Chapters The Fragrance Of Dark Ponies
"As Long As There's Coffee..."
No sin is without its comeuppance. Diego thought that saying was for someone else, but in reality it was for himself. After waking up from a coma, Diego Armando, former defense attorney, realized someone very close to him was dead. In his anger, he blamed Phoenix Wright for it and became a prosecutor in court for revenge under the name "Godot". All these events eventually piled up in one act: murder. Of course, he did what he thought was right. Nevertheless, murder was murder. Diego had participated in a plan that would save a young girl's life from a terrible fate. However, the girl's mother, Misty Fey, was a spirit medium and channeled the devious mastermind: Dahlia Hawthorne. Oblivious to who channeled her, Diego killed Misty. Eventually the truth was found out and he was thrown in jail for life with help from Phoenix Wright. Surprisingly, Diego forgave Phoenix afterwards. Still, he regretted much of what he had done and strived to do his life all over again. But such things could only happen in fairy tales, couldn't they?
May 4, 2019 9:30 PM
Jail Cell #101
"Hey, amigo," Diego yelled, trying to catch the attention of one of the guards, "some coffee please!" The guard had a look of annoyance on his face.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Armando. You know the rules. I can only give you water." The guard explained.
"These are dark times. Almost as dark as the coffee I should be drinking right about now. " Diego murmured.
"Yeah....sure." The guard replied, walking away from the prisoner.
"They can't expect me to live on only water..." Diego whispered to himself. He then folded his hands behind his back and tried to relax as best he could on his uncomfortable, stone-cold bed.
"What would you prefer?" A feminine voice asked.
"I told you. I want cof-" Diego said before he realized that it was not the guard who answered him, but a dark blue pony with the horn of a unicorn and the wings of a pegasus. "I've called people mares in the past, but...this? This is what happens when I don't have my coffee!" Diego yelled.
"Calm down, Mr. Armando." The allicorn said.
"The unicorn with wings is telling me to 'calm down'. I don't see why not. After all, my execution is in a few days." Diego smirked.
"Usually others don't take this as well as you." The allicorn remarked.
"Well how do they react, Ms. Mare?" Diego asked.
"Well, my first choice hopped around like a bunny and rambled on about a 'Pink Princess'. My second choice attempted to whip me. So now I am down to you." The allicorn said.
"I see, Ms. Mare. And what exactly are you looking for?" Diego questioned.
"For the record, my name is Luna. Secondly, I am looking for a prosecutor." Luna said.
"A prosecutor, huh? Sorry Ms. Mare. I don't do that anymore. The hands of time have moved on. And to be quite frank, it looks like you didn't get their memo." Diego responded with a chuckle.
"You call me Ms. Mare, yet I have told you my real name. Why is that?" Luna inquired.
"It's easier to remember." Diego joked.
"I see."
"Anyways, why don't you fly back to that fantasy land of yours and let me rot." Diego said, shooing Luna away.
"Very well then. I was going to give you your favorite drink, but if you are too busy..." Luna said, teasingly.
"Hold on there, señorita! Did you just offer me a nice mug of coffee?" Diego shouted.
"If that was what you wanted. But...you are not a prosecutor anymore, correct? I guess I'll just have to find anoth-" Luna said, in an attempt to guilt trip the prosecutor.
"Hold it! As long as there's coffee....I'm in." Diego interrupted. Luna's heart exploded with joy as soon as she heard those words.
"Excellent! We shall prepare the carriage right away!" Luna said with excitement.
"There is just one problem, Ms. Mare." Diego pointed out.
"Yes, what is it?"
"How are you going to get me out of here?" Diego asked, showing Luna the chains that were wrapped around his hands. "I'm a prisoner behind bars, as you can plainly see with those freakishly big eyes of yours."
"That does complicate things..." Luna said, shortly after using her magic to break the chains in two. "If only by a little, Mr. Armando." Luna teased.
"Some trick you've got there, my shadowy companion. But let me ask you this. You obviously know who I am. My question is why."
"We had a human being, like you, appear in our courts quite a while ago." Luna clarified.
"I take it handsome homo sapians like me don't make appearances in your home very often." Diego assumed.
"Not on our side of the world anyways. The human was named Phoenix Wright. I take it you've heard of him?"
"We may have crossed paths now and then..." Diego said, mysteriously.
"I have looked up many prosecutors that have faced him in court. You were one of them." Luna said, sternly.
"And the truth finds its way into your mouth once more, Ms. Mare."
"Why would you lie about this? Tell me!" Luna demanded.
"The Sphinx doesn't give the full answers to his riddles. He gives bits and pieces of the answer to see what you know."
"So this was a test?"
"Bullseye."
"Back on to the topic at hand, there is a case that needs you in my home, Equestria. It would be most appreciated if you would be the prosecutor in that case, Mr. Armando." Luna requested.
