Not even Equestria is safe from the devious plans of Criminal Masterminds.....Innocent ponies are being framed for crimes they didn't commit....and it's up to a certain lawyer to prove their innocence!
Not even Equestria is safe from the devious plans of Criminal Masterminds.....Innocent ponies are being framed for crimes they didn't commit....and it's up to a certain lawyer to maintain justice, cut through the web of lies with his sword of truth, and prove their innocence!
It was early morning Ponyville. Around 9:00 AM to be exact. All was quiet at Sugar Cube Corner. They were expecting something big the next morning. Filthy Rich, of Barn Yard Bargains placed a large order of Muffins for his daughter’s Birthday Party. It was exciting news! The amount of money the Cakes would receive for filling this order would no doubt be great! Inside the bakery, in the back room, the crates were sitting there, ready for delivery the next day. The Cakes were upstairs, asleep, along with their children, Carrot, and Pound Cake, and their excitable kitchen hand, Pinkie Pie. But this silence would soon be broken, when the door slowly crept open. A mare tip-toed across the wooden floor, hardly making a sound. She made her way from the front counter, into the back room, where the muffin crates were. She quickly opened one, and began taking each muffin out, and gently placing it in her tote bag. This was despicable! She was stealing the muffins! She had emptied almost every crate, except for two. Before the mare could begin emptying out the final crates, she heard crying. No doubt from one of the babies upstairs. She had panicked, afraid that one of the Cakes would come downstairs and find her. In her haste, she had dropped the tote bag. Afraid of losing precious time, she grabbed as many muffins as she could in her hooves, and made a break for the back door. Before she left, she muttered something to herself. “Please….forgive me.”
***
Applejack had gotten up early that morning, as was custom, living a farm mare’s life. After she sat up in her bed, she yawned deeply. ‘Mornin’ already?’ She thought to herself. While she had had grown accustomed to waking up at the crack of dawn every day, she had learned to appreciate the time she had to sleep, especially after the whole Apple Bucking Season Incident… She hopped down off of her bed, and began to walk down the wooden stairs, they creaked every so often due to the weight of her hooves on the wood. Her first chore of the day was to begin her morning apple bucking before she had breakfast with the family. She felt the top of her head, and was shocked to find nothing was there. Her trademark Cow Mare’s hat wasn’t on her head like it usually was! She looked around frantically, but was relieved to find it sitting there on the kitchen table. She must’ve left it down there in the previous night before. As she trotted out of the Apple Family Farmhouse, she had almost bumped into the mail pony. He was a Pegasus Stallion with a tan colored coat, brown hair, and glasses. He wore a blue mail pony’s hat, that matched his blue eyes. He reached inside his satchel, and pulled out an envelope with his mouth.
“Got a letter here for a miss Applejack?” He said, through gritted teeth, as he was holding the letter in his mouth.
“Yeah, tha’s me.” Applejack said in reply. She took the letter in her hooves, and paid the Mail Stallion with five bits. As he began to take off into the sky, she wondered something. This wasn’t the usual mail pony who gave her the letters….. ‘Where was Derpy?’ She thought to herself. Derpy Hooves was Ponyville’s resident Mail Mare. Any mail delivered to, or from anypony in the town, was delivered by her. Sure, she was a bit clumsy, and she messed up an order every now and again, but she was still dependable. And she literally worked for peanuts! Or, muffins, rather. They were her favorite pastry. Applejack remembered, how the last time she hosted the Apple Family Reunion, Derpy could hardly contain herself when she saw she had to deliver Apple Slice Muffins to the farm house. The Farm Mare hastily opened the letter.
Dear Applejack, I know it’s early in the morning, and I know that you have plenty of chores to be doing, but this is important! Come to the Library immediately! It’s urgent! One of our friends is in danger! I’ll explain everything once you get here, just please come! Sincerely, Princess Twilight Sparkle.
Applejack was thoroughly surprised. She didn’t expect to receive a letter from Twilight today! Or for a long time, considering her well-read friend had recently become a Princess of Equestria! She wondered why Twilight had returned to Ponyville today, and she wondered which one of her friends was in danger? Being the dependable pony she was, she knew she had to rush over immediately. She galloped at full speed, hoping to reach her friend’s former home as fast as she could. As she looked around, she noticed that everypony was just going about their normal business. It seems none of them had heard of Princess Twilight’s return. The farm mare supposed Twilight didn’t ask for a royal escort for two reasons. 1. She could most likely teleport herself back to Ponyville. 2. Because even though she was now an Alicorn Princess, Twilight still liked to be treated as a normal pony, and not as royalty. After a few minutes, she had finally arrived at her friends tree house. Not tree house as in a house up in a tree, as in the house, was itself a tree. Applejack stepped up to the door, and not wanting to be rude by barging in, knocked on the door.
Applejack smiled at that. Wherever Twilight was, the baby dragon was no doubt far behind. He is her Number 1 Assistant after all.
“Alright! I got it!” She hard another voice from the inside.
A few moments afterward, the door was opened.
Applejack looked down, to see the smiling face of Spike, Twilight’s baby dragon assistant.
“Applejack!” He shouted, happy to see her.
“Howdy! Good to see ya again, Spike!” Applejack said, tipping her hat at him.
“You too! It’s been way too long!” Spike responded.
“Well, ah understand. You and Twilight have royal duties to attend to an’ all.” She said with a smile.
“Yeah….that’s kinda why we’ve come back to Ponyville.” Spike said, the smile disappearing from his face. “Come on inside, Twilight will explain.”
“Don’t mind iffen’ ah do!” Applejack said heartily, taking a step inside the library. It was just as Twilight had left it. Countless shelves, each adorned with countless amounts of books, about any subject imaginable! The history of Equestria, different books concerning different types of magic, Applejack had even found a few books about apple farming on the days when she would read books with her unicorn friend! These books, written by Apple Family Ancestors, of course.
“Spike? Who is it?” Twilight’s voice was heard from upstairs.
“It’s Applejack!” Spike shouted back up at her.
“Oh good! I’m on my way!” Twilight excitedly said.
Applejack knew she was here for something important, but she got a warm feeling in her chest. She hadn’t seen Twilight in a long time, and she was excited to see one of her closest friends once again. She was also surprised to see that rather than taking the stairs, Twilight was slightly hovering above the staircase, flapping her newly earned wings. No doubt trying to get used to using them. As soon as she touched her hooves down on the wooden floor of the library, she had adjusted her crown with one of her fore hooves. Twilight had grown accustomed to wearing her crown out after the whole incident with Sunset Shimmer.
“Well howdy, Princess Twilight!” Applejack greeted her friend, curtsying to show respect.
Twilight’s cheeks blushed slightly when she did so. “Applejack, no need for formalities….you’re my friend!”
“Ah know! That’s why ah did so!” She giggled.
Twilight giggled along with her friend. “Alright, look, I know it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, but this is important!”
“Tha’s what it said in the letter…” Applejack said, putting a hoof to her chin, wondering what this was all about.
“I know. I also said one of our friends was in danger!” Twilight said, a worried expression across her face.
Applejack began to worry as well. Which one of their friends was it? Rainbow Dash? Fluttershy? Pinkie Pie? Rarity? The suspense was killing her!
“Haven’t you noticed that Derpy wasn’t delivering the mail, today?” Twilight asked.
Applejack felt that was an odd question. However, she answered honestly. It was her element, after all. “Yeah….it was some other pony….why?”
“Because it’s Derpy! Derpy’s in trouble!” Twilight shouted.
Applejack let out a sigh of relief, thankful it wasn’t one of her best friends that was in this aforementioned trouble. But still Derpy was one of her friends, and she was just as worried about her. “What did Derpy do?” Applejack asked. Derpy had gotten into trouble before, but it was mainly because most of the time, Derpy was….a bit on the clumsy side. Knocking things over, messing up mail deliveries…and sometimes dropping heavy objects on top of a certain Unicorn’s head….
“It’s not what she did do…it’s what she didn’t do! She’s been framed, Applejack! Framed of theft!” Twilight shouted.
Applejack raised an eyebrow at that. Derpy? Stealing something? The mere thought was laughable! Derpy hooves wasn’t clever enough for that…..but then again, Twilight did say she was framed….
“Woah, woah woah, hang on thar, partner!” Applejack said, placing a hoof upon her royal friend’s shoulder. “How do ya know about this?”
Twilight sighed. “As a Princess of Equestria, I have access to all of the records of each pony settlement. Canterlot, Manehatten, Trottingham, Ponyville it’s all there! Recently, something new had been put into Ponyville’s folder. And…..feeling nostalgic, I decided to take a look! And there I saw it! The dossier of the theft! Somepony stole at least two crates of muffins from Sugar Cube Corner! And Derpy was the one blamed!”
Now it started to make more sense. Muffins. Derpy was absolutely crazy for the pastry! She would do anything to get her hooves on even a bran muffin! But Applejack didn’t think the Mail Mare would stoop so far as to steal them…..
“Alright, tell me more.”
“Of course, they don’t know weather she really did it or not, so a trial is being held for her today in Ponyville! And Miles Edgeworth is prosecuting!!” Twilight explained, an urgent tone in her voice.
Applejack raised an eyebrow once again. “Pardon me…Miles Edge-who?”
“Miles Edgeworth!!!” Twilight shouted. “The infamous Prosecution Attorney…..he’s one of Canterlot’s top Prosecution Lawyers! I’ve read over a few of his previous cases….they’ve all been guilty verdicts! And in almost every single one of those cases, the pony accused was innocent!”
Now that disturbed Applejack a tiny bit. Twilight had levitated Edgeworth’s record over to Applejack with her magic so she could see. She wasn’t kidding! Nearly every single case written in Edgeworth’s record ended with a guilty verdict! “This doesn’t look good fer Derpy…” Applejack stated, being honest about the situation.
“I know! We need to find her a lawyer! Derpy can’t defend herself!” Twilight said.
“Now, hang on, Twilight! Why don’t ya defend her yerself?” Applejack asked. Twilight was a very knowledgeable mare, what with all the books she’s read.
Applejack was right. Twilight could defend Derpy! She knew Equestrian law frontwards, and backwards! But she shook her head. “I could, but the courts wouldn’t allow it….they’d think the judge would be biased, with me being the Princess and all….”
Applejack frowned. No other lawyer would defend Derpy! Not against an attorney like Edgeworth! But then something else caught her eye. Applejack looked closer at Edgeworth’s record. “Twi, look at this. Looks like ol’ Edgy didn’t win every case!”
Twilight levitated the file back over to her. “What? What do you mean?” She asked with a curious tone of voice.
“Look!” Applejack said, pointing at something on the file. “Look at that! The Murder of Mia Fey. Accused, Maya Fey, found Innocent!”
Twilight’s eyes widened. “Really?! How come I didn’t see that?”
“And look at this!” Applejack continued. “The murder of Jack Hammer. The Accused, Will Powers, found innocent!”
Twilight smiled a tiny bit. “Well…that’s good! Who was defending those clients?”
Applejack squinted her eyes, reading the case reports. “Looks like they were defended by a pony named…. Phoenix Wright.”
“Phoenix Wright?” Twilight asked. “That’s an odd name for a pony….” “Well, odd name or not, ah think this is our Lawyer!” Applejack said in a matter-of-fact sort of way.
Twilight’s eyes brightened at this. She then looked closer at the folder. “Are you sure? It says here Phoenix is a rookie…” She levitated a magnifying glass over the record so Applejack could get a better look.
The farm mare frowned at this. “Now, ah know he may be a rookie…but he’s Derpy’s best option! And it looks like he’s the only attorney that hasn’t lost to this Edgeworth Guy. Now, where’s it say his office is?”
Twilight sighed. She was hoping she could get somepony more….experienced to defend Derpy….but it seemed Wright was her only option. “Ok….we’ll call Wright. Where does it say his office is?”
Applejack squinted her eyes again, trying to find the location of Phoenix’s office somewhere in the mess of papers. “Let’s see….Wright and Co. Law Offices…. new location… 1234 Hayseed Road….”
“That’s not too far from here!” Twilight exclaimed in happiness, and excitement.
“Well, then let’s git goin’! When’s the trial gonna start, anyway?” Applejack asked her friend.
“Hm…” Twilight took a look at her case report again. “In…about an hour! We’d better get going!” She and Applejack ran out of the library. Spike however, stood at the door.
“Wait! What do you want me….to do…? Hm…leaving me behind to go off on some adventure….now it definitely feels like the old times…..” He said half-heartedly to himself. “Might as well just sweep up, and make sure the library is clean when Twilight gets back….like I used to do….
***
“This is the place!” Twilight said, reading the address sign. “1234, Hayseed road!” The sign stood in front of a two floor building. It looked medieval in design, much like the other buildings in Ponyville. Twilight deduced that the bottom floor was where the business happened, and the top floor must be where this so called “Defense Lawyer” lives.
“Well…might as well knock on his door! See if he’s home!” Applejack said as she stepped up to the door. She raised a hoof, however, just before she could knock on it…
“Applejack, wait!” Twilight held her friend’s hoof still with magic.
“Twilight?!” Applejack exclaimed in confusion. “What in tarnation’re ya doin’!?” “Look!” Twilight said, pointing to a small note pinned to the wooden door.
“Out Working. Come back later.”
“That’s it then….” Applejack declared sadly. “He’s off doin’ something else….”
Twilight frowned. This would mean that the court would assign a lawyer to Derpy for her….and she doubted they would be able to beat Edgeworth. “Well….we might as well go to the trial and provide moral support…..”
The farm mare nodded as she walked next to her friend. This was bad….Derpy was going to be convicted of a crime she didn’t commit! And what of Dinky?! Applejack didn’t know much about Derpy, but she knew that Derpy was a single mother….of a small Unicorn filly named Dinky….if Derpy was thrown in prison, Dinky would no doubt be put in an orphanage…..it would probably be years before somepony adopted her…..who would want the daughter of an alleged thief?
The Court House was large. It had an elegant appearance to it, as most court houses too, and atop the stair case leading to the large set of double doors, there was a stone carving of a blind folded mare standing on her hind legs, holding a double edged sword in one hoof, and an equally balanced scale in the other. The statue was some brutal symbolism….today, judgement would be blind. Everypony settled down in their seats in the gallery as the trial was about to begin. Twilight heard a few whispers. Things like, “Is that Princess Twilight?!” “What’s she doing here?” “Shouldn’t she be in Canterlot?” Twilight merely ignored these remarks. She was more nervous about the trial. Three more ponies would walk into the room. The first, was a pony with a dark red coat. His cutie mark, a set of scales, no doubt representing justice. His mane was grey and well combed, and he wore a cravat around his neck, to give off the illusion he was wearing a suit. Most stallions in Canterlot did that, and to even further the assumption that he was from Canterlot, he was a unicorn. He had a cold look about him, it gave off the expression that he was a no nonsense kind of pony. He stood on the prosecutors side of the room, looking over his notes, by levitating them with his Unicorn magic. Next, two more ponies walked in. The first, was unmistakably Derpy. Nervously walking in, frowning at the whispers she was getting. “There she is!” “She’s a no good theif!” “I feel bad for her child…” They all truly believed she was guilty…. Derpy looked like she was about ready to cry…..but before she could, another pony put a hoof on her shoulder. She seemed to calm down instantly. This Stallion was an Earth Pony, no wings, or horn to be seen, with a peach colored coat. He had on a blue suit jacket with a red tie, and laughably spiky hair. His Cutie Mark was that of a golden Defense Attorney’s badge. He stepped over to his desk on the Defense’s side. Once everypony was situated, the Bailiff cleared his throat.
“All rise for the honorable Judge Hcieman Oldcoot!”
The Judge seemed to rise up from behind his desk, which was rather large. He had a view over everypony! He looked down at the court. “You may be seated.” he said. His voice was deep, it was the kind of voice that demanded respect and projected authority. But, it also sounded old….The judge did have a rather long and grey beard.
The Judge‘s horn glowed, as he was also a unicorn, and levitated a large Gavel, and banged it on his desk, the sound resonating throughout the court room.
“Ahem. Court is now in Session for the trial of Miss Derpy Hooves! Are both parties ready?” He asked.
Edgeworth nodded. “The Prosecution is ready, Your Honor.”
The pony in the blue suit across from him then spoke. “The Defense is ready, Your Honor.”
The Judge nodded. “Very well then! The Prosecution may begin with it’s opening statement.”
Edgeworth nodded, and cleared his throat. “Of course, Your Honor!” He sounded a tiny bit overconfident. “Now, as many of you are aware, my client has claimed that the Suspect has stolen a large supply of muffins from his business. This may appear to be a rather, silly claim at first, but from the information I have gathered around town, it has become largely evident that the Suspect is known for having a rather….unhealthy muffin obsession…and has been known to obtain these muffins from others in….less than law abiding ways… Testimony has provided that she has raided the refrigerators of others in the past, leading to very high probability in my client’s favor.”
The Judge nodded, then looked over at the Defense side. “Alright then, thank you, Mister Edgeworth. Mister Wright, you may make your opening statement.”
Wright? Did he say Wright?! Twilight and Applejack looked over, practically flabbergasted. This pony was Phoenix Wright!? This must’ve been what the sign on his door was for! He had already taken Derpy’s case!
“Thank you, Your Honor.” He had a confident sound to his voice, but it wasn’t overconfident, like Edgeworth’s. “Now, I am aware of my client’s little muffin problem….but I ask the court, doesn’t this whole case seem a little, sketchy? Why would my opponent’s client get so bent out of shape over a few stolen muffins? Testimony shows that my client was just at the wrong place at the wrong time! I tend to prove that my client is not guilty! She’s a good mare at heart! We plead Not Guilty, and ask that the charges be dropped!”
