The Episode begins with blood dripping from some sort of object as somebody was heard gasping in shock before the screen showed somepony holding the thinker as the screen then changed to Ms. Harshwhinny laying dead on the ground

"Dammit! ...Why me? I can't get caught... Not like this!" Somebody exclaimed in fright

Just then the screen changed to Garble looking down at Ms. Harshwhinny in worry 

"I-I've gotta find someone to pin this on..." Garble called out before he realized something "Someone like... Him!" Garble realized

The screen then changed to moments ago where Rarity and Spike were walking off to Rarity's Boutique before turning back to himself with a grin

"I'll make it look like HE did it!" Garble thought

August 3rd, 9:47 PM

District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 2

[POV Switch: Twilight's POV]

(The screen then changed to the Canterlot trial grounds where Twilight flew inside the room and sighs in relief before dropping to the ground)

Boy am I nervous!

"Twilight!" Starlight called out

(Twilight then turned around to her partner in crime Starlight who rushed on over to her)

"Oh, hi Starlight" Twilight greeted

"It's Ms. Glimmer here, remember?" Starlight asked

"Oh right, my bad" Twilight apologized

"No worries, after I've stayed with you I've been going to law school as a job but I never knew a princess like you would help me with this case" Starlight said

"Yeah, thanks Ms. Glimmer but it's actually because I owe him a favor" Twilight explained

"A favor?" Starlight asked before she remembered something "Wait, you mean you had to do something in favor of your client?" Starlight asked in shock and confusion

"Yes, actually, I kind of owe my gratitude to him, he's one of the reasons I decided to become a princess lawyer" Twilight explained

"I never heard of something like that before so that's news to me" Starlight explained

"But still, I wanted to help him anyway I can! I just... Really want to help him, I owe him that much" Twilight explained

Just then somebody was heard calling out

"Hey you! I want to see Rarity! Bring me to her immediately!" A voice ordered

"...Is that Spike screaming over there?" Starlight asked

"Yes, I guess he's missing Rarity a lot" Twilight answered

Just then Spike saw the duo and flew towards them slowly

"Hey Twilight, Starlight, how's it going?" Spike asked

"Good, what about you Spike?" Starlight asked

"I'm doing horrible, thanks for asking, they don't even want me near Rarity!" Spike reminded

"Yeah, well you were suspected of killing the victim remember" Twilight explained

"Yeah and after I was caught Rarity was taken in for questioning, I was not! Do something Twilight!" Spike ordered in anger and sadness

"Don't worry Spike we'll solve this case I promise you" Starlight said

"Thanks" Spike thanked

"No worries" Starlight said

And this is how my first ever case began

Now you guys must be wondering who I am? Well, I'm Twilight Sparkle the princess of friendship anyways here's the story: my first case is a fairly simple one

(The screen then changed back to Ms. Harshwhinny dead on the wooden floor)

A pony was killed inside their own apartment

(The screen then changed to an angry Spike staring at the camera)

The guy they arrested was my unlucky dragon assistant Spike... My little brother from when I first adopted him from an egg, my family had a saying 'if you ever need help, always ask Spike to do it for you', in the 13 years I've known him it's usually been true, he has a knack for getting himsellf helpful, one thing I can say though is he can sometimes be the butt of the joke but I know better than anypony, that and I owe him a favor, which is why I took this case... To clear his name and that's just what I'm gonna do

August 3rd, 10:00 AM

District Court

Courtroom No. 2

(Twilight and Starlight soon entered the courtroom as they went to take a stand on the podiums with Cranky Doodle Donkey going to stand across from them while Princess Celestia sat on the judge's seat as the other ponies chat with each other before Princess Celestia levitates her gavel and hits it on it's podium)

"Court is now in session for the trial of Spike the Dragon" Princess Celestia announced

Afterwards the court quieted down as Cranky turned to the Judge

"The Prosecution's ready your honor" Cranky announced

"The, um, defense is ready your honor" Twilight announced nervously

Princess Celestia worriedly turned to Twilight as she cleared her throat

"Ahem! Mrs. Sparkle? This is your first trial is it not?" Princess Celestia asked

"Y-Yes, your honor, I'm, um, a little nervous" Twilight answered nervously

"Your conduct during this trial will decide the fate of your client, murder is a serious charge, for your client's sake I hope you can control your nerves" Princess Celestia pleaded

"O-Of course your honor" Twilight said

"Still, Mrs. Sparkle, given the circumstances... I think we should have a test to ascertain your readiness" Princess Celestia suggested

"Alright then" Twilight said nervously

Gulp... Hooves shaking... Eyesight... Fading...

