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."

"Have you ever been on trial for a murder?" Ahlibi asked, sitting down on the bed.

"Believe it or not, I have. Three times in fact and one other time I was accused of theft."

"Whoa! No way! Three times!?"

"Haha that's right... To be honest, I feel bad for Dhurke. He was set up by someone, who took advantage of his trust. I can't forgive Ga'ran for betraying her sister and brother-in-law. I will never understand why anyone would be willing to betray and take the life of their loved one for the sake of power. It's nothing more than an act of a coward."

"You... I guess it's okay for you to say that now, but why would you consider that cowardly?" Ahlibi asked curiously.

"If power is all she wanted, she could've consoled with her sister to use the Founder's Orb to summon the Holy Mother to give her that power. No one would have to know and no blood would have to be spilled."

"You think Queen Amara would've done that!?"

"Absolutely! You heard her in court. She loves her sister like... like my old Chief once loved her sister Maya and was willing to give the title Master to her for her sake."

"Ms. Maya has an older sister!?"

"Did. She died long ago, but I remember her. She gave the title as the next Master of her village to Maya and pursued her career as a lawyer, because she loved her sister more than anything. She didn't want to drive a wedge between them. It's the same with Maya and her cousin Pearls. Pearls is supposed to be the next Master after Maya. She decided that to follow her Aunt's last dying wish and proved it by going through surgery to prevent herself from having children. She did that, because she loved Pearls and would do anything for her. That's why I can't understand why Ga'ran wouldn't trust her own sister to do the same for her."

Phoenix still remembered when Maya's Aunt Morgan tried to set up Maya as a murderer just so the title of the Kurain Master could be passed down to Pearl Fey. It made him livid to think that Maya would have to undergo painful surgery just to prove to her aunt the amount of love and sacrifice she was willing to make for Pearl. He still remembered watching Morgan's speechless reaction when Maya made that announcement and Pearl's saddened expression in the Visitor's Room of the Detention Center. Morgan did finally promise peace for Maya, but Phoenix would never forgive that woman for what she put Maya through. No one deserves that kind of hatred from the one they're supposed to trust to love them more than money, power and their own life. Even the Troupe Gramarye held undying loyalty, despite all the blackmail and blood spilled.

"I suppose there will always be people like that. I agree, though. What she did was unforgivable. At least she'll get what she deserves."

"... yeah," Phoenix agreed quietly. Treason and attempted assassination on the former Queen were definitely serious charges. He could only guess that the Death Penalty would come around.

The door opened and Apollo and Athena came inside the room. Phoenix perked up, standing on his feet and greeted, "hey, you two. Athena, you ready?"

"Yep. I only had to stay one night with Maya, so I didn't pack a lot," Athena grinned, showing her peace sign.

"You didn't pack at all!" Apollo reminded Athena.

"Oh yeah. I guess that's true."

"Please tell me you didn't sleep in your suit," Phoenix groaned.

"Don't worry! Mrs. Inmee provided me some PJ's on the house!"

"You know, when I said 'pack light' I didn't mean don't pack at all," Phoenix said, looking annoyed.

"Sorry, Boss."

"By the way, will you need me to help you pack up back at home? You only brought enough for a few nights and I know they don't have a laundry mat here," Phoenix asked.

"I'll be fine. I don't use a laundry mat anyways," Apollo assured.

"I heard. Ahlibi says you know how to dry clean clothes by hand."

"Wait, you can dry clean clothes by hand? Why was I never told this!?" Athena asked, glaring at Apollo.

"Hey, I'm not your laundry boy and believe it or not, I did pick up a few things from living here as a kid. I only left here about 8 to 9 years old. Besides, it's not that hard. Just rub off the stains with dish soap, then fill the tub with cold water and detergent and let it sit there for a few hours before draining the tub, rinsing it under the tap, then push the water out before hanging them over the shower rod," Apollo said.

"Wait, seriously?"

"Yeah, a child could do it. It also helps if you already have a washer and drier, because they do sell Dry Cleaning Kits at Home Stores."

"That's right!" Ahlibi grinned with his arms folded behind his head.

Phoenix felt embarrassed that he didn't know that. Then again, Apollo was raised in Khura'in. He supposed there were some things that stuck with him. He noticed that Apollo was also a great translator of Khura'inese and, since he had to spend the night in the room Phoenix was sleeping in, he also began noticing Apollo held habits very similar to the Khura'inese people such as table manners and such. Now, he's learning that Apollo knew how to wash clothes by hand.

Looking at Apollo, Phoenix could see a bright young lawyer becoming a shining star. He still remembered when he first met him. He kinda acted like a star-struck fanboy. It was no surprise. He originally wanted to work for him before Phoenix got disbarred, then worked under Gavin Law Offices, since he was the only one that defended Phoenix. Originally, Phoenix took in Apollo out of obligation as to not throw the poor guy under the bus after losing his boss. He knew what it was like to lose a mentor and finding himself lost in the world. He didn't want Apollo to be lost like he was after Mia's death.

