#Except Phoenix might've learned from that and added a few extra steps

[hyperfixatinator]

I have a few doubts about how Phoenix could've forged that bloody fifth ace in AA4. I'm not outright denying he did it, but if so it's probably different from how Turnabout Trump framed it.

Let's start with what we know logically about Phoenix and Zak's last poker game.

There were two decks of cards; one red, and one blue.

Each deck had four of each card. This means each deck started with four aces.

The last game used the red deck.

The above point means the fifth ace Orla snuck into Phoenix's hand was a red card, making five red aces in total that game.

Kristoph took the real (fifth) bloody ace with him out of the crime scene.

Based on this and other information we have from this trial, I have two questions:

When did Phoenix forge the bloody ace?

Where did Phoenix get the red ace he used for forgery?

Phoenix said that he picked it up while he was at the crime scene, but this contradicts the evidence!

There were five red aces in play at the time of the murder. Kristoph already took one, and using a blue ace was out of the question. If Phoenix really took a red ace before the police arrived, he would've only had four to choose from.

Yet, all four were still at the crime scene after Phoenix was arrested. They were even submitted into evidence by the prosecution at the trial.

Unless there was somehow an unspoken sixth ace in the red deck for no reason, this tells us Phoenix lied about taking a red ace with him that night. Plus, having forged evidence on his person during arrest and detainment could've ended terribly for him.

He couldn't have forged it before the match since he wouldn't have known he needed an ace card at the time. And his pockets were clean when Zak searched him.

This leads us to believe the forged bloody ace was created sometime after Phoenix was arrested. But how can he do that when he's stuck under surveillance in the detention center?

The secret is Trucy.

(this is where it progressively dips further into headcanon territory)

With Phoenix locked up, Trucy would be the most likely candidate to pull off a stunt like this. As a magician, Trucy is all about illusions, and she's not above using them to get loved ones out of legal trouble.

Trucy's magic profession also means poker cards are a natural tool to have in her arsenal. Cards are her "stock and trade" after all.

As Phoenix put it, it's a naughty magician's trick. One she felt was necessary to save the only family she had left.

Now, here's why I still think Phoenix could've been telling the truth about forging the bloody ace himself. Even if Trucy was the mastermind of this plan, I don't think Phoenix would let her be the one to actually forge it for an important reason.

Apollo.

Him unlocking his latent perceiving ability was crucial for the trial, but it could've also become a double edged sword.

Phoenix only had his prodigy daughter for reference as to how strong a perceiver's senses are. If Phoenix ever had to lie about being the forger to protect Trucy, the risk of Apollo seeing through it would've been too much to stomach.

Even after the trial's over, it's better for Apollo to hold a grudge against Phoenix instead of Trucy. He couldn't let their secret sibling bond die before it could start.

So what better way to hide a lie than to make it true? All Phoenix would have to do is put a blot of red ink on a card Trucy snuck in during visiting hours and let her work her magic.

It's a technicality, but at least Phoenix can distract Apollo with a custom-made truth.

#ace attorney #phoenix wright #trucy wright #apollo justice #theory #headcanon #I like the headcanon that the forged ace was Trucy's idea #I feel like Phoenix would refuse the first time she brought it up #Mainly because he's afraid she'll be labelled a fraud and lose her chance for a future like he did for 7 years #Eventually though he'd realize he can't let Kristoph run free with his daughter living alone #But he'd still make Trucy promise to let him take the fall should the forgery come to light #It'd also kind of parallel how Drew Misham tried to take the blame for his own daughter Vera #Except Phoenix might've learned from that and added a few extra steps