Spike The Dragon: Ace Attorney

by the legendary ass eater

Rating: teen
Tags: Gore, Diamond Tiara, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Alternate Universe, Apple Bloom, Mystery, Spike, Comedy, Other, Crossover
Length: 15172

After years of working as Twilight's assistant Spike decides to take a job as a defence attorney. This is his legacy.

Spike the dragon is a well-known assistant and companion of Princess Twilight Sparkle and is also crowned as the Saviour Of The Crystal Empire! However, he knew that one day he would need to get a job - a job that allowed him to protect innocents.

So he decided that with his knowledge that he learned from growing up in a library that he would be a defence attorney. This is his legacy.

Published 2017-07-23 09:30:05 UTC
Last updated 2017-07-27 01:32:42 UTC

Turnabout Beginnings (Trial 1, Day 1) [2/2]

Spike stood proudly, his arm outstretched and his index claw pointing towards Mr. Cake. The response of the Courtroom was instantaneous.

Everypony was in an uproar, some siding with the defence and the others siding with the prosecution and witness.

"O-order! Order!" Shouted the Judge again as he slammed his gavel down, silencing the Courtroom. "Mr. Spike, what is the meaning of this?!"

"It's obvious, Your Honour - the victim Mrs. Cake was killed by none other than the witness of that stand!" Shouted Spike as he crossed his arms.

"Where's your proof?!" Snarled Snails, panicking and raging. "Proof is everything in the Court!"

"Yes, I too would like to see what evidence the defence has for it's claims." Said the Judge neutrally.

"Gladly, Your Honour!" Said Spike with a smirk. "This witness has given us a crucial part of the truth!"

"And what would that be?" Asked the Judge in confusion.

"The Sugar Cube Corner Customer List!" Replied Spike. "This contains all of the Sugar Cube Corner's customers for the past two months!"

"And just how is that relevant to this case?!" Asked Snails in rage. "This has nothing to do with the crime whatsoever!"

"That's where you're wrong! Look at the routine of the ponies each Monday!" Said Spike. "You'll be able to see that on every Monday at 10:00 AM Miss. Cheerilee buys cupcakes. Since Mr. Cake knew about her routine - it would've been easy to pin the blame on her!"

"ARGHHHH!" Screamed Mr. Cake as he grabbed his shoulder again with sweat coming off his face.

"This is absurd! Even with knowing her routine - there's no proof that he killed Mrs. Cake! You might've proven that it was possible for him to have framed Cheerilee but you haven't proven that he actually was the one to kill Mrs. Cake!" Replied Snails as he began sweating and shaking heavily.

"That's what I'm about to do!" Replied Spike with a grin as he revealed his next piece of evidence. "The bloodied glass shard!"

"But that has Mr. Cake's blood on not Mrs. Cake's!" Argued Snails desperately.

"And that's why it'll prove Mr. Cake's guilt!" Declared Spike, making Snails step back in shock and fear. "You see what I believe is that Mr. Cake attempted to kill Mrs. Cake - however he missed and shattered the window. Using this opportunity Mrs. Cake was able to grasp a piece of broken glass and stabbed Mr. Cake in self defence, however Mr Cake was able to stab her in the chest afterwards - penetrating her left lung and killing her!"

"IMPOSSIBLE!" Screamed Snails as he threw his paperwork into the air in a fit of anger.

The Courtroom exploded into shocked gasps and muttering.

"Order! ORDER!" Yelled the Judge. "I will have order in my Court!"

A heavy slam of the gavel silenced the Court the only noise being Mr. Cake's heavy breathing.

"Mr. Spike if this is the case - then where was he stabbed? Can you show us where?" Asked the Judge.

(Think, Spike.....What odd behaviour has Mr. Cake shown today....Of course!)

"Yes I can, Your Honour!" Replied Spike.

"OBJECTION!" Shouted Snails. "It's impossible for him to prove that! He's just making up random hypothetical situations."

"Objection overruled. Go ahead Mr. Spike." Said the Judge.

"Mr. Cake could you tell us why you are holding your left shoulder with your right hoof?" Asked Spike. "There would seem to be no reason to do so....unless it was damaged that is."

"N-no, you've got it all wrong!" Shouted Mr. Cake in anger. "True I had an accident with this shoulder but that was four days ago...it's completely irrelevant to this case!"

"What kind of accident?" Inquired Spike.

"I was making cupcakes in the kitchen and then I slipped and fell on a kitchen knife that must've fallen of the counter." Said Mr. Cake while wincing at the memory. "See?! It's has nothing to do with this case!"

"What did you do to that knife?" Asked Spike. "Did you put it away?"

"Hold it!" Shouted Snails. "This has nothing to do with the case!"

"OBJECTION!" Shouted Spike. "You're wrong this is the key to the entire case!"

"If you really believe so I will allow this to continue, however if this leads us nowhere prepare for a harsh penalty!" Warned the Judge.

"Thank you, Your Honour." Said Spike as he grinned. "Now tell me Mr. Cake what did you do with the knife?!"

"We threw it away - it would've been unhygienic to serve our customers with cakes but by a once bloodied knife." Replied Mr. Cake.

Slowly Spike began to smile confidently as he outstretched his arm towards Mr. Cake.

"If that's the case - that would explain the missing kitchen knife!" Shouted Spike.

"AHHHHHHHH!" Yelled Snails as he fell over.

The Court began to start another uproar.

"Order! Order in the Court!" Shouted the Judge as he slammed his gavel down, silencing the Court. "If this witness is to be believed then....the murder weapon wasn't the kitchen knife!"

"That's right, Your Honour!" Said Spike. "From this we can deduce that the witnesses testimony is filled with nothing but lies!"

"This cant be!" Yelled Mr. Cake as he gripped so hard on his wound it began to bleed again. "I still saw her! You must believe me!"

"I'm sorry Mr. Cake but the defence is correct, your entire testimony is riddled with holes!" Said the Judge.

"And the only reason for lying would be to cover up the murder!" Said Spike proudly.

"OBJECTION!" Shouted Snails with a smirk. "Without the knife your entire theory is blown out the window!"

"True but with all these contradictions....are we sure he even saw Cheerilee at all? After all if he was lying about the murder weapon he could be lying about what he saw!" Countered Spike.

"IMPOSSIBLE!" Shouted Snails as he threw his paperwork across the Courtroom in a rage.

"The defence raises yet another good point." Praised the Judge. "This is not only harming the credibility of the witness but it is also making the defendant look less suspicious!"

"You can't hide from the truth Mr. Cake! ADMIT IT, YOUR TESTIMONY IS A COMPLETE LIE!"

Mr. Cake looked down as if accepting defeat. "I admit it....my testimony was completely," suddenly Mr. Cake raised his head and looked directly at Spike with narrowed eyes and a smirk. "True."

"W-what?!" Yelled Spike in surprise.

"The kitchen knife that I tripped on was thrown away, that much is true..." Said Mr. Cake. "But that doesn't change anything!"

"OBJECTION!" Shouted Spike at the top of his lungs. "Of course this changes the case! If there was no kitchen knife - you couldn't have seen the murder weapon!"

"The knife that I fell on and the knife that Cheerilee used to killed my wife are two separate items entirely!" Declared Mr. Cake, shocking the Court and causing another uproar.

"O-Order! Order!" Shouted the Judge as he slammed his gavel again. "What are you talking about witness?!"

"This!" Said Mr. Cake as he pulled out a small sheet of paper. "You see on March the 18th my wife realised that we were low on necessary items for our company and as it was Saturday it was our day off so she decided to re-stock. While she was at the store she also brought a new kitchen knife, seeing as we had disposed of our old one. That is the knife that Cheerilee used to kill my wife!"

"The Court accepts this as evidence." Said the Judge, deep in thought.

Shopping List (Lyra And Co!) Added To The Court Record.

Contents:

Cupcake Holders (2) - £4.00
Kitchen Knife (18 cm) - £1.99
Flavoured Toppings - £8.99
10 7 Up Cans - £5.00
10 Pepsi Cans - £5.00
10 Diet Coke Cans - £5.00
4 Bags Of Doritos - £8.00
Special Muffin Toppings - £9.00

Total Cost: £46.98
Total Payed: £50.00
Total Change: £4.02

(Wait...isn't that Lyra's company?)

"Now do you see it, Your Honour?" Asked Snails with a smirk. "This does not only disprove the Defence's theory by proving the witnesses injury was completely unrelated...it also proves that the witness wasn't lying!"

(This isn't good...not in the slightest...)

"Besides I couldn't have killed her in the way the defence describes at all..." Said Mr. Cake. "Because if I did then I would have blood on my clothes when the Police arrived!"

"Hold it!" Shouted Spike. "You could've washed the clothes before you called the Police because there was the 30 minute time gap before you contacted authorities!"

"Wrong about that too Spike." Said Mr. Cake. "I was comforting my kids who had awoken because of the loud noise as well."

"There were kids?" Asked the Judge, surprised and angry. "Why was this not stated before?!"

"The two twins, Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake were both sleeping until they were awoken by, presumably the window shattering, they could be heard crying through-out the entire ordeal is what we were told by the witness." Replied Snails. "Besides the prosecution saw this as irrelevant information."

"Hold it!" Shouted Spike. "We could have them testify!"

"They are both too traumatised and upset over the murder of their mother to even speak with anypony else other than their father!" Said Snails with a shake on the head. "Only you would think of bringing two terrified children into Court to testify, Spike!"

The ponies in the Court began to boo at Spike, making him feel uncomfortable.

(Oh come on! That was blatant manipulation!)

"This trial seems to be awfully clear..." Muttered the Judge. "Well then if the Defence doesn't have any objection I believe it's time to end this trial. The defendant, Miss. Cheerilee is GUI-"

"Hold it!" Shouted Spike, cutting off the Judge once again and startling the Court. "Can I quickly go over the witnesses testimony one last time? Please, I beg of you!"

"Hmmm..." Mused the Judge as he rubbed his chin in thought.

"You can't seriously be considering the Defence's plea, can you?! There is no more questions to be asked, no more evidence to present and no more lies remaining!" Said Snails, desperately wanting to get this trial over and done with. "Let's finally close the curtain on this case and stop these false accusations!"

