Ace Attorney: Turnabout Moon
By Squid-Hoof
Chapter 1: Return to Equestria
I'm Phoenix Wright, ace defense attorney and the proprietor of the Wright Anything Agency. We're primarily a law office, with two other defense attorneys besides myself on retainer, but we've been known to dabble in a few side projects, such as my adopted daughter, Trucy's, magic shows. Nearly nine years ago, we used to be called the Wright & Co. Law Office. I was the sole lawyer, supported by Maya Fey, a spirit medium of the Kurain tradition, as well as the sister of my mentor. None of my cases could be considered normal or average, but compared to the one I was quite literally summoned for, most of them could be considered downright pedestrian. This all started with that case...
??????? ???????
June 9th, 9:45 PM
"Ugh..." Feels like I just got hit with a ton of bricks...
"Hey! Who the heck are you?!"
(...Who's voice is that?)
"For that matter WHAT the heck are you?"
("What am I?" What kind of question is that? Does she mean my profession?)
"I wanted the best defense attorney in Equestria, not some... porcupine thing."
(*Sigh* Does my hair really look like a porcupine... my muscles are coming to, I think I can open my eyes.) Opening them, I was greeted by the sight of a colourful and well kempt library. "Where am I?" The next thing that greeted my sight was a purple pony.
"Hey! You're a human aren't you?" The pony seemed to be torn between mild irritation and intrigue.
"Yeah... I'm a human... WAIT WHAT?!"
That was the first time I met Twilight Sparkle, a unicorn pony in the land of Equestria. I know I know, it sounds pretty far fetched. I probably wouldn't believe it myself if I didn't keep a memento of my time in Equestria. Twilight had been asked by one of their rulers, Princess Celestia, to summon up what she referred to as the 'best defense attorney in Equestria'. Her friend, a pegasus pony named Rainbow Dash, had been accused of murdering another pegasus prior to a race. While the princess and the rest of Dash's friends had full confidence that she was innocent, Celestia excused herself from the trial to avoid a conflict of interest. The judge from my world was even brought over to preside over the courtroom. I was called on to face off against an old adversary of Twilight's, one Trixie Lulamoon...
"The GREAT and POWERFUL Trixie would like to start off by saying the defense has no chance of winning in this. Zero. Zilch. Nada. None!" Trixie thrust her nose high into the air as she laid out the challenge. It didn't take me long to come to the conclusion that the light blue braggart was going to cause me multiple headaches in the coming days.
"What kind of opening statement is that?!" I instantly regretted taking the bait.
"In fact, Trixie is insulted she is not given a proper attorney to wage battle with. Instead she is forced to deal with this idiot." If a person or pony could be more smug...
"What's your problem!"
"Er-hem!" The judge actually seemed to be on my side for once. "Please refrain from personal attacks on the defense Ms. Trixie. Can you please just get on with stating your case?"
Thus began Turnabout Storm, my most bizarre case up to that point. Rainbow Dash was set to take part in a flying race near their home in Ponyville, when she was approached by the victim with embarrassing pictures to blackmail her into dropping out. He was later found dead where the pair had met, and suspicion naturally landed on her. Through the case I deduced that the victim, Ace Swift, had been blackmailing stronger competitors for years with the assistance of his manager, Sonata, who bore a striking resemblance to my old mentor, Mia Fey. I was able to successfully divert suspicion from Dash to Sonata, only to figure out in the end his death was an accident and not caused by either of the accused mares. Trixie had been maliciously trying to convict Dash throughout the trial in order to get back at Twilight for a perceived slight from their past. While she was initially downtrodden afterwards, I was able to spend some time with her following the trial and found she's not a bad person, well pony. I had hoped she would do well for herself in the years since I last saw her. I was about to find out firsthand what it's like to be on the outside looking in.
Soon after my return to my own world, I was asked to defend a magician, Zak Gramarye. He had been accused of killing his ailing mentor. The case that cost me my attorney's badge...
"...Finally. You just couldn't resist, could you, Herr Wright?" Klavier Gavin, the prosecutor facing off against me and front man for his band, The Gavinners, slammed his fist against the wall and gave me a look that was equal parts triumph and disgust.
"Resist what? Presenting solid evidence?" The hairs on the back of my neck started to raise... something was not right.
"Might I request we put the current cross-examination on hold? The prosecution would like to call a new witness." Klavier was scowling.
Klavier called up Drew Misham, an artist who had begun to dabble in forgeries. It was actually his daughter that produced the forged page that I presented, but the result was the same. Gavin had inside information that the piece of paper I was to produce in court that day was a fake, given to me only moments before by a young naive Trucy. His brother, Kristoph, had it produced when he thought he was going to defend Mr. Gramarye. When Zak chose me instead, Kristoph used it as a means to have me humiliated and disbarred. Before the trial ended and he could be pronounced guily, Zak Gramarye disappeared and thus the trial was never concluded. I lost my badge, his daughter came to live with me, the Earth kept spinning. I spent the next 7 years piecing together the case, learning exactly how events had led to my disbarment, including a reunion with Zak before his untimely death at the hands of Kristoph, as well as the death of Mr. Misham by the same.
