History Heartwarming / PhoenixWrightAceAttorneySpiritOfJustice

* After the end credits scene we catch up with Apolo in court some time after the end of the game. The atmosphere around him, Nahyuta, Rayfa, and even the Judge is far lighter than any of the cases in Khura'in has been. They even actively encourage Apolo's Chords of Steel acknowledging it as a sort of ritual for him.

* On the subject of nostalgia, this case is the first time since ''Trials & Tribulations'' that Maya visits the old office (time channeling Dhurke notwithstanding). Examining things with her around (while "Turnabout Sisters" plays no less) can feel bring the warm and fuzzies for longtime players.

--> '''Phoenix:''' Hey! Leave [[FamilyOfChoice Athena and Apollo alone, buddy!]]

* The moment where Simon gives Athena a GetAHoldOfYourselfMan moment by literally grabbing and shaking her a bit to snap her out of her doubt in her client shows that while he may be a prosecutor and socially distant, he wants to see Athena toughen up and fight for what she believes in.

* A couple more minor examples when encountering Beh'leeb Inmee again. Firstly when Phoenix tells her that he is defending Maya based solely in his faith that she is innocent which Inmee notes is [[NotSoDifferent similar to her faith in Khura'inism]] and agrees to co-operate. When she says that if Phoenix is lying about his faith in Maya, she says that she will [[DisproportionateRetribution curse his family and disciples for the next eight generations]] which leads to:

* Seeing Phoenix standing beside Apollo, essentially fulfilling the role of [[TheMentor Mia Fey]], really leads to the realization of how far he's come from starting off as an unsure but determined rookie since his first trial to being the current BigGood veteran lawyer he is now, especially for long-time fans who have followed his progress since the very first game. The student has definitely become the master.

* Ahlbi's relationship with Maya. The two became really close while she was training in the kingdom and gained a big sister/little brother thing.

* Fans had been waiting for it since ''Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney'', and Maya's return does not disappoint. At first she appears all deep-voiced and pious-sounding, but it's not long before she can't help but giggle and give a "Long time no see, Nick." And it also doesn't take long for both Phoenix and the player to realize that this is still the Maya we all know and love, CoyGirlishFlirtPose, love of superheroes, and all. Nick and Maya slide basically immediately back into their LikeBrotherAndSister dynamic.
* During the investigation portions of this case, like usual, you can present random evidence to all the characters you come across. However, presenting your attorney badge to Maya and Ema prompts a small, touching conversation where they congratulate Phoenix for getting his attorney badge back. Which is especially poignant considering that most of the time, presenting your badge results in either ignorance of the significance or humour at the expense of the lawyer.

* At the start of the second day of investigations, Phoenix runs into Rayfa who’s depressed over having misinterpreted another one of her divination séances and he decides to try and cheer her up despite the fact that he was essentially on death row, even putting himself down in an attempt to help her past her depression. It works, though granted she takes the putting down bit further than he intended and in true {{Tsundere}} fashion declares that she will be watching him again to make sure he doesn’t do anything unethical.

-->'''Maya''': Your role is to bring forth the voices of the mitamah into our world. If you don't do it, who will?
-->'''Rayfa''': You know nothing, Maya Fey! It was spirit channeling, not a Divination Seance that brought the truth to light. How...How DARE an outsider like you employ the queen's secret art! But what can I do!? My spiritual power does not even approach yours! Ha ha ha ha! Is it now a cruel joke!? The royal priestess, bested by a lowly outsider!?
-->'''Maya''': Listen, your Benevolence...You were just fulfilling your duty, weren't you? And you're the only one capable of performing the Divination Seance, right? The station of royal priestess is not something to abandon lightly!
-->'''Rayfa''': ...The station of royal priestess?
-->'''Maya''': The people of your kingdom believe in you. But if you really mean all you just said...then what are they supposed to believe in?

* The moment where Simon gives Athena a GetAHoldOfYourselfMan moment by literally grabbing and shaking her a bit to snap her out of her doubt in her client shows that while he may be a prosecutor and distant socially, he wants to see Athena toughen up and fight for what she believes in.