"This test will consist of a few simple questions, answer them clearly and concisely, please state the name of the defendant in this case" Princess Celestia suggested

"The defendant? Well, that's Spike the Dragon your honor" Twilight answered

"Correct, just keep your wits about you and you'll do fine, next question, this is a murder trial, tell me, what's the victim's name?" Princess Celestia asked

Whew, I know this one! Glad I read the case report cover to cover so many times, its... Wait... Uh-oh! No... No way! I forgot! I'm drawing a blank here!

Starlight then turned to Twilight in shock and worry

"Twilight! Are you absolutely SURE you're up to this? You don't even know the victim's name!" Starlight reminded

"Oh, the victim! O-Of course I know the victim's name! I, um, just forgot... Temporarily" Twilight answered nervously

"I think I feel a migraine coming on, look, the victim's name is listed in the court record, just touch the Court Record button to check it at anytime, okay? Remember to check it often, do it for me, please, I'm begging you" Starlight suggested

"I will" Twilight said

Twilight then checked the court record she levitated in her magic and after a few minutes Princess Celestia turned to her

"So, Mrs. Sparkle, who is the victim in this case?" Princess Celestia asked

"Um... The victim's name is Cindy Stone" Twilight answered

"Correct, now, tell me, what was the cause of death? She died because she was...?" Princess Celestia started

"She was struck once by a blunt object" Twilight answered

"Correct, you've answered all my questions correctly, I see no reason why we shouldn't proceed, you seem much more relaxed Mrs. Sparkle, good for you" Princess Celestia complimented

"Thank you, your honor" Twilight thanked

I definitely don't feel relaxed Princess

"Well then, first question for the prosecution, Mr. Doodle" Princess Celestia said

"Yes your honor?" Cranky asked

"As Mr. Wright just told us the victim was struck with a blunt object, would you explain to the court just what that 'object' was?" Princess Celestia asked

"Of course your honor, the murder weapon was this statue of 'The thinker'" Cranky explained as he pulled up a small statue of a pony sitting in the center while thinking "It was found lying on the floor next to the victim" Cranky explained

"I see... The court accepts it into evidence" Princess Celestia said

Twilight then picks up the court record and begins writing the new clue on it

"Twilight... Be sure to pay attention to any evidence added during the trial, that evidence is the only ammunition you have in court, check the court record letter to check the clues frequently" Starlight reminded

"Mr. Doodle, the prosecution may call it's first witness" Princess Celestia said

"The prosecution calls the defendant Spike to the stand" Cranky Doodle announced

(Afterwards two policemen drag Spike into the courtroom as Spike then worriedly began to sit in the witness' stand)

"Um Starlight, what do I do?" Twilight asked

Pay attention, you do not want to miss any information that might help your client's case, you'll get your chance to respond to the prosecution later so be ready! Let's just hope he doesn't say anything... Unfortunate" Starlight suggested

Uh oh, Spike gets unlucky easily... This could be bad

"Ahem Mr. Dragon, is it not true that you went to meet with the victim before the crime?" Cranky Doodle asked

"Well yeah that is true, we went to see her regarding the next Equestria Games if you guys didn't know" Spike explained

That's right, I went to see Spike and Rarity off yesterday

"Turns out that's true correct?" Starlight asked

"Yeah it is" Twilight answered

"Mr. Spike, what you describe is generally what we mean by 'seeing the victim' in fact you guys had completely seen her... And murdered her! She had just arrived back in Manehattan with her present the day before the murder!" Cranky Doodle reminded

"But we didn't know she was murdered after we left! It's all lies and you know it, right?!" Spike asked angrily

"Your honor, the victim's train ticket, according to this she was in Las Pegasus until her trip back to Manehattan" Cranky Doodle explained

(Twilight then pulls out the letter again and writes the train ticket message on the court record while Princess Celestia began thinking out loud)

"Hmm... Indeed, she appeared to have returned the day of the murder" Princess Celestia thought

"Dude... No way" Spike said in worry

"This isn't looking good" Twilight thought worriedly

"The victim was a business mare but did not have a large income, it appears she had several 'Failed job attempts' until getting this job, older jobs she got fired from for being to strict, she took her chance and and used it to support her lawyers we can clearly see what kind of mare this Ms. Harshwhinny was, tell me Mr. Dragon, Ms. Sparkle what do you think of her now" Cranky Doodle explained

