//------------------------------// // Turnabout Muffins - Part 2: Investigation // Story: Phoenix Wright - Ace Attorney: The Equestrian Turnabouts // by TheBronywiththeBowTie //------------------------------// Turnabout Muffins – Part 2 Investigation Edgeworth nodded as he left his desk, everypony in the gallery beginning to file out of the court room, most of them muttering about how Derpy might not be the culprit, after Phoenix’s display. Applejack sighed. That sure was a peculiar display….one things for certain, she and Twilight needed to talk to Pinkie and Derpy….and that Defense Attorney. As they both walked into the lobby, they could see that Phoenix and Derpy were already there. “You were great in there, Mister Lawyer!” Derpy had said to him Phoenix chuckled at that. “If that’s what you call great. We found out nothing!” Derpy looked down. “Well…..we found out that Carrot Top was paid by that meanie Filthy Rich to frame me…” She sniffled a little bit. Twilight and Applejack walked over to them, having overheard that. “P-Princess Twilight?!” Derpy stammered. Twilight blushed a bit at that. “Please, just Twilight is fine…” “Wait…” Applejack began, a bit confused by Derpy’s statement. “When was it said that Filthy was payin’ Carrot? Way I understood, she was just testifyin’ ‘cause o’ yer muffin issue….” She wrapped a hoof around Derpy, comforting her friend. Derpy looked at her with her wonky eyes. “Well….why else would she do it? She has been having money troubles recently….” Phoenix nodded. “That is true.” He said. “But, we can’t make any claims like that without any proof….” Just then, Phoenix was tackled to the ground by a blob of something light purple. The blob turned out to be a young looking teenage unicorn mare, her mane done up in a traditional style, and she was wearing a formal looking kimono. Her Cutie mark was that of a Yin Yan symbol. The mare had a wide grin on her face. “NIIIIIIIICK!” She shouted. “GAH!!!! Maya?!” Nick had shouted right back, in surprise from the teenager’s tackle hug. “Nick!!! You went into trial without me!?” The teenage mare asked. “I thought you were busy with your spirit training?” Phoenix asked her. “Weren’t you soaking under a waterfall in Everfree?” The mare giggled at that. “Well….yeah….but I finished early!” She said. AJ Smiled a bit as this new mare began arguing with Phoenix a bit. She and Twilight took a step back, not wanting to intrude on the conversation. “TWILIGHT!!! AJ!!! DERPY!!!” Yelled a familiar energetic voice. Twilight and AJ grinned as Pinkie Pie bounced giddily toward them. “Oh! Hey, Pinkie Pie!” Phoenix said. “This is Maya Fey…my assistant, and Spirit Medium!” He gestured toward the teenage mare. “In training….” Maya had said. Applejack grinned and extended a hoof to Maya. “Names Applejack! Pleasure ta meetcha!” “You probably already know me….Princess Twilight Sparkle.” She said, trying to remain modest. “Oooooooh! It’s so good to meetcha!” Pinkie said. “Uh……what’s a spirit medium?” Maya shook Applejack’s hoof, and looked over to Pinkie. “Well….” She began. “A spirit medium is somepony who can contact spirits from beyond the grave…only right now, the only spirit I can channel is my sister…” Pinkie looked excited about all of this, and Twilight looked thoroughly interested as well. “Ooooooh!” Pinkie exclaimed. “That sounds so cool!” “Wait…..” AJ said in thought. “If ya’ll can contact yer sister….than that means….” Then the realization hit. “I…I’m so sorry…” Twilight said, the realization hitting her too. Maya just shook her head and smiled. “No, it’s ok! Mia, my sister, is happy, and so am I! Mainly because Nick found her killer!” “Huh? Oh! Yeah!” Phoenix said, reminiscing. “That was only my second case….” Pinkie grinned, ignoring the connotations of the discussion. “Really?! That’s great!” Applejack’s eyes widened at that. “It sounds like you two have been through some tight spots…” Phoenix just shook his head. “You have no idea….anyways, I say we focus on the