After introducing the jurist system, and finally uncovering the truth over the forged evidence, I retook the bar and became a defense attorney again. Trucy has grown up to be a fine young woman, Apollo Justice has been following in my footsteps, and we've added a new attorney recently to the team- Athena Cykes, a specialist in analytical psychology. So why am I telling you all of this? Well, for the longest time I thought the two cases entirely unrelated. A strange case in the world of ponies, and a dark and troubling case that cost me my badge. What could the two possibly have in common? I was about to find out that there was more to it than I had anticipated, and a decade of questions and confusion was about to rear its' ugly head.
Wright Anything Agency
June 6th, 7:45 PM
"Thanks for another delicious meal boss!" Athena strode through the door to the office first, flopping down onto one of the couches not currently covered by legal documents or magic supplies after a well deserved dinner. After successful cases, the office tradition was for me to treat the staff out. I guess I'm just that generous. Or they started it and I didn't have much choice so I just go along with it now. It's the former though I swear.
"Careful Athena, you look like you're going to burst. I didn't know you could pack away that many bowls of noodles in one sitting." Apollo followed closely behind her. He like to poke fun at her, especially due to her age, but it was typically all in good fun. He himself hadn't been shy about eating his fill, as a barely contained belch was evidence of. Taking a seat on a nearby chair he looked back towards me. "Really though Mr. Wright. I know you're a good lawyer and all, but how did you figure out that it had to be the chef? I wasn't even convinced our client was innocent until then."
"Apollo..." I began as I walked in and took a seat at my desk, Trucy right behind me. "There is nothing more important than to have faith in your client no matter what. If they're innocent, and you believe in them, then no matter what it looks like, what the odds are, justice will prevail in the end. When things are at their worst, a lawyer has to smile the brightest. That's what being an attorney is about." I wasn't chastising him so much as reminding myself. "As for the chef, you just needed to look at it from the other way around. I didn't need to prove that the defendant couldn't have done it, I just had to show that there was a possibility someone else could have done it. As long as that possibility exists, the evidence to prove it will be there."
"You really believe that with all of your heart, don't you daddy?" Trucy piped up from her seat in the corner. I had never planned on becoming a father anytime soon, but sometimes life deals you a strange hand. I'd played enough poker to know that. I nodded in response to her.
"I have to. It's the only way for me to see justice served." I reclined in my chair and reached under my desk for a bottle of bourbon. I didn't drink often, but I felt I deserved a small glass. I poured my self one and gestured the bottle towards Apollo. He'd recently come of age and I was feeling generous. He nodded and I passed him the glass, pouring a new one.
"All's well that ends well anyways." Athena was starting to splay out on the sofa and get comfortable. With nothing more to say the four of us sat in a calm silence for a few minutes, the only sound filling the air was the clinking of ice in our glasses. Finally, Trucy stood and yawned, her arms stretching wide.
"Well daddy, congratulations on another win. It's so exciting to see you back defending the innocent. Other daddy would have been so proud seeing you here now after everything you went through with his case. I'm going to take the train home tonight I think. It's such a nice evening and I'd hate to waste it. I'll see you back at home." She bent over and gave me a kiss on the cheek before walking over towards the door. Out of all of us, Trucy had been through so much. All things considered, my disbarment had been little more than an inconvenience. Trucy had lost her father not once, but twice, and rarely did I see her down or upset, or give any evidence it affected her in any way. Every now and then though, something slips through the cracks. A forlorn look here, a wistful sigh there. Sometimes I think she's hurting far more than she herself knows.
Trucy opened the door with the intention to walk out of the office when she froze up. I could see her entire body seize up in place as her eyes scanned the hallway. After a moment she made a strange squeaking noise and closed the door behind her, locking it and turning around to face the room. Her gaze turned from Athena, to Apollo, and finally to me, each of us in turn giving her a confused look. FInally Trucy cleared her throat.
"D-daddy. I... I know I'm not supposed to look in your desk but I was cleaning it one day and I was organizing your drawers." The hairs on the back of my neck were standing on end again. I hate that feeling. "And... and I found a picture, from before you lost your badge. It was you, and you were surrounded by several..." She didn't go on, looking back at Athena and Apollo. "Do they...?"
"Know? No... they don't." I could feel the tips of my ears turning red as a blush crossed my face. "I'd prefer it if it stayed that way too." The pair looked at me confused. Please don't ask, just please don't ask... "Why are you bringing this up now? And we're going to have a long talk about going through daddy's belongings."
