Trigger Happy Equines

“Now then, let’s begin with a simple explanation of the killing game trial! During the trial you will present your arguments for who the killer is and vote for ‘whodunit.’ If you vote correctly then only the guilty will receive punishment and the game will continue. But if you vote incorrectly… Then I’ll execute everyone besides the killer, and they will earn the right to leave the dome and be free in the outside world!”

“Before we begin,” Mesmer said, looking suspiciously at the blank sixteenth spot, “I’d like to confirm that there is truly a killer among those present.”

“Absolutely! As much as you’d like to believe that a super-secret sixteenth participant has been sneaking around and killed Pinkie while you were all unaware, that didn’t happen!”

“So what!?” Elsie cried. “We still can’t be sure that you killed her!”

Monobunny hung his head in mock disappointment. “Again and again you miscreants doubt my honesty… Go ahead and believe what you want but remember that your fate is in my paws! When the time comes to vote and you either vote for me or abstain from voting completely I’ll execute you without a second thought! So you’d better let go of that notion or face your own demise!”

Elsie shook nervously, her glasses nearly falling off her muzzle. “You beast!”

“I don’t want to believe it either,” Maribelle said woefully. “I thought we were all getting along just fine. Who would want to kill Pinkie Pie? Her unspeakable transgression against her friend Applejack notwithstanding.”

“Anyone might,” Copper said. “Let’s not forget that we’re stuck in here with no way out except murder. Can we really say we can trust everyone here not to get desperate?”

Yoko shook his head disgruntledly. “If only we’d done more to keep everyone safe. This is all your fault, Shetland! You and your stupid plans! All that talk of protecting innocents and you let one of us die!

“I did everything I could!” Shetland blared. “I couldn’t exactly force us all to sleep in the same room and have us follow each other to the bathroom. And how was I supposed to know someone would die within one day!?”

“Someone got desperate,” Copper interjected. “They wanted to beat everyone to the punch and escape before we knew what hit us.”

“Even so!” Shetland exhaled unsteadily. “We had yet to properly check the area for an escape route. I didn’t think–”

“Exactly!” Yoko chided. “You didn’t think!”

“Now, now,” Scalpel said softly. “What’s done is done. We should be focusing on this trial. The question is, where do we start?”

“I’m not sure,” Sanscript said, rubbing his temples. “There are so many things about this that don’t make sense. It almost feels like an impossible murder.”

“Let’s stick to the basics,” Dopple said. “First, we need to determine exactly how Pinkie died. The Monobunny File tells us she died this morning, so let’s start there.”

“Right!” Inky exclaimed, looking determined. “I already have a theory for that!”

“Oh, how thrilling!” Monobunny beamed. “Your very first debate! Let’s get this party well and truly started!”

Just as Monobunny finished speaking there was the sound of a motor, and then I almost lost my balance as the floor beneath me began to move, the entire stage slowly revolving as multi-colored lights danced across it. It felt akin to a wacky games-show set. I planted my hooves in place and braced myself. We were going to find the truth of the matter!

Truth Bullets

Ladder

State of The Body

Machine Gun Cameras

Pinkie’s Towel

Sanscript: Pinkie’s body was found on the diving board. Perhaps she was pushed from the window and fell from too great a height?

Elsie: But the diving board wasn’t hard enough to have caused such an injury.

Shetland: Also, it would’ve been difficult to miss the pool if that were the case, even if she was pushed.

Dish Panner: Exactly. The killer must have attacked her and then placed the body on the diving board.

Button: But how did they kill her? We didn’t find any murder weapons!

Inky: They didn’t need a murder weapon. She was in the swimming area, right? She must have drowned!The killer held her head under the water until she stopped breathing!

Reph: But if she drowned then there’s a possibility that she wasn’t killed at all. She could have committed suicide!

Inky: Pinkie wouldn’t have done that!

Sanscript: We can’t be sure. She wasn’t in such a great state before going to bed last night.

Copper: So she killed herself and was dragged out of the water? Who would even do that?

Mesmer: We’re not getting anywhere like this…

Wait, someone said something that doesn’t make sense. I just need to present my evidence!