October 18, 11:04 AM

District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 1

(Afterwards everyone left the courtroom as Twilight, Starlight and A.K. Yearling made their way to the defendant lobby as Twilight could only look at Starlight in worry)

"..." Starlight thought

"What do we do now Starlight? If everypony near Zecora's hut have an alibi..." Twilight started

"I'm sorry Twilight, I guess I was wrong" Starlight said sadly

"S-Starlight! Don't tell me you're giving up! If you give up what hope do I have...?" Twilight asked worriedly

"...Don't get me wrong, I've never given up on a trial before, not while there was a chance, the only thing became clear in your cross examination, the ponies and Ahuizotl who were near Zecora's hut could not have gone to Daring Do's replica home, I thought there was more to it than that... But I was wrong, that's all there is" Starlight explained sadly

(A.K. Yearlling then turned to the duo in worry)

"Umm... Er... What's going to happen to me? It kinda seems like everyone in that courtroom thinks I did it... They think I'm a murderer!" A.K. Yearling reminded worriedly

"Don't worry ms. Yearling, if you are innocent we will prove it, I guarantee it, leave it to us and... Be yourself, be strong, you are Daring Do, hero of relics everywhere after all" Starlight reminded

"I... You... Thanks" A.K. Yearling thanked with a brave smile

"Okay Twilight, this one's for the fillies and colts! Let's do it!" Starlight suggested

October 18, 11:15 AM

District Court

Courtroom No. 4

(Everyone soon returned back inside the courtroom as they all were back in their places while the gallery began muttering to each other until Princess Celestia slammed her gavel)

"Court is back in session for the trial of ms. A.K. Yearling" Princess Celestia announced

"The prosecution has a concern, as our witness is a Ponyville schoolhouse student and this is a murder case... We worry that the defense might cause unnecessary trauma with his cruel questioning!" Rainbow explained

Nice to see Rainbow taking the moral high ground...

"However we have no choice, the prosecution calls Featherweight to the stand" Rainbow announced

(Afterwards Featherweight is brought to the witness podium where he took a seat only for everypony to see the top of his head)

"Your honor perhaps you could arrange a box for him to sit on" Rainbow suggested

"Oh right" Princess Celestia realized before turning to her royal guards between Featherweight "Guards please bring him a box, one of those apple cider crates shall do" Princess Celestia ordered

(The royal guards then did so and when they finished Featherweight stood on it worriedly)

"Will the witness state their name and task in the Ponyville schoolhouse to the court?" Rainbow ordered

"..." Featherweight thought worriedly

"Witness!" Rainbow called out angrily

"What?! Just because you're all grown ups doesn't mean you can push me around!" Featherweight reminded angrily

"Mrph..." Rainbow called out in shock

"Featherweight, answer his question okay?" Starlight ordered

"H-Hey it's you! The nice mare!" Featherweight said happily before clearing his throat "I'm Featherweight and I'm the Ponyville Schoolhouse's photographer" Featherweight introduced

I get the feeling this is going to be a long, long day...

"Ms. Dash, please remember that you're speaking to a colt, try to be gentle" Princess Celestia ordered

"M-Mrrrrph! Witness! I mean Featherweight" Rainbow stuttered in disbelief

She's having trouble with this gentle thing

"You were present, er, you were at the Everfree Forest on the day of the, er, incident correct?" Rainbow asked

"You got a problem with that?!" Featherweight asked angrily

"Please tell us what you saw that day" Rainbow ordered

"What, are you kidding me? You want me to tell you and Princess Trollestia over there?" Featherweight asked angrily

"Just ms. Dash will be fine" Rainbow suggested

"I prefer Princess Celestia myself" Princess Celestia suggested

A very long day...

(Just then Princess Celestia noticed the black strap around Featherweight's neck which she correctly presumed was from a camera which made her turn angrily to Featherweight)

"Incidentally photographic equipment is strictly forbidden in this courtroom" Princess Celestia reminded angrily

"M-Mrph! M-My apologies your honor but he said he wouldn't testify if he couldn't bring it so I'd like special permission if that's possible" Rainbow suggested

"Wait so you're saying you had to bargain terms with a kid and you LOST?" Twilight asked in disbelief

"Hey! I just got this new camera! Don't really know how to use it yet! But I bring it with me wherever I go!" Featherweight explained angrily

"Twilight, I wonder if he had that camera on the day of the murder... You'd better make note of it in the court record" Starlight suggested

"Very well Featherweight, please testify to the court about what you saw the day of the incident" Princess Celestia ordered

Witness Testimony

--Witness's account--

"I wanted to see a Daring Do rehearsal just once"

"I found a way pointer In Ponyville and went to the Everfree Forest that way"

"I flew through the woods to the Castle of Friendship off the path so that the security stallion wouldn't catch me"

"I was going for Daring Do's replica home"

"I got kinda lost on the way for about 30 minutes though"

"When I came out by the action sets I saw Daring Do!"

