(The Episode begins with two misty ponies on a boat)

"It's been what, 13 years?" The left asked

"About that, yes, 13 years is a long time to wait... You can't imagine how much I've suffered... The right pony explained

"You... Suffered?" The left pony asked

"And now... The perfect opportunity presents itself and at last... I shal have my revenge!" The right pony finished

"What?!" The left pony gasped in shock and worry

"...Merry christmas" The right pony said

(After that a gunshot was heard as somepony then fell into the water before we saw Rainbow holding a gun in her hoof in worry to get caught red-hoofed)

https://youtu.be/v9QmIdh9gZY

December 25, 10:08 AM

The Castle of Friendship

Dining Room

(The next day Twilight and Pinkie were having breakfast in the dining room as they were waiting for their friends to spend Heart's Warming Eve with them as Pinkie turned to Twilight)

"Hey, hey Twily! Do you know if there's any good waterfalls around here?" Pinkie asked

"Waterfalls...? Dare I ask why?" Twilight asked

"Duh Twily! Isn't it obvious? I need a waterfall to stand under! Preferably a freezing one!" Pinkie explained

"...Oh... Is that part of one of your pranks again Pinkie?" Twilight asked

"Of course not! I've been slacking off lately... I need to brave the elements and be forged anew under the rushing spring waters!" Pinkie explained

"Umm... Okay... I don't know about any falls per se but the beach right outside of Ponyville is pretty close..." Twilight explained

"Oh darn" Pinkie said in defeat

"Sorry but them's the breaks, couldn't you just take a cold bath or something?" Twilight asked

"...Good idea!" Pinkie agreed

So much for the rushing spring waters...

"I'm gonna watch TV now, okay?" Twilight asked

"Alright then!" Pinkie said

December 25, 10:17 AM

The Castle of Friendship

The Entertainment Room

(Pinkie then left while Twilight went into the entertainment room where Twilight turned on the tv to the news program)

"Next in the news... A large unidentified animal was sighted at Ponyville's Beach! The town is buzzing with excitement! Locals are calling it a Great Seedling in a tip of the hat to Goldie Delicious which has once been proved to be a hoax... Locals are confident their Great Seedling is the real deal..." A news reporter explained

(Twilight then yawned a bit)

"bor-ing, can't they show real news for a change?" Twilight asked

(Just then Pinkie rushed back to Twilight in super speed making her gasp in fright)

"Twily?" Pinkie suddenly called out

(Twilight then turned to Pinkie in confusion)

"Yes Pinkie?" Twilight asked

"The water pressure's kind of low in that shower" Pinkie explained

"... You want more pressure huh? Why don't you go down to the fire department and have them spray you with the hose" Twilight suggested sarcastically

"...Good idea, Twily!" Pinkie agreed

(Pinkie then rushed off as a door was then heard slamming in the distance)

Apparently E.S.P is no aid in detecting sarcasm...

(Just then the screen of breaking news appeared as a news pony was heard speaking)

"We interrupt this program to bring you a special news bulletin! Strange occurences continue at Ponyville's Beach... But this time, it's murder!" A news reporter explained

Ponyville's Beach again? And a murder? This can't possibly another rumor can it?

"The body of a yak was found in the beach early this morning, a suspect was apprehended, sources inside the police department revealed... That the suspect's name is Rainbow Dash, age 24, Rainbow was an up-and-coming prosecution attorney, known for her skill and connections, she was guaranteed a long and rewarding career... has she thrown it all away?" The news reporter asked

...? Rainbow?!

"What's going on?! Rainbow would never do something like---" Twilight started

(Just then Pinkie zipped into the room again)

"Twily?!" Pinkie called out

(Twilight then jumped into the air)

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

"The firepony yelled at me when I called him" Pinkie said in worry

"We've got bigger things to worry about than that! They arrested Rainbow!" Twilight explained in worry

"What? You mean, the Rainbow Dash? Our friend?" Pinkie asked

"Yeah, she's a suspect... In a murder" Twilight explained

"Whaaaaat?! When? Where? Whom? How? Why?" Pinkie asked in shock and disbelief

"I-I don't know!" Twilight answered worriedly

"Let's go find out Twily!" Pinkie suggested

"Well, what should we do?" Twilight asked

"What do you mean?! Let's investigate! We should talk to ms. Dash and check out the crime scene!" Pinkie suggested

You're right... We need more information! Save aimlessness and confusion for later!

December 25, 10:35 AM

Detention Center

Visitor's Room

(The two then went inside the detention center as Pinkie then turned to Twilight nervously)

"You know Twily... We've all been in here one time or another haven't we?" Pinkie asked

"I guess it comes with the territory" Twilight agreed

"I'm not sure it's something we should mention to too many ponies..." Pinkie suggested only for her and Twilight to see Rainbow entering the room "Aah!" Pinkie called out in shock

(When Rainbow saw then she angrily walked out of the room before Twilight got closer to the glass panel)

"...Hey! Rainbow! Come back!" Twilight called out

(Rainbow then stopped walking and without turning around asked a question)

"What are you doing here?!" Rainbow asked angrily

"Twily, I don't think she's in a very good mood" Pinkie whispered to Twilight

"Well, she is in detention, were you in a good mood when you were here?" Twilight asked

(Pinkie then shrugged in agreement before Rainbow turned around in anger and sadness)

"So, you've come to laugh at the fallen attorney? Then laugh, laugh!" Rainbow ordered only for Pinkie and Twilight to not laugh "Well? Why aren't you laughing?" Rainbow asked

(Pinkie then turned to Twilight worriedly)

"Twily... Should we be laughing?" Pinkie asked

"Nah, it's a trick, laugh and she'll get mad... Or burst into tears" Twilight reminded before turning to Rainbow "Rainbow, we don't have so much free time we can spend it coming down here to laugh at you" Twilight reminded

"... Yes you do" Rainbow corrected angrily

I would never laugh at a friend like you Rainbow, especially Pinkie!

