January 26th, 12:00 PM
Canterlot Court House
Defendant's Lobby No.1

"Well, here we are Malum. Back in the same place we started." Velum stated causually.

For better or for worse. . . I thought quietly to myself. "Don't worry, we'll get to the bottom of this. I promise."

"I'm not worried. I know your skill. You'll pull us through." Velum paused, "It's the witness that worries me. . ."

"You mean Pinkie?" I clarified.

"Yes." Velum replied.

Funny, I was thinking the same thing. . . I hummed in thought.

"The defense and it's co council are to make it's way to the courtroom." A bailiff called.

So Velum and I walked inside the courtroom, ready for what happens next.

January 26th, 12:30 PM
Canterlot Courthouse
Courtroom No. 1

The jury fell quiet as the judge slammed his gavel down. "Ahem. Court is now in session for the trial of Velum the Changeling." The Judge announced.

"The Defense is ready, Your Honor." Malum stated confidently.

"The Prosecution is prepared." Mora stated, her eyes closed in thought.

"Well then, seems I might finally get a quick trial after all. The Prosecution may give their opening statement." The Judge nodded.

"At about 9:30 last night a loud bang was heard, followed almost immediately by a pony being shot through a wall. Here's an autopsy report detailing the damages." Mora explained, presenting the report.

"Lets see. . .several broken bones, some sort of imprint around the neck. . .and most of the body is covered in brusies. My word, how did this pony manage to smash through a wall like that?" The Judge exclaimed.

"We believe it was this Party Cannon that shot the pony through the wall." Mora explained further.

"Hmm. The court accepts the report and the er. . cannon, as evidence." The Judge announced.

"Your Honor, I'd like to call my first witness." Mora asked, her tone remaining serious as ever.

"Then the Prosecution may. Though, may I ask why you haven't said anything about a motive or connection?" The Judge wondered, the jury murmuring in confusion.

". . . " Mora paused, her face remaining stone still.

"Um, does the defense know what is wrong with Miss Mora?" The Judge asked Malum.

". . ." Malum paused before speaking, "I believe she hasn't found any connection between the victim and defendant. Or any motive."

Mora nodded, "All motives he has is self defeating. This is why I wish to get witnesses testifying sooner rather then later. To figure out a motive from what they witnessed."

"Hmm. Okay." The Judge agreed, "I'll allow it, as the defense and prosecution seems to be in the same mind. You know, I wish more court proceedings were like this."

So the detective Silver Wings took the stand, a confused look on his face.

"Something the matter witness?" The Judge asked him.

"Well uh, you see pal. . ." He scratched the back of his head. "I'm quite baffled myself."

"Witness." Mora spoke, "Name and Occupation."

"Silver Wings, Detective Ma'am." Silver replied.

"Is it true that Velum the Changeling was found in the same room as the party cannon?" Mora asked him.

"I can confirm it." Silver replied, "You can ask the 50 or so ponies who saw him through the hole in the wall."

Mora nodded, "And because he was the only one in the room, that was your reason for arrest?"

"Yup." Silver answered simply.

"Hmm. Detective Silver, I'd like to hear more about your findings. Will you testify?" The Judge wondered.

"Alright." Silver answered.

WITNESS TESTIMONY

"Whatever happened in that room, it sure left a mess. We believe it was a spilled inkpot."

"The pony was found a distance from the room, but had markings that were made from being shoved into that cannon."

"The cannon was found in a small meeting room to the side of the ball room."

"Finally, we found a few other things on the scene of the crime, but only the locket matters."

"Detective, why does the locket matter?" The Judge wondered.

"It had a V on it. V for Velum." Silver explained.

"Hmm. Seems pretty straightforward. Defense, you may cross examine when ready." The Judge announced.

"Of course." Malum answered.

CROSS EXAMINATION

"Whatever happened in that room, it sure left a mess. We believe it was a spilled inkpot."

"This inkpot, did you find it?" Malum wondered.

"I can safely say that no, we did not find this inkpot." Silver wings answered.

"T-then continue. ." Malum grimaced.

"The pony was found a distance from the room, but had markings that were made from being shoved into that cannon."

]

"I wanted to ask about the crime photo." Malum stated.

"Oh yeah, that photo shows what everypony saw." Silver answered happily.

"Except the photo is in black and white." Malum sighed, "So tell the court one thing: is the puddle blood, or something else?"

"The liquid is ink. We believe from an inkpot." Silver answered.

"And did you search the body for this inkpot?" Malum asked.

