Last time on Twilight Sparkle: Ace Attorney

After the shocking events of the trial Twilight was asked to investigate the source of the mysterious pony and so she went to all places looking for more clues and got some presents, the photo which she borrowed for a minute and Gilda's affidavit which she promised to give to the mysterious pony as Twilight then met with Chrysalis in the detention center and showed both of them only for her to be asked for proof and Gilda's affidavit to be wasted, she also then went back to Ember and got some information about the mysterious pony which she then talked to only to get kicked out of the office so will Twilight be able to get a word out this time or will the mysterious pony aka Gladmane win, find out now!

Back to where we left off

September 7

Detention Center

Visitor's room

(Twilight then teleported at the detention center which she then entered only to see Queen Chrysalis was not there)

"Apparently miss Chrysalis is in questioning, I doubt they'll let me talk to her today" Twilight said to herself

(Twilight then ran out of the detention center as she flew off again)

September 7

The Dragonlands

Ember's Lawyer Office

(Twilight then flew back to the dragonlands and into Ember's office only to see her busy with some papers)

"... ... ..." Ember mumbled to herself

Huh? I don't think she's noticed me standing here, maybe I should... Clear my throat?

(Twilight then prepared herself and gave her biggest throat clearing voice which made Ember jump out of her seat in shock)

"What in the dragonlands was that!" Ember called out in shock before she noticed Twilight "Oh! It's just you" Ember said in disbelief

"What's wrong? You looked so worried behind those papers... Like an old dragon at the end of his days" Twilight asked

"Hmm? I'm not senile yet! I was just thinking about this whole mess..." Ember explained

Something's really bothering her, that much is clear

"I asked you before and I'll ask you again, why did you refuse Pinkie's request for defense? I think I have a right to know" Twilight explained

"A right, Ms. Sparkle? No no, I'm sorry, it's just, I need more time to think about it princess "Ember explained again

"..." Twilight thought worriedly

He does seem troubled about something... I'm starting to have a feeling I know what it is

"So, I paid Las Pegasus a visit" Twilight explained

"Oh? Oh I see" Ember said sadly

"Mr. Gladmane... I have to admit, something has been bothering me too" Twilight explained

"Oh really? What is it? Well, out of it princess?" Ember asked worriedly

"You see, it's just... There was a giant painting hanging right there the other day was there not?" Twilight explained pointing to the wall which made Ember turn to it in sadness "The one you said you had 'no intention of parting with'? Well I saw it today, it was in the manager's office in Las Pegasus aka Gladmane's office" Twilight explained

"...So... You noticed, I suppose I should have guessed you would, it is a large painting..." Ember said sadly

 "Ms. Ember, I know you and mr. Gladmane are connected somehow!" Twilight explained

"C-Connected you say?" Ember asked in shock, worry and sadness

"Yes! And I know what it is, mr. Gladmane has something on you doesn't he? Blackmail?" Twilight asked

"...!" Ember gasped in shock and disbelief

"I think that painting is fairly gaudy proof" Twilight reminded

"...Very well, this may be the chance I've been waiting for, maybe it's time to get this off my chest so I can finally rest easy again after all you were Starlight's teacher, perhaps it was fate" Ember said in defeat and happiness

What's she talking about...?

Gladmane is a stallion who makes his living through intimitation, Las Pegasus is a company that excels in finding people's weakness, I'm afraid I've been paying them for 10 moons now..." Ember explained

That means since 3 year ago...!

"All because of the 'DL-6 incident' as you may have guessed" Ember explained

The name on the back of those photographs!

"As you suspected I could not stand in defense of Pinkie because of this, Gladmane would have destroyed me if I did" Ember explained

So that's the connection!

"It is hard for me to tell you this Twilight but arresting Gladmane will be nigh on impossible" Ember reminded

"Impossible?! Why?!" Twilight asked

"He has information on everyone, it gives him an iron grip! He owns judges, attorneys, prosecutors, police... And companies" Ember explained sadly

"What?!" Twilight asked in shock and disbelief

"They are bound, unable to do harm to themselves and therefore to him" Ember explained as Twilight could only look in shock and disbelief "Don't look at me like that, what you see is nothing more than the weight of many years" Ember explained sadly

"I know but what is the 'DL-6 incident'?" Twilight asked

"'DL-6' is nothing more than the sorting code the police gave the case, it was 1 year ago now... I received a request from a medium, a spirit medium at that" Ember explained

A medium...?

"Her name was Cloudy Quartz" Ember explained

Pie!

