Twilight Sparkle: Ace Attorneyby NonAlcoholicMartiniChaptersCase 01: Turnabout And PiesCase 02: Apple Turnabout (Prolouge)Case 02: Apple Turnabout (Day 1)Case 02: Apple Turnabout (Day 0)Case 01: Turnabout And Pies"You look nervous." Twilight Sparkle tore her gaze away from the Court Record to look up at her friend and, she figured, co-worker. "A little", she replied, trying her hardest not to hyperventilate. "It's my first trial and I have to defend one of my closest friends! What if I don't find anything? What if she gets a guilty verdict and I will forever be plagued with the knowledge that I sent her to prison amd she hates me for the rest of her life?!" "Ah, I remember my first trial too." Trixie said, a far off look on her face as her eyes trailed across the denfendant lobby. "This IS you first trial, Trixie." Trixie did nothing to meet Twilight's judgmental glare, instead opting to focus on the painting on the wall she found much more interessting. "No, but that's not the point." She sat beside her on the couch, laying an arm around her friend's shoulder. "I will be by your side throughout the trial, Sparkles. Well, not exactly 'by your side' but you get the idea." A smile danced across Twilight's lips and for a moment a flash of hope seemed close. "Also Trixie believes that you worry far too much. Pinkie could never hate you like, at all. Seriously, I don't think I've ever seen her mad. Ever. And she won't be locked away forever anyway, just for a longer period of time and you can still visit if you mess up." Trixie's well meant words did not come out as well as she had hoped, ruining the moment as Twilight let her head fall into her hands with a light smack. "She's gonna be so sad. And Rainbow's will hate me forever. I can already see their faces." Trixie flinched, trying to come up with something else to say. "Hello, Twilight", a calm yet assertive voice rang through the room. "I do hope I'm not late. Oh! Hello to you too Miss Lulamoon." Luna, Twilight's teacher and mentor, had entered and was now smiling at the two of them. "I thought I might find you here, the bailiff are looking for you." Trixie stood up from her seat, giving Twilight's shoulder one last squeeze before leaving the room. The place where she sat moments before was now occupied by Luna who wore a worrysome look on her face. "Everything will be fine, Twilight. I'll be there if you have any troubles during the trial." "I know, Chief. I'm just so worried." Luna nodded understandingly. "If you're in doubt, simply stick to the basics. You remember those right?" Twilight took a deep breath which she exhaled after a few seconds. "Always believe in your client." The chief smiled proudly. "That's right. Now, how about we look over the file one last time, together?" The protégé nodded, opening the case file and starting to explain. "Two days ago Soarin, a member of the Wonderbolts, was poisend. He is recovering in the hospital, it wasn't quite strong enough to kill him. The poison was inside a blueberry pie baked by my defendant Pinkamina Diane Pie." "LIES!" A shrill voice yelled as the person belonging to it was escorted into the room. "I mean, I DID bake the pie but I did NOT put any kind of poison in it! That would ruin the good pie! And no one likes ruined pie." Pinkie Pie, owner of the voice, then gasped loudly. "But what if I did!? What if there is a clone of me and SHE put that poison inside there while I wasn't looking!?" Twilight closed the court record and stood up. "Pinkie, cloning humans isn't scientifically possible yet." Luna chuckled, remaining on the couch. Pinkie wiped the non existant sweat off her forhead. "Phew! I guess that's a relief!" The young defense attorney looked at the clock. It couldn't be long now until they'd let them in. "Pinkie, can I ask you something?" "Anything!" Pinkie bounced back and forth on her feet, smiling brightly at her seemingly ignoring the fact she is accused of attempted murder. Now Twilight's nerves were on edge, she felt almost bad, guilty even, for asking this. "Did you poison the pie?" Pinkie seemed surprised. "Twilight-" "Yes or no?" "No." Pinkie looked into her eyes, her previous silly demeanour replaced with seriousness. "Thank you." A bailiff called them, telling them to enter the courtroom. Twilight walked at her mentor's side, the thought of her first trial wrecking her nerves. Pinkie in the meantime was escorted to her seat by two other bailiffs. The judge cleared his throat and began talking. His deep voice intimidating Twilight. "We have gathered here today for the trial of one Pinkamina Diane Pie." Trixie stood firm behind her bench and nodded. "The prosecution is ready, your honor." She took a bow. A cold shiver ran down Twilight's spine as she struggled with her words. "Calm down, Twilight. This is only the beginning, you will do fine." Luna reassured. Twilight gulped. "The- The defense is also ready your honor!" "Very well then." The judge once more turned his gaze to Trixie, whose extroverted personality managed to hide her own nervousness. "Prosecutor Lulamoon please give your opening statement." She cleared her throat and turned on the holograms, pulling up pictures to further illustrate what she is saying. "Two days ago nearing sunset, the Wonderbolts finished rehearsing a routine and went to their locker and changing room. Inside was a poisened pie located on the bench in the middle of the room. This pie was then eaten by our victim, Soarin and baked by the defendant, Miss Pie. The police suspects her of attempted murder on Rainbow Dash, who the pie was originally for. The defendant's motive is suspected to be an unhealthy obsession with Miss Dash as she is away for longer periods of time due to her Wonderbolts schedule." Trixie frowned, looking guiltily at the holograms presented. Pinkie jumped up in her seat and began flailing her arms. "I don't have an unhealthy obsession! I'm not some kind of thriller psychopath!" "Would the defendant please remain seated." The judge rubbed his temples, he had no time to deal with that type of trial this early in the morning. Trixie didn't know that despite her outburst, Pinkie didn't hold anything against her, it was her job after all. "You may call your first witness." The question was directed at Trixie, who asked Pinkie to testify. She agreed to do so although she, as the defendant, didn't have to. "Please state your name and occupation, Miss Pie." The judge commanded. A smile spread on Pinkie's innocent face. "My name's Pinkamina Diane Pie, I work at Sugarcube corner! A bakery in a small town not far from here!" "A bakery?" The judge questioned. "Eeyup!" The judge shook his head and and proceeded with his spiel. "Anyhow, defense? You may now question the witness." "Right." Twilight began to think about her options. "Pinke, what did you do the day the attempted murder took place?" "Well I got out of bed first-" Luna was quick to interject. "Miss Pie, I believe Sparkle did not mean the full day, if you understand." "Thanks Chief." Twilight whispered. Pinkie 'oh'-ed and nodded. She then began to tell her tale. Defendant Testimony: The Rainbow Pie "So I just finished baking the most amazing blueberry pie with a rainbow crust to congratulate Rainbow for her 73rd training with the Wonderbolts! The training grounds are not far from the town but still quite a distance to go by foot. So I was very excited when our mail person came by and offered to carry it there for me! If I paid and packed it into a box that is, because that's how the postal service works. But it was so nice of her to offer anyway! The rest of the day I spent at Sugarcube Corner with Gummy!" Twilight stared at Pinkie with a semi shocked expression. "You didn't deliver it yourself?" "Well, I had work to do. All those delicious baked goods aren't gonna sell themselves, you know?" Pinkie replied matter-of-factly. The prosecution snapped loudly, levitating a piece of paper, a signed statement to be precise, beside her. "Pinkie has indeed been in Sugarcube Corner all day as this statement by Mr. Carrot Cake, one of the owners, confirms. I questioned him myself. It's true she used the postal service to deliver the pie." Twilight noted the statement was now added to the Court Record. She looked at her Chief hopeful. "You're doing good so far, but I don't think you can get much more out of this." Was all she had to say to fill Twilight with an inch of confidence. "Any further questions?" The judge asked the two of them. They both shook their heads no. "The great and- uh- I mean the prosecution calls their first witness to the stand." The judge simply nodded. The witness stand was now occupied by a laid back young woman with blonde hair that was silcked all the way back who was previously waiting outside the court room. "Witness, please state your name and occupation." "Lightning Dust." The girl announced proudly, driving one hand through her hair. "I work in a pharmacy in Canterlot." "Would you kindly tell the court about the events of the day you delivered the pie?" Trixie snapped her fingers once again. Witness Testimony: Delivery Service "I was in the locker rooms of the Wonderbolts to refill the medicine cabinet when I watched someone enter through the front door with a pie. It was most definitly the defendant, Pinkie Pie. She put the pie on the bench and left without a word. I had a delivery to make so I didn't pay it any further mind. I found out later that one of the star Wonderbolts had been poisened with it." "A medicine cabinet?" Trixie questioned her, a weird look on her face. Lightning Dust nodded. "Yep, it's on the opposite side of the door." Twilight closed her eyes in thought. Luna on the other hand could only smile. "Defense, you may now cross examine the witness." The defense nodded in response. "I'm not sure but...", Twilight directed at her mentor. "Something seems... off." "Off indeed." Luna agreed. "Go on, why don't you ask the witness about it?" Twilight Sparkle opened her court record, searching for that one piece of evidence she had just recieved. She took a deep breath and shouted "OBJECTION!", while banging one fist on the table. "Miss Dust, you said you saw the defendant?" Lightning Dust nodded affirmativly. "That's, uh, that's impossible." Twilight struggled to remain calm. The witness raised a brow, visibly confused. "What do you mean?" Trixie, catching onto what Twilight was refering to, snapped and projected a hologram of Mr. Carrot Cake's statement. "I believe Sparkles is refering to this?" "Exactly!" Twilight said, pointing her finger at the hologram. "Mr. Cake said that Pinkie hadn't left work at all, she delivered the cake by mail!" Lightning Dust's eyes widened. "But- but... but that's not... I was sure it was Pinkie...", she muttered something unintelligable, as if trying to reason with herself how she managed to overlook such an important detail. A lightbulb went off in her head and she exclaimed. "The note! There was a note on the pie! It had her name on it, I must've mistaken the person coming in because of it." "A note?" Twilight tilted her head, confused. Trixie, finding out that snapping was actually calming her down, pulled up a photo of the pie, one slice missing with a note attached directly to said pie. The box it was in seemed budged and you could see torn apart pieces of tape on the sides. "Pinkie left a very sweet note for Rainbow Dash. Poetry only rivaled by my own." Pinkie jumped up in her seat. "Oh, yes! I wanted Dashie to know for sure that I made it with lots of love!" Twilight could swear she heard someone with a raspy voice Aww-ing in the audience. "And that's how I knew." Lightning Dust was proud of herself, crossing her arms with a satisfied smirk. "But it was attached to the pie." "What?" "Miss Sparkle, what do you mean?" The judge eyed her curiously. Twilight cleared her throat before repeating herself and Lightning only blinked. "So?" Even the judge gasped as he realized what the young defense attorney meant. Twilight pointed at the picture, specifically the torn pieces of tape. "Miss Dust, the pie was inside a sealed off box. If you were really minding your own buisness you couldn't have seen the note, or even the pie as you said earlier for