Time:10:00 P.M
Date:January 2nd, 2028
Location:Twilight Sparkle's Castle
Phoenix jumped up in shock, Twilight Sparkle backing up to give him room. He looked around urgently, his stomach doing flips,"Trucy? Pearls? Apollo?" he called out. His eyes locked onto the pile of his unconscious friends, and he shot up, rushing to their side.
Twilight cocked her eyebrows at him,"Are those friends of yours, Mr.Wright?" she asked. He ignored her, and shook Trucy awake first. Her eyes slowly opened, and she frowned at him, a dazed look in her eye.
"Daddy? Where are we?" she said, followed closely by a yawn. She looked over to see Twilight Sparkle staring at her, a confused expression on her face. She started crawling backwards, away from the pony,"Daddy, wh-what's going on?"
Twilight's mouth dropped,"You have a daughter, Mr.Wright?"
He nodded slowly,"Yes, I do."
Twilight blushed,"So...when did you have her?"
He face-palmed,"She's adopted," he said, reaching out for Trucy's hand,"Listen, Truce, it's fine. You're safe, I promise."
She looked at him, her eyes full of alarm, but reluctantly she nodded. Phoenix smiled at her,"Okay, then. Let's wake up Apollo, Pearls,and Athena, huh?"
She nodded, swallowing hardly. She went over to Athena, and shook her softly. Phoenix did the same to Pearls. He glanced over at Athena, who jumped up at the sight of Twilight. Unlike Trucy, however, she was in absolute delight.
"Woah! Purple horse!" she cried, her face positively glowing. Twilight reeled back at the girl's yell,"Pony, actually," she muttered, smiling nervously.
"And you talk? What else can you do?" Athena asked, her voice filled with intrigue. Trucy, however, kept her distance from the mare. Pearl, once seeing Twilight, shot up as well, and joined Athena in bombarding the mare with questions. Phoenix wandered over to Apollo, and kicked him the stomach. He cringed, a moan escaping from his lips.
He looked up at Phoenix,"Mr.Wright? Wh-why did you kick me?"
Phoenix smirked,"I had to wake you up somehow."
Apollo got up slowly, clutching his stomach. He moaned, and looked up. He saw Athena and Pearl talking to a purple pony, while Trucy stood shying away in the corner.
He gasped, not because of the purple pony, he'd seen plenty of crazy stuff in his life, but because Trucy of all people was shying away! Phoenix glanced to what Apollo was staring at, and frowned.
"Truce, you all right, sweetie?" he asked as he approached the girl. She ignored him, and continued staring at Twilight, fear in her eyes. He tapped her shoulder, causing her to jump,"Hey, Trucy, is something wrong?"
She shook her head quickly,"No, everything's...just Wright!" she smiled at him, the joy not quite reaching her eyes.
Apollo moaned,"Did you really just make that pun?"
"Shut up, Polly!" she said, punching his shoulder playfully. He cried out in pain, and started rubbing it. Phoenix rolled his eyes at the two, and turned towards Twilight, who was still being attacked by an onslaught of questions. He motioned for the two girls to quiet down, and frowned at Twilight.
"Why did you bring us here?"
She shook her head,"I didn't, I swear! You just appeared here!"
Phoenix rubbed his chin in thought,"Hmm...Is there anyone else who could've brought us here?"
"Only a very powerful Unicorn."
Phoenix frowned at Twilight,"Are you sure you didn't do it?" She shook her head angrily, and he sighed,"Whatever...Hey, you look kind of different..."
She smiled, and unfurled her wings. Athena and Pearl oohed, and Phoenix jumped back in shock,"Woah! So you're a Unicorn and a Pegasus now?"
She nodded,"The official name is Alicorn. I'm also the Princess of Friendship!"
"Wow, moving up in the world, huh?" Phoenix asked, smiling down at Twilight.
Apollo tapped his shoulder,"So...How do you know about these horses?"
"Ponies," Twilight corrected.
"Whatever."
Phoenix shook his head and said,"Not now, later." He looked back at Twilight and asked,"So, can you help us get back?"
Twilight looked off to the side,"I could, but..."
Phoenix frowned in concern,"What's the matter?" he asked, kneeling down to her level.
She looked back at him, her eyes filled with fear and doubt,"It's my friend, Sunset Shimmer! She's been accused of something she didn't do!" She looked back down again, a tear dropping down onto the floor.
