This is Part I of the My Gift To You Special. Yes, as is custom on my birthday, I give my readers a gift, a full special set of updates to all my active stories. Last time, we finally faced the Prosecutor, Red, and had a difficult time of trying to prove anything during the trial. But ultimately, Phoenix does manage to provide enough reasonable doubt to get the judge to call further investigation. Red may not be too happy about this, but allows it so long as Phoenix accepts a guilty verdict if this investigation proves to be a waste of time, which Phoenix accepts. Was that a smart move? Well let's find out. Read on to discover...

District Court Defendant Lobby No. 5

Monday March 22

14:00 hrs

(Our story resumes outside the court room, where Phoenix is almost collapsed onto one of the benches, still surprised that his plan actually managed to work, when Cynder and Trucy enter the room, a little surprised at Phoenix's plan)

Cynder: Phoenix, are you out of your mind?! Why would you ever take on Red's proposition!?

Phoenix: Trust me, Cynder. I know I sound out of my mind, but it was the only way Red would consent to allowing us to investigate further.

Cynder: Well, either way, we better hope we find something, else Spyro is completely doomed. And so are you if I recall correctly.

Phoenix: No need to remind me.

Trucy: So, what now? We've already been over the crime scene, and found nothing.

Phoenix: I wouldn't be too sure.

Trucy: Really?

Phoenix: Let's just say it wouldn't be the first time going back over a location has provided something only visible after some clarifying circumstances.

Trucy: I'm taking your word for that.

Cynder: So, back to the crime scene then?

Phoenix: Sounds like the right course of action.

Sheila, Bentley, and Sparx, Law Firm

Monday March 22

14:45hrs

(The scene is just as it was before, cordoned off with police tape and still as pristine as before, though this time Phoenix notices something about the floor)

Phoenix: Wow, this floor is made of a pretty soft stone.

Cynder: Probably why it got marked so easily and prominently during a struggle.

Phoenix: Admittedly that was a stretch on my part. Who could struggle so much against a dragonfly like Sparx? Well maybe this investigation will give us something to figure it out. Well, better glove up and see what we can find.

(The grimness setting in, Phoenix begins investigating the scene again, finding the same clues as before are still the only ones prevalent.)

Phoenix: This isn't looking good. There's still nothing standing out!

(Just as Phoenix starts losing hope, he returns to the suspicious smudge of ink on the windowsill, but this time he notices something else)

Phoenix: Wait a second, is that what I think it is? (Examines the smudge closer) It is! Looks like fragments of parchment. Wait a second, why would this be here?

Ink Smudge updated in Court Record

Phoenix: Hold on, something about this doesn't make sense. Ink and parchment fragments on a windowsill? What's that about? Wait, did Sparx throw a document out the window? Why would he do that? Of course, to make sure his murderer didn't find it! Just like the Guardians did with Ignitus' will a decade ago!

(With his revelation made, we see Trucy and Cynder have noticed Phoenix just standing in the windowsill, and are kind of confused)

Cynder: Phoenix? You okay?

Phoenix: (Hearing Cynder's voice, then snapping back to reality) Huh? Oh, sorry, just got lost in a theory.

Trucy: A theory? Do tell.

Phoenix: I just noticed there's some scraps of parchment in and around this smudge of ink.

Cynder: No idea how that's going to help us.

Phoenix: Let's just say it's similar to Ignitus' will.

Cynder: You think Sparx was trying to hide something there?

Phoenix: Not here, down below this window.

Trucy: You're seriously proposing he shoved a piece of paper out the window?

Phoenix: It's the only thing close to a lead we've got, so we may as well check it out. What's below this window?

Cynder: Just some bushes if I'm not mistaken.

Phoenix: We'd better check them out then.

Cynder: This may just be the longest shot you've ever pulled, Phoenix. But let's go along with it.

