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Just Another Truth, Wright	By : Blackwidina Category: +M through R > Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Views: 2004 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Ace Attorney series, and I make no money from the writing of this story.

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A/N: I'd just like to point out at this point that any time I bring up Apollo's father, this is who I have in mind: http://megalomaniacalme.net/pwmusical/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1248
For those too lazy to read, it's this really well thought out theory that Apollo's father is Damon Gant. Trust me; the evidence piles up to the point that it's creepy. And it's exactly the sort of plot twist that the Ace Attorney people love to give us. Because it's easier to bring back old(bag) characters than bother making new ones.
And yes, to those of you who are already familiar with the theory, that's why I slid in that line about Apollo not liking to swim. _ There's also a PWM reference in here.
On to the fic:

Just Another Truth, Wright
Chapter Three
After all the excitement, Apollo and Trucy couldn't bring themselves to do more than just lean back on the couch and just let it all soak in. It was like the emotional adrenaline rush had finally faded, leaving them completely wiped out.
"Can you really believe we're half-siblings?" Trucy yawned. "I mean, it's not a bad thing. I meant it when I said I already thought of you like a brother, but . . ."
"But it's not the same as actually being your brother, is it?" he replied sympathetically. "I feel the same way. I'm glad, but it's still kind of weird. Though . . . I guess it makes sense, looking back. I mean, we both have the same . . . ability, or whatever you want to call it."
"That's true," she mused. "It was an awfully big coincidence."
"And really, without knowing that . . . that our m-mother survived being shot, there was no way to connect those dots." He shrugged, then glanced up at the clock. "Wow. Amazing how time flies when you're having a fit. I didn't think we'd been here this long."
"Yeah. I wonder what she's thinking right now . . ." Trucy looked a little guilty. "I said some really mean things."
Apollo couldn't help but smile a little. "Looks like we both have the same temper. That's why I left, so I wouldn't say anything."
"Maybe I should try that next time." Trucy sighed, and adjusted her cloak. She fingered the diamond broach that clasped it together. "I . . . I almost wish I wasn't a Gramarye."
Apollo bolted upright on the couch, "Trucy, don't say that! The Gramarye legacy is yours, and you know you deserve it! You didn't do like Valant and just wait around for Magnifi and your dad's inheritance to roll around—you've spent all these years becoming a great magician all by yourself!"
A small grin played around Trucy's lips. "You think I'm a great magician, huh?" Her tone was teasing.
"You know you are. You've been wowing the crowds since you were a kid, and you're always studying to get better. I know how hard you work. I know you won't just ride the Gramarye coattails."
Trucy looked happier than he'd seen her all day. "Thanks, Polly!" She leaned forward and Apollo found himself in a hug. For once, he let himself relax into it, even hugging her back. When she pulled back, there was a confused look on her face, and she grabbed his left wrist. "Polly, where's your bracelet?"
"On the counter. I was so mad, I took it off."
"You're not going to throw it away, are you?"
"Probably not. I'm just ticked off; not stupid. Even as much as all of this hurts, it's just another truth. And the truth is always better than a lie, I think."
"Even when your client keeps saying stupid stuff on the stand?"
"Hey, if my client's innocent, it's the other testimony that's fiction."
They sat in silence for a little while longer, Trucy even closing her eyes like she was ready to take a nap. They were so tired that when the door slammed open, they both jumped a mile high.
Phoenix stood there, looking upset and panting like he'd just run a mile. "Guys, she's left!"
"Left?" repeated Apollo.
"As in checked out and left for the airport. I spent probably twenty minutes banging on the door before I thought to check downstairs. She's going to leave!"
"So what else is new?" Trucy replied waspishly
Apollo nudged her ribs, "Trucy, she's leaving because she's upset! We . . . we probably really hurt her feelings." He felt a wave of shame sweep over him.
"You did, Polly," Phoenix looked grim, "Imagine being in her place, worrying about how all this is going to end. She pretty much got handed the worst possible scenario. I'd want to go home, too."