"W-well you know the purple one? With the horn?" Now Athena and Apollo were REALLY staring. Trucy for the love of... "She's standing outside the door, and she looks worried." The room went deathly silent for a moment before I sprung to my feet, spilling my glass.
"Whaaaat?!" I nearly leaped over my desk, piles of paper flying to the sides. Running to the office door I stopped in front of Trucy and took a few steadying breaths. "Are you certain?" She gave a faint nod, the colour all but run out of her face. What she must have thought finding that picture... what she must think now. "Alright, daddy is going to step out into the hall. I need the three of you to stay in here."
"But..." Apollo started to speak, but I quickly cut him off.
"No. This is important." I shook my head. "I'll be back in a moment, and I'll answer any questions you might have then." With a nod to Trucy, she moved out of the way. I exited the office and closed the door behind me. Seeing nothing in the hallway I frowned. Great. She used that as an excuse to get me out of the office. She'll be digging the photo out of my desk any second now and...
"Ph-Phoenix? Phoenix Wright? Is that really you?" My ears perked up immediately. That voice... I know that voice! "Is... Is it really you?" Sure enough, a moment later a clearly shocked and upset Twilight Sparkle stepped from the shadows. "Please... please tell me it's you!"
"Y-yes Twilight! It's me! What are you doing here? It's been so long since I last saw all of you!" I crouched down to get to her level as she walked towards me. A moment later tears were rimming her eyes as she broke into a run and collided with me, her front hooves around my chest. Her words came out in a jumble.
"I'm so happy I found you! I couldn't find the Wright & Co. offices listed anywhere, all I could find was the Wright Anything Agency and I thought for sure you'd gone out of business or worse, and I was even more worried when that girl came out of the door and not you and you look so much older what happened to you?! Pheonix I need your help! Something terrible has happened and I don't know how to fix it, or if there's anypony who can fix it! Please tell me you'll come!" She was sobbing, tears running down her face.
"Whoa whoa whoa." I put one arm around her neck, holding her closer. "Slow down Twilight. What's going on? What do you mean so much older? What do you need help with?" It was all coming fast and sudden and I didn't know where to even begin.
"There's been another murder in Equestria... so soon after the last... and it's... oh Phoenix you just have to come. Please. PLEASE!" I frowned slightly and scratched the back of my head with a free hand.
"Well... I guess I don't have much choice. We're leaving tonight?" I wasn't sure how I was going to explain this to the others.Or should I... "Actually yes, if we can let's leave tonight. Right now if possible." Twilight's face brightened at that.
"Really? You mean it? You'll come?!" She sniffed back the last of her tears as she stood. "You'll help?"
"Yeah." I nodded and gave a smile. "We have a lot to catch up on. A lot has changed for me and I'm sure the same could be said for you. This is all really sudden, but if you're here it must be important." And if it's not there's going to be hell to pay one way or another...
"Thank you so much Phoenix!" She gave me a huge hug and grinned. "I'll explain everything when we get there. Do you have everything you'll need?"
"Yes, I believe so." I checked myself to make sure I had not left anything behind in the office. "Will the judge be presiding again?"
"Yes, I'll be grabbing him tomorrow, along with the others. The trial won't be for a few days so there's no rush. I wanted to get to you as soon as possible so we could start our investigations tomorrow." Twilight was still sniffling but she seemed to have her emotions under control again.
"Alright, cast your spell then, let's go." I smiled and braced myself. The trip between worlds was never pleasant, at least for me.
"Here we go then." She started to cast her spell. The sudden light from her horn illuminated her back.
"Twilight... when did you grow wings?" I was confused. "I thought only princesses could have wings and horns?"
"Uh... yeah... like you said, things have changed." Her spell began to intensify. "Why do you look so much older anyways? What aren't you telling me?"
"Daddy?!" I turned in time to see Trucy barrel out of the office door towards me, Apollo and Athena hot on her heels. I looked at Twilight and saw her eyes go wide in shock,
"DADDY?! You're a FATHER?!" The information shock hit her as she hit the apex of casting her spell. With a burst of overloaded magic, the localized spell that was supposed to take just myself and Twilight back to Equestria enveloped the hallway, catching the other three in the blast. Everything went white.
Canterlot Detention Center
June 6th, 9:00 PM
A few moments later my vision cleared. Then the yelling started.
"Mr. Wright? Where are we? What just happened?!" Apollo was the first to jump up and see that our surroundings had changed. "Why are we surrounded by horses in armor?!"
"I'd like to know that too!" Athena was rubbing her backside after taking a tumble in the confusion. "Is this your magatama acting up again? Who's the purple horse? How do you know her? What was Trucy talking about?"
