So you know how Phoenix said he met Athena in Europe? I like to think it’s cause of a chance encounter.
Phoenix was in Europe with Edgeworth, looking into meeting with the Bar Association to clear up the forgery scandal that had defamed Phoenix Wright (he also visited cause the two missed each other). Anyhow, Miles had a conference meeting with them (little did Phoenix know it was a meeting to convince them to give back Phoenix’s attorney badge), and recommended Phoenix check out one of the law schools in the country, as they have a different system from the States. Since Miles said it was worthy of investigating, Wright decided to go take a look.
So imagine Phoenix Wright, wearing his classic beanie and necklace, and in rather casual clothing (at least it’s not his hoodie and sweat pants), walking around a random law academy. He keeps getting looks from random people, but nobody seems to recognize him. Somewhere on campus, he sees a young girl with the strangest looking hair, sitting by herself and frustratingly reading a textbook. Phoenix notices that she’s furiously writing something down. Suddenly, she just puts her face in her hands and flops onto her textbook.
So out of curiosity, Phoenix takes a seat next to her and looks at what she’s doing. Turns out, she’s studying for the bar exam. She’s on the “Criminal Law” section and the question reads “A man crashes his car into a tree while driving ten miles above the speed limit, and involuntarily kills a passenger. The police took a blood sample and measure his alcohol level was .07, just below .08. What can the prosecution prove with this information?”
Phoenix smirks as she scribbles down notes about driving DUI. Then, Phoenix says to her out loud, “Involuntary manslaughter.” The girl looks up at him in surprise as Phoenix continues, “He was violating the speed limit and killed someone while doing so, but he’s below DUI so the prosecution can’t change him for drunk driving.”
Phoenix laughs as her eyes widen, and says, “Mon Dieu! How could I have missed that!” The girl scribbles down an answer and circles it several times. Phoenix decides to stay, and help her study and she gratefully accepts his help. After a while, she closes her book and stretches.
Finally she asks, “Thanks for the help!You seem to know a lot about the law… Do you attend this school? I’ve never seen you before…”
Phoenix laughs even more and answers, “No, I’m simply here on business with my partner. Presently, I have no affiliation with the law.” And the girl answers, “Well you certainly seem to know a lot. Maybe you should consider getting a badge! You’d be great in court!” and Phoenix smiles and chuckles a bit. He tells her, “I’m afraid I can’t do that. But I appreciate the thought. I didn’t catch your name…”
The girl sets her books down and stands up this time. She poses with a peace sign and excitedly says, “Athena Cykes! The next courtroom revolutionaire! Using psychology, I’ll turn any trial around!” Sitting down, she mutters, “At least when I pass the bar exam first…” Phoenix smiles at her and says, “I like your enthusiasm. Hang in there!” Before getting up and walking away. Athena curses after realizing she never caught the man’s name.
Months later, after passing the exam and getting her badge, she is called by the Bar Association, telling her that the Chief Prosecutor wants to meet with her. When she steps into his office the first time, she’s very obviously intimidated. Miles looks her in the eyes and says, “Miss Cykes, do you know why I called you here today?” She gulps and answers, “I am uninformed, sir.” Suddenly Miles breaks his gaze and turns to his left. It takes Athena a moment but suddenly she realizes another man was standing there this whole time.
Edgeworth says to him, “This the one, Wright?” And Phoenix replies with, “Absolutely, I’d recognize that hair any day.” Suddenly, everything falls into place for Athena and she shouts, “Wait a minute! You’re the one who helped me study for the bar exam!” Phoenix smirks (he’s wearing his new suit this time, though his badge is still missing) and answers, “Good to see you again, Athena!”
Then it hits her. She turns to Miles and says “Wait, did you just say Wright? As in Phoenix Wright?! The legendary defense attorney?!” And all Phoenix can do is make a cheesy grin and put his hand on his neck. He tells her, “Sorry for not telling you sooner.”
Athena nearly freaks out when he tells her he’s getting his badge back and wants to hire her as his Agency. All Athena can say is, “Absolutely! Yes! I won’t let you down, Boss!”
Phoenix simply grins with Miles and says, “Perfect, I’ll come get you at LAX in a week then.”