Phoenix Wright: Turnabout Storm - BAD END

Ponyville District Court, June 11th, 10:50AM

“Phoenix? Where are you?” Wandering the lobby, Twilight saw many ponies that had come to watch the trial; however she hadn’t seen Phoenix since he walked off without a word after losing the trial. Who would have thought a tall human could blend with a crowd of ponies so well?

So many things were running through your head currently that it was giving you a headache. Rainbow Dash had just been sentenced to banishment to the moon. By now, Rainbow was probably saying her goodbyes. Applejack, Pinkie and Rarity had gone with Dash, planning to be with her every step of the way.

Then there was Fluttershy. After Dash shouted at her like that, she ran off. Rainbow might have been mad but that’s no reason to take it out on some pony so special to you. Last was Trixie. She was infuriating, obnoxious and a loudmouth, but never did Twilight think that she was so reckless as to treat Rainbow’s life like a pawn in a silly revenge scheme.

“So how does it feel to be publically humiliated by the Great and Powerful Trixie? No good, I take it.” Speak of the devil and she will appear. Trixie, wearing an expression of absolute smugness, had decided to brag a little more. Twilight had had just enough of her.

“What the hay is wrong with you? You just got Rainbow Dash sent to the moon just to get back at me. You’re the one that should have been banished for such- such negligent regard for a pony’s life. You are the most obnoxious unicorn I have ever had the displeasure to meet!” Twilight was tearing up but Trixie just stood there and took it.

“Ha. This has got to be better than I expected. Looks like ‘Fwiendship’ didn’t save you. Face it, anything you can do, I can do better. I’m BETTER than you.” Smirking, Trixie just rubbed it in. Twilight, though, was now full-on crying.

“Didn’t you learn anything from Gilda? Revenge just leaves you empty inside. But I suppose you already know how that feels, with a black hole for a heart.” Everything was falling apart before her. She began weeping openly, collapsing to the floor.

“She was wrong. Revenge solves everything. She just did it wrong. You have to be able to flaunt it in your rival’s face and crush them. You know that now, and I feel pretty good on the inside too. Enjoy your ‘fwiendship’, Sparkle, it's the only thing you have left” Trixie gloated, walking away from her defeated rival, laughing like a mad pony.

“H-how could she?” Twilght wanted to just give up. Twilight’s tears flooded the carpet, a small puddle water logging the pathway. Twilight’s logic was draining away even further. Nothing had made her feel this lonely in the world, except maybe...

Discord! He must have something to do with it. There’s no way any pony could have thought Rainbow did it without him doing something. But that means Discord’s free! This warrants an immediate letter to the Princess. No, the Princess must know, he is a statue in her own garden. What if she was defeated? Oh no, there’s no element of Loyalty anymore. How are we going to defeat him? Wait, hang on. He’s a statue in the Princess’ garden. If he was free, the Princess would know and would have sent a letter.

“Um Twilight...” A whisper came from behind Twilight, eerily familiar to her, yet estranged due to her lack of attention. She was having one of her crazy moments. “Twilight, I know where Phoenix is.”

“What?” Twilight violently snapped around with a crazed look in her eye. “F-Fluttershy? W-where’s Phoenix?” Twilight asked, sincerity adorning her face.

“He’s at the Library, with the Princess.” Fluttershy blurted out at almost Pinkie-speed. Twilight however, understood every word of it.

“What? The Princess? Oh this is bad. We’ve got to go.” Shocked, Twilight sprinted out the door, leaving Fluttershy in her dust.

“Oh... my... W-Wait for me, Twilight.”

Library, June 11th, 10:52AM

“Phoenix...” Celestia stood there, worried for the Attorney. He remained silent, trying to ignore the white alicorn, “Phoenix, I’m sorry. She’s already gone.” Phoenix continued to ignore her, head clasp between his hands. His mind was still conflicted, preventing communication of any sort from getting through.