"... I hoped you wouldn't come" Rainbow said before looking down sadly "I didn't want you to see me, not like this" Rainbow explained sadly

Hey, I wanted to help you, believe me!

"Rainbow, please tell me what happened" Twilight suggested

"...Why should I? What are you going to do about it?" Rainbow asked

"Duh! We're going to help you, that's what!" Pinkie answered

"...!... Help me? You? Don't be ridiculous" Rainbow said in disbelief

"Sorry...?" Twilight asked in shock and disbelief

"You're a novice! You've only been in three trials!" Rainbow reminded

"H-Hey!" Twilight called out in disbelief

"Sure, you got lucky and won all three... But your luck's bound to run out someday! You need real skill Twilight, experience!" Rainbow reminded

"..." Twilight thought

"Twily! She's insulting you!" Pinkie called out only to see Twilight thinking in sadness "Twily?" Pinkie asked worriedly before turning to Rainbow angrily "Why am I always the one who has to get angry?!" Pinkie asked angrily

(Twilight then shook the thought off before turning to Rainbow

"The murder took place at the Ponyville beach, correct?

"Yes... Late last night" Rainbow answered

"The beach  is a long way away from your home and the court... Why were you down there?" Twilight asked

"... I see no need to tell you" Rainbow said in disbelief

"M-Ms. Dash! You... You didn't really...?" Pinkie started

"... The Great Seedling" Rainbow explained

"Huh?" Pinkie asked in shock and confusion

"I went to see the Great Seedling" Rainbow explained

"'The Great Seedling'? What's that?!" Pinkie asked in confusion

"I'll... Tell you later" Twilight explained

Why won't Rainbow talk to us?

(Twilight then pulled out her attorney's badge with her magic and showed it to Rainbow)

"Your attorney's badge...?" Rainbow asked in confusion

"Rainbow, let me defend you" Twilight suggested

(Rainbow then began laughing)

"... Hah hah hah! Good one Twilight, but I'm not that hard up, not yet" Rainbow reminded

Don't be so cocky Rainbow

"Wh-What do you mean by that?" Pinkie asked

"Me? Trust a wet-behind-the-ears lawyer with only three trials under her belt? Never!" Rainbow reminded

"Wh-What?!" Pinkie gasped in shock and disbelief

"My case is near hopeless Twilight, every defense attorney I've talked to has turned me down" Rainbow explained

"What?" Twilight asked in shock and disbelief

"Simply put, they were afraid they'd lose, it occured to me that it might be my fault that they lack confidence, after all I did get every single one of their clients declared 'guilty'" Rainbow reminded sadly

"I don't believe it!" Twilight said in shock and disbelief

"Regardless I don't want you involved in this, you in particular I cannot ask to do this" Rainbow explained

"Rainbow... This is really hard for me to ask... But... You didn't do it right? Right?" Twilight asked

"... Think what you will, I have only one request" Rainbow said

"Huh?" Twilight asked in confusion

"Stay out of this case" Rainbow ordered

"Why?! B-But Twily is trying to help you!" Pinkie reminded

"I know...! I know that! But I don't want your help, okay?" Rainbow asked

"!!! Why not?" Pinkie asked

"... Look, just go away and leave me alone!" Rainbow ordered sadly

"Twily... ms. Dash did it, didn't she?" Pinkie asked worriedly

"Pinkie! Let's go investigate elsewhere" Twilight suggested

"But Twily..." Pinkie started

(Ignoring Pinkie, Twilight left the room making Pinkie sigh in defeat before following after her)

December 25, 11:13 AM

Ponyville Beach

Entrance

(Soon the duo got to the Ponyville beach where they noticed police ponies trotting in and out trying to search for evidence)

"This is where it happened?" Pinkie asked

"Yeah, Ponyville's beach is in the middle of the park" Twilight explained

"I can see some police ponies walking around in there" Pinkie said

"Questioning ponies probably" Twilight explained

(Just then Pinkie noticed Stygian talking to some police ponies in anger)

"Hey! Isn't that Detective Stygian over there?" Pinkie asked

(The duo then began approaching Stygian only to hear him yelling to his companions)

"Well sir?! There's enough of us here! Anypony find anything?!" Stygian asked angrily

"S-Sorry sir... Nothing" A police pony then answered sadly

"Idiot! The trial's tomorrow! We need clues on the double!" Stygian reminded angrily

"B-But sir... There weren't any clues... That's why we arrested that attorney ms. Dash! It's clear sir, she's the one who---" A police pony started