"While the prosecution does bring up several good points..." Said the Judge carefully. "I would like to be completely sure that there is no doubt left in my mind that the defendant is the murderer. So I will allow this one last Cross-Examination, however if the defence strays off topic then I will end this case!"

"Thank you, Your Honour!" Said Spike with a bow of his head.

"Now witness, would you please explain what you witnessed once more?" Asked the Judge.

"I guess I have no choice..." Said Mr. Cake with a heavy sigh. "Then again....it's not like it'll actually change anything..."

Witness Testimony
--------The Killer-------

I was asleep in my bed until I heard a loud scream coming from down stairs.

After realising that my wife wasn't next to me I immediately ran down the stairs.

What I saw was...horrifying. Cheerilee was standing in front of the corpse with a grin on her face.

She then ran out after she noticed me and I instantly tried to contact the authorities.

------End------

"Alright then...I believe I'm prepared." Said Spike as he smiled confidently.

"Heh...no amount of preparation will get you out of this one, Spike." Said Snails with a predatory grin on his face.

"Mr. Spike you may begin with your Cross-Examination!" Said the Judge. "And Mr. Snails, would you please stop insulting the Defence?"

"Yes, Your Honour..." Muttered Snails as he glared at the ground.

Witness Testimony
--------The Killer-------

I was asleep in my bed until I heard a loud scream coming from down stairs.

After realising that my wife wasn't next to me I immediately ran down the stairs.

What I saw was...horrifying. Cheerilee was standing in front of the corpse with a grin on her face.

She then ran out after she noticed me and I instantly tried to contact the authorities.

"Hold it!" Shouted Spike. "How did the defendant run out?"

"She opened the door and ran obviously!" Retorted Mr. Cake with a roll of his eyes.

"Then you've just contradicted yourself!" Said Spike with his smile growing wider. "How could the defendant run out a door that was locked?! After all she did supposedly break the window to get in, correct?"

"ARGHHH!" Yelled Mr. Cake as he grabbed his left arm again.

"IMPOSSIBLE!" Shouted Snails as he tossed his paperwork into the air again.

The Courtroom exploded into excited chatter and gasps of shock!

"O-ORDER!" Shouted the Judge as he slammed his gavel down. "This-this changes the entire case!"

(Once somepony has lied before they will continue to lie until they can no longer lie anymore!)

"If she broke in using the window, how could've she escaped through the door?!" Shouted Spike.

"OBJECTION!" Shouted Snails with a smirk. "Mrs. Cake's house key wasn't found on her corpse at the scene of the crime!"

"However it wasn't found on Cheerilee either when the Police arrested or you would've already brought that up!" Countered Spike, making Snails step back in surprise and anger. "Didn't think I would realise eh?"

"The Defence, once again has raised a good point." Said the Judge. "Do you have anything to say about this Mr. Cake?"

"Actually, I do." Responded Mr. Cake. "My wife's key was stolen the day before the murder. If we assume that the window was shattered by a missed strike from Cheerilee - similar to the Defences theory - then we can assume that the door was unlocked with my wife's key that was stolen by Cheerilee before the killing began."

(Mr. Cake would've been better off being a lawyer...)

"However can you prove that your wife's key was stolen before the murder?!" Asked Spike with his arm outstretched towards Mr. Cake.

"N-no...I cant...Not physically anyway..." Said Mr. Cake. "Wait! She does have a friend she told, Rarity the local fashionista."

(R-Rarity?!)

"Hold it!" Shouted Snails. "The prosecution would like suggest that we take a fifteen minute recess while the authorities bring Rarity in for a testimony."

"I see no reason not to." Said the Judge as he nodded his head. "Very well, this Court will take a fifteen minute recess while the witness is being brought in. Court will reconvene when the witness is ready to testify, until then Court is adjourned!"

March 21, 4:31 PM
District Court
Defendant Lobby No.6

"I cant believe how nerve-racking that was...." Muttered Spike as he sat down on the red couch.

"That was amazing, Spike!" Said Cheerilee. "You were great out there, seriously! How did you do that?!"

"Oh...um...I just thought outside the box..." Said Spike with a sheepish smile.

Cheerilee giggled at that. "Wow...never would've thought that my advice could've helped you this much."

"Good job, Spike. You were great out there!" Said another female voice from behind them. It was Princess Twilight.

"Oh! Princess Twilight!" Said Cheerilee as she bowed to the purple alicorn. "I swear I didn't do it!"

"It's alright, I know you couldn't have committed such a terrible crime." Said Twilight reassuringly. "Although Pinkie is going to be heartbroken when she gets back from Manehatten."

"Yeah....you're right about that." Said Spike solemnly before he quickly turned to Cheerilee. "Wait! What was you doing at the time of the crime?"

"Well...if you're referring to when Mrs. Cake...died then I would've been getting ready." Replied Cheerilee, cringing at the mention of Mrs. Cakes death.

"Ready for what?" Asked Spike.

"To go out. I live on the other side of town so it takes a thirty-minute walk to get from my house to Sugar Cube Corner." Explained Cheerilee. "I took a coat with me since it was raining."

"Wait...what colour was your coat?" Inquired Spike as be rubbed his chin in thought.

"Navy blue." Replied Cheerilee. "It was really expensive actually."

"But if you were wearing such a dark coloured coat....then how was Mr. Cake able to see you?" Asked Twilight. "Because you must've had your hood up, right? If the house was dark then...how did Mr. Cake see your face clearly enough to identify you?"

"I never entered the building." Replied Cheerilee. "That's what I kept telling the Police but they wouldn't believe me! I arrived at 10:30 AM to buy my cupcakes- where they arrested me on the spot. They believed I was going back to kill the remaining witness."

"Why didn't they bring that up in the Court?" Asked Twilight curiously. "That would've given them an advantage - unless there was something that would cast suspicion off of Cheerilee."

"Wait...why did you arrive at 10:30 AM anyways? I thought you normally arrived at 10:00 AM?" Questioned Spike.

"It was because I encountered an old friend of mine on the way there. It was Berry Punch. She was wearing a hood similar to mine but black. She stopped and talked to me for a bit and I lost track of time." Said Cheerilee. "You don't believe that she could've been connected to the murder....do you?"

"Possibly." Said Spike, rubbing his chin again. "This case is very strange after all."

"What direction was she coming from?" Asked Twilight.

"The direction? South I believe." Said Cheerilee.

"And what direction was Sugar Cube Corner from there?" Asked Spike.

"South-east." Responded Cheerilee softly as her eyes widened in realisation. "Now that I think of it...I could see the outline of something sharp in her pocket...."

"Then she definitely had something to do with this case..." Said Twilight. "If Rarity doesn't bring her up in her testimony then you might want to call her up as a witness."

"Yeah...I'll keep that in mind." Responded Spike with a nod.

Berry Punch Added To The Court Record.
Berry Punch's Black Coat Added To The Record.

"Hold up!" Shouted a feminine voice, making everybody turn towards the source.

Standing in the doorway was a white coated pegasus mare with a light blue mane and tail but she didn't seem to have a cutie mark.

"Who are you?" Asked Spike in confusion, never seeing this mare before.

"I work at Lyra And Co!" Said the mare, "The names Light Dash! I one of the mares that were working during the day Mrs. Cakes brought that list of items on that sheet of paper! In fact I served Mrs. Cake herself!"

"Really? Do you have anything important to tell us?" Asked Spike as a look of anticipation formed on his face.

(Please be good! Please be good! Please be good!!!)

"Well of course I do! Why else would I be here?!" Questioned Light Dash aggressively. "Well other then the trial that is..."

"Please tell us!" Begged Spike pulling a puppy dog look.

"Dammit! Cant say no to that face, not even as a joke!" Said Light Dash with a heavy sigh.

(Who would've thought those days in the Human World could've been so useful?)

"The day that Mrs. Cake brought all these items was on...the 14th of March!" Declared Light Dash, shocking those present.

"Wait...what?!" Shouted Spike, his jaw dropped to the floor.

"Yep! Dropped a bombshell on ya, huh?" Light Dash giggled for a little bit. "Anyway, that evidence must've been altered by Mr. Cake to shift the blame on Cheerilee. I've even got a copy of the real one here!"

Shopping List (Lyra And Co!) #2 Added To The Court Record.

"Spike, I would recommend using that as your ace in the hole." Said Twilight. "Try and squeeze as much information out of them as possible then present this and blow them away! They would be too deep in their lies to backpedal then!"

"I like your thinking Princess!" Said Light Dash with a giggle. "Destroying the enemy using psychological tactics! Genius!"

"How is that psychological? All she is doing is saying that we squeeze information out before delivering the final blow." Said Spike, tilting his head in confusion.

"Because she would be using their own words against them, duh! By making them dig themselves so deep with their own lies and then using that evidence to prove they're nothing but liars will completely destroy their credibility!" Said Light Dash.

"Huh...I didn't actually think of it like that..." Said Spike with a sheepish smile.

"Well I did explain my plan similar to Light Dash." Argued Twilight with amusement in her voice.

"Jeez! And here I thought that you lawyers are smart!" Said Light Dash with heavy sigh.

They all began laughing as a bond of friendship was formed with this new pony.

"Oh yeah! Almost forgot. On the same day of the murder a customer called Berry Punch brought these items and I thought it looked quite suspicious!" Said Light Dash, quickly giving another piece of paper to Spike.

Shopping List (Lyra And Co!) #3 Added To The Court Record.

Contents:

Rope - £5.99
Gloves - £3.00

Total Cost: £8:99
Payed: £9:00
Total Change: 1p

(That's it...Berry Punch it's certainly involved somehow. This just seals the deal.)

"Well...I'll be off then! I'm late for work after all!" Said Light Dash before she ran out of the Court, waving at them as she left.

"Goodbye!" Said the three.

"Well then...things are becoming more clearer." Said Spike with a confident smile on his face.

"You really think so?" Asked Cheerilee with a raised eyebrow.

"I know so." Replied Spike with his confidence back in full.

Cheerilee saw how confident he was and smiled back, relief and happiness washing over her. Twilight saw this and couldn't help but smile before she began trotting off.

"Where are you going?" Asked Spike, tilting his head once more.

