Last time on Twilight Sparkle: Ace Attorney

After the events of Pinkie and Twilight's case it was a calm day as Pinkie and Twilight went about their day watching Daring Do's TV show before going to bed but the next day Twilight got a call from Pinkie who told her that A.K. Yearling who's the main lead in Daring Do got arrested for murdering Groom Q. Q. Martingale and so they sought to get evidence from lot's of places, they even got an employee's badge and guide map for the place but when they got news from Sassy Saddles' feeling they went to ask for Chancellor Neighsay's explanation who got enraged because of it, will they solve A.K. Yearling's case or not find out right now on Twilight Sparkle: Ace Attorney

Where we left off:

(Afterwards Twilight and Pinkie approached the computer as Twilight went to sit in front of it before Twilight had a thought)

"This is the computer that runs through the Everfree Forest's security camera's right?" Twilight asked

"Yeah! Maybe we could see that photo of A.K. Yearling with this computer!" Pinkie reminded

"Yeah, maybe" Twilight thought out loud

Should I try the computer? Of course I should

"Okay, let's give it a try" Twilight said

"You know how to work these things Twily?" Pinkie asked

"Yeah, looks like I just have to enter in a few numbers, let's see... First I need the date of the murder" Twilight suggested

(Pinkie then pulled out the autopsy report she and Twilight got from Stygian before she threw it next to Twilight)

"Thanks" Twilight thanked

It looks like the camera turned on at 1:00 PM that day... 1:00... That was when the security stallion arrived at the guard station

[Please enter the number of the security camera]

(Twilight deep in thought then checked the security camera next to her which Chancellor Neighsay just used before she found the code as she typed it in before it worked)

"There! Entered! ..." Twilight said in relief

"Hey! It printed out the data for that day!" Pinkie said turning to the side of the computer making Twilight grab it

"Let's see what we got..." Twilight suggested as she and Pinkie looked at it before they gasped in shock

"...Huh?!" Twilight and Pinkie gasped in shock

"How is this a picture of A.K. Yearling?" Pinkie asked

"Well, she is the one who always wears those clothes... I guess that's why the security stallion thought it was him" Twilight explained

"I can't imagine the detective was very happy with this photo as evidence" Pinkie said in worry before she noticed something "Hmm? Something's printed on the back" Pinkie said in confusion

(Twilight then turned the photograph around before noticing some words on it)

"Huh? October 15, 2:00 PM, photo #2" Twilight read in confusion

"What does that mean?" Pinkie asked

"Maybe there's more photo data from that day" Twilight reminded

"Nope--- That's the only one in the computer" Pinkie explained before she realized something "I just realized something Twily! Can't we use this photo as evidence for the trial?" Pinkie asked

"Yeah, good idea" Twilight answered

"We'll put that security stallion in his place with this!" Pinkie said excitedly

"Right, we'll put him in his place..." Twilight agreed

"Hey, that's what I said!" Pinkie called out before she had an idea "Anyways... Let's show her this photo and see what she says!" Pinkie suggested

"Wait, let's not" Twilight suggested worriedly

"Why not?" Pinkie asked

"It's never a good idea to reveal your hand to the enemy too soon" Twilight reminded

"Twily! You're smarter than I gave you credit for, why, you could be the next... TV Show star!" Pinkie reminded excitedly

"Hey! Why do I have to be the star?! Twilight asked angrily

"Relax, it was just a joke!" Pinkie said before getting a confused look "So are we done for today?" Pinkie asked

"Yeah, besides I think this photo is what we needed for the trial, still it'd be better if we had some idea who the real killer was! Maybe it really is that security stallion..." Twilight explained

"Well, let's find out tomorrow then!" Pinkie suggested

October 17, 10:00 AM

District Court

Courtroom No. 4

(The next day everyone had gathered in the courtroom and when they did Princess Celestia slammed her gavel once with her magic)

"The court is now in session for the trial of ms. A.K. Yearling" Princess Celestia announced

"The prosecution is ready your honor" Rainbow announced

"The defense is ready your honor" Twilight announced

"Very well, ms. Dash, your opening statement please" Princess Celestia ordered

"The prosecution will show the court that at 2:30 PM on October 15 the defendant ms. A.K. Yearling killed fellow actor Groom Q. Q. Martingale at Daring Do's replica home in the Everfree Forest, it is impossible for anyone else to have commited this heinous crime, the evidence presented during the trial will all point to this fact" Rainbow explained

"Hmm, I see, very well, I would like to move on to your testimony ms. Dash, the prosecution may call it's first witness" Princess Celestia announced