"Shaddup! Just you try saying that again! I'll... Er... I'll make you sorry if you do! I mean... Just get outta my face!" Stygian suggested angrily

It seems Stygian is near the point of breaking into tears

"Y-Yes sir!" A police pony answered

"Detective Stygian's kinda scary and sad today!" Pinkie said worriedly

(Stygian then turned around to look at Twilight and Pinke with an angry look)

"Recruits... Peh!" Stygian said before she noticed the two making him gasp in shock and anger "... Aah!" Stygian called out in shock

"Eek!" Pinkie gasped in shock

"Hey, you're that Sparky guy! Sparky Sparkeroni!" Stygian said angrily while pointing to Twilight

"Sparkle! Twilight Sparkle!" Twilight reminded

Will he ever learn my name?!

"And just what are you doing here miss? Investigating?!" Stygian asked with a frown

"Huh, Um, well, yes, I suppose" Twilight answered

Stygian then gave a happy smile at her

"Well, I'm here to help! Ask me anything you want! Bring it!" Stygian said with an excited smile

"He seems different than usual, I wonder what's up?" Pinkie whispered to Twilight before turning to Stygian "Umm... Ms. Dash hasn't actually asked us to defend her yet..." Pinkie explained

"Huh?! Oh, y-you don't say..." Stygian said worriedly

"Detective Stygian? Do you know what happened here?" Twilight asked

"Huh? You don't know, princess?" Stygian asked in confusion

"No..." Twilight answered worriedly

"Wow, okay ms. Head-in-the-fluffy-pink-clouds princess" Stygian said in shock and disbelief

"Head-in-the... Huh?" Twilight asked

"Never mind, I'll tell you, it happened last night about 15 minutes before midnight, there was a boat out on the Ponyville Beach, in that boat were two creatures, one of those creatures shot the other with a pistol" Stygian explained

"And... The shooter was ms. Dash?" Pinkie asked

"A cop who arrived on the scene arrested her" Stygian explained

"How did he get there so fast?" Pinkie asked

"Well... There was a witness, when the report came in we raced to the lake" Stygian explained

"A witness?" Twilight thought out loud before turning to Stygian "Who was this witness?" Twilight asked

"Er, sorry miss, that is confidential, anyway the witness saw everything apparently, I'm sure they'll turn up at the trial tomorrow" Stygian explained

"Was there only that one witness?" Twilight asked

"Yep, it was pretty cold out on the lake last night and it was Heart's Warming Eve after all, still, we're being thorough, you never know when you're going to turn up another witness, that's why we're here to day, checking things out, so far we're coming up empty..." Stygian explained in defeat

"Oh! It's Heart's Warming today! I'd forgotten, what are you getting me for Heart's Warming, Twily?" Pinkie asked

"We can wait for that until after the case" Twilight suggested

"Oh right" Pinkie realized before turning to Stygian in worry "You don't think ms. Dash is a murderer?" Pinkie asked

"Absolutely not! It's impossible! I don't care if there's a witness either! I don't believe a lick of it!" Stygian explained

"R-Right!  Who cares what the witness said!" Pinkie said with a grin

I care!

"... You really believe in her don't you detective?" Pinkie asked

"Course I do! But... The police are pretty sure she's the killer, nopony's even really taking this investigation that seriously" Stygian explained angrily

"Oh no!" Pinkie said worriedly

"After all the help ms. Dash has been to us... Hard to imagine that no pony's standing up to take her side" Stygian explaned sadly

"Well, at least you are detective, at least you are" Pinkie said while slowly patting his back before stopping "So do you know who will be ms. Dash's defense attorney in tomorrow's trial?" Pinkie asked

"She hasn't got one yet" Stygian answered sadly

"What? The trial IS tomorrow, isn't it?" Pinkie asked worriedly

"Well, I don't know the whole story... But apparently nopony he's been talking to will take his case" Stygian explained sadly

"W-Why not?" Pinkie asked worriedly

"Ms. Dash won't tell me! When you girls showed up I figured she'd asked you to defend her" Stygian explained in defeat

"U-Unfortunately not..." Twilight explained sadly

"Well, princess, then you got a job to do! Help out ms. Dash! Prove that badge you wear isn't just some fancy piece of metal! Prove it to me princess! Show me you're an attorney!" Stygian suggested bravely

"I-Is it true? Nopony will take ms. Dash's case?" Pinkie asked worriedly

"Yeah... She's a bit of a celebrity, if you defended her and lost your reputation would surely be suffering, what's more... The case against her is... Well, it's pretty solid" Stygian explained worriedly

I supposed it would be if they have a witness

"Hey princess! Don't tell me you're going to turn your back on her too?! Remember the Daring Do case?! Ms. Dash helped you get your client declared innocent!" Stygian reminded

"I... I know, I went to Rainbow, I tried, she really doesn't want us to represent her, especially not us she said" Twilight explained sadly

"What?! W-Well, that doesn't make any sense! You should have heard her talking about you after the Daring Do case! She kept saying 'Twilight, Twilight, Twilight' over and over" Stygian explained in shock, worry, confusion and disbelief