Huh, this must be a new friend of hers, he thought, before pushing her chin up so he could look her in the eyes,"Listen to me. If your friend is innocent, I will save her."
Her face brightened, and a smile broke out across her face. She wrapped her hooves around Phoenix's neck, and hugged him,"Thank you so much, Mr.Wright! I've missed you!"
Phoenix smiled crookedly,"I've missed you, too." He glanced down at his clothes,"Before I meet your friend, perhaps you could change us out of the pajamas with your magic?"
Her horn glowed, and every one of the humans were changed into their normal clothes and,(For Apollo and Athena), hairstyles. They all looked at their clothes in awe, except for Phoenix, who was used to the magic of Equestria.
Apollo looked up at Twilight, his face in shock,"H-how did you-?"
Twilight smiled sheepishly, a blush rising,"All I did was cast a spell that changes each of you into the last articles of clothing you wore before the pajamas. It's a simple spell. really."
Apollo stared at her, dumbfounded. Twilight turned towards the door, and motioned them to follow her.
***************************************************************************************************************
Time:8:30 A.M
Date:January 3rd, 2028
Location:Canterlot Detention Center
After riding a train and walking through Canterlot, the group found themselves in front of the Canterlot Detention Center; a large, concrete building. How many innocents have been put in places like this because of me? Phoenix thought, shaking his head sadly. Since he'd lost his badge, prisons had become more and more ominous to him. The thought that he hadn't been there to save people who had been wrongly accused of crimes, drove Phoenix to a state of mental instability. With Trucy, however, he was able to get through everything that had happened, and find peace. When he finally took down Kristoph Gavin and was able to get his attorney's badge back, his guilt returned with a vengeance.
"Well, Mr.Wright...We're here," Twilight said, her voice wavering.
Phoenix nodded, and turned towards the group,"Apollo, come with me. Athena, Pearls, Trucy, stay here."
The girls nodded, and Phoenix approached the front guard. "Halt!" the guard cried, stepping in front of the door,"What is your business in this area?"
Twilight looked sternly at the guard,"This is Phoenix Wright, and his protege Apollo Justice. They are attorney's here to speak with Sunset Shimmer."
The guard's eyes widened, and he bowed to the trio,"You're the one who saved the Captain of the Wonderbolts, aren't you?" he asked Phoenix.
"Yes, he is," Twilight confirmed,"And he has returned to defend Sunset Shimmer."
The guard motioned for them to go through. As they walked into the prison, Phoenix looked at Twilight curiously,"Don't we need an official Equestrian attorney's badge?"
Twilight shook her head,"You two have been chosen specifically by a Princess to defend her friend. Not to mention," she said, smirking,"You are heralded as the "Great Ace Attorney" around here, Mr.Wright, for your defense of Rainbow Dash all of those years ago."
Phoenix frowned,"Am I really that famous?"
"Of course, Mr.Wright! You're the one who saved the great Rainbow Dash, Element of Loyalty, and Captain of the Wonderbolts!"
Apollo, who had been deep in thought, suddenly asked,"Mr.Wright, when did all this happen?"
Phoenix's expression darkened,"It happened a few weeks before the end of my career. My success here made me grow too sure of myself. I didn't even suspect that the evidence was forged."
Twilight's eyes widened,"F-forged evidence?"
"I lost my badge for seven years, Twilight. I was accused of forging evidence. Although I didn't mean to, I did present it to the court. I will never make such a mistake again."
Twilight's expression grew concerned, and she tried to pat his arm. He brushed it off, and continued moving forward. He walked into the room marked for visitors. Apollo followed him inside, while Twilight went to tell the guards to let Sunset Shimmer into the room.
Phoenix sat in the chair, staring into the other room behind the glass. How many innocent people have been forced to live in these stone prisons because of what I started? he thought, guilt pulsing through him.
Apollo grabbed his shoulder,"Mr.Wright, is something the matter?" he asked, concerned for his mentor.
Phoenix shook his head,"Later, Apollo," as Sunset Shimmer was escorted into the room by a guard. When she saw Phoenix sitting behind the glass, her eyes widened.
"You, you're Phoenix Wright!" she exclaimed, pointing her hoof at him.
He nodded,"Yes, I am."
Sunset sat down in the chair in front of him,"I've heard of you. You're the lawyer who saved Rainbow Dash's life!" She frowned at him, and then continued,"But...Twilight told me that she wasn't going to call you back here. She said that forcing you here against your will was inhumane!"