"First, I would like to call a familiar face aka detective Stygian to the stand" Rainbow announced

(Afterwards Stygian walked onto the stand before sitting down on the chair that's by the stand)

"Detective, if you would briefly describe this case to the court?" Rainbow asked

"Yes sir! I'll explain with the guidemap here, to understand this case it's important to grasp the layout of the Everfree Forest see?" Stygian explained levitating the guidemap next to him before he began pointing to the employee's room "This here is the Castle of Friendship, the actors did a run-through of their action scenes during the morning here" Stygian explained before pointing to the main gate "This is the main gate to the Everfree Forest, the security stallion that works at the Everfree Forest was here at 1:00 PM on that day, past the security stations there is a gate see? Past that are the sets" Stygian explained before pointing to Daring Do's replica home "And here it is... Daring Do's replica home, this is the scene of the murder where the body was found!" Stygian explained before dropping the guidemap back onto the desk "Now on the day of the murder aka October 15 there were only three ponies there, the victim Groom Q. Q. Martingale, the defendant A.K. Yearling and a fashion mare aka the production assistant, all the production staff were in the Castle of Friendship until noon then after lunch the victim Groom Q. Q. Martingale went to Daring Do's replica home and after that at 1:00 PM the security stallion got to the entrance of the Everfree Forest, now to jump ahead to later that day... 5:00 PM, the production staff went to Daring Do's replica home to perform a rehearsal and needless to say the rehearsal was cancelled... The time of death was 2:30 PM, the 'vine' Daring Do that used to swing around was found wrapped around his neck tightly which was now also a murder weapon, that's the case in brief, anyone like to hear that again?" Stygian asked

Hmm... Should I listen to that whole thing again...? No I don't think so, I think I can probably remember that

"So the murder weapon was a 'vine Daring Do uses'? How... Ancient Equestria" Celestia said in shock and disbelief

"Your honor, this case is quite simple if you ask one question, that being 'what did the security stallion outside the Everfree Forest see?'" Rainbow reminded

"Understood" Princess Celestia said

"Let's call this security stallion to the stand" Rainbow suggested

(Afterwards Chancellor Neighsay was sent to the stand before he sat down on a chair)

"Will the witness declare her name?" Rainbow asked

"... Hmm? My, aren't you the Element of Loyalty! I'm so happy to see you again!" Chancellor Neighsay said

"Y-Your name please!" Rainbow ordered

"Oh miss Dash! No need to be cocky! Just call me Chancellor!" Chancellor Neighsay suggested

"YOUR NAME PLEASE!" Rainbow ordered angrily

Seems like Rainbow has has a bit of trouble getting her witnesses to say their names...

"Chancellor Neighsay, Dashie so just call me Chancellor, it's practically my name! So even when I was just a baby filly my mom called me Chancellor Neighsay even though I couldn't get a job yet,  still, the other fillies would make fun of me and just because of my name, can you believe it? But there was this filly, the captain of the pony chess club in the School for Gifted Unicorns and when she called me a Chancellor I just cried and cried in happiness because I had a crush on her oh her afterwards you see---" Chancellor Neighsay started

"Objection!" Rainbow called out before turning to Princess Celestia nervously "O-Objection! I... Object to the witness' talkativeness" Rainbow said nervously

"I was just getting to the good part!" Chancellor Neighsay reminded angrily

"Perhaps we can get to the testimony" Rainbow suggested

"Yes, good idea" Princess Celestia agreed before turning to Chancellor Neighsay "Now, the witness was stationed at the Everfree Forest entranceon the day of the murder, correct?" Princess Celestia asked

"Yes I was" Chancellor Neighsay answered

"And to get to the scene of the murder someone would have to pass by you?" Princess Celestia asked

"You know your stuff Princess!" Chancellor Neighsay said with a bow

"...You may now begin your testimony" Princess Celestia said

She sure is one heck of an oldbag

Witness Testimony

--Witness's Account--

"On the day of the murder I arrived at the guard station at 1:00 PM"

"Poor old Groom Q. Q. Martingale and the rest had been doing a run through there since the morning"

"Anyways it was 1:00 when I got to the guard station"

"I was at the Everfree Forest entrance from then till 5:00!"

"Now, the murder happened at 2:30 PM right?"

"That's interesting to me because a certain woman walked right there and she walked right by me at 2:00 PM"

"It was Yearling! That woman right there and she was heading towards the Everfree Forest!"

