Turnabout Hotel: Trial Former.

My name is Malum Prohibitum, I'm a Defense Attorney. One year ago I started my career with a case headed by an element of Harmony. Because of this, I was given the job as the royal attorney, meaning that even one of the Princesses could call on me.

However, I soon learned the truth behind my mother's dissapearance and the secret she died for. I've rested for awhile, letting this soak in and taking a break from my normal career. But my story doesn't end there.

In fact, it begins one year later, in January. I was called in to defend a silly pony by the name of Fast Track.

January 25th, 10:00 PM
Canterlot Courthouse
Defendant Lobby Number One

I sighed as I stood in the defendant's lobby, waiting to be called into the courtroom. Nearby, a pony was fidgeting. My client.

"I swear I didn't do it!" The pony, a purple coated pegasus with a silk top hat exclaimed.

I sifted through my notes and found his info. His name was Fast Track, he was an illusionist. He is suspected for the murder of his friend, a pony by the name Scribble Swirls, an artist. How she died. . . suffocation in her bed.

"Mr. Track, listen to me. My job, heck, my life is about finding the truth. And I believe that you aren't guilty." I explained to him, helping him to relax a little.

"T-thank you Mr. Prohibitum. . ." He sighed, sitting back in his seat to wait for the doors to open.

"I'm sorry for asking again but, what happened?" I asked Fast as they waited.

"I was on my way to the convention, but I forgot my silk hat. When I opened the door, the hotel maid was there along with Scribble's. . .body. . .and the detective. . ."

"Why did they arrest you?" I wondered.

"I was the last pony to talk to Scribble alive." Fast replied, "And to think, I finally had the courage to ask her out."

I sighed, "That's. . .that's rough. . ."

"Yeah. . ."

I groaned as I went to ask my last question, "Do you know why someone would hurt Scribbler?"

"N-no!" Fast shouted. "No one could have a reason, she wouldn't hurt a fly!"

"I'll find the truth, I promise." I assured Fast

I pulled out my badge and gave it a long look. Rarity, the element of Generosity, gave it to me upon her retiring from defending. I smiled at the memories and slipped the badge away as the bailiff entered the room to collect us.

The trial had begun.

January 25th, 10:30 AM
Canterlot Courthouse
Courtroom No. 1

The judge smacked his gavel down to get everyone calmed down enough to begin the trial. "Court is now in session for the case of Fast Track. Prosecution, are you ready?"

A smug, grey pegasus chuckled as she continuously flicked her wing tip against her forehead. "Of course, your honor."

Malum shook his head, "A little too confident today, are we?"

The prosecutor chuckled. "If it isn't the famous Prohibitum. I've been looking forward to this for a long while. You mall call me Faux Justicine."

"If we're done chatting," The Judge cleared his throat, "Defense, are you ready?"

Malum nodded, "Yes your honor."

The Judge nodded, "Good. Then the Prosecution may give it's opening statement."

"Early yesterday, a hotel maid found miss Scribble Swirls dead in her hotel room. She shared the room with Fast Track. We believe that they were here for some sort of convention." Justicine stated.

"And the murder weapon?" The Judge asked.

"We believe she was suffocated by a hotel pillow, and today I will provide evidence that it was Fast Track who was holding said pillow." Justicine concluded.

"Well then. The Prosecution may call it's first witness." The Judge stated.

"Of course your honor. I'd like to call the hotel maid." Justicine replied.

"Why not just call the Detective up first?" Malum asked.

"Because he would've said exactly what I just stated." Justicine smirked, "So unless you want to waste our time. . . "

"The Defense may wait until the Cross Examination before shouting." The Judge stated.

"A-alright. . ." Malum groaned.

A few moments later, a white colored pegasus with a striped pink mane took the stand.

"Witness." Justicine grinned, "Please tell the ponies of the court your name and occupation."

"I-I'm Daisy Dreamer. . .I'm a cleaning maid for the High Hoof Hotel. . ." The pegasus timidly stated.

"So you found the body?" The Judge asked.

"I. . . .I did. ." Daisy mumbled.

"The please testify as to how you came across this." The judge asked.

WITNESS TESTIMONY

--How I found the Crime Scene--

I was doing my rounds at the hotel.

I got to their room at noon.

I knocked, but there was no answer.

That's when I used my master key and walked inside.