"It totally rocked! Right before my eyes the bad guy came out too!"

"Of course Daring Do took him down! Pow!"

"If I had my camera with me that would've been the time for a shot I tell you"

"Anyway I couldn't get into the set so I went home" Featherweight finished explaining

"Hmm... Very well, the defense may begin its cross examination and be gentle, remember that you're talking to a colt" Princess Celestia reminded

"..." Featherweight thought angrily

This colt is tougher than most adults we see in here honestly...

"You really like Daring Do huh?" Twilight reminded

"Of course I do! I've taped every show and I go to all the live performances!" Featherweight explained

"That's impressive, have you also seen her elsewhere?" Featherweight asked

"Of course! Duh! My dad always takes me to the amusement parks!" Featherweight answered

I didn't know there was an amusement park

"Anyways was that day the first time you've been to the Everfree Forest?" Twilight asked

"Uh actually I've been there a couple of times I was actually never been to make it inside to the rehearsal day! And that security stallion is always yelling..." Featherweight explained

"So what did you mean with going 'off the path...?" Twilight asked

"You know how there's multiple paths in the Everfree Forest? If you go off the path a little there's different ways you can go, that's where I was" Featherweight explained

"I see" Twilight said thinking before asking the next question "Did nothing unusual happen on your way to the action sets?" Twilight asked

"'unusual'?" Featherweight asked in confusion

"Did you see the fallen tree by any chance?" Twilight asked

"Oh you mean the one that fell down due to the storm? Yeah I saw him but his head wasn't busted!" Featherweight answered

"Still did you seriously get lost in the forest?" Twilight asked

"Yeah, I couldn't figure out which way I was walking, man, was I relieved when I saw the replica temple!" Featherweight answered

"Did you really see Daring Do?" Twilight asked

"Yeah, she was standing by Daring Do's replica home and it looked like she was thinking about something before going in" Featherweight explained

"I see" Twilight thought out loud "So what sort of 'bad guy' did you see?" Twilight asked

"A stallion, a creature, kinda tall, skinny" Featherweight answered

"Are you sure it was a guy?" Twilight asked

"...I dunno, he was kinda far away" Featherweight answered

Huh, he's being awfully vague...

"..." Starlight thought

"What happened to the bad guy?" Twilight asked

"Huh? Well... Well, he kinda didn't move, not a bit, like he was dead, I-I guess he's a great actor!" Featherweight answered in awe

"Y-Yes! I suppose he was!" Twilight agreed nervously before shaking it off" So you said 'if' you had your camera? Did you mean you weren't carrying your camera then?" Twilight asked

"N-No I wasn't, i-it's not like I have it all the time!" Featherweight reminded

Really...?

"Objection!" Twilight shouted in a nicer way "Featherweight, what you just said seems, well, a little strange, didn't you say before that you always bring your digital camera wherever you go? You were quite clear about that" Twilight reminded

"Huh?!" Featherweight gasped in shock and worry

"Featherweight, you shouldn't lie here, you understand that right?" Twilight asked

"Ms. Sparkle! A word with you..." Princess Celestia suggested in a wondering way

(Twilight then turned to Princess Celestia worriedly)

Uh oh... Was I putting the pressure on too much?

"What is this 'digital' camera contraption you're talking about?" Princess Celestia asked

"It's um... A digital camera your honor, it's kind of a new sort of camera" Twilight answered 

How do I explain that?!

"I see" Princess Celestia realized

"Anyways Featherweight... I can't believe you wouldn't bring your camera on a trip to the Everfree Forest action sets! You did bring it didn't you?" Twilight asked

"Umm..." Featherweight said nervously

"Objection!" Rainbow called out before glaring at Twilight angrily "Ms. Sparkle, how cruel you are to terrorize such a poor colt!" Rainbow said in disbelief

"I don't care if they're a colt, filly or a prosecuting attorney! No pony should lie in court!" Twilight reminded angrily

"What do you mean with 'or a prosecuting attorney'?!" Rainbow asked angrily

(Twilight then ignored Rainbow and turned back to Featherweight)

"Well Featherweight?" Twilight asked

"Wh-what?! Yeah, so I had my camera, so what?! You got a problem with that?!" Featherweight asked angrily

"So you did have a camera, and did you use this camera?" Princess Celestia asked

"W-Why would I use it? I... I was too busy watching" Featherweight answered

"Hmm... Very well, please testify to the court about what you were so busy watching" Princess Celestia suggested

Witness Testimony

--What I saw--

"Y-Yeah, I had my camera with me"

"But I was glued to the action! I couldn't take my eyes off it!"