"Oh." Trucy's voice had dropped to a whisper. "I didn't even think . . . Daddy, what do we do?"
Phoenix kind of gave her a Look, then stood with his hands jammed in his pockets. "Funny, I thought we'd gone over this."
"Phoenix, do you really think just apologizing will fix this?" Apollo pointed out, "I mean, guilt aside, we're both still pretty pi—er, angry about all of this."
"Are you really ready to announce her guilty verdict before you've heard the whole truth?"
"Dammit, this isn't a trial!"
"Isn't it? You believed in my innocence, despite all the evidence pointing at me, and even though I wouldn't tell you my side of things. It's part of the job, Apollo. Besides," and here he made sure to look at them both in turn, "do you really believe that I would have let her contact you, if I thought she was as awful as you two think?"
Apollo could feel his spikes wilting. Dammit, the man was right. And with an aside glance at Trucy, he could tell, bracelet or not, that she felt the same. "So . . . what, we follow and apologize? And then?"
"And then maybe we can get an extension of the trial."
He sighed, before moving to the desk to grab his bracelet, "You can stop with the court metaphors, Nick. We're not even open today."
"Hey, if the metaphor works, it's-"
"Don't even finish that. I'm calling a cab right now, you loon."
"Oh, so I'm Wright now? What happened to Nick?"
"Goddammit, Phoenix!"

Fifty minutes later, the trio rushed into the local airport, all praying that Thalassa had experienced similar traffic conditions. For a moment, Apollo and Trucy were a little bewildered by the vast madhouse of activity they'd entered, but Phoenix looked like a pro. Within minutes, he'd found out the gate that the next Borginian flight was leaving from, and led them at a brisk pace through security, and then into the airport proper.
"Oh, God, this place is freaking huge!" Apollo gasped. Throngs of people in various states of anxiety swirled around them, making him wish he'd left off his bracelet instead of putting it back on. He could feel himself break into a sweat—he'd never liked crowds, even though he'd lived in L.A. all his life.
"Shit!" Phoenix cursed, spying the crowds near the gate. "We'll never be able to find her in all this. Not in time, anyway."
"Daddy, look!" Trucy pointed to an elevated walkway. "If we got up there, we could probably see better!"
"Good thinking, Truce!" Grabbing them both by the arms, he steered them towards the stairs that let up to the walkway. Luckily, it wasn't as crowded as below, so they were able to find good vantage points at the railing.
Apollo swept his gaze through the crowds, thinking, 'Dammit, I wish she still dressed like Lamiroir. That would be easy to spot, but no, she had to wear nice, casual clothes so that she looks like every-freaking-body else!' "Do you guys see her? I've seen Where's Waldo books easier than this!"
"There she is!" Trucy shrieked. Phoenix and Apollo quickly followed her pointing finger, squinting to differentiate one slim brunette from the masses. "Look! She's heading towards the gate—they must be boarding!"
Phoenix slammed his hands down on the railing in frustration. "We'll never get to her in time!"
Trucy grabbed Apollo's left hand, "Polly!"
And suddenly, there it was—the existential moment, where he suddenly felt like his entire life had been leading up to this one single purpose. Pulling back on the railing for leverage, Apollo sucked in enough air that it made him light-headed, then pulled everything he had from his diaphragm:
"THALASSA!"
From his position, he could see her stop and turn to look at him. Along with everyone else in the airport. He felt himself wilting.
'Okay, life's purpose served. Could the earth just swallow me up now?'
In his perepheral vision, he could see Trucy and Phoenix both dropping their hands from where they'd had them clapped over their ears, but he was too concerned with overcoming his personal humiliation to try and do anything. Luckily, a moment later, Trucy took over, jumping up and down and yelling "Wait! Don't leave yet! We're sorry!"
"Excuse me, but you're creating a disturbance-" started up a strange voice, and Apollo was appalled to see a police officer glaring down at the two of them.