"Daddy! They're real? They're really real?! I thought they were just actors in costumes or animatronics!" Trucy looked like a kid in a candy shop. "Why didn't you tell us about this? Oh... they look a little angry..." I looked at the guards surrounding us and then back at Trucy. "Oh... you look a little angry too daddy..."
"Of course I'm angry! I told you three very specifically to wait for me in the office!" I was trying not to glare at her. "And now look! All four of us are here!"
"And if we hadn't come out of the office when we did you would have just left without us!" Apollo thrust a finger at me and frowned. "You were about to disappear again! Don't think Pearly didn't tell me about the time you disappeared to go see your pony sugar momma! Now at least I know what she was talking about! Hey OW!" One of the guards had poked him in the leg with his spear. Thankfully Twilight took control of the situation.
"ENOUGH." Stamping one foot to the ground, her words were loud enough to stun everyone into silence. The guards dipped into a bow almost immediately. Twilight cleared her throat before continuing. "Now, there has clearly been a magical mishap and I inadvertently brought over more travelers than I intended. Be that as it may, they are still guests of myself and the remaining princesses of Equestria..." She flinched when she said remaining... I have a very bad feeling about this... "... and will be treated as such. Please show the three of them to comfortable quarters for the evening. I will speak to them at a later time. Phoenix Wright, attorney of the crown, please follow me." Twilight turned away and walked down a hallway.
"Y-yes ma'am." I quickly followed after her, my mind reeling. "Trucy, Apollo, Athena, we'll speak about this later." Since when did Twilight get so forceful and professional... a lot changes in nine years. I caught up with Twilight in time to see her breathing heavily. "Are you ok?"
"No... no not at all. I haven't even been able to explain everything to you yet. I haven't been a princess for very long and keeping up the appearance of being strong and in control is difficult for me. I don't even know when I developed the Royal Canterlot voice... there's just so much I don't understand yet. And now this trial..." She sighed and let her head fall, resting up against one wall. "I don't know how long I can keep up appearances for."
"Well it would help if you told me a bit more about the case. Who the victim is, the defendant, that sort of thing. Is it Rainbow Dash again? She accused of knocking off another racer? Or maybe Pinkie Pie this time? One of her 'exploits' finally go wrong?" I chuckled slightly thinking of what a Pinkie Pie screw up would do. I hoped it would put Twilight at ease. Clearly I was mistaken. Her sigh deepened as we walked into the visitor's room.
"It's not as simple as that..." She sat in a chair against the back wall and motioned towards the attorney's seat. I took a seat and watched the room beyond the dividing glass for the defendant to appear. As I sat, Twilight continued. "Because the murder victim was Princess Luna..." My eyes flung wide and my head whipped around hard enough to hurt my neck.
"WH-WHAT?!" I gripped the edge of my seat. There's the hairs on the back of my neck again.... "What?! How? Who could possibly have killed her?!" Twilight opened her mouth a few times to speak, but nothing came out. Burying her face in one hoof she raised the other one and weakly motioned towards the defendant's chair. As I looked at who the defendant was, the colour drained from my face. There sitting across from me, a sad, almost traumatized look on her face, was the last pony I would have ever expected to have to defend.
"Hello Phoenix Wright, it's been a while." Princess Celestia unfurled her wings and made herself comfortable for what was sure to be a long night. "I'm sorry it had to be under these circumstances."
Author's Note
And thus it begins. I'd like to touch on a few things now before it gets into the full swing of things.
Firstly, I'm not that amazing of a writer so I don't really expect to touch Turnabout Storm, but I thought this would be a fun project. Second, I'm not bashing any of the pseudo-sequels, I just don't find any of them my cup of tea. Third, for those watching me and came here hoping for more on my other two incompletes, yes I'm writing again, no no timeline, yes both will get updates.
Chapter 2: Sunny Side Down
"Please, come and take a seat Mr. Wright." Princess Celestia was sitting on the other side of the glass, an excruciating look of pensive hope gripping her face. "I apologize for having Twilight summon you to our world again. If it were under any other circumstances I would have asked for another defense attorney. However, another murder only a few years after the last, a high profile victim, and a high profile defendant..." She sighed, putting a hoof to her muzzle and closing her eyes. "I was hoping you would understand." I heard the door shut behind me. Turning, I could see Twilight had remained in the hallway, leaving us in private.
My mouth was bone dry, my body suddenly and inexplicably feeling totally dehydrated. Stumbling over to a nearby water cooler, on legs that felt like they were made out of jelly, I proceeded to drain nearly a quarter of the bottle, throwing cup after cup down my parched throat. That accomplished, I was having difficulty willing my legs to move me any closer to the distressed regent. I stood in place, leaning against the water cooler for support, merely watching Celestia. The great and mighty Princess Celestia, sole ruler of the utopia of Equestria for a thousand years, benevolent, kind, wise, caring.
