//------------------------------//
// Turnabout Muffins - Part 4: Finale 
// Story: Phoenix Wright - Ace Attorney: The Equestrian Turnabouts 
// by TheBronywiththeBowTie 
//------------------------------//

The Judge banged his gavel on the desk to quiet down the gallery. "Court for the Trial of Miss Derpy Hooves will now reconvene!" He declared. 



Edgeworth nodded as he took his desk as well. "Of course your honor......What do you suggest we do now? Mr. Rich has gone to the Detention Center....."

The Judge nodded at this. "If we is willing to testify, then he will be brought to the stand." He stated simply. 

Edgeworth nodded. "I see.......Then let us send a guard to check on that....."

The Judge nodded. "Bailiff!" He shouted. 

The guard standing next to the Judge's bench nodded. "I'm on it." He grunted, as he left the room. 

Edgeworth nodded. "Very well then.......I suppose in the meantime we should discuss the events of the court so far?"

The Judge nodded once again. "You first, Mister Edgeworth!"

Edgeworth nodded. "Of course, Your Honor......So as we know, the case began when Ms. Hooves was accused by Mr. Rich of destroying a large order of muffins he had made at Sugarcube Corner for his daughter's birthday...."

The Judge put a hoof to his chin in thought. "I see....please continue, Edgeworth." He said. 

"However, as we now know at this point, Ms. Hooves DIDN'T do it, but instead it was her room-mate, Ms. Harvest, being paid by Mr. Rich. However, he claims that he was blackmailed by 'higher-ups'......the question is if he is telling the truth or not.......And who these particular ponies are." he finished.

The Judge nodded. "I see! Very well! I feel I can give my verdict on Miss Hooves now, so we may focus on the ordeal with Mister Rich. Agreed?" He asked.

The Prosecutor Pony nodded. "Agreed."

Phoenix nodded as well. "Agreed."

"In that case..." The Judge raised his gavel." I hearby judge the defendant, Miss Derpy Hooves....

 "NOT GUILTY."

He banged his gavel on the desk, this impact sound sounding a bit louder than all the rest. The gallery began to cheer and throw confetti. The Judge banged his gavel again. "Order! Order! Please hold your confetti! The trial isn't over yet!" He said, as the Ponies quieted down and stopped throwing confetti. "Ahem, as I was saying, Mister Wright, you've done it again!"

Phoenix smiled, and rubbed the back of his head. "Heheh.....thanks, Your Honor."

"Indeed..." Edgeworth said. "But as the Judge stated, this trial isn't over yet."

The Judge nodded. "Yes....there is still the matter of Filthy Rich...."

"Yes........While we wait for his return, Your Honor........Would you mind to share your thoughts on the claims he had spouted during his.......episode?" Edgeworth asked carefully.

"Of course!" The Judge said. "I think these "higher ups" might be a fabricated story he made when he panicked....and he should be the new suspect of this trial!"

Edgeworth frowned a bit, but nodded. "An understandable thought, Your Honor........Though I must say I don't agree with it entirely........"

"I am unsure as well....but it's all we can do for now." The Judge said.

"Indeed......." Edgeworth claimed as the doors to the court opened to reveal Mr. Rich being escorted by a guard. Edgeworth frowned a bit, clearly having hoped for the arrival of Maya, Pinkie, Twilight, and Applejack.

The Judge put a hoof to his chin. "Does the accused have a lawyer?" He asked. 

Mr. Rich raised his hoof to rub the back of his neck nervously. "Er.........None who would be willing at the moment, Your Honor........" Edgeworth smiled ever so slightly at this. "Then let me be the one to recommend Wright do it. After all, he is already here."

"I was just about to say, 'If the accused cannot find a lawyer, then the court will pick one for him', and I too choose Mister Wright!" The Judge said. 

Phoenix nodded. "I accept, Your Honor!" He said

Edgeworth smiled at this. "Good......Now that all is in order......Where do you recommend we start this new trial, Your Honor?"

"I say it begins with the questioning of Mister Filthy Rich!" The Judge said. 

Edgeworth nodded turning to Mr. Rich. "Very well then. Mr. Rich, do you promise to tell the truth and nothing but the truth?"

Mr. Rich seemed a bit hesitant. "I promise........"

Edgeworth nodded. "Good. Now, you say that you did in fact put this plan in motion by hiring Ms. Harvest, and then accusing Ms. Hooves of the crime, correct?"

He looked down. "Correct........."