"Oh, they're with me!" Phoenix jumped in, giving a sheepish grin. He nervously scratched at the back of his head, in a pose Apollo had seen a million times in the old court records. "Their mother forgot something and we were just trying to catch her before she got on the plane!"
The cop seemed less than impressed with Phoenix, and Apollo had a thought that it probably wasn't smart to walk into an American airport looking like a hobo and causing a ruckus. Straightening and trying to look respectable (thank god he'd started keeping a spare suit at the agency), Apollo jumped in. "I apologize for my disruption, officer, but-"
"Oh, son, you're not in trouble," the officer broke in, still eyeing Phoenix. "I'm just giving a warning. Sir," this to Phoenix, "You need to make sure you keep your children under control, especially in this day and age. There's a lot of trouble these kids could run into."
Wait . . . what?
Apollo blinked, then stared as the cop ambled off. 'Son? Your children? How old does he think I am? And Phoenix, as my . . . what the . . . I mean, I know I'm a little below average height, but-'
"It's the baby face," Phoenix supplied helpfully, correctly guessing the reason behind Apollo's poleaxed expression.
He glared, "You're lucky I can't kill you right now."
"You can't kill me anyway. Who'd defend you?"
"Fuck you, Dad."

In a horrible sense of deja vu, Apollo again found himself standing and staring at his mother from the couch. The first big difference was that this time, it was Phoenix' couch, and they were in the Wright Anything Agency. The second big difference was that rather than awkward silences and explanations, Thalassa and Trucy were . . . sort of bonding. Over magic equipment. As in, Thalassa had taken one look around the Agency and promptly broken out of her shyness and started yammering on about how she remembered all of these tricks and asking if Trucy used them in her shows.
Now the two girls were talking shop, while Apollo just sat there, trying to decide if he was happy or jealous.
Phoenix slid onto the other end of the couch, handing him a bottle of apple juice from the fridge. "You okay?" he whispered.
Apollo shrugged. After all the excitement of chasing down Thalassa, he was feeling a bit exhausted. Not to mention, his throat was feeling a bit raspy—he hadn't done his Chords of Steel workout in weeks, since he'd been scolded for yelling too loudly in court that one time. He took a swig of juice, thankful for the cool sensation.
After a glance to make sure the two women were absorbed in the divided box, Nick slid over so that he could take Apollo's hand in his. "Is something wrong?" His voice was almost a whisper, so as not to disturb the two women.
"I'm tired," he replied, just as quietly. "And I still have so many questions, but I don't know if I can . . . or even if I should ask. I mean . . ."
Phoenix tilted his head, looking thoughtful. "That's not the Apollo I know. You'd lose every case if you let the details slide all the time."
"Nick, what did I say about all the court metaphors?"
"I still don't see how this is different, Polly. Think of Thalassa like a star witness—the only one who can shed some light on what really happened. You obviously don't want to press so hard she breaks, but you can't afford to let any shred of evidence or motive escape, because it may be that one thing that cracks the case and makes everything clear."
"Mr. Wright is correct," the soft, clear voice startled Apollo. He'd been so wrapped up in listening to Phoenix' advice that he hadn't noticed Thalassa coming to stand in front of him. She sat on the coffee table so that he could see her without straining. "Please, Apollo . . . may I call you that?"
"Um, sure. I mean, it's my name . . . uh, right? I mean, I just realized I never asked if I came to the orphanage with it or not."
"Yes, we named you Apollo," her voice sounded sad. "I fell in love rather early, I'm afraid, though looking back, I'm not sure it was entirely mutual. When he died, it felt like the end of the world. I was only a couple of years older than Trucy."
Apollo took a deep breath, "Is—is that why you decided to . . ." Dammit, he couldn't quite bring himself to say it.