The solar diarch lowered her head in worry. Nothing could get through to him, his mind clouded by self-loathing. He hadn’t done a thing wrong. It made was awful to see him do this to himself. Nothing could have been done. There was just too little time.

“I let everyone down. I can’t even face Twilight, not after seeing how she reacted to my accusation of Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash is gone because I failed. I was her only hope. I should have done so much more for them, and I let them down.”
Only despair could be heard in Phoenix’s voice. “I wouldn’t have asked Twilight to bring you here if I hadn’t known that you would try everything to prevent this outcome. You showed great loyalty to your new friends, even ‘breaking-and-entering’ to prove Rainbow Dash’s innocence.” The princess gave a warm smile, hoping to bring Phoenix’s confidence back. Phoenix was smiling but not because of the princess.

“You...er...heard then. Please, I didn’t mean to.” Phoenix pleaded, in a tone of guilt and innocence intertwined. There was still no eye contact but he was becoming more open to her pursuits. The princess noticed and was going to take advantage.

“I know, Mr. Wright. I shall not tell a soul. I will share a secret with you, though. I have lied to all of you in the past few days; you most of all. I knew that the trial was impossible to win. I-“

Celestia was interrupted by a loud slam of the door. Eyes were drawn to who had entered. With angry intentions, Twilight Sparkle stood panting in the doorway, eyes fixed on her mentor. Celestia went to greet her, only to be shouted at. “What?! You knew Rainbow Dash was going to be convicted of a crime she didn’t commit! How could you keep that from us? From me?! We’re supposed to be close, Princess. I trusted you!”

“Twilight, I have betrayed you. But anger will not get you anywhere. Speak you mind once you have calmed down.” Without effort, the energy of the room withdrew, except from Twilight’s panting. Twilight felt all eyes on her, and sighed. She closed her eyes and took a large breath. In through her nose and out her mouth, her tempered demeanour returned.
“Princess,” asked Twilight, in a voice as equally calm as the Princess’ own, “I know that it may not have been a good idea to tell us, but was there not anything you could do?” The solar diarch shook her head. Twilight slumped, realising that it was inevitable from the start. Phoenix remained silent, trying to understand the situation.

“I believed that if anyone could succeed, it would be you, Phoenix Wright. I believed that you could do the impossible. You nearly did, proving my faith in you was not misplaced. However, I had an ulterior motive for bringing you here. Fear.” The gravity of the princess’ tone dropped suddenly. Phoenix rose to full attention and Twilight gave her a curious look.

“F-fear, Princess?” Twilight wavered a bit with her pitch, taken aback by the daze she had encountered. “I-I didn’t think you could be afraid of anything.” Celestia chuckled at Twilight’s praise, continuing as she did.

“Neither did I, my little pony. However, it seems I can. I was afraid that Equestria would be without one of its saviours. As you may not know, Phoenix, Rainbow Dash is one of the Elements of Harmony. She is one of six ponies, all of whom you have met, that have protected Equestria countless times. Rainbow Dash was Loyalty. She was chosen because she would never give up on her friends.”

Twilight was puzzled, and was on the verge of questioning the Princess before Phoenix understood. “I’m sorry, Princess, but I can’t replace her. I’m a failure in this world. Let Spike be the new Rainbow Dash. I must return to the place where I have a chance of saving people. Can you please send me back?” Phoenix shifted his gaze from the ponies, the pain of facing the effects of his failure making it too hard to continue.

Celestia, ever the wise one, knew just how to provoke a turnabout in his heart. “Phoenix, I cannot. That is up to Twilight. But hear this; if you leave now, only then will you have failed her. You didn’t give up on Rainbow at any point during the trial, even when it looked bleak. You didn’t give up on helping Twilight, even when she had considered replacing you as Rainbow’s attorney. You haven’t given up yet. If not for yourself, then do it for Rainbow. If not, I fear you are not the man I had believed you were.”