Edgeworth then slammed his hoof down on the desk, before pointing it to him. "But you also claim that you had 'higher-ups' forcing you to make this decision, despite your being the the CEO of your company."

He looked down even more. "Right again........."

Edgeworth then turned to the Judge. "Your Honor, I feel that this is the matter we should pursue the most, currently. Permission for the accused to begin a testimony?"

The Judge nodded. "Permission granted."

Meanwhile....with Twilight, Maya, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack.....

"What d'ya mean we cain't get in!?" Applejack asked, a bit frustrated as she stood in front of the secretary at the Barnyard Bargains Office Building. Twilight quickpy put a hoof on her friend's shoulder. "Applejack, please, remain calm!" She said. 



"Sorry, but Mr. Rich isn't here right now, and you have no appointment, so........" the secretary answered, much to the farm-mare's chagrin.

Maya slammed her hooves on the secretary's desk. "But you don't understand!" She pleaded. "Mister Rich could be in really big trouble if you don't let us in!"

The secretary sighed boredly. "I'm sorry, but you don't just have the permission........." 

Pinkie then hopped to the front. "So you're saying we don't have any business in the back?" 

The secretary nodded. "Yes, that's what I said......."

Pinkie placed a hoof to her chin. "We don't........"

"No you don't."

Pinkie stuck her face near the mare at the desk. "None?"

The secretary seemed to be getting frustrated. "No!"

Pinkie then grinned. "So we do!? We can go back there!?"

The Secretary then threw her front hooves up. "For the last time, yes!!!! You can go back there!!!!"

Pinkie then waved as she and AJ began to head through the doors. "Okey Dokey Loki! Thanks!"

The Secretary seemed satisfied, until she realized what she had just fallen for........but it was too late by that time.

Applejack and Twilight looked awestruck, while Maya walked past the secretary, giggling at Pinkie's antics. "How did you do that?" She asked with a smile. 

Pinkie looked to Maya slightly curious. "Do what?" she asked as they trotted down the hallway.

"Get past the secretary!" Maya exclaimed. 

Pinkie grinned at that. "Oh that was just some good old dialogue switching!" she remarked cheerfully as Twilight trotted in front of them down the hall. "Hmmmm.......something...doesn't seem.........right........" she remarked suspiciously.

"Really?" Maya asked. "What's that?" 

She gestured to how empty the halls were. "I've been here a few times in the past, for royal business deals and such........but it had a much more friendly air back then.........ponies in the halls and what not..........This..........The work ethic must've gotten stricter somehow........."

"It must be because of those higher ups Filthy mentioned in court...." Maya stated. 

Twilight nodded as they continued. "That's what 'm thinkin'.........." Applejack said. "But how did this come 'bout........." 

"Oooh! Oooh! Maybe he lost a bet with them!?" Pinkie exclaimed an idea.

Maya put a hoof to her chin in thought. "Maybe....look! We're getting closer to the office!"

Applejack nodded. "Yep.......Would seem that way..........." she replied as they approached a large pair of double doors. Next to it hung a golden plaque that read 'Office of F&F'......Although the 'F&F' seemed to be attached on, and not naturally part of it.

"F&F......?" Applejack pondered for a moment, Pinkie then raising her hoof in the air as she began spouting ideas. "Ooh! Maybe Frank and Floyd? Or maybe Flo and Flapjack!" Twilight rolled her eyes at her pink friend. 

"F&F..... Hm....." Maya said in thought. 

"Welp......Only one way tah find out....." Applejack said as she quickly knocked on the door before opening it up...........and both she and Pinkie emitted wide gasps upon what they saw......Though Pinkie appeared to simply be out dramaticing AJ.



Inside were two yellow stallions in business suits, sitting at a large desk that appeared to be made for two ponies. Both of their manes were red, with some traces of white and were slicked back. The two looked almost identical, their key differences being that one sported a large mustache, and their cutie-marks. The cleanly shaven one's depicted an apple slice, while the the latter's depicted a whole apple with a slice taken out.

"Ya'll two!!!!" Applejack exclaimed angrily.

"And you!!!.............I'm sorry, have we met before? You just broke into our office rather rudely......." The first stallion replied.

Maya looked confusedly at the two ponies sitting at the desk. "A-Are you F&F?" She asked. 