"Twilight, I don't think you want him to answer that question, neither do you" Starlight said worriedly

"Of course not!" Twilight said worriedly before she puts her hand on her lips

Still... Spike has a way of being unlucky most of the time, should I...? Yes I should

Twilight then slammed her hooves on her desk while angrily turning to Cranky Doodle

"My client had no idea the victim was seeing other men! That question is irrelevant to this case!" Twilight reminded

"Oof!" Cranky Doodle gasped in defeat before wincing

"Dude! Twilight! Whaddya mean 'irrelevant'?! That cheating she-pony!" Spike shouted angrily

(Princess Celestia who heard this conversation was shocked as he nervously turned to the air)

"Let's continue with the trial shall we?" Princess Celestia asked

"I believe the accused's motive is clear to everyone" Cranky Doodle reminded

"Yes, quite" Princess Celestia said worriedly

Sweet Celestia! This is not looking good!

"So Mr. Dragon did you see the victim that day?" Cranky Doodle asked

"Well, uh..." Spike started

"What's your answer?" Cranky Doodle asked

"Hehe, well, uh... Maybe I did maybe I didn't" Spike answered

Uh oh, he went, what do I do? Oh I know, I'll make him lie

(When no one was watching she silently used her magic to send a signal to Spike)

Lie. Like. A. Dog.

Afterwards she stops her spell as Spike had an idea

"Actually no I didn't, Rarity and I were going to an restaurant first" Spike answered

Whew! That was close!

"Then when did you see the victim?" Cranky Doodle asked

I got a bad feeling about this

"If you don't know then I'll tell you that we indeed have a witness that can prove you DID meet with the victim that night" Cranky Doodle said

"Well, that simplifies matters, who is this witness you speak of?" Princess Celestia asked

"The dragon who found the victim's body just before making the gruesome discovery... He saw the defendant and his accomplice fleeing the scene" Cranky Doodle explained

(After that announcement was made everybody who was in the gallery began muttering sounds of shock and disbelief making Princess Celestia lift up her gavel and hit it on it's podium a few times whilst shouting...)

"Order! Order in court!" Princess Celestia shouted before turning back to Cranky Doodle "Mr. Doodle, the prosecution may call it's witness" Princess Celestia suggested

"Yes your honor" Cranky Doodle said

This is bad

"On the day of the murder my witness was supposed to be meeting the victim asking if he and his band could drum and sing in the Equestria Games, please bring Mr. Garble to the stand" Cranky Doodle ordered

(Afterwards Garble was sent into the witness stand as he and Spike switched seats)

https://youtu.be/J5j5rRvAvY4

"Mr. Garble, you were supposed to meet with the victim weren't you?" Cranky Doodle asked

"Oh yes! That is correct, even my band thinks so!" Garble answered

Mr. Garble, you may proceed with your testony, please tell the court what you saw on the day of the murder" Princess Celestia ordered

https://youtu.be/d7SYy5JvyOA

Witness Testimony

--Witness' Account--

"I was flying from the Dragonlands to Manehattan to ask about playing for the Equestria Games when I saw one man and one pony fleeing from an appartment"

"I thought they must've been in a hurry because they left the door half open behind them"

"Thinking it was strange I looked inside the apartment"

"Then I saw her there... A mare... Not moving... Dead!"

"I quailed in fright and found myself unable to go inside"

"I thought I'd call the police however the phone in her apartment wasn't working"

"I went to a nearby park and found a public phone"

"I remember the time exactly: it was 1:00 PM"

"The man who ran was without a doubt the defendant sitting right over there with his accomplice"

"Hmm..." Princess Celestia thought

Spike! Why didn't you tell the truth?! I can't defend you against a testimony like that!