"Indeed, she was Pinkie's mother, she had been investigating a murder at the bequest of the police and... She failed as a result the police called her a fraud" Ember explained

This is what Pinkie was talking about the other day!

"I did all I could for her and in the end cleared her of wrongdoing, that murder case however remains unsolved to this day, this case is the DL-6 incident" Ember explained

"But why were you blackmailed over this ms. Ember?" Twilight asked

"The DL-6 was top-secret at the time, it made sense, the police didn't want ponies to know they were using a medium! They couldn't let ponies know but one person found out, I... I told him" Ember explained sadly

"You told Gladmane?" Twilight asked in shock

"He offered me riches... It is an embarrassment to me now since because I talked the police were mocked far and white, in secret they began looking for the one who sold them out of course Gladmane heard about it and he came to me only this time the offer was blackmail" Gladmane explained

"...I see" Twilight thought out loud

That was the riskiest move you could make in your entire lifetime

"Gladmane controls all of Equestria as he sees fit yet if you would still challenge him... Have a close look at the secret library" Ember suggested

"The secret library...?" Twilight asked thinking

"Starlight followed his every move for years, she may have recorded something of what she found" Ember explained

"Will do, thanks for the help" Twilight thanked

(Twilight then rushed out of Ember's office)

September 7

The Castle of Friendship

Secret Library

(Twilight then rushed back into her castle and ran to the secret library she had and when she arrived she took a deep breath and let it go and while she did she began thinking)

"It's funny, looking at this castle it seems... So normal, hard to imagine a murder took place here" Twilight thought out loud

(Twilight then pulled out a few books and began flipping through it's pages)

"Ms. Ember said there would be clues... Maybe I should take another look at all these books" Twilight thought out loud

(Twilight then found the book she was looking for)

"Let's see, if there's a record in this file that catches my eye" Twilight thought before she noticed it "Aha! There it is! Cloudy Quartz, that's Pinkie Pie's mother, let's take a look in here" Twilight suggested to herself as she opened the Cloudy Quartz file

"'I have tarnished the Pie name', leaving only these words Pinkie's mother vanished, I was determined to find the ones who had made her mother blame herself in this way, using the E.S.P that runs in her family I held an audience with the death, finally the names of one mare and one stallion surfaced, one was Ember a lawyer who sold her mother's information, the other was the stallion who sold that information to the press, this parasite who makes his fortune on threats and coercion... His name is..." Twilight read as Starlight's voice talked until it suddenly stopped

That's weird, a few pieces are missing

"Hmm, the record stops here... So Starlight worked with Ember..." Twilight thought

(Twilight then wrote down the new clue she had before she rushed out of her castle)

September 7

Dragonlands

Ember's Lawyer Office

(Twilight then rushed over to Ember's office for one last time as she turned to her)

"Hey, sorry for the interruption but I have one last question" Twilight said

"Sure what is it?" Ember asked

"So I've found this in Starlight's files" Twilight answered showing the piece of paper to Ember

"So she was investigating Gladmane, as expected, well if you wanted to challenge him you could present this in court" Ember suggested

Not a bad idea... Wait! What if I don't do it then but do it now! I'm so excited to see what Gladmane has to say!

"Alright, I'll see you in court" Twilight waved

(Twilight then quickly rushed out of Ember's office and flew back to Las Pegasus

September 7

Las Pegasus

Manager's Office

(Twilight then arrived back at the manager's office and bursts into Gladmane's office with a brave smile)

"Well, aren't you persistent" Gladmane said in disbelief and fake happiness

"Sorry but there's something I have to ask you" Twilight said

"Ms. Sparkle, I really hate having to repeat myself... But it seems the message has not yet penetrated your thick skull... Stop bothering me! If you try my patience further I fear a nasty accident may occur, do I make myself clear?" Gladmane asked

Transparent... Anyway this is the only clue that Starlight left me... I'd better make this one count!

"Mr. Gladmane... See this?" Twilight asked levitating up the paper of the DL-6 incident "It's an article describing the suicide of a politician" Twilight reminded

"..." Gladmane thought in disbelief

"He was embezzling secret government funds then one day word got leaked to the press the very next day he took his own life" Twilight reminded

"And this concerns me how...?" Gladmane asked

"I found this article in my secret library" Twilight answered

"Ms. Glimmer...?" Gladmane read

"She had a file filled with articles like this and every one of them was labeled with a single word... 'Mane'" Twilight reminded

"...!" Gladmane gasped in shock

"Mr. Gladmane, I know what you did to this politician, you were blackmailing him!" Twilight reminded angrily

"Blackmail?" Gladmane asked

"Not just him either, you were threatening and coercing hundreds of others! You were involved in all of the suicide cases that Starlight investigated! This company is built on blackmail! I'm right aren't I?" Twilight asked angrily

"What a bizarre accusation ms. Failure... What is it that you should be doing now? Investigating me? No no no, I think not! You should be searching for the one who killed miss Starlight!" Gladmane reminded

(Gladmane approached his desk and pressed the intercom button for the secretariat's as Gladmane waited until it beeped until...)