"Daring Do goes for the bad guy--- Wham!"

"Then... Then the bad guy stopped moving!"

"He's so strong! Daring Do rules!"

"Hmm... Ah? Is that all?" Princess Celestia asked in shock before turning to Twilight "Well, that was brief, ms. Sparkle, your cross examination" Princess Celestia suggested

"So why didn't you use your camera?" Twilight asked

"Objection" Rainbow shouted making Twilight turn to her "He already explained! Relax and remember" Rainbow suggested

"My bad" Twilight apologized before turning back to Featherweight

"Well, still... I didn't use it 'cause I was too busy watching the real thing!" Featherweight answered

"So you were watching Daring Do, did you watch the whole fight?" Twilight asked

"Y-Yeah of course!" Featherweight answered nervously

"You didn't turn away, not even once?" Twilight asked

"N...No!" Featherweight answered

"Okay" Twilight said before nodding "So the bad guy attacked her first?" Twilight asked

"Yeah!" Featherweight answered

"What sort of person was this 'bad guy'?" Twilight asked

"I told you, a creature, he was a creature" Featherweight answered

"How was he dressed?" Twilight asked

"...I kinda don't remember, I was too busy watching Daring Do!" Featherweight answered

"Why?" Twilight asked

"Huh? Whaddya mean 'why'?" Featherweight asked

"Why wasn't the bad guy moving?" Twilight asked

"W-Well 'cause Daring Do brought him to justice!" Featherweight answered

"And how exactly did she do that?" Twilight asked

"H-How did she do it? With a daring kick! And a daring punch! Daring chop!...Daring slap! S-Something like that" Featherweight answered worriedly

He's still being vague about this...

"What! Don't give me that look princess!" Featherweight suggested angrily

How should I play this?

"Featherweight" Twilight then said

"Wh-What?!" Featherweight asked in shock

"Something's bothering me, before you said that you 'couldn't take your eyes off' the action" Twilight reminded

"Y-Yeah? So what?" Featherweight asked in anger

"Yet you missed the important part" Twilight reminded

"Objection!" Rainbow called out making Twilight turn to her "What is the meaning of this? The witness has stated what he saw quite clearly..." Rainbow reminded angrily

"Objection!" Twilight then called out "You know as well as I do that he's being vague! Tell me what kind of murderer uses a 'Daring slap'?!" Twilight asked angrily

"M-Mmph!" Rainbow called out in shock and disbelief

"My point is this: Featherweight, you may have seen some of the Daring Do fights... But you missed the important part: the killing blow!" Twilight reminded strictly

(After saying that everypony began muttering sounds of shock and disbelief as Princess Celestia slammed her gavel once more)

"Order! Order!" Princess Celestia called out before turning to Twilight "Ms. Sparkle! How could this be? Can you explain how he might have missed something so vital?" Princess Celestia asked

"Um, well... Er, that's the thing..." Twilight started nervously

"Twilight! I believe you're on the right track with this! Think: why didn't Featherweight see the climax of the fight? I know you! You can figure this out!" Starlight reminded

"Ms. Sparkle, your answer! We have ascertained that this young colt is a great fan of Daring Do... Why wouldn't he watch the climax of the fight?" Princess Celestia asked

"Your honor, I have evidence" Twilight answered

"Evidence?" Princess Celestia asked

"Yes your honor, why did Cody look away from the fight?" Twilight asked himself before pulling Featherweight's camera off his neck and shows it to Princess Celestia "Here's my proof!" Twilight called out while doing so

"What's that? The camera...?" Princess Celestia asked in confusion

"The witness stated that he recently received this camera" Twilight reminded

"Yes, I'm aware of that" Princess Celestia said

"He wasn't entirely familiar with it's operation" Twilight reminded

"I'm aware of that too" Princess Celestia said before gasping in realization

"Correct! Why would Featherweight be looking somewhere else at the critical moment? Because he was looking at his camera! He was trying to take a picture!" Twilight explained

"Hey!" Featherweight called out in shock and anger

"Bullseye!" Twilight called out bravely

"W-What's your problem princess! You got a thing for picking on little colts and fillies?!" Featherweight asked angrily

Pressing, not picking...

"Good job Twilight! Featherweight was lying, clearly, smart of you to realize there was no way he could just stand there watching his hero... And not taking a picture!" Starlight complimented

"Right!" Twilight said before turning back to Featherweight "Featherweight? There was only one reason why you would have looked away from the fight and that was because you wanted to take a picture but having just received your camera you weren't used to using it yet! So you missed the climax of the fight correct?" Twilight asked

".........Yeah" Featherweight answered in defeat

"Well Twilight, I'll bet you anything he's hiding more than that, have him testify again!" Starlight suggested

"R-Right" Twilight agreed nervously

Starlight means business!