She had the grace to look ashamed. "I—I really didn't intend to, at first. But I had nowhere to go, and my father, he . . . he told me that giving you up would be the only way to return to the troupe. That it would be better for you than being dragged around the country. And I . . . well, I know he considered me to have disgraced the troupe, and him. I let him convince me. I'm sorry." Her head bowed, and Apollo could see her trying to keep her composure. "I thought of you, I swear. Especially after Trucy was born. I asked Father if . . . but he said you'd already been adopted out."
"That's a lie!" Apollo objected without thinking.
"I know that now. I should have known then. I'm sorry. And . . . I know it may not seem like it, but I can understand how you feel."
Trucy, who'd been standing by Phoenix, stamped her foot childishly. "How? How could you know what it's like to be abandoned?"
Thalassa's hands were clenched into fists on her lap, and Apollo noted again that she was wearing the twin to his bracelet. He wondered if hers ever hurt her, too. "You must remember, Trucy, that I woke up in Borginia, not knowing who I was. It wasn't until my memory returned that I realized that my own father had covered up my death. He didn't just send me away, he told everyone that I had died." Tears slid down her face. "After everything I did to gain his approval, from giving up my son, to marrying Shadi, to devoting my life to his dream, he still got rid of me when it was to his advantage to do so."
In spite of himself, Apollo couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for her, hearing that. "It's . . . well, it's not really okay, but it all turned out that way in the end. I mean, if it weren't for all the things we went through, none of us would be the people we are today." He glanced over at Phoenix, who was smiling at him.
"That's very true. But still, today is a day for the past, isn't it? And I . . . may I ask what did happen to you? Please? Your fate has hung very heavily on me, before and after." She bowed a little.
Apollo shrugged. "Well, like I said, I was never adopted. I was in and out of orphanages and foster homes for a while." He decided to skim over as much as he could. "Um, when I was sixteen, I met a really awesome youth counselor, who'd been in the system too, and he convinced me that the best way to show everyone that they were wrong about kids like me was to really throw myself into my studies, get good grades, and get a degree in something prestigious that would allow me to rub people's noses in the fact that I broke the bell curve." He grinned fondly at the memory. "So I did. In my last couple of years of high school, I did a lot of dual credit courses, and had a head start on my college degree. I'd already decided I wanted to be a lawyer because of Phoenix."
"Mr. Wright . . ." Thalassa was looking at them both strangely. "I'm sorry, but when we met, you said you'd only known my son for a short time." Her voice made it a question, and Apollo couldn't help but Percieve that she was glancing down at their hands, still clasped around each other.
'Ohshit,' he thought reflexively, tensing. What kind of idiot was he today, that he'd gone from completely hidden—even locked—into the closet, and now the two most important people in his life knew? And his—his mother!
Phoenix wasn't answering the question, instead he was looking at Apollo appraisingly. Apollo was already blushing, but he took a deep breath to settle himself, and replied honestly, "I've known Phoenix for about a year now, but I knew of him back when I was younger. He was disbarred when I was fifteen, but while he was a lawyer, he helped a friend of mine. So, that's why I wanted to be an attorney. It really was incredible luck that Phoenix and I met for real. If I'd never accepted Mr. Gavin's apprenticeship offer, I might not have. So I think things worked out okay."
"That's the spirit, Apollo," the man said, beaming in that way that always made Apollo's stomach do flips.
He couldn't help but grin back, "Though I'll admit, I like being Apollo Justice. Apollo Doe was just embarrassing."
Trucy giggled, "Doe? Because they didn't know your last name?"
"Exactly. I didn't get to pick my own last name until I became an adult."
"Wait, you chose Justice as a last name?"
"Shut up, Flaming Bird Boy."
". . . But my parents named me Phoenix. You picked Justice!"
"What's your point, Wright? At least it means something to me—"
"GUYS!" Trucy butted in.
Both of them blushed when they realized they'd been bickering in front of the other two. "Sorry, Trucy," they replied.