*Beep*

"Secretary's office, hello?" A voice spoke

"Ms. Failure will be leaving now" Gladmane said

"Yes sir, I'll send someone right away" A voice spoke

*Beep*

"Wait a second mr. Gladmane... You are absolutely right, I should be looking for the killer now and actually I've done better I've found him, he's sitting right in front of me" Twilight explained

"Just what are you insinuating?" Gladmane asked angrily

"Starlight was on to you, she was keeping taps, for this reason you had Crackle Cosette I mean Chrysalis tapping her phone, then Starlight was murdered and all the documents about you mysteriously disappeared, so the killer would be...?" Twilight asked angrily

"..." Gladmane thought in disbelief and anger

"Even a child could work it our mr. Gladmane, you did it!" Twilight reminded angrily

"..." Gladmane thought angrily

(Gladmane then pressed the intercom button again waiting for the beep once more until...)

*Beep*

Secretary's office" Somebody called out again

"We won't be needing an escort for mrs. Failure, instead, please connect me to the public prosecutor's office" Gladmane suggested

"Of course sir one moment please..." Somebody called out

*Beep*

*Beep*

"White? Is that you? What are you doing calling me at a time like this?!" A voice asked

"Hello chief prosecutor? I've changed my mind, I want to testify tomorrow" Gladmane explained

"What's this about?" A voice asked

"The Starlight Glimmer case, I witnessed the murder you see and thus as a very important witness I would like to testify" Gladmane explained

"What? Why now? I thought you said you didn't want to go to court!" The voice said in shock and confusion

"Quiet...! I told you I changed my mind didn't I? Oh and one other thing send the police here right away the pony standing in front of me and looks dazed but could be violent!" Gladmane explained

"What? What pony?" The voice asked in confusion

"Are you even listening? The executioner! The hatchet-mare! The liquidator... The killer mare!" Gladmane explained while turning to Twilight angrily

"What?!" Twilight gasped in shock and disbelief

This can't be good!

"Mr. Gladmane... This isn't another one of those..." The voice started

"Chief prosecutor, I do not believe you are in a position to freely offer your opinions to me, correct? I'm telling you to send the police now!" Gladmane ordered

*Beep*

"...Did I not tell you ms. Failure? You are a mere lawyer! As was miss Starlight" Gladmane reminded

"How dare you!" Twilight said angrily

"I'lll point the finger at you and you will be tried as miss Starlight's killer! The case is as good as settled, no lawyer of any worth will defend you, I have friends in the local lawyer's association you see, you'll be given a lawyer so stupendously inept that they make even you look competent" Gladmane reminded angrily

I... I feel faint

(Just then Stygian teleports in while pegasus ponies flew into the room and surrounded Twilight while Stygian bowed down to Gladmane)

"Detective Stygian reporting for duty!" Stygian greeted until he saw Twilight making him gasp in shock "Aah! Dragon! Sparky the Dragon!" Stygian gasped in shock

"Twilight actually, Twilight Sparkle and my baby dragon's name is 'Spike'..." Twilight reminded

"Oh right! Sorry princess, Spike was that murderer right?" Stygian asked

"Detective Stygian, I present to you the mare who killed miss Starlight Glimmer!" Gladmane explained

"W-What?!" Stygian gasped in shock and disbelief

"Take this despicable pony into custody" Gladmane ordered as Twilight was put into hoofcuffs  and put onto Stygian's back while Gladmane waved with a devious grin "Farewell, ms. Failure!" Gladmane waved

"Wait, no!" Twilight called out in fright, anger and sadness

September 7, 7:37 PM

Detention Center

Visitor's Room

I can't believe it's only been a few hours since the first trial, my trial begins tomorrow, Gladmane's going to set a trap for me and the prosecution will be in on it of course, Rainbow included, an attorney was assigned to me by the state a few hours ago, I refused of course since I had an idea

(Just then Pinkie rushed into the room and went to take a seat on her chair in worry)

"...Twilight! Twilight!" Pinkie called out in worry

"Oh Pinkie! Great, they let you out of detention" Twilight said in relief

"Just now yes, it's all thanks to you!" Pinkie thanked

"Hah" Twilight laughed a bit before looking down sadly "But now I'm afraid we've switched places" Twilight said sadly

"What? You mean you...?" Pinkie started

And so I explained what had happened the last few hours to Pinkie...