Murderer.
No Phoenix. That's impossible. Twilight wouldn't have dragged you here if she thought Celestia was guilty. Well... actually she would. Twilight treats Celestia like a goddess, she would probably do anything for her. That being said... could Celestia have done it? Would she have? She did banish Luna for a thousand years but... Would she kill her? I stood in quiet contemplation for a moment, running through an internal monologue that wasn't altogether comfortable to me. A few years ago I would have jumped at the chance to defend her. The falsely accused princess! An evil villain waiting in the sidelines! The headlines! Funny how time, experience, and betrayal change a man. If she was guilty, and I told her I wouldn't help... would anyone else dare defend her?
Apparently I had spent too long standing there in my thoughts, because when I refocused my attention on Celestia she looked like she was about to break. While clearly in emotional distress over the accusations, and I hoped over the death of her sister, even her carefully crafted veneer was starting to crack. That was the final motivation I needed to cross the room. I quickly walked over to the chair opposite her and took a seat. "I must apologize Princess Celestia. I was merely in shock. I needed a moment." I bowed my head to her.
"Oh... Oh no." Celestia shook her head and did her best to give me a sad sympathetic smile. The fact I had finally taken a seat and started talking with her had calmed her significantly. She made herself comfortable on the cushions she had been provided and nodded her head. "I can understand fully. I imagine that you've already had a long day."
"Unfortunately." I sighed and returned her smile. "I had just returned to the office after clearing my client's name in another case back home. I was about to head to bed when Twilight showed up. I always wondered if we'd meet again. This is not how I imagined it going."
"The feeling is mutual. After you managed to prove Rainbow Dash was innocent, and Twilight sent you home, I had asked her to get rid of any and all knowledge of how to cast the spell to step between worlds. I was under the impression that she had." Celestia sighed. "Imagine my surprise when she tells me she had directly disobeyed me and not only kept the spell but refined it. I should have known of course. Friendship is a powerful motivator. It appears she's done me a great service by retaining the ability to call you back."
"I'm a little upset to hear you didn't want me visiting again, but I think we can both agree that under the circumstances having me back is probably a good thing." I raised an eyebrow as her expression changed from somber to surprise.
"Oh!" She shook her head and frowned. "No! Don't misunderstand Mr. Wright, it's not that you would be unwelcome. In fact, there were many nights I spent thinking of you and debating if I should visit you or have you over for a visit. I just didn't want her dropping in on you whenever she felt like it and causing an interdimensional incident, or using you to solve our problems. We nearly had one shortly after Twilight earned her princesshood. I was afraid that allowing her unimpeded access to your world would cause another." She smiled at the silhouette of her student could be seen through the frosted glass of the door. “Of course, it seems you'll be solving our problems anyways.”
"I'm glad to hear that." I smiled at her. "That I'm welcome back to Equestria I mean." I turned to look at the door where Twilight was milling about and then back at the princess. "We're not really here for pleasantries though Princess Celestia. You've asked me here to defend you in court. I accept."
"What?" The princess was taken aback. If I had to wager a guess, I'd say she had expected me to either turn her down or ask her so many questions she'd have a headache. I mean... I never did that. Right? "Just like that? I haven't even given you the details, or professed my innocence or guilt. Why would you ever accept the case just like that?"
"Because if I don't, there's no one else that will. You've been accused of murdering your sister. Unless things have changed drastically in the few years since I was last here, the only pony that knows enough defense law is Twilight, and I have a funny feeling that she wouldn't be willing to protect you on her own." I reached out for a folder that was placed on the counter in front of me- all current information on the case.
"Oh... why don't you think she would represent me?" Celestia bit her lips, her demeanor starting to crack again. You're clearly not as clever as you think you are Celestia if you can't read your student that well.
I started leafing through the documents to try and make sense of the crime and how she had wound up accused. I was trying to figure out the softest way to put what I had to say. Nothing came to mind other than the cold hard truth. I didn't even look up before I answered. I don't think I could. "Because she thinks you're guilty as well."
Celestia sat in quiet contemplation for a moment before her eyes flashed white and she shot me a glare, hissing between her teeth. "WHAT?!"
"She's in the same boat everyone else is." I tried to stay matter of fact and stoic. I was failing. "There aren't many creatures or ponies that could kill a princess. You're probably not the only one who could have done it, but you're definitely the prime suspect.”
"Wh-wh... What? She never spoke of this to me before!" Celestia was sputtering, vainly attempting to grasp at some argument contrary to my suggestion. She couldn't.