The two Stallions smiled as Maya asked that question. "That, young filly is a great question!" the first of the pair said. "He's Flim!" The second gestured to his brother, the first doing the same. "He's Flam!". They then seemed to be about to break into song as the first began "And you've got opportunity in this very communit-" before Pinkie leaped onto the table and put her hooves over both of their mouths. "Oh no ya don't! We're not letting you do that again! Only me and my friends are allowed to break into random songs around here!!!"

AJ then pointed an accusing hoof at them. "An' don't let these two fool ya with their empty promises! They attempted tah run me an' mah family out o' town!!!"

"What?!" Maya shouted. "You big....JERKS!! You can't just do that to somepony! Is that what you're trying to do to Mister Rich!?"

The two gently lowered Pinkie's hooves from them before turning to each other. "I think I remember now, brother.........It was that cider incident on our first visit........" Flam said. 

"Ah! That would explain much!" Flim said before turning to Maya. "Why whatever do you mean, young filly? Why would we ever want to run out our SpokesStallion?"

AJ then took another step forward. "SpokesStallion!? Ya mean ya'll two've been usin' him as a puppet!!!!" she accused, the stallions simply turning to each other, Twilight putting a hoof on her friends shoulder, to keep her calm. 

"I wouldn't call it that........" Flam began. "We like to call it being generous." Flim finished.

"You two are in BIG trouble!" Maya shouted. "Do you know what's happening right now?!"

Flim waved his hoof dismissively. "The trial, yes......" "But I don't see how.....After all, would we not have to accept to go to the court first?" Flam pointed out.

Maya furrowed her brow. "My partner is questioning Mister Rich right now in court! He'll get him to tell The Judge all about you!"

They quieted for a moment........before bursting into laughter. "Very likely!" Flam commented. "Ohnononono, young filly.........You misunderstand....He WON'T say anything! Not a peep!"

Applejack then began to walk out the door. Pinkie following slightly confused behind, Twilight doing the same. "What are ya doing AJ!? We can't just give up!!!" she exclaimed slightly uncharacteristically worried. " 'm not, Pinkie.......Ya know 'm not the type tah just give up........'m gettin' evidence!" she announced as she began pulling on the plaque to tear it off.

Twilight tried to push Applejack away from the door. "Applejack, stop! This won't solve anything!"

The Brothers frowned and immediately stopped their laughter at this. "First trespassing and now vandalism.......Brother?" Flim said looking to Flam. Flam nodded as he pressed a button. "SECURITY!!!!" They both shouted in unison. 

Maya closed her eyes tightly. This was out of control. She was beggin in her mind...pleading for help...from anypony.....thankfully, somepony answered. Maya's horn began to glow brightly, so bright that everypony had to shield their eyes. When the glow faded, Maya no longer appeared as a teenager...she looked like a full grown adult mare. The pony who had answered Maya's call for help, was Mia Fey....Maya's deceased Sister. "It's not vandalism."  She said, her voice now deeper, and more confident. "It's considered evidence."



"Wha-" Applejack seemed confused as she succesfully tore the plaque off, while Twilight stood next to her with a confused, and awed expression, Pinkie next to them.........somehow now with a bag of popcorn in front of her as they watched.

Flim and Flam were a bit confused as well. "What.........do you mean? She clearly just tore it clean off the wall!" Flim claimed.

Mia smirked. "Aue Contraire....." She began. "The F on the door was never there to begin with....it looks like it was nailed on the door....recently  in fact. If anything I'd say that THAT is vandalism in itself, and it counts as evidence just as much as anything else presented in court." 

They looked slightly nervous at that. "And the trespassing?" Flam asked. 

"Yes! They had no business being back here!" Flim followed up.

Mia smirked at that as well. "We  were granted permission to come in here by the secretary. Miss Pie can prove it. She was the one who asked."

Pinkie grinned, though AJ raised an eyebrow at that, Twilight rolling her eyes a bit.The brothers now seemed completely freaked out. "But.........But....."

"If you want to keep yourselves from being sent to prison, I suggest you come to court with us." Mia stated bluntly. 

The brothers frowned and sighed. "It would seem that we have no choice, dear brother........." Flim said looking to Flam. 

He nodded his agreement. "It would appear so........"

Mia nodded. "Very well then. Follow us."

he two reluctantly did so as as Pinkie happily led the way, Applejack keeping a close eye on the two, Twilight keeping an eye on the Farm Mare's temper.





They all hastily ran into he court room, Mia taking her place behind Phoenix's desk. "About time you got back May--MIA?!" He stammered. 