"Your honor, the defense would like to request that Featherweight testifies once more" Twilight said

"V-Very well" Princess Celestia said nervously before turning back to Featherweight "Featherweight? Could you please tell us about your camera... And about why you didn't take a picture of the fight?" Princess Celestia asked

"Umm..." Featherweight started nervously

Welcome to the real world little pony!

Witness Testimony

--No Photo?--

"Yeah, you're right princess"

"Daring Do had just escaped from the clutches of the villain"

"So I held up my camera to take a picture!"

"But the lens wouldn't open in time so I missed it"

"Th-That's all that happened, yup"

"Hmm... Anything strange in that testimony ms. Sparkle?" Princess Celestia asked

"I'm not sure... But I'd like to proceed with the cross examination anyway" Twilight answered

"Very well, go ahead" Princess Celestia said

(Twilight then turned back to Featherweight who was worried)

"So, you called me princess...?" Twilight asked

"Yeah, I called you princess, you purple mare" Featherweight answered

"Purple mare...?" Twilight asked in shock and confusion

"She's 'Ms. Sparkle' and I'm 'Ms. Dash" Rainbow explained

"And I guess I'm 'Princess Celestia'..." Princess Celestia guessed

"That's what I hate about adults, you're all so self-conscious" Featherweight said in disbelief

"Okay, off with the kid gloves!" Twilight suggested which made the trio remove that thought off their heads before Twilight asked the next question "So you did see the beginning of the fight?" Twilight asked

"Yeah" Featherweight answered

"Did you notice anything unusual?" Featherweight asked

"Umm... Well... Uh... I guess Daring Do was moving a little strange..." Featherweight answered

Moving... Strangely?

"Why couldn't you take a picture?" Twilight asked

"My new camera has too many buttons, I couldn't figure it out, I tried to take a picture, I really tried" Featherweight explained sadly

"When the lens opened what did you see?" Twilight asked

"Uh... Well, a creature on the ground and Daring Do!" Featherweight answered

"That's all?" Twilight asked

"Y-Yeah! I told you! I didn't take a picture!" Featherweight answered

"Hmm... I would have once I got that lens open... Did he really not take a picture? Not even one? Nah, he definitely would  have taken a picture, there's got to be something here I can use!

"Featherweight! Listen up Featherweight, I know exactly what happened that day, you took a picture!" Twilight reminded

"...Hey!" Featherweight called out in shock and anger

Bullseye...?

"H-How did you know?!" Featherweight asked

"I see through all your lies Featherweight, it's one of my powers!" Twilight answered

"W-Wow!" Featherweight called out in awe

This feels great!

"Y-Yeah... Yeah I took a picture" Featherweight answered in defeat

"Perhaps you can change your testimony to reflect this Featherweight" Princess Celestia suggested

"I took a few shots but it was too late so I erased 'em"

"Objection!" Twilight called out "Featherweight!" Twilight called out strictly

"Wh-wh-what?! Man, everytime you say 'Featherweight' you follow it with something bad" Featherweight said in disbelief

"I just wanted to thank you for giving me this the other day" Twilight thanked pulling out the Daring Do fan album

"Huh? O-Oh... Right" Featherweight said in disbelief

"What was it you told me then?" Twilight asked

[Flashback start]

"I go to every live performance! I always take a picture when Daring Do lands the final blow! Whizzam! I got 'em all! I never missed one! A perfect collection!" Featherweight said

[Flashback End]

"Featherweight, did you really get a picture of Daring Do standing victorious over her foe? If you did I would find it hard to believe that you would just erase it! Wouldn't you keep it for your album?" Twilight asked

"Ah!" Featherweight gasped in shock

"Ms. Sparkle... What exactly is this album?" Princess Celestia asked

"It's called 'Path to Glory' and it's a collection of Daring Do all taken by Featherweight, he claims it's a perfect collection of every battle Daring Do has won!" Twilight explained

"I... I see" Princess Celestia said

"Don't you find this very odd your honor? Among all his pictures of Daring Do, none were taken that day!" Twilight reminded

(After saying that everypony began muttering sounds of shock until Princess Celestia had to slam her gavel once more)

"Order!" Princess Celestia called out before turning back to Twilight "Ms. Sparkle, do you have an explanation? If Daring Do had just defeated her adversary... I certainly would expect to see a picture of it in this album" Princess Celestia reminded

"Exactly your honor...............!

No... Wait... No way!