-->'''Edgeworth:''' I never thought the day would come when we'd be investigating a case side by side.
-->'''Phoenix:''' Oh? 'Cause I never thought the day would come when you'd get sentimental on me.
-->'''Edgeworth:''' Nghrk! Come on, Wright! Time's a wasting!

* For all his faults, it does seem like Inga truly did love Rayfa as a daughter.

-->'''Phoenix:''' He said he'd use me for sword practice if I put you in harm's way.
-->'''Athena:''' Nrrgh...Simon...

* Alhbi's relationship with Maya. The two became really close while she was training in the kingdom and gained a big sister/little brother thing.

* With a case based around romance like this, even the villain gets a minor one when you consider just how clearly head-over-heels for Selena Pierce had to have been for him to have been so unable to let go of her death, to the point he'd establish an elaborate crime of passion to take revenge on the man he blamed for it. Obviously, and as he admits at the end of the trial, it's not much of a justification, considering the innocents who got dragged into the whole affair, but unlike a lot of killers in the series, you can tell he's still got a heart somewhere in there.

* Trucy and Athena's concern for Apollo before the start of the trial. It overlaps with TearJerker due to Apollo's MadnessMantra of "I'm fine!" as they look on worriedly. Athena even tries to prep him for facing Nahyuta by giving him some information. It doesn't do much to impede his nerves beforehand, but it's nice to know they have his back. Apollo even admits that the reason he's under so much pressure is because he cares so much about Phoenix entrusting him with Trucy and the WAA, and would do anything to help them.

* Trucy and Athena's concern for Apollo before the start of the trial. Athena even tries to prep him for facing Nahyuta by giving him some information. It doesn't do much to impede his MadnessMantra of "I'm fine!" beforehand, but it's nice to know they have his back. Apollo even admits that the reason he's under so much pressure is because he cares so much about Phoenix entrusting him with Trucy and the WAA, and would do anything to help them.
--> '''Athena''': Try to relax a bit, will you? You're getting yourself way too worked up.

** When Apollo almost drowns in an underground lake, he gets rescued by Dhurke. The player is treated to a beautiful sight of Dhurke carrying Apollo to safety.]]
** Trucy's impression of Dhurke is this too. Unlike Apollo, Trucy only knows of him as an insurgent from Khura'in. Even when Dhurke suddenly shows up at the Wright Anything Agency, Trucy doesn't get frightened of him. Instead, she gets to know him, says he's cool and even affectionately refers to him as "Dad", which isn't a totally inaccurate name given Apollo and Trucy's relationship.]]

* A couple more minor examples when encountering Beh'leeb Inmee again. Firstly when Phoenix tells her that he is defending Maya based solely in his faith that she is innocent which Inmee notes is [[NotSoDifferent similar to her faith in Khura'inism]] and agrees to co-operate. When she says that if Phoenix is lying about his faith in Maya, she says that she will [[DisproportionateRetribution curse his family for the next eight generations]] which leads to:

* Ellen being revealed to have a very quirky yet adorable personality and a plainer-looking face beneath her bridal makeup, with ruffled hair and YouthfulFreckles, which implies that Sorin loves her for her whole being. Bonus points for her keeping that look in her redux wedding, after the case is over]].
* The judge gives his blessings to Sorin and Ellen in court, followed by Sorin doing the BridalCarry to Ellen. Depending on how you interpret the wording, he might have married them right then and there, with Phoenix and Edgeworth serving as witnesses. Edgeworth even says, "I see what you did there, Your Honor," after being asked if he has any objections.]]

* Alhbi's relationship with [[spoiler: Maya. The two became really close while she was training in the kingdom and gained a big sister/little brother thing]].

** At the end of the case, [[spoiler:after Retinz is found out]], Apollo once again reassures Trucy, who is now having doubts [[spoiler:over Retiniz's parting words that he had triumphed over Troupe Gramarye with his own magic and that Trucy was nothing but an insignificant novice who couldn't see his game for what it was]]. He reminds her of the Troupe Gramarye creed that is written in Magnifi's notebook and that nothing [[spoiler:Retinz]] says can ever have any power over her, which gives her back the confidence she needs to open her show.

* Phoenix finally calls home [[spoiler:after receiving frantic messages from Apollo about Trucy, and the agency being in danger of repossession]]. While on the phone, he tells Apollo that he believes in him, and that he trusts him. This is enough to put a smile on Apollo's face and give him courage to keep forging on with [[spoiler:Trucy's defense]].

