Turnabout Discharge 3-3 ~ A Gleam of Uncertainty

Turnabout Discharge - Part 3
~A Gleam of Uncertainty~
Date added	April 20, 2024
Duration	1:10:03
Transcript	Available
Part of	My Little Ace Attorney: Elements of Justice
⇐ Turnabout Discharge - Part 2	⇒ Turnabout Discharge - Part 4

At the Manehattan Detention Center, Apollo, Trucy, and Applejack meet with Rarity to question her about the night of Overall Concept's death. Rarity is relieved that Prince Blueblood is no longer assigned to her trial, though Apollo finds it puzzling she has not spoken to any other prosecutor since his dismissal.

On the night of Overall's death, Rarity was seated in the middle seat of the theater's front row and thus had a clear view of Overall's body as it hanged; she even made direct eye contact with the stagehooves as they rushed onto the stage. When asked about the incriminating letter Philo Reed told them about that supposedly proves Rarity's involvement in Overall's death, Rarity categorically denies writing or sending any such letter.

With their search of Overall's room at Keresmatic's Mare Attic having proved fruitless, the group decides to search his workspace at Bridleway Theatre. Before they leave, Rarity expresses concern about Rainbow Dash and her recent arrest, even after their falling-out at the end of Sweetie Belle's trial. Despite Rarity's uncertainty about her impending trial, Apollo, Trucy, and Applejack have the utmost faith in her innocence, moving her to tears. Apollo and Trucy head back to the theater with Spike while Applejack takes Sweetie Belle to the train station to send her home to Ponyville.

At the Bridleway Theatre, Apollo and company investigate Overall's dressing room, but it appears to have been completely cleaned, despite being part of a crime scene. Spike finds a space behind a nearby curtain large enough for a pony to hide themselves; Apollo recalls Suri Polomare mentioning during Coco Pommel's trial that there was a brief moment when Overall Concept had his back turned and was facing toward the curtain, suggesting the possibility that someone was hiding behind it.

In one of Overall's desk drawers with a false bottom, Apollo discovers a flier for the "Equestrian 600" racing competition. The race was to be held at the Secretariat Race Course a few days prior, and one name in the list of participants is circled: Cruise Control, which Spike recognizes as having been involved in the events of Turnabout Storm. In addition, the race was jointly sponsored by the Wonderbolts and Keresmatic's Mare Attic. Applejack returns after escorting Sweetie Belle to the train station and offers to lead the group to the Secretariat Race Course.

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At the Secretariat Race Course, Apollo and company meet a flirty investigative photographer/journalist named Amber Gleam. They explain that they are investigating Overall Concept's murder and following up on a lead concerning the Equestrian 600. Amber reveals that the race's coveted prize was a tour of the Wonderbolt Academy for the winner and one guest. She also reveals that Overall used to frequently visit the racetrack with Estella Pantomimia, causing rumors to circulate that the two were dating. When asked if Overall and Cruise Control had any connection, Amber Gleam pauses and feigns ignorance; this causes Apollo's bracelet to react, indicating she is hiding something. However, before Apollo can inquire more deeply, Amber dodges the question and quickly takes her leave.

Apollo and his friends' further investigation of the racetrack reveals little information. But, with the revelation of the Equestrian 600's prize, they have established a possible connection between Rarity's and Rainbow Dash's cases. They decide to bring Phoenix and Sonata up to speed with they learned, using a spell Twilight Sparkle cast on Spike that would allow him to send messages to Phoenix's cellphone with his fire breath.

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Meanwhile, at the Cloudsdale District Court, Sonata and Phoenix are in the courtroom lobby waiting for Rainbow Dash's trial to begin. Phoenix is unable to find out why the trial is being held so quickly, only being told again that the case concerned "national security". Despite their lack of information, evidence, and trial preparation, however, the two remain steadfast in their trust in Rainbow Dash and certainty that she will be found innocent.

Just then, Phoenix's phone starts ringing; when he answers, a scroll from Spike pops out of it. In it, Spike updates them on Apollo's investigation – particularly concerning the Equestrian 600 and its co-sponsoring by the Wonderbolts – but Sonata and Phoenix are unsure what relevance it has to their case. Rainbow Dash then joins them; Sonata reaffirms her promise to save her from being found guilty, but Rainbow is still somewhat distrustful of her. With that, the three head into the courtoom.

In a post-credits scene, flashing back to some time in the recent past, Overall Concept meets with Cruise Control at Keresmatic's Mare Attic at nighttime to give him a pair of custom-made Wonderbolt flight suits. As the two talk, Overall expresses how happier he is after leaving KMA behind, even finding love with Coco Pommel. Cruise mentions that, before the Pantomimia twins disappeared, Estella gave him a list of descriptions of KMA employees, but he was unable to ask more about it. Overall, suddenly filled with overwhelming dread, insists that Cruise drop the matter and not look into it further. The episode ends on a photograph of Overall Concept, Cruise Control, and Cruise's little sister.

Trivia

• While at the Manehattan Detention Center, Apollo recalls a past client of his who "didn't even speak English" and another who was "so sheltered, she was practically mute", referencing Machi Tobaye and Vera Misham from the fourth Ace Attorney game.
• Apollo's line "What is faith without doubt?" is lifted from the Dual Destinies case Turnabout for Tomorrow.
• Spike's line about Apollo's "narrow-minded cultural assumptions" is a reference to the "ladders vs. stepladders" running gag in Ace Attorney.
• Amber Gleam shares some personality traits with the Ace Attorney character Angel Starr; in the planning phase for Elements of Justice case 2, Starr served as direct inspiration for the character of Amber Gleam, who was originally named "Topaz" in concept art.
• Amber Gleam's remark about "amateur shutterbugs... hopping from one job to the next" is a reference to the Ace Attorney character Lotta Hart.