSnow

"I've been recovering from Skylar's death, one day at a time. To honor her memory, I've been trying to start a career as a solo artist." Andres Artisan sketched something onto a large easel. "And I cannot think of any art piece more fitting for my debut than one that shows my gratitude to the two people that saved me, in my darkest hour."

Andres turned the easel forward, showing that it was a rough sketch of Juniper and Robin, the former with a large attorney badge behind her and the latter with a large prosecutor badge behind her.

Main Editor

Alphameter

Jon Kent fluttered out his hero cape behind him. "I admit, I got a harsh lesson in court before. But that's why I want to grow up to be a real hero, that can save anyone in trouble!"

The young boy crossed his arms thoughtfully. "But I don't know exactly what I want to be when I grow up. Prosecutor, defense attorney, judge, detective… they all sound so awesome! Maybe I'll be all of them at once!"

Secondary Editor

Peach

"I'm so happy to see you again, Carnila!" Sheila exclaimed, as she hugged her older sister.

"I'm happy to see you too, Shelly," Carnila said, hugging her sister back. "And I'm sorry I was away from you for so long. But now that I'm out of prison, I'll begin to fix our lives."

"Umm…" Sheila shyly twiddled her fingers. "Can we still eat breakfast at Miss Woods' place? Juniper's grandma makes the best pancakes!"

"You know, I haven't had a chance to try them out myself," Carnila said, smiling. "We can go visit them to catch up with Miss Woods, and also to thank Hugh for all that he's done for us."

Music Composer

Supercykes

"Good news, everyone! Carnila's come out of prison!" Jacob Tumble said, cheerfully doing a somersault. "We can ask her to return as the carnival's mechanic!"

"That is good news! It pained me that the carnival needed to stay closed," Nina said, dressed in a simple yellow dress instead of her work uniform. "I want to be able to bring a smile to people's faces again."

"But that is only the beginning. We must prevent the abuse that drove Carnila in a corner from happening again," Harry said, his eyes burning with determination. "Which is why before the carnival gets a new owner, let us form a union, so that our flames can protect each other!"

Based on the Ace Attorney series by Capcom

"When coping with the grief of my mother's death, I began to believe that all was the design of a grander fate. It was the only way I could accept how abruptly I lost her." Bailey, dressed in her bailiff uniform, pulled her cap over her eyes. "Yet with help from Miss Cykes, I have begun to accept that I do not have to succumb to the cruel waves of life."

Bailey uncovered her eyes, her entire expression significantly more hopeful. "Juniper and Robin have also shown me how to walk forward with courage. It embarrasses me to have my little sister be so capable, however. I shall have to strive to set a good example for Juniper."

Thank you to all the readers that have read this story, even if only one chapter.

"Well, looks like I've gotten suspended from the police without pay for several months," Ema said, sadly nibbling on a Snackoo. Although it probably could have gone much worse."

"Don't frown, Fraulein Detective. Think of this as a chance to have a fresh start," Klavier said. "You can create more of those forensic gadgets you love so much."

"Don't patronize me, glimmerous fop." Ema's voice lacked the usual venom. "But… you are right that it's a fresh start. I want to remember what forensic science truly means to me. Maybe I should talk with Lana about this."

"I'm not in a position to take it easy either. With the prosecutor's office currently in turmoil, there needs to be someone to keep everything steady." Klavier played his air guitar. "This will be the most difficult performance of my career, but all the more reason to try!"

Special thanks to the readers that have stuck around and left reviews on every chapter of this story up until now.

"Junie has definitely accomplished a lot, and I have to keep up with her!" Athena punched her open palm with a fist. "Which means I need to take on more cases, and make more of a name for myself!"

Athena made a V sign with one of her hands. "And with Mr. Wright returning from Khuar'in and Apollo going with him to visit, it's going to be a reunion of the Wright Anything Agency!"

But there is one more case left in the narrative, which will premiere later this year.

"Since the trial into Tony Smokes' death has been concluded, there has been a public outcry for me to step down as the Chief Prosecutor. I have also been contacted by the Prosecutorial Investigation Committee to appear before them." Edgeworth adjusted his glasses. "I underestimated Mrs. Newman's ability to manipulate even the masses to accomplish her aims."