The ponies in the gallery began conversing with each other, it was a dull roar. Most of what was being said was things like, “Is he insane?!” “She’s obviously guilty!” “Why doesn’t he just give up?” The judge banged his gavel on his desk. “Order! Order in the Court!” The gallery quickly quieted down.
Edgeworth raised an eyebrow at what Phoenix was saying, he looked like he was deeply thinking about it. “We shall see, Mister Wright.” He then looked to the Judge. “I would like to ask, what are Your Honor’s thoughts on the current situation at hoof?”
The Judge then looked to Edgeworth. “Currently, I agree with Mister Wright. When I read the case file this morning, I was a bit surprised to see that it was just thievery! Oh well! Mister Edgeworth, you may call your first witness!”
Twilight raised an eyebrow at that. Why would the Judge just say, ‘Oh Well’ about something that was clearly fishy?! She suspected that maybe this judge wasn’t very good at his job….but she decided to remain silent. She may have been a Princess, but she wanted to remain respectful.
Edgeworth nodded, un-affected by The Judge’s comment. “Yes, Your Honor, I am paid to do my job. And I shall do it even if it’s for a case as simple as this. The Prosecution calls, Miss Golden Harvest to the stand!”
Derpy gasped loudly. She had a heartbroken look on her face. “Carrot….” Phoenix quickly put a hoof on her shoulder. “Shh, just stay silent, Derpy…”
Carrot made her way to the witnesses stand, she looked like she was trying her best not to look at Derpy. This made Applejack narrow her eyes a bit. She knew Derpy and Golden Harvest were friends….why would she be testifying against her?!
Edgeworth nodded once she made her way up there. “Now, Miss Golden Harvest…or do you prefer Carrot Top? That is your nick name, correct?”
Carrot Top was a nickname Harvest had earned for two reasons. She was famous for her carrot farm she owned in Ponyville, and she had a brightly orange mane an tail.
“Either is fine, thank you, Mister Prosecutor.” She responded in a matter-of-fact sort of way. This made Phoenix put a hoof to his chin in thought. ‘Why would Carrot Top testify against her Best Friend/Roommate?’ He said silently to himself.
“Very well then, Miss Golden Harvest.” Edgeworth began. “It is true you are good friends with the suspect….room mates in fact, am I correct?”
Carrot Top nodded. “Yes. She moved in about a month ago.”
“And it is my understanding that you often return home to find your refrigerator cleaned out, am I correct?” Edgeworth asked. Carrot narrowed her eyes at Derpy, who noticed this, and giggled nervously, while peering about the room with her wonky eyes.
“Yes…that is also correct.” Carrot had said.
Edgeworth did a slight gesture as he pointed to Derpy with his hoof. “Were you involved in any way with the current case? Such as, did you notice the suspect with a large supply of muffins around the time the accusations state?” He asked.
Carrot began. “I can’t say I was involved with the case…..but I do remember being in the bakery on that day…..I heard some noises coming from the kitchen, so I decided to check it out. I saw somepony did raid the kitchen, but I couldn’t make it out. It was around 9:00 AM…..later when I returned home, I did notice Derpy with a large amount of muffins…I asked her about it, and she said she was never in the bakery. Which I found hard to believe.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ When Carrot was finished, Edgeworth shook his head with a small smile on his face. He reared up on his hind legs, and stuck his forelegs out in a wide-legged gesture. “Seems slightly suspicious, does it not?” He began. “Given the knowledge of our suspect’s reputation, and this testimony, it seems quite evident that this suspect, is our criminal…..that is….unless the defense has anything to say?” He looked over at Phoenix, who looked un-phased by the testimony, and Edgeworth’s claims.
The Judge shook his head. “It does seem like she’s guilty….but, fair is fair! Mister Wright, you may begin your Cross-Examination.”
“Gladly, Your Honor!”
This was it. Here, Twilight and Applejack would see if this lawyer truly was worth his salt.
Carrot then began to re-state her testimony. “I can’t say I was involved with the case, but I do remember being in the bakery on that day.”
“HOLD IT!” Phoenix had loudly shouted. Everypony looked surprised. This was definitely unorthodox….never had Twilight seen a lawyer shout like that…
“You just contradicted yourself. If you were at the bakery, then you were involved with the case in question!”
Twilight’s eyes widened. Not even she had noticed that! Carrot Top looked at Phoenix nervously. “Oh….sorry….I guess I got a little flustered…”
The Judge nodded his head. “Understandable. Please, continue, Miss Carrot Top.”
Carrot nodded, and continued re-stating her testimony.
“I heard some noises coming from the kitchen, so I decided to check it out. I saw somepony did raid the kitchen, but I couldn’t make them out.”
“HOLD IT!” Phoenix had shouted again. “You couldn’t make them out?” he asked. “So you didn’t notice anything? No gender? No mane color? No cutie mark?”
“N-No…no I couldn’t!” Carrot choked out, looking a bit more nervous. “Anyway, it was 9:00 AM…”
“OBJECTION!” Phoenix had shouted, pointing his left hoof at Carrot.
‘Objection?’ Twilight thought to herself. ‘What was wrong with her testimony?’ She wondered.
“Your Honor, there is a gaping hole in the witness’s testimony!” He stated.
The Judge looked a Phoenix, a bit wide eyed. “Really? What is it?” He asked.
Phoenix slammed his hooves down on his desk. “She couldn’t have been at the bakery at 9:00 AM! Because the bakery doesn’t open until 10:00 AM! A whole hour after the time mentioned!” He then put his hooves on his waist, after standing up on his hind legs, looking rather sure of himself. “And I can prove it! With this sign that says the business hours!” He placed it on his desk. There they were, clear as day! All the business hours….
Twilight grinned at that. This obviously meant he must’ve done some investigating himself beforehand!
“So you can!” The Judge said, looking rather impressed. “So, Miss Carrot Top, please explain why you were at the bakery a full hour before they opened!”
Carrot looked about nervously. “Uh….I wasn’t! I just got the time wrong!”
“OBJECTION!” This time, it had been shouted by Miles Edgeworth, looking rather unimpressed. “She simply got the time wrong, Mister Wright! Take a look at the poor mare! She’s clearly nervous.” He gestured toward the witness. “Now….Miss Harvest, would you mind revising your testimony to match the actual time?” He asked her calmly and collected, like usual. He didn’t seem too nervous by the turn of events.
The Judge nodded. “He has a point…. Mister Wright! Objection Overruled! Do try to be less paranoid about the time…..please revise your testimony, Miss Harvest.”
“Alright….” Carrot said, her voice shaking a tiny bit.
Carrot took a few moments to collect herself, before she began re-stating her testimony.
“It was about 10:00 AM….Later when I returned home, I did notice Derpy with a large amount of muffins…I asked her about it, and she said she was never in the bakery. Which I found hard to believe.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ “Hm….alright. Mister Wright, you may begin your Cross-Examination.” The Judge stated.
Phoenix nodded, as Carrot began re-stating what she said previously.
“It was about 10:00 AM….Later when I returned home, I did notice Derpy with a large amount of muffins…I asked her about it, and she said she was never in the bakery. Which I found hard to believe.”
“HOLD IT!” Phoenix shouted once again, startling Carrot a bit. “Why did you find it hard to believe, exactly? Don’t you trust your Roommate?”
Carrot now looked a bit miffed. Especially at Derpy. “Well, I do, but not when muffins are involved! Whenever I go out and buy some muffins, they’re literally GONE two minutes after I put them away! Do you have any idea how AGGRAVATING that is?!”
Derpy looked down, tears in her eyes….she was obviously feeling guilty for making Carrot so angry…. “I-I’m sorry, Carrot….” She then sniffled a little bit.
Phoenix put a hoof on Derpy’s shoulder, and continued speaking. “Also, she said she was never at the bakery…and you said you couldn’t make out who was stealing the muffins….maybe Derpy could explain where she got all of her muffins?”
Edgeworth perked up a bit when he heard that supposedly, Derpy had never been at the bakery. “My thoughts exactly, Mister Wright.” The Prosecutor had said. “If the suspect has a valuable alibi, them the whole case could be changed. That is, if it’s not simply a cover up story, of course. Miss Hooves, if you could please explain where you were at 10:00 AM on the particular day in question? And where you obtained such a large amount of muffins, if not at the bakery?”
Derpy then stood up and took the stand, wiping her eyes with her hoof. “W-Well…I was at the bakery….b-but I didn’t steal anything! I know I have my….muffin problem… but I’d never steal from the bakery! I know, sometimes I can’t help myself…but I’d never steal from a business!” She started to tear up even more. “I didn’t know it bothered Carrot Top that much….” She sniffeled a bit.
Phoenix then looked at her. “Would you mind telling us where you got the muffins and why?”
Derpy looked a bit reluctant at first, but then sighed. “I bought them from the bakery…..I was planning on making a muffin treat basket for Carrot Top….as a thank you for letting me live with her….” Carrot then gasped a tiny bit. She felt awful for testifying against her now.
“Derpy….” She said. “Why keep it a secret?! Don’t you know that would only make you look even more suspicious?”
Derpy sighed again. “It was supposed to be a surprise…..”
Edgeworth nodded slightly, a small frown on his face. “Hm….so the suspect claims she was merely buying the treats, rather than stealing………however, this brings up two points. One, There is still the matter of who stole from Filthy…er…Mister Rich….and two, It should be noted that the suspect claimed to have never been at the bakery, despite her now just having admitted it.”
Phoenix nodded and began to respond. “For point one, I think I may have a suspicion for that. As for point two, Derpy said she was trying to keep her buying the muffins a secret so she could surprise her friend! However….that also means….she was lying….under oath….” He then laughed nervously, and Twilight face-hoofed at that. Everypony had their flaws, she supposed.
The Judge nodded his head. “And for that, I’ll have to penalize you, Mister Wright.”
Phoenix looked a little embarrassed. “Understandable, Your Honor.”
Edgeworth then crossed his hooves slightly. “You have a suspicion on who might be the true culprit, Mister Wright?” He asked. “Would you care to elaborate more on this line of thought?”
Phoenix seemed to immediately regain his confidence when Edgeworth asked that. “I have more than that! I can prove that Filthy Rich most likely set up Derpy as revenge! My client said he was rather angry with her because she accidentally made a mistake on a delivery! It’s the perfect motive to frame somepony!” The gallery began speaking about this, this time it was a bit louder than a dull roar. The Judge banged his gavel to quiet them. “Order! Order in the Court, I say!” He then looked down at Phoenix. “That’s a very bold claim, Mister Wright!”
Twilight and Applejack narrowed their eyes at Phoenix…..it was a very bold claim….he would need a lot of evidence to back it up.
Filthy Rich, who was sitting next to Edgeworth, narrowed his eyes at Phoenix when he made his claim. This made him even angrier than when ponies called him by his first name….he really needed to change that….he looked like he was about to say something….but then he simply turned to Edgeworth. He then nodded slightly. “That is a rather bold claim, Mister Wright…” The Prosecutor said, a chilling calm in his voice. “Tell me, do you have any evidence to back up this claim? Other than your client’s insistence? Otherwise, I am afraid there is no reason to continue this line of progression, and we’ll be back to square one with Miss Hooves as our prime suspect.”
Phoenix nodded, not showing any sign of nervousness. “I do have something to back up my claim!” He picked up some pices of paper in his hooves, and read them as he spoke. “We all know that Mister Rich can be a bit miserly….and we know that my client had to perform a delivery for him! And as we all know…she messed it up.”
At that remark, Derpy’s cheeks blushed a hot red, and she ducked for cover behind Phoenix’s desk.
“And a failed delivery could cause a lot of money to be lost…and something tells me Mister Rich wouldn’t like that very much at all!”
“I see your point….” Said the Judge. “However, I’m not seeing any proof.”
Wright slammed his hooves down on his desk. “Your Honor, I can prove that Mister Rich set all this up, if you allow him to testify!”
The Judge then put a hoof to his chin. “Hm….” He said in thought. “At first, I thought this would be an open and shut case…and that I would’ve given my verdict by now…..however, I’m not too sure….very well! Mister Edgeworth, will you please call Filthy Rich to the stand?”
Filthy cringed a bit when he was requested to take the stand. He looked to Edgeworth simply, who glared for a moment, whispering something that only a few ponies would likely be able to hear or read on his lips, before turning to the judge. “Yes, of course, Your Honor. Mister Filthy Rich, please take the stand!” He had said.
“Twilight…” Applejack whispered. “Did ya’ll hear what Edgeworth said to Mister Rich?”
Twilight looked at her friend confused. “What do you mean? I didn’t hear anything!” Applejack leaned in close to her Alicorn friend. “Before Filthy stood up, that Prosecutor whispered something to him….it sounded like… ‘If it WAS you…I leave you to yer fate…”
Twilight put a hoof to her chin in thought at that. “What an odd thing for a Prosecutor to say to his client….especially a Prosecutor like Edgeworth….”
By this point, Mister Rich was already up at the stand.
The Judge nodded his head. “Prosecution, you may begin questioning the Witness.”
Edgeworth nodded, and looked to Mister Rich. “Very well, Your Honor. Witness! Name and Occupation, please.”
Filthy smiled a bit. “Name’s Filthy Rich! Owner of Barnyard Bargains!” He said, almost as if he was advertising his own business.
Edgeworth then continued. “Right. The large chain of department stores located all through Equestria. It sounds like you have a pretty successful business, Mister Filthy.”
Filthy frowned at that. “I do…..and I prefer to be called, Mister Rich.”
Edgeworth smirked lightly at that. “So you do…my apologies.”
Meanwhile, Phoenix put his hooves on his desk, listening intently to what Rich was saying, while Derpy was just peering at Filthy, and then Rich nervously…she then looked over to Carrot Top, who at this point was sitting over in the gallery, looking down and feeling ashamed of herself.
Filthy glared to Edgeworth as the Prosecutor continued. “So, Mister Rich, perhaps you could explain to us what exactly you know of the crime and why you expect this mare to be the prime suspect. After all, the way I understand it, there is a certain mare working at the bakery in question that likely could have done it as well.”
Applejack sighed at that. “Ah’d like to say that Pinkie wouldn’t do such a thing….but ah wouldn’t put it past her as an accident….” She muttered to Twilight.
Rich cleared his throat before he began. “I put in a large order of muffins the other day for Sugarcube Corner, the most successful bakery in Ponyville. My daughter’s birthday is coming up, and I figured a large supply of muffins would make good party treats. Given their reputation for making delicious treats, I figured they would be a good place to order from. Now, I’m quite aware that the proprietors have a baking apprentice under their care, who is known for occasionally eating the products on occasion. They ensured that she would not be present at the time of my pick-up. However, when I went to do so……..I found my order destroyed, with the only pony that had visited this particular day being none other than the suspect. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Judge put a hoof to his chin in thought. “Hm….” He began. I see….I can’t find anything wrong with that testimony.”
Derpy gasped nervously, and Phoenix had a shocked expression on his face. “Wait! Your Honor! I assure you, something in that testimony doesn’t add up!” He exclaimed, determined to get his point across. “Just let me cross-examine! Please!”
The Judge then rolled his eyes. “Alright, fine. Mister Wright, you may Cross-Examine the Witness.”
Edgeworth nodded. “For your sake, Mister Wright, I hope you do.”
“I put in a large order of muffins the other day for Sugarcube Corner, the most successful bakery in Ponyville.”
“HOLD IT!”
Phoenix put a hoof to his chin. “Sugarcube Corner?” He asked. “How did you know exactly that it was the most successful?”
Mister Rich simply smiled. “Why, it’s common knowledge ‘round these parts!” He said with a grin. “While there are other bakeries in Ponyville, none are quite as well known as Sugarcube Corner, despite being ran by one married couple and a rather untalented apprentice!”
Applejack was forcing herself with every fiber to not stand and outburst about Filthy's rather mean-spirited comment about Pinkie, but managed to keep herself in check, when Twilight put a hoof on her shoulder. She and everypony who knew her was well aware that Pinkie's baking skills had used to be rather............bad due to her strange sense of taste, but they would also know that her skills had grown greatly in the past year. She had no idea if her friend was here, but she was certainly hoping not upon hearing that
Edgeworth nodded slightly. "Its true Mr. Wright. Sugarcube Corner does get the most income of any of Ponyville's bakeries, as such, making it fact. Though I am unsure how this is relevant to the case." Phoenix rubbed the back of his head with a hoof, smiling slightly. “It….uh….isn’t? Heh….”
The Judge shook his head. “Mister Wright.” He said. “Please try to ask questions relevant to this case. Alright, Mister Rich, you may continue.”
“My daughter’s birthday is coming up, and I figured a large supply of muffins would make good party treats.”
“HOLD IT!”
“Just how far away is your daughter’s birthday?” He asked.
“A few days Mr. Wright. I would like for those treats to be rather fresh, hence why I wanted to pick them up yesterday.” he responded without missing a beat.
“I suppose that does make sense…” Phoenix responded. “Alright, keep going.”
Filthy nodded. “Given their reputation for making delicious treats, I figured they would be a good place to order from.”
“HOLD IT!”
“Was Sugarcube Corner the first place you checked out?”
Rich smiled at that. “Only the best for my little girl!” He responded heartily.
“Ok….please continue.” Phoenix said in thought.
“Now, I’m quite aware that the proprietors have a baking apprentice under their care, who is known for occasionally eating the products on occasion.”
“HOLD IT!”
“Then why pin it on Derpy? Wouldn't this apprentice be the guilty culprit?”
“I was getting to that, boy!” Rich shouted.
Edgeworth nodded in agreement. “Yes, Mister Wright. Do try to be a bit more patient.”