Phoenix shook his head,"It wasn't Twilight who brought us here. We don't know who it was. When Twilight saw me, she probably had to ask. After all, another friend of hers has been accused of..." he trailed off, motioning for her to explain the situation.
"Theft," Sunset finished for him. He breathed a sigh of relief,Only theft. Whew, this is a lot easier than murder.
"So what are you accused of stealing?"
She looked off to the side,"Princess Celestia's...crown."
Or maybe it isn't easier than murder,"So...Why were you accused of the crime?"
"The crown was found in my bag the morning after it was reported stolen."
Phoenix paled, Welp, this is officially worse than murder!
Apollo leaned closer to the glass,"Miss Shimmer, we'd like to make a defense request. Do you accept it?"
Sunset sighed,"Go ahead and try, it's impossible for you to win."
Phoenix chuckled, those were words he'd heard before. Apollo, however, frowned,"What do you mean by that?"
Sunset smirked,"You see, Mr.Red, the evidence is indisputable. I was found with the crown in my saddle-bag, that's enough right there, isn't it?"
Phoenix chuckled,"Not for a second."
Apollo smiled triumphantly,"You see, Miss Shimmer, time and time again, we've seen cases with insurmountable odds, yet we take them head-on, and find the truth!"
Phoenix stood up, and slammed his hand on the desk,"If you're innocent, then you will be found not guilty! That is our mandate!"
Sunset Shimmer shook her head sadly,"Fools, the both of you. But I'll let you take my case. Just don't be surprised when you fail."
Apollo sighed at the orange mare, and then turned to Phoenix,"Sir, let's get investigating! We have to find her innocent!"
Apollo sure is pumped, Phoenix thought, I wonder why.
As the two walked out of the Visitor's Room, Phoenix asked him why he was so excited. Apollo grabbed his wrist and started twisting his bracelet,"You know how my bracelet reacts when I see someone telling a lie?"
"Of course."
Apollo looked down in thought,"When she said that it was impossible to win, I didn't feel any sort of reaction from what she said."
Phoenix frowned,"Why is that so strange. I'm sure you've seen at least one client who'd given up all hope."
Apollo shook his head,"That's the thing, Mr.Wright. All of the clients I've dealt with, no matter how hopeless they seemed, they all had some sort of hope. Even if it was barely noticeable, I could tell they doubted. Sunset, on the other hand, has none. She has lost all hope."
Phoenix patted Apollo's shoulder,"Then let's get started on the investigation. We'll give her something to hope for."
***********************************************************************************************************
Time:9:A.M
Date:January 3rd, 2028
Location:Canterlot Castle Front Gate
Phoenix stared up at the marvelous castle above him, an expression of awe on both his and Apollo's faces. Pearl, Trucy, and Athena had been sent to the Canterlot Court-House to give the accepted defense request to the officials, while Phoenix and Apollo did some investigating at the scene of the crime. Twilight had gotten them access to search the castle, but had to leave, saying that one of her friends needed her help with something.
Phoenix and Apollo glanced at each other one last time, before pushing the front doors open slightly. They walked into the foyer: a room adorned with velvet carpet, and at the end of the room, a staircase with two staircases leading left and right. There were no officers in the foyer, except for an orange pegasus with a police-badge cutie-mark, who waved them down.
"Hey, you two! You're the ones Princess Twilight said were comin', right?" the pegasus asked, smiling crookedly. Phoenix nodded, and shook her hoof. Apollo did the same.
"Name's Scootaloo! Detective Scootaloo, to be more specific! I was ordered specifically by Princess Twilight to escort you two around the crime scenes! Where do you wanna go first?"
Phoenix smiled at the eager mare,"I'd like to go to where the crown was stolen first, if you don't mind."
Scootaloo nodded,"Let's go then, pals!" she cried happily. Phoenix raised his eyebrows, Pal... Huh, that sounds like another detective I know.
She led them up the right staircase, and handed them a map,"You may need this for the trial! After all, the entire case is centered around Celestia's room!"
Map of Canterlot Castle added to Court Record
Map of Princesses castle. Luna's room is to the left, and Celestia's is to the right
They were led into a long hallway, with several stained-glass windows on the walls, each showing an important event in Equestrian history. As they followed Scootaloo, she began rattling on about the the history behind them. The entire time, Apollo held a notepad in his hands, scribbling down information.
"Apollo, what are you doing?" Phoenix asked quietly.