That's when I saw her body. . .

"Hmm. . . . Miss Dreamer, did you check the body to see if she was still alive?" The Judge asked.

"I-I did your Honor. . .her body was still warm." Dreamer answered.

"Your honor, before I start my cross examination, can we add this statement to her testimony?" Malum asked.

"Ms. Dreamer, would you mind?" The Judge implored.

"O-ok." Dreamer whispered.

"Good luck Attorney." Justicine smirked.

CROSS EXAMINATION

I was doing my rounds at the hotel.

"About what time do you start your rounds?" Malum asked.

"10:00. Most guests are gone for the day by that point, and those that aren't are usually on their way out." Dreamer explained.

"And how long does it take to finish the rounds?" Malum pressed.

"About two and a half hours. . .when I'm by myself. . ." Dreamer whispered.

"Oh dear. . .were you working alone on the day in question?" The Judge asked.

"Yes." Dreamer replied.

"As much fun as learning about the lack of maids at a popular hotel is," Justicine sighed, "I'd like to continue with the testimony today."

"The Prosecution makes a point. Ms. Dreamer, please tell us when you got to their room." The Judge stated.

I got to their room at noon.

"Do you remember if anypony left the room before you started your rounds?" Malum asked.

". . .I think I saw two ponies leave. . .and one came back. . ." Dreamer hummed in though.

"Do you remember what they looked like?" Malum pressed.

". . . only the defendant." Dreamer answered.

"Ms. Dreamer, I'm curious, how did you know to go inside the room?" Justicine wondered.

"Oh, well. . ."

I knocked, but there was no answer.

"So, do you knock on every door?" Malum asked.

"No. There are little door signs for each room. One side tells me it's empty, the other side tells me that someone is inside." Dreamer explained.

"As it stands, the door signs were missing when the witness arrived. We didn't find them in the initial investigation." Justicine explained.

"Because there wasn't a sign, I knocked. It was curious because I knew the room was being used." Dreamer stated.

"What did you do after you knocked, Ms Dreamer?" The Prosection asked.

That's when I used my master key and walked inside.

"You. . .used your master key?" Malum asked, "Tell me, besides you who else has access to a master key?"

"Besides me there's the Front Desk Supervisior who has one. And then the Hotel Manager or his Assistant Manager." Dreamer stated.

"So, at any given point, there's only four master keys?" Malum clarified.

"Yes. . .that's it." Dreamer nodded in affirmation.

I feel like I should ask for something more. . . Malum closed his eyes in thought for a moment before opening them. "Ms. Dreamer, how many copies of room keys do you keep?"

"In total? Only two per room. One is lent to guests while the other is kept safe at the main desk." Dreamer explained.

The Judge slammed his gavel. "I think we've talked long enough on this subject. Ms. Dreamer, what did you find upon entering the room?"

That's when I saw her body. . .

"And the body was still warm right?" Malum asked.

"Yes, she died not long before I got there." Dreamer explained.

". . . ." Malum paused, "Are you sure?"

"Yes. . ."

"Then why haven't you mentioned the defendant?!" Malum accused.

Justicine fluffed her wings before speaking, "Thank you for pointing that out Prohibitum. Ms. Dreamer, I'd like you to tell us what you did after you found the body."

She was waiting for me to notice! Malum silently cursed.

"I thought that testimony was odd. . ." The judge murmured. "Yes, let's hear what happened after the witness found the body!"

WITNESS TESTIMONY

--After I found her--

I was still in shock from finding . . .finding the body

But I decided to see if I could find any clues as to what happened.

That's when I heard the front door open.

And that's when I saw that pony in the defendant's chair, holding the room key!

"So you're saying that he returned to the scene of the crime?" The Judge clarified.

"Yes. He did." Dreamer stated, "I saw it."

I can see the smug grin on Justicine's face. But sadly, I can start to see holes in the testimony. Malum thought to himself.

"If the defense is ready, we will begin with the Cross Examination." The Judge stated.

CROSS EXAMINATION

I was still in shock from finding . . .finding the body

"So. . .did you know the victim?" Malum wondered.

"N-no. . at least, not personally." Dreamer answered.

"Not personally?" Malum repeated.

"Well you see. . " Dreamer began.

"I'm afraid that what the victim did is of no concern to the court." Justicine chuckled.