The Judge nodded. “Yes Mister Wright, do try to contain that temper of yours!”
Phoenix looked dumbfounded. ‘I have a temper?!’ He thought to himself.
“They ensured that she would not be present at the time of my pick-up.” Phoenix simply nodded, signaling him to keep going.
“However, when I went to do so……..I found my order destroyed, with the only pony that had visited this particular day being none other than the suspect.”
“Do you have any proof that it was Derpy?” Phoenix asked with a smirk. “The muffins could have been eaten by anypony! Also, my client stated she was only there to buy her own set of muffins for a friend!”
Filthy cringed slightly at this. “Uh….well……”
“OBJECTION!” Edgeworth exclaimed, pointing his hoof to Phoenix. “Perhaps not physical proof, Mr. Wright.......But the witness did state that he was told by the store proprietors that the Suspect had been the only customer that morning. Who else could it be?”
“Oh….Um…” Phoenix began. ‘Gah! He’s right!’ He thought to himself. ‘I have to think….who else could have been in the store?!’
Twilight and Applejack noticed Phoenix stumbling. They both began to think of who else could’ve been in the store?! If only there was something they could do to help!
Edgeworth just shook his head, and moved his forelegs into that wide-legged gesture. “Well, Mister Wright, if you have no ideas on who else it could be, I see no reason we should continue down this line of thou--”
“OBJECTION!” A rather high pitched voice rang out.
Edgeworth’s eyes widened when he heard that. “What?! Who said that?!”
Applejack and Twilight’s eyes widened. They knew that voice. It was one of their best friends after all! Twilight leaned into Applejack. “This could either be really good for Phoenix….” She whispered. “Or really bad…”
A light pink mare with a mane that was a darker shade, taking a poofy form that brought on the thought of cotton candy to mind. Her Cutie Mark was that of three balloons, the one in the center raised higher than the others, and yellow, while the others were blue. She took the court with a serious expression, before it quickly changed to a big dopey grin. “Teehee! I always wanted to say that! OBJECTION! OVERRULED! HOLD IT! TAKE THAT!” She shouted, doing the appropriate gestures.
The Judge just stared at this mare, wide-eyed at her display. “Um…..excuse me, young lady…” He began. “Who are you? And what are you doing out of the gallery?” Phoenix’s eyes widened. He had a plan, and it was all thanks to this…strange mare! “Your Honor!” He pointed at the pink mare. “I request that the Prosecution call that pink mare to the stand!”
Edgeworth looked to the eccentric mare, and then to Phoenix. “Fist…..I would like to know this mare’s name, and relevance to this case.”
The pink mare grinned. “I’m Pinkie Pie!” She exclaimed. “And I’m the untalented apprentice from the testimony!”
“Gah!” Edgeworth shouted, a bit taken back by Pinkie’s words. “But….wait…..are you saying you were at the store at the same time as these events?”
Pinkie then vigorously shook her head. “Nopeynopeymopeydopeylope!” Edgeworth looked ready to continue, until Pinkie held a hoof in front of his face. “BUT! I can give you information about the morning before I left!”
Edgeworth nodded slightly. “I……see…..Your Honor? What would your thoughts be? Do you believe it would be worthwhile for me to call Miss Pie to the stand? Mister Wright certainly does….”
The Judge put a hoof to his chin in thought. “Hm…..she could hold some vital information…..also, I find her giddyness rather ecstatic!” The Judge said with a smile. “Very well, Mister Wright! She shall be considered a witness in this case!”
Edgeworth nodded. “Very well then….” He said. “Miss Pie, will you please take the stand?”
Pinkie then bounced up to the stand excitedly, giggling slightly.
Edgeworth frowned slightly at this. “Miss Pie, if you could, please try to maintain some hint of seriousness while at the stand?”
Pinkie then tried to attempt a straight face. “Serious! Got it!” She exclaimed.
“Would the Witness begin her testimony then?” The Judge asked.
“Hm….yesterday morning….I woke up, did my early morning stretches, and then fed Gummy! It was then time for breakfast, so--”
“OBJECTION!” Edgeworth shouted. He then slammed a hoof on his desk. “Witness, how is this all relevant?”
Pinkie giggled a bit. “I’m telling you what happened yesterday morning!” She said gleefully.
Edgeworth then placed a hoof to his face in frustration.
The Judge was chuckling slightly, but quickly tried to hide it when he noticed Edgewotth’s frustration. “Well….technically she isn’t breaking any rules….so I’ll allow it!” He said.
‘If only she’d skip to the parts that were relevant….’ Phoenix thought to himself.
Edgeworth shook his head slightly. “Very well….continue.”
“OK, so I woke up, did my early morning stretches, and then fed Gummy! It was then time for breakfast, so I went downstairs to get my cereal! I then entertained the twins for a while, before Mrs. Cake reminded me of my day off! I then left the store to go find my friends for the day!” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Hm…” The Judge said. “Alright! Everything seems to be in order!”
‘That testimony was a bit vague….’Phoenix said in his head.
“Mister Wright!” The Judge said. “You may begin your Cross-Examination!
“OK, so I woke up, did my early morning stretches, and then fed Gummy!”
“HOLD IT!”
“Gummy?” Wright asked. “Who’s Gummy?”
Pinkie’s grin widened even more at that. “Oh! He’s my pet Alligator!”
“A-Alligator?!” Phoenix stammered. ‘What a strange pet!’
Pinkie simply smiled her same goofy wide grin. “Yup! He’s just the most adorable little guy!”
Edgeworth then remarked, “Miss Pie….don’t you think it’s…rather dangerous to own such a pet?”
Pinkie vigorously shook her head. “Nopeydopeymopeylope!!!! Gummy won’t hurt anypony! He’s as friendly as can be!”
“But even so, would not the teeth of the alligator present a problem?” He asked.
Pinkie giggled. “Oh no! He doesn’t have any teeth! He’s just a baby! So he just has gums! No sharp pointy teeth in sight! Hence Gummy!!”
“Hm…I see!” The Judge said, with a smirk on his face. “I might have to meet this Gummy sometime! But first, if you would continue your testimony, Miss Pie.”
“Oki Doki Loki! You‘d love him, Judgey!” Pinkie said with a smile.
“It was then time for breakfast, so I went downstairs to get my cereal!”
“HOLD IT!”
“Did you have to see anypony else in the bakery when you went downstairs for breakfast?” Phoenix asked, putting a hoof to his chin.
Pinkie put a hoof to her chin in thought as well. “Hm….” She said, thinking. “Nope! Just the regulars! Mister and Missus Cake, and the Twins!” She laughed.
“So you’re absolutely sure that you were the only one there?” Phoenix asked.
Pinkie looked a bit confused by this. “But I wasn't the only one there that morning! Gummy was there! And, Mr. and Mrs. Cake! And the twins! And neither Carrot 'nor Derpy visited until after I had left!” she said, seeming a bit exasperated.
Edgeworth smiled slightly, tapping his hoof to his forehead slightly before then saying “I think I understand what the Witness is trying to say.“ He then turned to the mare, and pointed his hoof to her. "Ms. Pie, please tell me if I am understanding this correctly...…”
“Okey dokey lokey!” Pinkie said turning to him.
“You mean to say that you did your morning activities as per usual......…”
“Warm......…” Pinkie replied.
“Before being reminded that you had a day off from work by your employer.................” he continued.
“Warmer....…” she said seeming a bit more excited.
“And you say there had been no customers before your leave, meaning Ms. Harvest, and the Suspect could not have been there until after your leave....…”
Pinkie nodded vigorously. “You're red hot!!! What does that mean Edgey!!!???”
He seemed slightly taken aback. “Edgey.....?”
She frowned “No! Now you're ice cold! You were so close!!!”
He shook his head. “Ah.....er.......What I meant, Ms. Pie was.......You mean to say there were 2 other ponies present at the store that can provide us with testimony, despite your inability to be able to do so.........Your EMPLOYERS!!!!”
Pinkie grinned enthusiastically. “DING! DING! DING! Edgey's a winner!!!” She said clapping her hooves wildly in excitement.
This would be the part where Phoenix would protest against Edgeworth's claims, but two new witnesses might be just what he needed to gain the upper hand in this trial!
The Judge put a hoof to his chin in thought. “Hm….I see! So...two new witnesses then? I declare that the trial shall reconvene tomorrow while we explain the circumstances to these two witnesses, and to give time for the prosecution and defense to gather evidence and prepare their arguments.” He then banged his gavel. “Court is adjourned!”
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."
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....
The next morning, Applejack arrived at the Court once again. She had to tell Big Mac and the rest of the family her reasons for why she was taking another day off from the workload but they understood afterward. Proving Derpy innocent was important. As she entered, she saw Pinkie waving her over, she was standing next to Twilight, where they were talking to Phoenix and Maya. "How're things lookin' Mister Wright?" She asked.
"Pretty good..." Phoenix said. "I think if I present the toat bag we found to the Cakes, that should convince the judge to have Carrot Top testify again."
A small sigh of relief escaped AJ. "Well that's good news I reckon!" she smiled.
Pinkie nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! We're gonna get to the bottom of this!!!"
Twilight nodded. "Yes...this is very good news indeed! I wish you the best of luck, Mister Wright!" She said.
"Thank you, Princess!" Phoenix said. "We're going to bring the true culprit to justice!"
"Good tah hear!" Applejack said. "Know that ah'm behind ya, every step of the way!"
"Yepperoonie!" Pinkie chimed in. "Every step!"
He smiled and nodded, and walked inside the Defendant lobby with Maya. Derpy was sitting on the couch, she looked like she hadn't gotten any sleep.
"Oh no....you poor thing!" Maya said, rushing to her and putting a hoof on her shoulder.
"Are you alright, Derpy?" Twilight asked. "You loo-"
Pinkie interrupted her. "You look like Applejack when she refused to sleep!" AJ shot an annoyed glare at her pink friend, who didn't seem to notice.
"I'm fine...." Derpy said. "The other prisoner ponies kept me up all night with their shouting....."
A frown crossed AJ's face. "That place really ain't for ya, Derpy...."
"I know...." Derpy sighed.
"It's alright." Phoenix began. "We have all the evidence we need to find the true culprit!"
Pinkie clapped her hooves together. "YEAH!!! We.....do?" She looked over at Phoenix with a confused look on her face.
Phoenix chuckled. "You'll see."
Applejack raised an eyebrow. "I see........Oh! Howdy 'gain Mr. Edgeworth!" she greeted, tipping her hat as the prosecutor approached them once again.
"Good morning Ms. Pie........Wright...........Fey..........And I am sorry Miss, but I don't believe I caught your name yesterday, in all the excitement?"
Applejack smiled. "Name's Applejack.........Though I also go by AJ."
Edgeworth raised an eyebrow at this. "Ah.......well........Charmed."
"So, did you get my letter?" Phoenix asked his rival.
Edgeworth then looked to them. "I of course have spoken to my client, and there are certain parts of the story that make him uneasy......As you saw yesterday.......But I suspect there to be more than a simple framing.......Its never quite this simple.........As you know, Wright............Every source I have asked in town cites him as a relatively nice fellow who seems to have only the best in mind for his company. Such a move would mean bad news for his company should he be found out even if Ms. Hooves did cause a problem with one of his deliveries. I was also told that he frequently gets certain products from another business here in Ponyville called 'Sweet Apple Acres'. And you, Ms. Applejack, I presume are the proprietor of this business?"
Applejack nodded. "Yep. I run it with mah family."
He nodded. "Intriguing........"
"What does that have to do with this?" Phoenix asked, intrigued.
Edgeworth adjusted his cravat slightly. "I was told that the owners of it, the Apple Family, have had many business deals with Mr. Rich and his family for years and could testify how nice he was......Although I was continually told the opposite of his daughter......" he said the last part slightly exasperated.
The farm-mare nodded. "Eeyup. He's practically a family friend tah be honest. One could argue he's just dispensin' the pleasantries, but I think mah granny, an' I've seen 'nuff o' him over the years tah see that he ain't too bad a fella.......An' I don't believe he would do all this on his own choice." she explained adamantly.
Edgeworth listened intently. "I see......Thank you...." he then turned back to Phoenix. "Do whatever you deem necessary, Wright......But I truly do not believe either, my or your client is guilty. And while there is currently no proof........I believe if pushed far enough, Mister Rich might reveal a sign as to what's truly going on here. After all........our goal is to find the truth is it not?"
Phoenix nodded. "Right! Just leave it to me!"
Edgeworth smiled slightly at this. "Always know I can........Phoenix." he claimed before turning to talk to his lobby.
Phoenix's eyes widened at that remark.
"D-Did he just call you...Phoenix?" Maya asked.
Pinkie, AJ, and Twilight all turned to him. "Isn't that...normal for him?" The Alicorn princess asked.
"No....it's not...." Phoenix said.
"But didn't he call you that yesterday, Feenie?" Pinkie asked slightly confused.
AJ raised an eyebrow. "Why does it matter?" Pinkie smiled and nonchalantly said " 'cause its a sign of trust!!!!"
Phoenix just nodded, then turned to the court room. "We should get inside! Court could be reconvening soon!"
They all three nodded as they began to head towards the gallery to watch. "Right. Hope all goes well....." Applejack claimed, Pinkie waving to them. "Show 'em who's innocent, an' who's a big fat liar-pants!!!" She said.
Phoenix, Derpy, and Maya took their places behind the defense desk, while everypony in the gallery rose for the judge as he entered. The Judge banged his gavel on his desk. "You may be seated." He said. "Court is now back in session for the trial of Miss Derpy Hooves!"
Pinkie, Applejack, and Twilight sat beside each other in the gallery as the Judge began court. Edgeworth had already taken his place at the Prosecutor's bench. He stayed silent as he awaited the judge to continue.
"Now, would the Prosecution please remind the court where we left off yesterday?" The Judge asked.
Edgeworth nodded. "Yes, your honor. In yesterday's hearing my client, Mister Rich, accused Miss Hooves of destroying a large order of muffins he had ordered from Sugarcube Corner. Her roomate, Miss Harvest, testified as to how the defendant would be guilty.........Until a worker at the bakery, Miss Pie, testified that while she was not there, her employers were. And so, that is exactly who I would like to call to the stand today." he recapped yesterday's events.
The Judge nodded. "Very well then! Will Mr. and Mrs. Cake please come to the stand?"
At this, the couple were sent to the stand. on their backs, they held the twins, but then placed them in their front hooves as they took the stand. Mr. Cake was tall and lanky, a short red mane visible from underneath the small catering hat he wore. He held his daughter, Pumpkin Cake in his hooves, while his more stout wife held their son, Pound Cake.
"Will the witnesses please state their names and occupations?" Edgworth asked.
"Coffee Cake. Baker and co-owner of Sugarcube Corner." Mr. Cake stated as he gently rocked his sleeping daughter.
"Cup Cake. Baker and Co-owner of Sugarcube Corner." Mrs. Cake stated, nearly mimicking her husband's statement and actions.
Phoenix watched them closely, while Edgeworth nodded slightly. "I see then.........And you were at the store on the day of and around the time of the crime?"
Mrs. Cake nodded. "Yes. We were both taking care of the store while giving Pinkie the day off."
Edgeworth nodded slightly. "I see then.....Please give your testimony."
"Right!" Mr. Cake claimed, before frowning slightly. "As you know, we have two separate parts......Mine, and my wife's.........Would it be OK if we split it?"
Edgeworth turned to the judge. "I see no problem with this. Your Honor?"
"I don't see a problem with it either!" The Judge said. "Please, proceed with your testimony!"
Edgeworth nodded. "Very well. It is to my understanding that you took shifts, hence why two testimonies. Let us start with who was out first. Mrs. Cake?"
Mrs. Cake began "It was a bit after we gave Pinkie the day off, as per Mister Rich's request, that our first customer of the day arrived, Derpy. I was at the front at the time, while my husband was in the back taking care of the twins. She placed an order for a large supply of muffins, and paid the fee. However, it was as she was leaving that I heard the twins crying, and I had to go to the back to help my husband with the twins." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Judge nodded. "I see....is that all?" The Judge asked.
Mrs. Cake nodded. "For what I saw."
"Should I testify next?" Mr. Cake asked.
"Or should the Defense carry out a cross-examination first, your honor? It might be easier to keep track going one testimony at a time....." Edgeworth pointed out.
"Hm....Alright!" The Judge said. "Mister Wright, are you alright with cross examining Mrs. Cake's testimony before hearing Mr. Cake's?"
"It was a bit after we gave Pinkie the day off, as per Mr. Rich's request, that our first customer of the day arrived. Derpy."
"HOLD IT!"
"You're sure Derpy was the first one who arrived?" He asked, putting a hoof to his chin in thought.
Mrs. Cake nodded. "Yes. It wasn't long before the crime either."
"So you were there when the robbbery happened?" Phoenix asked.
"Well........In a way.....I was in the back area. I didn't know anything had happened until it was too late." Mrs. Cake said in a matter-of-fact sort of way.
'Hmm....she seems to be telling the truth.....' Phoenix said to himself in thought. 'But I'm not too sure.....' "You're SURE you didn't see anything?" He asked.
"Yes. The last thing I saw was Derpy turning to leave the store." she answered.
Phoenix nodded. "Alright then....please continue." He said.
"She placed an order for a large supply of muffins, and paid the fee."
Phoenix saw nothing wrong with that statement, and nodded, signaling her to keep going.
"However, it was as she was leaving that I heard the twins crying, and I had to go to the back to help my husband with the twins."
"HOLD IT!"
"Did you hear anything from the front when you went back with your children?" Phoenix asked.
"Only the door opening and closing..........After that, only them crying........They get rather loud......" Mrs. Cake answered.