Mia put a hoof on Phoenix's shoulder. "I don't have much time....Maya's getting weaker....call Filthy Rich to the stand and press him about the Flim Flam Brothers! And use this as evidence!" She passed him the F&F Logo Applejack ripped off the wall. "Alright..." Phoenix said. Afterward, Mia transformed back into Maya, who collapsed under the the desk from exhaustion. 

"Your Honor!" Phoenix said. "I'd like to call Filthy Rich to the stand!"



Edgeworth raised an eyebrow slightly, a small smile on his face. "Funny Mr. Wright......Seeing as how that was just what we were about to do." he pointed out.

Phoenix blushed a bit, embarrassed. "Uh....yeah....but..."

"I'm going to save you the humiliation, Mister Wright." The Judge said as he banged his gavel. "Mister Rich! To the stand!" 

Mr. Rich then went to the stand, still looking down slightly. "What.........do you want me to testify about?"

"I would like to know more about these 'higher-ups' you spoke of." Edgeworth said matter-of-factly.

Filthy, and the Brothers' faces all fell at that slightly. "Uh........alright......." Filthy said as he prepared his testimony.


WITNESS TESTIMONY







"Its true.......I'm supposed to be the CEO of Barnyard Bargains........Up until about a year ago when I made a dumb decision.........However, I mercifully didn't lose the company completely........But was reduced to being more of a puppet for it.......That's all I can say without getting into even more trouble than I already am for saying all this.........."




The Judge nodded. "I see....Mister Wright! You may Cross-Examine the Witness!"

Phoenix nodded. "Gladly, Your Honor."


CROSS EXAMINATION






"Its true.......I'm supposed to be the CEO of Barnyard Bargains........Up until about a year ago when I made a dumb decision.........

"HOLD IT!"

"What was this dumb decision you speak of?" Phoenix asked. 

Rich looked down. "A pair of stallions that I should've known better than trust to play fair......" It was clear he didn't want to say names, nor did he realize they were in the room.

"And do you know the names of these stallions?" Phoenix asked. 

Rich looked down again. "I........do.......but I can't say...........I would be in so much trouble......I can't afford that......." he persisted, seeming rather desperate.

"OBJECTION!"



Phoenix fiercely pointed his hoof at Rich. "Either way, it doesn't Matter!" Phoenix shouted.  

"And why is that, Mister Wright?" The Judge asked. 

Phoenix presented the F&F logo, and laid it out on his desk. " Because through this, we already know who he's talking about! Who else in town do you know that has these initials, mister Rich? It was found nailed to your office door!"

"GAH!!!!" Filthy exclaimed before looking down. "Uh.......Fine.....You got me....I.......I have no choice.....Anypony aware of the 'World Famous' Flim Flam Brothers?" he asked dejectedly.

"I.......can't say I have........." Edgeworth said in thought.

Meanwhile, half the gallery raised their hooves, since most of the town had seen the Cider Incident about a year back.

The brothers seemed really freaked out now. "How was this supposed to get us out of going to jail!?" Flim hissed in a hushed tone. "I.......don't reckon it ever really was, pardner......" AJ said thinking back to what Mia had said. It had been a lie that helped them.........but still a lie...... Pinkie then chirped "Too late!"

The Judge banged his gavel. "I rule that the Flim Flam brothers testify. While there is evidence connecting them to this, there's still no motive." He said. 

Edgeworth nodded. "Of course.......There is the matter of them getting he-" at that moment the two were nervously shoved forward by AJ and Pinkie. "Voila! Got them right here!" Pinkie said as if she were a magician.

Phoenix chuckled at that. "Well....that's convenient!" He had expected evidence...but not the suspects! This was even better!

The pair walked to the stand while Filthy walked off just as surprised as the Defense. 

Edgeworth looked to the pair. "Very well then.........I would like to know what sort of bet was made between Mr. Rich and these two..........Flim and Flam correct? Is Your Honor fine with this course of direction?"

The Judge nodded. "I will allow it."

Edgeworth nodded and looked to the pair again.


WITNESS TESTIMONY






"What sort of deal did we have with Mr. Rich that put us in this situation?" Flim began. 

"Well, we found that apparently Barnyard Bargains was having some issues in a certain type of stock." Flam continued. 

"Demand was exceeding supply. So we decided to give him a helping hoof. Business-like of course." Flim picked up again. "So we offered a contest to see which could produce it faster. His company? Or our machine?" Flam then raised his hoof slightly "With High-Stakes of course. If he won, he would have free access to our machine. One of his own even!" 