"Incidentally, why wasn't the phone in the victim's apartment working?" Princess Celestia asked

"Your honor, at the time of the murder there was a blackout in the building" Cranky Doodle explained

"Aren't phones supposed to work during a blackout?" Princess Celestia asked

"Yes your honor... However some cordless phones do not function normally, the phone that Mr. Garble used was one of those your honor... I have a record of the blackout for your perusal" Cranky Doodle explained

"Very well then" Princess Celestia said

Twilight then wrote in the record of the blackout in the letter she had

"Now Mrs. Sparkle..." Princess Celestia started

"Yes! Er... Yes your honor?" Twilight asked nervously

"You may begin your Cross Examination" Princess Celestia suggested

"C-Cross Examination your honor?" Twilight asked

"Alright Twilight, this is it, the real deal!" Starlight said seriously

"Uh... What exactly am I supposed to do?" Twilight asked

"Why, you expose the lies in the testimony the witness just gave!" Starlight explained

"Lies? What?! He was lying?!" Twilight asked in shock

"Your client is innocent, right? Then that witness must have lied in his testimony! Or is your client really... Guilty?" Starlight asked worriedly

"No he's not! But how do I prove it?!" Twilight asked worriedly

"You hold the key! It's in the evidence! Compare the witness' testimony to the evidence at hand, there's bound to be a contradiction in there! First find contradictions between the Court Record and the witness' testimony then once you've found the contradicting evidence... Present it and rub it in the witness' face!" Starlight explained

"Alright! Let's do it!" Twilight suggested

"And remember to check the court record everytime for proof" Starlight reminded

"Will do" Twilight said before turning back to Garble

https://youtu.be/HK2VLhbSaoc

"Isn't a man leaving an apartment a common sight? I find it odd you would take notice of them..." Twilight reminded

"Er... Heh, I don't know, they just seemed strange to me that's all, like they were mad and yet frightened at the same time, just like... A criminal fleeing the scene of the crime!" Garble explained

"The defense requests that the witness refrain from conjecture!" Twilight ordered as she turned to Princess Celestia

Cranky Doodle then turned to Twilight

"Of course, what the witness means is that the pony and dragon he saw looked suspicious" Cranky Doodle explained

"Okay but what did you mean with the door was half open?" Twilight asked

"Well uh, the door was half open yes and I watched for a moment but no one came to close the door and that's odd even for a big city like that or that's what I thought..." Garble explained

"I see..." Cranky Doodle thought out loud

"Okay but what gave you the idea to look inside the apartment?" Twilight asked

"Well, the door was half-open you see, isn't it only friendly to want to be... Worried? We fly around because they are there! It's the same thing" Garble explained

"Truer words have never been spoken! Anyone would look inside!" Cranky Doodle agreed

Hmm... Why did Cranky Doodle cut him off so quickly?

"And when you were inside, were you sure she was dead?" Twilight asked

"W-Well no, I guess I wasn't but she wasn't moving at all and there was blood everywhere" Garble explained

I guess that would look fatal to anyone...

"Very well then" Twilight said in agreement before thinking out loud "So, you didn't touch ANYTHING in the apartment?" Twilight asked

"Um yes, I mean, no! Nothing" Garble answered nervously

(Twilight who noticed him sweating then got confused)

He sure looks nervous, I should question him further

"So, you 'thought' to call the police? Does that mean you didn't actually call them?!" Twilight asked

"Please, please... Listen to the rest of his testimony, he thought to call the police, what's wrong with that?" Cranky Doodle asked nervously

"The phone in her apartment wasn't working?" Twilight asked thinking

"Yes, I mean, no, no it wasn't, right" Garble answered nervously

"But you said you didn't go into her apartment... Or did you?!" Twilight asked strictly

"Oh, oh, that? I can explain that! There was a cordless phone on a shelf in the entrance way I reached inside and tried using that to call..." Garble started

"And the phone wasn't working, correct? Cranky Doodle asked

"Yes it wasn't" Garble answered

"So why did you use a public phone?" Twilight asked

"Well you see, I don't have a cell phone and being in the middle of the afternoon there was no answer at the nearby apartments" Garble explained

"Ah right... What time did you call again?" Twilight asked

"I thought it was 1:00 PM that I called" Garble answered

"1:00 PM! Are you certain?" Twilight asked

"Yes, absolutely" Garble answered

Hmm... He seems really confident

"1:00 PM? Twilight, doesn't that seem strange to you? Present some evidence to contradict him!" Starlight suggested

"On it!" Twilight said before she turned back to Garble and shouted...

https://youtu.be/fR4P8o95WPA

"Objection!" Twilight shouted

(Afterwards Garble gasped in shock at his defeated testimony)