"Alright then...." Phoenix said, a little irritated he didn't get any worthwhile information out of the baker. "No more questions for Mrs. Cake...."
Edgeworth nodded. "Thank you Mrs. Cake. Now will Mr. Cake please testify."
Mr. Cake then stepped forward as his wife took a step back. "Of course."
"I was in the back with the kids for a good part of the morning while my wife was out front at the store-floor. However, when the twins started crying we switched places. Its a bit of a walk from our house area and the front due to the hallway that separates the two parts. My wife had told me about Derpy's visit so we could get started on her order. When I got to the front I saw the door closing, but nopony in the store. I thought maybe Derpy had decided to stick around for a bit. And then later we discovered the scene of the crime." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I see...." The Judge said. "Mister Wright! You may cross-examine the witness."
"I was in the back with the kids for a good part of the morning while my wife was out front at the store-floor."
Phoenix nodded for him to continue.
"However, when the twins started crying, we switched places."
"Keep going..." Phoenix said, finding nothing wrong with that statement.
"Its a bit of a walk from our house area and the front due to the hallway that separates the two parts."
"HOLD IT!"
"Is it really possible for babies to cry that loudly?" Phoenix asked.
Both of the couple looked to each other. "Er......its best to take our word for it........" Mr. Cake answered.
Edgeworth then slammed his hooves on the table. "I apologize Mr. Wright, but as they are their parents-" but he didn't finish, as the sound of his hooves slamming down woke the twins. It took them a moment, but the Courtroom then filled with two loud, simultaneous cries. "WAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!" Their parents tried desparately to shush them. Pinkie, meanwhile stood up and bounded out of the gallery.........Much to Applejack's confusion.
Phoenix blushed and looked around nervously, knowing The Judge would blame him for making the twins cry.
Edgworth stared blankly, as the twins continued........When Pinkie bounded back in with a bag of flour. She stood in front of them, and then dumped it upon herself, causing them to stop........and laugh instead. She wiped her brow slightly as she looked to the judge. "Sorry for the mess Your Honor! Its just this works every time!"
The Judge just stared at the flour covered mare, wide eyed. "Ahem....very well then!"
Pinkie the bounced out of the court once again to clean herself up, the twins falling back asleep. "Er.....does that answer your question, Mr. Wright?" Edgeworth asked trying to get the court back on track.
"Yeah....it does....please...continue, Mr. Cake." Phoenix stammered.
"My wife had told me about Derpy's visit so we could get started on her order."
"Please continue...." Phoenix said.
"When I got to the front I saw the door closing, but nopony in the store."
"OBJECTION!"
"You said that Derpy was the only pony you saw, correct?"
Mr. Cake shook his head slightly. "I didn't actually see her. My wife was out front when she was there. I only saw the door closing."
"Well, I can prove that there was more than one pony there, and I can prove who the real thief was!" He said, as he layed Carrot Top's tote bag out on the defense desk. "This was left at the scene of the crime!"
This made the court uproar in chatter. The Judge banged his gavel to make them stop. "Order! Order in the Court!"
"Wha!?!" both of the Cakes gasped as they saw it.
"Miss........Harvest? Did either of you see her at the bakery that day? Be honest." Edgeworth looked to them.
Mr. Cake then answered "We did........But it wasn't until a few hours later when she arrived to place an order!" Mrs. Cake then responded with "We didn't mention her because it seemed like she had nothing to do with the events!"
Carrot Top's eyes widened. She knew she had been found out. "Oh....oh no...."
Derpy gasped. "Carrot Top?!?! Why?!"
Edgeworth looked to her sternly. "Care to explain, Miss Harvest?"
Carrot Top fell apart, tears streaming down her face. "Ok!! Ok!! I DID IT!!! I didn't want to....I was desperate! DESPERATE!! My carrot farm was going under in funds....and Mister Rich offered me the money I needed to steal the muffins and frame Derpy! I'm so sorry....and if you never speak to me again, Derpy, I won't blame you...."
Maya's eyes widened. "Nick! Did ya hear that?!" She exclaimed.
Phoenix nodded with a smirk on his face."Yeah! I knew Rich was involved with it somehow...."
Edgeworth raised an eyebrow, now turning to a rather freaked out Filthy. "Well, Mr. Rich..........Any comments?"
Rich looked down. "OK, OK........Its true.......I paid her to do it........but you gotta believe me when I say I didn't want to!!!"
"Well I think now I know where we stand." The Judge said. "I rule that the court should call Mister Filthy Rich to the stand, so he can explain himself."
Edgeworth nodded. "Of course. Mr. Rich?" Filthy then walked to the stand, the couple leaving with their children. Mr. Rich looked down, and rather depressed as he stood there.........Not saying anything. "Well........?" Edgeworth asked in anticipation.
"Well.......I........uh........I.......can't do it! Saying anything would mean the end of Barnyard Bargains! You've gotta believe me!" Edgeworth sighed as he pounded his desk once again. "Sir, NOT saying anything will mean the end of your company........At least with you at its helm."
The Judge banged his gavel. "Mister Rich, if you do not testify at once, you will be held in contempt of court!"
Rich sighed as he adjusted his tie. "Alright.......Alright........"
"I set up the crime...........Ms. Harvest was hired on since she was so close to the one we were supposed to pin it on...........Ms. Hooves, due to her messing up one of the company's orders once and costing us a lot of money ...........However, you gotta believe me when I say I wanted no part in this.........I............I was forced to do it by higher-ups!!!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Judge nodded his head. "I see....Mister Wright, please Cross Examine the witness."
"Why did you set up the crime?!" Phoenix asked as he slammed his hooves on his desk. "Why make an innocent mare betray her best friend!?" He pointed at Rich with his left hoof.
Rich frowned and looked down. "I.........didn't want to do any of this..............I........I was getting to why I set it up..........but nopony forced Ms. Harvest to do anything........She took the job." he pointed out.
Phoenix nodded. "Alright.....keep going.
"Ms. Harvest was hired on since she was so close to the one we were supposed to pin it on..........."
"Please continue." Phoenix said.
"Ms. Hooves, due to her messing up one of the company's orders once and costing us a lot of money ..........."
"HOLD IT!"
"That sounds like the perfect motive to frame Derpy!" Phoenix shouted. "How do we know if these, 'higher ups' your talking about aren't just a lie?"
Filthy frowned. "I........I know it sounds suspicious, since I'm the CEO.........but.........due to some foolish decisions..........I'm not fully in control anymore............." he seemed to be on the verge of losing it.
"OBJECTION!!!" Edgeworth intervened. "So you are saying that you are more of a puppet at the moment?"
He looked down. "Uh......I suppose if you wanted to put it that way..........."
Phoenix slammed his desk, wanting the truth. "Who are these 'higher-ups'?!" He demanded.
Rich looked down, on the verge of tears. "I......I can't say.........They'd have my head if I said anything......."
"This is a double edged sword your dealing with, Rich!" Phoenix shouted. "You tell us and your higher ups will be upset! You don't tell us, and you'll be held in contempt of court! Now who made you do this?!"
Rich shivered a bit. "I..........I..........I.........." before falling to the floor unconscious.
Edgeworth frowned. "Well........These events have become very interesting....." he said simply.
Phoenix wiped the sweat from his brow, and sighed, irritated. "Great....now we're right back where we started...."
Maya nudged him a bit. "Gee, Nick....maybe ya pushed him too hard?"
Edgeworth sighed as he waved over a couple of the guards to pick up Mr. Rich. "Your Honor, I suggest we send him to detention for the moment......."
The Judge nodded. "I agree. I also rule that the court take a short recess while the witness recuperates....." He banged his gavel. "Court will reconvene in ten minutes! For now, we are adjourned!"
Edgeworth nodded as he began to step out of the court. AJ was on her way out, when Pinkie came back. "Aww.......It's over already!?" she pouted.
Twilight put a hoof on her pink friends shoulder and shook her head. "Not yet. We still need to find out who made Rich hire Carrot Top to frame Derpy."
AJ nodded. "Right.......Question is.......how?"
"Why don't we just go to the Barnyard Bargains building and investigate there?" Maya asked.
Twilight nodded. "That does sound like a good plan...."
"This session was quite a surprise........I did not expect it to go the way it did........" claimed a familiar voice.
Phoenix nodded. " Yeah.....I knew something was fishy when we found the tote bag at the scene....I feel kinda bad for making those foals cry though...."
Edgeworth chuckled slightly. "Yes, that WAS an interesting event....."
Pinkie seemed almost out of characterly serious however. "Try foalsitting them! They're a HUGE hassle! But worth it! like one time-"
AJ then cut her off. "Focus Pinkie....."
Pinkie giggled a bit. "Right! Sorry......."
"Alright...to Barnyard Bargains! We only have ten minutes though, so we have to be fast!" Phoenix exclaimed.
Edgeworth frowned a bit. "Are you sure you have enough time at the moment?"
Applejack nodded. "He's right......Its a bit o' a trek tah the business buildin' despite it bein' 'bout 3 blocks way from here...."
Phoenix frowned at that. "Filthy will probably faint again if I try to press the information out of him! It's our only option!"
Edgeworth shook his head. "The stress is causing you to not think clearly, Wright. If one of us isn't there in ten minutes, then the case will have already been lost........But the main matter is that we must be in the court in about 8 minutes.........However, that doesn't mean they have to be." He gestured towards the four mares. "Perhaps your friend Maya could lead an investigation with Ms. Pie, or Ms. Applejack? I can stall us for time..........That is if the Judge doesn't truly believe Filthy, by having Ms. Applejack testify still.........Though it is unlikely he will go for it at this point........" he said slightly frustrated at their choices at the moment.
Applejack nodded. "He DOES have a point........" Pinkie nodded. "Hey yeah! WE could go and see if we can't find the higher-ups!" Pinkie said excitedly, still not seeming to understand what was at stake.
"...Alright, sure." Phoenix said. He then looked to his excitable assistant. "Maya, lead the investigation. Make sure you don't leave until you find CRUCIAL evidence!"
"You got it, Nick!" She said with a wink.
Pinkie grinned. "Alright! Investigating buddies!" she exclaimed bounding towards Maya.
Applejack looked to Wright and Edgeworth. "Should I join 'em? Or should I stay here?"
Edgeworth frowned slightly. "I........am not sure.......I feel as if you would do well in keeping them on track.........However I also feel you might be able to help us stall for time here........What do you think, Wright?" he asked turning to him.
"Hm...." Phoenix said in thought. "I can stall the court on my own. AJ should make sure they stay on task."
Applejack nodded. "Right.......We'll try tah be quick.....Though I ain't too sure how long this'll take us....."
Edgeworth nodded. "There is still an available day for the trial......However we need something so the judge doesn't rule a guilty verdict today.......We'll do the best we can..........but I suggest you try to find some sort of evidence quickly........"
Phoenix nodded. "Yeah..." He began. "Edgeworth, you've never been in this sort of situation before...mainly cause you've forced me into it a lot of times, so follow my lead when it comes to bluffing."
Edgeworth smiled a bit at that. "This IS true. Ha, this is quite an interesting situation we are in, Wright...."
Phoenix nodded, chuckling a bit. "Yeah..."
"Well......I suppose it is about the time for us to go back in.....Good luck to us both, Wright." Edgeworth claimed beginning to head back to his area.
Phoenix nodded, and walked back inside the court room, leaving the four mares outside.
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.
"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!"
"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.
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?"
"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.
"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.
It was a pretty normal day at the Wonderbolts Academy. Of course, the day was just getting started, but it was sure to be just an average day of training. Spitfire smiled a bit as she stretched her neck, making her way to the mare's locker room. She had gotten a good breakfast, and was ready to start! All she needed was her suit! Still though.......There was something on her mind.......Or rather........somepony........She sighed in thought.........Rainbow Dash.........That was her name.........And before you get the wrong idea, it wasn't an 'all-encompassing love' thought.........No..........It was purely in marvel at this one mare's talents..........As captain of the Wonderbolts, she had to be strict on who made it in.........And lately, they'd been lax in their training apparently. They may have been a stunt team........But they were also Equestria's Air-Force.......And lately, they've been failing at that duty.......The young Flier's Competition? They'd failed to save that mare.........That dragon attack on Ponyville? They'd easily been disposed of.........And don't even bring up the Nightmare Moon, Discord, and Chrysalis incidents........
But Rainbow Dash? She had been the one to save that mare and them........She had played a key role in stopping that rampaging dragon........And as the Element of Loyalty, she had also been a key player in saving Equestria many times.........And on top of that, she'd displayed many other important traits.......After all, she WAS the Embodiment of Loyalty. Sure, that Sonic Rainboom was impressive.......but it wasn't just that...........No, it was mainly how she had stood up to her during her week at the Academy........As Captain, she couldn't play favorites. It was her duty. But how she had risked her dreams to do what was right, and calling her out on her mistakes? That took bravery. Needless to say, she was impressed.
"Something on your mind?" a voice suddenly snapped her from her thoughts. She turned, to see her friend, Soarin looking to her. When he had arrived, she didn't know. Spitfire rolled her eyes. "Shut up Pie-Face." she joked. He laughed a bit at that. "Hey, I can't help it that Sweet Apple Acres makes the best pies around!!!" he exclaimed. She laughed a bit and shook her head. "Yeah, you're doing that place all sorts of business. I wonder though.......Is it the pies, or that pretty farm-mare you're interested in?" Soarin's eyes widened at that. "WHAT!? How could you say that!?" he exclaimed. She laughed. "Just a thought......" she teased. Soarin rolled his eyes. "Let's just get ready for practice......." he muttered.
She grinned, as they went their separate ways into the Locker Rooms. Teasing Soarin was always fun. She noticed that the only other pony here was Fleetfoot. Another member of the group. After a quick greeting and conversation as she opened her locker, she suddenly realized something was missing........Her Uniform wasn't there........Instead a lock of a mane........A mane that she didn't want to believe she was seeing........ "FleetFoot?" she asked. "Yeah?" the white-maned mare asked, already suited up. "Call the police......." was all she said, still in disbelief and denial.
Saturday, September 28, 10:03 AM Wright and Co. Law Offices
It was a quiet morning. It had been a few months since the whole fiasco with Derpy and the muffins, and the victory party that followed. In that party, Phoenix and Maya had met The rest of Applejack, Twilight, and Pinkie Pie's friends. Rainbow Dash, an athletic pegasus, who's life long dream is to join the Wonderbolts, Rarity, a Fashionista Diva of a unicorn who really knows her way around a sewing needle, and Fluttershy, a timid pegasus who loves caring for animals. They all seemed like nice ponies, and he trusted them. On this particular morning, Phoenix was sitting at his desk, flipping through old case files, while Maya was asleep on the couch nearby. Just then, the phone in the office rang, shattering its peaceful tranquility. Phoenix rolled his eyes and answered the phone. "Wright and Co. Law Offices. Phoenix Wright speaking."
"PHOENIX!!!!" Shouted the voice on the other line. It as definitely recognizable. It was Rainbow Dash. "You gotta help me!!" She exclaimed. She sounded desperate.
"AAAGH!!!" Phoenix screamed, from the pain of Rainbow's voice ringing in his ear. She was a little too loud, even over the phone. The scream woke Maya up. "Meh...Huh? Wah?" She said.
"Rainbow Dash?" Phoenix asked. "Is that you?"
"Yeah....listen Phoenix, I'm in BIG trouble! For something I didn't do! YOU GOTTA HELP ME!!! HERE!!!" She shouted through the phone.
"What?!" Phoenix said in disbelief. "Ok, Rainbow, slow down... start from the beginning."
Rainbow sighed through the phone. "Ok....look...I got put in detention for apparently stealing Captain Spitfire's suit! But I didn't do it! Honest!"
Phoenix shook his head. "Alright, we're on our way, Just stay calm until we get there!" He told her.
"I'll try...." She remarked flatly.
Saturday, September 28, 10:08 AM Ponyville Detention Center Visiting Room No. 2
Rainbow Dash sighed as she sat in the detention room. "Where is he?!" She said to herself. She didn't want to admit it, but she was scared. This would ruin her reputation with Spitfire, and it would get her kicked out of the Wonderbolts academy! And even worse....her closest friends would think she's a dishonest thief....Sure, Rainbow had made some mistakes from time to time, but she would never take something from somepony without asking! Ok, maybe that wasn't entirely true, there was the whole situation with The Daring Do book and the hospital, but she was going to put it back when she was done reading it!
Just then, Phoenix and Maya arrived at the Detention Center, and sat down at Rainbow's window. "We came as soon as we could!" Phoenix said.
Rainbow glared to them. "About time!!!" she exclaimed, before her expression softened. "Ah........I'm sorry.........I'm just a LITTLE bit agitated........" she muttered.
"What happened?" Phoenix asked. "We'll only be able to help you if we know all the details."
Rainbow sighed. "All I know is that when I woke up this morning, the Royal Guard was at my door, saying that I was being taken in for stealing Spitfire's Wonderbolt Uniform........But I didn't do it!!! I swear!!!"
Phoenix put a hoof to his chin in thought. "Are you sure that's all you remember?" He asked.
Rainbow looked at him fiercely. "Yeah!!!!" before looking down. "Well......Besides that they said they had decisive evidence........"
Phoenix's eyes widened. "Evidence? What Evidence?"
She looked down even more, before muttering "A lock of my mane......."
Maya looked shocked at that. "WHAT!? How did that get there!?"
Phoenix put a hoof on Maya's shoulder. "We'll have to find out....we'll take the case, Rainbow!"
Rainbow grinned. "Awesome!!! Knew I could count on you, Feen!!!" At that moment, the door once again opened. "Rainbow!!!" Twilight's voice came as she, Rarity, Pinkie, Applejack, and Fluutershy stepped in. "We headed over here as soon as we heard!!!" Applejack exclaimed.