"I don't believe it! How many ponies does that pony need to destroy before he's satisfied?!" Pinkie answered before she got sad and looked down "My mother... My sister... And now you! This has gone too far! Twilight, please tell me, is there anything I can do?" Pinkie asked

"Um... Well... You can be my co council in court tomorrow!" Twilight answered

"Alright!" Pinkie said

"Huh? You're not confused?" Twilight asked

"Of course not! Leave it to me! I am Starlight's bestest friend after all! Lawyership runs in her blood!" Pinkie explained excitedly

Wasn't it E.S.P and other weird stuff that ran in your blood...?

"I'd better run to your castle and pick up a copy of 'Law for Rookies'" Pinkie suggested

Pinkie then prepared herself to run until Twilight called out to her

"W-Wait, wait, wait, wait" Twilight suggested

"What, what, what?" Pinkie asked

"I have a feeling that in this court you do not need to know about the law, you just need to know about harmony and friendship" Twilight explained

"No way! You're kidding right?!" Pinkie asked in disbelief

"I don't know but it's just a hunch so thanks, it's good to know you're on my side" Twilight thanked

And there really isn't anything you can do for me anyway...

"But... But I can't just sit by and do nothing! I've got to give that man a piece of my mind!" Pinkie said angrily

Just a piece...?

"Okay, then come to court tomorrow and please be serious then" Twilight suggested

"Okay! I'll be there! I'll show them a thing or two!" Pinkie said

It's the beginning of a new century, yet with crime it's the same old story, in fact it's gotten worse, lengthy court proceedings are no longer realistic, beginning a few years ago a limit of three days  was put on initial court trials, almost all finish in a day, most with a guilty verdict, I never thought I would end up in the defendant's chair myself, tomorrow the true culprit will appear as a witness, this is it! It's me or him!

September 8, 9:52 AM

District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 1

(The next day Twilight was in the defense lobby as she was pacing around with a letter in her hooves and other evidence in her saddleback until Pinkie walked into the defense lobby)

"Well... I guess this is it!" Pinkie said strictly

"Yeah, one way or another, this case gets decided today or tomorrow" Twilight explained

(Pinkie got a little shake as she bounced a bit)

"Huh?! My Pinkie Sense is tingling!" Pinkie said

"What is it this time Pinkie?" Twilight asked

"The doozy!" Pinkie answered

"What's the doozy this time, I'm sure that I believe in your pinkie sense now!" Twilight said

"No, that's not what it's saying this time, it is now saying that somepony is in this room right now outside of us!" Pinkie explained

"Are you serious?!" Twilight asked in shock

"Yeah" Pinkie answered as she looked around before she noticed one familiar pony "T-Twilight! Look!" Pinkie called out

(Twilight turned around and noticed Rainbow standing by the doorway with a face of pride)

...! Prosecutor... Rainbow

"I received a call from the public prosecution's office yesterday" Rainbow explained

"?" Twilight thought in shock

"They told me that whatever Mr. Gladmane says today will be the absolute truth no matter how you try to attack his testimony... If I raise an objection I have it on good faith that Princess Celestia will listen to me and punish our friend Twilight!" Rainbow said

"Seriously Rainbow?! Where's your faith in your friends?" Twilight asked

"Still there, I just doubt you're gonna win today Twilight, with Gladmane being all powerful and such" Rainbow said

What happened to the Rainbow that hated crime? And... Does mr. Gladmane have Princess Celestia in his pocket too?! I'm afraid of that answer now that I thin about it

"So... You're saying I'm going to be guilty, no matter how much you care about me?" Twilight asked

"Pretty much and I will do anything to get my verdict Twilight, anything" Rainbow reminded

"Why...?! Why?! How can you torment an innocent friend of yours like this?!" Pinkie asked angrily

"'Innocent'...? How can you be sure she will win? Do you even remember that mr. Gladstone is all mighty?! Or were you born just yesterday?!" Rainbow asked angrily

"Rainbow... You've changed a lot and not in a good way" Twilight reminded worriedly

"Hmm? Twilight! Did she get brainwashed?!" Pinkie asked

"Still don't expect any special treatment Twilight, even though I'm your friend" Rainbow suggested

"T-Twilight...?" Pinkie started worriedly

Twilight then looked down sadly as Rainbow gave her proudest smile at her making the situation worse before Twilight shook her head and gave a weak smile