A second later, someone's stomach growled, so the foursome decided to move things to the diner down the street. Apollo and (mostly) Trucy shared stories of growing up, and Thalassa shared snippets of her life as Lamiroir, including more about her companion, Michi. Phoenix was fairly quiet beside Apollo on their side of the booth, but both of the ex-orphans felt a great deal more comfortable with him there.
Finally, the restaurant closed down for the night, and Thalassa bid them goodnight before heading back to the Gatewater ahead of them. Phoenix, Apollo, and Trucy dawdled behind, slowly winding through the streets towards Apollo's apartment.
"You suuure you don't want to come back home with us, Polly?" Trucy wheedled.
Apollo couldn't help but laugh at her tone, "Yes, Trucy! This is my only spare suit. I've got to get the lot of them to the cleaners, do the rest of my laundry, clean up around the place, do errands—you know, grown-up stuff." She gave an epic pout, and he felt a terrible need to poke her in the ribs, just to make her giggle.
"EEK! POLLY!" She slapped at him, forcing him to dodge around Phoenix to hide.
"Making up for lost time, are you?" Phoenix teased, sounding genuinely amused.
Trucy jumped at the opportunity. "Daddy! Apollo's being a mean big brother!"
Even as he laughed, Apollo couldn't help the euphoria that seeped into his very bones, making him feel lighter. Big brother. Those were words he'd never thought he'd hear. Not from anyone.
"You're on your own, Trucy. I'm an only child. You've got to figure this one out by yourself." Phoenix stopped walking, causing Apollo to nearly bump into him. "Well, this is where you get off, Apollo."
Sure enough, they'd reached his building. He gave a little wave. "I'll be by tomorrow on the way to the dry cleaner's, okay Trucy? I'll pick up yesterday's suit, and then maybe we can go do something fun together. Sound good?"
To his surprise, Trucy didn't answer right away. Instead, she came forward and wrapped him in a sudden hug. He managed to swallow his sound of surprise and just hug her back, not missing the look of pleasure on Phoenix's face. How long had he been waiting for the two of them to be as close as siblings?
With one last squeeze, Trucy backed off. "Thanks, Polly!"
"Huh?"
"You're not so prickly as you used to be." She impulsively grabbed her daddy around the waist as well. "And you're not as cranky, either. I think you're really good for each other."
Phoenix actually blushed at Trucy's sly grin. "Uh, that's—er, Trucy-"
"In fact, I really think you two should spend more time together!" Suddenly, she gave Phoenix a shove, right into Apollo.
The smaller man barely managed to keep them both upright, "Trucy! What was that for?" he scolded.
The girl was slowly backing away down the sidewalk. "I think you and Daddy need to talk. Or something. So I'm kicking Daddy out of the Agency for the night."
"Oh really?" drawled Phoenix, his tone torn between amused and annoyed.
"Really. In fact, I think you've got no other choice!" Trucy beamed at she presented two familiar sets of keys—both for the office. And both certainly freshly pickpocketed off of their persons.
Both men reflexively checked their pockets, swearing in near unison. By the time they'd looked back up, Trucy had already taken off running, her cape flapping dramatically behind her.
"Dammit, Trucy!" Apollo swore again. He raised his voice, "Your disappearing act sucks, by the way!"
Phoenix chuckled. "That's not the first time I've been presented with a fleeing Gramarye. Probably won't be the last."
Apollo blushed a little, "Well, I won't run. Not now, anyway. So, um . . ." He could feel himself turning red, and cursed his natural shyness. "Uh, d-do you want to . . . I mean, since you're going to be locked out and all . . ." Once again, he found himself begging the earth to swallow him up.
To his credit, Phoenix didn't laugh at him, though he smiled gently as he casually brushed his fingers across a warm cheek, "I'd love to."
TBC

A/N: Whew. This was difficult to write, but it felt good to get all of that out in the open. I hated at the end of the game, how they just left Trucy and Apollo completely clueless.
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Just Another Truth, Wright