"You saw the defendant then hmm?" Princess Celestia asked before turning to Twilight "Very well, let's begin the cross examination then ms. Sparkle" Princess Celestia suggested

"Yes your honor" Twilight agreed before turning to Chancellor Neighsay "So up until that time anypony who wanted to could go into the Everfree Forest?" Twilight asked

"Well there wasn't an security pony at the Everfree Forest but the main entrance was blocked by an invisible barrier so you'd need to be a pegasus or unicorn to get in" Chancellor Neighsay explained

Right... So it's just like alicorns, so what she's saying is nopony who wasn't an alicorn, unicorn or pegasus could get in

"So what do you mean with a run-through...?" Twilight asked

"They were working out a scene between Daring Do and Dr. Caballeron, they had the basics figured out by noon and were to return practicing in the afternoon and rehearsal was to start at 5:00 that's why poor old Martingale went to Everfree Forest one in the afternoon" Chancellor Neighsay explained sadly

So Yearling was in her dressing room sleeping... When she was supposed to be practicing! Talk about being as lazy as Spike and Rainbow...

"So what kind of 'errands' were you doing?" Twilight asked

"Oh, well, you know..." Chancellor Neighsay started

"Answer the question!" Twilight ordered

"Actually I was watching Martingale and Yearling, observing you know" Chancellor Neighsay reminded

"O-Observing? Weren't you supposed to be at the guard station?" Twilight asked

"Are you kidding me! I told you I blocked the entrance didn't I?! I did my job!" Chancellor Neighsay reminded angrily

I'm not sure your EEA leaders would see it that way...

"Anyway! I always watch Martingale's run-throughs, always! Never missed one in all my years" Chancellor Neighsay explained

"Wow! I want to see a Daring Do run-through too!" Pinkie said excitedly

"You could quit being a party planner and take up guard duty" Twilight suggested

"Hey! That's a terrible idea...!" Pinkie said angrily

"Suit yourself" Twilight said

"Speaking of which did you see the victim then?" Twilight asked

"Did I see poor old Martingale? Nope, he'd already gone to the Everfree Forest before I got back to the entrance" Chancellor Neighsay answered

"So you were watching the WHOLE time? No breaks? Not even a second?" Twilight asked

"O-Of course! I'm a professional you know! Or are you criticizing me on how I do my job?!" Chancellor Neighsay asked angrily

"No, it's just after seeing you eating those cupcakes in front of the Everfree Forest entrance yesterday---" Twilight started

"I can watch the gate and eat  at the same time you dummy!" Chancellor Neighsay reminded

"'You dummy'? Old Chancellor is losing it Twily" Pinkie reminded

"Why don't you raise an objection" Twilight suggested

"So the witness was on duty through the afternoon the whole time" Princess Celestia thought out loud

"Still how did you know that?" Twilight asked

"Know what?" Chancellor Neighsay asked

"That the murder happened at 2:30" Twilight reminded

"Oh hoh hoh, I have my ways! That over-dressed young detective told me and I fed him some donuts and he talked and talked... If you ask me that detective isn't cut out for his job" Chancellor Neighsay reminded

"..." Rainbow thought angrily

Poor Detective Stygian, getting chewed out by a security guard...

"Still, you said at 2:00, correct? If so are you sure?" Twilight asked

"As sure as can be" Chancellor Neighsay answered

"Well, who was the man?!" Princess Celestia asked

"Really, you should try not to get so excited at your age, you might strain something" Chancellor Neighsay suggested

"Excuse me?!" Princess Celestia called out angrily in her royal voice before two royal guards calmed her down before putting her back on her podium

"Now, now, don't get your anger on me, I'll tell you who it was!" Chancellor Neighsay said

(But before she could Twilight pointed her hoof at Chancellor Neighsay, raised her voice and shouted...)

"OBJECTION!" Twilight shouted angrily before slamming her hooves on her desk "Let me get this straight Chancellor! Er, mr. Neighsay! You've been saying since yesterday that you 'saw A.K. Yearling' but you're actually talking about the man in this photo aren't you?" Twilight asked levitating the photo next to her

"J-Just a moment ms. Sparkle, let me see that photo...!" Princess Celestia suggested as Twilight levitated the photo over to Princess Celestia who checked it only to get confused "What is this exactly?" Princess Celestia asked

"None other than Daring Do, defender of multiple lost objects" Twilight answered before turning back to Chancellor Neighsay "Mr. Neighsay! Is this the 'Daring Do' that you saw?!" Twilight asked

"Of course! Didn't your family teach you any sense? Anyone can plainly see that's Yearling! Right?" Chancellor Neighsay asked