"Yeah, we did. We couldn't find it." Silver replied.

*Dang it, that won't help anything.* Malum grumbled to himself. "Continue."

"The cannon was found in a small meeting room to the side of the ball room."

"This side room, how often was it used?" Malum wondered

"Malum, please stay on track." Mora scoffed.

"Yes, please stay on track." The Judge agreed. "Witness, is there anything else you'd like to say?"

"Finally, we found a few other things on the scene of the crime, but only the locket matters."

"I'm almost certain that these 'other things' have a purpose too. I demand that they are shown." Malum stated.

"Yes, I'd have to agree. What are these other things?" The Judge asked.

"Well, first is the large ink stain on the couch. We don't know where it came from." Silver explained.

"Malum, we already know that the inkpot is missing." Mora chided, "Detective! Did you find anything else?"

"Yes. We found hoof prints made from the spilled ink." Silver smiled, "They aren't the defendant's so. . ."

"Who did they belong to?" Malum asked hurriedly.

"We. . . .don't know. Could belong to anyone." Silver chuckled.

"Detective, this is no laughing matter." The Judge spoke up, "A murder occurred after all."

"Sorry." Silver sighed.

"Malum." Princess Heart spoke up. "We should ask the detective more about something. I just feel like we can't give up now."

"Hmm. . ." Malum hummed, "Detective, about the locket, was there anything inside?"

". . . ." Silver panicked, "Oh uh. . .nope! Nothing at all!"

". . . ." The Judge paused, ". . .Detective. . .have you not. . .opened the locket yet?"

"Er. . .no, we haven't." Silver sighed. "We were so gung ho about everything else that we just sort of. . .forgot. . ."

"Then maybe I should just forget to fill out your salary evaluation." Mora growled.

"Ack!" The Detective shouted, "Okay, I get it! Here, I'm opening it now!"

The court held it's breath as the locket opened to reveal a picture of Velum.

"The. . .defendant carried a picture of himself?" The Judge asked.

"How vain. ." Mora scoffed.

"That's. . odd. . ." Princess Heart muttered, "Velum was never the type."

"Well, there you have it folks. Only the defendant could have done it." Silver chuckled.

"Malum. What do we do? If this stays like this, Velum will be found guilty for sure!" Princess Heart whispered urgently.

She's right, if I don't object here, it'll be harder down the line to prove his innocence. . . .but what do I object to? Malum wondered.

The court turned their attention to Mora Circa, who was now pointing at Silver Wings.

"Detective, I object to this locket." Mora stated simply, a fierce look in her eyes.

"But, on what grounds?" The Judge asked. "This would surely help your case!"

"I do not believe this belongs to the defendant. I talked to him about the locket, I could tell it wasn't his." Mora explained.

"But, then who does it belong to?" Silver asked.

"Prohibitum." Mora asked, "Do you have any ideas?"

"As a matter of fact, I have more then just that. Thanks to the Prosecution." Malum answered, a smile on his face.

At this statement the court burst out into a roar of confusion.

"What is the prosecutor doing?"

"Isn't the changeling. . .well. . a changeling?"

"Mommy, who's the changeling that's next to the evil stallion?"

Malum grimaced at the last comment as the Judge shouted out.

"ORDER IN THE COURT!" The Judge bellowed. "If anypony in the gallery speaks out of turn again I'll have them held in contempt!"

"What's the idea pal?" Silver barked at Mora. "Helping the defense like that?"

Mora smiled and bowed, "Who said that it'll help the defense?"

Malum slammed a hoof on his desk. "Regardless, I have a theory I'd like to share."

"Then share it Defense. But be prepared, if it doesn't hold water I will consider the locket as a useless piece of evidence." The Judge warned.

Malum nodded. "Thank you, your Honor."

The court sat in silence as Malum begins his theory.

"First, we have the hoof prints, which weren't identified, and then a locket that the Prosecution believes doesn't belong to the victim. My theory is this: That the owner of the locket was there, and therefore is a potential suspect." Malum explained.

"Does the Prosecution have a rebuttal?" The Judge asked, looking to Mora.

"The Prosecution only has one question." Mora hummed, "And that is, who owns this locket? If the defense can prove that, I will accept their theory."

"Well defense? Do you know who the owner of the locket is?" The Judge asked.

"The defense believes that the owner of the locket is. . ."

"Don't listen to him! He's twisting the truth!" Velum yelled, now standing up from his chair. "He'll only lie!"

"Bailiff, restrain the defendant!" The Judge hollered.