trial at hand and do some investigating!” Maya nodded. “Good!” She interjected. “You can tell me what I missed while we do so!” Applejack nodded. “Right…” She began. “By the way, good job, Pinkie! That was some real quick thinkin’ ya did back thar!” Pinkie simply beamed. “Just one question, though.” Twilight stated. She then looked to Pinkie. “Why did you make it so hard?! You could’ve just told them that Mister and Missus Cake were there!” Pinkie giggled at this and patted her royal friend on the head. “Oh, silly Twilight….if I did that, where would the fun in the game be?” Phoenix gave her a confused look. “Game?” He asked. “What game?” Pinkie grinned. “Oh nothing!” She said. “Say, does this mean you guys are gonna do some investigating now?” “Yeah, it does!” Phoenix said. Twilight smiled at this. “Mind if we tag along then?” She gestured to Applejack. “We really want to help get to the bottom of this…” Pinkie bounced up and down excitedly. “Me too! Me too! We can all three help!” The Lawyer put a hoof to his chin in thought. “Well….for this one, I suppose more ponies helping out, would increase the chances of finding information!” “I can help too!” Derpy said. Just then, a taller looking stallion wearing a green trench coat placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Not so fast, Pal!” He said. Everypony looked to the newcomer. “Excuse me…” AJ asked. “But why cain’t she?” Phoenix rolled his eyes and sighed. He knew this pony. “What is it now, Gumshoe?” The stallion looked annoyed at that. “That’s DETECTIVE Gumshoe to you, Harry!” He shouted. Phoenix sighed, irritated. “Phoenix….” “And she hasn’t been proven innocent yet!” The detective said. “She has to stay at the Detention Center!” Derpy’s wonky eyes darted around the room nervously when he said that. “D-Detention Center?” She squeaked. AJ eaised an eyebrow. “Why in tarnation would she have ta do that, Pardner? It seems perty clear ta me she didn’t do it. Didja not see all that in there?” Gumshoe shook his head. “Well the Judge hasn’t given his verdict yet, has he? Until then, we don’t know for sure!” He stated. “I-It’s ok…” Derpy said. “I’d probably just mess something up if I tried to help investigate anyway….” She sniffled a tiny bit. Twilight shook her head. “Don’t say that, Derpy….” “Ah reckon I’ll stop by and visit, later.” Applejack said. “We’ll all stop by and visit!” Phoenix stated. “Of course!” Maya shouted excitedly. “T-Thank you….” Derpy sniffled. Gumshoe had a guilty look on his face. He put a hoof on Derpy’s shoulder. “Don’t think I wanna do this…if Butz over there is defendin’ ya, then I’m sure you’re innocent!” Derpy giggled a bit at that. “His name is Phoenix…” “I know what I said!” Gumshoe retorted quickly. Pinkie giggled at this, while Applejack seemed confused about something. “Well…” She began. “Ah ain’t exactly up ta snuff on the rules o’ court n’ all, but ah take it ya and that Edgeworth fella was supposed ta be arguing? ‘bout why Derpy was innocent or not…it seems awfully strange ta me why he would suddenly support Pinkie’s claim earlier…..it seemed awful easy ta tah make up a reason why Mr. and Mrs. Cake couldn’t be there….” She explained in thought. Phoenix shook his head. “Edgeworth isn’t your normal prosecutor…he used to be like the rest, only in to get a guilty verdict, but now he’s in it to get the absolute truth. So when it looks like the defendant really isn’t guilty….he sort of helps me to find the real culprit.” “Is that what your telling ponies these days, Mister Wright?” A familiar voice asked from behind them. Edgeworth was approaching the group, and he had overheard that line. “Hm….it is truthful, I suppose.” He admitted. “Edgeworth…..” Phoenix said. “Edgeworth!?” Maya shouted. “What are you doing here?!” He smiled slightly at Maya. “Simply informing Mister Wright of what he had just claimed…..” He began. “I am beginning to doubt my client….so as you are aware, I am willing to help you in the court if provided enough evidence….but