"I've got a meeting with the other Princesses." Responded Twilight. "Tell me what happened when I get back! Bye!"

With that universal departing word she trotted out the doors and flew through the sky.

"The Court will now reconvene. All ponies, please enter the Courtroom!" Shouted the Bailiff.

(Let's do this!)

The Judge slammed down his gavel, silencing anypony that was talking. "The trial of Miss. Cheerilee will now continue. Is the Prosecution ready?"

"Yes, Your Honour." Replied Snails, smirking confidently.

"And the Defence?"

"Ready, Your Honour." Said Spike with his own confident smirk.

"Very well, Prosecution you may now give your opening statement." Said the Judge as he leaned back in his chair.

"The Prosecution would like to call Miss. Rarity to the stand." Said Snails.

(Here goes nothing....)

A white coated unicorn mare with blue eyes, purple mane and tail and three blue gemstones as a cutie mark was on the stand with a smile on her face.

(I wonder if Rarity has changed since I've been gone...)

"Witness, state your name and occupation please." Said Snails smugly.

"Ugh!" Yelled Rarity as her expression turned into a grimace. "Your clothes...they don't fit you at all!"

(Yep....same old Rarity.)

"Hey! I spent good money on this!" Said Snails with his nose high up. "The outfit that I'm wearing suits me perfectly fine."

"I hate to hurt you feeling darling...but they look hideous!" Said Rarity. "The suit is black and your coat is yellow! Not to mention your mane! It's green! None of them fit together!"

"Silence!" Shouted the Judge as he slammed his gavel. "Your discussion on the Prosecutor's clothing can wait until the trial is over, is that understood."

(The Judge sure is scary when he's angry.)

"Y-Yes, Your Honour." Said Rarity nervously.

"Good. Now witness state your name and occupation for the record." Said the Judge.

"My name is Rarity, I am Ponyville's local fashionista and Element Of Generosity." Said Rarity.

"I believe you saw Mrs. Cake on the 19th of March, is that correct?" Asked Snails.

"Yep, I was going to buy some cupcakes for me and Sweetie Belle but then Mrs. Cakes told me about what had happened." Said Rarity. "I decided to chat with her for a bit longer."

"Yes, she was talking about losing her house key, is that also correct?" Asked Snails.

"Again you are correct." Said Rarity. "I'm guessing you want me to testify about my conversation?"

"Yes, I would." Said Snails with a smirk. "Go ahead witness, tell us about what you discussed."

"Very well..." Began Rarity.

Witness Testimony
-----The Conversation-----

I was looking to buy cupcakes for me and Sweetie Belle, so I naturally went to Sugar Cube Corner.

Before I could buy my items, I was stopped by Mrs. Cakes who said she wanted to speak with me in private.

She then took me to the kitchen and told me about her missing keys. She said, "On Tuesday the 18th I was walking home,

On the way back I bumped into an old friend. We talked about current events before I walked home.

When I got home I realised I had lost my keys. I couldn't find them anywhere - no matter how hard I backtracked.

It was as if they vanished." She told me this because she trusted me. That is all.

-----End-----

"The Defence can now Cross-Examine the witness if they want to do so." Said the Judge.

"Gladly, Your Honour." Said Spike with a smile.

"Wait...Spikey-Wikey is that you?!" Shouted Rarity in realisation and surprise.

"Uh, yeah....but I'd prefer you'd call me Spike in the Court." Said Spike while scratching the back of his head sheepishly.

"Wow! Those years at The Canterlot Law School really paid off, huh?" Said Rarity while she was giggling. "You're so tall and professional that I hardly recognised you!"

"Well...I had my growth spurt there and I have to be professional....it is a part of the job, y'know?" Replied Spike with a chuckle.

"You got to study at The Canter Law School?! That's no fair, I had to study in Manehatten's sad excuse for a law school!" Complained Snails.

"Silence!" Shouted the Judge again. "If you do this again Miss. Rarity I will have you taken off the stand to be questioned by the Police, do you understand?!"

"Y-yes, Your Honour!" Said Rarity, giving a salute out of fear.

"Now then the Defence will commence with it's Cross-Examination. Any more interruptions like this will end this trial!" Said the Judge. "Do you understand?!"

"Understood, Your Honour." Said Spike giving a bow of his head. "Now then let's begin..."

Witness Testimony
-----The Conversation-----

I was looking to buy cupcakes for me and Sweetie Belle, so I naturally went to Sugar Cube Corner.

Before I could buy my items, I was stopped by Mrs. Cakes who said she wanted to speak with me in private.

She then took me to the kitchen and told me about her missing keys. She said, "On Tuesday the 18th I was walking home,

"Hold it!" Shouted Spike. "Did Mrs. Cakes say where she was walking home from?"

"OBJECTION!" Shouted Snails. "It was obviously from the Lyra And Co! shop, the same place she brought the murder weapon."

(Should I reveal my ace in the hole yet?...No. I'll wait it out for now.)

"Actually she didn't say that she went to the Lyra and Co! store at all. She said she was at Bon Bon's Sweet's and she was buying sweets to treat Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake." Said Rarity.

"Hold it!" Shouted Spike. "If that's the case then we can safely say that she was nowhere near the Lyra and Co! shop then!"

Snails simply shook his head. "Are you forgetting about the receipt? That's more than enough proof to prove she did go there!"

"The Prosecution is right. Well, what does the Defence say to this?" Asked the Judge.

"The Defence would for the witness to continue with her testimony." Said Spike.

"Heh...looks like you cant always find a contradiction." Said Snails with a smirk.

(I cant wait to take that smirk off your face...)

"Then she said..." Continued Rarity.

On the way back I bumped into an old friend. We talked about current events before I walked home.

"Hold it!" Shouted Spike. "Did she say who this friend was?"

"OBJECTION!" Shouted Snails. "She can tell us all of friends that the now deceased Mrs. Cake once had, it wont change a thing."

"OBJECTION!" Shouted Spike as he slammed his hands on his desk. "Knowing who this pony was will help us see this case more clearly! This pony is the key to the entire case!"

"OBJECTION!" Shouted Snails. "You've made that same claim before and look at where it has sent us! We are pulling random bystanders into this mess just for making conversation with the victim! If we continue doing this we'll end up harassing the public!"

"Hmmm...the Prosecution raises a good point." Said the Judge before he turned towards Spike. "If you truly believe that this is the true key to the entire case then proceed but if these leads us nowhere I will deliver my verdict and end this trial. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Your Honour, thank you." Said Spike as a confident grin grew on his face. "Now tell us Rarity - who was the pony that Mrs. Cake conversed with?"

"I'm.....not sure." Said Rarity with her hoof on her chin.

(Huh? Oh no....this is bad...)

The Judge slowly looked at Spike, disappointment and anger in his eyes.

"Please Rarity try to remember!" Said Spike. "Something...anything!"

"....I believe she said something about...berries?" Said Rarity, her tone unsure and confused.

The confident smirk returned full power. "Then we've got another suspect!"

"W-WHAT?!" Screamed Snails as he threw his paperwork all over the Courtroom again.

The Court began to cause another uproar, making the Judge slam his gavel.

"Not again...Bailiff! If somepony talks again slap them, twice if needed!" Demanded the Judge, making silence resonate through-out the Courtroom. "Now them *ahem*...WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!"

"It's impossible for you to have made a conclusion from such a vague answer!" Argued Snails pitifully.

"Wrong! There is a pony named 'Berry Punch' who was wondering in the streets after the corpse was found!" Said Spike, his arm outstretched once again. "The reason why my client arrived at the scene at 10:30 AM was because she got caught up talking to Berry Punch."

"So what?! What does any of this mean?!" Snarled Snails in anger.

"Well considering my client claimed that Berry Punch had a suspicious looking sharp object in her pocket and that she came to her from the direction of Sugar Cube Corner - I'd say that this means she's a possible suspect of murder!" Declared Spike with his arm outstretched.

"Then how did she get the keys?!" Argued Snails.

"Well if we think back on what Miss. Rarity here said, When I got home I realised I had lost my keys. I couldn't find them anywhere - no matter how hard I backtracked. This means that after their conversation Mrs. Cake couldn't find her keys at all even though she backtracked. Meaning, that Berry Punch could have taken the keys when Mrs. Cake turned away!"

"IMPOSSIBLE!" Shouted Snails as he threw his paperwork into the air.

"That was simply divine, darling!" Said Rarity with an ecstatic grin on her face.

Somepony in the Court began to speak but was quickly slapped by the Bailiff.

"Hey...that hur-"

SLAP!

"Good job, Bailiff!" Said the Judge, happy at his silence. "I should do this more often!"

"First Mr. Cake and now Miss. Punch?! Will these accusations ever end?!" Shouted Snails furiously as he regained his composure.

"Not until the truth is revealed!" Responded Spike, making Snails step back in shock once again.

"The Defence has provided us with another suspect!" Said the Judge. "I want this suspect to be brought into the Courtroom immediately! Until then we will have another rece-"

"Don't bother. I'm already here." Said a pony as she stood up. The pony was purple and had a purple mane and tail, similar to Cheerilee. Her eyes were lavender and intimidating. Her cutie mark consisted of a strawberry leaning against some grapes. It was Berry Punch! "It's time this circus of a trial came to an end anyway."

The Judge looked at Berry Punch. "Then I'm assuming you're the one they call Berry Punch, correct?"

"That is correct, yes. I'm guessing you want me to testify?" Asked Berry Punch as she casually walked down the stairs.

"You are correct. Please take your position at the witness stand." Said the Judge.

"Very well..." Muttered Berry Punch as she walked towards the stand.

"Witness, name and occupation." Said Snails angrily, not pleased that the trial wasn't going in his favour.

"I am Berry Punch, I used to run Berry's Beers but now I'm just an alcoholic mother living on benefits...." Snarled Berry Punch.

"Alright witness, testify to what happened on the night of the murder." Said the Judge. "Say anything you heard, saw or did during the situation."

"If that's what you want...." Said Berry Punch with scowl. "It wont do you any good though..."

Witness Testimony
-----Night Of The Murder-----

I was walking down the streets, all alone....just drinking like everyday.

Suddenly I hear screaming coming from Sugar Cube Corner.

I looked in through the smashed window and saw Cheerilee killing Mrs. Cake.