"Twilight! I think we've finally discovered the truth and what a truth it is" Starlight reminded

"S-Starlight... Are we sure about this? Did she actually...?" Twilight asked worriedly

"Yes I'm pretty sure what you're thinking is right, tell them Twilight, tell them what the truth is" Starlight suggested

"Ms. Sparkle! Please explain the court what is going on here! Why was there no picture in the album on the day of the murder? Why would the colt have erased the photos he took?" Princess Celestia asked

"I can think of only one reason your honor Daring Do didn't win! That's why Featherweight deleted those photos" Twilight answered

"You mean Daring Do... Lost?" Princess Celestia gasped in shock and disbelief

"Well Featherweight? I'm right aren't I? Tell the truth, the bad guy defeated Daring Do!" Twilight asked

"N-N-N-No way! No! I-It's impossible! D-Daring Do never loses! She never loses to anypony! Ever!" Featherweight said worriedly

"Your honor... The witness has revealed everything with his words, there was a reason why he lied and told us he didn't take a picture, the same reason he erased his precious photos! For Featherweight it was inconceivable that Daring Do could be defeated however Featherweight witnessed the impossible! He saw Daring Do lose! Yet to admit what he saw would destroy everything he believed in! That's why he lied and said Daring Do had won, he couldn't handle the truth!" Twilight explained

(After saying that Featherweight gasped In shock and sadness while other people began muttering sounds of shock and disbelief until Princess Celestia slammed her gavel once more)

"O-Order! I will have order!" Princess Celestia called out before turning to Featherweight "W-Witness! I mean, Featherweight! Is this true?! W-What did you see? Tell the court what you saw!" Princess Celestia ordered

"I..." Featherweight started before he began crying crocodile tears while everypony could only look in sadness at him

"Featherweight... That day you saw Daring Do lose a fight, right?" Twilight asked

"Okay okay! Y-You're right! D-Daring Do f-fell down... Th-Then he didn't m-move..." Featherweight explained in sobs

(Everypony then began muttering more sounds of shock and disbelief which made Princess Celestia slam her gavel once again)

"Order! Order! Order!" Princess Celestia called out

(Rainbow then turned to Twilight angrily)

"What kind of stunt are you trying to pull Twilight?! Daring Do was the murderer not the victim!" Rainbow reminded angrily

"Yet according to your witness' testimony Daring Do was the one who fell!" Twilight reminded

"Ms. Sparkle! What's going on?" Princess Celestia asked in confusion

"Apparently we have all made a serious error" Twilight answered

"An... Error? What's this all about?!" Rainbow asked

"If you understand what really happened it will actually be quite simple, at the end of the fight Daring Do fell to the ground and lay still in other words Daring Do was not the killer he was the victim! Don't you see? Groom Q. Q. Martingale was Daring Do!" Twilight explained

(After saying that everypony began muttering sounds of shock and disbelief until Princess Celestia began slamming her gavel again)

"Order! Order! Order!" Princess Celestia ordered before turning to Twilight "So, the Daring Do in this picture... You're saying the pony in this costume was the victim mr. Groom Q. Q. Martingale?" Princess Celestia asked

"That's what I'm saying your honor, Groom Q. Q. Martingale was pressent at the action scene run-through that morning thus he obviously knew about A.K. Yearling's foot injury" Twilight explained

"B-But wait! Hadn't mr. Martingale gone to Daring Do's replica home already?" Princess Celestia asked

"That's what everyone thought! But remember what mr. Neighsay said in her testimony?" Twilight asked

[Flashback Start]

"On the day of the murder I arrived at the guard station at 1:00 PM, did I see poor old Martingale? Nope, he'd already gone to the studio before I got back to the guard station" Chancellor Neighsay explained

[Flashback End]

"Mr. Groom Q. Q. Martingale left the Castle of the Two Sisters after lunch however nopony saw him going to Daring Do's Replica Home, nor was there a picture of him, he waited for ms. Yearling to take a nap in his dressing room and then snuck into the dressing room and stole the Daring Do costume" Twilight explained

"..." Princess Celestia thought in disbelief

"..." Rainbow thought in disbelief

"But why would the victim do such a thing?" Princess Celestia asked

"I... Don't know" Twilight answered sadly

"...I got it!" Featherweight realized

(After saying that everypony turned to him in shock, nervousness and relief)

"?" Twilight thought out loud in shock

"I thought that Daring Do was moving strange alongside his small beard so it was a different person inside the suit!" Featherweight explained before turning to Twilight "Princess!" Featherweight called out