that matter!" Lightning Dust began to shuffle her feet, her grin turning into a scowl. Twilight recieved an encouraging pat on the shoulder from her mentor. "You almost got her, Twilight." "Maybe the delivery guy opened it?" She grit her teeth. The defense shook her head. "You said yourself that she put it down and left." She decided to press on. "You couldn't have even known that there was a pie in the first place. For all you know it was just a box!" "I told you already.", Lightning Dust gripped the sides of the witness stand. "I saw the news! I know she was poisened with the damn pie!" Trixie bit her tounge, her face mimiking a similar look of confusion as Twilight, only more exxagerated. "'she'?" Tapping her foot, annoyed, Lightning Dust crossed her arms. "Rainbow Dash! She died, didn't she?" All of a sudden the courtroom went silent. All eyes trained on the now very uncompfortable person in the witness stand. "What do you guys want!?" She barked at the audience Her face suddenly paled, draining of all color and her eyes grew wide when she her eyes fell on a certain prysmatic haired woman sitting in the middle row of the audience, having watched the entire trial since the beginning. "It seems", Luna chuckled. "As if the witness has gotten some important facts wrong." "Dashie's not dead!" Pinkie declared jumping up and down in her seat. The Chief, uneffected by Pinkie's outburst, continued. "The reason is: Why?" "Because it was you that poisened the pie with the intention of murdering Miss Dash!" Twilight slammed her first on the table so hard one would be afraid she'd leave a dent. Trixie was now sitting on her table, cross-legged and snapped her fingers triumphently. "You saw your opportunity when you restocked the medicine cabinet and realized you could pin the blame on the defendant!" She shook her head slowly and gestured to the defense. "The question is, why? What's her motive?" For a moment, Twilight seemed stumped. What motive could Lightning Dust have had? She struggled and stammered before her mentor Luna spoke up for her. "I believe the police would have to investigate this matter further. As we have a new suspect to this case." "Right." The judge cleared his throat. "Miss Lightning Dust you will be held in detention for the time being." Lightning Dust looked like she was about to burst, her face red with anger. She yelled. She yelled loud insults at Twilight, Trixie, Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, and even Luna and the judge. She had to be forcefully removed from court. The judge rubbed his forhead tiredly. "Miss Pie, I hope you understand that although you are no longer a main suspect we'll still have to keep you detained for a few more days until you can go home." "Aw..." Pinkie, having replaced Lightning Dust's place on the witness stand, frowned deeply. Then, she went back to smile brightly again. "Alright! As long as I can get back to work and see my friends again I'll be a-okay!" Trixie seemed happy for the fact that she had just lost and bowed triumphently while Twilight was just relived that she would not have to feel the wrath of two of her friends. And Luna, Luna was proud of her protégé for finding the truth of the trial with minimal difficulties. "I hereby find the defendant, Pinkamina Diane Pie", The judge seemed to be relieved, too. "Not guilty. Court is adjourned." Back at the defendant lobby, Twilight was struggling to breathe as Pinkie almost crushed her ribs with a tight hug. "THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU! YOU'RE THE BEST, TWILIGHT!" Trixie gave her a light punch on the shoulder. "Nice performance, Sparkles! Your presentation could use some fine tuning but we'll work on that." Once Twilight was able to breathe again she recieved another, slightly harder punch on her other shoulder. "Nice job, pal." Twilight figured Rainbow Dash must've snuck her way in. "Gotta say, I didn't expect Lightning Dust to be bitter enough to kill me. You think you know someone." She shook her head in disappointment. "Oh, yeah!" Pinkie chimed in. "How's Soarin doing? I hope he's alright! You're lucky you didn't get to eat a slice, it could've killed your small petite little body" She patted the top of Rainbow Dash's head playfully as if to remind her of her height. As the three friends were talking and catching up, Luna and Trixie sat on the couch standing at the wall, just out of their earshot. "It's good to see you're doing well, Trixie. I thought you may take a while longer to get back in court." The prosecutor waved her hand as if to say it was no big deal. "Oh, it was no big deal." She looked at Twilight and her friends. "I couldn't let Twilight have to face anyone else from the prosecutor side. Have you ever been there? Those guys are madmen!" Lune gave a smile. "I know. I have trials of my own, remember?" Trixie leaned back and let herself sink into the fabric as she nodded. "You're right, by the way. I'm not going back in court for a while longer. This was an exception." Luna understood. "On the off chance that you are intrested, I'm picking up the case again. I could use someone like you to help me in the investigations." A sigh escaped Trixie's lips. She pondered for a moment before shaking her head. "Alright, if you change your mind you can let me know." Luna stood up from the couch. "Twilight will have some paperwork to do at the office, you should get going aswell. I hear Miss Shimmer doesn't take kindly to tardiness. Do you want me to deliver a message?" "Ask Twilight to tell me what she wants from Soba's Noodle stand." Trixie picked up her coat and briefcase, making her way out of the courthouse without another word. Back with the group, Rainbow and Pinkie had a small drama about not liking pies which thankfully was resolved in a few minutes. "I can't believe you would go through that for me! Actually no, I totally can!" Pinkie exclaimed, hugging her friend just a little too tightly. Rainbow laughed in reply. Twilight smiled as she scanned the room, disappointed as she noticed Trixie had already left. But she didn't mind, she probably has some work to do at her office. She also noticed some policemen standing by the door, one of which was tapping his foot impatiently. "Pinkie, I think the guards are waiting for you." The baker looked up and frowned. "Awww... but I don't wanna leave yet! Even if I have to..." She hugged Rainbow even tighter. "Pinkie, air!" Realizing she was once again almost crushing someone's ribs, Pinkie loosened her grip and decided to instead give her chormatic haired friend a drawn out kiss on the cheek before skipping away with the officers as fast she could. "Holy shit." Was all Rainbow could muster. "Twilight!" The young defense attorney's attention was brought back to her mentor. "You did fantasitc today. I'm very proud of you." Twilight could almost feel her chest exploding with happiness as she split a grin from ear to ear. "Thanks, Chief!" That day, Twilight won her first case of many. It was the start of a long series of trials and tribulations with its own ups and downs that she would have to face when the time comes. But in the end, she kept an upbeat, happy demeanour for the rest of that first day. "Also Trixie asked what you wanted from Soba's Noodles." "Oh, that comical bitch!" Twilight cursed. "There's only one thing on the menu!" Author's Note As a first case, this one's a little shorter and milder than what I'm hoping the others will be Case 02: Apple Turnabout (Prolouge)Twilight sat in her chair, hunched over stray documents laying on the small dining table next to her bowl of way too salty noodle soup in the kitchen she had to file that night. It's been almost a week since her first trial and things have been going smooth at the office. Well, for her at least. Trixie had been charged with cleaning duty at the prosecutor's office for a week because she lost to a rookie. She looked up from her seat. Twilight could've sworn she had heard her housemate's voice calling from just outside but upon closer listening she realized it was just a bird singing. Silly, she thought, mistaking a bird for her friend. Listening to it longer she noticed the bird sounded nothing like her. Of course, Trixie wasn't a bird. She was a bright if not boastful young woman who despite what one may think did care about the people she loved. She also loved her job as both a prosecutor and a stage magician. Well, stage magician was still more of a dream. Her skills were nothing to scoff at, but she has yet to manage to get herself out there. Back in Law School, Twilight had suggested she film her tricks and put them on the internet which Trixie declined. "The true beauty and wonder of magic is something a camera could never capture.", Twilight never understood that. But Trixie was so passionate about it, she almost didn't care. She loved seeing her friend so happy whenever she would speak of it. Although lately she seemed to have a lot ln her mind, whenever Twilight would ask she would wave it off. But that's alright, she would tell Twilight when something was wrong eventually, right? Feeling nostalgic, she reminisced about their time back in Law School. The long nights and study sessions and even the dates they went on together. Could they be called dates? Twilight was never sure. She just knew she liked them. Then her mind went to how she met her mentor Luna. How someone on campus who Twilight had considered a good friend was murdered in cold blood and she was arrested for it. Luna had defended the young and still foolish Twilight Sparkle. When Twilight finally graduated Luna was the first person she turned to and she gladly accepted her application. The first weeks were rough, but luckily whenever she returned home Trixie was right there waiting for her with the world's best and saltiest noodle bowls from Soba's noodle stand down the street. Twilight was pretty sure the two of them were his best customers. They had tried to get their friends to try what in their opinion was the world's best noodles but they were turned off by the literal block of salt swimming inside the bowl. Well, that was their loss. The past few days however Twilight has had to eat her bowl alone as Trixie had been working late. Sometimes she came home way past midnight which not something common for the prosecutor. It made Twilight worry. It was as though her best friend was hiding something from her for whatever reason. Was it something personal? They had always told each other everything whatever it was. She just hoped whatever it was Trixie would be okay soon. And then, her cellphone rang, startling her, interrupting her train of thought. Trixie's special ringtone. She grabbed her phone maybe a bit too eagerly and picked up. "Trixie?" "Twilight! Twilight listen, I need you!" Trixie's voice sounded uncharacteristically anxious. "You have to come down to Eclipse's Law Firm now!" "What's going on? What happend?" Twilight's worries seemed to be justified. The next words Trixie uttered filled Twilight with an unbelievable shock, horror and sadness. Tears welled up in her eyes and time slowed down for a moment. Heart racing as she asked her friend to repeat what she had just said while she was already out the door. One simple sentence turned Twilight's career- no, her entire life upside down. "Luna has been murdered." When Twilight arrived at Eclipse's Law Firm the police were already there. Bright lights flashing blue and red blinded her vision, what felt like a dozen different people were running around, police tape surrounded the entrence to the building much to Twilight's horror. Her mentor, someone who had cared for her as if she was her own child, had been murdered mere minutes ago and there was nothing she could've done to stop it, or to bring her back. Her throat tightened as she approached one of the officers. "E- excuse me, sir." Her voice came out weak and raspy. The young man of average height turned to face her. "Oh? Yes, how can I help you?" Twilight bit her quivering lip. "I- I heard that... that Miss Luna Eclipse... that... that she..." her breathing quickened and tears welled up in her eyes. The man caught on. "Hey, it's okay. Let it out." He put a compforting hand