#please understand that apollo's special interest is not actually law but Job

[anythingagency]

miles initially thinks he and apollo are similar because they're both organised and hardworking and appear to have a special interest in law but then apollo mentions that his new years resolution was to find a more efficient method of filing his paperwork and now that he's done it he's not sure what he's working towards anymore. and miles who just happened to have stopped by the agency in the middle of a work day goes back to the prosecutor's office and sits contemplatively in his car outside before closing the 8 tabs of magisteel fanfiction he had open in incognito mode on his phone

[ladyloveandjustice]

The Great Ace Attorney Replay, Dual Destinies Case 5, THE FINALE

Apollo: You know, this is the first time we've been at the defense bench together since I debuted.

Apollo: MY DISASTROUS DEBUT. A DISASTER BECAUSE OF YOU. 

Phoenix: yes i get it Apollo.

Phoenix: Not that you mention it... (Although, back then, I thought you were more loud than you were reliable...)

 RUDE. Also, I’d say he’s less reliable now than then, considering he just got back from randomly quitting his job and accusing his coworker of murder.

Phoenix: You've really come a long way since then, Apollo. You've grown a lot.

awww

Apollo: Well, there have been some hiccups, but I guess I've done pretty well.

Phoenix: (He's still got that ego of his, though.)

That wasn’t really particularly egotistical, but okay Phoenix

Anyway, time to take on Fulbright.

Fulbright: Ngaaagh! I-I guess you're right. But you can't define justice with evidence. Who can define it, anyway? Justice... just is!

Apollo: OBJECTION! D-Don't make me......... break out a dictionary on you!

Oh my god Apollo could you be more of a nerd

Fulbright: Ngaaaaaaaaaaaaagh! Please, don't throw the book at me!

Apollo: Ugh... Tell me the phantom didn't just make me set up a stupid pun for him.

STUPID PUNS ARE KIND OF EVERYONE’S THING IN THIS SERIES, APOLLO. also you kinda did that all on your own.

Anyway, after Apollo and Phoenix back Fulbright into a corner, he claims the Phantom was actually blackmailing him and he’s not the spy. Apollo and Phoenix are unable to prove he really is the spy! He’s going to get away. BUT GUESS TO STEPS UP TO SAVE THE DAY!

Athena: OBJECTION! The defense-- No, wait... Not "the defense"... The defendant feels it's not time for a verdict yet, and would like to see this trial continue.

Judge: Wh-What?! But I was just about to declare you innocent of all charges!

Athena: ............Hmm... It just doesn't feel right to be standing here. Hey, Apollo! Think you could scooch over?

I WILL ALWAYS LOVE HOW ATHENA JUST ELBOWS HER WAY INTO THE DEFENSE’S BENCH. FUCK BEING A DEFENDANT. SHE IS THE DEFENSE, ALWAYS AND FOREVER.

Athena and Simon teamed up for great justice:

Blackquill: I knew you would catch on, Athena.

Phoenix: Huh? Mind filling me in here?

Athena: Hee hee. Guess we left you in the dust, huh, Mr. Wright? Simon was only pretending to believe Detective Fulbright... Because he knew I'd notice if there was a lack of emotions, like joy or relief, in his response. So he gave me the chance to take a listen. And listen I did to the voice of Detective Fulbright's heart!

Phoenix: Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?! You two were working together just now?!

Blackquill: Come now, Athena! Show us what's inside Fool Bright's heart!

Athena: You got it! Time to check the instant replay! Widget, mon ami! Let's do this!

I love that Simon just knew Athena would notice.

Fulbright tries to psych Athena out and scoffing at the idea of feelings having any place in court:

Athena:  But all humans beings have hearts and experience emotions. Sometimes analyzing a case from the psychological perspective... ...is the best way to find the truth!

Fulbright: ............It's all just a waste of time. All your efforts at analysis serve no purpose. And now, in this dark age of the law, nobody would believe your claim that it's effective. In an era when evidence is fabricated, do you truly expect feelings to be accepted as proof? 