Apollo grinned,"Just taking down as much information as I can! Who knows what could be useful in court! Especially in a place like this!"
I sure wish I would have had taken notes the last time I was here...
Scootaloo stopped suddenly, and pointed her front hoof at a window. On the window was Twilight, surrounded by her friends. Scootaloo explained to them how the Elements of Harmony joined forces to take down several enemies, all with the power of friendship. Apollo began scribbling furiously, while Phoenix made a mental note of the image.
Elements of Harmony Window added to the Court Record
A window displaying an image of Twilight Sparkle and her six friends joining forces as the elements of harmony for the first time.
Scootaloo motioned towards the large door in front of them,"Well, here we are! Celestia's room!"
They looked around the room; it seemed kind of... small for a princess. It was a relatively simple room, with a bed adequately proportioned for Celestia's size, and a fireplace next to it. Phoenix's attention turned to a mannequin shaped like Celestia's front.
"Hmm...So this is where the crown was stolen from?" Phoenix asked, examining the mannequin from all sides, hoping to find some sort of clue.
Scootaloo nodded,"Sure is! That's where Celestia keeps her crown stuff when she goes to sleep!"
Celestia's Mannequin added to Court Record
This is where Celestia puts her royal attire when she retires for the evening.
While Phoenix continued looking around the room, Apollo noticed a pink glint on the floor. He bent down for a closer look, and picked up a long strand of pink hair. He called Mr.Wright over,"Hey, could this be a clue?"
Phoenix took the strand from Apollo and eyed it closely. He shook his head,"No, this is probably just a piece of Celestia's mane. I've met her before, and one of her hair colors is pink. Not to mention, this is her room, so it isn't very strange for a strand of her hair to be here."
Apollo frowned,"Still, who knows what could be important, right, Mr.Wright?"
Phoenix thought for a moment then nodded,"It couldn't hurt, I guess."
Hair added to Court Record
A long strand of pink mane. Most likely from Princess Celestia
Phoenix turned to Scootaloo,"So, can we see where the crown was discovered after the theft?"
Scootaloo smirked,"So, you want to see the evidence that's gonna destroy your case tomorrow?" she asked before turning around and motioning them to follow her.
As they followed her, Apollo asked,"What did you mean by 'breaking our case'?"
Scootaloo shook her head,"Well, I have special orders from Princess Twilight to help you, not to mention that I just plain like you two," she smiled back at them before continuing,"However, I do believe that Sunset Shimmer is guilty, and intend to do everything possible to help the prosecution at the trial."
Phoenix frowned,"Who's the prosecutor on this case, anyway? It isn't Trixie again, is it?"
She chuckled lightly, shaking her head,"Nope, it's somepony a lot better than her!"
Of course the trial's tomorrow, it always is, Phoenix thought, before asking Scootaloo,"How good are they?"
"Well... She became a prosecutor five years ago, and hasn't lost a single case!"
Phoenix chuckled, Words that I've heard a million times,"So, how old is she now?"
"Nineteen," Scootaloo said, glancing back at Apollo's surprised expression.
"You mean, she became a prosecutor when she was fourteen?" he asked, his mouth agape.
Phoenix patted his shoulder,"Franziska von Karma became one when she was thirteen."
Apollo shook his head,"I feel like an idiot, Mr.Wright."
Scootaloo laughed,"You two sure are a riot!" she said, before pointing at a door to their right,"Here's the room that Sunset Shimmer was staying at. I'll mark it on your map!"
Map of Canterlot Castle Updated
Down the hall on the right side of the castle is located a room, where Sunset Shimmer was the night of the theft.
"There you go!" she smiled at the two, before waving them in. They looked around the room; it seemed to be a near-replica of Twilight Sparkle's old library. Scootaloo noticed Phoenix's expression, and said,"Oh, Celestia requested this room to be transitioned into the Golden Oak Library after it was destroyed. It was a surprise birthday gift for Twilight, actually."
Phoenix frowned,"How was the library destroyed?"
Scootaloo sighed,"A centaur destroyed it with a massive explosion. Even with that big crystal tree she has now, she still misses the Golden Oak. That's why the seven of them were here last night."
Apollo's eyebrows raised,"Wait, seven?"
"Yeah, Twilight, Sunset Shimmer, and the other five:Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy. But remember, you two, very few ponies know about this; the Princesses, and Twilight's friends. I didn't even know about it until this case."
Golden Oak Library Replica added to Court Record
It's an exact replica of the Golden Oak Library. Very few ponies know about its existence.