"Um, no... Um... Well, she doesn't have a beard in the shows and books" Rainbow answered

"I agree" Pinkie agreed

"True, ms. Yearling plays the roll of Daring Do! But in the show she doesn't HAVE a beard!" Twilight reminded

"...! I... I know that! I wasn't born yesterday!" Chancellor Neighsay reminded

"Nopony is accusing you of that mr... Er, witness" Princess Celestia reminded nervously

She's having trouble calling him 'Neighsay' apparently

"However you do not have proof that the pony in this photo is ms. A.K. Yearling do you?" Princess Celestia asked

"Humph! Nosey old princess! Of course I have proof!" Chancellor Neighsay reminded

Did she just say nosey old princess?! But more importantly...!

"What?!" Twilight gasped in shock

"Huh?!" Rainbow gasped in shock

Even Rainbow is surprised, I can't even imagine her facing against her idol

"The prosecution would like to ask the Chancellor... I mean witness to please make know of all the information in your possetion ahead of time!" Rainbow suggested

"How was I to know everyone would be so noisy! You should be ashamed, all of you! Anyways, I showed that photo to the young detective, he told me 'This isn't as good as evidence', he didn't even give it a second look!" Chancellor Neighsay reminded

"..." Rainbow thought in disbelief

Wow, old Chancellor has left even Rainbow speechless, she's good!

"Let's hear your proof then!" Princess Celestia suggested

Witness Testimony

--The Man in the Photo--

"I never say anything I don't mean mind you!"

"That morning during the run-through of the action scene..."

"I saw Yearling trip and fall!"

"She broke one of the props, it was a big mess"

"Apparently, she sprained her hoof pretty bad just like in her first book..."

"Now looking at that picture..."

"...You can see she's dragging her leg! See? Clear as day!"

"That's how I knew it was Yearling, happy?"

"Hmm, so she had spraind her hoof...? Very well, Ms. Sparkle you may cross examine the witness" Princess Celestia suggested

She's got to be hiding something... I'll press her until she speaks

"Umm---" Twilight started

"You dummy!" Chancellor Neighsay called out angrily

Hey, I haven't said anything yet!

"I'll have you know I'm not pointing hooves at anypony behind their backs! Everything I've said is on the straight and narrow! The up and up! Youth today! Always whining about each other, pointing hooves this way and that! It's enough to make an old lady want to cry..." Chencellor Neighsay said angrily

"Ms. Sparkle! Please, for all our sakes try not to upset the witness!" Rainbow suggested worriedly

I think Rainbow has met her match...

"Who was present at the run-through?" Twilight asked

"Well, let's see... There was Yearling, she was Daring Do... Then poor old Martingale aka Dr. Caballeron and... Me" Chancellor Neighsay answered

"And what exactly were you doing?" Princess Celestia asked

"Observing! Just observing" Chancellor Neighsay answered

"What about the assistant aka Sassy Saddles?" Twilight asked

"Oh, she was off moving backdrops around and such" Chancellor Neighsay answered

So she didn't see the run-through then...

"Are you sure that ms Yearling 'tripped and fell'...?" Twilight asked

"Yes! And to think she's supposed to be Daring Do! What a laugh! So Yearling sprained her ankle, I helped make it better for her of course" Chancellor Neighsay explained

"You... Helped make it better?" Princess Celestia asked

"I kissed it where it hurt" Chancellor Neighsay answered

"L-Let's just skip over that part shall we" Princess Celestia suggested nervously

"Where was the assistant then?" Twilight asked

"Oh, her? She was cleaning up backdrops I believe, she didn't know about Yearling's ankle

Hmm...

"You may continue your cross examination" Rainbow suggested

"So, she broke a prop?" Twilight asked

"Sure did! Her daring vine" Chancellor Neighsay answered

Her daring vine... The murder weapon?!

"Luckily I was there with my duct tape to fix it" Chancellor Neighsay explained

This strikes me as a significant detail especially that you can't fix it when it snaps... I'd better write this down in the Court Record

(Twilight then levitated her letter from her desk and wrote the clue she had figured out on it)

"I think we've heard enough! Haven't we your honor?" Rainbow asked

"Well there is one thing that bothers me" Princess Celestia reminded

"Which is?" Rainbow asked

"Where is this 'Daring Do' costume now?" Princess Celestia asked

"Umm... Hmm, actually, well... We couldn't find it, we're looking though" Rainbow answered

"Hmm..." Princess Celestia thought

"Anyways that's not important! The witness did see Daring Do yes and it is clear that the pony in the Daring Do costume was ms. A.K. Yearling!" Rainbow reminded

"Hmm... I suppose that's right" Princess Celestia realized

Are you sure you're sure Princess?

