Rei Ryghts: Ace Attorney

The Mech-Suit's Turnabout

by Derald Snyder

Investigation- Day 1 (Part 1)

June 7, 11:21 AM

Main Gate

Planeptune Higher Learning Institute

"Rei, we're here."

There was no response. Purple Heart, the HDD form of Neptune, heaved a sigh as she set her passenger on the ground, who was sound asleep.

"Rei, please wake up, we have arrived." Still nothing. "Very well then. You leave me no other choice." Reverting to normal, Neptune put her pinky fingers to the corners of her mouth, then emitted a long, high-pitched whistle.

That did the trick. "WAAHHH! I'm up, I'm up!" The former goddess leapt to her feet in panic. "Wait, where are we?"

"Planeptune, of course!" Neptune replied. Shaking her head, she continued, "Boy, you must've been run ragged from all your lawyering, you were sawing logs the whole way here!"

"I was? Oh, I-I'm sorry! I'm so, so, very sorry! I'll t-try to be more alert next time!"

"Oh, stop that!" Neptune rolled her eyes, though her tone was more amused than annoyed. "Rei Ryghts might act that way, but 'Yuu Kobayashi' doesn't!"

"Huh? O-oh, right, my alias…" Rei pulled at her new outfit. "Ugh, this hoodie is so hot and uncomfortable… How come you aren't sweating?" She was now wearing a purple hoodie and blue skirt, with long socks and sneakers. Her hair was pulled back into a simple ponytail, and her regular glasses had been replaced with a pair of sunglasses, to hide her eyes. Her horn protrusion had also somehow been removed(We probably don't want to know the details on that).

"Actually, it *is* kinda hot today… hopefully there'll be drinks inside or something." Neptune wiped her brow.

"Inside…?" 'Yuu Kobayashi' looked and saw a large copper sign at the side of the gate. "'Planeptune Higher Learning Institute'? N-no offense meant, but that doesn't seem like the place for you…"

"Hey, I'm not stupid, I'm just lazy!" The CPU protested. "Besides, we're here to meet someone, anyway…"

"R-really? Who, exactly?"

"NEPTUNE!" A girl with long flowing purple hair, the same shade as Neptune's, ran up and grabbed the goddess in an affectionate embrace. She wore a single D-pad clip in her hair like Neptune, however, unlike her, she was dressed in a button-up sailor uniform instead of a hoodie. "You're here! I thought you weren't gonna come…!"

"Like I would let my little sister down?" Neptune chuckled. The other girl released her embrace so she could look her sister in the eye. "I'm guessing Histy told you I ran off to Lowee?"

"Yes, and she also said you told her you were going to bring someone to join us at this event… She didn't buy it, though."

"Well, she's gonna have to eat crow this time!" Neptune proclaimed with a big smile, before gesturing to Rei. "Ta-daa!"

"Um… H-hello there," Rei bowed nervously.

Nepgear blinked several times in confusion. "Uh, sis…? Is this who I think it is? And why is she dressed like that?"

Neptune looked around to make sure no-one else was nearby, before putting her mouth close to her younger sister's ear. "Well, it's like this… whisper whisper whisper mumble mumble mumble whisper…"

The CPU Candidate's eyes widened slightly in comprehension. "Oh, so that's it… she's in disguise…" Turning to Rei, she bowed slightly to her. "Hello Ms. Kobayashi, I'm Nepgear. It's nice to meet you."

"Um… t-the pleasure's all mine," 'Yuu' forced a smile. "Um, s-so… what's this event Neptune was talking about?"

"The Annual PHLI Robot Expo!" Nepgear answered instantly, her violet eyes sparkling. "Every year, students from the Mechanical Engineering department come together to show off their creations! It's so wonderful!"

"I… see. That's nice." Turning to Neptune, 'Yuu' muttered, "I didn't realize your sister was such a gearhead…"

"Well, her name is Nep-GEAR, what'd you expect?" The goddess quipped.

"I can hear you, you know…" the younger sister sighed, tapping her index fingers together. "Even in a fan-fiction, I can't get any respect… Am I doomed to be female Rodney Dangerfield forever…?"

"A-actually, I t-think that description fits m-me better…" 'Yuu' responded, flushing. "Then again, I k-kind of earned my bad reputation, e-even if I don't remember what happened…"

"OK, enough with being down in the dumpsters, you two!" Neptune cut in. "Especially you, Nep Jr.! This expo is your show, after all…"

"R…right!" Nepgear immediately straightened up. "You're right, it's going to be so much fun! Let's go!"