"You're her mentor and mother figure, Princess Celestia." I sighed and continued my browsing. Luna's body, found at 3:24 AM by her night guards, still in bed. No damage to bed, indicating crime was committed elsewhere. Heavy magic burning along one side, horn cracked into splinters, several piercing blows to her chest and face. Curiously, her wings are still in pristine condition. Wonder what that looks like... I flipped the page to the crime scene photo. EUUUGH I wish I hadn't looked! Autopsy report indicates that the magic was clearly solar in origin, and the cause of death was a puncture wound to her heart. Swallowing my nausea I looked back up at the princess. "It's probably tearing her up inside. I can't blame her. These documents are pretty damming."
AUTOPSY REPORT ADDED TO COURT DOCUMENTS
CRIME SCENE PHOTO ADDED TO COURT DOCUMENTS.
"But I didn't do it!" Celestia cried. "I loved my sister more than you can ever imagine! Even a thousand years ago when I should have destroyed her, I banished her instead. I'm not a murderer." I'd never seen Celestia's carefully crafted image shatter so fully like this before. She was clearly upset. Devastated. "I could keep ruling my little ponies and they would have no power to stop me. I'm only in this detention center as a show of good faith to them. I need to clear my name! So I can mourn my sister and move on... alone. Please. You need to believe me. I need somepony to believe me." She hung her head in defeat and slumped back into pillows she was resting on.
"I believe you." I gave her a half smile and closed the folder.
"You do?" She looked up into my eyes, clearly vexed. “Just like that?”
"I do. I have to believe you. It's my job to believe in my client. As long as you are truly innocent, the evidence will be there to prove you didn't do it, or to prove someone else did. I believe in you Celestia. Do you believe in you?" I really wished the glass wasn’t here. All I wanted to do was hold her hoof.
"I... I do." She gave the ghost of a genuine smile. "You... Thank-you. I don't know what I would have done if you had said no." Straightening back up, she flashed her horn, and as suddenly as it was there, any sign she was anything other than stoic was gone. "You've changed much Mr. Wright. What happened to the emotional defense attorney with Discord's luck I met all those years ago?"
"I'm still here your majesty. A lot has happened over those years, and I've gone from having mentors to being one. Not to mention... That's a story for another time though." I stood, removing the defense's copies of the court documents I needed, and stuffed them into my case file. "I should talk to Twilight and start my investigation."
"What are you going to tell her?" Celestia raised an eyebrow.
"What she needs to hear. Have a good evening princess.”
"The same to you Mr. Wright."
With a nod I carefully let myself out of the room, finding it empty. Twilight had apparently wandered off while the princess and I were finishing our conversation. I was actually grateful for that. I needed a moment to think about how to talk to Twilight. What I would say. What I could say. I can entirely understand her predicament, however she should have more faith in the princess. But can I blame her? I'm not sure I would feel any different, and she did come find me... I didn't notice her walk up to me until she was right behind me. I jumped. "YEEARGH!!"
"AHHH!" She screamed back, both cups of water suspended in her purple glow upending into the air and down onto my head, soaking me.
"Aww man! I just had these dry cleaned!" I hastily rubbed as much water off of my suit as I could. "Twilight!"
"Sorry! I didn't expect you to just suddenly scream!" She glared at me.
"Well don't sneak up on me like that!" I huffed, my face curled into a frown.
"Sorry." She frowned back and used one of her spells to quickly dry me off. Twilight then turned to look at to the door to Celestia's room. "So. The princess."
"The princess." I nodded. "Before I say anything, I want to hear what you think."
"Well. I..." She stammered. "I want to believe she's innocent. I do. That's why when it came time to figure out who should defend her in court, you were the first person I could think of. If you can't prove her innocent, I don't know anypony that could." She looked down. "But there aren't many others who could have the power to kill Princess Luna. The most ancient of dragons, or Discord possibly, but neither have reason to kill her, nor solar magic. In my studies I've become quite adept at both solar and lunar schools of magic, but I know I didn't do it. Nopony else has that sort of power."
"Well, Luna was actually killed by whatever pierced her body, so anyone with a long sharp object and opportunity could have done it." I offered.
"Yes, but both of the sisters are surrounded by protective magic that would take alicorn level magic to burn through." She sighed. "You... you don't think she did it?" She slowly looked up and narrowed her eyes.
"No. I know she didn't do it." I smiled. "I don't know who did, or why, or even how yet, but I know that my client is innocent and I won't rest until I prove it. You should believe in her too. The most important thing to do is believe in her."
Her eyes went wide before her face shifted through a range of emotion. Shock, disbelief, concern, fear, and finally acceptance. "You really believe in her?" I nodded my head. She suddenly threw her front hooves around me, fresh tears falling down her face. "I don't know how we're going to prove it, but thank you."
"Er... For what?"
"For agreeing to take her case and... and restoring some of my faith in her. It scares me so much to think she could have murdered Princess Luna."She sniffled into my shoulder. "It's like my entire world came shattering down around me. Celestia has always been like a mother to me."