"Objection!" Twilight shouted while turning to Princess Celestia "Hold it right there! We keep talking possibilities but we have to agree that this photo shows Daring Do! Nowhere in this photo can we see ms. A.K. Yearling!" Twilight reminded

"Hmm... The defense has a point I also wonder if somepony else not caught on camera could have killed mr. Martingale we have to consider that possibility too" Princess Celestia agreed

"Then allow me to remove that doubt from your mind your honor..." Rainbow suggested before turning to Chancellor Neighsay "Will the witness continue her testimony please" Rainbow pleaded

"No need to ask twice!" Chancellor Neighsay said

Witness Testimony

--Witness's Account Part 2--

"The time of poor Martingale's death was 2:30 PM correct?"

"The only pony I saw go to the Everfree Forest before then was A.K. Yearling!"

"No one else went there!"

"If they had I would have seen them!"

"Hmm... So if nopony else went to the Everfree Forest... Then it would have to be this 'Daring Do' who did it" Princess Celestia said thinking before turning to Twilight "Ms Sparkle you may cross-examine the witness" Princess Celestia suggested

"Alright" Twilight said before turning to Chancellor Neighsay "So how do you know about mr. Martingale's time of death?" Twilight asked

"Eh? Didn't I just explain? I gave donuts to the young detective and then after some rubbish about it being a 'secret' he told me everything" Chancellor Neighsay answered

I see detective Stygian shares his fellow officer's fondess for donuts

"So are you absolutely sure you saw A.K. Yearling entering the Everfree Forest?" Twilight asked

"Oh, why yes Princess, nopony suspicious lookin' passed by at all" Chancellor Neighsay answered

Nopony suspicious looking... I doubt that's correct

"Objection!" Twilight called out before slamming her hooves on her desk "Hold on! Look at this photograph one more time, this photo was taken by the camera at the Action Set Pathways correct?" Twilight asked

"Yes that is correct" Chancellor Neighsay answered

"So whenever anypony passes by there it automatically takes a picture correct?" Twilight asked

"And here I thoughrt you didn't know your head from a hole in the ground" Chancellor Neighsay said in disbelief

"Right..." Twilight said nervously before shaking her head "Anyways! It's also true that the computer at the entrance of the Everfree Forest records all security cam data when you add them with an stick or something, correct?" Twilight asked

"Ooh! You know, if you wanted to work as an actress we might have an opening" Chancellor Neighsay reminded

"That very computer printed out this photo, note that on the back of the photo are printed the words 'October 15 2:00 PM, Photo #2'" Twilight reminded

"Even I know that means it was taken at 2:00 PM on October the 15th! Really, I do Princess!" Chancellor Neighsay reminded

"Actually I knew that too, the issue here is the bit at the end where it says 'Photo #2'" Twilight reminded

"'Photo #2'...?" Chancellor Neighsay asked in confusion

"The computer only held data for one photo on that day don't you think that's odd? Shouldn't this photo be Photo #1 if it really was the ONLY photo?" Twilight asked

(After asking everypony in the gallery began muttering sounds of shock and disbelief which made Princess Celestia slam her gavel three times with her magic)

"Order! Order! Please tell the court what you mean by that ms. Sparkle" Princess Celestia suggested

"Actually, that's what I wanted to ask the witness, the evidence shows that not one but two ponies went to the Everfree Forest Action Set's Pathway that day and yet there is only data for one of the photos! Who could have erased the data for the other photo? Only somepony with access... The security stallion herself!" Twilight reminded

"Eh?! You watch your mouth dummy! The only pony I saw that day was A.K. Yearling!" Chancellor Neighsay reminded

"But the camera on the gate fired twice! That means two ponies went by!" Twilight reminded

"Umm... Well, yes... That's what it would seem to mean..." Chancellor Neighsay said nervously

"Can the witness explain this to the court?" Princess Celestia asked

"Umm... Ahem, I-I don't understand these new-fangled computer things... Umm... E-Element of Loyalty! Help!" Chancellor Neighsay called out in worry

"Huh?! Believe me I want to but I don't know what this means either" Rainbow explained worriedly

"Humph! Some help you are! You're a dummy too! ... ...Dummy...?" Chancellor Neighsay called out in worry and sadness

"Something the matter mr. Neighsay?" Princess Celestia asked

"Ah! That's right! I... I just remembered something!" Chancellor Neighsay realized

"Let me guess... Somepony else passed by the gate... Somepony other than Daring Do?" Princess Celestia asked

"Er... Well yes, I suppose you could put it that way" Chancellor Neighsay answered in defeat

(Afterwards Princess Celestia sighed in disbelief before nodding)

"I see, your testimony please" Princess Celestia suggested with 'I see' before the sigh

Witness Testimony

--The Other Pony--

"Everyday after I finish my guard duties I have one other important job to do"

"I go through the photos recorded on the computer right at the entrance of the Everfree Forest and check them"

"I throw out any photos that aren't suspicious looking you see"

"Come to think of it now, I remember throwing out one photo that day!"