"Sounds like a good healthy dose of work for me. Just one thing, Ms. Mare." Diego pointed out.
"Yes?"
"From here on out, you won't call me 'Mr. Armando'."
"Then what would you like me to address you by?"
"Call me, Godot."
The Fragrance Of Dark Ponies
"So...where is this carriage you promised?" Godot said, looking around.
"It should be here any second now," Luna responded. Godot's eyes, were anybody able to see them, would have been searching everywhere for hidden cameras. Perhaps this was a prank by some shape-shifting ghost, jealous of the way he narrowly avoided death. No. That couldn't have been it. As cartoony as it seemed, Luna's worry was very real. Godot had seen those emotions all too many times being a former defense attorney himself. He would have started feeling sympathetic had his ears not heard a loud rumbling.
"Miss Mare, care to explain?" Godot asked.
Suddenly, a carriage the size of a car barged through the prison walls. Godot was startled as he saw it. The carriage itself was something out of a fairy tale. It was plated with gold and beautiful diamonds. Even the wheels sported a sparkling yellow. What Godot found the most extraordinary, was the fact that it had no driver.
"This, Mr. Godot, is the carriage that I promised," Luna said, feeling rather proud of her magic. Godot quickly searched the room for guards, but found that every one of them was sound asleep like a newborn baby. "Quickly, Mr. Godot. Before they wake up."
Godot made himself a seat on the carriage, unsure of the events Luna laid out for him. The princess herself sat next to Godot and turned to him.
"Tell me, Mr. Godot, have you ever been in a flying carriage before?" Luna asked.
"Have you ever seen a man with a mask like this before?" Before Godot could quip any more, Luna's horn glowed a dark blue and the carriage took off into the sky like a plane. Godot sat in awe as everything he had once seen looked like ants. Though his vision was handicapped, he would not soon forget that sight.
"It's quite beautiful, isn't it? Looking down on all the world without a care in one," Luna sighed.
"Yeah....I suppose it is." The carriage went higher and higher into the blue sky and through countless clouds. A dark, purple portal opened up and the carriage soared through it. Inside the portal was a tunnel of stars leading into a white light.
"I suggest you hold on tight!" Luna yelled. She grunted as the carriage's speed increased and sped into the white light. Godot quickly closed his eyes, for he feared the light would blind him. When he opened his eyes, instead of the light he saw a colorful town filled with ponies of all sizes. As soon as they looked above, they waved to say hello. Godot attempted to put his hands over his face to hide the most peculiar feature of his face, but was astounded to find they had been replaced with green hooves. He found his mask was still on, but it felt somewhat smaller. But unfortunately, his clothes were gone.
"What the he-" Godot blurted.
"It was the only way you would 'fit in', as they say," Luna whispered to Godot as she waved awkwardly to her subjects. The carriage passed through the town and headed towards a majestic castle.
"I take it you're some sort of celebrity here?"
"A princess, actually."
"I'm going to have a lot of questions, you know."
"And I'm going to have a lot of answers. Do not fear, Mr. Godot, we shall provide you with all that you need."
"And the coffee. Can't live without the stuff."
"Yes....the coffee. I went into some research in recreating this drink. I hope it will be satisfactory at the least. You humans create so many fascinating beverages like.... this coffee of yours."
"Fascinating is an understatement, Miss Mare."
Godot and Luna soon landed on the balcony of the castle. Luna stepped out with ease while Godot...
"What is the matter?" Luna asked.
"Miss Mare, I just sprouted two extra pairs of legs. You can't expect me to be as graceful as a ballerina," Godot said.
"Well, what do you suggest I do?"
Godot smirked.
"You remind me of a kitten I met once, Miss Mare." Godot felt lighter than air as he was carried by the magical glow of an annoyed Luna.
"Really? ....ugh.....how utterly interesting....." Luna grunted as she carried the coffee loving prosecutor into the castle. She carried him all the way into her personal quarters and dropped him gently on a couch.
"Now, what's the deal, señorita? What case is so important that it needs a man who escaped Hell twice?" Godot asked as he made himself more than comfortable on Luna's couch. "And more importantly, where's my coffee?"
"Maybe it's better if I start at the beginning. I told you I was a princess, yes?" Luna walked over to a table, came back, and handed a very satisfied looking Godot his coffee. "Well, there are four princesses as of late who provide a sense of justice for this land. Occasionally, nobles from other countries come to bring good tidings for us." Luna's eyes were filled with happiness, before becoming unfocused and were substituted with anger. "But just recently, one of those nobles was murdered just within these very walls!"
"So who's the suspect? Someone you don't trust?" Luna shut her eyes and her voice became more quiet.
"....it was a pony I did trust at a time. With my life and others', in fact."
"Well now, this is getting interesting. What exactly was his occupation, Miss Mare?" Godot said as he took several sips out of his coffee.
"He was a guard."