Outside Sparx's Office

Monday March 22

15:00 hrs

(The scene is fairly simplistic, just the grounds surrounding the building, with, just as Cynder said, a series of bushes beneath the window of Sparx's office, with some thorny vines extending up the wall from them.)

Phoenix: Now then, let's see if my hunch was right.

(Without hesitation, Phoenix starts searching the bushes at about where the ink smudge is, and before long, not to mention against all odds, he finds something.)

Phoenix: Aha! Looks like Sparx did throw something out! I think I've found something!

Cynder: (Rushing to Phoenix's side) What is it?

(With Cynder and Trucy by his side, Phoenix pulls whatever he's got out of the bush, revealing a few scraps of parchment, marked with ink, mixed with a few leaves and thorns.)

Trucy: Looks like a few scraps of paper.

Phoenix: They're marked with the same kind of ink on the windowsill. (Holds up a fragment with a peculiar yet familiar smear pattern) And whatever it was, it probably left that smudge of ink on the windowsill.

Fragments of Parchment added to Court Record

Cynder: It may not be much, but it's better than nothing. If we can prove it's relevant to the trial.

Phoenix: All we need to do is piece it back together. Something tells me Trucy and I should be able to make something of this before the trial tomorrow.

Trucy: Sounds like a plan! Let's head back to the Temple and get to work on it!

Dragon Temple

Monday March 22

18:00 hrs

(As we re-enter the scene, we see Phoenix and Trucy working diligently on trying to piece together the fragments they discovered in the bushes, and they seem to have made progress in the two hours since the last time we saw them, having managed to assemble what looks like a message. Though Trucy appears to have taken a quick nap, while Phoenix examines the progress they've made to date.)

Phoenix: We've been at this since when we got back from Sparx's office. And if I had to quantify our progress, I'd say it's substantial. Though, admittedly, we can't make out entirely what the document says.

(As Phoenix continues to messing with the fragments, hoping to find the secret they contain, there is suddenly a knock at the door. Taking a break from the puzzle, Phoenix answers, revealing a familiar cheetah, now walking with a cane.)

Phoenix: Hunter?

Hunter: I heard you were back in town, Mr. Wright.

Phoenix: What are you doing here?

Hunter: Just figured I'd stop by and see how Cynder was doing. She was pretty distraught when Spyro was arrested. Probably because she'd planned to tell him... (Realizes he's getting into something he shouldn't be talking about) Never mind.

Phoenix: (Now genuinely curious) Tell him what?

Hunter: (Sighs) I don't think she'll mind if I tell you. Cynder's pretty sure she's pregnant.

Phoenix: Pregnant?!

Hunter: She wasn't sure though, so her physician recommended a test. That's actually part of the reason I came around. To deliver the results.

Phoenix: You do deliveries?

Hunter: You'll be seeing more of me, tomorrow in court. I'll be the one dropping off Spyro's test results. (Takes out an envelope) Can you make sure Cynder gets this?

Phoenix: Sure thing. (Notices the cane) What's up with the cane?

Hunter: Some maniac attacked me a few weeks ago, before all of this happened. There was apparently severe nerve damage, so my leg's permanently shot.

Phoenix: Yeesh. Sorry to hear that.

Hunter: I'm taking well to it according to my physician. (Realizing this is getting awkward) Well, I've got to get moving. I'll be seeing you tomorrow.

(And just as suddenly as he appeared, Hunter disappears into the swamp, still quick as ever despite a screwed up leg.)

Phoenix: Good to see he's on the rebound. (Looks back to Trucy and the puzzle of parchment) Let's see if we can't find anything in that parchment.

(With that, Phoenix returns to working on the parchment, as the tale concludes for today)

This concludes Part I of the My Gift To You Update. For Part II, head on over to DEATH BATTLE! So, looks like Phoenix managed to find something at the law offices after all. But what mysteries will this parchment unravel? We'll have to see as everything continues. So be sure to tune in for that! Same time... same channel!