"M-Mr. Neighsay! This is the first time I've heard of this!" Rainbow said in shock and disbelief

"Well of course Dashie! I've only just remembered it" Chancellor Neighsay reminded

"Right... Anyways ms. Sparkle, please begin the cross examination" Princess Celestia suggested

"Well, I'd say this was a turn for the unexpected but I kinda expected it..." Pinkie whispered worriedly

I should probably ignore her confusing ramblings and focus on the cross examination

"So you did have 'another job'!" Twilight realized

"T-That's right, I check all the people that passed by the main gate that day and I look closely at every one of the photos that security camera takes" Chancellor Neighsay explained

"Do you backup all of the security camera data?" Rainbow asked

"Well, they keep telling me too yes but those computers are just so frustrating" Chancellor Neighsay explained

"How many photos are there usually?" Twilight asked

"On a day when we're open to the public we get more than one hundred ponies but on filming and rehearsal days... Well, we don't have much money, we never get more than 50 and that's a big day" Chancellor Neighsay explained

"Okay but how do you determine what isn't 'suspicious looking'?" Twilight asked

"Oh, you can tell by looking at their body features for example" Chancelor Neighsay explained

"For example?! This is a murder trial mr. Neighsay!" Twilight reminded angrily

"Well, I didn't touch that suspicious looking photo of A.K. Yearling did I?" Chancellor Neighsay reminded

I think she's missing the point

"Well who in Equestria was in the photo that you erased?!" Twilight asked

"Humph, a fan" Chancellor Neighsay answered

"F-Fan?" Twilight asked in worry and confusion

"Daring Do fans, real freaks if you ask me, they get information about rehearsals from Equestria-knows-where and they're always hanging about and one was there that day" Chancellor Neighsay explained

"Objection!" Twilight shouted before slamming a hoof on her desk "W-Wait a second! Didn't you just say nopony could get in?! 'I blocked the Everfree Forest entrance so nopony could get in' were your words" Twilight reminded

"Well if you must know there's a lot of holes surrounding the barrier that goes to the employee area, the barrier has been breaking a bit for a while, it also leads outside and well that's where they come from" Chancellor Neighsay explained

"They come in through the barrier?" Twilight asked

"I told you they were freaks" Chancellor Neighsay reminded before she realized something "Oh and..." Chancellor Neighsay started before she began thinking

"And...?" Twilight asked in confusion

"They're fillies, foals, dummies" Chancellor Neighsay reminded angrily

"F-Fillies?! So on the photo that you erased...?" Twilight started in shock

"It was a colt, probably from the Ponyville Schoolhouse" Chancellor Neighsay explained

"Whaaaaaaaaaaaat?!" Twilight called out in shock and disbelief

(After asking everypony in the gallery began muttering sounds of shock and disbelief which made Princess Celestia slam her gavel three times with her magic once again)

"O-Order! Order!" Princess Celestia called out in shock before turning to Chancellor Neighsay

"Let me get this straight, you saw two ponies pass by the gate on their way to the Action Sets that day? One was Daring Do who was dragging her rear hoof, the other was a colt from the Ponyville Schoolhouse

"Oh yes well we see his type there everyday, can't stop them, can't catch them" Chancellor Neighsay explained

"A colt in the Ponyville Schoolhouse? Hmm... I assume it would be hard and if not, impossible for a young colt to strangle a fully grown pony with a vine" Rainbow thought out loud

"Impossible I'd say, they could easily hurt him" Princess Celestia reminded

"Right! And as I said I didn't pay him much mind that's why I erased the data" Chancellor Neighsay explained

(Pinkie then turned to Twilight in worry)

"Um Twily? What's going on? I mean the colt was there and that makes him a suspect!" Pinkie reminded worriedly

"Yeah and they're already trying to 'un-suspect' him" Twilight said worriedly

"I'd like to take a five minute recess and I want the prosecution and defense to consider this new information... And no forgetting information this time!" Princess Celestia ordered