"Well... Court will be opening for session soon, we'll talk about this later" Twilight suggested

"What? But wait! Your defense attorney isn't even here yet! He's not..." Pinkie started

"I'll be defending myself" Twilight explained

"Whaaaat!?" Pinkie shouted in shock

(Twilight ignoring Pinkie then turned to the door and took a deep breath)

"Okay, let's do this" Twilight thought out loud

September 8, 10:00 AM

District Court

Courtroom No. 1

"Court is now in session for the trial of ms. Twilight Sparkle" Princess Celestia announced

"The prosecution is ready your honor" Rainbow announced

"The defense is ready your honor" Twilight announced

"Ms. Twilight...  Are you sure you're up to doing this?" Princess Celestia asked

"Yes your honor, I will be defending myself" Twilight answered

"Understood" Princess Celestia said before turning to Rainbow "Ms. Dash, your opening statement please" Princess Celestia suggested

"As the details of the events are already quite clear to the court, today we will hear the testimony of another witness to the defense's crime" Rainbow explained

"I see, the prosecution may call its witness" Princess Celestia suggested

"That went far too smoothly! Why didn't the judge ask Rainbow why her witness didn't testify before?! It's like... It's like she already knows why! Hmm, if anyone's going to raise an an objection about this, I suppose it's me...

"Objection!" Twilight called out making Princess Celestia and Rainbow turn to her "Ms. Rainbow, you owe an explanation to the court! Why didn't this witness testify in the trial against ms. Pinkie Pie?!" Twilight asked

"Hmph! I'm ever so sorry! Mr. Gladmane is ever so busy and besides... At the time I thought that ms. Chrysalis' opinion was all that would be needed, again my sincerest apologies to the court!" Rainbow apologized

"Excellent ms. Dash, I appreciate your demeanor" Princess Celestia complimented

"..." Rainbow thought looking proudly at Twilight

Great, she gets to show off and I get nowhere

"Anyways I would like to call mr. Gladmane to the stand!" Rainbow announced

(Afterwards Gladmane walks onto the stand before he gave his biggest grin)

"Please state your full name" Princess Celestia ordered

"You wish to know the title of my personage?" Gladmane asked

"Er... Your name?" Rainbow asked angrily

"Yes! That is what I said! Oh dear, do my words confuse you?" Gladmane asked

"Name!" Rainbow ordered angrily

These two are great together...

"My name is Gladmane but my friends call me super leader of Las Pegasus or to use a more common term the manager of Las Pegasus" Gladmane introduced

"Did you know the victim ms. Starlight Glimmer?" Rainbow asked

"That would be a negatory! No I did not" Gladmane answered

"...You were at the Harmony Hotel at the time of the murder correct?" Rainbow asked

"Correct" Gladmane answered

"And you witnessed the murder from there right?" Rainbow asked

"Ahem, why tell you what you already know?" Gladmane asked

"Err... Right..." Rainbow realized in disbelief

"Very well mr. Gladmane you may begin your testimony" Princess Celestia suggested

If I can't rip this guy's testimony apart I'm done for, why do I always feel like it's the end of the world and I'm the last pony standing?

"Ho hoh hoh, I hope you have made your peace with god ms. Lawyer!" Gladmane reminded

"...!" Twilight called out in shock

"Let him have it Twilight!" Pinkie suggested strictly

Witness Testimony

--Witness' Account--

"Let's see, it was about 9:00 I believe"

"I was quietly reading some papers by the window"

"Then I heard a fight coming from outside!"

"Surprised, I turned to look at the building across the way"

"It was then I saw her: an smarty pants attacking an unicorn mare with long hair"

"Needless to say that smarty pants was none other than you ms. Lawyer!"

"I called miss Chrysalis over at once, she too was flabbergasted of course"

"The victim, she... She ran away but you gave chase!"

"Finally there was a terrible impaction! Then it was all over..."

"Hmm, if things occured as you testify then I'm afraid the defendant is guilty, very well defendant... Er, I mean ms. Sparkle, your cross examination" Princess Celestia reminded

"Yes your honor" Twilight said before turning to Gladmane "How do you know what time it was?" Twilight asked

"Because I am always absolutely perfect you know" Gladmane answered

"No no no, you're not getting away with that!" Twilight reminded

"You are so mistrusting ms. Lawyer! So... What was the proper term for 'secretary' again...? Anyway miss Chrysalis ordered room service for 9:00, it happened soon after the murder happened" Gladmane explained

Hmm, that's what ms. Chrysalis said too

"True, the bellgirl Gilda who brought the coffee saw Chrysalis but she testified that she did not see you at the time!" Twilight explained

"Ahem, this is your concern? Silly lawyer! Miss Chrysalis received the coffee outside the room! Of course she could not see me, she would need X-ray vision to pull off something like that!" Gladmane reminded

Hmm...