"...Twily? I'm not sure that's a good sign" Pinkie said worriedly

"Neither am I..." Twilight agreed

"Still why wouldn't she want your help? I don't get it" Stygian said in confusion

(Just then a police pony approached the trio and turned to Stygian)

Detective Stygian sir!" A police pony called out

"What? Found something?!" Stygian asked

"Um, no sir, not yet but there was a call from the precinct, they want to hold an investigation briefing..." A police pony explained

"A briefing? Right! I'm off..." Stygian explained as the police pony walked off before Stygian turned to Twilight nervously "Oh... Sorry miss, I guess you heard, I gotta go, any last things you want to ask me about before I head back?" Stygian asked

"Well yes, do you have any information on the victim...?" Pinkie asked

"Sorry... They haven't worked up the autopsy report yet, I'm still waiting for it myself" Stygian explained before she had an idea "Actually... Say, if you two get the time drop by the precinct! We can talk more there!" Stygian suggested

"You're not coming back, detective?" Twilight asked in confusion

"Erm... Probably not" Stygian answered worriedly

"So what should we do if we have something to talk to you about...?" Twilight asked

"Ah right, here, I'll show you how to get to the precinct, come down and see me anytime" Stygian suggested before giving a letter at Twilight right before starting up his teleportation spell

"Oh, hey! Detective Stygian!" Twilight called out

"W-What?!" Stygian asked

"Um, we'd like to take a look around at the beach, can we walk around?" Twilight asked

"Yeah! No problem miss, you got my permission" Stygian said

(Stygian then teleported off as Pinkie turned to Twilight)

"You know Twily, I think there's something to be said for talking to ponies when they're busy" Pinkie reminded

"Yeah, they don't have time to think about not giving you information..." Twilight agreed

"Right! Now let's get investigating!" Pinkie suggested

December 25, 11:56 AM

Ponyville Beach

The Center

(The duo then walked towards the center of the Ponyville Beach which spread into three pathways)

"Wowsers! This looks so snowy!" Pinkie called out in awe

"Yep, I'm not sure it warrants a 'wowser' though" Twilight explained

"Hmm, probably not" Pinkie agreed before she noticed a Daring Do inspired snack stand "Hey, look at that snack stand!" Pinkie suggested pointing at the snack stand

"'Daring Dogs'...?" Twilight read in confusion

"I want a Daring Dog! Please! I bet they're great!" Pinkie pleaded

"With a name like Daring Dog, how could they not be?" Twilight asked

"They're a little behind the times though, the fillies and colts are into 'The Power Ponies series' now, I mean, like, you know?!" Pinkie reminded

Yep

(Pinkie then turned to the lake)

"Wow, Ponyville's Beach is really icy!" Pinkie called out in awe

"Yeah" Twilight agreed

"Say Twily, why is it called 'Ponyville's beach'?" Pinkie asked

Oh well, I have to assume it came by the name when Ponyville was first made" Twilight explained

"Whoa! No way! I was sure it was because the lake looked like a pony when viewed from above! You know, like an earth pony shape!" Pinkie explained

"Well, it is shaped like a pony but that's just a coincidence" Twilight explained

"Oh okay" Pinkie realized before turning to the table where a few poppers laid "Huh, somepony left one of those poppers here, you know, with a string and all..." Pinkie reminded

"And it goes 'pop,' yeah, I know the ones, you see them a lot around New Year's Twilight explained

"Hey Twily! It might be a clue! Let's take it" Pinkie suggested

"C'mon, admit it, you just wanna pop it, right?" Twilight asked

"Was it that obvious?" Pinkie asked

A popper... Hmm

"I suppose it couldn't hurt" Twilight said before she realized one of the poppers was gone already "Huh? Where'd it go?" Twilight asked

(Twilight then turned around and saw Pinkie putting the popper into her mane carefully)

"I already put it in my mane" Pinkie answered

"Nevermind, let's go" Twilight said

December 25, 12:11 PM

Ponyville Beach

Camping Site

(The duo then went to walk at the right path to where a camping site was as Pinkie could only look in excitement) 

"I like it here Twily" Pinkie said excitedly as Twilight chuckled a bit before Pinkie noticed a tent laying in the far edge near some trees "Look... Somepony's camping" Pinkie called out excitedly

"They've got guts, camping at the scene of a murder" Twilight said in disbelief

"Hey, hey, Twily! If they were camping here last night they might know about the murder!" Pinkie explained

That's true...

"Good call Pinkie, let's go talk to them" Twilight suggested

(The duo then neared the tent only to see a sign)

"The sign says 'no camping', funny place to pick to pitch your tent" Twilight said with a roll of her eyes

"Wait, what if the sign said 'No Setting Tents on Fire'?" Pinkie asked worriedly

"... I don't think they have signs like that" Twilight said

"Oh..." Pinkie said in relief

(The duo then saw a large cart laying a few ways from the tent)

"This cart has seen better days, it's dented all over, I can't believe anypony would drive their cart down here" Twilight said in disbelief

(Pinkie then noticed a campfire making her excited)

"Hey Twily!" Pinkie called out

(Twilight then turned around in disbelief)

"What? Don't tell me you're hungry again?" Twilight asked in disbelief

"No, no, I was wondering why are camping pots and pans made of aluminum?" Pinkie asked

"... They didn't talk about that in any of the law books" Twilight reminded

"So there's no law saying they have to be made out of aluminum then?" Pinkie asked

I'm not having this conversation...