on her shoulder. "I'd prefer not to cry in front of someone I don't know." Twilight did her best to keep it together. "I understand." He extended his hand. "Name's Flash Sentry. I'm a detective, as you can probably tell. Who are you?" Twilight sniffed as she meakly shook it, gripping it a little too hard. "T- Twilight Sparkle. I am... a lawyer at this firm." "Oh." Flash rested a hand on her shoulder. "I see. My condolences, Miss Sparkle." The young lawyer gulped and took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "Is Trixie Lulamoon here? Is she safe?" Flash thought for a moment before turning around and directing her gaze at the prosecutor, a dull brown blanket hanging from her shoulders. "She was questioned about the events earlier but from the looks of it she seems to be done. You can go to her if you like." Without a word Twilight took off with a sprint, wrapping her arms around her from behind as tight as she could, causing the blanket to slip off. "Huh?" Trixie wiggles in her grip, turning around to face her roommate. Twilight said nothing as she burried her face in the crook of her neck, soaking Trixie's jaquette with her tears. "Oh, Twilight...", Trixie wrapped her arms around her shaking body, right hand gently stroking the back of her head. For a few minutes they stood there, Twilight gripping onto the girl for dear life. Trixie pulled back. "Let's sit down." She suggested, picking up the blanket and wrapping it around the poor girl's shivering shoulders. Only now that they sat on the sidewalk did Twilight realize just how miserable Trixie looked. Her eyes were bloodshot with deep dark bags under them and her hair looked like it hadn't been combed in days. Still, none of this seemed to faze her at the moment as she gently took one of her hands into her own and gave her a sideway hug with the free arm. Twilight hadn't stopped crying, holding a firm grasp on her friend's hand. She would eventually fall asleep from exhaustion, prompting Trixie to carry her back to their home. After making sure her roommate was properly set on her bed, wrapped in her own blanket, Trixie proceeded to the kitchen and sat down at the dining table. "Apples." Trixie muttered quietly as she opened a document on her laptop. "Why did it have to be Apples." Case 02: Apple Turnabout (Day 1)"Oh dear." Twilight stood once again behind her podium, breath shaking as an all too familar wave of nervousness washed over her, just like the first time. The only difference this time was that she was all alone. No mentor to stand beside her, to lead and steer her in the right direction. Luna was gone, and this was her trial. Trixie had important buisness to attend to that she didn't want to go into detail about, Twilight had learned not to press when she wasn't willing to talk on her own. They did end up visiting the police station, however the leading detective was no longer at work so they met up with another friend of Trixie's, a young upstart detective by the name of Marey Allen. Although not directly involved in the investigation herself she was nice enough to scower through the police files. She gave them all the information she could find about the murder, which is as follows: "Luna Eclipse was murdered in her office around 11:47 pm. She was choked to death with the cable of her landline. During this time of the evening the only other person at the office was Big Macintosh, who called the police." "Now." The prosecution, the known and feared Sunset Shimmer, who could make her opponents cower with a single glance, continued. "I call Detective Sentry to the stand." Soon, the young man Twilight had met the other day took the stand. "Please state your name and occupation." The young man straightened his back and smiled proudly. "Flash Sentry, leading detective of this case!" "Tell us what you saw at the scene of the crime." Witness Testimony: The Scene Of The Crime "The body was discovered at around 12:07pm by the defendant, at least that is when he made the call. The victim was strangled with the landline of the office, on which we found the defendants fingerprints. The office is a mess and multiple folders and papers are scattered on the floor, the window sill has a large dent. We believe that the defendant and the victim had a fight with a struggle, resulting in the subsequent murder of the victim." "OBJECTION!" Twilight cried immideatly, much to Sunset Shimmer's personal annoyance. "Of course his fingerprints are on the landline, he was the one who called the police!" "Objection, so what?" The rookie was silent, not understanding the odd prosecutors rebuttal. She stared at her as if Sunset had just asked her about the inner structure of a traveling space rocket. "What?" She asked dumfounded. "So what?" Sunset repeated, her face bearing a bored yet stoic expression. "He was still the only person who was there." Twilight continued staring. She couldn't think of a response to that. "Well,... that's true I guess...", she was sure she felt Luna's spirit cringe at her. Or maybe it was someone elses. Who knows? The crowd started to murmur, making Twilight even more nervous than she was before. She regained her posture and tried to think, was there something she could ask about? "A mess, you said?" Twilight asked more careful this time. Flash nodded. "Yes, various folders and papers all about past cases were scattered across the office's floor." "Was there anything suspicious around, or was it just old case files?" "I don't see how that is important." Sunset muttered, mostly to herself. "I think it would be important." Twilight crossed her arms and huffed, an action she definitly didn't copy from her flatmate. The judge only sighed and vaguely gestured to the detective, who cleared his throat and prepared his answer. "Not really, the only other thing we found were these flyers." Detective Sentry presented the court with two pictures of a trio of flyers. One as they were found and one with the three flyers unwrapped in a row. The flyers were infomartive advertisment for the circus that had moved to town only a few weeks prior. Some names on them were circled in. "We only took notice of them because they were so out of place. Under the folder on the table even!" Flash elaborated, pointing at the clearly visible folder in a photo of the crime scene. "I wanted to inspect the case file closer so I picked it up and while I was reading it I noticed they just sat there, you know?" Sunset Shimmer shook her head. "I really don't." "Well, I'm interested!" The judge spoke. "Which case was it?" "Your honor, is that really important?" Twilight wondered. Sunset gave a devious smirk and said, with her best Twilight Sparkle impression, "I think it would be important~". Twilight has never in her life wanted to commit a felony as bad as now. "Touché, Miss Shimmer." "Would the attorney's please refrain from acting like children?" The judge sighed deeply beford turning his attention back to the detective. "Well?" "It was about the AT-4 incident. I heard stories of it, but never knew the details." As soon as Flash uttered the name, the court was suddenly drowned in a sorrowful atmosphere. "You know," Twilight leaned against her table. "I feel like everyone and their mother knows about that case except for me." "Perhaps it is better that way, Miss Sprinkle." Sunset Shimmer replied, her voice just a little quiter than before. The judge coughed and regained his posture. "Well, does the defense have any questions that don't involve shattering the courts psyche?" 'But that wasn't even my fault!' Twilight thought, deciding not to say it out loud. There was one thing that bugged the young attorney, which the detective had yet to explain. "What about the blood? There was blood at the crime scene, wasn't there?" Twilight's question came out more as a whipser. "Blood?!" The judge exclaimed, clearly not informed about said blood. "There was, however the blood is not the victims." Flash clarified. "Oh, that makes sense." Twilight tapped her fingers on the table, thinking for a moment. "Wait, no, it doesn't!" Sunset cleared her throat. "Care to elaborate, Miss Sprinkle?" "Sparkle." "Gesundheit." Twilight decided to ignore Miss Shimmer after that comment. "Luna- I mean Miss Eclipse was choked by the landline, not something that usually involves blood and you just confirmed it wasn't hers. So I ask you, Detective, whose blood is it?" Flash Sentry shuffled nervously behind the podium. "Detective Flash, I believe the defense has asked a valid question, for once." The detective averted his eyes. "We didn't... check?" The defense, the prosecution, yes, even the judge stared at him. Sunset Shimmer seemed as though she was about to burst, The Judge was even more confused and Twilight Sparkle was trying her hardest to keep it together. "Surely, Detective, you had a good reason for this?" Shimmer tried her best to smile through gritted teeth. To Twilight, she looked ready to tear the whole court apart. Perhaps Miss Shimmer simply needed a vacation, after all Trixie told her in all her years as a prosecutor Sunser Shimmer herself had never taken a day off. 'That's some dedication.' Twilight thought, before snapping back to reality. "We assumed it was the defendant's blood." Twilight glanced over to Big Macintosh. "But my client isn't hurt, is he? Are you?" Big Macintosh shook his head in response. "So the only solution as to why there is blood at the crime scene is because- because..." The rookie searched through her mind. 'Because it actually is his blood and we're just idiots? No, that doesn't make any- Oh! Of course!' Twilight slammed her fists on the table, causing the judge to almost drop his gavel. "Because there was someone else at the office that night!" "OBJECTION!" Sunset Shimmer called. "How?" "How? Uh, I don't know, maybe they went through the front door?" Twilight's answer did not do any good to Shimmer's mood. "No, do you have any evidence that there was indeed a third party at the crime scene?" "Oh." Twilight scratched the back of her head. "Well, the blood for one. We should get that tested probably..." She nodded and focused her attention to the judge. "Yes, we should test that. And maybe also search the crime scene for anything that could hint at another party." Sunset chuckled. "Another party." She snickered to herself. "Ah yes, Luna Eclipse, expert party animal." "With all due respect Miss Shimmer, please shut the fuck up." Twilight said, wearing the most deadpan expression she could muster. "Alright then." The Judge lifted his gavel. "Detective, you may search the the scene of the crime again for any sign of a possible third party. We will resume this trial tomorrow, please don't be late this time." Twilight drove into herself, blushing in shame. "It won't happen again, your honor." The judge nodded at her. "Court is adjourned." Twilight felt unusally tired on her way back home. Her feet felt heavy and her head was pounding, it felt as though her brain decided to do the cha-cha slide inside her skull. She hoped Trixie was home, if only to compfort her after that short mess of a trial she just had. Who knows if they even find anything? Twilight sighed deeply, hoping they would. When she arrived at their flat though, she was faced with an entirely new problem. "Ma'am, I can assure you, your signiture is on them." A woman was standing at their door, arguing with her friend. "I can't take care of a child! I- we can barely take care of ourselves!" Trixie retorted, looking distressed. Her voice echoed through the stairwell of the building. "We did background and financial checks on both you and your roommate, everything seems to be in order." The woman said, not as distressed as Trixie, but clearly confused. Twilight approached. "What's going on? Who are you?" The woman turned to Twilight, a smile present on her face. "Hello, you must be Miss Sparkle!" Twilight nodded. "My name is Flora Links, I am here to handle the legal procedures for the adoption of Babs Seed." "Adoption?" Twilight asked dumbfounded as she shook her hand. "Yes. Your flatmate is her Guardian." Twilight turned her head to Trixie, who seemed to be clearly uncompfortable with the whole situation. "Guardian?" "Yes, her