Athena: Ungh! ...W-Well, I admit, I don't have any conventional proof... But I still say that examining a person's heart has its merits!

Fulbright: Oh, really? Then why don't you listen carefully with those special ears of yours. Listen to the voices of the hearts of the people in the gallery.

Athena: All I hear... is distrust...?

Fulbright: As you can see, the people are on my side. Because all they see is a strange little girl using a weird little machine.

Again, Athena’s story resonates with me a lot because it’s definitely easy to read a gender component into the fact she struggles with not being heard- and it comes across especially clearly hear, with Fulbright demeaning her by calling her a “strange little girl” and being dismissive. And the fact it’s her emphasis on “feelings” that’s being dismissed by men around her, but she presses on anyway- like i said, I feel it’s a very effective story that works on several levels.

Athena: But it's not like I use analytical psychology to falsely accuse people!

Phoenix: (Uh-oh. He's got Athena doubting herself.) Ms. Cykes's analytical psychology has breathed new life into the courtroom. It has freed the hearts of many witnesses, and has been key in getting to the truth.

Fulbright: Ha ha ha! What nonsense! !

Judge: ...........Hmm, I see. Very well. I will give the opinion of this court. In a trial, I don't feel that a person's emotions are quite as compelling as actual evidence is. ....However, I do believe Ms. Cykes's analyses can contribute to making the truth clear. I have seen her do this firsthand several times already.

Fulbright: Surely you jest.

Athena: So does this mean............ you will accept my findings in this trial, Your Honor?

Judge: Yes, I believe your claim, Ms. Cykes. I think there is merit in examining why the witness feels fear in regard to the moon rock. That is the court's opinion on this matter.

Athena: Then that's a win for me-- No, a win for analytical psychology! Now, Mr. Phantom, you will tell this court the reason for your fear!

But as we can see here, in the end Athena is heard! And it’s all because she proved herself through determination and smarts! She succeeded in revolutionizing the courtroom. REVOLUTIONARY GIRL ATHENA.

The part where the Phantom just keeps switching masks and Phoenix is arguing with HIMSELF is peak weird wacky Ace Attorney. The TRIPLE OBJECTION POINTING where Apollo, Athena and Phoenix all take down Bobby is so good:

Athena: OBJECTION! Every human being feels fear! You simply can't face the emotions inside you. You can't face them because you have nothing. No love, no trust..

Phantom: And I suppose you do?

Athena:I didn't have anybody to support me at first, either. I couldn't face the fear inside me, couldn't get over the trauma of my past.

Phantom: Like I said, I don't feel fear.

Apollo: OBJECTION!  Then you're just a coward for running away from yourself! When I had my doubts about Ms. Cykes, I felt like I would collapse under the weight. But I wanted to trust her. And I knew I could trust Mr. Wright to uncover the truth. That's why I was able to face my suspicions without hesitation.

Phantom: Running away from myself...? Ha ha ha ha ha! How can I run from myself...?! When there's NOTHING inside... Nothing at all...!

Phoenix: OBJECTION! I know it's hard for someone as unwilling to trust others as you to understand... But people have emotions. It's just a fact of life. And so, people can be weak at times. But that's exactly why people need to trust one another... ...so they can gain the strength to face themselves when things are at their bleakest. Without trust in others... ...how can you ever hope to face your fears?

Athena: You can't outrun yourself!

Apollo: Remove that mask and unleash your emotions!

Phoenix: Confront your guilt head-on.

All: .....with your own, true face!

DREAM TEAM. 

The ending is a bit of a cop-out in some ways, but I don’t think seeing the Phantom’s face would have contributed much to the narrative- I do like the idea of Athena’s ultimate opponent being someone who completely denies emotion, and someone who’s taken so many identities and been so deep undercover they don’t know who they are anymore. He literally has no self, and that’s an interesting concept- though it could have been executed better.

ANYWAY ATHENA IS INNOCENT HURRAY. Time for the wrap-up!

Luv that Pearl stood by Athena and comforted her :’)

MILES PULLED STRINGS TO GET PHOENIX HIS BADGE BACK CUZ OF COURSE HE DID

Phoenix: Besides............ ...it was you that saw to it I got my attorney's badge back, wasn't it?