"Tsk tsk." Malum chuckled. "I had no proof Velum, not until you objected to me. But now that you have, it's pretty clear that the owner is somepony you are close to. Velum, the owner of the locket is your marefriend, isn't it?"

"Ack! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Velum thrashed madly in the forelegs of the bailiff and another gaurd who rushed over to help hold him down.

"His. . .marefriend?" The Judge pondered for a moment. "Malum, I sure hope you aren't considering her to be a suspect?"

"At this point, I'm not sure if she is suspect or not. But if those hoofprints are hers, then she must be questioned." Malum replied.

"I understand. As such, I believe a recess is in order." The Judge declared. "I want the prints analysed and their owner found. Mora, can you round up the marefriend of the defendant?"

"Those prints aren't hers!" Velum objected, desperately trying to free himself from the bailiff and guard.

"Velum, please, try to understand." Malum begged, "Who else would have that locket. . . .and who else would have been there with you during a party?"

Velum clenched his jaw. "Please Malum. . . .promise me you won't indict her?"

Before Malum could speak, the Judge slammed his gavel down. "That's enough! Court is adjourned for a 30 minute recess."

And with that, Velum no longer looked at Malum.

January 26th, 1:30 PM
Canterlot Courthouse
Defendant's Lobby No. 1

Princess Heart, Velum and I sat in an awkward silence as we waited for the trial to resume. The only sound coming from a clock ticking on the wall.

After a few minutes, Velum spoke.

"You never answered me. Will you indict her?" Velum almost growled.

I sat in silence for a few minutes longer before replying. "Honestly Velum, I don't know at this point. I know we have to talk to her. Hear her side of the story."

"She's innocent." Velum stated. "She didn't kill that stallion."

"Don't worry Velum. I'll make sure to explore every option thoroughly before accusing her." I assured him.

"Thank you Malum." Velum sighed, before looking up. "But what about Pinkie, isn't she a-"

"She is a witness but. . .something tells me Mora is keeping her for after we question your friend." I explained.

"What if she's never called?" Velum fretted.

"I'll make sure of it." I promised. "If needs be, I can postpone the trial for another day of investigation, but I'd need something really out there for that."

"The defense will now make it's way to the courtroom to resume the trial." A bailiff called out.

I gave Velum a pat on the shoulder before leaving the lobby.

January 26th, 2:00 PM
Canterlot Courthouse
Courtroom No. 1

"Court is now reconvened for the trial of Velum." The Judge announced once everyone was back in their seats.

"I call Patina to the stand." Mora announced, "I want her to testify."

"Wait." The Judge interrupted, "What about the hoofprints?"

"The hoofprints. . . .aren't hers." Mora announced. "But her locket and relation to the suspect calls her alibi into question."

"Hmm. . " The Judge hummed. "I will allow it then."

"The prosecution calls the defendant's marefriend to clear things up about the events that transpired in meeting room A." Mora announced.

A green coated mare with a bronze colored mane took the stand.

"Witness." Mora spoke softly. "Your name and occupation, please."

"My name is Patina. I work with metals and the effect of magic on metals." Patina replied.

"And you are the defendant's marefriend, right?" The Judge asked.

"That is correct your honor." Patina replied.

"In that case, I'm sorry to ask this but. . . ." The Judge paused. "Please tell the court what you saw in the meeting room."

WITNESS TESTIMONY

--The Meeting--

It's true Velum and I went into the meeting room.

After all, it's hard to avoid being pulled into a meeting during a party.

Velum and I entered the room at about. . . .9:10 PM/

Only one other pony was in the room.

I unfortunately couldn't stay, as I had other things to attend to.

But I will say I didn't see anything unusual before leaving Velum to his meeting.

"Hmm. . . ." The Judge hummed in thought. "So you weren't there for the meeting?"

"I was not, your honor." Patina replied. "I had business elsewhere."

"So you see, mares and gentlecolts, ponies of the jury. . ." Mora spoke. "Velum was indeed alone with the victim at the time of the murder. No one else could have done it."

The Judge nodded. "That does seem to be the case. And although we have no motive, it seems very unlikely that anypony else could have done it."

Malum slammed his hooves on his desk. "Be that as it may, your honor, I have some issues with the current testimony. I'd like to cross examine it."

The Judge nodded in understanding. "Of course, whenever you are ready defense.

"Listen closely." Patina spoke, "I won't repeat myself again."

CROSS EXAMINATION

--The Meeting--

It's true Velum and I went into the meeting room.

"The party that was being held. . . did you originally plan to go to it?" Malum wondered.