guardian. Should anything happen to Babs' parents, Miss Lulamoon is her new legal guardian." Links explained. "Oh..." Twilight stuttered. Flora Links turned toward Trixie again. "Miss Lulamoon?" Trixie shifted, looking back and forth between the two people standing in front of her. She took a deep breath. "Alright, I'll take her in." "Wonderful!" Flora smiled. "I will call you when everything is ready!" The woman left and as soon as she exited the house's front door Twilight snapped at her flatmate. "What the hell, Trixie!" She yelled. "Why are you- what even-" Twilight struggled to find the right words in her confusion. "Explain yourself!" Trixie reflexisvly put her hands up in defense. "I- I didn't think anything would happen to them aswell! I didn't even think they were serious!" Her voice cracked at the end, her words more directed toward herself than Twilight. "We can't take care of a child!" Twilight glanced inside, taking notice of Apple Bloom awkwardly leaning against the wall. "... Permanently!" "Babsy's a good kid, it would be unfair to leave her without a parental figure!" The wannabe magician backed away into their appartment. "Especially now!" "As true as that might be you can't just make such a big decision without me!" "I know!" "Then why did you?!" "She put me on the spot!" Twilight shoved her finger accusingly at her friend, causing her to stumble just a little. "I thought you LIKED being in the spotlight!" "This is different!" Apple Bloom silently tiptoed out of the hall, and into the kitchen, hoping to avoid the confrontation from there. The rookie attorney could feel her head pounding harder and harder with each sentence she yelled at the prosecutor in front of her. "We are not ready to have a child yet, Trixie! You can't just- you can't just adopt a child without my consent!" "She needs this!" "THAT'S NOT THE POINT!" "IT FACTORS INTO THE POINT!" Trixie stomped her foot on the floor for emphasis. "I can't just leave her wherever they wanted to put her! Babs needs me. She needs a home, a real one!" Twilight Sparkle usually is not one to get mad, let alone furious. But she couldn't help but feel seething anger for Trixie in this very moment. "THEN TAKE YOUR ASS OUT OF MY FLAT AND FIND ONE!" The rookie held her breath, immideatly regretting the words that had just escaped her lips. She watched as Trixie opened her mouth and closed it again, unsure of what to say. "Oh." Was all she could muster. "Trixie-" Twilight stopped herself. She took a few steps back. "I think... I need some fresh air." "... Uh huh..." She turned around and left the building, first walking, then running however fast her legs could carry her. Wherever that might be. Case 02: Apple Turnabout (Day 0)The next morning, Twilight had awoken, still shaken from last nights events. She sulked into the kitchen for her breakfeast, as always ready and prepared by her roommate. A melancholy silence settled over the room while they ate. Twilight didn't mind, she felt too exhausted to talk right now anyway. She ate painfully slow, not even caring that she would be late for work. Does it even matter if she went? Thinking about it made Twilight even sadder. She decided to just stay home for the day. When Twilight then moved to the living room couch, she noticed something very balant and peculiar. So peculiar infact she wondered how she didn't notice it earlier when she woke up. "Uh... Trixie?" "Yes, Twilight?" "Why is there a child sitting on our couch?" There was indeed a girl, maybe in her late teens, sitting on their couch. Her hair a brilliant red, she wore a pair of dungarees with a lime green shirt underneath and a seemingly old stetson hat on her head. Trixie, dish towel in hand, stood in the doorframe from kitchen to living room. "That's Apple Bloom, she's Big Macintosh's younger sister." "Ah." Twilight blinked at the girl. "And who's that?" "Big Mac was... arrested last night. I'm taking care of Apple Bloom until he gets out." "Oh..." Twilight looked at her hands guiltily. So this girl's brother was the suspect for Luna's death? "Wait, until he gets out?" "Mah brother's no murderer! He couldn't hurt a fly!" Apple Bloom jumped up, stomping on the cussions of the couch with her foot. Her roommate came in and sat her back down. "We requested the-... The currently most successful defense attorney to defend him." "Yeah! And he's gonna get Big Mac outta there!" "Ah, alright." Twilight didn't know how to feel about this. Perhaps she would just need to get a picture of the situation herself to get better judgment later today. - "Oh my god, they were right." Twilight thought as she now sat across the supposed murderer, only a wall of glas between them. "So... she was already... you know, gone when you arrived?" "Eeyup." Macintosh was not a man of many words, that much seemed true. Yet, Twilight had been able to have a full conversation with him anyways. "Your sister is hanging out in our apartment right now, she seems to be a uh... a determined young woman!" Twilight tried her best not to sound condecending. A proud smile formed on Big Macintosh's lips. "Eeyup!" "My roommate told me you hired the best defense attorney in town!" Mac's smile fell. "Nope..." "What? Why? What happend?" Twilight asked, surprised. "Denied..." "Oh..." Twilight nervously fiddled with her fingers. "Did you ask-" "Everyone." Twilight sunk into the chair out of embaressment. "That's not... good." She thought over the situation. Her mentor, who she looked up to, is gone now and no one would hold her hand if she was going to go through with the plan she had conducted in her mind. "What about me? I'm a lawyer too." Big Mac looked at her, a questioning look on his face. "You?" Twilight hesitated, this man is clearly innocent from her point of view. And if Luna's real killer really is somewhere out there then Twilight herself would make sure they were behind bars instead. "Yes, me." She said, newfound determination filling her body. Macintosh paused and asked again. "You?" "Yes!" Twilight jumped to her feet. "Look, if everyone else denied then you really don't have a choice here, do you?" "Eh... nope." "See?" Big Mac rubbed the back of his neck. She was right, he really didn't have another option. "Fine." He sighed, defeated. "Great!" Twilight put both hands on her hips. "Then it's settled, I'll be your attorney for the trial. When is it?" "Tomorrow." "TOMORROW?!" Twilight gaped, was it really that early? She took a deep breath and attempted to compose herself. "Tomorrow. Tomorrow's good. Yes, tomorrow's great. I should probably go get everything ready then. For tomorrow. Because tomorrow's the trial. Tomorrow." With that she hurriedly shuffled out of the detention center. Walking slower, way slower than usual Twilight made her way to the now empty law firm where she once worked- or still worked. Yes, she still worked here. The attorney's badge proves it. Well it proves she's an attorney at least. Twilight sighed. She didn't want to go inside. For a moment, her hand lingered on the door handle. She wondered if the quiet, shaky breaths she heard were her own or someone elses who was passing by, wondering why Twilight just stood there. She closed her eyes and opened the door, entering the foyer. One look around told her not much has changed in here, yet she felt uneasy just standing in the room. She proceeded to the office, the scene of the crime. Her breath halted when she noticed the outline of a person taped to the wall just underneath the window. Blood still present in several areas around where the body once was. The crime scene was untouched safe for the body that had been moved, of course. Twilight had been in her office so many times, but she could feel from now on going in here would be a much different experience. She tore her gaze away from the window, she knew what was out there already anyway. Her eyes landed on the potted plant next to the desk. "Oh, hi Phyllis." Twilight greeted the plant. Luna would always greet Phyllis whenever she would check in to work and after some time Twilight just picked up the habit. Phyllis was family. And Phyllis was probably also thirsty right now. As she poured the poor plant water she remembered that she had forgotten to get any information about the case. Like the autopsy report. Heck, she forgot to bring her briefcase entirly! What did she expect to find here anyway? A hidden piece of evidence the police overlooked? Twilight sighed deeply, putting away the water bottle and walking over to the desk. What had her mentor been working on that night anyway? ... "Huh." Twilight thought. "Just an old case file." The AT-4 incident. Twilight had never heard of it. It seemed fairly recent too according to the time stamp. Cursiousity took over when Twilight read the names of the involved. One of them stuck out to her like a sore thumb. "Trixie Lulamoon?", she read. That can't be right. Trixie surely would've told her if she got in trouble. Still, Twilight's interest was peaked and she wasn't about to stop. "Hey, what are you doing!?" Twilight stood corrected. Her head snapped up to see who called her. "Oh, it's you!" The person turned out to be the man from last night. Twilight couldn't remember his name but he was nice, she recalled. "What are you doing here?" "I- uh... I was investigating the crime scene!" She puffed out her chest and tried to look confident. The man stepped aside and motioned to the door. "Well I'm very sorry to tell you that you can't, I'll have to ask you to leave." "But I'm the defense attorney! Shouldn't I be able to take a look at the crime scene? Especially if said crime scene is my workspace?" Twilight retorted, crossing her arms. The detective shook his head. "You aren't allowed to investigate on your own without permission. I'm sorry, miss." Twilight released a breath she didn't know she was holding and conceded, there wasn't much use in arguing with this man. "Fine." She left without another word, back home to regenerate for a few hours. Thoughts of her friend not leaving her head. Was this case connected to the incident? How did Trixie fit into this? What was she not telling her? Is something burning? "Trixie?!" Twilight shouted when she entered their appartment. Trixie and Apple Bloom were busy fanning smoke out of the window with two dish towels. "We're okay, the microwave exploded! No biggie!" Twilight sighed in relief, at least they were alright. Soon they all sat quietly, eating slightly burned microwave Pizza at the dining table while the smell of smoke still lingered in the air. "I visited Mister Macintosh earlier." Twilight struck up conversation. "Oh?" "You visited mah brother? Is he okay?" Twilight nodded her head at Apple Bloom's question. "He seemed alright, he's a really nice man!", she set her burnt pizza slice down. "Which is why I have taken up defending him." "WHAT?!" Trixie nearly choked, which almost gave her a heart attack. She recovered quickly and continued. "Why? We already called someone! The trial is tomorrow, you don't know jack about this case! Shimmer is gonna crush you!" Apple Bloom chewed on her Pizza and quietly sunk into her chair. "Well, your big shot defense attorney denied! And so did everyone else!" "Everyone?" Apple Bloom whimpered. "No one wanted to defend mah brother? Twilight shook her head. "I'm afraid not. Trixie, if I hadn't taken that young man's case, no one would've! I want- no, I NEED to find out who really murdered Luna because it clearly wasn't him!" Trixie stayed silent for a moment, contemplating life. Then, she sighed. "You're right, I'm sorry for yelling." She set aside her cutlery and leaned her chin on her fist. "You still don't know anything about this case tho, do you?" Twilight shook her head. "The leading detective of the case and I are old friends, we can get information from her down at the station." She tried her best to give Twilight a smile, tho it was clear that she was still in doubt. "Cool, does that mean I can go visit Big Mac?!" Apple Bloom beamed when Twilight and Trixie nodded at her. With a cheer she dashed off to the door and grabbed her jacket. "Twilight?" The defense attorney turned to her friend. "Yeah?" Trixie looked at her friend, concerned. "Are you sure you can handle this?" Twilight gave her friend a confident, goofy grin. "Of course I can."