(Pinkie then noticed a camera near the water which made her excited)

"Hey Twily, check out this camera!" Pinkie suggested

(Twilight then did so making her smile)

"Yeah..." Twilight said before she noticed a mic of sorts on screen making her confused "What's with the big mic and that box on top I wonder? It looks like some sort of automatic system for taking a photo when a noise is heard" Twilight pondered

"Wow! Hey, let's see if it works!" Pinkie suggested before clearing her throat and when she did she began shouting "'Hi, I'm Twilight!'" Pinkie called out but nothing happened "... Maybe I'm not saying it loud enough" Pinkie said before getting ready to shout even louder "'YO! I'M TWILIGHT!!!'" Pinkie called out but still nothing happened "... Huh?" Pinkie called out before she had an idea "NIIIIIIIIII......IIIIIIIIIICK!" Pinkie shouted very loud

(Twilight then quickly went to cover Pinkie's ears before things got worse)

"Will you stop that?" Twilight asked angrily

(Pinkie then stopped and turned to Twilight worriedly)

"I think it's broken Twily" Pinkie said worriedly

(Pinkie then began bucking the camera carefully to try and fix it)

"D-Don't kick it!" Twilight suggested angrily "Maybe it isn't set up to respond to voices, especially yours" Twilight explained

"Well, what then? I know!" Pinkie called out as she pulled the party popper out of her mane

"The party popper...?" Twilight asked

(Pinkie then made the party popper explode making it take a ton of pictures before stopping)

"... Yep, it responded" Pinkie said in shock

(Just then Applejack rushed to the scene in shock as she pushed the duo away from the camera angrily)

"Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw! Hey you! Git yer hands offa' that!" Applejack ordered angrily

(Pinkie then fell from the sudden rush of the push)

"Eek!" Pinkie called out in shock

"What in tarnation was that all about...?! Look what you have done now! There goes a whole roll of film!" Applejack said angrily

"Ah Wha... Huh? S-Sorry!" Pinkie called out in shock

"Sorry's nice but it ain't gonna pay my bills! Y'all know how much a roll of film costs?!" Applejack asked angrily

"I-I'll pay you back!" Pinkie said, still in shock

"What were ya'll thinkin', settin' off a party popper in a place like this?" Applejack asked

"Uh... Well..." Pinkie started nervously

"What! Don't try to play stupid with me just 'cause you think it's kind enough to prank an apple farmer! Yeah, I know how ya'll ponies think! 'I say those southern folks are so rich, why don't they buy a mansion?!' Well let me tell you just because I might be a farmer doesn't mean we're all rich!" Applejack reminded angrily

"T-Twily, calm her down!" Pinkie called out nervously

"And what are ya'll doing here now? Making damage?" Applejack asked

"Yeah, uh, no, rather, uhh... We're sort of... Investigating..." Twilight answered

"Jus' figure out what ya'll are gonna say and say it for bejeezum's sake! Gawd, I'd rather watch paint dry then listen to you stutter all day" Applejack said in disbelief

Oh boy... I guess we should pay her for the film...

(Twilight then began to approach the camera again only for Applejack to rush in front of her angrily)

"Watch it!" Applejack said angrily

"Yes ma'am" Twilight called out

On second thought, I'll pay later...

"We're really sorry!" Pinkie apologized

(Twilight then cleared her thought as she pulled up her badge again)

"I, er, this is my badge" Twilight explained nervously

"Huh? Aren't badges supposed t' all be shiny and impressive? You a cop or something?" Applejack asked

"Umm... I'm a lawyer" Twilight explained

"Wh-What?! Ya'll ain't gonna try and pull one o' them lawsuits on me over that film now? Cause I'll have you know I'm a fighter and I wrassled meaner looking enemies than you!" Aplejack reminded angrily

"N-No, that's not it at all, we're investigating a murder that took place here on the lake" Twilight explained

"A murder...? ...Sounds cool! Why didn't ya'll say that in the first place?! Go ahead, ask me anything ya like!" Applejack suggested

Finally! Some cooperation!

(Applejack then noticed Pinkie was gone as she noticed only her tail sticking out next to Twilight making her approach Pinkie in worry)

"You too, ya'll can come out of hiding now, I won't bite hard" Applejack suggested

Come to think of it where did Pinkie get to?

"S-Sorry... I-I was just taking a potty break you know, the one with bodies and such..." Pinkie explained

"Never you mind honey, I can wait as long as ya'll want... Ahem... If it pleases you" Applejack said

"Th-Thanks, I think I'll be okay" Pinkie thanked nervously

"Great then! Ask me anything ya'll want when ya'll are ready! Just to let you know though, I'm here photographing meteor showers for the next get-together, Mighty pleased to help ya if it does" Applejack said

"So, how's Sweet Apple Acres going AJ?" Pinkie asked

"Huh? Sweet Apple Acres? Ya'll don't really want to know that?" Applejack asked before Pinkie gave her a glare making Applejack clear her throat "Actually, it's going really well there... Right in the hearts of cider fans" Applejack answered

"Wow! Neat! Twily! Her cider product's open again already! And ponies are already liking it!" Pinkie said in happiness

"Uh... I know that" Twilight reminded

(Pinkie then turned to Applejack with the next question)

"So when did you come up here?" Pinkie asked

"Hmm, lemme see... I guess it was 'bout three days ago" Applejack answered

"What are you photographing?" Twilight asked

"D-Didn't I tell ya'll that already? Meteors! Yep, meteor showers!" Applejack answered nervously

Meteors, on Christmas day...?