With that, she ran through the open gate, Neptune and 'Yuu' trailing behind…

June 7

South Courtyard

Planeptune Higher Learning Institute

"Ooooooooh!" Nepgear nearly swooned at all the projects being shown off by various mechanical engineering students everywhere. "Look there! And over there! Oh wow, look at *that*!" Meanwhile, Neptune and 'Yuu Kobayashi' were walking a few feet behind, Neptune looking absolutely miserable and 'Yuu' only looking slightly less so.

"(Greetings, CPU Neptune- and- CPU Candidate Nepgear,)" a robotic voice sounded to the trio's right.

"Oh my goodness! A talking robot!" Nepgear seemed to teleport right in front of said robot in question, stars in her eyes. "So cool!" The robot in question appeared to be a mechanical head in the rough shape of a human skull set on a pedestal, with bright red eyes and a realistic jaw that moved in time with it's spoken words.

"I'm glad you approve, ma'am," a male black-shadowed NPC stepped forward. "It's a primitive AI I made myself. It can interpret and speak in three different languages, with more to follow."

"Um... which languages, exactly?" 'Yuu' spoke up, not wanting to look like dead weight.

"English, Japanese, and Spanish," The NPC answered. "I'm working with language experts in the Institute to make sure my robot doesn't sound like some lame Boogle Translate garbage."

Neptune suddenly got a mischievous look on her face. "So, can it interpret the word... 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious'?"

"(Supercali... fragile... istic...ccccccceeeeeeekkkkxxxx #$#%&$^#%*#$-)" The robot head spun around as several sparks erupted from its cranium, before tilting to one side, its eyes going dim.

"NEPTUUUUUNE!" Nepgear cried in dismay. "You broke it! How could you?! You've likely ruined months and months of work! You're the worst...!"

"M-Miss Nepgear, please, it's not a big deal," the student cut in as he stepped between the sisters. "It was just a prototype, anyway. I thought my robot could handle a big word like that." He heaved a sigh. "But obviously, there's still some bugs to work out..."

"Y-yes, please, c-calm down, Nepgear," 'Yuu' supplemented. "Y-you really shouldn't l-let one bad event ruin t-the whole trip, r-right?"

The NPC turned to look at the blue-haired woman. "Excuse me, do I know you?"

"Um, n-no," 'Yuu' answered, bowing her head. "I live in Lowee, s-so I highly doubt it..."

"She's a lawyer who got me out of a jam in Lowee," Neptune quickly added. "I just brought her here as a 'thank-you' of sorts, that's all."

"Oh, I see. My apologies," the shadowed student bowed repentantly.

"So, anyway, we're gonna check out some other stuff!" The CPU declared, grabbing both her sister and 'Yuu' by the wrist, before pulling them away. "Bye! Good luck with your robot!"

"Uh...bye," The student half-heartedly waved. (What was that all about...?)

June 7

North Courtyard

Planeptune Higher Learning Institute

Neptune sighed in relief. "Phew, that was a close one."

"I'm still upset at at you, sister!" Nepgear said. "Even if it *was* just a prototype, you shouldn't go around deliberately destroying people's hard work like that!"

"Oh, come on, Nep Jr.! He said it wasn't a big deal!"

"Well *I* think it is!"

"P-please, stop this!" 'Yuu' squeaked. "S-sisters shouldn't be fighting like this...!"

"Yeah, c'mon, listen to Re- I mean Yuu! Can't we just drop this already?!"

"No, we cannot!"

"Um, excuse me..." A male voice cut in. "Is... this a bad time?"

Nepgear turned to the source of the voice, her angry expression quickly vanishing as recognition kicked in. "Morty! There you are! I was starting to think you weren't here!"

The man in question appeared to be in his early 20's, about as tall as Nepgear, with dirty blonde hair and green eyes set into a very cute face. He was dressed in a slightly raggedy t-shirt and blue jeans, along with a blue bomber jacket.

Neptune's eyes went wide at the sight. "Hey, he's not in shadow like the others! That must mean he's a *really* important character in this story!" She then shook her head. "Wait, forget that! Nepgear, who's this Morty person? Something you perhaps forgot to tell me?" she inquired, her tone turning slightly accusatory.