"You found the body at 1:00 PM! Are you sure?" Twilight asked

"Yes, it was 1:00 PM for certain" Garble answered

"Frankly I find that hard to believe! Your statement directly contradicts the autopsy report, the autopsy notes the time of death sometime after 4 PM there was nobody er... Nopony to find at 1:00 PM! How do you explain this three-hour gap?" Twilight asked

"Oh that! Oh, er..." Garble started

"Objection!" Cranky Doodle shouted before turning to Princess Celestia "This is trivial! The witness merely forgot the time!" Cranky Doodle explained

"After his testimony, I find that hard to believe, Mr. Garble... Why were you so certain you heard that you found the body at 1:00 PM?" Princess Celestia asked

"I, er... Well, I... Gee, that's a really good question" Garble said nervously

"Great job Twilight! Way to put him on the spot! That's all you have to do: point out contradictions! Lies always beget more lies! See through one and their whole story falls apart!" Starlight reminded

"Wait! I remember now!" Garble realized

"Would you care to give your testimony again?" Princess Celestia asked

https://youtu.be/d7SYy5JvyOA

Witness Testimony

--The Time of Discovery--

"You see, when I found the body I heard the time"

"There was a voice saying the time... It was probably coming from the television"

"Oh but it was three hours off wasn't it?"

"I guess the victim must have been watching a video of a taped program!"

"That's why I thought it was 1:00 PM!"

"Terribly sorry for the misunderstanding"

"Hmm... I see, you heard a voice saying the time on a taped program" Princess Celestia thought before turning to Twilight "Mrs. Sparkle you may cross-examine the witness" Princess Celestia suggested

"Twilight, you know what to do?" Starlight asked

"I've got this one!" Twilight answered before turning to Garble "you said 'heard'... not 'saw'?" Twilight asked

"Yes heard, all I saw was the body lying there... I didn't think to look at anything else, least of all my fire proof watch" Garble answered

"Hmm... Isn't that a little strange? So you're saying you 'heard' something but if you're so shocked by the body you wouldn't hear anything at all" Twilight reminded

"Objection!" Cranky Doodle shouted making Twilight turn to him "The witness did say he actually heard the time, it's ludricous to suggest he 'wouldn't hear anything'" Cranky Doodle reminded

"Hmm... I have to agree with the prosecution, witness, continue your testimony" Princess Celestia suggested

" right there! " Twilight shouted  making Princess Celestia turn to her "The prosecution has said there was a blackout at the time of discovery and this record proves it!" Twilight reminded while teleporting the blackout record papers

"...!" Garble gasped in shock

"You couldn't have heard a television... Or a video!" Twilight reminded

"Gah!!! Well, I... Urk!" Garble gasped in shock and disbelief

"The defense has a point, do you have an explanation for this Mr. Garble?" Princess Celestia asked

"No I... I find it quite puzzling myself! Quite!... Ahh! Wait! I remember now!" Garble realized

"Mr. Garble The court would prefer to hear an accurate testimony from the very beginning, these constant corrections are harming your credibility, that and you seem rather... Distraught" Princess Celestia reminded

"M-My apologies your honor! It... Er, it must have been the shock of finding the body" Garble apologized

"Very well mr. Garble let's hear your testimony once more please" Princess Celestia suggested

https://youtu.be/d7SYy5JvyOA

Witness Testimony

--Hearing the time--

"Actually, I didn't 'hear' the time... I saw it!"

"There was a table clock in the apartment!"

"Yeah! The murder weapon! The killer used it to hit the victim" Garble explained

"That must have been what I saw!"

"You saw a clock? I guess that might explain it, the defense may examine the witness" Princess Celestia suggested

"Gladly!" Twilight answered before turning to Garble "That strikes me as a suspicious mistake" Twilight reminded

"Yes, I can see how you'd be a little doubtful... I'm really sorry I only just remembered that table clock" Garble apologized

"A 'table clock?'" Princess Celestia asked

"A 'table clock'? Was there a clock at the scene?" Twilight asked

"This is the first of it!" Princess Celestia realized

https://youtu.be/fR4P8o95WPA

"Wait just a moment! The murder weapon wasn't a clock, it was this statue!" Twilight realized, teleporting the bloody thinking pony statue in front of herself which she still held in her grip "Now how is this supposed to be a clock?" Twilight asked

"Whaa! Y-You with your 'objections' and your evidence!... Just who do you think you are?!" Garble asked