Case 01: Turnabout And Pies"You look nervous." Twilight Sparkle tore her gaze away from the Court Record to look up at her friend and, she figured, co-worker. "A little", she replied, trying her hardest not to hyperventilate. "It's my first trial and I have to defend one of my closest friends! What if I don't find anything? What if she gets a guilty verdict and I will forever be plagued with the knowledge that I sent her to prison amd she hates me for the rest of her life?!" "Ah, I remember my first trial too." Trixie said, a far off look on her face as her eyes trailed across the denfendant lobby. "This IS you first trial, Trixie." Trixie did nothing to meet Twilight's judgmental glare, instead opting to focus on the painting on the wall she found much more interessting. "No, but that's not the point." She sat beside her on the couch, laying an arm around her friend's shoulder. "I will be by your side throughout the trial, Sparkles. Well, not exactly 'by your side' but you get the idea." A smile danced across Twilight's lips and for a moment a flash of hope seemed close. "Also Trixie believes that you worry far too much. Pinkie could never hate you like, at all. Seriously, I don't think I've ever seen her mad. Ever. And she won't be locked away forever anyway, just for a longer period of time and you can still visit if you mess up." Trixie's well meant words did not come out as well as she had hoped, ruining the moment as Twilight let her head fall into her hands with a light smack. "She's gonna be so sad. And Rainbow's will hate me forever. I can already see their faces." Trixie flinched, trying to come up with something else to say. "Hello, Twilight", a calm yet assertive voice rang through the room. "I do hope I'm not late. Oh! Hello to you too Miss Lulamoon." Luna, Twilight's teacher and mentor, had entered and was now smiling at the two of them. "I thought I might find you here, the bailiff are looking for you." Trixie stood up from her seat, giving Twilight's shoulder one last squeeze before leaving the room. The place where she sat moments before was now occupied by Luna who wore a worrysome look on her face. "Everything will be fine, Twilight. I'll be there if you have any troubles during the trial." "I know, Chief. I'm just so worried." Luna nodded understandingly. "If you're in doubt, simply stick to the basics. You remember those right?" Twilight took a deep breath which she exhaled after a few seconds. "Always believe in your client." The chief smiled proudly. "That's right. Now, how about we look over the file one last time, together?" The protégé nodded, opening the case file and starting to explain. "Two days ago Soarin, a member of the Wonderbolts, was poisend. He is recovering in the hospital, it wasn't quite strong enough to kill him. The poison was inside a blueberry pie baked by my defendant Pinkamina Diane Pie." "LIES!" A shrill voice yelled as the person belonging to it was escorted into the room. "I mean, I DID bake the pie but I did NOT put any kind of poison in it! That would ruin the good pie! And no one likes ruined pie." Pinkie Pie, owner of the voice, then gasped loudly. "But what if I did!? What if there is a clone of me and SHE put that poison inside there while I wasn't looking!?" Twilight closed the court record and stood up. "Pinkie, cloning humans isn't scientifically possible yet." Luna chuckled, remaining on the couch. Pinkie wiped the non existant sweat off her forhead. "Phew! I guess that's a relief!" The young defense attorney looked at the clock. It couldn't be long now until they'd let them in. "Pinkie, can I ask you something?" "Anything!" Pinkie bounced back and forth on her feet, smiling brightly at her seemingly ignoring the fact she is accused of attempted murder. Now Twilight's nerves were on edge, she felt almost bad, guilty even, for asking this. "Did you poison the pie?" Pinkie seemed surprised. "Twilight-" "Yes or no?" "No." Pinkie looked into her eyes, her previous silly demeanour replaced with seriousness. "Thank you." A bailiff called them, telling them to enter the courtroom. Twilight walked at her mentor's side, the thought of her first trial wrecking her nerves. Pinkie in the meantime was escorted to her seat by two other bailiffs. The judge cleared his throat and began talking. His deep voice intimidating Twilight. "We have gathered here today for the trial of one Pinkamina Diane Pie." Trixie stood firm behind her bench and nodded. "The prosecution is ready, your honor." She took a bow. A cold shiver ran down Twilight's spine as she struggled with her words. "Calm down, Twilight. This is only the beginning, you will do fine." Luna reassured. Twilight gulped. "The- The defense is also ready your honor!" "Very well then." The judge once more turned his gaze to Trixie, whose extroverted personality managed to hide her own nervousness. "Prosecutor Lulamoon please give your opening statement." She cleared her throat and turned on the holograms, pulling up pictures to further illustrate what she is saying. "Two days ago nearing sunset, the Wonderbolts finished rehearsing a routine and went to their locker and changing room. Inside was a poisened pie located on the bench in the middle of the room. This pie was then eaten by our victim, Soarin and baked by the defendant, Miss Pie. The police suspects her of attempted murder on Rainbow Dash, who the pie was originally for. The defendant's motive is suspected to be an unhealthy obsession with Miss Dash as she is away for longer periods of time due to her Wonderbolts schedule." Trixie frowned, looking guiltily at the holograms presented. Pinkie jumped up in her seat and began flailing her arms. "I don't have an unhealthy obsession! I'm not some kind of thriller psychopath!" "Would the defendant please remain seated." The judge rubbed his temples, he had no time to deal with that type of trial this early in the morning. Trixie didn't know that despite her outburst, Pinkie didn't hold anything against her, it was her job after all. "You may call your first witness." The question was directed at Trixie, who asked Pinkie to testify. She agreed to do so although she, as the defendant, didn't have to. "Please state your name and occupation, Miss Pie." The judge commanded. A smile spread on Pinkie's innocent face. "My name's Pinkamina Diane Pie, I work at Sugarcube corner! A bakery in a small town not far from here!" "A bakery?" The judge questioned. "Eeyup!" The judge shook his head and and proceeded with his spiel. "Anyhow, defense? You may now question the witness." "Right." Twilight began to think about her options. "Pinke, what did you do the day the attempted murder took place?" "Well I got out of bed first-" Luna was quick to interject. "Miss Pie, I believe Sparkle did not mean the full day, if you understand." "Thanks Chief." Twilight whispered. Pinkie 'oh'-ed and nodded. She then began to tell her tale. Defendant Testimony: The Rainbow Pie "So I just finished baking the most amazing blueberry pie with a rainbow crust to congratulate Rainbow for her 73rd training with the Wonderbolts! The training grounds are not far from the town but still quite a distance to go by foot. So I was very excited when our mail person came by and offered to carry it there for me! If I paid and packed it into a box that is, because that's how the postal service works. But it was so nice of her to offer anyway! The rest of the day I spent at Sugarcube Corner with Gummy!" Twilight stared at Pinkie with a semi shocked expression. "You didn't deliver it yourself?" "Well, I had work to do. All those delicious baked goods aren't gonna sell themselves, you know?" Pinkie replied matter-of-factly. The prosecution snapped loudly, levitating a piece of paper, a signed statement to be precise, beside her. "Pinkie has indeed been in Sugarcube Corner all day as this statement by Mr. Carrot Cake, one of the owners, confirms. I questioned him myself. It's true she used the postal service to deliver the pie." Twilight noted the statement was now added to the Court Record. She looked at her Chief hopeful. "You're doing good so far, but I don't think you can get much more out of this." Was all she had to say to fill Twilight with an inch of confidence. "Any further questions?" The judge asked the two of them. They both shook their heads no. "The great and- uh- I mean the prosecution calls their first witness to the stand." The judge simply nodded. The witness stand was now occupied by a laid back young woman with blonde hair that was silcked all the way back who was previously waiting outside the court room. "Witness, please state your name and occupation." "Lightning Dust." The girl announced proudly, driving one hand through her hair. "I work in a pharmacy in Canterlot." "Would you kindly tell the court about the events of the day you delivered the pie?" Trixie snapped her fingers once again. Witness Testimony: Delivery Service "I was in the locker rooms of the Wonderbolts to refill the medicine cabinet when I watched someone enter through the front door with a pie. It was most definitly the defendant, Pinkie Pie. She put the pie on the bench and left without a word. I had a delivery to make so I didn't pay it any further mind. I found out later that one of the star Wonderbolts had been poisened with it." "A medicine cabinet?" Trixie questioned her, a weird look on her face. Lightning Dust nodded. "Yep, it's on the opposite side of the door." Twilight closed her eyes in thought. Luna on the other hand could only smile. "Defense, you may now cross examine the witness." The defense nodded in response. "I'm not sure but...", Twilight directed at her mentor. "Something seems... off." "Off indeed." Luna agreed. "Go on, why don't you ask the witness about it?" Twilight Sparkle opened her court record, searching for that one piece of evidence she had just recieved. She took a deep breath and shouted "OBJECTION!", while banging one fist on the table. "Miss Dust, you said you saw the defendant?" Lightning Dust nodded affirmativly. "That's, uh, that's impossible." Twilight struggled to remain calm. The witness raised a brow, visibly confused. "What do you mean?" Trixie, catching onto what Twilight was refering to, snapped and projected a hologram of Mr. Carrot Cake's statement. "I believe Sparkles is refering to this?" "Exactly!" Twilight said, pointing her finger at the hologram. "Mr. Cake said that Pinkie hadn't left work at all, she delivered the cake by mail!" Lightning Dust's eyes widened. "But- but... but that's not... I was sure it was Pinkie...", she muttered something unintelligable, as if trying to reason with herself how she managed to overlook such an important detail. A lightbulb went off in her head and she exclaimed. "The note! There was a note on the pie! It had her name on it, I must've mistaken the person coming in because of it." "A note?" Twilight tilted her head, confused. Trixie, finding out that snapping was actually calming her down, pulled up a photo of the pie, one slice missing with a note attached directly to said pie. The box it was in seemed budged and you could see torn apart pieces of tape on the sides. "Pinkie left a very sweet note for Rainbow Dash. Poetry only rivaled by my own." Pinkie jumped up in her seat. "Oh, yes! I wanted Dashie to know for sure that I made it with lots of love!" Twilight could swear she heard someone with a raspy voice Aww-ing in the audience. "And that's how I knew." Lightning Dust was proud of herself, crossing her arms with a satisfied smirk. "But it was attached to the pie." "What?" "Miss Sparkle, what do you mean?" The judge eyed her curiously. Twilight cleared her throat before repeating herself and Lightning only blinked. "So?" Even the judge gasped as he realized what the young defense attorney meant. Twilight pointed at the picture, specifically the torn pieces of tape. "Miss Dust, the pie was inside a sealed off box. If you were really minding your own buisness you couldn't have seen the note, or even the pie as you said earlier for that matter!" Lightning Dust began to shuffle her feet, her grin turning into a scowl. Twilight