"Huh...?" The CPU Candidate was confused for a moment, before it suddenly clicked. "OH! No, no, no! It's not like *that*! He's just a friend, that's all...!"

"Nepgear is correct," Morty spoke up. "She and I and just pen pals. Our relationship is purely platonic, I assure you."

"Pen pals, huh?" Neptune eyed the newcomer suspiciously. "I guess that's fine for now, but if it goes any further, I'll call Blanc to bring down the hammer on you!"

"Neptuuuuune!" Nepgear wailed in dismay. "Why do you always have to be like this every time I speak to someone from the opposite gender?!"

"'Cause I don't want my little sis to have her heart broken and stomped on, that's why!"

"ENOUGH!" 'Yuu' roared, stepping in between the arguing pair, facing Neptune. "Why can't you take your little sister at her word?! If she says they're just pen pals, then they're just pen pals! You should have a bit more faith in her than that!"

Neptune sweatdropped and she raised her hands and backed away. "OK, OK... I'm sorry. You're right, Nep Jr. wouldn't lie to me about that..."

"Thanks, Yuu," Nepgear sighed in relief. "Well, now that that's settled, how about you introduce yourself, Morty?"

"Um, right..." The student cleared his throat. "My name is Mortez Doez. I'm a mechanical engineering student near the top of my class. I first met Nepgear on a message board on the InterNep, and we realized we had a shared interest in hardware and robots and stuff. Actually, I'm kinda flattered that one of the goddesses thinks my work is hot stuff, even if I *am* considered by my professors to be a prodigy..." Mortez chuckled as he put a hand behind his head.

"Soooo… what exactly are you working on?" Neptune inquired. "Or is it top secret, if-I-tell-you-I-have-to-kill-you stuff?"

"I, uh, wouldn't go that far…"

"It's a mech suit, or so he says," Nepgear supplied.

"Hsssst! Don't say that so loud!" Mortez whispered. "It's not ready to go public yet!"

"You know, I've fought my fair share of bad guys in mech suits…" Neptune muttered to herself.

"W-well, I assure you, Morty's one of the good guys!" her younger sister insisted. "Right, Morty?"

"W-well, of course! Why would you need to even ask that?" The student shook his head. "Anyway, Nepgear, you ready for me to show you my masterpiece?"

"Oh, yes!" The CPU Candidate smiled with sparkles in her eyes.

"Well, lead the way then!" said Neptune.

Mortez, however, held up a hand. "Um, sorry miss Neptune, but I'm afraid this is a private viewing. Only Nepgear's allowed to see it."

The CPU's eyes shrank to white circles. "Huh…? But why…? I wouldn't tell anyone!"

"It's not that…" He shook his head in response. "With all due respect, miss Neptune, I'm just paranoid that you'll touch or press something you're not supposed to, and cause a disaster in the process…"

"He's got a point," Nepgear affirmed with a sharp nod. "You've already wrecked one robot today, I don't need you destroying his life's work!" A piano chord sounded as Neptune went white with shock, dropping to her knees, her mouth working but no sounds coming out.

"U-um, well then…" 'Yuu' softly interjected. "I g-guess we'll just check out t-the rest of the expo i-in the m-meantime…"

Nepgear looked down at her sister, her heart twisting a bit. "W-was I too harsh, maybe?"

Mortez just shrugged. "Sometimes, harsh is the only way to get the point across… Anyway, c'mon. We better go…" He turned and began to walk off.

"O-Okay!" Nepgear started to follow, but then turned back to her two comrades. "So, I'll, uh, catch up with you two later, OK?" Without waiting for a response, she turned and ran after Morty…

"B-Bye…" 'Yuu' half-heartedly waved after them…

Some time later…

"Bored, bored, bored! I am so bored!" declared Neptune, as she and 'Yuu' wandered aimlessly.

"That's the fifth time you've said that…" 'Yuu' pointed out.

"Well, it's true! I'm not into robots like Nep Jr. is! Good thing you're here… 'misery loves company', as they say."

'Yuu' couldn't help but think to herself, (Wait, *that's* why you dragged me over here? So you wouldn't be bored all by yourself?!) Aloud she asked, "But w-why me? Couldn't y-you have asked the other CPUs o-or something…?"