"Still, that's quite the camera you have there" Pinkie said

"Y'all better know it! It's Canterlot-made, a genuine Solingen!" Applejack explained

Isn't that where they make spoiled brats...?

Pinkie then pointed to the device next to the camera

"Umm... So what's that device you have stuck to the camera?" Pinkie asked

"Huh? Device?" Applejack asked

"It started moving all by itself when I fired my party popper..." Pinkie explained

"Oh that? That triggers the shutter whenever it detects certain sounds, it's programmed to pick up loud noises right now" Applejack explained

"A programmable camera! Neat!" Pinkie called out in awe

(Applejack then began approaching the camera and inspecting it as she removed the tapes and changed them with new ones as Twilight turned to her

"AJ...?" Twilight started

(After starting to ask Applejack turned to her)

"Yeah?" Applejack asked

"So your camera... It triggers on loud explosion noises?" Twilight asked

"Ayup" Applejack answered

"Actually, the victim in the case we're researching--- He was shot with a pistol" Twilight explained

"A pistol...?" Applejack asked in confusion

"I'll tell you later" Twilight said before shaking her head "Anyways, wouldn't a gunshot make a similar noise to our party popper...?" Twilight asked

"I guess it would" Applejack answered

"Your camera... Didn't get a picture of the murder did it?" Twilight asked

"...Hey! Ya'll are pretty bright!" Applejack realized

"Huh?" Twilight asked in shock and confusion

"I see what yer sayin'... Tell ya what, I'll have a look-see at my film" Applejack suggested

"It would have been a photo taken late last night" Twilight explained

"I checked 'em once, don't remember if there was anything on 'em though but what if I got sumtin'! I could be a witness to a genuine murder! Yeehaw! I'll go check that film, ya'll come back, y'hear?" Applejack asked bravely

"Of course" Twilight answered

"Alright, later then!" Applejack said

Applejack then ran off into her tent

"She went inside her tent, I guess we should come back later..." Pinkie suggested

"Yeah but for now we should go meet up with Stygian" Twilight said

December 25, 12:53 PM

Police Department

Criminal Affairs

(The two then went to the police department and entered the criminal affairs office where they saw multiple ponies working on either computers or pieces of paper but they didn't see Stygian anywhere)

"... I guess Detective Stygian is still in that meeting" Pinkie said

(Twilight nodded before they heard a door open and close as they turned to the source and saw Stygian approaching them)

"Hey! Thanks for coming down pal!" Stygian thanked

Detective Stygian!" Pinkie called out in relief

"We just finished the meeting for better or for worse..." Stygian explained worriedly

I get the feeling we're in for some bad news...

"So do you know anything about the victim yet?" Twilight asked

"No no... Still can't ID him" Stygian answered sadly

"Has ms. Dash said anything?" Pinkie asked

"Not a word" Stygian answered

"Alright, then how did the meeting go?" Twilight asked

"I can't tell you! You're a lawyer!" Stygian reminded

"T-True..." Twilight realized

"... y'know... I don't know what to believe anymore, sure ms. Dash is a pony like you or me, still... I get the feeling that if she'd done something wrong she wouldn't go hiding it, that's just the kind of pony she is, why can't anypony else see that?" Stygian asked worriedly

"So they think that ms. Dash did it...?" Pinkie asked

"Well, the trial's starting tomorrow as scheduled" Stygian explained

"I see..." Pinkie said worriedly

"..." Stygian thought sadly

"Umm... Hey, in the end you did tell us something about the meeting!" Twilight reminded

"..." Stygian gasped in realization before chuckling nervously "Don't go telling anypony else please" Stygian suggested in a bit of a quieter tone

"Y-Yes sir!" Twilight answered nervously

"And... Do me a favor! Stand by ms. Dash! She needs help and you're the ones to help her! I''m sure she's got some reason why she won't talk to us" Stygian said

"Will do Detective Stygian" Twilight said

"So Detective Gumshoe... How come you trust ms. Dash so much?" Pinkie asked

"Well I'd think that was obvious, we got a strong working relationship us two, we trust each other and that's how it works" Stygian explained

"A 'working relationship'?" Pinkie asked in confusion

"You see, ms. Dash always gets her defendants declared 'guilty' every time, yeah his methods might be a little extreme at times but... There's a reason! She trusts our investigation see? She trusts us to get the right man! That's why I work extra hard pal, we've got to earn that trust she places in us" Stygian explained

"I see..." Pinkie said worriedly

"Ms. Dash is a pony you can trust... And you have my word on that!" Stygian explained