I ran...scared and confused so I went home.

Then I drank myself to sleep.

-----End-----

"The Defence can now Cross-Examine the witness is they wish." Said the Judge.

"Gladly, Your Honour." Said Spike with a nod of his head.

"Then you may begin." Responded the Judge.

(This is it! The final Cross-Examination!)

Witness Testimony
-----Night Of The Murder-----

I was walking down the streets, all alone....just drinking like everyday.

Suddenly I hear screaming coming from Sugar Cube Corner.

"Hold it!" Shouted Spike. "Did the scream sound female or male?"

"Female." Responded Berry Punch coldly.

"Continue then." Said Spike.

I looked in through the smashed window and saw Cheerilee killing Mrs. Cake.

"Hold it!" Shouted Spike. "If you were there then you must've saw the murder weapon, right?"

"Yes, it was that kitchen knife you keep talking about." Said Berry Punch.

"Then that's a lie." Said Spike with a confident smile.

"What are you talking about?" Asked Berry Punch with a raised eyebrow.

"This sheet of paper right here is what I'm talking about!" Said Spike as he revealed the true receipt of Mrs. Cakes shopping.

"Huh? Isn't that the receipt from Lyra And Co! for Mrs. Cake's shopping?" Asked the Judge.

"What does this have to do with her statement, in fact this even supports it!" Said Snails who began to laugh.

"Actually the one you're talking about is right...here!" Said Spike who showed of the forged version.

"Wait...what?!" Shouted Snails in surprise. "That cant be right....there should only be one copy!"

"You're right...there should be only one so that means that one of them is fake!" Said Spike. "Check the dates on both! Mr. Cake claimed that his wife brought the murder weapon on the 18th of March but the mare who works at the store Light Dash that was working there that day brought me a copy of her receipt on the 14th of March!"

"And?" Asked Berry Punch. "Who's to say that Light Dash didn't forge this?"

"W-what?!" Shouted Spike in shock.

"You heard me. Do you have any proof that it isn't forged?" Asked Berry Punch. "Because if not - you're wasting everypony's time!"

(Th-this is bad! I didn't expect her to think of that!)

"If you don't have any form of evidence to prove your claim is false then why don't we continue on with the testimony?" Asked Berry Punch.

"F-fine..." Muttered Spike.

"Excellent..." Said Berry Punch with a smirk.

I ran...scared and confused so I went home.

"Hold it!" Shouted Spike. "Shouldn't you have ran into a certain pony?"

"If you're referring to what you said earlier...that Cheerilee talked to me? Then I'll have to ask you...where is your proof that she talked to me?" Asked Berry Punch. "If all you have is simple words and not evidence....then I suggest you keep your mouth shut!"

"The witness raises a good point!" Said the Judge. "Do you have any counter to that Mr. Spike?"

"N-no, Your Honour." Said Spike. "Witness....please re-do your testimony."

"Gladly." Said Berry Punch smirking again.

(I need to figure it out! C'mon what did Cheerilee tell me that could come in handy now?!)

I was walking down the streets, all alone....just drinking like everyday.

"Hold it!" Shouted Spike. "What was you wearing at that time?"

"A black coat...why?" Asked Berry Punch.

Spike grinned confidently. "Because then you're nothing but a dirty liar!"

"Huh?! What are you talking about?!" Snarled Snails in surprise and anger.

"If you truly didn't talk to Cheerilee...then how come she told me that you were wearing a black coat?!" Shouted Spike as he outstretched his arm towards her.

"Again, those are just words. Do you have any proof that she said that to you?" Asked Berry Punch.

"Actually, Princess Twilight was a witness to the conversation!" Said Spike, cringing at the use of Twilight's full title, knowing that she hated being called that.

"A princess?!" Shouted the Judge. "There would be no better pony you could get a testimony from!"

"Except we wont get a testimony from her." Countered Berry Punch.

"Huh?" Muttered Spike in surprise.

"She's in a meeting, correct?" Asked Berry Punch. "How will we gain a testimony from a Princess that is at a Royal Meeting which by under any circumstances cannot be interrupted? The answer is, we cant. We don't know how long it'll take for the Princesses to wrap up their meeting, meaning it could be days. Not to mention I have a ticket for a holiday and with this little suspicion on me...I'll be able to leave by tomorrow."

(This is bad...really bad...)

"So then why don't you finish with this stupid line of questioning...it's not like it's getting us anywhere." Said Berry Punch. "Besides Cheerilee's name was still written on the wall."

"I'm afraid the witness is correct. You don't hold much evidence against her at all. Most of it is circumstantial or just plain words, none of which is any real evidence in a Court." Said the Judge. "I believe it's time we end this once and for all. I find the Defendant, Miss. Cheerilee to be...."

(Is there really nothing that I can do? Is it all over? Is there really no more evidence to present?...Oh Celestia...it really is over....)

"Hold it!" Shouted a male voice.

"HUH?!" Shouted everypony, making some receive slaps from the Bailiff.

A Royal Guard officer was there standing next to a white coated stallion unicorn with purple glasses and grey mane, tail and beard he was also wearing a lab coat that covered his cutie mark.

"I am X-Ray, I run the forensic operations and we have found some interesting marks on the dead body of Mrs. Cake." Said X-Ray with a chuckle. "There appears to be rope burn all around the neck. We are not sure why though as the murder weapon was clearly the knife..."

"What does that change?" Asked Berry Punch. "The murder weapon was the knife and I saw Cheerilee use it. That's all what matters!"

"However, if you didn't see the rope then your testimony is flawed!" Shouted Cheerilee from the defendant stand. "That would also mean that Mr. Cake's testimony is flawed too!"

"The defendant is right!" Said the Judge. "This certainly changes things!"

"No it doesn't. If there was a rope...then that also destroys Spike's theory on what happened as well." Said Berry Punch.

"Not exactly....not if you were the killer anyway!" Said Spike with a grin.

"W-what are talking about?! Of course it destroys your theory!" Said Snails in desperation.

"No. If we were to look at this, then the entire murder would look differently!" Said Spike as he pulled out another receipt - this time it belonged to Berry Punch. "This is your shopping is list, is it not?"

Berry Punch's eye's widened in shock and fear. "W-where did you get that?"

"From Light Dash. She said that your items that you brought were really suspicious." Said Spike with his confident grin growing wider. "Which include gloves and....rope!"

"That would explain the rope burns!" Yelled X-Ray.

"If we were to combine the fact that you might've taken Mrs. Cake's key....then we can assume you attempted to kill her with the rope!" Said Spike. "Not only that but by showing this evidence it also shows that Light Dash does not have a reason to forge the evidence...she wouldn't put somepony in danger as she reported this just out of pure reasons that they were 'suspicious items'!"

"Y-you bastard!" Yelled Berry Punch, snapping out of her calm and collected state as she punched the table repeatedly.

"Just admit it Berry Punch...you killed Mrs. Cake!" Shouted Spike with his arm outstretched towards Berry Punch and his index finger pointing at her.

"Heh...heh...heheheheheheheh!" The laughs were at first quiet but they began to become louder and more deranged as they went on and the source of all this was..... Berry Punch.

"W-what's so funny?" Asked the Judge in fear and shock. "This is no laughing manner!"

"Isn't it...heh...obvious?" Asked Berry Punch, while still giggling. "Spike...heh...claims that I attempted to killer her using a rope but if that's true....heheheheh...then why is the window broken and why is there a hole in her chest?!"

(So this is her true colours...)

"The witness raises an...eh...good point?" Said the Judge with an uncertain and scared tone. "So what evidence do you have to counter this argument, Mr. Spike?"

"I...uh...I...I'm..." Said Spike, stammering his words.

"What's the matter, no proof?" Asked Berry Punch sarcastically before laughing hysterically. "Heh...heheheheheheh! HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"That laugh..." Whispered Mr. Cake. "It was....of course.....how was I so blind?..."

"YOU HAVE NO PROOF WHATSOEVER!" Said Berry Punch sadistically before laughing again.

"OBJECTION!" Shouted....Mr.Cake?! "There's something I have to confess to you all....I...I TAMPERED WITH THE EVIDENCE!"

"What the?!" Shouted the Judge in surprise.

(He's actually...confessing?!)

"I remember it all now....my mind had blocked it away but I truly remember it all." Said Mr. Cake softly. "The other bloodied shard of glass in her mouth...the black coat...I remember it all now...I thought it was Cheerilee...they looked so similar so that's why...I FABRICATED THE EVIDENCE!"

"No...not now..." Whispered Berry Punch, quickly losing her sadistic smile. "It cant be...."

"I was the one who messed with the shopping list and I was the one who wrote Cheerilee's name on the wall...that's why it took me so long to call the authorities." Confessed Mr. Cake. "And that laugh. I remember hearing it...seeing her hunched over my wife's body. That laugh was sadistic and her eyes filled with such madness....as if layers upon layers of malice had folded into one."

"Y-You bastard!" Shouted Berry Punch at Mr. Cake.

"I pushed such a horrid image out of my mind. Eyes that looked like they belonged to the devil himself. Insane...lavender eyes..." Said Mr. Cake with a smile of true happiness on his face. "Looks like....you wont get off free. You will be punished."

"So what?!" Shouted Berry Punch. "In case you haven't forgotten that bastard's entire testimony was filled with nothing but lies and besides, he just contradicted himself! He claimed he saw me....but he didn't see the rope! Why would I even need to break the glass if I was planning to kill her with rope?!...Oh and the biggest contradiction is this...I HAVE NO MOTIVE!"

"But why would he lie about something like this?!" Questioned the Judge.

"Isn't it obvious?! He wants to blame me! He must have rope in his house somewhere so he could've easily hid it! Besides, confessing to tempering with evidence is nowhere as bad as get a death sentence!" Shouted Berry Punch as she became louder and more violent with each word. "SEE HE HAS A MOTIVE TO LIE...I DO NOT!!!"

(Hold on...let's look through everything and make a conclusion!

So Berry Punch goes and buys gloves and rope.

Next she enters the house using the key she stole off Mrs. Cakes!

Then using the rope Berry Punch places it around Mrs.Cakes neck and attempts to kill Mrs. Cake through strangulation.