"Somepony framed her for theft!" Phoenix exclaimed. "And we were just about to investigate!"
Maya looked confused. "Uh....Nick?" She asked. "How can we investigate? The Wonderbolt Academy is in the sky! And we're not Pegasus Ponies!"
Phoenix's expression sank. "Oh.....right...."
Twilight smiled. "Leave it to me. The Academy itself is actually mostly ground based, so Unicorns and Earth-Ponies can access it. I can easily get us up there by balloon. Plus I have cloud-walk spell if we need to use such areas, or go to Cloudsdale."
Rainbow crossed her hooves. "No fair!!! You guys get to go to the Wonderbolts Academy without me!?"
Applejack rolled her eyes. "Uh........Sugarcube......We're goin' 'cuz o' ya......"
Maya giggled.
"Well, that solves our problem, then!" Phoenix said with a smile. "I think we should split up. Half of us goes to the academy, and the other half stays here and finds out who's prosecuting."
"That sounds like a good idea......" Fluttershy said.
Twilight nodded. "Right.......I'll go to the Academy, since I sorta need to."
"And I will too." Fluttershy followed up with.
"Me three!!!" Pinkie grinned.
Applejack adjusted her hat. "I reckon 'll stay down here.....'m more comfortable that way."
Rarity nodded her agreement. "Yes.....I must say, after the last two visits, I have had quite enough of Cloudsdale......." she said remembering the events.
Twilight nodded. "Sounds like a plan........Unless you think that's too many ponies going to the Academy, Mr. Phoenix?" she asked.
Phoenix shook his head. "No, the greater, the better!" He said.
"Well then let us begin then!!!" Rarity said excited.
Twilight nodded. "Are both you and Maya going to the Academy as well?" Twilight asked Phoenix.
"Hm....I think it would be better if Maya stayed down here." Phoenix said.
His assistant nodded her head. "Got it!"
Twilight nodded. "Right. So me, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Mr. Phoenix at the Academy, Rarity, Applejack, and Maya at the courthouse......."
Rainbow then grumbled "And I'm stuck here......"
"It's alright....we'll come back for you." Phoenix said.
Twilight shrugged. "I guess that is what we are..........I know we're all going to Cloudsdale........Where are you three going to start?" she asked looking to Maya, Applejack and Rarity.
Maya put a hoof to her chin. "Well...after we find out who's prosecuting....we could check out the Ground Base!" She said. "I'm a huge Wonderbolts Fan! They have a base right below the Academy!"
"She's not wrong!" Rainbow said, with a small smile, happy to see a fellow 'Bolt fan.
"Alright.......Let's stop by the Library so I can get that spell for all of you.......Then we'll get to the Academy to investigate." Twilight said, Pinkie bouncing excitedly behind her, Fluttershy giving a brief nod.
Applejack nodded. "Right......An' why ya'll're doin' that, me Rarity, an' Maya'll head tah the court house, and then their ground-base." she said beginning to split off, Rarity right behind her.
Meanwhile, Phoenix's group left the Detention Center as well.
Saturday, September 28, 10:13 AM Twilight's Library
As they stepped inside Library, Twilight immediately called out "Spike!", the baby dragon immediately running downstairs. "Yes Twilight?" he asked.
"We need the book of "101 Ways of Elemental Manipulation." she said simply.
Spike gave a quick salute. "Of course!" he said before running to the shelves to look.
"Wow....that's a wordy title...." Phoenix said.
Spike simply shook his head as he returned with it, Twilight then grabbing it with her magic, and getting lost within the pages. "You think that's bad? You haven't seen some of her favorites......"
Pinkie nodded excitedly at that. "Ooh! Ooh! Like the 'Astronomical Astronomer's Almanac to All Things Astronomy'?"
Spike shuddered at the mention of THAT book. "Yeah.........Like that one........"
Phoenix's eyes widened. "The Astronomer's Almanac to All Things Astronomy?!" Phoenix said, sounding flabbergasted that there was a book with a title that long and wordy.
Meanwhile, Twilight grinned widely as she got to a certain page. "Aha! Found it!" she chirped.
"So, this spell will allow us to walk on clouds without falling through them?" Phoenix asked.
Twilight nodded. "Yes! Don't worry, I've cast it many times before and its always worked!"
Pinkie nodded excitedly. "Yeppers! And its great! I mean otherwise, we wouldn't be able to EVER see Cloudsdale close up!!! Do you know how many ponies that means I can't befriend? A LOOOOOOOOOT." she commented in her normal Pinkie fashion.
Fluttershy merely swung her hoof from side to side in a shy fashion. "Oh yes Mr. Phoenix..........Its worked well on the times we've used it........"
"Well....alright then! I trust you!" Phoenix said."
"Alright.........Here goes!" she announced as her horn began to glow, the magics then flying towards Pinkie and Phoenix, swirling around them and enveloping them before........suddenly the beams were gone. "There! It should be good now!" she proclaimed happily.
Phoenix blinked a tiny bit. Nothing much seemed to change about him and Pinkie Pie. "....That's it?.....Really?" He asked Twilight.
"Yep! Its actually quite simple." She remarked proudly.
"Huh.....that's.....surprising." He remarked to her.
Twilight raised an eyebrow. "What's so surprising about it?" she asked.
"Well.....it didn't hurt!" Phoenix said.
Twilight laughed a bit at that. "Not all spells have to." she commented.
"Maya's spells usually do...." Phoenix said, shuddering a bit.
Fluttershy raised an eyebrow. "Her spells..........hurt?" she asked meekly.
"Huh...someone should tell Maya that..." Phoenix said, shuddering. Maya had used him as the guinea pig for some of her spells, and considering she's not very skilled with magic outside of dealing with the spirits....the results were usually disastrous.
Twilight placed a hoof to her chin in thought. "Maybe I can help with that........"
"Maybe you could!" Phoenix said.
Twilight beamed at that. "Ohmygosh........I can just imagine.........My first student........" she seemed to be getting lost in a daze before Spike snapped his claw, sending her back to reality. "Focus Twilight!" He said. "Shouldn't you guys be heading out?"
"Right! Let's head to the Academy!" Phoenix exclaimed.
Once they reached the balloon, they all stepped inside the basket. Twilight prepared the balloon....and off they went.
September 28, 10:17 AM The Wonderbolts' Academy Front Gate
Once they were at a good enough altitude, Phoenix looked out over the edge of the basket, down at the country-side, which looked much smaller due to their height. "W-Wow! Truth be told, I've never ridden in a balloon before!" Phoenix stammered, amazed by the sights.
Twilight smiled at Phoenix's amazement. "After a few more rides, you get used to it." She said.
Fluttershy nodded. "O-Oh yes....come to think of it....I see Twilight in this balloon almost every week....Oh, there's nothing wrong with that of course...." She timidly hid her face behind her mane.
"Oh, that's for the title sequence, silly!" Pinkie said.
Everypony in the balloon gave her a peculiar look. "Title....sequence?" Twilight asked.
Pinkie just giggled. "Oh nothing!" She then slyly winked to you, the reader.
"Everypony! Look!" Twilight exclaimed.
Phoenix, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy all looked to one side of the basket. There, off to the distance, was Cloudsdale, the beautiful city of the pegasus ponies....rainbow waterfalls and all.
"Uhm....pardon me...but it just looks the same as ever..." Fluttershy whispered. She had lived in Cloudsdale as a filly, so seeing it again, wasn't much of a wow for her.
"Wow....it looks amazing!" Phoenix said.
Twilight giggled a tiny bit at his amazement. "Yes, the pegasi really know how to build a city!"
After the baloon had finally reached Cloudsdale, it landed at the gate of the Wonderbolts academy. The investigation team filed out of the basket one by one, Phoenix being a little hesitant at first, for he didn't know how well the spell Twilight casted on him would work. But, as soon as he trotted out, he found the clouds under his hooves were as solid as concrete! It was as if he was a pegasus!
No surprise to them, they saw the Royal Guard stationed in different areas of the gate. They were all investigating, questioning recruits, and among them, wearing her military captains' wear, considering her suit was missing, was Spitfire.
"Captain Spitfire!" Twilight shouted.
Spitfire growled a bit and walked over. "I thought I told you, cadet, DO NOT ADDRESS YOUR CAPTAIN UNLESS SHE ADDRESSES YOU FIR-- Oh.....Princess Twilight...." She bowed her head slightly. "Apologies....I thought you were one of my cadets...." She sighed. "It's been a long morning...."
Twilight nodded compassionately. "It's ok, I understand."
"Hiya, Captain!" Pinkie said with a wide grin, while Fluttershy was hiding behind Phoenix, shivering from being spooked by Spitfire's yelling.
Spitfire nodded at Pinkie Pie, and looked back to Twilight. "To what do I owe the pleasure, Your Highness?" She asked.
Twilight blushed at being called Your Highness..... "W-Well.... ahem..... it's come to my attention that you've had one of my friends arrested...."
Spitfire sighed. "Right....." She said. "Look, I didn't want to do it, and I could hardly believe it myself, but somepony made off with my uniform, and that somepony had to be Rainbow Dash. A lock of her mane was found at the scene."
Spitfire raised an eyebrow at the blue-suited stallion. "And who are you?" She asked.
Phoenix extended a hoof. "Phoenix Wright. Rainbow Dash's attorney." He said, as Spitfire shook his hoof firmly. "We'd like to do some investigating, if you don't mind."
Spitfire nodded. "Go right ahead. I'll lead you to the locker rooms."
September 28, 10:23 AM Wonderbolt's Locker Room No. 3
Inside the locker room, the smells of sweat, and determination filled the air. It was particularly pungent....and the investigation team seemed slightly grossed out by it. Well, everypony except for Pinkie Pie and Spitfire.
"Ooooh! It smells like my second cousin Pizza Pie's gym socks!" Pinkie exclaimed with a smile. "A hint of mozzarella...." she licked her lips at the thought, and that seemed to gross everypony out even more.
"Well, this is it." Spitfire said. "Come and find me outside when you're done." She then began to step out of the room.
"Wait! Captain!" Phoenix exclaimed.
Spitfire turned back around. "Yes, Mister Wright?"
"Is there anything you can tell us about the crime scene and what you saw?" He asked.
Twilight held up a note pad and a quill pen with her magic, ready to take notes, while Pinkie Pie had somehow gotten a Sherlock Holmes hat on her head and a magnifying glass.
Spitfire sighed. "Look, I'd love to help, but I can't. The guard said I can't answer too many questions about the case until I'm called to the stand in court tomorrow."
Phoenix nodded. "I understand. You can go now."
She nodded and walked back outside.
"Alright, everypony look around!" Phoenix said. Everypony did just that. Twilight was looking inside other lockers, Pinkie Pie was looking under the benches, and Fluttershy peeked her head in the showers.
"HEY!" Somepony inside shouted.
"EEK!! S-Sorry!" Fluttershy meekly said, pulling her head out of the showers, her cheeks a bright pink.
Phoenix walked over to Spitfire's locker, which was all wrapped up in police tape. He put a hoof to his chin as he cleared the tape and opened in up. "Well, here's the lock of Rainbow's mane they found...." He said, as it had been left there in a plastic baggie. "Wait a minute....Look at this!" Everypony else looked over.
"What is it, Feenie?" Pinkie asked.
"Looks like the mane hairs weren't the only thing they found!" Phoenix said, drawing their attention to another plastic bag.
"It's.....feathers?" Fluttershy said in a questioning tone.
"Right....one teal, one brown..." Twilight said.
Pinkie looked closer, and then gasped. "I'D KNOW THAT FEATHER ANYWHERE!!!!"
Everypony was shocked at Pinkie's loudness and backed up a bit. "P-Pinkie!?" Twilight asked.
"The brown feather, sillies!" Pinkie said. "It belongs to that super duper grumpy meany mean pants, GILDA!!!!"
Everypony except for Phoenix seemed shocked at that. Especially Fluttershy. "Gilda?" Phoenix asked. "Who's Gilda?"
"She was a super meany meany big dumb bully mean pants who made Fluttershy cry!" Pinkie said.
That only seemed to confuse Phoenix more.
Twilight facehoofed. "Gilda was an old friend of Rainbow Dash's.....she...didn't have a very nice attitude....she was yelling at ponies....stealing from food stands....and she didn't seem to like Rainbow's new friends that much."
"S-So...Rainbow told her to go away...." Fluttershy squeaked.
"Right....so that explains the brown feather....and why she would have a motive for framing Rainbow Dash....but what about the other feather?"
Twilight looked closer at the teal feather. "It could belong to Lightning Dust....
"Lightning Dust?" Phoenix asked.
"A former Wonderbolt recruit.....she was kicked out of the Academy for being to reckless...and for knocking us out of our balloon when we came to see Rainbow Dash." Twilight said, Fluttershy shuddering at the memory.
"Looks like yet another revenge motive!" Phoenix said. "Looks like we have all the evidence we need! Let's get back to the ground and tell the others!"
September 28, 10:28 AM Wonderbolt's Ground Base Main Lobby
"So, we're headin' tah the ground base first, right?" Applejack asked.
Maya nodded. "Yeah! Nick told us to investigate, and find out who's prosecuting, and I figured that whoever's prosecuting might be investigating too!"
Rarity put a hoof to her chin in thought. "That is a well thought out assumption, Darling...." She said.
"Well, we'll never know unless we git in there!" Applejack said, holding the door open for her friends. Rarity and Maya filed into the ground base. It looked very busy. There was a front desk with a receptionist, an area where ponies could fill out their letter applications to become a recruit. As they looked around, something, or rather, somepony caught Rarity's eye. "Applejack.... do you know who that is?"
Applejack looked over. "Ah think we have more important things tah to tha--What in Tarnation?!"
Maya looked over. "Why are you so surprised! It's just a Minotaur!" She said.
"That ain't just any Minotaur, Sugarcube!" Applejack said. "That's Iron Will...."
Sure enough, Applejack was right. There he was, half man, half bull. He had the legs, horns, and face of a bull, yet the torso and arms of an athlete built like a brick wall. He had a black tie around his neck, and what looked like a small microphone headset hooked onto his ear.
"Iron Who-now?" Maya asked.
"Iron Will..." Rarity whispered. "He hosts this seminar on how to be more confident and assertive....Fluttershy took his courses....and....things didn't go very well....It wasn't really his fault....he just didn't seem to care when Fluttershy took the lessons too far..."
"Iron Will....hm..." He didn't seem very bad.....Maya wondered what he was doing here. She walked up to him, and tapped a hoof on his shoulder. "Excuse me?"
The minotaur turned around, looking down at the spirit novice. "You tryin' to block?" He asked.
Maya seemed a bit confused, but he was bigger than her,and he didn't want to make him mad. "N-No..." She said rather timidly.
"Oh.........Iron Will offers his apologies then, ma'am........Iron Will has been undergoing some financial difficulties as of late.........And it has made him a bit grouchy......" he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Financial difficulties?" She asked.
Iron Will nodded. "Indeed.......I work as an Assertiveness trainer, renowned for my technique, and generous work ethic!!!" he exclaimed, giving a pose before suddenly dropping it. "But........Business has been a bit hard of late......."
"Well....what happened?" Maya asked, feeling a bit sorry for him.
He shook his head. "I promise that my clients don't have to pay if they're not 100% satisfied!!!" he exclaimed before suddenly slumping over. "But apparently I have been losing my touch.........The rhyming.........the yelling.......They haven't been working quite as well........And it started with that Fluttershy, Mare.......THAT was a mess...." he said in thought.
"Well....I'm Maya Fey! And I hope that you get your money troubles figured out!" She extended a hoof, and Iron Will shook it.
"A pleasure to meet you! Well, thankfully, Iron Will found himself another job!" He said, his expression suddenly brightening. "Iron Will needs to pay the bills....otherwise...there's gonna be a lot of eels...." He them face palmed. Y'see? That one was terrible....this is why I need something on the side..."
Maya smiled. "Well, that's good! What is your second job?" She asked intrigued.
Iron Will adjusted his tie with a smirk on his face. "Iron Will just got outta law school! Yer lookin' at Ponyville's new prosecution attorney!"
Iron Will nodded. "Yeah! If ya can't do the time, THEN DON'T DO THE CRIME!!!" He laughed at himself, happy with that new found rhyme.
"Well.....Are you working on a case right now?" Maya asked.
Iron will nodded. "Yeah! As a matter of fact, that's why Iron Will is here!" He crossed his arms across his chest. "Iron Will just got back from investigating the academy himself! He's gonna be bringing a no good thief to justice! I have a motto when it comes to theft.... If it doesn't belong to you, then keep your hooves off, Fool!" He pointed his finger at her much like an attorney would.
Well...much to Maya's dismay, she now knew who was prosecuting.
"Alright....well it was good meeting you!" Maya said, giving him a smile, before turning and walking back to the group.
"Well? Did he tell you why he's here?" Rarity asked.
Maya nodded. "He's the prosecutor...."
Applejack and Rarity both looked shocked at that, letting out a simultaneous "WHAT!?"
Maya nodded, and looked back at the minotaur, to make sure he wasn't listening. "Yeah....we gotta tell the other group! Hopefully they found some evidence!"
September 28, 10:30 AM Twilight's Library
Phoenix, Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Maya, Applejack, and Rarity all made it back to the library to talk about what they found. First, Phoenix began, telling them about what he, Twilight, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie found in the academy locker room, about Gilda and Lightning Dust's feathers. Then, Maya told her story about speaking to Iron Will, and about how he was the one prosecuting Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy looked visably shaken when she heard Iron Will's name, yet at the same time...compassionate. She wasn't one to hold a grudge. "H-He's just trying to find another way to make ends meet....since I kinda...messed with his reputation..." She quietly stated. But talking about it here wouldn't mean a thing. What mattered is what would be said in court the next day....