"I know Twilight. I understand." We both stood and brushed ourselves off. "Now, we have a long night ahead of us. I need my attorney's badge back,and we should head over to your library to get reacquainted with Equestrian Law. I'm also going to want to study a bit of magic to see if there's any other angles to this case."
“Well... there's a couple problems with that.” She bit her lip. “First off, my library kinda exploded.”
I gave her a look and frowned. “What?”
“Yeah... Tirek. Couple years ago. I'll explain later. I've got a palace now though! It has lots of books!” She smiled. “However the other problem is that we're not in Ponyville. We're in Canterlot. Capital city of Equestria. That being said, there are many libraries here.”
"Well la de da!" I chuckled. “Princess Twilight and her fancy new castle! Alright then, let's go find me a badge, find my friends, do introductions, then hit a library.”
"That actually sounds like a good plan. Surprising coming from you. Don't you normally fly by the seat of your pants?” She glanced up, a cheeky smile tugging at her lips.
“A lot has changed Twilight. I have a lot to tell you.”
“Good. You still need to explain how you have a daughter."
"...right."
Miles Edgeworth was sitting in his office overlooking the busy night life below. A cup of tea in his hand, he'd been leafing through the latest case reports and files. "Another win by the return of the prodigal son." He chuckled as he gazed out into the streets. "Good for you Wright. I always knew you'd return to the courtroom." His musing was interrupted by a knock at the door. Odd. No one else should be left in the building. "Come in. Wait... Maya?"
"Edgeworth I'm sorry to stop in so suddenly like it's of the utmost importance." Maya gently shut the door behind her and stepped towards his desk. They had kept in touch by letter during Wright's sudden absence, but this was the first time in years he had seen her in person. Those years, he decided, had done much to transform her from a gangly youth to the beautiful and striking young woman standing before him. Indeed, it seems traditions weren't the only thing passed down to the master of Kurain Village. "I really think you should sit down for this."
"Ah... yes. Of course." Edgeworth gestured towards one of the chairs opposite to his desk, and politely waited for Maya to take a seat. "Can I offer you some tea?"
"Actually tea would be lovely thank you." Maya nodded and smiled back, her robes swirling about her body. As soon as he had fetched her a cup and taken his own seat, she leaned forward slightly. "Now, you need to listen very carefully to me. I was channeling my sister yesterday..."
"Maya, I respect and adore you, and your sister was an amazing attorney, but you know I don't take much stock in your mystical voodoo." Edgeworth sighed. “Irregardless of what the official case file says, or Godot, your occult superstition hardly passes for a reasonable explanation for a murder.”
"Please. Just listen." She slammed her teacup down harder than intended, blushing. "Sorry. Edgeworth I know you've always found it difficult to grasp the Kurain channeling technique, but even if you don't normally believe me, please. I'm begging you. Listen to me now. Just once."
Edgeworth sighed again and looked over the top of his tea, inhaling the aroma of his preferred blend, before finally setting the cup down. "Alright. I will accept that based on what I have seen from yourself and Mr. Wright in the past it is possible, possible, that you may be able to do the things you've claimed in the past. Just. Once. If it was important enough for you to leave the monastery and seek me out at this time of night, Miss Fey, you have my attention. Please, start over."
"Thank-you." She sighed in relief, folding her legs and placing both hands on the desk. "I was leading my acolytes through a channeling routine yesterday, and I channeled my sister. She says hello by the way. " Edgeworth nodded softly. "She also brought something up that, I'll be honest, I had forgotten about. Do you remember, before he lost his badge, when Phoenix disappeared for a few days? We found him in his office with the weird photo of him and the ponies?"
"Of course. I couldn't forget that day if I tried.” Edgeworth groaned and placed a palm to his face, deeply repressed and embarrassing memories flooding to the forefront of his mind. “Pearls was wailing about Mr. Wright having a pony 'sugar momma'. Eugh. The idea makes my stomach churn. I haven't given much thought to it though. What more is there really to it? He went to some strange theme park and didn't tell us. With the sort of animatronics they seem to have there, I can't say I really blame him. It's hardly the most juvenile thing he's done. Don't forget he's friends with a man named 'Butz'." Edgeworth shrugged. "I'm sorry, what does this have to do with anything?"
"Well... normally Phoenix was like an open book. There wasn't much about his life he kept secret, until he was disbarred. Except that picture. He never brought it up again. However, after speaking with my sister, it's become clear why he was always hesitant to talk about it. I also believed it was due to shame. However, Mia shed some light on his beating around the bush. It wasn't a theme park." She leaned back and took a sip of tea. "Mia was... quite busy after her death. She hasn't given me many details. All she's told me so far, is that you'll be meeting those ponies yourself.”