In an act of survival, Mrs. Cakes broke the window and used a broken shard to cut the rope off!

After that she drops the glass shard to the floor. Then Berry Punch picks the glass shard up.

She then proceeds to stab Mrs. Cake through the chest - ripping through the flesh and piercing Mrs. Cake's left lung!

Berry Punch then uses this situation to take the rope and put it in her coat's pocket!

(And that's why when Mr. Cake saw Berry Punch she was hunched over!

After she flees...Mr. Cake blames it on Cheerilee as Berry Punch and Cheerilee looked the same and even wore the same coat - yet it was so dark out the colour didn't matter!

So using Mrs. Cake's blood, Mr. Cake writes Cheerilee's name on the wall! He also uses this situation to mess with the receipt of his wife's shopping list!

It was all so he could make sure the true culprit got what they deserved, however he subconsciously blocked Berry Punch's lavender eyes out for the trauma they gave him!

Then she fled the scene had a lengthy conversation with Cheerilee so it would seem that Cheerilee was trying to kill the the only remaining witness!)

I'VE GOT IT!

"No....It had to be you, Berry Punch! There was no one else it could've been!" Said Spike with a steely resolve. "Allow me to tell you my Conclusion!"

"W-what are you rambling on about now?!" Shouted Berry Punch. "Prosecution, say something!"

Snails was silent for a while before he chuckled. "I'm not the best pony in this planet...and I'll never claim to be but I will not defend a scumbag like you! You've proven your true nature and you're up against the wall - all that is left for you is....death."

"W-What?! No!" Shouted Berry Punch. "You useless maggot!"

"My Conclusion goes like this - You brought some gloves to hide your hoof-prints and you brought the rope to use as the murder weapon then you used the stolen key to unlock Sugar Cube Corner's door. Once you were in you crept up behind Mrs. Cake and wrapped your rope around her neck and attempted to strangulate her to death." Said Spike with a smirk on his face. "However, there was a problem and she had broken the window and used a broken glass shard to cut herself free from the ropes, once she did she also let the glass drop from her mouth out of pure exhaustion, then you picked up the glass shard and used it to kill her by stabbing it through her chest. Afterwards, you collected your cut rope and put it in your coat pocket, only to be seen by Mr. Cake and because you were putting your rope away, you looked like you were hunched over. Then a plan formulated in your head. You then looked into his eyes and ran away, with the glass shard and later bumped into Cheerilee who you held up to arrive late to make it look like she was there to kill the last and only witness, Mr. Cake. However, the plan worked even better than you thought and Mr. Cake had made false evidence to pin the blame on Cheerilee as you two look the same - you two even had the same sort of coat!"

"N...No....T-that's all lies! ALL OF IT!" Shouted Berry Punch in a frenzy as she punched the table over and over again, faster and faster. "I STILL HAVE NO MOTIVE!"

"That won't work anymore!" Shouted Spike. "I know your motive...it was obvious from the very beginning. Your company Berry's Beers collapsed due to the shortage of customers...making your life a living hell and the company that took all those customers was Sugar Cube Corner!"

"H-how did you...?" Stammered Berry Punch in shock and fear. "N-NO! THAT IS ALL LIES!!! ALL OF THIS IS LIES!!!"

"There are no more lies!" Shouted Spike as he outstretched his arm towards Berry Punch one more time, he could've sworn that he saw a bright bullet come from his index claw. "THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH!!!"

The bright bullet made contact with Berry Punch's chest ripping right through her and destroying a black heart covered in chains and locks.

BREAKTHROUGH!

Berry Punch looked down at the ground, her eyes widened in fear and shock of being found out. She remembered it all just like Spike described it...all the death..all the planning...all the madness...for what? A stupid grudge that truly meant nothing!

Berry Bunch reared her head back and released all of her emotions in one final scream...

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" The scream hurt everypony's ears, it was even threatening to break the windows in the Court.

Once the scream was over Berry Punch collapsed on the stand and the Guards arrested her unconscious body and also arrested Mr. Cake for tampering with a crime scene which he happily accepts.

"At least the nightmare is over now." Was all that Mr. Cake said with a smile on his face.

The Judge sat in his chair, almost paralysed by the events that took place right before his eyes. Slowly a smile tugged at the sides of his lips but he managed to keep a straight, neutral face.

"That was the most interesting case I have ever had the pleasure of being a part of in years." Said the Judge with a heavy sigh. "It's almost a shame to see it end - the event was horrific but the ending of the trial was one of the happiest that I've ever seen. Now then it is time for my verdict. I declare the defendant, Miss. Cheerilee to be NOT GUILTY!"

Everypony began clapping and cheering for the end result. The case was finally over and they could rest.

March 21, 5:20 PM.
District Court.
Defendant Lobby No.6.

"That was amazing, Spike!" Said Cheerilee as she hugged Spike. "You was able to find the truth even in the most dire of times!"

Spike chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Well...you know me, cant let a bad guy get away."

"That was simply splendid, darling." Said a familiar voice from behind Spike.

Spike turned around quickly and saw Rarity standing there. "Rarity?! I thought you left after your testimony?"

"No, darling. The case was so intense and exciting that I couldn't help but watch." Said Rarity with a chuckle.

"Yeah...I'll have to admit that was truly something to see." Said an even more familiar voice.

(Snails...)

"You really did better then a rookie should've done!" Said Snails. "You're definitely gonna get promoted! It's a shame though..."

"Huh? What's a shame?" Asked Spike has he tilted his head.

"My cutie mark." Responded Snails. "I thought that it could've mean more things then how slow my thought process is...like I thought it meant slow and steady wins the race or something along those lines. Guess I was a fool to think that, huh?"

"Not exactly." Said Spike as he rubbed his chin in thought. "If X-Ray didn't come in or if Mr. Cake didn't confess then I would've lost for sure. But because of pure luck I won. You almost beat me there Snails. You had me stuck quite a few times. It almost gave me a migraine to overcome some of them."

"Heh....you really are nicer then I gave you credit for, you know?" Said Snails with a chuckle. "I was always egotistical and cruel to the Defence attorney's in the past because I saw them to be just as bad as the criminal they we're defending. Yet, you proved me wrong - you saved a falsely accused mare and at the same time discovered who the real killer is? That is amazing."

"I used to have the same views on Prosecutors. I used to believe that they accused the innocent and bullied them so they can get more money. Guess I was wrong as well, huh?" Said Spike with a chuckle of his own. "Let's go celebrate this...c'mon!"

"Yeah!" Yelled Everypony and left to join him.

(I'm not sure what that bullet was...I'm equally not sure on what I saw either. However, I can rest for now. Just knowing that the criminal of a truly terrifying crime is in prison truly puts me at ease. For now I'm going to have some fun!)

"Too bad...that it won't last for long...."

THUNK!!!

END OF Turnabout Beginnings.

Turnabout Beginnings (Trial 1, Day 1) [1/2]

March 21, 4:08 PM
District Court
Defendant Lobby No.6

Spike felt his hands shaking, his feet quaking in his boots. He could feel the sweat fall down his forehead and drip onto the cold white tiled floor. He leaned back onto the red couch and he felt his head hit the picture above it, making him quickly put his head back down in pain.

He could hear the two armoured guards snickering to themselves as they guarded the locked brown big door on different ends. The ceiling was white and so was the walls. There was also a chandelier hanging from the ceiling illuminating the room with light.

Suddenly a purple face loomed over Spike, it's green eyes holding confusion.

"What are you doing?" Asked his client, Cheerilee with a small amount of amusement in her voice.

"Oh...um, I was just um...." Spike stuttered in surprise. "Mulling over the facts of this case...Yeah..."

"You look nervous Spike, are you sure you're ready for this?" Asked Cheerilee as she observed Spike's appearance.

Spike slowly inhaled and exhaled. "I'm not sure, but I do know one thing. You're not guilty and if nobody else is willing to give you a chance then I will do it!"

Cheerilee smiled at him. "You may not have the bravado that a lawyer has but you've got the mind set of one."

(Ah yes, Miss. Cheerilee, Ponyville's most beloved teacher. Loved by students and parents alike. I know that she cant be guilty.)

Cheerilee was a purple coated earth pony with a long pink mane and tail. Her cutie mark represented her so accurately, it was a picture of three flowers smiling innocently truly showing how kind and harmless Cheerilee really was. There was no way she did the murder!

"Hey, Spike." Said Cheerilee, snapping Spike out of his thoughts.

"Huh? What is it Cheerilee?" Inquired Spike.

"The pony who is supposed to be prosecuting this case.,..I think they're on of my old students." Replied Cheerilee. "I believe his name is...Snails."

"Oh I remember him! Wait....How did he get pass law school?" Asked Spike while rubbing his chin.

"I don't mean to offend my ex-student....but he isn't the brightest of the bunch." Said Cheerilee with a sheepish smile. "Don't tell him that though....I made him believe that he's smarter than the rest. Just to help improve his grades."

Spike chuckled. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me."

"Everypony, please make your way into the court - the trial is about to begin." Declared the Bailiff as the door was unlocked and opened, revealing the courtroom inside.

"Best of luck, Spike." Said Cheerilee with full confidence that Spike would save her.

March 21, 4:15 PM
District Court
Courtroom No.6

Spike gulped and straightened his posture before walking into the courtroom. He noticed that the seats were almost full and that the Judge was an old orange coated unicorn stallion with a gavel for a cutie mark that had no hair other than his gigantic white beard and tail, however what he noticed the most was the yellow coated unicorn stallion with a green mane and tail wearing a black business suit, hiding his cutie mark of a snail.

(Snails.....)

The Judge slammed his gavel down after Spike was in his position along with Cheerilee.

"The Court is now in session for the Trial of Miss. Cheerilee." Announced the Judge. "Is the Prosecution ready?"

"The Prosecution is ready, Your Honour." Said Snails arrogantly.

"And the defence?" Inquired the Judge.

"Ready, Your Honour." Replied Spike, trying to remain clam.

(I hope I am....)

"Very good. The prosecution may now begin their opening statement." Said the Judge as he stroked his beard.

"Thank you, Your Honour. The victim, Mrs.Cake was found stabbed to death by a kitchen knife in her own bakery just yesterday. The time of death was 9:30 AM and the cause of death was a puncture in her left lung. The murder weapon was not found but one of the kitchen knives were missing. It's all in this autopsy report." Said Snails with a smirk.