"Huh, me? What?" Twilight asked

"Actually, there was one piece of data I saved" Featherweight explained

"Data?" Twilight asked in shock and disbelief

"Yeah, a photo on my digital camera!" Featherweight answered

"! W-What?!" Twilight asked in shock

"Show us, quick!" Rainbow ordered with a strict face

"No way miss, not if you're gonna look at me like that!" Featherweight said

"Now!" Princess Celestia ordered strictly

(Featherweight who then sniffed in fright flew over to Twilight and put the evidence on her desk)

"Here... This is it" Featherweight said worriedly

"Can I see it for a moment ms. Sparkle?" Princess Celestia asked

"Sure your honor" Twilight answered before pulling out the photograph and showed it to both Rainbow and Princess Celestia to which the latter thought out loud

"...Well, looking at this it's still a little hard to say, I'm afraid that it could be anypony in that costume, your opinion ms. Sparkle?" Princess Celestia asked

"I agree your honor, this isn't decisive evidence" Twilight answered putting the photograph on Princess Celestia's desk

"Wait Twilight!" Starlight called out

"Starlight? What?" Twilight asked

"Look at that photo once more! That's it Twilight! That photo is all the evidence you need to win this trial!" Starlight suggested

"Wh-What?!" Twilight asked in shock and confusion before turning back to Princess Celestia "Y-Your honor! May I see that photo once more please?" Twilight asked

"C-Certainly, I don't see why not" Princess Celestia answered

(Twilight then teleported the photo to her as she turned to it again)

"Twilight! Show her! There's a glaring decisive inconsistency with the facts that as we know them in that photo!" Starlight reminded

"Alright I'll go ahead and find the inconsistency in the photo!" Twilight said

(Twilight then began checking everywhere until she noticed an unusual formation a few ways from Daring Do making Twilight turn back to Princess Celestia)

"Your honor! Look at this!" Twilight suggested pointing to the upper right of the photo before showing it to Princess Celestia shocking her

"I see... It is an unusual house?" Princess Celestia said

"Might I draw your attention to this photographic memory of Daring Do's replica home" Twilight suggested before lightning a picture of the outside of Daring Do's trashed home with her magic

"The house? Ah yes, well, it's hard to see but it looks like a normal house" Princess Celestia said

"Clearly not an unusual one as the picture you have" Twilight reminded

"Aaaaaah!" Rainbow called out in realization

"I believe ms. Dash sees what I'm getting at" Twilight reminded

"B-But... Th-That's impossible!" Rainbow called out in shock and disbelief

"Hmm? Eh? What's this all about? Please explain so that I might be shocked along with the rest of the court" Princess Celestia suggested

"I'll use the studio guidemap" Twilight said pulling up the studio guidemap before pointing to Daring Do's replica home "The body was found here outside Daring Do's replica home however what do we see in this photo taken at the time of the murder? It does NOT say '1' on that gate in the photo, your honor! Here is the true scene of the crime!" Twilight explained before pointing at the replica temple "Here at the replica temple" Twilight explained

"I see! That would explain the 'unusual roof' in this photo" Princess Celestia realized

"Your honor, I find it very significant that the murder took place in the replica temple" Twilight explained "Remember that the path to the replica temple was blocked?!" Twilight asked

"So we have heard" Princess Celestia thought out loud

"The path was blocked at 2:15... in other words the victim went to the replica temple before that time!" Twilight explained

"Yes... Yes, I suppose that would be the case" Princess Celestia said

"Remember mr. Zephyr Breeze's testimony? Allow me to remind the court: he said no pony near Zecora's hut was guilty because they could not have gone to Daring Do's replica home yet in actuality the reverse is true! Only somepony near Zecora's hut could have commited this murder! They were the only ones with access to the scene of the crime: the replica temple! As you may recall, Zecora's hut is near the replica temple, now on that day a meeting was held near that very hut, there was a break in the meeting corresponding to the time of death, during that break mr. Zephyr Breeze and mr. Ahuizotl were outside eating cupcake, they were at the scene of the crime!" Twilight explained

(After saying that everypony began muttering sounds of shock and disbelief again which made Princess Celestia slam her gavel again)

"O-Order! Order!" Princess Celestia called out

"The defense makes the following claims: the scene of the crime was the replica temple! The person that the security stallion mr. Neighsay saw was the victim mr. Groom Q. Q. Martingale! Mr. Martingale for some reason stole a Daring Do costume then he went to the replica temple!" Twilight explained

"Objection!" Rainbow called out before slamming her hooves on her desk "This is madness! Groom Q. Q. Martingale is the victim! The victim! Why would he steal a Daring Do costume?! Are you suggesting he did so to cover up the details of his own murder?!" Rainbow asked angrily

"W-Well, no of course not..." Twilight answered

"Hmm..." Princess Celestia thought

"Or do you have proof?! Give me proof that the victim Groom Q. Q. Martingale stole the costume!" Rainbow ordered

"I have proof!" Twilight explained

"Y-You do?!" Rainbow asked in shock and disbelief

"You do ms. Sparkle?" Princess Celestia asked

Now that they're so surprised suddenly I'm much less confident... I think I'm right though!