recieved an encouraging pat on the shoulder from her mentor. "You almost got her, Twilight." "Maybe the delivery guy opened it?" She grit her teeth. The defense shook her head. "You said yourself that she put it down and left." She decided to press on. "You couldn't have even known that there was a pie in the first place. For all you know it was just a box!" "I told you already.", Lightning Dust gripped the sides of the witness stand. "I saw the news! I know she was poisened with the damn pie!" Trixie bit her tounge, her face mimiking a similar look of confusion as Twilight, only more exxagerated. "'she'?" Tapping her foot, annoyed, Lightning Dust crossed her arms. "Rainbow Dash! She died, didn't she?" All of a sudden the courtroom went silent. All eyes trained on the now very uncompfortable person in the witness stand. "What do you guys want!?" She barked at the audience Her face suddenly paled, draining of all color and her eyes grew wide when she her eyes fell on a certain prysmatic haired woman sitting in the middle row of the audience, having watched the entire trial since the beginning. "It seems", Luna chuckled. "As if the witness has gotten some important facts wrong." "Dashie's not dead!" Pinkie declared jumping up and down in her seat. The Chief, uneffected by Pinkie's outburst, continued. "The reason is: Why?" "Because it was you that poisened the pie with the intention of murdering Miss Dash!" Twilight slammed her first on the table so hard one would be afraid she'd leave a dent. Trixie was now sitting on her table, cross-legged and snapped her fingers triumphently. "You saw your opportunity when you restocked the medicine cabinet and realized you could pin the blame on the defendant!" She shook her head slowly and gestured to the defense. "The question is, why? What's her motive?" For a moment, Twilight seemed stumped. What motive could Lightning Dust have had? She struggled and stammered before her mentor Luna spoke up for her. "I believe the police would have to investigate this matter further. As we have a new suspect to this case." "Right." The judge cleared his throat. "Miss Lightning Dust you will be held in detention for the time being." Lightning Dust looked like she was about to burst, her face red with anger. She yelled. She yelled loud insults at Twilight, Trixie, Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, and even Luna and the judge. She had to be forcefully removed from court. The judge rubbed his forhead tiredly. "Miss Pie, I hope you understand that although you are no longer a main suspect we'll still have to keep you detained for a few more days until you can go home." "Aw..." Pinkie, having replaced Lightning Dust's place on the witness stand, frowned deeply. Then, she went back to smile brightly again. "Alright! As long as I can get back to work and see my friends again I'll be a-okay!" Trixie seemed happy for the fact that she had just lost and bowed triumphently while Twilight was just relived that she would not have to feel the wrath of two of her friends. And Luna, Luna was proud of her protégé for finding the truth of the trial with minimal difficulties. "I hereby find the defendant, Pinkamina Diane Pie", The judge seemed to be relieved, too. "Not guilty. Court is adjourned." Back at the defendant lobby, Twilight was struggling to breathe as Pinkie almost crushed her ribs with a tight hug. "THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU! YOU'RE THE BEST, TWILIGHT!" Trixie gave her a light punch on the shoulder. "Nice performance, Sparkles! Your presentation could use some fine tuning but we'll work on that." Once Twilight was able to breathe again she recieved another, slightly harder punch on her other shoulder. "Nice job, pal." Twilight figured Rainbow Dash must've snuck her way in. "Gotta say, I didn't expect Lightning Dust to be bitter enough to kill me. You think you know someone." She shook her head in disappointment. "Oh, yeah!" Pinkie chimed in. "How's Soarin doing? I hope he's alright! You're lucky you didn't get to eat a slice, it could've killed your small petite little body" She patted the top of Rainbow Dash's head playfully as if to remind her of her height. As the three friends were talking and catching up, Luna and Trixie sat on the couch standing at the wall, just out of their earshot. "It's good to see you're doing well, Trixie. I thought you may take a while longer to get back in court." The prosecutor waved her hand as if to say it was no big deal. "Oh, it was no big deal." She looked at Twilight and her friends. "I couldn't let Twilight have to face anyone else from the prosecutor side. Have you ever been there? Those guys are madmen!" Lune gave a smile. "I know. I have trials of my own, remember?" Trixie leaned back and let herself sink into the fabric as she nodded. "You're right, by the way. I'm not going back in court for a while longer. This was an exception." Luna understood. "On the off chance that you are intrested, I'm picking up the case again. I could use someone like you to help me in the investigations." A sigh escaped Trixie's lips. She pondered for a moment before shaking her head. "Alright, if you change your mind you can let me know." Luna stood up from the couch. "Twilight will have some paperwork to do at the office, you should get going aswell. I hear Miss Shimmer doesn't take kindly to tardiness. Do you want me to deliver a message?" "Ask Twilight to tell me what she wants from Soba's Noodle stand." Trixie picked up her coat and briefcase, making her way out of the courthouse without another word. Back with the group, Rainbow and Pinkie had a small drama about not liking pies which thankfully was resolved in a few minutes. "I can't believe you would go through that for me! Actually no, I totally can!" Pinkie exclaimed, hugging her friend just a little too tightly. Rainbow laughed in reply. Twilight smiled as she scanned the room, disappointed as she noticed Trixie had already left. But she didn't mind, she probably has some work to do at her office. She also noticed some policemen standing by the door, one of which was tapping his foot impatiently. "Pinkie, I think the guards are waiting for you." The baker looked up and frowned. "Awww... but I don't wanna leave yet! Even if I have to..." She hugged Rainbow even tighter. "Pinkie, air!" Realizing she was once again almost crushing someone's ribs, Pinkie loosened her grip and decided to instead give her chormatic haired friend a drawn out kiss on the cheek before skipping away with the officers as fast she could. "Holy shit." Was all Rainbow could muster. "Twilight!" The young defense attorney's attention was brought back to her mentor. "You did fantasitc today. I'm very proud of you." Twilight could almost feel her chest exploding with happiness as she split a grin from ear to ear. "Thanks, Chief!" That day, Twilight won her first case of many. It was the start of a long series of trials and tribulations with its own ups and downs that she would have to face when the time comes. But in the end, she kept an upbeat, happy demeanour for the rest of that first day. "Also Trixie asked what you wanted from Soba's Noodles." "Oh, that comical bitch!" Twilight cursed. "There's only one thing on the menu!" Author's Note As a first case, this one's a little shorter and milder than what I'm hoping the others will be
Case 02: Apple Turnabout (Prolouge)Twilight sat in her chair, hunched over stray documents laying on the small dining table next to her bowl of way too salty noodle soup in the kitchen she had to file that night. It's been almost a week since her first trial and things have been going smooth at the office. Well, for her at least. Trixie had been charged with cleaning duty at the prosecutor's office for a week because she lost to a rookie. She looked up from her seat. Twilight could've sworn she had heard her housemate's voice calling from just outside but upon closer listening she realized it was just a bird singing. Silly, she thought, mistaking a bird for her friend. Listening to it longer she noticed the bird sounded nothing like her. Of course, Trixie wasn't a bird. She was a bright if not boastful young woman who despite what one may think did care about the people she loved. She also loved her job as both a prosecutor and a stage magician. Well, stage magician was still more of a dream. Her skills were nothing to scoff at, but she has yet to manage to get herself out there. Back in Law School, Twilight had suggested she film her tricks and put them on the internet which Trixie declined. "The true beauty and wonder of magic is something a camera could never capture.", Twilight never understood that. But Trixie was so passionate about it, she almost didn't care. She loved seeing her friend so happy whenever she would speak of it. Although lately she seemed to have a lot ln her mind, whenever Twilight would ask she would wave it off. But that's alright, she would tell Twilight when something was wrong eventually, right? Feeling nostalgic, she reminisced about their time back in Law School. The long nights and study sessions and even the dates they went on together. Could they be called dates? Twilight was never sure. She just knew she liked them. Then her mind went to how she met her mentor Luna. How someone on campus who Twilight had considered a good friend was murdered in cold blood and she was arrested for it. Luna had defended the young and still foolish Twilight Sparkle. When Twilight finally graduated Luna was the first person she turned to and she gladly accepted her application. The first weeks were rough, but luckily whenever she returned home Trixie was right there waiting for her with the world's best and saltiest noodle bowls from Soba's noodle stand down the street. Twilight was pretty sure the two of them were his best customers. They had tried to get their friends to try what in their opinion was the world's best noodles but they were turned off by the literal block of salt swimming inside the bowl. Well, that was their loss. The past few days however Twilight has had to eat her bowl alone as Trixie had been working late. Sometimes she came home way past midnight which not something common for the prosecutor. It made Twilight worry. It was as though her best friend was hiding something from her for whatever reason. Was it something personal? They had always told each other everything whatever it was. She just hoped whatever it was Trixie would be okay soon. And then, her cellphone rang, startling her, interrupting her train of thought. Trixie's special ringtone. She grabbed her phone maybe a bit too eagerly and picked up. "Trixie?" "Twilight! Twilight listen, I need you!" Trixie's voice sounded uncharacteristically anxious. "You have to come down to Eclipse's Law Firm now!" "What's going on? What happend?" Twilight's worries seemed to be justified. The next words Trixie uttered filled Twilight with an unbelievable shock, horror and sadness. Tears welled up in her eyes and time slowed down for a moment. Heart racing as she asked her friend to repeat what she had just said while she was already out the door. One simple sentence turned Twilight's career- no, her entire life upside down. "Luna has been murdered." When Twilight arrived at Eclipse's Law Firm the police were already there. Bright lights flashing blue and red blinded her vision, what felt like a dozen different people were running around, police tape surrounded the entrence to the building much to Twilight's horror. Her mentor, someone who had cared for her as if she was her own child, had been murdered mere minutes ago and there was nothing she could've done to stop it, or to bring her back. Her throat tightened as she approached one of the officers. "E- excuse me, sir." Her voice came out weak and raspy. The young man of average height turned to face her. "Oh? Yes, how can I help you?" Twilight bit her quivering lip. "I- I heard that... that Miss Luna Eclipse... that... that she..." her breathing quickened and tears welled up in her eyes. The man caught on. "Hey, it's okay. Let it out." He put a compforting hand on her shoulder. "I'd prefer not to cry in front of someone I don't know." Twilight did her