"Wait!" Shouted Spike. "None of that points to my client being gui-"

"I was getting to that." Said Snails. "There was a message written on the wall, one that clearly said, 'Cheerilee'. It was written in blood - the victims blood. We believe this to be her dying message - to tell the world who the true killers was! We have a photo of the scene right...here!"

Snails showed the court a picture which contained the victim's body slouched against the wall with a gaping hole about 18 cm wide in her chest with blood covering her torso and right hoof with the defendant's name written in blood behind it.

(Looks like Snails has changed over the years....He's certainly more intelligent now.)

"I thank you Mr. Snails. The Court will accept this as evidence." Said the Judge.

Autopsy Report Added To The Court Record.
Crime Scene Photo Added To The Court Record.

(This isn't looking good for me!)

"There's even a witness to the crime, the husband - Mr.Cake!" Announced Snails with smug grin.

Spike gritted his teeth. This was going to be tough but he would get through this, no matter what!

"Very well, call your Witness to the stand." Said the Judge.

A yellow coated stallion with a messy orange mane and tail that also had three carrot cakes as a cutie mark and also was wearing a white and red hat and suit walked onto the witness stand. His blue eyes glaring at Cheerilee, who flinched and looked away in sadness.

"Witness, state your name and occupation." Demanded Snails arrogantly.

"Mr. Cake, former husband of the late Mrs.Cake and owner of the bakery Sugar Cube Corner." Said Mr.Cake sadly.

"Mr. Cake I know this must be hard for you but please tell us what you saw." Said the Judge.

"I'll do anything to put that monster behind bars!" Spat Mr. Cake aggressively.

Witness Testimony
--------The Killer-------

I was asleep in my bed until I heard a loud scream coming from down stairs.

After realising that my wife wasn't next to me I immediately ran down the stairs.

What I saw was...horrifying. Cheerilee was standing in front of the corpse with a grin on her face.

She then ran out after she noticed me and I instantly tried to contact the authorities.

------End------

"See Your Honour? There is hardly a need for a cross-examination. It seems like a pretty simple open and shut case." Said Snails.

"Hmmm....You do raise a good point..." Muttered the Judge.

"Hold it!" Shouted Spike. "Your Honour - you can't really be considering this can you?! We need to go over every minor or major detail - we are deciding somepony's fate here, You Honour!"

".......I've come to a decision. I shall allow you to cross-examine the witness." Decided the Judge. "However this witness is clearly and understandably distraught over the death of his wife. If you press him with irrelevant questions I will end the Cross-Examination and give my verdict."

"Understood, Your Honour." Said Spike. "Thank you."

"You may begin your Cross-Examination now Mr.Spike." Said the Judge. "Witness, please tell us your Testimony one last time."

"Very well..." Said Mr. Cake.

Witness Testimony
--------The Killer-------

I was asleep in my bed until I heard a loud scream coming from down stairs.

After realising that my wife wasn't next to me I immediately ran down the stairs.

What I saw was...horrifying. Cheerilee was standing in front of the corpse with a grin on her face.

"Hold It!" Shouted Spike. "Witness, you claim that you saw Miss. Cheerilee at the scene of the murder. Then if so...why didn't you mention that she was holding the knife?!"

"I was more focused on the corpse of my wife." Snarled Mr. Cake.

"I don't think so! You claimed that Cheerilee was standing in front of the corpse with a grin on her face. If you noticed the grin - then you certainly noticed the knife!"

"OBJECTION!" Yelled Snails. "The defendant could've hidden it before he came down the stairs."

(Could that really be possible? Could she have hidden it?.....No! Wait, of course!)

Spike smirked and shook his head. "That would be impossible the witness clearly claimed that he immediately ran down the stairs. If this is true then the culprit wouldn't have enough time to hide it!"

Snails flinched and stepped backwards. "Impossible!"

Ponies in the Court started a ruckus of noise with the shocking turn of events.

(Now the tables are turning!)

"Order! Order!" Shouted the Judge as he slammed his gavel until the room went silent. "The defence raises a good point, do you have any explanation for this mess up, Mr. Cake?"

"I apologise....I forgot to mention an important factor....the memory was so terrible that I tried to remove it..." Mr. Cake sighed heavily. "I now realise I must face my fears if I wish to overcome them."

"I understand.....this must be a painful event in your life after all." Said the Judge sadly. "Very well, I will allow you to update your testimony."

Ponies in the Court began to cry, including the Defendant and Judge.

(Crap! Now he's got the whole Courtroom on his side.)

"It went like this...." Muttered Mr. Cake.

-----Repressed Memories-----

I remember a kitchen knife with blood dripping of it's edge being in the defendants possession.

She had the knife's handle in her mouth and had a mad glint in her eyes.

She looked conflicted when she stared at me, as if wondering to kill me or not.

She then fled with the knife in her mouth and with the time of day...nopony was in the streets.

I then decided the contact the authorities.

-----End-----

"As you can see, the Witness is clearly traumatised by the whole thing....so I believe the same rules of pressing him should be put into place, Your Honour." Said Snails.

"I agree. Mr. Spike, if you ask the witness unrelated questions your client will be declared guilty." Said the Judge. "Are we clear?"

"Yes, Your Honour." Replied Spike as he began to sweat.

(Why cant anything go my way for once?!)

"Very well, Mr. Spike you can begin your Cross-Examination now." Said the Judge.

Witness Testimony
-----Repressed Memories-----

I remember a kitchen knife with blood dripping of it's edge being in the defendants possession.

"Hold it!" Shouted Spike. "How did it get into her possession?"

"OBJECTION!" Shouted Snails. "Are you seriously asking that?! It came from the kitchen in Sugar Cube Corner."

"Then how did she get into Sugar Cube Corner?" Asked Spike. "I thought that it only opened at 10:00 AM."

"You aren't wrong." Said Mr. Cake. "We keep records of those who buy from the bakery and it always begins at 10:00 AM or 10:30 AM. I have one here. It's for the past two months."

Sugar Cube Corner Customer List (Jan-Feb) Added To The Court Record.

(This might come in handy later...)

"Was there any sign of forced entry?" Asked the Judge.

"Yes, Your Honour." Said Snails. "There was a broken window, it's glass completely shattered - there was a piece glass covered in blood. We found it in the bin, the blood belonged to Mr. Cake."

Shattered Window Added To The Court Record.
Bloodied Glass Shard Added To The Court Record.

The Court ponies began muttering to each other as doubts arose.

"Mr. Cake? Why him?" Asked Spike.

"He must've accidentally stabbed himself in the foot during his rush to his wife." Said Snails with a smirk. "That's the only explanation."

"Sounds reasonable...after all he was in a rush." Said the Judge. "You may continue with your testimony."

"As I was saying..." Said Mr. Cake.

She had the knife's handle in her mouth and had a mad glint in her eyes.

She looked conflicted when she stared at me, as if wondering to kill me or not.

She then fled with the knife in her mouth and with the time of day...nopony was in the streets.

"Hold it!" Shouted Spike. "Are you entirely sure that there was nopony out there?"

"Yes, I am." Responded Mr. Cake.

"What about the police? When they arrested her, there was no weapon on her." Said Spike.

"Hold it!" Shouted Snails. "That was twenty-eight minutes after the call, she could've thrown it away or even burned it."

"Good riddance." Said Mr. Cake. "Anyway, afterwards I..."

I then decided the contact the authorities.

"Hold it!" Shouted Spike. "When did you call the authorities?"

"I believe it was 10:12 AM." Responded Mr. Cake.

"Could you add it to your testimony please?" Asked Spike.

"If you insist." Replied Mr. Cake.

The time of the call was 10:12.

"OBJECTION!" Shouted Spike. "You claimed that the time of the call was 10:12, correct?"

"Yes, I did." Replied Mr. Cake.

"However, according to this autopsy report the victim stopped breathing at 9:30 AM!" Shouted Spike with adrenaline coursing through his veins. "Even with your interaction with the defendant - you still should've been able to contact the authorities before 10:00 AM!"

"Argh!" Grunted Mr. Cake as he placed his right hoof over his left shoulder like he was just hit.

"He was just in shock! The poor man just saw his wife's dead body." Countered Snails desperately.

"Yes but shock doesn't last for half an hour!" Shouted Spike in protest.

"The defence makes a good point. How do you respond to that Mr. Cake?" Asked the Judge.

"I was confused! Somepony had just broken into my house and killed my wife! I didn't pay that much attention to a stupid clock!" Shouted Mr. Cake aggressively. "And besides....Cheerilee's name is still on the wall, right?"

"Yes, that's correct! Not only do you have a solid reason for your misinterpretation of the time, you also have reminded us about the main piece of evidence." Said Snails. "Besides that - you have no motive to lie in the first place."

"Oh! That's right - it was his wife after all..." Said the Judge in realisation. "I guess there wouldn't be any true reason to lie about her death...."

"Yes, I believe that this entire trial is now simple, isn't it? There really is no other way you can look at this...I think you should slam that gravel of yours and end this madness!" Said Snails with a sly smirk.

"Yes, you are quite right." Said the Judge. "Before I continue do I have any objections?

(Is there really nothing I can do? Is it all over now?)

Seeing that Spike wasn't responding, the Judge decided to continue.

"Well, then I shall hand down my verdict." Spoke the Judge as he lifted his gavel with his magic.

"You can do something Spike!" Yelled Cheerilee. "Think outside the box!"

(Think outside the box? What does she mean?)

"I declare Miss. Cheerilee as GUI-"

"OBJECTION!" Shouted Spike, his arm outstretched towards the Judge.

"Uh....do you have an objection Mr. Spike?" Asked the Judge.

(Think Spike, think!

Alright so the victim died at 9:30AM

A scream woke Mr. Cake up.

Then he ran downstairs, in which he saw the defendant.

And then the defendant ran off with the murder weapon.

Then he contacted the authorities later than he really should.

That's what we know....if we we're to spin it around and see out of a different perspective....

Then we would get this!!!

At 9:30 AM Mr. Cake killed Mrs. Cake with the murder weapon.