"Anyways I was wondering, did you ever get that autopsy report?" Twilight asked

"Oh that? Yeah, I made a copy for you" Stygian answered

(Stygian then gave Twilight the autopsy report making her check it as Pinkie checked it right next to Twilight before Twilight finished and teleported it away)

"Thank you" Twilight thanked

"...Twily?" Pinkie started

(Twilight then turned to Pinkie in confusion)

"Huh?" Twilight asked in confusion

"Can you show me that photo of the victim?" Pinkie asked making Twilight teleport in the photo of Prince Rutherford "... That face...!" Pinkie realized

"Somepony worth mentioning?" Twilight asked

"I... I don't know, I just have this feeling that I was protected by him somewhere a long time ago..." Pinkie explained

"We'll be going now but we'll see you later" Twilight said

"Alright, later then ponies" Stygian waved

December 25, 12:59 PM

Ponyville Sidewalk

(The duo then went out of the police department as they began walking in silence while Pinkie was thinking)

"..." Pinkie thought

"What is it?" Twilight asked

"Oh nothing... Just, something's been bothering me... Could you show me that photo once more?" Pinkie asked as Twilight did so "... ... Hey! I-I remember now!" Pinkie realized as she turned to Twilight worriedly "This guy! This is a lawyer that was at that office Starlight worked at! I saw him once when I went there to hang out with Starlight!" Pinkie explained

"That office...?" Twilight asked before she realized something "Wait! You mean Ember's office?" Twilight asked in realization

"Right! That dragon!" Pinkie answered

That was the last name I expected to come up... Maybe I should go talk to her... For old time's sake but first let's go back to the Ponyville Beach

December 25, 1:09 PM

Ponyville Beach

Camping Site

(The duo then returned to the Ponyville beach's camping site as they noticed Applejack looking at them happily)

"Hey ya'll!" Applejack greeted

"AJ!" Pinkie called out in happiness

(Pinkie then rushed to give Applejack a hug before she pulled off her hoof which caused Pinkie to stop running)

"Wait up a sec! We got Bingo!" Applejack announced happily

"Bingo...?" Pinkie asked in confusion

"My automatic camera took two pictures last night!" Applejack explained

"Are you kidding me?!" Pinkie asked

"No, am not" Applejack said before pulling out the photos "This is them, take a look!" Applejack suggested

(Twilight then levitated the pictures towards her as she inspected it before she gasped in shock

"Wait...!" Twilight called out in realization

"See? See? She's shooting him with that pistol!" Applejack explained

"I-It looks like that yes" Twilight agreed

(Pinkie then took a look for herself before turning to Applejack in confusion)

"But you can't really tell who that is shooting" Pinkie reminded

"Yeah, well there was enough fog out there last night t' strangle a bullfrog but y'know... Seeing these photos reminded me of something" Applejack explained

"What...?" Pinkie asked in confusion

"I saw the murder happen, I'm a witness!" Applejack realized in excitement

"Whaaaaaaa?!" Pinkie gasped in shock and disbelief

"A-Are you serious?!" Twilight asked in shock and disbelief

"Of course as sugar are!" Applejack answered

How do you forget... Nevermind

"Y'all reckon I should tell the cops?" Applejack asked

"I... Think so!" Twilight answered nervously

"What's that? Now don't ya'll go tryin' to think I'm not suitable to be a witness! I'm a sensitive lady!" Applejack reminded angrily before grabbing her hat from her cart "Hey so, I'm off to talk to the cops, ya'll can have this photo, later" Applejack waved

(Applejack then ran off as Twilight called out after her)

"W-W-Wait! AJ!" Twilight called out

Applejack then turned around with a heavy sigh before glaring at Twilight

"What? Can't ya'll see I'm kinda busy?" Applejack asked angrily

"T-Tell us what you saw too! Please" Twilight pleaded

"Nice try honey but I wasn't born yesterday, I'm a witness and that means I'm on the side of justice and that means the cops! I'd sooner eat the south side of a north-bound skunk than tell you!" Applejack said angrily

"A-Applejack" Pinkie said worriedly

"Don't let it get your skivvies in a bunch, friends today, enemies tomorrow! Or was that the other way around? No matter, I'm gone!" Applejack said as she rushed off while calling out "Hey! Maybe they'll let me do some testifying! Hot darn!" Applejack called out

"She left...... Well, that's one more witness, what do we do now Twily?" Pinkie asked

"For starters let's go meet up with Ember" Twilight suggested

"Alright!" Pinkie said

(The two then began walking as Twilight could only think about the events that transpired)

Well, if she saw something there's not much we can do about it, the question is: What exactly did she see...? I guess we'll find out in the trial tomorrow

December 25, 1:16 PM

Ponyville Beach

The Center

(The duo were continuing to walk as Pinkie looked around and saw no more police men in sight)

"Looks like the police have given up their questioning" Pinkie explained

(Just then they heard a familiar voice)

"Hey!" Somebody called out

(The two then saw a dragon who looked like the Santa Claus from Equestria; a white beard, red pants, jacket and hat the latter two had a few wool on certain places and a black belt with a yellow button and of course their santa couldn't be complete without some black shoes with yellow buttons)

"Aah! T-Twily! I think Santa's mad at you!" Pinkie said

"Long time no see Twilight" 'Santa' waved

"Twily... You know Santa?! Wow... Twily and St. Nick... Hey! I see the connection! You're both distant workers!" Pinkie realized in excitement

"Don't be ridiculous!" Twilight said

(The 'Santa' dragon like figure then pulls off his hat as we saw it was just Spike who had a piece of dragon meat in some kind of grill tongs that presumably came from the 'Daring Dogs' while the other hand afterwards pulls off his beard)

"Girls, it's me!" Spike reminded

"S... Spike! What are you doing here?!" Twilight asked

"Isn't it obvious? I'm working my vacation job when you're busy! I sell Daring Dogs! Want one? The pony kind of course! Gotta get money for dates you know, my girl Rarity deserves the best!" Spike explained

R-Rarity...? It's not gonna be another one of their trips will it?