best to keep it together. "I understand." He extended his hand. "Name's Flash Sentry. I'm a detective, as you can probably tell. Who are you?" Twilight sniffed as she meakly shook it, gripping it a little too hard. "T- Twilight Sparkle. I am... a lawyer at this firm." "Oh." Flash rested a hand on her shoulder. "I see. My condolences, Miss Sparkle." The young lawyer gulped and took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "Is Trixie Lulamoon here? Is she safe?" Flash thought for a moment before turning around and directing her gaze at the prosecutor, a dull brown blanket hanging from her shoulders. "She was questioned about the events earlier but from the looks of it she seems to be done. You can go to her if you like." Without a word Twilight took off with a sprint, wrapping her arms around her from behind as tight as she could, causing the blanket to slip off. "Huh?" Trixie wiggles in her grip, turning around to face her roommate. Twilight said nothing as she burried her face in the crook of her neck, soaking Trixie's jaquette with her tears. "Oh, Twilight...", Trixie wrapped her arms around her shaking body, right hand gently stroking the back of her head. For a few minutes they stood there, Twilight gripping onto the girl for dear life. Trixie pulled back. "Let's sit down." She suggested, picking up the blanket and wrapping it around the poor girl's shivering shoulders. Only now that they sat on the sidewalk did Twilight realize just how miserable Trixie looked. Her eyes were bloodshot with deep dark bags under them and her hair looked like it hadn't been combed in days. Still, none of this seemed to faze her at the moment as she gently took one of her hands into her own and gave her a sideway hug with the free arm. Twilight hadn't stopped crying, holding a firm grasp on her friend's hand. She would eventually fall asleep from exhaustion, prompting Trixie to carry her back to their home. After making sure her roommate was properly set on her bed, wrapped in her own blanket, Trixie proceeded to the kitchen and sat down at the dining table. "Apples." Trixie muttered quietly as she opened a document on her laptop. "Why did it have to be Apples."
Case 02: Apple Turnabout (Day 1)"Oh dear." Twilight stood once again behind her podium, breath shaking as an all too familar wave of nervousness washed over her, just like the first time. The only difference this time was that she was all alone. No mentor to stand beside her, to lead and steer her in the right direction. Luna was gone, and this was her trial. Trixie had important buisness to attend to that she didn't want to go into detail about, Twilight had learned not to press when she wasn't willing to talk on her own. They did end up visiting the police station, however the leading detective was no longer at work so they met up with another friend of Trixie's, a young upstart detective by the name of Marey Allen. Although not directly involved in the investigation herself she was nice enough to scower through the police files. She gave them all the information she could find about the murder, which is as follows: "Luna Eclipse was murdered in her office around 11:47 pm. She was choked to death with the cable of her landline. During this time of the evening the only other person at the office was Big Macintosh, who called the police." "Now." The prosecution, the known and feared Sunset Shimmer, who could make her opponents cower with a single glance, continued. "I call Detective Sentry to the stand." Soon, the young man Twilight had met the other day took the stand. "Please state your name and occupation." The young man straightened his back and smiled proudly. "Flash Sentry, leading detective of this case!" "Tell us what you saw at the scene of the crime." Witness Testimony: The Scene Of The Crime "The body was discovered at around 12:07pm by the defendant, at least that is when he made the call. The victim was strangled with the landline of the office, on which we found the defendants fingerprints. The office is a mess and multiple folders and papers are scattered on the floor, the window sill has a large dent. We believe that the defendant and the victim had a fight with a struggle, resulting in the subsequent murder of the victim." "OBJECTION!" Twilight cried immideatly, much to Sunset Shimmer's personal annoyance. "Of course his fingerprints are on the landline, he was the one who called the police!" "Objection, so what?" The rookie was silent, not understanding the odd prosecutors rebuttal. She stared at her as if Sunset had just asked her about the inner structure of a traveling space rocket. "What?" She asked dumfounded. "So what?" Sunset repeated, her face bearing a bored yet stoic expression. "He was still the only person who was there." Twilight continued staring. She couldn't think of a response to that. "Well,... that's true I guess...", she was sure she felt Luna's spirit cringe at her. Or maybe it was someone elses. Who knows? The crowd started to murmur, making Twilight even more nervous than she was before. She regained her posture and tried to think, was there something she could ask about? "A mess, you said?" Twilight asked more careful this time. Flash nodded. "Yes, various folders and papers all about past cases were scattered across the office's floor." "Was there anything suspicious around, or was it just old case files?" "I don't see how that is important." Sunset muttered, mostly to herself. "I think it would be important." Twilight crossed her arms and huffed, an action she definitly didn't copy from her flatmate. The judge only sighed and vaguely gestured to the detective, who cleared his throat and prepared his answer. "Not really, the only other thing we found were these flyers." Detective Sentry presented the court with two pictures of a trio of flyers. One as they were found and one with the three flyers unwrapped in a row. The flyers were infomartive advertisment for the circus that had moved to town only a few weeks prior. Some names on them were circled in. "We only took notice of them because they were so out of place. Under the folder on the table even!" Flash elaborated, pointing at the clearly visible folder in a photo of the crime scene. "I wanted to inspect the case file closer so I picked it up and while I was reading it I noticed they just sat there, you know?" Sunset Shimmer shook her head. "I really don't." "Well, I'm interested!" The judge spoke. "Which case was it?" "Your honor, is that really important?" Twilight wondered. Sunset gave a devious smirk and said, with her best Twilight Sparkle impression, "I think it would be important~". Twilight has never in her life wanted to commit a felony as bad as now. "Touché, Miss Shimmer." "Would the attorney's please refrain from acting like children?" The judge sighed deeply beford turning his attention back to the detective. "Well?" "It was about the AT-4 incident. I heard stories of it, but never knew the details." As soon as Flash uttered the name, the court was suddenly drowned in a sorrowful atmosphere. "You know," Twilight leaned against her table. "I feel like everyone and their mother knows about that case except for me." "Perhaps it is better that way, Miss Sprinkle." Sunset Shimmer replied, her voice just a little quiter than before. The judge coughed and regained his posture. "Well, does the defense have any questions that don't involve shattering the courts psyche?" 'But that wasn't even my fault!' Twilight thought, deciding not to say it out loud. There was one thing that bugged the young attorney, which the detective had yet to explain. "What about the blood? There was blood at the crime scene, wasn't there?" Twilight's question came out more as a whipser. "Blood?!" The judge exclaimed, clearly not informed about said blood. "There was, however the blood is not the victims." Flash clarified. "Oh, that makes sense." Twilight tapped her fingers on the table, thinking for a moment. "Wait, no, it doesn't!" Sunset cleared her throat. "Care to elaborate, Miss Sprinkle?" "Sparkle." "Gesundheit." Twilight decided to ignore Miss Shimmer after that comment. "Luna- I mean Miss Eclipse was choked by the landline, not something that usually involves blood and you just confirmed it wasn't hers. So I ask you, Detective, whose blood is it?" Flash Sentry shuffled nervously behind the podium. "Detective Flash, I believe the defense has asked a valid question, for once." The detective averted his eyes. "We didn't... check?" The defense, the prosecution, yes, even the judge stared at him. Sunset Shimmer seemed as though she was about to burst, The Judge was even more confused and Twilight Sparkle was trying her hardest to keep it together. "Surely, Detective, you had a good reason for this?" Shimmer tried her best to smile through gritted teeth. To Twilight, she looked ready to tear the whole court apart. Perhaps Miss Shimmer simply needed a vacation, after all Trixie told her in all her years as a prosecutor Sunser Shimmer herself had never taken a day off. 'That's some dedication.' Twilight thought, before snapping back to reality. "We assumed it was the defendant's blood." Twilight glanced over to Big Macintosh. "But my client isn't hurt, is he? Are you?" Big Macintosh shook his head in response. "So the only solution as to why there is blood at the crime scene is because- because..." The rookie searched through her mind. 'Because it actually is his blood and we're just idiots? No, that doesn't make any- Oh! Of course!' Twilight slammed her fists on the table, causing the judge to almost drop his gavel. "Because there was someone else at the office that night!" "OBJECTION!" Sunset Shimmer called. "How?" "How? Uh, I don't know, maybe they went through the front door?" Twilight's answer did not do any good to Shimmer's mood. "No, do you have any evidence that there was indeed a third party at the crime scene?" "Oh." Twilight scratched the back of her head. "Well, the blood for one. We should get that tested probably..." She nodded and focused her attention to the judge. "Yes, we should test that. And maybe also search the crime scene for anything that could hint at another party." Sunset chuckled. "Another party." She snickered to herself. "Ah yes, Luna Eclipse, expert party animal." "With all due respect Miss Shimmer, please shut the fuck up." Twilight said, wearing the most deadpan expression she could muster. "Alright then." The Judge lifted his gavel. "Detective, you may search the the scene of the crime again for any sign of a possible third party. We will resume this trial tomorrow, please don't be late this time." Twilight drove into herself, blushing in shame. "It won't happen again, your honor." The judge nodded at her. "Court is adjourned." Twilight felt unusally tired on her way back home. Her feet felt heavy and her head was pounding, it felt as though her brain decided to do the cha-cha slide inside her skull. She hoped Trixie was home, if only to compfort her after that short mess of a trial she just had. Who knows if they even find anything? Twilight sighed deeply, hoping they would. When she arrived at their flat though, she was faced with an entirely new problem. "Ma'am, I can assure you, your signiture is on them." A woman was standing at their door, arguing with her friend. "I can't take care of a child! I- we can barely take care of ourselves!" Trixie retorted, looking distressed. Her voice echoed through the stairwell of the building. "We did background and financial checks on both you and your roommate, everything seems to be in order." The woman said, not as distressed as Trixie, but clearly confused. Twilight approached. "What's going on? Who are you?" The woman turned to Twilight, a smile present on her face. "Hello, you must be Miss Sparkle!" Twilight nodded. "My name is Flora Links, I am here to handle the legal procedures for the adoption of Babs Seed." "Adoption?" Twilight asked dumbfounded as she shook her hand. "Yes. Your flatmate is her Guardian." Twilight turned her head to Trixie, who seemed to be clearly uncompfortable with the whole situation. "Guardian?" "Yes, her guardian. Should anything happen to Babs' parents, Miss Lulamoon is her new legal guardian." Links