"We actually were at the party for a good ten minutes before Robin King found us and took us to the room." Patina explained. "The merge was an important event. It would look rude for Velum to not show up there."

"So, you two went into the meeting room. Why?" Mora asked.

After all, it's hard to avoid being pulled into a meeting during a party.

"Why did Robin want to meet during the party?" Malum pressed.

"According to what I know, it's because Robin couldn't contact Velum anywhere else. Believe it or not, Velum had at least two other ponies who wanted to meet at the same time." Patina answered.

"So you two were pulled aside and asked to enter the meeting room. About when did this happen?" Mora wondered.

Velum and I entered the room at about. . . .9:10 PM/

"So Robin wasted no time in finding you two." Malum stated. "Did he seem unusual at the time?"

"I'd never met him before." Patina admitted. "But he was acting eager. I bet he was looking to find some dirt on my special changeling. . ."

". . ." Mora slowly smiled. "I see. The defendant's motive. Robin must have done just as the witness said. He found something. A dark, terrible secret that could put the merge in jeopardy. So Velum, panicked, did the only thing he could think of!"

"Ack!" Malum gasped, his teeth grinding.

The court room burst into chatter before the sounding of the Judge's gavel calmed them.

"Enough!" He shouted. "Witness, does this sound like something your coltfriend would do?"

". . ." Patina paused. "It doesn't. But he's a changeling. I suppose he. . .he could be hiding things from me as well."

"In light of recent events, I'd say that's almost a certainty." Mora stated.

"Witness." The Judge spoke up. "I'd like to know, what did you see inside the meeting room?"

Only one other pony was in the room.

Malum shook his head, a smirk on his face. "I'm afraid that that isn't possible. We have evidence that a third party was in the meeting room. There's an unidentified set of hoof prints in there."

Patina inhaled sharply and bit at her lower lip.

"Tsk tsk tsk." Mora chuckled. "While the prosecution concedes that somepony else made those hoofprints. . . we challenge the defense with two questions. Can you prove when the prints were made? And, can you prove their relation to the murder?"

Malum smiled. "I can answer both questions at once. With only one piece of evidence."

"Then show us!" Mora exclaimed. "Show us the proof that these prints were made during the murder!"

"Please look to the crime photo." Malum instructed the court. "Notice the puddle around the victim?"

"Ah!" Mora gasped in surprise.

"The puddle around the victim is ink. Why is this important?" The Judge wondered.

"Because, your Honor, those hoof prints. . ." He paused and pointed at Mora, "ARE MADE IN INK!"

"NO!" Mora hissed.

"What if. . ." Patina spoke up. "What if the ink the hoof prints were made of came from somewhere other than the ink the victim was coated in?"

"Well Malum?" The judge asked. "Can you prove the ink in the photo is the same as the ink the hooves made?"

". . ." Malum grimaced silently. "I. . .can't. . .your Honor. . ."

Mora shook her head. "Which means, you can't prove the existence of a third party."

"n-NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Malum shouted, before slamming his head into the desk.

The Judge slammed his gavel down to bring attention back to him. "At this time, I'd like to state my opinion on the facts as they've been presented. According to this witness, only two ponies were in attendence for the meeting. The victim, Robin King, and the Defendant, Velum. There seems to be no way a third party is involved. It seems to me that the defendant's guilt is pretty apparent. If there are no more objections, I will hand down my verdict."

"Your Honor." Malum panicked. "I'm only half done with my cross examination. At least let me finish."

"I suppose you are right. . . ." The Judge sighed. "Alright, I'll let you finish up right quick."

That was too close. Malum gulped. I have to find another contradiction. . .and fast!

"Witness." Mora spoke. "You saw only the victim in the room, what happened next?"

I unfortunately couldn't stay, as I had other things to attend to.

"What things needed your attention?" Malum wondered.

"Well, there was a party full of guests that wanted to talk to me about dating a changeling." Patina explained. "Velum wasn't the only one who ponies wanted to schedule meetings with."

"Either way, what errands she had is of little relevance to the case." Mora interjected. "So, you left the room. Is there anything else you'd like to add?"

But I will say I didn't see anything unusual before leaving Velum to his meeting.

"You saw nothing unusual. Nothing at all?" Malum shook his head again. "I don't buy it."

"W-why not?" Patina stuttered.

"Because, I'd think a party-cannon would stand out to anypony, wouldn't you?" Malum asked.

"Ah!" Patina gasped in alarm as the court began to murmur.

"But. . .but the cannon had to be there, it was used as the murder weapon!" The Judge exclaimed.