"Just answer the question mr. Garble" Twilight ordered

"Hey, I... I saw it there okay! That's a clock!" Garble reminded

"Your honor! If I may..." Cranky Doodle started

"Yes mr. Doodle?" Princess Celestia asked

"As the witness stated this is indeed a clock, the neck is a switch you just tilt it and it says the time out loud as it doesn't look like a clock I submitted it as a statue, my apologies" Cranky Doodle apologized

"I see, so the murder weapon was a clock after all" Princess Celestia thought out loud before turning to Twilight "Well mrs. Sparkle, it appears the witness' testimony was correct this is a clock, do you have any problems with his testimony now?" Princess Celestia asked

"Yes your honor, there's a gaping hole in the witness' testimony" Twilight answered before turning to Garble "The only way he could've known the weapon was a clock is to hold it in hid claw yet the witness testified that he never entered the apartment! Clearly a contradiction!" Twilight reminded

"Hmm... Indeed" Princess Celestia thought

"The witness knew it was a clock because he lied! You were inside the apartment on the day of the murder!" Twilight reminded pointing to Garble

"Oh yeah? Prove it! Prove I went in there!" Garble ordered angrily

"I'll do better than that! I can prove you were the one who killed her! You struck her with the clock and the shock of the blow triggered the clock's voice! That was the sound you heard!" Twilight reminded

(After hearing that the gallery murmured sounds of shock for the second time)

"Order in court!" Princess Celestia shouted before turning back to Twilight "Intriquing, please contine mrs. Sparkle" Princess Celestia suggested

"Yes your honor" Twilight said before turning back to Garble "Mr. Garble, the sound must have left quite the impression on you, understandable since the murder weapon spoke just as you hit the victim! That voice was burned in your mind, that's why you were so certain of the time" Twilight reminded

"Objection!" Cranky Doodle shouted making Twilight turn to him "W-W-What'd the meaning of this? This is all baseless conjecture!" Cranky Doodle said in shock and disbelief

"Baseless...?" Twilight asked before pointing at Garble "Just look at the witness' face!" Twilight suggested

Garble who heard all this then began freaking out

"Ngh... Grrrah!" Garble growled in disbelief as pieces of smoke began soaring out of his nose

"Would the witness care to elaborate? Did you strike the victim with the clock?" Princess Celestia asked

"I... I...! That... That day... I... I never! Look... I... The clock... I heard, no! I mean, saw... Saw... Nggg! Gwaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Garble shouted as fire shot in the air before he turned to Twilight with rage "Shutupshutupshutup! I hate you! I-It was him I tell you! I saw him! H-He killed her and he should burn! Burn! Give him death!" Garble ordered angrily

(Afterwards the gallery began shouting in shock and fright as Princess Celestia slammed her gavel a few times in her magic)

"Order! Order in the court I say!" Princess Celestia ordered

"Your honor, a-a moment please! There isn't a shred of evidence supporting the defense's claims!" Cranky Doodle reminded

"Mrs. Sparkle?!" Princess Celestia asked

"Yes your honor?" Twilight asked

"You claim the sound the witness heard came from the clock... Do you have any evidence?" Princess Celestia asked

The whole case is riding on this! I'd better think it through carefully!

"Yes your honor, the sound mrs. Garble heard was definitely the clock, a fact which is clear if you simply sound the clock now here in this court, your honor, may I use the clock as a little test?" Twilight asked as Princess Celestia nodded "I ask the court to listen very carefully" Twilight ordered

(Twilight then began tilting the clock's head as the court waited in anticipation until...)

...*Beep*...

[I think it's 8:25]

"That certainly is a strange way to announce the time" Princess Celestia said in shock

"well, that is 'the thinker' after all" Twilight reminded

"So we've heard the clock, what are your conclusions mrs. Sparkle?" Princess Celestia asked

"Mr. Doodle... Can you tell me what time it is now?" Twilight asked

"It's 11:25" Cranky Doodle answered only to realize what he said "Ack!" Cranky Doodle gasped in shock

"As you can see, this clock is exactly three hours slow! Precisely the discrepancy between what Mr. Garble heard and the actual time of death! So, Mr. Garble... Try to talk your way out of this one!" Twilight suggested

"... ...Hah! Hah hah! You forgot one thing!" Garble reminded

Uh oh... What's he talking about...?

"While it may seem like that clock IS running three hours slow... It proves nothing! How do you know it was running three hours slow on the day of the murder?! If you can't prove that, you don't have a case!" Garble reminded

"...!" Twilight gasped in shock

He's right! How am I going to prove that?! Dammit I was so close!