"However, this is far from the first time that someone has tried to bring me down. I will never stop prosecuting according to my creed, because certain criminals can only be brought down when you go against them with a clear head of logic."

Coming Q3 2023

Episode 0: Turnabout of the Night.

In the detention center, Richard Newman's expression didn't show a trace of regret. "I've always believed in Diana, as my wife. I believed that she had everyone's best interests at heart. Yet I also believed that one day, Robin would grow up to be a truly capable woman. Even like this, I will find a way to quietly support them. That is… my role in the family."

Enjoy these two "after credit scenes"!

"So then, it's finally over. I hope you know that I don't approve of how you went about this," Constance Courte said, peering at Diana Newman in her holding cell.

"I knew that you wouldn't. However, I knew that if anyone could solve this case the proper way, it would be Juniper Woods." Diana smiled at Constance. "You really did teach her well."

"I had a chance to talk with Juniper and Bailey. Seeing them has left me confident that they will be fine." Constance returned the smile to her erstwhile friend. "But I am also glad that we got to catch up, one last time."

Constance's visage faded, to be replaced by Amara Sigatar Khura'in. "I hope that you received the closure that you were seeking."

"I did. It was a conversation I didn't think I would ever have." Mrs. Newman drew her arms closer to herself defensively. "But I imagine that you're not very happy with me after hearing everything that I've done."

Amara spread her arms. "The Holy Mother is forgiving. Since you are already serving a prison sentence, I do not feel a need to mete out further punishment. In fact, I believe that you can be rehabilitated. When you are finished with your sentence, I would not mind if you returned to Khura'in."

"Who am I to refuse an invite from a friend?" Mrs. Newman's body language relaxed. "But something tells me that you aren't letting me off that easily. I heard the anger in your tone."

"I will make sure you do not stray again," Amara said, the air around her crackling with electricity. "Even if it means hammering the lesson into your head."

"...I almost feel like I'm safer behind bars."

The Steel Samurai successfully disarmed the Plumed Punisher, but not before the hilt of her dagger smacked him across the head. Both of them looked at each other.

"Now that I get a closer look at you, you do not appear to be a demon at all! But, then who are you?" The Steel Samurai asked.

"You are not a wicked spear-wielding criminal either!" The Plumed Punisher exclaimed. "Why were we fighting?"

"Ah ha ha ha! It was all my manipulation! I was hoping that you would finish each other off, but everything is still going according to plan!"

The Plumed Punisher and the Steel Samurai turned to look at the source of the voice, but the former immediately recognized them. "Arachnid Queen! But, it can't be! You are an emissary of the Holy Mother!"

"You are correct there. It's by the Holy Mother's edict that I will take over the world," The Arachnid Queen said, putting her hand up to her mouth. "Ah ha ha ha! So go, kill the Steel Samurai, in the name of the Holy Mother!"

In the movie theater, Robin had to cover her own mouth to stifle her gasp. "You weren't kidding about Miss Moon's acting ability, Hugh!"

"I'm glad you think so, Robin," Hugh whispered back. "But let's try to keep it quiet."

"We don't have to keep it down. Starlight reserved this screening room for the three of us," Juniper pointed out.

"I guess movie theater etiquette is so ingrained that we couldn't help but stick to it," Robin said, now speaking in her regular loud voice. "But it feels so n-i-c-e to enjoy time with you guys like this after so long!"

"Even when you were gone for months, we never gave up looking for you," Juniper said, resting a hand on Robin's shoulder. "We would have gone to the ends of the earth to find you."

"Because we know that you'd do the same for us," Hugh added, showing off the proof of friendship on his neck. "Of course, I always knew that we'd reunite."

"Thank you! You are really the best friends I could ask for!" Robin said, rubbing her proof of friendship on her bicep. "I know there's a lot that we need to do in the future. But for now, let's enjoy this time we have together!"

"Agreed, Robin. I'm really glad to be here with you and Hugh." Juniper said, touching the proof of friendship on her wrist.

The three friends turned their attention back to the movie, and the world outside ceased to exist for them.

Juniper Woods: Ace Attorney

THE END

A/N: Indeed, this story isn't over just yet. There is prequel case that will fill in a few last gaps in the narrative. However, I think after finishing the main story, I deserve a break. But after the break, I will put hard work into making this prequel story. So watch this space in the latter half of the year. See you next time! Please review.