//------------------------------// // 1: Return to Equestria // Story: Ace Attorney: Turnabout Moon // by Squid-Hoof //------------------------------// Ace Attorney: Turnabout Moon By Squid-Hoof Chapter 1: Return to Equestria I'm Phoenix Wright, ace defense attorney and the proprietor of the Wright Anything Agency. We're primarily a law office, with two other defense attorneys besides myself on retainer, but we've been known to dabble in a few side projects, such as my adopted daughter, Trucy's, magic shows. Nearly nine years ago, we used to be called the Wright & Co. Law Office. I was the sole lawyer, supported by Maya Fey, a spirit medium of the Kurain tradition, as well as the sister of my mentor. None of my cases could be considered normal or average, but compared to the one I was quite literally summoned for, most of them could be considered downright pedestrian. This all started with that case... ??????? ??????? June 9th, 9:45 PM "Ugh..." Feels like I just got hit with a ton of bricks... "Hey! Who the heck are you?!" (...Who's voice is that?) "For that matter WHAT the heck are you?" ("What am I?" What kind of question is that? Does she mean my profession?) "I wanted the best defense attorney in Equestria, not some... porcupine thing." (*Sigh* Does my hair really look like a porcupine... my muscles are coming to, I think I can open my eyes.) Opening them, I was greeted by the sight of a colourful and well kempt library. "Where am I?" The next thing that greeted my sight was a purple pony. "Hey! You're a human aren't you?" The pony seemed to be torn between mild irritation and intrigue. "Yeah... I'm a human... WAIT WHAT?!" That was the first time I met Twilight Sparkle, a unicorn pony in the land of Equestria. I know I know, it sounds pretty far fetched. I probably wouldn't believe it myself if I didn't keep a memento of my time in Equestria. Twilight had been asked by one of their rulers, Princess Celestia, to summon up what she referred to as the 'best defense attorney in Equestria'. Her friend, a pegasus pony named Rainbow Dash, had been accused of murdering another pegasus prior to a race. While the princess and the rest of Dash's friends had full confidence that she was innocent, Celestia excused herself from the trial to avoid a conflict of interest. The judge from my world was even brought over to preside over the courtroom. I was called on to face off against an old adversary of Twilight's, one Trixie Lulamoon... "The GREAT and POWERFUL Trixie would like to start off by saying the defense has no chance of winning in this. Zero. Zilch. Nada. None!" Trixie thrust her nose high into the air as she laid out the challenge. It didn't take me long to come to the conclusion that the light blue braggart was going to cause me multiple headaches in the coming days. "What kind of opening statement is that?!" I instantly regretted taking the bait. "In fact, Trixie is insulted she is not given a proper attorney to wage battle with. Instead she is forced to deal with this idiot." If a person or pony could be more smug... "What's your problem!" "Er-hem!" The judge actually seemed to be on my side for once. "Please refrain from personal attacks on the defense Ms. Trixie. Can you please just get on with stating your case?" Thus began Turnabout Storm, my most bizarre case up to that point. Rainbow Dash was set to take part in a flying race near their home in Ponyville, when she was approached by the victim with embarrassing pictures to blackmail her into dropping out. He was later found dead where the pair had met, and suspicion naturally landed on her. Through the case I deduced that the victim, Ace Swift, had been blackmailing stronger competitors for years with the assistance of his manager, Sonata, who bore a striking resemblance to my old mentor, Mia Fey. I was able to successfully divert suspicion from Dash to Sonata, only to figure out in the end his death was an accident and not caused by either of the accused mares. Trixie had been maliciously trying to convict Dash throughout the trial in order to get back at Twilight for a perceived slight from their past. While she was initially downtrodden afterwards, I was able to spend some time with her following the trial and found she's not a bad person, well pony. I had hoped she would do well for herself in the years since I last saw her. I was about to find out firsthand what it's like to be on the outside looking in. Soon after my return to my own world, I was asked to defend a magician, Zak Gramarye. He had been accused of killing his ailing mentor. The case that cost me my attorney's badge... "...Finally. You just couldn't resist, could you, Herr Wright?" Klavier Gavin, the prosecutor facing off against me and front man for his band, The Gavinners, slammed his fist against the wall and gave me a look that was equal parts triumph and disgust. "Resist what? Presenting solid evidence?" The hairs on the back of my neck started to raise... something was not right. "Might I request we put the current cross-examination on hold? The prosecution would like to call a new witness." Klavier was scowling. Klavier called up Drew Misham, an artist who had begun to dabble in forgeries. It was actually his