"So by window you mean the one directly across from the Castle of Friendship?" Twilight asked

"Correct! That is the only window you see" Gladmane answered

"And there you were reading... Papers?" Twilight asked

"Correct! The Harmony Hotel is a businessman's hotel and I am a busy man who had business to do!" Gladmane explained

"Alright but what did you see during the attack?" Twilight asked

"It must have been you that attacked I assume" Gladmane answered

"We see, continue" Rainbow suggested

"So you were reading your papers until you heard that sound?" Twilight asked

"But of course, I am no snoop, peeping out of windows at night" Gladmane reminded

No snoop? Yeah right! You've made a career out of snooping!

"S-Smarty pants?!" Twilight called out

"Objection!" Rainbow called out "I object to ms. Sparkle's reaction right there!" Rainbow called out angrily

"Objection sustained, ms. Sparkle, this is a courtroom be serious!" Princess Celestia ordered

Thanks for making my job harder Rainbow...

"What you just said directly conflicts with miss Chrysalis' testimony! Miss Chrysalis clearly stated that the assailant looked like a 'Silly mare'!" Twilight reminded

"I've always been proud of my eyesight ms. Lawyer" Gladmane reminded

"Just what is your eyesight?" Twilight asked

"Counting both eyes... 40!" Gladmane answered

"40?! Don't add them together!" Twilight ordered

"I think the witness is trying to say his eyesight is good" Princess Celestia explained

Hey, which side is the princess on anyway?

"What was miss Chrysalis doing at that time?" Twilight asked

"She had just finished watching a soap opera on the TV and was weeping openly" Gladmane answered

"Did you know she had been tapping the Castle of Friendship phone?" Twilight asked

"Objection!" Rainbow called out before slamming her desk "This is irrelevant! This has nothing to do with the case at hand" Rainbow reminded

"I care not, I will answer Twilight's bold inquiry" Gladmane reminded before turning back to Twilight "Miss Chrysalis was acting alone when she tapped the phone of this Glimmer person" Gladmane explained

"You'd make a good mayor mr. Gladmane" Twilight lied

"Ho hoh, after all I'm a manager" Gladmane reminded

"Anyways can you be a little more detailed about what you just said? I think it's worth knowing exactly what happened" Twilight explained

"Of course princess! I understand! The victim was attacked by you and ran to the left you gave chase and struck her down!" Gladmane explained

"Are you sure?" Twilight asked

"As you know I am absolutely perfect!" Gladmane reminded

"Perhaps you could change your testimony to reflect this detail" Princess Celestia suggested

"The victim ran to the left and you gave chase" Gladmane explained

"Objection!" Twilight called out

"Wait right there! Mr. Gladmane you've dug your own grave!" Twilight reminded

(Twilight then held the floorplan in her hoof and began showing it)

"What is this?!" Gladmane asked

"You said the victim ran to the 'left' but that directly contradicts miss Chrysalis' testimony! She clearly stated that the victim ran to the 'right'!" Twilight explained

"...!" Gladmane gasped in shock before he begins chuckling "Ho hoh hoh it is simple you have misheard her" Gladmane explained

"I think not, look at the floor plans..." Twilight suggested as Celestia levitated the floor plans in front of Twilight to help as Twilight began pointing "The killer was here and the victim, here, if the victim ran to the left as you claim she did... She would have been running directly in a circle and run towards the killer! Don't you find that odd?" Twilight asked

"!" Gladmane gasped in shock before thinking "Very strange... I did see her run to the left... I did" Gladmane explained while thinking

"Twilight... Look at his face I don't think he's lying about this one" Pinkie said worriedly

"True" Twilight thought out loud

Maybe he really did see the victim run left...? So he did witness the killing...? Wait a second!