Flim then said "But if we won, we would gain control of the company." Flim finished with "Well, it should be apparent by now who won."




The Judge nodded. "I see! Mister Wright, you may Cross-Examine!" He said.


CROSS EXAMINATION






"What sort of deal did we have with Mr. Rich that put us in this situation?" Flim began. 

"Well, we found that apparently Barnyard Bargains was having some issues in a certain type of stock." Flam continued.

"HOLD IT!"

"What exactly was this stock?" Phoenix asked. 

Flim did a slight gesture. "Cider of course. He was getting most of his stock from the local business of Sweet Apple Acres." Flam then finishing the thought with "Which has great quality.......but low supply due to their having many other products as well."

"What made you think that you should help them produce apples when they already had somepony?" Phoenix asked.

I was just getting to that!" Flim claimed, seeming a bit more confident in himself now.

"Alright, tell us then." Phoenix said. 

"Demand was exceeding supply. So we decided to give him a helping hoof. Business-like of course." Flam picked up again.

"HOLD IT!"

"Did Filthy accept the help?" Phoenix asked. "Or did you force it on him?"

Flam waved his hoof slightly. "Why whatever do you mean by 'force'?" 

Flim then saying "If you mean did he like our initial offer?, then no. That's why we proposed an alternative...."

Phoenix slammed his hooves on his desk. "A bet to decide weather or not you would commit a hostile takeover of his company, correct?" He asked. 

Flim raised an eyebrow. "You seem awful set on this 'hostile takeover' business......." Flam then following with "What's hostile about a competition that he agreed to compete in?"

"Why make a competition with him in the first place?" Phoenix asked.  "Why not just re-arrange the deal if he didn't like it, and then agree to help him?"

"It's simply not our way, Mr. Lawyer." Flim answered. "Yes, we have a specific way of going about our business." Flam said.

Phoenix nodded. "Alright...." He said. "Please continue your testimony."

"So we offered a contest to see which could produce it faster. His company? Or our machine?"

"HOLD IT!"

"Machine?" Phoenix asked. "What machine?"

Flim brightened slightly as he stretched his hooves into a dramatic gesture. "Aw, well that would be our very own, one of a kind, Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000!!" Flam then followed with his own similar gesture. "Made it ourselves! It served as our main mode of transport back when we were mainly on the road!"

"And you offered him this machine in exchange for his company in the bet?" Phoenix asked. 

The brothers nodded. "Yes, our main way of living! You see? we were at high stakes here as well!" Flam pointed out.

"Hm...." Phoenix said. "Alright, keep going!"

Flim then raised his hoof slightly "With High-Stakes of course. If he won, he would have free access to our machine. One of his own even!"


Phoenix saw nothing wrong with that statement, and nodded for them to continue. 

Flam then said "But if we won, we would gain control of the company."

"HOLD IT!"

"And you won?" He asked. 

"Well it should be obvious at this point." Flim said a bit nonchalantly.

"So what happened after that?" Phoenix asked. 

Flam then said "Well, Mr. Rich had to keep his end of the bargain, but was being a rather bad sport about it." Flim then claimed "So we came up with another deal. He could stay in the company, so long as he worked as our spokes-stallion!"

"What to you mean by 'being a bad sport about it?'" Phoenix asked. 

Flim shrugged. "He kept going on and on about how he couldn't lose the company." Flam cutting in "Though he didn't need to accept if he couldn't handle the stakes!". Flim then claimed "We were generous letting him stay part of it."

"Alright...there's one question I'd like to ask you." Phoenix said. 

Applejack "Yes?" they both asked simultaneously.

"Why did you have your alleged "Spoke Pony" frame Derpy for theft?" He asked. 

They seemed slightly nervous at that. "Frame? Why whatever do you mean? What has he been doing?" Flim asked.

OBJECTION!!

"Don't play dumb! We have written in the court record that Filthy Rich was ordered to frame Derpy Hooves of theft by his 'higher ups' and it was proven that those higher ups, are YOU!!" Phoenix pointed at them.



"Gah!!!"  The two exclaimed at this realizing what was happening.

Edgeworth nodded slightly. "This is true. Your Honor, may I ask that we now question why they set up Ms. Hooves?"

The Judge nodded. "Permission to question the Flim Flam Brothers, Granted!" He said. 