(Twilight then looked down in sadness as Princess Celestia turned to her in worry

"Mrs. Sparkle? It seems you lack the critical evidence to support your claim" Princess Celestia said worriedly

"...! Yes your honor" Twilight answered sadly

"This means I cannot let you indict the witness, unfortunately... This ends the cross-examination of mr. Garble" Princess Celestia announced worriedly

"I come all the way down here to testify and look what happens! You treat me like a criminal! A criminal! You lawyers are all slime!" Garble reminded angrily

Grr! I almost had him! Sorry Spike... I failed you, there's nothing I can do about it now...

(Just then something unexpected happened)

"Objection!" Starlight shouted which made everyone turn to her in shock "Not so fast mr. Garble!" Starlight ordered angrily

"S-Starlight?" Twilight gasped in shock and confusion

"Listen up Twilight! Don't throw this one away, not like this! Think!" Starlight suggested

"But Starlight, it's over! I can't prove the clock was slow the day of the murder! Nobody can prove that!" Twilight reminded

"Um..." Starlight thought worriedly before she realized something "Well, yes but tht doesn't mean you can't still win! Try thinking out of the box! Don't waste time doubting the facts, assume the clock was three hours slow and... Think through it! Ask yourself 'Why was the clock three hours slow'? Figure out the reason and you'll have your proof! Right Twilight? Can you think of a reason as to why the clock would be three hours slow?" Starlight asked

(Twilight then puts her hoof on her chin and begins thinking while she checked the court record letter again until she found one evidence she hadn't presented yet)

"I think I do" Twilight answered

"You must have evidence somewhere that can prove it, Twilight! Find it and let them have it!" Starlight suggested

(Twilight then thought for a moment of every clue in the courtroom until a grey screen appeared as Twilight looked at every clue in the courtroom until she found the train ticket as her Cutie Mark symbol with a purple background shows the evidence and when she found it she bravely turned to Princess Celestia who then strictly looked at her)

"Well mrs. Sparkle? You say the clock was running slow on the day of the murder... Have you found the evidence to support this claim?" Princess Celestia asked

"Of course, there is a piece of evidence in the court record that can prove my claim beyond a doubt!" Twilight answered

"Hah! Tough words! Let's see you pull this one off!" Garble suggested tauntingly

"Very well then, let's see this evidence that proves why the clock was running slow!" Princess Celestia suggested

"Take that!" Twilight shouted teleporting in a train ticket to Las Pegasus "The victim had just returned home from abroad the day before the murder, as we all know the time differences between here and Las Pegasus is nine hours! When it's 4:00 PM here it's 1:00 AM the next day there, the clock wasn't three hours slow, it was nine hours fast! The victim hadn't reset her clock since returning home! That's why the time you heard when you struck her dead in her apartment was wrong! proof enough for you, mr. Garble? Or Should I say... Mr. Garble the bully?" Twilight asked angrily

"Ngh...!" Garble gasped in shock

(Garble then groaned as he slammed his desk in rage while other ponies began screaming in both fright and victory until Garble was detained and dragged away while he still struggled to run to Twilight while screaming as Princess Celestia slammed her gavel a few times to try and calm everypony down)

"O-Order! Order I say!" Princess Celestia ordered

(A little while later everypony had calmed down as Princess Celestia rubbed the back of her head)

"Well... This case has certainly turned out differently than we all expected" Princess Celestia said in disbelief before turning to Cranky Doodle "Cranky Doodle... Your witness?" Princess Celestia asked

"He... Er... He was arrested and has been taken away to a fire proof jail your honor" Cranky Doodle answered

"Very well, mrs. Sparkle?" Princess Celestia asked turning to Twilight

"Yes your honor?" Twilight asked nervously

"I have to say, I'm impressed, I don't think I've ever seen somepony complete a defense so quickly... Especially for my star student... And find the true culprit at the same time!" Princess Celestia said in happiness

"Thank you your honor" Twilight thanked

"At this point, this is only a formality but... This court finds the defendant mr. Spike the Dragon... not guilty... And with that... The court is adjourned" Princess Celestia announced

Afterwards Twilight and Starlight cheered as they hugged each other excitedly while Spike only smiled warmly at them before rushing to them