* Midway in the case, Bonny de Famme is so inspired by Trucy's brave performance in court that she finally [[spoiler:stands up to her twin sister Betty and points out a contradiction in the video footage.]]

* Trucy decides to [[spoiler:let the twin de Famme sisters off the hook, saying they didn't do anything wrong, only Retinz did. This is after Bonny admitted that the twins did agree to participate in the prank because Retinz paid them to, so Trucy is being very forgiving.]]

* During the investigation portions of this case, like usual, you can present random evidence to all the characters you come across. However, presenting your attorney badge to Maya and Ema prompts a small, touching conversation where they congratulate Phoenix for getting his attorney badge back. Which is especially poignant considering that most of the time, presenting your badge results in either ignorance to the significance or humour at the expense of the lawyer.

* Everything about how much [[spoiler:Beh'leeb Inmee and Tahrust Inmee love each other.]]
** Likewise, the Khura'in Judge unhesitantly agreeing to [[spoiler:honor Tahrust's last request: to help protect Beh'leeb and her unborn child]]. And yes, this is despite the Judge now knowing that [[spoiler:the couple are actually LaResistance members -- a status that's traditionally grounds for complete and utter scorn.]]

* A subtle one but the moment it is revealed that [[spoiler:Uendo has multiple personalities]] the Judge [[spoiler: has them introduce themselves and from that point on they are treated as separate people.]]
* The moment where Simon gives Athena [[spoiler:a GetAHoldOfYourselfMan moment by literally grabbing and shaking her a bit to snap her out of her doubt in her client]] shows that while he may be a prosecutor and distant socially, he wants to see Athena toughen up and fight for what she believes in.
* Athena ordering an udon meal from Bucky for [[spoiler:Geiru]] after the trial. [[spoiler:Despite the latter being arrested as the true killer, Athena seems to believe Geiru's sheer MyGodWhatHaveIDone means she can still be rehabilitated.]]

* There's a completely optional moment of heartwarming during the first investigation phase: if you present the picture of Jove Justice to Sgt. Buff a second time (you have to do it once to make Sgt. Buff open up to you), it prompts Sgt. Buff to ask if maybe Apollo could come over and visit sometimes. Apollo replies sure, he'll come visit, and he'll even bring his co-workers! This prompts Sgt. Buff to cheer about getting more brothers-in-arms. [[spoiler:Although the heartwarming is mitigated slightly at the end of the case since Apollo leaves for Khura'in, and thus won't be around to visit as much.]]
* Upon seeing [[spoiler:Phoenix and Apollo on ''[[FightingYourFriend opposing]]'' sides of court]], the Judge wonders if he's wandered into a mock trial by accident because he can't imagine that happening, and when it's confirmed it's a real civil lawsuit, he expresses concern for their future working relationship. Just because he can be such an obtuse CloudCuckoolander who seems to exist primarily to acquiesce to the prosecution doesn't mean he can't regard those two lawyers as a friend.
* Ema also has a minor moment by [[spoiler: saying Apollo has some nerve taking on Phoenix. Sure its soured by the fact that Apollo is only trying to do the right thing but the mere fact that Ema ''instantly'' comes to Nick's defense is a testament to how much she cares for her friend]].
* Sarge choosing to come out and fight is awesome and heartwarming, especially after the words of comfort and encouragement Apollo and Athena provide when, just moments before, Sarge had been going crazy from overwhelming emotions. [[spoiler: Not only does she wheel herself into court, having been a shut-in for the previous six months, but she then chooses to literally stand on her own two feet. To top it all off, her presence provided the decisive evidence needed to convict Paul Atishon-Wimperson.]]
** Another nice point is that [[spoiler:Phoenix was able to not only meet face-to-face with Armie, but convince her to come with him to court. He really is a great [[TeamDad dad-figure]]]].
** And, even after Sarge is [[spoiler:revealed as 12-year old Armie Buff]], Apollo continues to use "Sarge" as an affectionate nickname.
* Edgeworth charters a jet for the entire Wright Anything Agency so they can [[spoiler: rescue Maya from Khura'in]], and tags along to help Phoenix investigate the next case. They spend a majority of their time together affectionately making fun of each other, but Phoenix admits right out of the gate that he'd have been lost without Edgeworth's help. A lot of their little moments are pretty funny, too:

* Edgeworth's absence from the final trial makes a certain sense, given that Athena is also told to stay out of it because of the danger, but when he does show up at the end, who's with him? [[spoiler:Trucy, who had smuggled herself along in his suitcase.]] He stayed back to make sure someone very important to Phoenix would be safe.