After Apollo agreed to work for Wright Anything Agency, he began loosening up. There were some bumps in the road, but he eventually got out of that fan boy phase. He began opening up about some of his friends and dreams about becoming a lawyer. It was something Apollo aimed to be since he was a child. Now, knowing his childhood, it was all starting to make sense. It was beginning to sink in that Phoenix was going to miss him. He knew that Apollo would one day leave and create his own law firm. That was his wish for his students, but now it was actually happening and in a completely different country.

It seemed Apollo was feeling the same. While that smile still held, his eyes seemed to be full of sorrow and longing. He and Phoenix had been through so much together. Phoenix still felt amazed how this same man never stopped believing in him when the whole world did, even when Phoenix stopped believing in himself. It may've been Edgeworth that helped Phoenix regain back his badge, but Apollo was the one that gave him the courage to do so. The last person to ever give Phoenix that kind of courage was Mia Fey. It was kinda ironic. They both were the lawyers that defended Phoenix Wright in court, helped free him from blackmail with Maya's life being held on by a thread and reminded him what it means to be a lawyer. Phoenix didn't recognize Apollo Justice as his own because he was able to successfully beat him in a Civil Case, but by how he stood against all odds, while also freeing Phoenix from that blackmail. It took a special kind of lawyer that could break through all odds.

"I'm going to miss you," Phoenix finally admitted as Apollo ran up and hugged him, letting out tears that he held back.

"Same," Apollo confessed as Phoenix returned the hug. It wasn't long before Athena joined in.

"It won't be the same without you, you dork!" Athena cried.

"I know," Apollo replied, sniffing as he wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. "You both have taught me a lot. After Dhurke sent me to the states, I didn't think I'd ever return back home. To be honest, I wish I never stopped believing in him."

"Apollo, it wasn't your fault. Dhurke wanted to protect you from the Defense Credibility Act and..."

"I know. I just wish I wasn't so stupid. Sometimes I wish I held the same amount of faith as you do with us and your clients."

"Apollo..."

"You've always believed in Athena, me and everyone when odds are stacked against you without question, but me? I'm always questioning everything. I even questioned my colleague for Clay's murder."

"That's not a bad thing," Phoenix stated.

"What?"

"You're right, I do defend my clients without question, but also to a fault. Do you want to know why it took me seven years to prove my innocence of forging evidence?"

"Well, there was a lot of evidence that took time to find."

"Yes, but all the investigation from seven years ago proved what your former mentor did, yet I never showed it to the Bar Association. It's because, even though I knew Kristoph Gavin was the one that forged the evidence, I still believed he was my friend. I never once questioned his loyalty to me until you came under my wing."

"R-Really!?" Apollo asked, his eyes bulging.

"Really?" Athena asked, playing with her earring.

"Yeah, because you were the one questioning his loyalty and why he would throw me under the bus and use you to do so. You once told me, 'a real friend never frames another for murder. They'd rather take the fall themselves.' The more I thought about it, the more I realized you were right. It should've been obvious to me, but I've never questioned anyone. For Athena, I did believe in her, but I also knew that if there was any reason to doubt her loyalty, you'd help me see it. Seeing you appear and question her is the reason I continued to believe in her without being blind to loyalty without question. Don't ever think that having a tiny bit of doubt is a bad thing, Apollo. Doubt is what freed me from being a puppet to Kristoph Gavin."

"... heh, I always hoped I would help you get back into law the moment I heard you were disbarred. But, you know, you were the one that inspired me to believe in those worth believing in. I'll never forget the first trial I ever saw you in. The one where you cross-examined the parrot?" Apollo smirked slightly.

"That was the first trial of me you saw?"

"I think I heard about that one. Wasn't that when Mr. Edgeworth was accused of killing a Defense Attorney at Gourd Lake?" Athena asked.

"Yeah. That's the one. I saw it with my own eyes. Mr. Wright never stopped believing in Mr. Edgeworth, even when everyone else did. Even now, I still remember what you did and had you not been there for him, he wouldn't have saved so many lives as the Chief Prosecutor," Apollo stated, smiling at his mentor. "You taught me how to believe again when I lost faith in Dhurke coming back for me. If a broken friendship can be mended by a simple act of faith, then I can help mend others by my own faith in my clients. I never want to lose that again."

"I doubt you will. Look what you did for Sahdmadhi. I wasn't the one that freed him. That was all you, because you never stopped believing in him when everyone else did... hahaha including me," Phoenix grinned as Apollo showed his own.

"I guess even the great Phoenix Wright is capable of doubt."

"Hm... perhaps a bit, but only because you taught me to not fear it," Phoenix replied as Apollo's grin turned into a small and genuine smile.

"Got that right, so you better come back, you hear?" Athena demanded.

"You bet. You both mean too much to me for me not to," Apollo replied.

"Awww Apollo. Why must you be so far away!? Athena cried dramatically with tears.

Phoenix knew saying goodbye would be hard. It was hard to believe that two years could fly by in a flash. He hoped he would see the same for Athena. Something told him that even Athena will one day take off like a shooting star. He wondered if this is how Mia felt when she said her last goodbye to him. It certainly felt just as bittersweet as that time. Though, from experience, Phoenix knew that parting was the first step in becoming an adult.

