Ace Attorney Collection

It's Hard to Say Goodbye

Summary: Phoenix and the gang are ready to leave Khura'in, but decide to have one final heartfelt goodbye to Apollo before they leave. During these final moments, the gang begin realizing the impact they've left on each other and memories that will last a lifetime.

Phoenix made one quick search throughout the room he was staying in to make sure he didn't leave anything behind. Ahlibi came into the room with a small basket, collecting towels and trash. His family had allowed Phoenix to sleep in a spare room to Maya's request. Of course, it came with the pay as Ahlibi being his Tour Guide. His family had offered to pay Phoenix a little extra for his defense in court, to which Phoenix refused. He didn't feel right in requiring his usual pay to defend Ahlibi that day. Unlike his own country, there was no one to defend Ahlibi, not even a Public Defender.

Phoenix was incredibly happy to hear that Khura'in is appointing state-appointed Defense Attorneys. While Apollo would be the only Defense Attorney in Khura'in, the neighboring countries, India and Nepal, were willing to send volunteering attorneys so long as they were promised legal protection. As Queen, Rayfa signed a commonwealth between the two nations separately that any attorney taking on a client in Khura'in would be provided protection legally, financially, etc. While the Defense Credibility Act was no longer law, considering how long it had been in law and the number of deaths among Defense Attorneys, Khura'in needed to cooperate with her neighboring countries if the legal system was to ever be repaired. Apollo couldn't juggle the entire country on his own, even as much as Nahyuta and Rayfa love to tease him doing so.

Ahlibi set a stack of Phoenix's folded clothes on the fully made bed. He bowed, stating, "I made sure to wash and fold your clothes. Don't worry, I made sure to be extra careful on the suits," He grinned, folding his hands behind his head.

"Thank you. You didn't have to do that. But wait, I thought you didn't have dry cleaning here," Phoenix stated. He remembered searching everywhere and could not find a laundry mat or a place to dry clean his clothes. It was all done by hand.

"We don't. I asked Mr. Justice what dry cleaning was and he taught me how to clean delicates by hand. He says he cleans his own suits at home all the time."

"That's News to me," Phoenix replied. He now wished he could've known that. It would certainly have saved him $100 worth of dry cleaning his suits every other week. He checked his suits and was impressed at how clean and neat they looked. "Well, you did a good job with these."

"Thanks. I try," Ahlibi grinned proudly, then showed neutral expression. "Will I see you again?"

"Hm... considering Apollo is here, I might. This is a very nice country."

"Hm... Mr. Wright, can I ask you something?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"Why did you become a Defense Attorney?"

"Hahaha it's because I wanted to save people."

"Save people? You mean from false charges like what happened to me?"

"That's right."

"But... what about those that are Guilty? I know you saved me and Ms. Maya and I appreciate that, but I've been here long enough to know that not every person put on trial is innocent or framed."

"You serve a good point."

"Have you ever defended a Guilty person."

"Yeah. Unfortunately, I can't always know if my client is Guilty or not. I have a magatama to tell me if my client is lying or not, but sometimes even the clients I take know how to bypass it. Sometimes I get those that have confessed their deeds, but just need a second chance or an act of mercy due to being in bad circumstances. Kinda like what happened with Abbot and his wife, not every murder is clear and cut. Sometimes the murder turns out to be an accident, out of self defense or forced against their will. When on trial, the defendant is scared and traumatized by their own involvement, regardless if they're guilty or not. That's why they need a Defense Attorney."