Phoenix, Maya, Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy were all sitting in the defendant lobby, waiting for the trial to begin. It wasn't long before Rainbow was lead in by the royal guard.
"I can walk myself, ya know!" She said, irritated.
The guards just grunted, and took their places over by the door to the court room.
"Well....this is it." Twilight said.
Applejack nodded her head. "Ah hope the evidence we got is enough tah prove Rainbow's innocence..." She said.
Phoenix nodded. "If there's more, then I'm sure the judge will give us more time to investigate if he's intrigued by the evidence." He said.
Rarity nodded at that. "It doesn't help that, that monster who corrupted Fluttershy is prosecuting..."
"U-Uhm...he's not a monster...he's a minotaur." Fluttershy said. "A-And anyway, it wasn't his fault I acted so horribly.....it was my own fault...I read into his lessons wrong...."
"Wait, Iron Will is prosecuting?!" Rainbow Dash asked. "I'm doomed!"
Maya put a hoof on her shoulder. "No you're not!" She said with a reassuring smile. "He's a new prosecutor....he should be easy to beat!"
"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Maya..." Phoenix said. "From what you told me, he seemed pretty confident in himself."
Just then, the Bailiff walked into the lobby. "Court's about to start." He grunted.
Phoenix nodded.
"Good luck, Mister Wright." Twilight said.
Everypony went into the court room and took their places. Phoenix, Maya, and Rainbow behind the defense desk, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Twilight, and Rarity int he gallery. Iron Will was standing at the prosecution desk, two of his goat assistants with him.
September 29, 10:00 AM Ponyville Court Courtroom No. 2
When Phoenix stepped out, the ponies in the gallery started whispering to each other. "That's him!" "He's the one who proved Derpy innocent!" "What's up with his hair?", Were some of the comments made.
The Judge seemed to rise up from behind his desk, and banged his gavel to quiet everypony down.
"Court is now in session for the trial of Miss Rainbow Dash!" He said.
"The Prosecution is ready, Freddy!" One of his goat helpers bleated. The minotaur turned to him. "Yer right....that was a bad rhyme...."
"The Defense is ready, Your Honor." Phoenix said.
The Judge nodded his head. "Very well. The Prosecution will make their opening statement."
Iron Will nodded confidently. "You got it, Judge!" He held a few pieces of paper in his hands, flexing the muscles of the arm holding the papers. "The defendant is charged with theft of one Spitfire's Wonderbolts Uniform! The prosecution has decisive evidence that can point her at the scene!"
Rainbow slammed her hooves down on the desk. "I'll give you decisive evidence!!" She shouted angrilly, causing Twilight to facehoof.
The Judge banged his gavel, looking a bit wide-eyed. "Miss Dash! Please put a cap on that temper, if you will!"
Rainbow sat down, crossing her forelegs across her chest, looking rather cheesed off.
"Anyway, as Iron Will was saying..." He continued. "The evidence that she stole the suit is a lock of the defendent's mane, and two of her feathers! One teal, one brown! No doubt matching her rainbow colors!" He then slammed his fists on his desks. "If ya can't do the time, then don't do the crime!!"
The Judge nodded. "Yes, the court will accept these into evidence. Now, does the Prosecution have a witness to call?" He asked.
Iron Will nodded. "As a matter of fact, Iron Will does!" He charismatically pointed to somepony in the gallery. "Captain Spitfire! To the stand!"
Spitfire stood up, still dressed in her military uniform, and she took the witness stand. She looked over at Rainbow Dash, who covered her face out of shame and humiliation.
"Witness!" Iron Will shouted. "Gimmie yer name and occupation!"
Spitfire nodded. "Spitfire. Captain of the Wonderbolts." She had a common demeanor to her.
"Would you please explain the events to us?" He asked.
Spitfire cleared her throat. "I had woken up early that morning, as I do every morning. I was ready to get the morning training started, so I walked to the locker room to change into my uniform. I think I remember somepony passing me on the way there, but I couldn't make him or her out. But, as you know, when I got there, my uniform was gone. The only evidence, being the mane hairs, and the feathers."
The Judge nodded. "Hm....that seems in order to me! Mister Wright, you may begin your cross examination!"
Phoenix nodded. "Yes, Your Honor."
"Go get 'em, Nick!" Maya said, patting him on the shoulder. Rainbow said nothing.
CROSS EXAMINATION
"I had woken up early that morning, as I do every morning.
"HOLD IT!"
"Why do you wake up early every morning?" Phoenix asked.
Spitfire looked slightly confused at this. "Isn't if obvious?" She asked. "Training starts early every morning. As captain, I have to make sure I'm up and ready."
Phoenix put a hoof to his chin. "I suppose that makes sense. Please continue."
"I was ready to get the morning training started, so I walked to the locker room to change into my uniform."
Phoenix nodded, signalling to continue with her statement.
"I think I remember somepony passing me on the way there, but I couldn't make him or her out."
"HOLD IT!"
"Are you sure you didn't notice any features? No gender, no cutie mark?" Phoenix asked, putting a hoof to his chin.
"Hm....come to think of it, the body shape did look distinctly female....but I don't know for sure...."
"OBJECTION!"
Iron Will slammed his fists on the desk. "That doesn't matter! What matters is what she saw in the locker room! Not outside of it! Quit trying to block, or I'll show you that I ROCK!!!!"
Phoenix jumped back a bit at Iron Will's comments. 'T-This guy is smarter than he looks....and not to mention crazy!' He said to himself in his head.
The Judge nodded. "I agree. Mister Wright, please focus on the matter at hand and...um.... *ahem* 'Quit trying to block....'"
"But, as you know, when I got there, my uniform was gone. The only evidence, being the mane hairs, and the feathers."
"OBJECTION!"
This time it was shouted by Phoenix. "The mane hairs can definitely be traced back to my client.....yes...." He began. "But what about the feathers?"
"OBJECTION!"
Iron Will pointed at Phoenix. "The only thing that matters is the mane hairs!" He shouted. He then slammed his hooves on the desk. "Either agree with what I say, or get out of my way!"
The Judge shook his head. "No, no, Mister Will, I'm intrigued by what the defense says. Please continue, Mister Wright."
"Gladly." Phoenix said with a smirk. "Take a closer look at the feathers."
"Why should he?!" Iron Will asked. "They're different colors! Just like Dash's mane!"
"Hold on a minute!" Phoenix exclaimed. "Last time I checked, it was just her mane that was multicolored, and not her feathers!"
Spitfire nodded as well, her expression brightening. "I've noticed that."
Iron Will looked around nervously, then he looked over to one of his goat assistants, who bleated at him. "Rgh....How could Iron Will not notice that?!" He grumbled to himself.
Phoenix nodded and continued. "As you can see, there are two feathers that were left behind at the scene! One dark brown, and much larger than a pegasus feather, and one about the same size as a pegasus feather, its color being teal." Phoenix slammed his hooves down on the desk. "Last time I checked, my client's feathers were a bright shade of cyan, not teal!"
The ponies in the gallery began whispering to each other again, Twilight smiling at the results, Pinkie munching on a bag of popcorn that seemed to appear from out of nowhere.
The judge banged his gavel on his desk. "Order! Order in the court! Witness, do you have anything to say about this?"
Spitfire shrugged. "At first, I thought this would be open and shut, and I'd have to discharge one of my cadets who had the most potential..."
Rainbow stood up. 'She really thinks that?! OmigoshOmigoshOmigoshOmigoshOmigoshOMIGOOOOOOOSH!!!!!' She thought to herself in her head.
"But now, it seems two more suspects have come to light, right?" She looked over to Phoenix.
"Uh...yes, Exactly!" He said. "It might've been that person you saw earlier!"
"OBJECTION!"
"Hang on! Iron Will objects!" He shouted. "Even if these ponies were the real ones who stole the uniform, we have no idea where they would be! They could be all the way in Saddle Arabia for all we know! And even if we did find them, what makes you think that they'll agree to testify?! Don't be too hasty! You'll get crazy!"
Twilight looked over at Iron Will surprised. The minotaur seemed much more intelligent than he did at their last encounter. He really must've studied up!
"I don't mean to be rude, but I've just about had it with those little rhymes of his...." Rarity whispered to the lavender Unicorn.
The Judge nodded. "Hm....you give a fair point, Mister Will....maybe we shouldn't continue down this line of thought...."
Rainbow looked scared at that.
"Nick! Do something!" Maya exclaimed.
"Wait! Your Honor!" Phoenix shouted. "The witness said it herself! The true thief might have been the pony that she passed on her way to the locker room! And we have evidence to prove it! Please, just give us more time, and we can find these ponies, and get them to testify!"
Iron Will slammed his fists on the desk. "Forget it, Wright! Ya can't keep chasing things ya can't back up!"
The Judge put a hoof to his chin. "Hm.....I'm still not sure....."
Phoenix then hatched an idea. "Can I at least ask the Witness one more question?"
The Judge nodded his head. "I don't see anything wrong with that."
Phoenix nodded. "Miss Spitfire..."
"--Captain Spitfire...." Spitfire said.
"Was there anypony else in the locker room with you?" He asked.
Spitfire put a hoof to her chin. "Come to think of it, there was....Soarin, my wingpony on the Wonderbolts." She said.
Phoenix gave a sigh of relief. "Maybe he got a better look at who passed by!"
The Judge had sort of a wide-eyed expression. "Ah! I suppose I never thought of that! Very well then." The Judge banged his gavel. "Court will adjourn to a short recess until we can get this 'Soarin' into court to testify! Captain Spitfire, you are free to go." He then banged his gavel.
Spitfire nodded, and stepped down from the stand.
Phoenix wiped the sweat from his brow, while Iron Will was conversing with his goats, looking rather irritated with himself.
September 29, 10:28 AM Ponyville Courthouse Defendant Lobby No. 2
Phoenix stepped out into the lobby with Rainbow and Maya. "That was a close one...." Maya said.
"Close one?! CLOSE ONE?!" I could've been locked up right then and there!!!" Rainbow shouted. "Are you sure you guys know what you're doing?!"
Phoenix put a hoof on her shoulder. "Rainbow, calm down! That's the nerves talking! Deep breathes!"
Rainbow rolled her eyes, yet did what he said. After a few deep breathes, she found herself feeling calm. "Sorry...." She said.
Phoenix nodded. "It's alright...."
After a few moments, the rest of Rainbow's friends came into the room. "Wow Rainbow!" Pinkie said. "Are you ok?! I can only imagine being in your situation! Everypony thinking I'm a no good dirty rotten thief, almost no escape from judgement, just barely making it out on a re--MMPH!" Applejack had covered Pinkie's mouth, as her comments weren't making Rainbow Dash feel any better.
"Ah think she gets the point, Pinkie." The farm mare said.
"MmphmmphmmmphHMMPHM!!!" Pinkie mumbled. It sounded like she was still trying to talk even though AJ was covering her mouth.
Rarity put a hoof on her athletic friend's shoulder. "Think of the positives, darling! Another witness is going to be testifying!" She said.
"Right, Rarity!" Twilight exclaimed. "And he could provide the evidence we need to prove your innocence!"
Rainbow Dash gave a small smile. "Yeah.....you're right!" She seemed much more confident now. "I shouldn't worry! It's in the bag!"
Phoenix looked away nervously. "Well...I wouldn't know about tha--OW!!!" Maya had smacked him on the back of the head. "Nick! She finally calmed down!" She whispered to him.
The doors to the court house opened again, Spitfire, Soarin, and two guards walking inside the lobby. The two Wonderbolts stood in front of the group.
Rainbow stood at attention. "Ma'am!" She said, saluting.
Spitfire nodded her head. "At ease, Cadet." She ordered, causing Rainbow to relax.
"Private Dash," She began. "I just wanted to tell you, that I don't believe you stole my uniform. Not after the evidence I saw today."
"Yes Ma'am." Rainbow said, trying to hide her relief.
"But, if you are judged guilty, I won't be able to do anything to get you out of prison." She said.
"But, I don't believe that will be the case, not after seeing your Lawyer's performance in court, and since you kept a level head....for the most part." Spitfire continued.
"Yes Ma'am." Rainbow said to her, a new-found feeling of happiness and pride in her chest.
Spitfire nodded. "This is all I have to say."
The Bailiff trotted up to the group. "Court is about to reconvene." He grunted.
Phoenix nodded. "Well, we'd better get in there."
Everypony nodded as they stepped back into the court room.
September 29, 10:33 AM Ponyville Courthouse Courtroom No. 2
The Judge banged his gavel after the gallery settled themselves back down.
"The trial of Miss Rainbow Dash will now reconvene!" He said. "Would the prosecution please give us a recap of the events that occurred before we went to recess?"
Iron Will nodded, wiping the sweat off his brow. "S-Sure thing, Yer Honor." He said. The minotaur held a few pieces of paper in his hands and read from them. "The witness, and victim of theft, Captain Spitfire of the Wonderbolts, testified to us about what she saw when she discovered her uniform was missing. And according to the testimony, there may have been another pony present at the scene." Iron Will then slammed his hands on his desk. "But Iron Will still thinks it's nuthin' but a bunch o' tricks! Before we went to recess, Spitfire told us of another witness who could testify! Soarin, her Wingpony!"
The Judge nodded. "And will this 'Soarin' please take the stand?"
Soarin stood up, clad in his Wonderbolts suit, he slicked back his dark blue mane as he trotted over to the stand.
Iron Will pointed at Soarin. "Witness! Tell Iron Will your name and occupation!"
Soarin nodded. "Name's Soarin! And I'm a Wonderbolt! Spitfire's Wingpony, to be exact." His voice had sort of a cocky tone to it.
"He seems a little....headstrong, Nick." Maya whispered to Phoenix.
Phoenix nodded. "Well, fame will do that to you." He whispered.
"And would you mind telling us what you saw on the day of the theft?" Iron Will asked.
Soarin cleared his throat. "I was walking from my quarters to the locker room in so I could change and get morning training started. I saw somepony walk by on my way there....b-but I-I couldn't really make them out. Then I walked the rest of the way to the locker room to change, when I ran into Spitfire. We talked for a little bit, and then she opened her locker, and saw her Uniform wasn't there. That's all I can remember."
The Judge nodded. "So...that's it then? Alright, Mister Wright! You may cross-examine the Witness!"
Phoenix nodded. "Of course."
"Applejack, did you notice that?" Twilight Whispered.
"Huh?" Applejack leaned closer to Princess Sparkle. "Notice what?"
"Soarin stammered a bit in his testimony." She said. "That must mean he doesn't really feel confident about what he's telling us. Which could mean he's lying...."
Applejack's eyes widened at that. "Are ya sure? Ah don't think Soarin's the type o' pony who would be associated with thieves..."
Twilight shook her head. "Well, it could be possible! I just hope Phoenix noticed this...."
"I was walking from my quarters to the locker room in so I could change and get morning training started."
"HOLD IT!"
"Was that all you did that morning?" Phoenix asked.
Soarin nodded. "Yeah, as far as I can remember."
"I saw somepony walk by on my way there....b-but I-I couldn't really make them out."
"HOLD IT!"
"So you noticed nothing about this pony?" Phoenix asked.
Soarin peered about a bit. "Uh....yeah! I swear"
Phoenix smirked. "Are you sure? you don't seem very confident in what you're telling us!"
This seemed to irritate Soarin. "What are you talking about?! I'm always confident!"
"OBJECTION!"
Iron Will slammed his fist on the table. "Objection! The defense is badgering the Witness! That's not cool! Don't be a fool!"
The Judge put a hoof to his chin. "Hm....actually, I'm quite intrigued by where Wright is taking us. Objection Overruled!"
Phoenix wasn't buying what Soarin was telling him. "It think there's something you're not telling us."
"Oh yeah?!" Soarin shouted. "Prove it! PROVE I spoke to that pony!"
Phoenix looked through the case records. He smiled when he found a record of Spitfire's testimony.
"TAKE THAT!"
"How's this for proof? In Spitfire's previous testimony, she said that you might've spoken to that pony! Would you lie to your commanding officer?"
Spitfire shot Soarin a glare. "Yes, Soarin. Would you lie to me?"
Soarin looked to Phoenix, then back to Spitfire. Then to Phoenix, then to Spitfire. Phoenix. Spitfire. Phoenix. Spitfire. Phoenix. Spitfire. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. "OK!!!!! OK!!! I DID SPEAK TO THEM!!!"
The gallery began whispering to each other again, causing a dull roar to fill the court room. The Judge banging his gavel.
"Order! I will have order!" He said.
"Who were they, Soarin? And what did they want?"
Soarin sighed and looked down. "It was Lightning Dust....I caught her sneaking onto the accademy with a griffon....I don't know her name....they weren't authorized to be here, so I told them to get lost. B-But they offered me something to keep quiet..."
Phoenix put a hoof to his chin. "And what was this thing they offered, Soarin?"
Soarin looked down again. "I can't say....it's too embarrassing...."
Phoenix slammed his hooves down on his desk. "Tell us!"
"GAH!" Soarin shouted. "Ok! Ok! It was an apple pie!"
Spitfire face-hoofed at that. "Stupid pie-for-brains...." She muttered to herself.
"I couldn't help it!" He said. "It's just so delicious....and I was so hungry!!"
Phoenix nodded. "There you have it, Your Honor. Proof that there may be another witness left to testify."
The Judge nodded. "I see.....well then, I rule that the court should go to recess, until we can get this Lightning Dust, and her griffon friend to come in and testify!" He banged his gavel. "Court shall break for recess until tomorrow morning!"