October 17, 11:08 AM

District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 3

(Afterwards everyone went to their respective lobbies as Twilight and Pinkie turned to A.K. Yearling in the defendant lobby)

"Ms. A.K.?" Twilight called out which made A.K. Yearling turn to her

"Yes?" A.K. Yearling asked in worry

"Tell me straight, were you really in your dressing room? You didn't go to your replica house?" Twilight asked

"Yeah I didn't go to my replica house, I was sleeping" A.K. Yearling answered

"So who was this 'Daring Do' in that security photo?" Pinkie asked

"How should I know? The Daring Do costume was off in the corner of the dressing room, anyone could have walked in and taken it" A.K. Yearling explained

"What?! You should take better care of that stuff!" Pinkie reminded angrily

"I couldn't imagine anypony would want to steal a Daring Do costume! So... Where does that leave me?" A.K. Yearling asked

"It doesn't look good" Twilight answered

"Oh..." A. K. Yearling said while looking down in sadness

"You're the only likely suspect right now" Twilight explained

"Twily! What are we going to do?!" Pinkie asked in worry

"First we play for more time and then we'll start targetting somepony else who could conceivably done this!" Twilight explained

"Right! And it'll take them so long to shoot us down that we can get another day!" Pinkie explained

"Right but if we pick the wrong pony we might lose on the spot" Twilight reminded worriedly

"You... Don't sound very optimistic" A.K. Yearling said worriedly

"I'm not optimistic at all actually" Twilight reminded

(Just then Pinkie turned to Twilight in worry)

"Hey Twily, it's time" Pinkie said worriedly

"Okay, let's go" Twilight suggested before sighing in worry

"What does that mean... Please don't sigh like that!" A.K. Yearling suggested worriedly

"My bad" Twilight apologized

October 17, 11:30

District Court

Courtroom No. 4

(Afterwards the group had returned to the courtroom as everypony began taking their seats and chattered with each other before Princess Celestia slammed her gavel)

"The court will now reconvene for the trial of ms. A.K. Yearling" Princess Celestia announced before turning to Rainbow "Ms. Dash will you present the prosecution's thoughts on this matter?" Princess Celestia asked

"The prosecution's thoughts are simple, nothing has changed, the other pony who went to the Everfree Forest was a boy of roughly 7 years of age and the photo we do have may not be hard evidence... But there is still nopony else that could have committed this crime! I call for a verdict of 'guilty' for the defendant ms. A.K. Yearling" Rainbow suggested

"Hmm... Very well, ms. Sparkle, your thoughts?" Princess Celestia asked turning to Twilight

"The defense disagrees with the prosecution's claims, there IS another pony who could have committed this crime!" Twilight explained

(Afterwards other ponies began muttering sounds of shock and disbelief before Princess Celestia began slamming her gavel three times once more)

"Order!" Princess Celestia called out while doing so before turning back to Twilight "Interesting... Let us hear who you have in mind! However... Be aware that this court does not look kindly on accusing the innocent, if you accuse somepony who is obviously innocent you will be penalized" Princess Celestia reminded strictly

Right, great, as if the stakes weren't high enough

"So who was this pony other than ms. Yearling that could have committed murder?" Princess Celestia asked

"It was the security stallion! Chancellor Neighsay!" Twilight answered

"W-Who?!" Chancellor Neighsay asked in shock and worry

"Daring Do is dragging her rear hoof in this picture and that means whoever was in the suit knew about that morning's injury, maybe because... They had been watching the action scene run-through! There was only one pony other than Yearling and Martingale who knew about the injury, the security stallion, mr. Neighsay!" Twilight reminded

"W-What?! You dummy!" Chancellor Neighsay shouted angrily

(Afterwards other ponies began muttering sounds of shock and disbelief making Princess Celestia slam her gavel again)

"Order! Order!" Princess Celestia shouted before turning back to Chancellor Neighsay "I-Is this true Neighsay?" Princess Celestia asked

"mr. Neighsay?! That's mr. Neighsay to you!" Chancellor Neighsay reminded angrily

"Mr. Neighsay was standing guard alone at the Everfree Forest entrance, he was by herself... In other words he has no alibi! He could have briefly left his post to steal the Daring Do costume... Then slipped into Daring Do's replica home, the scene of the murder!" Twilight explained

"W-Why would she go through the trouble of wearing the Daring Do costume?!" Princess Celestia asked

"Simple your honor, he knew the camera at the gate would take his picture so if he was in her costume she could point the finger at Ms. Yearling!" Twilight explained

"I see! Excellent deduction reasoning ms. Sparkle" Princess Celestia complimented

Ohh yeah, Pony Holmes II baby!