The Fragrance Of Dark Ponies
"A guard, you say..." Godot murmured. The prosecutor had handled defendants that ranged from waitresses to masked criminals, but a guard? He could tell Luna was taking it hard on herself. She kept staring at the window with her aqua blue eyes, hoping tears wouldn't come out.
"Yes," Luna replied bluntly, with her voice starting to crack. "But that is not even the worst part. The worst part is..." Godot leaned in.
"Come on, tell ol' Godot."
"He was currently...dating one of our princesses." Godot spitted out his coffee laughing, spilling it all over the sofa.
"Mr. Godot! This is no laughing matter!" Luna scolded. But all Godot did was lower the volume of his laughter. "The defendant is..."
"The defense attorney's girlfriend! Predictable, Miss Mare! Heh...looks like you got yourself a scandal!"
"How did you know?"
"I've seen people who have some crazy reasons to become lawyers. Revenge, fame, hell even love."
"Why did you become an attorney?" Luna asked, sitting down next to Godot.
"At first, you know, it was for the money. Meet some pretty señoritas, maybe. But then, on my first case, my boss, Grossberg, he taught me what it really meant to be a lawyer. Our duties, they're to find the truth. Nothing more, nothing less. That day he taught me two things: the former and once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains must be the truth. But I digress. It's about time we investigate the crime scene."
"Agreed." Luna lifted herself, and Godot, quite literally, off the couch. "You know, perhaps it would be better if you learned to walk."
"Whatever you say, Miss Mare." Luna let go of Godot and she gently descended him towards the floor. "Hold on, I can do this myself."
"Take my hoof." Luna extended her hoof to the masked prosecutor. Godot reluctantly took it. Her hoof surprisingly was very smooth, almost like it had been cleaned a second ago. Godot stood up and slowly but surely let go of Luna. "That is a good start. Here is the difficult part. You must move your upper left leg in sync with your lower left leg. Do the same with your right ones."
"You must think you're teaching a baby to walk, eh?" Godot grunted as he struggled to keep his balance.
"Not at all. This is like...teaching someone your native language!" Godot was starting to get the hang of it. His legs were like gears in a clock, continuously moving in order. Suddenly he tripped and started to fall. "Mr. Godot!"
Godot felt the same smoothness he felt earlier. He looked up, and saw that Luna caught him with her own front legs. The two looked at each other for a few seconds before Godot broke the silence. "Well...I guess I messed up pretty badly."
"Nonsense!" Luna said as she abruptly separated herself from Godot. "You were adequate, especially for a beginner. Besides, it was only a few minutes of practice. We'll practice more later, for now we had better head to the investigation scene." She walked to the carriage, trying to hide her blushing.
"Heh...still got it, Diego." Godot followed her.
A green and purple dragon ran through the castle, checking every nook and cranny for some evidence. The room was filled with wooden fences and yellow tape. He stopped for a few seconds to pant and breathe. Then, he spotted his best friend, Twilight Sparkle, Princess Of Friendship.
"Spike! Did you find anything?" Twilight said hopefully.
"Sorry, Twi. There wasn't that much that could help us. We could try tomorrow!" Spike replied.
"Spike, there is no tomorrow because the trial is t-"
"Excuse me, Twilight, am I interrupting something?" Luna walked onto the crime scene.
"Oh! Princess Luna, we weren't expecting your arrival. Are you the prosecutor for this case?" Twilight asked.
"No. He is." Godot, in a new light brown vest, walked next to Luna and drank a whole mug of coffee in one gulp. Twilight was confused. She had never seen someone with a visor before. Maybe it was just a weird fashion choice.
"Is he a robot!?" Spike blurted.
"Be polite, Spike," Twilight scolded. "I'm Twilight Sparkle. Pleased to meet you, Mr......"
"Godot. You'll do well to remember it, Sprinkles," Godot remarked.
"'Sprinkles'?" Twilight murmured.
"Me and Miss Mare'll take over from here." Luna nodded.
"B-but w-"
"You had your chance, now you'd best be prepared for tomorrow's trial." Twilight and Spike did as they were told and left the scene.
"Twi, can I get a mask like that?" Spike asked Twilight on their way out. Their voices drowned out as they left Godot's sight. The white haired man turned pony looked carefully at the area.
"It looks like they searched everything, Mr. Godot," Luna said.
"Wait..." Godot spotted a glimmer, hidden in some dust. "I think I found something." Luna immediately ran over to his position. Godot wiped the dust and found a knife. "If we can find some...hoofprints or something...add it together with the autopsy report...we can blow this case right open."
"I was provided with the autopsy report beforehand. We've done all we can here, I'm afraid. We should head to my quarters and aquaint you with this world's laws. The last time we had a stranger come here without learning how this place works...well...it was a tad...humorous."
"Wright, you must have left one hell of an impression..." Godot thought.