"Ms. Sparkle?" Princess Celestia called out

"Yes your honor?" Twilight asked

"Miss Chrysalis says 'right' and Mr. Gladmane says 'left' can you explain this contradiction to the court?" Princess Celestia asked

"Well, obviously the witness was not viewing the crime from the hotel!" Twilight explained

"Ms. Sparkle! What do you mean?" Princess Celestia asked

"Yes, what do you mean he was not 'viewing the crime from the hotel'?! If he was not in the hotel where could he have been?!" Rainbow asked in disbelief

"In the Castle of Friendship of course! More specifically, he was standing there!" Twilight explained pointing to the killer's location "This is where he was! Look! When the victim ran for the door... If he was watching from this point to him it would appear that she ran to the 'left'"

"Please! this is no time for jokes in ill taste! That is where the killer was standing!" Rainbow reminded

(After saying that others then began muttering sounds of shock and disbelief)

"Order! I will have order! Anyone disturbing the order of this courtroom will be held in contempt!" Princess Celestia reminded before turning back to Twilight "Ms. Sparkle! What are you suggesting?!" Princess Celestia asked angrily

"R-R-Rapscallion!" Gladmane reminded angrily

"Objection!" Rainbow shouted before turning to Princess Celestia "The postulations of the defense are a distortion of the truth your honor!" Rainbow reminded

"Indeed, they do seem a bit farfetched..." Princess Celestia agreed

"Ho hoh hoh! You provide us with with so much entertainment ms. Lawyer!" Gladmane reminded while laughing

What now?! He's... Laughing?!

"The hilarity of the moment made me remember something... It appears I have been unclear and for this I apologize Princess Celestia your honor... Might I be allowed to testify once more?" Gladmane asked

"Very well, let's hear your revised testimony" Princess Celestia suggested

Good luck, you can't fix a broken testimony buddy!

Witness Testimony

--She ran to the 'left'--

"Miss Chrysalis' testimony was correct... As was mine!"

"When you assaulted the mare she first ran to the left"

"And then you hit her savagely! That is what I saw

"Next with the last of her strength she ran to the right"

"You chased her and delivered the final blow"

"That is what miss Chrysalis saw"

"You see? You hit her twice!"

"Don't you remember ms. Lawyer?"

"Hmm... That does make sense, will you be cross examining the witness' testimony?" Princess Celestia asked

"You bet I will!" Twilight answered excitedly before shaking her head seriously while worried "I mean yes your honor" Twilight answered before turning to Gladmane "What do you mean by that?!" Twilight asked

"That was what I already explained to you! You Equestrians always so impatient! It does not become you" Gladmane said in disbelief

Hey buddy, you're an Equestrian too!

"So what do you mean by 'first'?" Twilight asked

"'First'? That is what comes before what happens 'next' you do speak pony language right? Please sit back, relax, I will try to use simple words for your benefit next time" Gladmane explained

"Still I didn't hit anyone!" Twilight reminded

"Now now ms. Sparkle, there is no point hiding things from this court" Gladmane suggested

"I'm not hiding anything!" Twilight reminded

"Objection!" Rainbow called out before turning to Princess Celestia "The prosecution requests that the defense refrain from interrupting the testimony!" Rainbow ordered

"Ms. Sparkle, yoou have been warned" Princess Celestia warned

Why's she mad at me?! I'm her star student!

"Still what do you mean by 'next'?" Twilight asked

"'Next' is what comes after 'first'" Gladmane reminded

"I know that!" Twilight reminded angrily

"Then that is all you need to know ms. Lawyer, as I said she turned and made a desperate dash to the right" Gladmane explained

"Objection!" Twilight shouted before she picked up the autopsy report and shoved it to the edge of her podium so everyone could see what was written on it "Mr. Gladmane! The victim died from a 'single' blow!" Twilight reminded

"...!" Gladmane thought in shock and disbelief

"What do you have to say to that?!" Twilight asked

"Er... Erp!" Gladmane gasped in shock and disbelief

Now's my chance to hit him where it counts!

"Mr. Gladmane, wasn't it you who told this court you were 'absolutely perfect'?" Twilight asked

"Mmph, I will refrain from using this phrase from now on" Gladmane said in disbelief

"Your honor, if you could ask the witness for a new testimony---" Twilight started turning to Princess Celestia

"Objection!" Rainbow called out before turning to Princess Celestia "The witness is obviously confused your honor! I would like to request a 10 minute break!" Rainbow suggested

"Yes... Yes quite" Princess Celestia realized

"Objection!" Twilight shouted before angrily turning to Rainbow "The witness is confused because he's lying!" Twilight reminded before turning to Princess Celestia "I empathatically request there'd be no break your honor" Twilight suggested

"Yeah! We want justice...!" Somepony called out from the gallery

"Don't let him get away!" Somepony else agreed

"Very well, if the witness would care to revise his testimony..." Princess Celestia ordered

The crowd's on my side! No slipping out of this one now Gladmane!

(Gladmane meanwhile heard the sounds of agreement continuing on before he gulped nervously only  for Princess Celestia to call out to him)

"Mr. Gladmane?" Princess Celestia asked strictly

"O... Okay..." Gladmane said sadly

Witness Testimony

--The Two Accounts--

"Umm, well see, I looked at the other window when I heard that thing fell"

"Then the next moment I saw miss Starlight run to the left!"