know that I still have a job to do, and therefore cannot simply give up. If you are to win this Phoenix, and prove this mare’s innocence, you will need a lot more to go on rather than simple conveniences.” He then turned to Pinkie for a moment, who grinned as usual. “Of course.” Phoenix said, confidence not leaving his voice. “In fact, we were just about to go do some investigating.” Edgeworth nodded slightly. “And I was about to talk to our new witnesses, and add any new evidence once they were brought in by the law officers.” A rather chilling smile then overtook him. “Good luck to the both of us then, I suppose.” Phoenix nodded. “Yeah….” He then turned back to the group. “Let’s go!” Edgeworth turned and left. “Eeyup!” Applejack exclaimed with a smile. “Let’s get goin’!” Pinkie grinned. “Oki Doki Loki!” Maya put a hoof to her chin. “So….um….how do we get to Sugar Cube Corner?” She asked. Pinkie's already wide grin widened even more. "Oooh! Oooh! Me!! I work there! I can lead!" She shouted excitedly, while waving her hooves in the air. "Alright...you lead us!" Phoenix said to her. "Ok! Let's go everypony!" Pinkie exclaimed as she began bouncing towards Sugarcube Corner. Twilight sighed and shook her head. "I can show you at a more.... reasonable pace...." She and Applejack began to trot in the direction that Pinkie had gone in, but the pink mare was now out of sight. Phoenix walked after the two of them, Maya following close behind, humming something to herself. Phoenix smiled at this. She always seemed to be in such a good mood.... "Here we are at Sugarcube Corner!" Applejack announced as they got closer to the gingerbread building. Twilight was looking around curiously. "Now where's Pinkie...." "HERE I AM!!" Pinkie shouted excitedly as she jumped out of a bale of hay next to her, making Twilight and Applejack jump back a few feet in surprise. "Agh!" "WOAH!!" Phoenix had shouted, falling over from Pinkie popping out of nowhere, causing Maya to laugh hysterically. "Pinkie?! What'd ya do that fer?!" AJ asked as she gathered herself. "You all were being a bunch o' slowpokes! So I set up a surprise for ya!" Pinkie explained jubilantly. Phoenix stood up and brushed the dust off of his suit. "Well, you nearly gave me a heart attack!" He shouted. Pinkie looked to him. "Awwww, I'm sorry, Feenie! I know! Why don't I make it up to you with a party?" "Ooh! I'd love a party!" Maya exclaimed. "Later....for now we need to investigate." Phoenix said. "Phoenix is right." AJ said. "Let's git on in and talk ta Mr. n' Mrs. Cake." Pinkie nodded. "Oki Doki Loki! Let's go!" She replied, hopping inside. Twilight looked around. "Does anypony else notice all the cops and detectives?" She asked mainly to herself. Within, the store was full of delicious pastries set on display. However, nopony was currently at the counter. "Here we are!" Pinkie exclaimed. "My home, and my work!" Phoenix looked around, with a smile on his face. "This looks like a nice place!" Maya pointed. "Nick! Look! Cupcakes!" Phoenix frowned. "You just had a dandelion sandwich!" Maya smirked at that. "I have a stomach for cupcakes!" 'How many stomachs does she have!?' Phoenix thought to himself. Pinkie turned to her. "Really?! Me too!" "They're delicious, aren't they?" Maya asked. "Uh...Pinkie!" Phoenix said, trying to get them re-focused. "So, where are Mr. And Mrs. Cake?" Pinkie turned to him. "Oh! They should be in the back!" she exclaimed, just before a blue mare with a pink mane that brought cupcake frosting to mind walked out. "I'm sorry, but we're closed toda- Pinkie! Applejack! Princess Twilight! What in Celestia's name are you doing here!? Did you not see all the investigators? This is a crime scene!" Mrs. Cake asked in surprise. Pinkie giggled. "I know! Isn't it exciting!? We're helping in the investigating!" Twilight blushed a little bit when she was referred to as 'Princess' Phoenix walked up to her and extended a hoof. "Phoenix Wright! Wright and Co. Law Offices. And