However, there had been a problem earlier - the window was shattered by a missed strike!

Then Mrs. Cake took the opportunity to fight back against Mr. Cake!

She picked up a shard of broken glass and attempted to stab him, staining the piece of glass.

He then gained an advantage and stabbed her in the chest, puncturing a lung.

Then knowing that every Monday Cheerilee picked up cupcakes with his Customer List.

He framed her by writing her name with his wife's blood!

Then before he contacted the authorities he hid the murder weapon and put the broken piece of glass in the bin!

I'VE GOT IT!

"W-well...Mr.Spike...your objection?" Asked the Judge.

Spike's eyes opened with a steely resolve. "The motive that Mr. Cake has for lying is pretty simple Your Honour - He is the true culprit!"

END OF PART 1

Turnabout Airdrop (Investigation 1, Day 1) [1/2]

"W-Wait...we can work this out!"

"Oh can we now? Heh. As if you could fix my life after everything you did to me! I was perfect and you ruined me!"

"E-even if you kill me...you won't get away! The Police will make sure of it!"

"That's exactly why I'm going to pin it on....her."

"No wait please! I love her! We just got together, please I beg of you!"

"Just got together eh? Well that's just too bad...that it won't last for long!"

THUNK!

April 6, 3:25 PM
Spike & Co. Law Offices.

Spike sighed in bliss as he leaned back against his comfy office chair. He was sitting at his shiny mahogany desk as he overlooked Ponyville from his forty-eight inch window.

"Ponyville...it's still a town but it's growing even bigger with each passing year." Mused Spike aloud. "I wonder if it'll ever become a city at this rate."

"I certainly hope so." Said a familiar female voice from the doorway, one that Spike instantly recognised.

"Twilight!" Said Spike happily as he turned his office chair around to face her. "What brings you to my office?"

Twilight giggled. "Just wanted to check up with my friend. All the other girls are busy. Rarity has loads of customers to serve, Pinkie is still away on holiday, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are going on a holiday together soon so they're too busy with packing up and Applejack is going to a family reunion, minus Apple Bloom of course."

"Huh? What do you mean by 'minus Apple Bloom'?" Asked Spike with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, right! I forgot to tell you!" Said Twilight in realisation. "Apple Bloom is now a detective and she's currently investigating a case about a serial killer! She's been making better progress then any of the other detective's so far so they decided to put her on the case, which is currently being held in Canterlot!"

"Wow...that's pretty impressive considering her age." Said Spike in astonishment.

(I remember Apple Bloom, when I last saw her I believe that she was fourteen years old. But it's been six years now and so she should still only be twenty and she's already taking murder cases in Canterlot! That takes some talent! Look's like all the crusading payed off in the end.)

"Anyways," Said Twilight as she looked around the office, noticing the fancy lights on the wall and ceiling. "Look's like you've got yourself quite the office, huh?"

"Yeah, after that case involving Mrs. Cake's death I got loads of clients." Said Spike with a proud smile. "Though most of them are just petty thievery."

"Well, I feel like that'll change soon." Said Twilight in a sombre tone.

"What do you mean?" Inquired Spike who was rubbing his chin.

"It's like you said." Replied Twilight. "More and more ponies are coming here. The majority will be good...but then there is the bad."

"Ah." Said Spike in realisation. "You're worried about the crime rate?"

Twilight nodded. "Yeah, I just hope that Ponyville will have enough Guards, Prosecutors and Lawyers to deal with that. However, currently Ponyville doesn't have much in terms of Prosecutors and Lawyers. We've only got about one hundred and fifty in all, and that's including you."

"Yeah....with a town that 98,021 ponies living within, it doesn't seem like much." Agreed Spike. "Hopefully we'll gain more as time progresses."

"Yeah, I hope so too." Replied Twilight with a heavy sigh. "However, since the Riot Of Canterlot the law doesn't seemed to be welcomed as it used to be."

(Ah, yes. The Riot Of Canterlot, one of the biggest riots in Equestrian history. It was caused because Prince Blueblood was paying unicorns more than any other race, which obviously angered a lot of ponies. Fights broke out in the streets, fires were spreading across the City and even acts such as vandalism and murder was committed that day. Since then distrust has arose and crime rates have increased. However, one of the most terrifying things about that event...was that it only took four hours, four hours that affected millions of ponies lives and even ended some.)

Suddenly a yellow coated pegasus with a long pink mane and tail ran into the office, tears dropping out of her blue eyes. The other two in the room immediately recognised the pony as their friend, Fluttershy.

"F-fluttershy!" Shouted both Twilight and Spike as they rushed to her side.

"What happened, Fluttershy?" Asked Twilight with concern in her voice.

"R-Rainbow Dash...she...she's been arrested!" Shouted Fluttershy as she cried on Twilight's shoulder.

"A-arrested?" Repeated Spike, not believing what he was hearing. "W-what for?"

"F-for murder." Said Fluttershy, as she began crying more heavily.

"W-WHAT?!" Shouted both Twilight and Spike.

"You heard her." Said another female voice, one that sounded arrogant and cocky. "She said it was for murder."

Spike turned around and saw a pink coated earth-pony mare who had a purple mane with a big white stripe going down the centre of it, just like her tail. She had piercing blue eyes and a silver tiara on her head.

(Diamond Tiara. I haven't seen her in years...I wonder what she is doing here?)

"Why are you here, Diamond Tiara?" Inquired Twilight. "T-This has nothing to do with you."

"Oh but it does." Replied Diamond Tiara with a prideful smirk on her face. "I am going to be the one prosecuting during this case, after all."

"Y-you're a prosecutor?" Asked Spike, surprise evident in his tone.

"That's right." Responded Diamond Tiara arrogantly before she shook her head. "And I'm guessing that you're going to be Rainbow Dash's attorney?"

"Of course!" Said Spike before he faltered. "That is unless somepony else already took that position...."

"If somepony else did take the position, why would I bother to question you about it?" Asked Diamond Tiara with another shake of her head.

(Well...I can't say she's wrong...but couldn't she be a bit more polite?)

"Admittedly, I don't really see why nopony has taken the case." Said Spike as he rubbed his chin. "Defending not only a Wonderbolt but also a Element of Harmony, it would be great for any attorney's name."

"Isn't it obvious, Porcupine?" Mocked Diamond Tiara. "They knew I was going to take the case."

(PORCUPINE?! C'mon....I didn't ask for my spikes to be this long!)

"Why do you say that?" Asked Spike, trying not to blow a fuse.

"My, you really are dense, aren't you?" Mocked Diamond Tiara again as she chuckled arrogantly. "Surely Princess Twilight knows who I am?"

"Diamond Tiara, Chief Prosecutor, one of the only prosecutor's in Ponyville who has never lost a case." Said Twilight as she turned towards the duo while she was patting Fluttershy's shoulder. "Her mother, Spoiled Rich is also a successful prosecutor from Canterlot that has never lost a case in her forty-eight year career and she trained Diamond Tiara herself."

Diamond Tiara nodded, never once losing that cocky smirk. "Exactly. You've done your research, Princess. Now, then Porcupine do you see why nopony else would take the case? I suggest you do the same and keep your nose out of this."

Spike shook his head, a steely resolve in his eyes. "I don't care who you are or how good you are! I am going to defend Rainbow Dash!"

Diamond Tiara laughed crudely. "Why would you even bother? The evidence is decisive and solid. There is a motive for her and she has no alibi to speak of."

"Is that so?" Asked Spike, only getting a nod as a response from Diamond Tiara. "It doesn't matter to me! I know that she is innocent - she couldn't have been the killer!"

"Heh. Those are just words, nothing more." Said Diamond Tiara, never faltering in the slightest. "I can't wait to see you eat those words in the Courtroom. For now, I wish to speak to Fluttershy."

"W-why me?" Asked Fluttershy, tears still coming from her eyes.

"The Prosecution has some questions that they would like to ask." Replied Diamond Tiara. "Now come, I haven't got all day."

After Diamond walked out the office with Fluttershy in tow, both Spike and Twilight turned to each other.

(W-What the heck am I supposed to say after seeing that?!)

"Well, what are we standing around for?" Asked Twilight as she grabbed Spike. "I'll teleport us to the Ponyville Police Station!"

April 6, 3:50 PM
Ponyville Police Station
Entrance Hall

Spike and Twilight arrived inside a large bright white room, the floors, walls and ceilings were all white. There was multiple people, mainly guards and detectives, walking and talking in the room. There was a counter which housed a young white unicorn mare which had green eyes and a red mane and tail. The pony that was currently talking to her was only able to make conversation to her because the counter's glass wall had a hole in the middle the size of a child's hoof.

There were also five other ponies in other counters that was also conversing with other people about their problems. A massive hallway was to the left and multiple doors were to the side of the walls.

Once the pony was finished talking to the red-maned unicorn, Twilight and Spike approached her.

"Hello Princess Twilight, can I help you?" Asked the pony, bowing to Twilight in respect, causing a chain reaction when the other ponies realised that there was royalty in the room.

"Could we speak to Miss. Dash please?" Asked Twilight while rolling her eyes at the other bowing ponies. "You don't need to bow, actually I would prefer it if you didn't do it at all."

"Oh I apologise Princess." Said the reception pony. "Oh! You're the one that helped Cheerilee, right?"

Spike nodded. "Yes I am."

"I'm guessing you're going to be Miss. Dash's attorney, then?" Inquired the pony.

"Yes, he is." Responded Twilight with a raised eyebrow. "Why?"

"I just wanted to say that she is being very difficult. She won't answer certain questions." Said the pony.

"Really? What sort of questions won't she respond to?" Asked Spike while rubbing his chin.

"Questions like, 'What was your relationship with the late Mr. Soarin?'" Replied the pony.

"Really? That's pretty....odd." Responded Spike, not knowing what else to say.

"Yeah and that's probably going to work in Diamond's favour." Said Twilight with a sigh.

(Rainbow Dash....what do you have to hide?)

April 6, 4:00 PM
Ponyville Police Station
Detention Center.

A cyan coated pegasus was looking down in her cell, her rainbow-coloured mane covered her face and her tail was wrapped around her chair's leg. Her pink eyes were staring at the floor as she grit her teeth.