**********************

On the private jet, Phoenix watched out the window as it took off. There was a bittersweet smile upon his lips.

"Have you ever had that moment of watching the one you taught go on to become their own person?" Phoenix asked, still looking out the window.

"... I have. She wasn't a student of mine. More like an assistant, but... watching her leave was both satisfying and... hard," Edgeworth confessed.

"Ah, was it that Yatagaratsu girl? How is she?"

"Yes. I'm guessing your so called source also told you about her? She's doing excellently well. Lively as usual."

"Where is she right now?"

"Studying abroad. She had been talking about becoming a Defense Attorney to complete the Yatagaratsu Team her father created."

"Ah, I got cha. I bet she'll do you proud."

"I hope so. My father's disciple, Mr. Shields, wishes to teach her, since I decided to continue on the Prosecutor's Path. He's taken a great fondness for her."

"Your father? Oh, you mean from the Edgeworth Law Offices?" Athena asked with a pearly white grin.

"Yes. I'm to suppose you've heard about it?"

"Well, yeah! It's one of the most famous law firms at the downtown square! Also, Mr. Shields offered to be my attorney, after the whole hostage situation. I politely refused the offer, though."

"I'm surprised you refused the offer. I wouldn't have blamed you for taking the chance," Phoenix said. Having Ms. Blackquill take hostages like that made the situation more intense. He was partly glad he wasn't the only Defense Attorney willing to take Athena's case despite the situation.

"Yeah, but... it just didn't feel right and I told him that I couldn't accept the offer so long as you were willing to defend me. He understood and gave me some chocolates to cheer me up. He also checked up on me and watched the trial."

"Yes, that sounds like something he would do," Edgeworth said, nodding his head.

"Yep! He said he was highly impressed with your skills and our collaboration with my psychological analysis and Apollo's ability to sense nervous habits. Said he never saw a trial this intense since going up against Prosecutor Von Karma. You should've seen him when I told him that you were the one that shattered his 40 year win streak by cross-examining a parrot and using a beeping boi," Athena grinned as Edgeworth, who was drinking his tea, spat out his tea, coughing.

"A beeping wha?" Phoenix asked, sweat dripping from his face with his mouth slightly open.

"Never tell Franziska that, unless you want a case of whip burns. Though, I've never heard of a metal detector being called a beeping boi," Edgeworth said, wiping the spilled tea with a napkin.

"I made it up. I thought it'd be a catchy name," Athena grinned.

"Still, thanks for believing in me. I really am proud of you and Apollo," Phoenix replied proudly as Athena smiled perkily. "I don't know where I'd be without you two."

"They rub off of you, you know," Edgeworth smirked slightly.

"Hm?"

"All of you leave quite the impression on each other and the clients you take. Even now, there's not enough money in the world to repay you for everything you've done for me."

"Edgeworth..."

"I mean it, Wright. I wouldn't be where I am, if not for you. You gave me the courage to face my past and move forward. Thanks to you, I can continue down my Prosecutor's Path with sure confidence."

"I can say the same to you, Edgeworth. I wouldn't have this badge, if not for you."

"Hmph, well, your disbarment was hardly fair and I felt-"

"No, not that, I mean... I really would not have ever had any badge, if not for you."

"..."

"Wait, you mean Mr. Edgeworth inspired you to be a Defense Attorney?" Athena asked.

"That's right. I suppose we're all inspired by people in our lives, even those that we've inspired unknowingly. I certainly didn't know I inspired Apollo to continue his path as a Defense Attorney. But, maybe that's because he inspired me to continue on my path, just like Mia Fey once did so long ago. I wonder if she was inspired by me."

"I'm most certain she was. As you know, she had been collecting and researching information about the man that put her mother to shame. I don't recall her doing that when I faced against her or even at any point in time before taking you in as her student. I Prosecuted against Redd White, after he confessed. All those transcripts you found had been made very recently, particularly only a few months after taking you in. I don't think that's any coincidence. As you know, Redd White is notorious for blackmailing people of all kinds."

"Oh, I know that much."

"Including her boss... and perhaps even her."

"Really?"

"You saw what happened, after he killed her. Who did he pin the blame on?"

"..."

"There's a reason she continued her mission despite all of that. As I said, I don't think it's any coincidence that she just so happened to start continuing it only a few months after taking you in. It's... hard to face hardships in life. It's only when we have that person to give us that final push we need."

"I guess you're right. Perhaps Apollo will inspire a lot of people at Khura'in," Athena said.

"Ms. Cykes, I believe Mr. Justice already has, including Wright and perhaps even you."

"Hm..."

A/N: Yes, you can wash dry cleaned clothes by hand and get them wet. The reason they shrink isn't the water, but because the temperature of the water and drier and how washing clothes often includes a bit of roughness. With hand washing dry-cleaned clothes, you have to press the clothes with your hands to get the water out instead of squeezing it, using cold or room temperature water.

Anyways, I thought I'd write a nice, sweet goodbye between the trio. The reason I didn't include Trucy was because I wanted to focus on all three characters and I think she should have her own separate farewell. I might do a farewell goodbye with Trucy. Who knows?