Apollo was about to ask her another question, but Phoenix interrupted,"Can we see the bag where the crown was found?"
Scootaloo nodded,"Of course you can." She walked up the stairs to Twilight's bed. On the left side of the bed, the covers were pulled aside, and a crown and two purple diamonds lay on the mattress. The crown was heavily bent, as if the crown had been forcefully removed.
Scootaloo shook her head,"I don't understand it."
"What?" Phoenix asked, looking up from the evidence.
She narrowed her eyes at the crown,"To bend the crown like that, you would need to use very powerful magic."
Celestia's Crown added to Court Record
Princess Celestia's crown. It was discovered in the Golden Oak Library replica. Due to its heavy bending, it is very likely a very powerful unicorn is the one who stole it.
Phoenix's eyes darted over to Apollo, who was examining the diamonds. The young attorney asked hesitantly,"Why are there two diamonds when the crown only has room for one?"
Scootaloo shrugged,"We're just as stumped as you are. We've determined that both of them are bona fide jewels, so we assume that one of them was taken out of Celestia's chest-piece."
"Does it require magic to get the jewels out of the crown?" Apollo asked.
Scootaloo shook her head,"No, you just have to bite it really hard, and pull it out."
Phoenix had sat in silence throughout the entire conversation, taking the information in, So there was no need to bend the crown to get the jewels out...Hmm.
Crowned Jewels added to Court Record
Two purple jewels. Both are confirmed to be legitimate, but one's origin is unknown;however, it is assumed that it comes from Celestia's chest-plate.
Apollo glanced at Phoenix,"So, is there anything else you think we should do, Mr.Wright?"
Phoenix shook his head,"No, I think we're done here. I think we should head back to Ponyville and tell the others what we've found. Anything else will have to wait until the trial."
He turned to Scootaloo,"Do you know when the trial begins?"
Scootaloo nodded,"Tomorrow, Mr.Wright."
"Okay then, let's get on the last train to Ponyville."
***************************************************************************************************************
Fifteen Minutes Earlier
Athena, Pearl, and Trucy had arrived at the Canterlot Court-House. Trucy insisted that she stay outside, so Athena and Pearl went in together. They received a few stares from the ponies inside, but ignored them. Athena asked the lady at the front desk where Defense Requests were to be turned in. The mare pointed them down a hall to the left.
The girls opened the door into the door eloquently marked "Attorney's Registration", and approached the desk inside. Athena handed the contract to the stallion at the desk, who stared in awe at the creatures in front of him. He shook his head quickly, and scanned the contract. His eyes widened when he read the name of the defense attorney on the contract.
"So," he breathed quietly,"Phoenix Wright has returned to Equestria."
Pearl nodded, a huge smile on her face,"Ooh, do you know Mr.Nick?"
"Everypony knows of Phoenix Wright, the Great Ace Attorney." They spun around at the voice, and saw a white unicorn approach them. The mare wore a purple coat and a black vest, with golden frills running down the entire middle. She spoke with a condescending voice, a hint of posh British shining through.Her mane was light purple with a large pink streak going through it; it was styled so that the slightest turn of her head could change its color.
The stallion at the desk did a slight curtsy towards the mare, and she put up her hoof for him to stop,"Please, there is no need to bow. I do not need to be show respect. After all, I already know I have it."
Pearl smiled at the mare, bouncing up and down,"Ooh, are you a defense attorney, too?"
The mare chuckled,"Me, a defense attorney? You insult me." She smirked at Athena, who gasped and started glaring at her,"I am Prosecutor Sweetie Belle, and I am the one who will be taking the case in the morning."
Athena growled,"Youre the prosecutor? Ugh, why do we always get the jerks?"
Sweetie raised her eyebrows, a smirk playing at the sides of her lips,"And why do I always get the idiots?"
Athena raised her fist up and shook it at her. Sweetie laughed,"And what are you going to do? Hit me? What do you think that you would accomplish by doing that? I'd be prosecuting you next!"
Pearl pulled Athena away,"Hey, Athena, we got the documents approved, we should just go back to the train station, alright?"
Athena nodded, her glare still focused on Sweetie,"Let's go then."
They walked past her, Athena bumping into her on purpose. Sweetie smirked, and called out,"If either of you drop by Carousel Boutique, tell my sister I said hello!"
Athena pushed the door open and rushed out of the Court-House, fuming.
**************************************************************************************************************