Edgeworth nodded. "Very well then." he said turning back to them. "Now.......It is to my understanding that Ms. Hooves had been hired at some point to do a delivery for the company. Was that after this takeover?"

The two looked to each other. "I........don't remember such a thing......" Flim said.

Edgeworth then slammed his hoof down on his table. "Tell the truth!"

They jumped slightly at this. "OK, OK.........yes........It was while we were in control.........." Flam admitted.

Phoenix slammed his hooves down on the desk. "And why would you want to frame her?!" He asked. 

"Well......." Flim seemed to be trying to come up with something.

"I think I know why." Edgeworth said sternly, looking to them.

"And why would that be, Edgeworth?" Phoenix asked. 

He then gestured slightly. "It was pointed out before that Ms. Hooves cost the company quite a bit of money with her mistake......."Meaning that if THEY were in charge......." he then accusingly pointed to them. "THEY would be the ones losing a lot of money here!"

"So they told Rich to frame her as revenge!" Phoenix exclaimed as he slammed his hooves down on the desk. "Don't you know she's a mother?! Isn't sending her to prison for messing up a delivery a little extreme?!"

"Er......Uh........." The brothers seemed about ready to break down.

Phoenix pointed at them. You DID frame her, didn't you!? CONFESS!"

The Flim Flam Brothers then threw their hooves down. "FINE! IT'S TRUE!!!" Flam exclaimed. "We couldn't deal with the problems she was bringing us, so we had to do away with her!!!" Flim followed up.

"And the truth shall set you free!"  Phoenix shouted, triumphently putting his hooves on his waist, and smirking at The Flim Flam Brothers. 

Edgeworth raised an eyebrow. "With all due respect, Wright........What exactly do you mean? It is Your Honor's ruling of course, but near as I can tell they have earned a great amount of jail time for such deception."

The two brothers seemed nervous again at that.

Phoenix nodded. "Yes, but if they kept on lying, they would've gotten in a lot more trouble." He said.

"I agree!" The Judge said.  "Therefore, I find the defendants, Derpy Hooves and Filthy Rich..."


"NOT GUILTY"


He banged his gavel on the desk. The Gallery was quiet. The Judge rolled his eyes. "You may cheer and throw your confetti now." The Gallery did just that. 

Edgeworth smiled a bit. "It seems you have done it, yet again Mr. Wright."

'Phew!' Phoenix thought to himself as he wiped the sweat from his brow. "Thanks, Edgeworth..." He said. 

Edgeworth nodded slightly. "And thank you, Wright." before turning to the Judge. "Is there anything else that should be addressed, Your Honor?"

The Judge shook his head. "Other than the apologies that are in order for wrongfully accusing Miss Hooves, no." He said. "This Court is ADJOURNED!" He banged his gavel on his desk. 

Edgeworth smiled as he watched the bailiff take the Flim Flam Brothers away, and began to walk again to the lobby.

AJ ,Pinkie, and Twilight ball grinned at the Judge's announcement and began to walk to the lobby as well.

"He did it.....he actually did it!" Twilight said in amazement. 

Applejack chuckled at that. "He sure did!" She said. "But he sure as heck didn't do it alone!"

"Yeah! WE HELPED HIM!!!" Pinkie shouted as she wrapped them both in a tight hug. 



Meanwhile, Phoenix nudged Maya a tiny bit, to wake her up. Once his assistant woke up, the pair, and Derpy, walked out into the lobby. They were met by Applejack, Twilight, and Pinkie. 

"Ya did it Phoenix!" Applejack smiled, before turning to Derpy. "Heh, everything turned out well just like we said!"

Phoenix smiled. "Well, I had plenty of help...."

Derpy sighed deeply in relief. "I was so scared....."

Pinkie grinned. "You know what this calls for!? A PARTY!!!" Applejack chuckled a bit. 

"Not quite yet Pinkie......I reckon there's still some things that need taken care o'......." she frowned slightly, thinking.

Maya smiled excitedly. "Ooh! I love parties!"

Phoenix looked to the Cow Mare. "What needs to be taken care of, AJ?" He asked. 

Applejack then briefly sighed, pulling down her hat slightly. "Well there's the matter o' Carrot Top's role in all this...........An' Mr. Rich.....I reckon some apologies're in order." she said in thought.

Phoenix nodded. "Yeah....Carrot and Filthy need to apologize to Derpy..." He said in thought.