explained. "Oh..." Twilight stuttered. Flora Links turned toward Trixie again. "Miss Lulamoon?" Trixie shifted, looking back and forth between the two people standing in front of her. She took a deep breath. "Alright, I'll take her in." "Wonderful!" Flora smiled. "I will call you when everything is ready!" The woman left and as soon as she exited the house's front door Twilight snapped at her flatmate. "What the hell, Trixie!" She yelled. "Why are you- what even-" Twilight struggled to find the right words in her confusion. "Explain yourself!" Trixie reflexisvly put her hands up in defense. "I- I didn't think anything would happen to them aswell! I didn't even think they were serious!" Her voice cracked at the end, her words more directed toward herself than Twilight. "We can't take care of a child!" Twilight glanced inside, taking notice of Apple Bloom awkwardly leaning against the wall. "... Permanently!" "Babsy's a good kid, it would be unfair to leave her without a parental figure!" The wannabe magician backed away into their appartment. "Especially now!" "As true as that might be you can't just make such a big decision without me!" "I know!" "Then why did you?!" "She put me on the spot!" Twilight shoved her finger accusingly at her friend, causing her to stumble just a little. "I thought you LIKED being in the spotlight!" "This is different!" Apple Bloom silently tiptoed out of the hall, and into the kitchen, hoping to avoid the confrontation from there. The rookie attorney could feel her head pounding harder and harder with each sentence she yelled at the prosecutor in front of her. "We are not ready to have a child yet, Trixie! You can't just- you can't just adopt a child without my consent!" "She needs this!" "THAT'S NOT THE POINT!" "IT FACTORS INTO THE POINT!" Trixie stomped her foot on the floor for emphasis. "I can't just leave her wherever they wanted to put her! Babs needs me. She needs a home, a real one!" Twilight Sparkle usually is not one to get mad, let alone furious. But she couldn't help but feel seething anger for Trixie in this very moment. "THEN TAKE YOUR ASS OUT OF MY FLAT AND FIND ONE!" The rookie held her breath, immideatly regretting the words that had just escaped her lips. She watched as Trixie opened her mouth and closed it again, unsure of what to say. "Oh." Was all she could muster. "Trixie-" Twilight stopped herself. She took a few steps back. "I think... I need some fresh air." "... Uh huh..." She turned around and left the building, first walking, then running however fast her legs could carry her. Wherever that might be.
Case 02: Apple Turnabout (Day 0)The next morning, Twilight had awoken, still shaken from last nights events. She sulked into the kitchen for her breakfeast, as always ready and prepared by her roommate. A melancholy silence settled over the room while they ate. Twilight didn't mind, she felt too exhausted to talk right now anyway. She ate painfully slow, not even caring that she would be late for work. Does it even matter if she went? Thinking about it made Twilight even sadder. She decided to just stay home for the day. When Twilight then moved to the living room couch, she noticed something very balant and peculiar. So peculiar infact she wondered how she didn't notice it earlier when she woke up. "Uh... Trixie?" "Yes, Twilight?" "Why is there a child sitting on our couch?" There was indeed a girl, maybe in her late teens, sitting on their couch. Her hair a brilliant red, she wore a pair of dungarees with a lime green shirt underneath and a seemingly old stetson hat on her head. Trixie, dish towel in hand, stood in the doorframe from kitchen to living room. "That's Apple Bloom, she's Big Macintosh's younger sister." "Ah." Twilight blinked at the girl. "And who's that?" "Big Mac was... arrested last night. I'm taking care of Apple Bloom until he gets out." "Oh..." Twilight looked at her hands guiltily. So this girl's brother was the suspect for Luna's death? "Wait, until he gets out?" "Mah brother's no murderer! He couldn't hurt a fly!" Apple Bloom jumped up, stomping on the cussions of the couch with her foot. Her roommate came in and sat her back down. "We requested the-... The currently most successful defense attorney to defend him." "Yeah! And he's gonna get Big Mac outta there!" "Ah, alright." Twilight didn't know how to feel about this. Perhaps she would just need to get a picture of the situation herself to get better judgment later today. - "Oh my god, they were right." Twilight thought as she now sat across the supposed murderer, only a wall of glas between them. "So... she was already... you know, gone when you arrived?" "Eeyup." Macintosh was not a man of many words, that much seemed true. Yet, Twilight had been able to have a full conversation with him anyways. "Your sister is hanging out in our apartment right now, she seems to be a uh... a determined young woman!" Twilight tried her best not to sound condecending. A proud smile formed on Big Macintosh's lips. "Eeyup!" "My roommate told me you hired the best defense attorney in town!" Mac's smile fell. "Nope..." "What? Why? What happend?" Twilight asked, surprised. "Denied..." "Oh..." Twilight nervously fiddled with her fingers. "Did you ask-" "Everyone." Twilight sunk into the chair out of embaressment. "That's not... good." She thought over the situation. Her mentor, who she looked up to, is gone now and no one would hold her hand if she was going to go through with the plan she had conducted in her mind. "What about me? I'm a lawyer too." Big Mac looked at her, a questioning look on his face. "You?" Twilight hesitated, this man is clearly innocent from her point of view. And if Luna's real killer really is somewhere out there then Twilight herself would make sure they were behind bars instead. "Yes, me." She said, newfound determination filling her body. Macintosh paused and asked again. "You?" "Yes!" Twilight jumped to her feet. "Look, if everyone else denied then you really don't have a choice here, do you?" "Eh... nope." "See?" Big Mac rubbed the back of his neck. She was right, he really didn't have another option. "Fine." He sighed, defeated. "Great!" Twilight put both hands on her hips. "Then it's settled, I'll be your attorney for the trial. When is it?" "Tomorrow." "TOMORROW?!" Twilight gaped, was it really that early? She took a deep breath and attempted to compose herself. "Tomorrow. Tomorrow's good. Yes, tomorrow's great. I should probably go get everything ready then. For tomorrow. Because tomorrow's the trial. Tomorrow." With that she hurriedly shuffled out of the detention center. Walking slower, way slower than usual Twilight made her way to the now empty law firm where she once worked- or still worked. Yes, she still worked here. The attorney's badge proves it. Well it proves she's an attorney at least. Twilight sighed. She didn't want to go inside. For a moment, her hand lingered on the door handle. She wondered if the quiet, shaky breaths she heard were her own or someone elses who was passing by, wondering why Twilight just stood there. She closed her eyes and opened the door, entering the foyer. One look around told her not much has changed in here, yet she felt uneasy just standing in the room. She proceeded to the office, the scene of the crime. Her breath halted when she noticed the outline of a person taped to the wall just underneath the window. Blood still present in several areas around where the body once was. The crime scene was untouched safe for the body that had been moved, of course. Twilight had been in her office so many times, but she could feel from now on going in here would be a much different experience. She tore her gaze away from the window, she knew what was out there already anyway. Her eyes landed on the potted plant next to the desk. "Oh, hi Phyllis." Twilight greeted the plant. Luna would always greet Phyllis whenever she would check in to work and after some time Twilight just picked up the habit. Phyllis was family. And Phyllis was probably also thirsty right now. As she poured the poor plant water she remembered that she had forgotten to get any information about the case. Like the autopsy report. Heck, she forgot to bring her briefcase entirly! What did she expect to find here anyway? A hidden piece of evidence the police overlooked? Twilight sighed deeply, putting away the water bottle and walking over to the desk. What had her mentor been working on that night anyway? ... "Huh." Twilight thought. "Just an old case file." The AT-4 incident. Twilight had never heard of it. It seemed fairly recent too according to the time stamp. Cursiousity took over when Twilight read the names of the involved. One of them stuck out to her like a sore thumb. "Trixie Lulamoon?", she read. That can't be right. Trixie surely would've told her if she got in trouble. Still, Twilight's interest was peaked and she wasn't about to stop. "Hey, what are you doing!?" Twilight stood corrected. Her head snapped up to see who called her. "Oh, it's you!" The person turned out to be the man from last night. Twilight couldn't remember his name but he was nice, she recalled. "What are you doing here?" "I- uh... I was investigating the crime scene!" She puffed out her chest and tried to look confident. The man stepped aside and motioned to the door. "Well I'm very sorry to tell you that you can't, I'll have to ask you to leave." "But I'm the defense attorney! Shouldn't I be able to take a look at the crime scene? Especially if said crime scene is my workspace?" Twilight retorted, crossing her arms. The detective shook his head. "You aren't allowed to investigate on your own without permission. I'm sorry, miss." Twilight released a breath she didn't know she was holding and conceded, there wasn't much use in arguing with this man. "Fine." She left without another word, back home to regenerate for a few hours. Thoughts of her friend not leaving her head. Was this case connected to the incident? How did Trixie fit into this? What was she not telling her? Is something burning? "Trixie?!" Twilight shouted when she entered their appartment. Trixie and Apple Bloom were busy fanning smoke out of the window with two dish towels. "We're okay, the microwave exploded! No biggie!" Twilight sighed in relief, at least they were alright. Soon they all sat quietly, eating slightly burned microwave Pizza at the dining table while the smell of smoke still lingered in the air. "I visited Mister Macintosh earlier." Twilight struck up conversation. "Oh?" "You visited mah brother? Is he okay?" Twilight nodded her head at Apple Bloom's question. "He seemed alright, he's a really nice man!", she set her burnt pizza slice down. "Which is why I have taken up defending him." "WHAT?!" Trixie nearly choked, which almost gave her a heart attack. She recovered quickly and continued. "Why? We already called someone! The trial is tomorrow, you don't know jack about this case! Shimmer is gonna crush you!" Apple Bloom chewed on her Pizza and quietly sunk into her chair. "Well, your big shot defense attorney denied! And so did everyone else!" "Everyone?" Apple Bloom whimpered. "No one wanted to defend mah brother? Twilight shook her head. "I'm afraid not. Trixie, if I hadn't taken that young man's case, no one would've! I want- no, I NEED to find out who really murdered Luna because it clearly wasn't him!" Trixie stayed silent for a moment, contemplating life. Then, she sighed. "You're right, I'm sorry for yelling." She set aside her cutlery and leaned her chin on her fist. "You still don't know anything about this case tho, do you?" Twilight shook her head. "The leading detective of the case and I are old friends, we can get information from her down at the station." She tried her best to give Twilight a smile, tho it was clear that she was still in doubt. "Cool, does that mean I can go visit Big Mac?!" Apple Bloom beamed when Twilight and Trixie nodded at her. With a cheer she dashed off to the door and grabbed her jacket. "Twilight?" The defense attorney turned to her friend. "Yeah?" Trixie looked at her friend, concerned. "Are you sure you can handle this?" Twilight gave her friend a confident, goofy grin. "Of course I can."