"Here's my proof that Groom Q. Q. Martingale stole the costume!" Twilight said before levitating up the empty bottle she and Pinkie found "This is it" Twilight explained

"An empty... Medicine bottle?" Princess Celestia asked in confusion

"I found this on the table in the Castle of Friendship, the same table where mr. Martingale and Ms. Yearling ate, the label reads 'sleeping pills'" Twilight explained

"Sleeping pills...?" Princess Celestia asked

"The defendant ms. Yearling spent that entire afternoon sleeping, she was drugged... by mr. Martingale!" Twilight explained

"Wait a moment... That bottle does raise some suspicions yes but there is no proof that mr. Martingale used it" Princess Celestia reminded

"Your honor, I have an idea" Twilight explained

"An... Idea? Very well, let's hear it" Princess Celestia suggested

"I want to check this bottle for fingerprints! If my claim is true mr. Martingale's fingerprints should show up on this bottle!" Twilight explained

"Hmm..." Rainbow thought in disbelief

"I suppose you're right, very well the court will take possession of the bottle" Princess Celestia said making a police pony approach Twilight's bench as Twilight levitated the empty bottle to the pony who then left with it "Anyways this court will suspend proceedings on the current trial for today, Featherweight's testimony has revealed new possibilities in this case, in fact things may have happened very differently than we previously thought, the Daring Do seen by mr. Neighsay may have been the victim Groom Q. Q. Martingale, the scene of the crime was not Daring Do's replica home but the replica temple and those near Zecora's hut did have time to commit murder" Princess Celestia reviewed before turning to Twilight "Ms. Sparkle" Princess Celestia called out

"Yes your honor?" Twilight asked

"Your homework is to find the answer to the following question: why would mr. Martingale steal the Daring Do costume? Also who killed him and why? Find the answers for me by tomorrow" Princess Celestia ordered

That's a lot of homework!

"Ms. Dash" Princess Celestia then called out while turning to Rainbow

"Hmm?" Rainbow asked

"You will need to reconsider your stance in this case, above all you will need to reconsider your suspicion of ms. A.K. Yearling" Princess Celestia suggested

"As you say your honor" Rainbow said

"This trial will be extended until tomorrow, this is the last extension! Very well... Court is adjourned!" Princess Celestia announced before slamming her gavel

October 18, 2:47 PM

District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 1

(Afterwards everypony went out of the courtroom as Twilight's team went to the defendant lobby where Twilight sighed in relief)

"Whew! That was a close one!" Twilight said in relief

"We were saved by a hair but that's all that counts, I thought seriously about going home about three times during the trial" Starlight said in relief

"M-Me too!" Twilight agreed

(A.K. Yearling then turned to the duo in confusion)

"Really? You both seemed so... So confident!" A.K. Yearling asked

"Hah! Maybe I should take up a carreer in acting? I was ready to pronounce you dead about three times back there" Twilight said

"Me too!" Starlight agreed

"D-Dead?!" A.K. Yearling asked in shock and worry

"Hoh hoh, of course we're kidding" Starlight said

"Are you sure?" A.K. Yearling asked

I wasn't kidding...

"Now ms. Yearling we have to go make our final investigation but I promise you, we'll find the true killer by tomorrow's trial!" Twilight reminded

"R-Right! Thanks!" A.K. Yearling thanked before sniffing

October 18, 3:27 PM

The Castle of Friendship

Meeting Area

(Soon Twilight and Starlight had returned back home as they began eating in the meeting area while Twilight was thinking in relief)

"That was a close one, right Starlight?" Twilight asked

(Twilight then looked down only to see Pinkie was back as her normal self)

"Really? Too bad, I'm sorry I missed it" Pinkie apologized

"? P-Pinkie!" Twilight called out in shock

"So what happened?" Pinkie asked

"Well I think I've got a pretty good idea who did it now all we need is a motive... And proof" Twilight explained

"Wow! Good going Twily!" Pinkie complimented

"Under the 'intitial trial' system tomorrow is the last day we have" Twilight explained

"'Initial trial'...? What's that?" Pinkie asked

"That's the new court system they introduced two or three years ago, they had so many cases in the system so they decided to speed the whole process up" Twilight explained

"So under that system trials have to end in three days?" Pinkie asked

"Yeah, pretty much, we'll we've got no time to waste!" Twilight reminded

October 18, 3:32 PM

Ponyville

Pathway to the Everfree Forest

(The duo then began walking towards the Everfree Forest until Twilight turned to Pinkie)