"The killer, you attacked her... But she dodged"

"Umm... And then...

"She turned and ran for the door"

"Then you did her in with a single blow! Thwap!"

"Hmm, 'Thwap' indeed, very well, you may begin the cross examination" Princess Celestia said while turning to Twilight

"Ms. Princess Celestia your honor... My stomach, you see, it's hurting" Gladmane explained worriedly

"Deal with it this is almost over" Twilight said

"...!" Gladmane gasped in shock

"You heard 'that thing fall'? What exactly was 'that thing'?" Twilight asked

"Huh? Oh... Oh that? Umm... The glass light stand!" Gladmane answered

Right... The one that had fallen over at the scene

"Hey Twilight! Doesn't something about that strike you as odd?" Pinkie asked strictly

"Yeah that is odd I'll press further" Twilight whispered to Pinkie before turning back to Gladmane "Mr. Gladmane" Twilight started

"Huh? W-What?" Gladmane asked

"You're saying you saw the glass light stand, correct?" Twilight asked

"Y-Yes" Gladmane answered

"Then change your testimony to reflect that!" Twilight ordered

"S-Sorry, my bad..." Gladmane apologized

"The witness willl revise his testimony" Princess Celestia announced

"Okay, okay, of course" Gladmane said nervously

"A light stand was laying on the floor when I looked"

"Objection!" Twilight shouted before slamming her hooves on her podium "Mr. Gladmane, it was impossible for you to have seen the light stand!" Twilight explained

"Whaaaat?!" Gladmane gasped in shock

"The stand broke into pieces when it fell!" Twilight reminded

"Ooof!" Gladmane shouted in defeat

"Just by seeing the broken pieces you would have no idea it was a light stand! So tell me exactly when it was that you saw the stand?" Twilight asked as Gladmane got worried "Answer the question!" Twilight ordered

"...! I-Isn't it obvious? I saw the stand before it fell over!" Gladmane reminded

"So... You saw the stand before the victim was attacked then?" Twilight asked

"C-Correct! That would be no problem right?" Gladmane asked

Hmm...

"There's a big problem right there!" Twilight corrected

"What problem is this?" Gladmane asked

"Mr. Gladmane, let me make sure I have this straight... You saw the glass light stand through the window from the hotel... Before the incident occured?" Twilight asked

"Correct! That is so! It's conclusive, definitive, undeniable... Unimpeachable!" Gladmane answered

"No, it's impossible! You couldn't have seen the stand!" Twilight corrected

"What? Why couldn't he? Do you have proof ms. Sparkle?" Princess Celestia asked

"I sure do your honor!" Twilight answered

"A person in the hotel could not have seen the stand before it fell over because... Look at this!" Twilight suggested holding the floor plan in her hoof again

"These are the floor plans to the scene of the murder correct?" Princess Celestia asked

"Correct your honor, now look..." Twilight suggested as she got a pen from Pinkie who had quickly pulled it out of her mane and showed it to Twilight  before she drew a triangle line of sorts before she nodded to Princess Celestia who levitated the paper up "If you were to look through the window at the office this would be the area you would be able to see there! Well...? Note that the stand is not within the visible area!" Twilight explained before turning to Gladmane "Well mr. Gladmane! What do you have to say to that?!" Twilight asked

"Er... Erp! Ri... dicu... lous..." Gladmane answered in disbelief worry

"Mr. Gladmane, if you were in Harmony Hotel as you claim you could not have seen the stand before it fell over! In fact you wouldn't have been able to see it after it fell either! There's no way you could have recognized the broken shards as a glass light stand! So when did you see the stand mr. Gladmane? It must have been the moment that it fell! And the only place you could have seen that from... Is inside the Castle of Friendship! In other words you were at the scene of the crime when the murder took place!" Twilight reminded angrily

"Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!" Gladmane shouted in defeat bumping his head on the witness' stand and crying

"Mr... Gladmane?" Princess Celestia asked in worry and anger

"..." Gladmane thought in defeat and sadness

"Mr. Gladmane" Twilight said angrily

"..." Gladmane continued to think in defeat and sadness

"You did it didn't you?" Twilight asked

"Ms. Your honor, I... I... Miss Starlight... ..." Gladmane started while sobbing

Heh, looks like we're about to get our verdict!

(Suddenly when Twilight, Princess Celestia and Gladmane thought it was all over something unexpected happened)

"Objection!" Rainbow shouted shocking everyone in the courtroom