"Your Honor, we may learn something useful." Malum pressed, hoping the Judge would go along with his plan.

"Hmm. . ." The Judge hummed, "I suppose learning more about the victim could shed light on a motive. Witness, how did you know the victim?"

"She. . .she was one of four ponies selected to be the students of Princess Luna." Dreamer said, causing the court to fall into silence.

"I tried to stop you Malum. But you couldn't resist proving your defendant's motive." Justicine giggled, "He killed her out of jealousy. He wanted to be Luna's student."

"N-nnooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!" Malum shouted.

"Now, Ms. Dreamer. Tell us what you did next." Justicine commanded. "I'm not ready to end the cross examination."

But I decided to see if I could find any clues as to what happened.

"W-what did you find?" Malum asked.

"I found the room key on the floor, and all but one of the pillows were knocked off of the bed." Dreamer hummed in thought, "Actually, come to think of it. . .the bed itself was rather messy. . ."

"Of course it would be, she was suffocated on that bed after all." Justicine smirked.

I should probably ask about one of the things she found. Malum pondered, "Dreamer, can you tell me more about the key you found? Like maybe where it is this moment?"

"I left it there, on the ground. The police should have it. . " Dreamer explained.

"I can confirm that the police did indeed find this key, and confiscated the key belonging to the defendant." Justicine grinned, "Both are accounted for."

"W-WHAT?!" Malum gasped.

"Hmm, so both keys were accounted for. . ." The Judge hummed, "Ms. Dreamer, can you tell us what happened next?"

That's when I heard the front door open.

And that's when I saw that pony in the defendant's chair, holding the room key!

"Are you absolutely sure this is what happened?!" Malum asked.

"Y-yes. . ." Dreamer replied.

"Something has been bothering me this entire time. . .and it wasn't until I learned about the keys did it start to fall into place." Malum said, "And what you stated makes it impossible for my defendant to have been the killer."

"He was the only one with that room key, it couldn't have been anypony else!" Justicine growled.

"I'm afraid he wasn't the only one with a key. Because Scribble had a visitor, and he left his key behind!" Malum exclaimed.

"B-but. . . no pony else left the room before Ms. Dreamer got there!" Justicine growled.

"Exactly." Malum grinned, "Think about it. The body is still warm, the murder had just happened. Fast Track is a pegasus, he couldn't have teleported away. And if so, why did he come back?"

"W-well. . " Justicine stuttered.

"Also, something else had been bothering me. If it was a suffocation, why was the body still warm?" Malum wondered. "If it was a slow death like suffocation, and the body was still warm, the killer should have still been in there. Slow deaths means the heat leaves faster."

"So, what are you suggesting Mr. Prohibitum?" The Judge asked.

"Either the murder took place a few minutes before the time in which Dreamer assumed it happened and it wasn't a suffocation, or the killer teleported out of the room." Malum explained.

"B. but that means that there was a third pony on the scene of the crime!" Justicine hissed. "But that's ridiculous!"

"Order! Order!" The Judge slammed his gavel, getting the court to calm down. "I'm starting to wonder if we really should have heard from the detective first. But what I really want to know is, who could possibly be able to enter the hotel room that day. Malum, who is your suspect?"

Malum slammed his hooves on his desk. "My suspect? I don't know quite yet. But I'd like to ask the front desk clerk to tell us how the spare room key got in that room."

"Hmm, I'd like to know as well." The Judge agreed, "Alright. While the prosecution finds and ready the witness, we shall have a 30 minute intermission. Court will reconvene then." He then smacked his gavel, and the court room was emptied.

To be continued. . . .

Author's Note

Court Record:
Profiles:
Malum Prohibitum: Me, an Ace Attorney for Equestrian law.
Fast Track: A pegasus magician. Was sharing a room with the victim.
Scribble Swirl: A unicorn mare who was sharing a room with the defendant. (new): Was a student to Princess Luna.
Faux Justicine: A rookie Prosecutor who seems to forget the important witnesses.
Daisy Dreamer: A maid for the hotel. Found the body mere minutes before Fast Track returned to the room.

Evidence:
Lawyers Badge: A badge proving that I'm a defense attorney.
Key 133: A hotel key for the defendant's room. Fast Track had it with him.
Spare key: A spare key for the defendant's room, was found inside the room.