"I don't get it Pinkie, why would mr. Martingale steal the Daring Do costume?" Twilight asked

"What?! You mean mr. Martingale was wearing the costume?!" Pinkie asked

"Yeah!" Twilight answered

"B-But mr. Martingale was the victim Twily! Why would he go through the trouble of stealing it?" Pinkie asked

"That's what we have to find out" Twilight answered

"So what happened with the director's testimony?" Pinkie asked

"Well it's pretty clear that the producer and the director were both in the trailer" Twilight explained

"Huh..." Pinkie thought in confusion

"Which means that the killer has to be one of them!" Twilight finished explaining

"Really?! Why?" Pinkie asked

"Because the real scene of the crime was the replica temple... Where Zecora's hut is!" Twilight answered

"Whaaaat!?" Pinkie asked in shock and disbelief

Hmm... Was Pinkie always this excitable?

"Well, have you noticed anything that might help us?" Twilight asked

"I can't see what's going on when Starlight is here... So no I haven't noticed anything" Pinkie answered

"Right..." Twilight realized

"Maybe we should go talk to A.K." Pinkie suggested

"A.K.... Yearling... Right

(Afterwards the duo took a quick detour to the detention center)

October 18, 3:46 PM

Detention Center

Visitor's Room

(The duo soon arrived back at the detention center where they were met with A.K. Yearling's smiling face)

"Ms. Sparkle! You did very well again today... Thank you!" A.K. Yearling thanked with tears in her eyes

"Oh... Thanks, m, could you not look like you're about to burst into tears...?" Twilight suggested

"Wow, Twily! You must have really wowed 'em in there" Pinkie said in awe

"You could stop looking so... Vulnerable, too" Twilight suggested

"Hey, WP! Only one day left! Let's make it count!" Pinkie reminded

"Yes... Though there's not really anything I can do to help" A.K. Yearling said sadly

"Hah hah hah! I'm not really sure what I can do, either" Pinkie Pie said in agreement

"Please... This is no laughing matter" Twilight reminded

"Anyways we're gonna go investigate a bit more so we'll see you later" Pinkie waved

October 18, 3:53 PM

Everfree Forest Entrance

(The duo then returned back to the Everfree Forest where they were met with Chancellor Neighsay's glaring face)

"........." Chancellor Neighsay thought

"The old neighsayer sure is quiet today" Pinkie explained

"..." Chancellor Neighsay thought

"You know, this place is really... Peaceful, like this" Pinkie realized

"..." Chancellor Neighsay thought

"Nick? I think her guard's down..." Pinkie reminded

"Y-yeah" Twilight agreed

"I bet we could even eat those donuts in the guard station... If we wanted" Pinkie said excitedly

"...You eat, you die" Chancellor Neighsay reminded

Whew! She's alive!" Pinkie said in relief and worry

"Um, I was wondering about Ahuizotl, the producer" Twilight explained

"Oh, the studio bigwigs LOVE him so she always gets her way" Chancellor Neighsay explained

"She seems bitter...

"Do you... not like the producer?" Pinkie asked

"Look, the studio ponies don't want me talking about her so, sorry" Chancellor Neighsay apologized

"Can I ask you about Zephyr Breeze, the director?" Twilight asked

"Zephyr? He's soft--a pushover, does whatever Ahuizotl tells him to, he treats him like dirt but I think he likes it" Chancellor Neighsay explained

"Huh? Why would anyone like being treated like dirt? That doesn't make any sense, does it Twily?" Pinkie asked

"Er... No, no it doesn't Pinkie" Twilight answered

"About Mr. Martingale..." Twilight started

"Arrgh! I heard about what you said today! Cheeky whippersnapper! Poor old Martingale! You'd drag his star down from the sky and stomp on it! Calling him a criminal! A thief! I-I-I-I... I won't forget this!!!" Chancellor Neighsay said angrily

Uh oh, he's really pissed this time!

"You listen to me dummy! My poor old Martingale would never do such a thing! Why would he steal Yearling's costume so he could sneak by me? He would never stoop so low! It's impossible!" Chancellor Neighsay reminded

"I think we'd better leave" Twilight whispered

October 18, 4:09 PM

Everfree Forest

Action Set Pathway

(The duo then rushed towards the action set pathway where they then stopped panted in relief)

"Think back to the day of the murder Twily... Mr. Martingale put on the Daring Do costume then he left from here to go to the replica temple" Pinkie reminded

"Right" Twilight said

"But why? I wonder if someone called him...? Like the director or the producer..." Pinkie reminded

"That's what we're gonna have to find out" Twilight said

https://youtu.be/e_myzCQI5Cg

https://youtu.be/N0GVSDRpw-8