"Exactly!" Malum agreed. "Patina! Your testimony is fishy. Too fishy. You claim that you saw nothing out of the ordinary, yet that cannon had to be there. So tell us, why are you lying?!"

". . . ." Patina paused for a moment, before sighing. "Alright fine. You got me. . . .I lied because. . .because I was protecting Velum."

"W-WHAT?!" Malum screeched.

"I thought that if I said I saw nothing, he couldn't be accused of murder. . .I. .I'm sorry. . ." Patina sobbed slightly, a tear coming to the corner of her eye.

"Ah, young love. . .so bittersweet. . ." The Judge mused, before shaking his head. "So, what did you really see then, witness?"

"I. . .I saw Velum, and the victim." Patina started out slowly. "The party cannon was. . ." She paused, before her eyes lit with some idea. "You almost got me to lie Malum. The party cannon really wasn't there before I left."

". . . ." Malum paused. "But, it was there after you left then. How?"

"How should I know? I wasn't there." Patina huffed.

Mora smiled. "The prosecution can answer that. Look at the crime scene diagram. The meeting room has a fake wall that can be removed to combine Meeting Room A with Meeting Room B to make a larger meeting room. If I had to wager a guess, the party cannon was in fact in Meeting Room B first."

Malum slammed his hooves against his desk again. "But how can you prove that? What if Patina is actually lying to us?"

Mora tsked and waved a hoof dismissively at Malum. "Those are your mysteries to solve. . ."

". . ." Malum grimaced and began sweating bullets. He was out of ammo, he had no other plan.

"Malum, I'd like to go back to her statement about leaving the meeting room. . . .there's something fishy about it. . ." Princess Hearts whispered.

"What are you chatting about over there Malum?" The Judge asked.

"Y-Your Honor, I'd like to go back to the second to last statement the witness made." Malum asked.

The Judge hummed. "Why? What do you hope to find?"

Malum gulped. "Anything really."

The courtroom was shrouded in silence for a few seconds, before a sigh cut into it.

"Why not." Patina sighed. "It's not like there's anything wrong with it."

I unfortunately couldn't stay, as I had other things to attend to.

"I object to this testimony!" Malum growled.

"On what grounds?" Mora demanded.

"On the grounds that it's full of holes. Not only did the witness fail to see a party cannon, she had to have stayed longer." Malum insisted.

"Malum. How do you intend to prove that the witness didn't leave the scene of the crime when she said she did?" Mora asked dryly.

"Simple. Patina?" Malum asked, before showing her the locket.

"My. .AH!" She gasped.

"You see? This locket is hers, and it was found on the scene of the crime. She had to have stayed longer, long enough to lose this. Witness, you haven't told the full story. So speak! Tell us what really happened!"

Patina went to speak, but before she even inhaled, she collapsed. The court went into a frenzy and was adjourned. Velum was escorted out, tears in his eyes. Malum and Mora looked at one another, both at a loss of words.

Author's Note

Profiles:
Malum Prohibitum: I'm a defense attorney from Canterlot, what more can I say?
Pinkie Pie: One of Rarity's friends. She's very hyper and sorta annoying at times. She was asked to host the party for the changeling merge.
Mora Circa: A prosecutor. Only daughter of Durum Circa. She's also my cousin.
Velum: The Defendant. A changeling I met before. He's accused of using a 'Party Cannon' to launch a pony through a wall.
Silver Wings: The Detective in charge of this case.
Princess Heart: The new leader of the changelings and my acting Co Council.
Robin King: The victim, was a reporter who was known for being against the Changeling Merge.
Patina: Velum's marefriend. Was with him for part of the meeting.

Evidence:
Attorney's Badge: Proof of my profession.
Party invitation: An invitation to the Changeling Merge party. It starts at 9:00 PM Friday Night. Edit: Only those with these invites are allowed in.
Party Cannon: A single cannon, used to set up parties in the blink of an eye. Is said to be the murder weapon.
Crime Photo: A photo of the victim's body. A large puddle of liquid and a faint mark on his neck can be seen.
(new)Autopsy Report: Victim is Robin King. Actual cause of death unknown. Victim has suffered multiple bruises and breaks. An indentation is found around the neck.
(new)Hoofprints: A single set of prints made in ink.
(new)Ink Stain: A stain found on the couch in the meeting room, was made by ink.
(new)Locket: A simple locket on a chain. Has a V and a picture of the Defendant. (Updated info): Belongs to Patina, Velum's marefriend.