TO BE CONTINUED IN TURNABOUT WONDERBOLT - PART 3: FINALE
As the group all walked into the defense lobby, they all seemed much more calm and confident. Well, except for Rainbow Dash. Her cheeks were a flushed shade of red, and she looked positively livid. "I can't believe that scumbag!!!" The mare shouted, clearly talking about how Soarin was willing to aid in throwing Dash in prison for apple pie. She stomped her hoof angrily. "When I get my hooves on him, I'm gonna shove that apple pie right up where it hurts!!! Twilight put a hoof on her friend's shoulder. "Rainbow, I understand you're upset..." The alicorn princess said. "But you must remain calm."
"She's right." Phoenix said. "You need to keep a cap on that temper. Getting angry won't make our case look any better."
Rainbow let out an annoyed sigh. "B-But, he was willing to let me rot in jail, blamed for something I didn't do, FOR PIE!!!!!"
Fluttershy nodded. "I agree with Rainbow...it makes me so mad...I--I could just kick something!" She whispered. Just then, she turned to the couch in the lobby, and gave it a light tap with her front hoof.
Now it was Pinkie Pie's turn to express anger. "I know right?! What a back stabby traiterous meany mean super duper meany mean liar liar pants on fire meany MEAN PANTS!!!!!!" She rambled on, bouncing up and down ecstatically as she spoke.
The doors creaked open, Spitfire and Soaring walking through, side by side, Soarin looking rather ashamed of himself.
"I hope you know that the only thing keeping you on the team right now is the fact that without you, I have no Wingpony!" Spitfire reprimanded the teal coated stallion.
Soarin sighed. "Yes Ma'am...."
Rainbow looked like she was about to give Soarin an earful, but Rarity put a held a hoof in front of her athletic friend. "I believe he's learned his lesson, Darling..." Rarity stated simply, feeling kind of sorry for Soarin. The pegasus wasn't a bad pony, he just made a bad choice. Looking at him, Rainbow came to realize this. What she was going to do was nothing compared to what Spitfire would do to him. She heard some of the punishments for messing up when you're apart of the actual Wonderbolts were much worse than the punishments you would receive in the Academy.
Soarin made a glance at Rainbow Dash, clearly feeling ashamed of himself. "Sorry, Dash...." He said simply.
"Atten-SHUN!" Spitfire shouted, causing Soarin to stand upright and salute. Rainbow did the same, out of instinct.
The yellow mare pointed at Soarin. "You! Back to the Academy! You're on laundry duty for the next FIVE MONTHS!!!AND You're suspended from our next three shows! You'd better thank your lucky stars that I've decided to go easy on you in terms of punishment!"
Soarin nodded. "YES MA'AM!" He shouted, flying out of the lobby, and out of the courthouse into the sky. Spitfire looked over at Dash, who was still standing at attention. "At ease."
Rainbow relaxed herself, but still stood upright.
"I know you're innocent, Rainbow." She then looked to Phoenix. "I just hope that your lawyer can prove it. You're welcome to come back to the academy to investigate."
Phoenix nodded. "Thank you, Captain."
Just as Spitfire was about to turn and leave, Maya jumped in front of her. "WAIT!!!"
Spitfire jumped back a bit. "Y-Yes?"
"Can you tell us where you last saw Lightning Dust?" She asked.
Spitfire put a hoof to her chin. "I haven't seen her since she was expelled from the academy....but I can tell you where she lives."
Twilight and Phoenix's ears perked up at that. "And that is...."
Spitfire put a hoof to her chin. "I think her address is....789 Duskfall Ct. It's up in Cloudsdale." Spitfire had impressive recall. She needed it in order to remember the different flight formations and military strategies as Captain. The address she had given them was the address she had sent Dust's Academy Acceptance letter to. Unfortunately, little did Spitfire know that sending that letter would be a waste of time....Lightning Dust was a talented flyer...but she was much too reckless. She didn't seem to care about her fellow cadets in the field. That's what got her expelled. "So I take it you're gonna try and convince her to testify in court?"
Phoenix nodded. "It seems that way. Hopefully, we can get her accomplice too."
Spitfire nodded. "Then I wish you the best of luck. I'll warn you though, Lightning Dust is kind of.....headstrong. Much like Rainbow Dash."
Rainbow's cheeks flushed a hot red when she said that. She looked away from Spitfire, embarrassed.
Spitfire noticed Dash's embarressment. "However, unlike Dash, Dust doesn't know when she's being reckless."
"Can you tell us a little more about what happened with Lightning Dust?" Phoenix asked.
Spitfire nodded. "Of course. She was a cadet like Rainbow Dash....she showed a lot of potential. I was really impressed with how she was willing to go past her limits....because of that, when I paired her and Rainbow Dash together, I made Lightning Dust the leader, and Rainbow Dash her wingpony. I figured Dash could learn a thing or two from Dust.....I was wrong. During one of the obstacle course challenges, Rainbow Dash's friends had flown up to Cloudsdale to visit her. Lightning Dust flew by two fast and knocked them all out of their balloon. Before they could all fall to her death, Rainbow forgot about the obstacle course completely, and went to save her friends. Later that day, Rainbow Dash came to me to talk about Lightning Dust's recklessness. She brought up a valid point about putting the goal before the team, that I had never thought about before that....and she threw down her Wingpony badge and quit.... right in front of me.....Rainbow Dash was willing to give up her life's dream for her friends....that took guts. And so for that, I let Rainbow back onto the team, no longer as a Wingpony, and I expelled Lightning Dust from the academy."
Phoenix nodded as he heard the story, he looked over at Rainbow Dash, who was beaming with pride from this story. "Well, this definately gives Lightning Dust a motive....thank you for your time, Captain."
Spitfire nodded. "Just do your job, Wright." She nodded, adjusted her sunglasses, and walked out of the court house.
"Do you still have that cloudwalk spell, Twilight?" Phoenix asked.
The Alicorn princess nodded her head. "Yes."
"Good." Phoenix said. "We'll need it."
Twilight nodded.
"Reckon I'll stay down here, and keep Rainbow Dash company, what with her not bein' aloud to leave n' all." Applejack said, adjusting her hat a bit.
Rarity nodded her head. "I will too. I for one am still a bit.....hesitant....to return to Cloudsdale."
Twilight nodded. "That's understandable."
Just then, a voice was heard outside. A rather high pitched voice in fact. Due to the thickness of the door, it was hard to make out what it was saying.
"Does anypony else hear that?" Phoenix asked.
"It sounds an awful lot like..." Fluttershy opened the door. Outside, was a small orange pegasus filly with a purple messy mane. She was holding what looked like a picket sign, the words, "FREE RAINBOW DASH!" shabbily painted on it.
Twilight facehoofed. "Of course..." She moaned to herself.
Fluttershy recognized the little filly, for she once spent the night foal-sitting her and her two friends. Her name was Scootaloo, a pegasus filly who couldn't fly yet, one third of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and Rainbow Dash's biggest fan.
She was accompanied by two other fillies. One yellow, with a red mane, and a bright pink bow, and one white, her mane showing two colors, one light purple, one pink. The yellow filly was holding a sign that said, "NO JUSTICE!" and the white filly a sign that said, "CUTIE MARK CRUSADER PROTESTERS!".
"Cutie Mark Crusa--what?" Phoenix asked, reading the white filly's sign.
"It's a looooooooooooong story, pardner...." Applejack stated, knowing very well of her little sister's shenanigans....
"Scootaloo?" Rainbow Dash asked, standing at the edge of the door, for if she stepped out of the court house, she would be hounded by the guards almost immediately.
"HI RAINBOW DASH!!" Scootaloo shouted loudly.
"Wait...if you're here...on a Tuseday....ARE YOU THREE SKIPPING SCHOOL?!" Twilight asked, a shocked tone about her voice.
The three nervously looked at each other. "Uh....it was Sweetie Belle's idea!" Scootaloo quickly said, pointing at the white filly.
"My idea?!" Sweetie Belle asked, flabbergasted. "It was your idea! You were the one who said we had to protest for Rainbow Dash's freedom!"
"Well...Applebloom was the one who said we could probably get our cutie marks by protesting!" Scootaloo shouted.
"Ah did not! That was you, Scootaloo!" The yellow filly responded.
"You both know very well that I can't be trusted to make good ideas!"
They all were just about ready to kill each other, before Twilight stepped in between them. "Girls, please!" She began. "You're all friends! You shouldn't argue! And while....skipping school...isn't a very smart choice....you're doing it for a good cause."
The fillies all three looked at each other. "Yeah...I suppose you're right..." Sweetie Belle said.
"Besides!" Phoenix began. "We have it all covered, here."
The three all gave Phoenix confused looks. "And....who are you?" Scootaloo asked.
"Oh, right...I'm Phoenix Wright. Rainbow Dash's Attorney." He said.
"What's an attorney?" Applebloom asked.
"An Attorney is somepony who debates and argues in court to prove whether their client is innocent, or guilty." He said.
"Wait...so you mean..." Sweetie Belle began.
"HA!! See?! There is a Cutie Mark for somepony who's special talent is arguing!" Scootaloo exclaimed. "I told you!"
"But that still don't mean our special talent is arguin'....otherwise that would mean we woulda had ours by now..." She hung her head sadly.
"Hey Now.." Applejack said. "Ah know tha's not true. Ah'm sure ya'll will find yer cutie marks someday. Ah mean, Phoenix got his really late."
The attorney blushed a bit at that. "Yeah...I didn't get mine until after my second case...."
The Cutie Mark Crusaders all looked at him in awe. "Wow....that late?" Scootaloo asked.
Phoenix nodded. "Yeah..."
She then smiled. "Well, that means we're bound to get ours eventually! We just have to keep trying!"
"But for now..." Rarity said. "I'll be taking you all back to school. How could you pull a rabble-rousing stunt like that, Sweetie Belle?! It's unbecoming of a lady!"
"Aaaaaw..." They all three said in unison.
September 29, 11:12 AM 789 Duskfall Ct. Lightning Dust's Cloud Home
Phoenix, Maya, Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy stood outside of the residence of Lightning Dust. Applejack and Rarity stayed to keep Rainbow Dash company at the detention center. Phoenix, Twilight, Maya, and Pinkie all stood in a straight line, while Fluttershy stood behind them, peeking her head out every now and again.
"U-Um....are you sure she'll be here?" Fluttershy asked, meekly.
"She has to be." Phoenix said.
"She's gonna pay for getting Rainbow Dash in trouble!!!" Pinkie said.
"Calm down, Pinkie...we need to approach this without hostility...the calmer we are, the more information we may get." Twilight said.
"Wow....you sure know your stuff!" Phoenix said, impressed.
"I've read over a dozen books on criminology!" Twilight said in a proud, matter-of-fact sort of way.
"Wow....that's more than I've read, for sure..." Phoenix said, impressed.
"Can we please just knock on her door now?" Maya asked. "The suspense is killing me!!"
"Oh! Right!" Phoenix said, as he knocked on Lightning Dust's front door. No answer. He knocked again. No answer. She was clearly making this difficult. He knocked one more time.
"I'M COMING!!! I'M COMING! Cool your jets!" A female voice said from the other side of the door.
"That must be her..." Fluttershy said silently. The Door opened, and there she was. Lightning Dust. A moderately tall pegasus mare, athletically built, she looked a bit like Rainbow Dash, aside from the blonde mane and tail. She didn't look too happy to see the group. Especially since she recognized Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy as friends of Rainbow Dash...
"What do you want?" She asked, a snide tone in her voice.
"Miss Dust, I'm Phoenix Wright. Rainbow Dash's Attorney." Phoenix said. "She was accused of stealing Spitfire's suit. We believe she's innocent, and we'd like to ask you a few questions."
Lightning Dust shook her head. "Well, you'd be wasting your time, Mister Lawyer, I don't know anything about that."
Just then, Phoenix felt something in his suit pocket. He quickly took out a small glowing green trinket.
"The Magatama is acting up?" Maya whispered to phoenix. Just then, three red locks appeared around Lightning Dust, complete with chains.
"I don't think you're telling us the truth, Miss Dust." Phoenix began. "I remember hearing you had a bad experience with Rainbow Dash..."
Lightning Dust shook her head. "I can't say I do. Never really spoke to her much."
Phoenix knew that was an outright lie.
"TAKE THAT!"
"Oh really?" Phoenix began. "Because Spitfire told us different. She grouped you and Rainbow Dash together as partners. She was your wingpony!"
"Nng!" Lightning Dust jumped back a bit. "Ok, yeah! She was my wingpony! But that doesn't mean there was bad blood between us! Sure, she was a bit confused as to why I wasn't her wingpony...but c'mon!"
The first lock in front of Lightning Dust shattered. Phoenix smirked a bit at this.
"Alright, next question. Were you at the Wonderbolt Academy on the day in question?" Phoenix asked.
Lightning Dust shook her head. "No! I was here that whole day!" She said.
"I think you were there that day!" Phoenix said.
"Oh yeah? Prove it!" Dust shouted.
"TAKE THAT!"
"Soarin said he saw you there." Phoenix said with a smirk. "He also said that you spoke to him while you were there!"
"GAH!!!" Lighting Dust staggered a bit. "Soarin's got pie for brains! He's always saying stupid stuff!" The second lock shattered.
"How Ironic!" Phoenix said. "Because I was going to bring up pie in my next question! Is it true that you bribed Soarin with pie so that he would keep quiet about you and an accomplace being at the Wonderbolt Academy?"
"N-No!" Lightning Dust stammered. "I wasn't there with anypony!"
Just then, a large female gryphon, who had no idea of what was going on, stepped up behind Lightning Dust. "Lightning, who's at the doo--YOU!!!!" She glared angrily at the pink mare standing next to phoenix.
"ME!!!" Pinkie Pie said, imitating the frustrated gryphon. She then giggled hysterically.
"GILDA?!" Lightning Dust said, hysterical. The second lock shattering.
"What are you all doing here?!" Gilda spat at the group, recognizing Twilight, Pinkie, and Fluttershy as Rainbow Dash's new friends. "And who's this porcupine haired bozo?!" She gestured to Phoenix.
"Porcupine haired?!" Phoenix said in his head, deeply offended.
"Uh....I'm Phoenix Wright, Miss. Rainbow Dash's Attorney." He said.
"Attorney?" Gilda asked. "Wait, you mean Rainbow's in prison?!" She seemed worried for a second, but then stopped herself. "Heh, that's hilarious....." Thee psyche locks appeared in front of Gilda now as well.
"Gilda has Psyche Locks too? We'll deal with those later....for now, we need the information out of Lightning Dust." Phoenix thought to himself.
The final lock shattered all on it's own. Phoenix looked confused. Lightning Dust sighed. "I guess we're gonna have to go to court now?"
Phoenix nodded. "Uh...yes...." "Wow! They never give up this quickly!" Phoenix remarked to himself in his head.
"They won't believe us if we tell them we had nothing to do with the theft...we'll just have to do it the old fashioned way." Dust explained. Phoenix was surprised at how mature she was being. "Uh....alright." He adjusted his tie. "Be at the Ponyville courthouse tomorrow at 9:00 AM. The trial begins at 9:30."
"9:00?" Gilda asked. "Is that a hard nine, or can I come in around noon?"
Phoenix rolled his eyes. "Hard nine." He said.
Gilda sighed. "Fine...."
"We'll be there." Lightning Dust said, shutting the door to the house.
"Uh....Phoenix..." Twilight said. "How can we trust that they'll come to court?"
"Because," Phoenix began. "They have nothing left to hide.
Twilight was still a bit confused, but he seemed to know what he was talking about.
"WAIT A MINUTE!!"
That came from Pinkie Pie, who then looked up at me, the writer of the story you are reading. "What kind of Psyche-Lock segment was that!? It seemed incredibly rushed, and not to mention terribly written! Don't you think you could--"
Pinkie! Please! I had to get the story moving somehow....besides, this is build-up for the trial scene!
"Yeah, bad build up!" Pinkie shouted.
PINKIE!!! Ugh...please, just stop breaking the fourth wall...the reader, and not to mention the other characters in the story, are probably very confused...I promise, the finale of this case will only get better from here.
Pinkie sighed. "Alright.....but I've got my eye on you, Mister Writer!"
September 30, 9:20 AM Ponyville Courthouse Defendant Lobby No. 2
The group stepped inside the defendant lobby, to find Rainbow Dash sitting on the couch, waiting there for them.
"So, did you find anything out from them?" The athletic pegasus asked.
Phoenix nodded. "As much as they would give. I don't think they were the culprits though...."
"WHAT?!" The Mane Six all said in unison.
"Hang on a second, pardner!" Applejack said. "Now, ah don't know much about all them fancy shmancy law studies, but don't all the evidence point to Gild a and Lightning Dust?" She asked.
Phoenix nodded. "It may seem that way, but if there's one thing I've learned during my time as a lawyer, it's that nothing is ever how it seems." He thought back to the Psyche Locks he saw in front of Gilda....she must have been hiding something....whether it was about the theft of Spitfire's suit or not, he didn't know. He would have to find out in court. Shortly after they had arrived, Spitfire arrived as well, once again wearing her military fatigues and sunglasses, as her uniform was still missing.
She solemnly stepped up to Phoenix, Rainbow Dash standing at attention when she got close. "At ease, Cadet." She stated, causing Rainbow to relax. "Best of luck, Mister Wright." She said, nodding before stepping inside the court room to take her seat in the gallery. "Well......whether it was them or not, we'll still be rooting for you, Phoenix." Twilight said with a smile. Shortly after that, they all stepped into the court room.