"Er......I.........uh........Excuse me......" a familiar voice said as it approached the group. "Ah, I beg your pardon, everypony........." Mr. Rich said as he reached the group. "Well what'dya know!" Applejack exclaimed upon his arrival. He looked down slightly at that. Carrot Top was next to the business pony. Derpy almost immediately turned around and crossed her front hooves over her chest, not looking at her. 

Twilight placed a hoof on Derpy's shoulder. "What do you have to say for yourselves?" She asked,  Pinkie watching nearby, wanting to cheer up Derpy but unable to do anything given the moment.

"I.......wanted to apologize........" Filthy said. "........To all of you....."

Phoenix nodded. "It's alright..." He began. "It wasn't your fault....you were blackmailed."

He shook his head slightly. "Yes, but........I should have known better than to make a deal with them.......Especially after that one incident......" he said looking to Applejack. Applejack nodded. "I will admit........I am a bit disappointed ya agreed tah their plan, after what happened with mah farm.......But I can o' course fergive ya. Mr. Rich.....After all, ye're like family tah me!" she smiled, Mr. Rich laughing a bit as well. "Haha, right. I.......wish I could've done something to get out of it sooner though." AJ chuckled as well, before it faded slightly. "I reckon we all do........But it ain't really mah fergiveness ya need here pardner........" she said looking to Derpy.

"Derpy...." Carrot Top said, standing in front of Derpy, trying to get her attention. Derpy just turned her back to the carrot pony. "Hmph!" She said. 

"Derpy...." Carrot choaked. " I'm sorry....I'm so so sorry...I was angry....my carrot farm was about to go under...I needed the money....it was a dumb decision....such a dumb decision...and I'm so sorry....I'm so so sorry...." Carrot covered her eyes and started crying. Derpy turned around, and saw her friend was crying. She almost immediately hugged her.  

"I forgive you!" Derpy said with a smile. 

Carrot looked to her friend, tears in her eyes. "Y-You do?" She sniffled. "B-But....how can you?"

Derpy smiled and shook her head. "I might not be the sharpest light bulb in the crayon box...but I know when somepony really feels bad about something....and I know you didn't want to do it....so I forgive you!" She closed her eyes and smiled. 

Applejack lowered her hat, watching this as tears began to well up in her eyes. Twilight turned away when tears appeared on her face. Pinkie on the other hoof, let loose a fountain of tears. Filthy stood by patiently, smiling as he watched the scene.

Carrot hugged her friend tightly. "T-Thank you, Derpy.....Thank you...." She said in between sobs.

Filthy then cleared his throat slightly. "Er.....I apologize to interrupt.......But I feel as though I might be able to help you somewhat......"

Carrot looked over to him. "Hm?"

He adjusted his tie nervously. "I apologize immensely for all this misfortune I inadvertently placed on everypony............If I had been a bit more intelligent in my deal with those no-good con-ponies..............But, I am a stallion of my word, Ms. Harvest. Barnyard Bargains will still pay you the money promised............." He still seemed slightly bitter, though not because he had to pay her, but for causing all this in the first place. A small smile then crossed his face. "And I am also interested in starting a business deal with your carrot farm. Much like what we already do with Sweet Apple Acres, and its partner businesses." he turned to Applejack, nodding slightly.

Carrot's eyes widened. "R-Really?! You would do that for me?! No.....no...I don't deserve it...."

Derpy laughed. "Nonsense, Carrot! If anything, I say you've earned it!" 

"Earned it?" Carrot asked. "How?"

"By apologizing, silly!" Derpy giggled as she ruffled her friend's mane.

"She's right, sugarcube. We all make mistakes. Sometimes bigger ones than others. But so long as we learn from 'em, then they strengthen us." Applejack said. 

Pinkie then blurted out "Yeah! Like that one time, when I cloned myse-MPH!!!" before Twilight placed her hoof over mouth so they wouldn't get too off-topic. 

"An' it seems tah me that what ya'll two did was just that. A simple mistake made 'cause o' conditions beyond yer control." AJ finished looking to Carrot Top, and Filthy Rich.

Carrot smiled, tears still streaming down her face. "Thank you.....thank you all so much...."

Mr. Rich smiled. "Ain't a problem. So long as everypony's alright, and Ms. Hooves ain't too mad at me......" he said looking down slightly again.

Derpy smiled. "How could I be mad!?" She said. "This is great! Let's all have MUFFINS TO CELEBRATE!!!" she shouted. 