"Rainbow Dash!" Shouted Twilight in concern as she rushed over to her friend.

"Twi?" She asked in a raspy voice as she looked up, eyes widening as she saw her friends through the glass. "Spike too?"

"Hey Dash." Said Spike with a confident smile. "You okay in there?"

"I'm doing just dandy!" Said Rainbow Dash sarcastically, rolling her eyes. "Seriously, how can you smile in a situation like this?"

(I can hear her voice shaking. It's obvious she's distressed, not that I blame her.)

"I'm going to get the death penalty and die!" Shouted Rainbow Dash, her voice breaking as fresh tears came to her eyes.

"Not as long as I'm around." Said Spike as he sat down opposite to her. "I'm going to get you a full acquittal."

"Listen Spike...you might've been able to prove Cheerilee innocent but this is different!" Said Rainbow Dash angrily. "They have a evidence! They have a prosecutor who has never lost! They've also got the support of all of Ponyville!"

"So? Snails had evidence, until he lost against me he had only two loses and he had the support of all of Ponyville as well." Said Spike as he listed off everything. "How is this any different?"

"I...um...I..." Rainbow Dash struggled to find her words. "They...um...The victim, Soarin was famous!"

"And so was Mrs. Cakes for inventing the world's most successful bakery." Replied Spike with a shrug.

Rainbow Dash sighed. "I'm sorry Spike...but I....I feel so hopeless! I just cant help but doubt you, y'know? Everything was going great at first but now....now all I ever seem to receive it's bad luck."

(I can't really argue against that...she has been accused of murder after all.)

"Rainbow Dash, I know thing must be looking bleak now but....you can't give up!" Said Twilight, obviously discomforted by her friend's sadness. "Me and Spike will do our best to prove you innocent."

"If you say so...I guess you guys are my best bet of coming out of this thing alive, huh?" Muttered Rainbow Dash, a familiar spark returning to her eye. "Alright, then! I'll do my best to help you guys out!"

(This is the Rainbow Dash I know! The confidence and trust in her voice sounds much more better than the depressed alternative!)

"So Rainbow Dash, where did the murder take place?" Asked Spike as he rubbed his chin.

"It took place in the backstage at The Wonderbolt Airdrop." Said Rainbow Dash with a heavy sigh.

"Airdrop?" Repeated Twilight with a look of utter confusion on her face. "Why is it called that?"

"It's called that because we were supposed to perform a super cool trick during mid air called the Airdrop." Said Rainbow Dash with a dreamy smile on her face. "I remember Spitfire demonstrating it to us....it was so cool!"

"Why do the police suspect you of killing Soarin?" Asked Spike.

"Because me and Soarin was the only ones backstage during that time...I was also the pony that found his body." Said Rainbow Dash with a look of disgust on her face.

"Wait...you were the only two? Where was everypony else?" Asked Twilight.

"Fleetfoot was out practising during that time on the main stage, where the majority of staff was present. Spitfire was speaking to the manager and the rest of the staff were with them." Said Rainbow Dash.

"Sounds like a set-up." Concluded Twilight.

"You really think so?" Questioned Spike while rubbing his chin.

"Well...considering the fact that all the staff was conveniently nowhere near the murder scene, it's safe to say that somepony else could've used this to kill Soarin with no witnesses." Said Twilight, deep in thought.

"Speaking of which, Rainbow Dash did you witness the murder?" Asked Spike as he turned his attention back onto Rainbow Dash.

"No. I was on the toilet at that time." Said Rainbow Dash. "However, the police weren't buying that as you could already tell."

"Did you hear anything while you were on the toilet?" Asked Twilight. "Like any conversation or loud noises?"

"Yeah actually. When I was cleaning my hooves I heard a loud bang, it echoed through-out the backstage." Said Rainbow Dash. "I immediately rushed outta there and checked on Soarin.....but his skull was crushed....there were...f-fragments of his skull on the ground....blood everywhere...."

(Poor Rainbow....it must've been a horrifying experience to have seen all that.)

"I....I did see something strange though." Said Rainbow Dash as she put her hoof on her chin, looking up in thought.

"Y-you did?" Asked Spike with a raised eyebrow. "What was it?"

"There was a picture of a rose carved into his chest...." Said Rainbow Dash, cringing in disgust.

"A...rose? What is that supposed to mean?" Asked Twilight as she rubbed her chin.

"I....I have no idea." Responded Rainbow Dash, looking up in thought again.

"What killed the victim?" Inquired Spike.

"I...don't know..." Responded Rainbow Dash as her eyes widened. "Although...there was a knife that was there. It was covered in blood."

"Odd, I thought his was crushed? Why would the killer need a knife?" Asked Spike with a raised eyebrow.

"Maybe that's what the killer used to carve the rose onto the corpse?" Questioned Twilight.

"I guess that makes sense." Said Rainbow Dash. "But if he took what actually killed Soarin...why didn't he take the weapon he used to carve the rose?"

"What if the killer used their hooves to crush his skull...it is possible." Said Spike.

"Possible...but highly unlikely." Interjected Twilight. "Remember Spike, Soarin is an athletic pony and he should've been able to fight off the attacker."

(I guess she's right about that....and the only other pony with the same kind of athletic ability in that room would have been Rainbow Dash.)

"Rainbow Dash, why would the police think that you killed Soarin?" Questioned Spike. "I thought you two were great friends so I don't see there being any motive."

"I think they just based it all around physical evidence." Said Rainbow Dash, looking thoughtful again. "Just like they did with Cheerilee."

(I don't know why.....but I feel like something's not right about what she just said...)

"There's no way that's possible." Said Twilight with a shake of her head. "Diamond Tiara is too obsessed with being perfect to leave any unanswered mysteries behind."

"Wait!" Said Rainbow Dash in surprise. "Did you say, Diamond Tiara?! The Diamond Tiara?!"

"Y-yes." Said Twilight sadly, knowing what her friend's reaction would be.

"Then I am doomed!" Shouted Rainbow Dash in fear. "Nopony has even came close to beating her before! I'm not even that interested in law and I still know of her perfect record!"

(Looks like everypony in town is scared of Diamond Tiara. She can't be that good....can she?)

"Calm down, Rainbow Dash." Said Spike reassuringly. "I'm going to make sure that you get out of this alive. As long as you didn't actually commit the crime....then the truth will shine through!"

"You...You really think so?" Asked Rainbow Dash nervously.

"I know so." Responded Spike with a confident grin.

"Speaking of which...." Said Twilight, interrupting their moment. "If we want to get a clearer picture of this case we better go and investigate."

"Yeah....I guess you're right." Said Spike with a nod if his head. "We'll see you later Rainbow!"

April 6, 6:00 PM
The Wonderbolt Airdrop
Entrance Gate

"Wow....this place is pretty big." Said Spike in awe as he observed the gigantic building in front of him.

It looked like a massive Colosseum, it was built out of steel rather than concrete and limestone. However, that was not the only difference. Instead of their being multiple entrances there was just one, a gate that was five meters away from the actual Colosseum but was built in with a roof and walls to make it connect with the building.

There was multiple police guards all over the place, talking to each other and examining items.

"Yeah....." Finally responded Twilight, still shocked by how impressive the building was.

"It's a pretty cool building, don't ya think?" Asked a very familiar voice.

(What is SHE doing here?!)

Spike and Twilight turned around and saw none other than....Light Dash. She was smiling at the two and waved for them to come over. They did so.

"W-why are you here?" Asked Twilight, obviously shocked by Light Dash's sudden appearance.

"Because I'm a journalist, that's why!" Said Light Dash with a cocky smile.

"I thought you were a receptionist at Lyra And Co!?" Asked Spike as he raised his eyebrow.

"I was." Said Light Dash with a giggle. "However, knowing that I could be selling potential murder weapons to other ponies just didn't sit right with me....so I left."

"I guess that makes sense." Said Spike as he rubbed his chin. "That still doesn't explain what you're doing here, though."

"Isn't it obvious?! I was going to interview a Wonderbolt!" Replied Light Dash as she rolled her eyes. "What kind of pony do you think I am?! I'm not that amateur to not pick up on this opportunity!"

(Could've fooled me.)

"Hey! What's with that face?!" Asked Light Dash angrily.

"W-what face?" Replied Spike, trying to act innocent.

"I'm watching you..." Warned Light Dash as she crossed her hooves.

"Why are you waiting out here anyway?" Asked Twilight. "You should know that they won't let you go in without being involved in the case."

"I'm waiting for somepony." Replied Light Dash with a smirk, being purposely vague.

"Who is it?" Asked Spike while rubbing his chin.

"Diamond Tiara." Said Light Dash, suddenly becoming serious.

"W-What?!" Shouted both Twilight and Spike.

"That's right! I am a witness!" Said Light Dash with a cocky smile on her face. "I'll help put a criminal behind bars! If there's one thing that I can't stand....it's murderers!"

"But....you helped us before..." Said Spike, feeling a bit confused.

"Yeah, but that's only because I had my suspicions on other ponies." Said Light Dash. "I heard everything that happened that night!"

"You heard?" Inquired Spike.

"Oops, said to much." Said Light Dash with a little giggle. "Sorry, Diamond told me to tell 'Porcupine' over there nothing at all!"

(She even refers to me as Porcupine when she talks to other ponies?!)

"Speaking of which, here she comes!" Said Light Dash excitedly as Diamond Tiara walked out of the entrance gate.

"Hm. So that's your true colours?" Said Diamond Tiara with her arrogant smirk. "While I was gone you decided to harass my witness, huh?"

"Actually, I didn't know that she even was your witness until a couple of seconds ago." Said Spike, scratching the back of his head while sheepishly smiling.

"Yet you still continued to converse with her, did you not?" Questioned Diamond Tiara with a knowing smirk on her face.

(Well....she's got me there...)

Diamond Tiara shook her head with her trademark smirk never leaving her face. "I hope you're above these actions in Court, Porcupine."

"I guess you'll find out." Replied Spike, displaying some bravado.

"I guess I will." Said Diamond Tiara before she walked off with Light Dash in tow.

"Well....we're wasting time standing around out here." Said Twilight as she turned back to the gate. "Let's go in."

Spike nodded and slowly opened the gate. What he saw inside, shocked him to his very core.

END OF PART 1