"Oh Rarity's a fine, fine mare Twilight, it was her idea that I wear this costume! She was all 'You go Spikey-wikey!' Y'know? She made this costume for me!" Spike explained happily

"That... That's great Spike" Twilight said nervously

"Wow! A Santa costume! She must be really kind Spike!" Pinkie said happily

"Whoa! Yeah! That's right! Twilight! What are you doing here? Is this another one of your 'Hearth's Warming Eve present search with friends' day?" Spike asked

"Oh no of course not, we're just taking a stroll, right Pinkie?" Twilight asked

"Yep, she's right, I'm here just in case and I'm, uh, making sure she doesn't slip again in the ice!" Pinkie explained nervously

"Slip in ice...? ..." Spike thought before chuckling a bit "Wow Twily, must be tough, working daily as a princess, principal, librarian and having to watch out for your falls again..." Spike explained while chuckling a bit

"Y-Yeah, I know, also if it helps I feel sorry that yours and Twilight's partner died..." Pinkie said worriedly

"Nah, it's fine now, I did feel sad at the beginning though!" Spike explained

Don't worry Pinkie, I've talked to him already about it all

(Twilight then pulled out a photo)

"Hey Spike, do you remember this yak?" Twilight asked

"Why yes, I do, why?" Spike asked

"Nevermind that, I thought you already knew" Twilight answered

"Why'd she ask Pinkie?" Spike asked

"Well..." Pinkie started

"Let me explain, there was a murder here last night..." Twilight explained before she showed a picture of Spike's empty room with the night sky shown with her magic "You were gone last night, have you heard anything?" Twilight asked

"Twily, you're wasting your time, last night was Hearth's Warming Eve! He was with Rarity obviously! He wouldn't have been standing out here in the cold!" Pinkie reminded

"Oof!" Spike called out as he clutched his chest as tears came out of his eyes

"What's wrong?" Pinkie asked in worry

"I think what you just said hurt his feelings a bit Pinkie" Twilight explained worriedly

"N-No, it's just... Rarity's not in town right now, she's... She's in Manehattan at her Carousel Boutique there as nobody could watch over it there" Spike explained

She went on a trip, I knew it!

"Well anyways, there was a murder here on the lake, the trial's tomorrow" Twilight explained

"Huh, neat" Spike said in excitement

"The defendant is our friend Rainbow Dash" Twilight explained

"Um Twily? Why would Spike want to know she's the defendant...?" Pinkie asked

"Whoa Twily! You don't mean THAT Wonderbolts trainee! Dashie?" Spike asked in shock, disbelief and worry

"Yeah, she's a murder suspect" Twilight answered

"Wh-Whoa! Murder?" Spike asked in shock, worry and confusion

"Huh? You didn't know about this Spike?" Pinkie asked

"No! Of course I didn't! I mean sure Rainbow was in our friend group ever since the Nightmare Moon incident but I didn't know she'd beat up a villain that far" Spike explained

"Whaaaaaaaaat?!" Pinkie gasped in shock and disbelief "So ms. Dash had a secret side to her Spike?!" Pinkie asked in disbelief

"Yeah, Twilight, her and I used to hang out all the time without that knowledge" Spike explained

"Wow... I didn't know that!" Pinkie said in shock and disbelief

"Don't get me wrong, she's always been kind of a egotistical friend, boasting all the time, 'trying to be like the Wonderbolts'" Spike explained

"Like the Wonderbolts...?" Pinkie asked in confusion

"Yeah, her dad was in this group and a defense lawyer back in the day" Spike explained

"Wow" Pinkie said in awe before she realized something "Wait... You said 'Defense lawyer'? Pinkie asked in realization, shock and confusion

"Yeah" Spike answered

"Wait a second! But ms. Dash is a prosecuting attorney!" Pinkie realized in shock and confusion

"What? Dashie's got a probososcis on her hoof?!" Spike asked in shock and confusion

"No, no, she's a 'prosecuting attorney', that's like the total opposite of a defense lawyer!" Pinkie reminded in shock and disbelief

"Huh, go figure! She always used to talk about defending the 'weak' who were 'unable to defend themselves', man he used to go on and on about a pony's duty! to society and all that, what a bore! I wonder if that changed her mind though? Do you know Twilight?" Spike asked

"..." Twilight thought

"Twily...?" Pinkie asked in worry

https://youtu.be/e_myzCQI5Cg

https://youtu.be/N0GVSDRpw-8