daughter that produced the forged page that I presented, but the result was the same. Gavin had inside information that the piece of paper I was to produce in court that day was a fake, given to me only moments before by a young naive Trucy. His brother, Kristoph, had it produced when he thought he was going to defend Mr. Gramarye. When Zak chose me instead, Kristoph used it as a means to have me humiliated and disbarred. Before the trial ended and he could be pronounced guily, Zak Gramarye disappeared and thus the trial was never concluded. I lost my badge, his daughter came to live with me, the Earth kept spinning. I spent the next 7 years piecing together the case, learning exactly how events had led to my disbarment, including a reunion with Zak before his untimely death at the hands of Kristoph, as well as the death of Mr. Misham by the same. After introducing the jurist system, and finally uncovering the truth over the forged evidence, I retook the bar and became a defense attorney again. Trucy has grown up to be a fine young woman, Apollo Justice has been following in my footsteps, and we've added a new attorney recently to the team- Athena Cykes, a specialist in analytical psychology. So why am I telling you all of this? Well, for the longest time I thought the two cases entirely unrelated. A strange case in the world of ponies, and a dark and troubling case that cost me my badge. What could the two possibly have in common? I was about to find out that there was more to it than I had anticipated, and a decade of questions and confusion was about to rear its' ugly head. Wright Anything Agency June 6th, 7:45 PM "Thanks for another delicious meal boss!" Athena strode through the door to the office first, flopping down onto one of the couches not currently covered by legal documents or magic supplies after a well deserved dinner. After successful cases, the office tradition was for me to treat the staff out. I guess I'm just that generous. Or they started it and I didn't have much choice so I just go along with it now. It's the former though I swear. "Careful Athena, you look like you're going to burst. I didn't know you could pack away that many bowls of noodles in one sitting." Apollo followed closely behind her. He like to poke fun at her, especially due to her age, but it was typically all in good fun. He himself hadn't been shy about eating his fill, as a barely contained belch was evidence of. Taking a seat on a nearby chair he looked back towards me. "Really though Mr. Wright. I know you're a good lawyer and all, but how did you figure out that it had to be the chef? I wasn't even convinced our client was innocent until then." "Apollo..." I began as I walked in and took a seat at my desk, Trucy right behind me. "There is nothing more important than to have faith in your client no matter what. If they're innocent, and you believe in them, then no matter what it looks like, what the odds are, justice will prevail in the end. When things are at their worst, a lawyer has to smile the brightest. That's what being an attorney is about." I wasn't chastising him so much as reminding myself. "As for the chef, you just needed to look at it from the other way around. I didn't need to prove that the defendant couldn't have done it, I just had to show that there was a possibility someone else could have done it. As long as that possibility exists, the evidence to prove it will be there." "You really believe that with all of your heart, don't you daddy?" Trucy piped up from her seat in the corner. I had never planned on becoming a father anytime soon, but sometimes life deals you a strange hand. I'd played enough poker to know that. I nodded in response to her. "I have to. It's the only way for me to see justice served." I reclined in my chair and reached under my desk for a bottle of bourbon. I didn't drink often, but I felt I deserved a small glass. I poured my self one and gestured the bottle towards Apollo. He'd recently come of age and I was feeling generous. He nodded and I passed him the glass, pouring a new one. "All's well that ends well anyways." Athena was starting to splay out on the sofa and get comfortable. With nothing more to say the four of us sat in a calm silence for a few minutes, the only sound filling the air was the clinking of ice in our glasses. Finally, Trucy stood and yawned, her arms stretching wide. "Well daddy, congratulations on another win. It's so exciting to see you back defending the innocent. Other daddy would have been so proud seeing you here now after everything you went through with his case. I'm going to take the train home tonight I think. It's such a nice evening and I'd hate to waste it. I'll see you back at home." She bent over and gave me a kiss on the cheek before walking over towards the door. Out of all of us, Trucy had been through so much. All things considered, my disbarment had been little more than an inconvenience. Trucy had lost her father not once, but twice, and rarely did I see her down or upset, or give any evidence it affected her in any way. Every now and then though, something slips through the cracks. A forlorn look here, a wistful sigh there. Sometimes I think she's hurting far