"I did!" Neptune retorted. "Well, actually, IF and Compa were the first two I asked, but Compa was busy with med school and IF was busy with some 'secret mission'…" The last two words were spoken with a sarcastic undertone. "Noire was busy with paperwork, *as usual*, Vert was screwing around with one of her MMOs again… and well, I already told you what happened with Blanc…"

(So I was the last one on your list?) 'Yuu' groaned inwardly. (Then again, I *did* try to kill you in the past, even if I *was* insane…) "And you wonder why I used to think CPUs weren't necessary…"

Neptune visibly winced at that remark. "Ouch. Low blow, Yuu." The CPU then wiped her forehead. "Phew, it's hot… Maybe I should've worn something lighter…"

"Maybe you should have dressed *me* in something lighter, too…" her companion muttered. "I'm thirsty… isn't there any water around here?"

"Water sounds nice," Neptune sighed. "Though, I could *really* go for a cup of nice, cold—"

"PUDDING! Get your pudding here!" A female voice sounded from not too far away, causing the goddess' eyes to go wide with shock.

"Whoa! That's freaky timing! I've must've tripped an event flag without realizing it!" Without any further ado, she ran over to the lady carrying a tray of pudding in her hands. 'Yuu' followed behind, noting that the woman wasn't a black-shadowed NPC. Said woman was about Neptune's height, with green hair and extremely pale skin, dressed in a dark t-shirt and denim jeans.

"Well, well, if isn't isn't the CPU herself!" the woman exclaimed. "Then again, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised… One cup for 500 credits!"

"OK!" Neptune searched her pockets, only to come up empty. "Oops… Um, Yuu, I don't have any money on me at the moment… Can ya help me out here?"

'Yuu' heaved a sigh as she pulled out her own billfold. "Well, at least I'm not completely dead weight anymore…"

"Well since you're paying, how about you have a cup too?" The salewoman offered.

The disguised lawyer bit her lip. "I'm more thirsty than hungry right now…"

"Well, you can always just save it for later!"

"Yeah, and if you don't want it, I'll eat it later!" Neptune added.

"O-okay, okay, I might as well…" 'Yuu' conceded as she handed over 1000 credits.

"That's the spirit!" said the lady as she handed a cup to both girls. "Thanks for your business! Later!" She walked off, humming to herself.

"C'mon, Yuu! Let's go sit down and eat!" said Neptune.

**Pudding added to Court Record.**

A few minutes later, the two were sitting on a bench, Neptune polishing off her cup of pudding.

"Mmm, that was good!" the goddess sighed happily. "Nothin' like pudding to fill the belly!" She then stretched and yawned. "Haahh, I feel like taking a nap now…" With that, Neptune slumped over, her head coming to rest in her companion's lap as she began to snore.

(Wow… out like a light,) 'Yuu' thought to herself. (I knew she was a heavy sleeper, but wow…) She wiped some more sweat from her brow, before ineffectually trying to fan her self with her hand. "So thirsty…"

"Excuse me, ma'am," 'Yuu' turned to the source of the voice- another black-shadowed NPC male. "I hope I'm not being too forward, you said you were thirsty, so…" He held out a water bottle.

"Oh, thank you…" she sighed as she gratefully took the bottle, opening and taking a long pull. "*gulp, gulp* Ahhhh… much better."

"You're welcome," the man chuckled. Walking in front of 'Yuu' he inquired, "Why are you wearing a hoodie in this weather, anyway?"

"It w-was her idea," 'Yuu nodded to the sleeping CPU. "A-also I usually live i-in Lowee…"

"Ah, I see… So, how did you become friends with Miss Neptune?"

"U-um…" the bluenette stuttered. "W-well, I'm a defense attorney… I helped out Neptune when she got in trouble on assault charges…"

"Assault? Who did she assau- I mean, supposedly assault?" he quickly corrected himself.

"Lowee's Oracle, Mina… something-or-other," she stumbled. (I still can't get her name right…) "Anyway, t-the a-actual perpetrator was a c-common thief. I-I managed to expose him and g-get him arrested."

The man nodded. "So, Miss Neptune invited you here out of gratitude, then?"

"S…something like t-that, I guess," 'Yuu' answered. Looking down at her sleeping companion, she muttered, "Although this isn't exactly my idea of fun…"

"I can look after her if you need to go to the bathroom or something," The NPC offered. The lawyer was seriously considering taking him up on his offer, when suddenly…

*KA-THOOOOM!*

"W-what was that?!" 'Yuu' squeaked, looking around for the source of the noise.

To be continued...