(Just then Twilight turned to Rainbow in confusion)

"...?" Twilight thought in confusion

That's odd, isn't this the part where Rainbow pounces...? Doesn't she usually jump up with a cocky objection and some new damning evidence...?

"Well ms. Dash? Does the prosecution have an opinion on this matter?" Princess Celestia asked

"...The prosecution has no meaningful objections at this time" Rainbow answered

"W-W-What?! What's that supposed to mean?!" Chancellor Neighsay asked angrily before he realized something "Oh, so you all think I did it! Is that it?! Dashie, don't just sit there, do something!" Chancellor Neighsay ordered worriedly

What's my move? Maybe now's my chance to take this the whole way

"The very same reasoning that makes ms. Yearling a suspect in this case... Can be used to cast doubt on mr. Neighsay's actions on that day!" Twilight reminded

"B-But why would I do something so horrible to poor hammer?!" Chancellor Neighsay asked in anger and worry

"You forgot that ms. Yearling lacks a clear motive too" Twilight reminded

"Hmm... Indeed" Princess Celestia realized

That did it, now mr. Neighsay is one of the suspects, no hard feelings... I hope

"Wait just a minute! What about the other pony who went to the Everfree Forest? The colt! The one whose photo I erased?!" Chancellor Neighsay asked

"He's only just a colt though as you said, from the Ponyville Schoolhouse was it?" Princess Celestia asked

"Th-That doesn't matter! When I was that age I could pin my old stallion in 10 seconds top!" Chancellor Neighsay reminded

"Hah! I wish!" Rainbow replied with venom

"Hmm... Your thoughts ms. Sparkle?" Princess Celestia asked

"That colt is not the killer" Twilight answered

"What?! How can you be so sure?! Or is it 'be nice to fillies and mean to your elders' day?!" Chancellor Neighsay asked

"I have proof" Twilight answered

"P-Proof?!" Chancellor Neighsay asked in shock and worry

"Indeed? Then let's see this proof ms. Sparkle, you have proof that shows the colt could not have commited murder" Princess Celestia ordered

"Very well your honor! The costume A.K. Yearling had was an adult version, the very same costume is shown here in this photo, how could the costume fit the colt? It's impossible!" Twilight reminded

"I see!" Princess Celestia realized before turning to Chancellor Neughsay "Well, would the witness care to comment on this?" Princess Celestia asked

"Mrph" Chancellor Neighsay called out in shock and worry

The Neighsayer... Speechless, this has got to be a first

"Very well! This court will suspend proceedings on the current trial for today ms. Dash, please find out more about your witness ms. Neighe... What was her name again?" Princess Celestia asked

"Something 'Neighsay' your honor" Rainbow answered

"Then the prosecution will look further into this Neighsay before we continue! That is all, the court is adjourned!" Princess Celestia announced

(Everypony then began walking off until something unexpected happened)

"W-Wait a second! I'm not going to just sit here while you run off barking up the wrong tree... Me! I'm talking!" Chancellor Neighsay called out

(After saying that everyone went back to their places as Pinkie sighed in disbelief)

"Oh great, stop the presses! The neighsayer wants to talk!" Pinkie said in disbelief

"Mr. Neighsay! What is all this about? Have you ommitted something from your testimony?" Princess Celestia asked

"Actually if you must know there's something I was told not to talk about" Chancellor Neighsay explained

"N-Not to talk about?" Twilight asked in shock and confusion

"By whom?!" Rainbow asked in shock and anger

Huh? You mean it wasn't Rainbow who told him not to talk...?

"W-Well, testify" Princess Celestia suggested

Witness Testimony

--My Lips Were Sealed--

"A company wanted me to keep quiet about something"

"There were... Some other ponies at the Everfree Forest on the day of the murder"

"They said they had 'nothing to do with it' see?"

"So they told me to just pretend they 'hadn't been at the Everfree Forest that day'"

"But if you're going to go accusing me, I'm not letting them get away scot free!"

"Mr. Neighsay! This is crucial information! Why did you keep this from the court until now?!" Princess Celestia asked

"Haven't you been listening? They told me to shut my trap and I always do what I'm told" Chancellor Neighsay explained

"..." Princess Celestia thought in worry

No, this isn't a bad dream your honor, witness the power of the Neighsayer...

"Ms. Sparkle your cross examination" Princess Celestia suggested

https://youtu.be/e_myzCQI5Cg

https://youtu.be/N0GVSDRpw-8