more than she herself knows. Trucy opened the door with the intention to walk out of the office when she froze up. I could see her entire body seize up in place as her eyes scanned the hallway. After a moment she made a strange squeaking noise and closed the door behind her, locking it and turning around to face the room. Her gaze turned from Athena, to Apollo, and finally to me, each of us in turn giving her a confused look. FInally Trucy cleared her throat. "D-daddy. I... I know I'm not supposed to look in your desk but I was cleaning it one day and I was organizing your drawers." The hairs on the back of my neck were standing on end again. I hate that feeling. "And... and I found a picture, from before you lost your badge. It was you, and you were surrounded by several..." She didn't go on, looking back at Athena and Apollo. "Do they...?" "Know? No... they don't." I could feel the tips of my ears turning red as a blush crossed my face. "I'd prefer it if it stayed that way too." The pair looked at me confused. Please don't ask, just please don't ask... "Why are you bringing this up now? And we're going to have a long talk about going through daddy's belongings." "W-well you know the purple one? With the horn?" Now Athena and Apollo were REALLY staring. Trucy for the love of... "She's standing outside the door, and she looks worried." The room went deathly silent for a moment before I sprung to my feet, spilling my glass. "Whaaaat?!" I nearly leaped over my desk, piles of paper flying to the sides. Running to the office door I stopped in front of Trucy and took a few steadying breaths. "Are you certain?" She gave a faint nod, the colour all but run out of her face. What she must have thought finding that picture... what she must think now. "Alright, daddy is going to step out into the hall. I need the three of you to stay in here." "But..." Apollo started to speak, but I quickly cut him off. "No. This is important." I shook my head. "I'll be back in a moment, and I'll answer any questions you might have then." With a nod to Trucy, she moved out of the way. I exited the office and closed the door behind me. Seeing nothing in the hallway I frowned. Great. She used that as an excuse to get me out of the office. She'll be digging the photo out of my desk any second now and... "Ph-Phoenix? Phoenix Wright? Is that really you?" My ears perked up immediately. That voice... I know that voice! "Is... Is it really you?" Sure enough, a moment later a clearly shocked and upset Twilight Sparkle stepped from the shadows. "Please... please tell me it's you!" "Y-yes Twilight! It's me! What are you doing here? It's been so long since I last saw all of you!" I crouched down to get to her level as she walked towards me. A moment later tears were rimming her eyes as she broke into a run and collided with me, her front hooves around my chest. Her words came out in a jumble. "I'm so happy I found you! I couldn't find the Wright & Co. offices listed anywhere, all I could find was the Wright Anything Agency and I thought for sure you'd gone out of business or worse, and I was even more worried when that girl came out of the door and not you and you look so much older what happened to you?! Pheonix I need your help! Something terrible has happened and I don't know how to fix it, or if there's anypony who can fix it! Please tell me you'll come!" She was sobbing, tears running down her face. "Whoa whoa whoa." I put one arm around her neck, holding her closer. "Slow down Twilight. What's going on? What do you mean so much older? What do you need help with?" It was all coming fast and sudden and I didn't know where to even begin. "There's been another murder in Equestria... so soon after the last... and it's... oh Phoenix you just have to come. Please. PLEASE!" I frowned slightly and scratched the back of my head with a free hand. "Well... I guess I don't have much choice. We're leaving tonight?" I wasn't sure how I was going to explain this to the others.Or should I... "Actually yes, if we can let's leave tonight. Right now if possible." Twilight's face brightened at that. "Really? You mean it? You'll come?!" She sniffed back the last of her tears as she stood. "You'll help?" "Yeah." I nodded and gave a smile. "We have a lot to catch up on. A lot has changed for me and I'm sure the same could be said for you. This is all really sudden, but if you're here it must be important." And if it's not there's going to be hell to pay one way or another... "Thank you so much Phoenix!" She gave me a huge hug and grinned. "I'll explain everything when we get there. Do you have everything you'll need?" "Yes, I believe so." I checked myself to make sure I had not left anything behind in the office. "Will the judge be presiding again?" "Yes, I'll be grabbing him tomorrow, along with the others. The trial won't be for a few days so there's no rush. I wanted to get to you as soon as possible so we could start our investigations tomorrow." Twilight was still sniffling but she seemed to have her emotions under control again. "Alright, cast your spell then, let's go." I smiled and braced myself. The trip between worlds was never pleasant, at least for me. "Here we go then." She started