"Still, how did you know it was him that killed Mrs. Harshwhinny?" Spike asked

"Well, it turns out that Garble was a common bully! He posed as a drummer to check and see if ponies would be willing to have his band drum for them and if they didn't he'd hurt them! That day... When you, Spike and Rarity went to her apartment the victim was still waiting for other people and after you guys left Garble let himself in to talk to Mrs. Harshwhinny about the Equestria games and she didn't answer making him hurt the victim and when he did that, he stole the thinker which ended up killing her and that's what I believe happened" Twilight explained

"I still can't believe he did that! He's a no good bully!" Spike said angrily

"Yeah, I knew you wouldn't like hearing about it" Twilight said

"Same here, now let's go, we're supposed be in the lobby by now" Starlight suggested

https://youtu.be/h29zK6_VstU

August 3, 2:32 PM

District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 2

Whew... I still can't believe we won!

"Twilight! Amazing job in there! Congratulations!" Starlight complimented

"Th-Thanks Starlight, I owe it all to you" Twilight thanked

"Not at all, not at all! You fought your own battles in there, it's been a while since I've seen a trial end on such a satisfying note!" Starlight said happily

I've never seen Starlight looking this happy... If she's this glad imagine how Spike must feel!

(The screen then showed Rarity hugging Spike in happiness)

"Oh Spikey-Wikey! I'm so happy for you!" Rarity said in awe

"I'm happy too, I missed you so much Rarity!" Spike said in happiness

(Starlight then approached the two and splitted them out of the hug)

"Alright, that's enough you two, can't you two just be happy that Garble is in jail" Starlight said

"Oh but of course we're happy about it too, I mean it was Twilight who stopped that brute from roaming these lands still, I'm afraid he'll be staying on the sun for a while now after these events" Rarity reminded

"But unfortunately, it's only for 3 years" Twilight reminded

"Oh poo, he still got some time to think this over there then, I'm afraid" Rarity said in agreement

"Anyways, I have a little present for you guys especially after these events" Twilight explained

"Really?! Show us!" Spike suggested

"Take that!" Twilight shouted teleporting the thinker statue in which this time is not bloody any more "Check this out guys, proof positive you guys weren't alone back there" Twilight explained

"Huh...? What about that clock?" Spike asked

"I thought I asked to cops to clean it up!" Rarity said angrily

"But this is the clock YOU GUYS made for her! And she took it with her when she traveled" Twilight reminded

"But that was months ago" Rarity reminded

"Yeah, still she probably just asked us to make it, that's all" Spike said sadly

"You think so? It's a pretty heavy clock to take traveling" Twilight reminded

"..." Spike and Rarity thought sadly

"Well, make of it what you will" Twilight suggested

"Hey, Twilight, I'm glad I asked you to be our lawyer, really, I am, thanks" Spike thanked

Hope, that made them feel a little better...

"Anyways, I still have a boutique to get to, I had to close all three after the events of last night" Rarity reminded

"Allow me to help Rares!" Spike suggested

"Alright then, let's go Spikey-Wikey!" Rarity suggested

(The two then ran off as Twilight called out to them)

"Stay safe out there!" Twilight called out

(Afterwards Starlight turned to Twilight)

"Twilight? I hope you see the importance of evidence now, also hopefully you realize things change depending on how you look at them, people, too, we never really know if our clients are guilty or innocent, all we can do is believe in them and in order to believe in them you have to believe in yourself, Twilight... Listen, learn, grow strong, never let go of what you believe in, never" Starlight reminded

"Will do" Twilight said

"Well, I think our work here is done! Shall we be off?" Starlight asked

"Yeah, I guess so!" Twilight answered

"Say, how about dinner, on me? We'll drink a toast to innocent Spike and Rarity!" Starlight suggested

"Yeah!" Twilight answered

"Oh, speaking of Spike... You were saying part of why you became a lawyer was because of him" Starlight reminded

"Err, yeah, part at least" Twilight answered

"You'll have to tell me more about it sometime! Maybe... Over drinks?" Starlight asked

"Good idea" Twilight answered

And so, my first trial came to a close, Spike sat on my back back home and said 'Gee Twilight, it's good to have friends!' but I'm pretty sure he's not going to pay us unless you count the clock he gave Starlight... I didn't know it then... But that clock was soon going to be at the center of another incident and my promise to tell Starlight about me and Spike... Would be one promise that I wouldn't be able to keep

https://youtu.be/N0GVSDRpw-8