* Seeing Phoenix standing beside Apollo, essentially fulfilling the role of [[TheMentor Mia Fey]], really leads to the realization of how far he's come from starting off as an unsure but determined rookie since his first trial to being the current BigGood veteran lawyer he is now, especially for long time fans who have followed his progress since the very first game. The student has definitely become the master.
* Surprisingly, Apollo's early childhood is this. [[spoiler:After his dad died in a fire, Apollo was adopted and grew up happy with Nahyuta and Dhurke, which was only cut short when Dhurke had to leave him in America.]]
* Basically all of [[spoiler: Dhurke's]] stay in America. [[spoiler:Dhurke came to America just to see Apollo and ends up reconnecting with him, sharing quite a handful of heartwarming moments, especially as Apollo starts warming back up to him. Unfortunately made sad in retrospect, but the moments they shared still melt your heart.]]
** There's Apollo's memory of the time [[spoiler:he and Nahyuta almost drowned in some rapids, only to be saved by Dhurke, who proudly declares:]]
--->[[spoiler:What father wouldn't risk his life to save his own children?]]
** When Apollo [[spoiler:almost drowns in an underground lake, he gets rescued by Dhurke. The player is treated to a beautiful sight of Dhurke carrying Apollo to safety.]]
** Trucy's impression of [[spoiler:Dhurke is this too. Unlike Apollo, Trucy only knows of him as an insurgent from Khura'in. Even when Dhurke suddenly shows up at the Wright Anything Agency, Trucy doesn't get frightened of him. Instead, she gets to know him, says he's cool and even affectionately refers to him as "Dad", which isn't a totally inaccurate name given Apollo and Trucy's relationship.]]

* Phoenix telling Athena [[spoiler: that she can't participate in the defence team for the final trial due to the Defence Culpability Act]], because as her boss, he's ordering her not to...and because Simon Blackquill wouldn't want her to be in danger. D'aaaw.

* Ellen being revealed to have a very quirky yet adorable personality and [[spoiler: a plainer-looking face beneath her bridal makeup, with ruffled hair and YouthfulFreckles]], which implies that Sorin loves her for her whole being. Bonus points for her [[spoiler:keeping that look in her redux wedding, after the case is over]].
* The judge [[spoiler:gives his blessings to Sorin and Ellen]] in court, followed by [[spoiler:Sorin doing the BridalCarry to Ellen]]. Depending on how you interpret the wording, [[spoiler:he might have married them right then and there, with Phoenix and Edgeworth serving as witnesses. Edgeworth even says, "I see what you did there, Your Honor," after being asked if he has any objections.]]
-->'''Judge:''' This court finds the defendant, Ellen Wyatt... [[spoiler:Ah, that's not right... This court finds the defendant, Ellen ''Sprocket''...]]

** Not only that but Ema is one of the few witnesses that Edgeworth DOESN'T have trouble with getting to say their name and occupation.

* Surprisingly, there's a moment of heartwarming in "Phoenix Wright: Asinine Attorney": [[spoiler:Pearl lies to a gunman and claims to be Rayfa Padma Khura'in, attempting to sacrifice herself so that the gunman will neither kill Rayfa nor shoot everyone in the courtroom (which he threatened to do if they didn't hand over Rayfa to him).]]
* In another heartwarming moment in the same DLC, [[spoiler:Ahlbi tries to prove Pearl ''isn't'' Rayfa solely because Pearl is a customer of his, and he's willing to go great lengths to protect a customer.]]
* Even when it turns out that [[spoiler:the whole thing was just an emergency-response training scenario and no one was really in danger]], Edgeworth reminds the court that the "two youngsters on the stand" weren't aware of this, so Pearl and Ahlbi's heroism was real.