Phoenix had no choice but to look her in the eye to get his point across. His eyes were almost bloodshot, reddened by tears. “Not the man you thought I was?” Phoenix was almost shouting at this point, “I hadn’t given up on someone I knew was innocent. Twilight told me she knew Rainbow was innocent, and decided to help. You knew. Did you help? Or did you give up on her?”

“Phoenix!” Twilight gave him a scolding look, much like the one she had give Rainbow earlier. “Stop it now! We’re all upset, but there’s no reason to make accusations like that. After all, she told me to bring you here didn’t she?” Phoenix submitted to the facts, only to mumble about himself not being that useful.

“Mr. Wright. I know that you are mad at the turn of events, but please believe me when I say that I’m looking out for every pony. Now, I will offer you a second chance. You are the only being I have known to be able to equal Rainbow Dash’s loyalty, and you have proven it these past few days. I am offering you the chance to stay and continue your search to clear her name. As you have said yourself, you are her only hope. And due to your loyalty, I highly doubt you could abandon an innocent pony.”

After another convincing monologue, Phoenix could do nothing but think. He couldn’t just abandon her. This was his chance to redeem himself. He had to remain loyal to Rainbow. But negativity crept into his psyche. What if he were to fail again? He had tried everything in his power, and he could only do that again. What else could he do? It was impossible. Why would it be any different?

“Princess, I cannot accept. There’s no reason as to why it won’t be impossible a second time around. I very much want to try, but as much as it pains me, I cannot succeed. To live in loop, trying to prevent the unpreventable; It would sicken me to my core.” Phoenix was in pain. One eye closed, he was grunting. It was very noticeable.

“Phoenix, it could be millennia before another element of harmony is chosen. You have to listen to reason. A whole world would be under threat if you were to leave. Your friends here would only have you to blame. You couldn’t let that happen, could you?” Twilight had learnt from the best to time her contradictions well. It brought a slight smile to her face.
“Looks like I’m an impasse then.” sighed Phoenix, maintaining a sad composure, however, this time, he looked to Twilight, “You really know how to put me on the stand, don’t you?” He smirked for the first time since he had thought he’d won the case. It was a good feeling that spread through him, increasing his energy and returning him back to his old self, looking a lot perkier and colourful.

“Well, I did learn from the greatest Defence Attorney ever,” joked Twilight, sharing his smile. She began to believe everything was alright again. “I learned a lot of his cheap tricks. Making people feel bad to get confessions out of them. Ugh,” said Twilight as she shivered, “How do you do that every day? That felt horrible.”

Phoenix laughed a bit, “I know just how you feel. Just remember you’re doing it to provide the truth.” The moment seemed to last for a while before everything settled down again, seemingly suffering from the lack of a heartfelt hug, and the princess’ nervously shuffled. Phoenix looked to her, still distressed but more optimistic. “Your highness, I have thought it over, and believe I should take you up on your offer,” explained Phoenix, the princess nodding, about to agree, “...on one condition, however.”

“What might that be, Mr. Wright,” Celestia giggled, and coyly winked, knowing full well what he might be suggested. Phoenix noticed and coughed a little to hide a chuckle. He cleared his throat and took a deep breath, about to clarify for the unknowing audience, otherwise known as Twilight.

“If I am to stay here to protect this land, you must allow my friend, Rainbow Dash, to return to her friends in Ponyville.” Phoenix Wright stood heroically, having declared his conditions, to the joy of Twilight, who was now bouncing on the spot like a filly, constantly thanking him.

“It would be my pleasure, Mr. Wright.” Celestia grinned as magic emanated from her horn, lowered for concentration, and light blinded everyone. It was bright white light that could only be described as pure. And as it faded, in its place, lay the rainbow-maned pony, dozing. Instead of a d’aww, a joke went through Phoenix’s mind as he looked on. If she wouldn’t give him one for saying it, he’d call her cute.