Edgeworth: ............So you figured it out, did you?

Phoenix: Yeah. Getting my license back went just a little too smoothly, you know? It should've been much harder after that evidence-forging scandal.

Edgeworth: Well, I owed you a few favors.

THESE TWO I CAN’T DEAL WITH THEM

Phoenix: You know, you could've said that with a bigger smile, Edgeworth. It won't kill you. Instead, the furrows in that brow of yours just keep getting deeper and deeper.

Edgeworth: So I should smile more, huh? ............I'll think about it.

Athena: Ah, the complicated love-hate relationship between life-long rivals!

Athena rn: GAAAAAAAY

Simon’s here to thank Athena for saving him, as he SHOULD.

Blackquill: ..Athena. I'm forever in your debt. You went to all that trouble... even taking the bar exam while you were overseas...

Athena: Well, I knew that if I didn't get your sentence overturned fast, you'd be executed! So I studied and studied. I was frantic! I'm so glad I made it in time! ............ Just barely... but I still made it!

AND SHE ACTUALLY CRIES IT’S SO CUTE.

Phoenix: (............Thatta girl, Athena. It's good to see you finally let your tears out.)

phoenix is so SUPPORTIVE OF PEOPLE SHOWING EMOTIONS I LOVE HIM.

Blackquill: ............Yes, I survived by the skin of my teeth, thanks to you.

Athena: Sh-Shame on you, Simon... for trying to throw your life away like that!

Blackquill: ..It was never my intention to just throw my life away. But some things in this world are more important than your own life.

Athena: Like what...?

Blackquill: My honor-bound duty to protect with my life... ...my mentor's most beloved treasure.

awwwwwWWWWWWwww. Seriously it’s such a good resolution and their relationship is so good. It’s sweet and it’s fun. Simon is rough around the edges, but you can tell he truly does care for Athena through it all, and he properly thanks her. Which makes it more baffling they dropped the ball so hard on Nahyuta cuz seriously BUT HEY.

(also i like that this game added a bunch of dudes with lady-mentors to the ranks. Phoenix and Mia are not alone! Klavier’s mentor was a woman, and so is Simon’s. AND THEY ALL GOT MURDERED. NO ONE SHOULD BE A MENTOR IN ACE ATTORNEY LAND. but still, so good that this series goes so hard on guys openly looking up to women and carrying on their legacies.

Phoenix: Apollo, Athena, thank you both. It took all of us together to pull it off.

Athena: You bet, Boss! What a team we are, huh?!

Phoenix: I'm a lucky guy... My office has the best, most capable lawyers around!

Apollo:Thanks, Mr. Wright. I'm going to work extra hard to make up for all the worry I caused. Apollo Justice is fine and ready to go! Let's hear it for the Wright Anything Agency!

Athena: Well, nobody's going to try harder than me! So you'd better watch out, Apollo! 

CUTIES. I love how competitive Athena is always. Seeing female characters whose ambition and competiveness is treated as endearing and positive by the narrative is always good.

AND THE CREDITS ROLL. I know we’re supposed to take Junie’s comment about red peppers as referring to her crush on Apollo, but it’s ambiguous enough i can still headcanon away her crush is over. IT ENDED WHEN HE SUSPECTED ATHENA. NOW SHE ONLY WANTS TO MEET HIM IN COURT SO SHE CAN BE SUPER HARD ON HIM. MY FIC WILL GO FORWARD.

Miles is like “it seems I owe Wright another debt of gratitude I have yet to repay. But I will repay him someday, you can be sure of that.” Repay him SENSUOUSLY AM I RIGHT.

I’ve finished the main game! all i have to do is play the DLC bonus case and then I WILL BE DONE WITH MY GREAT REPLAY! SO CLOSE! So close to PLvAA time! But since I’ve finished the main game series basically, I’ll be giving my thoughts on my rankings and my Unpopular Opinions on DD in general in a separate post! COMING SOON I GUESS