"Wh-Wh-What?!" Edgeworth blurted out, coughing as he choked on some of his own tea. "That's highly preposterous. I don't know what sort of games you're playing at Maya but now I'm absolutely convinced you're trying to pull one over on me. If you wanted to convince me of your mystical connection to the hereafter, you could have tried something a little more believable.”
“You're not going to believe me like this are you?” Maya frowned. “I was really hoping I wouldn't have to do this. I'm already exhausted.”
“Do what? Are you going to put on a little song and dance for me? Maybe pull out some puppets? I... AUGH!” He covered his eyes as a flash of light filled the room. Blinking away the spots he finally focused back on Maya. Or who had been Maya. "Mia?!"
"I told her it would be easier if I just came in the first place. She insisted she try to talk to you on her own first. I guess she ended up second guessing herself." Mia Fey sat across from Edgeworth, running a hand along her arm. "Been a while Edgy."
"These parlour tricks are getting old. I don't know what..."
"Edgeworth." Mia snapped. "You promised my sister you would listen. So listen." She calmed herself and smiled. While Maya was beautiful, Mia was... well she had technically been dead for over a decade now, but she was, to pardon a pun, drop dead gorgeous. Neither apple fell far from the tree. "You're going to need to pass on your duties to someone else. Make some calls. Tonight. You'll be leaving tomorrow."
"That's impossible I'm afraid." Edgeworth shook his head. "I don't have anyone to take over for me, and even if I did I'm currently waiting on my passport renewal. I can't fly anywhere."
"You're not going to be flying. You're going to be summoned. I still can't believe after all this time you cling to your disbelief in the occult. I vaguely remember you stalling for time during that trial while Phoenix was recovering. The entire case was based on channeling the souls of those that have passed.”
“I... in the years since I've been doing my best to try and wrap my head around a logical conclusion to that case that doesn't involve voodoo. I'll admit now that your appearance here has set back about ten years worth of work. Isn't there someone else who could go? Assuming you're not just pulling my leg? I'm incredibly busy.”
“Miles, you're as silly as you are handsome.” Mia gave a soft smile and shook her head. “I'm afraid that the arrangements have already been made, the decisions set. Like it or not, You're going to a fantastic land of magic and ponies." She laughed as he squirmed in his seat at the idea.
"Oh come off it Mia." Edgeworth scowled. "You must think I'm daft. Did Mr. Wright put you up to this? What would I even be doing in the land of goody goody ponies?"
"You'll be prosecuting their chief ruler on the charge she murdered her sister in cold blood." Mia smirked.
"...WHAT?!" Edgeworth sputtered again. "I thought you said I was going to ponyland?"
"Equestria actually, and it's not all sunshine and roses. You'll be met by the co-defense, Princess Twilight Sparkle, as well as your co-prosecution, Trixie Lulamoon. If you head over to Wright's office you'll find it empty. His team were summoned there earlier this evening. Take a look at the light blue unicorn. That's Trixie."
"You're not kidding are you?" He frowned. "Why am I prosecuting? I would think that working together with Phoenix would be the easier route to a not guilty verdict. If Phoenix is taking the case I'm going to assume almost immediately that she's at least not guilty of murder. Can't one of these ponies handle the prosecution?"
"Yes. You two could easily clear the princess, but you must not work together with Phoenix. You must challenge him, pull out every stop, use every dirty trick in the book. Do your best to slam the door on him. Every prosecutor that has faced him in court- learn their tricks. Do your very best to destroy him in court." Mia frowned and chewed her lip. "Phoenix needs and adversary that makes him think as hard as possible, see every angle. That's the only way."
"Only way for what? What are you talking about Mia?"
"I can't tell you any more than that Edgeworth. It's getting late, and I need to go back. Make some calls, go to Wright's office. Under his desk there's a small safe. Code 2-1-7-8-4. It has the pictures and all the details for his defense of Rainbow Dash."
"...Who?"
"Just look through it. I need to go now. When you see Celestia tell her... I'm sorry." Mia looked ready to cry.
"What? Wait Mia...!" Another blinding flash and Maya was once again sitting across from the chief prosecutor. "Ah. Maya. I see your back with me."
"Yes. Just..." She took a few breaths, her chest heaving. "Sorry that still takes a lot out of me. Now, I hope you understand the gravity of the situation."
"Yes. I'll need to make a few calls. Is there anything else you'll need tonight Miss Fey?"
"Just give me a bit of time to recover and I can see myself out. I can't help you any further than I already have. I wanted to try and prepare you."
"And I appreciate it. Thank you Maya." Edgeworth buried his hands in his palms. "How is it that no matter what happens, what bizarre situation crops up, Phoenix Wright is always at the middle of it?"
"Because, Miles, sometimes he's the only one that can make it right."