to cast her spell. The sudden light from her horn illuminated her back. "Twilight... when did you grow wings?" I was confused. "I thought only princesses could have wings and horns?" "Uh... yeah... like you said, things have changed." Her spell began to intensify. "Why do you look so much older anyways? What aren't you telling me?" "Daddy?!" I turned in time to see Trucy barrel out of the office door towards me, Apollo and Athena hot on her heels. I looked at Twilight and saw her eyes go wide in shock, "DADDY?! You're a FATHER?!" The information shock hit her as she hit the apex of casting her spell. With a burst of overloaded magic, the localized spell that was supposed to take just myself and Twilight back to Equestria enveloped the hallway, catching the other three in the blast. Everything went white. Canterlot Detention Center June 6th, 9:00 PM A few moments later my vision cleared. Then the yelling started. "Mr. Wright? Where are we? What just happened?!" Apollo was the first to jump up and see that our surroundings had changed. "Why are we surrounded by horses in armor?!" "I'd like to know that too!" Athena was rubbing her backside after taking a tumble in the confusion. "Is this your magatama acting up again? Who's the purple horse? How do you know her? What was Trucy talking about?" "Daddy! They're real? They're really real?! I thought they were just actors in costumes or animatronics!" Trucy looked like a kid in a candy shop. "Why didn't you tell us about this? Oh... they look a little angry..." I looked at the guards surrounding us and then back at Trucy. "Oh... you look a little angry too daddy..." "Of course I'm angry! I told you three very specifically to wait for me in the office!" I was trying not to glare at her. "And now look! All four of us are here!" "And if we hadn't come out of the office when we did you would have just left without us!" Apollo thrust a finger at me and frowned. "You were about to disappear again! Don't think Pearly didn't tell me about the time you disappeared to go see your pony sugar momma! Now at least I know what she was talking about! Hey OW!" One of the guards had poked him in the leg with his spear. Thankfully Twilight took control of the situation. "ENOUGH." Stamping one foot to the ground, her words were loud enough to stun everyone into silence. The guards dipped into a bow almost immediately. Twilight cleared her throat before continuing. "Now, there has clearly been a magical mishap and I inadvertently brought over more travelers than I intended. Be that as it may, they are still guests of myself and the remaining princesses of Equestria..." She flinched when she said remaining... I have a very bad feeling about this... "... and will be treated as such. Please show the three of them to comfortable quarters for the evening. I will speak to them at a later time. Phoenix Wright, attorney of the crown, please follow me." Twilight turned away and walked down a hallway. "Y-yes ma'am." I quickly followed after her, my mind reeling. "Trucy, Apollo, Athena, we'll speak about this later." Since when did Twilight get so forceful and professional... a lot changes in nine years. I caught up with Twilight in time to see her breathing heavily. "Are you ok?" "No... no not at all. I haven't even been able to explain everything to you yet. I haven't been a princess for very long and keeping up the appearance of being strong and in control is difficult for me. I don't even know when I developed the Royal Canterlot voice... there's just so much I don't understand yet. And now this trial..." She sighed and let her head fall, resting up against one wall. "I don't know how long I can keep up appearances for." "Well it would help if you told me a bit more about the case. Who the victim is, the defendant, that sort of thing. Is it Rainbow Dash again? She accused of knocking off another racer? Or maybe Pinkie Pie this time? One of her 'exploits' finally go wrong?" I chuckled slightly thinking of what a Pinkie Pie screw up would do. I hoped it would put Twilight at ease. Clearly I was mistaken. Her sigh deepened as we walked into the visitor's room. "It's not as simple as that..." She sat in a chair against the back wall and motioned towards the attorney's seat. I took a seat and watched the room beyond the dividing glass for the defendant to appear. As I sat, Twilight continued. "Because the murder victim was Princess Luna..." My eyes flung wide and my head whipped around hard enough to hurt my neck. "WH-WHAT?!" I gripped the edge of my seat. There's the hairs on the back of my neck again.... "What?! How? Who could possibly have killed her?!" Twilight opened her mouth a few times to speak, but nothing came out. Burying her face in one hoof she raised the other one and weakly motioned towards the defendant's chair. As I looked at who the defendant was, the colour drained from my face. There sitting across from me, a sad, almost traumatized look on her face, was the last pony I would have ever expected to have to defend. "Hello Phoenix Wright, it's been a while." Princess Celestia unfurled her wings and made herself comfortable for what was sure to be a long night. "I'm sorry it had to be under these circumstances."