this is my assistant, Maya Fey!" "We're Derpy's Lawyers!" Maya exclaimed. The Baker's eyes widened. "O-Oh! I'm sorry....I'm just a bit flustered at the moment...what with all of these events!" She explained as she shook his hoof. "It's understandable, Ma'am." Phoenix said to her. "Now, we were wondering if we could ask you some questions?" She frowned slightly. "Well......I can't answer too much, since I'm being called to testify tomorrow.....But I can try to answer one or two question, so long as they aren't too in depth......" "Alright." Phoenix said. "Did you happen to see anypony other than Pinkie Pie in the shop yesterday morning?" Twilight levitated a roll of parchment, and a quill pen in her magic, so she could take notes while Mrs. Cake was speaking. She shook her head. "Well.........Not besides Derpy........Or Mr. Rich when he came by for the pick-up...." AJ frowned. "But we know Carrot Top came by yesterday........" Mrs. Cake nodded slightly to this. "Oh! I might have been in the back when she came by! You see, my husband and I have been having to alternate whose taking care of the twins lately. Usually its no problem, when Pinkie is here since either her or one of us could go while two others manned the store.........But due to the customer's request that she not be here for pick-up......" Maya put a hoof to her chin. "Can you tell us about what Carrot Top was doing here? or do you want to wait until the trial?" Mrs. Cake frowned slightly at this. "I would love to tell you everything I can......but......I think that should be saved for tomorrow, mainly because my husband can tell you more........And because I don't want to break the promise we made to the investigators......" Phoenix nodded. Part of him wanted to wait until the trial to question them, and another part of him wanted to investigate. "We understand....do you mind of we investigate the crime scene?" He asked. She shook her head a little. "No, I don't mind.......Just-" she was then cut off by the sound of two children crying. "Sugarpumpkin? Could you come and help me? The twins are getting out of hand again!" called a rather nasally male voice. "Of course dear! Just give me a moment!" she turned back to them. "I have to got and take care of the babies.....Pinkie, will you ensure all is alright with our guests?" she asked turning to go into the back area again. "You can count on me sir-ma'm-sir!!!" Pinkie saluted. Phoenix looked down a bit. Who would want to steal from a couple with children?! He had to find out. "So, Pinkie, mind showing us the crime scene?" Pinkie grinned. "Sure thing!" she then lead the way into the kitchen, a set of caution tape set up around one of the storage bins for delivery, as one tray was on the ground, a pile of muffins all over the floor. "Here it is!!!" "Hm....doesn't really look like any muffins were stolen...." Phoenix said in thought. "It just looks messy!" Maya exclaimed. AJ shrugged. "Regardless, they cain't get eaten.......Whoever did it certainly had the intention........Everypony who might've done it as an accident has an alibi......." "Except for Derpy!" Pinkie butt in. AJ briefly glared at her. "Pinkie....that's not very helpful." Twilight said. Phoenix and Maya began looking around for evidence, when something caught Maya's eye. "Nick, what do you make of this?" She held up a tote bag full of smashed up muffins in her Unicorn Magic....most likely left behind because the thief didn't have enough time to grab it. Pinkie, Twilight, AJ looked to it. "Huh.........I feel like I've seen that before......." Pinkie said eying it. "Really? Where?" Phoenix asked. Pinkie eyed it some more before saying, "Can't remember!!!" Phoenix examined it closer. "Hm....OH!!" He exclaimed. "What is it, Nick?" Maya asked. "I think we have our thief....look!" He pointed. "The bag is labeled with Carrot Top's Cutie Mark!" "WHA!!!???" AJ gasped in surprise. "Ooooh! yep! That's where I saw it! It's Carrot Top's!!!!" Pinkie exclaimed