Pinkie grinned. "YEAH!!! That sounds great!!!!" she exclaimed. 

"So I see everything has been resolved here." Edgeworth said walking over to them.

"Yeah....everything is fine." Phoenix said, looking to his rival.

"MAMA!!!!" Dinky shouted, running to her innocent mother. 

"MUFFIN!" Derpy shouted. They then hugged each other tightly. 

Edgeworth smiled slightly as he watched the reunion, then turning to Applejack, Pinkie and Maya. "I must say that I am greatly appreciative of all of the help you three provided. There is no possible way we could have solved this without it."

Pinkie grinned, while Applejack chuckled a bit. "Ain't no problem, pardner. After all..........As Element of Honesty, I always try tah keep mah promises!"

Edgeworth seemed shocked at this. "Wha!!???" he exclaimed as he took a step back.

"Element of Honesty?" Phoenix asked. 

"You mean you two don't know?" Derpy said. 

Edgeworth shook his head. "No........I had no idea that I was working with one of the Elements of Harmony representatives........This is a great honor!"

Pinkie laughed a bit. "Two actually!!!! I'm the Element of Laughter!!!!" 

Edgeworth seemed taken aback once again. "Wha.......TWO!!!!???" he seemed to be rather excited actually. 

"Three, actually." Twilight said. "As you most likely know, me being a Princess of Equestria and all, I'm the Element of Magic."

"Wow....this is amazing!" Phoenix said.

"You three are like....celebrities!" Maya interjected. 

Pinkie kept her grin slightly, but Applejack seemed slightly embarrassed. "Aw shucks.........Regardless, I'd still prefer fer ya'll tah treat us the same way as 'fore........" Pinkie nodded. "Yeah!"

Phoenix nodded. "Alright then....Maya, there's something I've been meaning to ask." He said. "When did you contact Mia?"

"Hm?" Maya said. "Oh! I did it back at Barnyard Bargains! She helped us convince the Flim Flam Brothers to come to court!"

Pinkie nodded vigorously. "Yeah! It was like she was there........Then there was a flash of light and she was telling everypony what was what!!!" Applejack nodded. "Is that whatcha mean by yer channelin'?" she asked Maya.

Maya nodded. "Yep! I'm a Spirit Medium! ....In Training...." She said. "Whenever I need help, I can contact my sister! And sometimes....she'll help us!"

AJ nodded slightly. 

"Right.......I remember you were explaining your powers before.........But I had no idea that's how it worked!" Twilight said. Pinkie nodded. 

"Yeah! That was awesometastic!!!!" Pinkie said. 

"Thanks!" Maya said. 

Pinkie laughed. "Well you know what we need now right!? A party!!!!" She exclaimed excitedly. Edgeworth backed away slightly. "A.........party............"

"A Party!?" Maya exclaimed. "That sounds AWESOME! Right Nick?"

"Huh? Oh! Yeah! A party sounds good to me!" Phoenix said.

"A party celebrating my mama's innocence!" Dinky shouted. 

Derpy blushed. 

"Hmmmm..........Well........you all have fun with that then......." Edgeworth said beginning to leave.

"Awwww, you're leaving? C'mon Edgey!!! It'll be fun!!!" Pinkie exclaimed. 

Edgeworth looked away slightly. "Parties..........aren't..........exactly my style........" he said. Applejack then placed her hoof on his shoulder. "Aw come on, sugarcube.........It'll be fun! 'sides! 'm sure our friends, the other Element Bearers'll be there if ye're interested in meetin' all o' us!" she offered. He perked up at that.

"Yeah, Miles." Phoenix said.  "I mean, I know your a prosecution attorney, but you don't have to be such a stick in the mud like the others!"

He narrowed his eyes slightly towards Phoenix but didn't say anything. "Great! I'll go get everything set up!!! Hopefully Twilight will let us use the library! That's always a good spot!!!" Pinkie exclaimed beginning to bounce off.

"Pinkie, of course I'll let you use the li-huh? WAIT FOR ME!" Twilight shouted, hovering a bit with her wings to catch up with her excitable friend. 

"Well, ah better go after them. See Ya'll at the party!" Applejack said, as she followed them out. Derpy, and Dinky left the courhouse shortly after, eagerly excited for the party. After a few seconds of silence, Edgeworth and Phoenix nodded to each other, then The three of them, Phoenix, Maya, and Edgeworth, left the court house. 


THE END



TO BE CONTINUED IN: TURNABOUT WONDERBOLT