September 30, 9:30 AM Ponyville Courthouse Courtroom No. 2
The gallery was speaking to themselves in a dull roar all of them unsure of what was to come in the case. The Judge banged the gavel on his desk, levitating it with his magic.
"Court for the trial of Miss Rainbow Dash will now reconvene!" The Judge declared.
"The Prosecution is READY!" Iron Will shouted.
"The Defense is ready, Your Honor." Phoenix said.
The Judge nodded. "Very well then. Will the prosocution please give us a summary of what was stated in the previous day of the trial?"
Iron Will nodded vigourously, before striking a pose, showing off his muscles. "Sure thing, Judge!" He held the papers for the court record in his hand, flexing the muscles in the arm that held them. "Yesterday, we learned from a Witness, Soarin, that there may have been two more ponies present at the scene of the crime!" He then banged his fist on the desk. "But the prosecution says that The Defense's claims are completely and totally bogus! I've had enough of this Hocus Pocus!" Iron Will says that when he questions the witnesses, there will be nothing to say that they stole the suit!"
The Judge nodded. "I see....Mister Wright, your rebuttal?"
"How was this guy a motivational speaker before he became a Prosecutor!?" Phoenix asked himself, referring to Iron Will's insults.
"Mister Wright?" The Judge asked again, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Oh, uh, yes, Your Honor!" Phoenix said, rubbing the back of his head with a hoof. "Ahem, The Defense believes that the new witnesses may have more information on who truly committed the crime! If you let me, all will be revealed in the cross-examination!"
The Judge nodded. "Alright then. Mister Will, if you will call the first witness?"
The minotaur nodded. "Of course! Yo, Lightning Dust! To the stand!"
Much to everypony's surprise, Lightning Dust and Gilda had kept their word, and came to court that day. The teal pegasus was sitting next to the large griffon female, and she had stood up from her place in the gallery, and stepped up to the witness stand.
"Witness!" Iron Will said. "Give Iron Will your name and occupation!"
"Lightning Dust." The mare said. "And currently, I have no occupation."
Iron Will nodded. "Now, will the witness please recount where sher was, on the day of the theft?"
"I'll come clean. I was at the Wonderbolt Academy. But I just wanted to relive some old memories! Like the accused, it was my dream to join The Wonderbolts. After a chat with Soarin, I left. That's all there is to it."
The Judge put a hoof to his chin in thought. "Awfully vague.....Mister Wright! You may begin your Cross-Examination." The Judge said.
Phoenix nodded. "With pleasure."
CROSS EXAMINATION
"I'll come clean. I was at the Wonderbolt Academy."
"HOLD IT!"
"Why were you at the Academy?"
"I was getting to that! Calm down!" Dust responded with.
"But I just wanted to relive some old memories!"
"HOLD IT!"
"Old memories? Of what?" Phoenix asked.
"OBJECTION!"
Iron Will banged his fist on his desk. "That question's personal! She shouldn't have to answer it!"
The Judge nodded. "Mister Wright, the Witness doesn't have to answer that question if she doesn't want to."
"Like the accused, it was my dream to join The Wonderbolts."
Phoenix nodded his head, signaling Lightning Dust to continue.
"After a chat with Soarin, I left. That's all there is too it."
"OBJECTION!"[/b
Phoenix put a hoof to his chin."Really?" He asked. "It was just a simple chat?"
Dust nodded. "Yeah. Just a chat."
Phoenix pointed a hoof at her. "You can stop lying under oath, Miss Dust!"
"OBJECTION!"
Iron Will slammed his fists down on his desk. "Judge!" He shouted. "Phoenix has no proof that she's lying! If you can't prove, then you should just move!"
The Judge nodded. "While, I am slightly confused with Mister Will's rhyme, he has a point. What proof do you have that she is lying?"
"TAKE THAT!"
"All the proof I need was given to us just before we went to recess!" Phoenix said. He took the papers out of his court record and began patting it lightly as he explained it. "Soarin said in his Testimony that Lightning Dust bribed him with apple pie in order to keep him quiet about something." He then slammed his hooves on his desk. "Clearly, a contradiction!"
"GAH!" Lightning Dust staggered a bit at the stand. The volume of the court room became a dull roar from the gallery reacting to Phoenix's claims.
The Judge banged his gavel to quiet them. "Order! Order in the court!" He then looked back down at Lightning Dust. "He's right, Miss Dust. Soarin did testify that you bribed him to keep quiet about something. What it was, we would like you to tell us."
"N-Nothing! It was nothing!!" Lightning stammered, peering about the room nervously.
"If it were nothing, then you wouldn't have tried to hide it from us!" Phoenix said. "Just confess, and we'll be easier on you!"
Lightning Dust gritted her teeth. She then started to sniffle a bit. After a few seconds tears started streaming down her face, and she began to cry. Loudly.
"Ok!! Ok!! I did bribe him!" She sobbed. "I was furious that I was expelled from The Wonderbolts Academy!! It was my life's dream!! All ruined by Rainbow Dash! B-But I promise, I didn't steal the uniform! I was at the academy because I wanted to re-visit some old memories of my time there.....Soarin knew I wasn't supposed to be there......and he was gonna make me leave.....and I knew the pie would keep him quiet....."
Phoenix put a hoof to his chin. "Hm....and there was nopony else there with you?" Phoenix asked the distraught witness.
"I swear.....as far as I know, there was nopony else there.....Gilda might've bumped into somepony though..."
"DUST?!" Gilda shouted from the gallery. "OH, WAY TO SELL ME OUT, DWEEB!!!!"
"Don't flatter yourself, Gilda." The Judge said. "We were going to have you testify next anyway. Lightning Dust, I sentence you to two months in prison for trespassing on private property." He banged his gavel.
"Alright, I was at The Wonderbolt Academy. I was wondering what the fuss was all about, since that lame-o Rainbow Dash got in, and I didn't! Lightning Dust just happened to be there with me. We weren't in cahoots or anything! Then, I pumped into somepony, and I left."
The Judge nodded. "Again....oddly vague.....alright, Mister Wright. You may begin your cross examination."
"Why were you there? Lightning Dust at least had a reason..." Phoenix asked
"I WAS GETTING TO THAT, PORCUPINE HEAD!" Gilda shouted.
'P-Porcupine Head?!' Phoenix thought to himself.
"I was wondering what the fuss was all about, since that lame-o Rainbow Dash got in, and I didn't!"
"HOLD IT!"
Phoenix put a hoof to his chin. "Strange....I don't remember ever hearing about you wanting to join The Wonderbolts...."
"Of course I did! It's what Rainbow Dash and I wanted ever since we were in Junior Speedsters Flight Camp together.....uh--not that I care! SHUT UP!" She shouted.
"Please continue your testimony, Miss Gilda." The Judge said.
"Lightning Dust just happened to be there with me. We weren't in cahoots or anything!"
"HOLD IT!"
"Didn't you go there together? You arrived at about the same time, didn't you?" Phoenix asked.
"JUST BECAUSE WE'RE ROOMMATES NOW IT DOESN'T MEAN WE DO THE SAME THINGS ALL THE TIME, IDIOT!!!! That'd just be weird!" Gilda shouted.
'Ow....my poor ears!' Phoenix whined in his head.
"Then I bumped into somepony, and I left."
"HOLD IT!"
"Who was this somepony you bumped into?" Phoenix asked.
"I don't know!" Gilda shouted. "They were too small, and they moved too fast! They did leave behind some orange feathers though....must've gotten stuck to my fur..."
Phoenix nodded. 'Gah!' He thought to himself. 'There's nothing there I can use! I need to think of something quick, or it'll be all over!'
Twilight noticed Phoenix's uneasy expression. She knew he had nothing left to go on. 'Come on, Phoenix....there has to be something!'
"Well, Mister Wright?" The Judge asked. "If you have nothing to say about Gilda's testimony, then I'm afraid I'll have to end this trial."
"Ha!" Iron Will shouted, a wide, arrogant smile on his face. "Iron Will TOLD YA she was guilty! But you all didn't wanna listen!"
"Nick! Don't leave me hangin' like this!" Rainbow Dash shouted. "Please! There has to be something! I DIDN'T DO IT!!!"
"Nick..." Maya whispered. "Are you sure there isn't anything else there?"
Phoenix put his hooves on his head, thinking about Gilda's testimony. There had to be something that didn't add up.....there had to be.....but what was it?!
The Judge shook his head. "Well then, if there's nothing else to say, then this court will have to find the defendant....Rainbow Dash... G--"
Then it hit him. The orange feathers! Who could they belong to!? Phoenix thought back to everypony he spoke to during his investigation....he then heard somepony shout.
"COME ON!!!! THIS ISN'T FAIR!!! FREE RAINBOW DASH!!!!"
He looked to the gallery. It was Scootaloo! Still holding up her sign, still skipping school, still protesting, right there in the gallery. "YOUR HONOR!!" Phoenix shouted. "I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THAT FILLY TO THE STAND!!"
The crowd reacted to this in shock. Causing the judge to stop speaking right before he gave his verdict to bang the gavel. "Order! Order I say!" He then looked at Phoenix, wide-eyed. "Mister Wright....are you sure? I don't think that filly is relevant to this case..."
"Please, Your Honor! I have a feeling this could prove my client's innocence!" Phoenix pleaded.
The Judge thought for a moment....then nodded his head. "Alright fine. Little Filly! Please come to the stand!"
Scootaloo's eyes widened when she was called to the stand. She peered about nervously, then walked to the stand.
"Alright, little filly! State your name and Occupation if ya have one!" Iron Will said.
Scootaloo nodded. "I'm Scootaloo, and I'm a Cutie Mark Crusader!" She shouted with a smile.
"Cutie Mark....Crusader?" The Judge asked.
Scootaloo's smile grew wider when he asked. "Oh, it's a group I formed with my two friends, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle! The Cutie Mark Crusaders! We're all about trying different things to find out what our special talent is, so we can finally earn our Cutie Marks!"
"Aaaaaaw! Isn't that just adorable!" The Judge said with a smile on his face, which irritated Scootaloo.
"Hey!" She shouted. "It's not adorable! It's serious business!"
"Right right...*ahem*, I apologize....." The Judge stammered. "Would you mind telling us where you were on the day in question?"
"Anything to prove Rainbow Dash's innocence!" Scootaloo said.
"Alright, so I'd gotten up early that morning. I wanted to get an early start on my Cutie Mark Crusading! Then, I went to the Town Square to meet Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. Simple as that! I never went to the Wonderbolt Academy! I swear!" Scootaloo nodded when her testimony had concluded.
The Judge nodded. "Very well."
"Hold on a minute, Judge!" Iron Will said.
"Yes? What is it, Mister Will?" Asked The Judge.
"Think about it. She's just a filly. Iron Will doesn't want Wright pressin' the Witness too hard." Iron Will crossed his massive arms and nodded.
The Judge nodded as well. "Yes, Mister Wright, do try to be gentle with the witness."
"O-Of course, Your Honor!" Phoenix said. 'Gah....Child Witnesses....the kryptonite of Phoenix Wright.....' He thought to himself. Rainbow Dash then put a hoof on his shoulder. "Don't worry about that." She said. "Scoots is a tough kid!"
Phoenix looked over the court record papers. "Gilda said in her testimony that she bumped into somepony before she left the academy. And orange feathers were found on her person. The only pony I can think of who has feathers of that color....is you, Scootaloo."
"N-No way!!" Scootaloo shouted. "There's no way I could've been there! I couldn't have been there! I....I.... *sighs* can't....fly yet......"
"Well then who else could those feathers belong to?" Phoenix asked.
Scootaloo looked around the room frantically. She had nothing left to say. It was time for her to come clean. "I...I......WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!" Scootaloo cried even louder than Lightning Dust, tears pouring down her face, her cheeks flushed red from embarressment. "OK!!!!! OK!!! I WAS THERE!!!! I BORROWED TWILIGHT'S BALLOON AND STOLE SPITFIRE'S SUIT!!!!"
"Wait....you took my balloon!?" Twilight shouted in disbelief, causing Applejack to put a hoof on the Alicorn's shoulder.
"Easy there, Sugarcube....one thing at a time." The Farm Pony said.
This got the crowd active again, they all reacted surprised. The Judge banged his gavel. "Order! Order! Miss Scootaloo, please calm down, and explain yourself!"
"O-Ok..." The little filly sniffled. "I-I wanted to see The Wonderbolt Academy myself.....I wanted to see the cadets practice....b-but since I can't fly, I had to borrow Twilight's balloon....and I did it without asking. O-Once I got there, I snuck into the locker rooms....they were awesome....b-but then I heard somepony coming...I panicked....and I must've pulled the suit down off of the hanger by accident....I didn't wanna get in trouble....so I held onto it...I didn't know Rainbow Dash was gonna get blamed.....that's why I was protesting earlier...."
"Scootaloo...." Rainbow said to herself silently.
The Judge nodded. "Well then, in light of this confession, I hereby rule that the defendant, Rainbow Dash is....
"NOT GUILTY."
The Judge banged his gavel, and the gallery cheered and threw confetti.
"Scootaloo, your sentence is One Week of Community Service, since you are only a filly, and therefore cannot go to prison. With this, court is adjourned!"
September 30, 11:23 AM Ponyville Courthouse Defendant Lobby No. 2
Phoenix, Maya, and Rainbow Dash all stepped into the lobby, Phoenix wiping the sweat off of his forehead with a handkerchief. When they arrived, they found Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rarity waiting for them. "DASHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE!!!!!" Pinkie shouted, tackling her rainbow mane'd friend and holding her in a tight hug. "I knew you were innocent! I knew it! KNEW IT KNEW IT KNEW IT!!!!"
"Agh! Thanks...Pinkie...you're...crushing...me!!!" Rainbow strained. Pinkie then immediately let her go.
"You really saved my tail, Phoenix! Pfft, but I knew all along we were gonna get out of that one ok!" Rainbow said, clapping Phoenix on the back.
"Wait a minute....but weren't you all nervous just a few seconds ago--MMPH!" Before Pinkie could finish her sentence, Rainbow quickly placed a hoof over the party pony's mouth.
"Wright and Co. Law Offices! We always aim to please!" Maya said. She then gasped loudly. "THAT SHOULD BE OUR SLOGAN!!!"
"Heheh...I don't know about that, Maya....." Phoenix muttered. They looked to the door, to see that Scootaloo was walking out of the courtroom, with Spitfire. Spitfire carried a neutral expression, while Scoots looked particularly ashamed of herself.
"Keep your chin up, Kid." Spitifre said to Scootaloo. "I said I forgive you..."
"I know..." Scootaloo said. "But it's not that I'm ashamed about....."
"Is everything ok?" Phoenix asked The Wonderbolt captain.
"Yeah. everything's fine." She said. "Scootaloo was gonna take me to her place so she could return my suit."
Rainbow Dash walked over to the sad little filly. "Everything ok, Scoots?"
"R-Rainbow Dash...." Scootaloo then quickly grabbed Dash's front right leg in a tight embrace. "I'm sorry!!! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to get you in trouble!"
Rainbow Dash sighed and patted her on the back. "It's ok, Kid...I don't blame ya."
Scootaloo looked up at her. "Y-You don't?"
Rainbow shrugged. "Nah, we all make mistakes every now and again!" She smiled. "I knew you didn't mean to frame me!"
Scootaloo smiled as Dash ruffled her mane. "Just try and calm down, and keep your chin up!"
Scootaloo nodded vigorously with a wide smile on her face. "Sure thing!"
After that, Iron Will walked out of the courtroom, and he didn't look very happy. He actually looked sad....his confident expression was gone, replaced with one of shame.
"I-Is everything ok, Iron Will?" Fluttershy asked, walking up to him.
The minotaur sighed. "Iron Will's fine.....he's just...ashamed of himself...."
"Oh....why would that be?" Fluttershy asked.
"What, were ya blind?!" He shouted, startling Fluttershy a bit. The minotaur sighed again. "Iron Will's sorry....he didn't mean to scare ya.....he's just ashamed of himself because he almost got an innocent pony thrown in prison....and now he lost his first case....I can't even lawyer right! It's bad enough that my career was ruined as a motivational speaker...."
Fluttershy flew up to his height and put a hoof on his chest. "Oh, Mister Will...I'm sorry for ruining your career....."
"No, No it wasn't yer fault, Fluttershy..." Iron Will muttered. "Iron Will didn't think you would take him so seriously....Iron Will thought he could get his old mojo back from this case....but now he just feels even worse..."
"Awww....it wasn't your fault, Mister Will!" Maya exclaimed. "You were just...so excited about being a prosecutor!"
"Y-Yeah.." Phoenix joined in, trying awkwardly to help the other two ponies cheer him up. "Besides, this was only your first case! I'm sure you'll knock it out of the park in the next one!"
Iron Will sniffled a bit, looking at the three of them. "Hey.....yer right....this was only Iron Will's first case! He shouln't have had that high of an expectation for himself! Iron Will will get 'em next time!!!" He flexed his muscles proudly, giving a thumbs up to you, the reader. "If you ever need a prosecution Attorney, you can count on Iron Will!"
He then looked back down at Phoenix and Maya. "Even though we were on opposing sides, Iron Will would like to thank you for helping him get his confidence back! But don't get too soft! Just because we're friends in real life, in the court room, we're RIVALS!!! Iron Will will get you next time, Wright!" He laughed hard, grabbing Fluttershy, Maya, and Phoenix, crushing them in a tight friend hug. "C-Crushing--My lungs!" Phoenix stammered.
"C-Can't breathe!!" Maya rasped.
Fluttershy however seemed perfectly nestled in his embrace, she looked like she was enjoying it even. "See?" She said. "He's not a monster! Just a....very confident minotaur!"