obliviously. "I--I don't believe it!" Twilight gasped in surprise. "Why would she do this to her friend!?" "I've got a feeling this wasn't Carrot Top's idea..." Phoenix explained. Who d'ya think did it then Phoenix?" Applejack asked already knowing the answer before then saying "Look.......I know Mr. Rich is lookin' real suspicious at the moment..........An' I don't doubt he's involved.........But I've never known him tah be the type tah do this sorta thing........" "That's what we're going to find out tomorrow...." Phoenix said. "Maya, While I finish up here, write a letter to Edgeworth. Tell him to call Mister Rich to the stand after the Cakes." "Already on it!" Maya said, writing a letter with a quill pen and parchment. Applejack nodded slightly. "I see.......Hope all goes well then......" Pinkie nodded vigorously. "Oh, don't worry so much AJ! Feenie's on our side!!! All will be fine!!!" "In the mean time, I think we should go pay Derpy a visit." Phoenix said. Twilight nodded. "That sounds like a plan to me!" "Maya, take the letter to the post office to mail it to Edgeworth. Then meet us at the detention center." Phoenix said. "You got it, Nick!" Maya said, trotting out of the bakery, carrying the letter in her magic. "Should one o' us keep her company?" Applejack asked watching her leave. "Maya will be fine on her own." Phoenix said. "She'll most likely meet me back at our office.....I trust her." AJ nodded. "Well.......Let's get goin' then!" Pinkie nodded "Yeah!" Twilight nodded as well, when they began to walk to the Detention Center. "So.........Feenie.........Do you mind if I ask ya something?" Pinkie asked. "Sure! What is it?" Phoenix asked. "How'd ya find this was your special talent anyway?" she asked curiously. Phoenix looked down. " It's a long story....it all started back in Grade school....I was accused of stealing lunch money from Miles Edgeworth, he was my class mate at the time....and everypony thought I did it....they held this stupid class trial.....and believe it or not, Edgeworth actually defended me....under the claim that there wasn't enough evidence to prove that I was the thief.....after that I studied law at an Ivy League school, and I was being tutored by Maya's sister Mia in the art of being a defense attorney....I was still a blank flank at that time....I didn't get my cutie mark until after I won my second trial....Mia had Been murdered, and Maya was blamed....I defended her and proved her innocence....with Mia's help, in an impossible to explain way...after I started Wright and Co. Law offices, because Mia had left her office to me, that's when I got my Cutie Mark." AJ frowned a bit. " 'm sorry, Phoenix! 'm sure she didn't mean tah dig up any skeletons with that....." Pinkie nodded. "Yeah.......Though it is pretty inspiring!!!" she said optimistically. Twilight smiled after hearing Phoenix's story. Pinkie was right, it was very inspiring. "No, it's alright." Phoenix said. "I've told that story so many times now that I've gotten used to it...." Eventually, they made it to the Detention Center. "Welp......Here are....." Applejack said looking to it. "Now let's go an' find Derpy......." Phoenix and the others walked inside, where there were various windows in which ponies can visit their friends and loved ones in prison. "Hm........I wonder where she is......." Twilight wondered to herself. Phoenix satdown at a chair. Inside the viewing room, Derpy is pushed inside by a guard. There are marks on her face from tears she was crying. AJ and Pinkie follow behind. "Howdy Derpy.........Y'alright?" Applejack asked concerned. "Guess what!! IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII MADE YOU A CAKE!!!" Pinkie exclaimed pulling out a cake made specifically for Derpy. A few of the guards eye the cake suspiciously* "Uh...Pinkie....." Phoenix warned. "Th-Thank you, Pinkie...." Derpy sniffled. "How are you holding out?" Phoenix asked. "Not very well...." Derpy said. "The police ponies won't stop asking me