But with every happy sight, it had to have an end. Again, the Princess disrupted the mood. “Phoenix, I forgot to mention one term of your residence here in Equestria. It may be unsettling to ponies if you were to walk around as a human, so I shall change your form to suit this world.” Phoenix’s eyes widened, immediately snapping from snoring pegasus, to the princess, who was charging another spell.

“Wait, change my form? What do-” A beam shot off the princess’ horn, straight at Phoenix’s heart. He groaned and began breathing heavily at the sudden impact, either out of pain or surprise, and was his suit seemed to spurt out a translucent golden glow. His suit was left untouched and the outline of his face was still distinguishable, as he looked at his hands through the golden aura. In seconds, the glow became more solid and opaque, covering the face and hands of the man that once stood in his place. As the glimmering cloud blocked out his face, his head and hands tensed, shooting outwards, spreading him wide.

He yelled as his very form lost its shape, his suit now changing to fit his new body. He began growling and grunting as he became smaller and fell to all fours. Twilight looked worried, the princess still shooting her magic into the former man. With one final surge of power, a mist of golden magic burst from him and descended like snow. He was visible once again, but he wasn’t him. He was...

“Phoenix, y-you’re a pony!” Twilight decided to call out the obvious. Phoenix coughed and looked up to her. He looked just as confused as she was. He looked around and spied a mirror. He glared at his reflection like a stranger. He was a beige earth pony, still wearing his royal blue suit, except tailored for ponies. His rear was now exposed, a pair of golden scales adorning his Flank. It was unsettling to see himself like this.

Twilight turned to talk to the princess, but instead found Rainbow Dash in her place, stretching as she awoke. “What’s up, Twi” yawned Rainbow, always nonchalant, as she looked at her dazed friend. She smiled and noticed the unfamiliar stallion behind Twilight. “Who’s that guy?”

“That’s... Phoenix?” Getting a tone more suiting of a question than an answer, Dash past and confronted the stallion. She tilted her head and looked curiously. She stared him down until she noticed his mane, still jet black and shot back. She bit her lip, and failed to suppress her hysterics.

“That’s Nix alright. Still got the Porcupine on his head,” laughed Rainbow, not thinking about how humiliating it was to be recognised by his hair-do. Twilight blushed and so did Phoenix. He was worse, looking fed up, probably thinking of a comeback.

“That’s no way to treat the person that handed you a ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ card, Skittles.” He had a smug grin on his face, and burst out laughing too. Twilight giggled a little too, joining in on the joke. They all looked relaxed for once. Nothing could disrupt them for a few moments.

Eventually, Phoenix turned to look at Dash. “Rainbow,” lectured Phoenix, sitting uncomfortably on his haunches, “I know you won’t want to hear this but you’re still guilty in legal terms, and I still have to get you that pardon. But I know I’ll find it. I just have to think through the facts again and seek out a problem.”

“And I know you’ll get it done, Nix.” Smiling, Rainbow knocked him gently on the shoulder. Phoenix sighed in relief, happy that she didn’t have a grudge or something. He returned a smile and looked to Twilight, who caught his gaze.

“Twilight, can I ask a favour?”
“What’s up?”
“Do you think you could send the judge back with some stuff?”
“I should be able to... Sure, but if you don’t mind me asking, who were you going to send it to?”
“A friend, just a friend.”

Dear Edgeworth,
This letter may seem insufficiently detailed, but I’m sure the Judge will be able to regale you with more than a through explanation.
I have a seemingly impossible case in front of me, yet I know that the defendant is innocent. You will know that I cannot give up on an innocent person. It isn’t in my nature, and I’m sure you will understand my reasons.
I have sent some things that I could use your help with. I don’t know if you’ll be able return them but I hope you can find a way. For my sake, and my client.
It was nice knowing you, my old friend. May our paths cross again.
Yours Truly,

Phoenix Wright