questions I don't know the answer to...and the prisoner ponies won't stop making fun of me...." Pinkie looked to the guards. "Oh? Do they want some too?" Applejack rolled her eyes and stepped forward. "Just keep at it Derpy........Ya can do this.......I know it! ye're a strong mare!" "Thank you, Applejack...." Derpy sniffled. "And Mister Lawyer....I want you to know...that if you can't prove me innocent tomorrow....I won't blame you." Phoenix put a hoof on the glass. "Don't say that...have faith! I will prove you innocent and I will get you out of here!" "Yeah! We'll get you out before you can say haminjammysplit!!!" Pinkie said nonchalantly. AJ looked at Pinkie strangely. "She's right though." Twilight said. "We'llgonna get you out as quick as we can!" Phoenix nodded. "Mama?! Mama, where are you!?" A mare's voice rang out....no....it was a filly's voice. Derpy's eyes widened. "Dinky!? Oh, My Little Muffin, you shouldn't be here!" AJ and Twilight's eyes widened at this, while Pinkie craned her neck to the source. "HEYA DINKY!!! Over here!!!" The little unicorn filly scrambled over to her mother's window, and stood up on her hind legs so she could see her. "Mama!" She said. "Y-You're coming home soon...right?" Derpy gave her a motherly, truthful look. "Oh, my sweet little muffin....I don't know...." Phoenix had had enough. He slammed his hooves on the counter like he does in court. "NO!! You will be getting out of here! Dinky, I promise, your mother WILL be proven innocent!" AJ nodded. "He's right Dinky. We're all gonna make sure yer ma's alright." Pinkie nodded. "And there's going to be a giant party afterward!" "You'd better..." Dinky said, starting to cry. She sniffled a little bit. "You'd better!!!" She then hugged Phoenix, crying into his chest. Phoenix returned the hug. Derpy smiled at the scene, however, she felt guilty, as she wasn't the one comforting her daughter. "Dinky...." Derpy started. "Mister Lawyer is going to make this all better....don't worry....I need you to be strong....Sparkler the foal sitter will be watching you until I can come home, ok?" "O-Ok...." Dinky sniffled. "I love you, Mama...." "I love you too, Muffin...." Derpy said. The Guard stepped up behind Derpy, he was obviously trying to hide his tears from the moment he just saw. "V-Visiting Hours....are almost over..." He blew his nose in a handkerchief. AJ nodded slightly. "Then I reckon we'd best be goin' then. I reckon we'll see ya tahmorrow, Derpy." Pinkie nodded. "Yeah! When we take another hop to your freedom!!!" she said determined. Twilight nodded with them in agreement. Phoenix nods, and pries Dinky off of him. "You want me to walk you home, Dinky?" He asked. Dinky shook her head. "No thank you, I can find my way home from here." Applejack smiled to her and ruffled the fillie's mane slightly. "Heheh, don't doubt it! Just be careful buckaroo." Pinkie nodded. "Yeah! But you're a strong filly! You can handle yourself!" "Yeah!" Dinky said with a smile. "If anypony messes with me..." Her horn gave off a small spark. "KAPOW!!! Right in the kisser!" Derpy giggled at that. "I wouldn't mess with ya!" The three mares laughed as well. "Me neither!" Applejack exclaimed, Pinkie responding with "Nope! nonewhatsoever!" Twilight Nodded. "I wouldn't want to meet you in a dark alley!" "Well....we should all head home and prepare for tomorrow." Phoenix said. "Yep. I reckon so..." Applejack said simply, Pinkie nodding. "Yeah! We all need some rest!" Twilight nodded as well. "I also need to go over the testimonies and evicence that was given today, to make sure we didn't miss anything." "See you all at court tomorrow.." Phoenix then began to trot home. "Yeppers!" Pinkie said. "Yep.....See ya'll then...." Applejack said. "See you tomorrow." Twilight said, as they all began to walk off their seperate ways. Phoenix was sure Maya would be back at the office by now....he'd take her out for something to eat later....he had hoped that Edgeworth had taken his letter....